Efeitos da dosagem sérica de zinco na força muscular e na durabilidade dos efeitos da toxina botulínica: uma análise quantitativa / Efeitos da dosagem sérica de zinco na força muscular e na durabilidade dos efeitos da toxina botulínica: uma análise quantitativa

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do nível sérico de zinco dos indivíduos em relação a força muscular e a na efetividade e durabilidade do tratamento com toxina botulínica (TB). Dezoito (18) pacientes foram selecionados, sendo que estes foram divididos posteriormente em 2 grupos: grupo 1 (G1) composto por pacientes que apresentavam Zn acima de 65 µg/dL e menor ou igual que 90 µg/dL e o grupo 2 (G2) com pacientes que apresentavam Zn acima 90 µg/dL e menor ou igual a 125 µg/dL. Todos os participantes tiveram a força de contração muscular mensurada por um eletromiógrafo de superfície (sEMG) (EMG System do Brasil Ltda, São José dos Campos, Brasil), em cada momento do acompanhamento (A1 ­ inicial; A2 ­ pós imediato; A3 ­ 2 semanas; A4 ­ 5 semanas; e A5 ­ 12 semanas). Além da eletromiografia, as fotografias dos pacientes foram capturadas, nas quais foram avaliadas a área com presença de rugas da fronte por meio do software ImageJ (National Institutes of Health). Os dados de RMS fornecidos pelo eletromiógrafo de superfície passaram por teste de normalidade Shapiro-Wilk e Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (α=0,05) e posteriormente, por seguirem distribuição normal, foram submetidos a análise pelo teste Tukey de comparações múltiplas (α=0,05) utilizando-se o programa Prism 10 (GraphPad Software, Boston, EUA), sendo considerado nível de significância de 5%. Pela análise das fotografias através do ImageJ, todos os pacientes, apresentaram diminuição significativa da área de rugas com 2 semanas após aplicação da TB e mesmo após 12 semanas de acompanhamento, a área de rugas na fronte era menor do que a área prévia à aplicação. Sendo assim, tanto através da eletromiografia e da análise fotográfica foi possível constatar que as diferentes dosagens séricas de zinco não demonstraram nenhuma influência sobre a efetividade e durabilidade da TB. (AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the serum zinc level of individuals in relation to muscle strength and on the effectiveness and durability of treatment with botulinum toxin (TB). Eighteen (18) patients were selected, and these were later divided into 2 groups: group 1 (G1) composed of patients who had Zn above 65 µg/dL and less than or equal to 90 µg/dL and group 2 (G2) with patients who had Zn above 90 µg/dL and less than or equal to 125 µg/dL. All participants had the strength of muscle contraction measured by a surface electromyograph (sEMG) (EMG System do Brasil Ltda, São José dos Campos, Brazil), at each moment of the follow-up (A1 - initial; A2 - immediate post; A3 - 2 weeks; A4 - 5 weeks; and A5 - 12 weeks). In addition to electromyography, photographs of the patients were captured, in which the area with the presence of forehead wrinkles was evaluated using the ImageJ (National Institutes of Health) software. The RMS data provided by the surface electromyograph underwent the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test (α=0.05) and later, because they followed normal distribution, were subjected to analysis by the Tukey test of multiple comparisons (α=0.05) using the Prism 10 program (GraphPad Software, Boston, USA), being considered a significance level of 5%. By the analysis of the photographs through ImageJ, all patients showed a significant decrease in the area of wrinkles at 2 weeks after application of TB and even after 12 weeks of follow-up, the area of wrinkles on the forehead was smaller than the area prior to the application. Thus, both through electromyography and photographic analysis it was possible to verify that the different serum dosages of zinc did not show any influence on the effectiveness and durability of TB (AU)

'Eradication was a dirty word': Anti-gambiae campaign, between cooperation and rivalry (1938-1940).

This article analyzes the efforts of the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation (IHDRF) in its project initiative that resulted in the extermination of the African mosquito Anopheles gambiae from Brazil in 1940. This species, which originated in Dakar, Senegal, was identified in the Brazilian city of Natal in 1930, where insufficient local emergency sanitation actions enabled it to spread into the interior of the Brazilian northeast, causing an unprecedented malaria epidemic in the Americas in 1938, after years of silent spread. We will analyse the formation of Brazil's Malaria Service of the Northeast (MSNE), discussing its political and scientific controversies and how the transition from the idea of extermination to the idea of eradication was consolidated in the political process of creating this successful sanitation campaign. In addition, we will discuss how the integration and transnational development of medical entomology at the time was a fundamental factor in the cooperation and challenges among scientists involved in this campaign. The international cooperation of scientists, albeit oriented towards the project of eradication of this mosquito, organised different research agendas and gained new insights into the global dissemination of mosquito-borne diseases.

