Insecticidal activity of fluralaner (Exzolt®) administered to Gallus gallus domesticus against triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae).

BACKGROUND: Triatoma infestans, Triatoma brasiliensis, Triatoma pseudomaculata and Rhodnius prolixus are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Chickens serve as an important blood food source for triatomines. This study aimed to assess the insecticidal activity of fluralaner (Exzolt®) administered to chickens against triatomines (R. prolixus, T. infestans, T. brasiliensis and T. pseudomaculata). METHODS: Twelve non-breed chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were randomized based on weight into three groups: negative control (n = 4); a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg fluralaner (Exzolt®) (n = 4); two doses of 0.5 mg/kg fluralaner (Exzolt®) (n = 4). Nymphs of 3rd, 4th and 5th instars of R. prolixus, T. infestans, T. brasiliensis and T. pseudomaculata (all n = 10) were allowed to feed on chickens before treatment, and at intervals of 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 56 days after treatment, with insect mortality determined. RESULTS: Treatment with two doses of fluralaner showed higher insecticidal efficacy against R. prolixus, T. infestans and T. brasiliensis compared to the single-dose treatment. Similar insecticidal efficacy was observed for T. pseudomaculata for one and two doses of fluralaner. Insecticidal activity of fluralaner (Exzolt®) against triatomine bugs was noted up to 21 and 28 days after treatment with one and two doses of fluralaner, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that treatment of chickens with fluralaner (Exzolt®) induces insecticidal activity against triatomines for up to 28 days post-treatment, suggesting its potential use as a control strategy for Chagas disease in endemic areas.

PI3K Signaling Pathways as a Molecular Target for Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of cancer that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It currently accounts for about 2% of diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide, with 296,000 new cases reported per year. The first-choice treatment consists of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy, which increases patients' survival by 15 months. New clinical and pre-clinical research aims to improve this prognosis by proposing the search for new drugs that effectively eliminate cancer cells, circumventing problems such as resistance to treatment. One of the promising therapeutic strategies in the treatment of GBM is the inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, which is closely related to the process of tumor carcinogenesis. This review sought to address the main scientific studies of synthetic or natural drug prototypes that target specific therapy co-directed via the PI3K pathway, against human glioblastoma.

Temporal assessment of entomological surveillance of Trypanosoma cruzi vectors in an endemic area of northeastern Brazil.

Entomological surveillance is essential for the control of triatomines and the prevention of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans and domestic animals. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate entomological indicators and triatomine control during the period from 2005 to 2015 in an endemic area in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This observational and retrospective study was developed based on data analysis related to active entomological surveillance activities and chemical control of infested housing units (HU) in the Agreste mesoregion of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in the period between 2005 to 2015. The quantitative analysis of housing units surveyed for entomological indicators was performed by linear regression of random effects (p < 0.05). The effect of the number of HU surveyed on the entomological indicators was analyzed by fitting a linear random effects regression model and an increasing intradomiciliary colonization rate was significant. In the period evaluated 92,156 housing units were investigated and the presence of triatomines was reported in 4,639 (5.0%). A total of 4,653 specimens of triatomines were captured and the species recorded were Triatoma pseudomaculata (n = 1,775), Triatoma brasiliensis (n = 1,569), Rhodnius nasutus (n = 741) and Panstrongylus lutzi (n = 568), with an index of natural infection by T. cruzi of 2.2%. Only 53.1% of the infested HU were subjected to chemical control. Moreover, there was a decrease in the total number of HU surveyed over time associated with an increase in the index of intradomiciliary colonization (p = 0.004). These data demonstrated that entomological surveillance and control of vectors in the Agreste mesoregion of the state has been discontinued, emphasizing the need for more effective public policies to effectively control the vectors, in order to avoid the exposure of humans and domestic animals to the risk of T. cruzi infection.

Transcultural Comparison of Mental Health and Work-Life Integration Blurring in the Brazilian and Spanish Populations during COVID-19.

