Human migrations, anthropogenic changes, and insect-borne diseases in Latin America.

Rapid urbanization and migration in Latin America have intensified exposure to insect-borne diseases. Malaria, Chagas disease, yellow fever, and leishmaniasis have historically afflicted the region, while dengue, chikungunya, and Zika have been described and expanded more recently. The increased presence of synanthropic vector species and spread into previously unaffected areas due to urbanization and climate warming have intensified pathogen transmission risks.

The most appropriate indicators of successful ovarian stimulation.

Ovarian stimulation (OS) is a crucial component of clinical IVF treatment that strongly influences outcomes. As such, it is useful to understand the indicators for successful OS during IVF. As OS leads to multiple follicular recruitment, it can be quantified as number of oocytes retrieved.

Implementing Namaste Care in nursing care homes for people with advanced dementia: a systematically constructed review with framework synthesis.

Background: Namaste Care is an intervention designed to improve the quality of life for people with advanced dementia by providing individualised stimulation and personalised activities in a group setting. Current evidence indicates there may be benefits from this intervention, but there is a need to explore the practical realities of its implementation, including potential barriers, enablers, and how it is delivered within the context of nursing care homes.

Objective: To systematically assess the factors involved in implementing Namaste Care for people with advanced dementia in nursing care homes.

Seroepidemiology, molecular detection, and isolation attempts of Toxoplasma gondii in dairy goats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Goats are the one of the most susceptible domestic species to toxoplasmosis affecting animal health and production. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dairy goats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as to evaluate associated risk factors, parasitic DNA detection in raw goat milk samples, and attempts to isolate the parasite from raw goat milk samples.

Pterional vs. mini-pterional craniotomy for intracranial aneurysms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The mini-pterional craniotomy (mPT) was designed to be a minimally invasive alternative to the standard pterional (PT) approach. However, it remains unclear which technique produces better results. Thus, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis comparing functional, surgical, and aesthetic outcomes between mPT and PT in intracranial aneurysms.

Effect of Eight Months of Swimming on Bone Quality of Different Anatomical Regions: A Study on Wistar Rat Models.

Swimming is a popular sport with several health benefits, but its effects on bone quality are controversial possibly due to distinct effects on different anatomical regions. Our aim was to investigate the effect of 8-month swimming on bone growth, mass, geometry, trabecular microarchitecture and osteocyte density of the lumbar vertebrae, femur and tibia of male rats. Wistar rat models were assigned to either a swimming (n = 10; 2h/d, 5 d/week) or a physically active control group (n = 10) for 8 months, after which they were sacrificed and their lumbar vertebrae, femur and tibia assessed for bone mass, cortical geometry, trabecular microarchitecture and osteocyte density through µ-CT and histology.

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.

Predicting liver fibrosis in Gaucher disease: Investigation of contributors and development of a clinically applicable Gaucher liver fibrosis score.

Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare genetic disorder with multi-system involvement. Liver fibrosis is a long-term complication of GD, potentially leading to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There are currently no validated clinical tools for the monitoring of liver fibrosis in patients with GD.

Detection of sensory deficits in fine nerve fibres in leprosy diagnosis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine reference points for thermal perception in cutaneous lesions of leprosy, a disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae characterised by hypoesthesia in skin lesions due to nerve and Schwann cell infection. Early diagnosis is essential to control transmission and effectively treat the disease.

Methods: Quantitative thermal testing (QTT) has been proposed as a valuable tool for early detection of the disease, initiation of treatment, and monitoring of nerve damage.

Clinical efficacy of OS-01 peptide formulation in reducing the signs of periorbital skin aging.

Background: The aging of the skin, particularly around the periorbital region, is a complex process characterized by the accumulation of senescent cells, decreased collagen production, and reduced skin elasticity, leading to visible signs such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.

Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of a novel topical formulation, OS-01 EYE, containing the senomorphic peptide, OS-01, along with other active ingredients, in improving the skin around the eyes.

Methods: A 12-week clinical study was conducted with 22 participants who applied OS-01 EYE twice daily.

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.

Effectiveness of an 8-week neck exercise training on pain, jaw function, and oral health-related quality of life in women with chronic temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial.

To test the effectiveness of an 8-week exercise program targeted to the neck muscles compared to manual therapy, and placebo treatments on orofacial pain intensity, jaw function, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and jaw range of motion (ROM) in women with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). In this randomized controlled trial, fifty-four women (between 18-45 years old) with a diagnosis of myofascial or mixed TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) were randomized into three groups: Neck motor control training (NTG), Manual Therapy Group (MTG), and Placebo Group (PG). All patients were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale, Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire, Oral Health Impact Profile-14, and jaw Range of Motion (ROM) at baseline, immediately after treatment (after 8 weeks of treatment), one month, and three-month follow-up.

