Assessing the role of prognostic nutritional index in predicting outcomes for rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The association of Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) with prognosis has been established for various cancer types, including rectal cancer. However, the precise relationship between PNI and body composition characteristics in patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PNI on overall survival and disease-free survival in non-metastatic rectal cancer patients undergoing total surgical resection. Additionally, it sought to assess the inflammatory status and body composition in patients across different PNI levels. METHODS: Patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer who underwent total surgical resection, were consecutively enrolled. PNI was calculated using the formula: PNI = (10 × serum albumin [g/dl]) + (0.005 × lymphocytes/µL). Body composition was assessed using CT-derived measurements and laboratory tests performed at diagnosis were used to calculate inflammatory indices. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses as well as Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine prognostic values. RESULTS: A total of 298 patients were included. Patients with low PNI demonstrated significantly reduced overall survival and disease-free survival compared to those with high PNI (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.85; Confidence interval [CI] 1.30-2 0.62; p = 0.001). Moreover, patients with low PNI exhibited heightened systemic inflammatory status and reduced skeletal muscle index, increased muscle radiodensity, as well as a decrease in subcutaneous adipose tissue area, subcutaneous fat index, and low attenuation of both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. CONCLUSION: The PNI, assessed prior to treatment initiation, serves as a prognostic biomarker for non-metastatic rectal cancer patients undergoing total surgical resection and is linked with both inflammation and alterations in body composition.

Genomic surveillance and serological profile of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Macaé and nearby cities, southeastern Brazil.

Introduction: A characteristic of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the sequential emergence and global dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 variants, noted for their enhanced transmission efficiency. These variants with mutations in the Spike glycoprotein (S-glycoprotein), which interacts with ACE2 receptors in human cells is critical for infection, affects the transmissibility of the virus, which is a matter of great concern for public health. Objective: This research analyses the effects these variants on a cohort of vaccinated and naturally infected individuals from the cities of Macaé-RJ, Rio das Ostras-RJ, and Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, Brazil, from March 2021 to March 2023. Methods: This investigation encompasses the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2, B.1.671.3), and Omicron (BQ.1, BQ.1.1 sublines, and BF.7) variants, focusing on their genomic surveillance and implications for the disease's epidemiology. The experimental analysis included a control group (vaccinated and uninfected subjects), and an infected group (post-vaccinated subjects). Samples from nasopharyngeal swabs underwent viral detection via RT-qPCR for diagnosis confirmation. RNase H-dependent RT-qPCR (rhAmp-PCR) and third-generation sequencing were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants. Anti-S-glycoprotein immunoglobulins were also evaluated for vaccinated infected and noninfected volunteers. Symptoms from infected individuals were compiled in order to reveal patterns of clinical signs associated with viral infection. Results: The study included 289 participants, with infections identified by Gamma (n = 44), Delta (n = 189), and Omicron (n = 56) variants. The prevalent symptoms among the naturally infected participants were cough, fever, sore throat, headache, and runny nose. For Omicron, cognitive symptoms such as memory loss and concentration issues were reported. Interestingly, the infected vaccinated group had higher anti-S-glycoprotein IgM production (n = 28, 0.2833 ± 0.09768 OD) compared to the uninfected vaccinated group (n = 14, 0.1035 ± 0.03625 OD). Conversely, anti-S-glycoprotein IgG production was higher in the control group (n = 12, 1.770 ± 0.1393 OD) than in the infected vaccinated group (n = 26, 1.391 ± 0.1563 OD). Conclusion: This comprehensive study enables monitoring of predominant variants and their correlation with clinical cases, providing valuable insights for public health. Our research group continues to survey circulating variants, contributing to the global understanding of the pandemic.

Local anesthetic improves individuals affected with herpes simplex type 1 labialis.

Infections caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), commonly called herpes simplex labialis (HSL), are a public health problem, reaching around 40% of the world's population. Thus, the search for effective therapeutic alternatives in the control of the limitations caused by this virus during the stages of evolution of the disease, is necessary, since they have a direct impact on the quality of life of the patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the in situ film precursor semisolid composition in the treatment of herpes simplex lesions in human HSV-1. Ninety-eight (n = 98) patients with HSV-1 were used for this study. The initial exclusion criteria left 81 patients to be considered in the present study. Three applications were performed, the first at time zero (T0) and the other two at 8 and 16 hours, after initial application (T8 and T16). Photographs were taken in the first appointment and 24 and 72 hours after the last application. After the three periods, each patient received a total amount of 90 mg of anesthetic and the prognosis of the patients was followed for 6 months and 1 year after the application. Frequency analysis showed that 40.3% of patients had remission of symptoms 24 hours after the last application. For the present study, the film presented a positive therapeutic potential and an esthetic benefit that is absent in the current products (ointments and gels). The invent presents dosage convenience (only three applications in a 24-hour period) and a low production cost, with a much shorter healing time than that reported using topical antiretrovirals.

