Effect of temperature on gonadal differentiation and growth of Leporinus friderici.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on gonadal differentiation, growth, survival, and sex ratio of Leporinus friderici reared at 25 °C or 29 °C from 50 to 240 days after eclosion (DAE) in a water recirculation system. A total of 110 fish at 50 DAE (6.7 ± 0.1 cm and 6.1 ± 0.3 g) were equally and randomly distributed in 10 boxes (90 L) (11 fish/box, 5 boxes/temperature). One fish from each experimental unit was randomly sampled at 50, 70, 90, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190, 210 and 240 DAE. Female gonadal differentiation started at 150 DAE (11.4 ± 0.0 cm and 16.4 ± 0.0 g) at 25 °C and at 170 DAE (10.7 ± 0.7 cm and 27.7 ± 8.5 g) at 29 ºC, while testes differentiation only occurred at 29 °C from 190 DAE (12.1 ± 0.0 cm and 38.0 ± 0.0 g). Of 50 fishes sampled in each condition, 17 (12 females and five males) and three (three females) displayed gonadal differentiation at 29 °C and 25 °C, respectively. Final biometric values at 29 °C were twice those obtained at 25 °C, reaching 13.9 ± 0.65 cm and 57.3 ± 10.12 g versus 11.2 ± 0.39 cm and 28.5 ± 2.95 g, respectively. While temperature clearly influenced gonadal differentiation and growth, it had inconclusive effects on sex ratio. The higher temperature (29 °C) has direct implications for the production of this species, as it accelerates growth without causing mortality.

COVID-19 cases, vaccination, and SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater: insights from a Brazilian municipality.

Vaccines combatting COVID-19 demonstrate the ability to protect against disease and hospitalization, and reduce the likelihood of death caused by SARS-CoV-2. In addition, monitoring viral loads in sewage emerges as another crucial strategy in the epidemiological context, enabling early and collective detection of outbreaks. The study aimed to monitor the viral concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated sewage in a Brazilian municipality. Also, it attempted to correlate these measurements with the number of clinical cases and deaths resulting from COVID-19 between July 2021 and July 2022. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was quantified by RT-qPCR. Pearson's correlation was performed to analyze the variables' relationship using the number of cases, deaths, vaccinated individuals, and viral concentration of SARS-CoV-2. The results revealed a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) between the number of vaccinated individuals and the viral concentration of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that after vaccination, the RNA viral load concentration was reduced in the sample population by the circulating concentration of wastewater. Consequently, wastewater monitoring, in addition to functioning as an early warning system for the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens, can offer a novel perspective that enhances decision-making, strengthens vaccination campaigns, and contributes to authorities establishing systematic networks for monitoring SARS-CoV-2.

The financial impact of neonatal sepsis on the Brazilian Unified Health System.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hospital cost of newborn infants diagnosed with sepsis from the perspective of the Brazilian Public Health System over 11 years. METHOD: Cross-sectional study that analyzed secondary data from the databases of the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Public Health System. Infants hospitalized between 0‒29 days after birth with a diagnosis of sepsis from 2008 to 2018 were included. The diagnosis used in the study was the one that the hospital considered the main diagnosis at admission. Costs were analyzed in US dollars and reflected the amount paid by the Brazilian Public Health System to the hospitals for the informed diagnosis upon admission. The costs were evaluated as the total per admission, and they were compared among Brazilian geographic regions, among etiologic agents, and between neonates with the diagnosis of sepsis that survived or died. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2018, 47,554 newborns were hospitalized with sepsis (148.04 cases per 100,000 live births), with an average cost of US$ 3345.59 per hospitalization, ranging from US$ 2970.60 in the North region to US$ 4305.03 in the Midwest. Among sepsis with identified agents, the highest mean cost was related to Gram-negative agents, and the lowest to Streptococcus agalactiae sepsis. Patients with sepsis who died had a higher cost than the survivors (t-test; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of costs related to neonatal sepsis in the country during an 11-year period shows the economic impact of morbidity that may be avoided by improving the quality of neonatal care.

