Vocal Load of University Professors: Preliminary Results

Purpose: To describe the acoustic characteristics of a classroom, voice quality, fatigue, and vocal load of university professors. Methods: Exploratory, observational, longitudinal, and descriptive study with a single group of participants, including vocal monitoring data over two weeks. Acoustic characterization of the classroom, perceptual-auditory evaluation, and acoustic analysis of voice samples were conducted before and after classes. Vocal dosimetry was performed during classes, and the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) was assessed at the beginning of each week. Descriptive analysis of the findings was conducted, and randomization test was performed to verify the internal reliability of the judge. Results: All participants reported speaking loudly in the classroom, with the majority reporting vocal changes in the past six months, and only one participant reported a current vocal change. The classroom had acoustical measures and estimations that deviated from established standards. The professors used high vocal intensities during classes. After the classes, an increase in the absolute values of the aggregated data for CAPE-V, jitter, and fundamental frequency was found, varying within the range of normality. Furthermore, there was an observed increase in both post-lesson intensity and VFI when comparing the two-week period. Conclusions: Vocal intensities and VFI were possibly impacted by the acoustics of the classroom. The increase in average VFI between the weeks may be attributed to a cumulative fatigue sensation. Further research with a larger number of participants and in acoustically conditioned classrooms is suggested in order to evaluate collective intervention proposals aimed at reducing the vocal load on teachers.

Objetivo: Describir las características acústicas, calidad vocal, fatiga y carga vocal de profesores universitarios. Métodos: Estudio exploratorio, observacional, longitudinal, descriptivo con un solo grupo de participantes y datos de monitoreo vocal durante dos semanas. Se realizó caracterización acústica de la sala, evaluación auditiva-perceptiva y acústica de muestras de voz antes y después de las clases. Se realizó dosimetría vocal durante las clases y se verificó el Índice de Fatiga Vocal (IFV) en dos semanas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los hallazgos y una prueba de aleatorización para verificar la confiabilidad interna del juez. Resultados: Todos los participantes informaron hablar en voz alta en clase, la mayoría informó cambios vocales en los últimos seis meses y solo uno informó cambios vocales actuales. La sala presentó mediciones y estimaciones acústicas fuera de las normas establecidas. Los profesores utilizaron intensidades vocales altas durante las clases. Hubo un aumento en los valores absolutos de los datos agrupados para CAPE-V, jitter y frecuencia fundamental, variando dentro de los límites normales, después de las clases. La intensidad después de las clases y el IFV, en la comparación entre las dos semanas, mostraron un aumento. Conclusiones: La dosis vocal y el IFV posiblemente se vieron afectados por la acústica del aula. El aumento del IFV medio entre semanas pudo deberse a la sensación de cansancio acumulada. Se sugieren nuevas investigaciones con un mayor número de participantes y que se realicen en la sala acondicionada acústicamente para evaluar propuestas de intervención colectiva, con el objetivo de reducir la carga vocal de los docentes.

Estrogen contamination increases vulnerability of amphibians to the deadly chytrid fungus.

Aquatic contaminants and infectious diseases are among the major drivers of global amphibian declines. However, the interaction of these factors is poorly explored and could better explain the amphibian crisis. We exposed males and females of the Brazilian Cururu Toad, Rhinella icterica, to an environmentally relevant concentration of the estrogen 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (an emerging contaminant) and to the chytrid infection (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), in their combined and isolated forms, and the ecotoxicity was determined by multiple biomarkers: cutaneous, hematological, cardiac, hepatic, and gonadal analysis. Our results showed that Cururu toads had many physiological alterations in response to the chytrid infection, including the appearance of cutaneous Langerhans's cells, increased blood leukocytes, increased heart contraction force and tachycardia, increased hepatic melanomacrophage cells, which in turn led to gonadal atrophy. The estrogen, in turn, increased the susceptibility of the toads to the chytrid infection (higher Bd loads) and maximized the deleterious effects of the pathogen: reducing leukocytes, decreasing the contraction force, and causing greater tachycardia, increasing hepatic melanomacrophage cells, and leading to greater gonadal atrophy, which were more extreme in females. The exposure to estrogen also revealed important toxicodynamic pathways of this toxicant, as shown by the immunosuppression of exposed animals, and the induction of the first stages of feminization in males, which corroborates that the synthetic estrogen acts as an endocrine disruptor. Such an intricate relationship is unprecedented and reinforces the importance of studying the serious consequences that multiple environmental stressors can cause to aquatic populations.

