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Background & objectives: There is limited evidence regarding the accuracy of dengue rapid diagnostic kits despite their extensive use in India. We evaluated the performance of four immunochromatographic Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDTs) kits: Multisure dengue Ab/Ag rapid test (MP biomedicals; MP), Dengucheck combo (Zephyr Biomedicals; ZB), SD bioline dengue duo (Alere; SD) and Dengue day 1 test (J Mitra; JM). Methods: This is a laboratory-based diagnostic evaluation study. Rapid tests results were compared to reference non-structural (NS1) antigen or immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results of 241 dengue-positive samples and 247 dengue-negative samples. Sensitivity and specificity of NS1 and IgM components of each RDT were calculated separately and in combination (either NS1 or IgM positive) against reference standard ELISA. Results: A total of 238, 226, 208, and 146 reference NS1 ELISA samples were tested with MP, ZB, SD, and JM tests, respectively. In comparison to the NS1 ELISA reference tests, the NS1 component of MP, ZB, SD, and JM RDTs demonstrated a sensitivity of 71.8%, 85.1%, 77.2% and 80.9% respectively and specificity of 90.1%, 92.8%, 96.1 %, and 93.6%, respectively. In comparison to the IgM ELISA reference test, the IgM component of RDTs showed a sensitivity of 40.0%, 50.3%, 47.3% and 20.0% respectively and specificity of 92.4%, 88.6%, 96.5%, and 92.2% respectively. Combining NS1 antigen and IgM antibody results led to sensitivities of 87.5%, 82.9%, 93.8% and 91.7% respectively, and specificities of 75.3%, 73.9%, 76.5%, and 80.0% respectively. Interpretation & conclusion: Though specificities were acceptable, the sensitivities of each test were markedly lower than manufacturers' claims. These results also support the added value of combined antigen-and antibody-based RDTs for the diagnosis of acute dengue.

Background Energy demand by mankind has become one of the most important aspects of our society. A promising technology that seeks to provide part of the energy demand and to obtain high-value products is the thermochemical conversion of microalgae biomass. Inorganic species presented in microalgae biomass may act as catalysts for thermochemical reactions and are responsible for notorious ash-related issues during thermochemical decomposition. Results In this study, the freeze-dried biomass of Scenedesmus sp. was used to evaluate the lipid extraction methodology regarding a sonication bath as pretreatment technique for cell disruption followed by vortex mixing and n-hexane as solvent. It is also presented the lipid and amino acid profiles for Scenedesmus sp. The freeze-dried biomass was pyrolysed through a TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), with heating rates of 20 °C/min, from 100 to 650 °C. The ash and sulfated ash contents were accurately determined by combustion of biomass in a muffle furnace. The element component of ashes of the freeze-dried, defatted, pyrolysed and sulfated biomasses was determined by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) fitted with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The lipid content obtained for Scenedesmus sp. dry biomass was 16.72% (± 0.03). The content of the sulfated ash obtained was 17.81 ± 0.15%. The SEM–EDS technique identified different mineral compounds in ashes, allowing to quantify Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Fe, Co and Br, as well as oxides. Conclusion The results suggest a possible strategy to evaluate in a semi-quantitative manner the ash composition of freeze-dryed, defatted, sulfated and pyrolysed biomass of Scenedesmus sp. and its feasibility in using Scenedesmus sp. biomass in different thermochemical conversion strategies to achieve processes with positive energy ratio, representing potential use both environmental and energetically.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical systemic complication caused by Bothrops envenoming, a neglected health problem in the Brazilian Amazon. Understanding the underlying mechanisms leading to AKI is crucial for effectively mitigating the burden of this complication. This study aimed to characterize the urinary protein profile of Bothrops atrox snakebite victims who developed AKI. We analyzed three groups of samples collected on admission: healthy subjects (controls, n = 10), snakebite victims who developed AKI (AKI, n = 10), and those who did not evolve to AKI (No-AKI, n = 10). Using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we identified and quantified (label-free) 1190 proteins. A panel of 65 proteins was identified exclusively in the urine of snakebite victims, with 32 exclusives to the AKI condition. Proteins more abundant or exclusive in AKI’s urine were associated with acute phase response, endopeptidase inhibition, complement cascade, and inflammation. Notable proteins include serotransferrin, SERPINA-1, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, and NHL repeat-containing protein 3. Furthermore, evaluating previously reported biomarkers candidates for AKI and renal injury, we found retinol-binding protein, beta-2-microglobulin, cystatin-C, and hepcidin to be significant in cases of AKI induced by Bothrops envenoming. This work sheds light on physiological disturbances caused by Bothrops envenoming, highlighting potential biological processes contributing to AKI. Such insights may aid in better understanding and managing this life-threatening complication.

