Obesity, diabetes and risk of bone fragility: How BMAT behavior is affected by metabolic disturbances and its influence on bone health.

PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by decreased bone strength and mass, which predisposes patients to fractures and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Like osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes are systemic metabolic diseases associated with modifiable risk factors and lifestyle, and their prevalence is increasing. They are related to decreased quality of life, functional loss and increased mortality, generating high costs for health systems and representing a worldwide public health problem. Growing evidence reinforces the role of bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) as an influential factor in the bone microenvironment and systemic metabolism. Given the impact of obesity and diabetes on metabolism and their possible effect on the bone microenvironment, changes in BMAT behavior may explain the risk of developing osteoporosis in the presence of these comorbidities. METHODS: This study reviewed the scientific literature on the behavior of BMAT in pathological metabolic conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, and its potential involvement in the pathogenesis of bone fragility. RESULTS: Published data strongly suggest a relationship between increased BMAT adiposity and the risk of bone fragility in the context of obesity and diabetes. CONCLUSION: By secreting a broad range of factors, BMAT modulates the bone microenvironment and metabolism, ultimately affecting skeletal health. A better understanding of the relationship between BMAT expansion and metabolic disturbances observed in diabetic and obese patients will help to identify regulatory pathways and new targets for the treatment of bone-related diseases, with BMAT as a potential therapeutic target.

Analysis of the scalp of women with AIDS subjected to autopsy: epithelial, follicular, and immunologic aspects.

Hair keeps the scalp warmer and slightly moister than the rest of the skin, which contributes to a favorable environment for mycotic, bacterial, and parasitic infections. It is well established that AIDS makes the patient more susceptible to opportunistic infections and cutaneous manifestations. Because of this, the aim of this study was to analyze scalp fragments of autopsied women with AIDS. Twenty-eight scalp samples of women aged between 18 and 46 years were observed. These women were divided into 2 groups: with AIDS (n = 14) and without AIDS (n = 14). We conducted histochemical (hematoxylin-eosin, Picrosirius, and Verhoeff), morphometric (Image J; National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada and KS-300 Kontron-Zeiss; Kontron Elektronik, Carl-Zeiss, Germany), and immunohistochemical (S-100) analyses of the scalp. In patients with AIDS, epithelial thickness, number of epithelial cell layers, number of immature Langerhans cells in the epidermis, and percentages of elastic fibers in the dermis were significantly lower, whereas telogen hair follicles were significantly higher. The percentage of collagen fibers in the dermis and the diameter of the epithelial cells were smaller in patients with AIDS, without significant difference. AIDS possibly causes immunologic and morphologic alterations in the scalp. This study may establish parameters for better clinical and morphologic diagnostic in patients with AIDS.

Association between the markers of FIRS and the morphologic alterations in the liver of neonates autopsied in the perinatal period.

Markers of fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) can influence the morphologic alterations in liver of autopsied neonates. The IL-6, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein (CRP) expression in liver fragments were marked by immunohistochemistry and the intensity of steatosis, percentage of fibrosis, and the number of foci of extramedullary erythropoiesis were evaluated. The degree of steatosis correlated positively with IL-6 (p = 0.06), positively with CRP (p ≤ 0.001), and negatively with TNF-α (p = 0.06). The collagen percentage correlated positively with IL-6 (p = 0.055) and positively with TNF-α (p ≤ 0.001). Erythropoiesis correlated positively with IL-6 (p ≤ 0.001) and negatively with CRP (p = 0.00754). The analyzed markers of FIRS have an important role in triggering hepatic morphologic alterations.

Liver morphologic analysis in perinatal autopsies with intrauterine stress liver morphology in perinatal autopsies.

Quantify steatosis, fibrosis, and focuses of extramedullary erythropoiesis (ER) in the liver and report it to the causes of death in the perinatal. Morphologic analysis of steatosis', percentage of fibrosis, and ER of 467 perinatal autopsies. Cases with hypoxia/perinatal anoxia and ascending infection showed higher percentage of fibrosis. The number of ER was significantly higher among premature infants and in cases with infection. Our results contribute to a better quality of perinatal care through clinical demonstration of which injuries are associated with them, what may help in early diagnosis of these alterations in children who survive.

Carotid angiodysplasia complicated by the use of anti-hypertensive drugs during pregnancy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertensive syndromes in pregnancy are one of the leading causes of obstetric admissions into intensive care units. They are related to changes in the central nervous system caused by a decrease in cerebral perfusion pressure, indicated by an increase in intracranial pressure. These changes in pressure usually result from acute injuries or a decrease in the mean arterial pressure due to iatrogenic action or shock. However, other vascular disorders may contribute to similar occurrences. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital complaining of severe headaches since the eighth month of pregnancy, and presented with an arterial blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg. The diagnostic hypothesis was pre-eclampsia. Our patient's blood pressure levels remained elevated, and she was submitted to a cesarean section. After the procedure, she was referred to our infirmary, presenting with a blank distant look and with no interaction with the environment, dyslalia, and labial and upper and lower right limb paresis. She was confused and unable to speak, but responded to painful stimuli as she conveyed abdominal pain at superficial and deep palpation. The hypothesis of post-partum psychosis was suggested. She was then transferred to our intensive care unit, maintaining an impassive attitude in bed but reacting to external stimuli. Results of a computed tomography scan revealed ischemic infarction of the territory of her left middle cerebral artery. A selective cerebral arteriography showed bilateral occlusion of her internal carotid artery in the intracranial position, prebifurcation and angiodysplasia in the cervical segments of her internal carotid artery. Sixteen days after hospital admission, our patient died. CONCLUSION: This data shows the need for careful monitoring of hypertensive syndromes in pregnancy cases, especially in cases with a history of chronic hypertension or with vascular alterations, It also highlights the need for constant supervision of blood pressure levels during the use of anti-hypertensive medications.