Spatial and temporal modeling of the global burden of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Brazil: A 21-year ecological study.

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease endemic in Brazil. Morbidity and disabilities caused by CL lesions require an analysis of a Global Burden of Disease (GBD), which would help discern the impact on the Brazilian population. Herein, we assess the burden of CL and its spatial and temporal patterns in Brazil between 2001 and 2021.

Design and implementation of a metagenomic analytical pipeline for respiratory pathogen detection.

Objective: We developed an in-house bioinformatics pipeline to improve the detection of respiratory pathogens in metagenomic sequencing data. This pipeline addresses the need for short-time analysis, high accuracy, scalability, and reproducibility in a high-performance computing environment.

Results: We evaluated our pipeline using ninety synthetic metagenomes designed to simulate nasopharyngeal swab samples.

Optimizing next-generation sequencing efficiency in clinical settings: analysis of read length impact on cost and performance.

Background: The expansion of sequencing technologies as a result of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic enabled pathogen (meta)genomics to be deployed as a routine component of surveillance in many countries. Scaling genomic surveillance, however, comes with associated costs in both equipment and sequencing reagents, which should be optimized. Here, we evaluate the cost efficiency and performance of different read lengths in identifying pathogens in metagenomic samples.

Assessment and Prognostic Resources for Gross Motor Development in a Child with Cerebral Palsy Related to Congenital Zika Syndrome.

This article describes how the Gross Motor Ability Estimator (GMAE) software can provide important information based on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 score of a child with congenital Zika syndrome.A child was assessed at 9, 17, and 25 months of age through the GMFM-66. At 2 years, the child's gross motor ability was estimated and classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

Influence of Tacrolimus Intrapatient Variability on Allograft Rejection Frequency and Survival Following Liver Transplantation.

Background: Tacrolimus is the primary calcineurin inhibitor used in immunosuppressive regimens to prevent allograft rejection (AR) after organ transplantation. Recent studies have linked intrapatient variability (IPV) of tacrolimus with AR occurrence and reduced survival, especially in kidney transplant recipients. However, limited data are available on the impact of tacrolimus IPV on adverse outcomes after liver transplantation (LT).

Psychometric properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Falls Behavioral Scale in people with Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: To verify the psychometric properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Falls Behavioral (FaB-Brazil) Scale in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Material And Methods: Participants ( = 96) were assessed by disease-specific, self-report and functional mobility measures. Internal consistency of the FaB-Brazil scale was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and inter-rater and test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Positive nutrition: shifting the focus from nutrients to diet for a healthy lifestyle.

Purpose And Methods: This summary is based on a scientific symposium organized by the Mediterranean Diet Roundtable and the American Italian Food Coalition titled, 'Positive Nutrition: shifting focus from nutrients to diet for a healthy lifestyle.' It was held at the Embassy of Italy in Washington DC in September of 2022. The panel of experts discussed how science can inform policy, what insights may be gleaned from different countries' approaches to healthy eating and what principles of the Mediterranean diet will inform strategies for a healthy future.

Predictors of Falls with Injuries in People with Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Falls are frequent in Parkinson's disease (PD), but there is lack of information about predictors of injurious falls.

Objectives: To determine predictors of falls with injuries in people with PD; to compare circumstances and consequences of falls in single and recurrent fallers.

Methods: Participants (n = 225) were assessed by disease-specific, self-report, and balance measures, and followed-up for 12 months with a diary to record falls, their circumstances, and injuries.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Falls Behavioral (FaB-Brazil) Scale.

Purpose: To develop and cross-culturally adapt a Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Falls Behavioral Scale (FaB-Brazil) and to verify its psychometric properties.

Material And Methods: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process of the scale followed standard guidelines. The FaB-Brazil scale was applied to 93 community-dwelling older people.

Cell adhesion proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid of neonates prenatally exposed to Zika virus: A case-control study.

To compare cell adhesion molecules levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between Zika virus (ZIKV)-exposed neonates with/without microcephaly (cases) and controls, 16 neonates (cases), 8 (50%) with and 8 (50%) without microcephaly, who underwent lumbar puncture (LP) during the ZIKV epidemic (2015-2016) were included. All mothers reported ZIKV clinical symptoms during gestation, all neonates presented with congenital infection findings, and other congenital infections were ruled out. Fourteen control neonates underwent LP in the same laboratory (2017-2018).