Risk of sleep problems in a clinical sample of children who stutter.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown increased prevalence of sleep problems among people who stutter. However, there is a lack of knowledge about what these sleep problems may specifically be. METHOD: Fifty children who stutter (CWS) from 6;0 to 12;9 years of age and 50 age- and gender-matched controls participated in this study. Parents did not report coexisting conditions, excepting stuttering and/or sleep problems. Sleep problems were investigated using a standardized questionnaire answered by parents. The questionnaire shows cut-off scores to identify the risk of sleep problems as a whole and on each one of the six subscales (i.e., disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep; sleep breathing disorders; disorders of arousal; sleep-wake transition disorders; disorders of excessive somnolence; and sleep hyperhidrosis). Scores above the cut-off are suggestive of sleep problems. RESULTS: Twenty-one CWS scored higher than the cut-off on the sleep questionnaire compared to only two controls (p < 0.00001). Specifically, CWS scored higher than controls in disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep-wake transition disorders (especially jerking, sleep talking, and bruxism), and disorders of excessive somnolence (p < 0.0083, corrected for multiple comparisons). DISCUSSION: Compared to controls, CWS are at greater risk for sleep problems, which are not consequences of coexisting disorders. Present findings confirm and expand current knowledge about sleep problems in CWS. Directionality possibilities and clinical implications are discussed.

Comparison of pre- and posttransplant energy expenditure in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and evaluation of associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may present with metabolic alterations that can have an effect on their energy expenditure and nutritional status. This project aimed to compare the pre- and posttransplant energy expenditures of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as well as related factors. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at a single center. Patients, undergoing autograft or allograft, were evaluated before transplantation and on the 10th and 17th d posttransplantation. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry. Diet intake was assessed by a 24-h dietary recall. Infectious and noninfectious complications were analyzed between days 1 to 10 after transplantation and days 11 to 17 after transplantation. Paired model analyses were carried out to identify the pretransplantation and posttransplantation periods. RESULTS: Twenty patients were evaluated with a mean age of 45.6 ± 17.2 y; a majority were male sex (65%), and the most frequent diagnoses were chronic myeloid leukemia (25%) and multiple myeloma (25%). Energy expenditure increased by 15% posttransplantation, and the energy requirement per kilogram of weight was 23 kcal/kg at day 10 after transplantation. Throughout the posttransplantation period, 45% of the patients required nutritional therapy. Negative energy and negative protein balance were observed at all analyzed times. Phase angle (P = 0.018), fever (P = 0.014), mucositis grades I to II (P = 0.018), and the total number of infectious and noninfectious events (P = 0.043) were associated with an increase in energy expenditure at day 10 after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Energy expenditure increased after transplantation compared with pretransplantation in 50% of patients. Phase angle, fever, grades I to II mucositis, and infectious and noninfectious events were associated with increased energy expenditure at day 10 after transplantation.

Low EGFL7 expression is associated with high lymph node spread and invasion of lymphatic vessels in colorectal cancer.

Studies indicate EGFL7 as an important gene in controlling angiogenesis and cancer growth, including in colorectal cancer (CRC). Anti-EGFL7 agents are being explored, yet without promising results. Therefore, the role of EGFL7 in CRC carcinogenesis should be investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of EGFL7 expression in CRC and the signaling pathways influenced by this gene. EGFL7 expression was evaluated through immunohistochemistry in 463 patients diagnosed with CRC and further associated with clinicopathological data, angiogenesis markers and survival. In silico analyzes were performed with colon adenocarcinoma data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Analysis of enriched gene ontology and pathways were performed using the differentially expressed genes. 77.7% of patients presented low EGFL7 expression, which was associated with higher lymph node spread and invasion of lymphatic vessels, with no impact on survival. Additionally, low EGFL7 expression was associated with high VEGFR2 expression. Finally, we found in silico that EGFL7 expression was associated with cell growth, angiogenesis, and important pathways such as VEGF, Rap-1, MAPK and PI3K/Akt. Expression of EGFL7 in tumor cells may be associated with important pathways that can alter functions related to tumor invasive processes, preventing recurrence and metastatic process.

Higher Prevalence of Nonsense Pathogenic DMD Variants in a Single-Center Cohort from Brazil: A Genetic Profile Study That May Guide the Choice of Disease-Modifying Treatments.

Dystrophinopathies are muscle diseases caused by pathogenic variants in DMD, the largest gene described in humans, representing a spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic creatine phosphokinase elevation to severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Several therapeutic strategies are currently in use or under development, each targeting different pathogenic variants. However, little is known about the genetic profiles of northeast Brazilian patients with dystrophinopathies. We describe the spectrum of pathogenic DMD variants in a single center in northeast Brazil. This is an observational, cross-sectional study carried out through molecular-genetic analysis of male patients diagnosed with dystrophinopathies using Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) followed by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based strategies. A total of 94 male patients were evaluated. Deletions (43.6%) and duplications (10.6%) were the most recurring patterns of pathogenic variants. However, small variants were present in 47.1% of patients, most of them nonsense variants (27.6%). This is the largest South American single-center case series of dystrophinopathies to date. We found a higher frequency of treatment-amenable nonsense single-nucleotide variants than most previous studies. These findings may have implications for diagnostic strategies in less-known populations, as a higher frequency of nonsense variants may mean a higher possibility of treating patients with disease-modifying drugs.