Relato de caso clínico de preenchimento labial com ácido hialurônico e avaliações volumétricas através de software de análise facial 3d / Clinical case report of hyaluronic acid lip filler and volumetric evaluations using 3d facial analysis software / Reporte de caso clínico de relleno labial con ácido hialurónico y evaluaciones volumétricas utilizando software de análisis facial 3d

A análise facial consiste em uma etapa importante do diagnóstico e avaliação dos resultados obtidos na harmonização orofacial. Para avaliação dos resultados de procedimentos estéticos, fotografias são muito utilizadas, porém novas ferramentas são necessárias para facilitar a visualização dos pacientes quanto aos ganhos estéticos. Os scanners faciais 3D surgem como alternativa para tal finalidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar, através de fotografias e escaneamento 3D da face, o ganho de volume labial após intervenção de preenchimento. A paciente apresentava insatisfação com relação aos seus lábios. Durante a avaliação, constatou-se ausência de volume e contorno labial. Antes de iniciar o procedimento, realizou-se protocolo fotográfico e escaneamento facial (E1). Para o procedimento, foi utilizada uma seringa de 1 mL de ácido hialurônico. O escaneamento foi feito no pós-imediato (E2), após 10 dias (E3) e após 40 dias da intervenção (E4). Nesta mesma consulta após 40 dias, foi realizado injeção da segunda seringa de ácido hialurônico escaneamento do pós-imediato (E5). Após 40 dias, a paciente voltou (E6). Após análise comparativa das malhas, foi possível verificar ganho de 3 mm entre E1 e E2. Na comparação do pré (E1) e após 10 dias (E3), verificou-se volumização total de 1,85 mm, demonstrando que quase 40% do volume no pós-imediato é edema. Em E6, após 40 dias da aplicação da segunda seringa, foi possível quantificar ganho de 2,12 mm no lábio superior quando comparado a E1. Pode-se concluir que o escaneamento 3D contribui expressivamente para avaliação dos resultados alcançados em procedimentos estéticos.

Facial analysis is an important stage in the diagnosis and evaluation of the results obtained in orofacial harmonization. To evaluate the results of aesthetic procedures, photographs are widely used, but new tools are needed to facilitate patient visualization of aesthetic gains. 3D facial scanners have emerged as an alternative for this purpose. The aim of this study was to analyze, by means of photographs and 3D facial scanning, the labial volume gain after a filling intervention. The patient was dissatisfied with her lips. During the evaluation, it was observed the absence of lip volume and contour. Before starting the procedure, a photographic protocol and facial scanning (S1) were performed. A 1 mL syringe of hyaluronic acid was used for the procedure. The scanning was done post-immediately (S2), 10 days (S3) and 40 days after the intervention (S4). In the same appointment after 40 days, the second syringe of hyaluronic acid was injected and scanned post-immediate (S5). After 40 days, the patient returned (E6). After comparative mesh analysis, it was possible to verify a 3 mm gain between S1 and S2. In the comparison of pre (S1) and after 10 days (S3), there was a total volumization of 1.85 mm, showing that almost 40% of the volume in the post-immediate period is edema. In S6, 40 days after the application of the second syringe, it was possible to quantify a gain of 2.12 mm in the upper lip when compared to S1. It can be concluded that 3D scanning contributes expressively to the evaluation of the results achieved in aesthetic procedures.

