Clinical course and disease burden of patients with generalized pustular psoriasis in Portugal: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, life-threatening skin inflammatory disorder. This study aimed to describe the disease course, treatment strategies, and healthcare utilization among patients with GPP in Portugal. METHODS: This multicentric, observational, retrospective study included consecutive adult patients with GPP undergoing a dermatology evaluation in different reporting institutions by experienced dermatologists between 2002 and 2023. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were assessed. Most of the cohort had a previous history of plaque psoriasis (71%) and 83% presented at least one comorbidity. At the initial encounter, 64% of the cohort needed hospitalization. Systemic involvement was common, including fever (37%), and elevated white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein (49%). Nearly, 73% of patients initiated systemic drugs, and 70% had to discontinue the first treatment. During the study, 98% of patients experienced at least one flare. At the last visit, 3.4% of patients had died, and 71.2% exhibited signs of active disease despite undergoing treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that GPP is a chronic, debilitating condition associated with systemic involvement, frequent flares, and hospitalizations, despite receiving multiple systemic treatments. Improved disease awareness and new treatments are needed to improve patient care and decrease the burden of the disease.

Radiotherapy Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cell Lines Treated with Gold Nanorods Modulate miRNA Signatures.

MicroRNA (miRNA) modulation has been identified as a promising strategy for improving the response of human prostate cancer (PCa) to radiotherapy (RT). Studies have shown that mimics or inhibitors of miRNAs could modulate the sensitivity of PCa cells to RT. In addition, pegylated gold nanoparticles have been studied as a therapeutic approach to treat PCa cells and/or vehicles for carrying miRNAs to the inside of cells. Therefore, we evaluated the capacity of hypofractionated RT and pegylated gold nanorods (AuNPr-PEG) to modulate the miRNA signature on PCa cells. Thus, RT-qPCR was used to analyze miRNA-95, miRNA-106-5p, miRNA-145-5p, and miRNA-541-3p on three human metastatic prostate cell lines (PC3, DU145, and LNCaP) and one human prostate epithelial cell line (HprEpiC, a non-tumor cell line) with and without treatment. Our results showed that miRNA expression levels depend on cell type and the treatment combination applied using RT and AuNPr-PEG. In addition, cells pre-treated with AuNPr-PEG and submitted to 2.5 Gy per day for 3 days decreased the expression levels of miRNA-95, miRNA-106, miRNA-145, and miRNA-541-3p. In conclusion, PCa patients submitted to hypofractionated RT could receive personalized treatment based on their metastatic cellular miRNA signature, and AuNPr-PEG could be used to increase metastatic cell radiosensitivity.

Genomic Divergence and the Evolution of Ecotypes in Bottlenose Dolphins (Genus Tursiops).

Climatic changes have caused major environmental restructuring throughout the world's oceans. Marine organisms have responded to novel conditions through various biological systems, including genomic adaptation. Growing accessibility of next-generation DNA sequencing methods to study nonmodel species has recently allowed genomic changes underlying environmental adaptations to be investigated. This study used double-digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequence data to investigate the genomic basis of ecotype formation across currently recognized species and subspecies of bottlenose dolphins (genus Tursiops) in the Southern Hemisphere. Subspecies-level genomic divergence was confirmed between the offshore common bottlenose dolphin (T. truncatus truncatus) and the inshore Lahille's bottlenose dolphin (T. t. gephyreus) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWAO). Similarly, subspecies-level divergence is suggested between inshore (eastern Australia) Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (T. aduncus) and the proposed Burrunan dolphin (T. australis) from southern Australia. Inshore bottlenose dolphin lineages generally had lower genomic diversity than offshore lineages, a pattern particularly evident for T. t. gephyreus, which showed exceptionally low diversity. Genomic regions associated with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and energy production systems appear to have undergone repeated adaptive evolution in inshore lineages across the Southern Hemisphere. We hypothesize that comparable selective pressures in the inshore environment drove similar adaptive responses in each lineage, supporting parallel evolution of inshore bottlenose dolphins. With climate change altering marine ecosystems worldwide, it is crucial to gain an understanding of the adaptive capacity of local species and populations. Our study provides insights into key adaptive pathways that may be important for the long-term survival of cetaceans and other organisms in a changing marine environment.

Integrated NMR and MS Analysis of the Plasma Metabolome Reveals Major Changes in One-Carbon, Lipid, and Amino Acid Metabolism in Severe and Fatal Cases of COVID-19.

