Effect of caloric restriction with probiotic supplementation on body composition, quality of life, and psychobiological factors of obese men: A randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background & Aims: Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by an excess of fat mass. It is accompanied by a low-grade chronic systemic inflammation state that leads to numerous health disorders. To counteract this scenario, dietary-derived caloric restriction (CR) is the principal intervention for weight loss.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change of the cranio-cervical flexion test in individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain.

Background: The cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT) is used in clinical practice to measure the activation of deep cervical flexor muscles. However, the reliability of the test has not been conducted on an adequate sample size, specifically in individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain (CNP).

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the CCFT in individuals with non-specific CNP.

3D printed skin dressings manufactured with spongin-like collagen from marine sponges: physicochemical properties and in vitro biological analysis.

Innovative skin dressings are needed for an effective skin wound treatment. Here in, it was used spongin-like collagen (SC) from marine sponge Chondrilla caribensis as a promising biomaterial, sodium alginate as matrix and, 3D printing technique to manufacture skin dressings in three concentrations (C1, C2, C3). The physicochemical, morphological and biological (in vitro) results were investigated.

Effects of the physical form of starter feed on the intake, performance, and health of female Holstein calves.

Available literature on the effect of various physical forms of starter feed (PFSF) on calf performance is conflicting. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the PFSF on feed intake, growth performance, blood metabolites, and the health of dairy calves. Twenty-four female Holstein calves (5-d-old; 40.

Photoinactivation of sulfate-reducing bacteria using 1,9-dimethyl-methylene blue - DMMB and laser light.

Annually, the oil and gas industry faces equipment losses and product quality degradation due to the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Given the negative impact of SRB, this study evaluates the use of photoinactivation (PI) with zinc chloride double salt of 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue (DMMB) as a photosensitizer (PS) in varying concentrations and combined with Laser light at different exposures in an SRB consortium. For culture growth, a modified Postgate C medium (without ferrous sulfate) was used, and cell quantification was performed on 100 μL aliquots of the consortium, read on a spectrophotometer (λ600 nm) in an oxygen- and light-free environment at room temperature.

Predicted environmental concentration (PEC), environmental risk assessment (ERA) and prioritization of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in seawater from Guarujá (Brazilian coastal zone).

The antiretroviral therapy program's success in managing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has inadvertently led to the release of antiretrovirals (ARVs) into worldwide aquatic ecosystems. However, few studies investigated the risks of ARV loadings that flow continuously to the marine waters of South America (such as Brazil). Against this backdrop, the aims of this study were: (i) to estimate the Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC) of thirteen ARVs worldwide used in HIV treatment, and which are frequently disposed of in the marine aquatic ecosystems of Guarujá, São Paulo coastline, Brazil.

Exploratory metabolomic profiling of plasma and urine in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome): A pilot study.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), also known as Hunter syndrome, is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. It results from a deficiency of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S), leading to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in various tissues and organs. Clinical manifestations include skeletal abnormalities, facial coarsening, organ enlargement, and developmental delays.

Early ultrastructural damage in retina and optic nerve following intraocular pressure elevation.

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a significant risk factor for glaucoma, causing structural and functional damage to the eye. Increased IOP compromises the metabolic and structural integrity of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons, leading to progressive degeneration and influencing the ocular immune response. This study investigated early cellular and molecular changes in the retina and optic nerve (ON) following ocular hypertension (OHT).

Epidemiology, Ventilation Management, and Outcomes in Invasively Ventilated Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: An Analysis of Four Observational Studies in Four Countries on Two Continents.

Epidemiology, ventilator management, and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been described extensively but have never been compared between countries. We performed an individual patient data analysis of four observational studies to compare epidemiology, ventilator management, and outcomes. We used propensity score weighting to control for confounding factors.

Small and Versatile Cyclotides as Anti-infective Agents.

Plants provide an abundant source of potential therapeutic agents, including a diverse array of compounds, such as cyclotides, which are peptides known for their antimicrobial activity. Cyclotides are multifaceted molecules with a wide range of biological activities. Their unique topology forms a head-to-tail cyclic structure reinforced by a cysteine knot, which confers chemical and thermal stability.

Wearable Smartphone-Based Multisensory Feedback System for Torso Posture Correction: Iterative Design and Within-Subjects Study.

Background: The prevalence of stroke is high in both males and females, and it rises with age. Stroke often leads to sensor and motor issues, such as hemiparesis affecting one side of the body. Poststroke patients require torso stabilization exercises, but maintaining proper posture can be challenging due to their condition.

Rock strength controls erosion in tectonically dead landscapes.

Interactions among tectonics, climate, and lithology shape the Earth's surface. In regions dominated by tectonic quiescence and climate stability, the role of rock strength related to lithology, and its role in landscape evolution, can be most clearly perceived. We leverage these qualities in a unique field site by integrating topographic data, erosion rates, and a large suite of rock strength measurements to quantify the relationship between bedrock strength and erosion rates along a 200-km section of the southeast coast of Brazil where climatic and tectonic variability are minimal.

A 4-year follow-up of the need for orthodontic treatment using the Dental Aesthetic Index-DAI: an exploratory analysis.

This study aim was to evaluate the need for orthodontic treatment of mixed to permanent dentition using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) in a 4-year follow-up. A longitudinal study was conducted with 353 children in the stages from mixed (T1) to permanent (T2) dentition. The need for orthodontic treatment was assessed using the DAI categorized into: DAI 1 (absence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need; DAI ≤ 25); DAI 2 (malocclusion is defined and elective orthodontic treatment is needed; DAI = 26 to 30); DAI 3 (severe malocclusion and a desirable orthodontic treatment need; DAI = 31 to 35) and DAI 4 (severe malocclusion and a mandatory orthodontic treatment need; DAI ≥ 36).