El análisis facial es una etapa importante en el diagnóstico y la evaluación de los resultados obtenidos en la armonización orofacial. Para evaluar los resultados de los procedimientos estéticos, las fotografías son ampliamente utilizadas, pero se necesitan nuevas herramientas que faciliten al paciente la visualización de las ganancias estéticas. Los escáneres faciales 3D han surgido como una alternativa para este fin. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar, mediante fotografías y escaneado facial 3D, la ganancia de volumen labial tras una intervención de relleno. La paciente estaba insatisfecha con sus labios. Durante la evaluación, se observó la ausencia de volumen y contorno labial. Antes de iniciar el procedimiento, se realizó un protocolo fotográfico y un escaneado facial (S1). Para el procedimiento se utilizó una jeringa de 1 ml de ácido hialurónico. La exploración se realizó inmediatamente después (S2), a los 10 días (S3) y a los 40 días de la intervención (S4). En la misma consulta, a los 40 días, se realizó la inyección de la segunda jeringa de ácido hialurónico tras la exploración inmediata (S5). A los 40 días, la paciente regresó (E6). Tras el análisis comparativo de las mallas, se pudo comprobar una ganancia de 3 mm entre S1 y S2. En la comparación del pre (S1) y después de 10 días (S3), hubo una volumización total de 1,85 mm, demostrando que casi 40% del volumen post-immediato es edema. En S6, 40 días después de la aplicación de la segunda jeringa, fue posible cuantificar una ganancia de 2,12 mm en el labio superior en comparación con S1. Se puede concluir que el escaneo 3D contribuye expresivamente para la evaluación de los resultados alcanzados en procedimientos estéticos.

Cuidados de enfermagem em emergências oncológicas: revisão integrativa / Atención de enfermería en emergencias oncológicas: revisión integradora / Nursing care in oncological emergencies: integrative review

Objetivo: Identificar os cuidados de enfermagem descritos na literaturapara o manejo das emergências oncológicas. Método: Revisão integrativa, cuja busca foi realizada nas bases de dados CINAHL, Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science e Google Acadêmico. O risco de viés foi avaliado usando as ferramentas do Joanna Briggs Institute. O nível da evidência foi avaliado usando a escala do Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Resultados: Foram identificados 17 estudos abordando cuidados de enfermagem para o manejo de 9 emergências oncológicas, sendo as mais frequentes: hipercalcemia (n=4), síndrome de lise tumoral (n=3), síndrome da veia cava superior (n=3) e neutropenia febril (n=3). Os cuidados de enfermagem contemplam aspectos fisiológicos e psicológicos da doença. O risco de viés foi baixo a moderado na maioria dos estudos. Conclusão: Os estudos destacam cuidados integrais de observação e monitoramento do paciente. Conhecer os cuidados de enfermagem para emergências oncológicas são essenciais para melhorar a qualidade da assistência.

Objective: To identify the nursing care described for the management of oncological emergencies. Method: Integrative review, carried out in the CINAHL, Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The risk of bias was assessed using the tools of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The level of evidence was assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine scale. Results: 17 studies were identified addressing nursing care for the management of 9 oncological emergencies, with the most frequent beingabout: hypercalcemia (n = 4), tumor lysis syndrome (n = 3), superior vena cava syndrome (n = 3) and febrile neutropenia (n = 3). Nursing care includes physiological and psychological aspects of the disease. The risk of bias was low to moderate in most studies. Conclusion: The studies provide comprehensive observation and monitoring care for the patient. Knowing nursing care for oncological emergencies is essential to improve the quality of care.

Objetivo: Identificar los cuidados de enfermería para el manejo de emergencias oncológicas. Método: Revisión integrativa, realizada en CINAHL, Cochrane, LILACS,PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science y Google Scholar. El riesgo de sesgo se evaluó mediante herramientas del Joanna Briggs Institute. El nivel de evidencia se evaluó mediante la escala del Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. Resultados: 17 estudios abordaran la atención de enfermería para el manejo de 9 emergencias oncológicas, siendo las más frecuentes: hipercalcemia (n = 4), síndrome de lisis tumoral (n = 3), síndrome de vena cava superior (n = 3) y neutropenia febril (n = 3). La atención de enfermería incluye los aspectos fisiológicos y psicológicos. El riesgo de sesgo fue de bajo a moderado en la mayoría de los estudios. Conclusión: Los estudios brindan atención de seguimiento y observación del paciente. Conocer la atención de enfermería para emergencias oncológicas es fundamental para mejorar la atención.

Synthesizing the connections between environmental disturbances and zoonotic spillover.

