Comparative Study of Colorimetric In Situ Hybridization and Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Diagnosis of Infection by Leishmania infantum in Dogs in Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Skin.

The zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum and dogs are reservoirs for this parasite. For the diagnosis of Leishmania at the species level in dogs in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin (FFPES) samples, colorimetric in situ hybridization (CISH) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are options, but their sensitivities are not well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of these two techniques in FFPES for the diagnosis of the L. infantum infection in dogs using culture as the reference standard. The FFPES of 48 dogs with cutaneous infection by L. infantum confirmed by culture and by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis were examined by CISH and qPCR using specific probes for L. infantum. The sensitivities of qPCR, CISH and their combination were, respectively, 77.0%, 58.0% and 83.3%. The sensitivities of qPCR in dogs with and without clinical signs were, respectively, 74.2% and 82.4%. The sensitivities of CISH in dogs with and without clinical signs were, respectively, 61.3% and 52.9%. The CISH and qPCR showed satisfactory sensitivities for the diagnosis of L. infantum in the FFPES of dogs, even in dogs without clinical signs, and their combination increases the sensitivity for this diagnosis.

Gellan-Based Hydrogel as a Drug Delivery System for Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester in the Treatment of Oral Candida albicans Infections.

Candida albicans can cause various types of oral infections, mainly associated with denture stomatitis. Conventional therapy has been linked to high recurrence, toxicity, and fungal resistance, necessitating the search for new drugs and delivery systems. In this study, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and gellan gum (GG) were studied as an antifungal agent and carrier system, respectively. First, we observed that different GG formulations (0.6 to 1.0% wt/vol) were able to incorporate and release CAPE, reaching a controlled and prolonged release over 180 min at 1.0% of GG. CAPE-GG formulations exhibited antifungal activity at CAPE concentrations ranging from 128 to >512 µg/mL. Furthermore, CAPE-GG formulations significantly decreased the fungal viability of C. albicans biofilms at short times (12 h), mainly at 1.0% of GG (p < 0.001). C. albicans protease activity was also reduced after 12 h of treatment with CAPE-GG formulations (p < 0.001). Importantly, CAPE was not cytotoxic to human keratinocytes, and CAPE-GG formulations at 1.0% decreased the fungal burden (p = 0.0087) and suppressed inflammation in a rat model of denture stomatitis. Altogether, these results indicate that GG is a promising delivery system for CAPE, showing effective activity against C. albicans and potential to be used in the treatment of denture stomatitis.

Optimal cardiovascular health is associated with slower cognitive decline.

BACKGROUND: Life's Simple 7, a lifestyle and cardiovascular index associated with cognition, has been updated to Life's Essential 8 (LE8) to include sleep. LE8 has been related to cardiovascular outcomes but its association with cognition is unclear. METHODS: In this longitudinal analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), LE8 score was based on health behaviors (diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, and sleep health) as well as health-related factors (body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure). Cognition was assessed in three waves, 4 years apart, using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease - Word List, semantic and phonemic verbal fluency, the Trail-Making Test B (TMT-B), and a global composite score. We used linear mixed-model analysis, inverse probability weighting, and interaction analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of the study cohort was 51.4 ± 8.9 years, 56% were women, and 53% were White. Higher baseline LE8 scores were associated with slower decline in global cognition (ß = 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.001, 0.002; p < 0.001), memory (ß = 0.001, 95% CI 0.000, 0.002; p = 0.013), verbal fluency (ß = 0.001, 95% CI 0.000, 0.002; p = 0.003), and TMT-B (ß = 0.004, 95% CI 0.003, 0.005; p < 0.001). This association was mainly driven by LE8 health factors, particularly blood glucose and blood pressure. Age, sex, and race were modifiers of the association between LE8 and global cognitive decline (p < 0.001), suggesting it was more pronounced in older, male, and Black participants. CONCLUSIONS: Higher baseline LE8 scores were associated with slower global and domain-specific cognitive decline during 8 years of follow-up, mainly due to health factors such as blood glucose and blood pressure. Sociodemographic factors were modifiers of this association.

