Systematic review and meta-analysis on seroprevalence of leptospirosis in non-human primates worldwide.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease whose transmission is linked to multiple factors involving the interface between animals, humans, and the environment. This disease is of great importance for public health, as it profoundly affects the health aspects of the population and animals. Considering the importance of non-human primates in this epidemiological chain, the objective of this research was to conduct a systematic literature review with meta-analysis, providing information on leptospirosis in non-human primates (NHPs) and an update on the infection situation in Brazil and other countries. Thus, a search was performed in five databases, initially finding 3332 studies, of which 32 met the eligibility criteria and were used for the systematic review. According to them, the most prevalent serogroup in non-human primates was Icterohaemorrhagiae, which is adapted to rodents as primary hosts. A wide distribution of the infection was found in the regions of both wild and captive animals. Through meta-analysis, the seroprevalence rate of leptospirosis in non-human primates was 27.21% (CI 17.97-38.95%). Cochran's Q test (p < 0.01) identified heterogeneity between studies, classified as high by the Higgins and Thompson test (I2 = 92.4%). Therefore, seroepidemiological and Leptospira isolation studies in non-human primates are important to investigate and monitor the suspected impact of these species as maintainers or transmitters of the pathogen to humans and other wild and domestic animals, in addition to demonstrating the need for standardization related to control and prevention measures.

Custos da assistência de enfermagem prestada em consultórios a usuários com úlcera varicosa / Costs of nursing assistance provided in consultories to users with varicose ulcer / Gastos de asistencia de enfermería prestados en consultorios a usuarios con úlcera varicosa

Objetivo: Analisar custos diretos da assistência de enfermagem ao cliente com insuficiência venosa crônica atendidos por profissional liberal. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em consultório particular de enfermagem. Observou-se 131 consultas de enfermagem para 15 pacientes. Calculou-se o custo a partir dos valores da assistência por tabela de honorários padronizadas, adicionada aos custos dos materiais e soluções consumidos nos atendimentos. Resultados: Constatou-se custo médio de US$ 77,91 por consulta de enfermagem associada aos procedimentos. Houve uma variação de 4 a 15 atendimentos a cliente. O custo total da assistência variou de US$ 311,64 a US$ 1.168.65, com média de US$ 680,15. Destaca-se o hidrogel como cobertura mais utilizada e tempo médio de 21 minutos por consulta. Conclusão: Os gastos com o tratamento de úlceras venosas colaboram com conhecimento monetário da terapêutica. Revela-se a importância de analisar custos como ferramenta para subsidiar ações que beneficiem a sustentabilidade empresarial da consulta de enfermagem. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the direct costs of nursing care for clients with chronic venous insufficiency assisted by liberal professionals. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in a private nursing office. There were 131 nursing consultations for 15 patients. The cost was calculated from the values of assistance using a standardized fee table, added to the costs of materials and solutions consumed in the assistance. Results: There was an average cost of US$ 77.91 per nursing consultation associated with the procedures. There was a range of 4 to 15 customer service calls. The total cost of assistance ranged from $311.64 to $1,168.65, averaging $680.15. Hydrogel stands out as the most used coverage and average time of 21 minutes per consultation. Conclusion: Expenses with the treatment of venous ulcers collaborate with monetary knowledge of the therapy. It reveals the importance of analyzing costs as a tool to support actions that benefit the corporate sustainability of nursing consultations. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar los costos directos del cuidado de enfermería para clientes con insuficiencia venosa crónica asistidos por profesionales liberales. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en un consultorio privado de enfermería. Hubo 131 consultas de enfermería para 15 pacientes. El costo se calculó a partir de los valores de la asistencia utilizando una tabla de tarifas estandarizada, sumada a los costos de los materiales y soluciones consumidos en la asistencia. Resultados: Hubo un costo promedio de US $ 77,91 por consulta de enfermería asociada a los procedimientos. Hubo un rango de 4 a 15 llamadas de servicio al cliente. El costo total de la asistencia osciló entre $ 311.64 y $ 1,168.65, con un promedio de $ 680.15. El hidrogel destaca como la cobertura más utilizada y el tiempo medio de 21 minutos por consulta. Conclusion: Los gastos con el tratamiento de las úlceras venosas colaboran con el conocimiento monetario de la terapia. Revela la importancia del análisis de costos como herramienta de apoyo a acciones que beneficien la sustentabilidad corporativa de las consultas de enfermería. (AU)

Patellofemoral pain syndrome in children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) in children and adolescents. METHOD: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years, who presented a history of peripatellar and/or retropatellar pain, attending elementary or high school in urban public schools in Natal, Brazil. The sample size was calculated based on a minimum outcome prevalence of 22%. RESULTS: A prevalence of 24.7% of PFPS was found. There was a positive association of PFPS with active students (p < 0.01; PR: 2.5; CI: 1.4-4.5), low functional capacity (p < 0.01; PR: 8.0; CI: 5.0-12.8), and those classified as pubertal (p < 0.03; PR: 1.8; CI: 1.0-3.2). CONCLUSION: There was a considerable prevalence of PFPS in children and adolescents, as well as an association between the level of sexual maturation and adjustable determinants, such as the level of physical activity and low functional capacity in this group.