Characterization of Comments About bioRxiv and medRxiv Preprints.

Importance: Preprints have been increasingly used in biomedical science, and a key feature of many platforms is public commenting. The content of these comments, however, has not been well studied, and it is unclear whether they resemble those found in journal peer review. Objective: To describe the content of comments on the bioRxiv and medRxiv preprint platforms. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional study, preprints posted on the bioRxiv and medRxiv platforms in 2020 were accessed through each platform's application programming interface on March 29, 2021, and a random sample of preprints containing between 1 and 20 comments was evaluated independently by 3 evaluators using an instrument to assess their features and general content. Main Outcome and Measures: The numbers and percentages of comments from authors or nonauthors were assessed, and the comments from nonauthors were assessed for content. These nonauthor comments were assessed to determine whether they included compliments, criticisms, corrections, suggestions, or questions, as well as their topics (eg, relevance, interpretation, and methods). Nonauthor comments were also analyzed to determine whether they included references, provided a summary of the findings, or questioned the preprint's conclusions. Results: Of 52 736 preprints, 3850 (7.3%) received at least 1 comment (mean [SD] follow-up, 7.5 [3.6] months), and the 1921 assessed comments (from 1037 preprints) had a median length of 43 words (range, 1-3172 words). The criticisms, corrections, or suggestions present in 694 of 1125 comments (61.7%) were the most prevalent content, followed by compliments (n = 428 [38.0%]) and questions (n = 393 [35.0%]). Criticisms usually regarded interpretation (n = 286), methodological design (n = 267), and data collection (n = 238), while compliments were mainly about relevance (n = 111) and implications (n = 72). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of preprint comments, topics commonly associated with journal peer review were frequent. However, only a small percentage of preprints posted on the bioRxiv and medRxiv platforms in 2020 received comments on these platforms. A clearer taxonomy of peer review roles would help to describe whether postpublication peer review fulfills them.

Mulheres de Bairros Populares em Caxias-MA: Vidas que (Re)Existem / Women From Low-Income Neighborhoods in Caxias-MA: Lives that Exist / Mujeres de Barrios Populares de Caxias-MA: Vidas que (Re) Existen

O presente estudo parte das experiências das mulheres nos bairros populares de uma cidade do interior do Maranhão, Caxias. Objetivou-se conhecer as histórias de vida das mulheres desses bairros, os seus modos de vida e resistência em suas vivencias diárias. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa que tem como base a produção de sentido no cotidiano. Participaram cinco mulheres de quatro bairros populares do município. Foram utilizadas a observação no cotidiano, conversas no cotidiano e entrevista semiestruturada. Para a análise foi utilizado o mapa dialógico de produção de sentidos. Percebeu-se que as mulheres atuam enquanto sujeitas ativas em seus bairros buscando por melhores condições de vida, em prol de educação e infraestrutura, a partir da formação de uma rede de sociabilidade e solidariedade, à frente de clube de mães, associação de moradores e grupo de dança enquanto formas de resistência. Logo, entende-se que esse estudo pode contribuir com a literatura e discussões sobre mulheres de contextos periféricos de regiões não metropolitanas.

The present study is based on the experiences of women from the low-income neighborhoods of Caxias, a country town in the Brazilian State of Maranhão. The purpose was to investigate the life stories of women who live in that neighborhoods, their ways of life, and resistance in their daily experiences. This is a qualitative research that is based on the production of meaning in everyday life. We have researched five women from four low-income neighborhoods in the city through daily observation, daily conversations, and semi-structured interviews. We have used the dialogic map of production of meaning for this analysis. It was noticed that women act as active subjects in their neighborhoods, looking for better living conditions towards education and infrastructure. They do it building a network of sociability and solidarity which includes a front of mothers' club, community association, and dance group as forms of resistance. Therefore, we realize that this study can contribute to the literature and to the discussion about women from peripheral contexts of non-metropolitan regions.