Atividade antifúngica de nanofibras de policaprolactona/nistatina: estudo in vitro e in vivo / Antifungal activity of polycaprolactone/nystatin nanofibers: in vitro and in vivo study

Este estudo avaliou a eficácia in vitro e in vivo de mantas de nanofibras (NF) de policaprolactona (PCL) incorporadas com nistatina (NIS) no tratamento da estomatite protética (EP) em modelos animais. NF foram sintetizadas com diferentes concentrações de NIS, totalizando quatro soluções: PCL puro, PCL/NIS 0,045 g, PCL/NIS 0,090 g e PCL/NIS 0,225 g. A liberação da NIS foi analisada por espectroscopia Ultravioleta-Visível. A capacidade das mantas de inibirem o biofilme de Candida albicans, principal fator etiológico da EP, dividindo-se cinco grupos (N=5) compostos por um grupo com controle de células de C. albicans e com PCL puro, além das três concentrações de NIS. A seguir, foi analisada a viabilidade celular em queratinócitos humanos (HaCat) por meio do teste colorimétrico de resazurina. Cinco grupos foram divididos (N=10): controle celular, PCL puro e as três concentrações de NIS. Em modelos animais de ratos Wistar albinos (N=18), dispositivos palatinos (DP) de resina acrílica foram confeccionados simulando próteses totais e utilizados para a indução da EP. Para isso, DP contaminados com C. albicans foram cimentados na região molar da cavidade bucal dos animais e permaneceram em boca por 48 h. Após esse período, os DP foram removidos e os animais foram divididos em três grupos: (C) controle; (B1) com tratamento por mantas de PCL/NIS 0,045 g e (B2) PCL/NIS 0,225 g, com N=6. Então novos DP, livres de contaminação, foram cimentados na cavidade oral dos animais e permaneceu por mais 48 h. Após esse período, os animais foram eutanasiados, a contagem de UFC/ mL foi realizada e os palatos foram coletados para a análise histológica. A curva padrão de NIS obtida apresentou R2 de 0,99. As três concentrações de NF apresentaram liberação de NIS, com pico no tempo de 6 h e valores de 66,26 µg/ mL para PCL/NIS 0,045 g, de 333,87 µg/ mL para PCL/NIS 0,090 g e 436,51 µg/ mL para PCL/NIS 0,225 g, constantes até o fim do experimento. Os grupos com NIS reduziram em 2,5 log10 de crescimento do biofilme fúngico em relação aos grupos sem tratamento, Controle e PCL, sem diferença estatística significativa. Não foi observada citotoxicidade nas células HaCat, com viabilidade celular de 93,7% para PCL/NIS 0,045 g, 72,6% para PCL/NIS 0,090 g e 72,4% para PCL/NIS 0,225 g. A indução da EP nos três grupos foi possível e, porém, sem redução significativa na contagem de UFC/ mL de C. albicans nos grupos B1 e B2. Na análise histológica do grupo C pôde-se observar infiltração de hifas de Candida na camada queratinizada, presença de células inflamatórias formando micro abscessos e um discreto infiltrado inflamatório no tecido conjuntivo subjacente ao epitélio infectado. Nos grupos B1 e B2 não foram encontradas alterações epiteliais, concluindo-se que as NF demonstraram atividade antifúngica in vitro e foram efetivas na prevenção da penetração de hifas no tecido palatino de animais com DP (AU)

This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of nanofiber (NF) mats of polycaprolactone (PCL) incorporated with nystatin (NIS) in the treatment of denture stomatitis (DS) in animal models. NFs were synthesized with different concentrations of NIS, totaling four solutions: pure PCL, PCL/NIS 0.045 g, PCL/NIS 0.090 g, and PCL/NIS 0.225 g. The release of NIS was analyzed by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy. The ability of the mats to inhibit Candida albicans biofilm, the main etiological factor of DS, was assessed by dividing five groups (N=5) composed of a group with C. albicans cell control and with pure PCL, in addition to the three concentrations of NIS. Next, cell viability in human keratinocytes (HaCat) was analyzed using the resazurin colorimetric test. Five groups were divided (N=10): cell control, pure PCL, and the three concentrations of NIS. In albino Wistar rat animal models (N=18), palatal devices (PD) made of acrylic resin were fabricated to simulate total prostheses and used to induce DS. For this, PD contaminated with C. albicans were cemented in the molar region of the animals' oral cavity and remained in the mouth for 48 hours. After this period, the PDs were removed, and the animals were divided into three groups: (C) control; (B1) treated with PCL/NIS 0.045 g mats, and (B2) PCL/NIS 0.225 g, with N=6. Then new, uncontaminated PDs were cemented in the animals' oral cavity and remained for another 48 hours. After this period, the animals were euthanized, UFC/ mL counts were performed, and the palates were collected for histological analysis. The standard NIS curve obtained showed an R2 of 0.99. The three concentrations of NF showed NIS release, with a peak at 6 h and values of 66.26 µg/ mL for PCL/NIS 0.045 g, 333.87 µg/ mL for PCL/NIS 0.090 g, and 436.51 µg/ mL for PCL/NIS 0.225 g, remaining constant until the end of the experiment. The groups with NIS reduced fungal biofilm growth by 2.5 log10 compared to the untreated groups, Control and PCL, with no significant statistical difference. No cytotoxicity was observed in HaCat cells, with cell viability of 93.7% for PCL/NIS 0.045 g, 72.6% for PCL/NIS 0.090 g, and 72.4% for PCL/NIS 0.225 g. Induction of DS in the three groups was possible; however, there was no significant reduction in UFC/ mL counts of C. albicans in groups B1 and B2. Histological analysis of group C revealed infiltration of Candida hyphae in the keratinized layer, presence of inflammatory cells forming micro abscesses, and a discreet inflammatory infiltrate in the connective tissue underlying the infected epithelium. No epithelial alterations were found in groups B1 and B2, concluding that NFs demonstrated in vitro antifungal activity and were effective in preventing hyphal penetration into palatal tissue in animals with PD.(AU)

