Publications by authors named "Roberto Da Justa Pires Neto"

Background: Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a significant cause of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although, implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) have been used for all forms of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), studies on ICD efficacy in CCM are scarce.

Objective: The present study aims to compare the long-term outcomes, mortality rates, and the occurrence of tachycardia therapies after ICD implantation in patients with CCM and NICM.

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  • The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C, focusing on sustained virologic response (SVR) and serious adverse events among patients in Ceará, Brazil.
  • A total of 1075 patients were analyzed, with a high overall SVR rate of 96.4%; however, those with cirrhosis showed slightly lower SVR rates compared to patients with less severe fibrosis.
  • While DAAs were generally safe, a small percentage (3.5%) of patients experienced serious adverse events, and some decompensated cirrhosis patients faced mortality during treatment.
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  • Trachoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, particularly affecting certain demographics in Brazil, as analyzed in a study of data from 2000 to 2022.
  • The study found a small number of hospital admissions and deaths specifically related to trachoma, but highlighted that it disproportionately impacts males, older adults, and specific regions of Brazil.
  • The findings emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of trachoma data and efforts to eliminate this neglected disease, despite its low prevalence in the country.
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Background: There are few retrospective and prospective studies on implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) in primary and secondary prevention of sudden death in chronic Chagas heart disease (CCHD).

Objectives: To describe the long-term evolution of patients with CCHD and ICD and to identify and analyze predictors of mortality and appropriate device therapy in this population.

Methods: This was a historical prospective study with 117 patients with ICD and CCHD.

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  • - The study aimed to examine the factors influencing the use of insect repellent among women of childbearing age in Fortaleza, Brazil, particularly in areas affected by arboviruses from 2018-2019.
  • - A cohort of 1,173 women participated, revealing that only 28% consistently used insect repellent, with factors like higher education, employment, professional advice, media information, and recent pregnancy linked to increased usage.
  • - The findings suggest that education and employment status, along with healthcare guidance and behavioral adaptations during the Zika virus epidemic, play significant roles in the continued use of insect repellent among these women.
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  • - Genito-urinary tuberculosis is the second most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis globally, but it's rare and can often mimic testicular cancer or infarction.
  • - The presence of HIV significantly raises the likelihood of TB occurring in atypical areas of the body, including the testes.
  • - Diagnosis of testicular tuberculosis is made through histological analysis, acid-bacilli smear from biopsy or semen, and culture tests.
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Women in prison have high risk for non-communicable diseases both in relation to men in prison and in relation to women in the general population. This study documented the health disparities related to diseases among women in prison and in the general female population in Brazil. Women in prisons (WP) < 30 years old had a prevalence of hypertension (PR = 4.

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Several biomarkers have been evaluated as predictors of severity or in directing the treatment of COVID-19, however there are no conclusive results. In this study, we evaluated serum levels of cytokines, chemokines, and cell growth factors in association with the pathobiology of mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serum levels of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (n = 113) and flu symptoms individuals negative for SARS-CoV-2 (n = 58), tested by the RT-qPCR test-nasal swab were compared to healthy controls (n = 53).

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Background: The aim of the current study was to estimate the population prevalence of trachoma in non-indigenous populations in the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region, in the state of Ceará, northeast region of Brazil, 2021-2022.

Methods: A population-based prevalence survey focusing on detecting cases of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 y and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) 'unknown to the health system' in people aged ≥15 y, was conducted in rural areas of the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region in the state of Ceará. Indigenous populations will be further researched.

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This study aimed to investigate the association between novel biomarkers and renal injury in people with HIV (PWH). A cohort study was carried out with PWH under chronic use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), followed at a public outpatient service. Clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients were evaluated year by year, from 2015 [at baseline (year 1, Y1)] to 2019 [year 5 (Y5)].

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Background: To analyze the epidemiology, surveillance, and control strategies for trachoma in the state of Ceará, northeast Brazil, from 2007 to 2021.

Methods: This ecological study was based on secondary data from the Information System on Notifiable Diseases of the Secretary of Health of the state of Ceará. Data from school and home surveys for trachoma detection obtained during the study period were analyzed, the percentage of positivity was estimated, and sociodemographic and clinico-epidemiological factors were investigated.

