Publications by authors named "Sousa K"

Article Synopsis
  • Adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer navigate new life experiences during treatment, which can lead to personal growth and deeper understanding.
  • Newman's theory on health as expanding consciousness serves as the foundation for research that explores the importance of hope in these individuals' lives.
  • Fifteen participants, aged 12-21, shared narratives and illustrations highlighting how hope aids in their journey to achieving higher consciousness while dealing with cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This Research Communication set out to (1) evaluate the behaviour and performance of dairy calves raised on pasture individually or in groups, and (2) evaluate the influence of physical enrichment on the behaviour and performance of dairy calves raised in groups on pasture. Although there was no difference in grazing behaviour when housed in groups, calves spent longer eating concentrate, ruminating and drinking water. Additionaly, calves housed individually spend part of their time trying to get close to a neighbouring calf.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Overexposure to blue light due to the excessive use of electronic devices has been implicated in premature skin aging and eye damage, among other injuries to health. This study aimed to synthesize two azo derivatives of the 2-(amino-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzoxazole and explore their potential as UV and blue light filters, proposing a new spectral profile. The synthesis of the heterocyclic compounds involved condensation reactions and diazotation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of early group housing on the performance, health, and behavior of dairy calves during the preweaning period using systematic and meta-analysis approaches. Peer-reviewed articles written in English that compared dairy calves individually and group-housed with performance, health, or behavior outcomes were collected from Web of Science, PubMed, and CABDirect databases. The resulting articles (n = 850) underwent a 4-step appraisal process following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses protocols, resulting in a final sample of 51 articles containing 85 studies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Poultry production faces significant challenges, including high feed prices, diseases, and thermal stress, which impact broiler welfare and productivity. Despite advances in cooling technologies and ventilation, preslaughter operations still lead to considerable losses. This review highlights the need for the improved management of thermal environments and animal logistics.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The bacterium Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) causes a chronic infectious respiratory disease in pigs, leading to important economic losses. This study aimed to compare the immune response of the local Piau breed and a commercial line to Mhp vaccination. For this, two phases were carried out.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Among chronic condition problems, tuberculosis still represents a serious public health problem globally.

Objective: To investigate latent tuberculosis infection in patients with Crohn's disease. Retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study of quantitative analysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Due to bioactive properties, introducing spongin-like collagen (SPG) into the biosilica (BS) extracted from marine sponges would present an enhanced biological material for improving osteoporotic fracture healing by increasing bone formation rate. Our aim was to characterize the morphology of the BS/SPG scaffolds by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the chemical bonds of the material by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and evaluating the orthotopic in vivo response of BS/SPG scaffolds in tibial defects of osteoporotic fractures in rats (histology, histomorphometry, and immunohistochemistry) in two experimental periods (15 and 30 days). SEM showed that scaffolds were porous, showing the spicules of BS and fibrous aspect of SPG.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Fewer than 20% of US adults with hearing loss use hearing aids due to barriers like high cost. Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids offer a potential solution, incorporating self-fitting strategies via smartphone apps. Self-fitting strategies have been validated for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved OTC hearing aids compared with prescription-based approaches.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: to analyze the use of spirituality/religiosity by oncology nurse residents in caring for patients with cancer.

Methods: a census, descriptive, sectional study, with 46 nurse residents from three public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro. Data collection took place between August 2020 and January 2021, using a sociodemographic questionnaire, including a question about the use of spirituality/ religiosity to deal with work situations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • ATP interacts with receptors in the pineal gland, enhancing serotonin N-acetyltransferase (Snat) transcription and the synthesis of melatonin (MLT), but also triggers a defense response that can block this process.
  • Circulating melatonin can inhibit the migration of immune cells, while high levels of ATP, especially from dying cells, may complicate treatment strategies for brain damage.
  • N-acetylserotonin (NAS) can also function similarly to melatonin and reacts to light/dark cycles, suggesting that targeting P2X7 receptors isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for conditions like acute strokes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess the prevalence and outcomes of macrosomic newborns (weighing over 4000 grams) in high-risk maternity from 2014 to 2019, focusing on maternal characteristics, delivery methods, and complications.* -
  • It was found that 3.3% of deliveries were macrosomic, with 65% being cesarean sections, and diabetes was a significant factor, affecting 30% of deliveries with poor glycemic control.* -
  • The research concluded that macrosomia leads to significant neonatal complications, including higher rates of hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, and lower APGAR scores.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: With rising interest in over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids as an alternative to traditional audiologist-fit devices, understanding their long-term efficacy is crucial. However, given the novelty of the US Food and Drug Administration category of OTC hearing aids, minimal evidence currently supports their long-term efficacy.