Rural-urban disparities in fruit and vegetable consumption and cognitive performance in Brazil

Objectives: Rural residents are exposed to many risk factors for poor diet quality, such as low socioeconomic status and food insecurity. However, the differences between urban and rural residents regarding the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with cognitive performance have not been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with cognitive performance in urban and rural areas in a nationally representative sample of Brazilian older adults. Methods: The sample included 9,412 adults aged 50 years or older from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros [ELSI]). The association between consumption of fruits and vegetables and cognitive performance was evaluated using linear regression. Results: In 8,158 participants (mean age 61.6 ± 9.3 years, 54% women, 44% White, and 15% from rural areas), the mean frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was 2.0 ± 1.3 times a day. Higher intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with better memory (β = 0.031, 95%CI 0.014-0.049), verbal fluency (β = 0.030, 95%CI 0.004-0.056), and global cognition (β = 0.035, 95%CI 0.015-0.055) performance in urban, but not rural residents (p for interaction = 0.036). Conclusion: Higher frequency of fruit and vegetable intake was associated with better cognitive performance in urban, but not in rural areas in Brazil.

Rural-urban disparities in fruit and vegetable consumption and cognitive performance in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Rural residents are exposed to many risk factors for poor diet quality, such as low socioeconomic status and food insecurity. However, the differences between urban and rural residents regarding the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with cognitive performance have not been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with cognitive performance in urban and rural areas in a nationally representative sample of Brazilian older adults. METHODS: The sample included 9,412 adults aged 50 years or older from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros [ELSI]). The association between consumption of fruits and vegetables and cognitive performance was evaluated using linear regression. RESULTS: In 8,158 participants (mean age 61.6 ± 9.3 years, 54% women, 44% White, and 15% from rural areas), the mean frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was 2.0 ± 1.3 times a day. Higher intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with better memory (ß = 0.031, 95%CI 0.014-0.049), verbal fluency (ß = 0.030, 95%CI 0.004-0.056), and global cognition (ß = 0.035, 95%CI 0.015-0.055) performance in urban, but not rural residents (p for interaction = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Higher frequency of fruit and vegetable intake was associated with better cognitive performance in urban, but not in rural areas in Brazil.

Validation of the use of dried blood spots in a chikungunya virus IgG serological assay.

Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is a simple, fast, and minimally invasive blood collection method that is particularly useful for diagnostic or epidemiological studies in hard-to-reach populations. Nevertheless, the use of DBS in assays that have been optimized with gold-standard samples (serum or plasma) must be optimized to yield reliable results. Here, we describe the validation of DBS in a commercial assay to measure IgG against chikungunya virus (CHIKV IgG ELISA; Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). During a health survey of people experiencing homelessness in Salvador, Brazil, between September 2021 and February 2022, a subset (75/523; 14.3%) of the study participants had paired capillary (for DBS preparation) and venous (for serum separation) blood samples collected. A pilot optimization test was initially performed with 17 paired samples to compare the CHIKV IgG ELISA absorbance values between serum and three different dilutions of DBS. Based on the preliminary results, the best DBS dilution was selected for a final evaluation comparing paired serum and DBS samples from 58 participants. The sensitivity and specificity of the CHIKV ELISA of DBS compared to sera were 100% (95% C.I.: 85.8-100%) and 100% (95% C.I.: 93-100%), respectively. In the linear regression analysis, a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.98 indicated the excellent performance of DBS in predicting the serum levels of IgG CHIKV antibodies. Our findings suggest that DBS at an optimized dilution is reliable for investigating the prevalence of CHIKV IgG antibodies during population surveys in the commercial assay tested here.