Zoonotic spillover is a phenomenon characterized by the transfer of pathogens between different animal species. Most human emerging infectious diseases originate from non-human animals, and human-related environmental disturbances are the driving forces of the emergence of new human pathogens. Synthesizing the sequence of basic events involved in the emergence of new human pathogens is important for guiding the understanding, identification, and description of key aspects of human activities that can be changed to prevent new outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. This review synthesizes the connections between environmental disturbances and increased risk of spillover events based on the One Health perspective. Anthropogenic disturbances in the environment (e.g., deforestation, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, wildlife exploitation) lead to changes in ecological niches, reduction of the dilution effect, increased contact between humans and other animals, changes in the incidence and load of pathogens in animal populations, and alterations in the abiotic factors of landscapes. These phenomena can increase the risk of spillover events and, potentially, facilitate new infectious disease outbreaks. Using Brazil as a study model, this review brings a discussion concerning anthropogenic activities in the Amazon region and their potential impacts on spillover risk and spread of emerging diseases in this region.

Effects of exercise programs on phase angle in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to calculate the effects of exercise programs on phase angle (PhA) in older people. A systematic review was undertaken in multiple electronic databases in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement guidelines for the purposes of selecting randomized controlled trials that measured the effects of the exercise programs on PhA in older adults on 31 March 2022. We carried out a random-effect meta-analysis for the effects of exercise programs on PhA. Additionally, we analysed the differences between subgroups in terms of weekly frequency, number of sets and repetitions, and duration of interventions. Studies were methodological assessed through the PEDro scale where one had excellent, ten had good, and three had poor methodological quality. For the purposes of the study, fourteen studies met the criteria for inclusion. However, four studies did not have enough information to be included in the quantitative analysis. The remaining ten articles revealed moderate effects on PhA in favour of intervention groups (p=0.009, SMD=0.72 [0.46-0.99], I2=54%). The meta-analysis also showed that interventions lasting twelve weeks are more successful in generating positive effects on PhA as opposed to eight weeks (SMD's=0.79 vs. 0.64, respectively). These results indicate that resistance training (RT) is an effective and safe to improve PhA in the older people, especially through RT programs lasting from eight to twelve weeks. A novel finding of this study was that RT is the most used type of exercise by authors when assessing the PhA in older adults.

[History in pandemic times: covid-19 in Latin America]. / Historia en tiempos pandémicos: covid-19 en Latinoamérica.

Having as a framework the tragic presence of covid-19, historians from Mexico, Argentina and Brazil reflect in this text on the context of the pandemic as well as its relationship with institutional sanitary precariousness, persistent stigmas and past social inequalities. Their interventions are a preliminary record of the impact of the pandemic on their countries. They are based on interventions presented at the session "História em tempos pandêmicos: reflexões sobre um ano de crises", held in June 2021, moderated by Marcos Cueto and organized by the Departamento de Pesquisa em História das Ciências e da Saúde of the Casa de Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz.

Teniendo como marco la trágica presencia de covid-19, historiadores de México, Argentina y Brasil realizan reflexiones en este texto sobre el contexto de la pandemia, así como su relación con precariedades sanitarias institucionales, estigmas persistentes y desigualdades sociales pasadas. Sus intervenciones son un registro preliminar del impacto de la pandemia en sus países. Están basadas en intervenciones presentadas en la mesa "História em tempos pandêmicos: reflexões sobre um ano de crises", realizada en junio de 2021, moderada por Marcos Cueto y organizada por el Departamento de Pesquisa em História das Ciências e da Saúde de la Casa de Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz.

Historia en tiempos pandémicos: covid-19 en Latinoamérica / History in pandemic times: covid-19 in Latin America

Resumen Teniendo como marco la trágica presencia de covid-19, historiadores de México, Argentina y Brasil realizan reflexiones en este texto sobre el contexto de la pandemia, así como su relación con precariedades sanitarias institucionales, estigmas persistentes y desigualdades sociales pasadas. Sus intervenciones son un registro preliminar del impacto de la pandemia en sus países. Están basadas en intervenciones presentadas en la mesa "História em tempos pandêmicos: reflexões sobre um ano de crises", realizada en junio de 2021, moderada por Marcos Cueto y organizada por el Departamento de Pesquisa em História das Ciências e da Saúde de la Casa de Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz.

Abstract Having as a framework the tragic presence of covid-19, historians from Mexico, Argentina and Brazil reflect in this text on the context of the pandemic as well as its relationship with institutional sanitary precariousness, persistent stigmas and past social inequalities. Their interventions are a preliminary record of the impact of the pandemic on their countries. They are based on interventions presented at the session "História em tempos pandêmicos: reflexões sobre um ano de crises", held in June 2021, moderated by Marcos Cueto and organized by the Departamento de Pesquisa em História das Ciências e da Saúde of the Casa de Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz.

