Point-of-care ultrasound can make the difference in patients with heart failure at primary care.

Background: Primary healthcare centers (PHC) play a pivotal role in the first-line management of patients with diabetes and hypertension, major risk factors for heart failure (HF) development. Point-of-care cardiac ultrasound (POCUS), integrated as an extension of the physical examination, holds significant potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical management in this setting.

Objectives: Evaluate the impact of POCUS on clinical decision-making in patients with HF and at risk of developing HF in PHC and compare POCUS findings with clinical assessment alone, conventional echocardiography, and electrocardiogram results.

CD4 differentiated T regulatory cells is modified by physical fitness and visceral adipose tissue in young adults-A cross-sectional study.

Central adiposity and poor cardiorespiratory fitness are modifiable risk factors for various diseases. This study investigated their impact on CD4 differentiated T regulatory (Treg) cell responses. Thirty-eight young adults were classified into high cardiorespiratory fitness/low visceral adipose tissue (High V̇O-Low VAT, n = 20) and low cardiorespiratory fitness/high VAT (Low V̇O-High VAT, n = 18).

Oral health in relation to manifestations and severity of cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional study.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by defective ion transport in epithelial cells, leading to the development of viscous mucus and glandular duct obstruction. Individuals with CF often present with gingival inflammation, dental enamel defects (DEDs), caries, and reduced salivary flow. This cross-sectional study of 82 patients with CF investigated the population's oral health in relation to systemic CF manifestations.

Impact of Partial Penectomy and Glansectomy on Couples' Sexual Function.

Objective: To evaluate the sexual function of couples after surgeries to treat penile cancer.

Material And Methods: Patients who underwent partial penectomy or glansectomy at a cancer center, between April 2014 and January 2024, and their partners were interviewed only once, at least six months after surgery, through individually conducted interviews. We used a semi-structured questionnaire, the Six-Item Female Sexual Function Index Scoring (FSFI-6) questionnaire to assess feminine sexual function and the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) and The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire to evaluate erectile function.

An insight into the draft genome of the Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, together with its Wolbachia endosymbiont.

Background: The Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, is a main vector of plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Transcriptomic analysis of this insect and the interaction between Yersinia and the flea digestive tract have been the subject of several studies. However, to develop more refined studies on this vector in the future, we sequence and describe a draft genome of the rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis, discuss the physiological implications of its genetic features, and compare them with the only other sequenced member of the Siphonaptera, the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis.

Depression and anxiety in adolescents with cystic fibrosis in Brazil: prevalence, stability over time, and relationship with treatment adherence.

Objective: Depression and anxiety have been documented in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), jeopardizing treatment adherence. To date, no studies have assessed the prevalence of psychosocial issues in adolescents with CF in Brazil. We sought to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety in adolescents with CF in Brazil, as well as the impact of depression and anxiety on treatment adherence.

Review of Osteoporotic Fractures: Occurrence, Prevention, and Consequences.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic condition that compromises bone density and architecture, increasing the risk of fractures and impacting morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis involves bone densitometry, in which mineral density in areas prone to fractures is assessed. Primary osteoporosis is age-related and may remain asymptomatic for years, while secondary osteoporosis results from comorbidities or medications.

[Review of Osteoporotic Fractures: Occurrence, Prevention, and Consequences].

Osteoporosis is a metabolic condition that compromises bone density and architecture, increasing the risk of fractures and impacting morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis involves bone densitometry, in which mineral density in areas prone to fractures is assessed. Primary osteoporosis is age-related and may remain asymptomatic for years, while secondary osteoporosis results from comorbidities or medications.

Analysis of the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mortality in Brazil in 2020-2021.

This is a descriptive and ecological study that analyzed the behavior of maternal mortality during the covid-19 pandemic in Brazil in 2020 and 2021, based on data from both the mortality information system (sim) at datasus and the network portal national health data (rnds). from the historical series of maternal mortality ratios (mmr) from 1996 to 2021, it was identified an average of 56.79 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, concentrated in the north, northeast, and midwest regions, during the pandemic an increase of mmr to 110.

How do the physical and physiological demands of training and official football match for recreational players compare to those of semi-professionals?

Playing football at very different competitive levels can lead to different physical and physiological demands. Daily routines of these practitioners can also show differences in terms of leisure time, main professional occupations, among other activities. Therefore, understanding the physical and physiological demands between recreational and Semi-Professional players is crucial for designing appropriate training programs and assessing potential health benefits.

An insight into the salivary gland content of the human body louse, Pediculus humanus.

Human body lice, Pediculus humanus humanus, are blood-feeding parasites that live in clothing and feed several times per day. Saliva injected during louse feeding induces pruritis and local inflammation in the skin. If untreated, chronic Pediculosis can cause systemic negative health effects.

High-intensity interval training and strength conditioning in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a systematic review.

Background: This systematic review explores the impact of physical exercise on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients' physical fitness, immunologic, and quality of life outcomes.

Methods: Eligible studies were searched in PubMed and Web of Science up to February 2024 and were included if they involved participants in adult age, with confirmed CLL diagnose, using physical activity protocols with study design helding intervention protocols, clinical trials, or quantitative data reporting. Bias was assessed with ROBINS-I and RoB2 tools from Cochrane.

Malignant Pleural Effusion: Palliative Managements and Indication for Pleurodesis Based on Survival Scores.