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The scope was to estimate the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AHT) and associated risk factors among female prisoners. Data from the National Health Survey of the Female Prison Population and Prison Guards were used, investigating sociodemographic variables, prison characteristics, health behaviors and conditions. Information was collected through a self-administered questionnaire, and the magnitude of the association was estimated by the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

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Objective: To analyze the scientometric profile of research on trachoma in Brazil.

Methods: Bibliographic research of publications on trachoma in Brazil indexed by the Scopus database from 2000 to 2020, based on specific criteria. Data on authorship, country of origin, institutions, and keywords were collected and analyzed with analysis of time trends.

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The majority of the women in prisons comes from the poorest strata of society with limited access to education, income and health services. This contributes to the fact that female prisoners have a higher burden of adverse health events than both male prisoners and women in general population We objectived to estimate the prevalence of different morbidities and risk factors among female prisoners in Brazil. A total of 1,327 women were recruited in this cross-sectional study.

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To estimate the prevalence of leprosy among Brazilian female prisoners and identify factors associated with the disease. Cross-sectional study conducted between 2014 and 2015 in 15 Brazilian female prisons. The data of 1,327 women were collected using Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing and dermatological and neurological examination to identify suspicious lesions of leprosy.

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The state of Ceará, in the Northeast Region of Brazil, presents the simultaneous circulation of Zika (ZIKV), dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. In 2017 there were a high number of cases of these three arboviruses, especially CHIKV. Here, we detected the presence of arboviruses ZIKV, DENV and CHIKV and their coinfections in women in endemic regions of the city of Fortaleza, Ceará in a post-Zika epidemic year.

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To compare the prevalence and characteristics of hypertension in women experiencing incarceration (WEI) to the general population in Brazil: (1) a prison survey conducted from January 2014 to December 2015 in 15 states, with 1,327 WEI; and (2) a household survey in the 26 states and the Federal District of Brazil administered to women in the general population (WGP). Data analysis used SPSS® version 20.0.

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Background: The emergence of potent combined highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 1996 changed the natural history of HIV infection, with a significant reduction in mortality due to opportunistic infections but increased morbidity due to chronic cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal diseases. In May 2016, a reference center for liver transplantation in the Northeast of Brazil performed the first liver transplantations (LT) in HIV patients, with five others until 2021.

Methods: The criteria for selection of LT were good adherence and absence of resistance to ART, HIV viral load maximum suppression, T-CD4+ lymphocyte count of more than 100 cells/mm3, and absence of opportunistic infections in the last 6 months.

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Background: The Neural Clinical Score for tuberculosis (NCS-TB) is a computer system developed to improve the triage of presumed pulmonary TB (pPTB).

Methods: A study was performed with cohorts of pPTB patients cared for at a reference hospital in Northeast Brazil.

Results: The NCS-TB sensitivity was 76.

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The frequent association between mental disorders and HIV infection may be related to several risk factors. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of depression and its associated factors in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who attended four outpatient clinics in Fortaleza, Brazil, between September 2014 and April 2015. In addition to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview questionnaire, which was used to identify the prevalence of depressive disorder, the researchers applied a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the Hamilton Depression Scale to classify the severity of depression.

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Objective: To investigate the prediction ability of vascular injury biomarkers for haemodialysis requirement in patients with severe leptospirosis.

Methods: Prospective study with severe leptospirosis patients hospitalised in Fortaleza, Brazil. Blood samples were collected hospital admission to quantify vascular injury biomarkers: syndecan-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, angiopoietin-2 and FGF-23.

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Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem; therefore, we aimed to report HBV genotypes in Ceará, Brazil.

Methods: A total of 103 HBsAg-positive samples were subjected to HBV genotyping and subgenotyping.

Results: The following genetic compositions of samples were found: F-54% (F2-83.

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Introduction: Rabies is considered one of the most relevant public health problems owing to its high fatality rate and the high number of deaths worldwide.

Methods: We included patients with human rabies who attended a reference hospital in the state of Ceará during 1976-2019.

Results: Data were available for 63 out of 171 (36.

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