Long-term Follow-up of Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy for Urolithiasis.

Purpose: This prospective study aimed to identify risk factors associated with progression to stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the occurrence of kidney stone formation or growth following nephrectomy for urolithiasis.

Materials And Methods: From January 2006 to May 2013, patients undergoing nephrectomy for urolithiasis were enrolled. Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) via the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation, while kidney stone events were detected using computed tomography.

The Influence of Different Hamstrings Assemblies on the Final Graft Diameter in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

 This study aimed to compare gracilis and semitendinosus tendon graft diameters in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using quadruple, quintuple, and sextuple assemblies. Another objective was to evaluate the percentage of patients in which each assembly type is possible, depending on the length of each free tendon.  Seventy-one patients underwent ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendons.

Matched vs Nonmatched Placebos in a Randomized Trial of COVID-19 Treatments.

Importance: Matched placebo interventions are complex and resource intensive. Recent evidence suggests matched placebos may not always be necessary. Previous studies have predominantly evaluated potential bias of nonmatched placebos (ie, differing on dose, frequency of administration, or formulation) in pain and mental health, but to date no systematic examination has been conducted in infectious disease.

Oral Fluvoxamine With Inhaled Budesonide for Treatment of Early-Onset COVID-19 : A Randomized Platform Trial.

Background: Previous trials have demonstrated the effects of fluvoxamine alone and inhaled budesonide alone for prevention of disease progression among outpatients with COVID-19.

Objective: To determine whether the combination of fluvoxamine and inhaled budesonide would increase treatment effects in a highly vaccinated population.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive platform trial.

Early Treatment with Pegylated Interferon Lambda for Covid-19.

Background: The efficacy of a single dose of pegylated interferon lambda in preventing clinical events among outpatients with acute symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, controlled, adaptive platform trial involving predominantly vaccinated adults with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Brazil and Canada. Outpatients who presented with an acute clinical condition consistent with Covid-19 within 7 days after the onset of symptoms received either pegylated interferon lambda (single subcutaneous injection, 180 μg) or placebo (single injection or oral).

as a Causative Agent of Disseminated Sporotrichosis in AIDS.

A 47-year-old woman who lived in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro and had abandoned her Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) therapy 3 years prior, was admitted to our hospital due to weight loss, cough, and fever for 2 weeks. The dermatologic examination established normochromic papules with molluscum-like central umbilication on the face (Figure 1) and hands, erythema and infiltration in the oral cavity (Figure 2), desquamative patches on the legs, and ulceration on right calcaneus (Figure 3). Her CD4 (T-cells) count was 47 cells/ mm.

Synchronous Teleconsultation and Monitoring Service Targeting COVID-19: Leveraging Insights for Postpandemic Health Care.

Background: Although a great number of teleconsultation services have been developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies assessing usability and health care provider satisfaction are still incipient.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the development, implementation, and expansion of a synchronous teleconsultation service targeting patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as to assess its usability and health care professionals' satisfaction.

Methods: This mixed methods study was developed in 5 phases: (1) the identification of components, technical and functional requirements, and system architecture; (2) system and user interface development and validation; (3) pilot-testing in the city of Divinópolis; (4) expansion in the cities of Divinópolis, Teófilo Otoni, and Belo Horizonte for Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais faculty and students; and (5) usability and satisfaction assessment, using Likert-scale and open-ended questions.

Effect of Early Treatment with Ivermectin among Patients with Covid-19.

Background: The efficacy of ivermectin in preventing hospitalization or extended observation in an emergency setting among outpatients with acutely symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive platform trial involving symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive adults recruited from 12 public health clinics in Brazil. Patients who had had symptoms of Covid-19 for up to 7 days and had at least one risk factor for disease progression were randomly assigned to receive ivermectin (400 μg per kilogram of body weight) once daily for 3 days or placebo.

Hip external rotation isometric torque for soccer, basketball, and volleyball athletes: normative data and asymmetry index.

Background: Deficits in strength of the hip external rotators (ER) affect trunk, hip, and knee movement patterns, potentially contributing to injury in athletes.

Objectives: To provide normative data on isometric torque for hip ER in athletes of three distinct sports and to determine if isometric torque for the hip ER and torque asymmetry between legs differ among sports and between sexes.

Methods: Basketball, soccer, and volleyball athletes (n=451) were evaluated.

Effect of early treatment with metformin on risk of emergency care and hospitalization among patients with COVID-19: The TOGETHER randomized platform clinical trial.

Background: Observational studies have postulated a therapeutic role of metformin in treating COVID-19. We conducted an adaptive platform clinical trial to determine whether metformin is an effective treatment for high-risk patients with early COVID-19 in an outpatient setting.

Methods: The TOGETHER Trial is a placebo-controled, randomized, platform clinical trial conducted in Brazil.

Exuberant case of verrucous cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis represents a public health problem that affects 85 countries. It is an endemic disease in Brazil, having an important socioeconomic impact. An exuberant case of cutaneous leishmaniasis is reported herein.

Three centuries on the science of coffee authenticity control.

Food authenticity relies on genuineness and reliability according to the information displayed on the package. Since the 18th century, when coffee became popularized in the West, adulteration began. Several methods have been developed to detect different kinds of frauds and they have evolved as demands increased and new technologies were introduced.

Magnetic MIPs: Synthesis and Applications.

