Evaluating the accuracy of impaired skin integrity in critically ill patients: Key characteristics and clinical implications.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis Impaired skin integrity (00046) in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study was conducted with 105 adult patients admitted to an ICU. A latent class model with random effects was used to test the sensitivity and specificity of the defining characteristics investigated.

Trends and Factors Associated With Central Obesity in Schoolchildren in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil: Cross Sectional Panel Study From 2002 to 2019.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the trend and factors associated with central obesity in four cross-sectional panels in schoolchildren aged 7-14 years between 2002 and 2019.

Methods: Waist circumference data were used to assess central obesity, and independent variables were gender, age, school shift (morning and afternoon), commuting to school method, mother's schooling, and family income. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between outcome and independent variables, and binary logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of central obesity and the effect size by odds ratio.

Re-evaluating evidence for giant genomes in amoebae.

Here we reassess available evidence for the long-held misconception of amoebae possessing exceptionally large genomes. Traditionally, estimates relied on inaccurate methods like DNA weight measurements, leading to inflated sizes. These methods failed to account for contaminating DNA from prey, endosymbionts, and intrinsic genomic features like ribosomal operon amplification.

Effectiveness of intra-articular vancomycin in preventing prosthetic joint infections in hip and knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT's.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intra-articular vancomycin powder in reducing prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) in primary hip and knee arthroplasty through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: A research in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed to identify randomized clinical trials comparing intra-articular vancomycin use to conventional antibiotic prophylaxis in total hip or knee arthroplasty patients, assessing postoperative infection rates, adverse drug reactions, and venous thrombotic events. Statistical analysis was performed using R (RStudio 2024.

Fiddler Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae) From Coastal Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands: Species Descriptions and DNA Barcodes.

Neotropical regions near the equator are recognized as speciation "hot spots" reflecting their abundant biodiversity. In western South America, the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, the Galápagos Archipelago, and northern Peru form the Tropical Eastern Pacific biome. This area has the greatest heterogeneity of sympatric fiddler crab species of any portion of the planet.

Mammals in urban centers: a dataset from the perspective of the media in Brazil.

The continuous growth of the urban population, coupled with habitat loss, has resulted in unanticipated interactions between animals and humans in urban centers. In this study, we investigated the presence of mammals in urban centers through newspaper reports on websites. Specifically, we examined: i) the frequency of photographic records, ii) the temporal trends (2001 to 2021) and spatial trends (Brazilian Federative regions and states) of the records, and iii) the orders, families, and species most frequently reported in urban centers.

Effect of ambient conditions in friction surfacing.

Friction surfacing (FS) is a solid-state deposition process in which layers are deposited on a substrate surface by frictional heat and severe plastic deformation of a consumable stud material below its melting temperature. Bonding occurs due to accelerated diffusion. The deposition of several layers on top of each other is referred to as multi-layer FS (MLFS), a promising candidate for additive manufacturing (AM) as it offers advantages over fusion-based AM.

CompSafeNano project: NanoInformatics approaches for safe-by-design nanomaterials.

The CompSafeNano project, a Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, aims to advance the safety and innovation potential of nanomaterials (NMs) by integrating cutting-edge nanoinformatics, computational modelling, and predictive toxicology to enable design of safer NMs at the earliest stage of materials development. The project leverages Safe-by-Design (SbD) principles to ensure the development of inherently safer NMs, enhancing both regulatory compliance and international collaboration. By building on established nanoinformatics frameworks, such as those developed in the H2020-funded projects NanoSolveIT and NanoCommons, CompSafeNano addresses critical challenges in nanosafety through development and integration of innovative methodologies, including advanced models, approaches including machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven predictive models and 1st-principles computational modelling of NMs properties, interactions and effects on living systems.

L. (Anacardiaceae) fruits flours at different maturation stages: Drying kinetics, mathematical modelling, characterization and correlation analysis.

The aim of this study was to examine the drying kinetics of L. fruits at various maturation stages (I to V) using a range of mathematical models (Henderson and Pabis, Lewis, Logarithmic, Midilli, and Page). Additionally, an assessment of the resulting flours' quality was conducted.

Effect of Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination on immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccination.

Objectives: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has off-target effects on disease risk for unrelated infections and immune responses to vaccines. This study aimed to determine the immunomodulatory effects of BCG vaccination on immune responses to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Blood samples, from a subset of 275 SARS-CoV-2-naïve healthcare workers randomised to BCG vaccination (BCG group) or no BCG vaccination (Control group) in the BRACE trial, were collected before and 28 days after the primary course (two doses) of ChAdOx1-S (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccination.

A New Anatomical Approach to Male Pectoral Volumization.

Background: In this article, we discuss a new technique of pectoralis major muscle volumization using ultrasound-guided fat grafting, considering a new surgical criterion that allows for larger volumes.

Methods: We present a retrospective observational descriptive study, which included men who underwent body contouring surgery during 2022-2023. As part of the study, measurements were taken before, immediately after, and at 3 months after surgery.

