Hospital admissions for chronic liver diseases: a temporal study in the South Region of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the epidemiology and clinical profiles of hospital admissions in a single Brazilian Hepatology Unit from the period 2014-2017 to 2019-2022. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of hospital database from the abovementioned periods was done. The study included patients over the age of 18 years who were hospitalized due to complications of diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune liver and drug-induced hepatitis. RESULTS: In both study periods, middle-aged males were predominant and were younger than females. In the first period (2014-2017), hepatitis C (33.5%) was the most prevalent cause of admission, followed by alcoholic liver disease (31.7%). In the second period (2019-2022), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (38%) and alcoholic liver disease (27.6%) were the most frequent causes of admission. No changes were observed in the proportion of alcoholic liver disease or drug-induced hepatitis in both study periods. The prevalence of viral hepatitis decreased in both genders, with hepatitis C decreasing from 32.4 to 9.7% for males and 35.4 to 10.8% for females, and OR=0.2; 95%CI 0.1-0.3 for both males and females. Similarly, the prevalence of hepatitis B decreased from 19.1 to 8.1% and OR=0.3; 95%CI 0.2-0.5 for males and 8.2 to 3.7% and OR=0.4; 95%CI 0.1-0.9 for females. The prevalence of autoimmune liver diseases increased only in males, from 2.1 to 5.9% and OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.2-6.6. CONCLUSION: Over the past 4 years, there has been a shift in hospital admission profile at a Brazilian Hepatology Unit, with a decrease in viral hepatitis and an increase in autoimmune diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Males were more affected at younger ages than females. Furthermore, ascites was the most prevalent cause of complications in both periods analyzed.

Hospital admissions for chronic liver diseases: a temporal study in the South Region of Brazil

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the epidemiology and clinical profiles of hospital admissions in a single Brazilian Hepatology Unit from the period 2014-2017 to 2019-2022. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of hospital database from the abovementioned periods was done. The study included patients over the age of 18 years who were hospitalized due to complications of diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune liver and drug-induced hepatitis. RESULTS: In both study periods, middle-aged males were predominant and were younger than females. In the first period (2014-2017), hepatitis C (33.5%) was the most prevalent cause of admission, followed by alcoholic liver disease (31.7%). In the second period (2019-2022), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (38%) and alcoholic liver disease (27.6%) were the most frequent causes of admission. No changes were observed in the proportion of alcoholic liver disease or drug-induced hepatitis in both study periods. The prevalence of viral hepatitis decreased in both genders, with hepatitis C decreasing from 32.4 to 9.7% for males and 35.4 to 10.8% for females, and OR=0.2; 95%CI 0.1-0.3 for both males and females. Similarly, the prevalence of hepatitis B decreased from 19.1 to 8.1% and OR=0.3; 95%CI 0.2-0.5 for males and 8.2 to 3.7% and OR=0.4; 95%CI 0.1-0.9 for females. The prevalence of autoimmune liver diseases increased only in males, from 2.1 to 5.9% and OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.2-6.6. CONCLUSION: Over the past 4 years, there has been a shift in hospital admission profile at a Brazilian Hepatology Unit, with a decrease in viral hepatitis and an increase in autoimmune diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Males were more affected at younger ages than females. Furthermore, ascites was the most prevalent cause of complications in both periods analyzed.

Tools developed in Brazil for the promotion and assessment of adequate and healthy eating habits: A scoping review. / Ferramentas para promoção e avaliação da alimentação adequada e saudável desenvolvidas no Brasil: uma revisão de escopo.

The objective of this study was to identify and discuss the tools for the promotion and evaluation of adequate and healthy eating based on the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population. The scoping review was conducted according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist and by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO and LILACS. Sixteen studies on relevant tools, based on the food guide for individuals of all age groups, were thus included: two descriptive studies, two randomized clinical trial protocols, eleven methodological analyses, and one psychometric paper, aimed at either a focal population (n=12) or health professionals (n=4). Six studies addressed tools for promoting adequate and healthy eating, and ten developed tools for evaluating dietary practices or the knowledge and activities of health professionals. This review can therefore assist health professionals in choosing instruments for the implementation and/or dissemination of food guide recommendations, contributing to the promotion of adequate and healthy eating habits.

