Superparamagnetic nanoparticles as potential systems for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

This study aims to use superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), specifically magnetite (FeO), to deliver deflazacort (DFZ) and ibuprofen (IBU) to Duchenne muscular dystrophy-affected (DMD) mouse muscles using an external magnetic field. The SPIONs are synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and their surfaces are functionalized with L-cysteine to anchor the drugs, considering that the cysteine on the surface of the SPIONs in the solid state dimerizes to form the cystine molecule, creating the FeO-(Cys)-DFZ and FeO-(Cys)-IBU systems for tests. The FeO nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and magnetic measurements.

Trilobatin contributes to the improvement of myopathy in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) occurs due to genetic mutations that lead to a deficiency in dystrophin production and consequent progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle fibres, through oxidative stress and an exacerbated inflammatory process. The flavonoid trilobatin (TLB) demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Its high safety profile and effective action make it a potent therapy for the process of dystrophic muscle myonecrosis.

High Prevalence of a c.5979dupA Variant in the Dysferlin Gene (DYSF) in Individuals from a Semiarid Region of Brazil.

Background: Dysferlinopathies represent a group of limb girdle or distal muscular dystrophies with an autosomal-recessive inheritance pattern resulting from the presence of pathogenic variants in the dysferlin gene (DYSF).

Objective: In this work, we describe a population from a small city in Brazil carrying the c.5979dupA pathogenic variant of DYSF responsible for limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2R and distal muscular dystrophy.

Preclinical Effects Of Melatonin On The Development Of Ehrlich's Tumor: A Biochemical, Cognitive, And Molecular Approach.

Background: It has already been shown that melatonin is an antitumoral molecule that affects malignant cells via some mechanisms. The benefit played by this hormone on cancer is due to its antioxidant effects.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the preclinical effects of melatonin in mice with the Ehrlich ascites tumor.

Stroke Hospital Admissions during the COVID-19 Outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Globally, stroke remains an important cause of death and long-term disability, and the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the health system may have impaired stroke care. Previous studies suggest significant reduction in hospital admissions for stroke after COVID-19 onset as patients may hesitate seeking medical help due to fear of exposure.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included cases of hospital admissions for stroke, identified from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde), which contains official and public data in Brazil.

Comparative Study on the Effects of , PC-18 and Magnesium Chloride on Solid Ehrlich Tumor.

New perspectives arise in the therapeutic practice for cancer, with the objective to not only treat patients, but also improve their quality of life. , a plant from Brazilian Amazon presents a wide range of pharmacological actions. This study evaluated the effect of Guarana () extract, pure and dry Guarana (PC-18) extract and magnesium chloride (MgCl) in mice of the Balb/c strain inoculated with the Ehrlich tumor regarding gene expression of inflammatory markers transforming growth factor-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and oxidative stress (OS) and fatigue, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase 4 and analyzed myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.

Cognitive dysfunction and psychosis: expanding the phenotype of SPG7.

Spastic paraplegia type 7 (SPG7) is one of the most common forms of autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia, which can lead to a hybrid spastic-ataxic phenotype. Recently, novel complicated forms of SPG7, including cognitive and social impairment phenotypes, have been reported. We present a SPG7 case with two pathogenic variants in compound heterozygosity in the gene, featuring a cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome with psychosis not yet described in the literature.

Ixazomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor, exhibits potential effect in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice.

Dystrophin deficiency makes the sarcolemma fragile and susceptible to degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The proteasome is a multimeric protease complex and is central to the regulation of cellular proteins. Previous studies have shown that proteasome inhibition improved pathological changes in mdx mice.

Effects of nasal aspiration by the Proetz® method in pediatric patients with sinusitis.

Objective: To characterize the effects of nasal aspiration with Proetz® in peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) in pediatric sinusitis (PS) patients with nasal obstruction.

Methods: This is a non-randomized descriptive-analytical clinical trial with a quantitative approach. The sample comprised 30 children.

Effects of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Therapy in Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) stands out as one of the chronic diseases with the highest morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Among the many complications of DM, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the causes of blindness in patients aged between 20 and 64 years. At least 90% of the new cases showed to have the retinal structure and function restored when proper treatment was provided.

Novel variants in POLH and TREM2 genes associated with a complex phenotype of xeroderma pigmentosum variant type and early-onset dementia.

Background: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, genetically heterogeneous, autosomal recessive disorder caused by defects in the genes involved in repairing DNA damaged by ultraviolet radiation. These defects lead to a propensity to develop skin cancer at early ages as a hallmark, and progressive neurological degeneration can be observed in around 25% of patients. Eight clinically heterogeneous groups have been identified so far (XPA to XPG and XPV).

PYGM mRNA expression in McArdle disease: Demographic, clinical, morphological and genetic features.

Introduction: McArdle disease presents clinical and genetic heterogeneity. There is no obvious association between genotype and phenotype. PYGM (muscle glycogen phosphorylase gene) mRNA expression and its association with clinical, morphological, and genetic aspects of the disease as a set have not been studied previously.

Eye care and ocular findings at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016.

Objectives: To describe the attendance and ocular profile of competitors and members of delegations who attended the Polyclinic Ophthalmology Division during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016.