Brazil has the second-highest COVID-19 death rate worldwide, and Rio de Janeiro is among the states with the highest rate in the country. Although vaccine coverage has been achieved, it is anticipated that COVID-19 will transition into an endemic disease. It is concerning that the molecular mechanisms underlying clinical evolution from mild to severe disease, as well as the mechanisms leading to long COVID-19, are not yet fully understood. NMR and MS-based metabolomics were used to identify metabolites associated with COVID-19 pathophysiology and disease outcome. Severe COVID-19 cases (n = 35) were enrolled in two reference centers in Rio de Janeiro within 72 h of ICU admission, alongside 12 non-infected control subjects. COVID-19 patients were grouped into survivors (n = 18) and non-survivors (n = 17). Choline-related metabolites, serine, glycine, and betaine, were reduced in severe COVID-19, indicating dysregulation in methyl donors. Non-survivors had higher levels of creatine/creatinine, 4-hydroxyproline, gluconic acid, and N-acetylserine, indicating liver and kidney dysfunction. Several changes were greater in women; thus, patients' sex should be considered in pandemic surveillance to achieve better disease stratification and improve outcomes. These metabolic alterations may be useful to monitor organ (dys) function and to understand the pathophysiology of acute and possibly post-acute COVID-19 syndromes.

Incidence and risk factors of abdominal compartment syndrome in pediatric oncology patients: a prospective cohort study.

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has been the subject of increasing research over the past decade owing to its effects on morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. This study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of ACS in patients in an onco-hematological pediatric intensive care unit in a middle-income country and to analyze patient outcomes. This prospective cohort study was conducted between May 2015 and October 2017. Altogether, 253 patients were admitted to the PICU, and 54 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements. IAP was measured using the intra-bladder indirect technique with a closed system (AbViser AutoValve®, Wolfle Tory Medical Inc., USA) in patients with clinical indications for indwelling bladder catheterization. Definitions from the World Society for ACS were used. The data were entered into a database and analyzed. The median age was 5.79 years, and the median pediatric risk of mortality score was 7.1. The incidence of ACS was 27.7%. Fluid resuscitation was a significant risk factor for ACS in the univariate analysis. The mortality rates in the ACS and non-ACS groups were 46.6% and 17.9%, respectively (P < 0.05). This is the first study of ACS in critically ill children with cancer.   Conclusion: The incidence and mortality rates were high, justifying IAP measurement in children with ACS risk factors.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in milk of dairy cows from southern Brazil.

Consumption of unpasteurized cow's milk may be a transmission route for some pathogenic microorganisms, but there is little information about the risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Blood and milk samples were collected in a paired and random fashion from 106 dairy cows and bulk-tank milk samples were also collected from each of the six farms, in southern Brazil. Serum anti-T.gondii antibodies (IgG) were detected by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) with a cutoff point of 1:64. Nested PCR targeting the ITS1 was performed on milk samples to detect the Sarcocystidae family, confirmed to be T.gondii by Sanger sequencing. The occurrence of anti-T.gondii antibodies in the herds was 14.1%, (15/106) with seropositive cows in all herds. Antibody titers in positive samples ranged from 64 to 128. T.gondii DNA was detected in 2.8% (03/106) of the milk samples. The ITS1 sequences generated in this study were ON809793 - ON809794 and the sequencing revealed 98-100% identity with T. gondii DNA sequences deposited in GenBank. All cows PCR positive for T.gondii in milk were negative for IgG antibodies in serum, suggesting that naturally infected cows may shed T. gondii in milk in the acute phase of infection. The results of this study demonstrate that T. gondii DNA may be detected in raw cow's milk, so the potential risks of lactogenic infection should be considered. The presence of T. gondii DNA in milk does not confirm that the protozoa are viable and infective, and further investigations into the role of cow's milk in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis are needed.

