Efficacy of articaine anesthesia with needle-free/Comfort-in method and conventional needle injection in dental patients with irreversible pulpitis: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the anesthetic efficacy of articaine with the needle-free/Comfort-in™ method compared to the conventional needle method. To assess pain during anesthesia application, onset of anesthesia and patient`s self-reported quality of life-related to oral health after the dental emergency appointment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This parallel, randomized clinical trial was conducted by a single operator/dentist in the state of Maranhao, northeast of Brazil. Included participants were adult dental patients with one molar (maxillary) or premolar (maxillary or mandibular) tooth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The primary outcome was the anesthetic efficacy, measured using a combination of electrical and cold pulp tests (cold + EPT) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes were pain during anesthesia application, onset of anesthesia, and patient`s quality-of-life (measured with the OHIP-14). RESULTS: 62 patients were randomized in the anesthesia needle-free group and Comfort-in group (34.26 ± 10.786 × 33.29 ± 8.399 years old, respectively). The group of patients in the Comfort-in group had 71.0% success. Patients from the Comfort-in group reported statistically lower pain during the anesthesia application than patients from the conventional group (2.13 ± 2.172 × 6.03 ± 3.146 NRS scores, respectively) as well as immediately after the anesthetic procedure. Patients self-reported negative impact in quality of life was similar between groups before (p > 0.05) and after (p > 0.05) the dental emergency. CONCLUSIONS: Comfort-in™ had similar efficacy to the conventional needle method. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This trial showed that it is possible to anesthetize patients with tooth pulpits without using needles to provide comfort mainly to anxious patients.

Sarcoma de Ewing atípico: relato de caso e achados de imagem / Atypical Ewing's Sarcoma: a case report and imaging findings

Objetivo: Apresentar um caso atípico de Sarcoma de Ewing, devido a sua dificuldade diagnóstica. Relato do caso: Paciente masculino, 14 anos, com diagnóstico histopatológico e pela imuno-histoquímica de Sarcoma de Ewing de origem clavicular. A tomografia computadorizada revelou formação expansiva localizada na região supraclavicular direita com epicentro em terços médio e extremidade medial da clavícula ipsilateral, determinando lesão lítica nos terços proximal e médio da clavícula direita, com extensa reação periosteal e pequenas áreas de descontinuidade da cortical no terço proximal da clavícula. A ressonância magnética confirmou lesão expansiva centrada nos terços médio e proximal da clavícula direita, apresentando preservação da superfície articular da articulação esternoclavicular sem sinais de invasão vascular ou do plexo braquial, sem evidências de envolvimento das estruturas do plexo braquial. Realizadas sessões de quimioterapia para diminuição das dimensões tumorais e, em sequência, submetido à claviculectomia. Discussão: O diagnóstico por imagem, incluindo raio x, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética, podem ser usados comumente no diagnóstico dessa doença. Os aspectos radiográficos são de extrema importância para o diagnóstico, apesar da aparência radiológica de várias lesões ósseas serem semelhantes, o Sarcoma de Ewing é caracterizado por uma lesão osteolítica altamente agressiva, mal delimitada, associado à reação periosteal, dando origem aos denominados "triangulo de Codman", "raios de sol" e em "casca de cebola". A tomografia computadorizada, assim como a ressonância magnética, são exames úteis para estadiamento dessas lesões, definindo com mais clareza as alterações dos componentes de partes moles, alterações corticais e a presença de metástases. A tomografia computadorizada caracteriza o sarcoma como lesão expansiva, com captação heterogênea ao meio de contraste e extensão da lesão para partes moles, já a ressonância magnética descreve como lesão de baixo sinal de T1, com realce heterogêneo ao contraste e sinal heterogêneo em T2. Conclusão: No paciente em questão, as imagens revelaram informações importantes para o diagnóstico e prognóstico da lesão. Portanto, os radiologistas devem estar atentos aos achados de imagem que possam estar fora do padrão usual da doença

Objective: To present an atypical case of Ewing Sarcoma, due to its diagnostic difficulty. Case report: Male patient, 14 years old, with histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma of clavicular origin. Computed tomography revealed an expansive formation located in the right supraclavicular region with an epicenter in the middle third and medial end of the ipsilateral clavicle, determining a lytic lesion in the proximal and middle thirds of the right clavicle, with extensive periosteal reaction and small areas of cortical discontinuity in the proximal third of the clavicle. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed an expansive lesion centered in the middle and proximal thirds of the right clavicle, showing preservation of the articular surface of the sternoclavicular joint without signs of vascular or brachial plexus invasion, without evidence of involvement of the brachial plexus structures. Chemotherapy sessions were carried out to reduce tumor size and, subsequently, he underwent clavicularectomy. Discussion: Diagnostic imaging, including x-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, can be commonly used in the diagnosis of this disease. Radiographic aspects are extremely important for diagnosis, despite the radiological appearance of several bone lesions being similar, Ewing's Sarcoma is characterized by a highly aggressive, poorly delimited osteolytic lesion, associated with periosteal reaction, giving rise to the so-called "triangle of Codman", "rays of sun" and "onion skin". Computed tomography, as well as magnetic resonance imaging, are useful exams for staging these lesions, defining more clearly changes in soft tissue components, cortical changes and the presence of metastases. Computed tomography characterizes the sarcoma as an expansile lesion, with heterogeneous contrast uptake and extension of the lesion to soft tissues, whereas magnetic resonance imaging describes it as a low-signal T1 lesion, with heterogeneous contrast enhancement and heterogeneous signal on T2. Conclusion: In the patient in question, the images revealed important information for the diagnosis and prognosis of the injury. Therefore, radiologists must be alert to imaging findings that may be outside the usual pattern of the disease

