A numerical evaluation of the economic tradeoff of vaccination against chikungunya virus in Brazil.

This article uses a compartmental model describing the dynamic of the chikungunya virus in populations of humans and mosquitoes with parameters fitted to the incidence in Brazil to estimate the economic trade-off of vaccination against the virus infection. The model uses time-dependent parameters to incorporate fluctuations in the transmission and the mosquito population across the years. Using the model predictions of symptomatic infections and literature data concerning the proportions of post-acute and chronic cases, the vaccination cost is compared with the disease cost.

Cultivating Excellence: Development and Validation of a Bilingual Competency Self-Assessment Tool for Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners.

Background: The study aimed at developing and validating a bilingual competency self-assessment tool for infection prevention and control practitioners based on the core competencies proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Methods: The study was conducted from December/2021 to June/2023. The bilingual tool (Brazilian Portuguese and English versions) was developed according to four stages: 1) conceptual framework establishment and item generation; 2) content validity; 3) response process validity; and 4) internal structure validity.

Evaluation of Peri-Implantitis through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy on Saliva.

Background: Peri-implantitis is characterized as a pathological change in the tissues around dental implants. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provides molecular information from optical phenomena observed by the vibration of molecules, which is used in biological studies to characterize changes and serves as a form of diagnosis.

Aims: this case-control study evaluated the peri-implant disease by using FTIR spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance in the fingerprint region.

Dynamical properties of the composed Logistic-Gauss map.

This study focuses on the analysis of a unique composition between two well-established models, known as the Logistic-Gauss map. The investigation cohesively transitions to an exploration of parameter space, essential for unraveling the complexity of dissipative mappings and understanding the intricate relationships between periodic structures and chaotic regions. By manipulating control parameters, our approach reveals intriguing patterns, with findings enriched by extreme orbits, trajectories that connect local maximum and minimum values of one-dimensional maps.

Short-Latency Trigeminocervical Reflex Obtained Without Muscle Activation: Topographic Distribution and Methodological Approach.

Purpose: Electrical stimulation of trigeminal nerve branches elicits early and late reflex responses in the cervical muscles, known as the trigeminocervical reflex (TCR). This study aimed to evaluate the neurophysiological aspects, stimulation patterns, and topographic distribution of short-latency TCR components in humans in the absence of voluntary muscle activation.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 30 participants.

Upper and lower eyelid contour and positional changes after deep skin grafts in ablepharon macrostomia syndrome.

Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome is a rare congenital disorder caused by autosomal-dominant mutations. This condition is characterized by redundant skin, low-set ears, macrostomia, ambiguous genitalia, and underdevelopment of the both upper and lower eyelids. The shortening of the anterior lamella, septum and levator aponeurosis lead to a severe corneal exposure within the first hours of life.

Presence of polyketide synthases and nonribosomal peptide synthetase in culturable bacteria associated with Aplysina fulva and Aplysina caissara (Porifera).

Culture-dependent and -independent studies have provided access to symbiont genes and the functions they play for host sponges. Thus, this work investigates the diversity, presence of genes of pharmacological interest, biological activities and metabolome of the bacteria isolated from the sponges Aplysina caissara and Aplysina fulva collected on the southwestern Atlantic Coast. The genes for Polyketide Synthases types I and II and Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases were screened in more than 200 bacterial strains obtained, from which around 40% were putatively novel.

Acoustic Characteristics of Voice and Speech in Post-COVID-19.

Background/objectives: The aim of this paper was to compare voice and speech characteristics between post-COVID-19 and control subjects. The hypothesis was that acoustic parameters of voice and speech may differentiate subjects infected by COVID-19 from control subjects. Additionally, we expected to observe the persistence of symptoms in women.

Dietary Profile of Women With Chronic Muscle Temporomandibular Disorder: An Observational Study.

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the main chronic pain that affects the face, and it is associated with dietary changes due to pain and dysfunction. However, there is a scarcity of studies on its impact on nutrition and vice versa.

Objectives: To assess and compare the intake of energy and nutrients among chronic TMD myalgia and asymptomatic women and to evaluate data according to dietary reference intakes (DRI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) values.

