O (des)cuidado em saúde às pessoas LGBTQIAP+ dispensado por profissionais em unidades básicas de saúde / The (lack of)health care provided to LGBTQIAP+ people by professionals in primary care centers / El (des)cuidado en salud a las personas LGBTQIAP+ dispensado por profesionales en unidades básicas de salud

Objetivo: compreender o cuidado em saúde dispensado às pessoas LGBTQIAP+ por profissionais em Unidades Básicas de Saúde, a partir do referencial teórico da Política Nacional de Saúde LGBT (PNSILGBT) estabelecida pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Método: estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, que entrevistou 12 profissionais de saúde da Atenção Básica. Os dados coletados passaram pela Análise Lexical utilizando-se do software IRAMUTEQ. Resultados: emergiram três categorias temáticas que possibilitaram compreender que os profissionais reconhecem as violências praticadas na assistência a essa população, as barreiras no acesso e as dificuldades enfrentadas por pessoas LGBTQIAP+. Considerações finais: o desconhecimento das políticas e a não percepção das consequências dessas ações para a saúde dessa população remete muito mais ao (des)cuidado do que efetivamente ao cuidado condizente as suas reais necessidades em saúde.

Objective: to understand the health care provided to LGBTQIAP+ people by professionals in Primary Care Centers, based on the theoretical framework of the National LGBT Health Policy (PNSILGBT) established by the Unified Health System (SUS). Method: a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, which interviewed 12 primary care health professionals. The data collected was subjected to Lexical Analysis using the IRAMUTEQ software. Results: Three thematic categories emerged which made it possible to understand that professionals recognize the violence practiced in assisting this population, the barriers to access and the difficulties faced by LGBTQIAP+ people. Final considerations: the lack of knowledge of the policies and the lack of perception of the consequences of these actions for the health of this population leads much more to (lack of)care than to care in line with their real health needs.

Objetivo: comprender el cuidado en salud brindado a las personas LGBTQIAP+ por profesionales en Unidades Básicas de Salud, partiendo del marco teórico de la Política Nacional de Salud LGBT (PNSILGBT) establecida por el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS). Método: estudio descriptivo, con enfoque cualitativo, que entrevistó a 12 profesionales de salud de la Atención Básica. Los datos recogidos fueron analizados mediante Análisis Léxico utilizando el software IRAMUTEQ. Resultados: surgieron tres categorías temáticas que permitieron comprender que los profesionales reconocen las violencias ejercidas en la asistencia a esta población, las barreras en el acceso y las dificultades enfrentadas por personas LGBTQIAP+. Consideraciones finales: el desconocimiento de las políticas y la no percepción de las consecuencias de estas acciones para la salud de esta población reflejan mucho más el (des)cuido que efectivamente el cuidado acorde a sus reales necesidades en salud.

Doença falciforme: cuidado com pessoas com úlcera da perna nos serviços de atenção à saúde / Sickle cell disease: caring for people with leg ulcers in heal-thcare services / Enfermedad falciforme: cuidado de personas con úlcera de pierna en los servicios de atención a la salud

Objetivo: identificar o local e os cuidados diretos recebidos por pessoas com úlceras da perna por doença falciforme nos serviços de atenção à saúde. Método: estudo transversal, realizado em 11 centros, no período de agosto de 2019 a abril de 2020. Fizeram parte do estudo 72 pessoas com úlcera da perna ativa. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultado: apresentavam anemia falciforme 91,7% dos participantes, com mediana de três anos de existência da úlcera; 77,8% eram redicivantes; 40,3% compravam os insumos; 66,7% trocavam o próprio curativo no domicílio; 52,8% realizavam uma ou mais trocas diárias; 45,8% dos tratamentos foram prescritos pelo médico; 37,5% eram pomada (colagenase ou antibiótico); 89% não utilizavam compressão para o manejo do edema. Conclusão: a maioria dos participantes não estava inserida na Rede de Atenção à Saúde para o tratamento da úlcera, e não recebia assistência sistematizada e nem insumos apropriados.

Objective: to identify the location and direct care received by people with leg ulcers due to sickle cell disease in health care services. Method: a cross-sectional study carried out in 11 centers from August 2019 to April 2020. The study included 72 people with active leg ulcers. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: a total of 91.7% of the participants had sickle cell anemia, with a median of three years of ulcer existence; 77.8% were recurrent; 40.3% bought the supplies; 66.7% changed their own dressings at home; 52.8% did one or more changes a day; 45.8% of the treatments were prescribed by physician; 37.5% were ointments (collagenase or antibiotics); and 89% did not use compression to manage edema. Conclusion: most of the participants were not included in the Health Care Network for ulcer treatment and did not receive systematized care or appropriate supplies.

