Clinical analysis of 5 cases of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis with coronary artery dilatation / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis combined with coronary artery dilatation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data, including clinical manifestations, blood routine, inflammatory factors, echocardiography, vascular ultrasound and CT angiography, treatment and outcomes, etc, of 5 cases with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis combined with coronary artery dilation admitted to Department of Rheumatology in the affiliated Children's Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics from May 2019 to June 2021. Results: There were 2 males and 3 females among 5 cases. The onset age ranged from 7 months to 4 years 7 months.The diagnostic time ranged from 1.5 months to 3.0 months.Four cases were diagnosed as atypical Kawasaki disease. Three cases showed unilateral coronary artery dilation.Two cases showed bilateral coronary artery dilation.Four cases developed multiple organ injuries.Three cases developed macrophage activation syndrome.Three cases developed lung injury.Two cases developed pericardial effusion.One case developed pulmonary hypertension.As for treatment, 3 cases treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy and methotrexate combined with cyclosporine, improved after the final application of biological agents, and have stopped prednisone. The other 2 cases were treated with adequate oral prednisone and gradually reduced, and methotrexate was added at the same time, 1 case relapsed in the process of reduction. No other vascular involvement was found in 5 cases. Coronary artery dilation recovered completely after 1 to 3 months of treatment. Conclusions: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis combined with coronary artery dilatation has the clinical characteristics of small onset age, long diagnostic time, prone to multiple organ injuries. Corticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressive agents are not sensitive, and biological agents should be used as soon as possible.The prognosis of coronary artery dilation is good after timely treatment.

Recomendaciones de expertos para el tratamiento biológico en pacientes con psoriasis / Expert recommendations for biological treatment in patients with psoriasis

Resumen En los últimos años, la introducción de diversos medicamentos biológicos para el tratamiento de la psoriasis ha aumentado considerablemente el arsenal terapéutico del médico, con lo cual se ha logrado un fuerte impacto positivo en el control de la enfermedad. Con el fin de proveer de las mejores recomendaciones para el uso de estos biológicos en los pacientes afectados de psoriasis, el grupo mexicano de expertos en psoriasis PSOMEX ha formulado recomendaciones para mejorar la comprensión y el posicionamiento terapéutico de este tipo de medicamentos.

Abstract In recent years, the introduction of a series of biological drugs for the treatment of psoriasis has considerably increased the therapeutic armamentarium of doctors, and thus a strongly positive impact on the control of this condition has been achieved. With the purpose to provide the best recommendations for the use of these biological agents in patients with psoriasis, the Mexican group of psoriasis experts, PSOMEX, has developed recommendations in order to improve the understanding and therapeutic positioning of this type of medications.

Artritis psoriásica: La elección del fármaco antirreumático biológico en la Ley Ricarte Soto / Choosing biological agents for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis

The financial coverage granted by law in Chile for patients with psoriatic arthritis who require biological treatment is of paramount importance and a great advance. However physicians must be knowledgeable about the advantages and limitations of this therapy. The challenge of clinicians is to choose the drug with the greater odds of achieving therapeutic success, with less adverse events and lower costs for our health system. This article aims to help doctors to select the best biological treatment for a specific patient, trying to optimize its effectiveness, minimizing adverse effects, always looking for an efficient use of resources.

Optimizando el manejo de la uveítis con agentes biológicos en Chile del 2020 / Optimizing uveitis management with biological agents in Chile in 2020

Los agentes biológicos han irrumpido como una alternativa eficaz en el tratamiento de las uveítis no-infecciosas, especialmente en cuadros refractarios a inmunosupresores convencionales, con buena tolerancia y rápido efecto. Hay patologías como la enfermedad de Behçet en que incluso pueden estar indicados como tratamiento de primera línea. Este artículo ayudará a reconocer las patologías específicas donde presentan mayor eficacia, entrega herramientas para escoger el agente más adecuado para cada paciente y sugiere estrategias para evitar la pérdida de control de la enfermedad en el largo plazo.