El presente estudio se basa en las experiencias de mujeres en los barrios populares de una ciudad del interior de Maranhão, Caxias. El objetivo fue conocer las historias de vida de mujeres que viven en barrios populares de Caxias do Maranhão, sus formas de vida y resistencia en sus experiencias cotidianas. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa que se fundamenta en la producción de sentido en la vida cotidiana. Participaron cinco mujeres de cuatro barrios populares de la ciudad. Se utilizó la observación diaria, conversaciones diarias y entrevistas semiestructuradas. Para el análisis se utilizó el mapa dialógico de producción de sentido. Se percibió que las mujeres actúan como sujetos activos en sus barrios buscando mejores condiciones de vida, a favor de la educación e infraestructura, a partir de la formación de una red de sociabilidad y solidaridad, al frente del club de madres, asociación de vecinos y grupo de baile como formas de resistencia. Por lo tanto, se entiende que este estudio puede contribuir a la literatura y discusiones sobre mujeres de contextos periféricos de regiones no metropolitanas.

Attempts for increasing Astyanax altiparanae spawning rates and percentage of responsive oocytes.

In this study, we aimed to propose changes in the protocol of cultured Astyanax altiparanae hypophysation to increase the maximum ovulation rate of 60% registered previously. To that two consecutive experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, three carp pituitary homogenate (CPH) doses (3, 6, and 9 mg/kg) were administered in a single injection, while in the second experiment, the 6 mg/kg CPH dose was tested either in single or double injections. In the first experiment, a single injection of 3 mg/kg CPH did not induce final oocyte maturation or spawning, while a dose of 6 mg/kg CPH resulted in an increase in the plasma level of prostaglandin (PGF2α) at ovulation. The single higher dose of 9 mg/kg CPH did not improve reproductive performance and even though anticipated the resumption of meiosis it was detrimental to the spawning rate. In the second experiment, the dose of 6 mg/kg CPH fractionated into two injections led to a higher spawning rate, spawning volume per female body mass, frequency of post-ovulatory complexes, and PGF2α concentration at ovulation compared to the single injection. The most effective treatment remained the 6 mg/kg of CPH fractionated into two injections, but still providing very low proportion of ovulated females (∼40 %). Overall, this study indicates that the spawning protocols for this species need to be improved to induce ovulation in a larger number of females and be more potent in those females that respond positively.

Transcriptome Analysis of Co-Cultures of THP-1 Human Macrophages with Inactivated Germinated Trichophyton rubrum Conidia.

Although most mycoses are superficial, the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum can cause systemic infections in patients with a weakened immune system, resulting in serious and deep lesions. The aim of this study was to analyze the transcriptome of a human monocyte/macrophage cell line (THP-1) co-cultured with inactivated germinated T. rubrum conidia (IGC) in order to characterize deep infection. Analysis of macrophage viability by lactate dehydrogenase quantification showed the activation of the immune system after 24 h of contact with live germinated T. rubrum conidia (LGC). After standardization of the co-culture conditions, the release of the interleukins TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-12 was quantified. The greater release of IL-12 was observed during co-culturing of THP-1 with IGC, while there was no change in the other cytokines. Next-generation sequencing of the response to T. rubrum IGC identified the modulation of 83 genes; of these, 65 were induced and 18 were repressed. The categorization of the modulated genes showed their involvement in signal transduction, cell communication, and immune response pathways. In total, 16 genes were selected for validation and Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.98, indicating a high correlation between RNA-seq and qPCR. Modulation of the expression of all genes was similar for LGC and IGC co-culture; however, the fold-change values were higher for LGC. Due to the high expression of the IL-32 gene in RNA-seq, we quantified this interleukin and observed an increased release in co-culture with T. rubrum. In conclusion, the macrophages-T. rubrum co-culture model revealed the ability of these cells to modulate the immune response, as demonstrated by the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the RNA-seq gene expression profile. The results obtained permit to identify possible molecular targets that are modulated in macrophages and that could be explored in antifungal therapies involving the activation of the immune system.