Molecular Evidence Reveals Taxonomic Uncertainties and Cryptic Diversity in the Neotropical Catfish of the Genus Pimelodus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae).

Pimelodus is the most speciose genus of the family Pimelodidae, and is amply distributed in the Neotropical region. The species-level taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships within this genus are still poorly resolved, however. These taxonomic problems and the general lack of data have generated major uncertainties with regard to the identification of specimens from different localities. In the present study, we applied a single-locus species delimitation approach to identify the MOTUs found within the genus Pimelodus and provide sound evidence for the evaluation of the species richness of this genus in the different river basins of the Neotropical region. The study was based on the analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene of 13 nominal species, which resulted in the identification of 24 consensus MOTUs. Only six nominal species were recovered as well-defined molecular entities by both the traditional barcoding analysis and the molecular delimitation methods, while the other seven presented cryptic diversity or persistent taxonomic uncertainties. The lineages identified from the Parnaíba ecoregions, Amazonas Estuary and Coastal Drainages may represent a much greater diversity of Pimelodus species than that recognized currently, although a more detailed study of this diversity will be necessary to provide a more definitive classification of the genus.

Effects of primary health care and socioeconomic aspects on the dispersion of COVID-19 in the Brazilian Northeast: Ecological study of the first pandemic wave.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on socioeconomic and public health conditions of the population. AIM: To measure the temporal evolution of COVID-19 cases in cities near the countryside outside metropolitan areas of northeastern Brazil and the impact of the primary care organization in its containment. METHODS: This is a time-series study, based on the first three months of COVID-19 incidence in northeastern Brazil. Secondary data were used, the outcome was number of COVID-19 cases. Independent variables were time, coverage and quality score of basic health services, and demographic, socioeconomic and social isolation variables. Generalizable Linear Models with first order autoregression were applied. RESULTS: COVID-19 spreads heterogeneously in cities near the countryside of Northeastern Brazilian cities, showing associations with the city size, socioeconomic and organizational indicators of services. The Family Health Strategy seems to mitigate the speed of progression and burden of the disease, in addition to measures such as social isolation and closure of commercial activities. CONCLUSION: The spread of COVID-19 reveals multiple related factors, which require coordinated intersectoral actions in order to mitigate its problems, especially in biologically and socially vulnerable populations.

Risk stratifier for sudden cardiac death beyond the left ventricular ejection fraction in Chagas cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk markers are needed in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC). Action potential duration restitution (APDR) dynamics is capable of extracting information on cardiac regional heterogeneity. This study intends to develop a patient-specific variables-based algorithm to predict SCD in the low-intermediate subgroups of the Rassi risk score. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients who underwent 24-h Holter for research purposes between January 1992 and February 2017. From 4-h ECG segment, RR series were generated and APDR dynamics metrics were calculated. Classification tree and sensitivity analysis were applied. As outcomes, SCD, SCD-free and non-cardiovascular death and 34 variables were included. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-one (129 in the group SCD-free, 80 in the SCD group and 12 non-cardiovascular death group) were analyzed. In the groups with and without SCD (209 patients), the median age was 66 years, 52% were female, the cardiac involvement was mild to moderate in 72% with a Rassi point median of 8 (IQ: 3 to 11). The SCD group had more ventricular remodeling and more ventricular electrical instability. The occurrence of a %beats QTend/TendQ ratio > 1 (AUC, 0.96 (95% CI 0.89-0.98) present in more than 56.7% of the 4-h ECG segments was sufficient to identify patients of the SCD subgroup. Variables representing different stages of CC were also relevant in the model. CONCLUSION: It is possible to use APDR dynamics as an adjuvant in the SCD risk assessment in a subgroup of patients with a high risk of SCD and a very low risk of non-CV death with high power of discrimination.