The embryo non-invasive pre-implantation diagnosis era: how far are we?

Advancements in assisted reproduction (AR) methodologies have allowed significant improvements in live birth rates of women who otherwise would not be able to conceive. One of the tools that allowed this improvement is the possibility of embryo selection based on genetic status, performed via preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Even though the widespread use of PGT from TE biopsy helped to decrease the interval from the beginning of the AR intervention to pregnancy, especially in older patients, in AR, there are still many concerns about the application of this invasive methodology in all cycles. Therefore, recently, researchers started to study the use of cell free DNA (cfDNA) released by the blastocyst in its culture medium to perform PGT, in a method called non-invasive PGT (niPGT). The development of a niPGT would bring the diagnostics power of conventional PGT, but with the advantage of being potentially less harmful to the embryo. Its implementation in clinical practice, however, is under heavy discussion since there are many unknowns about the technique, such as the origin of the cfDNA or if this genetic material is a true representative of the actual ploidy status of the embryo. Available data indicates that there is high correspondence between results observed in TE biopsies and the ones observed from cfDNA, but these results are still contradictory and highly debatable. In the present review, the advantages and disadvantages of niPGT are presented and discussed in relation to tradition TE biopsy-based PGT. Furthermore, there are also presented some other possible non-invasive tools that could be applied in the selection of the best embryo, such as quantification of other molecules as quality biomarkers, or the use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify the best embryos based on morphological and/or morphokitetic parameters.

Education and cognitive function among older adults in Brazil and Mexico.

Education is protective against cognitive impairment. We used nationally representative data from Mexico and Brazil to assess the association between education and cognitive function. The sample included adults ≥ 50 years from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI) and the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Participants were classified as cognitively impaired or not impaired. We used logistic regression models to estimate the association between education and cognitive function. Education level was higher in MHAS than in ELSI. Participants with at least 1 year of education were less likely to have cognitive impairment than those with no formal education in both cohorts. Men in ELSI had higher odds for cognitive impairment compared to men in MHAS. In both cohorts, higher educational level was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment compared to no formal education. Sex was an effect modifier in MHAS but not in ELSI. HIGHLIGHTS: Cognitive test batteries were harmonized using a regression-based approach.Even very low levels of education were associated with reduced odds of cognitive impairment compared to no formal education.Brazilians were more likely to have cognitive impairment than Mexicans given the same education level.The differences in the association of education with cognition between Brazil and Mexico were only observed among men.

Dietary folate intake and its association with longitudinal changes in cognition function.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Folate (vitamin B9) is an essential co-factor for one-carbon metabolism. Controversial evidence has emerged regarding the association between folate and cognitive performance. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between baseline dietary folate intake and cognitive decline in a population exposed to mandatory fortification during a median follow-up of 8 years. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective cohort study involving 15,105 public servants aged 35-74 years old, both sexes, from The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Baseline dietary intake was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Six cognitive tests were performed in the three waves to assess memory, executive function and global cognition. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the association between dietary folate intake at baseline and changes in cognition over time. RESULTS: Data from 11,276 participants were analyzed. The mean (SD) age was 51.7 (9) years, 50% were women, 63% were overweight/obese, and 56% had graduated from college or more. Overall dietary folate intake was not associated with cognitive decline; neither vitamin B12 intake was a modifier of this association. General dietary supplements and specifically multivitamins use did not affect these findings. Natural food folate group was associated with a slower rate of global cognitive decline (ß (95% CI): 0.001 (0.000; 0.002), P = 0.015). There was no association between fortified food group and cognition scores. CONCLUSION: Overall dietary folate intake was not associated with cognitive function in this Brazilian population. However, folate naturally occurring in food sources may slow global cognitive decline.