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e discutir as ferramentas de promoção e avaliação da alimentação adequada e saudável baseadas no Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. A revisão de escopo foi conduzida de acordo com o JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, utilizando para relatório de revisão de escopo o guia Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, com busca nas bases de dados PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO e LILACS. Dezesseis estudos sobre ferramentas baseadas no guia alimentar para indivíduos de todas as faixas etárias, foram incluídos: dois descritivos, dois de protocolo de estudo clínico randomizado, onze metodológicos e um psicométrico, direcionados à população (n=12) ou à profissionais de saúde (n=4). Seis estudos abordaram ferramentas para promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável e dez desenvolveram ferramentas para avaliação de práticas alimentares ou de conhecimento e atividades de profissionais da saúde. Esta revisão auxiliará os profissionais de saúde na escolha dos instrumentos para o processo de implementação e, ou, divulgação das recomendações do guia alimentar, contribuindo para a promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável.

Ferramentas para promoção e avaliação da alimentação adequada e saudável desenvolvidas no Brasil: uma revisão de escopo / Tools developed in Brazil for the promotion and assessment of adequate and healthy eating habits: A scoping review

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e discutir as ferramentas de promoção e avaliação da alimentação adequada e saudável baseadas no Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. A revisão de escopo foi conduzida de acordo com o JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, utilizando para relatório de revisão de escopo o guia Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, com busca nas bases de dados PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO e LILACS. Dezesseis estudos sobre ferramentas baseadas no guia alimentar para indivíduos de todas as faixas etárias, foram incluídos: dois descritivos, dois de protocolo de estudo clínico randomizado, onze metodológicos e um psicométrico, direcionados à população (n=12) ou à profissionais de saúde (n=4). Seis estudos abordaram ferramentas para promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável e dez desenvolveram ferramentas para avaliação de práticas alimentares ou de conhecimento e atividades de profissionais da saúde. Esta revisão auxiliará os profissionais de saúde na escolha dos instrumentos para o processo de implementação e, ou, divulgação das recomendações do guia alimentar, contribuindo para a promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável.

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify and discuss the tools for the promotion and evaluation of adequate and healthy eating based on the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population. The scoping review was conducted according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist and by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO and LILACS. Sixteen studies on relevant tools, based on the food guide for individuals of all age groups, were thus included: two descriptive studies, two randomized clinical trial protocols, eleven methodological analyses, and one psychometric paper, aimed at either a focal population (n=12) or health professionals (n=4). Six studies addressed tools for promoting adequate and healthy eating, and ten developed tools for evaluating dietary practices or the knowledge and activities of health professionals. This review can therefore assist health professionals in choosing instruments for the implementation and/or dissemination of food guide recommendations, contributing to the promotion of adequate and healthy eating habits.

Associação de métodos de imagem no desafio diagnóstico da drenagem anômala total das veias pulmonares do tipo mista / Association of imaging methods in the diagnostic challenge of mixed total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage

APRESENTAÇÃO DO CASO: Lactente sem diagnósticos prévios, internado com dispneia e baixo débito cardíaco aos dois meses de vida. Transferido para serviço de referência em cardiopatias congênitas em ventilação mecânica e em uso de drogas vasoativas. Realizado ecocardiograma que demonstrou drenagem anômala total das veias pulmonares (DATVP) do tipo mista, com as veias pulmonares esquerdas drenando em veia vertical ascendente, que desemboca na veia inominada, e então na veia cava superior (VCS) e as veias pulmonares direitas drenando no seio coronário, que desemboca no átrio direito. O exame também demonstrou comunicações interatriais tipo ostium secundum não restritivas com fluxo do átrio direito para o esquerdo, dilatação importante das cavidades direitas, ventrículo direito com hipertrofia importante e disfunção sistólica, além de hipertensão pulmonar. Submetido a angiotomografia de coração corroborando o diagnóstico, com melhor visualização de todo o trajeto da veia vertical. Realizada cirurgia com redirecionamento das veias pulmonares e ligadura da veia vertical, com sucesso. DISCUSSÃO: A DATVP é uma cardiopatia congênita cianótica rara na qual todas as veias pulmonares se conectam com o sistema venoso sistêmico. Resulta da persistência das conexões embrionárias do plexo venoso pulmonar. O tipo IV da classificação de Darling e colaboradores ou drenagem mista é a associação entre duas ou mais dentre as formas supracardíaca, infracardíaca ou intracardíaca. Neste caso, houve combinação da drenagem supracardíaca das veias pulmonares esquerdas (que por meio da veia vertical drenavam na VCS), com a drenagem intracardíaca das veias pulmonares direitas (que drenavam no átrio direito através do seio coronário). Esta associação é uma variante rara com apenas alguns relatos. O ecocardiograma realizado por profissional experiente em cardiopatias congênitas dá o diagnóstico, mas a associação com outros métodos de imagem como a tomografia é especialmente importante nas variantes mistas para permitir um plano cirúrgico adequado e o redirecionamento completo, evitando lesões residuais. COMENTÁRIOS FINAIS: Apresentamos um caso de DATVP com drenagem cardíaca e supracardíaca, forma rara e de diagnóstico desafiador, definido pelo ecocardiograma e confirmado por tomografia computadorizada com reconstrução 3D. Devido à grande variabilidade da DATVP, é essencial detalhar bem o trajeto, as conexões dos vasos e o local de drenagem de cada um deles para um manejo adequado.

Effect of kombucha intake on the gut microbiota and obesity-related comorbidities: A systematic review.

Kombucha is a fermented nonalcoholic tea-based beverage produced through a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts. In vitro studies have demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anti-carcinogenic properties of kombucha. However, no systematic reviews have evaluated the effects of kombucha in vivo. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the evidence that exists so far about kombucha consumption on comorbidities associated with obesity as well as on the gut microbiota. The search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020158917). The MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were used in the search considering the following terms: "kombucha" OR "kombucha tea" OR "kombucha teas" OR "tea, kombucha" OR "teas, kombucha" NOT "review." Fifteen studies were included in this review. The results suggest that kombucha consumption attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation, improves the liver detoxification process, and reduces intestinal dysbiosis. There is evidence that kombucha consumption is beneficial for the control and treatment of obesity and associated comorbidities, as well as for the modulation of the gut microbiota in vivo.

Fat Intake and High Triglyceride-Glucose Index in Individuals at Cardiometabolic Risk: An Isocaloric Substitution Analyses.

Insulin resistance (IR) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) is a potential IR biomarker. Evidence also suggests that fat intake may modulate IR status, but this relationship remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the relationship between the TyG index and isocaloric replacement of macronutrients, including the profile of dietary fatty acids in individuals at cardiometabolic risk.This cross-sectional study enrolled 264 individuals at cardiometabolic risk (age 43.1 ± 16.3 years) who participated in a nutritional intervention study (ReBEC, id: RBR-5n4y2g). The baseline demographic, anthropometric, clinical, dietary, and lifestyle data were used. The TyG index was calculated using the formula ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Multivariate nutrient density models were used to analyze isocaloric replacement of fatty acids (as 5% of energy). The chance of having a high TyG index (TyG index >8.83, median value) was decreased by 60% after replacing 5% of the energy intake of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), saturated fatty acid (SFA), and trans fatty acid (TFA) with monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) or PUFA and SFA with protein.Isocaloric replacement of PUFA, SFA, and TFA with MUFA and protein was associated with lower chances of having a high TyG index. These results indicate the importance of macronutrient and dietary fat profiles in the dietary planning of individuals at cardiometabolic risk.