Desafíos y estrategias para mantenerse físicamente activo ante la pandemia de Covid-19: Revisión del tema / Challenges and strategies to stay physically active in the face of COVID-19 pandemic: A review

SUMMARY The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 has influenced peoples' lifestyles. Home-confinement scenario might impair physical activity practice, resulting in new challenges for maintaining health during the pandemic of the COVID-19. The aim of this study was to present the current context of COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the practice of physical activity, and the strategies available to remain active during home-confinement according to international recommendations. The narrative review was conducted based on studies that analyzed themes related to physical activity and COVID-19. Virtual Health Library (VHL), CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant papers. Although an increased number of experimental studies are still necessary, people should devote more time to physical activity during social isolation. Guidelines were adjusted by international entities in order to encourage people to remain active, through practice regular physical activity, using alternative strategies such as fitness program applications, exergames, online exercise classes, and even chores. Reduction of prolonged sedentary behavior could contribute to maintain health and improve quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

La pandemia provocada por la Covid-19 ha influido en los estilos de vida de las personas. El escenario de confinamiento domiciliario podría perjudicar la práctica de actividad física, generando nuevos desafíos para el mantenimiento de la salud durante la pandemia de la Covid-19. El objetivo de este estudio fue presentar el contexto actual de la pandemia de Covid-19, su impacto en la práctica de actividad física y las estrategias disponibles para mantenerse activo durante el confinamiento domiciliario según las recomendaciones internacionales. La revisión narrativa se realizó con base en estudios que analizaron temas relacionados con la actividad física y la Covid-19. Se realizaron búsquedas de artículos relevantes en las bases de datos Virtual Health Library (BVS), CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, SPORTDiscus y Web of Science. Aunque todavía es necesario un mayor número de estudios experimentales, las personas deberían dedicar más tiempo a la actividad física durante el aislamiento social. Las pautas fueron ajustadas por entidades internacionales para alentar a las personas a mantenerse activas, mediante la práctica de actividad física regular, utilizando estrategias alternativas como aplicaciones de programas de acondicionamiento físico, exergames, clases de ejercicios en línea e incluso tareas domésticas. La reducción del sedentarismo prolongado podría contribuir a mantener la salud y mejorar la calidad de vida durante la pandemia de Covid-19.

Combination of Naltrexone and Isotretinoin for the Treatment of Darier Disease.

Darier disease (DD) is an autosomal-dominant genodermatosis in which mutations in the ATP2A2 gene result in impaired intercellular adhesion and epidermal blistering. Treatment options usually rely on systemic retinoids, but a refractory disease is still a therapeutical challenge. Given the similarity of DD pathogenesis with Hailey-Hailey disease, concomitant treatment with low-dose-naltrexone (LDN) has been proposed. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with a 20-year history of severe, biopsy-proven DD, previously treated with several unsuccessful topical and systemic treatments, including oral isotretinoin, cyclosporine, doxycycline, methotrexate, acitretin, and subcutaneous adalimumab. At presentation, she had widespread keratotic, crusted, brown papules on her trunk and proximal extremities. Treatment with oral LDN (4.5 mg/day in manipulated tablets) was then initiated while maintaining the current isotretinoin therapy. After three months, there was a nearly complete clearance of the lesions, and no adverse effects were reported.

Application of Gold Nanoparticles as Radiosensitizer for Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cell Lines.

More than 50% of all prostate cancer (PCa) patients are treated by radiotherapy (RT). Radioresistance and cancer recurrence are two consequences of the therapy and are related to dose heterogeneity and non-selectivity between normal and tumoral cells. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could be used as potential radiosensitizers to overcome these therapeutic limitations of RT. This study assessed the biological interaction of different morphologies of AuNPs with ionizing radiation (IR) in PCa cells. To achieve that aim, three different amine-pegylated AuNPs were synthesized with distinct sizes and shapes (spherical, AuNPsp-PEG, star, AuNPst-PEG, and rods, AuNPr-PEG) and viability, injury and colony assays were used to analyze their biological effect on PCa cells (PC3, DU145, and LNCaP) when submitted to the accumulative fraction of RT. The combinatory effect of AuNPs with IR decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis compared to cells treated only with IR or untreated cells. Additionally, our results showed an increase in the sensitization enhancement ratio by cells treated with AuNPs and IR, and this effect is cell line dependent. Our findings support that the design of AuNPs modulated their cellular behavior and suggested that AuNPs could improve the RT efficacy in PCa cells.

Placental F4-Neuroprostanes and F2-Isoprostanes are altered in gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal obesity.

We investigated whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) associated with maternal obesity modifies the placental profile of F4-Neuroprostanes and F2-Isoprostanes, metabolites of non-enzymatic oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), respectively. Twenty-five placental samples were divided into lean (n=11), obesity (n=7) and overweight/obesity+GDM (n=7) groups. F4-Neuroprostanes and F2-Isoprostanes were higher in obesity compared to lean controls, but reduced to levels similar to lean women when obesity is further complicated with GDM. Lower content of F2-Isoprostanes suggests adaptive placental responses in GDM attenuating oxidative stress. However, low levels of placental F4-Neuroprostanes may indicate impaired DHA metabolism in GDM, affecting fetal development and offspring health. These results were not related to differences in placental content of DHA, AA and polyunsaturated fatty acids status nor to maternal diet or gestational weight gain. Placental DHA and AA metabolism differs in obesity and GDM, highlighting the importance of investigating the signalling roles of F4-Neuroprostanes and F2-Isoprostanes in the human term placenta.

Epidemiology of Psoriasis in Portugal: A Population-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and inflammatory skin disorder with a high personal, social and economic burden and important implications for healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to provide an epidemiological characterization of individuals with psoriasis in Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A large observational, cross-sectional, nationwide, population-based survey study developed by the Portuguese Psoriasis Group of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology (GPP-SPDV). A structured questionnaire was designed and applied by experienced interviewers to a random, representative sample of Portuguese individuals with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. Patients were considered to have psoriasis if they replied positively to one of the following questions: "Does any physician have ever diagnosed you with psoriasis?" or "Do you have a skin disorder characterized by scaling, reddish skin lesions located in the elbows/knees/scalp?". RESULTS: A total of 6381 individuals were interviewed, of which 283 met the criteria for psoriasis, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 4.4% (95% CI 3.95 - 4.98). Out of the participants that met psoriasis criteria, 24% had suggestive signs/symptoms but did not have a clinical diagnosis established and were not being monitored by a physician. Although more than 70% of participants had active disease (scaling, erythema, or pruritus) and one third had joint symptoms, only 12% were on systemic treatment. Fifty percent of participants with psoriasis (n = 139) had relevant comorbidities (most frequently depression/anxiety and cardiometabolic diseases). Sixteen percent of participants with psoriasis (n = 46) reported that psoriasis interfered with their daily activities (median impact of 5 in a 0 - 10 scale) and 12% mentioned the disease had an impact in their sexual life (median impact of 5 in a 0 - 10 scale). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the prevalence rate of psoriasis is likely to be high in Portugal, and several gaps exist at different levels of healthcare delivery to these patients, from diagnosis to treatment. This study provides important data for the future planning of interventions targeting the improvement of psoriasis care in Portugal.

Sphingolipids and acylcarnitines are altered in placentas from women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common medical complication of pregnancy and a severe threat to pregnant people and offspring health. The molecular origins of GDM, and in particular the placental responses, are not fully known. The present study aimed to perform a comprehensive characterisation of the lipid species in placentas from pregnancies complicated with GDM using high-resolution MS lipidomics, with a particular focus on sphingolipids and acylcarnitines in a semi-targeted approach. The results indicated that despite no major disruption in lipid metabolism, placentas from GDM pregnancies showed significant alterations in sphingolipids, mostly lower abundance of total ceramides. Additionally, very long-chain ceramides and sphingomyelins with twenty-four carbons were lower, and glucosylceramides with sixteen carbons were higher in placentas from GDM pregnancies. Semi-targeted lipidomics revealed the strong impact of GDM on the placental acylcarnitine profile, particularly lower contents of medium and long-chain fatty-acyl carnitine species. The lower contents of sphingolipids may affect the secretory function of the placenta, and lower contents of long-chain fatty acylcarnitines is suggestive of mitochondrial dysfunction. These alterations in placental lipid metabolism may have consequences for fetal growth and development.

A large-scale sentiment analysis of tweets pertaining to the 2020 US presidential election.

We capture the public sentiment towards candidates in the 2020 US Presidential Elections, by analyzing 7.6 million tweets sent out between October 31st and November 9th, 2020. We apply a novel approach to first identify tweets and user accounts in our database that were later deleted or suspended from Twitter. This approach allows us to observe the sentiment held for each presidential candidate across various groups of users and tweets: accessible tweets and accounts, deleted tweets and accounts, and suspended or inaccessible tweets and accounts. We compare the sentiment scores calculated for these groups and provide key insights into the differences. Most notably, we show that deleted tweets, posted after the Election Day, were more favorable to Joe Biden, and the ones posted leading to the Election Day, were more positive about Donald Trump. Also, the older a Twitter account was, the more positive tweets it would post about Joe Biden. The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of conducting sentiment analysis on all posts captured in real time, including those that are now inaccessible, in determining the true sentiments of the opinions around the time of an event.

Acute kidney injury associated with dengue virus infection: a review / Injúria renal aguda associada à infecção pelo vírus da dengue: uma revisão

Abstract Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the least studied complications of dengue, but it carries high mortality rates and prolonged hospital stay. Due to the severity of this complication, the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the increasing number of dengue cases reported worldwide, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, including Brazil, we embarked on this narrative review, aimed to update the epidemiology of AKI associated with dengue, elucidate the main pathophysiological mechanisms of AKI caused by the dengue virus infection, as well as discuss useful information on the prevention and management of AKI in patients with dengue.

Resumo A injúria renal aguda (IRA) é uma das complicações da dengue menos estudadas, mas que acarreta altas taxas de mortalidade e prolongamento do tempo de internação. Devido à gravidade dessa complicação, ao risco de desenvolvimento de doença renal crônica (DRC) e ao número crescente de casos de dengue relatados no mundo, particularmente nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais da África, Sudeste Asiático e América do Sul, incluindo o Brasil, foi proposta esta revisão narrativa que objetivou atualizar a epidemiologia da IRA associada à dengue, elucidar os principais mecanismos fisiopatológicos da IRA causada pela infecção do vírus da dengue, assim como discutir informações úteis sobre a prevenção e o manejo da IRA em pacientes com dengue.

Bringing the Spotlight to Tau and TDP-43 in Frontotemporal Dementia: A Review of Promising Chemical Compounds.

There is a wide variety of neurodegenerative diseases, among which frontotemporal dementia stands out. These are the second most frequent cause of dementia in the world and demand the search for an effective treatment. This disease is linked to the abnormal behavior of proteins, which group together to form insoluble aggregates. It has been shown that the tau protein and TDP-43 are the main proteins involved in these pathologies. This article details 11 compounds already used in different neuropathologies, which may serve as potential drugs against these proteins. The mechanism of how most of these molecules inhibited the tau and TDP-43 aggregation process was highlighted. Importantly, Curcumin, Proanthocyanidin B2, Oleocanthal, Oleuropein Aglycone, Thionine, and Resveratrol had been reported as direct inhibitors of tau. While 4-aminoquinoline, Dimethoxycurcumin, and Auranofin directly inhibited TDP-43. Epigallocatechin- 3- gallate and Methylene Blue were described as tau and TDP-43 inhibitors. In this review, it is proposed that future research could elucidate the detailed inhibition mechanisms of these compounds to obtain relevant data to advance in treatments search for these coexisting proteins in frontotemporal dementia.

Acute kidney injury associated with dengue virus infection: a review.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the least studied complications of dengue, but it carries high mortality rates and prolonged hospital stay. Due to the severity of this complication, the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the increasing number of dengue cases reported worldwide, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, including Brazil, we embarked on this narrative review, aimed to update the epidemiology of AKI associated with dengue, elucidate the main pathophysiological mechanisms of AKI caused by the dengue virus infection, as well as discuss useful information on the prevention and management of AKI in patients with dengue.

Decreased Fatty Acid Transporter FABP1 and Increased Isoprostanes and Neuroprostanes in the Human Term Placenta: Implications for Inflammation and Birth Weight in Maternal Pre-Gestational Obesity.

The rise in prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age in developed and developing countries might propagate intergenerational cycles of detrimental effects on metabolic health. Placental lipid metabolism is disrupted by maternal obesity, which possibly affects the life-long health of the offspring. Here, we investigated placental lipid metabolism in women with pre-gestational obesity as a sole pregnancy complication and compared it to placental responses of lean women. Open profile and targeted lipidomics were used to assess placental lipids and oxidised products of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), respectively, neuroprostanes and isoprostanes. Despite no overall signs of lipid accumulation, DHA and AA levels in placentas from obese women were, respectively, 2.2 and 2.5 times higher than those from lean women. Additionally, a 2-fold increase in DHA-derived neuroprostanes and a 1.7-fold increase in AA-derived isoprostanes were seen in the obese group. These changes correlated with a 70% decrease in placental FABP1 protein. Multivariate analyses suggested that neuroprostanes and isoprostanes are associated with maternal and placental inflammation and with birth weight. These results might shed light on the molecular mechanisms associated with altered placental fatty acid metabolism in maternal pre-gestational obesity, placing these oxidised fatty acids as novel mediators of placental function.

Agenesia e fatores associados em pacientes portadores de fissura labiopalatina: uma revisão de literatura / Agenesis and associated factors in patients with cleft lip and palate: a review of the literature

Objetivo: verificar as principais agenesias dentárias e os fatores associados em portadores de fissura labiopalatina por meio de uma revisão de literatura. Métodos: foi realizada uma revisão de literatura utilizando as bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Google Acadêmico. Revisão de literatura: foram incluídos 34 artigos, sendo 2 casos clínicos, 15 estudos retrospectivos, 10 revisões de literatura, 4 estudos de caso-controle e 5 estudos transversais; além de 3 referências escolhidas através de outras buscas para complementar a revisão. A partir dos estudos incluídos no trabalho, foi possível verificar que a maior prevalência ocorre no sexo masculino. E a fissura que mais acomete a população é a transforame incisivo. Pôde-se analisar também que não há causa exata, porém, existem fatores predisponentes, como os ambientais e os hereditários. Considerações finais: esta revisão de literatura poderá auxiliar os profissionais de saúde para a realização de diagnóstico e planejamento precoces, a fim de encontrar o melhor e mais eficiente tratamento para cada caso. O tratamento precoce, por uma equipe multidisciplinar, certamente garantirá uma melhor qualidade de vida aos pacientes.(AU)

Objective: to verify the main dental agenesis and associated factors in cleft lip and palate through a literature review. Methods: a literature review was carried out using PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar databases. Literature review: 34 studies were included, 2 clinical studies, 1 retrospective study, 10 literature reviews, 4 case-control studies and 5 cross-sectional studies. In addition to 3 references chosen through other searches complementary to the review. From the included studies, it was verified a higher frequency of cleft lift and palate for the male sex, and a higher frequency of more severe clefts, such as the incisive transformation, in comparison to the labiopalatine. It can also be analyzed that there is no exact cause; however, there are environmental and hereditary predisposing factors. Final considerations: this literature review may help health professionals to carry out early diagnosis and treatment planning, in order to find the best and most efficient treatment for each case. Early treatment by a multidisciplinary team will certainly guarantee a better quality of life for patients.(AU)

Ritualization increases the perceived efficacy of instrumental actions.

Across all cultures, people frequently engage in ritualized (non-instrumental) behaviors. How do those causally opaque actions affect perceptions of causal efficacy? Using real-life stimuli extracted from NCAA basketball games, we asked fans, players of the game, and subjects naive to the game to predict the outcome of free throw attempts. We found that the performance of personal pre-shot rituals increased the perception of shot efficacy irrespective of subjects' level of knowledge of and involvement in the game. Those effects became stronger when the score was less favorable for the shooter's team. Our findings suggest that even in non-religious contexts, people make intuitive judgements about ritual efficacy, and that those judgements are sensitive to ecological factors. The implications of those biases extend beyond sports, to various domains of public action, such as religion, courtrooms, college life, and political events.

Dermatologists' attitude towards psoriasis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges in several dimensions in healthcare services. Herein, we describe the real-life strategies and therapeutic options adopted by dermatologists regarding their patients with psoriasis being treated with or with an indication for systemic therapy during the first COVID-19 lockdown period in Portugal. METHODS: The study involves a web-based survey on the clinical management of systemic therapy for psoriasis during the COVID-19 pandemic administered to Portuguese dermatologists. The survey consisted of 55 questions (4 open-ended questions; 51 closed-ended questions), grouped into 6 sections. RESULTS: A total of 60 dermatologists voluntarily participated in this survey. Nearly 63% of the participants opted for suspending biologics during the COVID-19 lockdown period and 23.3% increased the time between drug administrations. Eighty percent of the participants agreed that biologics did not change the probability of acquiring COVID-19 and 58.4% believed that these drugs decreased or did not change the severity of the disease. Approximately one-third of the participants opted not to prescribe a biological agent in patients despite clinical indication over the duration of the pandemic. Nearly 25% of the participants opted for suspending traditional immunosuppressant administration. Virtual appointments were an option for 93.3% of the participants. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the management of patients with psoriasis being treated with or with an indication for systemic therapy. Some of the decisions made during the first lockdown period were contrary to what we know today. These decisions might have had a significant impact on patients' quality of life and on future therapeutic success. An adequate interpretation and analysis of the available data will be extremely important to an insightful adaptation of the clinical practice in future confinement or restrictive scenarios.