Application of fourier transform infrared vibrational spectroscopy in identifying early biochemical changes in lipid profiles of individuals undergoing Roux-en-y gastric bypass.

Background: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is an analytical technique increasingly applied in biological analysis. This study investigates the application of FTIR to identify early biochemical changes, particularly in lipid profiles, in individuals undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Methods: An observational study involving patients from a university hospital's Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program, with evaluations performed before (T0) and two months after (T1) RYGB.

Optimizing the Construction and Activation of 3D-Printed Electrochemical Sensors: An Experimental Design Approach for Simultaneous Electroanalysis of Paracetamol and Caffeine.

This work presents an optimization of the construction, treatment, and activation of 3D-printed electrochemical sensors (E-3D). For this, was used a 2-full factorial design examining three key variables at two levels: electrode height, electrode diameter, and printing speed. Moreover, it evaluates various physical, chemical, and electrochemical methods to treat and activate the E-3D surface.

Laser-Induced Graphene for Electrochemical Sensing of Antioxidants in Biodiesel.

Synthetic antioxidants are often introduced to biodiesel to increase its oxidative stability, and -butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) has been selected due to its high efficiency for this purpose. The monitoring of antioxidants in biodiesel therefore provides information on the oxidative stability of biodiesels. Herein, a laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode is introduced as a new sensor for detecting -butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) in biodiesel samples.

Personal, occupational and cardiovascular risk factors associated with elevated blood pressure in Brazilian firefighters: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Our study evaluated the prevalence of hypertension in a population of Brazilian firefighters and the association of elevated blood pressure (BP) with personal, occupational, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Setting: Our study was based on health inspections of the Military Fire Brigade of the Espírito Santo State, Brazil, performed in 2019.

Harnessing plant growth-promoting bacteria (Herbaspirillum seropedicae) from an optimal mineral nitrogen supply: A study on improving nitrogen use efficiency in marandu palisadegrass.

Increasing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remains a crucial topic in contemporary agriculture. Inoculation with endophytic diazotrophic bacteria offers a potential solution, but the results vary with the N-fertilization regime. Here, we examined the efficacy of inoculation with Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain HRC54 in enhancing NUE and promoting the growth of Marandu palisadegrass with varying levels of N-urea (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg N kg soil⁻).

Cognition, physical function and life purpose in the rural elderly population: a systematic review.

Introduction: Aging in rural areas is challenging and has very specific characteristics in the way these elderly people live their old age, from the perspectives of cognition, functionality and life purpose. There is a lack of information and data in the literature on how people age in rural areas around the world. The aim of this study was to identify and describe how people age in rural areas, focusing on the following domains: cognition, physical function/functionality and life purpose.

Nutritional Status of Patients with Neoplasms Undergoing Ambulatory Chemotherapy and Associated Factors.

Background/objectives: Cancer, a leading cause of mortality globally and in Brazil, is influenced by environmental and behavioral factors, often linked to nutritional deficiencies such as low body mass index and muscle wasting, exacerbating prognostic outcomes and mortality rates. Timely nutritional interventions during chemotherapy are pivotal, necessitating continuous nutritional assessment for effective patient care management. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of non-metastatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and identify factors influencing their nutritional status.

Can microplastic pollution be affected by beach nourishment? Assessment in intertidal sediment and bivalves.

Several methods can be used to mitigate coastal erosion, and one of the leading solutions is known as beach nourishment (BN), which involves using dredged material for nourishment, adding sand to extend an eroding beach. Although it has many advantages, the environmental impacts of BN remain poorly understood, especially on plastic pollution, which had not been investigated until this study. We aimed to compare the abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs) found in intertidal sediments and specimens of the bivalve mollusks Crassostrea brasiliana, Mytella strigata, Perna perna, and Tivela mactroides, collected in two beaches of Vitoria, Southeast of Brazil (da Costa et al.

Childhood family adversities and recurrence of depression in adulthood: finds of three ELSA-Brasil visits.

Objective: To investigate the association between family adversities in childhood and depression in three follow-up visits of a cohort of Brazilian adults.

Methods: A total of 12,636 participants from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), who attended three interview/examination visits (2008-2010, 2012-2014, and 2017-2019), were included. Five family dysfunctions and the childhood family dysfunction score (0, 1, and 2+ dysfunctions) were used.

Vestigial human tail and occult spinal dysraphism: A case report.

Background: The presence of a human tail is a rare condition resulting from an embryonic remnant that fits the definition of a caudal appendage. It may be a vestigial (true) or a pseudotail. Both may be considered markers of underlying intraspinal abnormalities.

Implementation and Evaluation of a 10-Week Kettlebell Training Load Distribution on Strength and Aerobic Capacity in Recreationally Trained Women.

Objective: : The purpose of this study was to characterize the dynamic distribution of training loads in a kettlebell program and evaluate its effects on muscle strength and aerobic capacity.

Methods: Fourteen recreationally active women with no kettlebell training experience (age: 25.86 ± 5.

Smart Concrete Using Optical Sensors Based on Bragg Gratings Embedded in a Cementitious Mixture: Cure Monitoring and Beam Test.

Smart concrete is a structural element that can combine both sensing and structural capabilities. In addition, smart concrete can monitor the curing of concrete, positively impacting design and construction approaches. In concrete, if the curing process is not well developed, the structural element may develop cracks in this early stage due to shrinkage, decreasing structural mechanical strength.

