Conectar
by Pablo Marino Corrêa Nascimento, Luiz Fernando Rodrigues Junior, Mauro Felippe Felix Mediano, Valéria Gonçalves da Silva, Bernardo Rangel Tura, Fabio César Sousa Nogueira, Gilberto Domont, Adriana Bastos Carvalho, Antônio Carlos Campos de Carvalho, Taís Hanae Kasai-Brunswick, Claudio Tinoco Mesquita, Humberto Villacorta Junior, Helena Cramer Veiga Rey
Sarcopenia, a clinical syndrome primarily associated with reduced muscle mass in the elderly, has a negative impact on quality of life and survival. It can occur secondarily to other diseases such as heart failure (HF), a complex clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality. The simultaneous occurrence of these two conditions can worsen the prognosis of their carriers, especially in the most severe cases of HF, as in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, due to the heterogeneous diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, estimates of its prevalence present a wide variation, leading to new criteria having been recently proposed for its diagnosis, emphasizing muscle strength and function rather than skeletal muscle mass. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and/or dynapenia in individuals with HF with reduced LVEF according to the most recent criteria, and compare the gene and protein expression of those patients with and without sarcopenia. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the association of sarcopenia and/or dynapenia with the risk of clinical events and death, quality of life, cardiorespiratory capacity, ventilatory efficiency, and respiratory muscle strength. The participants will answer questionnaires to evaluate sarcopenia and quality of life, and will undergo the following tests: handgrip strength, gait speed, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respiratory muscle strength, cardiopulmonary exercise, as well as genomic and proteomic analysis, and dosage of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and growth differentiation factor-15. An association between sarcopenia and/or dynapenia with unfavorable clinical evolution is expected to be found, in addition to reduced quality of life, cardiorespiratory capacity, ventilatory efficiency, and respiratory muscle strength.To analyse the content of the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with diabetic foot.
A methodological study with a quantitative approach was performed.
The analysis was performed between January and May 2021 by 34 nurses with clinical/theoretical/research experience with diabetes or nursing diagnoses. These nurses evaluated the relevance, clarity and precision of 12 diagnosis-specific etiological factors, 22 clinical indicators and their conceptual and operational definitions.
All 12 etiological factors analysed were considered relevant to diagnostic identification. However, five showed inconsistencies regarding the clarity or precision of the operational definitions, requiring adjustments. Regarding the 22 clinical indicators evaluated, all of them presented a Content Validity Index (CVI) that was statistically significant. However, in the indicators, the colour does not return to lowered limb after 1 min of leg elevation, and cold foot had Content Validity Index (CVI) <0.9 regarding relevance and accuracy of operational definitions.
Twelve etiological factors and 22 clinical indicators were validated. Thus, this study revealed new and relevant aspects characterising peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot that have not yet been clinically validated.
This study contributes to support the professional practice of nurses through the early identification of etiological factors and clinical indicators in persons with diabetic foot. As a proposal, we suggest the inclusion of new defining characteristics and related factors for the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in the NANDA-I taxonomy.
The research highlights new and relevant aspects such as etiological factors and clinical indicators to characterise peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot. Based on these findings, clinical validation is recommended to confirm the relevance of the proposed elements in the population studied for greater reliability and improved diagnostic assessment for the professional practice of nurses.
EQUATOR guidelines were adhered to using the GRRAS checklist for reporting reliability and agreement studies.
No patient or public contribution.
To explore the meaning of healthcare self-management support for post-discharged stroke patients.
Rodgers' evolutionary approach was used to identify antecedents, attributes, related terms, surrogate terms and consequences.
Literature from 2012 to 2022 was searched from MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Google Scholar.
Three antecedents preceded healthcare self-management support for post-discharged stroke patients: loss of inpatient support, preparedness for self-management and presence of self-management support. Healthcare self-management support for post-discharged stroke patients was defined by eight attributes: pre-discharge assessment and planning; provision of continuous education and training; collaborative goal-setting; reinforcement and documentation of vital information; coordination of post-discharge care; provision of rehabilitation support and promoting community reintegration; provision of counselling support; and using clear communication, patient empowerment and promoting self-efficacy. The identified consequences of the concept were as follows: improved patient outcomes; improved life quality; decreased healthcare cost; decreased re-admission rate and inpatient care burden; and decreased complication rate.
Healthcare self-management support for post-discharged stroke patients is an emerging concept that can help to significantly improve stroke patients' health outcomes and life quality. However, its applicability is uncertain considering the workload, time and resources available to healthcare professionals. There is a need for future studies to focus on the feasibility and applicability of this concept in clinical practice and to identify any challenges healthcare providers may have in supporting stroke patients after discharge.
This concept analysis brings clarity to the concept of healthcare self-management support of post-discharged stroke patients and distinguishes it from other self-management supports. It provides an opportunity for further studies and a pathway for generalized healthcare self-management support for stroke patients after discharge to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
No patients, service users, caregivers or members of the public were involved in conducting this concept analysis.
by Maciej Koscielniak, Dorota Marciniak, Dariusz Doliński
Previous laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that the dishonesty of commercial transaction participants may depend on subtle cues. In this field study conducted on a sample of 216 shop assistants in Poland, we planned to demonstrate that coronavirus disease-related factors could result in an increased propensity for dishonesty among shop assistants. This investigation is unique in its application of social psychological theories to illuminate hitherto unexplored side effects of combating the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Our supposition was that the potential detriment encountered by individuals wearing solid surgical masks would involve being viewed as more abstract and remote, thereby heightening the likelihood of being deceived by a vendor. Moreover, we examined the potential relationship between the limited number of customers in retail establishments (related to pandemic restrictions) and the unscrupulous practices of sellers—specifically the act of retaining change. The effect of wearing masks was statistically non-significant, whereas the impact of other customers’ absence was significant. Moreover, unexpected results related to transaction parties’ genders were obtained, showing that shop assistants tended to be more honest when dealing with customers of the same gender. The results are discussed in the context of empathy toward masked customers, self-awareness theory, social norms of honesty, and identification with gender groups.by Michel Pablo dos Santos Ferreira Silva, Maycon Junior Ferreira, Tânia Plens Shecaira, Danielle da Silva Dias, Débora Conte Kimura, Maria Cláudia Irigoyen, Guiomar Nascimento Gomes, Kátia De Angelis
ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the concurrent exercise training (CET) associated with the enalapril maleate on blood pressure variability (BPV) and renal profile in an experimental model of arterial hypertension (AH) and postmenopause.
MethodsFemale ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were distributed into 4 groups (n = 8/group): sedentary (SO), sedentary + enalapril (SOE), trained (TO) and trained + enalapril (TOE). Both enalapril (3mg/kg) and CET (3 days/week) were conducted during 8 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was directly recorded for BPV analyses. Renal function, morphology, inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed.
ResultsThe SOE, TO e TOE groups presented decreased systolic BP compared with SO. Both trained groups (TO and TOE) presented lower BPV and increased baroreflex sensitivity (TO: 0.76 ± 0.20 and TOE: 1.02 ± 0.40 vs. SO: 0.40 ± 0.07 ms/mmHg) compared with SO group, with additional improvements in TOE group. Creatinine and IL-6 levels were reduced in SOE, TO and TOE compared with SO group, while IL-10 was increased only in TOE group (vs. SO). Enalapril combined with CET promote reduction in lipoperoxidation (TOE: 1.37 ± 0.26 vs. SO: 2.08 ± 0.48 and SOE: 1.84 ± 0.35 μmol/mg protein) and hydrogen peroxide (TOE: 1.89 ± 0.40 vs. SO: 3.70 ± 0.19 and SOE: 2.73 ± 0.70 μM), as well as increase in catalase activity (vs. sedentary groups). The tubulointerstitial injury was lower in interventions groups (SOE, TO and TOE vs. SO), with potentialized benefits in the trained groups.
ConclusionsEnalapril combined with CET attenuated BPV and baroreflex dysfunctions, probably impacting on end-organ damage, as demonstrated by attenuation in the AH-induced renal inflammations, oxidative stress and morphofunctional impairments in postmenopausal rats.
Surgical site infections still remain a major public health challenge and have become an increasing universal risk, especially for the implantation of orthopaedic devices.
Unfortunately, the discovery and increasingly widespread use (especially the misuse) of antibiotics have led to the rapid appearance of antibiotic-resistant strains today; more and more infections are caused by microorganisms that fail to respond to conventional treatments.
Oxygen-ozone therapy has been extensively used and studied for decades across various potential medical applications and has provided consistent effects with minimal side effects.
This study aims to determine the superiority of oxygen-ozone therapy in combination with oral antibiotic therapy in patients with wound infections after an orthopaedic device implantation when compared with antibiotic therapy alone.
This is an open-label, multicentre, randomised, parallel-group study that aims to assess the efficacy and safety of oxygen-ozone therapy in combination with oral antibiotic therapy to treat infections in patients (male or female aged ≥18 years) having undergone surgery for the implant of an orthopaedic device. Patients must have at least one (but no more than three) postoperative wounds in the site of surgery (ulcers, eschars and sores) and at least one symptom (pain, burning, redness and malodour) and at least one sign (erythema, local warmth, swelling and purulent secretion) of infection of at least moderate intensity (score ≥2) in the target lesion at the screening visit (patients with wounds without signs of localised infection or with undermining wounds will be excluded).
Patients (n=186) will be recruited from five Italian hospitals and studied for 7 weeks. All will be assigned to one of the two treatment groups according to a web-based, centralised randomisation procedure and placed into either the (1) intervention: oxygen-ozone therapy 2–3 times a week for 6 weeks (for a maximum of 15 sessions) simultaneously with an appropriate oral antibiotic therapy prescribed at baseline or (2) control: oral antibiotic therapy prescribed at baseline.
The primary outcome is the efficacy and superiority of the treatment (ozone and oral antibiotic therapies); secondary outcomes include the resolution of signs and symptoms, modifications in lesion size and the treatment’s safety and tolerability.
This study has been reviewed and approved by the responsible Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) of COMITATO ETICO CAMPANIA NORD, located at ‘Azienda Ospedaliera San Giuseppe Moscati di Avellino’.
After completion of the study, the project coordinator will prepare a draft manuscript containing the final results of the study on the basis of the statistical analysis. The manuscript will be derived by the co-authors for comments, and after revision, it will be sent to a major scientific journal. Findings will be disseminated via online and print media, events and peer-reviewed journals.
by Bruno Holanda Ferreira, Ricardo Goes de Aguiar, Edige Felipe de Sousa Santos, Chester Luiz Galvão Cesar, Moisés Goldbaum, Camila Nascimento Monteiro
IntroductionThe promotion of physical activity has been recognized as an important component in the management and prevention of multimorbidity, a condition that is increasing prevalent worldwide, including in Brazil. However, there is a scarcity of studies exploring the disparity in physical activity levels between individuals with and without multimorbidity. Therefore, the study aimed to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity and physical activity among older adults, as well as analyze the relationship of a sufficient level of physical activity and multimorbidity, while considering sociodemographic characteristics of residents in São Paulo, Brazil.
Materials and methodsData from 1.019 participants aged 60 years or older (59.7% female; mean age 69.7±7.7) were collected from the Health Survey (ISA-Capital, 2015) conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. We defined multimorbidity as the presence of two or more chronic conditions, and for physical activity, classified a sufficient level (≥150 min/week). Prevalence Ratios (PR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI) were estimated using univariate and multivariate Poisson regression to examine the relationship between multimorbidity and sufficient level of physical activity.
Results67.7% of the participants lived with multimorbidity, while 30.1% had achieved a sufficient level of physical activity. There was a higher prevalence of sufficient level of physical activity among older adults with two (PR = 1.38; 95%CI 1.02–1.88) and four (PR = 1.37; 95%CI 1.00–1.87) chronic conditions. Older adults with multimorbidity who were 70 years or older (PR = 1.77; 95%IC 1.13–2.77), female (PR = 1.65; 95%CI 1.16–2.36), without a partner (PR = 1.43; 95%IC 1.03–1.99), and had a per capita income of 1 to 2.5 (PR = 1.83; 95%IC 1.00–3.33) were more likely to achieve a sufficient level of physical activity compared to their peers without multimorbidity.
ConclusionsThe study highlights sociodemographic disparities in the sufficient level of physical activity among multimorbidity, suggesting the importance of considering these factors when planning public policies aimed at promoting physical activity.
Chronic low back pain may be associated with pathoanatomical, neurophysiological, physical, psychological and social factors; thus, treatments to reduce symptoms are important to improve the quality of life of this population. We aimed to evaluate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with Pilates-based exercises compared with sham stimulation on pain, quality of life and disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
This is a protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial with participants, outcome assessor and statistician blinded. We will include 36 individuals with a history of non-specific chronic low back pain for more than 12 weeks and minimum pain intensity of 3 points on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Individuals will be randomised into two groups: (1) active tDCS combined with Pilates-based exercises and (2) sham tDCS combined with Pilates-based exercises. Three weekly sessions of the protocol will be provided for 4 weeks, and individuals will be submitted to three assessments: the first (T0) will be performed before the intervention protocol, the second (T1) immediately after the intervention protocol and the third (T2) will be a follow-up 1 month after the end of the intervention. We will assess pain, disability, central sensitisation, quality of life, pressure pain threshold, global impression of change, adverse events and medication use. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire will be used at T1 to assess pain and disability, respectively, as primary outcome measures.
This trial was prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov website and ethically approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi (report number: 5.411.244) before data collection. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed medical journal and on institution websites.
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05467566).
There is an urgent need for scalable strategies for treating overweight and obesity in clinical settings. PROPS 2.0 (Partnerships for Reducing Overweight and Obesity with Patient-Centered Strategies 2.0) aims to adapt and implement the combined intervention from the PROPS Study at scale, in a diverse cross-section of patients and providers.
We are implementing PROPS 2.0 across a variety of clinics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, targeting enrolment of 5000 patients. Providers can refer patients or patients can self-refer. Eligible patients must be ≥20 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 or a BMI of 25–29.9 kg/m2 plus another cardiovascular risk factor or obesity-related condition. After enrolment, patients register for the RestoreHealth online programme/app (HealthFleet Inc.) and participate for 12 months. Patients can engage with the programme and receive personalized feedback from a coach. Patient navigators help to enrol patients, enter updates in the electronic health record, and refer patients to additional resources. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework is guiding the evaluation.
The Mass General Brigham Human Research Committee approved this protocol. An implementation guide will be created and disseminated, to help other sites adopt the intervention in the future.
by Rosa Sá de Oliveira Neta, Severina Carla Vieira Cunha Lima, Lorena Lima do Nascimento, Camila Valdejane Silva de Souza, Clélia de Oliveira Lyra, Dirce Maria Lobo Marchioni, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli da Costa Oliveira
IntroductionThe current food system is associated with negative impacts on health, food insecurity and environmental harm. Sustainable diets have attracted increasing interest and novel proposals with a global scope have emerged. This scoping review aims to give an overview of the analysis of all the available evidence related to the sustainable diet indices that have been developed based on the EAT-Lancet Commission.
MethodsSearches were conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases. This review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The target population were studies addressed the use of an index or metric for assessing sustainable diets based on the EAT-Lancet Commission Summary Report were included. PCC acronym was used in the design of the study to describe eligibility criteria: P (Population)—Indexes; C (Concept)—Sustainable diets; C (Context)—Knowledge on the structure and applicability of measurement indices of sustainable diets based on EAT-Lancet recommendations available in the literature. Study eligibility criteria were restricted to papers published in English, from January 2019 through October 2022, with no population restriction.
ResultsA total of 1,458 papers were retrieved, 14 of which were included in the review. Seven measures of sustainable diets were identified as follow: EAT-Lancet diet score (ELD-I), New EAT-Lancet diet score (EAT), Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), Sustainable Diet Index (SDI), Sustainable-HEalthy-Diet (SHED), novel Nutrient-Based EAT index (NB-EAT) and World Index for Sustainability and Health (WISH). Most studies were conducted in developed countries, where greater adherence to this type of diet was found. Estimated greenhouse gas emissions was the most reported indicator of sustainability, followed by diet quality and the benefits of sustainable diets with regards to health outcomes.
DiscussionWe identified barriers that hinder progress towards sustainable diets, including the difficulty of comparing different indices and the tendency to neglect social aspects and the lack of common definitions and metrics. Despite being challenge, we highlight the importance of using indices that assess sustainable diets that harmonize various indicators, as recommended by the EAT-Lancet Commission, in order to promote positive changes towards a more sustainable future.
by Priscila Ceolin Meneghetti, Junying Li, Paulo Sérgio Borella, Gustavo Mendonça, Luiz Henrique Burnett Jr
This study aimed to compare the accuracy of full-arch digital implant impressions using seven different scanbodies and four intraoral scanners. A 3D-printed maxillary model with six implants and their respective multi-unit abutments was used for this study. Seven scanbodies (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5, SB6, and SB7) and four intraoral scanners (Primescan®, Omnican®, Trios 3®, and Trios 4®) were assessed. Each combination group was scanned ten times and a dental lab scanner (D2000, 3Shape) was used as a reference. All scans were exported as STL files, imported into Convince software (3Shape) for alignment, and later into Blender software, where their 3D positions were analyzed using a Python script. The 3D deviation, angular deviation, and linear distance between implants #3 and #14 were also measured. Accuracy was measured in terms of “trueness” (scanbody 3D deviation between intraoral scan and desktop scan). Kruskal-Wallis followed by the Bonferroni correction was used to analyze the data (⍺ = .05). The study found statistically significant differences in digital impression accuracy among the scanners and scanbodies (pby Nelio N. Veiga-Junior, Caroline Eugeni, Beatriz D. Kajiura, Priscilla B. F. Dantas, Caroline B. Trabach, Aline A. Junqueira, Carina C. Nunes, Luiz F. Baccaro
BackgroundManagement of uterine evacuation is essential for increasing safe abortion care. Monitoring through surveillance systems tracks changes in clinical practice and provides information to improve equity in abortion care quality.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the frequency of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and medical abortion (MA), and identify the factors associated with each uterine evacuation method after surveillance network installation at a Brazilian hospital.
MethodsThis cross-sectional study included women admitted for abortion or miscarriage to the University of Campinas Women’s Hospital, Brazil, between July 2017 and November 2020. The dependent variables were the use of MVA and MA with misoprostol. The independent variables were the patients’ clinical and sociodemographic data. The Cochran–Armitage, chi-square, and Mann–Whitney U tests, as well as multiple logistic regression analysis, were used to compare uterine evacuation methods.
ResultsWe enrolled 474 women in the study, 91.35% of whom underwent uterine evacuation via uterine curettage (78.75%), MVA (9.46%), or MA (11.54%). MVA use increased during the study period (Z = 9.85, p Conclusion
MVA use increased following the installation of a surveillance network for good clinical practice. Being part of a network that encourages the use of evidence-based methods provides an opportunity for healthcare facilities to increase access to safe abortions.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) using low-level laser can affect tissue repair mechanisms and seems promising in reducing pain intensity. However, few studies support the effectiveness of PBM on postpartum period complications, such as nipple and/or perineal trauma and pain, probably due to the low doses used. The primary objective of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of PBM on pain intensity in the nipple and perineal trauma in women in the immediate postpartum period. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the effect on tissue healing and the women’s satisfaction.
A double-blind, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial will be performed in two public referral maternity hospitals in Brazil with 120 participants, divided into two arms: 60 participants in the nipple trauma arm and 60 participants in the perineal trauma arm. Participants will be women in the immediate postpartum period, who present with nipple trauma or perineal trauma and report pain intensity greater than or equal to 4 points on the Numerical Rating Scale for Pain. Block randomisation will be performed, followed by blinding allocation. In the experimental group, one application of PBM will be performed between 6 hours and 36 hours after birth. For the sham group, the simulation will be carried out without triggering energy. Both participants and the research evaluator will be blinded to the allocation group. Intention-to-treat method and the between-group and within-group outcome measures analysis will be performed.
This research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committees of the University of Campinas, Brazil, and of the School Maternity Assis Chateaubriand, Brazil (numbers CAAE: 59400922.1.1001.5404; 59400922.1.3001.5050). Participants will be required to sign the informed consent form to participate. Results will be disseminated to the health science community.
Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-2qm8jrp).
Introducción: La enfermería brasileña parece haber alcanzado importantes niveles de aprendizaje durante la pandemia, no solo por la necesidad de controlar la circulación del nuevo coronavirus y cuidar a los enfermos. Objetivo: Conocer los aprendizajes generados a partir de la pandemia de COVID-19 entre las enfermeras. Métodos: estudio exploratorio y cualitativo, realizado en agosto y septiembre de 2021, con enfermeros de tercer nivel de salud que estuvieron en primera línea durante la pandemia, en el Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Se realizaron entrevistas individuales, a partir de preguntas orientadoras. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó el discurso del sujeto colectivo. Resultados: Como aprendizajes generados, los participantes señalaron aspectos profesionales (teórico/práctico), así como aspectos personales (reflejo del valor del ser humano, familia y realización profesional). Conclusión: Los aprendizajes proporcionados por la pandemia, si bien contribuye a la percepción de que ante la inseguridad y la incertidumbre es posible aprender y desarrollarse, enfatiza la condición de fortaleza del enfermero, que inicialmente durante la pandemia se vio debilitado, pero que se potenció la sensibilidad a nuevos descubrimientos, confrontaciones y fortalecimiento de sus recursos individuales y colectivos.
Certain criteria for ventilator-associated events (VAE) definition might influence the type of an event, its detection rate and consequently the resource expenditure in intensive care unit. The Impact of Infections by Antimicrobial-Resistant Microorganisms - Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (IMPACTO MR-PAV) aims to evaluate the incidence and diagnostic accuracy of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) using the current criteria for VAP surveillance in Brazil versus the VAE criteria defined by the US National Healthcare Safety Network-Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria.
The study will be conducted in around 15 centres across Brazil from October 2022 to December 2023. Trained healthcare professionals will collect data and compare the incidence of VAP using both the current criteria for VAP surveillance in Brazil and the VAE criteria defined by the CDC. The accuracy of the two criteria for identifying VAP will also be analysed. It will also characterise other events associated with mechanical ventilation (ventilator-associated condition, infection-related ventilator-associated complication) and adjudicate VAP reported to the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) using current epidemiological diagnostic criteria.
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board under the number 52354721.0.1001.0070. The study’s primary outcome measure will be the incidence of VAP using the two different surveillance criteria, and the secondary outcome measures will be the accuracy of the two criteria for identifying VAP and the adjudication of VAP reported to ANVISA. The results will contribute to the improvement of VAP surveillance in Brazil and may have implications for other countries that use similar criteria.
NCT05589727; Clinicaltrials.gov.
by Michael Sciaudone, Renzo Carpena, Maritza Calderón, Patricia Sheen, Mirko Zimic, Jorge Coronel, Robert H. Gilman, Natalie M. Bowman
Tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Tuberculosis treatment and control efforts are hindered by the difficulty in making the diagnosis, as currently available diagnostic tests are too slow, too expensive, or not sufficiently sensitive. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a novel technique that allows for the amplification of DNA rapidly, at constant temperature, and with minimal expense. We calculated and compared the limit of detection, sensitivity, and specificity of two RPA-based assays for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, using two sets of published primers. We also calculated and compared the assays’ limits of detection and compared their performance using two different DNA extraction methods prior to amplification (a commercially available DNA extraction kit vs. the chelex method). The RPA-lateral flow assay had a limit of detection of 5 fg/μL of DNA, a sensitivity of 53.2%, and a specificity of 93.3%, while the real time-RPA assay had a limit of detection of 25 fg/μL of DNA, a sensitivity of 85.1%, and a specificity of 93.3%. There was no difference in assay performance when DNA extraction was carried out using the commercial kit vs. the chelex method. The real-time RPA assay has adequate sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and could be a viable diagnostic tool in resource-limited settings, but the lateral flow assay did not perform as well, perhaps due to the fact we used stored sputum specimens from a biorepository. More work is needed to optimize the RPA-lateral flow assay, to get a more accurate estimate of its specificity and sensitivity using prospectively collected specimens, and to develop both assays into point-of-care tests that can be easily deployed in the field.
This study aims to describe the prototype development and testing of a serious game designed for Brazilian children with diabetes. Following an approach of user-centered design, the researchers assessed game's preferences and diabetes learning needs to develop a Paper Prototype. The gameplay strategies included diabetes pathophysiology, self-care tasks, glycemic management, and food group learning. Diabetes and technology experts (n = 12) tested the prototype during audio-recorded sessions. Next, they answered a survey to evaluate the content, organization, presentation, and educational game aspects. The prototype showed a high content validity ratio (0.80), with three items not achieving the critical values (0.66). Experts recommended improving the game content and food illustrations. This evaluation contributed to the medium-fidelity prototype version, which after testing with diabetes experts (n = 12) achieved high content validity values (0.88). One item did not meet the critical values. Experts suggested increasing the options of outdoor activities and meals. Researchers also observed and video-recorded children with diabetes (n = 5) playing the game with satisfactory interaction. They considered the game enjoyable. The interdisciplinary team plays an important role guiding the designers in the use of theories and real needs of children. Prototypes are a low-cost usability and a successful method for evaluating games. This study aimed to describe the process of construction, validation, and usability of the chatbot ESTOMABOT to assist in the self-care of patients with intestinal ostomies. Methodological research was conducted in three phases: construction, validation, and usability. The first stage corresponded to the elaboration of a script through a literature review, and the second stage corresponded to face and content validation through a panel of enterostomal therapy nurses. In the third phase, the usability of ESTOMABOT was assessed with the participation of surgical clinic nurses, patients with intestinal elimination ostomies, and information technology professionals, using the System Usability Scale. The ESTOMABOT content reached excellent criteria of adequacy, with percentages of agreement equal to or greater than 90%, which were considered adequate, relevant, and representative. The evaluation of the content validity of the script using the scale content validity index/average proportion method reached a result above 0.90, and the Fleiss κ was excellent (P by Ana Carolina Cavalcante Rodrigues, Caroline Vitória de Lima Moreira, Camila Carlos Prado, Luan Silvestro Bianchini Silva, Rafael Fernandes Costa, Adesina Paul Arikawe, Gustavo Rodrigues Pedrino, Elson Alves Costa, Osmar Nascimento Silva, Hamilton Barbosa Napolitano, Iranse Oliveira-Silva, James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye
Profiling the variability related to the estrous cycle is essential for assessing depressive-like behavior and screening drugs. This study compares circulating plasma corticosterone levels [CORT] and behavioral alterations in mice exposed to sucrose preference, forced swimming, and tail suspension tests (SPT, FST, and TST, respectively). While SPT exposure did not significantly alter [CORT], FST and TST showed notable changes. Mice in the TST exhibited increased movement and decreased immobility time compared to FST, suggesting a lower likelihood of depressive-like behavior in male mice. Notably, during the proestrus phase, female mice displayed the highest tendency for depressive-like behavior and elevated [CORT], but similar response to antidepressants (imipramine and fluoxetine). The inherent stress of the FST and TST tasks appears to influence [CORT] as well as depressant and antidepressant effects. These comparisons provide valuable insights for further behavioral phenotyping, model sensitivity assessment, and deepen our neurobiological understanding of depression in the context of drug screening.
FreshRSS 