Feasibility of Self-Programming of the Speech Processor Via Remote Assistant Fitting in Experienced Cochlear Implant Users.

 Adults with cochlear implants (CIs) need periodic programming of their speech processors to take advantage of alternative adjustments. However, this requires patients to attend the CI center in person.  To evaluate the feasibility of speech processor (SP) self-programming with remote assistance in CI users.

Hearing Performance and Soft-Tissue Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery and Local Anesthesia in Children with Unilateral Craniofacial Malformation.

 Minimally invasive Ponto surgery (MIPS) enables the installation of percutaneous bone-anchored hearing implants (BAHIs) with a drill guide through a hole punch incision. Despite being well established for adults, there is a lack of studies in the literature regarding its use in pediatric patients.  The aim of the present study was to investigate the hearing performance and soft-tissue outcomes of the use of MIPS under local anesthesia in children with unilateral craniofacial malformation (UCM).

Anatomical Variations of the Nasal Conchae and Nasal Septum and their Relationships with Alterations in the Maxillary Sinus Mucosa: A Study on Cone-beam Computed Tomography Images.

 In the literature, there is divergence about the relationship between anatomical variations of the turbinates and nasal septum (NS) and alterations in the maxillary sinus (MS) mucosa.  To determine, through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of Brazilian individuals, the prevalence and relationship of anatomical variations of the turbinates and NS with alterations in the mucosa of the MS, as well as to analyze the relationships of these variables with demographic data.  The present cross-sectional study involved the analysis of 120 CBCT scans using the i-CAT Vision software, conducted by 2 calibrated examiners.

Do Child-Turcotte-Pugh and nutritional assessments predict survival in cirrhosis: A longitudinal study.

Background: Cirrhotic patients face heightened energy demands, leading to rapid glycogen depletion, protein degradation, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which drive disease progression and complications. These disruptions cause cellular damage and parenchymal changes, resulting in vascular alterations, portal hypertension, and liver dysfunction, significantly affecting patient prognosis.

Aim: To analyze the association between Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores and different nutritional indicators with survival in a 15-year follow-up cohort.

Experiences and overall impact reported by people living with obesity: results from a multinational study.

Objectives: To explore the impact of obesity on clinical outcomes, health-related quality of life, emotional well-being, and work productivity in people/patients with obesity across six countries by body mass index and the presence of complications.

Methods: Adelphi Real World Obesity Disease Specific Programme™ captured data related to physicians and their consulting people/patients with obesity on a weight management program or anti-obesity medication in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates from April to December 2022. Physicians reported data for up to eight qualifying people/patients with obesity.

Characterization of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac in Crocidosema sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Brazil.

Background: Crocidosema aporema (Walsingham 1914) has historically been the main bud borer species in soybean in Brazil; however, a recent study reported that this species is not C. aporema but an undescribed species. In recent seasons, injury by Crocidosema sp.

The 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-9) has adequate measurement properties in patients with chronic low back pain.

Objective: To assess the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia in patients with chronic low back pain.

Design: Questionnaire validation study.

Setting: Study was conducted in an online environment.

Effects of Photobiomodulation on Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy on burning mouth syndrome compared to placebo, no-laser, clonazepam and alpha-lipoic acid.

Methods: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials was performed. The databases consulted were MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, EMBASE and clinical trial registries ClincalTrial.

Pairs of rats cooperate more when responding to simultaneous reinforcement than to alternated reinforcement.

The purpose of this experiment was to explore whether simultaneous access to consequences configures a defining functional feature of coordination. We evaluated whether coordination episodes are maintained when reinforcers are alternately presented to two cooperating rats across these episodes, in contrast to the delivery of reinforcers simultaneously for both rats and independently for each rat. Rat pairs responded under either a tandem fixed-interval (FI) 10-s FI 10-s or a tandem variable-interval (VI) 10-s VI 10-s schedules.

Shaping the future rural healthcare landscape: perspectives of young healthcare professionals.

Introduction: Rural communities continue to struggle to access quality healthcare services. Even in countries where the majority of the population live in rural and remote areas, resources are concentrated in big cities, and this is continuing. As a result, countries with the highest proportion of rural residents correlate with the poorest access, which has negative implications for the health and wellbeing of people.

A descriptive analysis of nurses' self-reported mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international study.

Aim: To describe the self-reported mental health of nurses from 35 countries who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: There is little occupationally specific data about nurses' mental health worldwide. Studies have documented the impact on nurses' mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic, but few have baseline referents.

The concentration of malachite green in fish: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and probabilistic risk assessment.

Malachite Green (MG) is an antibiotic with antifungal activity, which is illegal to use in agriculture due to its mutagenic and teratogenic properties. Several scientific papers have been published on MG in fish. Therefore, an attempt was made to determine the meta-analysis concentration of MG in fish based on countries and types of fish subgroups, as well as the health risks of consumers, using the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) model.