COVID-19 on patients with immune-mediated rheumatic disease: a comparative study of disease activity, fatigue, and psychological distress over six months.

Objectives: To compare the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical status and psychological distress of patients with immune-mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD) caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection with that of noninfected IMRD controls during a 6-month follow-up period.

Methods: The ReumaCoV Brazil is a longitudinal study designed to follow IMRD patients for 6 months after COVID-19 (patients) compared with IMRD patients without COVID-19 (controls). Clinical data, disease activity measurements and current treatments regarding IMRD and COVID-19 outcomes were evaluated in all patients.

Expert perspectives on tuberculosis screening procedures for migrants.

Objective: To evaluate the perspectives of tuberculosis experts from different countries regarding national screening procedures.

Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Data were collected by using electronic, anonymized surveys with experts in tuberculosis in seven different countries within two World Health Organization regions (Europe and Africa).

Male androgenetic alopecia.

Male androgenetic alopecia (MAA) is quite common and worsens with age, with a significant impact on quality of life, and is increasingly a reason for consultation with a dermatologist. The etiopathogenesis of MAA is multifactorial and genetic and hormonal influences stand out. MAA starts with the process of follicular miniaturization in diverse phenotypic patterns.

Alopecia Induced by Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injection.

Cosmetic procedures carry inherent risks of adverse events. Though rarely reported, transient and permanent alopecia are potential complications of these procedures. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed pain and patches of nonscarring alopecia with erythema and edema following aesthetic application of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) on the face and along the frontal hairline.

Immunogenicity and Safety According to Immunosuppressive Drugs and Different COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms in Immune-Mediated Disease: Data from SAFER Cohort.

Background/objectives: The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) depends on the underlying disease, immunosuppression degree and the vaccine regimens. We evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of different COVID-19 vaccine schedules.

Methods: The SAFER study: "Safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Rheumatic Disease", is a Brazilian multicentric prospective observational phase IV study in the real-life.

Creativity and Body: Living Metaphors in the Context of People Undergoing Heart Transplantation.

This article explores the embodied dimension of authoring life trajectories for individuals who have undergone heart transplantation. Confronting the radical otherness of existential finitude can create a rich context for examining the relationships between authorship, corporeality, and creative processes. By integrating Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology of the body with Susanne Langer's theory of affective semiosis and presentational signs, this work aims to foster a productive dialogue between these perspectives, grounded in Semiotic Cultural Psychology, which meta-theoretically synthesizes a diverse range of knowledge on the transformative interaction between individuals and culture.

Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence in B,N-Substituted Tetracene Derivatives: A Theoretical Pathway to Enhanced OLED Materials.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exhibit intriguing characteristics that position them as promising candidates for advancements in organic semiconductor technologies. Notably, tetracene finds substantial utility in Electronics due to its application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). The strategic introduction of an isoelectronic boron-nitrogen (B,N) pair to replace a carbon-carbon pair in acenes introduces changes in the electronic structure, allowing for the controlled modulation of diradical characteristics.

Low Bone Turnover, Mineralization Impairment, and Cortical Alterations in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Histomorphometric Study.

Patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) experience a higher prevalence of fragility fractures, though the pathophysiology of osteoporosis associated with this disease remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the histomorphometric data in r-axSpA patients. Male r-axSpA patients up to 55 years old were enrolled in this cross-sectional study.

Kawasaki Disease: A Rare Case of a Non-pediatric Patient.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory condition more common in children but rare in adults, where diagnosis can be challenging due to nonspecific symptoms. Early recognition is essential to prevent severe complications. We present the case of a 26-year-old male with adult-onset KD who initially presented with vague symptoms, resulting in diagnostic delays.

Children's right to participation in residential care: A staff-based study in Portugal.

Background: Youth in residential care (RC) reveal high-risk trajectories, which require upholding their rights and providing them with opportunities to participate.

Objective: We aimed to identify staff profiles focused on their perceptions of participation and the association with sociodemographic variables.

Participants And Setting: This study included quantitative analysis of qualitative data collected from 87 professionals in the RC (M = 38.

EPA/DHA but Not ALA Reduces Visceral Adiposity and Adipocyte Size in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Delta-6 Desaturase Knockout Mice.

The objective of this omega-3 feeding study was to elucidate the independent effects of α-linolenic acid (ALA) versus eicosapentaenoic (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on visceral adiposity and inflammatory signaling in diet-induced obese delta-6 desaturase (Fads2) knockout (KO) mice. Male wildtype (WT) and Fads2 KO mice were fed a high-fat diet (45% kcal from fat) containing either lard (no omega-3s), flaxseed (ALA), or menhaden (EPA/DHA) for 21 weeks. Epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) was analyzed for changes in tissue weight, adipocyte size, triacylglycerol (TAG) and fatty acid content, and inflammatory markers.

Immune Profile and MRI-Detected Cardiac Fibrosis and Edema in Hypertensive and Non-Hypertensive Patients with COVID-19.

