Impact of HIV-Related Immune Impairment of Yellow Fever Vaccine Immunogenicity in People Living with HIV-ANRS 12403.

The yellow fever (YF) vaccine is one of the safest and most effective vaccines currently available. Still, its administration in people living with HIV (PLWH) is limited due to safety concerns and a lack of consensus regarding decreased immunogenicity and long-lasting protection for this population. The mechanisms associated with impaired YF vaccine immunogenicity in PLWH are not fully understood, but the general immune deregulation during HIV infection may play an important role. To assess if HIV infection impacts YF vaccine immunogenicity and if markers of immune deregulation could predict lower immunogenicity, we evaluated the association of YF neutralization antibody (NAb) titers with the pre-vaccination frequency of activated and exhausted T cells, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and frequency of T cells, B cells, and monocyte subsets in PLWH and HIV-negative controls. We observed impaired YF vaccine immunogenicity in PLWH with lower titers of YF-NAbs 30 days after vaccination, mainly in individuals with CD4 count <350 cells/mm3. At the baseline, those individuals were characterized by having a higher frequency of activated and exhausted T cells and tissue-like memory B cells. Elevated levels of those markers were also observed in individuals with CD4 count between 500 and 350 cells/mm3. We observed a negative correlation between the pre-vaccination level of CD8+ T cell exhaustion and CD4+ T cell activation with YF-NAb titers at D365 and the pre-vaccination level of IP-10 with YF-NAb titers at D30 and D365. Our results emphasize the impact of immune activation, exhaustion, and inflammation in YF vaccine immunogenicity in PLWH.

Does the use of bisphosphonates during pregnancy affect fetal outcomes? A systematic review.

PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of maternal exposure to bisphosphonates (BPs) during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes. It aimed to disclosfe the impact of BPs on neonates and identify aspects that require further investigation. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Science Direct, LILACS, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted until August 2022, with no time restrictions. The selection criteria included studies published in English that evaluated pregnant women who were exposed to BPs. RESULTS: From an initial pool of 2169 studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. These studies collectively included 106 women (108 pregnancies) who were exposed to BPs either before orduring pregnancy. A summary of the key characteristics of the selected studies and the risk of bias assessment are provided. Exposure to BPs occurs at various stages of pregnancy, with different indications for BP treatment. The most frequently reported neonatal outcomes were spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, hypocalcemia, preterm birth, and low birth weight. CONCLUSION: Although previous reports have linked BPs before or during pregnancy with adverse neonatal outcomes, these associations should be interpreted with caution. Given the complexity of these findings, further research is necessary to provide more definitive insights to guide clinical decisions regarding the use of BPs in pregnant women.

Osteoinductive activity of photobiomodulation in an organotypic bone model.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a technique that harnesses non-ionizing light at specific wavelengths, triggering the modulation of metabolic pathways, engendering favourable biological outcomes that reduce inflammation and foster enhanced tissue healing and regeneration. PBM holds significant promise for bone tissue applications due to its non-invasive nature and ability to stimulate cellular activity and vascularization within the healing framework. Notwithstanding, the impact of PBM on bone functionality remains largely undisclosed, particularly in the absence of influencing factors such as pathologies or regenerative therapies. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of PBM using red (660 nm) (RED) and near-infrared (808 nm) (NIR) wavelengths within an ex vivo bone culture system - the organotypic embryonic chicken femur model. A continuous irradiation mode was used, administering a total energy dose of 1.0 J, at an intensity of 100 mW for 10 s, which was repeated four times over the course of the 11-day culture period. The primary focus is on characterizing the expression of pivotal osteoblastic genes, the maturation and deposition of collagen, and the formation of bone mineral. Exposing femora to both RED and NIR wavelengths led to a notable increase in the expression of osteochondrogenic transcription factors (i.e., SOX9 and RUNX2), correlating with enhanced mineralization. Notably, NIR irradiation further elevated the expression of bone matrix-related genes and fostered enhanced deposition and maturation of fibrillar collagen. This study demonstrates that PBM has the potential to enhance osteogenic functionality within a translational organotypic bone culture system, with the NIR wavelength showing remarkable capabilities in augmenting the formation and maturation of the collagenous matrix.

