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BACKGROUND: The incidence of self-harm and suicidal behaviour in adolescents is increasing. Considering the great impact in this population, an actualization of the evidence of those psychological treatment's excellence for suicidal behaviour. Thus, the aim of this paper is to compile the available evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy in preventing self-harm and suicidal behaviour in adolescents. METHODS: A umbrella review was carried out, different databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Psyinfo, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar) were consulted. The 16-item measurement tool to assess systematic reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) were performed by two independent reviewers and any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The Rayyan-Qatar Computing Research Institute was used for the screening process. RESULTS: Nine systematic reviews were included. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy appears to reduce the incidence of suicide-related events compared with treatment as usual, compared to usual treatment (which usually consists of drugs and talk therapy) especially when combined with fluoxetine. Dialectical behavioural therapy seems to be associated with a reduction in suicidal ideation and self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results found show results with high heterogeneity. The evidence on cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy for suicide prevention, self-harm and suicide ideation in adolescents seems to show positive results. Considering, the special population and great impact, further research is needed and comparable studies should be sought that allow to set up robust recommendations.

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A conventional hydrocyclones is a versatile equipment with a high processing capacity and low maintenance cost. Currently, several studies aim to alter the typical structure of the conventional hydrocyclone in order to modify its performance and purpose. For this, filtering hydrocyclones have emerged, where a porous membrane replaces the conic or cylindrical wall. During the operation of this equipment, in addition to the traditionally observed streams (feed, underflow, and overflow), there is a liquid stream resulting from the filtration process, commonly referred to as filtrate. This work proposes to numerically investigate the solid particle/liquid water separation process in a filtering hydrocyclone using the commercial software Ansys CFX® 15.0. The proposed mathematical model for the study considers three-dimensional, steady state and turbulent flow, using the Eulerian-Eulerian approach and the Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model. This study presents and analyzes the volume fraction, velocity, and pressure fields, along with flowlines and velocity profiles. The results indicate that the proposed model effectively captures the fluid dynamic behavior within the filtering hydrocyclone, highlighting higher pressures near the porous membrane and a higher concentration of solid particles in the conical region, with water being more concentrated in the cylindrical part of the hydrocyclone. Additionally, the findings show that the volumetric flow rate of the filtrate significantly influences the internal flow dynamics, with conventional hydrocyclones demonstrating higher pressure gradients compared to the proposed filtering hydrocyclone.

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SMA actuators are a group of lightweight actuators that offer advantages over conventional technology and allow for simple and compact solutions to the increasing demand for electrical actuation. In particular, an increasing number of SMA torsional actuator applications have been published recently due to their ability to supply rotational motion under load, resulting in advantages such as module simplification and the reduction of overall product weight. This paper presents the conceptual design, operating principle, experimental characterization and working performance of torsional actuators applicable in active rudder in aeronautics. The proposed application comprises a pair of SMA torsion springs, which bi-directionally actuate the actuator by Joule heating and natural cooling. The experimental results confirm the functionality of the torsion springs actuated device and show the rotation angle of the developed active rudder was about 30° at a heating current of 5 A. After the design and experiment, one of their chief drawbacks is their relatively slow operating speed in rudder positioning, but this can be improved by control strategy and small modifications to the actuator mechanism described in this work.

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Azithromycin ethanol solvate monohydrate [C38H72N2O120.5(C2H6O)H2O], abbreviated by AZM-MH-EtOH, was synthesized by slow evaporation method and investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy combined with density functional theory (DFT) studies. Electronic and vibrational properties were properly investigated based on a theoretical study of solvation effects, using implicit solvation and solute electron density models. The electronic and vibrational studies were evaluated under aqueous, ethanolic, and vacuum conditions. The electronic structure calculations indicated that the AZM-MH-EtOH is chemically more stable in solvents compared to vacuum condition. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) measurements confirmed the stability of the material in ethanolic medium, due to higher absorbance values compared to the aqueous medium. Vibrational changes were observed in the Raman and IR bands, which have connection with hydrogen bonds. The experimental vibration modes showed better accordance with the predicted modes' values under solvation effects, but a slight divergence is noticed when we compared to vibration modes obtained in vacuum. Furthermore, the results have revealed a greater affinity profile of AZM-MH-EtOH for water and ethanol solvents compared to theoretical data under vacuum condition.