The ultra-processed foods hypothesis: a product processed well beyond the basic ingredients in the package.

The NOVA classification of food items has become increasingly popular and is being used in several observational studies as well as in nutritional guidelines and recommendations. We propose that there is a need for this classification and its use in the formulation of public health policies to be critically discussed and re-appraised. The terms 'processing' and 'ultra-processing', which are crucial to the NOVA classification, are ill-defined, as no scientific, measurable or precise reference parameters exist for them.

Delafloxacin as a treatment option for community-acquired pneumonia infection.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults. Bacterial pathogens are recognized to be frequent causative agents, which makes antibacterial treatment crucial for the evolution of these patients. There are several antimicrobial options available in daily practice.

Differences between children with severe acute lower respiratory infection with or without SARS-Cov-2 infection.

Aim: to compare clinical features and outcome of children with severe acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) with or without SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Methods: for this retrospective cohort study, all children aged<17 years admitted with severe ALRI at a PICU, in Salvador, Brazil were evaluated. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection was performed by real-time reverse-transcription PCR.

Zika-exposed microcephalic neonates exhibit higher degree of inflammatory imbalance in cerebrospinal fluid.

Not every neonate with congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection (CZI) is born with microcephaly. We compared inflammation mediators in CSF (cerebrospinal fluid obtained from lumbar puncture) between ZIKV-exposed neonates with/without microcephaly (cases) and controls. In Brazil, in the same laboratory, we identified 14 ZIKV-exposed neonates during the ZIKV epidemic (2015-2016), 7(50%) with and 7(50%) without microcephaly, without any other congenital infection, and 14 neonates (2017-2018) eligible to be controls and to match cases.

A Self-Reported Clinical Tool Predicts Falls in People with Parkinson's Disease.

Background: A 3-step clinical prediction tool including falling in the previous year, freezing of gait in the past month and self-selected gait speed <1.1 m/s has shown high accuracy in predicting falls in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The accuracy of this tool when including only self-report measures is yet to be determined.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on walking capacity of individuals after stroke: A double-blind randomized trial.

Objectives: Identify the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on walking capacity, strength and inspiratory muscle endurance, activities of daily living, and quality of life poststroke.

Design: Double-blind randomized trial.

Setting: The Sarah Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals.

Seasonality of distinct respiratory viruses in a tropical city: implications for prophylaxis.

Objective: The frequency and seasonality of viruses in tropical regions are scarcely reported. We estimated the frequency of seven respiratory viruses and assessed seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza viruses in a tropical city.

Methods: Children (age ≤ 18 years) with acute respiratory infection were investigated in Salvador, Brazil, between July 2014 and June 2017.

Systemic cytokines/chemokines associated to radiographic abnormalities in pneumonia in children.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) diagnosis remains a challenge in paediatrics. Chest radiography is considered gold standard for definition of pneumonia, however no previous study assessed the relationship between immune response and radiographic-confirmed-pneumonia. We assessed association between cytokines/chemokines levels and radiographic abnormalities in children with CAP.

Thrombectomy for Stroke in the Public Health Care System of Brazil.

Background: Randomized trials involving patients with stroke have established that outcomes are improved with the use of thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion. These trials were performed in high-resource countries and have had limited effects on medical practice in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods: We studied the safety and efficacy of thrombectomy in the public health system of Brazil.

The Negative Predictive Ability of Immature Neutrophils for Bacteremia in Children With Community-Acquired Infections.

Bacteremia is a serious condition. We aimed to assess the role of immature neutrophils in peripheral blood smears for prediction of bacteremia in children. In this cross-sectional study conducted in Salvador, Brazil, blood cultures collected from patients aged ≤18 years were identified.

Recurrent wheezing, allergic rhinitis, and maternal asthma as predictors of asthma in children.

Early prediction of asthma is crucial for asthma prevention. We estimated the odds ratio (OR) of recurrent wheezing during the first 3 years of life, atopic rhinitis, and maternal asthma for asthma in school-age children (ages ≥ 6 years). This case-control study was conducted in Salvador, Brazil.