Caracterización de las habilidades investigativas en residentes de Medicina General Familiar en la provincia Zaire

Introducción: Durante la formación profesional de posgrado el residente debe desarrollar habilidades de índole investigativas, con el objetivo de solucionar y dar respuesta a las problemáticas existentes, mediante la investigación con carácter sistemático, con rigor ético, excelencia y calidad en su proceso metodológico. Objetivo: Caracterizar las habilidades investigativas de los internos residentes de la especialidad de Medicina General y Familiar en la provincia de Zaire, en la República de Angola. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en una muestra probabilística de 19 internos residentes del Hospital Provincial de Zaire María Eugenia Neto. El análisis estadístico fue descriptivo con frecuencias absolutas y relativas porcentuales. Resultados: El 68,4 % de los internos residentes se encontraban entre 30-40 años, donde 68,4 % eran del sexo masculino. La adquisición de algún nivel de conocimiento de competencias investigativas resultó en su mayoría nulo. El 63,2 % expresó mayor interés por el área de investigación de las enfermedades infecciosas. Existió una correspondencia significativa en torno a las limitaciones descritas en el momento de investigar y su relación con las competencias investigativas para lograr la elaboración y el desarrollo del proyecto de terminación de la especialidad. Conclusiones: En los residentes de posgrado de la especialidad de Medicina General y Familiar en la provincia de Zaire son insuficientes las habilidades investigativas para lograr alcanzar la realización del proyecto de investigación del trabajo de terminación de la especialidad.

Introduction: During postgraduate professional training, the resident should develop research skills, with the objective of solving and responding to existing problems, through systematic research, with ethical rigor, excellence and quality in its methodological process. Objective: To characterize the research skills of resident interns in the specialty of general and family medicine in the province of Zaire, in the Republic of Angola. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out with a probabilistic sample of 19 resident interns from Hospital Provincial Do Zaire Maria Eugenia Neto. The statistical analysis was descriptive, with absolute and relative (percentage) frequencies. Results: 68.4 % of the resident interns were between 30 and 40 years old, 68.4 % of whom were male. The acquisition of some level of knowledge about research competences was mostly null. 63.2 % expressed more interest in the area of infectious diseases research. There was a significant correspondence concerning the limitations described at the time of research and their relationship with the research competences to achieve the elaboration and development of the specialty completion project. Conclusions: In the postgraduate residents of the specialty of general and family medicine in the province of Zaire, there are insufficient research skills to achieve the accomplishment of the research project of the specialty completion work.

Differential gene expression of cytokines, receptors, and miRNAs in individuals living with HIV-1 and vaccinated against yellow fever.

Between 2016 and 2018, Brazil faced a yellow fever (YF) outbreak, which led to an expansion of vaccination coverage. The coexistence of the YF outbreak and the HIV-1 epidemic in Brazil raised concerns regarding the immune response and vaccine effectiveness in individuals living with HIV (PLWH). The aim of this study was to investigate the immune response to YF vaccination in PLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals as controls. Transcript levels of immunomodulatory molecules, including IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, TGF-ß, CD19, CD163, miR-21, miR-146, and miR-155, were measured using RTqPCR. TCD4+ cells were evaluated by cytometry, and neutralizing antibody (Nab) titers were detected by a micro plaque-reduction neutralization test. The findings of our study revealed several noteworthy observations. First, there was a notable reduction in the circulation of TCD4+ cells postvaccination. Among people living with HIV (PLWH), we observed an increase in the expression of IL-10 following vaccination, while IL-6 expression was diminished in PLWH with lower TCD4+ counts. Furthermore, we identified the downregulation of CD19 and TGF-ß, along with the upregulation of IL-21 and CD163. Notably, we observed positive correlations between the levels of IL-10/IL-21, IL-10/CD163, and IL-6/CD19. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between miRNAs 146 and 155. It is important to emphasize that all participants exhibited robust neutralizing antibody responses after receiving 17DD YF vaccination. In this context, the gene expression data presented can be useful for biomarker studies of protective antibodies induced by YF vaccination. This study sheds light on immune mechanisms in individuals living with HIV and YF vaccination.