Obesity is a chronic disease resulting from multifactorial causes mainly related to lifestyle (sedentary lifestyle, inadequate eating habits) and to other conditions such as genetic, hereditary, psychological, cultural, and ethnic factors. The weight loss process is slow and complex, and involves lifestyle changes with an emphasis on nutritional therapy, physical activity practice, psychological interventions, and pharmacological or surgical treatment. Because the management of obesity is a long-term process, it is essential that the nutritional treatment contributes to the maintenance of the individual’s global health. The main diet-related causes associated with excess weight are the high consumption of ultraprocessed foods, which are high in fats, sugars, and have high energy density; increased portion sizes; and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains. In addition, some situations negatively interfere with the weight loss process, such as fad diets that involve the belief in superfoods, the use of teas and phytotherapics, or even the avoidance of certain food groups, as has currently been the case for foods that are sources of carbohydrates. Individuals with obesity are often exposed to fad diets and, on a recurring basis, adhere to proposals with promises of quick solutions, which are not supported by the scientific literature. The adoption of a dietary pattern combining foods such as grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables, associated with an energy deficit, is the nutritional treatment recommended by the main international guidelines. Moreover, an emphasis on behavioral aspects including motivational interviewing and the encouragement for the individual to develop skills will contribute to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Therefore, this Position Statement was prepared based on the analysis of the main randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses that tested different nutrition interventions for weight loss. Topics in the frontier of knowledge such as gut microbiota, inflammation, and nutritional genomics, as well as the processes involved in weight regain, were included in this document. This Position Statement was prepared by the Nutrition Department of the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (ABESO), with the collaboration of dietitians from research and clinical fields with an emphasis on strategies for weight loss.

Resumo O presente estudo ecológico descritivo objetivou analisar o papel indutor de um incentivo financeiro federal repassado aos municípios brasileiros em 2020, em meio à pandemia de COVID-19, no aumento do número de atendimentos individuais para a condição de obesidade na atenção primária à saúde (APS). Utilizaram-se dados secundários, obtidos no Sistema de Informação em Saúde para a Atenção Básica e no Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (SISVAN). Em 2021, 74,8% dos 5.504 municípios que receberam o incentivo financeiro apresentaram aumento no número de atendimentos individuais para a condição avaliada como obesidade na APS, em relação a 2020. O número de pessoas identificadas com obesidade e o número de atendimentos individuais para esta condição foram maiores em 2021 do que nos demais anos analisados (2017 a 2020). Na comparação de 2021 com 2020 (ano de recebimento do incentivo financeiro), observou-se que o percentual de aumento de atendimentos individuais foi superior ao percentual de aumento de pessoas com obesidade registradas no SISVAN (77,6% vs. 39,1%). Em conclusão, incentivos financeiros federais, canalizados para o fortalecimento do cuidado às pessoas com obesidade no âmbito da APS, figuram como importantes mecanismos de indução de ações em nível local. Abstract This descriptive ecological study sought to analyze the inductive role of a federal financial incentive passed on to Brazilian municipalities in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in increasing the number of individual consultations for the condition of obesity in primary health care (PHC). Secondary data obtained from the Health Information System for Primary Care and from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) were used. In 2021, 74.8% of the 5,504 municipalities that received the financial incentive, showed an increase in the number of individual obesity consultations in PHC, compared to 2020. The number of people identified with obesity and the number of individual visits for this condition were higher in 2021 than in the other years analyzed (2017 to 2020). Comparing 2021 with 2020 (year of receipt of the financial incentive), it was observed that the percentage of increase in the number of individual consultations for the condition of obesity was higher than the increase in the number of people identified with obesity in the SISVAN (77.6 % vs. 39.1%). In conclusion, federal financial incentives for municipalities, channeled to enhance care for people with obesity within the scope of PHC, are important mechanisms for inducing actions at the local level.

