Use of sarolaner in the treatment of tungiasis in naturally infested dogs.

Tungiasis is an endemic dermatological parasitic zoonosis in Latin America, caused by the sand flea Tunga spp. (Siphonaptera, Tungidae), which promotes intense discomfort, swelling, erythema, itching, pain, secondary bacterial infection, cellulitis and necrosis. Sarolaner has been used to control different ectoparasites, but there is no record of its use for the treatment of tungiasis in dogs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sarolaner for the treatment dogs naturally infested by Tunga spp. kept in the same infested environment. Three of four animals were medicated with sarolaner orally with a single dose of 2 mg/kg, as recommended by the manufacturer, and one animal remained without medication. After 24 hours, the fleas from all four dogs were mechanically removed. The animals were reevaluated on days +15 and +30 to assess possible reinfestation. The medicated animals remained free of fleas, while the untreated animal had fleas on the days previously defined for reevaluation. We can thus conclude that the use of sarolaner is an effective choice for tungiasis treatment.

Tungíase é uma zoonose parasitária dermatológica endêmica na América Latina, causada pela pulga da areia Tunga spp. (Siphonaptera, Tungidae), que promove intenso desconforto, edema, eritema, prurido, dor, infecção bacteriana secundária, celulite e necrose. Sarolaner tem sido utilizado no controle de diversos ectoparasitas, mas não existem registros de seu uso no tratamento de tungíase em cães. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do sarolaner no tratamento de cães naturalmente infestados por Tunga spp. mantidos no mesmo ambiente infestado. Três dos quatro animais foram medicados com sarolaner por via oral em dose única de 2 mg/kg, conforme recomendação do fabricante, e um animal permaneceu sem medicação. Após 24 horas, as pulgas dos quatro cães foram removidas mecanicamente. Os animais foram reavaliados nos dias +15 e +30 para avaliar uma possível reinfestação. Os animais medicados permaneceram livres de pulgas, enquanto o animal não tratado apresentou pulgas nos dias previamente definidos para reavaliação. Podemos assim concluir que o uso do sarolaner é uma escolha eficaz para o tratamento da tungíase.

Leveraging citizen science for monitoring urban forageable plants.

Urbanization brings forth social challenges in emerging countries such as Brazil, encompassing food scarcity, health deterioration, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Despite this, urban areas like the city of São Paulo still boast ample green spaces, offering opportunities for nature appreciation and conservation, enhancing city resilience and livability. Citizen science is a collaborative endeavor between professional scientists and nonprofessional scientists in scientific research that may help to understand the dynamics of urban ecosystems. We believe citizen science has the potential to promote human and nature connection in urban areas and provide useful data on urban biodiversity.

Citizen science data on urban forageable plants: a case study in Brazil.

This paper presents two key data sets derived from the Pomar Urbano project. The first data set is a comprehensive catalog of edible fruit-bearing plant species, native or introduced to Brazil. The second data set, sourced from the iNaturalist platform, tracks the distribution and monitoring of these plants within urban landscapes across Brazil. The study includes data from the capitals of all 27 federative units of Brazil, focusing on the ten cities that contributed the most observations as of August 2023. The research emphasizes the significance of citizen science in urban biodiversity monitoring and its potential to contribute to various fields, including food and nutrition, creative industry, study of plant phenology, and machine learning applications. We expect the data sets presented in this paper to serve as resources for further studies in urban foraging, food security, cultural ecosystem services, and environmental sustainability.

Exploring the impact of inflammatory endotypes on olfactory function and quality of life in chronic rhinosinusitis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to determine the endotypic inflammatory pattern of a sample of patients with CRS in Brazil, correlate it with olfactory function, and evaluate the clinical severity of the disease. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 73 CRS patients were recruited. Patients were classified into type 2 and non-type 2 endotypic patterns based on IgE and eosinophilia levels. All subjects performed the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT®) and responded to the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). RESULTS: The majority of patients had type 2 CRS (n=57, 78.1%). Patients with type 2 CRS compared to non-type 2 CRS had a higher prevalence of nasal polyps (93% vs. 12.5%), asthma (40.3% vs. 12.5%), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD, 17.5% vs. 0%). Type 2 patients also had significantly lower UPSIT® and higher SNOT-22, Lund-Kennedy, and Lund-Mackay scores. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that type 2 CRS is associated with a higher prevalence of nasal polyps, asthma, and NERD, as well as decreased olfactory function and worse quality of life scores. These data will contribute to the body of knowledge on CRS and the development of treatments for this disease in Brazil.