Pure Cut or Endocut for Biliary Sphincterotomy? A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Adverse events (AE) after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are not uncommon and post-ERCP acute pancreatitis (PEP) is the most important one. Thermal injury from biliary sphincterotomy may play an important role and trigger PEP or bleeding. Therefore, this study evaluated the outcomes of 2 electric current modes used during biliary sphincterotomy. METHODS: From October 2019 to August 2021, consecutive patients with native papilla undergoing ERCP with biliary sphincterotomy were randomized to either the pure cut or endocut after cannulation. The primary outcome was PEP incidence. Secondary outcomes included intraprocedural and delayed bleeding, infection, and perforation. RESULTS: A total of 550 patients were randomized (272 pure cut and 278 endocut). The overall PEP rate was 4.0% and significantly higher in the endocut group (5.8% vs 2.2%, P = 0.034). Univariate analysis revealed >5 attempts ( P = 0.004) and endocut mode ( P = 0.034) as risk factors for PEP. Multivariate analysis revealed >5 attempts ( P = 0.005) and a trend for endocut mode as risk factors for PEP ( P = 0.052). Intraprocedural bleeding occurred more often with pure cut ( P = 0.018), but all cases were controlled endoscopically during the ERCP. Delayed bleeding was more frequent with endocut ( P = 0.047). There was no difference in perforation ( P = 1.0) or infection ( P = 0.4999) between the groups. DISCUSSION: Endocut mode may increase thermal injury leading to higher rates of PEP and delayed bleeding, whereas pure cut is associated with increased intraprocedural bleeding without clinical repercussion. The electric current mode is not related to perforation or infection. Further RCT assessing the impact of electric current on AE with overlapping preventive measures such as rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hyperhydration are needed. The study was submitted to the Brazilian Clinical Trials Platform ( http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br ) under the registry number RBR-5d27tn.

Alendronate induces skeletal alterations in the chicken embryonic development model.

Alendronate, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, has reported long-term clinical success in the management of distinct bone-related conditions, particularly in the modulation of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Nonetheless, whether the inhibitory activity over osteoclastic cells' functionality is widely acknowledged, contradictory evidence arises from the assessment of alendronate activity over osteoblastic populations. This may be of particular relevance in situations in which bone formation exceeds bone resorption, with further emphasis on embryonic development, since alendronate can cross the placental barrier and alendronate-based therapies are being extended into women of reproductive age. Accordingly, the present study aims to assess the effects of alendronate, at distinct concentrations (1.5E-10M to 1.5E-7M) on bone tissue development, within a translational animal model - the embryonic chicken development model. Embryos, at the beginning of osteogenesis (day 7) were exposed to different alendronate concentrations for 4 days. Embryos were following characterized for skeletal development by histomorphometric analysis upon histochemical staining, microtomographic analysis, and gene expression assessment of genes related to osteoclastogenic/osteoclastic and osteoblastogenic/osteogenic differentiation, as well as to the immuno-inflammatory activation. The findings revealed that exposure to alendronate had a dose-dependent impact on skeletal growth and mineralization. This effect was evidenced by diminished bone volume and reduced bone surface parameters, with the 1.5E-7M concentration leading to a remarkable reduction of over 50%. Additionally, a decreased osteoclastogenic/osteoclastic gene expression was verified, associated with a diminished osteoblastogenic/osteogenic program - within the 30-50% range for 1.5E-7 M, supporting the diminished bone formation process. An increased inflammatory activation may contribute, at least in part, to the attained outcomes. Overall present findings suggest a negative influence of alendronate on the embryonic bone development process in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting the potential risk of alendronate use during embryonic development.

Glandular Odontogenic Cyst in the Anterior Mandible: A Case Report of a Conservative Approach and a Recurrence Detection.

PURPOSE: The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is considered a rare developmental cyst, with an odontogenic origin and both epithelial and glandular characteristics, with less than 200 reported cases in the literature. METHODS: In the present case, a 29-year-old man was referred for evaluation of an asymptomatic slow-growing swelling in the anterior region of the mandible, with one-year history. The patient's medical history did not reveal any systemic alteration. The extraoral examination did not show enlargement of the facial contour and the intraoral examination showed vestibular and lingual swelling. Panoramic radiography and CT scan revealed a well-defined unilocular radiolucent lesion involving the inferior incisors and canines bilaterally. RESULTS: Histopathological analysis revealed multiple cysts lined by stratified epithelium with varying thickness and characteristics, in addition to duct-like structures filled with PAS-positive amorphous material, suggestive of GOC. Conservative treatment was performed through surgical curettage, peripheral ostectomy of the surgical site and apicectomy of the teeth involved in the lesion. There was one recurrence, which was detected in postoperative follow-up, leading to a new surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Fifteen months after the second procedure, no signs of recurrence were identified, and bone neoformation within the surgical site occurred, supporting that a conservative approach for the treatment of GOC is viable.