Perception of nurses about nursing teleconsultation in primary care / Percepción de los enfermeros en relación la teleconsulta de enfermería en la atención inicial / Percepção dos enfermeiros sobre teleconsulta de enfermagem na atenção primária

ABSTRACT Objective analyze the nurse's perception about nursing teleconsultation in Primary Health Care through the workflows characterization, potential, challenges and teleconsultation in nursing feasibility. Method exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected, between the months of May and June 2021, with 19 nurses from four health districts of a capital in south of Brazil, using digital questionnaire. Data were systematized in Microsoft ExcelⓇ and analyzed following the criteria of the Discourse of the Collective Subject. This process was carried out with the support of the DSCsoftⓇ Program. Results the results were organized into five thematic categories: Nursing teleconsultation flow in Primary Health Care; Teleconsultation process; Instruments used during the teleconsultation; Potentialities and challenges identified during the teleconsultation in the Primary Health Care; and, Applicability: services that can be resolved through teleconsultation. Among the challenges are the inherent problems of communication and internet connectivity and the distrust of users in relation to this new consultation modality. Conclusion telecare in nursing is a recent technological innovation, with several challenges as: the possible failure in communication between the professional and the user; internet connection problems; lack of ability to travel from new tools; lack of privacy and excessive noise and distrust of users about the service provided. With the teleconsultation, there was an extension of the users' access to the health services, there was greater agility and efficiency in the services provided to the population.

RESUMEN Objetivo analizar la percepción de los enfermeros en relación a la teleconsulta de enfermería en la atención inicial de salud a través de la caracterización de los flujos de trabajo, potenciales, desafíos y la viabilidad de la teleconsulta en enfermería. Método estudio exploratório-descriptivo, con abordaje cualitativa. Los datos son colectados con 19 enfermeros que actúan en cuatro distritos sanitarios de una capital del sur del Brasil, utilizando un cuestionario digital. La colecta de los datos fue realizada entre los meses de mayo a junio de 2021 de forma totalmente online; los datos fueron sistematizados en el Microsoft Excel y analizados según los criterios del Discurso del sujeto colectivo, que utiliza las representaciones sociales y el senso común retratado la manifestación o posicionamento de cada individuo y posibilita agrupamientos de pensamientos y/o opiniones individuales sobre determinado asunto. Ese proceso fue realizado con el apoyo del Programa DSCsoft. Resultados los resultados fueron organizados en cinco categorías temáticas: Flujo de la teleconsulta de enfermería en la Atención Inicial de Salud; Proceso de realización de la teleconsulta; Instrumentos utilizados a lo largo de la realización de la teleconsulta; Potencialidades y desafíos identificados a lo largo de la teleconsulta en la Atención Inicial de Salud; y, Aplicabilidad: atendimientos pasibles de resoluciones por medio de la teleconsulta. Entre los desafíos están los problemas inherente a la comunicación y la conectividad con la internet y la desconfianza de los usuarios en relación a esta nueva modalidad de consulta: Conclusión el teleatendimiento en la área de la enfermería es una innovación tecnológica reciente, con diversos desafíos, como: la posible falla en la comunicación entre el profesional y el usuário; problemas de la conexión con la internet; falta de habilidad para manejo de las nuevas herramientas; falta de privacidad, exceso de ruidos y desconfianza de los usuarios a los servicios de salud, ocurre mayor agilidad y eficacia de los atendimientos realizados a la población.

RESUMO Objetivo analisar a percepção dos enfermeiros sobre teleconsulta de enfermagem na Atenção Primária de Saúde através da caracterização dos fluxos de trabalhos, potenciais, desafios e viabilidade da teleconsulta em enfermagem. Método estudo exploratório-descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados, entre os meses de maio a junho de 2021, com 19 enfermeiros que atuam em quatro distritos sanitários de uma capital do Sul do Brasil, utilizando um questionário digital. Os dados foram sistematizados no Microsoft Excel Ⓡ e analisados segundo os critérios do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Esse processo foi realizado com o apoio do Programa DSCsoftⓇ. Resultados os resultados foram organizados em cinco categorias temáticas: Fluxo da teleconsulta de enfermagem na Atenção Primária à Saúde; Processo de realização da teleconsulta; Instrumentos utilizados durante a realização da teleconsulta; Potencialidades e desafios identificados durante a teleconsulta na Atenção Primária à Saúde; e, Aplicabilidade: atendimentos passíveis de resolução por meio da teleconsulta. Entre os desafios estão os problemas inerentes à comunicação e à conectividade com a internet e a desconfiança dos usuários em relação a esta nova modalidade de consulta. Conclusão o teleatendimento na área da enfermagem é uma inovação tecnológica recente, com diversos desafios, como: a possível falha na comunicação entre o profissional e o usuário; problemas de conexão com a internet; falta de habilidade para manuseio das novas ferramentas; falta de privacidade, excesso de ruídos e desconfiança dos usuários sobre o atendimento realizado. Com a teleconsulta ocorreu a ampliação do acesso dos usuários aos serviços de saúde, houve maior agilidade e eficácia dos atendimentos realizados à população.

Fechamento espontâneo parcial de comunicação interventricular por displasia da valva tricúspide com obstrução da via da saída do ventrículo direito por tecido acessório / Partial spontaneous closure of a ventricular septal defect due to tricuspid valve dysplasia with obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract by accessory tissue

INTRODUÇÃO E/OU FUNDAMENTOS: A CIV perimembranosa é o tipo mais comum de CIV. O fechamento espontâneo pode ocorrer em até 30% dos casos, principalmente na idade escolar, sendo mais comum nas comunicações menores de 4mm. Nos casos de CIV's grandes, é possível a redução significativa do orifício efetivo, o que permite ponderar a necessidade e o momento de abordagem cirúrgica. Dentre os mecanismos descritos de oclusão espontânea destaca-se a reduplicação do tecido da VT, a aderência dos folhetos da VT, o prolapso da valva aórtica e o aneurisma do septo membranoso. Neste caso, ocorreu com evolução para displasia tricúspide, com formação de mega cúspide anterior e obstrução da via de saída do VD por protrusão do aparato subvalvar tricuspídeo, persistindo o fluxo pela CIV. Casos como este são raros e pouco descritos na literatura, não sendo possível definir fatores de risco que para tal evento. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente, sexo feminino, encaminhado ao serviço de cardiologia no período neonatal por sopro cardíaco. Realizou ecocardiograma transtorácico (EcoTT) que evidenciou comunicação interventricular (CIV) perimembranosa central, de 9mm com repercussão hemodinâmica e valva tricúspide (VT) com características normais. Diante disso, foi iniciada terapia anticongestiva e indicada correção cirúrgica aos 7 meses. Por motivos religiosos, os pais não autorizaram o procedimento e foi mantido seguimento clínico. Ao longo do acompanhamento, observou-se redução do orifício efetivo da CIV por oclusão parcial por tecido acessório da VT com refluxo valvar progressivo. Aos 7 anos, novo EcoTT demonstrou que a oclusão parcial da CIV provocou degeneração da VT com formação mega cúspide anterior e cordas redundantes que cursavam com obstrução da via de saída do ventrículo direito (VD) (gradiente sistólico máximo de 94 mmHg), além refluxo tricuspídeo importante e fluxo bidirecional pela CIV. CONCLUSÕES: O paciente apresenta uma rara forma de evolução de CIV perimembranosa não corrigida, com mecanismo de oclusão ainda não descrito na literatura. Além disso, pudemos ver que a obstrução da via de saída do ventrículo direito pela proliferação de tecido acessório tricuspídeo que era protetor para sintomas de ICC e para evolução clínica de hipertensão pulmonar secundária a hiperfluxo pulmonar mesmo sem a correção cirúrgica.

Uso de Sirolimus em rabdomioma cardíaco na infância: resultados tardios / Sirolimus use in childhood cardiac rhabdomyoma: late results

INTRODUÇÃO E/OU FUNDAMENTOS: Os rabdomiomas são os tumores cardíacos mais comuns na infância, podendo ser únicos ou múltiplos, comumente assintomáticos. A associação com esclerose tuberosa ocorre em 60% a 80% dos casos. Os inibidores da mTOR (proteína alvo da Rapamicina), como Sirolimus, vêm sendo utilizados para tratar essas lesões, demonstrando eficácia na redução da massa neoplásica, evitando-se a ressecção cirúrgica. RELATO DO CASO: Trata-se de uma paciente do sexo feminino, com diagnóstico pré-natal de tumores intracardíacos. Parto e nascimento sem intercorrências, mas iniciou com Prostaglandina E (PGE) nas primeiras horas de vida devido a obstrução ao fluxo sistêmico pelos tumores, evoluindo com choque e comprometimento funcional biventricular aos 13 dias de vida. Foi encaminhada à Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) de um serviço de referência em cardiologia pediátrica em uso de Milrinone. Realizado ecocardiograma (ECO), que evidenciou múltiplas imagens arredondadas lobuladas, hiperecogênicas e homogêneas distribuídas por todo o miocárdio de ambos os ventrículos e no septo interventricular (maior delas com diâmetro de 34 x 26mm) sem causar obstrução ao fluxo de entrada ou saída naquela ocasião. A hipótese de rabdomiomas se deu pelo aspecto ecográfico das lesões, história clínica e epidemiologia. Foi optado por não realizar biópsia ou ressecção, pelo alto risco do procedimento. Criança tolerou suspensão da PGE, extubação e recebeu alta da UTI. Foi iniciado o tratamento com Sirolimus na enfermaria, mantendo seguimento ambulatorial após. Atualmente, o paciente está com 2 anos de idade, segue clinicamente estável e nunca apresentou sinais de toxicidade pela medicação. Tem-se observado redução progressiva dos tumores e melhora da função ventricular. A criança tem o diagnóstico de esclerose tuberosa e segue em acompanhamento multidisciplinar. CONCLUSÕES: Embora geralmente inofensivos, os rabdomiomas cardíacos podem cursar com obstrução, insuficiência cardíaca e/ou arritmia grave. Até há pouco tempo, para tais casos, a única opção terapêutica existente era a intervenção cirúrgica. O uso de drogas citorredutoras, como Sirolimus, vem se consolidando na literatura como uma alternativa eficaz e segura na abordagem desses tumores, com resultados promissores em longo prazo, como neste caso.

Information displayed on Brazilian food bar labels points to the need to reformulate the current food labelling legislation.

This article compares information on the labels of Brazilian food bars with National Health Surveillance Agency legislation. Twenty-six brands of food bars were identified, comprising 50 commercial lines and 153 flavors. The marketing appeal to consumers on the front of pack labeling appeared in many ways to identify these products with a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. However, mandatory information was hard to see, both on the packaging and online, making it difficult for consumer to access. Most of the information on labels followed current legislation, but nutritional irregularities were identified since most bars were ultra-processed and one had incorrect information on the label. The claim that these foods are healthy reinforces the need to reformulate nutrition labeling in Brazil to facilitate identification of nutritional quality/value of foods as part of healthy and sustainable diets.

Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial.

We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial in order to examine the effects and the safety of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on depressive and anxious symptoms of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We evaluated 26 adults with TLE and depressive symptoms randomized into two different groups: active tDCS (tDCSa) and Sham (tDCSs). The patients were first submitted to 20 sessions of tDCS for 20 min daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks and then received a maintenance tDCS application in the research laboratory once a week for 3 weeks. The intensity of the current was 2 mA, applied bilaterally over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with the anode positioned on the left side and the cathode on the right side. Participants were evaluated on days 1, 15, 30, and 60 of the study using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI). A follow-up evaluation was performed 1 year after the end of treatment. They were also evaluated for quality of life and for anxious symptoms as secondary outcomes. The groups did not differ in clinical, socioeconomic or psychometric characteristics at the initial assessment. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding reported adverse effects, seizure frequency or dropouts. On average, between the 1st and 60th day, the BDI score decreased by 43.93% in the active group and by 44.67% in the Sham group (ΔBDIfinal - initial = -12.54 vs. -12.20, p = 0.68). The similar improvement in depressive symptoms observed in both groups was attributed to placebo effect and interaction between participants and research group and not to tDCS intervention per se. In our study, tDCS was safe and well tolerated, but it was not effective in reducing depressive or anxiety symptoms in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Clinical Trial Registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT03871842].

The Widely Used Antihelmintic Drug Albendazole is a Potent Inducer of Loss of Heterozygosity.

The antihelmintic drug ABZ and its metabolites belong to the chemical family of benzimidazoles (BZM) that act as potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors, suggesting a potential re-direction of BZMs for cancer therapy. Applying UV-Vis spectrometry we here demonstrate ABZ as a DNA intercalator. This insight led us to determine the primary mode of ABZ action in mammalian cells. As revealed by RNA sequencing, ABZ did neither grossly affect replication as analyzed by survival and replication stress signaling, nor the transcriptome. Actually, unbiased transcriptome analysis revealed a marked cell cycle signature in ABZ exposed cells. Indeed, short-term exposure to ABZ arrested mammalian cells in G2/M cell cycle stages associated with frequent gains and losses of chromatin. Cellular analyses revealed ABZ as a potent mammalian spindle poison for normal and malignant cells, explaining the serious chromosome segregation defects. Since chromosomal aberrations promote both cancer development and cell death, we determined if besides its general cytotoxicity, ABZ could predispose to tumor development. As measured by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in vitro and in vivo ABZ was found as a potent inducer of LOH and accelerator of chromosomal missegregation.

Multilevel analysis of factors that influence overweight in children: research in schools enrolled in northern Brazil School Health Program.

BACKGROUND: The study evaluates children in schools that participate in the School Health Program in the Northern region of Brazil with the objective of assessing whether their schools interfered in the development of overweight/obesity and how individual and school environment variables behave according to contextual analysis. METHODS: The analyses were carried out with 1036 children from 25 municipal public schools in Northern Brazil that participated in the School Health Program. We evaluated both individual characteristics and scholar environment through univariate and multivariate logistic regressions to identify which of these factors were related to overweight/obesity as well as the effect of varying such associations. RESULTS: The considered individuals had an median age of 8 years, being 54.9% female and 27.8% presenting overweight/obesity. In multivariate logistic regression, the overweight/obesity variance in schools was 0.386 (individual variables) and 0.102 (individual and school variables), explaining 23.7% of the variation, reduction of ICC and MOR. The Akaike Information Criterion between the models was reduced and the likelihood ratio indicated better adequacy of the latter model. The investigated children had a greater chance of developing overweight/obesity when they performed 2+ sedentary activities/day, depending on school location as well as whether or not candies were sold in the school surroundings. On the other hand, a lower chance of developing overweight/obesity was identified in children that ate 5+ meals/day and practiced dance at school. CONCLUSION: We observed that the variables inherent to both individuals and schools favored the development of overweight/obesity in children. It is relevant that scholar curriculums incorporate healthy eating interventions and encourage body practices associated with policies that restrain the sale of ultra-processed food in schools as well as the development of intersectoral actions between education and health to control childhood obesity.

Culture medium for improved production of conidia for identification and systematic studies of Fusarium pathogens.

Fusarium guttiforme and Fusarium ananatum are the etiological agents of fusariosis and fruitlet core rot in pineapple, respectively, producing mycotoxins that are harmful to the health of consumers. These two fungi are morphologically similar and difficulty in obtaining macroconidia of the species limits their identification. Different types of media are available for the culture of these pathogens, but not all of them favor F. ananatum and F. guttiforme macroconidia production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a simple culture medium to improve rapid macro- and microconidia formation in both F. guttiforme and F. ananatum to facilitate taxonomic, pathogenicity and mycotoxin studies. In vitro analysis showed that basal medium with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was better than other media tested with the highest macroconidia production at 7 days of incubation. The highest production of microconidia was with synthetic nutrient medium (SN) at 7 days. F. ananatum produced a relatively high number of microconidia with one septum in comparison to F. guttiforme when cultured in CMC, which suggests an additional character useful for Fusarium taxonomy. CMC medium may serve as an improved alternative to culture media currently used in Fusarium research and contribute to further knowledge of the taxonomy and mycotoxins of Fusarium species.

Evaluation of the susceptibility test of polymyxin B using the commercial test Policimbac®.

Broth microdilution (BMD), the reference method to determine bacterial susceptibility to polymyxins, is a laborious and time-consuming technique. Policimbac® is a commercial test panel which uses lyophilized polymyxin B to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration for Gram-negative isolates. This study evaluated the performance of Policimbac® in comparison with BMD for 110 isolates. Although the Policimbac® presented a very low essential agreement, the categorical agreement with BMD was optimal. Policimbac® is an alternative approach to BMD for evaluating the susceptibility to polymyxin B.

Detection of Enterobacterales resistant to polymyxins using Rapid Polymyxins NP test.

Two hundred isolates of Enterobacterales were tested by Rapid Polymyxins NP for the detection of polymyxin resistance and compared to the reference test broth microdilution (BMD). The sensitivity and specificity of the NP test were 98% and the results are faster than the BMD, decreasing from approximately 24 to 2 h.

Nutritional value of non-conventional vegetables prepared by family farmers in rural communities / Valor nutricional de hortaliças não convencionais preparadas por agricultores familiares em comunidades rurais

ABSTRACT: Four most consumed non-conventional vegetables were analyzed raw and after cooking techniques routinely used by family farmers: ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.); wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.), serralha (Sonchus arvensis L), and capiçova (Erechtites valeriana). Chemical composition was determined according to AOAC. Vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and phenolic compounds and minerals by spectrophotometry. Vitamin E and carotenoids concentrations were higher in stir fried wild mustard (7.68 mg.100 g-1 and 7.45 mg.100 g-1, respectively). Cooking reduced some minerals concentration in the non-conventional vegetables, but increased vitamins and carotenoids concentrations. The vegetables presented high content of minerals but low protein concentration and total energy content. Non-conventional vegetables can be considered of excellent nutritional value and frequent consumption of these vegetables can contribute to improve the feeding of farmers and their families.

RESUMO: Quatro hortaliças não convencionais mais consumidas foram analisadas cruas e após as técnicas de cocção utilizadas rotineiramente pelos agricultores familiares: ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.); mostarda selvagem (Sinapis arvensis L.), serralha (Sonchus arvensis L) e capiçova (Erechtites valeriana). A composição química foi determinada de acordo com a AOAC. A vitamina C, vitamina E e os carotenoides foram determinados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE), e compostos fenólicos e minerais foram determinados por espectrofotometria. As concentrações de vitamina E e carotenoides foram maiores na mostarda selvagem (7,68 mg.100 g-1e 7,45 mg.100 g-1, respectivamente). A cocção reduziu a concentração de alguns minerais nas hortaliças não convencionais, mas aumentou as concentrações de vitaminas e carotenoides. As hortaliças apresentaram alto teor de minerais, mas baixa concentração protéica e valor energético total. As hortaliças não convencionais podem ser consideradas de excelente valor nutricional. O consumo frequente dessas hortaliças pode contribuir para melhorar a alimentação dos agricultores e suas famílias.