Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM anti-SARS-CoV-2 among voluntary blood donors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Background: In Brazil, mathematical models for deriving estimates and projections of COVID-19 cases have been developed without data on asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We estimated the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Methods: Data were collected on 2,857 blood donors from April 14 to 27, 2020. We report the crude prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the weighted prevalence by the total state population, and adjusted prevalence estimates for test sensitivity and specificity. To establish the correlates of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, we used logistic regression models. The analysis included period and site of blood collection, sociodemographic characteristics, and place of residence. Results: The proportion of SARS-Cov-2 positive tests without any adjustment was 4.0% (95% CI 3.3-4.7%), and the weighted prevalence was 3.8% (95% CI 3.1-4.5%). Further adjustment by test sensitivity and specificity produced lower estimates, 3.6% (95% CI 2.7-4.4%) and 3.3% (95% CI 2.6-4.1%), respectively. The variable most significantly associated with the crude prevalence was the period of blood collection: the later the period, the higher the prevalence. Regarding socio-demographic characteristics, the younger the blood donors, the higher the prevalence, and the lower the educational level, the higher the odds of a positive SARS-Cov-2 antibody. Similar results were found for the weighted prevalence. Discussion: Although our findings resulted from a convenience sample, they match some basic premises: the increasing trend over time, since the epidemic curve in the state is still on the rise; the higher prevalence among the youngest who are more likely to circulate; and the higher prevalence among the less educated as they have more difficulties in following the social distancing recommendations. Despite the study limitations, it is possible to infer that protective levels of natural herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 are far from being reached in Rio de Janeiro

Nascidos vivos com comunicação interventricular: estudo epidemiológico

Introduction: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a medical condition characterized by the presence of an opening or gap between the two ventricles of the heart, the lower chambers responsible for pumping blood to the body. This opening allows oxygenated blood, which should be pumped to the body, to mix with deoxygenated blood, causing an overload on the lungs and consequently on the heart. Methodology: The exploratory epidemiological study on live births with ventricular septal defect adopted an approach that combined data from the Information System on Live Births (SINASC) of DATASUS and research from academic sources, such as Google Scholar. Results: Analyzing the variable Color/Race, the data reveals a distribution among different ethnic groups. Most cases of congenital heart disease occurred in individuals of white ethnicity, totaling 1,449 cases, representing 58.57% of the total. Next, the brown ethnicity contributed 796 cases, equivalent to 32.17%. Conclusion: Understanding the incidence in different ethnic groups, gestation duration, and types of delivery provides a comprehensive overview, emphasizing the need for public health strategies that consider not only the cardiac condition itself but also associated socioeconomic and clinical factors.Introdução: A comunicação interventricular (CIV) é uma condição médica que se caracteriza pela presença de uma abertura ou abertura entre os dois ventrículos do coração, como câmaras inferiores responsáveis pelo bombeamento do sangue para o corpo. Essa abertura permite que o sangue oxigenado, que deveria ser bombeado para o corpo, se misture com o sangue não oxigenado, causando uma sobrecarga nos pulmões e, por consequência, no coração. Metodologia: O estudo epidemiológico exploratório sobre nascidos vivos com comunicação interventricular adotou uma abordagem que combinou dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) do DATASUS e pesquisa em fontes acadêmicas, como o Google Acadêmico. Resultado: Ao analisar a variável Cor/Raça, os dados revelam uma distribuição entre diferentes grupos étnicos. A maioria dos casos de cardiopatia congênita ocorreu em indivíduos de cor/raça branca, totalizando 1.449 casos, o que representa 58,57% do total. Em seguida, a cor/raça parda contribuiu com 796 casos, equivalente a 32,17%. Conclusão: A compreensão da incidência em diferentes grupos étnicos, duração da gestação e tipos de parto oferece um panorama abrangente, ressaltando a necessidade de estratégias de saúde pública que levem em consideração não apenas a condição cardíaca em si, mas também os fatores socioeconômicos e clínicos associado