The study aimed to compare the impact of Role Blurring on mental health and Work-Life Integration in the Brazilian and Spanish populations during COVID-19. Role Blurring, which is related to resources and demands in the work context, affects coping with stressors arising from role overlapping and impacts individuals' perception of work overload and mental health. The sample consisted of 877 adults from Spain (n = 498) and Brazil (n = 372), and various statistical analyses were conducted to compare the groups. Results showed that Role Blurring is linked to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as suicidal ideation. Therefore, it is essential to promote working conditions that limit expectations on availability and favor disconnection from work during leisure time. Public policies that intervene, promote, and prevent psychosocial risk factors in emergent contexts are crucial to prevent suicidal ideation and attempts. Considering the high expected influence of Blurring as a focus of interventions can be reflected in the medium term in the indicators of well-being and satisfaction of companies, institutions and organizations. This can result in the reduction of health costs aimed at cushioning post-COVID-19 impacts on mental health. The study is relevant to understand the impact of the pandemic and technology on mental health and suggests the need for interventions to promote work-life balance and prevent psychosocial risks.

Reprotoxicity induced by acute exposure to aqueous tuber extract of Peruvian Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) has been used in folk medicine to treat fertility disturbances, a claim that has been evidenced in some studies. However, the clinical trials validating this use have shown paradoxical findings and then maca safety is not well known. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms by which maca affects the reproductive system using an in vivo model, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Tuber maca powder, obtained from local commerce, was used to prepare the aqueous extract. Worms were acutely exposed to maca extracts (40, 120, 240, and 330 µg/µl), and 48 h after treatments, physiological and biochemical assays were conducted. Maca extract caused a significant decrease in total number of eggs and in the number of eggs per worm. These effects were associated to increased lipid peroxidation, reduced triacylglycerol levels, and also impaired vit-2 (vitellogenin) expression, besides increase in the number of apoptotic germline cells. We have found quantifiable levels of alkaloids in this maca extract, which presence could be related to this toxicity. Collectively, our data suggest that maca extract exposure causes reproductive toxicity to worms that could be, at least in part, associated to both an increase in apoptosis of germline cells and also to a decrease in vitellogenin expression, needed for egg yolk production and, consequently, successful reproduction.

Methodological aspects and characteristics of participants in the study on the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil, 2018-2019: EPOCA study.

PURPOSE: To describe the methodological aspects and characteristics of the participants of the EPOCA survey. METHODS: The study was conducted with schoolchildren aged between seven to 14 years old from 30 schools in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil. Body mass, height, girths, and skinfold thicknesses were measured. Food consumption and physical activity from the previous day were self-reported using the validated Web-CAAFE questionnaire. Adolescents completed a specific questionnaire about physical activity, meal consumption, and weight control behaviors. Parents/guardians responded to a sociodemographic and habits questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1671 schoolchildren participated in the study (response rate: 27.2%). About 63% of schoolchildren were enrolled in public schools. Most studied in the morning shift (54.2%), were female (53.1%) and aged between seven and 10 years (58.1%). The prevalence of overweight was 33.7% and obesity was 11.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained will allow us to assess the trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors when compared to other surveys performed. Descriptions of the logistics and protocols can help in the development and improvement of similar studies. It is hoped that the results of EPOCA 2018/2019 may help in the design of obesity prevention policies and programs for this population.

Empagliflozin: Validation of Stability-Indicating LC Method and in silico Toxicity Studies.

