High incidence of rhinovirus infection in children with community-acquired pneumonia from a city in the Brazilian pre-Amazon region

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of child death worldwide. Viruses are the most common pathogens associated with CAP in children, but their incidence varies greatly. This study investigated the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, human rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human coronavirus (HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-NL63), and influenza A virus (FluA) in children with CAP and the contributing risk factors. Here, children with acute respiratory infections were screened by pediatrics; and a total of 150 radiographically-confirmed CAP patients (aged 3 months to 10 years) from two clinical centers in Sao Luis, Brazil were recruited. Patient's clinical and epidemiological data were recorded. Nasopharyngeal swab and tracheal aspirate samples were collected to extract viral nucleic acid. RSV, adenovirus, rhinovirus, FluA, HMPV, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-NL63 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The severe CAP was associated with ages between 3 and 12 months. Viruses were detected in 43% of CAP patients. Rhinovirus infections were the most frequently identified (68%). RSV, adenovirus, FluA, and coinfections were identified in 14%, 14%, 5%, and 15% of children with viral infection, respectively. Rhinovirus was associated with nonsevere CAP (P = .014); RSV, FluA, and coinfections were associated with severe CAP (P < .05). New strategies for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory infections, mainly rhinovirus and RSV infections, are necessary.     

Dental students' perceptions of community-based education: a retrospective study at a dental school in Brazil

Community-based educational activities have been introduced into health education programs across the world. However, research on students' perceptions of their experiences in these settings has been limited. The objectives of this study were to assess a group of Brazilian dental students' views of their experiences in a service-learning program focusing on pediatric dental care and to explore changes in their perceptions over the course of the program. Data were collected from fifty-five fourth-year dental students, who submitted a total of 185 reports at four points in time. The students spent sixteen of the 128 hours of their pediatric dentistry course in community-based education developing activities linked to pediatric dental care. Two professors rated each report as a positive or negative experience (Kappa 0.7) and recorded whether the students' reports reflected one or more of five types of response. The response types concerned dental treatment practice, multidisciplinary activities, observation of infant/toddler consultations, commitment of the outreach health team, and change of plans due to technical problems. The data showed that the students had a positive first impression after a short stay in a community-service program, but there was a decrease in the students' positive experiences over time (p<0.001). The students' perceptions of the outreach health team as "being not committed" (OR 6.82, 95 percent CI 2.12-21.90) and experiences of a "no change of plans due to technical problems" (OR 0.09, 95 percent CI 0.04-0.20) associated with negative student experiences.     

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) improves alveolar bone healing in rats

Lasers in Medical Science - The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in enhancing bone healing in irradiated alveolus post-tooth...     

Pigmented eccrine poroma in an atypical location

Eccrine poroma is the term that includes benign neoplasms of the terminal duct of the eccrine sweat glands, which may clinically and dermoscopically resemble other melanoma and non-melanoma skin tumors. They are often located on the extremities (especially palms and soles), presenting as normochromic or erythematous papules and nodules, measuring up to 2 cm. Pigmented variants are uncommon, accounting for less than 20% of cases. This report describes a 37-year-old man who developed a large pigmented eccrine poroma on his right shoulder, causing diagnostic difficulty. Histopathological examination revealed a nodular neoplasm consisting of small, monomorphic, cuboidal cells, with ample, eosinophilic cytoplasm and well-defined borders, in addition to conspicuous intercellular bridges, with melanin deposits diffusely distributed inside them. The absence of cytological atypia, cellular pleomorphism, increased mitotic activity, and necrosis foci corroborated the diagnostic exclusion of porocarcinoma, which can develop from eccrine poroma.     

Spinocerebellar ataxia in a cohort of patients from Rio de Janeiro

Neurological Sciences - The objective of this study is to describe the first series of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) in Rio de Janeiro, whose population has a high proportion of mixed Portuguese and...