Biological therapies have emerged as an effective option for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis, especially in refractive cases to conventional immunosup-pressive drugs. They are fast-acting, well tolerated, and can be considered as first-line agents for the treatment of certain uveitis like in Behçet ́s disease. This article will aid in identifying the uveitis syndromes where biological therapy is more effective, help choosing the most appropriate agent for a particular case and offer suggestions on how to keep long-term disease control.

Socioeconomic and therapy factor influence on self-reported fatigue, anxiety and depression in rheumatoid arthritis patients / Influência de fatores socioeconômicos e de tratamento sobre a fadiga, ansiedade e depressão autorrelatadas em pacientes com artrite reumatoide

Abstract Introduction: Fatigue, anxiety and depression are very frequent symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Goals: In this study we evaluated the influence of socioeconomic characteristics, therapy and comorbidities on the self-reported high fatigue, anxiety and depression in patients with RA. Method: Multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in 22 health institutions in Serbia during the period from April-August 2014 in population of older RA patients. Self-reported patients health status was measured by: Fatigue Assessment Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Treatment modalities were defined as: (1) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or analgesics and/or corticosteroids; (2) synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs and (3) any RA treatment which includes biologic DMARDs. Results: There were significant predictors of high depression: synthetic DMARDs therapy in combination with corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs, physiotherapist self-payment, frequent taxi use, alternative treatment and employment status. The need for another person's assistance, supplemental calcium therapy and professional qualifications were the predictors of a high fatigue, whereas the age above 65 years had the protective effect on it. Anxiety was an independent high fatigue predictor. The predictors of a high anxiety were: gastroprotection with proton-pump inhibitors and patient occupation. Conclusion Socioeconomic predictors of self-reported high depression, anxiety or fatigue are different for each of the mentioned outcomes, while accompanied with the basic RA treatment they exclusively explain a high depression. The anxiety, jointed with the socioeconomic variables and supplemental therapy, is a significant fatigue predictor in RA patients.

Resumo Introdução: A fadiga, a ansiedade e a depressão são sintomas muito frequentes em pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR). Objetivos: Neste estudo, avaliou-se a influência de características socioeconômicas, características de tratamento e comorbidades na elevação na fadiga, ansiedade e depressão autorrelatadas em pacientes com AR. Método: Este estudo transversal multicêntrico foi feito em 22 instituições de saúde na Sérvia de abril a agosto de 2014 na população de pacientes idosos com AR. O status de saúde autorrelatado dos pacientes foi medido pelos instrumentos Fatigue Assessment Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 e Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. As modalidades de tratamento foram definidas como: 1) anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINE) e/ou analgésicos e/ou corticosteroides; 2) fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores da doença sintéticos (DMARD) isoladamente ou em combinação com corticosteroides e/ou AINE e 3) qualquer tratamento para a AR que incluísse DMARD biológicos. Resultados: Houve preditores significativos de depressão elevada: tratamento com DMARD sintéticos em combinação com corticosteroides e/ou AINE, pagamento particular de fisioterapia, uso frequente de serviços de táxi, terapias alternativas e status ocupacional. A necessidade de assistência de outra pessoa, o tratamento suplementar com cálcio e as qualificações profissionais foram os preditores de fadiga elevada. A idade acima de 65 anos teve um efeito protetor sobre a fadiga elevada. A ansiedade foi um preditor independente de fadiga elevada. Os preditores ansiedade elevada foram: gastroproteção com inibidores da bomba de prótons e ocupação do paciente. Conclusão: Os preditores socioeconômicos de níveis elevados de depressão, ansiedade ou fadiga autorrelatadas são diferentes para cada um dos desfechos mencionados; quando acompanhados do tratamento básico para a AR, esses preditores socioeconômicos explicam exclusivamente uma depressão elevada. A ansiedade, associada às variáveis socioeconômicas e ao tratamento complementar, é um importante preditor da fadiga em pacientes com AR.