Does sentinel node mapping impact morbidity and quality of life in endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of post-operative complications and quality of life (QoL) related to sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy vs systematic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer. METHODS: A prospective cohort included women with early-stage endometrial carcinoma who underwent lymph node staging, grouped as follows: SLN group (sentinel lymph node only) and SLN+LND group (sentinel lymph node biopsy with addition of systematic lymphadenectomy). The patients had at least 12 months of follow-up, and QoL was assessed by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cervical Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and EORTC-QLQ-Cx24. Lymphedema was also assessed by clinical evaluation and perimetry. RESULTS: 152 patients were included: 113 (74.3%) in the SLN group and 39 (25.7%) in the SLN+LND group. Intra-operative surgical complications occurred in 2 (1.3%) cases, and all belonged to SLN+LND group. Patients undergoing SLN+LND had higher overall complication rates than those undergoing SLN alone (33.3% vs 14.2%; p=0.011), even after adjusting for confound factors (OR=3.45, 95% CI 1.40 to 8.47; p=0.007). The SLN+LND group had longer surgical time (p=0.001) and need for admission to the intensive care unit (p=0.001). Moreover, the incidence of lymphocele was found in eight cases in the SLN+LND group (0 vs 20.5%; p<0.001). There were no differences in lymphedema rate after clinical evaluation and perimetry. However, the lymphedema score was highest when lymphedema was reported by clinical examination at 6 months (30.1 vs 7.8; p<0.001) and at 12 months (36.3 vs 6.0; p<0.001). Regarding the overall assessment of QoL, there was no difference between groups at 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher overall rate of complications for the group undergoing systematic lymphadenectomy, as well as higher rates of lymphocele and lymphedema according to the symptom score. No difference was found in overall QoL between SLN and SLN+LND groups.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa: a scoping review. / Hesitação vacinal contra a COVID-19 na América Latina e África: uma revisão de escopo.

Vaccination has played an important role in the containment of COVID-19 pandemic advances. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy has caused a global concern. This scoping review aims to map the scientific literature on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa from a Global Health perspective, observing the particularities of the Global South and using parameters validated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The review reporting observes the recommendations of the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) model. Search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, selecting studies published from January 1, 2020 to January 22, 2022. Selected studies indicate that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy involves factors such as political scenario, spread of misinformation, regional differences in each territory regarding Internet access, lack of access to information, history of vaccination resistance, lack of information about the disease and the vaccine, concern about adverse events, and vaccine efficacy and safety. Regarding the use of conceptual and methodology references from the WHO for vaccine hesitancy, few studies (6/94) use research instruments based on these references. Then, the replication in Global South of conceptual and methodological parameters developed by experts from the Global North contexts has been criticized from the perspective of Global Health because of it may not consider political and sociocultural particularities, the different nuances of vaccine hesitancy, and issues of access to vaccines.

A vacinação tem papel relevante para conter os avanços da pandemia de COVID-19. No entanto, a hesitação vacinal com os imunizantes que agem contra o SARS-CoV-2 tem causado preocupação em âmbito global. Esta revisão de escopo tem como objetivo mapear a literatura científica sobre a hesitação vacinal contra a COVID-19 na América Latina e África sob uma perspectiva da Saúde Global, observando as particularidades do Sul Global e o uso de parâmetros validados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). O relato da revisão segue as recomendações do protocolo PRISMA para Revisões de Escopo (PRISMA-ScR). O levantamento foi realizado nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), selecionando estudos publicados entre 1º de janeiro de 2020 e 22 de janeiro de 2022, os quais indicam que a hesitação vacinal contra a COVID-19 envolve fatores como o cenário político, a disseminação de desinformação, diferenças regionais referentes ao acesso à Internet, falta de acesso à informação, o histórico de resistência à vacinação, falta de informações sobre a doença e a vacina, preocupação com eventos adversos, eficácia e segurança dos imunizantes. Quanto ao uso dos referenciais conceituais e metodológicos da OMS sobre hesitação vacinal, poucos estudos (apenas 6 de 94) utilizam instrumentos de pesquisa baseado neles. Desta forma, a replicação de parâmetros conceituais e metodológicos elaborados por expertises do Norte Global em contextos do Sul Global tem sido criticada pela perspectiva da Saúde Global, em decorrência da possibilidade de não considerar as especificidades políticas e socioculturais, as diferentes nuances de hesitação vacinal e questões de acesso às vacinas.