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The risk of the use of toxic chemicals for unlawful acts has been a matter of concern for different governments and multilateral agencies. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which oversees the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), considering recent events employing chemical warfare agents as means of assassination, has recently included in the CWC "Annex on Chemicals" some organophosphorus compounds that are regarded as acting in a similar fashion to the classical G- and V-series of nerve agents, inhibiting the pivotal enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Therefore, knowledge of the activity of the pyridinium oximes, the sole class of clinically available acetylcholinesterase reactivators to date, is plainly justified. In this paper, continuing our research efforts in medicinal chemistry on this class of toxic chemicals, we synthesized an A-230 nerve agent surrogate and applied a modified Ellman's assay to evaluate its ability to inhibit our enzymatic model, acetylcholinesterase from Electrophorus eel, and if the clinically available antidotes are able to rescue the enzyme activity for the purpose of relating the findings to the previously disclosed in silico data for the authentic nerve agent and other studies with similar A-series surrogates. Our experimental data indicates that pralidoxime is the most efficient compound for reactivating acetylcholinesterase inhibited by A-230 surrogate, which is the opposite of the in silico data previously disclosed.

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The lack of synthesized information regarding biodiversity is a major problem among researchers, leading to a pervasive cycle where ecologists make field campaigns to collect information that already exists and yet has not been made available for a broader audience. This problem leads to long-lasting effects in public policies such as spending money multiple times to conduct similar studies in the same area. We aim to identify this knowledge gap by synthesizing information available regarding two Brazilian long-term biodiversity programs and the metadata generated by them. Using a unique dataset containing 1904 metadata, we identified patterns of metadata distribution and intensity of research conducted in Brazil, as well as where we should concentrate research efforts in the next decades. We found that the majority of metadata were about vertebrates, followed by plants, invertebrates, and fungi. Caatinga was the biome with least metadata, and that there's still a lack of information regarding all biomes in Brazil, with none of them being sufficiently sampled. We hope that these results will have implications for broader conservation and management guiding, as well as to funding allocation programs.

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OBJECTIVE: to investigate the contributions of applying the Lean methodology to improve work processes in health and nursing and its impact on associated financial aspects. METHOD: an integrative review, carried out in six databases, whose sample of ten (100.0%) studies was analyzed and summarized descriptively. RESULTS: the outcomes obtained were stratified into: benefits/barriers to Lean Healthcare implementation; economic aspects involving Lean Healthcare implementation; and process improvements through Lean Healthcare implementation. The majority of studies (60.0%) were carried out in university hospitals, contexts that need to continually improve the quality of services provided, generally with scarce and limited resources, which support the viability of maintaining the teaching, research and extension tripod. CONCLUSION: three (30.0%) studies highlighted the financial aspects associated with Lean methodology application. The others only mentioned the possibility of financial gains through improving processes and reducing waste.

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AIMS: To evaluate the basal release of 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND) from human isolated seminal vesicles (HISV) and to characterize its action and origin. MAIN METHODS: Left HISV obtained from patients undergoing prostatectomy surgery was suspended in a 3-mL organ bath containing warmed (37 °C) and gassed (95%O2:5%CO2) Krebs-Henseleit's solution (KHS) with ascorbic acid. An aliquot of 2 mL of the supernatant was used to quantify catecholamines by LC-MS/MS. For functional studies, concentration-responses curves to catecholamines were obtained, and pEC50 and Emax values were calculated. Detection of tyrosine hydroxylase and S100 protein were also carried out by both immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization assays (FISH). KEY FINDINGS: Basal release of 6-ND was higher than the other catecholamines (14.76 ± 14.54, 4.99 ± 6.92, 3.72 ± 4.35 and 5.13 ± 5.76 nM for 6-ND, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, respectively). In contrast to the other catecholamines, the basal release of 6-ND was not affected by the sodium current (Nav) channel inhibitor tetrodotoxin (1 µM; 10.4 ± 8.9 and 10.4 ± 7.9 nM, before and after tetrodotoxin, respectively). All the catecholamines produced concentration-dependent HISV contractions (pEC50 4.1 ± 0.2, 4.9 ± 0.3, 5.0 ± 0.3, and 3.9 ± 0.8 for 6-ND, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, respectively), but 6-ND was 10-times less potent than noradrenaline and adrenaline. However, preincubation with very low concentration of 6-ND (10-8 M, 30 min) produced significant leftward shifts of the concentration-response curves to noradrenaline. Immunohistochemical and FISH assays identified tyrosine hydroxylase in tissue epithelium of HISV strips. SIGNIFICANCE: Epithelium-derived 6-ND is the major catecholamine released from human isolated seminal vesicles and that modulates smooth muscle contractility by potentiating noradrenaline-induced contractions.