12-Week, Single-Center Study of a Targeted Pigment-Correcting Dark Spot Treatment for Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Solar Lentigines.

Purpose: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and solar lentigines are dark spots of skin from excessive melanin production due to injury or UV exposure. This 12-week single-center study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of a novel targeted pigment-correcting spot treatment gel suspension cream (Dark Spot Treatment) for improving mild-to-moderate PIH or solar lentigines. Patients and Methods: Female participants (N = 41) aged 25-65 with mild-to-moderate facial dark spots applied Dark Spot Treatment daily for 12 weeks. Investigators assessed overall hyperpigmentation, skin tone evenness, and dark spot intensity, contrast, and size at Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Participant self-assessments occurred at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. Tolerability was assessed by clinical grading and participant reporting. Results: Dark Spot Treatment improved overall hyperpigmentation, skin tone evenness, and dark spot intensity and contrast at Weeks 2 through 12, and dark spot size at Weeks 4 through 12 (all p < 0.001 compared to baseline). Participant self-assessments showed high overall satisfaction. Dark Spot Treatment was well tolerated. Conclusion: The novel pigment-correcting Dark Spot Treatment significantly improved the appearance of PIH and solar lentigines, had high participant satisfaction, and was well tolerated.

Role of EGFL7 in human cancers: A review.

EGFL7 is a proangiogenic factor. It has been widely described with having a vital role in tubulogenesis and regulation of angiogenesis, mainly during embryogenesis and organogenesis. It has been mainly associated with NOTCH pathway, but there are reports showing association with MAPK and integrin pathways. Given its association with angiogenesis and these other pathways, there are several studies associating EGFL7 with carcinogenesis. In fact, most of the studies have pointed to EGFL7 as an oncogene, and some of them suggest EGFL7 expression as a possible biomarker of prognosis or use for a patient's follow-up. Here, we review the molecular pathways which EGFL7 is associated and highlight several studies describing the role of EGFL7 in tumorigenesis, separated by tumor type. Besides its role on angiogenesis, EGFL7 may act in other pathways as oncogene, which makes it a possible biomarker and a candidate to targeted therapy.

Qualidade de vida e sobrecarga de mães de crianças com microcefalia / Quality of life and caregiver burden in mothers of children with microcephaly

Introdução: Devido a infecção congênita, a criança com microcefalia possui grandes limitações de sua condição de saúde. Estas limitações fazem com que a criança necessite de maior atenção de saúde e domiciliar. Geralmente, a mãe torna-se cuidadora principal desta criança, esse papel pode levar a sobrecarga com prejuízos em sua qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Analisar sobrecarga do cuidado e a qualidade de vida de mães ou cuidadoras principais de crianças com microcefalia relacionada à infecção congênita. Método: Estudo transversal, correlacional, realizado com 105 participantes do estado de Sergipe, Brasil, durante o período de outubro de 2017 a abril de 2018, através da aplicação questionários: sociodemográfico, WHOQOL-Bref e Sobrecarga do cuidador. Para análise estatística foram utilizados testes ANOVA, teste t e Person (r). Resultados: A totalidade dos participantes era do sexo feminino, 39 % foram classificadas com sobrecarga severa e 30,5% com sobrecarga intensa. A média total da sobrecarga (49,47) indica classificação de moderada à severa. Houve uma forte associação (p<0,0001) entre os níveis de sobrecarga e os domínios da qualidade de vida, sendo o de maior prejuízo o ambiental (36,57) e o físico (38,53). Foi observada uma correlação significativa e inversamente proporcional (r=-0,547, p<0,0001) entre a qualidade de vida e a sobrecarga do cuidador. Conclusão: As mães sofrem sobrecarga severa e intensa que pode levar a repercussões negativas em sua qualidade de vida. A enfermagem pode contribuir na criação e implementação de linhas de cuidados específicas para estas mulheres com ênfase na promoção da saúde física, mental e melhora da qualidade de vida.

Introducción: Debido a la infección congénita, las niñas y los niños con microcefalia tienen grandes limitaciones en su estado de salud. Estas limitaciones hacen que necesiten más atención sanitaria y domiciliaria. Generalmente, la madre se convierte en la principal cuidadora y este papel puede llevar a la sobrecarga, con perjuicio para su calidad de vida. Objetivo: Analizar la sobrecarga de cuidado y la calidad de vida de las madres o personas cuidadoras primarias de niñas o niños con microcefalia, relacionada con infección congénita. Método: Estudio transversal, correlacional realizado con 105 participantes del estado de Sergipe, Brasil, de octubre de 2017 a abril de 2018, a través de la aplicación de los siguientes cuestionarios: sociodemográfico, el WHOQOL-Bref y escala de sobrecarga del cuidador. Para el análisis estadístico, se utilizaron ANOVA, prueba t y prueba Person (r). Resultados: Población totalmente femenina. El 39 % se clasificó con sobrecarga severa y el 30.5 % con sobrecarga intensa. La sobrecarga media total (49.47) indica una clasificación de moderada a grave. Hubo una fuerte asociación (p<0.0001) entre los niveles de carga y los dominios de la calidad de vida, siendo los mayores daños ambientales (36.57) y físicos (38.53). Se observó una correlación significativa e inversamente proporcional (r=-0.547, p<0.0001) entre la calidad de vida y la sobrecarga de la persona cuidadora cuidador. Conclusión: Las madres sufren una sobrecarga severa e intensa que influye negativamente en su calidad de vida. La enfermería puede contribuir para la creación e implementación de líneas de atención específicas para estas mujeres con énfasis en la promoción de la salud física y mental y la mejora de la calidad de vida.