The financial impact of neonatal sepsis on the Brazilian Unified Health System

Abstract Objective To evaluate the hospital cost of newborn infants diagnosed with sepsis from the perspective of the Brazilian Public Health System over 11 years. Method Cross-sectional study that analyzed secondary data from the databases of the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Public Health System. Infants hospitalized between 0‒29 days after birth with a diagnosis of sepsis from 2008 to 2018 were included. The diagnosis used in the study was the one that the hospital considered the main diagnosis at admission. Costs were analyzed in US dollars and reflected the amount paid by the Brazilian Public Health System to the hospitals for the informed diagnosis upon admission. The costs were evaluated as the total per admission, and they were compared among Brazilian geographic regions, among etiologic agents, and between neonates with the diagnosis of sepsis that survived or died. Results From 2008 to 2018, 47,554 newborns were hospitalized with sepsis (148.04 cases per 100,000 live births), with an average cost of US$ 3345.59 per hospitalization, ranging from US$ 2970.60 in the North region to US$ 4305.03 in the Midwest. Among sepsis with identified agents, the highest mean cost was related to Gram-negative agents, and the lowest to Streptococcus agalactiae sepsis. Patients with sepsis who died had a higher cost than the survivors (t-test; p= 0.046). Conclusions The evaluation of costs related to neonatal sepsis in the country during an 11-year period shows the economic impact of morbidity that may be avoided by improving the quality of neonatal care.

Behavioral manifestations in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition associated with severe social communication, interaction, and sensory processing impairments. Efforts to understand its etiology and pathophysiology are crucial for improving treatment and prevention measures. Preclinical models of ASD are essential for investigating the biological mechanisms and should present translatability potential. We aim to evaluate the consistency of the most commonly used rodent models of ASD in displaying autistic-like behavior through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: This review will focus on the most frequently used autism models, surveying studies of six genetic (Ube3a, Pten, Nlgn3, Shank3, Mecp2, and Fmr1), three chemically induced (valproic acid (VPA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))), and one inbred model (BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse strain). Two independent reviewers will screen the records. Data extraction of behavioral outcomes and risk of bias evaluation will be performed. We will conduct a meta-analysis whenever at least five studies investigate the same model and behavioral outcome. We will also explore the heterogeneity and publication bias. Network meta-analyses are planned to compare different models. DISCUSSION: By shortening the gap between animal behavior and human endophenotypes or specific clinical symptoms, we expect to help researchers on which rodent models are adequate for research of specific behavioral manifestations of autism, which potentially require a combination of them depending on the research interest. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021226299 .

Impacto dos programas de expansão das universidades federais no perfil de estudantes de psicologia / Impact of federal university expansion programs on the profile of psychology students / Impacto de los programas de expansión de las universidades federales en el perfil de los estudiantes de psicología

Diante do quadro de expansão e reestruturação das universidades federais no Brasil, o presente trabalho visa investigar seu impacto no perfil de estudantes de Psicologia. Objetiva-se traçar um panorama dos cursos de Psicologia vinculados às Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior no Brasil e analisar os efeitos da ampliação e interiorização no acesso ao ensino superior federal sobre o perfil dos estudantes que têm ingressado nos cursos de graduação em Psicologia no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo documental, com base nos microdados do Censo do Ensino Superior no Brasil e do Exame Nacional do Desempenho dos Estudantes (Enade), divulgados em domínio público pelo Ministério da Educação (MEC). Foram selecionados apenas os estudantes de Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior (Ifes) para compor a amostra final de 3.059 estudantes. A análise foi realizada por meio do Software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows versão 21, com base no teste qui-quadrado (χ2) de independência e grau de significância 0,05 (p<0,05). Observou-se avanços quanto à ampliação do acesso de estudantes com perfil socioeconômico menos elitizado nos cursos de graduação em Psicologia das Ifes, sobretudo no que diz respeito àqueles oriundos de famílias com renda mais baixa, com mães e pais com menor escolaridade, e que estudam em municípios de porte populacional menor, cujo estudo é proporcionado pelos programas de expansão à educação superior no país. Nessa lógica, entende-se a importância dessas políticas como estratégia de deselitização do perfil do estudante de graduação brasileiro.(AU)