P-Glycoprotein Drives Glioblastoma Survival and Chemotherapy Resistance: Potential as a Promising Liquid Biopsy Biomarker.

Drug resistance is a major challenge in cancer therapy, and the expression of efflux pumps such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) often correlates with poor prognosis in various tumors, including glioblastoma (GB). Considering that different roles for these proteins have been established in the biology of various tumors, this study aimed to investigate the functions of P-gp in GB-derived cells by evaluating its survival, migratory, and apoptosis-regulating capabilities, as well as its potential as a liquid biopsy biomarker. P-gp expression was diminished via siRNA to determine its exact role in GB biology.

Pesticides in rainwater: A two-year occurrence study in an unexplored environmental compartment in regions with different land use in the State of São Paulo - Brazil.

Brazil's extensive agricultural area makes it the world's leading soybeans and sugarcane producer. Therefore, the use of large amounts of pesticides directly impacts all environmental compartments, including rainwater. We analyzed 14 pesticides and 5 degradation products in rainwater from three cities in the State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, with distinct land uses.

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.

A novel bombesin-related peptide modulates glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in non-obese and hypothalamic-obese rats.

This study investigated the effects of a novel bombesin-related peptide (BR-b), derived from the skin of the Chaco tree frog (Boana raniceps), on glucose homeostasis in non-obese and hypothalamic-obese male rats. Hypothalamic obesity was induced in neonatal rats through high-dose administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4 g/kg), while control animals (CTL) received an equimolar saline solution. At 70 days of age, both MSG and CTL groups underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 2 g/kg) with or without prior intraperitoneal administration of BR-b at doses of 0.

Functional analysis of SRY variants in individuals with 46,XY Differences of Sex Development.

In mammals, male sexual development is initiated by the expression of the Sex-determining-Region-Y (SRY) gene. SRY contains a highly conserved High Mobility Group (HMG) box essential for DNA binding and activity. Variants in SRY cause Differences of Sex Development (DSD), accounting for 10-15% of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis cases.

When to pair: Effects of different pairing ages on dairy calf health, behavior and performance.

Pair housing presents an alternative to individual or larger group housing systems, though the effects of different pairing ages on calf welfare are not well understood. In this study, we examined the impact of pairing age on the performance, health, and behavior of dairy calves. A total of 140 Holstein female calves (n = 70 pairs) were used, paired at 3 ages: Early (6-7 d; 48 calves), Intermediate (29-30 d; 48 calves), and Late pairing (49-50 d; 44 calves).

Critical evaluation of Pap test adherence to routine screening in Amazonas State, Brazil.

Introduction: This study critically evaluates adherence to Pap test screening practices in cytology-based cervical cancer screening in the state of Amazonas over a 10-year period.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the results of cytological screening examinations (Pap test) in Amazonas State from 2013 to 2023. For this purpose, Brazilian public databases Cervical Cancer Information System (SISCOLO) and Cancer Information System (SISCAN) (from The Department of Information and IT of the Unified Health System - DATASUS) were consulted.

Immunohistochemical identification of ACE-2 (SARS-COV II entry mechanism) in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and lung of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).

SARS-Cov-2 is a corona virus that causes COVID-19 disease, a viral infection responsible for the pandemic decreed by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functions as the main receptor for SARS-Cov-2. The study aimed to detect the expression of ACE-2 in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and lung in the rhesus monkeys and squirrel monkeys.

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.

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.

A gender breakdown of unexpected benefits generated by work from home in STEM fields - A qualitative analysis of the WiMPBME Task Group survey.

Background: Working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic was perceived differently by men and women working in STEM fields. The aim of this paper is to highlight the unexpected benefits generated by working from home during the pandemic.

Methods: Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data, collected via survey.

Neural network surrogate and projected gradient descent for fast and reliable finite element model calibration: A case study on an intervertebral disc.

Accurate calibration of finite element (FE) models is essential across various biomechanical applications, including human intervertebral discs (IVDs), to ensure their reliability and use in diagnosing and planning treatments. However, traditional calibration methods are computationally intensive, requiring iterative, derivative-free optimization algorithms that often take days to converge. This study addresses these challenges by introducing a novel, efficient, and effective calibration method demonstrated on a human L4-L5 IVD FE model as a case study using a neural network (NN) surrogate.