A rare case of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with Cowden syndrome: Association or coincidence?

Cowden Syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene, often presenting a challenging diagnosis due to its diverse clinical manifestations. Although extensively linked to several types of cancer, the precise association between CS and oral malignancies, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), remains poorly understood. This report describes a unique case of late diagnosis of CS in a 53-year-old female patient who later developed SCC in the inferior alveolar ridge, even without exposure to classic risk factors. The need to increase awareness in the medical and dental communities about CS and its manifestations in the oral cavity is highlighted. Early recognition and management of conditions associated with CS have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Encouraging the publication of similar cases is recommended to encourage detailed analyzes and investigations in order to better understand the possible association between the syndrome and the development of malignancies in the oral cavity.

Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas: opinião de especialistas / Guide to the preparation of speech reports for implanted children: opinion of specialists

RESUMO Objetivo Desenvolver guia para elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas para serem compartilhados entre fonoaudiólogos dos serviços de implante coclear (IC) e reabilitadores. Método O método Delphi foi utilizado para selecionar os itens relevantes e fundamentais que deveriam constar nas duas versões propostas para compor o guia: Guia 1 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelo serviço de IC aos reabilitadores, e Guia 2 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelos reabilitadores aos serviços de IC. Vinte e um fonoaudiólogos especialistas e com experiência na área de implante coclear e de reabilitação auditiva participaram da discussão e do julgamento dos itens durante as rodadas de seleção. Considerou-se consenso quando o item obteve a concordância igual ou superior a 80% entre os participantes, sendo selecionados para comporem os dois guias. Resultados Após as duas rodadas, 21 itens do Guia 1 obtiveram consenso entre os terapeutas, ou seja, mais de 80% deles concordaram que estes itens deveriam estar presentes no relatório enviado pelo serviço de IC. Para o Guia 2, 22 itens analisados pelos fonoaudiólogos atuantes em serviços de IC setor pós-operatório, foram selecionados na segunda rodada. Conclusão A partir da análise das duas rodadas, foi desenvolvido o "Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos: intersecção entre serviço de IC e reabilitadores". Este material pode ser aplicado na rotina de acompanhamento de crianças implantadas, padronizando as informações compartilhadas sobre o dispositivo eletrônico, resultados de avaliações, monitoramento dos resultados e processo terapêutico dessa população.

ABSTRACT Purpose To develop a guide for the preparation of speech-language reports of implanted children to be shared among speech-language pathologists of cochlear implant (CI) services and rehabilitation professionals. Methods The Delphi method was used to select the relevant and fundamental items that should be included in the two versions proposed for the guide: Guide 1 - Speech-language reports provided by the CI services to rehabilitators, and Guide 2 - Speech-language reports provided by the rehabilitators to CI services. Twenty-one speech therapists specialized and with experience in cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation participated in the discussion and judgment of the items during the selection rounds. Consensus was considered when the item reached agreement equal to or greater than 80% among participants, being selected to compose the two guides. Results After the two rounds, 21 items from Guide 1 reached consensus among therapists, that is, more than 80% of them agreed that these items should be present in the report sent by the CI service. For Guide 2, 22 items analyzed by speech therapists working in CI services in the postoperative sector were selected in the second round. Conclusion Based on the analysis of the two rounds, the "Guide for the preparation of speech-language pathology reports: intersection between CI service and rehabilitators" was developed. This material can be applied in the follow-up of implanted children, standardizing the information shared about the electronic device, evaluation results, monitoring of results and therapeutic process of this population.

Citizen science expanding knowledge: a new record of the lizard Heterodactylusimbricatus (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in south-eastern Brazil.

Background: Through citizen science projects, like Projeto Bromélias, community members contribute valuable data on species diversity, notably those with low detectability like the Heterodactylusimbricatus lizard. A recent observation in the State of Espírito Santo (south-eastern Brazil), amidst coffee and eucalyptus crops, highlights the utility of widespread technology use in tracking and documenting wildlife. Such initiatives are especially beneficial for mapping the distribution of rare, endemic or endangered reptiles. Therefore, we advocate for more citizen science initiatives near protected areas, involving local communities. New information: We provide a new record for the species Heterodactylusimbricatus, a microteiid lizard of low detectability from the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil. Heterodactylusimbricatus (Rio de Janeiro Teiid) was recorded near the protected area "Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi" by a citizen volunteer who contributes herpetofauna records to the Bromelias Project (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/projeto-bromelias). Heterodactylusimbricatus is a very poorly-known species in the localities where it occurs, probably due to its fossorial habit, genera's restricted occurrence range, habitat specificity and the absence of proper survey methods fitted to fossorial species, such as the utilisation of pitfall traps. By publishing the records of volunteer citizens, we hope that more people will contribute to increase the knowledge of biodiversity in the mountainous region of Espírito Santo State and expand our collective knowledge.

