Provocation test on stairs: a new accessible method to cholinergic urticaria diagnosis.

Cholinergic urticaria (CholU) is characterized by itching and/or stinging, painful micro wheals due to systemic heating. There are two standardized protocols to diagnose CholU using an exercise bike with heart rate or warming passive. The objective is to provide an affordable, new, low-tech test to assist the diagnostic.

Validation and reproducibility of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Written Allergic Rhinitis Questionnaire for phone survey in children aged 6‒7 years.

Objective: To validate and assess the reproducibility of the ISAAC Written Allergic Rhinitis Questionnaire (WARQ) for children aged between 6 and 7 years by telephone contact.

Methods: Observational study through interviews with guardians of children aged 6-7 years using the ISAAC Allergic Rhinitis (AR) module questionnaire in three different phases separated by 2 weeks each: telephone interviews in the first and third contacts and face-to-face interviews, with the same guardian of telephone interviews, in the second contact. Reproducibility was estimated using the Kappa index and validation using the sensitivity and specificity coefficients.

A computational signature of self-other mergence in Borderline Personality Disorder.

A tendency to merge mental representations of self and other is thought to underpin the intense and unstable relationships that feature in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, clinical theories of BPD do not specify, in computational terms, how the perspectives of self and other might become confused. To address this question, we used a probabilistic false belief task (p-FBT) to examine how individuals with BPD (N = 38) and matched controls from the general population (N = 74) selectively assigned beliefs to self or other.

When to vaccinate for seasonal influenza? Check the peak forecast.

Background: Seasonal influenza infects 5-20% of people every year in the United States, resulting in hospitalizations, deaths, and adverse economic impacts. To mitigate these impacts, influenza vaccines are developed and distributed annually; however, growing evidence suggests that vaccine effectiveness (VE) wanes over the course of a flu season. Delaying influenza vaccination for older adults has attracted attention as a potential public health strategy.

Preoperative nutritional support to tackle morbidity in multivisceral resection for retroperitoneal sarcoma. Early outcomes from a novel nutritional prehabilitation program in a prospective cohort.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of the implementation of a routinely prehabilitation nutritional program (PNP) in retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) patients.

Summary Background Data: Rate of preoperative malnutrition is scarcely evaluated in RPS patients and the efficacy of a PNP in detecting and reverting malnutrition has not been studied.

Methods: Prospective study in a high-volume reference center for RPS; adult patients with primary or persistent RPS deemed surgically resectable were enrolled in a PNP.

A vortex-assisted MSPD method for the extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from shrimp with determination by GC-MS/MS.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds with two or more condensed aromatic rings, formed from incomplete organic matter combustion. PAHs pose potential health risks due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, accumulating in edible tissues of aquatic organisms, such as shrimp, which is extensively produced in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil) and it is the most consumed seafood globally. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize and validate an analytical method for extracting 16 priority PAHs from shrimp samples using Vortex-Assisted Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion (VA-MSPD) with determination by Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).

Aluminosilicate and zeolitic materials synthesis using alum sludge from water treatment plants: Challenges and perspectives.

Alum sludge (AS) is a by-product generated from drinking water treatment and produced in large amounts around the world. Its chemical composition makes this waste an emerging alternative source of silicon and aluminum for aluminosilicates or zeolite material production, which can add value to residues and contribute to the circular economy process on a global scale. In this sense, and considering the scarcity of information about AS, this review shows data collection about AS in different countries, including generation, chemical composition, and disposal information.

Influence of intravenous fentanyl or dexmedetomidine infusions, combined with lidocaine and ketamine, on cardiovascular response, sevoflurane requirement and postoperative pain in dogs anesthetized for unilateral mastectomy.

Objective: To compare the effects of constant rate infusions (CRI) of fentanyl or dexmedetomidine, combined with lidocaine and ketamine, on cardiovascular response during surgery, sevoflurane requirement and postoperative pain in dogs undergoing mastectomy.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical trial.

