An updated systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression of the factors associated with human visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas.

Background: Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a systemic disease with high case-fatality rates and a widespread distribution. Continuous evaluation of the risk factors for VL is essential to ensure the effective implementation of prevention and control measures. The present study reviews the factors associated with VL in the Americas.

The association of previous and current non-chronic low back pain with daily physical activity in middle- and older-aged adults.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of years lived with disability. However, the association of non-chronic LBP with levels of daily physical activity (PA) remains poorly explored. This study investigated the association between previous and current non-chronic LBP with daily PA and compliance with PA recommendations in middle and older-aged adults.

Global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is associated with serious and irreversible maternal and fetal detrimental consequences. Also, different seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy is reported in many countries. The present systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to determine the global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women.

Benefits of the Global Integration Method (Método de Integração Global - MIG) in functional priorities of parents of Brazilian children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Understanding the priorities of parents of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial for implementing evidence-based programs. This study aims to identify the functional priorities of parents of Brazilian children and adolescents with ASD, analyze variations in priorities according to the levels of support and age groups of the participants, and categorize the goals according to the categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate changes in parents' performance and satisfaction with functional priorities after intervention with the Global Integration Method (Métodode Integração Global - MIG).

Home and outpatient electrostimulation in the treatment of urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any involuntary loss of urine and can be associated with urgency and/or physical exertion. Electrical stimulation (ES) has recently been identified as a proven therapeutic alternative for UI, with few side effects and low cost. This systematic review, registered on the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (RD42024528812), investigated whether home-based ES would be as viable as outpatient ES in the treatment of women with UI.

Polymorphisms and dental age in non-syndromic cleft lip and palate: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Children with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without palate (CL ± P) may present alterations in dental development. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the dental age (DA) between children with and without CL ± P, and whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding growth factors are associated with DA variations.

Methods: Children aged between 5 and 14 years with and without CL ± P were recruited to participate in this study.

Atmospheric pollution affects the morphoanatomical and physiological responses of plants in urban Atlantic Forest remnants.

The Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) in southern Brazil is impacted by high ozone levels posing significant threats to its urban forests and the Atlantic Forest remnants. These green areas, covering 540 km and constituting 30% of MASP's territory, necessitate an urgent assessment of air pollution impacts on their flora. Our study investigates the effects of atmospheric pollution on the morphoanatomical and physiological responses of four native tree species (Alchornea sidifolia, Casearia sylvestris, Guarea macrophylla, and Machaerium nyctitans) across two Atlantic Forest remnants in MASP.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Two-Way Cross-over Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Liraglutide Treatment in Patients Undergoing Transoral Outlet Reduction Endoscopy for Weight Regain Post Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Background: Transoral outlet reduction endoscopy (TORe) and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, liraglutide, have individually shown promise in managing weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, combined effects of adjunctive liraglutide to TORe remain unexplored. A cross-over design was utilized to evaluate the efficacy of liraglutide treatment when initiated immediately post-TORe or 1 year post-TORe.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Tongue: a Case Report.

Introduction: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a fibroblastic neoplasm of uncertain biological origin that is rare in the tongue.

Case Report: A 42-year-old woman presented with a painless, submucosal nodule in the tongue. Based on the clinical hypothesis of benign mesenchymal neoplasia, the lesion was excised, and the specimen was submitted for histopathological analysis.

Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance recommendations toward environmentally sustainable cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Delivery of health care, including medical imaging, generates substantial global greenhouse gas emissions. The cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) community has an opportunity to decrease our carbon footprint, mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, and develop resiliency to current and future impacts of climate change. The goal of this document is to review and recommend actions and strategies to allow for CMR operation with improved sustainability, including efficient CMR protocols and CMR imaging workflow strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and waste, and to decrease reliance on finite resources, including helium and waterbody contamination by gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Self-Perception of Voice at Different Moments and Hospitalization for COVID-19: The Influence of Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the self-perception of voice at different times and the influence of age, number of infections, underlying diseases, and occupational voice use among individuals with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), with or without a history of hospitalization.

Methods: Data were collected from adults and older adults with COVID-19, treated at a Brazilian Military Hospital between April 2020 and May 2023. The questionnaire was sent by email and a messaging application.

Sclerotherapy with low-dose 5% ethanolamine oleate in oral vascular anomalies: a retrospective study.

Objective: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of a cohort of patients with oral vascular anomalies (OVA) treated with sclerotherapy using 5% ethanolamine oleate at a dosage of 0.1 mL per 10 mm of lesion size.

Study Design: Sixty-seven patients were selected from a review of 300 medical records of individuals who had been diagnosed with OVA.

Efficacy and safety of the activin signalling inhibitor, sotatercept, in a pooled analysis of PULSAR and STELLAR studies.

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Sotatercept is a first-in-class activin signalling inhibitor that acts to restore the balance between the growth-promoting and growth-inhibiting signalling pathways.