Objetivo: identificar el lugar y los cuidados directos recibidos por personas con úlceras de pierna por enfermedad falciforme en los servicios de atención a la salud. Método: estudio transversal, realizado en 11 centros, en el período de agosto de 2019 a abril de 2020. Participaron 72 personas con úlcera de pierna activa. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación. Resultado: presentaban anemia falciforme 91,7% de los participantes, con una mediana de tres años de existencia de la úlcera; 77,8% eran recidivantes; 40,3% compraban los insumos; 66,7% cambiaban su propio vendaje en el domicilio; 52,8% realizaban uno o más cambios diarios; 45,8% de los tratamientos fueron prescritos por el médico; 37,5% eran pomada (colagenasa o antibiótico); y 89% no utilizaban compresión para el manejo del edema. Conclusión: la mayoría de los participantes no estaba integrada en la Red de Atención a la Salud para el tratamiento de la úlcera, y no recibía asistencia sistematizada ni insumos apropiados.

Acute kidney injury in nonagenarians: clinical characteristics and mortality / Injúria renal aguda em nonagenários: características clínicas e mortalidade

Abstract Introduction: Nonagenarians constitute a rising percentage of inpatients, with acute kidney injury (AKI) being frequent in this population. Thus, it is important to analyze the clinical characteristics of this demographic and their impact on mortality. Methods: Retrospective study of nonagenarian patients with AKI at a tertiary hospital between 2013 and 2022. Only the latest hospital admission was considered, and patients with incomplete data were excluded. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to define risk factors for mortality. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 150 patients were included, with a median age of 93.0 years (91.2-95.0), and males accounting for 42.7% of the sample. Sepsis was the most common cause of AKI (53.3%), followed by dehydration/hypovolemia (17.7%), and heart failure (17.7%). ICU admission occurred in 39.3% of patients, mechanical ventilation in 14.7%, vasopressors use in 22.7% and renal replacement therapy (RRT) in 6.7%. Death occurred in 56.7% of patients. Dehydration/hypovolemia as an etiology of AKI was associated with a lower risk of mortality (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.77, p = 0.020). KDIGO stage 3 (OR 3.15; 95% CI 1.17-8.47, p = 0.023), ICU admission (OR 12.27; 95% CI 3.03-49.74, p < 0.001), and oliguria (OR 5.77; 95% CI 1.98-16.85, p = 0.001) were associated with mortality. Conclusion: AKI nonagenarians had a high mortality rate, with AKI KDIGO stage 3, oliguria, and ICU admission being associated with death.

Resumo Introdução: Nonagenários constituem um percentual de pacientes internados em ascensão, sendo a injúria renal aguda (IRA) frequente nesses pacientes. Sendo assim, é importante analisar as características clínicas dessa população e seu impacto na mortalidade. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes nonagenários com IRA entre 2013 e 2022 em um hospital terciário. Apenas o último internamento foi considerado e pacientes com dados incompletos foram excluídos. Uma análise por regressão logística foi realizada para definir fatores de risco para mortalidade. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: Foram incluídos 150 pacientes com mediana de idade 93,0 anos (91,2-95,0) e sexo masculino em 42,7%. Sepse foi a causa mais comum de IRA (53,3%), seguida de desidratação/hipovolemia (17,7%) e insuficiência cardíaca (17,7%). Admissão na UTI ocorreu em 39,3% dos pacientes, ventilação mecânica em 14,7%, uso de vasopressores em 22,7% e realização de terapia renal substitutiva (TRS) em 6,7%. Óbito ocorreu em 56,7% dos pacientes. Desidratação/hipovolemia como etiologia da IRA foi associado a menor risco de mortalidade (OR 0,18; IC 95% 0,04-0,77, p = 0,020). Estágio KDIGO 3 (OR 3,15; IC 95% 1,17-8,47, p = 0,023), admissão na UTI (OR 12,27; IC 95% 3,03-49,74, p < 0,001) e oligúria (OR 5,77; IC 95% 1,98-16,85, p = 0,001) foram associados à mortalidade. Conclusão: Nonagenários com IRA apresentaram alta mortalidade e IRA KDIGO 3, oligúria e admissão na UTI foram associadas ao óbito.

