Polymorphisms of the SERPINA1 gene are associated with higher mortality in a Brazilian cohort of ANCA-associated vasculitis patients.

Background: Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (A1AT) is a protease inhibitor encoded by the SERPINA1 gene. A1AT serves as the primary natural inhibitor of Proteinase 3 (PR3), an enzyme found in neutrophils. PR3 is an antigenic target of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA).

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with heart failure: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is no definition for strain deformation values in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in different heart failure (HF) phenotypes.

Aim: To identify the relationship between echocardiographic systolic function measurements and CRF in HF patients.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA recommendations.

Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope in South American Healthy Adults: COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCE VALUES AND INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide comprehensive reference values for oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) in healthy adults. International heterogeneity was also explored through published databases.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) from a Brazilian healthy adult sample, in which absolute OUES and values normalized by weight and body surface area (BSA) were calculated.

Uncontrolled pain in critically ill patients and acute kidney injury: a hypothesis-generating cohort study.

Background: In critically ill patients, acute pain occurs frequently, causes sympathetic activation, release of inflammatory mediators, and potential organ dysfunction, with the kidneys potentially sensitive to inflammation-mediated injury. This study aimed to explore the association between acute pain in critically ill patients and the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: Data from a retrospective cohort of adult patients admitted between June 2013 and June 2016 to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed.

Reference Standards for Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Brazil: A POOLED ANALYSIS AND OVERVIEW OF HETEROGENEITY IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES.

Purpose: This study aimed to propose reference standards for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) for Brazil from a pooled analysis and to compare peak oxygen uptake (V˙ o2peak ) in Brazilian, United States (US), and Norwegian samples, exploring possible national and international differences.

Methods: Reference values for treadmill V˙ o2peak in three different Brazilian regions were assessed from previous publications. We analyzed available samples to assess possible differences, generate weighted average data for Brazil, and compared them with US and Norwegian data.

Patient suspected susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia: impact of the disease.

Introduction: Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited hypermetabolic syndrome triggered by exposure to halogenated anesthetics/succinylcholine. The lack of knowledge regarding this condition might be associated with the rare occurrence of MH reaction and symptoms.

Methods: This observational study evaluated 68 patients from 48 families with confirmed or suspected MH susceptibility due to medical history of MH reaction or idiopathic increase of creatine kinase or MH-related myopathies.

Fatigue, depression, and physical activity in patients with malignant hyperthermia: a cross-sectional observational study.

Background: Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disorder triggered by halogenated anesthesia agents/succinylcholine and characterized by hypermetabolism crisis during anesthesia, but also by day-to-day symptoms, such as exercise intolerance, that may alert the health professional.

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the incidence of fatigue in MH susceptible patients and the variables that can impact perception of fatigue, such as the level of routine physical activity and depression.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with three groups .

Methodology for creating and validating object naming and semantic tests used by Verst-Maldaun Language Assessment during awake craniotomies.

Verst-Maldaun Language Assessment (VMLA) is a new intraoperative neuropsychological test (NT) within our local culture, e.g., native Portuguese speaking Brazilians.

First report on the production of phytotoxic metabolites by under optimized conditions of submerged fermentation.

An alternative to controlling weeds resistant to conventional herbicides is the isolation of new active principles. Fungi can produce phytotoxic metabolites that may be used in the development of new herbicides. The objectives of this study were: (1) isolate, select, and identify a fungus producer of phytotoxic metabolites and (2) optimize the culture conditions of this fungus in a low-cost culture medium, with the aim of increasing the phytotoxic effects of their metabolites in weeds and commercial plants.

Impact of Fat Graft Thickness and Harvesting Technique on Adipocyte Viability in a New Porcine Experimental Model: An Immunohistochemical Analysis.

Background: Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has been employed in surgical practice as a filling method. However, controversies remain on the specifics of this technique. So far, few relevant experimental large animal studies have objectively assessed factors related to AFG integration.

Spirituality alleviates the burden on family members caring for patients receiving palliative care exclusively.

Background: Spirituality can give meaning to life, providing support and guidance in complex situations. Despite its importance in palliative care, the role of spirituality for family caregivers of patients under exclusive palliative care has not received enough attention in the literature. We aimed to address the correlation between spirituality and the emotional burden of family members of patients under exclusive palliative care.

KLOTHO polymorphisms and age-related outcomes in community-dwelling older subjects: The São Paulo Ageing & Health (SPAH) Study.