Dissipating the fog: Cognitive trajectories and risk factors 1 year after COVID-19 hospitalization.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment is common after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, associations between post-hospital discharge risk factors and cognitive trajectories have not been explored. METHODS: A total of 1105 adults (mean age ± SD 64.9 ± 9.9 years, 44% women, 63% White) with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were evaluated for cognitive function 1 year after hospital discharge. Scores from cognitive tests were harmonized, and clusters of cognitive impairment were defined using sequential analysis. RESULTS: Three groups of cognitive trajectories were observed during the follow-up: no cognitive impairment, initial short-term cognitive impairment, and long-term cognitive impairment. Predictors of cognitive decline after COVID-19 were older age (ß = -0.013, 95% CI = -0.023;-0.003), female sex (ß = -0.230, 95% CI = -0.413;-0.047), previous dementia diagnosis or substantial memory complaints (ß = -0.606, 95% CI = -0.877;-0.335), frailty before hospitalization (ß = -0.191, 95% CI = -0.264;-0.119), higher platelet count (ß = -0.101, 95% CI = -0.185;-0.018), and delirium (ß = -0.483, 95% CI = -0.724;-0.244). Post-discharge predictors included hospital readmissions and frailty. DISCUSSION: Cognitive impairment was common and the patterns of cognitive trajectories depended on sociodemographic, in-hospital, and post-hospitalization predictors. HIGHLIGHTS: Cognitive impairment after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospital discharge was associated with higher age, less education, delirium during hospitalization, a higher number of hospitalizations post discharge, and frailty before and after hospitalization. Frequent cognitive evaluations for 12-month post-COVID-19 hospitalization showed three possible cognitive trajectories: no cognitive impairment, initial short-term impairment, and long-term impairment. This study highlights the importance of frequent cognitive testing to determine patterns of COVID-19 cognitive impairment, given the high frequency of incident cognitive impairment 1 year after hospitalization.

Prevalence of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment No Dementia in a Large and Diverse Nationally Representative Sample: The ELSI-Brazil Study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 77% of older adults with dementia in Brazil have not been diagnosed, indicating a major public health issue. Previous epidemiological dementia studies in Brazil were based on data from 1 geopolitical region. METHODS: We aimed to estimate the general and subgroup-specific (age, education, and sex) prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) classification using data from 5 249 participants aged 60 years and older from the ELSI-Brazil, a large nationally representative sample. Participants were classified as having normal cognitive function, CIND, or dementia based on a combination of the individual's cognitive and functional status. RESULTS: We found a general prevalence of 5.8% (95% CI = 4.7-7.2) for dementia and 8.1% (95% CI = 6.8-9.5) for CIND. Dementia prevalence ranged from 3.2% (60-64 years old) to 42.8% (≥90 years old) by age, and from 2.1% (college level or higher) to 16.5% (illiterates) by education. Females had a higher dementia prevalence (6.8%) than males (4.6%). CIND prevalence was similar across age, sex, and education. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated dementia prevalence is lower than that in previous Brazilian epidemiological studies, but is in line with other Latin American studies. Only 1.2% of the ELSI-Brazil participants reported having a previous diagnosis of dementia, revealing that underdiagnosis is rampant and a common reality. Based on our results and national statistics projections, we estimate that in 2019, there were 1 757 480 people aged 60 years and older living with dementia in Brazil and, at least, another 2 271 314 having to deal with some form of cognitive impairment.

Different Sources of Sugar Consumption and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014.

OBJECTIVES: Excess sugar consumption, particularly in sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), has been linked to poor cognitive performance. We aimed to assess the association of consumption of total sugar, as well as the consumption of SSBs, solid desserts, and 100% fruit juice with cognitive performance among older adults. METHODS: Consumption of total sugar, SSBs, solid desserts, and 100% fruit juice were obtained from the 24-hr recall interview. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease word list, the Animal Fluency Test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between consumption of sugar (total and from different sources) and cognitive performance. RESULTS: A total of 1,938 participants aged 60 years or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014 were included. Compared to the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of total sugar consumption was independently associated with higher odds of low memory performance (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00; 3.50, p = .049). Consumption of SSBs was associated with higher risk of low memory (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.11; 2.25, p = .014), whereas consumption of solid desserts was associated with lower risk of low verbal fluency performance (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.41; 0.95, p = .032). DISCUSSION: Higher consumption of total sugars and SSBs was associated with lower memory performance, while consumption of solid desserts was associated with higher verbal fluency performance.

Association Between Consumption of Ultraprocessed Foods and Cognitive Decline.