Aspectos socioeconômicos e de desenvolvimento humano municipal determinantes na ausência de prestadores de serviços de esgotamento sanitário no Brasil / Socioeconomic aspects and municipal human development determinants in the absence of providers of sanitary sewage services in Brazil

RESUMO Com o objetivo de verificar os condicionantes municipais envolvidos na presença ou não de prestadores de serviços de esgotamento sanitário no Brasil, no presente estudo foram utilizados dados obtidos pela compatibilização de informações provenientes da Pesquisa Nacional de Saneamento Básico, do Censo Demográfico e do Atlas do Desenvolvimento Humano, referentes aos anos de 2008, 2010 e 2013, respectivamente. Verificou-se, por meio de testes estatísticos não paramétricos univariados e multivariados, que os serviços menos atrativos relacionados aos potenciais usuários, com perfil dos distritos-sede com menores índices de desenvolvimento humano municipal e com precários desempenhos em termos social, econômico, vulnerabilidade à pobreza e de condições sanitárias, ficam sob responsabilidade da administração direta municipal. Fator como economia de escala é crucial para a presença principalmente das empresas privadas, das companhias estaduais e as de administração indireta municipal. Além disso, essas prestadoras estão presentes em localidades que possuem índices de desenvolvimento humano municipal (IDHM) considerado alto.

ABSTRACT With the objective of verifying the municipal constraints involved in the presence or not of sewage service providers in Brazil, this study used data obtained by the compatibilization of information from the National Survey of Basic Sanitation, Demographic Census and Human Development Atlas, referring to the years 2008, 2010, and 2013, respectively. Through univariate and multivariate nonparametric statistical tests, it was found that the less attractive services related to potential users, with the profile of the host districts with lower levels of municipal human development and poor social, economic, vulnerability to poverty and sanitary conditions are under the responsibility of the municipal direct administration. Factors as an economy of scale is crucial for the presence mainly of private companies, state companies and those of indirect municipal administration. In addition, these providers are present in locations with high municipal human development rates.

Profile of women with cervical cancer attended for treatment in oncology center / Perfil de mulheres com câncer de colo do útero atendidas para tratamento em centro de oncologia

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the sociodemographic, clinical, histopathological, cytopathological and microbiological profile of women with cervical cancer treated at Oncology Center in Pernambuco, located in the city of Caruaru-PE. Methods: a retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the medical records of women with cervical cancer treated for radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy between January 2014 and December 2016. For the analysis of variables, the absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Results: there was a predominance of cases in the age range between 40 and 59 years (45.37%), non-white race/color (91.75%) and incomplete primary education (44.32%). Squamous carcinoma was present in 85.19% of the cases, with a moderately differentiated histological grade being the most common (53.41%). Most women underwent radiotherapy and associated chemotherapy (72.72%) and had 3 or more pregnancies before diagnosis (73.44%). Cytopathology has more frequently identified high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cases (45.83%) and cocci and/or bacilli (66.67%) were the most evident microorganisms. Conclusions: the results showed that the perimenopause age, low educational level, multiparity, cytopathologic result of HSIL and histopathological examination evidencing moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma were among the characteristics most related to cervical cancer in the population studied.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar o perfil sociodemográfico, clínico, histopatológico, citopatológico e microbiológico de mulheres com câncer de colo do útero atendidas em Centro de Oncologia Pernambucano. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo, que avaliou os prontuários de mulheres com câncer de colo do útero atendidas para tratamento radioterápico e/ou quimioterápico entre janeiro de 2014 e dezembro de 2016. Para a análise das variáveis foram calculadas as frequências absolutas e relativas. Resultados: houve predominância de casos na faixa etária entre 40 a 59 anos (45,37%), de raça/cor não branca (91,75%) e com até o ensino fundamental incompleto (44,32%). O carcinoma escamoso esteve presente em 85,19% dos casos, sendo o grau histológico moderadamente diferenciado o mais comum (53,41%). A maioria das mulheres realizaram radioterapia e quimioterapia associadas (72,72%) e apresentaram 3 gestações ou mais antes do diagnóstico (73,44%). A citopatologia identificou, com maior frequência, casos de high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL) (45,83%) e cocos e/ou bacilos (66,67%) foram os microrganismos mais evidentes. Conclusões: os resultados revelaram que a idade perimenopausa, baixo grau de escolaridade, multiparidade, resultado citopatológico de HSIL e exame histopatológico evidenciando carcinoma escamoso moderadamente diferenciado, estavam entre as características mais relacionadas ao câncer de colo do útero na população estudada.

