To identify retinal findings using dilated eye examination, which are possibly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalised patients with confirmed severe COVID-19.
In this cross-sectional study, ...hospitalised patients with confirmed severe COVID-19 in a single referral centre for the treatment of COVID-19, in Santo André, São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil, underwent dilated eye examination of both eyes performed by a retina specialist. Findings were recorded using a portable digital fundus camera. Retinographies were analysed by two retina specialists. Medical records were reviewed for assessment of patient demographics, baseline comorbidities and clinical data.
There were a total of 18 patients, nine (50%) male, median IQR age of 62.5 (12) years. Ten of the 18 patients (55.6%; 95% CI 33.7 to 75.4) had abnormalities on dilated eye examination. The main findings were flame-shaped haemorrhages (N=4; 22.2%; 95% CI 9.0 to 45.2) and ischaemic pattern lesions (cotton wool spots and retinal sectorial pallor) (N=4; 22.2%; 95% CI 9.0 to 45.2), with one patient having both cotton wool spots and flame-shaped haemorrhages.
These findings suggest that patients with severe COVID-19 have acute vascular lesions of the inner retina including flame-shaped haemorrhages and cotton wool spots. Further studies controlling for confounding factors are necessary to properly assess these findings so as to increase the understanding of COVID-19 pathophysiology and to identify new therapies.
In tumor cells, higher expression of glucose transporter proteins (GLUT) and carbonic anhydrases (CAIX) genes is influenced by hypoxia-induced factors (HIF).Thus, we aimed to study the expression ...profile of these markers in sequential peripheral blood collections performed in breast cancer patients in order to verify their predictive potential in liquid biopsies. Gene expressions were analyzed by qPCR in tumor and blood samples from 125 patients and 25 healthy women. Differential expression was determined by the 2(-ΔCq) method. Expression of HIF-1α and GLUT1 in the blood of breast cancer patients is significantly higher (90-91 and 160-161 fold increased expression, respectively; p < 0.0001) than that found in healthy women. Their diagnostic power was confirmed by ROC curve. CAIX is also more expressed in breast cancer women blood, but its expression was detected only in a few samples. But none of these genes could be considered predictive markers. Therefore, evaluation of the expression of HIF-1α and GLUT1 in blood may be a useful laboratory tool to complement the diagnosis of breast cancer, in addition to being useful for follow-up of patients and of women with a family history of breast cancer.
Abstract
Hyperglycemia leads to microvascular lesions in various tissues. In diabetic nephropathy—DN, alterations in usual markers reflect an already installed disease. The study of new biomarkers ...for the early detection of diabetic complications can bring new prevention perspectives. Rats were divided into diabetic adult—DMA—or elderly—DME and control sham adult—CSA—or control sham elderly—CSE. Blood and urine samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Bulbar region, cardiac, hepatic and renal tissues were collected for target gene expression studies. As result, DMA showed decreased
TNFR1
,
MCT1
and
CD147
expression in the bulbar region,
TNFR1
in the heart,
VEGFA
and
CD147
in the kidney and
TNFR1
in blood. Positive correlations were found between
TNFR1
and
MCT1
in the bulbar region and HbA1c and plasma creatinine, respectively. DME showed positive correlation in the bulbar region between
TNFR1
and glycemia, in addition to negative correlations between
CD147
in the heart versus glycemia and urea. We concluded that the initial hyperglycemic stimulus already promotes changes in the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory and metabolic pathways, and aging alters this profile. These changes prior to the onset of diseases such as DN, show that they have potential for early biomarkers studies.
After serious epidemics of chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV) in the Americas, dengue (DENV) have reemerged in most countries. We analyzed the incidence, incidence rates, and evolution of DENV cases ...in Honduras from 2015 to 2018 and the ongoing 2019 epidemic.
Using epidemiological weeks (EW) surveillance data on the DENV in Honduras, we estimated incidence rates (cases/100,000 population), and developed maps at national, departmental, and municipal levels.