Introduction: Due to congenital infection, children with microcephaly have great limitations due to this condition. These limitations make the child need more health and home care. Generally, the mother becomes the main caretaker for this child, this role can lead to overload feelings that affect their quality of life. Objective: To analyze the role overload and the quality of life of mothers or primary caregiver of children with microcephaly related to congenital infection. Method: Cross-sectional, correlational study carried out with 105 participants from the state of Sergipe, Brazil, during the period from October 2017 to April 2018, through the application of questionnaires: sociodemographic, WHOQOL-Bref, and caregiver burden. For statistical analysis, ANOVA, t-test, and Pearson (r) tests were used. Results: All of the participants were females, 39 % were classified with severe role overload and 30.5% with intense role overload. The total average of this caregiver burden (49.47) presents a moderate to severe classification. There was a strong correlation (p<0.0001) between the levels of their role overload and the domains of their quality of life, where the greatest damage was in the environmental (36.57) and physical (38.53) aspects. A significant and inversely proportional correlation (r=-0.547, p<0.0001) was observed between the quality of life and the caregiver burden. Conclusion: Mothers suffer severe and intense caregiver overload that has a negative influence on their quality of life. Nursing can contribute to the creation and implementation of specific lines of care for these women emphasizing the promotion of physical and mental health to improve their quality of life.

Evaluation of a graphitic porous carbon modified with iron oxides for atrazine environmental remediation in water by adsorption.

In the last decades, the growth of world agricultural activity has significantly contributed to the increased presence of emerging pollutants such as atrazine (ATZ) in aquatic ecosystems. Due to its high stability to the natural or artificial degradation processes, the ATZ environmental remediation by adsorption has been investigated. In this study, a graphitic-porous-carbon- (GPC) based material with magnetic domains was applied to remove ATZ from aqueous solution. ATZ high adsorption efficiency in a reduced time was achieved in the presence of the GPC adsorbent, leading to a detailed investigation of the mechanisms involved in the adsorption processes. Pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), Ritchie, Elovich, and Weber-Morris models were applied to calculate the kinetic process efficiency. Likewise, adsorption isotherms based on Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich-Peterson models were applied for a detailed understanding of the adsorption mechanisms. GPC was successfully applied for ATZ remediation in natural waters, confirming its high potential for treating natural waters contaminated by ATZ using adsorption process. The material can also be recovered and reused for up to 4 application cycles due to its magnetic properties, showing that in addition to ATZ adsorption efficiency, its sustainable use can be achieved.

Tecnologias da informação e comunicação utilizadas por enfermeiros da atenção primária na pandemia de covid-19 / Tecnologías de la información y comunicación utilizadas por enfermeros de atención primaria en la pandemia de covid-19 / Information and communication technologies used by primary care nurses in the covid-19 pandemic

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar as Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação utilizadas por enfermeiros da atenção primária à saúde durante o processo de trabalho frente à Covid-19. Método: estudo exploratório e qualitativo, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com 10 enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde, coletado em fevereiro de 2022. Utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: evidenciou-se a inclusão das tecnologias como uma ferramenta de complementação e extensão para desenvolver do processo de trabalho da enfermagem, nesse período. A Tecnologia mais utilizada foi o WhatsApp, com a finalidade de realizar monitoramento, orientações e agendamentos. Discussão: a tecnologia permite ao enfermeiro desenvolver o processo de trabalho, favorecendo ao cuidado em saúde e à comunicação, entre os profissionais e desses com os usuários. Entretanto, há entraves como dificuldade de acesso à internet de qualidade. Considerações finais: as tecnologias da informação se constituem como possibilidades ao enfermeiro para desenvolver a sua prática. Apesar das dificuldades de acesso à internet, a utilização das tecnologias durante a pandemia esteve presente na rotina de todos os enfermeiros, sendo utilizadas para qualificar a comunicação e o acesso às informações necessárias à população.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación utilizadas por enfermeros de la atención primaria de salud durante el proceso de trabajo frente a Covid-19. Método: estudio exploratorio y cualitativo, por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas, con 10 enfermeros de la Atención Primaria de Salud, recolectado en febrero de 2022. Se utilizó el análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: se evidenció la inclusión de las tecnologías como una herramienta de complementación y extensión para desarrollar el proceso de trabajo de enfermería, en ese período. La Tecnología más utilizada fue WhatsApp, con la finalidad de realizar monitoreo, orientaciones y planificaciones. Discusión: la tecnología permite al enfermero desarrollar el proceso de trabajo, favoreciendo el cuidado en salud y la comunicación, entre los profesionales y de estos con los usuarios. No obstante, existen obstáculos como la dificultad de acceso a Internet de calidad. Consideraciones finales: las tecnologías de la información se constituyen como posibilidades al enfermero para desarrollar su práctica. A pesar de las dificultades de acceso a Internet, la utilización de las tecnologías durante la pandemia estuvo presente en la rutina de todos los enfermeros y se utilizó para cualificar la comunicación y el acceso a las informaciones necesarias a la población.