Guide to the preparation of speech reports for implanted children: opinion of specialists. / Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas: opinião de especialistas.

PURPOSE: To develop a guide for the preparation of speech-language reports of implanted children to be shared among speech-language pathologists of cochlear implant (CI) services and rehabilitation professionals. METHODS: The Delphi method was used to select the relevant and fundamental items that should be included in the two versions proposed for the guide: Guide 1 - Speech-language reports provided by the CI services to rehabilitators, and Guide 2 - Speech-language reports provided by the rehabilitators to CI services. Twenty-one speech therapists specialized and with experience in cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation participated in the discussion and judgment of the items during the selection rounds. Consensus was considered when the item reached agreement equal to or greater than 80% among participants, being selected to compose the two guides. RESULTS: After the two rounds, 21 items from Guide 1 reached consensus among therapists, that is, more than 80% of them agreed that these items should be present in the report sent by the CI service. For Guide 2, 22 items analyzed by speech therapists working in CI services in the postoperative sector were selected in the second round. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of the two rounds, the "Guide for the preparation of speech-language pathology reports: intersection between CI service and rehabilitators" was developed. This material can be applied in the follow-up of implanted children, standardizing the information shared about the electronic device, evaluation results, monitoring of results and therapeutic process of this population.

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver guia para elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas para serem compartilhados entre fonoaudiólogos dos serviços de implante coclear (IC) e reabilitadores. MÉTODO: O método Delphi foi utilizado para selecionar os itens relevantes e fundamentais que deveriam constar nas duas versões propostas para compor o guia: Guia 1 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelo serviço de IC aos reabilitadores, e Guia 2 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelos reabilitadores aos serviços de IC. Vinte e um fonoaudiólogos especialistas e com experiência na área de implante coclear e de reabilitação auditiva participaram da discussão e do julgamento dos itens durante as rodadas de seleção. Considerou-se consenso quando o item obteve a concordância igual ou superior a 80% entre os participantes, sendo selecionados para comporem os dois guias. RESULTADOS: Após as duas rodadas, 21 itens do Guia 1 obtiveram consenso entre os terapeutas, ou seja, mais de 80% deles concordaram que estes itens deveriam estar presentes no relatório enviado pelo serviço de IC. Para o Guia 2, 22 itens analisados pelos fonoaudiólogos atuantes em serviços de IC setor pós-operatório, foram selecionados na segunda rodada. CONCLUSÃO: A partir da análise das duas rodadas, foi desenvolvido o "Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos: intersecção entre serviço de IC e reabilitadores". Este material pode ser aplicado na rotina de acompanhamento de crianças implantadas, padronizando as informações compartilhadas sobre o dispositivo eletrônico, resultados de avaliações, monitoramento dos resultados e processo terapêutico dessa população.

Effectiveness of Computerized Auditory Training on Speech Perception in Children With Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using computerized auditory training in the auditory perception of speech in children who use electronic devices through a systematic review of the literature. METHOD: This is a systematic review based on the elaboration of the following guiding question: In hearing-impaired children who use electronic devices, how effective is the use of computerized auditory training in the auditory perception of speech? The Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and gray literature (Google Scholar and ProQuest) were consulted. RESULTS: Nine hundred and eighteen records were identified, with additional two studies in the citation search, totaling 920 studies. After excluding the 184 duplicate references, using the Rayyan platform, the titles and abstracts were screened (n = 736), with 20 studies selected and considered for full reading. Six of the 20 studies were included in the systematic review of the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Positive and beneficial results regarding computerized auditory training are evidenced, which describe and discuss the proof of the effectiveness of the positive effects on the auditory perception of speech in children using hearing aids and cochlear implants with regard to auditory detection skills, discrimination, recognition, and auditory memory. The positive results are inspiring for the continuity and expansion of studies that further investigate the use of computerized auditory training with contemporary technologies and have an impact on the improvement of access to specialized intervention.

Middle ear cholesteatoma in two cats diagnosed with the aid of video-otoscopy.

