cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862336.v1
title: Sensitivity of diagnostic methods for Mansonella ozzardi microfilariae detection in the Brazilian Amazon Region

description: BACKGROUND The human filarial worm Mansonella ozzardi is highly endemic in the large tributaries of the Amazon River. This infection is still highly neglected and can be falsely negative when microfilariae levels are low. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the frequency of individuals with M. ozzardi in riverine communities in Coari municipality, Brazilian Amazon. METHODS Different diagnostic methods including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), blood polycarbonate membrane filtration (PCMF), Knott's method (Knott), digital thick blood smears (DTBS) and venous thick blood smears (VTBS) were used to compare sensitivity and specificity among the methods. Data were analysed using PCMF and Bayesian latent class models (BLCM) as the gold standard. We used BLCM to calculate the prevalence of mansonelliasis based on the results of five diagnostic methods. FINDINGS The prevalence of mansonelliasis was 35.4% by PCMF and 30.1% by BLCM. PCR and Knott methods both possessed high sensitivity. Sensitivity relative to PCMF was 98.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 92.0 - 99.7] for PCR and 83.5% (95% CI: 72.9 - 90.5) for Knott. Sensitivity derived by BLCM was 100% (95% CI 93.7 - 100) for PCMF, 100% (95% CI: 93.7 - 100) for PCR and 98.3% (95% CI: 90.6 - 99.9) for Knott. The odds ratio of being diagnosed as microfilaremic increased with age but did not differ between genders. Microfilariae loads were higher in subjects aged 30 - 45 and 45 - 60 years. MAIN CONCLUSIONS PCMF and PCR were the best methods to assess the prevalence of mansonelliasis in our samples. As such, using these methods could lead to higher prevalence of mansonelliasis in this region than the most commonly used method (i.e., thick blood smears).
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862333
title: Abdominal cavity simulator for skill progression in videolaparoscopic sutures in Brazil

description: Abstract Purpose: To develop and test a model of teaching by means of an abdominal cavity simulator. Methods: This study had two stages: development of a teaching model and an experimental prospective study that aimed to evaluate the residents’ competence. The participants were divided into 3 groups: first-year resident, second-year resident, and senior surgeon. The two groups of resident physicians received training in the simulator, under instructor supervision for skill acquisition, according to the model proposed in first stage. The surgeons did not receive this intervention. The correlations and associations were verified through simple and multiple linear regressions. The learning curves were analysed using Cox regression models. The impact of the epidemiological characteristics was tested. Results: All residents reached the maximum score at the end of 16 steps and were comparable to the experimental (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Residents who underwent training using the methodology of the proposed teaching model, which is based on realistic simulation, acquired proficiency in the accomplishment of endosutures in up to 16 hours of training in the laboratory.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862333.v1
title: Abdominal cavity simulator for skill progression in videolaparoscopic sutures in Brazil

description: Abstract Purpose: To develop and test a model of teaching by means of an abdominal cavity simulator. Methods: This study had two stages: development of a teaching model and an experimental prospective study that aimed to evaluate the residents’ competence. The participants were divided into 3 groups: first-year resident, second-year resident, and senior surgeon. The two groups of resident physicians received training in the simulator, under instructor supervision for skill acquisition, according to the model proposed in first stage. The surgeons did not receive this intervention. The correlations and associations were verified through simple and multiple linear regressions. The learning curves were analysed using Cox regression models. The impact of the epidemiological characteristics was tested. Results: All residents reached the maximum score at the end of 16 steps and were comparable to the experimental (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Residents who underwent training using the methodology of the proposed teaching model, which is based on realistic simulation, acquired proficiency in the accomplishment of endosutures in up to 16 hours of training in the laboratory.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862330
title: A clinical trial protocol to treat massive Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera) attack with a new apilic antivenom