From January 1, 2016 to July 21, 2019, a total of 109,557 cases of DENV were reported, 28,603 in 2019, with an incidence rate of 312.32 cases/100,000 population this year; 0.13% laboratory-confirmed. The highest peak was reached on the EW 28°, 2019 (5299 cases; 57.89 cases/100,000 population). The department with the highest number of cases and incidence rate was Cortes (8404 cases, 479.68 cases/100,000 population in 2019).
The pattern and evolution of DENV epidemic in 2019 in Honduras has been similar to that which occurred for in 2015. As previously reported, this epidemic involved the north and central areas of the country predominantly, reaching municipality incidences there >1000 cases/100,000 population (or 1%). Studies using geographical information systems linked with clinical disease characteristics are necessary to obtain accurate epidemiological data for public health systems. Such information is also useful for assessment of risk for travelers who visit specific areas in a destination country.
La variabilidad del ritmo cardíaco (VRC) corresponde a las variaciones temporales de la frecuencia cardíaca o del intervalo latido-latido. Este parámetro refleja el estado de los mecanismos ...autonómicos de control cardiovascular. Los cambios propios del ciclo vital de las personas, el sedentarismo y diversos procesos de enfermedad han mostrado inducir cambios en la VRC y desplazar el balance autonómico hacia una mayor influencia simpática o parasimpática sobre el corazón. Estos antecedentes apoyan el uso de los índices de VRC para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de diversas entidades nosológicas en el adulto. Sin embargo, en la población pediátrica ha existido un limitado avance en el estudio de las variaciones temporales del ritmo cardíaco. Este artículo tiene por objetivo describir los aspectos fisiológicos y técnicos de la VRC en población pediátrica. El propósito es aportar antecedentes que permitan optimizar la aplicación de estos parámetros en este grupo etario.
The nutritional status resultant from dietary habits along with socioeconomic conditions and the school environment are directly related to the individual's health condition not only in their ...childhood but also throughout adulthood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic factors on the anthropometric profile and to analyze a probable association between this profile and biochemical markers in children attending public daycare centers.
It is a transversal study developed in a probability sample of clusters of children from 6 months to 5 years old. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were gathered at the CMEIs, questionnaires on the nutritional status were applied and blood was collected at the Family Health Units (USFs).
Female children are three times more likely to be underweight; in families with five members, it is 1/3 more likely that children of higher-educated parents are overweight. Among the results of the biochemical tests, hypervitaminosis A was a relevant aspect, positively correlating with copper (p=0.005) and zinc (p=0.008).
Therefore, since the influence of the family is an important predictor of overweight and its future outcomes related to nutritional deficiencies and inadequate dietary intake, educational interventions are vital as a way to pave the path to prevention.
ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the profile of emergency eye-related visits and compare the findings with the same period before the pandemic. Methods ...Cross-sectional study performed during one year at a reference eye hospital. Cases registered at the emergency Municipal Hospital Complex of Santo Andre, Brazil, between March, 2019 and February, 2020 were included in the study as the Pre-pandemic group. Cases registered between March, 2020 and February, 2021 were included as the Pandemic group. Cases were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and Related Health Problems. Results There was a decrease of 52.1% in the emergency eye care visits during the pandemic period (n=9,198) when compared to the pre-pandemic period (n=19,220), with significant reductions in nonspecific cases (-98.1%), postoperative visits (-67.0%), disorders of the conjunctiva (-54.1%), tear film (-49.4%) and refraction (-85.6%) during the pandemic period. Conditions such as retina disorders (+202.7%), sclera disorders (+76.2%), orbit disorders (+20.2%), glaucoma (+66.6%) and trauma (+19.4%) have shown increased rates, as well as those related to eyelids (+186.9%), cornea (+33.4%), uvea (+40.2%), and herpes (+55.3%). Conclusion A drastic reduction in the number of eye-related emergency visits was observed during the Covid-19 pandemic, outlining a new profile of care, with higher frequency of sight-threatening conditions and lower frequency of contagious and non-specific diagnosis.
Aim
To evaluate the gene expression of irisin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and its possible involvement in the metabolic changes and obesity in this pathophysiological situation.
