Treatment of diabetic foot complications with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a retrospective experience.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of all patients with diabetic foot ulcers treated at the Institution's hyperbaric chamber between January 2010 and August 2012. Patient data was obtained upon patient hospital visit and prospective clinical record consultation.

Chronic inflammation and neutrophil activation as possible causes of joint diseases in ballet dancers.

Unlabelled: Herein, we investigated the effects of a ballet class on the kinetic profiles of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, cytokines, complement component 3 (C3), and the concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig), IgA and IgM, in ballerinas. We also verified neutrophil death and ROS release. Blood samples were taken from 13 dancers before, immediately after, and 18 hours after a ballet class.

Iliac artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare complication following allograft nephrectomy.

Our aim is to present a case of a common iliac artery pseudoaneurysm, which complicated an allograft nephrectomy. A 27-year-old woman presented with acute abdominal pain and a palpable pulsatile mass in the right iliac fossa, 1 year after a right pelvic allograft nephrectomy. An iliac pseudoaneurysm was suspected and confirmed on triplex ultrasound and CT angiography.

Pax3 and Tbx5 specify whether PDGFRα+ cells assume skeletal or cardiac muscle fate in differentiating embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) represent an ideal model to study how lineage decisions are established during embryonic development. Using a doxycycline-inducible mouse ESC line, we have previously shown that expression of the transcriptional activator Pax3 in early mesodermal cells leads to the robust generation of paraxial mesoderm progenitors that ultimately differentiate into skeletal muscle precursors. Here, we show that the ability of this transcription factor to induce the skeletal myogenic cell fate occurs at the expenses of the cardiac lineage.

Sepsis-induced purpura fulminans caused by Pasteurella multocida.

A 52-year-old man was admitted with a cutaneous rash associated with septic shock and multiorganic failure, 6 days after a dog bite. He was started on empiric antibiotherapy and supportive measures. The patient's condition aggravated, with need for invasive mechanical ventilation and intermittent haemodialysis, and evolution from a petechiae-like rash to purpura and gangrene, culminating in bilateral lower limb amputation.

Diversity, environmental requirements, and biogeography of bivalve wood-borers (Teredinidae) in European coastal waters.

Background: Bivalve teredinids inflict great destruction to wooden maritime structures. Yet no comprehensive study was ever carried out on these organisms in European coastal waters. Thus, the aims of this study were to: investigate the diversity of teredinids in European coastal waters; map their past and recent distributions to detect range expansion or contraction; determine salinity-temperature (S-T) requirements of species; flag, for future monitoring, the species that pose the greatest hazard for wooden structures.

Active compounds and medicinal properties of Myrciaria genus.

The genus Myrciaria occurs in various Brazilian biomes. Its species contains several active components, including phenolic compounds, such as tannins, flavonoids, ellagic acid and anthocyanins. Biological activities reported for Myrciaria fruits and leaf and bark extracts include antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal effects.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium in the biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes in female bovines bred in the semiarid region.

Brazil has a herd of 212 million cattle and 171 million hectares of pastures that produce approximately 96 % of Brazilian beef. The Brazilian production system enables animal infection by endoparasites, which are considered one of the main obstacles for the development of this industry and are responsible for considerable economic losses. The control of parasitic diseases is performed via the administration of antiparasitic drugs, but they leave residues of the products in the treated animal, affect non-target organisms and select resistant strains of the parasites.

Good agreement between endoscopic findings and biopsy reports supports limited tissue sampling during pediatric colonoscopy.

Objectives: Colonoscopy in children routinely includes the practice of obtaining multiple biopsy samples even in the absence of gross mucosal abnormalities. The aim of our investigation was to examine the level of agreement between endoscopic and histological findings during pediatric colonoscopy. We also investigated the predictors of agreement and abnormal histology.

Initial care and outcome of glioblastoma multiforme patients in 2 diverse health care scenarios in Brazil: does public versus private health care matter?

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and survival features of patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated in 2 health care scenarios--public and private--in Brazil.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical, treatment, and outcome characteristics of glioblastoma multiforme patients from 2003 to 2011 at 2 institutions.

Results: The median age of the 171 patients (117 public and 54 private) was 59.

Dorsal column mapping via phase reversal method: the refined technique and clinical applications.

Background: Safe resection of intramedullary spinal cord tumors can be challenging, because they often alter the cord anatomy. Identification of neurophysiologically viable dorsal columns (DCs) and of neurophysiologically inert tissue, eg, median raphe (MR), as a safe incision site is crucial for avoiding postoperative neurological deficits. We present our experience with and improvements made to our previously described technique of DC mapping, successfully applied in a series of 12 cases.

The central nervous system as a sanctuary site in ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements define a distinct molecular subset of non-small-cell lung cancer that is highly responsive to treatment with the ALK inhibitor crizotinib. Recently, it has been recognized that the brain is a frequent site of relapse among ALK-positive patients treated with crizotinib. In this report, we expand on these observations and present a series of ALK-positive patients with two distinct forms of metastatic, central nervous system involvement: intramedullary spinal cord metastasis and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Field sources in a Lorentz-symmetry breaking scenario with a single background vector.