The effectiveness of high-power diode laser as an adjunct to mechanical instrumentation of deep pockets in a patient with generalized, stage III, grade C periodontitis / Eficácia do laser de diodo de alta potência como coadjuvante à instrumentação mecânica de bolsa profunda em paciente com periodontite estádio III, grau C e generalizada

ABSTRACT Periodontitis is an inflammatory clinical condition caused by dysbiotic biofilm that results in progressive destruction of periodontal attachment and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of high-power diode laser as an adjunct to mechanical instrumentation in periodontal pockets of a patient with generalized, stage III, grade C periodontitis. Methods: 126 sites of a patient were examined at the Clinical Research Laboratory (LabClin) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), where the parameters of probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bleeding on probing (BoP) were evaluated at the beginning of the study and after 3 and 6 months of basic therapy. All sites received non-surgical periodontal treatment which corresponds to scaling and root planing (SRP) and coronary polishing. The deep periodontal pockets with PD ≥ 5 mm, received the adjuvant therapy with diode laser light. Results: There was a significant improvement of periodontal parameters of PD, CAL and BoP in all treated sites. In those with PD ≥ 5 mm, the results were similar, with statistically significant reduction of PD, CAL and BoP before and after treatment. After 6 months, all periodontal pockets with PD ≥ 5mm were reduced to values lower than 3. Conclusion: The irradiation of deep pockets with high-power diode laser proved to be effective as adjuvant therapy to SRP in patients with generalized, stage III, degree C periodontitis.

RESUMO A periodontite é uma condição clínica inflamatória causada por biofilme disbiótico que resulta em destruição progressiva da inserção periodontal e pode levar a perda do dente caso não seja tratada. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia clínica do laser de diodo de alta potência como coadjuvante à instrumentação mecânica em bolsas periodontais de um paciente com periodontite, estádio III, grau C e generalizada. Métodos: Foram examinados 126 sítios de uma paciente, no Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas (LabClin) da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG) onde foram avaliados os parâmetros de profundidade de sondagem (PS), nível de inserção clínica (NIC) e sangramento à sondagem (SS) no início do estudo e após 3 e 6 meses da terapia básica. Todos os sítios receberam tratamento periodontal não cirúrgico o que corresponde a raspagem e alisamento coronorradicular (RACR) e polimento coronário. As bolsas periodontais profundas com PS ≥ 5 mm, receberam a terapia coadjuvante com luz laser de diodo. Resultados: Houve uma melhora significativa dos parâmetros periodontais de PS, NIC e SS em todos os sítios tratados. Nos que apresentavam PS ≥ 5 mm, os resultados foram similares, com redução estatisticamente significativa PS, PIC e SS antes e após a realização do tratamento. Após 6 meses, todas as bolsas periodontais com PS ≥ 5mm foram reduzidas a valores menores que 3. Conclusão: A irradiação de bolsas profundas, com laser de diodo de alta potência, mostrou-se eficaz como terapia coadjuvante à RACR em paciente com periodontite estádio III, grau C, generalizada.

Frenectomia lingual com laser de diodo de alta potência: relato de caso / Lingual frenectomy with high-power diode laser: a case report / Frenectomía lingual con láser de diodo de alta potencia: informe de un caso

Introdução: A laserterapia de alta potência tem estabelecido proporções satisfatórias na odontologia e se tornando a primeira opção de conduta cirúrgica para procedimentos, trazendo qualidade de vida aos pacientes e praticidade aos Cirurgiões. Objetivo: Relatar caso clínico de frenectomia lingual com uso do laser de diodo de alta potência ressaltando os benefícios da conduta. Relato de caso: Paciente sexo feminino, leucoderma, sem alterações sistêmicas, chega à Clínica Escola de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, com queixa principal de alterações na sua fonologia. No exame intraoral observou-se dificuldade de movimentação lingual e em formato de coração devido a inserção fibrosa do freio, sendo observado a Anquiloglossia. Após explicações da alteração, do tratamento, e assinatura do Termo de Consentimento, foi iniciado a cirurgia: antissepsia, anestesia com vasoconstrictor, e em modo contínuo utilizou-se o laser de diodo de alta potência (TW Surgical- MMO®) configurado em 2W de potência, fibra 600µm, no comprimento de onda infravermelho, de modo que as fibras fossem separadas uniformemente e promovesse mobilidade imediata da língua, por fim realizou-se uma sutura em ponto simples com fio reabsorvível. Para o pós-operatório foi prescrito Dipirona em caso de dor, e estabelecido o acompanhamento. No retorno de 7 dias observou-se cicatrização normal e não ingestão do medicamento, em 30 dias foi visto a completa cicatrização e mobilidade sem desconforto, além de relato da paciente de melhoria na condição de relacionamentos sociais, autoestima e deglutição. Conclusão: O resultado apresentado neste artigo ratifica a benefício da escolha do laser em comparação ao convencional, demonstrando que não há sangramento no trans e pós cirúrgico, além de favorecer o processo de reparação tecidual, da redução do tempo cirúrgico, aumento do conforto, e diminuição de uso de medicamento, desta forma associando o laser cirúrgico a melhoria da qualidade de vida.