Suplementação de selênio para tratamento e prevenção de doenças: uma overview de revisões sistemáticas Cochrane

Contextualização: O selênio é um componente fundamental em uma série de reações orgânicas que protegem contra o estresse oxidativo e com potencial para tratar e prevenir doenças, segundo a literatura. Objetivos: Sumarizar as evidências de revisões sistemáticas da Cochrane, referentes à efetividade da suplementação de selênio para tratamento e prevenção de doenças. Métodos: Trata-se de overview de revisões sistemáticas Cochrane. Procedeu-se à busca na Cochrane Library (2024), sendo utilizado o descritor "SELENIUM". Todas as revisões sistemáticas de ensaios clínicos foram incluídas. O desfecho primário de análise foi a melhora clínica, a redução dos sintomas ou a prevenção da doença. Resultados: Sete estudos foram incluídos, totalizando 122 ensaios clínicos e 50.267 participantes. Discussão: Há evidência com alto grau de certeza, segundo as revisões sistemáticas realizadas pela Cochrane, de que a suplementação de selênio não reduz o risco de câncer. Pode haver algum benefício para redução de episódios de sepse em crianças com prematuridade extrema, mas o nível de evidência é bastante limitado nesse caso, devido a reduzida amostragem e alta heterogeneidade nos estudos.

Associação de dinapenia, sarcopenia, aptidão física e capacidade funcional em adultos fisicamente ativos no Brasil

Contexto e objetivo: O envelhecimento está associado a diversas alterações fisiológicas que podem afetar a aptidão física e a capacidade funcional, como a sarcopenia e a dinapenia. O presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever e comparar aspectos físicos e funcionais de adultos em relação aos critérios de sarcopenia e dinapenia. Desenho e local: Os participantes faziam parte do Projeto Misto Longitudinal de Aptidão Física e Capacidade Funcional de São Caetano do Sul, que busca avaliar e acompanhar a saúde e o desempenho físico de idosos na região. A amostra foi composta por 1480 participantes com idade acima de 50 anos e média de 66,5 anos. Métodos: Para a classificação da sarcopenia e dinapenia, foram adotados os critérios do Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia e do European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Uma análise estatística foi realizada utilizando a análise de covariância ANCOVA não paramétrica, ajustada pelo sexo, idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC), buscando comparar a capacidade funcional entre os grupos. Foi adotado um nível de significância de P < 0,05 e o software utilizado para as análises foi o SPSS versão 25. Resultados: A prevalência de sarcopenia na amostra foi de 3% e de dinapenia, 62,3%. Foram identificadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas variáveis de aptidão física e capacidade funcional. Conclusão: A massa muscular isoladamente pode não ser um critério adequado para definir sarcopenia em adultos, pela não-linearidade da relação entre massa muscular e capacidade físico-funcional.

Telas de proteção em habitações para prevenção de doenças transmitidas por mosquitos: sinopse baseada em evidências

Contexto e objetivo: A transmissão de doenças por mosquitos afeta a população e a economia de todo o mundo. Há um número considerável de doenças que podem ser transmitidas por mosquitos, com destaque para a malária e a dengue, endêmica em regiões tropicais. Evidentemente, medidas preventivas são imprescindíveis para a redução da transmissão. Avaliar as evidências de efetividade das telas de proteção com e sem inseticida para prevenção de doenças transmitidas por mosquitos. Métodos: Trata-se de sinopse baseada em evidências. Procedeu-se à busca por estudos que associavam o uso de telas de proteção contra mosquitos à redução do contágio de doenças transmitidas por mosquitos em três bases de dados: PubMed (1966-2024), Portal BVS (1982-2024) e Epistemonikos (2024) e também no metabuscador de evidências TRIP DATABASE (2024). O desfecho de análise envolveu a efetividade das telas de proteção na redução de doenças transmitidas por mosquitos. Resultados: Foram encontradas 307 citações. Seis estudos (1 revisão sistemática e 5 ensaios clínicos) foram incluídos. Discussão: A maioria dos estudos envolveu a colocação de telas de proteção com inseticida, havendo evidência de alta certeza para redução de mortalidade por malária e redução na entrada de mosquitos nas habitações, mesmo com redes sem inseticida. Conclusões: Embora não haja robustez na evidência da efetividade das telas de proteção sem inseticidas contra mosquitos transmissores de doenças, o que demanda a necessidade de realização de novos estudos prospectivos, parece lícita e benéfica a utilização de telas de proteção em regiões endêmicas para doenças transmitidas por esses vetores.