This paper is devoted to an investigation of the interactions between stationary sources of the electromagnetic field, in a model which exhibits explicit Lorentz-symmetry breaking due to the presence of a single background vector. We focus on physical phenomena that emerge from this kind of breaking and which have no counterpart in Maxwell electrodynamics.

Associated factors of depressive symptoms in the elderly: EpiFloripa study.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms in the elderly.

Methods: Cross-sectional population based epidemiological study (The EpiFloripa Elderly survey) was carried out in two stage clusters, census tracts and households, with 1.656 elderly individuals in Florianópolis, SC.

Why do aortas cleave or dilate? Clues from an electronic scanning microscopy study in human ascending aortas.

In ascending aorta aneurysms (AscAA) the whole vessel wall dilates, while in aortic dissections (AD) the wall cleaves into two sheets. Both may present fine elastic fragmentation and a decrease in collagen. We analyzed whether alterations in the three-dimensional structure of these fibers could be involved in the pathogenesis of AscAA/AD.

Light-emitting diode phototherapy improves muscle recovery after a damaging exercise.

The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of light-emitting diode phototherapy (LEDT) at 630 nm on muscle recovery after a damaging eccentric exercise bout. Seventeen healthy young male volunteers, without previous experience with eccentric exercise, were included in a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. They were divided into a LEDT (n = 8) and a PLACEBO group (n = 9).

Determinants in the β and δ subunit cytoplasmic loop regulate Golgi trafficking and surface expression of the muscle acetylcholine receptor.

The molecular determinants that govern nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) assembly and trafficking are poorly defined, and those identified operate largely during initial receptor biogenesis in the endoplasmic reticulum. To identify determinants that regulate later trafficking steps, we performed an unbiased screen using chimeric proteins consisting of CD4 fused to the muscle AChR subunit cytoplasmic loops. In C2 mouse muscle cells, we found that CD4-β and δ subunit loops were expressed at very low levels on the cell surface, whereas the other subunit loops were robustly expressed on the plasma membrane.

[Postoperative recovery of blood in patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty].

Background: In total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty occurs a considerable loss of blood, which often requires homologous transfusions of red blood cells. However, homologous transfusions have risks, besides being expensive and a limited resource. Thus, in order to reduce the need for homologous transfusions alternatives strategies have been developed, like post-operative recovery of blood.

Ovary histology and quantification of hemolymph proteins of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus treated with Melia azedarach.

This study aimed to analyze ovary histology and quantify total protein in the hemolymph of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus females treated with hexane extracts from green fruits of Melia azedarach. Eight engorged females were immersed in the extract at 0.25% concentration, and eight in water containing 5% acetone (control).

Genomic analysis of pandemic and post-pandemic influenza A pH1N1 viruses isolated in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

During the 2009 influenza A pH1N1 pandemics in Brazil, the state that was most affected was Rio Grande do Sul (RS), with over 3,000 confirmed cases, including 298 deaths. While no cases were confirmed in 2010, 103 infections with 14 deaths by pH1N1 were reported in 2011. Genomic analysis of the circulating viruses is fundamental for understanding viral evolution and supporting vaccine development against these pathogens.

[Autonomous Medication Management: an analytical intervention in mental health care services].

In a context of high rates of medicalization of the population and in light of the scantly critical use of psychiatric medications in mental health services, this paper reports aspects of a qualitative study that had the opportunity to intervene in care practices in three major Brazilian cities. Following the principle of Brazilian Psychiatric Reform championing users' rights to participate in decisions about their treatment, the research intervened in psychosocial care centers (CAPS) seeking the empowerment of the users regarding the use of drugs in their therapeutic projects. Interviews were conducted and focus groups set up.

Diagnosis and management of primary hyperparathyroidism--a scientific statement from the Department of Bone Metabolism, the Brazilian Society for Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Objective: To conduct a literature review on the diagnosis and management of primary hyperparathyroidism including the classical hipercalcemic form as well as the normocalcemic variant.

Materials And Methods: This scientific statement was generated by a request from the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB) to the Brazilian Society for Endocrinology as part of its Clinical Practice Guidelines program. Articles were identified by searching in PubMed and Cochrane databases as well as abstracts presented at the Endocrine Society, Brazilian Society for Endocrinology Annual Meetings and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Annual Meeting during the last 5 years.

Gonadal steroids and body composition, strength, and sexual function in men.

Background: Current approaches to diagnosing testosterone deficiency do not consider the physiological consequences of various testosterone levels or whether deficiencies of testosterone, estradiol, or both account for clinical manifestations.

Methods: We provided 198 healthy men 20 to 50 years of age with goserelin acetate (to suppress endogenous testosterone and estradiol) and randomly assigned them to receive a placebo gel or 1.25 g, 2.

Evaluation of five simple rapid HIV assays for potential use in the Brazilian national HIV testing algorithm.

Since 2005, the Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Viral Hepatitis under the Health Surveillance Secretariat in Brazil's Ministry of Health has approved a testing algorithm for using rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tests in the country. Given the constant emergence of new rapid HIV tests in the market, it is necessary to maintain an evaluation program for them. Conscious of this need, this multicenter study was conducted to evaluate five commercially available rapid HIV tests used to detect anti-HIV antibodies in Brazil.