Moderate to severe psoriasis treatment challenges through the era of biological drugs

Abstract: Biological therapy has revolutionized moderate to severe psoriasis treatment. However, despite being more effective than conventional systemic treatments, some patients do not respond or lose response to biotechnological treatments or develop drug-antibodies, interfering with its safety and efficacy. There are also clinical forms of the disease and patient profiles for which is pending further scientific evidence for more sustained therapeutic interventions. The continuous and more detailed knowledge of psoriasis pathophysiology has allowed identifying new therapeutic targets, which is expected to help overcome the challenges of individualized psoriasis treatment.

Incidence of tuberculosis among patients with rheumatoid arthritis using TNF blockers in Brazil: data from the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (Registro Brasileiro de Monitoração de Terapias Biológicas - BiobadaBrasil) / Incidência de tuberculose em pacientes com artrite reumatoide em uso de bloqueadores do TNF no Brasil: dados do Registro Brasileiro de Monitoração de Terapias Biológicas BiobadaBrasil

Abstract Objectives To assess the incidence of tuberculosis and to screen for latent tuberculosis infection among Brazilians with rheumatoid arthritis using biologics in clinical practice. Patients and methods This cohort study used data from the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (Registro Brasileiro de Monitoração de Terapias Biológicas - BiobadaBrasil), from 01/2009 to 05/2013, encompassing 1552 treatments, including 415 with only synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, 942 synthetic DMARDs combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) and 195 synthetic DMARDs combined with other biologics (abatacept, rituximab and tocilizumab). The occurrence of tuberculosis and the drug exposure time were assessed, and screening for tuberculosis was performed. Statistical analysis: Unpaired t-test and Fisher's two-tailed test; p < 0.05. Results The exposure times were 981 patient-years in the controls, 1744 patient-years in the anti-TNF group (adalimumab = 676, infliximab = 547 and etanercept = 521 patient-years) and 336 patient-years in the other biologics group. The incidence rates of tuberculosis were 1.01/1000 patient-years in the controls and 2.87 patient-years among anti-TNF users (adalimumab = 4.43/1000 patient-years; etanercept = 1.92/1000 patient-years and infliximab = 1.82/1000 patient-years). No cases of tuberculosis occurred in the other biologics group. The mean drug exposure time until the occurrence of tuberculosis was 27(11) months for the anti-TNF group. Conclusions The incidence of tuberculosis was higher among users of synthetic DMARDs and anti-TNF than among users of synthetic DMARDs and synthetic DMARDs and non-anti-TNF biologics and also occurred later, suggesting infection during treatment and no screening failure.

Resumo Objetivos Avaliar incidência de tuberculose e triagem para tuberculose latente em brasileiros com artrite reumatoide em uso de agentes biológicos na prática clinica. Pacientes e métodos Estudo de coorte com dados do Registro Brasileiro de Monitoração de Terapias Biológicas (BiobadaBrasil), de 01/2009 a 05/2013, abrangeu 1.552 tratamentos, 415 somente com drogas modificadoras do curso da doença (MMCDs) sintéticas, 942 MMCDs sintéticas em associação com anti-TNF (etanercepte, infliximabe, adalimumabe) e 195 MMCDs sintéticas em associação com outros biológicos (abatacepte, rituximabe e tocilizumabe). Avaliaram-se ocorrência de tuberculose, tempo de exposição às drogas e triagem para TB. Análise estatística: teste t não pareado e teste de Fisher bicaudal; p < 0,05. Resultados O tempo de exposição dos controles foi de 981 pacientes-ano, do grupo de anti-TNF foi de 1.744 pacientes-ano (adalimumabe = 676, infliximabe = 547 e etanercepte = 521 pacientes-ano) e o de outros biológicos de 336 pacientes-ano. A incidência de TB foi de 1,01/1.000 pacientes-ano nos controles e de 2,87 pacientes-ano nos usuários de anti-TNF (adalimumabe = 4,43/1.000 pacientes-ano; etanercepte = 1,92/1.000 pacientes-ano e infliximabe = 1,82/1.000 pacientes-ano). Não houve casos de tuberculose no grupo de outros biológicos. O tempo médio de exposição até a ocorrência de tuberculose foi de 27(11) meses para o grupo anti-TNF. Conclusões A incidência de tuberculose foi maior nos usuários de MMCDs sintéticas e anti-TNF do que nos usuários de MMCDs sintéticas e de MMCDs sintéticas e biológicos não anti-TNF, e também mais tardia, sugerindo infecção durante o tratamento, e não falha na triagem.