GERENCIANDO A DOR DA HÉRNIA DE DISCO: EXPLORANDO AS OPÇÕES CIRÚRGICAS

Introduction: A herniated disc (HD) occurs when the intervertebral disc, the structure between the vertebrae of the spine, ruptures or dislocates, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain. This can result in symptoms such as back pain, depending on the location of the hernia. Relevance: As this is a topic of pain associated with nerve compressions, the study reaffirms the importance of intervention therapies to resolve this latent comorbidity, as well as its more in-depth discussion. Problematic: HD sometimes presents a significant challenge to be considered a chronic condition. Even after treatments and interventions, some patients may continue to deal with persistent symptoms for the long term. Objective: Understand how to treat disc pain caused by HD, especially low back pain, and analyze therapeutic options for pain management and surgical options in the literature. Methodology: Systematic review through the platforms: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Virtual Health Library (VHL), to carry out the selection of health descriptors (DECs) controlled: “Intervertebral Disc Displacement”, “Surgical Intervention”, “Pain Treatment”. Results: Treatment can range from conservative measures to more invasive surgeries, such as surgeries to alleviate nervous symptoms. The stage of the disease depends on the severity of the hernia, response to treatment, and nerve involvement. Recovery can vary and some patients experience specific improvements while others may deal with residual symptoms. Conclusion: Effective management of HD often requires a combination of approaches to control pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Although surgery may be an option in severe cases or when conservative treatments do not sufficiently resolve the problem, it is crucial to consider other original interventions.Introdução: A hérnia de disco (HD) ocorre quando o disco intervertebral, uma estrutura entre as vértebras da coluna, se rompe ou se desloca, pressionando os nervos próximos e causando dor. Isso pode resultar em sintomas como dor nas costas, dependendo da localização da hérnia. Relevância: Por ser um tema de dor associada a compressões nervosas, o estudo reintegra a importância de terapias de intervenção para resolução desta comorbidade latente bem como sua discussão mais aprofundada. Problemática: A HD, por vezes, apresenta um desafio significativo por ser considerada uma condição crônica. Mesmo após tratamentos e intervenções, alguns pacientes podem continuar a lidar com sintomas persistentes a longo prazo. Objetivo: Entender como gerenciar a  dor da HD de disco, em especial a lombar e analisar na literatura as opções terapêuticas de realização do manejo da dor até as opções cirúrgicas. Metodologia: Revisão sistemática através das plataformas: Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO), Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), para conduzir a seleção foram usados os descritores em saúde (DECs)controlados: “Deslocamento do Disco Intervertebral”, “Intervenção Cirúrgica”, “Manejo da Dor”. Resultados: O tratamento pode variar desde medidas conservadoras, até intervenções mais invasivas, como cirurgia para aliviar a compressão nervosa. O desfecho da doença depende da gravidade da hérnia, da resposta ao tratamento e do comprometimento dos nervos A recuperação pode variar, e alguns pacientes experimentam melhora considerável, enquanto outros podem lidar com sintomas residuais. Conclusão: A gestão eficaz da HD muitas vezes requer uma combinação de abordagens para controlar a dor e melhorar a qualidade de vida do paciente. Embora a cirurgia possa ser uma opção em casos graves ou quando os tratamentos conservadores não proporcionam alívio suficiente, é crucial reconhecer outras intervenções originais

Influence of root canal sealer on the radiographic appearance of filling voids in maxillary single-rooted teeth

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the influence of three epoxy resin-based sealers with distinct radiopacities on the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and divided into three groups. Each group was laterally condensed with one sealer (AH Plus(TM), Acroseal(®) or a non-radiopaque sealer), and a longitudinal void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). Buccolingual radiographs were obtained and randomly interpreted for voids by a radiologist and an endodontist in a blinded fashion. Teeth were cut and inspected under a microscope to confirm the position of void. Differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using the Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests, respectively (α=0.05). RESULTS: Significantly lower sensitivity levels (p<0.05) were observed in the coronal portion of fillings performed with both radiopaque sealers. Specificity values for Acroseal(®) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the coronal and apical portions of fillings. CONCLUSIONS: The type of root canal sealer can affect the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis of upper single-rooted teeth

AVANÇOS DA OSSEODENSIFICAÇÃO NA IMPLANTODONTIA: BENEFÍCIOS CLÍNICOS, EFICÁCIA NA OSSEOINTEGRAÇÃO E PERSPECTIVAS FUTURAS.