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OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to revaluate the significant data from meta-analyses on genetic variations in immune mediators and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) by Bayesian approaches. METHODS: We performed a search on the literature before September 5th, 2023, for meta-analytic studies on polymorphisms in immune mediator genes and the risk of PCa. Two Bayesian approaches were used to assess the level of noteworthiness in the meta-analytic data: the False-Positive Rate Probability (FPRP) and the Bayesian False Discovery Probability (BFDP) with a statistical power of 1.2 and 1.5 of Odds Ratio at a prior probability of 10-3 and 10-6. The quality evaluation of studies was performed with the Venice criteria. Gene-gene and protein-protein networks were designed for the genes and products enrolled in the results. RESULTS: As results, 18 meta-analyses on 17 polymorphisms in several immune mediator genes were included (IL1B rs16944/rs1143627, IL4 rs2243250/rs2227284/rs2070874, IL6 1800795/rs1800796/rs1800797, IL8 rs4073, IL10 rs1800896/rs1800871/rs1800872, IL18 rs1946518, COX2 rs2745557, TNFA rs361525 and PTGS2 rs20417/689470). The Bayesian calculations showed the rs1143627 and the rs1946518 polymorphisms in IL1B and IL18 genes, respectively, were noteworthy. The Venice criteria showed that only four studies received the highest level of evidence. The gene-gene and protein-protein networks reinforced the findings on IL1B and IL18 genes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this current Bayesian revaluation showed that the rs1143627 and the rs1946518 polymorphisms in the IL1B and IL18 genes, respectively, were noteworthy biomarker candidates for PCa risk.

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Introduction: The human umbilical artery (HUA), rat-isolated right atrium, and rat-isolated vas deferens present a basal release of 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND). The basal release of 6-ND from these tissues was significantly decreased (but not abolished) when the tissues were pre-incubated with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Methods: In this study, the effect of the pharmacological modulation of the redox environment on the basal release of 6-ND was investigated. The basal release of 6-ND was measured using Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results and Discussion: Pre-incubation (30 min) of the tissues with GKT137831 (1 µM) caused a significant increase in the basal release of 6-ND from all tissues. In the HUA, pre-incubation with diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) (100 µM) also caused significant increases in the basal release of 6-ND. Preincubation of the HUA with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (100 µM) increased 6-ND basal release, whereas pre-incubation with catalase (1,000 U/mL) significantly decreased it. Pre-incubation of the HUA with superoxide dismutase (SOD) (250 U/mL; 30 min) also significantly increased the basal release of 6-ND. Preincubation of the HUA with either allopurinol (100 µM) or uric acid (1 mM) had no effect on the basal release of 6-ND. Pre-treatment of the HUA with L-NAME (100 µM) prevented the increase in the basal release of 6-ND induced by GKT137831, diphenyleneiodonium, and H2O2. The results obtained indicate a major role of endogenous H2O2 and peroxidases as modulators of 6- ND biosynthesis/release and a lack of peroxynitrite contribution.

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In this paper, we use a Bayesian method to estimate the effective reproduction number ( R ( t ) ), in the context of monitoring the time evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil at different geographic levels. The focus of this study is to investigate the similarities between the trends in the evolution of such indicators at different subnational levels with the trends observed nationally. The underlying question addressed is whether national surveillance of such variables is enough to provide a picture of the epidemic evolution in the country or if it may hide important localized trends. This is particularly relevant in the scenario where health authorities use information obtained from such indicators in the design of non-pharmaceutical intervention policies to control the epidemic. A comparison between R ( t ) estimates and the moving average (MA) of daily reported infections is also presented, which is another commonly monitored variable. The analysis carried out in this paper is based on the data of confirmed infected cases provided by a public repository. The correlations between the time series of R ( t ) and MA in different geographic levels are assessed. Comparing national with subnational trends, higher degrees of correlation are found for the time series of R ( t ) estimates, compared to the MA time series. Nevertheless, differences between national and subnational trends are observed for both indicators, suggesting that local epidemiological surveillance would be more suitable as an input to the design of non-pharmaceutical intervention policies in Brazil, particularly for the least populated states.