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the Information and Communication Technologies used by primary health care nurses during the work process against Covid-19. Method: exploratory and qualitative study, through semi-structured interviews, with 10 nurses from Primary Health Care, collected in February 2022. Bardin content analysis was used. Results: the inclusion of technologies as a tool of complementation and extension to develop the nursing work process in this period was evidenced. The most used technology was WhatsApp, for the purpose of monitoring, guidance and scheduling. Discussion: technology allows nurses to develop the work process, favoring health care and communication between professionals and users. However, there are obstacles such as difficulty in accessing quality internet. Final thoughts: information technologies constitute as possibilities for nurses to develop their practice. Despite the difficulties in accessing the internet, the use of technologies during the pandemic was present in the routine of all nurses, being used to qualify communication and access to the information needed by the population.

Incidentes transfusionais imediatos notificados em crianças e adolescentes / Reacciones transfusionales inmediatas notificadas en niños y adolescentes / Immediate transfusion incidents reported in children and adolescents

Resumo Objetivo Analisar o perfil dos incidentes transfusionais imediatos notificados em crianças e adolescentes internados em hospital geral de alta complexidade. Métodos Estudo documental retrospectivo, com análise de 287 Fichas de Notificação, reportando reações transfusionais em crianças e adolescentes de zero a 18 anos de idade, ocorridas no período de janeiro de 2007 e maio de 2021, em um serviço de hemovigilância de um Hospital Universitário, de caráter filantrópico, de alta complexidade, localizado na cidade de São Paulo. Resultados Das 287 fichas avaliadas, 42,5% das reações foram observadas em adolescentes (entre 12 e 18 anos), 83,6% ocorreram na primeira transfusão. Manifestações clínicas mais comuns foram lesões de pele e hipertermia. Cerca de 50% das reações ocorreram em pacientes com leucemia ou anemias e o hemocomponente associado foi o concentrado de hemácias. Incidentes mais comuns foram: reação febril não hemolítica e reações alérgicas, em sua maioria leves e moderadas. Outras reações foram 9,8% moderadas/graves. Conclusão O estudo favoreceu maior conhecimento sobre os incidentes transfusionais ocorridos em crianças e adolescentes e traz contribuições para reforçar a segurança do paciente e dos serviços de hemoterapia pediátrica.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar el perfil de las reacciones transfusionales inmediatas notificadas en niños y adolescentes internados en un hospital de alta complejidad. Métodos Estudio documental retrospectivo, con análisis de 287 Fichas de Notificación, donde se reportaron reacciones transfusionales en niños y adolescentes de cero a 18 años, ocurridas en el período de enero de 2007 a mayo de 2021, en un servicio de hemovigilancia de un hospital universitario de carácter filantrópico, de alta complejidad, ubicado en la ciudad de São Paulo. Resultados De las 287 fichas analizadas, el 42,5 % de las reacciones fue observada en adolescentes (entre 12 y 18 años) y el 83,6 % sucedió en la primera transfusión. Las manifestaciones clínicas más comunes fueron lesiones en la piel e hipertermia. Cerca del 50 % de las reacciones ocurrió en pacientes con leucemia o anemia, y el componente sanguíneo asociado fue el concentrado de eritrocitos. Los incidentes más comunes fueron: reacción febril no hemolítica y reacciones alérgicas, en su mayoría leves y moderadas. Otras reacciones fueron 9,8 % moderadas/graves. Conclusión El estudio ayudó a tener mayores conocimientos sobre los incidentes transfusionales ocurridos en niños y adolescentes y contribuye para reforzar la seguridad del paciente y de los servicios de hemoterapia pediátrica.