Case series summary: The present report describes middle ear cholesteatoma in two cats and also the use of video-otoscopy and flushing to assist with the diagnosis. CT and video-otoscopic examination and flushing were performed in two cats, a 13-year-old mixed breed spayed female cat and a 1-year-old mixed breed male cat, with middle ear cholesteatomas. During the procedure, keratinous material from the middle ears was collected for histopathological evaluation, demonstrating findings consistent with cholesteatoma, and the middle ears were flushed extensively. Relevance and novel information: There is little information about middle ear cholesteatoma in cats, and to the authors' knowledge, there are no reports in cats investigating the use of video-otoscopy to aid in the diagnosis of aural cholesteatoma, and this report demonstrates that it can aid in the diagnosis of this condition in cats. In addition, one of the cats had a concurrent otic polyp, which has not been previously reported in cats with cholesteatoma. Additionally, this is the first report of cholesteatoma in a young cat. The access to the cholesteatoma material was via ventral bulla osteotomy in one cat and via external canal without video-otoscopy in the other. More information regarding cholesteatoma in cats will help identify potential similarities and differences of this condition in cats compared with humans and dogs.

High Prevalence of Energy and Nutrients Inadequacy among Brazilian Older Adults.

Poor nutrition increases the risk of diseases and adverse health outcomes in older adults. We evaluated the potential inadequacy of nutrient intake among older adults in Brazil and its association with body anthropometry and composition outcomes. Dietary intake was obtained from 295 community-living older adults (>60 years old), of both genders, using a seven-day food record. Nutrient inadequacy was further identified based on the Dietary Reference Intakes and European Guidelines. Skeletal muscle mass (SM), strength and performance, and the diagnosis of sarcopenia were assessed using reference methods. Nutritional inadequacy was high, with energy, dietary fiber, and six micronutrients exhibiting the greatest inadequacy levels (>80%). Energy intake was correlated with SM strength (p = 0.000) and performance (p = 0.001). Inadequate energy, fiber, and protein intakes influenced BMI, while inadequate intake of vitamin B6 directly affected the diagnosis of sarcopenia (p ≤ 0.005). Further research is required to investigate whether these inadequacies can be associated with other clinical health outcomes.

Isolated Intracardiac Metastasis: The First Sign of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to the right atrium without invasion of the inferior vena cava is a very rare and difficult diagnosis, especially when the primary tumour is yet to be known. A 68-year-old man with symptoms of heart failure was admitted to the emergency department; his transthoracic echocardiogram showed a mass comprehending almost the totality of the right atrium, obliterating its entrance nearly completely and impeding the normal auricular-ventricular flux, described as a possible auricular myxoma. The patient was promptly transferred to cardiothoracic surgery and submitted to an urgent surgery to completely remove the mass, which was macroscopically described as suspected of malignancy. Further investigation demonstrated a single nodule in the liver with malignant imaging characteristics, and the histology confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic HCC of the right atrium, without metastatic disease elsewhere. He was then submitted to radiofrequency ablation and medicated with sorafenib. The disease progressed slowly but subsequently involved the inferior vena cava and portal vein, culminating in his death 4 years and 3 months after the diagnosis. Although the prognosis for metastatic HCC may be poor, especially with intracavitary heart metastasis, this case shows that an aggressive initial approach with surgical metastasectomy may prolong the median survival of the patients.

A metastização intracardíaca de um carcinoma hepatocelular sem invasão da veia cava inferior é um diagnóstico raro e difícil, especialmente quando o tumor primário não foi ainda diagnosticado. Um homem de 68 anos foi admitido no Serviço de Urgência com sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca aguda. O ecocardiograma transtorácico mostrou uma massa que atingia quase a totalidade da aurícula direita, praticamente obliterando a sua entrada e impedindo o normal fluxo auriculoventricular, descrita como possível mixoma auricular. O doente foi imediatamente transferido para cirurgia cardiotorácica e submetido a cirurgia urgente para resseção da massa que foi macroscopicamente descrita como suspeita de malignidade. A investigação subsequente demonstrou um nódulo isolado hepático com características imagiológicas de malignidade, e a histologia da massa auricular confirmou o diagnóstico de metastização auricular de carcinoma hepatocelular. O doente foi posteriormente submetido a ablação por radiofrequência e medicado com sorafenib, com progressão lenta mas contínua da doença e subsequente atingimento metastático da veia cava inferior e veia porta, que culminou na sua morte quatro anos e três meses após o diagnóstico. Apesar do prognóstico ser reservado para o carcinoma hepatocelular metastático, especialmente na presença de metástases intracardíacas, este caso clínico mostra que uma abordagem inicial mais agressiva com metastasectomia pode prolongar a sobrevida média dos doentes.