A new stability-indicating liquid chromatography method was developed for the quantification of empagliflozin and two synthetic impurities. The chromatographic conditions included Spherisorb® RP-18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a PDA detector, using acetonitrile and formic acid (pH 4.0) as mobile phase in gradient elution and flow-rate of 1.2 mL·min-1. The gradient increasing from 51 to 100% acetonitrile until 11.00 min, followed by decreasing the solvent from 100% to the initial ratio from 11.01 to 15.00 min. The method was validated according to International Council of Harmonization guidelines. The LOD and LOQ values for impurities A and B were 35 and 15 ng·mL-1, respectively, (for LOD) and 115 and 35 ng.mL-1, respectively (for LOQ). The method was linear in the range of 80-140, 115-1150 and 35-350 ng·mL-1 for EMPA, impurities A and B, respectively, and the correlation coefficient were > 0.999 in all situations, indicating the method good linearity. The developed method showed a good recovery for empagliflozin and added impurities. The method has proven to be precise, demonstrated values less than 2.0% to empagliflozin and 5.0% to synthetic impurities, robust and selective with no interference from other products in the determination of analytes. The in silico toxicity prediction suggested that the impurities do not present any toxicity risk for the parameters evaluated.

Internal Structure, Invariance, and Rasch Analyses: A Work-Life Integration-Blurring Scale.

The aim of the study was to develop a role blurring (RB) tool to measure work-life integration in different contexts. A final number of 19 items was examined. Psychometric properties in both Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese versions were analysed, comparing the invariance of the measure between the two countries, and setting the difficulty parameter of the items. Thus, a total of two incidental samples volunteered to participate in the study: a Spanish sample of n = 498 and a Brazilian sample of n = 379 were recruited. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), as well as an invariance analysis, were performed between the two countries, in order to test the homogeneity structure of the measure. In addition, the item response theory (IRT) was used to establish the probability of response and difficulty of the items through a Rasch analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis pointed to a unifactorial structure. There were no statistically significant alterations in the model fit indices, and the Rasch rating scale model (RSM) showed adequate infit and outfit values, as well as successive response categories located in the expected order for all items.

Vivências de estudantes de enfermagem na preceptoria em saúde / Experiences of nursing students on preceptorship in health / Experiencias de estudiantes de enfermería sobre la preceptoría en salud

Objetivo:conhecer as vivências de estudantes de enfermagem na preceptoria em saúde. Método: estudo exploratório e com abordagem qualitativa, realizado entre o primeiro semestre de 2019 e o último de 2020, junto a 24 alunos do último semestre do curso de enfermagem, em uma universidade pública de Mato Grosso, Brasil. A coleta de dados foi realizada de forma remota. Para a análise dos dados, utilizou-se a análise temática. Resultados: o processo de transição do formato tradicional do estágio supervisionado de enfermagem para uma nova modalidade de ensino-aprendizagem e acompanhamento em campo prático, foi concebido pelos estudantes com certa apreensão, pelo desconhecimento da estratégia, mas remetendo a ideia de maior liberdade e autonomia. Consideram que um preceptor deve ser comprometido com a ética e a formação de qualidade. Quanto a coordenação do estágio, veem como importante interlocução entre alunos e preceptores, estreitando laços e oportunizando momentos de trocas, com direcionamentos e apoio para o melhor aproveitamento. Conclusão: as vivências dos estudantes de enfermagem na preceptoria foram positivas, o que pode impactar na atuação profissional futura.

Objective:to know the experiences of nursing students in health preceptorship. Method:exploratory study with a qualitative approach, carried out between the first semester of 2019 and the last semester of 2020, with 24 students from the last semester of the nursing course, at a public university in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Data collection was performed remotely. For data analysis, thematic analysis was used. Results:the transition process from the traditional format of the supervised nursing internship to a new modality of teaching-learning and monitoring in the practical field, was conceived by the students with some apprehension, due to the lack of knowledge of the strategy, but referring to the idea of greater freedom and autonomy. They consider that a preceptor must be committed to ethics and quality training. As for the coordination of the internship, they see it as an important dialogue between students and preceptors, strengthening ties and providing opportunities for exchanges, with directions and support for the best use. Conclusion:the experiences of nursing students in the preceptorship were positive, which can impact their future professional performance.