Cytopathologic follow-up of women with cervical cancer post-radiotherapy: case series / Citopatologia de seguimento em mulheres com câncer de colo do útero após radioterapia: série de casos

ABSTRACT Cytopathology, in addition to its role in cervical cancer screening programs, is also an important tool for controlling the efficacy of treatment in women with cervical cancer by monitoring and early detecting residual, recurrent neoplasms or benign reactive changes. In this study, we report eight cases of cytopathologic follow-up of women with cervical cancer post-radiotherapy, assisted by a Center of Oncology in Pernambuco. The main cytological findings post-treatment were described,as well as the histopathological characteristics at diagnosis and the treatments performed.

RESUMO A citopatologia, além de seu papel nos programas de rastreio do câncer cervical, é uma importante ferramenta para o controle da eficácia do tratamento em mulheres com câncer de colo do útero, monitorando e detectando precocemente neoplasias residuais, recorrentes ou alterações reacionais benignas. Neste trabalho, relatamos oito casos de citopatologia de seguimento em mulheres com câncer de colo do útero após tratamento radioterápico, assistidas por um centro de oncologia pernambucano. Os principais achados citológicos pós-tratamento foram descritos, assim como as características histopatológicas ao diagnóstico e os tratamentos realizados.

Human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2 as an autonomous membrane transporter.

The active transport of glycolytic pyruvate across the inner mitochondrial membrane is thought to involve two mitochondrial pyruvate carrier subunits, MPC1 and MPC2, assembled as a 150 kDa heterotypic oligomer. Here, the recombinant production of human MPC through a co-expression strategy is first described; however, substantial complex formation was not observed, and predominantly individual subunits were purified. In contrast to MPC1, which co-purifies with a host chaperone, we demonstrated that MPC2 homo-oligomers promote efficient pyruvate transport into proteoliposomes. The derived functional requirements and kinetic features of MPC2 resemble those previously demonstrated for MPC in the literature. Distinctly, chemical inhibition of transport is observed only for a thiazolidinedione derivative. The autonomous transport role for MPC2 is validated in cells when the ectopic expression of human MPC2 in yeast lacking endogenous MPC stimulated growth and increased oxygen consumption. Multiple oligomeric species of MPC2 across mitochondrial isolates, purified protein and artificial lipid bilayers suggest functional high-order complexes. Significant changes in the secondary structure content of MPC2, as probed by synchrotron radiation circular dichroism, further supports the interaction between the protein and ligands. Our results provide the initial framework for the independent role of MPC2 in homeostasis and diseases related to dysregulated pyruvate metabolism.

Clindamycin microbial resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus sp. derived from blood cultures of hospitalized patients / Resistência microbiana à clindamicina em isolados clínicos de Staphylococcus sp. provenientes de hemoculturas de pacientes hospitalizados

ABSTRACT Introduction: Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have become common in hospitals, and this resistance has limited patients' treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics. Clindamycin is an important therapeutic agent for MRSA infections; however, inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance (iMLSB) has resulted in therapeutic failures with the use of this antimicrobial, with a consequent increase in patient mortality and length of stay. Objective: This study was carried out in order to detect phenotypes of inducible and constitutive resistance to clindamycin in blood culture samples of Staphylococcus sp. from hospitalized patients. Material and methods: A hundred bacterial samples from blood cultures of adult patients were evaluated, identified by conventional phenotypic tests, and subject to determination of susceptibility and resistance profiles with cefoxitin, erythromycin, and clindamycin discs; and to phenotypic evaluation of iMLSB resistance using the D-test. The results were interpreted in accordance with the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2014. Results: In this study, 65% of 60 bacterial strains were susceptible to cefoxitin and 35%, resistant. The constitutive MLSB (cMLSB) resistance phenotype was observed in 15.56% of the methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) samples, 33.33% of methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MSCONS), 26.67% of MRSA and 20% of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCONS), while iMLSB resistance was observed only in strains susceptible to cefoxitin, corresponding to 80% in MSSA and 20% in MSCONS. Conclusion: The D-test is a key test for the constant monitoring of the inducible resistance phenotype (which may impair the effectiveness of treatment with clindamycin), minimizing potential medication errors and adverse clinical outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: As infecções causadas por cepas de Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA) tornaram-se comuns no âmbito hospitalar, e essa resistência limitou o tratamento dos pacientes com antibióticos betalactâmicos. A clindamicina é um importante agente terapêutico para as infecções por MRSA, porém a resistência a macrolídeos, lincosamida e estreptogramina B (MLSB) induzível (iMLSB) tem conferido falhas terapêuticas ao uso desse antimicrobiano, com consequente aumento da mortalidade e do tempo de internação dos pacientes. Objetivo: Este estudo foi realizado com o propósito de detectar fenótipos de resistência constitutiva e induzível à clindamicina em amostras de hemoculturas do gênero Staphylococcus sp. de pacientes internados. Material e métodos: Foram analisadas 100 amostras bacterianas provenientes de hemoculturas de pacientes adultos, as quais foram identificadas por testes fenotípicos convencionais e submetidas à determinação do perfil de sensibilidade e resistência com discos de cefoxitina, eritromicina e clindamicina e à pesquisa fenotípica de resistência iMLSB pelo D-teste. Os resultados foram interpretados de acordo com as recomendações do Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2014. Resultados: Neste estudo, 65% das 60 amostras bacterianas foram sensíveis à cefoxitina e 35%, resistentes. O fenótipo de resistência MLSB constituído (cMLSB) foi observado em 15,56% das amostras de methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), 33,33% de methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MSCONS), 26,67% de MRSA e 20% de methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCONS), enquanto a resistência iMLSB foi verificada apenas em isolados sensíveis à cefoxitina, correspondendo a 80% em MSSA e 20% em MSCONS. Conclusão: O D-teste é um teste essencial para o monitoramento constante do iMLSB (que pode comprometer a eficácia do tratamento com clindamicina), minimizando possíveis erros terapêuticos e desfechos clínicos desfavoráveis.

