Discussion of the Brazilian neurologists about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the concept of health professionals affiliated with the Brazilian League of Epilepsy on whether or not to inform patients about the risk factors related to the occurrence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. METHODS: A descriptive research of inquiry was conducted with direct survey on the Brazilian neurologist's view, regarding medical behavior in the health area to report or not about the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Data collection consisted of a structured questionnaire available online. RESULTS: The study population consisted of a sample of 44 Brazilian League of Epilepsy members who answered the questionnaire, of which 25 (56.8%) were men and 19 (43.2%) were women. Among the analyzed questionnaires, 79.5% reported that they were aware of the risk factors for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and 18.2% admitted not knowing the potential risk factors for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Notably, 59.1% of these professionals thought that an early discussion with the patient about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy must be considered. The majority (70%) felt that the neurologist should do this, and 22% believed that the subject should be discussed with psychologists. It was noted that 84.1% of respondents did not discuss or discussed only with some of their patients about the risk factors for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for encouraging early discussion of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy with epilepsy patients if the patient asks about the risks related to epilepsy and its treatment, when treatment adherence is low, in cases of intractable epilepsy with strong indication for surgical treatment, and when polytherapy is needed.

Células-tronco oriundas do fluxo menstrual: possíveis aplicações / Stem cells derived from menstrual flow: possible applications

Células­tronco adultas estão presentes em diversos tecidos, inclusive no endométrio humano, e podem ser obtidas a partir do sangue do fluxo menstrual (MenSCs) de uma forma não invasiva. Devido à sua alta taxa de proliferação, baixa imunogenicidade e baixa tumorigenicidade, essas células podem ser usadas na engenharia de tecidos. Sob determinadas condições de cultura, elas podem ser induzidas a se diferenciar em várias linhagens de células. As MenSCs podem contribuir para a reparação dos tecidos por intermédio de vários mecanismos, destaca­se sua grande promessa em aplicações clínicas. Além disso, as células­tronco mesenquimais do endométrio podem ser usadas para o melhor entendimento da patogênese da endometriose e do carcinoma endometrial.(AU)

Adult stem cells are present in several human tissues, including the endometrium. Menstrual blood derived stem cells (MenSCs) are mesenchymal stem cells that can be obtained in a non­invasive manner. Due to its rapid proliferation rate, low immunogenicity and low tumorigenicity, MenSCs are used extensively in tissue engineering. They can be induced into multiple cell lineages under certain conditions. MenSCs contribute to tissue repair via several different mechanisms, highlighting their great promise in clinical applications. Endometrial stem cells may also be used to shed light on the pathogenesis of endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma. This review will cover recent progress in this field.(AU)