Objetivo:conocer las experiencias de los estudiantes de enfermería en la preceptoría en salud. Método:estudio exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo, realizado entre el primer semestre de 2019 y último semestre de 2020, con 24 estudiantes del último semestre de enfermería, en una universidad pública de Mato Grosso, Brasil. La recolección de datos se realizó de forma remota. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó el análisis temático. Resultados:el proceso de transición del formato tradicional de pasantía de enfermería supervisada a una nueva modalidad de enseñanza-aprendizaje y acompañamiento en el campo práctico, fue concebido por los estudiantes con cierta aprensión, debido al desconocimiento de la estrategia, pero refiriéndose a la ideade mayor libertad y autonomía. Consideran que un preceptor debe estar comprometido con la ética y la formación de calidad. En cuanto a la coordinación de la pasantía, la ven como un importante diálogo entre alumnos y preceptores, estrechando lazos y brindando oportunidades de intercambio, con orientaciones y apoyos para el mejor aprovechamiento. Conclusión:las experiencias de los estudiantes de enfermería en la preceptoría fueron positivas, lo que puede impactar en su futuro desempeño profesional.

Proteus mirabilis resistant to carbapenems isolated from a patient with a venous leg ulcer: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to phenotypically investigate the expression of the enzyme Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) in a Proteus mirabilis sample resistant to carbapenems, isolated from the wound of a patient with a venous leg ulcer (VLU) treated at an outpatient referral service. METHOD: This was a case study conducted with a patient who had a VLU on the lower left limb. Samples were taken for the examination of microbiological material from the patient's wound, using an aseptic technique. The colonies extracted were submitted to Gram staining and biochemical tests to identify the strain. In addition, an antimicrobial susceptibility test, E-test and a modified Hodge test were performed. RESULTS: The identified microorganism was Proteus mirabilis, which showed resistance to cefuroxime and the carbapenems imipenem and meropenem. As well as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.0µg/ml for imipenem, demonstrating resistance, there was no KPC production by the tested isolate, which presented a negative modified Hodge test. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of microbiological surveillance, aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality rates associated with infection by multiresistant bacteria.

Somatosensory Cortex Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Associative Sensory Stimulation of Peripheral Nerves Could Assist Motor and Sensory Recovery After Stroke.

Background: We investigated whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and sensory stimulation (SS) could promote upper limb recovery in participants with subacute stroke. Methods: Participants were randomized into four groups: rTMS/Sham SS, Sham rTMS/SS, rTMS/SS, and control group (Sham rTMS/Sham SS). Participants underwent ten sessions of sham or active rTMS over S1 (10 Hz, 1,500 pulses, 120% of resting motor threshold, 20 min), followed by sham or active SS. The SS involved active sensory training (exploring features of objects and graphesthesia, proprioception exercises), mirror therapy, and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the region of the median nerve in the wrist (stimulation intensity as the minimum intensity at which the participants reported paresthesia; five electrical pulses of 1 ms duration each at 10 Hz were delivered every second over 45 min). Sham stimulations occurred as follows: Sham rTMS, coil was held while disconnected from the stimulator, and rTMS noise was presented with computer loudspeakers with recorded sound from a real stimulation. The Sham SS received therapy in the unaffected upper limb, did not use the mirror and received TENS stimulation for only 60 seconds. The primary outcome was the Body Structure/Function: Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA); the secondary outcome was the Activity/Participation domains, assessed with Box and Block Test, Motor Activity Log scale, Jebsen-Taylor Test, and Functional Independence Measure. Results: Forty participants with stroke ischemic (n = 38) and hemorrhagic (n = 2), men (n = 19) and women (n = 21), in the subacute stage (10.6 ± 6 weeks) had a mean age of 62.2 ± 9.6 years, were equally divided into four groups (10 participants in each group). Significant somatosensory improvements were found in participants receiving active rTMS and active SS, compared with those in the control group (sham rTMS with sham SS). Motor function improved only in participants who received active rTMS, with greater effects when active rTMS was combined with active SS. Conclusion: The combined use of SS with rTMS over S1 represents a more effective therapy for increasing sensory and motor recovery, as well as functional independence, in participants with subacute stroke. Clinical Trial Registration: [clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT03329807].