Introduction: High-power laser therapy has established satisfactory proportions in dentistry and has become the first choice for surgical procedures, bringing quality of life to patients and convenience to surgeons. Objective: To report a clinical case of lingual frenectomy using high-power diode laser, highlighting the benefits of this approach. Case report: A female patient, leucoderma, without systemic alterations, arrived at the Dental School Clinic of the Federal University of Campina Grande with the main complaint of alterations in her phonology. In the intraoral examination, difficulty in lingual movement and a heart-shaped tongue due to fibrous insertion of the frenum were observed, indicating Ankyloglossia. After explanations of the condition, treatment, and signing of the Informed Consent Form, the surgery was initiated: antisepsis, anesthesia with vasoconstrictor, and continuous mode using a high-power diode laser configured at 2W of power, 600µm fiber, at an infrared wavelength, with the aim of uniformly separating the fibers and promoting immediate tongue mobility. Finally, a simple suture was performed using absorbable thread. For the postoperative period, Dipyrone was prescribed for pain relief, and follow-up was established. At the 7-day follow-up, normal healing was observed, and the patient did not require the medication. At 30 days, complete healing and discomfort-free mobility were observed, along with the patient's testimony of improvement in social relationships, self-esteem, and swallowing. Conclusion: The results presented in this article confirm the benefits of choosing laser therapy over conventional methods, demonstrating the absence of bleeding during and after surgery, promoting tissue repair, reducing surgical time, increasing comfort, and decreasing the use of medication. Therefore, the use of surgical laser is associated with an improvement in quality of life.

Introducción: La terapia láser de alta potencia se ha establecido en proporciones satisfactorias en odontología y se ha convertido en la primera elección para procedimientos quirúrgicos, aportando calidad de vida a los pacientes y practicidad a los cirujanos. Objetivo: Relatar un caso clínico de frenectomía lingual con láser de diodo de alta potencia, destacando los beneficios de este procedimiento. Relato del caso: Paciente del sexo femenino, leucoderma, sin alteraciones sistémicas, llegó a la Clínica de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Federal de Campina Grande con la queja principal de alteraciones en su fonología. El examen intraoral reveló dificultad en el movimiento lingual y lengua en forma de corazón debido a la inserción fibrosa del freno, observándose anquiloglosia. Tras explicar la alteración, el tratamiento y firmar el consentimiento, se inició la cirugía: antisepsia, anestesia con vasoconstrictor y uso continuado de un láser de diodo de alta potencia (TW Surgical- MMO®) configurado a 2W de potencia, fibra de 600µm, a longitud de onda infrarroja, para que las fibras se separaran uniformemente y favorecieran la movilidad inmediata de la lengua, y finalmente una sutura de punto único con hilo reabsorbible. En el postoperatorio, se prescribió dipirona en caso de dolor y se estableció un seguimiento. En el seguimiento a los 7 días, se observó una cicatrización normal y no se tomó medicación. A los 30 días, se observó una cicatrización completa y movilidad sin molestias, así como el informe del paciente de una mejora de las relaciones sociales, la autoestima y la deglución. Conclusión: Los resultados presentados en este artículo confirman el beneficio de la elección del láser frente a la cirugía convencional, demostrando que no hay sangrado durante ni después de la cirugía, además de favorecer el proceso de reparación tisular, reducir el tiempo quirúrgico, aumentar el confort y reducir el uso de medicación, asociando así el láser quirúrgico a una mejor calidad de vida.

Fish diversity in the rivers that drain the Baixada Maranhense and the Mearim basin in northeastern Brazil.