Manejo cirúrgico de ferimento auto-infligido por arma de fogo em região maxilofacial / Surgical management of self-inflicted injury by gun in the maxillofacial region

INTRODUÇÃO: O manejo dos pacientes vítimas de PAF possui vertentes divergentes a respeito do tratamento cirúrgico, que pode ser realizado de forma imedata ou tardia. Em lesões auto-infligidas, a distância entre a arma e a região acometida é menor, causando consequências estéticas e funcionais mais devastadoras. Aliado ao fato desse tipo de trauma criar uma ferida suja devido à comunicação com a cavidade oral e seios paranasais, o manejo das lesões representam um desafio mesmo à cirurgiões experientes. OBJETIVO: Estre trabalho relata o manejo cirúrgico de uma ferida auto-infligida por arma de fogo que resultou em avulsão dos tecidos moles na região maxilofacial. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 35 anos, vítima de projétil de arma de fogo auto-infligido em região maxilofacial, cursando com extenso ferimento em região de língua e mento. Clinicamente, o paciente não apresentava sinais de fratura em ossos da face. Ambos os ferimentos apresentavam secreção purulenta e o paciente manifestava disfonia devido a grande destruição tecidual. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: O tratamento de ferimentos por arma de fogo não só é um grande desafio para o cirurgião, como para toda a equipe multidisciplinar requerida para tais casos, visto que não há protocolos bem definidos para o tratamento dessas lesões(AU)

INTRODUCTION: The management of patients who are victims of FAP has divergent aspects regarding surgical treatment, which can be performed immediately or late. In self-inflicted injuries, the distance between the weapon and the affected region is smaller, causing more devastating aesthetic and functional consequences. Allied to the fact that this type of trauma creates a dirty wound due to the communication with the oral cavity and paranasal sinuses, the management of injuries represents a challenge even for experienced surgeons. OBJECTIVE: This paper reports the surgical management of a self-inflicted gunshot wound that resulted in soft tissue avulsion in the maxillofacial region. CASE DESCRIPTION: Male patient, 35 years old, victim of a self-inflicted firearm projectile in the maxillofacial region, coursing with extensive injury in the region of the tongue and chin. Clinically, the patient did not show signs of facial bone fractures. Both wounds had purulent secretion and the patient had dysphonia due to extensive tissue destruction. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The treatment of gunshot wounds is not only a great challenge for the surgeon, but also for the entire multidisciplinary team required for such cases, since there are no well-defined protocols for the treatment of these injuries(AU)

Specific depletion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells by the chemotherapeutic agent 5-Fluorouracil enhances protective immune response in Paracoccidioidomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis in Latin America, is regulated by suppressive mechanisms mediated by tolerogenic plasmacytoid-dendritic-cells and regulatory T-cells. Our recent studies revealed that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are important mediators in PCM. Their suppressive activity on Th1/Th17 immunity was shown to be mediated by inhibitory effect of IL-10, IDO-1 and PD-L1. Studies revealed the chemotherapeutic drug 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) as a selective MDSC apoptosis-inducing agent, but its in vivo effect on infectious processes remains poorly investigated. METHODS: MDSCs and other leukocytes were evaluated in the lungs of 5-FU-treated mice after four, six, and eight weeks of P. brasiliensis infection. Disease severity and immunological response were evaluated in MDSCs-depleted. RESULTS: 5-FU treatment caused a significant reduction of pulmonary MDSCs and fungal loads. The specific depletion of MDSCs by 5-FU reduced all pulmonary CD4+ T-cell populations (Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg) resulting in improved tissue pathology and increased survival rates. Importantly, this reduction was concomitant with increased frequencies of Th1/Th17 cells and the increased levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines in the lungs and liver of treated mice suggesting an early and efficient protective effect of these cells. Furthermore, the immuneprotection conferred by the specific depletion of MDSCs by 5FU treatment could be reversed by the adoptive transfer of MDSCs. CONCLUSIONS: 5-FU treatment depletes lung-MDSCs of P. brasiliensis-infected mice resulting in enhanced immunity. The protective effect of 5-FU treatment in pulmonary PCM suggests that the specific depletion of MDSCs can be viewed as a potential immunotherapeutic tool for PCM.

Vascular vertigo and dizziness: managing and treating outpatients.