La vacunación tiene un papel relevante para frenar los avances de la pandemia de COVID-19. Sin embargo, la indecisión a las vacunas contra el SARS-CoV-2 ha causado preocupación a nivel global. Esta revisión de alcance tiene como objetivo mapear la literatura científica sobre la indecisión a las vacunas contra COVID-19 en América Latina y África desde una perspectiva de la Salud Global, observando las particularidades del Sur Global y el uso de parámetros validados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). El informe de la revisión sigue las recomendaciones del protocolo PRISMA para Revisiones de Alcance (PRISMA-ScR). La encuesta se realizó en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS), seleccionando los estudios publicados entre 1º de enero de 2020 y 22 de enero de 2022. Los estudios seleccionados indican que la indecisión a las vacunas de COVID-19 involucra factores como el escenario político, la diseminación de desinformación, las diferencias regionales de cada territorio referente al acceso a Internet, la falta de acceso a la información, el historial de resistencia a la vacunación, la falta de informaciones sobre la enfermedad y la vacuna, la preocupación por los eventos adversos, la eficacia y la seguridad de los inmunizantes. En cuanto al uso de los referenciales conceptuales y metodológicos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) sobre la indecisión a las vacunas, pocos estudios (6/94) utilizan instrumentos de investigación basados en esos referenciales. Así, la replicación de parámetros conceptuales y metodológicos elaborados por expertos del Norte Global en contextos del Sur Global ha sido criticada por la perspectiva de la Salud Global, por la posibilidad de no considerar las especificidades políticas y socioculturales, los diferentes matices de la indecisión a las vacunas y cuestiones de acceso a las vacunas.

Towards All-Non-Vacuum-Processed Photovoltaic Systems: A Water-Based Screen-Printed Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Photoabsorber with a 6.6% Efficiency.

During the last few decades, major advances have been made in photovoltaic systems based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 chalcopyrite. However, the most efficient photovoltaic cells are processed under high-energy-demanding vacuum conditions. To lower the costs and facilitate high-throughput production, printing/coating processes are proving to be effective solutions. This work combined printing, coating, and chemical bath deposition processes of photoabsorber, buffer, and transparent conductive layers for the development of solution-processed photovoltaic systems. Using a sustainable approach, all inks were formulated using water and ethanol as solvents. Screen printing of the photoabsorber on fluorine-doped tin-oxide-coated glass followed by selenization, chemical bath deposition of the cadmium sulfide buffer, and final sputtering of the intrinsic zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide top conductive layers delivered a 6.6% maximum efficiency solar cell, a record for screen-printed Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells. On the other hand, the all-non-vacuum-processed device with spray-coated intrinsic zinc-oxide- and tin-doped indium oxide top conductive layers delivered a 2.2% efficiency. The given approaches represent relevant steps towards the fabrication of sustainable and efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells.

Apical Sealing and Bioactivity of an Experimental Gutta-Percha Containing Niobium Phosphate Bioglass.

This study evaluated the apical sealing ability and bioactivity of an experimental gutta-percha containing niobium phosphate bioglass. Thirty-six human premolars were endodontically prepared and divided into three groups: GPC-filling with conventional gutta-percha; GBC-filling with bioceramic gutta-percha (EndoSequence BC); GNB-filling with experimental gutta-percha containing niobophosphate. Teeth were stored in tubes containing 2 mL of simulated body fluid (SBF) solution in an oven for 30 days. Then, the samples were immersed in lanthanum nitrate solution and analyzed for apical nanoleakage (NI) with a scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Gutta-percha specimens were immersed for 28 days (SBF) and analyzed in SEM/EDS and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess bioactivity. NI data originated from the SEM/EDS were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 5%). NI data originated from TEM and bioactivity were descriptively reported. Statistical analysis did not detect a significant difference between groups (p = 0.13) for NI. In the bioactivity analysis, an abundant layer of hydroxyapatite was identified only in the surface of the GNB group samples. The gutta-percha containing niobophosphate bioglass promoted an apical sealing similar to EndoSequence BC, in addition to demonstrating bioactivity through the deposition of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the material after immersion in SBF.

Sfl1 is required for Candida albicans biofilm formation under acidic conditions.

Candida albicans is a common Candida species, responsible for infections in various anatomical sites under different environmental conditions, aggravated in the presence of its biofilms. As such, this study aimed to reveal the regulation of C. albicans biofilms under acidic conditions by the transcription factor Sfl1, whose role on biofilm formation is unclear. For that, microbiologic and transcriptomic analyses were performed with the knock-out mutant C. albicans sfl1Δ/sfl1Δ and its parental strain SN76, grown in planktonic and biofilm lifestyles at pH 4 (vaginal pH). The results revealed that despite being a filamentation repressor Sf1 is required for maximal biofilm formation under acidic conditions. Additionally, Sfl1 was found to induce 275 and 126 genes in biofilm and planktonic cells, respectively, with an overlap of 19 genes. The functional distribution of Sfl1 targets was similar in planktonic and biofilm modes but an enrichment of carbohydrate metabolism function was found in biofilm cells, including some genes encoding proteins involved in the biofilm matrix production. Furthermore, this study shows that the regulatory network of Sfl1 in acidic biofilms is complex and includes positive and negative regulation of transcription factors involved in adhesion and biofilm formation, such as Ahr1, Brg1, Tye7, Tec1, Wor1, and some of their targets. Overall, this study shows that Sfl1 is a relevant regulator of C. albicans biofilm formation in acidic environments and contributes to a better understanding of C. albicans virulence under acidic conditions.