Importance: Although consumption of ultraprocessed food has been linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, little is known about the association of consumption of ultraprocessed foods with cognitive decline. Objective: To investigate the association between ultraprocessed food consumption and cognitive decline in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a multicenter, prospective cohort study with 3 waves, approximately 4 years apart, from 2008 to 2017. Data were analyzed from December 2021 to May 2022. Participants were public servants aged 35 to 74 years old recruited in 6 Brazilian cities. Participants who, at baseline, had incomplete food frequency questionnaire, cognitive, or covariate data were excluded. Participants who reported extreme calorie intake (<600 kcal/day or >6000 kcal/day) and those taking medication that could negatively interfere with cognitive performance were also excluded. Exposures: Daily ultraprocessed food consumption as a percentage of total energy divided into quartiles. Main Outcomes and Measures: Changes in cognitive performance over time evaluated by the immediate and delayed word recall, word recognition, phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tests, and Trail-Making Test B version. Results: A total of 15 105 individuals were recruited and 4330 were excluded, leaving 10 775 participants whose data were analyzed. The mean (SD) age at the baseline was 51.6 (8.9) years, 5880 participants (54.6%) were women, 5723 (53.1%) were White, and 6106 (56.6%) had at least a college degree. During a median (range) follow-up of 8 (6-10) years, individuals with ultraprocessed food consumption above the first quartile showed a 28% faster rate of global cognitive decline (ß = -0.004; 95% CI, -0.006 to -0.001; P = .003) and a 25% faster rate of executive function decline (ß = -0.003, 95% CI, -0.005 to 0.000; P = .01) compared with those in the first quartile. Conclusions and Relevance: A higher percentage of daily energy consumption of ultraprocessed foods was associated with cognitive decline among adults from an ethnically diverse sample. These findings support current public health recommendations on limiting ultraprocessed food consumption because of their potential harm to cognitive function.

Labour market participation among rehabilitated individuals with spinal cord injury in Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: To document the labour market participation rate and investigate the impact of social and economic characteristics on this outcome among individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) who participated in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme in Brazil. SETTING: A specialised rehabilitation centre in southern Brazil. METHODS: An interview was performed with former rehabilitation clients with SCI/D. A total of 111 community-dwelling individuals with SCI/D who had been previously rehabilitated in a large regional rehabilitation centre were considered. Employment status and demographic, injury, work, and economic characteristics were self-reported via interview. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The labour market participation rate was 21.6% (24 individuals). Five respondents were employed in formal work activities, and the other 19 were involved in informal activities (self-employed). Since the onset of injury, a shorter time was associated with nonparticipation in occupational work. Individuals with a higher level of education were more likely to be working. Household income was higher among the participants who had returned to work than among those who had not returned. CONCLUSION: There is a relatively low labour market participation rate among rehabilitated individuals with SCI/D in southern Brazil. The rehabilitation services should emphasise vocational training, access to education, and employment support for individuals with SCI/D from early onset after the injury. Public policies must be revised to support labour market participation among individuals with SCI/D in Brazil.

Realidade virtual na redução da dor em crianças queimadas: Estudo piloto quase-experimental / Virtual reality in pain reduction in burnt children: Quasi-experimental pilot study

OBJETIVO: Descrever a realização do teste piloto de estudo quase-experimental utilizando a realidade virtual (RV) para o alívio da dor durante a troca de curativo de crianças queimadas. MÉTODO: Estudo piloto, quase-experimental, do tipo série temporal interrompida com um grupo. Amostra consecutiva e de conveniência de cinco crianças internadas em um Centro de Tratamento de Queimados no Sul do Brasil, no período de dezembro/2015 a março/2016, que receberam intervenção com RV durante a troca de curativos, por três dias. A dor foi avaliada por meio da escala numérica e de faces. RESULTADOS: A RV foi aplicada três vezes em cada criança. A criança com maior superfície corporal queimada apresentou maiores picos de dor antes, durante e após o curativo. Ademais, as crianças apresentaram diminuição da dor imediatamente após o curativo. CONCLUSÕES: A intervenção com a RV foi considerada importante para as crianças queimadas, visto que tiveram uma diminuição da dor durante e após o procedimento com sua utilização.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the carrying out of the pilot test of a quasi-experimental study using virtual reality (VR) for pain relief during dressing change in burnt children. METHODS: Pilot study, quasi-experimental, interrupted time series type with one group. Consecutive and convenience sample of five children hospitalized at a Burn Treatment Center in southern Brazil, from December/2015 to March/2016, who received intervention with VR during dressing change, for three days. Pain was assessed using the numerical and faces scale. RESULTS: VR was applied three times to each child. The child with the largest body surface area burned had the highest peaks of pain before, during and after the dressing. Furthermore, the children showed a decrease in pain immediately after the dressing. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention with VR was considered important for burned children, as they had a decrease in pain during and after the procedure with its use.

