Publications by authors named "Pinto V"

Background: Despite wide adoption in the healthcare of safety event report (SER) systems, there is a paucity of unified structures for prompt analysis and action while retaining reporter confidentiality. We used a synesis framework to change siloed reviews of safety reports to a comprehensive appraisal of quality, safety, productivity and reliability to facilitate interventions.

Methods: After a needs assessment survey, we launched serial plan-do-study-act cycles to (1) enhance teams' ability to access SERs, (2) facilitate regular multidisciplinary review of SERs to identify actionable opportunities, (3) allocate action priority using failure mode and effects analysis, and (4) launch actions and summarise data.

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Both, Serendipita indica and AMF, show promise as sustainable biofertilizers for reforestation, improving nutrient uptake and stress tolerance, despite contrasting effects on photosynthetic capacity and biomass allocation. Reclaiming degraded areas is essential for biodiversity conservation and enhancing ecosystem services enhancement, especially when using native species. This study investigated Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, a native Brazilian species, and its compatibility with plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM), including an endophytic fungus (Serendipita indica) and a consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to identify effective strategies for reforestation in nutrient-poor environments.

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Thighplasty is a widely performed body contouring procedure, utilizing various surgical techniques for thigh lifting, including medial scar positioning, vertical and horizontal procedures, and liposuction. Despite its popularity, thighplasty is associated with high complication rates and suboptimal postoperative outcomes.This article presents a novel technique: the J medial thighplasty combined with helium plasma radiofrequency technology (HPRF) to address moderate skin and soft-tissue laxity and ptosis in the inner thighs.

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Voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) is a key protein in cellular metabolism and apoptosis. Here, we present a protocol to express and purify milligram amounts of recombinant VDAC1 in Escherichia coli. We detail steps for a fluorescence polarization-based high-throughput screening assay using NADH displacement, along with procedures for thermostability, fluorescence polarization, and X-ray crystallography.

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In the last few years, many efforts have been devoted to the recovery and valorization of olive oil by-products because of their potentially high biological value. The olive mill wastewater (OMWW), a dark-green brown colored liquid that mainly consists of fruit vegetation water, is particularly exploited in this regard for its great content in phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant properties. In our previous work, we produced different OMWW fractions enriched in hydroxytyrosol- and hydroxytyrosol/oleuropein (i.

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Nanocarriers (NCs) have emerged as a revolutionary approach in targeted drug delivery, promising to enhance drug efficacy and reduce toxicity through precise targeting and controlled release mechanisms. Despite their potential, the clinical adoption of NCs is hindered by challenges in their physicochemical characterization, essential for ensuring drug safety, efficacy, and quality control. Traditional characterization methods, such as dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis, offer limited insights, primarily focusing on particle size and concentration, while techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are hampered by extensive sample preparation, high costs, and potential sample degradation.

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A creative approach to reducing food waste by reusing industrial cake waste can result in the development of a worldwide favorite snack. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of industrial cake wastes-basic mini cake (BMC), filled mini cake (FMC), and traditional mini cake (TMC)-as sustainable alternatives to wheat flour in producing ring-shaped cookies. After initial screening, FMC was upcycled at 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, and 50% of wheat flour replacement for ring-shaped cookie processing.

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Recently, Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) platforms have arisen as an increasingly relevant experimental tool for successfully replicating human physiology and disease. However, there is a lack of a standard technology to monitor the OoC parameters, especially in a non-invasive and label-free way. Photoacoustic (PA) systems can be considered an alternative and accurate assessment method for OoC platforms.

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Purpose: Urethral instrumentation (UI) in patients with an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) demands technical considerations and poses a risk of urethral erosion, leading to serious clinical and legal consequences. We conducted a national survey to evaluate the knowledge and experience of Brazilian urologists with UI in these patients.

Methods: This study used an electronic survey distributed to members of the Brazilian Society of Urology.