Abstract Objective To analyze the profile of immediate transfusion incidents reported in children and adolescents hospitalized in a high complexity general hospital. Methods This is a documentary and retrospective study that analyzed 287 notification records, reporting transfusion reactions in children and adolescents from zero to 18 years of age, occurred from January 2007 to May 2021, in a hemovigilance service of a high-complexity philanthropic university hospital in the city of São Paulo. Results Of the 287 records assessed, 42.5% of reactions were observed in adolescents (between 12 and 18 years), and 83.6% occurred in the first transfusion. Most common clinical manifestations were skin lesions and hyperthermia. About 50% of reactions occurred in patients with leukemia or anemia and the associated blood component was red blood cell concentrate. Most common incidents were nonhemolytic febrile reaction and mostly mild and moderate allergic reactions. Other reactions were 9.8% moderate/severe. Conclusion The study favored greater knowledge about transfusion incidents in children and adolescents and brings contributions to enhance patient safety and pediatric hemotherapy services.

Systematic review on efficacy of preventive measures for surgical site infection by multiple-drug resistant gram-negative bacilli.

BACKGROUND: There are no specific recommendations for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB). Our objective was to systematically review the literature evaluating the efficacy and safety of measures specifically designed to prevent MDR-GNB SSI. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and LILACS databases up to February 18, 2020. Randomized trials and observational cohort studies evaluating the efficacy of preventive measures against MDR-GNB SSI in adult surgical patients were eligible. We evaluated methodological quality of studies and general quality of evidence using Newcastle-Ottawa scale, Cochrane ROBINS-I and GRADE method. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager V.5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 10,663 titles by searching databases were identified. Two retrospective observational studies, comparing surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) with or without aminoglycoside in renal transplantation recipients, and one non-randomized prospective study, evaluating ertapenem vs. cephalosporin plus metronidazole for SAP in extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriales carriers undergoing colon surgery, were included. Risk of bias was high in all studies. Meta-analysis was performed for the renal transplantation studies, with 854 patients included. Combined relative risk (RR) for MDR GNB SSI was 0.57 (95%CI: 0.25-1.34), favoring SAP with aminoglycoside (GRADE: moderate). CONCLUSIONS: There are no sufficient data supporting specific measures against MDR-GNB SSI. Prospective, randomized studies are necessary to assess the efficacy and safety of SAP with aminoglycoside for MDR-GNB SSI prevention among renal transplantation recipients and other populations. PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018100845.

The coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and their associated factors.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity in adolescents has increased significantly in recent years. The growth of obesity is motivated by the association with modifiable behaviors, however, this behavioral are commonly evaluated individually, not considering the possibility of these factors coexisting in the individual. The purpose of this essay was to identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and to assess the factors associated with the presence of these behaviors. METHODS: This a cross-sectional, national, school-based study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), totaling a sample of 71,552 Brazilian adolescents. To identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors in adolescents, the Principal Component Analysis has been performed. To assess the association between factors that influence the coexistence of modifiable behaviors in the pattern of obesogenic behavior, logistic regression was used. The magnitude of the associations was estimated by the Odds Ratio (OR), with the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: The component was characterized by a higher percentage of ultra-processed food intake, longer in front of screens, having a habit of snacking in front of the television, and not having the habit of eating breakfast. In the adjusted logistic model, it shows that female adolescents and who declare themselves black are more likely to belong to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. As for teenagers who sometimes or almost always or always have lunch or dinner with parents or guardians, who have longer hours of sleep and who live in economically disadvantaged regions have reduced chances of belonging to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. CONCLUSION: The identification of obesogenic behavior patterns allows assertive interventions to eliminate or reduce these changeable behaviors, also aiming at the possibility of reducing obesity among adolescents.

Qualidade de vida de acadêmicos que se deslocam para uma universidade particular em Sergipe / Quality of life of academics that move to a private university in Sergipe / Calidad de vida del desplazamiento académico para una universidad en particular en Sergipe

No decorrer da graduação, os universitários sofrem pressões biopsicossociais que comprometem não só sua qualidade de vida (QV), mas também o desempenho nas mais variadas circunstâncias. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a QV dos universitários de Tobias Barreto (SE) que se deslocavam para a Universidade Tiradentes em Aracaju (SE) no primeiro semestre de 2018. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo de natureza quantitativa, do tipo corte transversal, com moradores universitários do município de Tobias Barreto que se deslocavam para a capital Aracaju para estudar, no primeiro semestre de 2018, tendo como amostra 97 acadêmicos. A maioria dos participantes eram do sexo masculino, cor parda e residiam em Tobias Barreto. Desses, 94,85% moravam em casa própria e 42,27% recebiam até um salário mínimo proveniente de atividade remunerada ­ enquadravam-se na classe C1. Mesmo diante das dificuldades vivenciadas diariamente, os universitários apresentaram um bom rendimento acadêmico e um escore melhor de qualidade de vida no domínio social, e um escore menor no domínio ambiental.

Throughout the undergraduate course, students suffer psychosocial pressures that compromise not only their quality of life (QOL), but also the performance in the most varied circumstances. This study aimed to analyze the QOL of university students of Tobias Barreto (state of Sergipe ­ SE) who moved to Tiradentes University in Aracaju (SE) in the first half of 2018. To that end, a quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out with university students residents in the municipality of Tobias Barreto who moved to the capital Aracaju to study, in the first semester of 2018, with a sample of 97 academics. Most participants were male, mixed-race, and residing in Tobias Barreto. Of those, 94.85% lived in their own houses and 42.27% receive up to a minimum salary from paid activity ­ categorized in economic class C1. Even faced with the difficulties experienced daily, the university students presented a good academic performance and presented a higher quality of life score in the social domain and lower, in the environmental domain.