description: Abstract Background Envenomation caused by multiple stings from Africanized honeybees Apis mellifera constitutes a public health problem in the Americas. In 2015, the Brazilian Ministry of Health reported 13,597 accidents (incidence of seven cases per 100,000 inhabitants) with 39 deaths (lethality of 0.25%). The toxins present in the venom, which include melittin and phospholipase A2, cause lesions in diverse organs and systems that may be fatal. As there has been no specific treatment to date, management has been symptomatic and supportive only. Methods In order to evaluate the safety and neutralizing capacity of a new apilic antivenom, as well as to confirm its lowest effective dose, a clinical protocol was developed to be applied in a multicenter, non-randomized and open phase I/II clinical trial. Twenty participants with more than five stings, aged more than 18 years, of both sexes, who have not previously received the heterologous serum against bee stings, will be included for 24 months. The proposed dose was based on the antivenom neutralizing capacity and the number of stings. Treatment will be administered only in a hospital environment and the participants will be evaluated for a period up to 30 days after discharge for clinical and laboratory follow-up. Results This protocol, approved by the Brazilian regulatory agencies for ethics (National Commission for Ethics on Research – CONEP) and sanitation (National Health Surveillance Agency – ANVISA), is a guideline constituted by specific, adjuvant, symptomatic and complementary treatments, in addition to basic orientations for conducting a clinical trial involving heterologous sera. Conclusions This is the first clinical trial protocol designed specifically to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of a new antivenom against stings from the Africanized honeybee Apis mellifera. The results will support future studies to confirm a new treatment for massive bee attack that has a large impact on public health in the Americas.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862330.v1
title: A clinical trial protocol to treat massive Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera) attack with a new apilic antivenom

description: Abstract Background Envenomation caused by multiple stings from Africanized honeybees Apis mellifera constitutes a public health problem in the Americas. In 2015, the Brazilian Ministry of Health reported 13,597 accidents (incidence of seven cases per 100,000 inhabitants) with 39 deaths (lethality of 0.25%). The toxins present in the venom, which include melittin and phospholipase A2, cause lesions in diverse organs and systems that may be fatal. As there has been no specific treatment to date, management has been symptomatic and supportive only. Methods In order to evaluate the safety and neutralizing capacity of a new apilic antivenom, as well as to confirm its lowest effective dose, a clinical protocol was developed to be applied in a multicenter, non-randomized and open phase I/II clinical trial. Twenty participants with more than five stings, aged more than 18 years, of both sexes, who have not previously received the heterologous serum against bee stings, will be included for 24 months. The proposed dose was based on the antivenom neutralizing capacity and the number of stings. Treatment will be administered only in a hospital environment and the participants will be evaluated for a period up to 30 days after discharge for clinical and laboratory follow-up. Results This protocol, approved by the Brazilian regulatory agencies for ethics (National Commission for Ethics on Research – CONEP) and sanitation (National Health Surveillance Agency – ANVISA), is a guideline constituted by specific, adjuvant, symptomatic and complementary treatments, in addition to basic orientations for conducting a clinical trial involving heterologous sera. Conclusions This is the first clinical trial protocol designed specifically to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of a new antivenom against stings from the Africanized honeybee Apis mellifera. The results will support future studies to confirm a new treatment for massive bee attack that has a large impact on public health in the Americas.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862327
title: Agaricus brasiliensis polysaccharides stimulate human monocytes to capture Candida albicans, express toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines

description: Abstract Background Agaricus brasiliensis is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the β-glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body. Since β-glucans enhance cellular immunoresponsiveness, in this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of an acid-treated polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of A. brasiliensis on the ability of human monocytes to adhere/phagocyte C. albicans yeast cells, their expression of pattern recognition receptors and their ability to produce cytokines. Methods Adhesion/phagocytosis of FITC-labeled C. albicans was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cells were incubated with specific fluorochrome-labeled antibodies for TLR2 and 4, βGR and MR and also evaluated by flow cytometry. Monocytes were cultured with ATF, and culture supernatants were collected for analysis of in vitro cytokine production by ELISA (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-10). Results ATF significantly increased the adherence/phagocytosis of C. albicans by monocytes and this was associated with enhanced expression of TLR2 and TLR4, while no effect was observed on βGR or MR. Moreover, expression of TLR4 and TLR2 was associated with higher levels of in vitro production of TNF-α and IL-1, respectively. Production of IL-10 was also increased by ATF treatment, but we found no association between its production and the expression of Toll-like receptors. Conclusion Our results provided us with evidence that A. brasiliensis polysaccharides affect human monocytes probably through the modulation of Toll-like receptors.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862327.v1
title: Agaricus brasiliensis polysaccharides stimulate human monocytes to capture Candida albicans, express toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines

description: Abstract Background Agaricus brasiliensis is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the β-glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body. Since β-glucans enhance cellular immunoresponsiveness, in this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of an acid-treated polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of A. brasiliensis on the ability of human monocytes to adhere/phagocyte C. albicans yeast cells, their expression of pattern recognition receptors and their ability to produce cytokines. Methods Adhesion/phagocytosis of FITC-labeled C. albicans was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cells were incubated with specific fluorochrome-labeled antibodies for TLR2 and 4, βGR and MR and also evaluated by flow cytometry. Monocytes were cultured with ATF, and culture supernatants were collected for analysis of in vitro cytokine production by ELISA (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-10). Results ATF significantly increased the adherence/phagocytosis of C. albicans by monocytes and this was associated with enhanced expression of TLR2 and TLR4, while no effect was observed on βGR or MR. Moreover, expression of TLR4 and TLR2 was associated with higher levels of in vitro production of TNF-α and IL-1, respectively. Production of IL-10 was also increased by ATF treatment, but we found no association between its production and the expression of Toll-like receptors. Conclusion Our results provided us with evidence that A. brasiliensis polysaccharides affect human monocytes probably through the modulation of Toll-like receptors.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862324
title: In search of the Nobel Prize - Beta version

description: It will be described in this paper, the structure, funcionalities and implementation possibilities of a multiplataform game named In search of the Nobel Prize, in its beta version. The learning environment consists of HTML content pages and concept maps elaborated with CmapTools. The game environment consists of a MySQL database with questions and transition screens with the participation of a Master Advisor, a character similar to the Game Master or Narrator in RPG games. This modular and open structure enable the game implementation in several knowledge areas. It is enough to add content pages in the learning environment, as well as the question database and associate transition screens pertinent to the knowledge area.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862324.v1
title: In search of the Nobel Prize - Beta version

description: It will be described in this paper, the structure, funcionalities and implementation possibilities of a multiplataform game named In search of the Nobel Prize, in its beta version. The learning environment consists of HTML content pages and concept maps elaborated with CmapTools. The game environment consists of a MySQL database with questions and transition screens with the participation of a Master Advisor, a character similar to the Game Master or Narrator in RPG games. This modular and open structure enable the game implementation in several knowledge areas. It is enough to add content pages in the learning environment, as well as the question database and associate transition screens pertinent to the knowledge area.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862321
title: Brand community or electronic word-of-mouth: what’s the goal of company presence in social media?

description: Abstract The growing usage of social media has been changing the relationship between companies and customers. Social media opens a two-way communication channel between companies and customers, as well as enables interaction among customers. According to the literature, companies pursue two objectives on social media: to increase brand trust and loyalty through building brand communities and to influence the purchase decision of an empowered customer through engendering positive word-of-mouth for their products. This article studies the approach used by two companies (from the pharmaceutical and fashion industries) on their Facebook fan pages. Evidence of shared consciousness and practice of traditions gathered from a netnographic study reveals a brand community on the pharmaceutical company’s page. Analysis of electronic word-of-mouth metrics reveals that motivating this form of communication is what the fashion firm seeks through its fan page. The study also discusses mechanisms to stimulate word-of-mouth on fan pages and the presence of weak ties as a factor of consumer engagement in word-of-mouth on social media. Managerial implications, limitations, and future research suggestions are presented.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862321.v1
title: Brand community or electronic word-of-mouth: what’s the goal of company presence in social media?

description: Abstract The growing usage of social media has been changing the relationship between companies and customers. Social media opens a two-way communication channel between companies and customers, as well as enables interaction among customers. According to the literature, companies pursue two objectives on social media: to increase brand trust and loyalty through building brand communities and to influence the purchase decision of an empowered customer through engendering positive word-of-mouth for their products. This article studies the approach used by two companies (from the pharmaceutical and fashion industries) on their Facebook fan pages. Evidence of shared consciousness and practice of traditions gathered from a netnographic study reveals a brand community on the pharmaceutical company’s page. Analysis of electronic word-of-mouth metrics reveals that motivating this form of communication is what the fashion firm seeks through its fan page. The study also discusses mechanisms to stimulate word-of-mouth on fan pages and the presence of weak ties as a factor of consumer engagement in word-of-mouth on social media. Managerial implications, limitations, and future research suggestions are presented.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862315
title: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis isolated from the saliva of patients in a cutaneous leishmaniasis-endemic area of northeastern Brazil

description: Several studies have described the use of non-invasive collection methods, mostly based on the detection of parasite DNA, for diagnosis. However, no Leishmania specimens have been isolated from saliva. Here, we report the first isolation of Leishmania braziliensis from the saliva of humans with cutaneous leishmaniasis but without lesions on their mucosa. The isolates were obtained from salivary fluid inoculated in hamsters and were tested by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. Seven samples from 43 patients suspected of having the disease were identified for in vivo culture. These findings suggest that saliva is a clinical sample that allows the isolation of Leishmania sp.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862315.v1
title: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis isolated from the saliva of patients in a cutaneous leishmaniasis-endemic area of northeastern Brazil