The Baixada Maranhense Environmental Protection Area of the Brazilian state of Maranhão encompasses a biologically rich region that includes the basins of four principal rivers, the Mearim, Pericumã, Pindaré, and Turiaçu, which form a complex of wetlands. The present study provides a comprehensive inventory of the fish fauna of the rivers that drain the Baixada Maranhense based on the identification of voucher specimens that were deposited in a scientific collection. Expeditions were conducted between 2014 and 2020. The inventory identified a total of 100 fish species representing 79 genera, 34 families, and 11 orders, which are found in both freshwater and estuarine environments. Six (Potamotrygon orbignyi, Leporinus piau, Moenkhausia loweae, Serrasalmus spilopleura, Pachypops fourcroi and Peckoltia greedoi) of the 100 taxa identified here are considered to be new records for one or more of the basins surveyed during this study, based on the existing data, while four - Colossoma macropomum, Megaleporinus macrocephalus, Cichla sp. and Cichla kelberi - are not native. The most speciose orders were the Siluriformes and Characiformes, while the most diverse families were the Loricariidae, Characidae, Auchenipteridae, Cichlidae, and Serrasalmidae. These data are consistent with the findings of most of the previous studies of freshwater ecosystems in the Neotropical region, in particular those of the rivers of Maranhão. The results of the present study represent an important advance in the understanding of the diversity of the fish fauna of the Mearim, Pericumã, Pindaré, and Turiaçu rivers, which are still poorly studied, and have likely had their diversity underestimated up to now.

Impacto no acesso e na produção da rede pública de saúde bucal durante a covid-19 em um distrito sanitário do Recife / Impact on access and production of the public oral health network during covid-19 in a health district in Recife

O artigo tem o objetivo de analisar o impacto da pandemia pela covid-19 na Saúde Bucal no Município do Recife/PE ­ Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com corte transversal e abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Na qualitativa, realizou-se pesquisa documental de conteúdos emitidos antes e durante a pandemia pela Secretaria de Saúde do Recife/PE, direcionando o processo de trabalho das equipes de saúde bucal. Já na análise quantitativa, observou-se dados do e-SUS Atenção Primária, dos meses de abril, maio, junho e julho nos anos de 2019, 2020 e 2021 do Distrito Sanitário V do Recife. Muitos documentos foram emitidos pelo município a fim de readequar-se à nova demanda. Notou-se que os atendimentos de urgência aumentaram em 2020 (n=168) e 2021 (n=184), em comparação a 2019 (n=81) e as primeiras consultas odontológicas programáticas diminuíram entre 2020 (n=55) e 2021 (n=42), contrapondo a 2019 (n=1653). Boa parte dos agravos em saúde bucal registraram uma tendência de crescimento em porcentagem, em 2020 e 2021. Já os procedimentos odontológicos sofreram grandes reduções, totalizando 358 procedimentos em 2020 e 473 procedimentos em 2021. Observaram-se mudanças profundas tanto na forma de trabalho das equipes de saúde bucal quanto nas demandas apresentadas pelos indicadores analisados.

The article aims to analyze the impact of covid-19 pandemic on Oral Health in Recife/PE ­ Brazil. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with quantitative-qualitative approach. In qualitative terms, a documentary research was carried out, with content issued before and during the pandemic by the Health Department of Recife/PE ­ Brazil, directing the work process of oral health teams. In the quantitative analysis, data from e-SUS Primary Care for the months of April, May, June and July in the years of 2019, 2020 and 2021 from the Health District V of Recife were observed. Many documents were issued by the municipality in order to adapt to the new demand. It was perceived that emergency room visits increased in 2020 (n=168) and 2021 (n=184), compared to 2019 (n=81) and the first programmatic dental appointments decreased between 2020 (n=55) and 2021 (n=42), as opposed to 2019 (n=1653). A good part of oral health problems registered a growth trend in percentage, in 2020 and 2021. Dental procedures, on the other hand, suffered extensive reductions, totaling 358 procedures in 2020 and 473 procedures in 2021. There were profound changes both in the way the oral health teams work and in the demands presented by the analyzed indicators.

New Amydrostylus Lamas, Falaschi & Evenhuis (Diptera, Mythicomyiidae, Psiloderoidinae) from the Brazilian semiarid region, with discussion on the unusual male terminalia of the genus.

The studying material were recently collected with Malaise traps in Northeastern Brazil, and the authors found a new species of Amydrostylus, which represents the second known species of this endemic genus from the open/dry biomes of Brazil. The discovery results will provide more new diagnosis for the genus and allow a better knowledge of the male terminalia morphology, leading to a new interpretation of some of its structures. Male and female specimens are described and illustrated here.