Monitoring Renal Function in HIV Patients Without Kidney Disease Using Endothelial Biomarkers: A Prospective Pilot Study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between novel biomarkers and renal injury in people with HIV (PWH). A cohort study was carried out with PWH under chronic use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), followed at a public outpatient service. Clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients were evaluated year by year, from 2015 [at baseline (year 1, Y1)] to 2019 [year 5 (Y5)]. At baseline, biomarkers of renal damage (e.g., neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin-NGAL, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-MCP-1, and kidney injury molecule-1-KIM-1) and endothelial activation or glycocalyx damage [e.g., intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, and syndecan-1] were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and their levels were used to classify patients into different groups. However, only syndecan-1 showed a significant correlation with serum creatinine (p < .001) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (p = .003) over the years. Moreover, both serum creatinine and GFR in almost 5 years were significantly associated with serum levels of syndecan-1 at baseline. The multivariate linear regression with confounders showed a significant and independent association between GFR and levels of syndecan-1 and CD4 cell count in the beginning of the study, as well as age in Y5. The data reinforce the screening for kidney diseases with novel biomarkers, especially syndecan-1, as an important strategy for a timely diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Hepatitis A seroprevalence among special populations in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil.

The objectives were to estimate hepatitis A virus seroprevalence in subjects attending to a travel medicine and immunization clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to develop a prediction model for hepatitis A virus seroprevalence. This retrospective research included individuals sequentially from April 2011 to June 2019 at a travel medicine and special population immunization clinic with an anti-hepatitis A virus IgG chemiluminescence result. Participants' data were verified via electronic medical records. Data were split into development and validation set taking 2018 as the date break. A cross-validated elastic generalized linear model with binomial distribution was performed. In total, 2,944 subjects were analyzed. Hepatitis A virus overall seroprevalence was 67.8%. Health professionals, travelers, and those who had contact with immunocompromised subjects had lower seroprevalence (40%-55%), whereas subjects with chronic conditions (heart, lung, and liver) ranged from 89% to 94%. The retained predictors in the final model were sex, age, year of birth, travelers, HIV/AIDS, spleen dysfunction, transplant candidates, household communicators, cancer-related immunosuppression, health care professionals. Area under the curve was 0.836 and maximum error was 0.051. Users can make predictions with the following calculator: https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/. The groups with lower seroprevalence should be evaluated more carefully regarding need for hepatitis A virus vaccination even when they seek immunization clinics for other purposes.

Hepatitis A seroprevalence among special populations in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil / Soroprevalência da hepatite A entre populações especiais na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Seroprevalencia de la hepatitis A en poblaciones especiales em el Área Metropolitana de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

The objectives were to estimate hepatitis A virus seroprevalence in subjects attending to a travel medicine and immunization clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to develop a prediction model for hepatitis A virus seroprevalence. This retrospective research included individuals sequentially from April 2011 to June 2019 at a travel medicine and special population immunization clinic with an anti-hepatitis A virus IgG chemiluminescence result. Participants' data were verified via electronic medical records. Data were split into development and validation set taking 2018 as the date break. A cross-validated elastic generalized linear model with binomial distribution was performed. In total, 2,944 subjects were analyzed. Hepatitis A virus overall seroprevalence was 67.8%. Health professionals, travelers, and those who had contact with immunocompromised subjects had lower seroprevalence (40%-55%), whereas subjects with chronic conditions (heart, lung, and liver) ranged from 89% to 94%. The retained predictors in the final model were sex, age, year of birth, travelers, HIV/AIDS, spleen dysfunction, transplant candidates, household communicators, cancer-related immunosuppression, health care professionals. Area under the curve was 0.836 and maximum error was 0.051. Users can make predictions with the following calculator: https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/. The groups with lower seroprevalence should be evaluated more carefully regarding need for hepatitis A virus vaccination even when they seek immunization clinics for other purposes.

Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a soroprevalência do vírus da hepatite A, em indivíduos atendidos em uma clínica de medicina de viagem e imunização no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e desenvolver um modelo de predição para a soroprevalência do vírus da hepatite A. Esta pesquisa retrospectiva incluiu indivíduos sequencialmente de abril de 2011 a junho de 2019, em uma clínica de medicina de viagem e uma clínica de vacinação de população especial, que, por qualquer motivo, tem um resultado de quimioluminescência IgG antivírus da hepatite A . Os dados dos participantes foram verificados em prontuário eletrônico. Os dados foram divididos em desenvolvimento e validação, tomando 2018 como data limite da divisão. Um modelo linear generalizado elástico com distribuição binomial submetido a validação cruzada foi aplicado. Foram analisados 2.944 indivíduos atendidos. A soroprevalência geral do vírus da hepatite A foi de 67,8%. Profissionais de saúde, viajantes e contatantes de indivíduos imunocomprometidos apresentaram menor soroprevalência, variando de 40% a 55%, enquanto indivíduos com condições crônicas (coração, pulmão e fígado) tiveram soroprevalência variando de 89% a 94%. Os preditores retidos no modelo final foram sexo, idade, ano de nascimento, viajantes, HIV/aids, asplenia funcional, candidatos a transplante, comunicante domiciliar, imunossupressão relacionada ao câncer e profissionais de saúde. A área sob a curva foi de 0,836 e o erro máximo foi de 0,051. Os usuários podem fazer previsões com uma calculadora (https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/). Os grupos com menor soroprevalência devem ser avaliados com mais cuidado quanto à necessidade de vacinação contra o vírus da hepatite A, mesmo quando procuram clínicas de vacinação para outros fins.

Los objetivos del estudio son estimar la seroprevalencia de hepatitis A en sujetos que asisten a una clínica de medicina para viajeros e inmunización en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, y desarrollar un modelo de predicción de la seroprevalencia de hepatitis A. Esta investigación de seguimiento retrospectivo incluyó a individuos de forma secuencial desde abril de 2011 hasta junio de 2019 en una clínica de medicina para viajeros y de vacunación de poblaciones especiales que por cualquier motivo tienen un resultado de quimioluminiscencia IgG anti-hepatitis A. Los datos de los participantes se verificaron en los registros médicos electrónicos. Los datos se dividieron en conjunto de desarrollo y validación tomando 2018 como fecha de corte. Se realizó un modelo lineal generalizado validado cruzado elástico con distribución binomial. Se analizaron un total de 2.944 sujetos atendidos. La seroprevalencia global del hepatitis A fue del 67,8%. Los profesionales sanitarios, los viajeros y las personas en contacto con sujetos inmunodeprimidos presentaron una seroprevalencia más baja, que osciló entre el 40% y el 55%, mientras que los sujetos con afecciones crónicas (cardíacas, pulmonares y hepáticas) presentaron una seroprevalencia que varió entre el 89% y el 94%. Los predictores retenidos en el modelo final fueron el sexo, la edad, el año de nacimiento, los viajeros, el VIH/SIDA, la disfunción del bazo, los candidatos a trasplante, los comunicadores domésticos, la inmunosupresión relacionada con el cáncer y los profesionales sanitarios. Su área bajo la curva fue de 0,836 y el error máximo de 0,051. Los usuarios pueden hacer predicciones con una calculadora (https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/). Los grupos con menor seroprevalencia deben ser evaluados más cuidadosamente en cuanto a la necesidad de vacunación contra hepatitis A, incluso cuando acudan a las clínicas de vacunación con otros fines.

Seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 on a partially vaccinated island in Brazil: Determinants of infection and vaccine response.

