Publications by authors named "Alvaro Silva"

To assess the impact and feasibility of a telehealth program using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and a connected insulin pen cap (CIPC) in nursing homes for older adults with insulin-treated diabetes. This multicenter, prospective, sequential, single-arm study consisted of three phases: (1) baseline, blind CGM (); (2) intervention 1, CGM () without alarms; and (3) intervention 2, CGM with alarms for hypo and hyperglycemia. Two telehealth visits from reference diabetes units were conducted to adjust antidiabetic treatments.

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Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a versatile cytokine crucial for immune response modulation, inflammation regulation, and various physiological processes in the body. Its wide-ranging functions underscore its importance in maintaining health. Dysregulated IL-6 is closely associated with many diseases, making it a key research and therapeutic target.

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This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of amantadine in a vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy model in rats. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were used. The treated groups received oral amantadine at doses of 2, 5, 12, 25 and 50 mg/kg, with daily applications for 14 days.

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Objective: The prevalent symptoms of severe dengue in pediatric patients are divided into three subgroups: severe plasma leakage, severe bleeding, and severe organ damage. In addition, the seasonal patterns of the disease and the outcomes of cure or death from dengue were evaluated.

Methods: An epidemiological, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the Notifiable Disease Information System (SINAN - Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação and DATASUS - Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde) of the Ministry of Health from 2019 to 2020.

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Background: The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) classification system is a validated and the most widely accepted instrument for defining instability in vertebral metastasis (VM), in which lesions scoring between 7 and 12 are defined as indeterminate and the treatment is controversial. This study aimed to determine which variables more frequently are considered by spine surgeons for choosing between the conservative and the surgical treatment of VMs among patients with an indeterminate SINS.

Methods: A single-round online survey was conducted with 10 spine surgeons with expertise in the management of VMs from our AO Spine Region.

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Objective: To determine the effective dose and therapeutic potential of maropitant using through expression of mediators of oxidative stress, inflammatory and of the unfolded protein response (UPR) (bio) markers on spinal cord using a model of neuropathic pain induced through chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats.

Study Design: Randomized, blinded, prospective experimental study.

Animals: 98 male Wistar rats.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study focused on identifying factors that contribute to prolonged survival in cancer patients admitted to palliative care, specifically those living over one year after admission.
  • - Researchers conducted a retrospective case-control study using electronic records from 2012 to 2018, comparing data from patients who survived over a year to those who survived 6 months or less, identifying 1721 total patients.
  • - Key findings indicated that higher hemoglobin levels and specific creatinine levels positively correlated with longer survival, while conditions like abnormal cognition and liver metastases were linked to shorter lifespans; further research is needed to confirm these results.
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This paper aims to support medical decision making on predicting the diagnosis of COVID-19. Thus, a set of Data Mining (DM) models was developed using prediction techniques and classification models. These models try to understand whether the vital signs of patients have a correlation with a diagnosis.

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Lower limb lymphorrhea is a condition with a considerable impact on the quality of life. It is usually associated with inguinal lymph node dissection and vascular procedures with femoral exposure. In this case report, we describe a patient who underwent a below-knee amputation and two years later developed lymphorrhea from the stump, preventing adaptation to the prosthesis.

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Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of each type of glottal configuration proposed in a classification that allows stratifying presbylarynx into three types: Type 0: there is no significant morphological alteration in glottal configuration. Type 1: two or more of the following endoscopic signs are present: atrophic vocal folds, vocal fold bowing, prominence of vocal processes, supraglottal hyperactivity, decreased amplitude (vocal fold edge stiffness without evidence of vocal post-traumatic scar), and tremor of laryngeal structures. Type 2: elderly patients with type 1 plus glottal insufficiency.

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Purpose: To determine the main symptoms leading to referral of geriatric patients from primary care to otorhinolaryngology.

