Characterization of sporadic somatotropinomas with high GIP receptor expression.

Purpose: To analyze the expression of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) in somatotropinomas specimens and compare clinical, biochemical, radiological, therapeutic, molecular, and pathological data among those who overexpressed (GIPR +) and those who did not overexpress (GIPR - ) GIPR.

Methods: Clinical, biochemical, radiological, molecular, and pathological data were collected. GNAS1 sequencing was performed with the Sanger method.

Misinterpretation of viral load in COVID-19 clinical outcomes.

Knowledge of viral load is essential to formulate strategies for antiviral treatment, vaccination, and epidemiological control of COVID-19. Moreover, identification of patients with high viral loads can also be useful to understand risk factors such as age, comorbidities, severity of symptoms and hypoxia, to decide on the need for hospitalization. Several ongoing studies are analyzing viral load in different types of samples and evaluating its relationship with clinical outcomes and viral transmission pathways.

Effect of Convalescent Plasma in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: An Observational Study.

Convalescent plasma is a potential therapeutic option for critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), yet its efficacy remains to be determined. The aim was to investigate the effects of convalescent plasma (CP) in critically ill patients with COVID-19. This was a single-center prospective observational study conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 17th to May 30th, with final follow-up on June 30th.

Telomerase expression in clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas.

Purpose: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) are benign tumors, however, some are agressive. We aimed to assess if human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is present in NFPA and if it can be used as a marker of aggressiveness and proliferation.

Methods: Consecutive patients operated for NFPA whose fresh frozen tumors were available were included.

Cyclin A in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.

Purpose: Assess cyclin A in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) and compare its expression in non-invasive and non-proliferative tumors with invasive and proliferative tumors (12× higher risk of recurrence).

Methods: Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction to analyze cyclin A using normal pituitary gland as reference. Fold change (FC) > 1 was considered as increased.

What is the potential function of microRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in COVID-19?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of COVID-19, a pandemic associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite of this, no vaccine or approved drug is available to eradicate the virus. In this manuscript, we present an alternative study area that may contribute to development of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for COVID-19.

mutations in Brazilian patients with sporadic pituitary adenomas: a single-center evaluation.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein () gene mutations () are the most frequent germline mutations found in apparently sporadic pituitary adenomas (SPA). Our aim was to evaluate the frequency of among young Brazilian patients with SPA. We performed an observational cohort study between 2013 and 2016 in a single referral center.