Background: A vaccination campaign targeted adults in response to the pandemic in the City of Rio de Janeiro. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and identify factors associated with seropositivity on vaccinated and unvaccinated residents. Methods: We performed a seroepidemiologic survey in all residents of Paquetá Island, a neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro city, during the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Serological tests were performed from June 16 to June 19, 2021, and adjusted seropositivity rates were estimated by age and epidemiological variables. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted ORs for risk factors to SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in non-vaccinated individuals, and potential determinants of the magnitude of antibody responses in the seropositive population. Results: We included in the study 3,016 residents of Paquetá (83.5% of the island population). The crude seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in our sample was 53.6% (95% CI = 51.0, 56.3). The risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in non-vaccinated individuals were history of confirmed previous COVID-19 infection (OR = 4.74; 95% CI = 3.3, 7.0), being a household contact of a case (OR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.5, 2.6) and in-person learning (OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.4, 3.0). Potential determinants of the magnitude of antibody responses among the seropositive were hybrid immunity, the type of vaccine received, and time since the last vaccine dose. Being vaccinated with Pfizer or AstraZeneca (Beta = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.8, 2.6) determined higher antibody titers than those observed with CoronaVac (Beta = 1.2; 95% CI = 0.9, 1.5). Conclusions: Our study highlights the impact of vaccination on COVID-19 collective immunity even in a highly affected population, showing the difference in antibody titers achieved with different vaccines and how they wane with time, reinforcing how these factors should be considered when estimating effectiveness of a vaccination program at any given time. We also found that hybrid immunity was superior to both infection-induced and vaccine-induced immunity alone, and online learning protected students from COVID-19 exposure.

Surgical capacity assessment in the state of Amazonas using the surgical assessment tool. Cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Brazil is a country with universal health coverage, yet access to surgery among remote rural populations remains understudied. This study assesses surgical care capacity among hospitals providing care for the rural populations in the Amazonas state of Brazil through in-depth facility assessments. METHODS: a stratified randomized cross-sectional evaluation of hospitals that self-report providing surgical care in Amazonas was conducted from July 2016 to March 2017. The Surgical Assessment Tool (SAT) developed by the World Health Organization and the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change at Harvard Medical School was administered at remote hospitals, including a retrospective review of medical records and operative logbooks. RESULTS: 18 hospitals were surveyed. Three hospitals (16.6%) had no operating rooms and 12 (66%) had 1-2 operating rooms. 14 hospitals (77.8%) reported monitoring by pulse oximetry was always present and six hospitals (33%) never have a professional anesthesiologist available. Inhaled general anesthesia was available in 12 hospitals (66.7%), but 77.8% did not have any mechanical ventilation device. An average of 257 procedures per 100,000 were performed. 10 hospitals (55.6%) do not have a specific post-anesthesia care unit. For the regions covered by the 18 hospitals, with a population of 497,492 inhabitants, the average surgeon, anesthetist, obstetric workforce density was 6.4. CONCLUSION: populations living in rural areas in Brazil face significant disparities in access to surgical care, despite the presence of universal health coverage. Development of a state plan for the implementation of surgery is necessary to ensure access to surgical care for rural populations.

Telemedicine in the National Immunization Program (Brazil): A promising tool.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic abruptly changed the dynamics of basic health care, with the consequent need for adjustments in essential services. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and impact of telemedicine at a Reference Center for Special Immunobiologicals (CRIE). Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older who had a medical referral to CRIE and agreed to have a telemedicine consultation were included. After the medical appointments, participants answered a satisfaction survey. Results: From April 2021 to February 2022, 702 telemedicine consultation were conducted. Over 3,380 vaccines were prescribed via telemedicine. Of all the participants who answered the satisfaction questionnaire, 99.8% stated that they would recommend the service to other people. Conclusions: Telemedicine proved to be promising tool for healthcare at CRIE and had good acceptance by users, potentially improving access and extending the reach of the National Immunization Program.

Endothelial biomarkers as predictors for haemodialysis need in severe leptospirosis patients (Weil's disease).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prediction ability of vascular injury biomarkers for haemodialysis requirement in patients with severe leptospirosis. METHODS: Prospective study with severe leptospirosis patients hospitalised in Fortaleza, Brazil. Blood samples were collected hospital admission to quantify vascular injury biomarkers: syndecan-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, angiopoietin-2 and FGF-23. Two groups were evaluated according to haemodialysis requirement during hospital stay. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were included, with a mean age of 39 ± 18 years. 88.9% were males. 53.8% needed haemodialysis and presented higher levels on hospital admission of syndecan-1 (572 [300-811] vs. 263 [106-421] ng/ml; p = 0.03), angiopoietin-2 (1.52 [0.72-2.72] vs. 0.63 [0.4-1.38] ng/ml; p = 0.01), and FGF-23 (291 [56-2031] vs. 10 [10-806] pg/ml; p = 0.021). Syndecan-1 showed significant correlation with creatinine (r = 0.546; p = 0.05) and total bilirubin levels (r = 0.534; p = 0.013) on hospital admission. Angiopoietin-2 showed significant correlation with creatinine levels (r = 0.513; p = 0.009) on hospital admission and with number of haemodialysis sessions (r = 0.406; p = 0.049). No significant correlation was found with FGF-23. Regarding prognostic performance, combined syndecan-1 and angiopoietin-2 levels had a better ability to predict haemodialysis need in patients with severe leptospirosis (AUC-ROC = 0.744 [95% CI: 0.545-0.943] p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Syndecan-1 and angiopoietin-2 were associated with haemodialysis need in patients with severe leptospirosis and may be useful to improve therapeutic approach and reduce mortality.

