Highlights ■ Convalescent plasma did not affect the outcomes. ■ Convalescent plasma improved some laboratory parameters but had no impact on clinical outcomes. ■ Dialysis and the World Health Organization severity score on day 0 influenced the outcomes. ABSTRACT Objective: This study compared the outcomes of two cohorts of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who received COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusions between 2020 and 2021. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. We […]

Highlights The FRAIL scale is a validated instrument for the diagnosis of frailty syndrome. LGBT+ people are subject to different stressors throughout their lives, which can affect their health. Being an LGBT+ man aged ≥60 and an LGBT woman aged ≥50 was independently associated with frailty. ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate differences in the prevalence of frailty between LGBT+ and non- LGBT+ older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving Brazilians aged 50 and over was performed. The participants were invited to […]

Highlights Healthcare-associated infections are responsible for higher morbidity and mortality rates. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a scenario of enormous demand for healthcare. Knowledge of risk factors is important for preventive measures. COVID-19 and the length of hospital stay were the most important risk factors for healthcare-associated infections. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for healthcare-related infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in intensive care units, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Central Line- Associated Bloodstream Infection, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract […]

Highlights ■ Imaging plays a fundamental role in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. ■ The study highlights ultrasound’s effectiveness in diagnosing appendicitis. ■ APPENDIC-RADS efficiently standardizes the ultrasound evaluation of appendicitis. ■ Using APPENDIC-RADS may enhance communication and optimize medical practices. ABSTRACT Objective: Abdominal ultrasonography is widely used to evaluate suspected cases of appendicitis. Objective descriptions of the direct and indirect signs of appendicitis result in varied assessments of its likelihood. This study introduces the Appendix Imaging Reporting and Data […]

Highlights ■ Any physical activity level decreased the odds of lower urinary tract symptoms. ■ Aging and the occurrence of depression, erectile dysfunction, and higher total prostate-specific antigens were associated with higher odds of lower urinary tract symptoms. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between physical activity levels and lower urinary tract symptoms in 20,732 Brazilian men. Methods: This cohort study included20,732 men of ≥40 years of age, who participated in health screening between January 2008 and […]

Highlights Levels of lower urinary tract symptoms increased the risk of depression. Erectile dysfunction, alcohol consumption, and body mass index were associated with an increased likelihood of depression. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and erectile dysfunction while controlling for sociodemographic, physical health, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Additionally, it aimed to compare erectile dysfunction with other clinical, laboratory, and behavioral variables among individuals with depression in the same population. Methods: We included 21,139 men (≥40 […]

Highlights Long-term catheter flushing for >90 days has preserved function. Ports cleaned after 90 days have the same colonization rate as those flushed early. Long-term catheters may be colonized in asymptomatic patients. The longer port cleaning interval reduces costs. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the incidence of malfunction and colonization rates of fully implantable long-term catheters left unflushed during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate the average cost of transporting each patient to the hospital for flushing. Methods: During the COVID-19 […]

Highlights ■ Continuous exosomatic electrodermal activity was associated with higher skin conductance levels in patients with hyperhidrosis. ■ Palmoplantar sweating was significantly higher in the hyperhidrosis group than in the control group (p<0.01). ■ Electrodermal activity is an effective and simple method for objectively quantifying sweating in patients with hyperhidrosis. ABSTRACT Objective: To objectively evaluate sweat intensity in patients with primary hyperhidrosis by measuring electrodermal activity using a continuous exosomatic technique without external stimuli. Methods: This prospective and transversal study […]

Highlights ■ Restrictive ligand density can be pathological. ■ Restrictive ligand density can be neutralized. ■ Restrictive ligand density neutralization may the used to heal or prevent disease. ABSTRACT Objective: This study examined the correlation between immunodominance of the major egg antigen Sm-p40234-246, a robust Th1/Th17 anti-egg CD4 T-cell response, and severe liver immunopathology in experimental murine schistosomiasis. It serves as a platform to analyze how varying degrees of immunodominance affect CD4+ T cell modulation and disease outcomes. Methods: We […]

Highlights Psychostimulant use in the studied population revealed the following: ■ Lack of a valid diagnosis, unsupervised use, drug interactions, and adverse effects. ■ Concomitant use of alcohol and drugs and contraindications such as depression/anxiety. ■ Acquisition without prescription and use to improve academic performance. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate psychostimulant drug use among academics in the health area of a higher education institution in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional study of 389 university students from various […]