In view of the expansion and restructuring of federal universities in Brazil, the present work aims to investigate its impact on the profile of Psychology students. It aims to draw a panorama of Psychology courses linked to the Federal Institutions of Higher Education in Brazil and to analyze the effects of the expansion and internalization in the access to federal higher education in the profile of students who have entered the Psychology undergraduate courses in Brazil. This is a documental study, based on microdata from the Census of Higher Education in Brazil and from the National Exam of Student Performance (ENADE), released in the public domain by the Ministry of Education (MEC). Only students from Federal Higher Education Institutions (IFES) were selected to compose the final sample of 3,059 students. The analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 21, based on the chi-square test (χ2) of independence and 0.05 significance level (p<0.05). Advances were observed in increasing the access of students with a less elitist socioeconomic profile in undergraduate courses in Psychology in the IFES, especially those coming from families with lower income, with mothers and fathers with less education, and who study in cities with smaller population, provided by the Higher Education Expansion Programs in the country. In this logic, it is possible to understand the importance of these policies as a strategy for de-elitizing the profile of the Brazilian undergraduate student.(AU)

Dado el marco de expansión y reestructuración de las universidades federales en Brasil, este trabajo pretende investigar su impacto en el perfil de los estudiantes de Psicología. Tiene como objetivo trazar un panorama de los cursos de Psicología vinculados a las Instituciones Federales de Educación Superior en Brasil y analizar los efectos de la expansión e internalización en el acceso a la educación superior federal en el perfil de los estudiantes que han ingresado a los cursos de pregrado de Psicología en Brasil. Se trata de un estudio documental, basado en los microdatos del Censo de la Enseñanza Superior en Brasil y del Examen Nacional de Rendimiento Estudiantil (ENADE), divulgados al público por el Ministerio de Educación (MEC). Sólo se seleccionaron los estudiantes de las Instituciones Federales de Enseñanza Superior (IFES) para componer la muestra final de 3.059 estudiantes. El análisis se realizó con el paquete estadístico para las ciencias sociales (SPSS) para Windows versión 21, basado en la prueba de chi-cuadrado (χ2) de independencia y un nivel de significación de 0,05 (p<0,05). Se observaron avances en la ampliación del acceso de estudiantes con un perfil socioeconómico menos elitista en los cursos de pregrado en Psicología en el IFES, especialmente en lo que respecta a los que provienen de familias con menores ingresos, con madres y padres con menos educación, y que estudian en ciudades con menor población, proporcionados por los Programas de Expansión de la Educación Superior en el país. En esta lógica, es posible entender la importancia de estas políticas como estrategia para deselitizar el perfil del estudiante brasileño de pregrado.(AU)

Dental trauma in primary dentition and the importance of its preservation until the eruption of permanent successor: a 6-year follow-up case report.

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are a public health concern that requires special attention in primary dentition due to the sequel that can be originated in permanent dentition. This paper aims to report a dental trauma injury highlighting the importance of follow-up the traumatized primary tooth until the eruption of its permanent successor. A 3-year-old female patient referred to a Dental Trauma Care Program (DTCP) in a Brazilian Public University after falling from her own height with the involvement of the deciduous maxillary left central incisor. The child's mother did not seek immediate care. The patient did not have any complaint and the tooth presented an enamel fracture during the clinical examination without radiographic alterations. The procedure performed was occlusal wear and insertion of the patient into the DTCP. After a 6-months clinical and radiographic follow-up, the primary maxillary left central incisor presented crown discoloration and periapical bone rarefaction. The treatment was pulpectomy followed by restoration of the tooth. In the 3-year follow-up, prolonged retention occurred and tooth extraction was the treatment of choice. After a 6-year follow-up, the permanent teeth erupted without any sequelae. TDIs are frequent in the primary dentition and, in some circumstances may interfere with the normal development of the permanent tooth causing irreversible sequelae. This case report reinforces the importance of seeking immediate care whenever dental traumas occur. Besides, a long-term follow-up of the traumatized tooth is essential for successful outcomes. Clinical and radiographic monitoring is fundamental to help dental professionals to decide the best treatment and to minimize potential complications.