Protein Restriction in the Peri-Pubertal Period Induces Autonomic Dysfunction and Cardiac and Vascular Structural Changes in Adult Rats.

Perturbations to nutrition during critical periods are associated with changes in embryonic, fetal or postnatal developmental patterns that may render the offspring more likely to develop cardiovascular disease in later life. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether autonomic nervous system imbalance underpins in the long-term hypertension induced by dietary protein restriction during peri-pubertal period. Male Wistar rats were assigned to groups fed with a low protein (4% protein, LP) or control diet (20.5% protein; NP) during peri-puberty, from post-natal day (PN) 30 until PN60, and then all were returned to a normal protein diet until evaluation of cardiovascular and autonomic function at PN120. LP rats showed long-term increased mean arterial pressure (p = 0.002) and sympathetic arousal; increased power of the low frequency (LF) band of the arterial pressure spectral (p = 0.080) compared with NP animals. The depressor response to the ganglion blocker hexamethonium was increased in LP compared with control animals (p = 0.006). Pulse interval variability showed an increase in the LF band and LF/HF ratio (p = 0.062 and p = 0.048) in LP animals. The cardiac response to atenolol and/or methylatropine and the baroreflex sensitivity were similar between groups. LP animals showed ventricular hypertrophy (p = 0.044) and increased interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.028) compared with controls. Reduced protein carbonyls (PC) (p = 0.030) and catalase activity (p = 0.001) were observed in hearts from LP animals compared with control. In the brainstem, the levels of PC (p = 0.002) and the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase (p = 0.044 and p = 0.012) were reduced in LP animals, while the levels of GSH and total glutathione were higher (p = 0.039 and p = 0.038) compared with NP animals. Protein restriction during peri-pubertal period leads to hypertension later in life accompanied by sustained sympathetic arousal, which may be associated with a disorganization of brain and cardiac redox state and structural cardiac alteration.

Biochemical and subcellular characterization of a squid hnRNPA/B-like protein 2 in osmotic stress activated cells reflects molecular properties conserved in this protein family.

BACKGROUND: We have identified endogenous p65 to be an SDS-stable dimer protein composed of ~ 37 kDa hnRNPA/B-like subunits. We have investigated molecular properties involved in the stability of dimeric form, and their regulation in the transition between monomeric and dimeric forms of hnRNPA/B-like protein 2. We also investigated a cellular property conserved between squid hnRNPA/B-like protein 2 and human hnRNPA1 protein in a neuronal context. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here we show biochemical properties of a recombinant hnRNPA/B-like protein 2 (rP2) in vitro experiments, as one of p65 subunit. We found that interaction between rP2 and RNA molecules interfered with the dynamics of rP2 dimers formation, involved in disulfide bonds and/or postranslational alterations in distinct stage of SDS-stable dimers formation. In addition, we have performed immunofluorescence in SH-SY5Y cells and observed that the pEGFP-P2 fusion protein was expressed in the nucleus, similar to what is observed for human hnRNPA1 protein. CONCLUSION: Our results reinforce the idea that p65 is an SDS-stable dimer. Thus, a deeper understanding between monomeric and dimeric transition dynamic is critical into evolution of several neurodegenerative disease.

Backlash in global health and the end of AIDS' exceptionalism in Brazil, 2007-2019.

This paper examines the decline of the AIDS Programme in Brazil, the Latin American country most affected by the epidemic, with emphasis in the second decade of the twenty-first century. For many years, Brazil served as a model in Global Health due to a comprehensive preventive policy, a partnership between the government and health activists and the support of life-saving drugs as public goods rather than commodities. The regression of AIDS policies in Brazil interacted with developments in the United States as well as with multilateral agencies like UNAIDS that emphasised biomedicalisation in the response to the disease where broad human-rights programmes and alliance with activists were not priorities. International programmes like the 'Ending AIDS' campaign indirectly undermined the exceptional status AIDS enjoyed since the late 1980s. The backlash in Brazilian policies to fight AIDS was a result of the fragmentation of the left and the empowerment of radical conservative authoritarian and religious forces. The result was the breakdown of the long-held belief that successful anti-AIDS disease programmes could simultaneously help control the disease and build better healthcare systems and ultimately prompted the end of the special place AIDS' policy had in Brazil.

