Serum Vitamin D Levels as Biomarkers in Patients with Autoimmune Uveitis and their Possible Correlation with Disease Activity.

This study investigated the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and intraocular inflammation in patients with autoimmune uveitis (AIU). We evaluated 67 patients with active and inactive AIU and measured their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, sun exposure habits, number of relapses, and complications. Of the patients evaluated, 85% had significantly lower vitamin D levels, and patients with active uveitis had lower 25(OH)D levels than those with inactive uveitis.

Association between abuse and neglect with functional constipation and irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between violence exposure, abuse, and neglect victimization with functional constipation and irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents.

Methods: Observational cross-sectional case-control study conducted with adolescents from two public schools in the municipality of Osasco, metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. A self-administered questionnaire validated for Brazilian Portuguese Child Abuse Screening Tools - Children's version (ICAST-C) was used to screen the different types of violence.

Operational Challenges in the Use of Structured Secondary Data for Health Research.

In Brazil, secondary data for epidemiology are largely available. However, they are insufficiently prepared for use in research, even when it comes to structured data since they were often designed for other purposes. To date, few publications focus on the process of preparing secondary data.

Assessment of Alcohol and Tobacco Use Disorders Among Religious Users of Ayahuasca.

The aims of this study were to assess the impact of ceremonial use of -a psychedelic brew containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carboline -and attendance at (UDV) meetings on substance abuse; here we report the findings related to alcohol and tobacco use disorder. A total of 1,947 members of UDV 18+ years old were evaluated in terms of years of membership and ceremonial attendance during the previous 12 months. Participants were recruited from 10 states from all major regions of Brazil.

Outcomes of laser thermal therapy for recurrent head and neck cancer.

Objective: To review the outcomes of a phase II study using laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) as a palliative treatment for 106 patients with recurrent head and neck tumors.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary hospital in the United States.

[Alcohol and alcoholism among Brazilian adolescent public-school students].

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and alcoholism among working and non-working adolescents.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with a systematic, stratified sample 993 working adolescents and 1,725 non-working adolescents. The study included students enrolled in 1998 in the state public network schools of a city in Center-Western Brazil.

Tri-iodothyronine differentially induces Kupffer cell ED1/ED2 subpopulations.

Thyroid calorigenesis is carried out by activation of cytochrome-c oxidase, as well as by induction of mitochondrial and nuclear genes that code for cell respiratory apparatus components and uncoupling proteins. These effects operate increments in basal metabolic rate and also lead to increased production of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species in liver parenchymal cells. The hepatic antioxidant system is also compromised, since superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, glutathione content and lipid soluble antioxidants are reduced.