Impact of probiotic supplementation in a patient with type 2 diabetes on glycemic and lipid profile.

Background & Aims: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive chronic non-communicable disease associated with various comorbidities; it is considered complex and therefore multifactorial strategies must be applied to reduce the associated risks. The aim of this before-and-after clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of adjuvant supplementation with probiotics in patients with T2DM.

Methods: The study included 20 patients aged >30 years with T2DM who were overweight or obese.

Metabolomic Biomarker Candidates for Skeletal Muscle Loss in the Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) Model.

There is no consensus for diagnosis or treatment of RA muscle loss. We aimed to investigate metabolites in arthritic mice urine as biomarkers of muscle loss. DBA1/J mice comprised collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and control (CO) groups.

A Graphene-Based Enzymatic Biosensor Using a Common-Gate Field-Effect Transistor for L-Lactic Acid Detection in Blood Plasma Samples.

Lactate is an important organic molecule that is produced in excess during anaerobic metabolism when oxygen is absent in the human organism. The concentration of this substance in the body can be related to several medical conditions, such as hemorrhage, respiratory failure, and ischemia. Herein, we describe a graphene-based lactate biosensor to detect the concentrations of L-lactic acid in different fluids (buffer solution and plasma).

Cachexia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that leads to altered body composition. The loss of lean mass with a preservation or increase in fat mass has been termed rheumatoid cachexia (RC), to contrast with classic cachexia, which is characterized by severe weight loss. There are limited data on the prevalence and progression of cachexia in RA over time, as well as on associated factors.

Application of the MISSCARE scale in an Oncology Service: a contribution to patient safety.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of and reasons for missed nursing care in oncology units.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at inpatient oncology units at a private hospital. Eighty-three professionals from the nursing team took part.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in the early diagnosis of sepsis in an intensive care unit: a case-control study.

Objective: To evaluate the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of sepsis and mortality in patients admitted to an intensive care unit.

Methods: Case-control study of adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Patients who had sepsis as the reason for admission and who had a previous complete blood count examination were included as case patients.

Height and sexual maturation in girls with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate height, sexual maturation, and the difference between final and expected height in girls with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and no glucocorticoid treatment for at least six months, as compared to a group of healthy girls.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 44 girls with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, diagnosed according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria, and 59 healthy controls aged between 8 and 18 (incomplete) years with no comorbid chronic diseases. Demographic data were collected from all participants, and disease and treatment variables were compiled for the patient group.

Adolescent and youth health policies in the Portuguese-Brazilian context: specificities and approximations.

Objective: To characterize the scientific production on adolescent health policies and programs in Brazil and Portugal in the period 2010-2017.

Method: This is a literature review based on the Scoping Review method. The research guidingquestion was: "How is the scientific production on adolescent health policies and programs in Brazil and Portugal characterized?"Search was carried out in October 2017 on the BVS, EBSCO and Google Scholar platforms.

Prevalence of rheumatoid cachexia in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Low muscle mass occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis without weight loss; this condition is referred as rheumatoid cachexia. The aim of the current study was to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the rheumatoid cachexia prevalence.

Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies published in English, between 1994 and 2016, was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed) and other relevant sources.

Collagen-induced arthritis as an animal model of rheumatoid cachexia.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic polyarticular synovitis and presents systemic changes that impact quality of life, such as impaired muscle function, seen in up to 66% of the patients. This can progress to severely debilitating state known as rheumatoid cachexia-without loss of fat mass and body weight-for which there is little consensus in terms of diagnosis or treatment. This study aims to evaluate whether the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model also develops clinical and functional features characteristic of rheumatoid cachexia.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Giant Horsetail (Equisetum giganteum L.) in Antigen-Induced Arthritis.

Equisetum giganteum is a plant used in traditional medicine as diuretic. From our knowledge this is the first time this plant is tested in an in vivo model of acute inflammation. To evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of giant horsetail (AEGH) as immunomodulatory therapy, antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was generated in mice with methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA).

Temporal development of muscle atrophy in murine model of arthritis is related to disease severity.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, affecting mainly the joint but also other tissues. RA patients usually present weakness and muscle atrophy, nonarticular manifestations of the disease. Although causing great impact, the understanding of muscle atrophy, its development, and the mechanisms involved is still very limited.

Diminished expression of complement regulatory proteins on peripheral blood cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

CD55, CD59, CD46, and CD35 are proteins with complement regulatory (Creg) properties that ensure cell and tissue integrity when this system is activated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Creg expression on peripheral blood cells from SLE patients and its association with cytopenia and disease activity. Flow cytometric analyses were performed on blood cells from 100 SLE patients and 61 healthy controls.

Dynamic culture improves MSC adhesion on freeze-dried bone as a scaffold for bone engineering.

Aim: To investigate the interaction between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and bone grafts using two different cultivation methods: static and dynamic.

Methods: MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow. MSC culture was analyzed according to the morphology, cell differentiation potential, and surface molecular markers.

Expression of complement regulatory proteins CD55, CD59, CD35, and CD46 in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with polyarticular inflammatory synovitis affecting mainly peripheral joints. It affects approximately 1% of the world population, being two to three times more prevalent in women. Rheumatoid arthritis has a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis.

Clinical diagnostic performance of different methods for the detection of antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens in connective tissue diseases: a cohort study.

Background: Different methods for anti-ENA identification have been used. This can lead to confusion regarding the interpretation of the test results in clinical practice. Some studies have reported differences in sensitivity and specificity, but few compare clinical outcomes.

A game for teaching antimicrobial mechanisms of action.

Background: Alternative teaching tools have proved to enhance students' interest and knowledge skills.

Aim: To integrate basic Bacteriology with mechanisms of action of antimicrobial agents.

Methods: The board has 121 squares, including squares with question marks and antimicrobial agents.