Durante la graduación, los estudiantes universitarios sufren presiones biopsicosociales que terminan comprometiendo no solo su Calidad de Vida (CV), sino también su desempeño en las más variadas circunstancias. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la CV de universitarios de Tobias Barreto/SE que viajaban para la Universidade Tiradentes en Aracaju/SE, en el primer semestre de 2018. Para eso, se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal cuantitativo, con universitarios residentes en la ciudad de Tobias Barreto/SE que viajaron a la capital Aracaju para estudios en el primer semestre de 2018, con una muestra de 97 académicos. La mayoría de los participantes era del sexo masculino, moreno, residente en Tobías Barreto/SE. De esos, el 94,85% vivía en domicilio propio y el 42,27% recibía hasta un salario mínimo por actividad remunerada, pertenecían a la clase económica C1. Aún frente a las dificultades vividas en el día a día, los universitarios presentaron un buen desempeño académico y mejor puntaje de calidad de vida en el dominio social, y menor puntaje de CV en el dominio ambiental.

Ethic Policy Forum: Inclusión de minorías étnicas latinoamericanas en los ensayos clínicos

Objetivo: Analizar los aspectos normativos y éticos relacionados a la inclusión de las minorías étnicas en los ensayos clínicos en Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Material y Métodos : Se presentan resultados del análisis ético y normativo realizado por el grupo de investigadores en bioética, del Ethic Policy Forum; foro de análisis, discusión y formulación de propuestas en políticas y normativas relacionadas con aspectos de ética en investigación en los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe, constituido por el Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación del Seguro Social de Salud del Perú, la Universidad Católica Santa María de Arequipa, Perú y la Red Internacional de Salud Colectiva y salud Intercultural de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. Resultados: Se evidencia que las minorías étnicas no están adecuadamente representadas en los ensayos clínicos en Latinoamérica y el Caribe y la normativa al respecto no está estandarizada, o no existe en todos los países de la Región. Los ensayos con minorías étnicas, pueden tener beneficios, pero también potenciales riesgos y conflictos éticos, que requieren una adecuada evaluación de las vulnerabilidades, acompañamiento efectivo en el consentimiento informado y proceso de investigación, por Comités de ética de investigación capacitados salud intercultural y en ética de la investigación con pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes. Conclusión : Los ensayos clínicos deben incluir a minorías étnicas, con potencial beneficio de los productos de investigación. La investigación debe desarrollarse bajo principios éticos y normativas que protejan a estas minorías.

Objetive: To analyze the normative and ethical aspects related to the inclusion of ethnic minorities in clinical trials in Latin America and the Caribbean. Material and Methods : The results of the ethical and normative analysis carried out by the group of researchers in bioethics of the Ethic Policy Forum are presented; forum for analysis, discussion and formulation of proposals in policies and regulations related to aspects of ethics in research in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, constituted by the "Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación" from Peru, the Universidad Católica Santa María de Arequipa, Peru and the International Network of Collective Health and Intercultural Health of the "Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México". Results : It is evident that ethnic minorities are not adequately represented in clinical trials in Latin America and the Caribbean and the regulations in this regard are not standardized, or do not exist in all the countries of the Region. Trials with ethnic minorities can have benefits but also potential risks and ethical conflicts, which require an adequate assessment of vulnerabilities, effective support in informed consent and the research process, by Research Ethics Committees trained in intercultural health and ethics of research with indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants. Conclusion : Clinical trials should include ethnic minorities, with potential benefit from research products. Research must be developed under ethical and regulatory principles that protect these minorities.

EGFL7 expression profile in IDH-wildtype glioblastomas is associated with poor patient outcome.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advances in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment, the average life span of patients is 14 months. Therefore, it is urgent to identity biomarkers of prognosis, treatment response, or development of novel treatment strategies. We previously described the association of high epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7) expression and unfavorable outcome of pilocytic astrocytoma patients. The present study aims to analyze the prognostic potential of EGFL7 in GBM isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype, using immunohistochemistry and in silico approaches. METHODS: Spearman's correlation analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA sequencing data was performed. The genes strongly correlated to EGFL7 expression were submitted to enrichment gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Additionally, EGFL7 expression was associated with patient overall survival. The expression of EGFL7 was analyzed through immunohistochemistry in 74 GBM IDH-wildtype patients' samples, and was associated with clinicopathological data and overall survival. RESULTS: In silico analysis found 78 genes strongly correlated to EGFL7 expression. These genes were enriched in 40 biological processes and eight KEGG pathways, including angiogenesis/vasculogenesis, cell adhesion, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt, Notch, and Rap1 signaling pathways. The immunostaining showed high EGFL7 expression in 39 cases (52.7%). High immunolabelling was significantly associated with low Karnofsky Performance Status and poor overall survival. Cox analysis showed that GBMs IDH-wildtype with high EGFL7 expression presented a higher risk of death compared to low expression (hazard ratio, 1.645; 95% confidence interval, 1.021 to 2.650; p = .041). CONCLUSIONS: This study gives insights regarding the genes that are correlated with EGFL7, as well as biological processes and signaling pathways, which should be further investigated in order to elucidate their role in glioblastoma biology.

