Irisin and Cardiometabolic Disorders in Obesity: A Systematic Review.

Background: Overweight and obesity are global health issues, impacting a significant portion of young adults. Obesity is a complex condition influenced by genetics and environmental factors, leading to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Irisin, a protein derived from the cleavage of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5, may have relationship with these cardiometabolic diseases.

The magical smell and taste: Can coffee be good to patients with cardiometabolic disease?

Coffee is a beverage consumed globally. Although few studies have indicated adverse effects, it is typically a beneficial health-promoting agent in a range of diseases, including depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Coffee is rich in caffeine, antioxidants, and phenolic compounds, which can modulate the composition of the gut microbiota and mitigate both inflammation and oxidative stress, common features of the burden of lifestyle diseases.

Oral iron supplementation in patients with chronic kidney disease: Can it be harmful to the gut microbiota?

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have several pathophysiological alterations, including anemia, one of the first changes in CKD patients. More recently, researchers have observed that the intestinal microbiota alterations are also another complication in these patients. The most common treatment for anemia is oral (mainly ferrous sulfate) or intravenous iron supplementation.

Beverages Rich in Resveratrol and Physical Activity Attenuate Metabolic Changes Induced by High-Fat Diet.

Consumption of saturated fat causes deleterious effects on health, which could be minimized through physical activity and foods with functional characteristics consumption. The aim of the study was to evaluate the beverage rich in resveratrol consumption and physical exercise in gut microbiota, body composition, lipid peroxidation, interleukin-6 (IL6) concentration and systolic blood pressure (SBP) of rats to the high-fat diet. Wistar rats were fed with control diet, high-fat diet (HFD), HFD and 15 mL solution of resveratrol, HFD and 15 mL of grape juice, HFD and 10 mL of red wine.

Graft versus Host Disease Presenting as Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution: A Model for Pathophysiological Understanding of Cicatricial Pattern Hair Loss.

A case of cutaneous graft versus host disease (GvHD) presenting as fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution (FAPD) is discussed, possibly providing a mechanistic model for a better understanding of the pathogenic events underlying cicatricial pattern hair loss. The implication of a follicular inflammation and fibrosis associated with patterned hair loss has emerged from several independent studies. Eventually, Zinkernagel and Trüeb reported a peculiar type of cicatricial pattern hair loss with histopathological features consistent with lichen planopilaris (LPP) associated with androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

A 50-50% mixture of nitrous oxide-oxygen in transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: A randomized and prospective clinical trial.

Introduction: Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TUSPB) is the standard method of diagnosis for prostate cancer, and although it is well tolerated by some patients, it presents a discomfort rate of 65 to 90%, which may be associated with pain. For convenience, it is agreed that a method of analgesia and sedation is necessary. For this purpose, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of inhalation of a 50-50% N2O-O2 gas mixture on pain intensity in these patients.

Familial Cicatricial Alopecia: Report of Familial Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) and fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution (FAPD) as originally reported by Kossard in 1994 and by Zinkernagel and Trüeb in 2000, respectively, represent two distinct patterns of cicatricial pattern hair loss. Both share a patterned distribution and histological evidence of a lichenoid follicular inflammation with fibrosis. FFA is characterized by a marginal alopecia along the frontotemporal hairline, and FAPD by a progressive alopecia of the centroparietal scalp.

Efficacy and effectiveness trials have different goals, use different tools, and generate different messages.

The discussion about the optimal design of clinical trials reflects the perspectives of theory-based scientists and practice-based clinicians. Scientists compare the theory with published results. They observe a continuum from explanatory to pragmatic trials.

Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation in Nrf2 and NF-κB Expressions in Nondialyzed Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Resveratrol is a phenolic compound that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, resulting from enhanced antioxidant enzymes production and modulating nuclear factors involved in the inflammation-oxidative stress cycle, as nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB).

Objective: The study aim was to evaluate the effects of resveratrol supplementation on Nrf2 and NF-κB expression in nondialyzed chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Materials And Methods: A randomized, double-blind, crossover trial was performed in 20 nondialyzed CKD patients (62.

Phylogenetic and structural analysis of merkel cell polyomavirus VP1 in Brazilian samples.

Our understanding of the phylogenetic and structural characteristics of the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) is increasing but still scarce, especially in samples originating from South America. In order to investigate the properties of MCPyV circulating in the continent in more detail, MCPyV Viral Protein 1 (VP1) sequences from five basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and four saliva samples from Brazilian individuals were evaluated from the phylogenetic and structural standpoint, along with all complete MCPyV VP1 sequences available at Genbank database so far. The VP1 phylogenetic analysis confirmed the previously reported pattern of geographic distribution of MCPyV genotypes and the complexity of the South-American clade.

Agreement between the preoperative findings and the operative diagnosis in patients with deep endometriosis.

