Publications by authors named "Elisa Carvalho"

Background And Aims: Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is characterized by chronic cholestasis with associated pruritus and extrahepatic anomalies. Maralixibat, an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor, is an approved pharmacologic therapy for cholestatic pruritus in ALGS. Since long-term placebo-controlled studies are not feasible or ethical in children with rare diseases, a novel approach was taken comparing 6-year outcomes from maralixibat trials with an aligned and harmonized natural history cohort from the G lobal AL agille A lliance (GALA) study.

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Background & Aims: Bile salt export pump (BSEP) deficiency frequently necessitates liver transplantation in childhood. In contrast to two predicted protein truncating mutations (PPTMs), homozygous p.D482G or p.

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Purpose: The survival rate of pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation has increased considerably. Despite this, the period after transplantation is still complex and poses several challenges to the recipient's family, which is responsible for care management. Recently, more attention has been paid to the impact of this complex procedure on the quality of life of caregivers.

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Neonatal cholestasis (NC) starts during the first three months of life and comprises extrahepatic and intrahepatic groups of diseases, some of which have high morbimortality rates if not timely identified and treated. Prolonged jaundice, clay-colored or acholic stools, and choluria in an infant indicate the urgent need to investigate the presence of NC, and thenceforth the differential diagnosis of extra- and intrahepatic causes of NC. The differential diagnosis of NC is a laborious process demanding the accurate exclusion of a wide range of diseases, through the skillful use and interpretation of several diagnostic tests.

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Article Synopsis
  • Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a complex disorder primarily affecting the liver, and this study investigated the long-term liver health of affected children through a large, international sample.
  • The study included 1,433 children diagnosed with ALGS across 67 medical centers in 29 countries, revealing that only about 40% reached adulthood with their native liver intact.
  • Elevated total bilirubin levels in infants are linked to significantly increased risks of developing severe liver-related problems, which can help doctors in making treatment decisions and evaluating therapies for ALGS patients.
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Cirrhosis is usually a late-onset and life-threatening disease characterized by fibrotic scarring and inflammation that disrupts liver architecture and function. While it is typically the result of alcoholism or hepatitis viral infection in adults, its etiology in infants is much less understood. In this study, we report 14 children from ten unrelated families presenting with a syndromic form of pediatric liver cirrhosis.

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Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ABCB11 gene. Clinical manifestations include cholestasis with low γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), hepatosplenomegaly, and severe pruritus. Liver transplantation is required for individuals with progressive liver disease or failure of the bypass procedure and has been considered curative.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers analyzed data from 50 patients, noting a median age of 7 months at disease onset and significant delays in diagnosis, along with discovering 6 new mutations in the CD40LG gene.
  • * Common symptoms included pneumonia, respiratory infections, and various gastrointestinal issues, with the study documenting the largest number of infectious agents associated with this condition, enhancing insights for diagnosis and management.
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Background And Aims: Mutations in ATPase phospholipid transporting 8B1 (ATP8B1) can lead to familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (FIC1) deficiency, or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1. The rarity of FIC1 deficiency has largely prevented a detailed analysis of its natural history, effects of predicted protein truncating mutations (PPTMs), and possible associations of serum bile acid (sBA) concentrations and surgical biliary diversion (SBD) with long-term outcome. We aimed to provide insights by using the largest genetically defined cohort of patients with FIC1 deficiency to date.

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Objective: To determine predictors of native liver survival (NLS) in children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Study Design: The medical records of children and adolescents with AIH were reviewed. A questionnaire was used to collect data on clinical presentation, biochemical and histologic findings, and treatment.

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The objective was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with beta-adrenergic agonists on calpains and calpastatin activity in bovine muscle and changes in meat tenderness. A survey was conducted in June 2019 on Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Capes Periodicals, using four keyword combinations: agonist and calpain and cattle; agonist and calpain and bovine; agonist and calpain and heifers; agonist and calpain and steers. Thirteen studies were selected, 54% concluded that supplementation with beta-adrenergic agonists increases calpastatin activity, 23% observed increase in their gene expression and 23% reported no effect on activity or expression of this enzyme.

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Substances considered foreign to the human organism can penetrate it due to local trauma, initially causing an acute inflammatory response against these substances, involving a neutrophilic infiltrate that, when it fails to deal with these foreign bodies, ends up generating a granulomatous inflammatory response. Granuloma formation has been associated with a variety of conditions. The correct clinical and imaging diagnoses are extremely important for the dentist to choose an appropriate therapeutic approach, aiming at the best possible treatment.

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Purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adolescents is associated with high morbidity and possibly has a significant negative impact on their quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of children and adolescents with IBD and define the variables that impact these individuals.

Methods: We administered the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) to 35 children and adolescents diagnosed with IBD and with available quantitative data from clinical records on epidemiology, clinical evolution, complementary tests, medical interventions, and disease activity.

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Background: Feed efficiency is one of the most important parameters that affect beef production costs. The energy metabolism of skeletal muscle greatly contributes to variations in feed efficiency. However, information regarding differences in proteins involved in the energy metabolism of the skeletal muscle in beef cattle divergently identified for feed efficiency is scarce.

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Purpose: To evaluate the clinical association between Lactobacillus and the efficacy of adjuvant treatment of severe periodontitis, periodontal parameters, and halitosis.

Methods: 60 healthy volunteers with severe periodontitis were randomized into two groups to receive periodontal therapy in a single session and lactobacillus or a placebo for 90 days. The test group received Lactobacillus reuteri, salivarius and acidophilus, and the control group received placebo with xylitol.

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Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical phenotypes of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF); and to assess the role of pancreatic insufficiency and neonatal screening in diagnosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included 77 patients attending a reference center of CF between 2014 and 2016. Epidemiological data, anthropometric measurements, and the presence of pulmonary, pancreatic, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary manifestations were evaluated based on clinical data and complementary examinations.

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Objective: This large study with a long-term follow-up aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, histological profile, treatments, and outcomes of children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis.

Methods: The medical records of 828 children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis were reviewed. A questionnaire was used to collect anonymous data on clinical presentation, biochemical and histological findings, and treatments.

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) on the quality of life of children and adolescents and to identify which variables effect health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL 4.

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Background: Falls are a geriatric syndrome that is considered a significant public health problem in terms of morbidity and mortality because they lead to a decline in functional capacity and an impaired quality of life in the elderly. Lower limb muscle strengthening seems to be an effective intervention for preventing falls; however, there is no consensus regarding the best method for increasing lower limb muscle strength.

Objectives: To analyze the effectiveness of lower limb muscle strengthening and to investigate and describe the protocols used for preventing falls in elderly subjects.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hyper-IgM syndrome (HIGM) is a condition with high IgM and low levels of other immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgE) that can lead to a variety of infections.
  • A study from the HIGM syndrome Registry in Latin America found molecular defects in 37 out of 58 patients, primarily CD40 ligand deficiency in 35 cases, which was linked to severe respiratory and opportunistic infections.
  • This research provides new insights into the genetic and clinical characteristics of HIGM syndrome in Latin America, including previously unreported mutations and the success of bone marrow transplants for some patients.
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Objectives: to evaluate the handling and risk factors for poisoning and/or digestive tract injuries associated with the use of sanitizing products at home.

Methods: interviews were conducted in 419 households from different regions, collecting epidemiological data from residents and risk habits related to the use and storage of cleaning products.

Results: sanitizing products considered to be a health risk were found in 98% of the households where the research was conducted, and in 54% of cases, they were stored in places easily accessible to children.

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Objective: there are many questions and little evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children. The association between GERD and cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA), overuse of abdominal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of GERD, and excessive pharmacological treatment, especially proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are some aspects that need clarification. This review aimed to establish the current scientific evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of GERD in children.

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Objective: To evaluate epidemiological, clinical and prognostic characteristics of children with biliary atresia.

Methods: Data regarding portoenterostomy, liver transplantation (LTx), age at last follow-up and survival were collected from the records of patients followed up in six Brazilian centers (1982-2008) and compared regarding decades of surgery.

Results: Of 513 patients, 76.

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Objective: To provide an updated review on extrahepatic biliary atresia, focusing mainly on its etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Sources: MEDLINE and PubMed databases were searched using the following keywords: biliary atresia, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, children.

Summary Of The Findings: Extrahepatic biliary atresia is the main indication for liver transplantation among pediatric patients.

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