Microbial resistance and frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in isolated from blood cultures / Resistência microbiana e frequência de betalactamase de espectro estendido (ESBL) em isolados de hemoculturas

Introduction: The emergence and spread of isolated carriers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) have complicated the treatment of nosocomial infections, since its production is not easily identified by the sensitivity tests, routinely performed in clinical laboratories, leading to difficulties in the hospital control of resistant microorganisms and antibiotics misuse. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the resistance profile and the frequency of ESBL in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from blood cultures. A hundred bacterial samples from blood cultures of adult patients were analyzed, which were phenotypically identified by biochemical tests of carbohydrates fermentation and submitted to determination of the resistance profile by disc diffusion test and ESBL screening by disc approximation and disc replacement methods. Results: Among the bacterial samples tested, 30 were identified as Gram-negative bacteria, predominantly by Proteus mirabilis, Pantoea agglomerans, and Escherichia coli. Of these, 73.33% were positive for the detection of ESBL by phenotypic tests, and was found mainly in Pantoea agglomerans, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterobacter cloacae. Conclusion: The increase in the occurrence of ESBL in different Enterobacteriaceae shows the importance of the amplification of detection in other species than Escherichia coli or Klebsiella sp., so that the assistance to the patient is not restrained, since these resistant bacteria cannot be detected by the laboratories. Considering the frequency of ESBL in this study, we highlight the importance of its detection, aiming to its contribution to the development of improvements in the health care policies of hospitals. .

Introdução: A emergência e a disseminação dos isolados portadores de betalactamase de espectro estendido (ESBL) têm complicado o tratamento das infecções nosocomiais, uma vez que sua produção não é facilmente identificada nos testes de sensibilidade realizados rotineiramente em laboratórios clínicos, levando a dificuldades no controle hospitalar de microrganismos resistentes, bem como ao uso indevido de antibióticos. Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o perfil de resistência e a frequência de ESBL em bactérias Gram negativas isoladas de hemoculturas. Foram analisadas 100 amostras bacterianas, provenientes de hemoculturas de pacientes adultos, as quais foram identificadas fenotipicamente por provas bioquímicas de fermentação dos carboidratos e submetidas à determinação do perfil de resistência por meio do teste disco difusão e da pesquisa de ESBL, pelos métodos de aproximação de disco e substituição de disco. Resultados: Entre as amostras bacterianas analisadas, 30 foram identificadas como bactérias Gram negativas, com predomínio de Proteus mirabilis, Pantoea agglomerans e Escherichia coli. Destas, 73,33% foram positivas para a pesquisa de ESBL pelos testes fenotípicos aplicados, sendo detectada, principalmente, em Pantoea agglomerans, Proteus mirabilis e Enterobacter cloacae. Conclusão: O aumento da ocorrência de ESBL em diversas enterobactérias revela a importância da ampliação desta detecção em espécies não Escherichia coli e não Klebsiella sp., de modo que as condutas de assistência ao paciente não sejam ameaçadas, já que essas bactérias resistentes podem não ser detectadas pelos laboratórios. Considerando a frequência de ESBL deste estudo, ressalta-se a importância de sua detecção, tendo em vista sua contribuição na possibilidade de melhorias das políticas de terapia em hospitais. .