Hepatitis autoinmune refractaria: ¿cómo escoger el tratamiento de segunda línea o de rescate? / Refractory autoimmune hepatitis: how to choose second-line or rescue therapy?

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a liver disease of unknown etiology, with a breakdown in peripheral selftolerance against hepatocytes with both genetic and environmental factors involved. It is characterized by an immune mediated liver injury, with detectable autoantibodies, elevated levels of immunoglobulin G and histological criteria including, necroinflammation, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates and hepatitis interface. It can be asymptomatic or can present as acute hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. Most patients (70-80%) respond to first line therapy (based on steroids ± azathioprine). In those patients not tolerating azatioprine, in steroid resistant, and those with repeated relapses (20-40%), a long-term second line therapy must be considered to avoid progression of liver disease. This last medications include other immunosuppressants like mycophenolate mophetil, calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine or tacrolimus), biologic agents (infliximab and rituximab), and other immunosuppressive agents (sirolimus, everolimus), all with good overall clinical results, but not exempt of side effects. Other difficult scenarios include fulminant AIH, end-stage AIH cirrhosis and the management of post-transplant AIH. In this article we will review the literature related to second- line therapy especially of steroid resistant AIH. Future directions in the treatment of HAI should be guided to the individual patient (personalized) and may include cell therapies, such as infusion of autologous, antigen-specific, and liver-homing regulatory T cells to restore hepatic immune tolerance

La hepatitis autoinmune (HAI) es una hepatopatía de etiología desconocida, con pérdida de la tolerancia inmune contra los hepatocitos con factores genéticos y ambientales asociados. Se caracteriza por fenómenos de daño inmunológicos, con autoanticuerpos circulantes, una concentración elevada de gammaglobulina sérica y en la biopsia de hígado actividad necroinflamatoria, infiltrados linfoplasmocitarios y daño de interfase. La HAI es una entidad que se puede presentar en forma asintomática, como hepatitis aguda o como cirrosis hepática. El 70-80% de los pacientes responden adecuadamente al tratamiento inmunosupresor de primera línea (corticoides ± azatioprina). En los pacientes que no toleran azatioprina, en los corticorresistentes o en aquellos con recaídas repetidas a pesar de terapia (20-40%), es necesario recurrir a terapias de segunda línea de largo plazo, para evitar la progresión de la hepatopatía. Estas últimas incluyen micofenolato mofetil, inhibidores calcineurínicos (ciclosporina o tacrolimus), agentes biológicos (infliximab y rituximab), y otros fármacos inmunosupresores (sirolimus, everolimus), con resultados alentadores, pero no exentos de efectos colaterales. Otros escenarios complejos incluyen: la HAI de presentación aguda grave y fulminante, la cirrosis terminal autoinmune y la HAI post-trasplante. En este trabajo se revisa la literatura en relación a terapias de segunda línea especialmente en HAI corticoide resistente. El futuro del tratamiento de la HAI va encaminado a una terapia personalizada y que podría incluir terapias celulares como la infusión de células T regulatorias, antígeno específicas y autólogas, para reestablecer los mecanismos de tolerancia inmune hepática.

Use of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) antagonists in a patient with psoriasis and Chagas disease

There are several studies on the benefits of using TNFα antagonists in the treatment of psoriasis, but few studies addressing the interaction of these drugs with chronic infections. We report the case of a 52-year-old patient diagnosed with psoriasis refractory to traditional systemic agents, who was treated with biologic therapies. After one year of treatment with biologic agents, the patient was diagnosed with Chagas Disease.