Fatigue strength of 5Y-FSZ: glazing and polishing effects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four different finishing procedures on the fatigue strength of a fully stabilized zirconia (5Y-FSZ) material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disc-shaped specimens of a 5Y-FSZ (Katana UTML, Kuraray Noritake) were made (ISO 6872-2015), grinded with 600- and 1200-grit silicon carbide paper, sintered as recommended, and randomly assigned into four groups according to the finishing technique: C (control, as-sintered), P (polished with polishing rubbers), G (glaze application - powder/liquid technique), and PG (polished with polishing rubbers + glaze application - powder/liquid). Then fatigue strength (staircase method), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed. RESULTS: The C group presented the lowest fatigue strength, while the PG group presented the highest. The P and G groups presented intermediate behavior, presenting similar statistical results. XRD showed similar crystalline phase patterns for all groups. SEM images revealed some changes in the zirconia surface, with the P group presenting some scratches on the surface, while the scratches in the PG group were filled with the glaze material. CONCLUSION: None of the techniques analyzed in this study impaired the fatigue strength of fully stabilized zirconia. Importantly, the polishing rubbers combined with glaze application (PG group) improved its fatigue strength. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The polishing rubbers followed by glaze application improve the fatigue strength in ultra-translucent zirconia.

Treinamento de habilidades por simulação no desenvolvimento de competências de estudantes de enfermagem / Entrenamiento de habilidades mediante simulación en el desarrollo de las competencias de los estudiantes de enfermería / Skills training by skills development techniques for nursing students

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar as contribuições do treinamento de habilidades por simulação como estratégia pedagógica para o desenvolvimento de competências na formação de estudantes de Enfermagem. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo exploratório-descritiva. O cenário do estudo foi uma disciplina do curso de graduação em Enfermagem de uma universidade pública do sul do Brasil. Os participantes foram os estudantes matriculados no semestre de coleta, constituindo uma amostra por conveniência. Os dados foram coletados em 2019, ao término do treinamento de habilidades, por meio de questionário composto por questões abertas. O corpus de dados foi submetido à análise temática, seguindo as etapas de pré-análise, exploração do material, tratamento dos resultados obtidos e interpretação. Resultados: vinte e cinco estudantes concordaram em participar do estudo. Os resultados compreenderam três categorias: i) Treinamento de habilidades como estratégia para desenvolver a criticidade no aprendizado; ii) O aprendizado a partir do conhecendo a si mesmo e reconhecendo sentimentos que emergiram durante a experiência; iii) Contribuições para o desenvolvimento de competências a partir de um processo dialógico. Conclusão: o treinamento de habilidades oportuniza o desenvolvimento de destreza e domínio de procedimentos técnicos antes das práticas clínicas e contribui com o processo formativo de estudantes de Enfermagem mediante o desenvolvimento de competências. Destaca-se a postura pedagógica acolhedora e receptiva das professoras, contribuindo para uma experiência positiva.