Defective KLOTHO gene expression in mice led to a syndrome resembling human ageing. This study evaluated three KLOTHO polymorphisms, namely G395A, C1818T, and C370S, in an elderly population (mean age of 73 years) and their associations with ageing-related outcomes (cardiovascular events, kidney function, osteoporosis, sarcopenia) and mortality. Estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) was lower in subjects with 1818TT (P = 0.

Correction: Mental health and quality of life outcomes in family members of patients with chronic critical illness admitted to the intensive care units of two Brazilian hospitals serving the extremes of the socioeconomic spectrum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Spectrum of clinical and radiographic findings in patients with diagnosis of H1N1 and correlation with clinical severity.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical and imaging findings with a worse clinical outcome in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of H1N1 influenza A virus.

Methods: Patients with a positive viral test for influenza A H1N1 in 2016 and chest radiography (CR) and/or computed tomography (CT) results had clinical and imaging data reviewed. Hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit or death were defined as worse clinical outcomes.

Mental health and quality of life outcomes in family members of patients with chronic critical illness admitted to the intensive care units of two Brazilian hospitals serving the extremes of the socioeconomic spectrum.

Chronic critical illness (CCI) is a relevant clinical, social and financial health issue. The aim of this study was to compare the mental outcomes (symptoms of anxiety and depression) and quality of life outcomes of the family members of patients with CCI from different socioeconomic backgrounds who were admitted to one of the intensive care units (ICUs) in two Brazilian hospitals, one private and one public. It is a prospective study involving a public hospital that serves a low-income population and a tertiary private hospital that serves a high-income population.

Causes of nasoenteral tube obstruction in tertiary hospital patients.

Background/objectives: Obstruction of the nasoenteral tube is one of the complications of enteral nutrition therapy, and its causes and frequency of occurrence are not well understood. To evaluate the causes of enteral nutrition feeding tube obstruction. To study the time elapsed between the beginning of the nutrition therapy and the obstruction of the tube.

[Anesthesia for muscle biopsy to test susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia].

Introduction: Malignant hyperthermia is an autosomal dominant pharmacogenetic disorder, characterized by hypermetabolic crisis triggered by halogenated anesthetics and/or succinylcholine. The standard method for diagnosing malignant hyperthermia susceptibility is the in vitro muscle contracture test in response to halothane-caffeine, which requires muscle biopsy under anesthesia. We describe a series of anesthetic procedures without triggering agents in malignant hyperthermia, comparing peripheral nerve block and subarachnoid anesthesia.

Oral Fludrocortisone Test for Salt-Sensitive Screening in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background: Salt sensitivity is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, but the gold standard method (diet cycles) requires 24-h urine samples and has poor patient compliance.

Objectives: Test the hypothesis that oral fludrocortisone (0.4 mg per day for 7 days) is a good alternative in identifying salt-sensitive patients.

Age-based ultrasonographic criteria for diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish ultrasound criteria for the diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in Persian cats.

Methods: Eighty-two Persian cats were assessed using renal ultrasound and genotyped for the C→A transversion in exon 29 of PKD1. The animals were also submitted to hematological characterization, serum biochemistry analyses and urinalysis.

Resistance exercise enhances oxygen uptake without worsening cardiac function in patients with systolic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent literature suggests that resistance training (RT) improves peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text] peak), similarly to aerobic exercise (AE) in patients with heart failure (HF), but its effect on cardiac remodeling is controversial. Thus, we examined the effects of RT and AE on [Formula: see text] peak and cardiac remodeling in patients with heart failure (HF) via a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and CINAHL, AMEDEO and PEDro databases search were extracted study characteristics, exercise type, and ventricular outcomes.

Risk factors for the progression of chronic kidney disease after acute kidney injury.

Introduction: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing with the increasing age of the population and the increasing number of elderly survivors of acute kidney injury (AKI). The risk factors for the progression of CKD after AKI are unclear.

Objective: To investigate the association between AKI and its progression to CKD and the risk factors involved.

Exposure to fine particulate matter in the air alters placental structure and the renin-angiotensin system.

Methods: Female Wistar rats were exposed to filtered air (F) or to concentrated fine particulate matter (P) for 15 days. After mating, the rats were divided into four groups and again exposed to F or P (FF, FP, PF, PP) beginning on day 6 of pregnancy. At embryonic day 19, the placenta was collected.

Epidemiological and clinical factors impact on the benefit of riluzole in the survival rates of patients with ALS.

Objective: To investigate the impact of epidemiological and clinical factors on the benefit of riluzole in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: The survival rate of 578 patients with ALS (1999-2011) was analyzed by descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier curves. Considering the median of the sample survival time (19 months), patients were divided in two groups: below (B19) and above the median (A19).