Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

The expansion of land use in Brazil has caused biodiversity loss and increased human interaction with parasites and pathogens previously restricted to natural ecosystems. Chigger mites are ectoparasites during the larval stage and can cause skin reactions or transmit pathogens to their hosts, including humans. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity of chiggers collected from all five Brazilian biogeographical regions, along with pathogen surveillance. Specimens were subjected to both morphological taxonomy and endogenous control, followed by PCR assays targeting pathogens of the genera Borrelia, Orientia, and Rickettsia. The analyses revealed a high species richness, including two novel records in Brazil: the genus Boshkerria and the species Quadraseta antillarum. Additionally, the genus Quadraseta tested positive for Rickettsia sp., while tests for the other agents were negative. This is the first report of a Rickettsia sp. agent detected in a Quadraseta nymph.

This study investigates the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of Ni²⁺-doped TiO₂ nanostructures (1.0–10.0 wt%) synthesized via an acidic sol–gel route. Dopant-induced lattice modifications are primarily expressed through microstructural strain, lattice parameter distortion, and phonon softening rather than macroscopic lattice defects visible by TEM. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement reveal systematic shifts of the anatase (101) peak, lattice contraction, and increasing compressive strain with Ni incorporation, as confirmed by Williamson–Hall analysis. Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra indicate oxygen vacancy formation and localized electronic states. Optical absorption and Tauc analysis show progressive bandgap narrowing, while crystal field theory (CFT) confirms Ni²⁺ ions occupying both octahedral and tetrahedral coordination environments. EPR signals further evidence Ni²⁺ magnetic centers and Ti³ ⁺/oxygen vacancy-related species. These results demonstrate that defect-mediated lattice distortion governs the optoelectronic and magnetic tuning of Ni-doped TiO₂, offering insights for advanced photocatalytic and spintronic material design.

This study presents an innovative electroanalytical method for detecting the fungicide Fenpropimorph (FPM) in vegetable samples. Initial tests used various supporting electrolytes, with scan potentials from 0.00V to +1.60V on a boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD) and from 0.00V to -1.80V on a polished solid silver amalgam electrode (p-AgSAE) using square wave voltammetry (SWV). A small voltammetric peak appeared around +1.10V (vs. Ag/AgCl in KCl 3.00molL₋1) on BDD, while on p-AgSAE, a well-defined voltammetric peak was observed in all tested buffer solutions. Experimental conditions, including pH values and voltammetric parameters (pulse frequency, pulse amplitude, and scan increment), were optimized, resulting in a clearly defined peak on p-AgSAE with suitable intensity, position, and reproducibility for analytical purposes. Analytical parameters were calculated, and the method was applied to vegetable samples (lettuce, tomatoes, and potatoes), which were then compared with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results. Greene's calculator indicated that the proposed procedure is a suitable analytical method for detecting FPM in complex samples.

Preventing surgical site infections plays a crucial role in ensuring patient safety during coronary artery bypass grafting. To reduce incidence rates, it is essential to implement evidence-based best practice measures. However, there is a noticeable lack of studies assessing healthcare professionals' adherence to these measures, which justifies the present investigation. This study aimed to determine adherence to surgical site infection prevention measures, determine the incidence of surgical site infection and examine the relationship between adherence and infections in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. This was an observational, longitudinal study with a quantitative approach, conducted at a large university hospital, recognized as a regional referral centre for cardiac procedures. A nonprobabilistic recruitment process was employed, and no selection bias was identified. All patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting during the study period from September 2022 to May 2023 were included. The mean adherence score to the recommended practices was 71.18%. Among the participants, 24 (55.8%) developed infections, of which 10 (23.3%) required hospital readmission and 3 (7.0%) resulted in death. Despite a relatively high adherence to preventive measures, the incidence of surgical site infections was also significant (55.8%), underscoring the urgent need for more effective prevention strategies in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Este texto constitui o propósito de reflexão geográfica, sobre como os aparelhos tecnológicos móveis influenciam no processo ensino – aprendizagem de estudantes do ensino fundamental e médio no ambiente escolar. Através da observação do estágio supervisionado, durante a graduação em geografia na Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros- MG, não foi possível ser ignorado o fato de que estudantes da educação básica levam vários aparelhos eletrônicos para a sala de aula, os quais são utilizados no decorrer das aulas. Assim se tornam um empecilho, principalmente para a aquisição de conhecimento. Com base em pesquisas bibliográficas foram analisadas as tecnologias da informação e da comunicação (TICs) para explicar sua importância. A partir de análise qualitativa, por meio de observação foi possível detectar como vem se instalando nas escolas de forma negativa. As TICs surgiram com o objetivo de beneficiar a sociedade, por meio da informação e comunicação, mas vem trazendo também malefícios para as crianças e adolescentes do ensino fundamental e médio, pois alguns a utilizam de forma inadequada, com jogos e mensagens durante o período escolar, prejudicando sua atenção e sua aprendizagem.