Videolaryngoscopy Findings of the Vocal Health Program in Dysphonic Teachers in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract Introduction The high phonatory demand required of teachers is a direct cause of the onset of vocal symptoms and of the development of laryngeal disorders. Objective To describe the findings of the laryngeal screening performed as part of the Vocal Health Program held in the Federal Distrcit of Brazil in 2014 and 2015. Methods The study was performed with 361 dysphonic teachers from public schools who attended the laryngeal screening (videolaryngoscopy) part of the program. Data on anamnesis, the degree of dysphonia, the findings of the laryngeal screening, the referrals made after the laryngeal screening, and the result of the assessment of vocal aptitude for work were analyzed from the forms of each participating teacher. Results The sample of the present study (N= 361) represents 18.23% of the 1,980 teachers that went through the vocal screening of the program in 2014 and 2015. In total, 98 (27.15%) teachers presented mild dysphonia, 221 (61.22%), moderate dysphonia, and 42, (11.63%) severe dysphonia. Regarding the laryngeal screening (videolaryngoscopy exam), 269 teachers (74.52%) presented laryngeal disorders, and the main ones found were vocal nodules (43.87%), signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux (37.17%), hourglass chink (18.22%), vascular dysgenesis (18.22%), midposterior triangular chink (9.67%), and double chink (8.55%). Conclusion Laryngeal screening through videolaryngoscopy and auditory-perceptual screening of the voice as part of vocal health programs are essential to define the diagnosis and therapeutic conduct for teachers with dysphonia. Together with intervention activities, continuing education and adequate and accessible treatment, the periodic evaluation of vocal health can contribute to reduce absenteeism and improve the quality of life and of the voice of teachers.

Videolaryngoscopy Findings of the Vocal Health Program in Dysphonic Teachers in the Federal District, Brazil.

Introduction The high phonatory demand required of teachers is a direct cause of the onset of vocal symptoms and of the development of laryngeal disorders. Objective To describe the findings of the laryngeal screening performed as part of the Vocal Health Program held in the Federal Distrcit of Brazil in 2014 and 2015. Methods The study was performed with 361 dysphonic teachers from public schools who attended the laryngeal screening (videolaryngoscopy) part of the program. Data on anamnesis, the degree of dysphonia, the findings of the laryngeal screening, the referrals made after the laryngeal screening, and the result of the assessment of vocal aptitude for work were analyzed from the forms of each participating teacher. Results The sample of the present study ( N = 361) represents 18.23% of the 1,980 teachers that went through the vocal screening of the program in 2014 and 2015. In total, 98 (27.15%) teachers presented mild dysphonia, 221 (61.22%), moderate dysphonia, and 42, (11.63%) severe dysphonia. Regarding the laryngeal screening (videolaryngoscopy exam), 269 teachers (74.52%) presented laryngeal disorders, and the main ones found were vocal nodules (43.87%), signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux (37.17%), hourglass chink (18.22%), vascular dysgenesis (18.22%), midposterior triangular chink (9.67%), and double chink (8.55%). Conclusion Laryngeal screening through videolaryngoscopy and auditory-perceptual screening of the voice as part of vocal health programs are essential to define the diagnosis and therapeutic conduct for teachers with dysphonia. Together with intervention activities, continuing education and adequate and accessible treatment, the periodic evaluation of vocal health can contribute to reduce absenteeism and improve the quality of life and of the voice of teachers.

Impact of using cocoa bean shell powder as a substitute for wheat flour on some of chocolate cake properties.

The cocoa bean shell is a residue rich in bioactive compounds and its use as an ingredient in the food industry has been studied. This work had the objective of proposing the elaboration of chocolate cake with substitution of wheat flour by cocoa bean shell powder (CSp). Five formulations with different percentages of CSp were used: 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% and 0% (control). The cakes were evaluated by technological characteristics (volume, texture profile, firmness and colour), antioxidant profile (DPPH, ß-carotene/linoleic acid system, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and tannins) and sensory tests (TDS and acceptance). The technological characteristics and antioxidant activity of the cakes were influenced by the different concentrations of CSp compared to the control sample. The cakes containing up to 75% CSp presented satisfactory sensory acceptance. Therefore, CSp has been revealed to be a prominent alternative substitute ingredient to be used promisingly in the food industry.