Can mismatch repair status be added to sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm in endometrioid endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between mismatch repair (MMR) status and the risk of lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer, and whether this additional data can be incorporated to current SLN (sentinel lymph node) algorithm. METHODS: We included a series of 332 women that underwent SLN mapping ± systematic lymphadenectomy from January 2013 to December 2021. Protein expressions of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 were examined by immuno-histochemistry and considered MMRd (deficient) when at least one protein was not expressed. RESULTS: MMRd was noted in 20.8% of cases and correlated to grade 3 (p = 0.018) and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (p = 0.032). Moreover, MMRd was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.36-5.62). Notably, 21.7% (15/69) cases with MMRd had lymph node metastasis compared to 9.5% (25/263) of cases with MMRp (proficient) (p = 0.005). The overall and bilateral SLN detection rates were 91.9% and 75.9%, respectively. Of the 80 (24%) cases of non-bilateral SLN detection, 66.2% had low-grade tumors (G1/G2) and myometrial invasion <50%. Considering MMR status an independent prognostic factor for lymph node metastasis, a systematic lymphadenectomy (side specific or bilateral) would forgo in 53.7% (43/80) of cases with non-bilateral detection, representing 13% (43/332) of all endometroid tumors. CONCLUSION: MMR status was independently related to lymph node metastasis in endometrioid EC. Moreover, MMR status may help to select patients that can forgo systematic lymphadenectomy in case of undetected SLN.

Qualidade de vida e mapeamento de complicações: avaliação do linfonodo sentinela no câncer de endométrio / Quality of life and complications: evaluation of the sentinel lymph node in endometrial cancer

Objetivo: Avaliar a incidência das complicações pós-operatórias do estadiamento cirúrgico e qualidade de vida relacionada ao protocolo do linfonodo sentinela associado ou não à linfadenectomia sistemática no tratamento do câncer do endométrio. Métodos: Foi conduzida uma coorte prospectiva entre dezembro de 2017 e abril de 2022, incluindo mulheres com carcinoma de endométrio em estágio inicial presumido (doença restrita ao útero) e com estadiamento linfonodal, agrupadas em: Grupo LNS (somente pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela) e Grupo LNS+LND (linfonodo sentinela com adição de linfadenectomia sistemática). Foram incluídas pacientes com baixo e alto risco para metástase linfonodal. As pacientes de alto risco fazem parte do estudo ALICE (NCT03366051), um estudo prospectivo randomizado de não inferioridade. As pacientes foram avaliadas no pré-operatório, 1 mês, 6 e 12 meses, com aplicação de questionário de qualidade de vida (QQV) pelo EORTC QLQ-C30 e Cx24, avaliação clínica e perimetria para avaliar linfedema. Resultados: Foram incluídas 152 mulheres, sendo 113 (74,3%) no grupo LNS e 39 (25,7%) no grupo LNS+LND. Complicações cirúrgicas intraoperatórias ocorreram em 2 (1,3%) casos todas pertencentes ao grupo LNS+LND. Complicações cirúrgicas até 30 dias foram encontradas em 29 (19,1%) casos. As pacientes submetidas a LNS+LND apresentaram taxas gerais de complicações cirúrgicas mais altas em comparação com aquelas submetidas apenas a LNS (33,3% vs. 14,2%; p=0,011). O grupo LNS+LND apresentou maior tempo de cirurgia (p=0,001) e necessidade de UTI (p=0,001). A incidência de linfocele foi encontrada em 8 casos, apenas no grupo LNS+LND (0 vs. 20,5%; p<0,001). Para o linfedema de membros inferiores, não foi encontrada diferença entre os grupos pela avaliação perimétrica do grupo LNS comparado ao LNS+LND (23,2% vs. 13,3%; p= 0,25). O mesmo ocorreu para a avaliação clínica do linfedema, encontrado em 21,2% do grupo LNS e 33,3% do grupo LNS+LND (p=0,14). Entretanto, na avaliação de presença de linfedema pelo score de sintomas do EORTC, houve maior relato de linfedema no grupo LNS+LND (score 23,52) comparado ao grupo LNS (score 12,45) na avaliação de 12 meses (p=0,02). Além disso, encontramos associação entre avaliação clínica e linfedema relatado pelo paciente. O score médio de linfedema foi maior quando este foi detectado por exame clínico em 6 meses (30,10 vs. 7,8; p<0,001) e 12 meses (36,4 vs. 6,0; p<0,001), no entanto sem associação entre perimetria e avaliações clínicas (p=0,76). Em relação à avaliação global de qualidade de vida, não houve diferença entre os grupos aos 12 meses (p=0,21). Conclusões: Houve maior taxa geral de complicações para o grupo submetido a linfadenectomia sistemática, assim como maiores taxas de linfocele e linfedema pelo score de sintomas. Nenhuma diferença foi encontrada em relação à qualidade de vida entre os grupos LNS e LNS+LND

