The impact of PEEP on mechanical power and driving pressure in children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is widely used to improve oxygenation and avoid alveolar collapse in mechanically ventilated patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). However, its improper use can be harmful, impacting variables associated with ventilation-induced lung injury, such as mechanical power (MP) and driving pressure (∆P). Our main objective was to assess the impact of increasing PEEP on MP and ∆P in children with PARDS.

Vitamin B12 attenuates leukocyte inflammatory signature in COVID-19 methyl-dependent changes in epigenetic markings.

COVID-19 induces chromatin remodeling in host immune cells, and it had previously been shown that vitamin B12 downregulates some inflammatory genes methyl-dependent epigenetic mechanisms. In this work, whole blood cultures from moderate or severe COVID-19 patients were used to assess the potential of B12 as adjuvant drug. The vitamin normalized the expression of a panel of inflammatory genes still dysregulated in the leukocytes despite glucocorticoid therapy during hospitalization.

Neuroinflammation regulates the balance between hippocampal neuron death and neurogenesis in an ex vivo model of thiamine deficiency.

Background: Thiamine (vitamin B1) is a cofactor for enzymes of central energy metabolism and its deficiency (TD) impairs oxidative phosphorylation, increases oxidative stress, and activates inflammatory processes that can lead to neurodegeneration. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a consequence of chronic TD, which leads to extensive neuronal death, and is associated with neuropathological disorders, including cognitive deficits and amnesia. The hippocampus is one of the brain areas most affected by WKS.

Water security threats and challenges following the rupture of large tailings dams.

The rupture of mine-tailings dams can severely contaminate rivers, because released tailings can interact with water for years keeping contaminant concentrations high. The general purpose of this study was to examine the rupture of B1 tailings dam in Ferro-Carvão stream (municipality of Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil), which occurred in 25 January 2019 and contaminated the main water course (Paraopeba River) with 2.8 Mm of metal-rich tailings.

Risk factors for recurrent wheezing in preterm infants who received prophylaxis with palivizumab.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of recurrent wheezing (RW) in preterm infants who received prophylaxis against severe infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and to identify genetic susceptibility (atopy or asthma) and risk factors for RW.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving preterm infants who received prophylaxis with palivizumab at a referral center in Brazil during the first two years of age. A structured questionnaire was administered in a face-to-face interview with parents or legal guardians.

Differences between patients who achieved asthma control and those who remain uncontrolled after standardized severe asthma care strategy.

Objective: To assess clinical, functional, and inflammatory patterns of children and adolescents with severe uncontrolled asthma, and investigate the differences between patients who achieved asthma control and those who remain uncontrolled after standardized asthma care strategy.

Methods: Screening all children and adolescents with asthma from the Pediatric Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic of Unicamp, Brazil, and included those with severe uncontrolled asthma according to GINA guidelines criteria. Patients were assessed at baseline and after by demographic and medication data, questionnaires (Asthma Control Test and Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire), Six-Minute Walk Test, skin prick test, spirometry, induced sputum, and blood collection (total immunoglobulin E and eosinophil count).

Are there differences in the physical activity level and functional capacity among children and adolescents with and without asthma?

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the physical activity level, using two tools, and the functional capacity of children and adolescents with asthma and with different levels of disease control, and to compare them to those of individuals without asthma.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents with (asthma group, AG) and without asthma (WAG), aged from 7 to 17 years. All participants performed the six-minute walk test (6MWT), the Glittre Activities of Daily Living test (Glittre-ADL), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and daily record of steps on a pedometer.

Assessment of asthma control among different measures and evaluation of functional exercise capacity in children and adolescents with asthma.

Objective To assess the agreement among asthma control measures and functional exercise capacity in children and adolescents with uncontrolled and controlled asthma. Methods Children and adolescents with asthma from 7-17 years old were selected, and they were attended in the "Pediatric Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic of State University of Campinas", in Brazil. All patients had asthma control level assessed by Global Initiative for Asthma questionnaire (GINAq), Asthma Control Test (ACT), spirometry and six-minute-walk-test (6MWT).

Lung disease and vitamin D levels in cystic fibrosis infants and preschoolers.

Introduction: Vitamin D acts on the immune system and lung response. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be deficient in this vitamin. The aims of the study were to evaluate vitamin D levels and severity of lung disease in infants and preschoolers diagnosed with CF, and to compare them to a group of children without pancreatic insufficiency (PI).

Impulse Oscillometry System and Anthropometric Variables of Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents Systematic Review.

Background: To identify the anthropometric variables in equations/reference values of impulse oscillometry system (IOS) parameters in preschoolers, children and adolescents.

Method: Systematic search on the databases MEDLINE/Ovid, SCOPUS and SciELO using the key words "preschool, child and adolescent", "impulse oscillometry", "reference values" and its variations.

Results: This review considered a total of 13 articles.

Physical activity and asthma control level in children and adolescents.

Background And Objective: Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by a muscle contraction with increased energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to assess the physical activity, asthma control level, spirometric measurements and quality of life in children and adolescents with asthma.

Methods: We included all children and adolescents aged 7-17 years who had a diagnosis of atopic asthma and who attended the Pediatric Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic of the State University of Campinas, Brazil.

The Effect of Music on the Spirituality of Patients: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Although some studies have suggested that music can positively affect physical and psychological variables, few have evaluated its effects on spirituality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of musical interventions on the spirituality of patients, regardless of diagnoses.

Method: This was a systematic literature review that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations conducted through a relevant search of terms in six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and LILACS) without temporal delimitation.

Polymorphisms in exons 6 and 7 of the ABO locus and their association with venous thrombosis in young Brazilian patients.

The A1 and B alleles of the ABO blood system have been associated with high levels of both factor VIII and von Willebrand factor and with a predisposition to venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this study, genotypes of the ABO system were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism for 148 young VTE Brazilian patients and 233 unrelated control individuals. The blood group O was more frequent among the controls [odds ratio (OR), 0.