Contribution of Video Directly Observed Therapy (VDOT) to Tuberculosis Treatment in Brazil.

Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) involves the administration of medication and in-person monitoring by a healthcare team alongside the patient to improve adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Implementing DOT requires healthcare professionals, transportation, time dedication, and presence at the patient's residence. Meeting all these conditions is not always possible to address the high demand of TB patients who would benefit from this supervision.

Technological evaluation of stones from the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for railway ballast.

The correct choice of a stone aggregate for railway ballast is directly related to the stability, safety, efficiency, and maintenance costs of the track. The aggregate must meet several criteria to ensure it is the most appropriate material. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate four distinct stones: two granites, a diabase, and a basalt, all mined in the eastern region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, regarding their applicability as ballast.

Double-faced diffusive gradient in thin films sampler (df-DGT): Proposing an improved DGT sampler design for water deployments.

Background: The Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) technique has become the most widely used passive sampling method for inorganic compounds. This widespread adoption can be partly attributed to the development of new binding phases that facilitate the sampling of numerous analytes. In contrast, to date, the DGT sampler for inorganic compounds has not seen any significant design improvements.

Comparative analysis of isokinetic parameters in individuals with and without chondromalacia patellae.

Introduction: Chondromalacia patella (CMP) is characterized by cartilage degeneration, affects young adults, more women (2:1) and is responsible for 75% of knee pain complaints in the active population. The etiology is multifactorial and may be related to extrinsic factors (trauma and burden) and intrinsic factors (patellar malalignment and quadriceps weakness). Isokinetic dynamometry (ID) can aid in the detection of the causal factors of knee pain related to CMP.

YAP1 is a prognostic marker and its inhibition reduces tumor progression in adrenocortical tumors.

Background: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is rare and aggressive, with YAP1 overexpression associated with poor outcomes in pediatric patients. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which YAP1 drives ACC progression and explored it as a potential target therapy.

Methods: YAP1 expression and methylation in ACC were analyzed from pediatric and adult cohorts.

Deep learning generalization for diabetic retinopathy staging from fundus images.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious diabetes complication that can lead to vision loss, making timely identification crucial. Existing data-driven algorithms for DR staging from digital fundus images (DFIs) often struggle with generalization due to distribution shifts between training and target domains. To address this, DRStageNet, a deep learning model, was developed using six public and independent datasets with 91,984 DFIs from diverse demographics.

Sustainable and biodegradable polymer packaging: Perspectives, challenges, and opportunities.

The escalating environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastic waste has intensified global efforts to seek sustainable alternatives, with biodegradable polymers from renewable sources emerging as a promising solution. This manuscript provides the current perspectives, challenges, and opportunities within the field of sustainable and biodegradable packaging. Despite a significant market presence of conventional non-biodegradable petrochemical-based plastics, there is a growing trend towards the adoption of bio-based polymers from renewable resources driven by environmental sustainability and regulatory measures.

Liming and soil texture affect the miscible displacement of phosphorus from organic and mineral sources in tropical oxisols.

Phosphorus (P) movement in soils is influenced by flow velocities, diffusion rates, and several soil characteristics and properties. In acidic soils, P is tightly bound to soil particles, reducing its availability to plants. Organomineral fertilizers combine organic matter with mineral nutrients, enhancing P fertilization efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts.

Alopecia Induced by Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injection.

Cosmetic procedures carry inherent risks of adverse events. Though rarely reported, transient and permanent alopecia are potential complications of these procedures. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed pain and patches of nonscarring alopecia with erythema and edema following aesthetic application of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) on the face and along the frontal hairline.

Anaphylaxis in pediatric patients: single-center study in a private hospital.

This study aimed to characterize the profile of probable anaphylaxis cases treated at a private pediatric hospital emergency department in São Paulo. It investigated triggering factors, the presence of cofactors, treatments administered, and follow-up for these cases through interviews with the patients' families. A single-center cross-sectional study analyzed medical records of children and adolescents treated between 2016 and 2020.