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications of surgical lymph node staging procedures and quality of life related to the sentinel lymph node protocol associated or not with systemic lymphadenectomy in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Methods: A prospective cohort was conducted between December 2017 and April 2022. Women with presumed early-stage endometrial carcinoma (disease restricted to the uterus) and with lymph node staging were included, grouped as follows: SLN group (sentinel lymph node only) and SLN+LND Group (sentinel lymph node with addition of systematic lymphadenectomy). Patients with low and high risk for lymph node metastasis were included, and high-risk patients were part of the ALICE study (NCT03366051), a prospective randomized non-inferiority study. The patients were assessed preoperatively, 1 month, 6 and 12 months with the application of a quality-of-life questionnaire (QQL) using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and Cx24, clinical evaluation and perimetry to assess lymphedema. Results: 152 women were included, 113 (74.3%) women in the SLN group and 39 (25.7%) in the SLN+LND group. Intraoperative surgical complications occurred in 2 (1.3%) cases, all of them in the SLN+LND group. Surgical complications within 30 days were found in 29 (19.1%) cases. Patients undergoing SLN+LND had higher overall rates of surgical complications compared to women undergoing SLN alone (33.3% vs. 14.2%; p=0.011). The SLN+LND group had longer surgery time (p=0.001) and need for ICU (p=0.001). The incidence of lymphocele was found in 8 cases and only in the SLN+LND group (0 vs. 20.5%; p<0.001). For lower limbs lymphedema, no difference was found between the groups by the perimetric evaluation of the SLN group compared to the SLN+LND (23.2% vs. 13.3%; p=0.25). The same occurred for the clinical evaluation of lymphedema, being found in 21.2% for the SLN group and 33.3% for the SLN+LND group (p=0.14). However, when evaluating the presence of lymphedema using the EORTC symptom score, there was a higher number of lymphedema reports in the SLN+LND group (score 23.52) compared to the SLN group (score 12.45) at the 12-month evaluation (p=0.02). In addition, we found an association between clinical evaluation and lymphedema reported by the patient. The lymphedema score had a higher mean score when lymphedema was detected by clinical examination at 6 months (30.10 vs. 7.8; p<0.001) and 12 months (36.4 vs. 6.0; p<0.001), however with no association between perimetry and clinical evaluations (p=0.76). Regarding the overall assessment of quality of life, there was no difference between the groups at 12 months (p=0.21). Conclusions: There was a higher overall rate of complications for the group undergoing systematic lymphadenectomy, as well as higher rates of lymphocele and lymphedema according to the symptom score. No difference was found regarding quality of life between the LNS and LNS+LND groups

Hesitação vacinal contra a COVID-19 na América Latina e África: uma revisão de escopo / La indecisión a las vacunas contra COVID-19 en América Latina y África: una revisión de alcance / COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa: a scoping review

Resumo: A vacinação tem papel relevante para conter os avanços da pandemia de COVID-19. No entanto, a hesitação vacinal com os imunizantes que agem contra o SARS-CoV-2 tem causado preocupação em âmbito global. Esta revisão de escopo tem como objetivo mapear a literatura científica sobre a hesitação vacinal contra a COVID-19 na América Latina e África sob uma perspectiva da Saúde Global, observando as particularidades do Sul Global e o uso de parâmetros validados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). O relato da revisão segue as recomendações do protocolo PRISMA para Revisões de Escopo (PRISMA-ScR). O levantamento foi realizado nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), selecionando estudos publicados entre 1º de janeiro de 2020 e 22 de janeiro de 2022, os quais indicam que a hesitação vacinal contra a COVID-19 envolve fatores como o cenário político, a disseminação de desinformação, diferenças regionais referentes ao acesso à Internet, falta de acesso à informação, o histórico de resistência à vacinação, falta de informações sobre a doença e a vacina, preocupação com eventos adversos, eficácia e segurança dos imunizantes. Quanto ao uso dos referenciais conceituais e metodológicos da OMS sobre hesitação vacinal, poucos estudos (apenas 6 de 94) utilizam instrumentos de pesquisa baseado neles. Desta forma, a replicação de parâmetros conceituais e metodológicos elaborados por expertises do Norte Global em contextos do Sul Global tem sido criticada pela perspectiva da Saúde Global, em decorrência da possibilidade de não considerar as especificidades políticas e socioculturais, as diferentes nuances de hesitação vacinal e questões de acesso às vacinas.

Resumen: La vacunación tiene un papel relevante para frenar los avances de la pandemia de COVID-19. Sin embargo, la indecisión a las vacunas contra el SARS-CoV-2 ha causado preocupación a nivel global. Esta revisión de alcance tiene como objetivo mapear la literatura científica sobre la indecisión a las vacunas contra COVID-19 en América Latina y África desde una perspectiva de la Salud Global, observando las particularidades del Sur Global y el uso de parámetros validados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). El informe de la revisión sigue las recomendaciones del protocolo PRISMA para Revisiones de Alcance (PRISMA-ScR). La encuesta se realizó en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS), seleccionando los estudios publicados entre 1º de enero de 2020 y 22 de enero de 2022. Los estudios seleccionados indican que la indecisión a las vacunas de COVID-19 involucra factores como el escenario político, la diseminación de desinformación, las diferencias regionales de cada territorio referente al acceso a Internet, la falta de acceso a la información, el historial de resistencia a la vacunación, la falta de informaciones sobre la enfermedad y la vacuna, la preocupación por los eventos adversos, la eficacia y la seguridad de los inmunizantes. En cuanto al uso de los referenciales conceptuales y metodológicos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) sobre la indecisión a las vacunas, pocos estudios (6/94) utilizan instrumentos de investigación basados en esos referenciales. Así, la replicación de parámetros conceptuales y metodológicos elaborados por expertos del Norte Global en contextos del Sur Global ha sido criticada por la perspectiva de la Salud Global, por la posibilidad de no considerar las especificidades políticas y socioculturales, los diferentes matices de la indecisión a las vacunas y cuestiones de acceso a las vacunas.