This work aims to present a 10-year follow-up of a young patient who underwent treatment with collagen matrix (CM) combined with enamel matrix derivative (EMD) for bilateral gingival recessions in the maxillary canine region. The patient, a 25-year-old woman, presented with bilateral Cairo type 1 recessions. A porcine-derived CM in combination with EMD was applied to the affected area after coronally positioned flaps. Over the subsequent decade, the patient was monitored for key follow-up parameters, that is, wound closure, root coverage, functional and aesthetic outcomes, and adverse events. Clinical evaluations at regular intervals demonstrated complete and sustained root coverage, stable tissue volume, excellent functional and aesthetic recovery, and absence of any complications. This long-term follow-up suggests that the use of CM in combination with EMD may provide a durable and effective solution for soft tissue defects, with sustained positive results observed over a 10-year period. These findings reinforce the long-term efficacy and safety of the combined use of CM and EMD for the treatment of gingival recessions. Successful use of biomaterials (collagen matrix and enamel matrix-derived proteins) in covering exposed roots. Rare postoperative follow-up of a decade of combined use of biomaterials in soft tissue reconstruction. This case demonstrates a decade-long follow-up of the combined use of a collagen matrix and enamel matrix-derived proteins in coronally advanced flaps for soft tissue reconstruction to cover exposed roots. This follow-up will help clinicians choose biomaterials to replace autogenous connective tissue grafts, thereby reducing surgical time, pain, and postoperative discomfort for the patient, while avoiding adverse events such as excessive bleeding, analgesic consumption, and the risk of tissue necrosis in donor sites.

Female participation in long-distance running has been increasing, raising concern about pelvic floor-related symptoms in this population. However, data on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms, particularly during running, remain limited. We hypothesized that higher training volume would be associated with greater prevalence of POP symptoms. This study aimed todetermine the prevalence of POP symptoms and associated factors among Brazilian female runners. In this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited at road-running events and completed a questionnaire on demographics, health history, training characteristics, and other physical activities. POP symptoms were assessed by two questions: (1) "Do you notice a bulge or lump in your vagina in daily life situations, outside of physical exercise?" and (2) "Do you feel a sensation of pressure, bulge, or lump descending in your vagina while running?" Three hundred and one women met inclusion criteria (mean age 37.2 years). Twenty-three percent reported POP symptoms during running; 58% had a history of pregnancy, with mean values of 0.77 cesarean and 0.36 vaginal deliveries. Average weekly running distance was 28.6 km, and 76% performed additional physical activity (mean 1.98 sessions/week). POP symptoms were significantly associated with weekly running distance (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05) and additional activities (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.22-1.91), while cesarean delivery was inversely associated (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.28-0.62). POP symptoms were more frequent during running than in daily life. Weekly running distance and engagement in additional physical activity were significant predictors, whereas cesarean delivery appeared protective.

The present study intended to characterize the profile of serum immune mediators in healthcare professionals at the pandemic onset, aiming to identify baseline immunological patterns associated with prospective COVID-19 diagnosis. A total of 386 participants with negative COVID-19 diagnosis were enrolled in a 19-month follow-up observational study. Quantitative analysis of immune mediators (chemokines, pro-inflammatory & regulatory cytokines and growth factors) was carried out by high-throughput multiplex array. All participants were SARS-CoV-2-negative at baseline, and immune mediators were measured prior to any documented COVID-19 diagnosis. Participants were categorized according to prospective diagnosis of COVID-19 [COVID-19 (-) and COVID-19 (+)], time elapsed prior COVID-19 (+) diagnosis, disease outcome and age ranges. Data demonstrated that participants with prospective COVID-19 (+) diagnosis presented higher levels of immune mediators as compared to COVID-19 (-). The higher the baseline levels of immune mediators, the shorter the elapsed time prior COVID-19 (+) diagnosis. GM-CSF, IL-5, VEGF, IL-13, CCL11 and IL-10 presented higher increment magnitude in COVID-19 (+) over the COVID (-) counterpart. Signatures profiles further confirmed these findings. Symptomatic or severe disease outcomes, as well as persistent symptom duration were associated with distinct profiles of immune mediators. Networks with higher correlation numbers were observed in COVID-19 (+), particularly in short-time prior prospective diagnosis, symptomatic mild disease and with short symptom duration. Multivariate and decision tree analysis demonstrated that GM-CSF, CCL11, CXCL10 and TNF-α effectively distinguished COVID-19 (+) individuals and pointed out that G-CSF was consistently associated with severe disease and prolonged symptom duration. These findings demonstrate that baseline serum immune mediator profiles are associated with prospective COVID-19 diagnosis and clinical outcomes, as identified through non-linear modeling.