Highlights Differences ≥9 points in Fugl–Meyer Assessment scores: sham>active. Connectivity measures: active>sham. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed at assessing the alterations in upper limb motor impairment and connectivity between motor areas following the post-stroke delivery of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation sessions. Methods: Modifications in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores, connectivity between the primary motor cortex of the unaffected and affected hemispheres, and between the primary motor and premotor cortices of the unaffected hemisphere were compared prior to and following six […]

Highlights PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry is positive in more than half on stage III non-small lung cancer. PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry had no relationship with clinical characteristics. PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry is not related to progression-free or overall survival in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy with or without surgery. ABSTRACT Objective: Currently programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors in combination with other therapies are being evaluated to determine their efficacy in cancer treatment. However, the effect of PD-ligand (L) 1 […]

Highlights COVID-19 infection among healthcare personnel has impacted the workforce in hospitals. Knowledge of the risk factors for COVID-19 infection is important for disease prevention measures. Failure to train healthcare personnel is an important risk factor for acquiring COVID-19. ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the rate of COVID-19 infection among healthcare personnel at high and low risk of COVID-19 infection and identify the underlying risk factors. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted between December 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Associations […]

Highlights A total of 11.7% had concomitant limitations in activities of daily living, slow gait speed, and low muscle strength. Grip strength was not associated with limitations in activities of daily living. Slow gait speed increases the likelihood of limitations in activities of daily living. Gait speed is an essential variable for screening functional decline in older people. ABSTRACT Objective: To determine whether low muscle strength and low gait speed increase the risk of disability related to basic activities of […]

Highlights Forty-three percent of referrals from basic healthcare units to a specialized vascular surgical service were regarded as inappropriate. The main reasons for inappropriate referrals included study participants without an indication for surgery and those referred to the wrong specialty. A high proportion of inappropriate referrals resulted in the subutilization of highly complex services. Use of telemedicine will assist in reducing the rate of inappropriate referrals. ABSTRACT Objective: Consequently, in this study, we aimed to evaluate 1,203 cases of referral […]

Highlights Fifteen liver transplant patients presented with oral candidiasis. The two prevalent types of candidiasis were atrophic and pseudomembranous. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were the most prevalent species. Most isolates were susceptible to antifungal agents. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to verify oral candidiasis, identify the causative species, and investigate the antifungal susceptibility of yeasts isolated from liver transplant patients. Methods: A descriptive analysis of 97 patients who underwent liver transplantation was conducted at a hospital. Two clinical examinations […]

Highlights Pregnant women with increased weight gain must be surveilled for hypertension. Non-white and older women are more likely to develop hypertension. Maternal conditions determine most cases of preterm delivery among women with hypertension. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy among Brazilian women with preterm births and to compare the epidemiological characteristics and perinatal outcomes among preterm births of women with and without hypertension. Methods: This was a secondary cross-sectional analysis of […]

Highlights One-step synthesis provides affordable, stable, and biocompatible nanoparticles. PEG-coated gold nanoparticles exhibited very low cytotoxicity effects. This in vivo study did not reveal hematopoietic, renal, or hepatic alterations. The histopathological analysis did not present any tissue or cellular damage. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo toxicities of polyethylene glycol-coated gold nanoparticles synthesized using a one-step process. Methods: Gold nanoparticles were prepared via a co-precipitation method using polyethylene glycol, and the synthesis product was characterized. For […]

Highlights The average age was 4.34±2.56 years. Highest prevalence in Brown and White races. Highest prevalence rate was found in the Southeast, followed by the Central-West and South. The majority of analyzed cases progressed to hospitalization. Prevalent respiratory failure, hematemesis, and melena are associated with both. Prevalence of changes in the level of consciousness, which is important at the central nervous system level. ABSTRACT Objective: The prevalent symptoms of severe dengue in pediatric patients are divided into three subgroups: severe […]

Highlights This study focused on a prenatal biocellulose-based repair technique for open spina bifida that was performed at a later gestational age (26–28 weeks). Myelomeningocele repair involves placode and myofascial flap dissections, with the placement of a biocellulose patch that contributes to successful outcomes, by inducing the formation of a neodurameter. Only 4.4% of patients required cord untethering, indicating a notably low rate of tethered cord syndrome associated with the procedure, especially when compared with other prenatal myelomeningocele-correction techniques. The […]