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The aim of this work is to analyze the effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties and damage mechanisms of polyester/glass fiber/jute fiber hybrid composites obtained using the compression molding and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) techniques with different stacking sequences. For this purpose, the mechanical behavior under tensile stress of the samples was evaluated before and after hygrothermal aging at different temperatures: TA, 50 °C, and 70 °C for a period of 696 h. The damage mechanism after the mechanical tests was evaluated using SEM analysis. The results showed a tendency for the mechanical properties of the composites to decrease with exposure to an aqueous ambient, regardless of the molding technique used to conform the composites. It was also observed that the stacking sequence had no significant influence on the dry composites. However, exposure to the aqueous ambient led to a reduction in mechanical properties, both for the molding technique and the stacking sequence. Damage such as delamination, fiber pull-out, fiber/matrix detachment, voids, and matrix removal were observed in the composites in the SEM analyses.

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In this study, we comprehensively investigated the degradation of industrial trinitrotoluene (TNT), focusing on the effects of aging and direct contact with steel surfaces, mirroring real-world usage conditions. While practical knowledge exists regarding this degradation, the existing literature lacks in-depth insights into the underlying processes. To address this gap, we conducted experiments using small steel samples, representative of military ammunition casings, which were coated with TNT and subjected to 30 days of heating at 75 °C under vacuum conditions. A subset of these samples was coated with a protective red alkyd paint. After the aging process, the TNT was carefully removed from the metal surfaces and subjected to a comprehensive analysis encompassing scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our results reveal a remarkable preservation of the chemical integrity of industrial TNT, even in the presence of thermal stress and direct steel contact. Although superficial changes were observed in the TNT's appearance, all analytical data consistently demonstrated the maintenance of its chemical composition. Notably, the sole change in composition was attributed to the presence of degradation products associated with the alkyd paint coating, rather than intrinsic TNT degradation. These findings underscore the negligible impact of degradation processes on TNT in scenarios involving the solid-phase thermal stress of TNT in direct contact with metal, significantly enhancing our understanding of TNT safety when packaged within steel artifacts-a common context in military ammunition.

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INTRODUCTION: Abemaciclib is an oral inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). Data from the clinical trial monarchE (2023) showed improved survival from invasive disease. The aim of the present article was to conduct an economic assessment of adjuvant treatment with abemaciclib in women with luminal, HER2- and node-positive breast cancer. METHODS: A Markov model was constructed with four mutually exclusive health states (disease-free, local recurrence, distal recurrence and death). Analyses were based on the clinical trial monarchE which compared an intervention group (abemaciclib + hormone therapy [HT]) with HT alone. The effectiveness measure used was quality-adjusted life years (QALY), with unit costs and utilities being obtained from existing literature. The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was used to compare the two treatment strategies. RESULTS: Total costs were €98,765 and €17,935 for the abemaciclib plus HT group and the HT alone group, respectively. The health outcome was 10.076QALY for the intervention group and 9.495QALY for the control group, with the ICUR being€139,173/QALY. CONCLUSION: Despite the significant gains of abemaciclib as adjuvant treatment in terms of progression-free survival, this treatment is not cost-effective for the Spanish National Health System at published prices. It may be cost-effective with an appropriate discount on the official price.