...Methods
Patients anthropometric data were obtained, as well as samples of blood were collected in the clinic of specialties from Faculty of Medicine of ABC. A list of healthy individuals CT (n=14) and DM2 patients (n=16) diagnosed for less than 10 years was obtained. The criteria for the diagnosis of DM2 were the one used by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Volunteers filled in terms of consent, and all of them were greater than or equal to 21 years old. After collection, it was evaluated complete hemogram and biochemical parameters: glucose and glycated hemoglobin (A1C). The expression of molecular biomarker irisin in peripheral blood leukocytes was performed by RT‐qPCR technique. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and analyzed by the program GraphPad Prism® 6.0, using the Student's t‐test and Mann‐Whitney test. As for the analyzes of correlation, it was done the Spearman correlation test. The significance level was 5% (descriptive value *p<0.05).
Results
The mean age of the patients studied was 51±15 years for the CT group (n=14) and 64±10 years for the DM2 (n=16). As for the biochemical parameters, the following results were obtained: glucose (CT 92±13, n=14 DM2 versus 143±40 mg/dL, n=16 *p<0.05); A1C (CT 5.6±0.5, n=14 DM2 versus 7.1±1.6%, n=16 *p<0.05); irisin gene expression in peripheral blood was obtained by the formula 2^‐ΔCT and values found in CT group were 8.506e‐006±1.412e‐005, n=6. The ones found in DM2 group were 0.02288± 0.08050 n=14, p=0.06. The correlation test between the expression of irisin versus Body Mass Index (BMI) in DM2 was r=0.5221, p=0.06. There was no correlation between the glucose levels and A1C with irisin expression.
Conclusion
Despite the preliminary findings, the data showed a tendency toward a positive correlation between the expression of irisin and BMI in diabetic patients. These data suggest that irisin is associated to possible changes in adiposity which happen in obesity associated to DM2.
Support or Funding Information
Financial Support: CAPES, CNPq.
This is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this published in The FASEB Journal.
Lung cancer biomarkers. A literature review Soares Costa, Amanda Angelo; Veiga, Glaucia Luciano da; Alves, Beatriz da Costa Aguiar ...
Jornal brasileiro de patologia e medicina laboratorial,
2022, Letnik:
58
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
ABSTRACT Lung cancer is the first in terms of incidence and mortality, being responsible worldwide for about 1.8 million deaths. In Brazil 31,270 new cases were diagnosed in 2018, 18,740 in men and ...12,350 in women. One of the main challenges about lung cancer is performing an early diagnosis, in most cases the disease is detected in the late stages, which implies in poor prognoses. Tumor biomarkers are hugely relevant in early diagnosis, understanding of carcinogenesis, prognostic determination and therapeutic choice. The present paper reviews non-small cell lung cancer biomarkers described in the literature and their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic applications, intervention and therapeutic control for individualized therapy. Although there is still a vast universe to be explored, studies reveal a promising future for lung cancer treatment with increasingly personalized and assertive therapies that increase the chances of progression-free survival.
Abstract Introduction and Objectives Nutritional assessment in individuals infected with HIV-1 holds significance as it allows for indirect monitoring of physiological and morphological changes, ...identification of nutritional risks, and effective intervention to maintain or restore nutritional status. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing the quality of life for this population. This study aims to establish a connection between self-image perceptions and body composition, biochemical profiles, and the use of lipid-lowering medications among adults with HIV who are undergoing outpatient follow-up in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted involving 231 adults, both on and off antiretroviral drugs. The study subjectively assessed two aspects: (1) alterations in the redistribution of body fat (referred to as self-reported lipodystrophy) and (2) self-perceptions of body image. These variables were subsequently correlated with the individuals' self-perceived body image. Results The study included 67% (n = 154) men and 33% (n = 77) women, with 28.5% (n = 66) having been exposed to some form of protease inhibitor. Among the participants, 40% (n = 98) perceived alterations in the redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy). Notable changes included fat loss in the face, arms, thighs, and buttocks (p = 0.004, 0.006, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively), along with increased waistlines (p = 0.001), prominent veins (p = 0.001), and the presence or increase of lipomas (p = 0.046). Conclusion A positive correlation was observed between the use of lipid-lowering medications and self-perceptions of body image. In this study, anthropometric and biochemical parameters proved more effective in assessing changes in the distribution of body fat among people living with HIV/AIDS compared to the subjective self-reported method.
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