Factors associated with pulp canal obliteration due to traumatic injuries in deciduous teeth: a retrospective study.

Pulp canal obliteration (PCO) presents itself as a frequent pulp complication in traumatized primary teeth, characterized as a progressive deposition of hard tissue in the root canal. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the association between PCO due to the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in deciduous teeth and specific factors. For this, a retrospective study was carried out through 210 medical records selected from the Dental Trauma Care Program from 2012 to 2019. After applying the eligibility criteria, 371 deciduous teeth were included. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and Fischer's exact test. The occurrence of PCO was observed in 4.9%. Associated factors such as age (P=0.63), sex (P=0.47) and search for care (P=0.87) did not influence the occurrence of PCO. Concerning the type of TDI and development of PCO, the injury of subluxation showed a statistically significant association (P=0.01). There was an association of PCO with other TDI complications such as crown discoloration (P<0.01) and acceleration of physiological root resorption (P=0.01). No statistically significant association was found regarding the development of sequelae in permanent successors and PCO (P>0.05). Based on this study, PCO was not a frequent complication of TDI in deciduous teeth in the population evaluated. PCO was associated with subluxation, crown discoloration, and acceleration of physiological root resorption. However, it did not show association with any related factor (age, sex, and seeking care) and the development of clinical or radio graphical sequelae in permanent successors.

Impact of Oral Health on the Quality of Life of Preschoolers and Their Families.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the oral hygiene condition can influence the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of preschoolers and their families. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 446 children aged 2 to 6 years from public schools located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The groups were dichotomized: regular/poor oral hygiene condition (RPOH) or good oral hygiene condition (GOH). The caregivers answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). The average score in the RPOH group was 6.36 (6.35 DP) and GOH was 4.43 (5.35 SD) (P < .01). In the child subscale, the average of the RPOH and GOH group were, respectively, 4.12 (4.14 DP) and 3.13 (3.66 DP) (P = .01). In the family subscale, RPOH and GOH group were, respectively, 2.24 (3.12 DP) and 1.29 (2.52 DP) (P = .01). RPOH group had the greatest impact on OHRQoL.

Dental trauma in primary dentition, its effect on permanent successors and on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: a 4-year follow-up case report.

Traumatic dental injury (TDI) in deciduous teeth can affect itself and subsequent dentition due to its close anatomical relationship with the permanent germ. Besides, it can have psychologically undesirable effects on children and their parents and impact their Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). In this case report, we aimed to describe a TDI in primary dentition that presented sequel on primary and on permanent dentition as well to describe the impact on OHRQoL after 4 years of follow-up. A 4-year-old boy was referred to the Dental Trauma Care Program (DTCP) six months after an accident at school that resulted in TDI. In deciduous dentition, the tooth 51 presented periapical lesion due to lateral luxation and tooth 61 presented pulp canal obliteration due to a concussion. The teeth received appropriate treatment. After 4 years of follow-up, in the permanent dentition, tooth 11 presented mild disturbance (demarcated opacity) as sequel of TDI in deciduous dentition. The patient's OHRQoL was evaluated throughout this process until the eruption of the permanent tooth. TDI and the sequelae on permanent tooth had a negative impact on the patient's OHRQoL. TDI treatment improved the patient's OHRQoL. This case report reinforces the importance of regular follow-up of traumatized teeth as it can affect both dentitions with a negative impact on OHRQoL.

Epidemiology and Diagnostic Perspectives of Dermatophytoses.