Abstract: Vaccination has played an important role in the containment of COVID-19 pandemic advances. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy has caused a global concern. This scoping review aims to map the scientific literature on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa from a Global Health perspective, observing the particularities of the Global South and using parameters validated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The review reporting observes the recommendations of the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) model. Search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, selecting studies published from January 1, 2020 to January 22, 2022. Selected studies indicate that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy involves factors such as political scenario, spread of misinformation, regional differences in each territory regarding Internet access, lack of access to information, history of vaccination resistance, lack of information about the disease and the vaccine, concern about adverse events, and vaccine efficacy and safety. Regarding the use of conceptual and methodology references from the WHO for vaccine hesitancy, few studies (6/94) use research instruments based on these references. Then, the replication in Global South of conceptual and methodological parameters developed by experts from the Global North contexts has been criticized from the perspective of Global Health because of it may not consider political and sociocultural particularities, the different nuances of vaccine hesitancy, and issues of access to vaccines.

Vapor-Phase of Essential Oils as a Promising Solution to Prevent Candida Vaginal Biofilms Caused by Antifungal Resistant Strains.

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a disease with high incidence, a huge impact on the quality of life and health of women, and which represents a great challenge to treat. The growing need to apply antifungal intensive therapies have contributed to an emergence of drug-resistant Candida strains. Thus, effective therapeutic options, to meet the antifungal-resistance challenge and to control high resilient biofilms, are urgently needed. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of essentials oils (EOs) on drug-resistant Candida vaginal isolates. METHOD: Therefore, the antimicrobial effect of tea tree, niaouli, white thyme, and cajeput EOs on the planktonic growth of Candida isolates was initially evaluated by an agar disc diffusion method. Then, the vapor-phase effect of tea tree EO (VP-TTEO) on biofilm formation and on pre-formed biofilms was evaluated by crystal violet staining, XTT reduction assay, colony forming units' enumeration, and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The results revealed high antifungal activity of EOs against drug-resistant Candida isolates. Additionally, the VP-TTEO showed a significant inhibitory effect on the biofilm formation of all tested isolates and was able to provoke an expressive reduction in mature Candida albicans biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study suggests that the VP-EO may be a promising solution that is able to prevent biofilm-related VVC caused by antifungal-resistant strains.

Impact of lymph node staging in presumed early-stage ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to analyze the prevalence of lymph node metastasis in early-stage ovarian carcinoma after systematic lymph node dissection and its impact on indication of adjuvant chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated a series of 765 patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment from February 2007 to December 2019. Patients with peritoneal disease and incomplete surgical staging were excluded. All cases underwent systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy up to the renal vessels. RESULTS: A total of 142 cases were analyzed. Median pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissected were 30 (range, 6-81) and 21 (range, 3-86), respectively. Twelve (8.4%) patients had metastatic lymph nodes - high-grade serous, 10.4% (5/48); clear cell, 17.2% (5/29) and endometrioid, 5.7% (2/35). Any other histology (low grade serous, mucinous, carcinosarcoma or mixed) had lymph node metastasis. Notably, 50% of patients with positive lymph nodes had preoperative suspicious lymph nodes in imaging. The median hospital stay length was 6 days (range, 2-33) and 4.2% cases had grade ≥ 3 complications. A total of 110 (77.6%) patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and all cases had indication of adjuvant chemotherapy after histological type, despite the lymph node status. After a median follow-up of 52.5 months, we noted 24 (16.9%) recurrences. The 5-year recurrence-free survival and overall survival were 86.4% and 98.1%, respectively. High grade histology was the only variable that negatively impacted disease-free survival in univariate analysis [HR 4.70 (95%CI: 1.09-20); p = 0.037]. CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive lymph node rate of less than 10% after lymphadenectomy in presumed early-stage ovarian carcinoma. Lymph node status was not determinant for adjuvant chemotherapy.

High-Frequency Detection of fosA3 and bla CTX-M-55 Genes in Escherichia coli From Longitudinal Monitoring in Broiler Chicken Farms.