Generalized Edema and Pseudothrombocytopenia After ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report.

Reports of side effects of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are increasing worldwide. Capillary leak syndrome and vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia are very rare but life-threatening adverse events that should be identified early and treated. However, isolated thrombocytopenia can indicate pseudothrombocytopenia. In certain people, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) induces an in vitro platelet aggregation, resulting in misleading underestimation of platelet counts. It is essential to recognize pseudothrombocytopenia to prevent diagnostic errors, overtreatment, anxiety, and unnecessary invasive procedures. We present a case who developed generalized edema and persistent pseudothrombocytopenia after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca).

Caeski: an assistive technology for the communication of persons with deafblindness.

PURPOSE: Caeski is a keyboard with 12 vibrating keys that connects to an application via smartphone. This assistive technology aims to facilitate the communication of persons with deafblindness in presential contexts or with people who can be anywhere in the world. The purpose is to present this assistive technology and analyse the viability of its use through tests with eleven persons with deafblindness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design consisted of ten days of testing with eleven persons with deafblindness and five interpreters who had the function of passing the information about the content of the tests. RESULTS: The tests showed that most participants were able to communicate through Caeski. In addition, the tests showed the need to add the function of repeating the reception of information via vibration to confirm the understanding. The results demonstrated the need for more training time to improve the learning of accented words and long sentences. Therefore, training time and previous contact with technological devices are factors that influence the result of the tests. CONCLUSION: The use of Caeski is feasible and as future perspectives, this assistive technology can be used in association with similar assistive technologies such as Perkins Machine and Braille Line, preventing possible tactile overloads. In addition, can be applied in the educational context, from literacy to university. Studies with longer training time should be conducted to confirm the results. The implications for rehabilitation:Social interactions, presential and online, with deafblind and non-deafblind persons anywhere in the world.Literacy and cognitive development of persons with deafblindness.Digital inclusion for occupational, school or academic contexts.

The digital scent device as a new concept for olfactory assessment.

BACKGROUND: There are major challenges in olfactory measurements in clinical practice; therefore, a handheld digital scent device (DSD; Noar MultiScent 20) was developed as a tablet with an integrated storage system for odors. The DSD is a self-administered, handheld device that controls the duration of odor release to the nasal cavity through a touchscreen digital interface with automatic database generation. In this study we aimed to determine the feasibility of this DSD as an olfactory assessment test. METHODS: We recruited 180 participants (age [mean ± standard deviation], 34.58 ± 9.71 years; 114 women and 66 men) to participate in smell tests using both the DSD and the 40-item Smell Identification Test (SIT-40), which contained the same type and order of odors and the same multiple-choice answers. The scores were compared and evaluated for correlation between the tests, and test-retest reliability was calculated. RESULTS: The DSD test scores were higher than the SIT-40 scores (median [interquartile range], 32 [5.0] vs 31 [7.0]; p = 0.005). The completion time was less for the DSD test than for the SIT-40 (12.5 [5.0] vs 16 [6.0] minutes; p < 0.001). The tests were strongly correlated (Spearman rho = 0.74; p < 0.001) and exhibited a high level of agreement (Bland-Altman regression coefficient = 0.672; p = 0.003). The DSD test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.820. CONCLUSION: The DSD is feasible as an olfactory assessment test. The digitalization of olfactory assessment combined with data science may enable new research perspectives in the field of olfaction.

