Aged ; Carotid Body Tumor ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

The Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are vectors of epidemiologically relevant arboviruses in the public health context, such as the dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Among the alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the control of these vectors, the use of natural plant products deserves attention. This review summarizes findings on the larvicidal potential of plant extracts on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, as well as the potential of isolated compounds from plants of the Annonaceae and Piperaceae families against these vectors. Descriptors related to larvicidal activity of plant extracts and isolated compounds in Aedes spp. in the Web of Science database were used, for plant extracts considering publications between 2000 and 2019. A total of 859 articles were analyzed for plant extracts and estimates of lethal concentration values (LC50 and LC90). In the end, 95 articles that presented the larvicidal potential of 150 plant species from 52 families were analyzed. The two families most studied for this activity were Fabaceae and Asterace Aedes. The plant families with the best LC50 values against mosquitoes were Piperaceae and Annonaceae. Larvicidal activity of 50 acetogenins has already been identified on Ae. aegypti, and 29 of them presented LC50 below 10 ug/mL, as well as the larvicidal activity of 8 compounds isolated from Piperaceae. Therefore, plants of these two families are promising for the development of commercial botanical larvicides in the form of extracts and isolated substances, as well as the production via organic synthesis of the most active compounds.

Background: and PurposeMiller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome characterized by the triad of ophthalmoparesis, areflexia, and ataxia. Although cases of MFS have been associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, no studies have synthesized the clinical characteristics of patients with this condition. Methods: In this rapid systematic review, we searched the PubMed database to identify studies on MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: This review identified 11 cases, of whom 3 were hospitalized with motor and/or sensory polyneuropathy as the first sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in analyses of cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting a mechanism of immune-mediated injury rather than direct viral neurotropism. However, antiganglioside antibodies were found in only two of the nine patients tested. It is possible that target antigens other than gangliosides are involved in MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions The present patients exhibited clinical improvement after being treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Although rare, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection may present neurological symptoms suggestive of MFS. Early recognition of the MFS clinical triad is essential for the timely initiation of treatment.

Background: and PurposeMiller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome characterized by the triad of ophthalmoparesis, areflexia, and ataxia. Although cases of MFS have been associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, no studies have synthesized the clinical characteristics of patients with this condition. Methods: In this rapid systematic review, we searched the PubMed database to identify studies on MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: This review identified 11 cases, of whom 3 were hospitalized with motor and/or sensory polyneuropathy as the first sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in analyses of cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting a mechanism of immune-mediated injury rather than direct viral neurotropism. However, antiganglioside antibodies were found in only two of the nine patients tested. It is possible that target antigens other than gangliosides are involved in MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions The present patients exhibited clinical improvement after being treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Although rare, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection may present neurological symptoms suggestive of MFS. Early recognition of the MFS clinical triad is essential for the timely initiation of treatment.

Objectives: Digital health (DH) is a revolution driven by digital technologies to improve health. Despite the importance of DH, curricular updates in healthcare university programs are scarce, and DH remains undervalued. Therefore, this report describes the first Junior Scientific Committee (JSC) focusing on DH at a nationwide congress, with the aim of affirming its importance for promoting DH in universities. Methods: The scientific committee of the Brazilian Congress of Health Informatics (CBIS) extended invitations to students engaged in health-related fields, who were tasked with organizing a warm-up event and a 4-hour session at CBIS. Additionally, they were encouraged to take an active role in a workshop alongside distinguished experts to map out the current state of DH in Brazil. Results: The warm-up event focused on the topic “Artificial intelligence in healthcare: is a new concept of health about to arise?” and featured remote discussions by three professionals from diverse disciplines. At CBIS, the JSC’s inaugural presentation concentrated on delineating the present state of DH education in Brazil, while the second presentation offered strategies to advance DH, incorporating viewpoints from within and beyond the academic sphere. During the workshop, participants deliberated on the most crucial competencies for future professionals in the DH domain. Conclusions Forming a JSC proved to be a valuable tool to foster DH, particularly due to the valuable interactions it facilitated between esteemed professionals and students. It also supports the cultivation of leadership skills in DH, a field that has not yet received the recognition it deserves.