OBJECTIVE: Due the lack of data on the treatment of Vascular Vertigo and Dizziness, this study aimed to report how we managed and treated those outpatients according to the recently introduced American Heart Association and Stroke Association guidelines. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal case series from May 2022 to February 2023. We included patients who met the Bárány Society's Vascular Vertigo and Dizziness classification and were eligible for therapy in accordance with the American Heart Association and Stroke Association guidelines, featuring aspects of the stroke group and transient attack group. RESULTS: Overall, 41 patients (51.2% female; median age 72 years) were enrolled; 10 (24.3%) had ischemic strokes, 30 (73.1%) had transient ischemic attack, and 1 (2.4%) had a probable isolated labyrinthine infarction. The patients received dual antiplatelet (48.7%), single antiplatelet therapy (48.7%), and anticoagulant therapy (2.4%). No new crises occurred in 95.2% of the patients, and the transient ischemic attack group showed a significant decrease in discomfort from imbalance on the visual analog scale. CONCLUSIONS: Antiplatelets and anticoagulants are safe and effective in treating Vascular Vertigo and Dizziness as they prevent new ischemic events and increase the flow of the posterior circulation, reducing vertigo/dizziness attacks and imbalance complaints.

An optical photothermal infrared investigation of lymph nodal metastases of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

In this study, optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning algorithms were used to evaluate 46 tissue cores of surgically resected cervical lymph nodes, some of which harboured oral squamous cell carcinoma nodal metastasis. The ratios obtained between O-PTIR chemical images at 1252 cm-1 and 1285 cm-1 were able to reveal morphological details from tissue samples that are comparable to the information achieved by a pathologist's interpretation of optical microscopy of haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained samples. Additionally, when used as input data for a hybrid convolutional neural network (CNN) and random forest (RF) analyses, these yielded sensitivities, specificities and precision of 98.6 ± 0.3%, 92 ± 4% and 94 ± 5%, respectively, and an area under receiver operator characteristic (AUC) of 94 ± 2%. Our findings show the potential of O-PTIR technology as a tool to study cancer on tissue samples.

Sociobehavioral Risk Factors and Clinical Implications of Late Presentation Among People Living with HIV in the Brazilian Amazon Region.

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence, sociobehavioral factors and clinical-laboratory consequences of late presentation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Brazilian Amazon region. In total, 402 HIV + individuals treated at reference units in Belém city (Pará, Brazil) between 2018 and 2019 were evaluated. Late presentation was defined as a first-collection LTCD4+ count below 350 cells/µL. Sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical data were obtained from questionnaires or medical records. Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokine profiles were evaluated by flow cytometry. Longitudinal data on viral load, T lymphocytes, and antiretroviral therapy administration were obtained from control and logistic databases. Approximately 52.73% of the participants were late presenters and sought medical care 7-12 + months after their primary HIV diagnosis. Sociobehavioral factors associated with late presentation included illicit drug use for more than 5 years, polyamory, no alcohol consumption, homosexuality, and sexual inactiveness after HIV diagnosis. Clinically, late presentation was associated with coinfection rate; polysymptomatology; high IFN-É£, IL-6 and IL-10 levels; nonresponse to antiretroviral therapy; and virological failure- and tuberculosis coinfection-motivated changes to therapy. In summary, the prevalence of late presentation in Pará in the Brazilian Amazon region is high. Delays in seeking specialized care after a primary HIV diagnosis cause medium/long-term changes in the life expectancy and health of PLHIV.