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OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo propor um modelo cognitivo/explicativo que represente as mudanças que podem ser incorporadas à vida de jovens de baixa renda, a partir de sua primeira experiência de emprego formal. MÉTODO: A amostra do estudo foi composta por 25 jovens beneficiários do Programa Primeiro Emprego/BA, que participaram de grupos focais on-line. Para a análise, as falas foram inicialmente categorizadas por meio da análise de conteúdo temática e, em seguida, visando uma sistematização e o estabelecimento de uma relação entre as categorias adotadas, foi utilizada a técnica do mapeamento cognitivo. RESULTADOS: A partir da análise das falas dos jovens, foram identificados 29 núcleos de sentidos, distribuídos em torno da tríade indivíduo- trabalho-sociedade. Entre as mudanças pessoais percebidas, destacam-se a valorização e o crescimento pessoal, assim como questões financeiras. Nas mudanças laborais, o aumento da empregabilidade como resultado da maior qualificação profissional e das novas habilidades técnicas adquiridas foi amplamente citado. Por fim, no que diz respeito às mudanças sociais, a percepção de alteração do status social ficou evidente. A maioria das mudanças observadas foram positivas e indicaram um aumento na qualidade de vida dos jovens de baixa renda. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se, portanto, que para uma modificação dos padrões de reprodução da força de trabalho juvenil, baseados na precarização e na subalternidade, é necessária uma transformação da realidade laboral dos seus atores.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to propose a cognitive/explanatory model that represents the changes that can be incorporated into the lives of low-income young people, from their first experience of formal employment. METHOD: The study sample consisted of 25 young beneficiaries of the First Employment Program/ BA, who participated in online focus groups. For the analysis, the speeches were initially categorized through thematic content analysis and, then, aiming at systematization and the establishment of a relationship between the adopted categories, the cognitive mapping technique was used. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of the young people's statements, 29 nuclei of meanings were identified, and distributed around the individual-work-society triad. Among the perceived personal changes, valorization and personal growth stand out, as well as financial issues. In terms of job changes, the increase in employability as a result of higher professional qualifications and new technical skills acquired was widely cited. Finally, with regard to social changes, the perception of change in social status was evident. Most of the changes observed were positive and indicated an increase in the quality of life of low-income youth. CONCLUSION: It is concluded, therefore, that for a change in the system, a transformation of the work reality of its actors is necessary.

OBJETIVO: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo proponer un modelo cognitivo/explicativo que represente los cambios que pueden incorporarse en la vida de jóvenes de bajos ingresos, a partir de su primera experiencia de empleo formal. MÉTODO: La muestra del estudio estuvo compuesta por 25 jóvenes beneficiarios del Programa Primeiro Emprego/BA, que participaron de grupos focales en línea. Para el análisis, los enunciados fueron inicialmente categorizados a través del análisis de contenido temático y luego, con el objetivo de sistematizar y establecer una relación entre las categorías adoptadas se utilizó la técnica del mapeo cognitivo. RESULTADOS: A partir del análisis de los enunciados de los jóvenes, se identificaron 29 centros de significado, distribuidos en torno a la tríada individuo-trabajo-sociedad. Entre los cambios personales percibidos se destacan la apreciación y el crecimiento personal, así como las cuestiones financieras. En los cambios laborales se citó ampliamente el aumento de la empleabilidad como consecuencia de una mayor cualificación profesional y de nuevas competencias técnicas adquiridas. Finalmente, en lo que respecta a los cambios sociales, se hizo evidente la percepción de cambios en el estatus social. La mayoría de los cambios observados fueron positivos e indicaron un aumento en la calidad de vida de los jóvenes de bajos ingresos. CONCLUSIÓN: Se concluye, por tanto, que para modificar los patrones de reproducción de la fuerza laboral juvenil, basados en la precariedad y la subalternidad, es necesaria una transformación de la realidad laboral de sus actores.

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Halicephalobus gingivalis is a free-living nematode that occasionally causes infections in horses. We report a rare case of limb fracture of horse caused by infection with H. gingivalis. An 8-year-old mare was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Lavras with claudication grade 5 of the right hind limb, that had been started 3 months ago. The patient had aseptic arthritis in the tarsal joint and edema that extended to the quartile. The radiographic examination showed punctate osteolysis with exacerbation of bone trabeculation along the calcaneus, talus, proximal epiphysis of the third metatarsal and distal epiphysis of the tibia. Treatment for arthritis was initiated, and the animal showed a slight improvement in limb function. However, 21 days after hospitalization, due to a comminuted fracture of the tibia, it was euthanized. At necropsy, yellowish masses were found from the metatarsal to the tibia, and around the tarsal bones and joint. Similar masses were also found in the left kidney. Numerous nematodes compatible with H. gingivalis were identified. This is the first description of a pathological fracture caused by H. gingivalis infection in an equine limb.

