Highlights ■ Guided cortical neural organoids show consistent cytoarchitecture and robust network activity. ■ Unguided neural organoids are heterogeneous, with glia, microglia, and choroid plexus cells. ■ Guided neural organoids suit cortical development and neurodevelopmental disease studies. ■ Unguided neural organoids are ideal for modeling neuroinflammation and diverse cell interactions. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to compare guided dorsal forebrain neural organoids with unguided neural organoids, focusing on differences in structural organization, cellular composition, and functional properties. Methods: Using the […]

Highlights ■ This study describes a series of cases in which SARS-CoV-2  infection is associated with profound sensorineural hearing loss. ■ COVID-19 infections can indeed cause sensorineural hearing loss. ■ Seven patients with profound sensorineural hearing loss due to COVID-19 were clinically evaluated and underwent audiological testing. ■ This study highlights that the consequences of COVID-19 extend beyond respiratory symptoms and affect other systems, such as the inner ear. ABSTRACT Objective: To describe a series of cases in which severe […]

Highlights ■ ChatGPT and Gemini are showing increased ability to accurately answer multiple-choice questions on medical exams. ■ There was no statistical significance in the rate of correct  answers by ChatGPT 3.5 and Gemini 1.5. However, we observed that ChatGPT 4.0 performed significantly better,  and so did Gemini 2.5 Flash, when comparing to the  literature. ■ The question taxonomy did not appear to be a relevant  factor regarding the success rate of the models. ABSTRACT Objective: Given the rapid advancement […]

Highlights ■ TDF + 3TC + DTG decreases the number of viable stromal vascular cells in subcutaneous adipose tissue. ■ TDF + 3TC + DTG decreases the number of viable stromal vascular cells in visceral adipose tissue. ■ TDF + 3TC + DTG increases leptin and FABP4 expression  in subcutaneous adipose tissue. ABSTRACT Introduction: Several antiretroviral regimens reportedly affect adipose tissue function. While earlier antiretroviral combinations were associated with lipodystrophy, more recent regimens, particularly those containing dolutegravir, have been linked […]

Highlights ■ The institutional nutritional program in tertiary care was effective in promoting moderate weight loss. ■ Obese patients with high cardiovascular risk undergoing multi-drug therapy showed significant improvement in anthropometric, biochemical, and heart rate variability components. ■ Heart rate variability analysis revealed enhanced autonomic balance, increased parasympathetic activity, and reduced sympathetic activity after weight loss. ■ Moderate weight loss presents a promising adjunctive  strategy for managing cardiovascular risk in obese patients undergoing multi-drug therapy. Abstract Objective: Cardiovascular diseases remain […]

Highlights ■ Cardiovascular diseases reduce exercise tolerance andimpair quality of life. ■ Quality of life monitoring is essential after cardiac surgery. ■ Poor postoperative quality of life predicts worse functionalrecovery. ■ Inspiratory muscle training improves exercise capacity and quality of life. Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training using POWERbreathe® in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with extracorporeal circulation, focusing on respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, exercise capacity, functional independence, and quality of life, from hospitalization to a […]

Highlights ■ Family identified with recurrent colorectal cancer, suggestive of Lynch syndrome. ■ A new variant was detected, NM_000251.3(MSH2):c.1894_1898del (p.Ile633Lysfs*9). ■ The variant causes a frameshift mutation leading to a premature stop codon, suggesting pathogenicity. ■ Using bioinformatics tools, we investigated possible escape mechanisms, such as the presence of isoforms without the mutated exon. ■ Location of the variant suggests that it causes non-sense mediated decay, which is reinforced by immunohistochemistry findings showing absence of MSH2 protein expression. ■ Detailed […]

Highlights ■ In Peru, 5.2% of the population has a disability, and among them, 59.2% have physical limitations. ■ People with disabilities face physical/communication healthcare access barriers. ■ Barriers can affect satisfaction with care received and facility infrastructure. ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association of physical disability with medical care and health center infrastructure satisfaction among users of medical offices in Peru in 2016. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of secondary data from the 2016 National Health User Satisfaction […]

Highlights ■ The rs2814778 C allele is linked to severe/critical COVID-19. ■ The association is independent of major clinical risk factors. ■ The Duffy “null” phenotype may promote lung inflammation. ■ rs12075 and rs4073 showed no association with COVID-19 severity. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to analyze the possible association between rs2814778, rs12075 (ACKR1 gene), and rs4073 (CXCL8 gene) single nucleotide variants and COVID-19 severity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 319 COVID-19 diagnosed patients at two hospitals in Paraná, Brazil […]

Highlights ■ The sample included 555 patients from three hospitals (both public and private), representing diverse care settings. ■ Physician and software predictions showed moderate correlation with observed intensive care unit length of stay,  highlighting limitations in absolute prediction accuracy. ■ Categorizing length of stay into time periods (<2, 2-5, >5 days) improved prediction accuracy to approximately 60% for both physicians and Epimed Monitor Performance®. ■ Epimed Monitor Performance® identified patients at risk of prolonged intensive care unit stay with […]