Might photobiomodulation therapy interfere with the frequency of severe mucositis and oral candidiasis? A retrospective analysis in patients with head and neck carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Considering the tumor in the oral cavity or the oropharynx and nasopharynx region might be an aggravating factor for oral mucositis (OM) manifestation, the present study aimed to evaluate whether the location of the tumor and the use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) might affect the frequency of oral candidiasis (OC) during radiotherapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy (CT) treatments. METHODS: The medial records of seventy-four patients with head and neck cancer treated in a public service from 2016 to 2019 were evaluated. All these patients were submitted to RT in an accumulated dose of 48 to 70 Gy of radiation. Data about OM and OC were collected and presented according to the application of a therapeutic protocol with laser photobiomodulation (PBMT) to control oral mucositis, or not (No-PBM), and the location of tumor (head and neck or oral cavity). In the PBMT group patients, a low-power laser device composed of InGaAlP diode (maximum output power of 86.7 mW, active tip area of 0.1256 cm2, and continuous wavelength of 660 nm), was applied to the lips (three points each), right and left jugal mucosa (three points each), the limit between hard and soft palate (three points), buccal floor/sublingual gland (one point), lateral edge of the tongue (three points on each side), and back of the tongue (six points), three times weekly, for 5 weeks. The dosimetry used in each application was 2 J for 3 s, thus totaling 56 J. The correlation between clinical characteristics such as age, tumor size (T), metastatic lymph node (N), number of RT and CT sessions, candidiasis, and OM were analyzed. RESULTS: Mucositis grades 1 and 2 were the most common among all patients, especially before the 12th radiotherapy session, regardless of the treatment with PBM (p > 0.05). Additionally, no difference in the grade of OM and OC was significantly observed when comparing the two laser therapy groups. OC was more frequent after the 12th radiotherapy session in all groups. Nonetheless, OM and OC had a different correlation regarding to tumor location (head and neck and oral cavity) being PBMT a positive therapy to delay OM. It was observed a positive and statistically significant correlation between tumors at oral cavity and OM, regardless PBMT (R = 0.84, p < 0.05 to PBMT and R = 0.13, p < 0.05 to No-PBM). Otherwise, OC was positively correlated to local metastasis in patients with oral tumors undergoing PBMT (R = 0.84, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with oral cavity tumor presented more OM, especially high grades, then patients with tumors in other regions of the head and neck, which seems to be related to the irradiation parameters of radiotherapy and/or with the limitation of conduction of PBMT in tumor areas. OM and OC were not changed by PBMT, although it helped to reduce the incidence of severe cases of OM.

What lies underneath: Comparison among beach litter in the underwater bathing area and exposed beach.

The standard techniques for monitoring beach litter focus on the litter that is accumulated on beaches. Therefore, the underwater bathing area is usually overlooked. Our study aims to start the discussion about the litter in the bathing area, an important connection between the exposed beach and the ocean. We aimed to compare sampling methodologies between the underwater bathing area and the exposed beach. We highlighted litter's similarities and differences regarding the amount, material, possible sources, and interaction with the biota. We also performed a brand audit on the underwater bathing area litter. In the underwater region, 106 items were collected while 1706 items were collected from the exposed beach region. Plastic was the dominant type of material in both sites, exposed beach (89.92 %) and bathing area (83.96 %). The litter's possible source was different. In the underwater bathing area was more related to food packages (couscous, rice). On the other hand, litter on the exposed beach was associated with beach use (single-use plastic such as plastic cups). The brand audit identified 21 companies, whereby most brands were Brazilian and food-related. Regarding interactions with the biota, the litter in the bathing area had more bio-fouling (87.73 %) than the litter collected on the exposed beach (10.00 %). Information about bathing area litter can be useful to draw different management strategies. Due to the differences in litter types and behavior between the two sites, the same mitigation strategies might not be equally efficient.

Moderately intense physical exercise alleviates electrocardiographic changes induced by cisplatin in rats.

1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin induces many collateral effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, nephrotoxicity, and dysautonomia. Recently our group showed that cisplatin treatment induces gastric emptying delay and that physical exercise and treatment with pyridostigmine prevent this change. In the current study, we investigated the role of moderate exercise on cardiac activity and autonomic balance in rats treated with cisplatin. 2. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into Saline, Cisplatin, Exercise, and Exercise+Cisplatin groups. Cardiac and autonomic disorders were induced by (Cisplatin-3mg/kg, i.p once a week/per 5 weeks). Exercise consists of swimming (1 hour per day/5x day per week/per 5 weeks without overload). Forty-eight hours after the last session of the training or treatment, we assessed the cardiac activity and HRV via electrocardiogram analysis in DII derivation. 3. RESULTS: Cisplatin increase (p<0.05) R-R´ interval and decrease (p<0.05) heart rate vs. saline. Exercise+Cisplatin prevented (p<0.05) changes in R-R´ interval. Exercise per se induced bradycardia vs. saline group. We observed an increase in LF (nu) and a decrease in HF (nu) in the cisplatin group vs. saline. These changes were not significant. Moreover, cisplatin treatment increased (P<0.05) QT, QTc, and JT intervals compared with the saline group. In the Exercise+Cisplatin groups these increases were prevented significantly (p<0.05). 4. CONCLUSION: In the current study, chronic use of cisplatin induced electrocardiographic changes without altering autonomic balance. Moderate physical exercise prevented this phenomenon indicating that exercise can be beneficial in patients in chemotherapy.