Development of a mobile application for health education about sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a mobile application for health education about sepsis. METHOD: Methodological study composed of two stages. Firstly, information from the Latin American Sepsis Institute and Global Sepsis Alliance was used, followed by putting together, design and layout of the application, according to the agile development model proposed by Sommerville. In the second stage, content validation occurred with 20 health professionals with expertise in the areas of intensive care and sepsis, from the use of the Instrument for Validation of Educational Content in Health through analyzing objectives, structure and relevance; and it was considered valid the item with a minimum agreement of 80%, by binomial test. RESULTS: The app presents 15 screens that encompass prevention measures, recognition and early identification of sepsis, illustrated by interactive images. Out of the 18 items evaluated in the validation process, the minimum agreement obtained was 0.95 and the average validation index was 0.99. CONCLUSION: The application was developed and considered valid by the referees regarding contents. Thus, it is an important technological resource for health education in prevention and early identification of sepsis.

Evidencing leprosy neuronal inflammation by 18-Fluoro-deoxy-glucose.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is caused by multiple interactions between Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) and the host's peripheral nerve cells. M. leprae primarily invades Schwann cells, causing nerve damage and consequent development of disabilities. Despite its long history, the pathophysiological mechanisms of nerve damage in the lepromatous pole of leprosy remain poorly understood. This study used the findings of 18F-FDG PET/CT on the peripheral nerves of eight lepromatous patients to evaluate the degree of glucose uptake by peripheral nerves and compared them with clinical, electrophysiological, and histopathological evaluations. METHODS: Eight patients with lepromatous leprosy were included in this study. Six patients were evaluated up to three months after leprosy diagnosis using neurological examination, nerve conduction study, 18F-FDG PET/CT, and nerve biopsy. Two others were evaluated during an episode of acute neuritis, with clinical, neurophysiological, and PET-CT examinations to compare the images with the first six. RESULTS: Initially, six patients already had signs of peripheral nerve injury, regardless of symptoms; however, they did not present with signs of neuritis, and there was little or no uptake of 18F-FDG in the clinically and electrophysiologically affected nerves. Two patients with signs of acute neuritis had 18F-FDG uptake in the affected nerves. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG uptake correlates with clinical neuritis in lepromatous leprosy patients but not in silent neuritis patients. 18F-FDG PET-CT could be a useful tool to confirm neuritis, especially in cases that are difficult to diagnose, such as for the differential diagnosis between a new episode of neuritis and chronic neuropathy.

Perfil de componentes curriculares e docentes de Odontologia Legal e saúde coletiva de cursos de graduação em Odontologia da região norte do Brasil / Profile of curricular components and professors of Forensic Dentistry and Public Health in undergraduate dentistry courses in the northern region of Brazil

Introdução: Odontologia Legal (OL) e Saúde Coletiva (SC) contribuem na formação do cirurgião-dentista em aspectos relacionados à ética profissional, à cidadania e à atenção às necessidades de saúde da população. Objetivo: analisar o perfil de componentes curriculares e docentes de OL e SC de cursos de graduação em Odontologia. Material e método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal quantitativo desenvolvido por meio de formulário eletrônico aplicado a docentes de componentes curriculares de OL e SC de cursos da região norte do Brasil, em 2022. Para análise de dados, foi aplicada estatística descritiva e os testes Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher. Resultados: Quarenta docentes participaram da pesquisa, sendo 12 de instituições públicas, 27 de particulares e 1 de ambas. Deles, 10 (25%) eram de OL, 22 (55%) de SC e 8 (23%) de ambos os componentes curriculares. Todos (100%) os componentes curriculares de OL eram obrigatórios e ministrados em 1 a 3 semestres do curso, a maioria com ensino presencial (94,4%) e 50% em aulas teóricas e práticas. Os componentes curriculares de SC possuíam grande variabilidade de distribuição de períodos no curso, a maioria com carga horária de até 200 horas. Pouco mais de 40% dos docentes de OL possuíam formação específica na área. Para SC, 63% dos docentes possuíam formação específica. A oportunidade de trabalho ou de inserção em uma instituição de ensino foi o motivo mais citado pelos docentes que não possuíam formação específica na área dos componentes curriculares que ministravam. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no perfil dos docentes. Conclusão: os componentes curriculares de OL não estavam alinhados às diretrizes da Associação Brasileira de Ética e Odontologia Legal e os componentes curriculares de SC seguiam as previsões das Diretrizes Nacionais Curriculares de 2002