Surface roughness of composite resins subjected to brushing with whitening toothpastes: an in vitro study.

The emergence of toothpastes containing different abrasive and whitening substances has been a constant concern among dental professionals. The aim of the present study was to perform an in vitro assessment of the surface topography of nanoparticle composite resins subjected to simulated brushing with dentifrices. Test samples were prepared with Filtek Universal (3M ESPE), Filtek Bulkfill (3M ESPE) and Z350 (3M ESPE), with 24 samples per resin.

Brazilian version of the OHIP 14 Periodontal Disease Questionnaire: cross cultural adaptation and validation.

Although it is recognized that periodontal disease negatively impacts quality of life, there is no validated instrument to assess this impact in Brazil. This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the OHIP 14 PD (Oral Health Impact Profile Applied to Periodontal Diseases) for application among Brazilian patients. The original instrument was translated and validated into Brazilian Portuguese in a cross-sectional study with 110 participants recruited from a Dental School clinic.

Safety of two-dose schedule of COVID-19 adsorbed inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac; Sinovac/Butantan) and heterologous additional doses of mRNA BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.

Immunocompromised individuals were considered high-risk for severe disease due to SARS COV-2 infection. This study aimed to describe the safety of two doses of COVID-19 adsorbed inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac; Sinovac/Butantan), followed by additional doses of mRNA BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) in immunocompromised (IC) adults, compared to immunocompetent/healthy (H) individuals. This phase 4, multicenter, open label study included solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, cancer patients and people with inborn errors of immunity with defects in antibody production, rheumatic, end-stage chronic kidney or liver disease, who were enrolled in the IC group.

Asthma-related deaths in Brazil: data from an ecological study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present epidemiological data on hospitalizations and deaths related to asthma in Brazil over the past 11 years.

Methods: An ecological study was conducted on asthma-related hospitalizations and mortality in Brazil from 2013 to 2023, using data extracted from the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System and the Mortality Information System.

Results: Asthma-related deaths showed an increasing trend during the analyzed period.

New spirometry recommendations from the Brazilian Thoracic Association - 2024 update.

The latest pulmonary function guideline from the Brazilian Thoracic Association was published in 2002, since which there have been updates to international guidelines (mainly those from the European Respiratory Society and the American Thoracic Society), as well as new national and international publications on various aspects of the performance, interpretation, and clinical implications of spirometry. Despite those updates, a careful analysis of what applies to the reality in Brazil is essential, because there have been studies that evaluated individuals who are representative of our population and who could show responses different from those of individuals in other regions of the world. This document is the result of the work of a group of specialists in pulmonary function who evaluated relevant scientific articles that could be applicable to the population of Brazil.

Topical application of the ethanol extract and the hydroethanolic fraction of ripe Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. fruit improves the healing of excisional wounds.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the topical application of the ethanol extract (EESL) and the hydroethanolic fraction (HFSL) of ripe Solanum lycocarpum fruit on the healing of experimentally-induced wounds in mice.

Methods: The EESL and HFSL obtained from ripe fruit of the species S. lycocarpum were obtained by percolation with ethanol.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUES TO INCREASE RESECTABILITY IN LIVER METASTASIS.

The development of surgical techniques, chemotherapy, biological agents, and multidisciplinary approaches have made patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases eligible for surgery. Many strategies have been developed to allow patients for surgical resection (percutaneous portal vein embolization, liver venous deprivation, parenchyma-sparing liver surgery, reverse strategy, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, and liver transplantation), the only form of disease control and curative treatment.

MANAGEMENT OF SYNCHRONIC LARGE LIVER METASTASIS IN A NON-OCCLUSIVE COLON TUMOR.

In patients with synchronic liver colorectal metastasis, resection of the primary tumor and liver metastases is the only potentially curative strategy. In such cases, there is no consensus on whether resection of the primary tumor and metastases should be performed simultaneously or whether a staged approach should be performed (resection of the primary tumor and after, hepatectomy, or hepatectomy first). Patients with no bowel occlusion and with extensive liver disease are advised neoadjuvant oncological therapy.

NON-FUNCTIONING SPORADIC PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOR IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR RECURRENCE AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT.

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are uncommon and heterogeneous neoplasms, often exhibiting indolent biological behavior. Their incidence is rising, largely due to the widespread use of high-resolution imaging techniques, particularly influencing the diagnosis of sporadic non-functioning tumors, which account for up to 80% of cases. While surgical resection remains the only curative option, the impact of factors such as tumor grade, size, and type on prognosis and recurrence is still unclear.

COMPLICATIONS AFTER HEPATECTOMY.

Complete removal of metastatic disease and maintenance of an adequate liver remnant remains the only treatment option with curative intent concerning colorectal liver metastases. Surgery impacts on the long-term prognosis and complications adversely affect oncological results. The actual morbidity involving this scenario is debatable and estimated to be ranging from 15% to 50%.

EARLY REFEEDING AFTER COLORECTAL CANCER SURGERY REDUCES COMPLICATIONS AND LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY.

Background: Multimodal protocols such as Acceleration of Total Postoperative Recovery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery propose a set of pre- and post-operative care to accelerate the recovery of surgical patients. However, in clinical practice, simple care such as early refeeding and use of drains are often neglected by multidisciplinary teams.

Aims: Investigate whether early postoperative refeeding determines benefits in colorectal oncological surgery; whether the patients' clinical conditions preoperatively and the use of a nasogastric tube and abdominal drain delay their recovery.