Spatial and trend analysis of gestational syphilis cases in Brazil from 2011 to 2020: an ecological study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the rate of gestational syphilis (GS) based on temporal trends over 11 years, as well as the spatial distribution of GS in Brazil, based on the identification of spatial clusters. METHODOLOGY: An ecological, using Brazil and its regions as an analysis unit, based on gestational syphilis data reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), from 2011 to 2020. Thematic maps were built for spatial data analysis, and the Prais-Winsten autoregressive model was used to verify the trend. Spatial analysis identified the distribution of clusters (high-high; low-low; high-low and low-high) of distribution of GS across Brazilian municipalities, using a 5% significance level. RESULTS: Gestational syphilis experienced a considerable increase in cases during the studied period, with a peak of 37,436 cases in 2018. The spatial distribution of the disease is heterogeneous in the country. A growing trend was observed in all states of Brazil, except for Espírito Santo, where it remained stationary, with a monthly variation of 10.32%. CONCLUSION: The spatial and temporal trend analysis point to syphilis as an important public health problem. The numbers are alarming and show the urgent need for measures to prevent and control syphilis during pregnancy.

Mesomelia-synostoses syndrome: contiguous deletion syndrome, SULF1 haploinsufficiency or enhancer adoption?

BACKGROUND: Mesomelia-Synostoses Syndrome (MSS)(OMIM 600,383) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by mesomelic limb shortening, acral synostoses and multiple congenital malformations which is described as a contiguous deletion syndrome involving the two genes SULF1 and SLCO5A1. The study of apparently balanced chromosomal rearrangements (BCRs) is a cytogenetic strategy used to identify candidate genes associated with Mendelian diseases or abnormal phenotypes. With the improved development of genomic technologies, new methods refine this search, allowing better delineation of breakpoints as well as more accurate genotype-phenotype correlation. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a boy with a global development deficit, delayed speech development and an ASD (Asperger) family history, with an apparently balanced "de novo" reciprocal translocation [t(1;8)(p32.2;q13)dn]. The cytogenetic molecular study identified a likely pathogenic deletion of 21 kb in the 15q12 region, while mate pair sequencing identified gene-truncations at both the 1p32.2 and 8q13 translocation breakpoints. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of a pathogenic alteration on 15q12 involving GABRA5 was likely the main cause of the ASD-phenotype. Importantly, the chr8 translocation breakpoint truncating SLCO5A1 exclude SLCO5A1 as a candidate for MSS, leaving SULF1 as the primary candidate. However, the deletions observed in MSS remove a topological associated domain (TAD) boundary separating SULF1 and SLCO5A1. Hence, Mesomelia-Synostoses syndrome is either caused by haploinsufficiency of SULF1 or ectopic enhancer effects where skeletal/chrondrogenic SULF1 enhancers drive excopic expression of developmental genes in adjacent TADs including PRDM14, NCOA2 and/or EYA1.

Chrysin attenuates epithelial prostatic hyperplasia in the ventral prostate of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chrysin on the ventral prostate of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Ten-week-old male Wistar and SHR rats received 100 mg/kg/day of chrysin (TW and TSHR) or 200 µL/day of the dilution vehicle (CW and CSHR) for 70 days. After the treatment, the animals were euthanized and the prostates were dissected out, fixed, and processed for further morphological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses. Blood was collected for serological analysis. Chrysin did not interfere with the blood pressure. Morphologically, the epithelial height increased in TW and decreased in TSHR. Stereology showed an increase in the epithelial and stromal relative frequency, and a decrease in the lumen of TW, whereas the epithelium in TSHR was reduced. Normal alveoli decreased, and hyperplastic alveoli had an increment in TW, whereas in TSHR normal alveoli increased and intense hyperplasia decreased. The secretion area was reduced in TW. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a smaller number of PCNA-positive cells in TW. Finally, the biochemical analysis showed a reduction in malondialdehyde, carbonylated proteins, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in TW and TSHR. We concluded that the chrysin effect is dependent on the context in which this flavonoid is employed. In normal conditions, the anabolic potential of the chrysin was favored, disrupting the morphology of the prostate. However, when used in animals predisposed to develop hyperplasia, this flavonoid attenuates the hyperplastic status, improving the morphology of the gland.

Health technologies for tackling client absenteeism in primary and secondary care services.