Introduction: Forensic Dentistry (FD) and Public Health (PH) contribute to dentist's development in aspects related to professional ethics, citizenship and attention to the population health needs. Aim: to analyze the profile of FD and PH curricular components and professors in undergraduate courses of Dentistry. Material and methods: a quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out using an electronic questionnaire sent to professors who taught FD and PH in north Brazilian colleges in 2022. To data analysis, descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were applied. Results: Forty professors participated in the survey, 12 from public institutions, 27 from private institutions and 1 from both. Of them, 10 (25%) were professors of FD, 22 (55%) of PH and 8 (23%) of both curricular components. All (100%) FD curricular components were mandatory and taught in 1 to 3 semesters of the course, most with face-to-face teaching (94.4%) and 50% with theoretical and practical classes. PH curricular components had great variability in the distribution of periods in the course, most with a workload up to 200 hours. Just over 40% of FD professors had specific training in the area. In the PH area, 63% of professors had specific training. The opportunity for work or insertion in an educational institution was the reason most cited by professors who did not have specific training in the area of the curricular components they taught. There was no statistically significant difference in the professors' profile. Conclusion: the FD curricular components were not aligned with the guidelines of the Brazilian Association of Ethics and Forensic Dentistry and the PH curricular components followed the predictions of the 2002 National Curricular Guidelines

Effect of multidrug solution for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in vivo.

Objective: Evaluate the effect of a multidrug solution, adopted by a referral hospital for cancer to control and treat chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in rats. Methods: Oral mucositis (OM) was induced by 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), and the animals were treated with saline (n = 8, G1), 0.12% chlorhexidine (n = 8, G2); and multidrug solution (n = 8, G3). The animals were submitted to clinical and histological analysis of the lesion using mucosal fragments. The animals' food consumption during treatment was also evaluated. Results: Clinical improvement (p < 0.05) was observed in the groups treated with the multidrug solution and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate. In G2 and G3, there was a prevalence of reepithelialization covering <50% of the lesion. Evaluation of the inflammatory infiltrate indicated that the G1 treatment permitted an intense inflammatory response in all animals, yet this evaluation parameter was moderate in groups G2 and G3. The G3 group (p < 0.05) presented higher food consumption than the other groups. Conclusions: The multidrug solution improved the clinical and histological parameters of the chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis, as well as promoted an increase in food intake.

Glaucoma suspects referred by general ophthalmologists to a tertiary center in Brazil: outcomes of the glaucoma specialist assessment / Suspeitos de glaucoma encaminhados do oftalmologista geral para um centro terciário no Brasil: resultados da avaliação do especialista em glaucoma

ABSTRACT Purpose: To characterize patients with suspected glaucoma who were referred to the clinic for suspected glaucoma in a tertiary public hospital in southern Brazil and to evaluate differences in functional and structural damages between patients diagnosed with different types of glaucoma, those with normal eye examination results, and those who remained as glaucoma suspects. Methods: This is a cohort study of patients referred by general ophthalmologists to the clinic for suspected glaucoma at Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Porto Alegre, Brazil, between March 2016 and December 2018. The patients were followed up until they had undergone reliable examinations (eye examination, visual field screening, and optic coherence tomography for classification as normal and having a suspected glaucoma, glaucoma with an elevated intraocular pressure, normotensive glaucoma, or ocular hypertension. Results: A total of 135 patients were included in this study. Of the patients, 117 subjects completed all examinations and met the inclusion criteria. Most patients were normal (36.8%), followed by those with suspected glaucoma (25.64%), normal tension glaucoma (18.8%), glaucoma with elevated intraocular pressure (12%), and ocular hypertensive (6%). The main reason for referral was increased optic nerve head cupping. The patients with normal tension glaucoma were older than the other subjects on average (p=0.03). In addition, the normal tension glaucoma group had a significantly worse baseline visual field index and mean deviation of the visual field than the normal, glaucoma suspect, and ocular hypertensive groups. The circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer on OCT was thinner on average in the normal tension glaucoma group than in the normal and glaucoma suspect groups (p<0.002) but did not significantly differ between the glaucoma group with elevated intraocular pressure and the other groups. Conclusions: Patients with normal tension glaucoma tend to be diagnosed later because of their normal intraocular pressures; thus, the optic nerve cupping must be greater to raise the suspicion of glaucoma. In this study, we found that the patients with normal tension glaucoma had worse disease at the time of diagnosis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar a população com suspeita de glaucoma encaminhada a um centro público terciário no sul do Brasil e avaliar diferenças no dano dos parâmetros funcionais e estruturais entre os pacientes diagnosticados com diferentes tipos de glaucoma e aqueles classificados como normais e aqueles mantidos como suspeitos de glaucoma. Métodos: Esta é uma coorte dos pacientes encaminhados para o setor de glaucoma suspeito do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Porto Alegre - BR, no período de março de 2016 a dezembro de 2018. Os pacientes foram acompanhados até obterem exames confiáveis (exame oftalmológico completo, campimetria visual, tomografia de coerência óptica) para serem classificados como: normal, glaucoma suspeito, glaucoma com pressão intraocular elevada, glaucoma de pressão normal ou hipertenso ocular. Resultados: Um total de 135 pacientes foram incluídos neste estudo, sendo que destes, 117 pacientes completaram todos os exames e foram incluídos neste estudo. A maioria dos pacientes foi considerada normal (36,8%), seguido por glaucoma suspeito (25,64%), glaucoma de pressão normal (18,8%), glaucoma com pressão intraocular elevada (12%) e hipertensão ocular (6%). A principal razão para encaminhamento foi escavação do nervo óptico aumentada. Pacientes com glaucoma de pressão normal eram em média mais velhos que os demais (p=0,03). Esses também apresentavam índice de campo visual e desvio médio da campimetria visual piores que sujeitos normal, com suspeita de glaucoma e hipertensos oculares, e tinham a camada de fibra nervosa medida pela tomografia de coerência óptica mais fina que normais e suspeitos de glaucoma (p<0,002). Os pacientes com glaucoma de pressão elevada não diferiram significativamente dos outros grupos. Conclusão: Pacientes com glaucoma de pressão normal tendem a ser diagnosticados mais tardiamente devido ao fato da pressão intraocular não estar elevada, logo a escavação do disco óptico deve ser maior para gerar a suspeita de glaucoma. Neste estudo, paciente com glaucoma de pressão normal apresentaram doença mais avançada no momento do diagnóstico em comparação com os outros grupos.