description: Several studies have described the use of non-invasive collection methods, mostly based on the detection of parasite DNA, for diagnosis. However, no Leishmania specimens have been isolated from saliva. Here, we report the first isolation of Leishmania braziliensis from the saliva of humans with cutaneous leishmaniasis but without lesions on their mucosa. The isolates were obtained from salivary fluid inoculated in hamsters and were tested by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. Seven samples from 43 patients suspected of having the disease were identified for in vivo culture. These findings suggest that saliva is a clinical sample that allows the isolation of Leishmania sp.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862309
title: Computational modeling for predicting corrosion initiation in reinforced concrete structures

description: Abstract This article presents a model for penetration of chloride by diffusion in reinforced concrete structures based on the solution of the Fick's 2nd Law, using the finite element method (FEM) in two-dimensional domain. This model predicts the time, in a given situation, so that a certain limit of chlorides for depassivation of reinforcement is reached, characterizing the end of service life. Several approaches for the chloride surface concentration and for the diffusion coefficient are used, parameter which must be corrected due to the effects of temperature, solar radiation, exposure time, and relative humidity. Moreover, a parametric analysis is carried out in order to study the factors involved and their impact on the ingress of chlorides by diffusion, contributing to a better understanding of the phenomenon. In addition, the developed model is applied to the cities of Vitória (ES) and Florianópolis (SC) to analyze the service life for different concrete covers, making a comparison with the Brazilian standard.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862309.v1
title: Computational modeling for predicting corrosion initiation in reinforced concrete structures

description: Abstract This article presents a model for penetration of chloride by diffusion in reinforced concrete structures based on the solution of the Fick's 2nd Law, using the finite element method (FEM) in two-dimensional domain. This model predicts the time, in a given situation, so that a certain limit of chlorides for depassivation of reinforcement is reached, characterizing the end of service life. Several approaches for the chloride surface concentration and for the diffusion coefficient are used, parameter which must be corrected due to the effects of temperature, solar radiation, exposure time, and relative humidity. Moreover, a parametric analysis is carried out in order to study the factors involved and their impact on the ingress of chlorides by diffusion, contributing to a better understanding of the phenomenon. In addition, the developed model is applied to the cities of Vitória (ES) and Florianópolis (SC) to analyze the service life for different concrete covers, making a comparison with the Brazilian standard.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5862306
title: Identification of the alpha-enolase P46 in the extracellular membrane vesicles of Bacteroides fragilis

description: BACKGROUND Members of the Bacteroides fragilis group are the most important components of the normal human gut microbiome, but are also major opportunistic pathogens that are responsible for significant mortality, especially in the case of bacteraemia and other severe infections, such as intra-abdominal abscesses. Up to now, several virulence factors have been described that might explain the involvement of B. fragilis in these infections. The secretion of extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs) has been proposed to play a role in pathogenesis and symbiosis in gram-negative bacteria, by releasing soluble proteins and other molecules. In B. fragilis, these vesicles are known to have haemagglutination and sialidosis activities, and also contain a capsular polysaccharide (PSA), although their involvement in virulence is still not clear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify proteins in the EMV of the 638R B. fragilis strain by mass spectrometry, and also to assess for the presence of Bfp60, a surface plasminogen (Plg) activator, previously shown in B. fragilis to be responsible for the conversion of inactive Plg to active plasmin, which can also bind to laminin-1. METHODS B. fragilis was cultured in a minimum defined media and EMVs were obtained by differential centrifugation, ultracentrifugation, and filtration. The purified EMVs were observed by both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunoelectron microscopy (IM). To identify EMV constituent proteins, EMVs were separated by 1D SDS-PAGE and proteomic analysis of proteins sized 35 kDa to approximately 65 kDa was performed using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). FINDINGS TEM micrographs proved the presence of spherical vesicles and IM confirmed the presence of Bfp60 protein on their surface. Mass spectrometry identified 23 proteins with high confidence. One of the proteins from the B. fragilis EMVs was identified as an enolase P46 with a possible lyase activity. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Although the Bfp60 protein was not detected by proteomics, α-enolase P46 was found to be present in the EMVs of B. fragilis. The P46 protein has been previously described to be present in the outer membrane of B. fragilis as an iron-regulated protein.