RESUMEN Objetivos: identificar la contribución del entrenamiento de habilidades por simulación como estrategia pedagógica para el desarrollo de competencias en la formación de estudiantes de Enfermería. Método: investigación cualitativa exploratoria-descriptiva. El escenario del estudio fue un curso de pregrado en Enfermería en una universidad pública del sur de Brasil. Los participantes eran estudiantes matriculados en el semestre de recogida, lo que constituye una muestra de conveniencia. Los datos se recogieron en 2019, al final de la formación en competencias, mediante un cuestionario compuesto por preguntas abiertas. El corpus de datos se sometió a un análisis temático, siguiendo los pasos de preanálisis, exploración del material, tratamiento de los resultados obtenidos e interpretación. Resultados: veinticinco estudiantes aceptaron participar en el estudio. Los resultados comprendieron tres categorías: i) El entrenamiento de habilidades como estrategia para desarrollar la criticidad en el aprendizaje; ii) El aprendizaje desde el conocimiento de sí mismo y el reconocimiento de los sentimientos que surgieron durante la experiencia; iii) Las contribuciones al desarrollo de competencias desde un proceso dialógico. Conclusión: el entrenamiento de habilidades permite el desarrollo de la destreza y el dominio de los procedimientos técnicos antes de las prácticas clínicas y contribuye al proceso formativo de los estudiantes de Enfermería, mediante el desarrollo de competencias. Destaca la postura pedagógica acogedora y receptiva de los profesores, contribuyendo a una experiencia positiva.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify the contributions of skills training through simulation as a pedagogical strategy to develop competencies in the training of Nursing students. Method: this was a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study. The study setting was a discipline of the undergraduate Nursing course of a public university in southern Brazil. Participants were students enrolled in the collection semester, constituting a convenience sample. Data were collected in 2019, at the end of the skills training, through a questionnaire composed of open-ended questions. The data corpus was submitted to thematic analysis, following the steps of pre-analysis, material exploration, treatment of the results obtained, and interpretation. Results: twenty-five students agreed to participate in the study, and the results comprised three categories: i) Skills training as a strategy to develop criticality in learning; ii) Learning from knowing oneself and recognizing feelings that emerged during the experience; iii) Contributions to developing competencies from a dialogical process. Conclusion: skills training provides the opportunity to develop dexterity and mastery of technical procedures prior to clinical practice and contributes to the educational process of Nursing students through the development of competencies. The professors' welcoming and receptive pedagogical posture, contributing to a positive experience, stood out.

Assessment of VITEK® 2, MALDI-TOF MS and full gene 16S rRNA sequencing for aerobic endospore-forming bacteria isolated from a pharmaceutical facility.

VITEK®2, MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA sequencing were evaluated for the identification of aerobic endospore-forming bacteria (AEB) from a pharmaceutical facility. MALDI-TOF MS demonstrated higher accuracy compared to VITEK®2, although both databases were insufficient to identify AEB species. Sequencing was the best methodology, but unable to identify closely related species.

Envolvimento do enfermeiro na tomada de decisão no ambiente hospitalar: revisão integrativa da literatura / Participación de la enfermera en la toma de decisiones en el entorno hospitalario: revisión integrativa / Nurse involvement in decision making in the hospital environment: integrative literature review

Objetivo: evidenciar o conhecimento desenvolvido sobre o envolvimento do enfermeiro na tomada de decisão no ambiente hospitalar. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura, nas bases de dados Publisher Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Literatura Latino-Americano e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde e a Base de dados de Enfermagem, de 2009 a 2021. Resultados: a amostra foi composta por 13 artigos selecionados. A discussão do envolvimento do enfermeiro no ambiente hospitalar está em ascensão. Os estudos indicam que os enfermeiros têm expectativa de envolver-se na decisão. O engajamento na tomada de decisão contribui para qualificação do cuidado aos pacientes e aumentar autonomia e reconhecimento profissional. Conclusão: o envolvimento dos enfermeiros na tomada de decisão contribui para mudanças organizacionais e qualificação da assistência e segurança do paciente.(AU)

Objective: to demonstrate the knowledge developed about the involvement of nurses in decision- making in the hospital environment. Method: integrative literature review from Publisher Medline databases, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences and Nursing Database, 2009 to 2021. Results: the sample consisted of 13 selected articles. The discussion about the involvement of nurses in the hospital environment is on the rise. Studies indicate that nurses are expected to be involved in decision making. Therefore, engagement in decision-making contributes to qualifying patient care and increases the perception of autonomy and professional recognition. Conclusion: the involvement of nurses in decision making contributes to organizational changes and qualification of patient care and safety.(AU)

Objetivo: demostrar los conocimientos desarrollados sobre la participación del enfermero en la toma de decisiones en el ámbito hospitalario. Método: revisión integrativa, en las bases de datos Publisher Medline, Índice acumulativo de literatura de enfermería y afines en salud, Biblioteca electrónica científica en línea, Literatura latinoamericana y caribeña en ciencias de la salud y Base de datos de enfermería, de 2009 a 2021. Resultados: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 13 artículos seleccionados. Va en aumento la discusión sobre la participación de las enfermeras en el ámbito hospitalario. Los estudios indican que las enfermeras esperan participar en la decisión. La participación en la toma de decisiones contribuye a la calificación de la atención al paciente y aumentar la autonomía y el reconocimiento profesional. Conclusión: la participación del enfermero en la toma de decisiones contribuye a los cambios organizativos y la calificación de la atención y la seguridad del paciente.(AU)