Multi-Professional Family Support Programme: A Collective Development at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

This study was undertaken to structure and validate a Multi-Professional Family Support Programme that was collectively developed at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This is participative research of the action-research category with a qualitative-quantitative approach conducted at a University Hospital in the southeast of Brazil with the participation of their multi-professional staff. The study was done in four interdependent stages, adapted from the method proposed by Thiollent (2011): organisation, structuring, validation, and diffusion.

Modulatory Effects of Photobiomodulation on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in a Murine Model of Periodontitis.

Periodontitis, an oral disease initiated by a dysbiotic dental biofilm, has an unclear response to photobiomodulation (PBM) as an adjunctive treatment. This study investigates the effects of PBM on reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in a periodontitis model using C57BL/6 mice, divided into four groups: control (C), control + PBM (C + PBM), periodontitis (P), and periodontitis + PBM (P + PBM). An infrared diode laser (808 nm, 133.

Generational Differences in Self-Esteem and Vocal Perception Among Brazilian Gay Men.

Introduction: Self-esteem and vocal perception are central aspects of identity and self-presentation, particularly within marginalized communities where voice and self-concept can be deeply intertwined with social acceptance and cultural dynamics. Among Brazilian gay men, generational differences in these areas may reflect broader social changes, shifts in stigma, and evolving notions of masculinity. This study aims to explore these differences, examining how self-esteem and self-assessed vocal descriptions vary across generations, thereby shedding light on specific needs and areas for potential support within these communities.

Factors Associated With the Presence and Severity of Nutritional Impact Symptoms in Individuals With Head and Neck Cancer Before Treatment.

As head and neck cancer (HNC) affects regions directly related to the digestive tract, it is consistently associated with nutritional impact symptoms (NISs), which further reduce food intake and affect nutritional status. Early identification of patients with NIS can assist therapy. This is a cross-sectional study with HNC patients from a cancer reference hospital.

Synergistic effects of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and immunotherapy for brain tumor recurrence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The confluence of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) with immunotherapeutic approaches represents a promising option for managing recurrent brain lesions. However, the potential synergy between these modalities is still unclear. This meta-analysis examines the literature to elucidate the adverse effects and overall survival associated with this combination in treating recurrent brain metastases and glioblastoma.

Copy Number Variation in Asthma: An Integrative Review.

Asthma is a complex disease with varied clinical manifestations resulting from the interaction between environmental and genetic factors. While chronic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness are central features, the etiology of asthma is multifaceted, leading to a diversity of phenotypes and endotypes. Although most research into the genetics of asthma focused on the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), studies highlight the importance of structural variations, such as copy number variations (CNVs), in the inheritance of complex characteristics, but their role has not yet been fully elucidated in asthma.

Jacalin Attenuates Colitis-Associated Colorectal Carcinogenesis by Inhibiting Tumor Cell Proliferation and Intestinal Inflammation.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, who have twice the risk of developing CRC, chronic inflammation has been recognized to contribute to colitis-associated cancer (CAC) development. Jacalin, a lectin extracted from jackfruit seeds, has been shown to recognize altered glycosylation and to exert antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in CRC.

Artificial intelligence in triage of COVID-19 patients.

In 2019, COVID-19 began one of the greatest public health challenges in history, reaching pandemic status the following year. Systems capable of predicting individuals at higher risk of progressing to severe forms of the disease could optimize the allocation and direction of resources. In this work, we evaluated the performance of different Machine Learning algorithms when predicting clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, using clinical data from hospital admission alone.

The presence of sexed sperm in bovine oviduct epithelial cells alters the protein profile related to stress and immune response.

Although sperm sexing technology has progressed considerably in the last decade, there are still challenges to fully understand the reason for the low fertility of sexed sperm. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of sexed and non-sexed sperm on the proteome of bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs). Semen from six Nellore bulls was used and one ejaculate from each bull was collected and separated into three fractions: non-sexed, sexed for X-sperm and sexed for Y-sperm.

Efficacy and safety of tirofiban in acute ischemic stroke due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease for patients undergoing endovascular treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Tirofiban has emerged as an adjunct therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT). However, its benefits for AIS patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) remains unclear. This meta-analysis evaluates its efficacy and safety in ICAD-related AIS patients undergoing EVT.

Fluorescence images of skin lesions and automated diagnosis using convolutional neural networks.

In recent years, interest in applying deep learning (DL) to medical diagnosis has rapidly increased, driven primarily by the development of Convolutional Neural Networks and Transformers. Despite advancements in DL, the automated diagnosis of skin cancer remains a significant challenge. Emulating dermatologists, deep learning approaches using clinical images acquired from smartphones and considering patient lesion information have achieved performance levels close to those of specialists.

Integrating Community Engagement in Zero Leprosy Efforts: A Pathway to Sustainable Early Detection, Control and Elimination.

Community engagement has emerged as a critical component in the effective control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly in regions with persistent stigma and limited healthcare access. Drawing on case studies from Brazil, India, and Nigeria, this opinion piece explores how community-driven initiatives have successfully improved leprosy awareness, reduced stigma, and fostered early case detection and treatment adherence. The importance of culturally sensitive, inclusive approaches in health education and stigma reduction campaigns is highlighted, emphasizing the potential for community engagement to enhance national leprosy programs and contribute to the World Health Organization's Zero Leprosy Strategy.

Regulatory Role of Vacuolar Calcium Transport Proteins in Growth, Calcium Signaling, and Cellulase Production in .

Recent research has revealed the calcium signaling significance in the production of cellulases in . While vacuoles serve as the primary calcium storage within cells, the function of vacuolar calcium transporter proteins in this process remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a functional characterization of four vacuolar calcium transport proteins in .