Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: The atherosclerotic plaque in carotid arteries has been associated with dementia. Clinic radiological studies in older adults suggest that the composition of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery can predict vascular dementia (VD) or mixed dementia. The proposed study aims to assess components of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries, particularly concerning cerebrovascular lesions using racially diverse autopsy samples.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Previous studies suggest an association between Alzheimer's disease and carotid artery atherosclerosis. However, the association between atherosclerotic carotid plaque composition and Alzheimer's disease pathology (neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles) has not been explored yet.

Method: Carotid arteries were dissected and the segments with the largest obstruction in the carotid bifurcation, and the common and internal carotid arteries were obtained.

Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Subjective Memory Complaints (SMC) are common with aging and might be associated with objective memory impairment (MI) and with higher risk to develop dementia. This association is understudied in socially and ethnically diverse populations, such as Brazilians.

Method: This study uses the baseline data from the ELSI-Brazil, a representative sample of 9402 Brazilians over 50 years.

Cluster analysis of symptoms and assessment of caregiver reports in pediatric foreign bodies.

Foreign body (FB) ingestion and aspiration are frequent causes of pediatric emergency room visits, with significant morbidity and mortality risks. This cross-sectional study analyzed 1,052 pediatric patients admitted for suspected FB events at a single institution between 2008 and 2015, including 886 cases of suspected ingestion and 166 cases of suspected aspiration. Cluster analysis identified three distinct clusters for both groups, with respiratory symptoms being predominant in clusters with worse outcomes.