Assessing the In Vitro Potential of Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone®) as a Chemotherapeutic Candidate for the Treatment of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection.

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis affecting immunosuppressed individuals, caused by various Cryptococcus species. The current treatment utilizes a combination of antifungal drugs, but issues such as nephrotoxicity, restricted or limited availability in certain countries, and resistance limit their effectiveness. Repurposing approved drugs presents a viable strategy for developing new antifungal options. This study investigates the potential of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®) as a chemotherapy candidate for Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Various techniques are employed to evaluate the effects of glatiramer acetate on the fungus, including microdilution, XTT analysis, electron and light microscopy, and physicochemical measurements. The results demonstrate that glatiramer acetate exhibits antifungal properties, with an IC50 of 0.470 mg/mL and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5 mg/mL. Furthermore, it promotes enhanced cell aggregation, facilitates biofilm formation, and increases the secretion of fungal polysaccharides. These findings indicate that glatiramer acetate not only shows an antifungal effect but also modulates the key virulence factor-the polysaccharide capsule. In summary, repurposing glatiramer acetate as a potential chemotherapy option offers new prospects for combating C. neoformans infection. It addresses the limitations associated with current antifungal therapies by providing an alternative treatment approach.

Chikungunya Fever: Comparison Study of Synovitis and Tenosynovitis of the Hands and Wrists Using Physical Examination, Ultrasound, and MRI Findings.

OBJECTIVES: To compare musculoskeletal changes on a physical examination (PE), ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hands and wrists of patients with Chikungunya fever (CF). METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 patients in the chronic phase of CF. The sites analyzed were the interphalangeal (IP), metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and wrist/mediocarpal (WMC) joints and periarticular soft tissue. The interval between the PE and imaging tests was 7 days, and the interval between US and MRI was 2 days. The kappa coefficient was calculated to estimate the agreement between the PE and US and MRI findings and between the US and MRI findings. RESULTS: Significant agreement was observed between PE and US in the diagnosis of synovitis. The only statistically significant agreement between US and MRI was the finding of flexor tenosynovitis; the agreement was moderate. CONCLUSIONS: US has great potential for use in diagnosing synovitis suspected based on a PE. The limited agreement observed between US and MRI, in turn, may suggest a complementary role of these methods.

Reasons for Choosing a Reference Hospital During the Application for Medical Residency Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Medical residency (MR) programs consist of medical education systems based on the healthcare network as a teaching place. The Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) is a referral center for several medical specialties and presents one of the largest MR programs in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To assess the main reasons why residents choose a reference hospital to apply for a medical residency position. METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed with 165 medical residents of a reference hospital (IMIP) located in the Northeast region of Brazil between 2019 and 2020. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical formation, preparation for the residency exam, expectations regarding the program, and the reasons leading the residents to choose the IMIP were assessed. RESULTS: Most participants initiated the residency program 2 to 3 years after graduating the medical school. Most of the sample (78.8%) took preparation courses for the residency. The main expectations that led the residents to choose the IMIP were: the complexity of cases (81.2%), the number of patients (79.4%), technical quality of the preceptors (76.4%), prestige of the institution (75.1%), and preceptors' motivation (57.6%). CONCLUSION: Medical residents join residency programs based on expectations of medical practice scenarios that enable an adequate number of patients and quality preceptorship.

In situ remote sensing as a strategy to predict cotton seed yield / Sensoriamento remoto in situ como estratégia para previsão do rendimento de semente de algodão

Crop harvest scheduling and profits and losses predications require strategies that estimate crop yield. This work aimed to investigate the contribution of phenological variables using path analysis and remote sensing techniques on cotton boll yield and to generate a model using decision trees that help predict cotton boll yield. The sampling field was installed in Chapadão do Céu, in an area of 90 ha. The following phenological variables were evaluated at 30 sample points: plant height at 26, 39, 51, 68, 82, 107, 128, and 185 days after emergence (DAE); number of floral buds at 68, 81, 107, 128, and 185 DAE; number of bolls at 185 DAE; Rededge vegetation index at 23, 35, 53, 91, and 168 DAE; and cotton boll yield. The main variables that can be used to predict cotton boll yield are the number of floral buds (at 107 days after emergence) and the Rededge vegetation index (at 53 and 91 days after emergence). To obtain higher cotton boll yields, the Rededge vegetation index must be greater than 39 at 53 days after emergence, and the plant must present at least 14 floral buds at 107 days after emergence.

O escalonamento de colheitas e a previsão de ganhos e perdas requerem estratégias que estimam a produtividade das culturas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a contribuição de variáveis fenológicas utilizando técnicas de análise de trilha e sensoriamento remoto sobre a produtividade de algodão em caroço e gerar um modelo utilizando árvores de decisão que ajudam a prever esta variável. O campo de amostragem foi instalado em Chapadão do Céu, em uma área de 90 ha. As seguintes variáveis fenológicas foram avaliadas em 30 pontos amostrais: altura das plantas aos 26, 39, 51, 68, 82, 107, 128 e 185 dias após a emergência (DAE); número de gemas florais aos 68, 81, 107, 128 e 185 DAE; número de cápsulas a 185 DAE; Índice de vegetação Rededge em 23, 35, 53, 91 e 168 DAE; e produção de algodão em caroço. As principais variáveis que podem ser utilizadas para prever a produção de caroço de algodão são o número de gemas florais (aos 107 dias após a emergência) e o índice de vegetação de Rededge (aos 53 e 91 dias após a emergência). Para obter maiores produtividades de algodão, o índice de vegetação de Rededge deve ser superior a 39 aos 53 dias após a emergência e a planta deve apresentar pelo menos 14 gemas florais aos 107 dias após a emergência.

Multiparametric MR Imaging of Soft Tissue Tumors and Pseudotumors.

This article discusses the features of multiparametric MR imaging as an accurate method to evaluate soft tissue tumors and pseudotumors. The discussion also considers conventional and advanced sequences providing both functional tissue and anatomic information to improve the diagnostic accuracy of this method and assess pretreatment staging, treatment response focused on the extent of necrosis, and recurrence.

Advanced MR Imaging and Ultrasound Fusion in Musculoskeletal Procedures.

Neoplastic musculoskeletal lesions are heterogeneous tumors with variable outcomes that require a precise diagnosis and delivery of optimal, specific treatment. Advanced MR imaging techniques can help differentiate and characterize musculoskeletal soft tissue tumors and are the method of choice for detection, evaluation, local staging, and surgical planning. MR imaging-ultrasound fusion is the process of combining relevant information from 2 methods into a single image that is more informative than the images obtained separately. This article assesses the potential of fusing real-time ultrasound spatial registration with previously acquired musculoskeletal MR imaging to guide tumor tissue biopsies and procedures.

Regressão espontânea de proteinose alveolar pulmonar: relato de caso / Spontaneous regression of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a case report

Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 21 anos com história de seis meses de dispneia progressiva, tosse seca e perda de peso. A tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução revelou padrão de pavimentação em mosaico com áreas focais poupadas. A paciente foi submetida a biópsia pulmonar transbrônquica, que confirmou o diagnóstico de proteinose alveolar. Dois anos depois, sem tratamento, houve importante melhora das opacidades pulmonares.

The authors report the case of a 21-year-old female patient with a six-month history of progressive dyspnea, dry cough, and weight loss. High-resolution computed tomography revealed a "crazy‑paving" pattern with areas of focal sparing. The patient underwent transbronchial lung biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of alveolar proteinosis. Two years later, without treatment, a marked improvement in pulmonary opacities was observed.