Dermatophytoses affect about 25% of the world population, and the filamentous fungus Trichophyton rubrum is the main causative agent of this group of diseases. Dermatomycoses are caused by pathogenic fungi that generally trigger superficial infections and that feed on keratinized substrates such as skin, hair, and nails. However, there are an increasing number of reports describing dermatophytes that invade deep layers such as the dermis and hypodermis and that can cause deep infections in diabetic and immunocompromised patients, as well as in individuals with immunodeficiency. Despite the high incidence and importance of dermatophytes in clinical mycology, the diagnosis of this type of infection is not always accurate. The conventional methods most commonly used for mycological diagnosis are based on the identification of microbiological and biochemical features. However, in view of the limitations of these conventional methods, molecular diagnostic techniques are increasingly being used because of their higher sensitivity, specificity and rapidity and have become more accessible. The most widely used molecular techniques are conventional PCR, quantitative PCR, multiplex PCR, nested, PCR, PCR-RFLP, and PCR-ELISA. Another promising technique for the identification of microorganisms is the analysis of protein profiles by MALDI-TOF MS. Molecular techniques are promising but it is necessary to improve the quality and availability of the information in genomic and proteomic databases in order to streamline the use of bioinformatics in the identification of dermatophytes of clinical interest.

Two years into the Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative: reflections on conducting a large-scale replication of Brazilian biomedical science.

Scientists have increasingly recognised that low methodological and analytical rigour combined with publish-or-perish incentives can make the published scientific literature unreliable. As a response to this, large-scale systematic replications of the literature have emerged as a way to assess the problem empirically. The Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative is one such effort, aimed at estimating the reproducibility of Brazilian biomedical research. Its goal is to perform multicentre replications of a quasi-random sample of at least 60 experiments from Brazilian articles published over a 20-year period, using a set of common laboratory methods. In this article, we describe the challenges of managing a multicentre project with collaborating teams across the country, as well as its successes and failures over the first two years. We end with a brief discussion of the Initiative's current status and its possible future contributions after the project is concluded in 2021.

Construção do apego entre o binômio mãe e bebê pré-termo mediado pelo posicionamento canguru / Construcción del apego entre el binomio madre y bebé prematuro por medio de la posición canguro / Building the attachment between mother and preterm baby dyad mediated by kangaroo position

Objetivo: Compreender como as mães vivenciam o posicionamento canguru, na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal e apreender a percepção sobre as relações de apego com seus bebês mediadas pelo posicionamento canguru. Método: Caráter qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório. Participaram 9 mães maiores de 18 anos com filhos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal com idade gestacional igual ou inferior a 30 semanas, que realizaram o posicionamento canguru, pelo menos duas vezes. Foram excluídas mães que já tiveram filhos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal, mães de gemelares, com diagnóstico psiquiátrico e usuárias de psicoativos. A coleta aconteceu, por meio do preenchimento de ficha para obtenção de dadossociodemográficos, entrevista semiestruturada antes e após a realização da posição canguru e o diário da participante. O encerramento da coleta deu-se por saturação e foram analisados, conforme Análise de Conteúdo, na modalidade temática. Resultados: Os dados foram agrupados por temas, emergiram as seguintes categorias: maternidade no contexto da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal, Interação mãe-bebê, durante a gestação e após o Canguru, Expectativa e realidade materna, em relação ao Canguru. Conclusão: A posição canguru cumpre sua função conforme norma do Ministério da Saúde, tanto para benefícios clínicos para o bebê como para humanização e aumento do apego mãe-bebê.(AU)

Objective: To understand how mothers experience and perceive the attachment relationship with their babies mediated by the kangaroo position in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit . Method: This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study. Nine mothers over 18 years of age with children admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with gestational age equal to or less than 30 weeks, and who performed the kangaroo positioning at least twice participated in this study. Mothers who already had children hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, had twins, had a psychiatric diagnosis and used psychoactive drugs were excluded. Data collection took place by filling out a form to obtain sociodemographic data, by performing semi-structured interviews before and after the kangaroo position, and by analyzing the participant's' diaries. The criterion to end data collectionwas saturation and data were analyzed according to Content Analysis. Results: The data were grouped in themes, and divided into the following categories: Maternity in the context of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Mother-baby interaction during pregnancy and after the Kangaroo, Expectation and maternal reality concerning the Kangaroo. Conclusion: the kangaroo position fulfilled its function according to the Ministry of Health standard, both for clinical benefits for the baby and humanization, and increased mother-baby attachment.(AU)