Animals: A total of 29 female dogs with mammary tumors.

Reference intervals for bone marrow cells in juvenile and young adult cats bone marrow cytology.

Background: The current bone marrow (BM) reference intervals (RI) are based on a limited number of cats. Age-related changes in BM variables might be important,possibly affecting the interpretation of the results.

Objectives: Establish BM cytologic reference intervals (RIs) and association of age and sex on these findings, in healthy juvenile and young adult cats.

Connecting Clinical Capacity and Intervention Sustainability in Resource-Variable Pediatric Oncology Centers in Latin America.

Clinical capacity for sustainability, or the clinical resources needed to sustain an evidence-based practice, represent proximal determinants that contribute to intervention sustainment. We examine the relationship between clinical capacity for sustainability and sustainment of PEWS, an evidence-based intervention to improve outcomes for pediatric oncology patients in resource-variable hospitals. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among Latin American pediatric oncology centers participating in Proyecto Escala de Valoración de Alerta Temprana (EVAT), an improvement collaborative to implement Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS).

Development and Validation of Micro-Azocasein Assay for Quantifying Bromelain.

The proteolytic activity of enzymes may be evaluated by a colorimetric method with azocasein. Hence, we developed a micro-assay to quantify bromelain using azocasein. A total of 250 µL of 1.

Novel naphthoquinone-1H-1,2,3-triazole hybrids: Design, synthesis and evaluation as inductors of ROS-mediated apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells.

The search for novel anticancer drugs is essential to expand treatment options, overcome drug resistance, reduce toxicity, promote innovation, and tackle the economic impact. The importance of these studies lies in their contribution to advancing cancer research and enhancing patient outcomes in the battle against cancer. Here, we developed new asymmetric hybrids containing two different naphthoquinones linked by a 1,2,3-1H-triazole nucleus, which are potential new drugs for cancer treatment.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in human breast milk following SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study.

Background: While the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human breast milk is contentious, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been consistently detected in human breast milk. However, it is uncertain when and how long the antibodies are present.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study including all consecutive pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, recruited at six maternity units in Spain and Hong Kong from March 2020 to March 2021.

Cost effectiveness of preemptive school closures to mitigate pandemic influenza outbreaks of differing severity in the United States.

Background: Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) may be considered as part of national pandemic preparedness as a first line defense against influenza pandemics. Preemptive school closures (PSCs) are an NPI reserved for severe pandemics and are highly effective in slowing influenza spread but have unintended consequences.

Methods: We used results of simulated PSC impacts for a 1957-like pandemic (i.

Taming the SARS-CoV-2-mediated proinflammatory response with BromAc.

Introduction: In the present study, the impact of BromAc®, a specific combination of bromelain and acetylcysteine, on the SARS-CoV-2-specific inflammatory response was evaluated.

Methods: An in vitro stimulation system was standardized using blood samples from 9 healthy donors, luminex assays and flow cytometry were performed.

Results And Discussion: BromAc® demonstrated robust anti-inflammatory activity in human peripheral blood cells upon SARS-CoV-2 viral stimuli, reducing the cytokine storm, composed of chemokines, growth factors, and proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines produced after short-term in vitro culture with the inactivated virus (iSARS-CoV-2).

Long-Term Treatment of Unresectable Pseudomyxoma Peritonei with Multiple Treatments of Intratumoural Bromelain and Acetylcysteine (BromAc): A Case Report.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare peritoneal malignancy characterized by the progressive accumulation of mucinous material and tumour within the abdomen and pelvis. Percutaneous drainage of mucin may be a non-surgical option for relief of symptoms; however, it remains difficult due to the high viscosity of mucin, with numerous case reports reporting difficulty removing material through medium-bore catheters alone. BromAc is a therapy currently undergoing development which dissolves mucinous tumour masses and allows for extraction.