Considering the worrying emergence of multidrug resistance, including in animal husbandry and especially in food-producing animals, the need to detect antimicrobial resistance strains in poultry environments is relevant, mainly considering a One Health approach. Thus, this study aimed to conduct longitudinal monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in broiler chicken farms, with an emphasis on evaluating the frequency of resistance to fosfomycin and ß-lactams. Escherichia coli was isolated from broiler chicken farms (cloacal swabs, meconium, poultry feed, water, poultry litter, and Alphitobius diaperinus) in northern Paraná from 2019 to 2020 during three periods: the first period (1st days of life), the second period (20th to 25th days of life), and third period (40th to 42nd days of life). Antibiogram tests and the detection of phenotypic extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) were performed, and they were confirmed by seaching for genes from the bla CTX-M group. The other resistance genes searched were mcr-1 and fosA3. Some ESBL bla CTX-M-1 group strains were selected for ESBL identification by sequencing and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction analysis. To determine the transferability of the bla CTX-M-1- and fosA3-carrying plasmids, strains were subjected to conjugation experiments. A total of 507 E. coli were analyzed: 360 from cloacal swabs, 24 from meconium samples, 3 from poultry feed samples, 18 from water samples, 69 from poultry litter samples, and 33 from A. diaperinus samples. Among the strain isolate, 80% (406/507) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 51% (260/507) were ESBL-positive, with the bla CTX-M-1 group being the most frequent. For the fosA3 gene, 68% (344/507) of the strains isolated were positive, deserves to be highlighted E. coli isolated from day-old chickens (OR 6.34, CI 2.34-17.17), when compared with strains isolated from other origins (poultry litter, A. diaperinus, water, and poultry feed). This work alerts us to the high frequency of the fosA3 gene correlated with the CTX-M-1 group (OR 3.57, CI 95% 2.7-4.72, p < 0.05), especially the bla CTX-M-55 gene, in broiler chickens. This profile was observed mainly in day-old chicken, with a high percentage of E. coli that were MDR. The findings emphasize the importance of conducting longitudinal monitoring to detect the primary risk points during poultry production.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis and asymptomatic vaginal colonization in Portugal: Epidemiology, risk factors and antifungal pattern.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) has been identified as a global issue of concern due to its clinical, social and economic implications. The emerging relevance of VVC makes it crucial to increase the knowledge on its epidemiological and etiological features in order to improve its prevention and treatment. Thus, this study aimed to reveal the incidence, microbiology, antifungal pattern and risk factors of VVC in Portugal. For that, high vaginal samples were collected from 470 symptomatic and asymptomatic participants; Candida spp. were identified with molecular techniques and their antifungal susceptibility was analyzed with E-tests. The results revealed an incidence of VVC among women with vulvovaginitis of 74.4%. Furthermore, 63.7% of asymptomatic women were colonized with Candida spp. Importantly, women with history of recurrent vaginal infections, those who use over-the-counter antifungals, oral contraceptive pills and non-cotton underwear were found to be at significantly higher risk of developing VVC. Candida albicans was the most common species (59%), followed by Candida glabrata (27%), in a total of eight distinct species, with similar distribution among colonized and infected participants. Of note, various isolates, especially of the most common species, showed low susceptibility towards fluconazole. In contrast, only few isolates showed low susceptibility towards caspofungin. Overall, this study suggests that the identification of species causing VVC and their antifungal susceptibility are urgently needed in clinical practice in order to improve the decision for the most adequate treatment. It also suggests that avoiding certain risk behaviors may prevent the development of VVC. LAY SUMMARY: Vaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a relevant infection worldwide. In this study, we identified several risk behaviors that may promote VVC and concluded that vaginal microbiologic analyses are urgently required in clinical practice in order to improve the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Sentinel lymph node mapping versus sentinel lymph node mapping with systematic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer: an open-label, non-inferiority, randomized trial (ALICE trial).

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggest that sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in endometrial cancer accurately detects lymph node metastasis. However, prospective randomized trials addressing the oncological outcomes of SLN biopsy in endometrial cancer without lymphadenectomy are lacking. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to confirm that SLN biopsy without systematic node dissection does not negatively impact oncological outcomes. STUDY HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that there is no survival benefit in adding systematic lymphadenectomy to sentinel node mapping for endometrial cancer staging. Additionally, we aim to evaluate morbidity and impact in quality of life (QoL) after forgoing systematic lymphadenectomy. TRIAL DESIGN: This is a collaborative, multicenter, open-label, non-inferiority, randomized trial. After total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and SLN biopsy, patients will be randomized (1:1) into: (a) no further lymph node dissection or (b) systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. MAJOR INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria are patients with high-grade histologies (endometrioid G3, serous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma), endometrioid G1 or G2 with imaging concerning for myometrial invasion of ≥50% or cervical invasion, clinically suitable to undergo systematic lymphadenectomy. PRIMARY ENDPOINTS: The primary objective is to compare 3-year disease-free survival and the secondary objectives are 5-year overall survival, morbidity, incidence of lower limb lymphedema, and QoL after SLN mapping ± systematic lymphadenectomy in high-intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer. SAMPLE SIZE: 178 participants will be randomized in this study with an estimated date for completing accrual of December 2024 and presenting results in 2027. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03366051.

