Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes associated with the vitamin D pathway related to clinical and therapeutic outcomes of American tegumentary leishmaniasis.

Background: The vitamin D pathway contributes to the microbicidal activity of macrophages against infection. In addition to induction of this pathway, interferon-gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-15, and IL32γ are part of a network of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the components of the vitamin D pathway and associated cytokine genes that could be related to resistance or susceptibility to American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL).

Sleep bruxism, awake bruxism and headache in children and adolescents: a scoping review.

A scoping review was carried out with the aim of mapping the existing literature on the association between sleep/awake bruxism and primary headache (migraine and tension headache) in children and adolescents. This scoping review followed the method proposed by Arksey & O'Malley and the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The methods were registered in the Open Science Framework ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Removal of the Active Pharmaceutical Substance Entecavir from Water via the Fenton Reaction or Action by the Cyanobacterium .

Entecavir (ETV) is an antiviral used to treat chronic infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, which affects approximately 250 million people worldwide. In order to mitigate the impacts of ETV on the environment, including potential harm to human health, this study evaluated the use of the Fenton-like reaction, which uses iron complexed with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at neutral pH, and the microbiological action of in removing ETV from the aqueous medium. Aqueous concentrations of 100 mg/L were subjected to Fenton-like degradation.

Preparation of -Myrcene-Chitosan Nanoparticles and Their Uptake and Toxicity in Larvae.

Mosquito control still relies heavily on synthetic molecules, which can lead to the selection of resistant populations and undesirable environmental problems. This study described the preparation of a nanoparticle of the plant-derived molecule, -myrcene, with chitosan, and the assessment of its toxicity against larvae of the yellow fever mosquito, . By producing fluorescent chitosan nanoparticles, we were able to observe their distribution in the digestive tract of larvae of .

Non-adherence, discontinuation, and seroconversion among people on daily HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Brazil: a nationwide cohort study.

The goal of this study was to evaluate characteristics associated with Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV infection (PrEP) non-adherence or discontinuation in Brazil and assess the association between these outcomes and HIV seroconversion. We used linked national dispensing and pathology data to identify people aged 14+ years initiating PrEP in 2018. We estimated non-adherence using the proportion of days covered (PDC), defining non-adherence as PDC < 60%.

Correction: A multi-stage process to develop quality indicators for community-based palliative care using interRAI data.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Factors associated with maternal well-being during childbirth among postpartum women in Minas Gerais.

Objectives: to analyze the factors associated with maternal well-being during childbirth among postpartum women in Minas Gerais.

Methods: a cross-sectional study nested within a cohort was conducted with postpartum women in a municipality of Minas Gerais. The Maternal Well-being in Childbirth Scale 2 was used.

Physical Activity and Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Is This Association Modified by Sleep?

To evaluate the cross-sectional association of physical activity during pregnancy with gestational weight gain and verify if associations are modified by levels of sleep duration and efficiency. Mothers who were participants of the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort study were analyzed. Physical activity (PA) and sleep were measured using the nondominant wrist accelerometer model wGT3X-BT (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL).

Environmental impacts of land application of biosolids to perennial pastures.

Land application of biosolids to pastures confers multiple agronomic and environmental benefits, particularly in coarse-textured soils with low nutrient and organic matter levels. However, concerns over potential water quality have led to more stringent regulations that will limit beneficial reuse of biosolids in Florida. This 3-year field study evaluated the impacts of biosolids application strategies on N and P leaching losses, and soil P availability in an established bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flueggé) pasture.

Genomic analysis of blaNDM-1-carrying-Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST2407 in the chromosome from Brazil.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen often found in Healthcare-associated infections (HAI), has shown increased resistance to carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, doripenem), the primary treatment options. We've seen a rise in carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa in Brazil, including NDM-producers.

Mechanical behavior and failure mode of body-centered cubic, gyroid, diamond, and Voronoi functionally graded additively manufactured biomedical lattice structures.

Given the capability to produce parts with complex geometries, powder bed fusion using a laser beam (PBF-LB), one of several additive manufacturing techniques, is becoming increasingly prevalent in both research and industry. Advances in the development of biomedical lattice structures show a trend in the use of functional gradients for greater customization and adjustment of mechanical properties according to the demands. This study analyzed four biomedical potential lattice structures (regular and graded) manufactured using PBF-LB in Ti6Al4V alloy.