O IMPACTO DA PANDEMIA COVID-19 NA EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA ESCOLAR: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / THE IMPACT OF PANDEMIC COVID-19 ON SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION: an integrative literature review / EL IMPACTO DE LA PANDEMIA COVID-19 EN LA EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA ESCOLAR: una revisión integrativa de la literatura

A pandemia da COVID-19 trouxe alterações na vida das pessoas. O presente estudo, que foca no âmbito escolar, tem por objetivo verificar quais os impactos da pandemia para alunos de Ensino Fundamental. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura, utilizando os descritores: "educação"; "educação física"; "escola"; "pandemia"; "COVID-19" nas bases de dados Scielo, BVS e PubMed. Descreve-se os impactos que a pandemia causou nos alunos: diminuição da prática de exercício físico e falta de estrutura no ambiente domiciliar; dificuldades de acesso às aulas remotas; maior ansiedade e prejuízos sociais. Recomenda-se intervenções dos profissionais de Educação Física e das autoridades públicas para que se reduza os efeitos prejudiciais desse período.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes in people's lives, and the focus of the present study is on the school setting. The aim was verify the impacts of the pandemic for elementary school students. An integrative literature review was carried out, using the descriptors: "education"; "physical education"; "school"; "pandemic"; "COVID-19" in the databases Scielo, BVS and PubMed. It was described the impacts that the pandemic caused on students: decreased physical exercise and lack of structure in the home environment, difficulties in accessing remote classes, greater anxiety and social damage. Interventions by Physical Education professionals and public authorities are recommended to reduce the harmful effects of this period.

La pandemia de COVID-19 trajo cambios en la vida de las personas y el presente estudio se centra en el entorno escolar. El objetivo fue verificar los impactos de la pandemia para los estudiantes de primaria. Se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura, utilizando los descriptores: "educación"; "educación Física"; "colegio"; "pandemia"; "COVID-19" en las bases de datos Scielo, BVS y PubMed. Se describen los impactos que la pandemia provocó en los estudiantes: disminución del ejercicio físico y falta de estructura en el ambiente del hogar, dificultades para acceder a clases remotas, mayor ansiedad y daño social. Se recomiendan las intervenciones de los profesionales de la Educación Física y las autoridades públicas para reducir los efectos nocivos de este período.

Association between quality of life and risk behaviors in Brazilian adolescents: An exploratory study.

We evaluated the association between risk behaviors and quality of life in 1,081 adolescents classified into the risk behavior (RB) or the non-risk behavior (nRB) group. The data were analyzed with logistic regression models, analysis of variance, and network analysis. The nRB group had higher quality-of-life scores, and having a religion (OR = .42) and better quality of life (OR = .95) significantly reduced the odds of risk behaviors. The network analysis identified that religion, gender, and type of school showed the best centrality and connectivity indices. These data showed a negative association between risk behaviors and lower quality-of-life levels.