Methods:  Retrospective, observational study performed on patients aged 65 and older, referred from Primary Care to the Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery department of a tertiary centre during 2019 and 2020. Symptoms leading to otorhinolaryngological referral were categorized as "Oto-neurological symptoms", "Nasal symptoms", "Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms", "Other Head and Neck symptoms" and "Other Reasons".

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Purpose: Validation of a classification to stratify presbylarynx into three types.

Methods: Evaluate the reproducibility of this classification. 30 video recordings of rigid laryngostroboscopies were presented to 20 otorhinolaryngologists from five tertiary hospitals: 10 residents and 10 specialists.

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Purpose: To determine if recognition of presbylarynx is easy and straightforward.

Method: First, a systematic review regarding the structural features of the geriatric larynx through laryngostroboscopy was performed, and its results were presented to the raters in an educational session. Then, video recordings of rigid laryngostroboscopies were randomly selected and presented to a panel of otorhinolaryngologists.

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Crotamine is a rattlesnake-derived toxin that causes fast-twitch muscle paralysis. As a cell-penetrating polypeptide, crotamine has been investigated as an experimental anti-cancer and immunotherapeutic agent. We hypothesized that molecules targeting crotamine could be designed to study its function and intervene in its adverse activities.

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Continuity of care (COC) has been associated with lower mortality and hospitalizations and higher high blood pressure (HBP) control rates. This evidence mainly came from high income countries. We aimed to identify conditions associated with controlled HBP, particularly COC, in primary care services (PCSs) affiliated to two health insurances in Colombia, a low-median income country.

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Plagiocephaly patients generally undergo corrective surgery in the first years of life, but during their growth malformative sequelae become apparent and can have a negative psychological and social impact. Volumetric filling techniques have been used to improve social balance and minimize such negative effects.We present a case of a 25 years old male with a history of plagiocephaly corrected by 8 months of age.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Spondylolysis, a common condition in young athletes, often requires surgery after failed nonsurgical management; a minimally invasive approach helps reduce complications and recovery time.
  • - In a study involving three athletes aged 17-18, a modified Buck technique with cannulated compression screws was used, which led to successful outcomes without complications.
  • - All patients achieved bone consolidation within 4 months and returned to their sports in under 6 months, showcasing the effectiveness of this surgical method.
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Background: Solitay bone plasmocytoma (SBP) account for just 5-10% of all plasma cell neoplasms. They are infrequent in the cervical spine, especially involving the C0-C2 segment. In this article we conducted a literature review and present the diagnosis, management and long term course of two patients with SBP of C2 causing cervical instability.

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 Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a prevalent condition in outpatients visiting the otorhinolaryngological clinic, with many controversies regarding its diagnosis and follow-up. Therefore, there is a need for clinical instruments that can diagnose individuals and monitor the results of their treatment.  To evaluate the applicability of the scores translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese: Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Endolaryngeal Reflux Findings Scale (ERFS), as instruments for post-treatment follow-up of LPR.

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Background: Cervical spine fractures are potentially catastrophic injuries in rugby players. Here, we reviewed seven patients who sustained rugby-related cervical spine fractures. Notably, three of seven fractures were missed on initial X-rays, but were ultimately documented on CT studies obtained an average of 10 days later.

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Objective: To evaluate incidence and types of implant failure observed in a series of patients with spinal metastases (SM) treated with minimally invasive stabilization surgery without fusion.

Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study, we reviewed the files of patients >18 years old who underwent surgery for SM using percutaneous spinal stabilization without fusion with a minimum 3-month follow-up. The following variables were included: demographics, clinical findings, prior radiation history, SM location, epidural spinal cord compression scale, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Scale, neurological examination, and surgery-related data.

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Purpose: Only a full understanding of how different diseases affect the same or different anatomical/functional entities, may provide a clue on how comorbidity should be taken into consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic medical illnesses of an elderly population, in order to analyze potential correlation of specific comorbidities with presbylarynx.

Methods: This case-control, prospective, observational, and cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive subjects observed by otorhinolaryngology, in a tertiary center, from January to September 2020.

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