Current and Emerging Biologics for Ulcerative Colitis

Conventional medical treatment for ulcerative colitis can have limited efficacy or severe adverse reactions requiring additional treatment or colectomy. Hence, different biological agents that target specific immunological pathways are being investigated for treating ulcerative colitis. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents were the first biologics to be used for treating inflammatory bowel disease. For example, infliximab and adalimumab, which are anti-TNF agents, are being used for treating ulcerative colitis. Recently, golimumab, another anti-TNF agent, and vedolizumab, an anti-adhesion therapy, have been approved for ulcerative colitis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition, new medications such as tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, and etrolizumab, another anti-adhesion therapy, are emerging as therapeutic agents. Therefore, there is a need for further studies to select appropriate patient groups for these biologics and to improve the outcomes of ulcerative colitis treatment through appropriate medical usage.

Impacto de la neumonía en España, 1992-2001 / Impact of pneumonia in Spain, 1992-2001

La neumonía es una enfermedad respiratoria originada por agentes biológicos. Presenta gran importancia en salud pública, por ser la principal causa individual de mortalidad infantil en todo el mundo, con distribución diferente en función del desarrollo de los países en los que acontezca. Caracterizar la neumonía en España para la serie 1992-2001, según el grupo de edad y sexo es el proposito de este artículo. Estos grupos se expresan según los años potenciales de vida perdidos y tasa de altas, los cuales sugieren que se precisen estrategias para la disminución de la neumonía, con especial atención a los niños y personas de edad avanzada, por lo que se estima oportuno la mejora en el diagnóstico y el fomento de prácticas relativas a la prevención y el tratamiento de la enfermedad. En España la neumonía presenta la mayor mortalidad en personas de edad avanzada. A pesar de que la morbilidad y mortalidad de la neumonía disminuyen a nivel mundial en algunos grupos de edad y regiones geográficas; se estima necesario el establecimiento de acciones continuadas que contribuyan definitivamente a su reducción(AU)

Pneumonia is a respiratory disease caused by biological agents. It is the main individual cause of child mortality worldwide, hence its great importance for public health, and its distribution varies in keeping with the degree of development of the countries where it occurs. The paper presents a characterization of pneumonia in Spain for the 1992-2001 period according to age and sex. Data are expressed in years of potential life lost and discharge rates. They suggest that strategies are required to reduce pneumonia, with special attention to children and elderly persons. It is advisable to improve diagnosis and foster actions related to prevention and treatment. In Spain pneumonia exhibits the highest mortality rates among elderly persons. Despite the current reduction in pneumonia morbidity and mortality in some age groups and geographic regions worldwide, it is necessary to implement continuing actions contributing to its definitive control(AU)

Atividade antibacteriana in vitro de pastas de hidróxido de cálcio associadas à bioprodutos frente a linhagens gram positivas e gram negativas / Antibacterial activity in vitro of calcium hydroxide paste associated to bioproducts against on Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains

Introdução: o hidróxido de cálcio Ca(OH)2 em endodontia, tem sido utilizado em pulpotomias, tratamento de perfurações radiculares, como componente de cimentos obturadores e como medicação intracanal, sendo que quando utilizado nesta última situação, é associado a um veículo com a finalidade de se obter a consistência de pasta. Assim, diferentes veículos têm sido propostos para associação ao Ca(OH)2. A atividade antimicrobiana do Ca(OH)2 está relacionada a liberação de íons hidroxila. Apesar de sua ampla utilização, esta substância não tem demonstrado eficácia sobre algumas cepas de micro-organismos in vivo. Objetivo: o propósito da presente pesquisa foi avaliar a atividade antibacteriana in vitro de várias pastas de Ca(OH)2 associadas com bioprodutos contra linhagens ATCC de Enterococcus. faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Escherichia coli. Métodos: os testes de susceptibilidade bacteriana frente às pastas, aos bioprodutos na forma de extratos e aos géis foram realizados pelo método da difusão, sobre ágar Mueller-Hinton. Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística, empregando-se o teste Kruskal-Wallis com nível de significância de 5 por cento. Resultados e Discussão: a clorexidina, tanto a 1 por cento como a 2 por cento, mostrou grande atividade antibacteriana pura, na forma de gel e associada como veículo ao Ca(OH)2, estatisticamente significante (p<0,05). Todas as pastas de Ca(OH)2 revelaram efetividade contra todos os micro-organismos testados com exceção da pasta cujo veículo foi o óleo de alho. Frente ao St. pyogenes, somente as pastas de clorexidina 1 por cento e 2 por cento revelaram efetividade. As pastas de Ca(OH)2 cujos veículos puros revelaram atividade antibacteriana, não foram potencializadas para atividade antibacteriana.

Introduction: calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 is a highly alkaline white powder that has been used in Endodontics in pulpotomies, treatment of root perforations, as component of sealers and intracanal medication; when used for the latter purpose, it is associated with a vehicle to achieve a paste consistency. Thus, different vehicles have been proposed for association with Ca(OH)2. The antimicrobial activity of Ca(OH)2 is related to the release of hydroxyl ions. Despite its wide utilization, this substance has not been demonstrated to be effective against some microorganism stains in vivo. Objective: this study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of several Ca (OH)2 pastes associated with bioproducts against ATCC strains of E. faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Methods: thebacterial susceptibility test to the pastes of bioproducts in extract andgel was analyzed by the paste diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. Data were statistically analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test at a significance level of 5 per cent. Results and Discussion: chlorhexidine, both at 1 per cent and 2 per cent, presented wide antibacterial activity both pure, in gel and associated as vehicle to Ca(OH)2, with statistical significance (p<0.05). All Ca(OH)2 pastes were effective against all microorganisms tested, except for the paste with garlic oil as vehicle. Concerning the St. pyogenes, only 1 per cent and 2 per cent chlorhexidine pastes were effective. The Ca(OH)2 pastes whose pure vehicles presented antibacterial activity were not strengthened for the antibacterial activity.

Efeitos do extrato de Chenopodium ambrosioides L. na cistite induzida pela ciclofosfamida / Effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. extract on cyclophosphamide induced cystitis

A cistite hemorrágica (CH) consiste em um processo inflamatório difuso de origem infecciosa ou não que resulta em um sangramento da mucosa vesical. As CH crônicas recorrentes induzidas pela ciclofosfamida (CYP) são um desafio na prática clínica pela alta morbidade e por vezes mortalidade dos pacientes. O tratamento da CH induzida pela ciclofosfamida consiste no uso de MESNA, disulfiram, N-acetil-cisteína, anti-inflamatório, oxigênio hiperbárico, hiper-hidratação e irrigação vesical, mas novas terapias têm sido investigadas, inclusive usando produtos naturais. A espécie vegetal Chenopodium ambrosioides L., conhecida popularmente como mastruz, mastruço e erva-de-Santa-Maria, tem sido relatada pela população como anti-inflamatório e analgésico. O presente estudo investigou os efeitos do extrato bruto hidroalcoólico de folhas de Chenopodium ambrosioides na CH induzida pela ciclofosfamida em ratos. Vinte e nove ratos receberam 150 mg/kg de CYP por via intraperitoneal (i.p.) para indução de CH e em seguida foram divididos em três grupos: controle negativo (CN), tratados com soro fisiológico a 0,9%; extrato bruto hidroalcoólico de Chenopodium ambrosioides (EBHCa), tratado com dose única de 50 mg/kg de extrato bruto hidroalcoólico de Chenopodium ambrosioides (EBH) e controle positivo (CP), tratados com dose única de 15 mg/kg de diclofenaco de potássio, todos por gavagem. Após 48 horas da indução da CH os animais foram sacrificados para retirada da bexiga, que foi preparada para análise histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica. O EBH foi capaz de diminuir o peso da bexiga e histologicamente a inflamação aguda e crônica da bexiga, a extensão do infiltrado inflamatório na parede vesical e a neoformação capilar do mesmo modo que o diclofenaco de potássio, quando comparados ao grupo CN. Observou-se ainda uma redução da expressão imuno-histoquímica de cicloxigenase-2 (COX-2) e do fator nuclear kappa B (NFB) na bexiga. No presente estudo o EBH das folhas de Chenopodium...

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) consists of a diffuse inflammatory process that results on the bleeding of the bladder mucosa due to infectious or noninfectious etiology. Chronically recurrent CYP induced HC remains a challenge to clinical practice given its high morbidity and sometimes mortality of patients. Treatment consists of administering MESNA, disulfiram, N-acetylcysteine, anti-inflammatory, hyperbaric oxygen, hyperhydration and bladder irrigation, though new therapies have been investigated, such as the use of natural products. Popularly known as mastruz, mastruço and erva-de-Santa-Maria, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. has been generally reported by people as having anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The following study investigated the effects of a hydroalcoholic crude extract (EBH) of Chenopodium ambrosioides leaves on cyclophosphamide (CYP) induced HC in rats. In order to induce HC, twenty nine rats were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 150mg/kg of CYP and then divided into three groups: negative control (NC) were treated with 0,9% saline solution; hydroalcoholic crude extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides (EBHCa) were treated with a single dose of 50 mg/kg of EBH administered and positive control (PC) were treated with a single dose of 15 mg/kg of diclofenac potassium, all of them by gavage. After 48 hours of HC induction, all rats were sacrificed, their bladders removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. EBH was able to decrease bladder weight and histologically decrease acute and chronic bladder inflammation, decrease on the infiltrated inflammatory extension of the bladder wall and capillary neoformation in the same way of those from group CN. There was also a reduction in the immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) in the bladder. In this study, Chenopodium ambrosioides leaves EBH showed anti-inflammatory activity which was similar to results...

Breast cancer management: Past, present and evolving.

Breast cancer is known from ancient time,and the treatment strategy evolved as our understanding of the disease changed with time. In 460 BC Hippocrates described breast cancer as a humoral disease and presently after a lot of studies breast cancer is considered as a local disease with systemic roots. For most of the twentieth century Halsted radical mastectomy was the "established and standardized operation for cancer of the breast in all stages, early or late". New information about tumor biology and its behavior suggested that less radical surgery might be just as effective as the more extensive one. Eventually, with the use of adjuvant therapy likeradiation and systemic therapy, the extent of surgical resection in the breast and axilla got reduced further and led to an era of breast conservation. The radiation treatment of breast cancer has evolved from 2D to 3D Conformal and to accelarated partial breast irradiation, aiming to reduce normal tissue toxicity and overall treatment time. Systemic therapy in the form of hormone therapy, chemotherapy and biological agents is now a well-established modality in treatment of breast cancer. The current perspective of breast cancer management is based on the rapidly evolving and increasingly integrated study on the genetic, molecular , biochemical and cellular basis of disease. The challenge for the future is to take advantage of this knowledge for the prediction of therapeutic outcome and develop therapies and rapidly apply more novel biologic therapeutics.

Complications among premature neonates treated with beractant and poractant alfa.

Objective. To compare the complications among preterm infants treated with two different natural surfactants. Methods. In a randomized clinical trial, 150 preterm infants with Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) treated with exogenous surfactant, were enrolled in the study. Group A consisted of 79 neonates that received poractant (curosurf). Seventy one newborn infants in group B were treated with beractant (Survanta). Results. The mean gestational age for group A and B were 29.40±2.90 wk and 29.50±2.73 wk (P=0.82), respectively. The demographic and clinical variables were similar in both groups. The mean duration of intubation (as a primary outcome) was significantly shorter in infants treated with poractant (3.13±1.80 vs 4.06±2.7 days p=0.05). The mean duration of need for oxygen and hospitalization of patients in group A and B were 17.73±22.25 vs 19.14±17.85days (p=0.67) and 24.89±26.41 vs 29.14±23.54 days (p= 0.32), respectively. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to mortality and morbidity, including pulmonary hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (secondary outcome). Conclusions. In this study, infants who received poractant had shorter duration of intubation than infants treated with beractant, without any difference in the duration of oxygen therapy or hospitalization. There was no significant superiority of poractant over beractant.

Antibióticos naturales: mito o realidad / Natural antibiotics: mith or reality

Desde su descubrimiento, el uso indiscriminado de los antibióticos en la práctica médica ha provocado, entre otros males, el desarrollo de cepas bacterianas resistentes. Con el objetivo de brindar un material ameno y actualizado, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica profundizando en los antecedentes históricos del tema y las nuevas tendencias vigentes a nivel mundial para el tratamiento de los casos. Se concluyó que es necesario crear conciencia sobre las consecuencias que se derivan del uso irracional de los antibióticos, ya bien sea por el personal médico como en la comunidad; y que deben aplicarse acciones médicas específicas encaminadas a la promoción de estilos de vida saludables y a la prevención de las enfermedades, utilizando medios naturales o tradicionales de curación aplicados en perfecta armonía con nuestra medicina tecnológica actual

Avaliação da atividade antifúngica do ajoene derivado do Allium sativum (Liliaceaea) no tratamento da paracoccidioidomicose experimental / Evaluation of the antifungal activity of ajoene derived from the Allium sativum (Liliaceaea) in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis experimental

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, pela primeira vez, a atividade do AJOENE, produto natural isolado do extrato do alho (Allium sativum), in vivo na infecção experimental com Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Grupos de camundongos Swiss (n=40) foram inoculados por via intraperitonial com 5x106 células leveduriformes com a cepa Pb18. Quatro semanas após a infeccão, um dos grupos foi tratado com Itraconazol, droga de referência (20mg/kg, 1x dia, vo), outro grupo recebeu AJOENE (20mg/kg, dias alternados, ip), o terceiro grupo não recebeu tratamento, sendo considerado controle positivo e o quarto grupo foi constituído de animais não infectado e não tratado e foi considerado controle negativo. Após 2, 6, 10 e 13 semanas de tratamento, foi realizada a coleta do sangue e alguns parâmetros foram determinados para a avaliação da infecção e do tratamento. O sangue total foi utilizado para testes hematológicos como: contagem global e diferencial de leucócitos. O soro foi utilizado para avaliação do perfil bioquímico através da dosagem das enzimas Aspartato Aminotransferase (AST), Fosfatase Alcalina (FAL), Amilase e também a avaliação dos níveis de anticorpos anti-Pb através do teste de ELISA clássico. Também, através de análise histopatológica houve demonstração do fungo nos tecidos. Os resultados sugerem que o AJOENE apresentou atividade antifúngica para P. brasilensis, pois reduziu significativamente os níveis de anticorpos anti-Paracoccidioides brasiliensis a partir de 10ª semana de tratamento

Análisis del balance riesgo-beneficio de la terapéutica con productos naturales: consideraciones preclínicas, clínicas y regulatorias / Analysis of the balance risk-benefit of the therapy with products natural: considerations clinical and regulatory preclinicas

El uso de los productos naturales con postulados terapéuticos, como con cualquier otro medicamento, debe sustentarse en un conocido balance riesgo-beneficio, el cual debe haberse comprobado sobre bases científicas. Se evalúan estudios farmacológicos y clínicos seleccionados sobre el extracto estandarizado de la raíz del Panax ginseng como un ejemplo de las investigaciones que se pueden realizar con este tipo de sustancias.Se sugiere reanalizar conceptos como "terapia coadyuvante" o "complementaria" por considerarlos inexactos y, así mismo, se propone profundizar el estudio y la discusión sobre el análisis riesgo-beneficio en la terapéutica con productos naturales