Objetivo: Comprender cómo las madres experimentan la posición canguro en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales y comprender la percepción de las relaciones de apego con sus bebés por medio de la posición canguro. Método: Cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio. Participaron nueve madres mayores de 18 años con hijos ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales con edad gestacional igual o menor a 30 semanas, quienes realizaron la posición canguro al menos dos veces. Se excluyeron las madres que ya tenían hijos hospitalizados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales, madres con gemelos, con diagnóstico psiquiátrico y consumidoras de psicoactivos. La recogida se realizó mediante las respuestas de un formulario de obtención de datos sociodemográficos, entrevista semiestructurada antes y después de realizar la posición canguro y diario del participante. El cierre de la recolección de datos fue por saturación y se analizaron según Análisis de Contenido, en la modalidad temática. Resultados: Los datos fueron agrupados por temas, surgieron las siguientes categorías: Maternidad en el contexto de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales, Interacción madre-bebé durante el embarazo y después del Canguro, Expectativa y realidad materna con relación al Canguro. Conclusión: La posición canguro cumple su función según el estándar del Ministerio de Salud, tanto por los beneficios clínicos para el bebé como por la humanización y el aumento del apego madre-bebé(AU)

Expression of genes containing tandem repeat patterns involved in the fungal-host interaction and in the response to antifungals in Trichophyton rubrum.

BACKGROUND: Trichophyton rubrum is the most common aetiological agent of human dermatophytoses. These infections mainly occur in keratinised layers such as skin, hair and nails because the fungus uses keratin as a nutrient source. Fluconazole and amphotericin are antifungal agents most commonly used to treat dermatophytoses and acts on cell membrane ergosterol. Despite the clinical importance of T rubrum, the mechanisms underlying the fungal-host relationship have not yet been clarified. Tandem repeats (TRs) are short DNA sequences that are involved in a variety of adaptive functions, including the process of fungal infection. It is known that the larger the number of TRs in the genome, the greater the capacity of cell-cell junction and surface adhesion, especially when these repeats are present in regions encoding cell surface proteins. OBJECTIVES: To identify in silico T rubrum genes containing TR patterns and to analyse the modulation of these genes in culture medium containing keratin (a model simulating skin infection) and antifungal drugs. METHODS: The Dermatophyte Tandem Repeats Database (DTRDB) and the FaaPred tool were used to identify four T rubrum genes containing TR patterns. Quantitative real-time (RT) PCR was used to evaluate the gene expression during the growth of T rubrum on keratin and in the presence of fluconazole, amphotericin B and Congo red (acts in the cell wall). RESULTS: The expression of these genes was found to be induced in culture medium containing keratin. In addition, these genes were induced in the presence of antifungal agents, especially fluconazole, indicating an adaptive response to the stress caused by this drug. CONCLUSION: The results suggest an important role of genes containing TRs in the fungal-host interaction and in the susceptibility to inhibitory compounds, indicating these sequences as new potential targets for the development of antifungal agents.

Two years into the Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative: reflections on conducting a large-scale replication of Brazilian biomedical science

Scientists have increasingly recognised that low methodological and analytical rigour combined with publish-or-perish incentives can make the published scientific literature unreliable. As a response to this, large-scale systematic replications of the literature have emerged as a way to assess the problem empirically. The Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative is one such effort, aimed at estimating the reproducibility of Brazilian biomedical research. Its goal is to perform multicentre replications of a quasi-random sample of at least 60 experiments from Brazilian articles published over a 20-year period, using a set of common laboratory methods. In this article, we describe the challenges of managing a multicentre project with collaborating teams across the country, as well as its successes and failures over the first two years. We end with a brief discussion of the Initiative's current status and its possible future contributions after the project is concluded in 2021.