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This study evaluated levels of replacement of soybean meal by castor bean meal in the finishing crossbred steers on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture during the rainy-dry transition period. Forty Holstein-Zebu crossbred steers with an average initial weight of 395.93 ± 10 kg were randomly allocated to four treatment groups that were supplemented with concentrate levels of replacing (0, 290, 613, and 903 g/kg DM of the supplement; at 0.4% body weight [BW]). The experimental period was 120 days. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted; with regression analysis using the computational software package (SAS 9.2, USA). Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nutrients and animal performance were evaluated. The replacement levels did not influence (P > 0.05) the intakes of DM (kg/day), organic matter (OM, kg/day), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, kg/day and %BW), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC, kg/day), or total digestible nutrients (kg/day). However, the intake of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE, kg/day) decreased as the replacement levels were increased (P < 0.05). The digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and EE did not change, whereas CP digestibility decreased linearly and NFC digestibility increased linearly (P < 0.05). The replacement levels did not affect (P > 0.05) final body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion, and carcass yield. Castor bean meal can replace up to 903 g/kg DM of soybean meal in the composition of the supplement without compromising the performance of steers on Marandu pasture during the rainy-dry transition period.

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Sphenoid meningoencephaloceles are rare, and their treatment is challenging. In this report, we describe two clinical cases of sphenoid meningoencephalocele, in which one patient presented with a cerebrospinal fluid leak after repeated head trauma, while in the other, sphenoid meningoencephalocele was detected during the study of memory impairment as the patient was otherwise asymptomatic. The CT scans showed bony dehiscence on the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus filled with soft tissue that was confirmed by MRI as being herniated brain tissue. A transpterygoid endoscopic endonasal approach was performed with a multilayer reconstruction of the defect with success in both cases without perioperative complications. Imaging techniques are fundamental for diagnosis and surgical planning. Treatment using an endoscopic endonasal approach is efficient with very low morbidity.

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Introduction Balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) allows the treatment of the main etiology of eustachian tube disfunction (ETD). Objective To evaluate the efficacy of isolated BET, through objective and subjective results, in the short and medium term, in patients with chronic obstructive ETD. Methods Adult patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive ETD who underwent BET between January 2018 and December 2020 were enrolled in the study. We performed a prospective observational study of BET efficacy, by comparing subjective data, based on the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7), and objective data, obtained by tympanometry, objective Valsalva maneuver and tubomanometry, prior to BET with these outcome tools on postprocedure follow-up. Results In total, 30 BETs were performed and analyzed. There were no complications with the procedure. Analysis of BET efficacy was performed in the short-term (average of 7.5 weeks) and in the medium-term (average of 8 months). There was a significant reduction ( p < 0.0001) in the total ETDQ-7 score from baseline to both follow-up periods. A normalization of the ETDQ-7 score was observed in 60 and 83.3% of the performed procedures, in the short- and medium-term, respectively. In tubomanometry, we verified a significant improvement ( p < 0.0001) at all pressures, with a normalization of tubomanometry values in 53.3% and 43.3% of cases in the short- and medium-term, respectively. Tympanogram normalization occurred in 71.4% of patients with abnormal preoperative assessments. Conclusion As an isolated procedure, BET results in significant improvements in symptomatology and objective metric results. This, associated with its safety profile, currently makes BET the most indicated therapeutic option in refractory obstructive ETD.

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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic may lead to reduced physical activity (PA) in health care workers (HCWs). Objective: To evaluate leisure and transport-related PA in HCW of a COVID-19-dedicated hospital during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 1,527 HCWs. Socioeconomic aspects, occupational characteristics, and engagement in leisure and transport-related PA were investigated through an online survey administered in August of 2020. Results: More than 80 % HCWs performed < 150 min/week of leisure-related PA, and 85 % performed ≤ 30 min/day transport-related PA. Being male was associated with more PA (OR: 1.93; 95 % CI:1.40-2.66) and transport-related PA; working in nursing, physical therapy, and cleaning/housekeeping services was associated with low PA (OR: 0.70; 95 % CI:0.51-0.95). Physicians and administrative staff were less active in transport-related PA. Conclusions: HCWs working in a COVID-19 hospital had low levels of PA in the domains of leisure and transportation.