Neoplastic pleural effusion is one in which malignant neoplastic cells are detected in the pleural fluid or in the parietal pleura. When secondary, it confirms disseminated neoplastic disease and suggests a reduced life expectancy and low quality of life. This review was described by a group of physician members of the Brazilian Society of Oncological Surgery regarding the treatment of neoplastic pleural effusion, developed to guide surgeons, palliative care physicians and clinical oncologists in their clinical practice to assess patients indicated for pleurodesis based on survival scores.

SMALL INTESTINAL BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH IN PEOPLE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Background: In patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) acid suppression therapy, gastrointestinal dysmotility, and post-operative bowel status, may predispose to the development of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO may continue to be present in the progression of the disease even on modulators. Breath testing is the most simple, non-invasive and available method for diagnosing SIBO.

Drought-induced changes in antioxidant capacity, mineral content, and plant development in basal leafy cactus: comparisons between Pereskia aculeata miller and Pereskia bahiensis Gürke.

Pereskia aculeata is known for its high levels of proteins, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, qualifying it as an unconventional food. In contrast, the nutritional potential of P. bahiensis remains much less explored.

Tree species hyperdominance and rarity in the South American Cerrado.

The South American Cerrado, the largest savanna of the Americas and the world's most tree-biodiverse, is critically endangered, with just 8% protected and more than half deforested. However, the extent of its tree diversity and abundance remains poorly quantified. Using a unique biome-wide eco-floristic dataset with 222 one-hectare plots, we estimate the Cerrado has ~1605 tree species and has extreme hyperdominance, with fewer than 2% (30 species) accounting for half of all trees.

Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Mode on Lung Function, Exercise Tolerance, Vital Signs, and Dyspnea After Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with an intense impact on health worldwide. Among the sequelae, it became necessary to clarify respiratory impairment related to lung function and aerobic capacity, as well as the treatment of curative and preventive measures of pulmonary involvement. In this context, this study aimed to compare vital signs, the sensation of dyspnea (Borg scale), lung function, and exercise tolerance before and after the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) in adults of both sexes after acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Pulmonary and functional hallmarks after SARS-CoV-2 infection across three WHO severity level-groups: an observational study.

Background: The manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection range from flu-like symptoms to severe lung disease. The consequences of this inflammatory process impact overall function, which can be detected through both short- to long-term assessments. This study aimed to assess the pulmonary functional and structural characteristics of post-SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with mild/moderate, severe, and critical clinical presentations.

Antipsychotic-Induced Ogilvie Syndrome: A Case Report.

Gastrointestinal hypomotility (GIH) represents a significant yet underrecognized adverse effect of antipsychotic medications that can lead to severe complications. We present the case of a 37-year-old male with schizophrenia on first- and second-generation antipsychotics who presented to the emergency department with acute diffuse abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a distended, silent, and diffusely tender abdomen along with compromised ventilatory mechanics and signs of peripheral hypoperfusion.

Lung ultrasound in children with asthma exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a noninvasive radiation-free imaging tool used to evaluate respiratory conditions, particularly in children and adolescents with asthma exacerbations. However, its role in diagnosing and managing asthma exacerbations remains unclear. We aimed to demonstrate LUS findings in pediatric asthma exacerbations, focusing on patterns such as B-lines, consolidation, and pleural abnormalities.

Biotransformation-induced chemical modifications and nitrite production in beetroot and arugula extracts: Toward natural alternatives to synthetic preservatives in the meat industry.

The search for natural food additives is a growing priority for the modern food industry, especially in efforts to replace synthetic curing salts, which are linked to adverse health effects in processed meat products. One promising approach involves the use of pre-converted nitrate-rich plant extracts as an alternative to commercial sodium nitrite. However, the impact of the biotransformation process on the chemical and antioxidant properties of these extracts remains poorly understood.

Definitions of determinants of physical activity behaviour: process and outcome of consensus from the DE-PASS expert group.

Background: Despite extensive research on physical activity behaviour (PAB), consensus is lacking on related terms and definitions, thereby hindering the ability to compare findings between studies and to develop reliable assessment tools. This study therefore aimed to establish consensus on the definitions of key PAB determinants.

Methods: First, an international expert steering committee was established, comprising members of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action "DEterminants of Physical ActivitieS in Settings" (DE-PASS).

High-Resolution Proteomics Unveils Salivary Gland Disruption and Saliva-Hemolymph Protein Exchange in -Infected Mosquitoes.

sporozoites, the stage that initiates a malaria infection, must invade the mosquito salivary glands (SGs) before transmitting to a vertebrate host. However, the effects of sporozoite invasion on salivary gland physiology and saliva composition remain largely unexplored. We examined the impact of infection on salivary glands using high-resolution proteomics, gene expression, and morphological analysis.

A deep insight into the sialome of the house fly, Musca domestica, infected with the salivary gland hypertrophy virus (MdSGHV).

The house fly, Musca domestica, serves as a mechanical vector for numerous pathogens, posing a significant risk to human and animal health. More than two decades ago, the Musca domestica salivary gland hypertrophy virus (MdSGHV) was discovered, infecting both males and females flies and disrupting mating and the reproductive process. While MdSGHV can infect various tissues, its primary replication site is the house fly salivary gland.

Characterization of Limeira intrusion stones for aggregate use in engineering applications.

Major exploitation phases in quarries involve stone fragmentation by blasting and crushing. Considering the nature of stone aggregates and their applications in engineering works, technological characterizations are fundamental to the adequate selection of these stone products. The present work aimed to characterize stones with different compositional, structural, and textural aspects in a quarry belonging to the Limeira Intrusion, state of São Paulo, Brazil.