Methods: This post-hoc, exploratory, pooled analysis combines data from the double-blind placebo periods of the phase 2 PULSAR (NCT03496207) and phase 3 STELLAR (NCT04576988) studies.

The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis is disrupted by exposure to a mix of tributyltin and bisphenol S.

Tributyltin is a biocide and bisphenol S is a plasticizer. The effects of the TBT+BPS mix on thyroid axis function are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of subacute exposure to TBT and BPS, both in mix and alone, in female young Wistar rats.

Therapeutic potential of bioactive peptides against Lactococcus petauri in Nile tilapia.

Lactococcus petauri is an emerging pathogen causing piscine lactococcosis in various aquatic species. This disease has been increasingly reported as a cause of mortality in aquaculture. Due to the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials and to promote viable alternatives for their replacement, bioactive peptides with antimicrobial properties can be explored as tools against bacterial infections.

Study of antiplasmodial activity, toxicity, pharmacokinetic profiles of n-methyl-isatin (CHISACN) derivative.

One of the main factors that have made it difficult to control malaria is the large number of parasites that are resistant to the usual antimalarial drugs. Therefore, the development of new drugs that are more effective and with low toxicity for humans is necessary. In this work, we evaluated the adduct 2-(3-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-yl) acrylonitrile, also called CHISACN, as a potential antimalarial through in vitro studies, and evaluated its effects in silico and in vivo toxicology.

Plasma biomarkers of endothelial function in people with depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study is to conduct a literature review and summarize existing research comparing levels of blood markers of endothelial function in people with depression with controls. We searched major databases (Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) from inception to 23.07.

Mitochondrial DNA alterations in precision oncology: Emerging roles in diagnostics and therapeutics.

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles essential for vital cellular functions, including ATP production, apoptosis regulation, and calcium homeostasis. Increasing research has highlighted the significance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and alterations in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. The high mutation rate and vulnerability of mtDNA to damage make these alterations valuable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, detecting metastasis, and predicting treatment resistance across different tumor types.

The essential role of magnesium in immunity and gut health: Impacts of dietary magnesium restriction on peritoneal cells and intestinal microbiome.

Magnesium (Mg) is essential for life, and low levels impair immune function, promote chronic inflammation, and influence the intestinal microbiome, with the peritoneal cavity serving as a site for direct interaction between the cavity and intestinal contents, including the microbiota. This study investigates the effects of a Mg-restricted diet on peritoneal immune cells and its interplay with the intestinal microbiome. Male C57BL/6NTaq mice were divided into three groups: control, restricted, and restored.

Alpha and high beta subthalamic intermittent activity correlates with freezing of gait severity in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling symptom that affects over half of Parkinson's disease patients (PD) and hinders the ability to walk. Subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) effectiveness in ameliorating the FOG remains controversial, lacking a reliable electrophysiological biomarker from local field potentials (LFP).

Methods: The LFP-STN rhythms bandpower and dynamics were characterized at rest across groups in a cohort of 23 patients (14 with FOG, and 9 without, n-FOG).

Electrochemical sensor based on tadpole-shaped Au nanostructures supported on TiO: Enhanced detection of nicotine in electronic cigarettes and clinical samples.

Nicotine (NIC) detection is vital for monitoring its presence in various environments, including tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and clinical samples; NIC's widespread use and health implications necessitate precise and reliable detection methods as it is linked to diseases such as lung cancer and vascular disorders. In this study, we developed and characterized Au tadpole-like nanostructures immobilized onto titanium oxide (TiO) to provide a cost-effective and sensitive NIC detection material. The comprehensive characterization of the composite used transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), showing the robustness of the synthesis.

Management of hypertension in the early postpartum: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate blood pressure control during the immediate postpartum period in hypertensive women who had used methyldopa during pregnancy, comparing continuation of that drug with switching it for captopril.

Study Design: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial involving 172 postpartum women with hypertension who had previously used methyldopa during pregnancy at a minimum dose of 750 mg/day for at least one week prior to delivery. The subtypes of hypertension included were gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia.

Chromosome distribution of four LTR retrotransposons and 18 S rDNA in coffea eugenioides.

Repetitive sequences are recognized for their roles in plant genome organization and function. Mobile elements are notable repeatome sequences due to their intrinsic mutagenic potential, which is related to the origin of adaptive novelties. Understanding the genomic organization and dynamics of the repeatome is fundamental to enlighten their role in plant genome evolution.

Analysis of the cardiotoxic and myorelaxant effects of camphor on fish of the Nile tilapia species (Oreochromis niloticus) (Linnaeus 1758).

The present study aimed to characterize the behavior and evaluate the electromyographic (EMG), electrocardiographic (ECG), and respiratory responses of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) when exposed to different concentrations of Camphor (CPR) as a potential anaesthetic in immersion and recovery baths. The goal was to determine the impact of CPR on muscle, cardiac, and respiratory functions, and assess its suitability as an anesthetic for tilapia. Therefore, juvenile fish (38.