The Bone Marrow Microenvironment Mechanisms in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Bone marrow (BM) is a highly complex tissue that provides important regulatory signals to orchestrate hematopoiesis. Resident and transient cells occupy and interact with some well characterized niches to produce molecular and cellular mechanisms that interfere with differentiation, migration, survival, and proliferation in this microenvironment. The acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common and severe hematological neoplasm in adults, arises and develop in the BM. The osteoblastic, vascular, and reticular niches provide surface co-receptors, soluble factors, cytokines, and chemokines that mediate important functions on hematopoietic cells and leukemic blasts. There are some evidences of how AML modify the architecture and function of these three BM niches, but it has been still unclear how essential those modifications are to maintain AML development. Basic studies and clinical trials have been suggesting that disturbing specific cells and molecules into the BM niches might be able to impair leukemia competencies. Either through niche-specific molecule inhibition alone or in combination with more traditional drugs, the bone marrow microenvironment is currently considered the potential target for new strategies to treat AML patients. This review describes the cellular and molecular constitution of the BM niches under healthy and AML conditions, presenting this anatomical compartment by a new perspective: as a prospective target for current and next generation therapies.

O coelho é a saúva: a proposta brasileira e o uso do vírus do mixoma (MYXV) contra a praga de coelhos na Austrália, 1896-1952 / Rabbits and leaf-cutting ants: the Brazilian plan to use the myxoma virus (MYXV) against rabbit plagues in Australia, 1896-1952

Resumo O artigo analisa a singularidade dos processos históricos, científicos e políticos que vão da descoberta da doença que passou a ser conhecida como mixomatose infecciosa, causada pelo vírus do mixoma (MYXV), à sua aplicação no controle de uma praga de coelhos na Austrália. A narrativa segue especialmente as pesquisas de Henrique de Beaurepaire Aragão, pesquisador do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, e posteriormente os esforços da cientista Jean Macnamara para promover pesquisas e implementar o MYXV na Austrália. Foram consultadas notas de pesquisa de cientistas, documentos oficiais que registraram o desenvolvimento dos experimentos, bem como periódicos. Nesse processo, foi considerado o desenvolvimento histórico do campo de estudos da virologia e controle biológico.

Abstract This article analyzes the singularity of historical, scientific, and political processes from the discovery of the disease caused by the myxoma virus (MYXV) that came to be known as infectious myxomatosis to the application of this virus against a plague of rabbits in Australia. This narrative focuses on research by Henrique de Beaurepaire Aragão, a researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, and later efforts by the scientist Jean Macnamara to promote studies and implement MYXV in Australia. The scientists' research notes were consulted, along with official documents recording the experiments and periodicals. In this process, the historical development of virology and biological controls as a field of study was also considered.

How to implement a PEWS in a resource-limited setting: A quantitative analysis of the bedside-PEWS implementation in a hospital in northeast Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative analysis of the implementation of the bedside paediatric early warning system (B-PEWS) in a resource-limited setting. The B-PEWS serves to pre-emptively identify hospitalised children who are at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest and subsequently to provide critical care in time. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review through the medical data records of patients after discharge from the paediatric ward of a philanthropic hospital in Brazil. Nurses' performance using the system was measured with various parameters. RESULTS: A total of 499 patients were included, and a total of 8024 scores were checked. During the 21-week research period, the implementation rate increased significantly from 66.5% (SD 26.0) in Period 1 to 93.1% (SD 16.6) in Period 2. The number of scores that resulted in a correct total score went from 7.5% in Period 1 to 32.2% in Period 2, p < 0.001. There was an improvement in the correct choice of age group between the two periods (from 32.2% to 53.4%). There was no difference in the mean admission time of patients in the two periods: in the first period 4.8 days (SD 2.9) and in the second period 4.8 days (SD 4.1). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to implement a PEWS in resource-limited settings while achieving high implementation rates. However, this is a time- and energy-consuming process. Having an active and involved team that is responsible for implementation is key for a successful implementation. Factors that likely hindered implementation were a large change in workflow for the nursing staff, non-native speakers as main investigators.