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One of the most robust approaches to the prediction of causal driver genes of complex diseases is to apply reverse engineering methods to infer a gene regulatory network (GRN) from gene expression profiles (GEPs). In this work, we analysed 794 GEPs of 1117 human whole-blood samples from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients and healthy subjects reported in the GSE112681 dataset. GRNs for ALS and healthy individuals were reconstructed by ARACNe-AP (Algorithm for the Reconstruction of Accurate Cellular Networks - Adaptive Partitioning).

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Caliber mismatch in microvascular anastomosis can significantly increase procedural difficulty and elevate the risk of thrombosis. A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify articles addressing surgical techniques for overcoming caliber mismatch in microvascular anastomosis. Various techniques described in the literature were found: modifications of end-to-end anastomosis, the use of end-to-side anastomosis, the application of vessel grafts and the use of vessel couplers.

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Objective: MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are abundantly expressed in various biofluids, making them promising candidates for cancer biomarkers. This review aims to present current evidence on the use of miRNA as biomarkers for the non-invasive diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Methods: A systematic literature review, using the Medline database, was performed in July 2022 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

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Background: Children with cancer face a high risk of complications including prolonged mechanical ventilation requiring tracheostomies. While tracheostomies have been demonstrated to be a generally safe procedure, there remain significant rare complications and a paucity of literature addressing outcomes specifically for pediatric patients with cancer. The objective of this study was to characterize pediatric patients with cancer who underwent tracheostomies and describe their indications and outcomes for length of stay, decannulation, and complications.

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The main goal for treatment of locally advanced thyroid carcinoma invading the laryngotracheal and esophageal complex, is radical surgical excision and reconstruction of a functional aerodigestive tract. We describe a challenging surgical technique in which a wide laryngotracheal and esophageal defect was functionally reconstructed using a single anterolateral thigh flap. This can represent a good option for a tailored functional reconstruction of extended defects of the aerodigestive tract.

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Male infertility affects nearly 50% of infertile couples, with various underlying causes, including endocrine disorders, testicular defects, and environmental factors. Spermatozoa rely on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism for motility and fertilization, with mitochondria playing a crucial role in sperm energy production, calcium regulation, and redox balance. Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, regulate energy and metabolite exchange, which are essential for sperm function.

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Introduction: The choice of the most adequate surgical technique for upper limb defects remains challenging. The aim of this article is to discuss the main microsurgical (pedicled or free) reconstructive options for the post-oncological reconstruction of different anatomical areas of the upper extremity.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed different reconstructive methods reported in the literature needing microsurgical expertise and compared them to our clinical experience, in order to provide further guidance in the choice of different flaps for upper limb soft tissue reconstruction.

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Background: Over the past two decades, liposuction techniques have significantly evolved, moving from basic fat removal to sophisticated methods aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and cosmetic outcomes. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a combined approach using ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) and helium plasma radiofrequency (HPRF) technology to enhance skin tightening without the need for extensive surgical interventions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 639 patients who underwent the combined UAL and HPRF liposuction technique.

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Objective: To establish the accuracy of frozen section examination in identifying tumor spread through air spaces (STAS), as well as to propose a reproducible technical methodology for frozen section analysis. We also aim to propose a method to be incorporated into the decision making about the need for conversion to lobectomy during sublobar resection.

Methods: This was a nonrandomized prospective study of 38 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgical resection.

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Among the most important aquaculture resources for our country, salmon and trout stand out. Their production has increased significantly in recent decades, making them two of the most valuable resources in economic terms. However, high aquaculture production has allowed many pathogens to proliferate, causing infectious diseases and significant production losses.

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This article presents a direct method for temperature control in solid-state lasers, where temperature stability is crucial for optimizing the performance and reliability of such lasers. The proposed method utilizes Peltier chips for both cooling and heating the laser crystal to achieve precise temperature regulation. The system design is based on the step response of the open-loop thermal system and employs a proportional-integral (PI) controller for closed-loop temperature control.

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In vivo, the temperature inside preovulatory follicles of cows is approximately 1 °C lower than rectal temperature. However, standard bovine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) protocols use 38.5 °C based on rectal temperature.

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