Introduction: During the evaluation of patients with endometriosis, recognizing the location and characteristics of lesions is fundamental to define the type and evaluate the response of treatment, as well as for the preoperative surgical planning. However, the non-invasive diagnostic tests have specific limitations making the diagnostic laparoscopy been recommended as a tool necessary for the diagnosis of endometriosis lesions despite the high cost and the risks involved in this procedure.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of mapping endometriosis lesions using clinical signs and image evaluation, comparing the pre- and postoperative findings of patients submitted to surgical treatment.

The functional EGF+61 polymorphism and nonsyndromic oral clefts susceptibility in a Brazilian population.

Nonsyndromic oral clefts are considered a problem of public health in Brazil, presenting a multifactorial etiology that involves genetic and environmental components, such as maternal alcohol consumption. Several candidate genes have been investigated to identify some association with nonsyndromic clefts risk. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene is implicated in the normal craniofacial development and its functional +61 A>G polymorphism has been related to cancer susceptibility.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF binding protein-3, and prostate cancer: correlation with Gleason score.

Introduction: Non-androgenic growth factors are involved in the growth regulation of prostate cancer (PCa).

Objective: This is the first Brazilian study to correlate, in a population of patients operated for PCa, PSA, total testosterone, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) with Gleason score and to compare with a control group with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 49 men with previously diagnosed PCa and 45 with previously diagnosed BPH.

Parkinson disease: α-synuclein mutational screening and new clinical insight into the p.E46K mutation.

Background: Amongst Parkinson's disease-causing genetic factors, missense mutations and genomic multiplications in the gene encoding α-synuclein are well established causes of the disease, although genetic data in populations with a high degree of admixture, such as the Brazilian one, are still scarce.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a molecular screening of α-synuclein point mutations and copy number variation in the largest cohort of Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease (n = 549) and also in twelve Portuguese and one Bolivian immigrants. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes or saliva, and the mutational screening was performed by quantitative and qualitative real-time PCR.

Resveratrol: why is it a promising therapy for chronic kidney disease patients?

Resveratrol, a phenolic compound found in various plants, including grapes, berries, and peanuts, shows promise for the treatment of cancer, aging, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Resveratrol can promote transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation, increase the expression level of SIRT-1, which is a sirtuin family protein, and reduce mTOR pathway signaling. This compound has anti-inflammatory properties in that it inhibits or antagonizes the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity, which is a redox-sensitive transcription factor that coordinates the inflammatory response.

Anti-Musk Positive Myasthenia Gravis and Three Semiological Cardinal Signs.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a relatively uncommon disorder with an annual incidence of approximately 7 to 9 new cases per million. The prevalence is about 70 to 165 per million. The prevalence of the disease has been increasing over the past five decades.

Buccal cells DNA extraction to obtain high quality human genomic DNA suitable for polymorphism genotyping by PCR-RFLP and Real-Time PCR.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate, by PCR-RFLP and real-time PCR, the yield and quality of genomic DNA collected from buccal cells by mouthwash after different storage times at room temperature.

Material And Methods: A group of volunteers was recruited to collect buccal cells using a mouthwash solution. The collected solution was divided into 3 tubes, one tube were used for immediate extraction and the remaining received ethanol and were kept at room temperature for 4 and 8 days followed by dna extraction.

Molar pregnancy in adolescents.

Objective: To describe the clinical presentation of hydatidiform molar pregnancy in women under the age of 20 years. In addition, we sought to understand if this adolescent population manifests differences in clinical factors compared to an adult population that may affect outcome.

Study Design: We used a database from the New England Trophoblastic Disease Center to analyze clinical data from all women followed for molar pregnancy between 1970 and 2009 with complete follow-up information.

Periosteal-derived cells for bone bioengineering: a promising candidate.

Purpose: Over the last years so many efforts have been made in order to indentify natural sources of osteogenic cells for the success of bone bioengineering. Among them, periosteum tissue has emerged as an interesting candidate. Thus, we decided to evaluate the osteogenic potential of periosteal-derived cells by describing a sequence of biological events since initial morphological changes to mineralization of extracellular matrix (ECM).

Biological monitoring of a promissory xenogenic pin for biomedical applications: a preliminary intraosseous study in rats.

Objectives: Over the last years, it is known that in some cases metal devices for biomedical applications present some disadvantages suggesting absorbable materials (natural or synthetic) as an alternative of choice. Here, our goal was to evaluate the biological response of a xenogenic pin, derived from bovine cortical bone, intraosseously implanted in the femur of rats.

Material And Methods: After 10, 14, 30 and 60 days from implantation, the animals (n=5/period) were killed and the femurs carefully collected and dissected out under histological demands.

The rabbit as an animal model for experimental surgery.

The white New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is frequently used as a model for in vivo studies. However, information on precautions when using this animal as an experimental model is limited. This review of the literature covers the gamut from the selection of the animal model all the way to its death, and describes procedures for transporting, raising, breeding, housing, administering anesthesia and handling so as to rationalize the utilization of this species while exploiting its unique characteristics.