Dosage of botulinum toxin in patients undergoing treatment for hemifacial spasm: is there modification during follow-up?

Background:  The movement disorder known as hemifacial spasm is characterized by involuntary contractions of the muscles that are innervated by the facial nerve. The treatment of choice for this condition is botulinum toxin injections.

Objective:  To analyze the botulinum toxin dosage in patients undergoing treatment for hemifacial spasm during a 14-year period.

Brazilian nurses in air transport of wounded during World War II.

Objective: to analyze the preparation of nurses from the Brazilian Expeditionary Force to work in the air transport of wounded people during World War II.

Method: historical-social study, of a qualitative nature, based on the work entitled "Nurses with the FAB on the Italian front: 1944-1945", written by nurse Izaura Barbosa Lima. The data results from a bibliographic survey, the use of documentary sources and database consultations, with the material being treated using Thematic Content Analysis.

Effect of Body Position on Electrical Activity of Respiratory Muscles During Mouth and Nasal Maximal Respiratory Pressure in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study.

: This study aimed to analyze the impact of seated, 45° inclined, and supine positions on respiratory muscle strength (Maximal Inspiratory Pressure-MIP, Maximal Expiratory Pressure-MEP, Sniff Nasal Inspiratory Pressure-SNIP and Sniff Nasal Expiratory Pressure-SNEP) and the electrical activity of respiratory muscles in healthy adults. Ten healthy subjects were evaluated. : Personal, anthropometric data (weight, height, BMI) and lung function (spirometry) were collected, followed by random assessments of inspiratory (MIP, SNIP) and expiratory (MEP, SNEP) muscle strength.

Reference values for respiratory muscle strength and maximal voluntary ventilation in the Brazilian adult population: A multicentric study.

Aim: To determine reference values and propose prediction equations for respiratory muscle strength, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and endurance by means of maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) in healthy Brazilian adults.

Methods: Anthropometric data, level of physical activity, pulmonary function, and respiratory muscle strength and maximal voluntary ventilation of 243 participants (111 men and 132 women) aged 20 to 80 years were assessed at three cities in the southeast and northeast region of Brazil.

Results: Mean maximal respiratory pressures and MVV were higher in men (MIP = 111.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms: a systematic literature review.

Background: Several tyrosine kinase receptors inhibitors (TKIs) have demonstrated antiproliferative effects in well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We aimed to summarize and appraise the current evidence of the efficacy of TKIs in patients with different types of NETs.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of clinical trials of TKIs in patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic or lung NETs (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024507379).

Familial partial lipodystrophy resulting from loss-of-function PPARγ pathogenic variants: phenotypic, clinical, and genetic features.

The gene encodes a member of a nuclear receptor superfamily known as peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma (PPARγ). PPARγ plays an essential role in adipogenesis, stimulating the differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes. Loss-of-function pathogenic variants in reduce the activity of the PPARγ receptor and can lead to severe metabolic consequences associated with familial partial lipodystrophy type 3 (FPLD3).

Temporal trends in female firearm homicides across states in the Northeast of Brazil during the period 2000-2019.

This article aims to analyze temporal trends in female firearm homicides in the Northeast of Brazil during the period 2000-2019. We conducted an ecological study using data on firearm homicides of women aged 10 years and over obtained from the Mortality Information System. The population data were taken from the 2010 Census.

Physical therapy for the management of global function, fatigue and quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: systematic review and meta-analyses.

Objectives: To critically evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions in improving global function, quality of life and fatigue in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analyses.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were searched through 31 January 2023.

Pharyngeal phase of swallowing in post-stroke dysphagia: videoendoscopy and speech-language-hearing assessment.

Purpose: To investigate the outcomes of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of pharyngeal swallowing phase and clinical evaluation of swallowing among dysphagic individuals with and without chronic stroke in different food consistencies.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study based on data collection from medical records. 134 swallowing video endoscopy exams of dysphagic patients were analyzed, in which they were divided into two groups according to the diagnosis of stroke, in which data were collected regarding mobility and strength of the tongue, phonation and cough efficiency, and the pharyngeal signs of dysphagia with four food consistencies from the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI), for comparison between groups.

Relationship between oral status, swallowing function, and nutritional risk in older people with and without Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: To compare oral status, swallowing function (through instrumental and SLH assessment), and nutritional risk between dysphagic individuals with and without Parkinson's disease.

Method: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study based on data collected from medical records. It included 54 dysphagic older adults, divided into two groups according to the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Case report: two novel PPARG pathogenic variants associated with type 3 familial partial lipodystrophy in Brazil.

Introduction And Aim: Type 3 Familial Partial Lipodystrophy (FPLD3) is a rare metabolic disease related to pathogenic PPARG gene variants. FPLD3 is characterized by a loss of fatty tissue in the upper and lower limbs, hips, and face. FPLD3 pathophysiology is usually associated with metabolic comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and liver dysfunction.

Translation and cross cultural adaptation of the questionnaire "Quality of Alimentation" for brazilian portuguese.

Purpose: We aimed to provide translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire "Quality of Alimentation" from English to Brazilian Portuguese.

Methods: The transcultural translation process consisted of the following steps: translation of the original English version to Portuguese by two bilingual translators native in the targeted language; Reverse translation by two translators native in the original language; Review of reverse translation; Review of the Portuguese version from the questionnaire by a local committee of experts in bariatric surgery; Pre-trial to evaluate of clarity, comprehension, and overall acceptability by the target population.

Results: In its final Portuguese version, the questionnaire "Quality of alimentation" was found to be of clear comprehension and easy applicability.

The sural-sparing pattern in clinical variants and electrophysiological subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Background:  Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis worldwide and can be classified into electrophysiological subtypes and clinical variants.

Objective:  This study aimed to compare the frequency of the sural-sparing pattern (SSP) in subtypes and variants of GBS.

Methods:  This retrospective cohort study analyzed clinical and electrophysiological data of 171 patients with GBS hospitalized in public and private hospitals of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, between 1994 and 2018; all cases were followed up by the same neurologist in a reference neurology center.

Digital dual test syphilis/HIV detection based on Fourier Descriptors of Cyclic Voltammetry curves.

Background: Effective and timely detection is vital for mitigating the severe impacts of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), including syphilis and HIV. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) sensors have shown promise as diagnostic tools for these STI, offering a pathway towards cost-effective solutions in primary health care settings.

Objective: This study aims to pioneer the use of Fourier Descriptors (FDs) in analyzing CV curves as 2D closed contours, targeting the simultaneous detection of syphilis and HIV.

Effectiveness of preoxygenation strategies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Preoxygenation is universally recommended before induction of general anaesthesia to prolong safe apnoea time. The optimal technique for preoxygenation is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to determine the preoxygenation technique associated with the greatest effectiveness in adult patients having general anaesthesia.

Facial phantom model: a low-cost and safe tool for teaching botulinum toxin application in neurology residencies.

Background:  The application of botulinum toxin (BoNT) in the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm (HS) is a well-established practice. However, neurology residency programs often rely on real patients for training, which has limitations in terms of patient availability and skill acquisition.

Objective:  Assess the efficacy of a new facial phantom model for acquiring motor skills in BoNT application.

"Clock dial pattern", a radiologic clue to neuro-chikungunya diagnosis: a case series.

Background:  Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and can lead to neurological complications in severe cases.

Objective:  This study examined neuroimaging patterns in chikungunya cases during two outbreaks in Brazil to identify specific patterns for diagnosis and treatment of neuro-chikungunya.

Methods:  Eight patients with confirmed chikungunya and neurological involvement were included.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 has multiple ancestral origins.

Introduction: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a dominant neurodegenerative disorder due to expansions of a CAG repeat tract (CAGexp) at the ATXN2 gene. Previous studies found only one ancestral haplotype worldwide, with a C allele at rs695871. This homogeneity was unexpected, given the severe anticipations related to SCA2.