The present study aims to critically review the advances in osseodensification in implant dentistry, analyzing its clinical benefits, effectiveness in osseointegration and exploring its future perspectives in clinical practice. An extensive literature review was carried out to identify relevant studies regarding the proposal of the present study. Electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scielo and Google Scholar, were consulted to obtain published articles. Articles were selected that directly address the topics of osseodensification, clinical benefits, osseointegration of implants and future perspectives in implant dentistry. Osseodensification demonstrates significant benefits in clinical practice, including greater primary stability of implants, reduced healing time and improved bone quality around implants. Studies show that the simultaneous compaction of cortical and trabecular bone promotes a favorable biological response, facilitating the formation and maintenance of osseointegration. Furthermore, osseodensification opens up new possibilities in immediate implant loading and guided bone regeneration, expanding the spectrum of clinical indications in contemporary implant dentistry. Advances in osseodensification represent a milestone in implant dentistry, offering professionals an effective technique to optimize clinical results and promote better predictability of dental implant treatments. The study reinforces the importance of osseodensification as a valuable tool in the therapeutic arsenal, highlighting the need for more research to consolidate its role in future clinical practices.O presente estudo possui como objetivo revisar criticamente os avanços da osseodensificação na implantodontia, analisando seus benefícios clínicos, eficácia na osseointegração e explorando suas perspectivas futuras na prática clínica. Realizou-se uma extensa revisão da literatura para identificar estudos relevantes acerca da proposta do presente estudo. Bases de dados eletrônicas, como PubMed, Scielo e Google Acadêmico, foram consultadas para obter artigos publicados. Foram selecionados artigos que abordam diretamente os temas de osseodensificação, benefícios clínicos, osseointegração de implantes e perspectivas futuras na implantodontia. A osseodensificação demonstra benefícios significativos na prática clínica, incluindo uma maior estabilidade primária dos implantes, redução do tempo de cicatrização e melhora na qualidade óssea ao redor dos implantes. Estudos evidenciam que a compactação simultânea do osso cortical e trabecular promove uma resposta biológica favorável, facilitando a formação e manutenção da osseointegração. Além disso, a osseodensificação abre novas possibilidades na carga imediata de implantes e na regeneração óssea guiada, ampliando o espectro de indicações clínicas na implantodontia contemporânea. Os avanços da osseodensificação representam um marco na implantodontia, oferecendo aos profissionais uma técnica eficaz para otimizar os resultados clínicos e promover uma melhor previsibilidade dos tratamentos com implantes dentários. O estudo reforça a importância da osseodensificação como uma ferramenta valiosa no arsenal terapêutico, destacando a necessidade de mais pesquisas para consolidar seu papel nas práticas clínicas futuras

Estimating the global conservation status of more than 15,000 Amazonian tree species

Estimates of extinction risk for Amazonian plant and animal species are rare and not often incorporated into land-use policy and conservation planning. We overlay spatial distribution models with historical and projected deforestation to show that at least 36% and up to 57% of all Amazonian tree species are likely to qualify as globally threatened under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria. If confirmed, these results would increase the number of threatened plant species on Earth by 22%. We show that the trends observed in Amazonia apply to trees throughout the tropics, and we predict thatmost of the world’s >40,000 tropical tree species now qualify as globally threatened. A gap analysis suggests that existing Amazonian protected areas and indigenous territories will protect viable populations of most threatened species if these areas suffer no further degradation, highlighting the key roles that protected areas, indigenous peoples, and improved governance can play in preventing large-scale extinctions in the tropics in this century

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016