Sensory and motor cortical excitability changes induced by rTMS and sensory stimulation in stroke: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: The ability to produce coordinated movement is dependent on dynamic interactions through transcallosal fibers between the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Although typically unilateral, stroke induces changes in functional and effective connectivity across hemispheres, which are related to sensorimotor impairment and stroke recovery. Previous studies have focused almost exclusively on interhemispheric interactions in the primary motor cortex (M1). Objective: To identify the presence of interhemispheric asymmetry (ASY) of somatosensory cortex (S1) excitability and to investigate whether S1 repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with sensory stimulation (SS) changes excitability in S1 and M1, as well as S1 ASY, in individuals with subacute stroke. Methods: A randomized clinical trial. Participants with a single episode of stroke, in the subacute phase, between 35 and 75 years old, were allocated, randomly and equally balanced, to four groups: rTMS/sham SS, sham rTMS/SS, rTMS/SS, and sham rTMS/Sham SS. Participants underwent 10 sessions of S1 rTMS of the lesioned hemisphere (10 Hz, 1,500 pulses) followed by SS. SS was applied to the paretic upper limb (UL) (active SS) or non-paretic UL (sham SS). TMS-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of the paretic UL and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) of both ULs assessed M1 and S1 cortical excitability, respectively. The S1 ASY index was measured before and after intervention. Evaluator, participants and the statistician were blinded. Results: Thirty-six participants divided equally into groups (nine participants per group). Seven patients were excluded from MEP analysis because of failure to produce consistent MEP. One participant was excluded in the SSEP analysis because no SSEP was detected. All somatosensory stimulation groups had decreased S1 ASY except for the sham rTMS/Sham SS group. When compared with baseline, M1 excitability increased only in the rTMS/SS group. Conclusion: S1 rTMS and SS alone or in combination changed S1 excitability and decreased ASY, but it was only their combination that increased M1 excitability. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier (NCT03329807).

Assessment of the Perception of People Living With HIV Regarding the Quality of Outpatient Care at a Reference Facility in the Federal District, Brazil.

The effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment has transformed HIV infection into a chronic transmissible condition, requiring health systems to adapt in order to care for people living with HIV. The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is the gold standard for this type of care in many countries. Among its tools, the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) questionnaire gives the patient's perspective of the care provided. The aim of the present study was to adapt and apply, for the first time, the questionnaire to people living with HIV to determine their perception of the quality of care provided at a reference hospital in the Federal District of Brazil. This is a case study conducted in 2019 at a teaching hospital, with a convenience sample of 30 individuals treated for at least 1 year at the facility. The median PACIC score (3.5 with a range of 1.0-5.0) seems to suggest that the users perceive the outpatient care provided by the hospital as being basic. The "delivery system design/decision support" component was deemed the best (5.0, with a range of 1.0-5.0) and "follow-up/coordination" the worst (1.0, with a range of 1.0-5.0). The results suggest the need to improve the organization of care and make adequate use of community resources, in line with the CCM. The questionnaire makes it possible to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the care provided to people living with HIV and can be used as a planning and monitoring tool to improve management of the condition, with the contribution of the patient, in particular, thereby strengthening self-care.

Triatomine and Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units distribution in a semi-arid area of northeastern Brazil.

The occurrence of triatomine species, their bloodmeal sources and the discrete typing units (DTUs) of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from them were determined in different municipalities of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Triatomine captures were carried out in the rural areas of 23 municipalities. The genotyping of T. cruzi isolates was performed using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (coii) gene, the D7 region of the 24Sα rDNA, and the spliced leader intergenic region (SL-IR). Five triatomine species were captured, and the most frequent was Triatoma brasiliensis (84.3%; 916/1086), which was found in 16 of the 23 municipalities surveyed, and infested all types of environment investigated. The TcI DTU was found in all mesoregions surveyed in 51.5% (17/33) of the culture-positive samples. In contrast, TcII (9.1%; 3/33) was detected in the Central mesoregion, while TcIII (27.3%; 9/33) was found in all mesoregions. The geographic distribution and spatial overlap of different DTUs was inferred using the superposition of the radius of occurrence of isolates and using ecological niche distribution modelling. Triatoma brasiliensis was found infected in all mesoregions and with all three T. cruzi DTUs, including mixed infections. With regard to bloodmeal sources, the DNA of rodents was found in triatomines infected with either TcI or TcIII, while that of domestic animals and humans was associated with both single and mixed infections. Our findings demonstrate that different DTUs of T. cruzi are widely dispersed among triatomines in our study area. The association of T. brasiliensis with several different mammalian hosts, as well as overlapping areas with different DTUs, suggests that this triatomine species may have an important role as a vector in both anthropic and sylvatic environments.

