Levofloxacin induces differential effects in the transcriptome between the gut, peripheral and axial joints in the Spondyloarthritis DBA/1 mice: Improvement of intestinal dysbiosis and the overall inflammatory process.

To analyze the effect of levofloxacin-induced intestinal microbiota modifications on intestinal, joint, and systemic inflammation in the DBA/1 mice with spontaneous arthritis. The study included two groups of mice, one of which received levofloxacin. The composition and structure of the microbiota were determined in the mice's stool using 16S rRNA sequencing; the differential taxa and metabolic pathway between mice treated with levofloxacin and control mice were also defied. The effect of levofloxacin was evaluated in the intestines, hind paws, and spines of mice through DNA microarray transcriptome and histopathological analyses; systemic inflammation was measured by flow cytometry. Levofloxacin decreased the pro-inflammatory bacteria, including Prevotellaceae, Odoribacter, and Blautia, and increased the anti-inflammatory Muribaculaceae in mice's stool. Histological analysis confirmed the intestinal inflammation in control mice, while in levofloxacin-treated mice, inflammation was reduced; in the hind paws and spines, levofloxacin also decreased the inflammation. Microarray showed the downregulation of genes and signaling pathways relevant in spondyloarthritis, including several cytokines and chemokines. Levofloxacin-treated mice showed differential transcriptomic profiles between peripheral and axial joints and intestines. Levofloxacin decreased the expression of TNF-α, IL-23a, and JAK3 in the three tissues, but IL-17 behaved differently in the intestine and the joints. Serum TNF-α was also reduced in levofloxacin-treated mice. Our results suggest that the microbiota modification aimed at reducing pro-inflammatory and increasing anti-inflammatory bacteria could potentially be a coadjuvant in treating inflammatory arthropathies.

Safety and efficacy of salvage conventional re-irradiation following stereotactic radiosurgery for spine metastases

Purpose@#There has been limited work assessing the use of re-irradiation (re-RT) for local failure following stereotactic spinal radiosurgery (SSRS). We reviewed our institutional experience of conventionally-fractionated external beam radiation (cEBRT) for salvage therapy following SSRS local failure. @*Materials and Methods@#We performed a retrospective review of 54 patients that underwent salvage conventional re-RT at previously SSRS-treated sites. Local control following re-RT was defined as the absence of progression at the treated site as determined by magnetic resonance imaging. @*Results@#Competing risk analysis for local failure was performed using a Fine-Gray model. The median follow-up time was 25 months and median overall survival (OS) was 16 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.8–24.9 months) following cEBRT re-RT. Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards analysis revealed Karnofsky performance score prior to re-RT (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.98; p = 0.003) and time to local failure (HR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94–1.00; p = 0.04) were associated with longer OS, while male sex (HR = 3.92; 95% CI, 1.64–9.33; p = 0.002) was associated with shorter OS. Local control at 12 months was 81% (95% CI, 69.3–94.0). Competing risk multivariable regression revealed radioresistant tumors (subhazard ratio [subHR] = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15–0.90; p = 0.028) and epidural disease (subHR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12–0.78; p =0.013) were associated with increased risk of local failure. At 12 months, 91% of patients maintained ambulatory function. @*Conclusion@#Our data suggest that cEBRT following SSRS local failure can be used safely and effectively. Further investigation is needed into optimal patient selection for cEBRT in the retreatment setting.

Implementing Advance Care Planning Tools in Practice: A Modified World Café to Elicit Barriers and Recommendations from Potential Adopters.

This paper reports findings from a modified World Café conducted at a palliative care professional conference in 2019, where input on tools to support advance care planning (ACP) was solicited from healthcare practitioners, managers and family members of patients. Barriers to ACP tool use included insufficient structures and resources in healthcare, death-avoidance culture and inadequate patient and family member engagement. Recommendations for tool use included clarification of roles and processes, training, mandates and monitoring, leadership support, greater reflection of diversity in tools and methods for public engagement. This paper illuminates factors to consider when implementing ACP tools in healthcare.

Histerectomia radical robótica: experiência de 103 casos no NCA / Radical robotic hysterectomy: experience of 103 cases at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute

Foram coletados dados de 103 pacientes submetidas a histerectomia radical por via robótica para tratamento de câncer colo uterino inicial no Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA). A maioria da população era parda (51,5%). A mediana da idade em 41 anos. A mediana do tempo de internação em 1 dia. O IMC com mediana em 26,04. A maioria das pacientes foi submetida à histerectomia radical tipo III (46,6%), e à linfadenectomia pélvica em aproximadamente 95% dos casos. Houve 13,6% de complicação pós-operatória em 30 dias e a mais frequente foi a bexiga neurogênica. A curva de aprendizado dos cirurgiões não alterou o tempo cirúrgico, a sobrevida livre de doença e nem a sobrevida global. O tamanho tumoral teve impacto na frequência de recidiva, porém o tamanho estratificado em 2 cm não alterou a sobrevida global e sobrevida livre de doença.

We selected the medical records from 103 patients underwent to radical robotic hysterectomy for early cervical cancer at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute to conduct this review. We found that population was mostly brown (51.5%), median age was 41 years. The median length of stay was 1 day and median BMI was 26.04. Most patients underwent radical type III hysterectomy (46.6%), and pelvic lymphadenectomy was present in approximately 95% of cases. There were 13.6% of postoperative complications in 30 days and the most frequent was the neurogenic bladder. The surgeons' learning curve did not change the surgical time, nor did the disease-free survival and overall survival rate. The tumor size had an impact on recurrence frequency, but the stratified size at 2 cm did not change the overall survival and disease-free survival rate.

Surface Probe Linker with Tandem Anti-Fouling Properties for Application in Biosensor Technology.

This paper describes the anti-fouling capability of the novel monolayer-forming surface linker 3-(3-(trichlorosilylpropyloxy) propanoyl chloride (MEG-Cl). This compound was successfully attached to quartz crystal surfaces which are employed in an electromagnetic piezoelectric acoustic sensor (EMPAS) configuration. The MEG-Cl coated surface was both employed with Ni-NTA for the binding of recombinant proteins and for the tandem property of the avoidance of fouling from serum and milk. The MEG-Cl coated surfaces were found to provide a large degree of anti-fouling on the EMPAS device, and were comparable to previously studied MEG-OH surfaces. Importantly, the monolayer continued to provide anti-fouling capability to the biosensor following extension with Ni-NTA in place. Accordingly, this surface linker provides an attractive system for use in biosensor technology in terms of both its anti-fouling and linking properties.

Early stage detection and screening of ovarian cancer: A research opportunity and significant challenge for biosensor technology.

Women diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer suffer a very high rate of mortality. Accordingly, it is imperative to detect and diagnose the disease as early as possible in its development. Achievement of this aim implies relatively large scale screening of women at an age of clinically significance through assay of biomarkers for disease present in blood or serum. Biosensor detection offers an attractive technology for the automated detection of such species. Among several biomarkers that have been identified that are present in patients with ovarian cancer, the only one that is commonly tested for in clinical use is cancer antigen 125, which is considered to be poor biomarker for the disease. Here, we describe alternative biomarkers which overcome many of the problems associated with cancer antigen 125 such as increased sensitivity and specificity especially in the early stages of the disease and which could be employed successfully in a biosensor format. In particular, we discuss the chemistry of probes for the biomarkers, heat shock protein 10 and lysophosphatidic acid. The challenges presented by the fabrication of biosensor devices for the detection of the cancer, and the limited number of biosensors that have been developed for this purpose are discussed.

Alternative activation generates IL-10 producing type 2 innate lymphoid cells.

Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) share cytokine and transcription factor expression with CD4+ Th2 cells, but functional diversity of the ILC2 lineage has yet to be fully explored. Here, we show induction of a molecularly distinct subset of activated lung ILC2, termed ILC210. These cells produce IL-10 and downregulate some pro-inflammatory genes. Signals that generate ILC210 are distinct from those that induce IL-13 production, and gene expression data indicate that an alternative activation pathway leads to the generation of ILC210. In vivo, IL-2 enhances ILC210 generation and is associated with decreased eosinophil recruitment to the lung. Unlike most activated ILC2, the ILC210 population contracts after cessation of stimulation in vivo, with maintenance of a subset that can be recalled by restimulation, analogous to T-cell effector cell and memory cell generation. These data demonstrate the generation of a previously unappreciated IL-10 producing ILC2 effector cell population.

Avaliação dos níveis lipídicos na população adulta do estudo ESATU: associação com a obesidade / Evaluation of lipid profile in adult population of ESATU study: association with obesity

Introdução: Atualmente, a doença aterosclerótica detém uma posição indiscutível de principal causa de mortalidade nos países desenvolvidos. Mesmo sendo de caráter multifatorial, é determinante a relação direta das dislipidemias e riscos de eventos cardiovasculares e obesidade. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar os níveis séricos do perfil lipídico e prevalência de dislipidemia na população adulta de um município no Sul do Brasil e sua associação com a obesidade. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional com adultos residentes em Tubarão, Santa Catarina, entre novembro de 2011 e junho de 2012. Os participantes foram submetidos à entrevista, coleta de sangue para realização de exames laboratoriais, aferição da pressão arterial e antropometria. Resultados: Foram estudados 369 adultos, com média de idade de 40,6±12,2 anos, 64,0% mulheres. Entre os fatores comportamentais 31,4% eram fumantes/ ex-fumantes, 8,4% eram alcoolistas, 61,0% eram sedentários e 62,1% não apresentavam um padrão alimentar considerado saudável. Quanto às condições clínicas, foi verifi cado que 6,0% eram diabéticos, 36,9% apresentavam hipertensão arterial sistêmica, 27,1% eram obesos e 65% dislipidêmicos. Houve associação positiva entre dislipidemia e idade mais avançada, ter companheiro fixo, baixa escolaridade, tabagismo, obesidade e hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Conclusão: A prevalência de dislipidemia foi de 65%, e obesidade e tabagismo foram fatores associados de forma independente ao desfecho. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de intervenções que promovam um estilo de vida saudável, com ênfase na adoção de hábitos alimentares adequados e exercício físico (AU)

Introduction: At present atherosclerosis holds an undisputed position as the leading cause of death in developed countries. Despite its multifactorial nature, the direct relationship of dyslipidemia and risk of cardiovascular events and obesity is determinant. The aim of the study was to determine serum lipid profiles and prevalence of dyslipidemia in the adult population of a city in south Brazil and their association with obesity. Methods: Cross-sectional population-based study with adults living in Tubarão, Santa Catarina, between November 2011 and June 2012. Participants underwent an interview, blood collection for laboratory tests, blood pressure measurement and anthropometry. Results: We studied 369 adults with a mean age of 40.6 ± 12.2 years, 64.0% women. Among behavioral factors, 31.4 % were smokers/ex-smokers, 8.4% were alcoholics, 61.0 % were sedentary, and 62.1 % did not have an eating pattern considered healthy. Regarding clinical conditions, we found that 6.0% were diabetic , 36.9% had high blood pressure, 27.1% were obese and 65% had dyslipidemia. There was a positive correlation of dyslipidemia with older age, having a steady partner, low education, smoking, obesity and hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 65%, and obesity and smoking were independently associated factors with the outcome. The results indicate the need for interventions that promote a healthy lifestyle, with an emphasis on adopting proper eating habits and exercise (AU)

Uso da internet pelos pacientes como fonte de informação em saúde e a sua influência na relação médico-paciente / Use of the internet by patients as a source of health information and its influence on the physician-patient relationship

Introdução: O amplo desenvolvimento no campo tecnológico facilitou o acesso à informação principalmente pela internet. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso da internet como ferramenta de busca de informações em saúde pelos pacientes, comparando os atendidos na rede pública e privada de saúde, e sua influência na relação médico-paciente. Métodos: Estudo transversal. Participaram do estudo pacientes entre 18-60 anos, em sala de espera para atendimento ambulatorial na clínica Pró-vida e da Secretaria de Saúde no Município de Tubarão, Santa Catarina. Foi utilizado questionário com questões sobre o uso da internet pelos pacientes e a sua influência na relação médico-paciente. Resultados: Dos 216 pacientes participantes, a média de idade foi de 41,2 (DP=12,4) e 67,1% eram mulheres. Maior escolaridade, cor de pele branca, maior renda familiar e uso de convênio médico ou atendimento particular estiveram associados ao grupo atendido na Clínica Pró-vida. Do total, 63,4% acessavam a internet. Houve associação entre uso da internet e atendimento na rede privada (p=0,007). Indivíduos na faixa etária entre 31-45 anos de idade utilizavam mais a internet (42,3%; p<0,001) e as mulheres consultavam mais a internet para informações sobre saúde (p=0,003). Conclusão: Metade dos pacientes utiliza a internet como fonte de informações sobre saúde, 25,5% conversa com o seu médico sobre as informações adquiridas pela internet, sem mudar ou interferir no tratamento médico e, dos pacientes que contam para seus médicos a busca de informações na internet, apenas 16% apresentaram reação negativa por parte do médico, não prejudicando a relação médico-paciente

Introduction: The widespread development in the technological field has facilitated access to information, especially through the internet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the internet by patients as a tool for finding health information, comparing those served by public and private health networks, and its influence on the doctor-patient relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional study including outpatients aged 18-60 years in the waiting rooms of línica Pro-vida and the public Health Department of Tubarão, Santa Catarina. We used a questionnaire with questions about Internet use by patients and its influence on the doctor-patient relationship. Results: Of the 216 participants, the mean age was 41.2 (SD = 12.4) and 67.1% were women. Higher schooling, white skin color, higher family income, and use of private health insurance or care were associated with the group treated at Clínica Pró-vida. Of the total, 63.4% accessed the internet. There was an association of internet use with care in the private network (p = 0.007). Individuals aged between 31-45 years used the internet more (42.3%, p <0.001), and more women searched the internet for health information (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Half the patients use the internet as a source of health information, 25.5% talk with their doctors about internet-acquired information, without changing or interfering with the medical treatment. Of the patients who tell their doctors about their search for information on the internet, only 16% reported a negative reaction by the physician, but without negatively interfering with the doctor-patient relationship