This descriptive ecological study sought to analyze the inductive role of a federal financial incentive passed on to Brazilian municipalities in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in increasing the number of individual consultations for the condition of obesity in primary health care (PHC). Secondary data obtained from the Health Information System for Primary Care and from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SIS-VAN) were used. In 2021, 74.8% of the 5,504 municipalities that received the financial incentive, showed an increase in the number of individual obesity consultations in PHC, compared to 2020. The number of people identified with obesity and the number of individual visits for this condition were higher in 2021 than in the other years analyzed (2017 to 2020). Comparing 2021 with 2020 (year of receipt of the financial incentive), it was observed that the percentage of increase in the number of individual consultations for the condition of obesity was higher than the increase in the number of people identified with obesity in the SISVAN (77.6 % vs. 39.1%). In conclusion, federal financial incentives for municipalities, channeled to enhance care for people with obesity within the scope of PHC, are important mechanisms for inducing actions at the local level.

This descriptive ecological study sought to analyze the inductive role of a federal financial incentive passed on to Brazilian municipalities in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in increasing the number of individual consultations for the condition of obesity in primary health care (PHC). Secondary data obtained from the Health Information System for Primary Care and from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SIS-VAN) were used. In 2021, 74.8% of the 5,504 municipalities that received the financial incentive, showed an increase in the number of individual obesity consultations in PHC, compared to 2020. The number of people identified with obesity and the number of individual visits for this condition were higher in 2021 than in the other years analyzed (2017 to 2020). Comparing 2021 with 2020 (year of receipt of the financial incentive), it was observed that the percentage of increase in the number of individual consultations for the condition of obesity was higher than the increase in the number of people identified with obesity in the SISVAN (77.6 % vs. 39.1%). In conclusion, federal financial incentives for municipalities, channeled to enhance care for people with obesity within the scope of PHC, are important mechanisms for inducing actions at the local level.

The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) is an important economic resource in Europe, but intense harvesting has led to the collapse of several natural populations. Echinoculture, associated with restocking and stock enhancement practices, is an alternative to this problem. In these procedures, reliable individual identification through tagging is a valuable source of information. However, very few studies address the effect of tagging methods on P. lividus and the tagging of marine invertebrates still presents several challenges: decreased growth, high mortality rates and low tag retention rates. Under laboratory conditions, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of three tagging methods (passive integrated transponders [PIT-tags], coded wire tags [CWTs] and calcein) on wild P. lividus for 60 days in terms of total wet weight, total weight gain (mg ind.−1 day−1), survival and tag retention. The final total wet weight was significantly higher in the untagged (control) group than in the PIT-tagged group. Survival rate was 100% for the PIT-tag, calcein and control groups, and 97% for the CWT group. Tag retention differed significantly according to the tagging method: 100% in the calcein group, 76.7% in the PIT-tag group and 38.0% in the CWT group.

Background Liver failure patients have traditionally been empirically transfused prior to invasive procedures. Blood transfusion is associated with immunologic and nonimmunologic reactions, increased risk of adverse outcomes and high costs. Scientific evidence supporting empirical transfusion is lacking, and the best approach for blood transfusion prior to invasive procedures in cirrhotic patients has not been established so far. The aim of this study is to compare three transfusion strategies (routine coagulation test-guided – ordinary or restrictive, or thromboelastometry-guided) prior to central venous catheterization in critically ill patients with cirrhosis. Methods/design Design and setting: a double-blinded, parallel-group, single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial in a tertiary private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Inclusion criteria: adults (aged 18 years or older) admitted to the intensive care unit with cirrhosis and an indication for central venous line insertion. Patients will be randomly assigned to three groups for blood transfusion strategy prior to central venous catheterization: standard coagulation tests-based, thromboelastometry-based, or restrictive. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the proportion of patients transfused with any blood product prior to central venous catheterization. The primary safety endpoint will be the incidence of major bleeding. Secondary endpoints will be the proportion of transfusion of fresh frozen plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate; infused volume of blood products; hemoglobin and hematocrit before and after the procedure; intensive care unit and hospital length of stay; 28-day and hospital mortality; incidence of minor bleeding; transfusion-related adverse reactions; and cost analysis. Discussion This study will evaluate three strategies to guide blood transfusion prior to central venous line placement in severely ill patients with cirrhosis. We hypothesized that thromboelastometry-based and/or restrictive protocols are safe and would significantly reduce transfusion of blood products in this population, leading to a reduction in costs and transfusion-related adverse reactions. In this manner, this trial will add evidence in favor of reducing empirical transfusion in severely ill patients with coagulopathy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02311985 . Retrospectively registered on 3 December 2014.