The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in Brazilian studies over a period of years (2000-2020), as well as point out relevant aspects of this enigmatic organism. We performed a literature search using six sources of international databases. The data were divided into diagnostic by parasitological and molecular techniques, and relevant aspects. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 studies were included in the final analysis. The occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in Brazil ranged from […]

To the Editor, Human milk is the external secretion with the highest immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations, mostly produced in the lamina propria of mammary glands by plasma cells (). The milk antibody repertoire is quite similar to the one observed in the blood; however, the levels of antibodies against enteric and respiratory pathogens are usually higher in the colostrum and mature milk than in the serum. Maternal immunization can elicit systemic immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal IgA, IgM, and IgG […]

In addition to the diversity of clinical manifestations and difficulties in managing the disease, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) brought to light inequalities between countries, especially with regard to the accessibility to healthcare services. The worldwide differences in the rates of COVID-19-induced mortality in pregnant and postpartum women reflect the differences in maternal death rates between countries observed before the pandemic. Countries with higher maternal death rates tend to have inadequate healthcare services for pregnant women and women who have recently given […]

Protocol description First, when implementing SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for healthcare workers in health services that serve patients with COVID-19, some specific actions are required. Ideally, the real-time polymerase chain reaction test should be performed for all COVID-19 suspected cases before vaccination, as it is possible that the healthcare professional may have been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and appears asymptomatic. In the absence of prior testing, some professionals who receive the vaccination may be asymptomatic infected patients and may subsequently develop clinical […]

Genitourinary syndrome (GUS) is a very frequent disease after menopause and is caused by a sharp decline in estrogen levels (). According to the North American Menopause Society, the current concept of the syndrome includes a set of signs observed during a physical examination and associated symptoms due to estrogen deficiency, involving the labia majora, labia minora, vestibule, clitoris, urethra, and bladder (). Classical therapy consists of long-term use of topical estrogen (,). However, adherence to treatment is reduced over […]

OBJECTIVES: Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) results from rupture of esophageal or gastric varices. It is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how to predict adverse outcomes and identify high-risk patients. In variceal hemorrhage, high Child-Turcotte-Pugh (Child) and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores are associated with a worse prognosis. The Rockall system (Rockall), Glasgow-Blatchford (Blatchford), and AIMS65 scores have been validated for risk stratification for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding; however, their use is controversial in […]

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the symptoms of burnout, depression, and anxiety in Brazilian medical residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare residents’ beliefs and clinical practices related to COVID-19 patients among all six years of medical residency training in Brazil. METHODS: A quantitative study was conducted in April 2020 with a convenience sample of medical resident volunteers from an anonymous online survey. This investigation collected sociodemographic information and used the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) to measure burnout, […]

OBJECTIVES: Studies have identified correlations between the psychological characteristics of individuals with primary hyperhidrosis (HH), the degree of sweating, and the quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with HH before and after oxybutynin treatment. METHODS: Data were collected from 81 patients. Palmar or axillary HH was the most frequent complaint (84.0%). All patients were evaluated before the medication was prescribed and after five weeks of treatment. The Beck […]

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) comprise coordinated interventions designed to improve antimicrobial use. Understanding the current structure of ASP hospitals will support interventions for the improvement of these programs. This study aimed to describe the status of ASPs in hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the ASPs of hospitals in the state of São Paulo from March to July 2018. Through interviews by telephone or e-mail, we queried which components of the Infectious Diseases […]

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be associated with prolonged symptoms and post-recovery health impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the persistence of symptoms, lung function, and pulmonary diffusion for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in patients between 15 and 30 days after hospital discharge after admission for severe COVID-19. METHODS: The evaluation consisted of 1) comparative analysis between the initial symptoms and symptoms still present at the post-discharge evaluation 2) analysis of the chest images obtained during hospitalization, and 3) conducting […]

This study aimed to systematically review the literature to assess the effect of preemptive intravenous ibuprofen on pain reduction after lower third molar surgery. Nine databases (PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Open Gray, and Open Thesis) were used as sources of research, including “grey literature.” The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Only randomized clinical trials evaluating the effects of preemptive intravenous ibuprofen on pain during and immediately after the extraction of lower third molars were included, […]

Echocardiographic abnormalities are associated with a higher incidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether echocardiographic abnormalities are predictors of cardiovascular events in individuals without previous cardiovascular diseases. The PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases were searched for longitudinal studies investigating the association between echocardiographic abnormalities and cardiovascular events among individuals without known cardiovascular diseases. Two independent reviewers analyzed data on the number of participants, age and sex, echocardiographic alterations, follow-up time, and cardiovascular outcomes. […]

Research agenda Researchers at the Children and Adolescent’s Institute of our large university and tertiary hospital designed a multidisciplinary and multi-professional study to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the lifestyle habits of adolescents with pre-existing chronic diseases, including gastrointestinal and liver, rheumatological, nephrological, endocrinological conditions, and those with liver and kidney transplantation. Our team developed and delivered a 12-week home-based exercise program to mitigate the deleterious effects of reduced physical activity due to the quarantine, based on […]

INTRODUCTION The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in late December 2019. In January 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern (). As of March 27, 2021, which was one year after the first case was reported, COVID-19 has already affected 126,726,672 people worldwide and has caused 2,777,337 deaths (). COVID-19 affects all age groups and […]

Dear Editor, I have read the article titled “The need to standardize use of the newly deceased in medical trainings” published in Clinics by Cabar FR et al. () with avid interest. The article provides information that would be useful for activists and researchers working in the fields of medical ethics and medical education. The implications of the brilliant issues highlighted by Dr. Cabar could be discussed further. In a similar field study, participants were asked two additional questions to […]