SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We compared the hidden prevalence of leprosy in two Brazilian cities with distinct differences regarding geographic region and socio-economic development profile, namely, Juazeiro, Bahia and Joinville, Santa Catarina. METHODS: A retrospective epidemiological study based on secondary data obtained from leprosy case notifications in the cities of Juazeiro-BA and Joinville-SC, 2007-2017. To calculate hidden prevalence, we used the method proposed by Gil Suárez and Lombardi. RESULTS: Joinville had 105 cases of leprosy that went undiagnosed (addition of 42.0% to the registered prevalence). For Juazeiro, it was estimated that 295 cases went undiagnosed (addition of 18.9%). CONCLUSION: Joinville presents a higher hidden prevalence than Juazeiro.

Humans and liquid systems have in common that they are both complex, self-organizing systems that produce under certain circumstances spatio-temporal patterns. The current study exploits this cross-disciplinary point of view and studies human graded reactions in terms of continuous confidence ratings from a pattern formation perspective. The wellknown V-shaped ratings are modelled by means of amplitude equations that are generic for a plenitude of pattern formation systems. Experimental data from three independent research groups are shown to fit simple, two-parametric amplitude equation models with goodness of fit measures of 90 percent. Importantly, the Swift-Hohenberg model describing the emergence of roll patterns in liquids is solved to show that under appropriate conditions the amplitudes of emerging roll patterns produce the same type of V-shaped functions as observed in humans. A new research avenue is opened for liquid artificial humans in terms of liquid systems that mimic human reactions.

The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between abdominal adiposity and physical fitness in the obesity status of Portuguese adolescents. BMI, abdominal adiposity, and physical fitness tests from the FITescola® were evaluated in a total of 654 Portuguese adolescents, aged 10-19 years old—male: n = 334 (51%), female: n = 320 (49%). For the final model, BMI was positively related with age (β = 0.25), abdominal adiposity (β = 0.313), horizontal jump (β = −0.100), 40 m maximal velocity (β = 0.274), and aerobic fitness (β = −0.250, R2 = 0.75, F = 382.2, and p = 0.0001). We conclude that higher age and abdominal adiposity are positively related with a higher adolescent BMI. Furthermore, lower horizontal jump distances and worse times on the 40 m maximal velocity were inversely related with a higher adolescent BMI, and lower aerobic fitness was inversely related with a higher adolescent BMI.

The Development of new materials for building industry is a necessary issue to promote sustainability. Gypsum is an important low cost material very abundant in the northeast region of Brazil. Its physical properties make it an interesting material to form composite materials. This work presents a study of gypsum reinforced with Caroá (neoglasiovia variegate) natural fibers, where different amounts of fibers (1, 2, and 3%) were added into gypsum matrix. Three different fiber sizes (5, 10, and 20mm) were used to evaluate the effect of fiber size on the properties. PVAc was added in order to enhance the interactions between matrix and fibers. Mechanical strength was characterized by compression and bending tests. The addition of 1% mass Caroá fibers leads to a slightly increase on the mechanical strength independently of fiber size.

Agranulocytosis induced by sulphonamide or dapsone (44-diaminodiphenylsulphone -DDS) is characterized by a low concentration or absence of granulocytes due to sulfone cytotoxicity effects on bone marrow and mononuclear cells. 1 DDS is a structural analogue of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) that acts as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase in the folate pathway. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and antifungal activities. Used since 1943 to treat leprosy, it is also indicated for the treatment of malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, granuloma annulare, dermatitis herpetiformis, and other vesiculobullous diseases. DDS adverse effects include hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, gastritis, headache, agranulocytosis, hepatitis, peripheral neuropathy, nephrotic syndrome, dapsone syndrome, among others. 1,2 DDS is part of the multidrug therapy (MDT) used to treat leprosy. The regimen is a combination of rifampicin (supervised monthly dose of 600mg) and dapsone (supervised monthly dose of 100mg and 100mg/daily) for paucibacillary patients, with the addition of clofazimine (supervised monthly dose of 300mg and 50mg/ daily) for multibacillar patients. 2 We report a 61-year-old Caucasian female patient, resident in Juazeiro, state of Bahia, Brazil, complaining of a spot on the right elbow, which appeared 1 year before. Physical examination revealed a single hypochromic patch, approximately 1cm in diameter, with micropapular edges and absent thermal sensitivity. With a diagnosis of tuberculoid leprosy, we started a MDT regimen for paucibacillary leprosy. At day 14 after the first administration, the patient presented with adynamia, exertional dyspnea, normochromic normocyt-