Effects of zoledronic acid therapy in fibrous dysplasia of bone: a single-center experience

ABSTRACT Objective: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare bone disorder that can involve any part of the skeleton, leading to bone pain, deformities, and fractures. Treatment with intravenous bisphosphonates has been used with variable results. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of zoledronic acid (ZA) therapy in patients with monostotic or polyostotic FD. Subjects and methods: The medical records of thirteen patients with FD evaluated between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. In the subgroup of patients treated with ZA (n = 7), data on pain relief, changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs), and adverse events following ZA infusions were retrieved. Moreover, radiological changes in response to treatment were recorded in patients who underwent radiological follow-up. Results: Of the patients, 5 (38%) presented with monostotic whereas 8 (62%) had polyostotic FD. Bone pain was a common finding (69%), and most patients (62%) exhibited elevated baseline BTMs. Partial or complete pain relief was reported in 6 of 7 patients treated with ZA. BTMs, especially C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), significantly decreased after therapy (change rate: −61.8% [IQR −71, −60%]), and median CTX levels were significantly lower than at baseline (0.296 ng/mL [0.216, 0.298] vs. 0.742 ng/mL [0.549, 0.907], respectively; P = 0.04). No radiological improvement was observed in cases with radiological follow-up (n = 3). No serious adverse effects of ZA were reported. Conclusion: ZA treatment was well tolerated and provided beneficial effects in relieving bone pain and reducing BTMs, especially CTX. Our data reinforce the role of ZA in the treatment of FD-related bone pain.

Pneumoperitônio idiopático em idoso ­ Relato de Caso / Idiopathic Pneumoperitoneum in the Elderly - Case Report

Introdução: O pneumoperitônio frequentemente é causado por perfurações de vísceras ocas, mas, quando não se identifica uma etiologia, é dito idiopático. Relato de caso: Paciente com 80 anos, admitido com quadro de dor abdominal, em pontada, contínua, especialmente em quadrante inferior esquerdo e parada de eliminação de gases e fezes há seis dias. Apresentava-se sudorético, taquicárdico, normotenso, ausculta cardiopulmonar inocente. Passado de colecistectomia e apendicectomia. Exames laboratoriais inalterados. Radiografia e tomografia computadorizada de abdome evidenciaram pneumoperitônio em região subfrênica direita. Paciente foi submetido à laparotomia exploradora e não foram evidenciados sinais de perfuração de víscera oca pós-busca minuciosa da etiologia. Conclusão: Trata-se realmente de causa idiopática, tendo evoluído bem após o procedimento. Entretanto, não há consenso em relação ao melhor tipo de intervenção.

Introduction: Pneumoperitoneum is often caused by perforations of hollow viscera, but when an etiology is not identified, it is said to be idiopathic. Case report: A patient with 80 years of age, admitted with continuous abdominal pain, especially in the lower left quadrant and Stopping gas and stool for six days. She presented sweating, tachycardia, normotensive, and innocent cardiopulmonary auscultation. Past Cholecystectomy and appendectomy. Unchanged laboratory tests. Radiography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed pneumoperitoneum In the right subphrenic region. Patient was submitted to exploratory laparotomy and no signs of hollow viscera perforation were found after search The etiology. Conclusion: This is indeed an idiopathic cause, having evolved well after the procedure. However, there is no consensus Relation to the best type of intervention.

Desreguladores endócrinos e desenvolvimento puberal humano / Endocrine disruptors and human pubertal development

Múltiplos fatores genéticos e ambientais influenciam o início da puberdade. Acredita-se que a melhora das condições nutricionais e de saúde pública sejam os principais fatores relacionados ao declínio na idade de início da puberdade observado ao longo do último século. No entanto, a exposição a compostos desreguladores endócrinos pode apresentar um papel nesse processo. Os desreguladores endócrinos são definidos como compostos exógenos que podem interferir no funcionamento do sistema endócrino humano ou de qualquer animal. No presente artigo, as autoras fazem uma revisão sobre os desreguladores endócrinos e seu papel no desenvolvimento puberal humano.

Multiple genetic and environmental factors influence the onset of puberty. It is believed that better nutrition and public health are the main factors related to the earlier onset of puberty observed over the last century. Nonetheless, exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds may also play a role in this process. Endocrine disruptors are defined as exogenous compounds that might interfere with the functioning of the animal and human endocrine systems. In this article, the authors review endocrine disruptors and their role in human pubertal development.