BACKGROUND: Tackling client absenteeism in primary and secondary care settings is crucial to ensure the continuity of care for individuals, families and communities, as well as preventing waste of resources within healthcare systems. METHODOLOGY: This article is an integrative review to identify advancements in health technologies that address client absenteeism in primary and secondary care. The databases Medical Literature and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE/PubMed®), Scientific Electronic Library Online and Virtual Health Library were consulted. The inclusion criteria were as follows: full papers, published between 2013 and 2023, in English, Portuguese or Spanish. The descriptors used were the following: patients, mobile applications, health services management, absenteeism and primary care, and secondary care. Eleven articles published from 2014 to 2021 were included. RESULTS: Most articles were identified in the MEDLINE/PUBMED database, employed a randomized controlled trial methodology (36.36%), and were published between 2019 and 2021 (90.0%) in English (63.7%). The applications had managerial, assistive and/or educational purposes. In addition to absenteeism control, these applications strived to promote client engagement with health services, increase health literacy and tackle structural barriers to care, such as language barriers. CONCLUSION: Efforts are needed to ensure that providers receive training to educate clients on the applications. Moreover, community-based participatory studies to ensure the feasibility of applications are warranted.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles in an animal model of chronic wound induced with Resiquimod.

Cost-effective strategies for the treatment of chronic wounds must be developed. The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) it is possible to guarantee a lower toxicity in biological tissues and greater safety of applicability, in addition to adding the effects of nanoparticles (NPs) to those of extracts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment with biosynthesized GNPs in a chronic wound model. Wistar rats were distributed into 7 groups: Acute Wound (AW); Chronic wound (CW); CW + GNPs-Açaí; CW + GNPs-DB; CW + AV-GNPs; CW + SafGel®; CW + 660 nm laser. The chronic injury model was induced with topically applied Resiquimod for 6 days. Treatments were then initated on the fourteenth day after the last application of Resiquimod and carried out daily for ten days. The proposed therapies with GNPs were able to significantly reduce the inflammatory score and increase the rate of wound contraction. In histology, there was a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate and increased gene expression of fibronectin and type III collagen, mainly in the CW + AV-GNPs group. The therapies were able to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase anti-inflammatory cytokines, and reduce oxidative stress. The results demonstrated that the effects of GNPs appear to complement those of the extracts, thereby enhancing the tissue repair process.

Toxicological effect of acetaminophen, metamizole, and nimesulide cocktail on early development of zebrafish.

BACKGROUND: Several countries' most incorrectly discarded medicines are acetaminophen (ACM), metamizole (MTZ), and nimesulide (NMS). These xenobiotics easily reach the aquatic environment; such contamination is very important for the health of humans and other species, yet little explored. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cocktail effect of ACM, MTZ, and NMS during zebrafish's initial development. METHODS: Zebrafish embryos 6-8 h post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to different concentrations of ACM, MTZ, and NMS, separately, to obtain the 50% lethal concentrations (LC50). Next, the embryos were exposed to distinct concentrations of the cocktail (LC50/2, LC50/5, LC50/10, and LC50/20) in a semi-static system. Samples were analyzed 0, 24, 48, and 96 h after exposure, and the drugs' concentrations in E3 medium were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. For embryotoxicity evaluation, the mortality, hatching, and heart rates; total length; and pericardial and yolk sac areas were determined. In addition, body malformations, edemas, presence of pigmentation, and histopathological assessments were also recorded. RESULTS: The LC50 values obtained for MTZ, ACM, and NMS were 4.69 mgmL-1, 799.98 µgmL-1, and 0.92 µgmL-1, respectively. No difference was observed between the drugs' nominal and observed concentrations at each time point. The cocktail significantly induced mortality and decreased hatching in the LC50/10, LC50/5, and LC50/2 groups. Additionally, body malformations, pigmentation loss, and yolk sac and pericardial edemas were observed in the cocktail groups. The cocktail groups' larvae had decreased total length and slower heart rates compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The histopathological assessment showed that yolk sac edema promoted severe histological changes in the esophageal-intestine junction and intestine in larvae treated with cocktails. Moreover, PAS-positive structures decreased in the esophageal-intestine junction, intestine, and liver in larvae exposed to pharmaceutical cocktails. CONCLUSION: This study's findings suggest the cocktail of ACM, MTZ, and NMS may be hazardous to aquatic organisms in case of environmental contamination.