Open Versus Minimally Invasive Radical Hysterectomy in Cervical Cancer: The CIRCOL Group Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the survival outcomes of patients in a Brazilian cohort who underwent minimally invasive surgery (MIS) compared with open surgery for early stage cervical cancer. METHODS: A multicenter database was constructed, registering 1280 cervical cancer patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy from 2000 to 2019. For the final analysis, we included cases with a tumor ≤ 4 cm (stages Ia2 to Ib2, FIGO 2018) that underwent surgery from January 2007 to December 2017. Propensity score matching was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 776 cases were ultimately analyzed, 526 of which were included in the propensity score matching analysis (open, n = 263; MIS, n = 263). There were 52 recurrences (9.9%), 28 (10.6%) with MIS and 24 (9.1%) with open surgery (p = 0.55); and 34 deaths were recorded, 13 (4.9%) and 21 (8.0%), respectively (p = 0.15). We noted a 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 88.2% and 90.3% for those who received MIS and open surgery, respectively (HR 1.32; 95% CI: 0.76-2.29; p = 0.31) and a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 91.8% and 91.1%, respectively (HR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.40-1.61; p = 0.53). There was no difference in 3-year DFS rates between open surgery and MIS for tumors ≤ 2 cm (95.7% vs. 90.8%; p = 0.16) or > 2 cm (83.9% vs. 85.4%; p = 0.77). Also, the 5-year OS between open surgery and MIS did not differ for tumors ≤ 2 cm (93.1% vs. 93.6%; p = 0.82) or > 2 cm (88.9% vs. 89.8%; p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Survival outcomes were similar between minimally invasive and open radical hysterectomy in this large retrospective multicenter cohort.

Voice-Related Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Female Teachers: Finger Kazoo Intensive Short-Term Vocal Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Among professional voice users, teachers are subject to higher risks of developing occupational dysphonia due to their abusive use of the voice, usually under unfavorable conditions. OBJECTIVES: Quantify the vocal self-perception, the voice-related quality of life, and the anxiety, and depression symptoms, of dysphonic female teachers, after a brief and intensive short-term voice therapy using the finger kazoo technique. METHODS: Blinded, randomized, and controlled clinical trial. Questionnaires applied to two study groups (15 subjects without structural laryngeal disorder in one group, and nine subjects with vocal nodules in the other), and to two control groups (9 subjects without structural laryngeal disorder in one group, and eight subjects with vocal nodules in the other). RESULTS: The Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale, the Voice Activity and Participation Profile, the Voice Symptom Scale, and the Voice-Related Quality of Life Protocol, showed significant improvement in both study groups. The Vocal Perception Protocol showed that negative vocal self-perception reduced significantly in subjects without structural alteration of the vocal folds in the study group. Anxiety symptoms improved significantly in subjects with vocal nodules in the study group; depression symptoms improved significantly in subjects with vocal nodules in the control group, and in subjects without structural alteration of the vocal folds in the study group. CONCLUSION: Brief and intensive short-term voice therapy using the finger kazoo technique provided improvement in the vocal self-perception, the voice-related quality of life, and in the symptoms of anxiety and depression in dysphonic teachers, more evidently in teachers with vocal nodules.

Vaccine hesitancy in the global south: Towards a critical perspective on global health.

The complex phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy has been causing increasing global concern. This systematic review aims at analysing the state of art of scientific literature concerning vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa, observing if: (i) they use the same research trends as the global North; and (ii) the parameters recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and taken from the experience of the global North are adequate to the Global South's context. This review analyses empirical, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-study publications, from 2015 to 2020, available at five different databases. The studies produced in the Global South bring up important context-specific issues, such as issues of access (that are not included in the WHO's definition of vaccine hesitancy), cultural and religious issues, reactions to governments, reactions to recent episodes of vaccine tests on populations, and reactions to past of colonial violence. Initiatives to understand the phenomenon based on methodological and conceptual frameworks from the global North alone can cause wrongful conclusions.

Readings of the coloniality of power in the COVID-19 global dynamics: A brief reflection on Global South's socio-political locations.

The article seeks to understand the position of Global South communities and ethnicities in contemporary global politics, using the COVID-19 crisis to illustrate and evidence the practical application of the decolonial theories. In two separate topics, it chronologically analyzes the racialization of the pandemics through the examples of the Asian and African (diasporic and continental) communities' respective homogenous stereotypes and their emergence between the outbreak of and attempted cure to the virus, comparing them to the ethno-racial categories historically attributed to the groups.

Large-scale aqueous synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin.

Environmentally friendly synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) nanoparticles (NPs) is pivotal for producing sustainable photocatalytic compounds to be applied in the remediation of contaminants of emerging concern from water. To this end, we herein report an aqueous synthesis of CIGS NPs, followed by annealing, to give access to phase-pure CIGS crystals with chalcopyrite structure and no signs of secondary phases. Morphological and compositional characterization revealed NPs with an average size of 10-35 nm and uniform distribution of Cu, In, Ga, and Se elements. In addition, the first aqueous large-scale synthesis of CIGS NPs is developed by up-scaling the synthesis procedure, resulting in 5 g of highly crystalline nanoparticles exhibiting an ideal optical band gap of 1.14 eV. The as-synthesized NPs proved the ability to remove 71 and 83% of a contaminant of emerging concern, ciprofloxacin (CIP), under ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) radiations, respectively.