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) are constructed based on the blending of inorganic nanoparticles with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). MMIPs are synthesized in a core-shell format in which inorganic nanoparticles are applied as the core part of the material while selective polymeric layers are used as the shell covering the surface of the core area. In essence, MMIPs thus reflect a combination of the best characteristics of both inorganic nanoparticles and MIPs, where the specificity of cavities imprinted on the MIP is merged with superparamagnetic properties of the nano-magnetite.

Comparison of incidence, prevalence, severity and profile of health problems between male and female elite youth judokas: A 30-week prospective cohort study of 154 athletes.

Objectives: To describe and compare the incidence, prevalence, severity, and profile of injuries (acute and overuse) and illness between female and male youth elite judokas during 30 weeks of a sports season.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: A total of 154 elite youth judokas (83 males and 71 females) were assessed from January to August 2019 in a training period organized by the Brazilian Judo Confederation.

Biomechanics of the tongue during swallowing after total laryngectomy: an integrative review.

Purpose: To synthesize the state of scientific knowledge about biomechanics of the tongue during swallowing after total laryngectomy.

Research Strategy: The PICO question and combinations of descriptors and single terms were formulated in the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO databases.

Selection Criteria: Articles in Portuguese, English, or Spanish were included, without time limit, with results on the biomechanics of the tongue during swallowing and total laryngectomy, and studies on randomized or non-randomized clinical trials, cohort, case control, cross-sectional, case series, and case studies.

Prevalence of overuse injuries in athletes from individual and team sports: A systematic review with meta-analysis and GRADE recommendations.

Background: Overuse injuries result from the cumulative process of repetitive microtrauma and overload on the musculoskeletal system, which causes tissue damage. Therefore, these injuries may have long-term negative consequences that decrease an athlete's performance.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of overuse injuries in individual and team sports.

sBotics - Gamified Framework for Educational Robotics.

This paper proposes a learning framework for Educational Robotics named sBotics, which includes a complete environment for teaching and programming skills acquisition designed for both teachers and K-12 students. Our framework has been developed using a gamified approach with the system and simulated environment developed in the Unity game engine. The main novelty of this platform is its ease-of-use combined with the flexibility to create a variety of scenarios with endless learning potential, in contrast to our evaluations where no alternatives with such characteristics were found for the K-12 range that we are targeting.

Metabolic assessment in pure struvite stones formers: is it necessary?

Background And Objective: Magnesium ammonium phosphate stones (MAP), also known as struvite stones, are associated with urinary infection and impairment of renal unit. The aim of this study is to evaluate the urinary metabolic risk factors for recurrence of renal calculi in patients submitted to nephrectomy due to MAP stones.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients > 18 years old submitted to total nephrectomy due to pure MAP stones and pure calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones from July 2006 to July 2016.

Ultrasound-guided peripheral abdominal wall blocks.

The practice of regional anesthesia is in a state of progressive evolution, mainly due to the advent of ultrasound as an anesthesiologist's instrument. Alternative techniques for postoperative analgesia of abdominal surgeries, such as transversus abdominis plane block, oblique subcostal transversus abdominis plane block, rectus abdominis muscle sheath block, ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block, and quadratus lumborum plane block, have proven useful, with good analgesic efficacy, especially when neuroaxial techniques (spinal anesthesia or epidural anesthesia) are not possible. This review discusses such blockades in detail, including the anatomical principles, indications, techniques, and potential complications.

Normative reference values for handgrip strength, shoulder and ankle range of motion and upper-limb and lower limb stability for 137 youth judokas of both sexes.

Objectives: To provide reference values for handgrip strength, shoulder and ankle range of motion (ROM) and upper-limb and lower limb stability for youth judokas of both sexes and investigate the effects of sex and side dominance.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: A total of 137 youth judokas from under-18 (n=60) and under-21 (n=77) categories of both sexes were assessed.

Impact of Obesity on Outcomes of Supine Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

To determine whether obesity has an impact on the outcomes of supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). We retrospectively evaluated a prospectively created database of patients who underwent PCNL in the supine position from June 2009 to June 2014. The patients were divided into two groups according to their body mass index (BMI): <30 kg/m (group 1, nonobese) and ≥30 kg/m (group 2, obese).

Antimicrobial activity of topical dyes used in clinical veterinary ophthalmology.

Objective: To evaluate in vitro the antibacterial effects of fluorescein, rose bengal, and lissamine green topical ophthalmic dyes against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and to evaluate whether preserved or preservative-free fluorescein solutions are able to inhibit or potentiate bacterial growth.

Procedures: Susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method plated with clinical ocular isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Does a 4-week training period with hand paddles affect front-crawl swimming performance?

This study investigated the effects of a 4-week training with hand paddles (HPD) on front-crawl swimming performance (SP), clean swimming speed (SPEED), stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and tethered force (TF). Twenty swimmers (10 men and 10 women) were paired according to performance and gender, and were randomly assigned to control (CON, 22.4 ± 2.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for urolithiasis: when is better to avoid it.

Objective: to investigate the risk factors for conversion to open surgery in laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) for urolithiasis.

Methods: we reviewed data on all patients over 18 years of age submitted to LN between January 2006 and May 2013 at our institution. We analyzed the Charlson's index, the ASA score, renal function by the equation and stage of MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease), preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings, complications by the Clavien-Dindo classification and conversion rate.