Sleep of Wheelchair Rugby Athletes: Training, Rest and Competition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sleep-wake cycle of wheelchair rugby athletes during the pre-season compared to in-season. Wheelchair Rugby athletes wore an actigraph monitor during two respective 10-day periods: 1) pre-season and 2) in-season, each of which comprised three training days, three rest days, and four competition days, respectively. In addition, the players completed questionnaires regarding sleepiness, subjective quality of sleep, and chronotype, as well as the use of the sleep diary along with the actigraph measurements (20 days). The wheelchair rugby athletes had poor subjective sleep quality in both stages observed by sleep efficiency below 85% (ES 0.31) and high score in the Pittsburgh questionnaire (effect size-ES 0.55), the actigraphy results presented an increase of sleep latency (ES 0.47), and wake after sleep onset (ES 0.42). When comparing the athlete's routine, the competition days, demonstrated a reduction in the total time of sleep and the sleep efficiency, in addition to an increase in wakefulness after sleep onset when compared with the training and rest periods. As a result, the wheelchair rugby players did not describe a pattern of sleep-wake cycle during different training phases, as well as poor sleep quality.

Influence of Complete Denture Use on Respiratory Capacity: A Systematic Review.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether the use of complete dentures has an influence on the respiratory capacity, assessed by the spirometry examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021255224). The PICO question (population/exposure/comparison/outcome) was "Does the use of complete dentures influence the respiratory capacity of a toothless subject?" A search strategy was adapted for the PubMed/MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, OpenGrey, Lilacs, Scopus, and Embase databases. Inclusion criteria were prospective and retrospective studies. The new castle ottawa (NOS) scale and the Methodological Index for Non-randomized studies were selected to assess the quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Four studies were selected, totalizing the evaluation of 242 participants, aged ranging from 40 to 73 years old. Two studies concluded that the use of complete dentures can negatively affect the respiratory capacity. One study stated that it did not interfere regardless of its use during spirometric measurements, and the other reported that dental prosthesis was required in cases of evaluation of the extrathoracic airways. CONCLUSION: The use of complete dentures did not represent relevant changes from the reference values for pulmonary function in the spirometry test. Considering the results of this review, it is not yet possible to establish a clinical protocol for the use of complete dentures during the test. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Oral rehabilitation with conventional complete dentures is widely used for the treatment of edentulism, especially in elderly patients. In addition, with aging, many complex changes in immunity and respiratory function contribute to the increase in the development of lung diseases. Therefore, it is important to establish a guidance regarding the use or not of the removable dental prostheses in the respiratory capacity test through spirometry examination.

Validation of smartphone addiction scale - Short version (SAS-SV) in Brazilian adolescents.

The objectives of this study were to analyze the psychometric properties of the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) as follows: (i) the factor structure of the SAS-SV using different statistical methods; (ii) the evidence of convergence; (iii) the temporal stability of the SAS-SV; and (iv) predictive SAS-SV validity. A total of 451 adolescents participated in this study (age M = 13.1; SD = 1.22) by completing a sociodemographic questionnaire (including items evaluating the perception of smartphone use), the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the SAS-SV. It was found that 53.2% demonstrated problematic smartphone use. The SAS-SV showed good reliability (α = 0.81; ω = 0.78), and all of its items were kept. The network analysis indicated that the items evaluating the withdrawal and preoccupation symptoms had the greatest influence on the network. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.846 and indicated good temporal stability of the SAS-SV 20-30 days after the first application. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated 33 points as the best cutoff for the SAS-SV (AUC = 0.739; sensitivity = 65.37%; specificity = 72.26). The instrument also showed a moderate correlation with the variables related to smartphone use (time spent on smartphones, number of messages sent and received, and number of times the smartphone is checked). These data indicate that the SAS-SV may be a reliable instrument for use with Brazilian adolescents.