Immunosenescence and Inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review.

: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease of premature aging, characterized by airflow limitations in the lungs and systemic chronic inflammation. This systematic review aimed to provide a systematic overview of immunosenescence and inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies on markers of immunosenescence.

TEN-YEAR OUTCOMES OF TIPS FOR BUDD-CHIARI SYNDROME: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

Background: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) results from the obstruction of the hepatic venous flow, usually at the level of the hepatic vein or inferior vena cava. When left untreated, it can progress with several complications, including liver cirrhosis. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) appears to be effective in a subgroup of BCS patients.

Home caregiver strategies for feeding older adults with dysphagia after dehospitalization.

Objective: To understand caregivers' strategies for offering food to older adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia after dehospitalization.

Method: Qualitative research carried out with caregivers of older adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia, who were discharged after hospitalization at a university hospital in Bahia. Data collection was carried out between January and February 2023 through a semi-structured interview, whose data were organized based on content analysis and analyzed with the help of IRaMuTeQ software.

Serum osteoprotegerin and its gene polymorphisms in patients with Takayasu's arteritis: a bicentric cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) patients are at an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Currently, there are no well-validated biomarkers to assess this risk in this population. Previous research in different cohorts has linked serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and its polymorphisms to accelerated atherosclerosis and a marker of poor prognosis in CVD.

Enhancing diagnostic accuracy of multiple myeloma through ML-driven analysis of hematological slides: new dataset and identification model to support hematologists.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow. Diagnosing MM presents considerable challenges, involving the identification of plasma cells in cytology examinations on hematological slides. At present, this is still a time-consuming manual task and has high labor costs.

MicroRNAs as Diagnostic Biomarkers and Predictors of Antidepressant Response in Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Despite the hardships of major depressive disorder (MDD), biomarkers for the diagnosis and pharmacological management of this condition are lacking. MicroRNAs are epigenetic mechanisms that could provide promising MDD biomarkers. Our aim was to summarize the findings and provide validation for the selection and use of specific microRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of MDD.

Analysis of Endocrine and Inflammatory Markers in Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease of the lungs characterized by chronic airflow obstruction. Individuals with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) may be at risk for developing COPD. This study aimed to characterize PRISm and COPD patients in terms of their immune response and endocrine profile to identify differences extending beyond lung function.

Infectious etiology and indicators of malabsorption or intestinal injury in childhood diarrhea.

Introduction: The multifactorial etiology of gastroenteritis emphasizes the need for different laboratory methods to identify or exclude infectious agents and evaluate the severity of diarrheal disease.

Objective: To diagnose the infectious etiology in diarrheic children and to evaluate some fecal markers associated with intestinal integrity.

Materials And Methods: The study group comprised 45 children with diarrheal disease, tested for enteropathogens and malabsorption markers, and 76 children whose feces were used for fat evaluation by the traditional and acid steatocrit tests.

A new and simple score to predict adequate and deep response to ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: the ALP-A score.

Background: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the standard treatment for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but a significant proportion of patients do not respond adequately, leading to increased risk of adverse outcomes. This study aims to develop a new and straightforward predictive score to identify PBC patients likely to achieve a complete response to UDCA.

Methods: A logistic regression analysis was conducted using a derivation cohort of PBC patients to identify pre-treatment variables associated with response to UDCA.

Ligneous conjunctivitis: Fresh-frozen plasma and heparin use intra-and postoperatively, a report of two cases.

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare chronic form of recurrent membranous inflammation and plasminogen deficiency. Ocular manifestations may be associated with sites other than mucous membranes, such as the oral cavity, internal ear, respiratory, genitals, and kidney. Treatment is extremely difficult because of the lack of topic plasminogen drops, and a high volume is required for systemic supplementation.

Corneal Collagen Crosslinking for Ectasia After Refractive Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Corneal ectasia leads to progressive irregular corneal curvature and reduced visual acuity.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) for managing corneal ectasia resulting from refractive laser surgery (RSL).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were realized according to PRISMA guidelines.

ELMO2 biallelic pathogenic variants in a patient with gingival hypertrophy and cherubism phenotype: Case report and molecular review.

Ramon syndrome (OMIM #266270) was first described in a patient with cherubism, gingival fibromatosis, epilepsy, intellectual disability, hypertrichosis, and stunted growth. In 2018, Mehawej et al. described a patient with Ramon syndrome in whom a homozygous variant in ELMO2 was identified, suggesting that this gene may be the causative for this syndrome.

Outcomes of severely ill patients with AIDS treated with efavirenz or dolutegravir: a multicenter, observational study.

Background: Currently, integrase inhibitors (INIs)-based ART regimens are the preferred initial therapy for AIDS patients. There is scarce information on the use of dolutegravir (DTG) among late-presenter people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Objectives: To compare the effect of DTG- or efavirenz (EFV)-based regimens on the outcomes of patients with advanced AIDS.

Classic and Atypical Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in Latin America: Clinical and Genetic Aspects, and Treatment Outcome with Cerliponase Alfa.

Introduction: Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), is a neurodegenerative autosomal recessive disease caused by gene variants with a spectrum of classic and atypical phenotypes. The aim of treatment is to slow functional decline as early as possible in an attempt to improve quality of life and survival. This study describes the clinical characteristics as well as the response to treatment with cerliponase alfa.

Variability in the perception of palliative care and end-of-life care among hematology professionals from the same reference center in Bahia, Brazil: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Background: There are several illness-specific cultural and system-based barriers to palliative care (PC) integration and end-of-life (EOL) care in the field of oncohematology.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variability in the perceptions of PC and EOL care.

Design And Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Hematology Division of our University Hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Rural work and COVID-19: challenges and proposals for the prevention of damages.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inequalities in health care access in Brazil, exarcerbating vulnerabilities and social determinants of health. Inequality is part of the context of rural populations, especially rural workers and family and subsistence farmers due to both the direct consequences of work activity and the unfavorable socioeconomic context, especially regarding service provision, the guaranteeing of rights, and the coordination of care networks. This article reviews challenges to the health of these workers and outlines proposals for disease prevention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Esketamine Augmentation in Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Objective: Converging evidence supports the role of the glutamate, an excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter, in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Ketamine and esketamine, both noncompetitive N -methyl- d -aspartate antagonists, have emerged as a promising medication for this psychiatric disorder, given its possible efficacy with faster onset and good tolerability. The purpose of this retrospective chart review is to evaluate whether unbiased clinical documentation supports formal clinical trials of esketamine for an OCD indication.

Detection of IgG Anti-Giardia duodenalis Antibodies in Sera by Indirect Immunofluorescence and Western Blotting Assays.

Introduction: Serological assays are alternative laboratory tools for the diagnosis of parasitic infections. The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and Western blotting (WB) for the detection of IgG anti-Giardia antibodies in human sera.

Methodology: Sera from individuals infected with Giardia duodenalis, other parasites or non-parasitized were selected for serological assays.

Validation of the hospital resources assessment scale for the preservation of urinary continence in the elderly.

Objectives: to validate the internal structure of the Hospital Resources Assessment Scale for the Preservation of Urinary Continence in the Elderly.

Methods: validation study of the internal structure of a scale constructed based on the Donabedian conceptual model and an integrative review, with prior content validation. The scale was applied to the target population, and 124 nurses responded to the questionnaire.