Objective: To compare the long-term self-reported outcomes at 8 months of self-fit OTC hearing aids to the same hearing aids fit by audiologists.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This commentary discusses how offices of academic affairs (OAAs) in Doctor of Pharmacy programs contribute to the professional identity formation (PIF) of various stakeholders, including students and faculty.
  • It identifies five key areas where OAAs can positively influence PIF: curriculum design and operations, leadership, professional development, student support, and accreditation.
  • By focusing on these areas, OAAs can collaborate with other university units to enhance graduates' self-awareness, confidence, and leadership skills in the pharmacy profession.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia associated with a lack of insulin production or insulin resistance. In diabetic patients, the capacity for healing is generally decreased, leading to chronic wounds. One of the most common treatments for chronic wounds is skin dressings, which serve as protection from infection, reduce pain levels, and stimulate tissue healing.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Heat stress (HS) poses significant threats to the sustainability of livestock production. Genetically improving heat tolerance could enhance animal welfare and minimize production losses during HS events. Measuring phenotypic indicators of HS response and understanding their genetic background are crucial steps to optimize breeding schemes for improved climatic resilience.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Hyphomicrobiales bacterial order (previously Rhizobiales) exhibits a wide range of lifestyle characteristics, including free-living, plant-association, nitrogen-fixing, and association with animals (Bartonella and Brucella). This study explores the diversity and evolutionary strategies of bacteriophages within the Hyphomicrobiales order, comparing animal-associated (AAB) with non-animal-associated bacteria (NAAB). We curated 560 high-quality complete genomes of 58 genera from this order and used the PHASTER server for prophage annotation and classification.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Triatoma infestans, Triatoma brasiliensis, Triatoma pseudomaculata and Rhodnius prolixus are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Chickens serve as an important blood food source for triatomines. This study aimed to assess the insecticidal activity of fluralaner (Exzolt) administered to chickens against triatomines (R.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study evaluated changes in body characteristics, milk yield, and milk composition of primiparous dairy Gyr cows on pasture in Southeast Brazil over a 10-month lactation period from 2013 to 2015, focusing on factors like body weight, fat thickness, and progesterone levels.
  • - Results showed that cows experienced weight loss and decreased body condition and milk yield as lactation progressed, while milk fat, protein, and solids increased.
  • - Although the thermal environment wasn't a significant heat challenge, a positive correlation was noted between the temperature humidity index (THI) and milk yield and components shortly before milking, indicating that both THI and lactation duration impact milk production and quality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A deep understanding of the factors influencing the morphology of thin films based on conjugated polymers is essential to boost their performance in optoelectronic devices. Herein, we investigated the electronic structure and morphology of thin films of the copolymer poly(9,9-dioctyl-fluorenyl--bithiophene) (F8T2) in its pristine form as well as samples processed with the solvent additive 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) or post-processed through thermal annealing treatment. Measurements were carried out using angle-resolved S K-edge NEXAFS (near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure) in total electron yield (TEY) and fluorescence yield (FY) detection modes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: To date, there is little understanding of how caring during advanced cancer can be a transformational experience for personal becoming for family caregivers (FCGs). FCGs experience personal becoming as they create their own meaning of health and illness and choose patterns relating to the self-identity of the past while reaching forward into the unknowns. Gaining greater insight into a potentially positive aspect of cancer caregiving can contribute to FCG well-being and quality of life.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Study Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a sleep staging classification model capable of accurately performing on different wearable devices.

Methods: Twenty-three healthy participants underwent a full-night type I polysomnography and used two device combinations: (A) flexible single-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) headband + actigraphy (n = 12) and (B) rigid single-channel EEG headband + actigraphy (n = 11). The signals were segmented into 30-second epochs according to polysomnographic stages (scored by a board-certified sleep technologist; model ground truth) and 18 frequency and time features were extracted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF