Federal University of São Paulo

Objective To evaluate the association between modifiable lifestyle behaviors and mental health indicators in Brazilian adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 National Survey of School Health including 152,860 students. The lifestyle behaviors and mental health indicators were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between lifestyle behaviors and mental health indicators. Results Infrequent healthy eating (OR 1.22; 95%CI 1.14–1.31), being inactive (OR 1.82; 95%CI 1.65–2.01), smoking (OR 1.24; 95%CI 1.10–1.40), and irregular school attendance (OR 1.31; 95%CI 1.22–1.40) were associated with not having close friends. Additionally, not having close friends was also associated with unhealthy eating (OR 0.86; 95%CI 0.81–0.92) and alcohol consumption (OR 0.81; 95%CI 0.75–0.87). Infrequent healthy eating (OR 1.29; 95%CI 1.24–1.33), frequent unhealthy eating (OR 1.39; 95%CI 1.35–1.43), being inactive (OR 1.12; 95%CI 1.07–1.18), excessive screen time and sitting (OR 1.10; 95%CI 1.07–1.14 and OR 1.68; 95%CI 1.63–1.73, respectively), smoking (OR 1.26; 95%CI 1.19–1.34), alcohol (OR 1.33; 95%CI 1.28–1.37), drugs (OR 1.13; 95%CI 1.05–1.22), and irregular school attendance (OR 1.53; 95%CI 1.48–1.59) were associated with worse self-rated mental health. Conclusions Various lifestyle behaviors are associated with different indicators of mental health. Keywords: Lifestyle; Mental health; Adolescent

The unique properties and versatile applications of natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) have sparked significant interest in the field of green chemistry. Comprised of natural components that form liquids at room temperature through strong noncovalent electrostatic interaction, these solvents are cost-effective, nontoxic, and versatile. Betaine chloride-based NaDES, in particular, have shown promise in biocatalysis and sugar extraction due to their excellent properties. Despite their potential, the complex nature of these solvents, characterized by intense hydrogen bonding and proton transfer processes, poses significant challenges. This study employs quantum molecular dynamics (ab initio MD-AIMD) to explore the intricate NaDES-microstructure formed from betaine chloride and amino acids (arginine, histidine, lysine). Our findings highlight the dynamic nature of proton transfers within these solvents, demonstrating rapid and extensive hydrogen bonding interactions. The Van Hove correlation functions reveal that proton transfers are highly mobile, facilitating the formation and breaking of covalent hydrogen bonds. This dynamic behavior is further corroborated by the radial distribution functions, which indicate significant proton exchange between amino acids and betaine cations. Chloride anions play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of NaDES through strong interactions with proton donors. These findings advance our understanding of these eutectic solvents and their potential applications in sustainable chemical processes.

Este artigo investiga a convergência entre os atos de escrever e jogar no contexto da pesquisa em saúde em uma universidade pública. Enquanto a escrita é tradicionalmente utilizada para transmitir conhecimentos científicos e pesquisas, o jogo emerge como uma abordagem alternativa, interativa e engajadora. Essa pesquisa examina as potencialidades e os desafios de integração entre essas práticas na Pós-Graduação. As potencialidades incluem a melhoria da compreensão de conceitos complexos, o aumento do engajamento dos estudantes e a promoção da criatividade. No entanto, os desafios incluem encontrar o equilíbrio entre a rigidez acadêmica e a ludicidade, garantir a precisão científica no contexto lúdico e superar possíveis resistências institucionais. Este estudo destaca a importância de explorar estratégias inovadoras de ensino e comunicação na Pós-Graduação em Saúde, visando aprimorar a formação dos estudantes e promover maior disseminação do conhecimento científico.

Objective The objective of this study was to report two cases of successive multiple spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax in children with massive lung involvement due to Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), emphasizing the possibility of this differential diagnosis for the general pediatrician. Additionally, published cases describing pediatric patients with pulmonary manifestations of LCH were reviewed in the literature. Case description Case #1: A 3-year-old male patient with a sudden episode of spontaneous right-sided pneumothorax, surgically drained. After 2 months, he experienced two new episodes of contralateral pneumothorax. A pulmonary lymph node biopsy revealed the diagnosis of LCH. He underwent bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery and mini-thoracotomy with mechanical pleurodesis, in addition to chemotherapy, requiring prolonged hospitalization. Case #2: A 4-year-old boy with progressive dyspnea and wheezing for 5 months. A pulmonary biopsy revealed LCH. He developed significant respiratory distress and right pneumothorax, requiring drainage. Silver nitrate pleurodesis and different chemotherapy regimens were performed. Both patients responded well to multiple chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, and intensive care support. Comments LCH is a challenging disease. Its clinical manifestation is variable, and pulmonary involvement occurs in about 10–15% of cases. We consider specialized surgical management and multidisciplinary support essential for the treatment of patients with massive pulmonary LCH. Although rare, massive pulmonary involvement by LCH should be considered in cases of recurrent pneumothorax in children. Keywords: Langerhans-cell histiocytosis; Lung; Video-assisted thoracic surgery; Case report

Using bioactive glasses (BGs) for bone reconstruction is a promising and expanding field of investigation in regenerative medicine. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the key features of the 100 most cited papers on BG in bone tissue engineering through bibliometric measures. A search was conducted in the Web of Science citation indexing database until October 2023. Three researchers performed study selection and data extraction. Data extraction included publication title and year, authors, number of citations and mean number of citations, institution, country and continent, study design, journal, keywords, and bioactive glasses. Citation counts were also collected in Google Scholar and Scopus databases. Graphical networks were created using VOSviewer software. The number of citations of the 100 most cited articles ranged from 118 to 1836, with ten papers cited more than 400 times. Articles were mostly published between 2011 and 2012. Most papers, comprising 72 in vitro studies, originated from the United States (n = 22) and were published in Biomaterials (27%). Aldo Boccaccini was the most cited author (n = 17; 6332 citations). The most prolific institution was Imperial College London (n = 19; 7073 citations), followed by Missouri University (USA; n = 7; 2494 citations). "Bioactive glass" was the most frequent keyword, with 46 occurrences. Laboratory-based studies, primarily conducted in the United States, evaluating the physicochemical, osteogenic properties, and antibacterial activity of silica-based bioactive glasses such as 45S5 have been the most cited thus far.

Objective Despite growing recognition of the efficacy of ketogenic diet therapies (KDT) in reducing seizure frequency and improving the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy, several factors hinder their widespread adoption across Latin America. Specific challenges in the region have been discussed but not formally studied. Currently, no data exist on the availability and operation of KDT teams in the region. To address this gap, we conducted a survey of KDT centers across Latin American countries in the framework of the biannual International Ketogenic Diet Conference in September 2023. Methods A seven‐question survey was distributed via email to neurologists, dietitians, or through indexed publications. Results Of the 16 centers approached, 14 (87.5%) responded, identifying 98 KDT centers. Nearly half (49%) are public institutions, primarily in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico; 44 are private; and 5 are mixed. Core teams in all centers included a neurologist and dietitian, with some teams in Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay also involving a medical nutritionist. None of the centers reported a protocol for transitioning to adult care, and consistent data on Glut1 patients and protocols were lacking. Significance Over the past two decades, the KDT landscape in Latin America has improved, with established centers expanding and new ones emerging. However, continued efforts are needed to promote KDT adoption in countries where it is not yet practiced and in regions with limited resources and expertise.

Diesel is the most important liquid fuel in Brazil, representing 49.6% of the total liquid fuels commercialized in the country and, therefore, is important to have simple and rapid method for diesel quality control. The Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels verified that 4.0% of the diesel samples did not meet the required specification in 2022. Adulterated fuel increased fuel consumption, cause engine problems, increased emission of polluting gases among others problems. This study presents the use of bench top, time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) relaxometer as a simple, rapid and non-destructive analytical method to quantify the adulteration of diesel with ethanol, which is the cheapest liquid fuel available in Brazil. The results show that commercial diesel and ethanol have transverse relaxation time (T2) equal to 0.67 s and 1.75 s, respectively. The addition of 10–90% v/v) ethanol in diesel increased the T2 linearly. The correlation of T2 values with the middle infrared band at 1747 cm⁻¹ shows determination coefficient (R² = 0.94). Therefore, TD-NMR relaxometry is a rapid, simple and alternative method to determine the adulteration of the commercial diesel with ethanol.

Polymyxin B (polyB) is a lipopeptide used as a last-line treatment against antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the application of polyB is limited by expressive nephrotoxicity. So, encapsulation of peptides into nanoparticles has been a tool to circumvent toxicity problems. Polymeric nanoparticles have been prepared with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), PLGA, a biodegradable polymer that allows the controlled release of drugs, increasing their selectivity and making them less toxic to adjacent tissues. PLGA nanoparticles were synthesized by nanoprecipitation and characterized by dynamic light scattering. PolyB was encapsulated as a free form and also linked to a dansyl fluorescent probe to be quantified. Antimicrobial assays were carried out in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hemolysis was evaluated with human red blood cells. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated against LLC-PK and CMHI kidney cells. In vivo studies were carried out in the Galleria mellonella infection model. PolyB-PLGA nanoparticles exerted bactericidal action against E. coli and P. aeruginosa at 11.8 μg/mL and showed no hemolytic activity. PolyB-PLGAs did not promote cellular viability decrease in renal cells. In vivo tests with G. mellonella indicated that in addition to not showing toxicity, the nanosystem inhibited disease progression on larvae infected by E. coli. Graphical Abstract

Purpose : To correlate speed and heat scores with anthropometric variables and lower-limb strength and power in professional surfers. Methods : A total of 19 men participated in simulated competitions on different days. All surfed waves were scored, and each athlete’s best 2 were used for their total heat score. Speed values were extracted by global positioning system and adjusted by Z score. Squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jump were executed. Anthropometric variables and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) in the half squat were measured. Pearson product–moment correlation was used to analyze the relationships. Results : Height had a significant ( P < .05) inverse association with speed indicators ( r = −.36 to − .68), and body mass index had a moderate association with maximum wave speed of the highest score. Significant correlations with moderate to large magnitudes were found between maximum speed and vertical jumps ( r = .46 to .56), average speed and vertical jumps ( r = .48 to .59), and both maximum and average speed with 1RM ( r = .52–.53). Athletes’ best score and total heat score showed moderate to large associations with vertical jumps and 1RM ( r = .48–.64), whereas second scores were correlated with the reactive strength index of the drop jump ( r = .48) and 1RM ( r = .51). Conclusions : Shorter surfers with lower center of gravity and those with superior lower-limb strength and power achieved greater speed and higher scores. Accordingly, surf coaches may consider prescribing dynamic strength and balance training based on an athlete’s profile to improve performance.

Précis Automated optic nerve head hemoglobin measurements through change overtime in the Globin Individual Pointer (GIP) index, provided by the Laguna ONhE software, can be useful to evaluate structural progression in glaucoma. Purpose To assess the performance of automated optic nerve head hemoglobin measurements (ONH Hb) for detection of structural progression in glaucoma patients using event analysis. Patients and Methods Treated glaucoma patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Two experienced examiners classified patients into progressors and non-progressors (controls) based on serial color retinographies (CR). Progressors were then subdivided in structural changes of the neuroretinal rim (NR) or retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). Globin individual pointer (GIP) index, derived from ONH Hb measurements, was calculated for each CR using the Laguna ONhE software. Differences in GIP values, between baseline and last visit CRs, were used to assess structural progression. Sensitivity at a fixed specificity (50%; median GIP difference in controls) and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) were calculated. Results Eight-seven eyes (35 progressors and 52 controls) from 64 patients were enrolled. Mean GIP reduction overtime was greater in progressors (−13.0±18.6) than controls (−2.9±10.4; P =0.001). In progressors, mean GIP reduction was greater in patients with NR changes (−19.6±19.5) than RNFL changes (−3.1±12.1; P =0.008). GIP difference correctly identified 69% of the progressors (AUROC: 0.66), being 76% of these progressions related to NR changes (AUROC: 0.76) and 57% to RNFL changes (AUROC: 0.52). Conclusions The GIP index, based on automated ONH Hb measurements demonstrated good sensitivity to differentiate progressors from controls, especially in cases in which progression was documented trough structural NR changes. Using only two CRs and event analysis, GIP changes overtime can be a useful screening tool to evaluate structural progression.

On September 29, 2023, the Republic of Ecuador convened a meeting to address surgical system strengthening and urge political leaders to invest in surgical infrastructure. The meeting included experts in health diplomacy, innovative financing, implementation strategy and national surgical plans. The event occurred in parallel with the Sixtieth Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization, Seventy-fifth session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Americas. The meeting centered around four major areas: (i) building surgical capacity as a means to develop universal health care and emergency preparedness; (ii) developing policies and strategies for strengthening surgical systems; (iii) developing models for financing, sustaining, and improving surgical systems in low- and middle-income countries; and (iv) evaluating implementation strategies for funding these endeavors. National surgical plans represent a critical opportunity to build resilient health care systems by establishing comprehensive and sustainable policies. This article highlights the key messages from the event, which focused on Latin America, to inform the broader global health community.

This study evaluated the effects of water-soluble fractions (WSF) of stranded oil sampled from the beaches of Trancoso and Massarandupió (Bahia, Brazil) following a mysterious oil spill along Brazil’s northeast coast (2019–2020). The samples were characterized for aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and tested for chronic toxicity in the embryo-larval stages of the sea urchin Echinometra lucunter. The WSFs contained high levels of PAHs, some of which were above the acceptable levels for water in Brazil, and toxicity to sea urchin embryos tended to occur at higher concentrations.

Translation of biomarkers to clinical practice is hindered by the significant overlap in neurobiological measures between ADHD cases and controls. A risk-informed design can enhance the utility and validation of ADHD biomarkers by highlighting differences between individuals with ADHD and those without at differential risk. Participants were 2511 children and adolescents (aged 6 to 14 years) from the Brazilian High Risk Cohort for Mental Conditions. We calculated risk for ADHD among unaffected individuals using a multivariable clinical and sociodemographic risk model. We compared measures of three proposed ADHD biomarkers (polygenic scores, subcortical volumes, and executive function) between participants with vs. without ADHD, and ADHD vs. without ADHD with a high- vs. low-risk loading for ADHD. Compared to the unaffected group, children and adolescents with ADHD had higher ADHD polygenic scores (cohen’s d = 0.17), smaller subcortical volumes (d = − 0.25), and poorer executive function (d = − 0.22). Separating the unaffected group into low- and high-risk subgroups revealed more pronounced differences (Cohen’s d = 0.20 to 0.60) and nearly doubled the overlap-free area for these three neurobiological measures between the low-risk group and the other two groups. Upon adjustment for the number of ADHD symptoms, simple ADHD vs. without ADHD differences vanished, while the risk-informed analyses remained significant. Here, we demonstrate that a risk-based design increases effect sizes when comparing candidate biomarkers for ADHD. Our study provides a model that may hold promise for evaluating similar contrasts in other mental disorders and samples.

Resumo A discussão sobre a vida financeira na escola é frequentemente limitada às finanças pessoais. No entanto, é fundamental ampliar essa discussão para abordar as estruturas de dependência econômica que observamos atualmente. Além disso, devemos considerar as consequências da especulação do capital, o agravamento das desigualdades sociais e os impactos ambientais do consumismo. A análise crítica desempenha um papel fundamental na compreensão dos mecanismos do mercado financeiro e do modelo econômico atual, que se baseia no consumo antecipado. Isso requer uma matemática em ação, conforme preconiza a Educação Matemática Crítica. Além disso, a formação de professores deve ser repensada para incluir essa perspectiva. Nosso objetivo é ressignificar a concepção de Educação Financeira e apresentar possibilidades para a sala de aula, com base na análise crítica da vida financeira e dos propósitos relacionados. Nossos estudos e contribuições são embasados em uma pesquisa qualitativa de doutorado concluída em 2021, bem como em estudos em andamento realizados por um grupo de pesquisa e em contribuições teóricas de outros pesquisadores com os quais dialogamos sobre Educação Financeira.

Community-based archaeology has been reshaping the meaning of its praxis in Latin America. This is due to recognizing the importance of memory and active listening as sources of equal value to traditional archaeology methods and theories. Aligning archaeological practice with community knowledge and demands means integrating “affective alliances” in favor of collaboration, solidarity, and care. Inspired by Cusicanqui’s notion of equivalence, which advocates for traditional knowledge producers and interlocutors to engage in dialogue on equal terms, coming from different centers of thought, and by Barkin’s idea of a dialogue of knowledge, which proposes the development of projects designed from a local perspective, where inhabitants take the lead in the recovery and preservation of their own resources. This article presents two Latin American case studies that demonstrate the possibility of integrating content from the past and present through dialogues between the knowledge of community representatives and researchers. The first example is related to the traditional communities cultivating the Atlantic Forest on the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, whose ancestors were partially erased by colonial bureaucracy and academia but continue to articulate practices, identities, and materialities to persist. Another example is based on the research with the Nahua communities and the recuperation of their oral narratives, which, through cartograms and deep mapping, have contributed to recreating the various layers of experience that shaped household materiality in Mixtla de Altamirano, Mexico.

Natural rubber latex membrane (NRL) is a biocompatible macromolecule that stimulates angiogenesis and promotes bone repair. Similarly, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is an osteoconductive and osteoinductive bioceramic widely used as a bone substitute. Here, we investigated the combined use of these biomaterials in the guided bone regeneration process for calvarial defects in rats. Physicochemical characterization was performed to evaluate the interaction between β-TCP and NRL. Membrane toxicity was assessed using MC3T3 osteoblasts culture and in vivo assays with Caenorhabditis elegans. Lastly, NRL membranes, NRL incorporated with β-TCP membranes (NRL-β-TCP), and a periosteum-only (control group) were tested on rodents. MC3T3 cells adhered to membranes, preserving their morphology and intercellular connections. NRL-β-TCP membranes demonstrated no toxicity in larvae, which maintained their sinusoidal wave shape. Tests results on rodents revealed statistical difference between the groups at 60 days post-operation. NRL-β-TCP (56.1 ± 14.0 %) had an average 1.48-fold higher than the control group (38.0 ± 9.1 %), with tissue production and bone remodeling. Our qualitative histological analyses revealed that membranes significantly accelerated bone formation without any signs of inflammatory reactions. We conclude that NRL-β-TCP has potential to be used for flat bone regeneration, with osteoconductive properties, being a cheap, biocompatible, and effective occlusive barrier.