Methods: The eye clinic was allocated in the purpose-built polyclinic opened for competitors and members of delegations from 24 July to 18 September 2016. All individuals who attended the service received a comprehensive ocular examination including biomicroscopy, subjective refraction and fundus evaluation.

Assessing the Metabolic Impact of Ground Chia Seed in Overweight and Obese Prepubescent Children: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Childhood obesity is a medical condition of major public health concern. Chia seeds are used to treat certain noncommunicable diseases, and they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to the absorption of vitamins. A randomized double-blind clinical trial of 30 obese children was performed.

Analysis of the Relationship between Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

In the early sixties, a discussion started regarding the association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Today, this potential relationship is still a matter of debate. This review aims to analyze both diseases concerning causal relationships and treatments.

The use of aliskiren as an antifibrotic drug in experimental models: A systematic review.

Aliskiren is an oral antihypertensive medication that acts by directly inhibiting renin. High levels of circulating renin and prorenin activate the pathological signaling pathway of fibrosis. This drug also reduces oxidative stress.

Proposed cut-off for reactivity of anti-HMGCR and anti-SRP antibodies in patients statin-exposed and statin-unexposed.

The therapeutic approach with statins is widely used in the control of dyslipidemias. However, there is no laboratory evaluation to elect patients to make use of this class of therapeutic drugs.We analyzed the prevalence of anti-signal recognition particle (anti-SRP) and anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) antibodies in a heterogeneous cohort of 85 patients in order to determine cutoff reference values for these antibodies.

Evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in mdx mice: an experimental model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

This study describes the functional and morphological alterations in the intestines of mdx mice (n = 4) compared with the intestinal features of C57BL/10 mice (n = 7) at 2 months of age. The whole gut transit time (carmine red) and the upper gut transit time (activated charcoal) were measured, and light microscopy was utilized to view stained sections (H&E and picrosirius red) for histological analysis. No significant difference in mean evacuation time for the whole gut was observed between the two groups, but a significant delay in activated charcoal passage was observed in the mdx mice.

Myopathy due to HMGCR antibodies in adult mimicking muscular dystrophy associated with cancer and statin exposure - narrative review of the literature - case report.

Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy is characterized by predominant muscle fiber necrosis and regeneration with little or no inflammation. We describe a 58-year-old woman with previous breast cancer and statin use who complained of rapidly progressive weakness of lower limbs without pain, making walking, running and climbing stairs difficult. The creatine kinase level was 2,843 U/L, and muscle biopsy showed a dystrophic pattern.

The effects of transcutaneous low-level laser therapy on the skin healing process: an experimental model.

We aim to evaluate the action of transcutaneous laser in the initial wound healing process. The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has proven to be effective on inflammatory modulation and wound healing. The trial was performed on five groups of rats, through a dorsal incision.

Detecting Topological Transitions in Two Dimensions by Hamiltonian Evolution.

We show that the evolution of two-component particles governed by a two-dimensional spin-orbit lattice Hamiltonian can reveal transitions between topological phases. A kink in the mean width of the particle distribution signals the closing of the band gap, a prerequisite for a quantum phase transition between topological phases. Furthermore, for realistic and experimentally motivated Hamiltonians, the density profile in topologically nontrivial phases displays characteristic rings in the vicinity of the origin that are absent in trivial phases.

Fat embolism after fractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: an underdiagnosed complication? A systematic review.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most frequent lethal genetic disease. Several clinical trials have established both the beneficial effect of steroids in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the well-known risk of side effects associated with their daily use. For many years it has been known that steroids associated with ambulation loss lead to obesity and also damage the bone structure resulting in the bone density reduction and increased incidence of bone fractures and fat embolism syndrome, an underdiagnosed complication after fractures.

Adhesion molecules in breast carcinoma: a challenge to the pathologist.

The role of adhesion molecules is very important both in the activation of carcinogenesis and in the differentiation of subtypes of breast carcinoma, aiding in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic choice in these tumors. Therefore, understanding the functions and interrelationships among these molecules is crucial to the pathologist, who often uses these factors as a resource to differentiate tumors and further classify them according to a molecular point of view. Our goal is to describe the applicability and the difficulties encountered by the pathologist in the diagnosis of breast carcinoma, discussing the most commonly used markers of adhesion in routine analyses.

Endothelial, renal and hepatic variables in Wistar rats treated with Vancomycin.

Vancomycin (VCM) is indicated in combat against Gram-positive infections, but it is not considered a first-choice drug because of its adverse effects. It is believed that oxidative stress is the primary mechanism of endothelial injury and the consequent VCM toxicity, which varies from phlebitis to nephrotoxicity. Moreover, dose recommendations, dilution, rates and types of infusion are still controversial.

The use of drugs in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.

According to the World Health Organization, obesity has become an epidemic in the 21st century affecting around 300 million people of all ages worldwide. Clinical treatment modalities for this disease are limited and ineffective when it comes to morbidly obese patients (body mass index - the weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared - surpasses 40 kg/m(2)). Therefore, the alternative, surgical treatment, is the best option for these patients, namely gastric restrictive procedures or an intestinal bypass culminating in a malabsorptive syndrome.