Avaliação do conhecimento sobre cuidados paliativos entre acadêmicos de medicina / Assessment of knowledge on palliative care among medical students

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre cuidados paliativos entre estudantes de medicina e comparar o ganho de conhecimento ao longo dos períodos. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional, transversal e analítico entre estudantes do internato do curso de medicina de uma universidade, entre maio e junho de 2017, por meio de um questionário que contemplou dados sociodemográficos, autoavaliação e conhecimentos específicos sobre cuidados paliativos. Resultados: Dos 135 estudantes, menos de 30% tinham conhecimento da definição da Organização Mundial da Saúde de cuidados paliativos, e apenas 3% tinham percepção de ter recebido informações suficientes para lidar com pacientes terminais. Os acertos variaram entre 14,8% e 88,9% no domínio da dor; entre 32,6% e 86,7% no domínio dos problemas psiquiátricos; eram inferiores a um terço nos domínios da dispneia e dos problemas gastrintestinais e maiores nos domínios da filosofia e da comunicação. No domínio da dor e dos problemas psiquiátricos, os estudantes do sexto ano obtiveram maiores medianas de acertos em relação aos alunos do quinto ano, com significância estatística (p<0,001). Conclusão: Os alunos apresentaram desconhecimento da definição de cuidados paliativos, que esteve associada a uma percepção de insuficiente preparo para lidar com pacientes terminais. Quanto aos conhecimentos específicos, embora os alunos apresentassem baixas frequências de acertos nos domínios da dor, dispneia, problemas gastrintestinais e psiquiátricos, a experiência do internato proporcionou um ganho de conhecimento. (AU)

Objective: To assess the knowledge about palliative care among medical students and compare knowledge gain over the periods. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, analytical study was carried out among students of the fifth and sixth years of the medical course of a university from May to June 2017, through the application of a questionnaire that included socio-demographic data, self-assessment, and specific knowledge about palliative care. Results: Out of a total of 135 students, less than 30% were aware of the World Health Organization definition of palliative care and only 3% had a perception that they had received enough information to deal with terminal patients. The pain domain presented correct frequencies ranging from 14.8% to 88.9%; in the area of psychiatric problems, it ranged from 32.6% to 86.7%; they were of less than one third in the domain of dyspnea and gastrointestinal problems, and higher in the domains of philosophy and communication. In the pain and psychiatric problems domains, students in the sixth year had the highest median scores in relation to the fifth year, with statistical significance (p<0.001). Conclusion: Students were not aware of the definition of palliative care and showed the perception of insufficient preparation to deal with terminal patients. As for the specific knowledge, although students presented low frequencies of correct answers in the domains of pain, dyspnea, gastrointestinal and psychiatric problems, the experience of the internship provided an additional knowledge gain. (AU)

Leprosy Screening Based on Artificial Intelligence: Development of a Cross-Platform App.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, achieving targets for control of leprosy by 2030 will require disease elimination and interruption of transmission at the national or regional level. India and Brazil have reported the highest leprosy burden in the last few decades, revealing the need for strategies and tools to help health professionals correctly manage and control the disease. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to develop a cross-platform app for leprosy screening based on artificial intelligence (AI) with the goal of increasing accessibility of an accurate method of classifying leprosy treatment for health professionals, especially for communities further away from major diagnostic centers. Toward this end, we analyzed the quality of leprosy data in Brazil on the National Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). METHODS: Leprosy data were extracted from the SINAN database, carefully cleaned, and used to build AI decision models based on the random forest algorithm to predict operational classification in paucibacillary or multibacillary leprosy. We used Python programming language to extract and clean the data, and R programming language to train and test the AI model via cross-validation. To allow broad access, we deployed the final random forest classification model in a web app via shinyApp using data available from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System. RESULTS: We mapped the dispersion of leprosy incidence in Brazil from 2014 to 2018, and found a particularly high number of cases in central Brazil in 2014 that further increased in 2018 in the state of Mato Grosso. For some municipalities, up to 80% of cases showed some data discrepancy. Of a total of 21,047 discrepancies detected, the most common was "operational classification does not match the clinical form." After data processing, we identified a total of 77,628 cases with missing data. The sensitivity and specificity of the AI model applied for the operational classification of leprosy was 93.97% and 87.09%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed app was able to recognize patterns in leprosy cases registered in the SINAN database and to classify new patients with paucibacillary or multibacillary leprosy, thereby reducing the probability of incorrect assignment by health centers. The collection and notification of data on leprosy in Brazil seem to lack specific validation to increase the quality of the data for implementations via AI. The AI models implemented in this work had satisfactory accuracy across Brazilian states and could be a complementary diagnosis tool, especially in remote areas with few specialist physicians.