Surgical capacity assessment in the state of Amazonas using the surgical assessment tool. Cross-sectional study / Avaliação da capacidade cirúrgica do estado do Amazonas utilizando uma ferramenta de avaliação cirúrgica. Estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: Brazil is a country with universal health coverage, yet access to surgery among remote rural populations remains understudied. This study assesses surgical care capacity among hospitals providing care for the rural populations in the Amazonas state of Brazil through in-depth facility assessments. Methods: a stratified randomized cross-sectional evaluation of hospitals that self-report providing surgical care in Amazonas was conducted from July 2016 to March 2017. The Surgical Assessment Tool (SAT) developed by the World Health Organization and the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change at Harvard Medical School was administered at remote hospitals, including a retrospective review of medical records and operative logbooks. Results: 18 hospitals were surveyed. Three hospitals (16.6%) had no operating rooms and 12 (66%) had 1-2 operating rooms. 14 hospitals (77.8%) reported monitoring by pulse oximetry was always present and six hospitals (33%) never have a professional anesthesiologist available. Inhaled general anesthesia was available in 12 hospitals (66.7%), but 77.8% did not have any mechanical ventilation device. An average of 257 procedures per 100,000 were performed. 10 hospitals (55.6%) do not have a specific post-anesthesia care unit. For the regions covered by the 18 hospitals, with a population of 497,492 inhabitants, the average surgeon, anesthetist, obstetric workforce density was 6.4. Conclusion: populations living in rural areas in Brazil face significant disparities in access to surgical care, despite the presence of universal health coverage. Development of a state plan for the implementation of surgery is necessary to ensure access to surgical care for rural populations.

RESUMO Objetivo: o Brasil é um país com cobertura universal de saúde, mas o acesso à cirurgia entre populações remotas permanece pouco estudado. Este estudo avalia a capacidade cirúrgica em hospitais que servem populações rurais no estado do Amazonas, Brasil, por meio de avaliações aprofundadas das instalações. Métodos: foi realizada avaliação estratificada randomizada transversal de hospitais que relataram prestar assistência cirúrgica de julho de 2016 a março de 2017. A Ferramenta de Avaliação Cirúrgica desenvolvida pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e o Programa de Cirurgia Global e Mudança Social da Harvard Medical School foi administrada em hospitais remotos, incluindo uma revisão retrospectiva de registros médicos e livros cirúrgicos. Resultados: 18 hospitais foram pesquisados. Três hospitais (16,6%) não tinham salas cirúrgicas e 12 (66%) tinham 1-2. 14 hospitais (77,8%) relataram que a oximetria de pulso estava "sempre presente" e seis hospitais (33%) nunca têm um anestesiologista disponível. A anestesia inalatória estava disponível em 12 hospitais (66,7%), 77,8% não possuíam dispositivo de ventilação mecânica. Em média, 257 procedimentos por 100.000 foram realizados. 10 hospitais (55,6%) não possuem unidade de recuperação anestésica. Para as regiões de abrangência dos 18 hospitais, com população de 497.492 habitantes, a densidade média de força de trabalho cirúrgica, anestesista e obstétrica foi de 6,4. Conclusão: as populações que vivem em áreas rurais no Brasil enfrentam disparidades significativas no acesso à assistência cirúrgica, apesar da presença de cobertura universal de saúde. O desenvolvimento de um plano estadual de cirurgia é necessário para garantir acesso à assistência cirúrgica às populações rurais.

Spontaneous symmetry breaking and frustrated phases.

We study a system involving a single quantum degree of freedom per site of the lattice interacting with a few neighbors (up to second neighbors), with the interactions chosen so as to produce frustration. At zero temperature, this system undergoes several quantum phase transitions from both gapped to gapless and gapless to gapless phases, providing a very rich phase structure with disordered, homogeneous, and modulated ordered phases meeting in a quantum Lifshitz point. The gapless phases spontaneously break spatial lattice translations as well as internal symmetries of the form U(1)^{N_{c}}, where N_{c} is the number of independent pitch vectors that arise in the homogeneous and modulated ordered phases. We carry out a detailed analysis of the quantum critical behavior, discussing the mechanism leading to the phase transitions. We also discuss a proper characterization of all the gapless phases as well as the nature of the Goldstone excitations. We study the behavior of the correlation functions and identify regions in the phase diagram where the system exhibits generalized symmetries such as polynomial shift symmetry. This type of symmetry plays an important role in the so-called fractonic phase, which is an exotic form of matter recently discovered.