The influence of balance support base manipulation on the kinematics of lower limbs during single-legged squats in people with patellofemoral pain.

Background: Given that people with patellofemoral pain (PFP) exhibit deficits in postural control, certain postural reactions may be associated with movement alterations in this population. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate whether manipulation of the support base for balance maintenance could lead to different patterns of lower limb kinematics in people with PFP during single-legged squats.

Methods: Fourteen participants with PFP and 14 asymptomatic controls were first assessed performing single-legged squats freely, and then while holding a stick to provide stabilization during the task.

Effects of deforestation on multitaxa community similarity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Habitat loss can lead to biotic homogenization (decrease in β diversity) or differentiation (increase in β diversity) of biological communities. However, it is unclear which of these ecological processes predominates in human-modified landscapes. We used data on vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants to quantify β diversity based on species occurrence and abundance among communities in 1367 landscapes with varying amounts of habitat (<30%, 30-60%, or >60% of forest cover) throughout the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Maternal-fetal attachment and interrelated factors in pregnant women assisted in Primary Health Care.

Background: (1) Maternal-fetal attachment should be assessed in Primary Health Care.

Background: (2)  Depressive symptoms were negatively related to maternal-fetal attachment.

Background: (3)  Social support and family functionality had a positive effect on attachment.

Biodegradation of the Antiretroviral Tenofovir Disoproxil by a Cyanobacteria/Bacterial Culture.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is an antiretroviral drug extensively used by people living with HIV. The TDF molecule is hydrolysed in vivo and liberates tenofovir, the active part of the molecule. Tenofovir is a very stable drug and the discharge of its residues into the environment can potentially lead to risk for aquatic species.

Socioeconomic inequalities in health problems in the first two years of life: Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort, 2015.

Brazil is characterized by an unfinished agenda of health inequalities, which impact health problems in the childhood. This study aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic inequalities of health problems in the early childhood. This is a prospective study, using data from the birth cohort carried out in the city of Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil) in 2015.

Losartan and enalapril maleate differently influence SARS-CoV-2-infected vero cells.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to global healthcare systems, particularly impacting individuals with pre-existing conditions like hypertension. This study sought to assess the impact of the antihypertensive medications, losartan and enalapril maleate on SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Vero E6 cells were infected and treated in vitro, evaluating cell viability via the MTT colorimetric assay.

The pace of life for forest trees.

Tree growth and longevity trade-offs fundamentally shape the terrestrial carbon balance. Yet, we lack a unified understanding of how such trade-offs vary across the world's forests. By mapping life history traits for a wide range of species across the Americas, we reveal considerable variation in life expectancies from 10 centimeters in diameter (ranging from 1.

The biogeography of the Amazonian tree flora.

We describe the geographical variation in tree species composition across Amazonian forests and show how environmental conditions are associated with species turnover. Our analyses are based on 2023 forest inventory plots (1 ha) that provide abundance data for a total of 5188 tree species. Within-plot species composition reflected both local environmental conditions (especially soil nutrients and hydrology) and geographical regions.

COVID-19 in Brazilian Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study with a Predictive Model for Hospitalization.

Background: This study was conducted to ascertain the most frequent symptoms of COVID-19 infection at first consultation in a pediatric cohort and to devise a predictive model for hospitalization.

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 1028 Brazilian patients aged <18 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a single reference hospital in the first year of the pandemic. Clinical, demographic, laboratory, and disease spectrum data were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression modeling to develop a predictive model of factors linked to hospitalization.

Buprenorphine for Cancer Pain: Results from a Systematic Review.

Background: Buprenorphine may be safer and better-tolerated than full mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists. Whether it effectively controls cancer-related pain is unclear. A prior review (Cochrane 2015) did not support prioritizing buprenorphine over full MOR agonists for cancer-associated pain.

Subcutaneous adipose tissue radiodensity: An emerging risk factor for severe COVID-19.

Background: Adipose tissue radiodensity and metabolic activity may influence COVID-19 outcomes. This study evaluated the association between adipose tissue characteristics and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Two retrospective cohorts of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed.