Effect of VAChT reduction on lung alterations induced by exposure to iron particles in an asthma model.

INTRODUCTION: Pollution harms the health of people with asthma. The effect of the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway in chronic allergic inflammation associated to pollution is poorly understood. METHODS: One hundred eight animals were divided into 18 groups (6 animals). Groups included: wild type mice (WT), genetically modified with reduced VAChT (VAChTKD), and those sensitized with ovalbumin (VAChTKDA), exposed to metal powder due to iron pelletizing in mining company (Local1) or 3.21 miles away from a mining company (Local2) in their locations for 2 weeks during summer and winter seasons. It was analyzed for hyperresponsivity, inflammation, remodeling, oxidative stress responses and the cholinergic system. RESULTS: During summer, animals without changes in the cholinergic system revealed that Local1 exposure increased the hyperresponsiveness (%Rrs, %Raw), and inflammation (IL-17) relative to vivarium animals, while animals exposed to Local2 also exhibited elevated IL-17. During winter, animals without changes in the cholinergic system revealed that Local2 exposure increased the hyperresponsiveness (%Rrs) relative to vivarium animals. Comparing the exposure local of these animals during summer, animals exposed to Local1 showed elevated %Rrs, Raw, and IL-5 compared to Local 2, while in winter, Local2 exposure led to more IL-17 than Local1. Animals with VAChT attenuation displayed increased %Rrs, NFkappaB, IL-5, and IL-13 but reduced alpha-7 compared to animals without changes in the cholinergic system WT. Animals with VAChT attenuation and asthma showed increased the hyperresponsiveness, all inflammatory markers, remodeling and oxidative stress compared to animals without chronic lung inflammation. Exposure to Local1 exacerbated the hyperresponsiveness, oxidative stressand inflammation in animals with VAChT attenuation associated asthma, while Local2 exposure led to increased inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced cholinergic signaling amplifies lung inflammation in a model of chronic allergic lung inflammation. Furthermore, when associated with pollution, it can aggravate specific responses related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and remodeling.

MMP-8 in Periodontal Sites of Postpartum and without-Any-Pregnancy Women.

The hypothesis that physiological changes in women can affect periodontal tissues is the subject of this study, and inflammatory markers such as matrix metalloproteinase-8 can measure susceptibility to inflammation. The study aimed to analyze MMP-8 levels in periodontal sites of postpartum women and women without a history of pregnancy, comparing health parameters and periodontal disease. This is a case-control study with 40 participants, 20 cases (women in the postpartum period) and 20 controls (women without any pregnancy), who underwent clinical periodontal examination and the collection of crevicular gingival fluid. The ELISA test was used to detect MMP-8 levels. Postpartum women had worse periodontal parameters, such as bleeding index on probing, number of sites with CAL ≥ 3, and fewer teeth present. In the group of women without a history of pregnancy, a significantly lower MMP-8 level was observed in healthy sites and a higher one was observed in periodontal pockets (p < 0.01). In contrast, in postpartum women, MMP-8 levels were elevated in both healthy sites and periodontal pockets (p > 0.01). The MMP-8 levels in gingival fluid appear to be related to periodontal clinical parameters and may be a possible marker of enzymatic changes involved in periodontal tissue destruction in postpartum women.

Human papillomavirus in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus: association with viral load and lymphocyte count.

Women living with human immunodeficiency virus are at an increased risk of developing cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV). Thus, it is important to combine clinical assessments, serological screening, and HPV data for planning prevention policies. This study aimed to identify HPV and its specific types in the cervical, anal, and oral mucosa of HIV-seropositive women, associating it with viral load and lymphocyte count. Sociodemographic characteristics, health data (CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and viral load), and biological samples (cervical, anal, and oral) were collected from 86 HIV-positive women undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Data were classified according to the presence or absence of HPV-DNA, HPV-DNA presence at one or more anatomic sites, and level of oncogenic risk, considering low- and high-risk oncogenic HPV-DNA groups. The presence of HPV in the cervicovaginal site was 65.9%, 63.8% in anal canal, and 4.2% in oral mucosa. A viral load ≥75 HIV copies/mL was associated with the presence of HPV-DNA. There was an association between viral load and the low-risk HPV or high-risk HPV groups. We found a high prevalence of HPV infection in HIV-seropositive women, particularly in the cervical and anal mucosa, with viral load ≥75 HIV copies/mL being associated with HPV-DNA presence.

Ultrasonographic Insights into Peripheral Psoriatic Arthritis: Updates in Diagnosis and Monitoring.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations and variable disease progression. Ultrasonography has emerged as a valuable tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of PsA, providing real-time visualization of joint and soft tissue abnormalities. This review highlights recent advancements in ultrasonographic techniques for the assessment of PsA, including the identification of typical features, the role of power Doppler imaging in detecting active inflammation, and the potential of ultrasound for guiding treatment decisions. Additionally, we discuss the utility of ultrasound in assessing treatment response and monitoring disease progression in patients with PsA, with a focus on novel imaging modalities. By elucidating the evolving role of ultrasonography in PsA management, this article aims to enhance clinicians' understanding of its utility in facilitating early diagnosis, optimizing treatment strategies, and improving patient outcomes.

Enhanced low-cost lipopeptide biosurfactant production by Bacillus velezensis from residual glycerin.

Biosurfactants (BSFs) are molecules produced by microorganisms from various carbon sources, with applications in bioremediation and petroleum recovery. However, the production cost limits large-scale applications. This study optimized BSFs production by Bacillus velezensis (strain MO13) using residual glycerin as a substrate. The spherical quadratic central composite design (CCD) model was used to standardize carbon source concentration (30 g/L), temperature (34 °C), pH (7.2), stirring (239 rpm), and aeration (0.775 vvm) in a 5-L bioreactor. Maximum BSFs production reached 1527.6 mg/L of surfactins and 176.88 mg/L of iturins, a threefold increase through optimization. Microbial development, substrate consumption, concentration of BSFs, and surface tension were also evaluated on the bioprocess dynamics. Mass spectrometry Q-TOF-MS identified five surfactin and two iturin isoforms produced by B. velezensis MO13. This study demonstrates significant progress on BSF production using industrial waste as a microbial substrate, surpassing reported concentrations in the literature.

Effects of plant protease inhibitors (Pep-3-EcTI, Pep-BbKI, and Pep-BrTI) versus corticosteroids on inflammation, remodeling, and oxidative stress in an asthma-COPD (ACO) model.

The peptide derived from E. contortisiliquum trypsin inhibitor (Pep-3-EcTI), peptide derived from kallikrein inhibitor isolated from B. bauhinioides (Pep-BbKI), and B. rufa peptide modified from B. bauhinioides (Pep-BrTI) peptides exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, suggesting their potential for treating asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO). We compared the effects of these peptides with dexamethasone (DX) treatment in an ACO model. In this study, 11 groups of male BALB/c mice were pre-treated under different conditions, including sensitization with intraperitoneal injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OVA), intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (ELA), sensitization with intraperitoneal injection, and various combinations of peptide treatments with Pep-3-EcTI, Pep-BbKI, Pep-BrTI, dexamethasone, and non-treated controls (SAL-saline). Respiratory system resistance, airway resistance, lung tissue resistance, exhaled nitric oxide, linear mean intercept, immune cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, cytokine expression, extracellular matrix remodeling, and oxidative stress in the airways and alveolar septa were evaluated on day 28. Results showed increased respiratory parameters, inflammatory markers, and tissue remodeling in the ACO group compared to controls. Treatment with the peptides or DX attenuated or reversed these responses, with the peptides showing effectiveness in controlling hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, remodeling, and oxidative stress markers. These peptides demonstrated an efficacy comparable to that of corticosteroids in the ACO model. However, this study highlights the need for further research to assess their safety, mechanisms of action, and potential translation to clinical studies before considering these peptides for human use.

Comparative microbiome analysis in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a condition characterized by abnormal and irreversible bronchial dilation resulting from lung tissue damage and can be categorized into two main groups: cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis (NCFB). Both diseases are marked by recurrent infections, inflammatory exacerbations, and lung damage. Given that infections are the primary drivers of disease progression, characterization of the respiratory microbiome can shed light on compositional alterations and susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs in these cases compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: To assess the microbiota in the two studied diseases, 35 subjects were recruited, comprising 10 NCFB and 13 CF patients and 12 healthy individuals. Nasopharyngeal swabs and induced sputum were collected, and total DNA was extracted. The DNA was then sequenced by the shotgun method and evaluated using the SqueezeMeta pipeline and R. RESULTS: We observed reduced species diversity in both disease cohorts, along with distinct microbial compositions and profiles of antimicrobial resistance genes, compared to healthy individuals. The nasopharynx exhibited a consistent microbiota composition across all cohorts. Enrichment of members of the Burkholderiaceae family and an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the CF cohort emerged as key distinguishing factors compared to NCFB group. Staphylococcus aureus and Prevotella shahii also presented differential abundance in the CF and NCFB cohorts, respectively, in the lower respiratory tract. Considering antimicrobial resistance, a high number of genes related to antibiotic efflux were detected in both disease groups, which correlated with the patient's clinical data. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchiectasis is associated with reduced microbial diversity and a shift in microbial and resistome composition compared to healthy subjects. Despite some similarities, CF and NCFB present significant differences in microbiome composition and antimicrobial resistance profiles, suggesting the need for customized management strategies for each disease.

Incidência e preditores de desfechos clínicos em pacientes com fibrilação atrial valvar e não-valvar em uso de antagonistas da vitamina K: evidências de mundo real / Incidence and predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with valvular and non-valvular atrial fibrillation using vitamin K antagonists: real-world evidence

FUNDAMENTOS: A prevenção de acidente vascular encefálico é uma das prioridades no tratamento da fibrilação atrial (FA). Devido ao alto custo dos anticoagulantes diretos, os antagonistas da vitamina K (AVK) representam importante estratégia terapêutica oferecida pelo SUS aos pacientes com FA no Brasil. Entretanto, os preditores de desfechos clínicos relevantes foram pouco estudados no mundo real. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a incidência e os preditores independentes de morte cardiovascular, eventos tromboembólicos, sangramento maior e não-maior clinicamente relevante, em pacientes com FA tratados com AVK. MÉTODOS: Coorte prospectiva de pacientes com FA recebendo ≥1 ano de varfarina ou femprocumona, incluídos em 2017/2018 e seguidos até 2019. Foram classificados como FA valvar ou não valvar de acordo com as diretrizes vigentes à época. Os desfechos clínicos foram morte cardiovascular, eventos tromboembólicos, sangramento maior e não maior clinicamente relevante, separadamente e como desfecho composto, e adjudicados de forma independente. Foram coletados o tempo na faixa terapêutica (TFT), os escores CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, HAS-BLED e SAMe-TT2R2. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 1.350 pacientes, com idade média de 69,2 (±11,8) anos e 53,6% do sexo feminino, e seguimento de 17 (15-19) meses. A mediana do TFT foi 65%. Prevalência de comorbidades foi elevada e 38,4% apresentavam doença reumática. Incidência anual de eventos tromboembólicos e morte cardiovascular foi 4,4% e preditores foram tromboembolismo prévio (HR 2,12 [IC95% 1,22-3,67], TFT <50% (HR 1,98 [IC95% 1,16-3,37]) e taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) <45mL/min/1,73m2 (HR 2,76 [IC95% 4,82-1,58]). Sangramento maior e não-maior clinicamente relevante foram 3,24%/ano (IC95% 2,47-4,14), e preditores foram sangramento prévio (HR 2,60 [IC95% 1,47- 4,61]) e prótese valvar mecânica (HR 1,91 [IC95% 1,15-3,15]). A incidência do desfecho composto por eventos tromboembólicos e hemorrágicos foi 8,7%/ano e preditores foram sangramento prévio (HR 1,70 [IC95% 1,07-2,70]), TFT <41% (HR 1,79 [IC95% 1,11-2,86]) e átrio esquerdo >44mm (HR 1,97 [IC95% 3,26-1,19]). A incidência anual de eventos aumentou gradualmente de acordo com pontuações mais altas dos escores de risco CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc e HAS-BLED. Os valores de TFT foram significativamente menores entre os pacientes com ≥3 pontos no escore SAMe-TT2R2. CONCLUSÕES: Tromboembolismo ou sangramento prévios, TFG e TFT reduzidos, prótese valvar mecânica, e átrio esquerdo aumentado foram preditores de desfechos clínicos em pacientes com FA tratados com AVK.

Effects of environmental exposure to iron powder on healthy and elastase-exposed mice.

Prolonged exposure to iron powder and other mineral dusts can threaten the health of individuals, especially those with COPD. The goal of this study was to determine how environmental exposure to metal dust from two different mining centers in Brazil affects lung mechanics, inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress responses in healthy and elastase-exposed mice. This study divided 72 male C57Bl/6 mice into two groups, the summer group and the winter group. These groups were further divided into six groups: control, nonexposed (SAL); nonexposed, given elastase (ELA); exposed to metal powder at a mining company (SAL-L1 and ELA-L1); and exposed to a location three miles away from the mining company (SAL-L2 and ELA-L2) for four weeks. On the 29th day of the protocol, the researchers assessed lung mechanics, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammation, remodeling, oxidative stress, macrophage iron and alveolar wall alterations (mean linear intercept-Lm). The Lm was increased in the ELA, ELA-L1 and ELA-L2 groups compared to the SAL group (p < 0.05). There was an increase in the total number of cells and macrophages in the ELA-L1 and ELA-L2 groups compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the ELA and SAL groups, the exposed groups (ELA-L1, ELA-L2, SAL-L1, and SAL-L2) exhibited increased expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, neutrophil elastase, TIMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-12, TGF-ß, collagen fibers, MUC5AC, iNOS, Gp91phox, NFkB and iron positive macrophages (p < 0.05). Although we did not find differences in lung mechanics across all groups, there were low to moderate correlations between inflammation remodeling, oxidative stress and NFkB with elastance, resistance of lung tissue and iron positive macrophages (p < 0.05). Environmental exposure to iron, confirmed by evaluation of iron in alveolar macrophages and in air, exacerbated inflammation, initiated remodeling, and induced oxidative stress responses in exposed mice with and without emphysema. Activation of the iNOS, Gp91phox and NFkB pathways play a role in these changes.

Implementation of the Fast-track Protocol for Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Public Hospital in the State of São Paulo - Brazil.

Objective Evaluate the results of the implementation of the Fast Track Protocol (FTP), a medical practice based on scientific evidence, for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery, mainly comparing the National Average Hospital Admission Rate of 7.1 days. Methods 98 patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty surgery via the direct anterior approach, anterolateral approach and posterior approach were included in the FTP from December 2018 to March 2020, being followed up preoperatively, intraoperatively and immediately postoperatively. Results The average length of hospital stay was 2.8 days, being 2.1 days for the direct anterior approach, 3.0 days for the anterolateral access approach and 4.1 days for the posterior access approach. The average surgery time was 90 minutes, 19 (19.39%) of the patients were referred to the ICU in the postoperative period, however, none of them underwent surgery using the direct anterior approach. We had no cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PTE) or neurological injury, 19 (19.39%) patients had postoperative bleeding requiring dressing change, 4 (4.08%) needed blood transfusion, 2 (2.04%) patients had implant instability, 1 (1.02%) patient had a fracture during surgery and 1 (1.02%) patient died of cardiac complications. Conclusion FTP may be a viable alternative to reduce the length of stay and immediate postoperative complications for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery decreasing the length of stay of patients by 2 to 3 times when compared to the national average of 7.1 days.

Comparative Study on the Periodontal Parameters Used in Diagnosing Periodontitis in Puerperae and Periodontitis' Relationship with the Birth of Preterm Infants: A Case-Control Study.

To compare different criteria for the diagnosis of periodontitis and to evaluate the association of this condition with prematurity, this case-control study was conducted on 283 mothers of infants, divided into two groups based on gestational age (cases: <37 weeks, controls: ≥37 weeks), with 71 cases and 212 controls. The periodontal evaluation included probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index, and bleeding on probing (BOP). Participants were classified regarding periodontitis per 14 criteria based on different periodontal parameters. The criterion selected as the gold standard was the presence of at least four teeth with one or more sites with a PD ≥ 4 mm, CAL ≥ 3 mm, and BOP at the same site. The prevalence of periodontal disease ranged from 8.1% to 55.1%. Moreover, compared to the gold standard, the sensitivities of the other criteria were 100%, while specificity ranged from 50.4% to 96.4%. Periodontitis, defined by six of the selected criteria, was associated with prematurity after multivariate adjustment, with OR ranging from 1.85 to 2.69 and 95% CI from 1.01 to 5.56; one of them was the gold standard mentioned above. Measurements using the clinical parameters of PD, CAL, and bleeding at the same site (criteria 5, 6, 7, 8), CPI (criterion 10), and at least four teeth with a PD ≥ 4 mm and CAL ≥ 3 mm (criterion 11) to define periodontitis showed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05). Given this study's limitations, we can conclude that the diagnostic criteria for a periodontitis definition using a PD ≥ 4 mm and CAL ≥ 3 mm in two or more teeth, with BOP at the same site, seem stronger when detecting an association between periodontitis and prematurity.

Alpha-7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonist Protects Mice Against Pulmonary Emphysema Induced by Elastase.

Pulmonary emphysema is a primary component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a life-threatening disorder characterized by lung inflammation and restricted airflow, primarily resulting from the destruction of small airways and alveolar walls. Cumulative evidence suggests that nicotinic receptors, especially the α7 subtype (α7nAChR), is required for anti-inflammatory cholinergic responses. We postulated that the stimulation of α7nAChR could offer therapeutic benefits in the context of pulmonary emphysema. To investigate this, we assessed the potential protective effects of PNU-282987, a selective α7nAChR agonist, using an experimental emphysema model. Male mice (C57BL/6) were submitted to a nasal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) (50 µl, 0.667 IU) to induce emphysema. Treatment with PNU-282987 (2.0 mg/kg, ip) was performed pre and post-emphysema induction by measuring anti-inflammatory effects (inflammatory cells, cytokines) as well as anti-remodeling and anti-oxidant effects. Elastase-induced emphysema led to an increase in the number of α7nAChR-positive cells in the lungs. Notably, both groups treated with PNU-282987 (prior to and following emphysema induction) exhibited a significant decrease in the number of α7nAChR-positive cells. Furthermore, both groups treated with PNU-282987 demonstrated decreased levels of macrophages, IL-6, IL-1ß, collagen, and elastic fiber deposition. Additionally, both groups exhibited reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and lower levels of SOCS3. Of particular note, in the post-treated group, PNU-282987 successfully attenuated alveolar enlargement, decreased IL-17 and TNF-α levels, and reduced the recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells to the lung parenchyma. Significantly, it is worth noting that MLA, an antagonist of α7nAChR, counteracted the protective effects of PNU-282987 in relation to certain crucial inflammatory parameters. In summary, these findings unequivocally demonstrate the protective abilities of α7nAChR against elastase-induced emphysema, strongly supporting α7nAChR as a pivotal therapeutic target for ameliorating pulmonary emphysema.

Executive functions beyond the "Holy Trinity": A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: Executive functions (EFs) are a multifaceted construct, important for several outcomes throughout life. The most commonly addressed executive components are inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. To map how other executive components are addressed conceptually and methodologically in the literature, a scoping review was carried out. METHOD: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guideline was used. The database search (2017-2022) was carried out on the APA PsycInfo, Medline, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO databases. A total of 3,473 articles were identified; 1,302 remained after screening. Given the large number of articles, a sample calculation was performed (95% CI and 5% error), with 297 articles randomly selected for full-text reading and 242 studies included for analysis. RESULTS: There was a predominance of health application studies in adults and older adults and in developed countries. There is relative conceptual consensus that EF are a multidimensional construct; however, there is no explicit identification of the theoretical model used in the studies. A diversity of EF was evidenced, which broadens the understanding of the construct, its assessment, and intervention targets. Furthermore, there was a variety of instruments used to assess these skills, with a predominance of performance tests, often with construct-instrument ambivalence between studies. CONCLUSIONS: The mapping showed a diversity of skills referred to as EF in addition to the core components and identified the instruments used in their assessment. Greater conceptual and structural clarity and greater methodological care are fundamental to support the assessment of EF and their intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Severity of white matter microstructural damage in a Brazilian relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis cohort: A possible window to optimize treatment.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important cause of acquired neurological disability in young adults, characterized by multicentric inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to investigate white matter (WM) damage progression in a Brazilian MS patient cohort, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) post-processed by tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). METHODS: DTI scans were acquired from 76 MS patients and 37 sex-and-age matched controls. Patients were divided into three groups based on disease duration. DTI was performed along 30 non-collinear directions by using a 1.5T imager. For TBSS analysis, the WM skeleton was created, and a 5000 permutation-based inference with a threshold of p < .05 was used, to enable the identification of abnormalities in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD). RESULTS: Decreased FA and increased RD, MD, and AD were seen in patients compared to controls and a decreased FA and increased MD and RD were seen, predominantly after the first 5 years of disease, when compared between groups. CONCLUSION: Progressive WM deterioration is seen over time with a more prominent pattern after 5 years of disease onset, providing evidence that the early years might be a window to optimize treatment and prevent disability.

Medicines for managing lower pain in patients with failed back surgery syndrome treated with neuromodulation / Medicamentos para manejo da dor em pacientes com síndrome da falha da cirurgia na coluna tratados com neuromodulação / Medicamentos para el manejo del dolor en pacientes con síndrome de cirugía fallida de columna tratados con neuromodulación

ABSTRACT: Objective: To compare the use of drugs to control low back pain in the pre- and postoperative periods among patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) undergoing neuromodulation. Methods: Retrospective observational study analyzing the medical records of patients with FBSS who underwent neuromodulation, followed up in an outpatient clinic from 2018 to 2020. The characteristics of the patients were evaluated: the use of medications, quality of life through the results of the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), and functional capacity using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) in the pre-surgical and post-surgical periods (06 months, 01 year). The criterion for establishing statistical significance was p≤0.05. Results: 56 patients were evaluated. There was a reduction in the use of pain control drugs after the institution of neuromodulation, including in the opioid class (d=0.81). An improvement was also observed in the ODI scores (p<0.001) and all the SF-36 domains (p<0.02) in the postoperative periods investigated. Conclusion: The data suggest that neuromodulation positively impacted back pain by reducing medication use and improving functional capacity and quality of life. Level of Evidence IV; Retrospective, Observational Study.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Comparar o uso de medicamentos para o controle da dor lombar nos períodos pré e pós-operatórios entre pacientes com Síndrome da Falha da Cirurgia na Coluna (FBSS) submetidos à neuromodulação. Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo de análise de prontuários dos pacientes com FBSS submetidos à neuromodulação, acompanhados ambulatorialmente no período de 2018 a 2020. Foram avaliadas as características dos pacientes; o uso de medicamentos; a qualidade de vida através dos resultados do Questionário Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF- 36) e a capacidade funcional utilizando o Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) nos períodos pré-cirúrgico e pós-cirúrgicos (06 meses, 01 ano). O critério para estabelecer significância estatística foi valores de p≤0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados 56 pacientes. Verificou-se redução do uso de medicamentos para o controle da dor após a instituição da neuromodulação, inclusive na classe dos opioides (d=0,81). Observou-se ainda melhora nos escores do ODI (p<0,001) e de todos os domínios do SF-36 (p<0,02) nos períodos pós-operatórios investigados. Conclusão: Os dados sugerem que a neuromodulação teve impacto positivo na dor de coluna em termos de redução no uso de medicamentos, melhora da capacidade funcional e da qualidade de vida. Nível de Evidência IV; Estudo Retrospectivo, Observacional.

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Comparar el uso de fármacos para el control de la lumbalgia en el pre y posoperatorio en pacientes con Síndrome de Cirugía Fallida de Columna (FBSS) sometidos a neuromodulación. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo analizando las historias clínicas de pacientes con FBSS que se sometieron a neuromodulación, seguidos en consulta externa de 2018 a 2020. Se evaluaron las características de los pacientes; el uso de medicamentos; calidad de vida a través de los resultados del Cuestionario Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) y la capacidad funcional mediante el Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) en los períodos prequirúrgico y posquirúrgico (06 meses, 01 año). El criterio para establecer la significación estadística fue p≤0,05. Resultados: se evaluaron 56 pacientes. Hubo una reducción en el uso de medicamentos para el control del dolor después de la institución de la neuromodulación, incluso en la clase de opioides (d = 0,81). También se observó una mejora en las puntuaciones del ODI (p<0,001) y en todos los dominios del SF-36 (p<0,02) en los períodos postoperatorios investigados. Conclusión: Los datos sugieren que la neuromodulación tuvo un impacto positivo en el dolor de espalda en términos de reducción del uso de medicamentos, mejorando la capacidad funcional y la calidad de vida. Nivel de Evidencia IV; Estudio Retrospectivo, Observacional.

Aplicabilidade de teoria de enfermagem para intervenção práxica na atenção primária à saúde: revisão integrativa / Aplicabilidad de la teoría de enfermería para intervención práxica en la atención primaria de salud: revisión integrante / Applicability of nursing theory for praxis intervention in primary health care: an integrative review

Objetivo: analisar as evidências científicas acerca do uso da Teoria de Intervenção Práxica da Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva na atenção primária à saúde por meio de estudos de fontes primárias. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, sem delimitação de tempo e idiomas, com pesquisas nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMED, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE e Web of Science e na biblioteca eletrônica SciELO. Resultados: foram incluídos 15 artigos, que se restringiram às fases de captação (nas dimensões estrutural, particular e singular) e interpretação da realidade objetiva, o que evidenciou uma lacuna de conhecimentos quanto à efetividade da teoria em relação à intervenção na realidade objetiva. Considerações finais: a análise das evidências científicas ratificou, apesar da utilização discreta e pontual da Teoria de Intervenção Práxica da Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva, o seu potencial para o direcionamento das práticas dos enfermeiros na atenção primária à saúde.

Objetivo: analizar las evidencias científicas acerca del uso de la Teoría de Intervención Práxica de la Enfermería en Salud Colectiva en la atención primaria de salud por medio de estudios de fuentes primarias. Método: se trata de una revisión integrativa, sin delimitación de tiempo e idiomas, con investigaciones en las bases de datos LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMED, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE y Web of Science y en la biblioteca electrónica SciELO. Resultados: se incluyeron 15 artículos, que se restringieron a las fases de captación (en las dimensiones estructural, particular y singular) e interpretación de la realidad objetiva, lo que evidenció una laguna de conocimientos en cuanto a la efectividad de la teoría en relación con la intervención en la realidad objetiva. Consideraciones finales: el análisis de las evidencias científicas ratificó, a pesar de la utilización discreta y puntual de la Teoría de Intervención Práxica de la Enfermería en Salud Colectiva, su potencial para el direccionamiento de las prácticas de los enfermeros en la atención primaria a la salud.

Objective: analyzing the scientific evidence about the use of the Theory of Praxis Intervention of Public Health Nursing in primary health care through studies of primary sources. Method: this is an integrative review, without delimitation of time and languages, with searches in the databases LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMED, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Web of Science and the electronic library SciELO. Results: fifteen articles were included, which were restricted to the phases of capture (in the structural and singular dimensions) and interpretation of the objective reality, which showed a lack of knowledge about the effectiveness of theory in relation to intervention in objective reality. Final considerations: the analysis of scientific evidence confirmed, despite the discrete and punctual use of the Theory of Praxis Intervention of Nursing in Collective Health, its potential for the direction of nurses' practices in primary health care.

Human papillomavirus in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus: association with viral load and lymphocyte count

ABSTRACT Women living with human immunodeficiency virus are at an increased risk of developing cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV). Thus, it is important to combine clinical assessments, serological screening, and HPV data for planning prevention policies. This study aimed to identify HPV and its specific types in the cervical, anal, and oral mucosa of HIV-seropositive women, associating it with viral load and lymphocyte count. Sociodemographic characteristics, health data (CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and viral load), and biological samples (cervical, anal, and oral) were collected from 86 HIV-positive women undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Data were classified according to the presence or absence of HPV-DNA, HPV-DNA presence at one or more anatomic sites, and level of oncogenic risk, considering low- and high-risk oncogenic HPV-DNA groups. The presence of HPV in the cervicovaginal site was 65.9%, 63.8% in anal canal, and 4.2% in oral mucosa. A viral load ≥75 HIV copies/mL was associated with the presence of HPV-DNA. There was an association between viral load and the low-risk HPV or high-risk HPV groups. We found a high prevalence of HPV infection in HIV-seropositive women, particularly in the cervical and anal mucosa, with viral load ≥75 HIV copies/mL being associated with HPV-DNA presence.

Klotho in Cancer: Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Applications.

Klotho proteins, αKlotho, ßKlotho, and γKlotho, exert tumor-suppressive activities via the fibroblast growth factor receptors and multiple cell-signaling pathways. There is a growing interest in Klotho proteins as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for multiple diseases. However, recent advances regarding their roles and potential applications in cancer remain disperse and require an integrated analysis. The present review analyzed research articles published between 2012 and 2022 in the Cochrane and Scopus scientific databases to study the role of Klotho in cancer and their potential as tools for diagnosing specific cancer types, predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis. Twenty-six articles were selected, dealing with acute myeloid leukemia and with bladder, breast, colorectal, esophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, ovarian, pancreatic, prostatic, pulmonary, renal, and thyroid cancers. αKlotho was consistently associated with improved prognosis and may be useful in estimating patient survival. A single study reported the use of soluble αKlotho levels in blood serum as a tool to aid the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. γKlotho was associated with increased aggressiveness of bladder, breast, and prostate cancer, and ßKlotho showed mixed results. Further clinical development of Klotho-based assays will require careful identification of specific tumor subtypes where Klotho proteins may be most valuable as diagnostic or prognostic tools.

Modulating asthma-COPD overlap responses with IL-17 inhibition.

Background: IL-17 is a modulator of the inflammatory response and is implicated in lung remodeling in both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Well as and probably in patients with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). Methods: In this study, we evaluated the response of the airways and alveolar septa to anti-IL-17 treatment in an ACO model. Fifty-six male BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA group), received porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE group), or both (ACO group). Mice were then treated with either anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibody or saline. We evaluated hyperresponsiveness, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts, and mean alveolar diameter. We quantified inflammatory, response, extracellular matrix remodeling, oxidative stress markers, and signaling pathway markers. Results: Anti-IL-17 treatment in the ACO anti-IL-17 group reduced the maximum response of respiratory system Rrs, Ers, Raw, Gtis, this when compared to the ACO group (p<0.05). There was a reduction in the total number of inflammatory cells, neutrophils, and macrophages in the BALF in the ACO anti-IL-17 group compared to the ACO group (p<0.05). There was attenuated dendritic cells, CD4+, CD8+, FOXP3, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-13, IL-17, IL-33 in ACO anti-IL-17 group in airway and alveolar septum compared to the ACO group (p<0.05). We observed a reduction of MMP-9, MMP-12, TIMP-1, TGF-ß, collagen type I in ACO anti-IL-17 group in airway and alveolar septum compared to the ACO group (p < 0.05). We also observed a reduction of iNOS and 8-iso-PGF2α in the airways and in the alveolar septum was reduced in the ACO anti-IL-17group compared to the ACO group (p < 0.05). Regarding the signaling pathways, NF-kB, ROCK-1, and ROCK-2 in the airway and alveolar septum were attenuated in the ACO anti-IL-17 group when compared to the ACO group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that inhibiting IL-17 modulates cell-associated cytokine production in lung tissue, extracellular matrix remodeling, and oxidative stress in ACO through the modulation of NF-kB and FOXP3.

Scleromalacia perforans as an early manifestation of late-onset rheumatoid arthritis: a case-based review.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect different organs beyond the joints. Ocular involvement includes keratoconjunctivitis sicca, peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK), episcleritis, scleritis, anterior uveitis, and corneal impairment. The most severe form of scleritis, scleromalacia perforans, is an aggressive ophthalmic manifestation that can potentially lead to blindness, usually occurring in late stages of disease. We report a case of an elderly woman in which this severe ocular manifestation occurred early on disease onset, differing from most of the previously reported cases of scleromalacia perforans. Ocular symptoms started concomitantly with the polyarthritis and other extra-articular manifestations, including rheumatoid nodules and vasculitic skin lesions. Ocular disease progressed due to patient's loss to follow-up, requiring pulse therapy with methylprednisolone. However, despite treatment, right eye enucleation was required due to melting of the corneal patch with uveal exposition. The patient was then treated with rituximab with improvement of systemic disease. The present case reinforces that, although rare, this complication is severe and must be promptly diagnosed and aggressively treated to improve prognosis of ocular and systemic RA.