Global Seropositivity of Swine Leptospirosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Leptospirosis is a major threat to public health worldwide; however, there is no study focused on global seropositivity in pigs. In this study, we grouped publications and performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to gather data related to swine leptospirosis seropositivity published globally. The search method initially used returned a total of 1183 results, of which 20 met all predefined criteria and were therefore included in this review. Meta-analysis with general data was performed and a combined seropositivity of 21.95% was found. Seropositivity was 36.40% in South America, 34.05% in North America, 22.18% in Africa, 17.40% in Oceania, 13.30% in Europe and 13.36% in Asia. The results suggest that there is high seropositivity for leptospirosis in pigs worldwide. Information compiled from this research is relevant to understanding the spread of leptospirosis globally. It is expected that these indicators will contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease with a focus on its control and, consequently, on the reduction of cases in the human and animal population.

Clinical, histopathological, and molecular findings for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in dairy goats under semiarid conditions.

The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in dairy goats, via description of their clinical presentation, histopathological findings, and molecular identification of the infectious agent. Screening was performed using IS900 real-time PCR (qPCR) in milk samples from 179 properties in the semiarid of Northeast region of Brazil. Pooled milk samples from all lactating goats from processing plants were submitted to molecular diagnosis. One property had a positive result at qPCR. The production unit which had the positive sample for MAP was located, and an on-site visit to this property was performed to collect individual milk samples, seven of which tested MAP positive by IS900 qPCR. With permission from the owner, two goats (Animal 1 was positive and Animal 2 was negative on first qPCR for MAP) were acquired and euthanized. Animals 1 and 2 had milk and portions of the duodenum, ileum, colon, and mesenteric lymph nodes positive at qPCR for MAP. Animal 1 also had MAP DNA detected in part of the jejunum and cecum. In animal 2, the ileocecal valve tested positive. MAP was not detected in the blood or feces of either animal; however; it was confirmed for the association of clinical findings, histopathology, and qPCR. The gene IS900 from the positive samples were sequenced and showed a 99% similarity with MAP. The MAP was identified for the first time in the goat milk and tissues in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil.

Molecular detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in equids in a semiarid zone of Pernambuco - Brazil.

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a neglected and frequently occurring zoonosis in Central and South American countries. Wild mammals and domestic dogs are the main reservoirs of the parasite in the wild and domestic cycles, respectively. The vectors have a wide variety of food sources that can influence transmission cycles. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in donkeys (Equus asininos) and mules (Equus mulus) living in rural areas of the Brazilian semi-arid region. Whole-blood samples from 72 equids (65 donkeys and 7 mules) were analyzed by nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR). A total of 51.39% of the samples (37/72) were positive. Phylogenetic analysis identified discrete typing units TcI and TcII, which suggested the possibility that donkeys and mules might be participating in domestic/peridomestic and wild transmission cycles. This was the first report of T. cruzi infection in donkeys and mules in Brazil, with high prevalence of positive animals. This places these animals as potential reservoirs for the parasite and the particular features of these hosts, the presence of vectors and the socioeconomic characteristics of the population under semiarid conditions create interactions that may favor transmission and overlapping T. cruzi infection cycles.