Cardiac involvement in 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) survivors has been reported frequently. An exacerbated immune response may be the main mechanism of myocardial injury and late cardiac sequelae in this population. We investigated the immune profile in hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients with COVID-19 who developed late cardiac fibrosis and edema, as detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Although positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may serve as protective factors against the negative consequences of childhood adversity, they have been less extensively studied. However, more recently, there has been a growing interest in understanding the role of these experiences. This systematic review aims to address this research gap by systematizing the existing literature on PCEs and examining their relationship with both positive and negative outcomes.

In vitro photoprotective efficacy and photostability of synthesized star-shaped ZnO nanoaggregates associated with ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane.

The heightened susceptibility to skin cancer correlates with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can induce various cutaneous injuries. Inorganic UV filters, like zinc oxide (ZnO), are extensively utilized in sunscreens owing to their capacity to scatter and reflect UV radiation. The efficacy of inorganic UV filters can be augmented across a wider spectrum through synergistic combinations with other active compounds, such as organic UV filters.

Proposal for fasting insulin and HOMA-IR reference intervals based on an extensive Brazilian laboratory database.

Objective: Fasting insulin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index are relatively simple and reliable noninvasive markers of insulin resistance (IR). Given the relevance of correctly diagnosing IR, we emphasize the importance of establishing reliable reference intervals (RIs) for these markers. This study aimed to determine the RIs of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR index in adults living in Rio de Janeiro and, secondarily, to verify potential RI differences between sexes.

Cost-effectiveness of falls prevention strategies for older adults: protocol for a living systematic review.

Introduction: One-third of adults aged 65+ fall annually. Injuries from falls can be devastating for individuals and account for 1.5% of annual healthcare spending.

Tutorial on the Use of the Photon Diffusion Approximation for Fast Calculation of Tissue Optical Properties.

Computer simulations, which are performed at a single wavelength at a time, have been traditionally used to estimate the optical properties of tissues. The results of these simulations need to be interpolated. For a broadband estimation of tissue optical properties, the use of computer simulations becomes time consuming and computer demanding.

Are Environmental Levels of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs a Reason for Concern? Chronic Life-Cycle Effects of Naproxen in Zebrafish.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen (NPX) is among the most consumed pharmaceuticals worldwide, being detected in surface waters within the ng to μg/L range. Considering the limited chronic ecotoxicity data available for NPX in aquatic ecosystems, the present study aimed at evaluating its impact in the model organism , following a full life-cycle exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1 to 5.

Socioeconomic factors and COVID-19 mortality in immune-mediated rheumatic diseases patients: regional analysis from Argentina, Mexico and Brazil.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has become a major international issue, not only from a medical point of view, but also social, economic and political. Most of the available information comes from the United States, Europe, and China, where the population and the socioeconomic status are very different from Latin American countries. This study evaluates the effect of regional socioeconomic characteristics on mortality due SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) from Argentina, Mexico and Brazil.

Evaluation of gingival thickness obtained from intraoral scanning registration with cone beam computed tomography at different acquisition modes.

Objectives: To investigate the reliability of gingival thickness measurements obtained from the registration of intraoral scans with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations at different acquisition modes.

Study Design: CBCT examinations of 9 porcine hemimandibles were acquired using the OP300 Maxio unit operating at the highest-dose protocol with the smallest voxel size as the reference standard for visualizing the gingival surface. Subsequently, the hemimandibles were surrounded by water to simulate soft tissue attenuation of radiation, and additional CBCT examinations were acquired in 4 modes: Endo, High-resolution, Standard-resolution, and Low-dose.

Lack of Anticoagulant Use in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Increased Risk of Thromboembolic Events According to Sex: Insights from a Multicentric Brazilian Study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, and its presentation differs according to age and sex. Recent studies have revealed differences in AF among various demographic groups, including the Latin American population.

Objectives: To better understand potential disparities in AF prevalence and treatment strategies in the Brazilian population through data from a large multicentric prospective registry.

Predictors of Hospitalization in Breakthrough COVID-19 among Fully Vaccinated Individuals with Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases: Data from SAFER-Study.

Breakthrough COVID-19 (occurring in fully vaccinated people) has been described. Data on its characteristics among immune-mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD) patients are scarce. This study describes breakthrough COVID-19 occurring in IMRD patients participating in the SAFER-study, a Brazilian multicentric cohort evaluating the safety, effectiveness, and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Palliative Care and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Stroke Patients: is There Anything to Fear? A Retrospective Study of Patients Who Died During Hospitalization in a Quaternary Care Hospital.

Background And Purpose: Primary palliative care (PC) aims to improve the quality of life for patients with acute ischemic stroke but is often misinterpreted as withdrawal of care. The self-fulfilling prophecy withdrawal bias is feared in this context of PC's early implementation. This study evaluates stroke patients who died in the hospital to determine the impact of PC evaluation.

Somatic mutations in 3929 HPV positive cervical cells associated with infection outcome and HPV type.

Invasive cervical cancers (ICC), caused by HPV infections, have a heterogeneous molecular landscape. We investigate the detection, timing, and HPV type specificity of somatic mutations in 3929 HPV-positive exfoliated cervical cell samples from individuals undergoing cervical screening in the U.S.