Endothelial activation is associated with albuminuria in multibacillary leprosy

Leprosy may present kidney and endothelial abnormalities, being a risk factor for complications. However, the involvement of renal and vascular endothelia has been poorly investigated. We aimed to investigate if the levels of systemic endothelial biomarkers are associated with kidney abnormalities and the clinical forms of leprosy. This is a cross-sectional study with leprosy patients enrolled in January 2017 to December 2018, before the initiation of the multidrug therapy. Leprosy-associated clinical and epidemiological data were collected. Two groups were investigated: Paucibacillary (PB) and Multibacillary (MB) infections, for the comparisons. Serum and urine samples were obtained for laboratory analysis. In serum samples, were evaluated the endothelial biomarkers VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In total, 101 leprosy patients were included, the mean age was 48±١٥ years and 71 (70%) were male. The multibacillary form occurred in 81 cases (80%), among which 22 had the Virchowian form. Serum creatinine was more elevated in the MB group than in PB patients. In addition, VCAM-1 was elevated in the MB group and was correlated with the bacteriological index (rho = 0.372, p <0.01), the duration of disease symptoms (rho = 0.234, p = 0.04), and the number of skin lesions (rho = 0.468, p <0.001). Moreover, in MB patients who presented albuminuria >15 mg/g of creatinine, VCAM-1 showed a significant correlation with increased albuminuria and improved the correlation with the number of skin lesions (rho= 0.563, p=0.010). In conclusion, higher systemic VCAM-1 levels were associated with the multibacillary clinical form of leprosy and with increased albuminuria. Prospective studies are necessary to establish a cause-effect and evaluate the preventive role of these biomarkers to improve the clinical care

Generalized hereditary gingival fibromatosis in a child: clinical, histopathological and therapeutic aspects

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare genetic condition characterized by slow and progressive gingival enlargement. The gingival overgrowth often delays teeth eruption and may cause serious functional and aesthetic problems. We reported a case of a 10-year-old female child presenting a generalized gingival enlargement covering almost all the maxillary and mandibular teeth and resulted in problems for swallowing, speaking, and poor aesthetics. An incisional biopsy was performed and revealed a hypocellular and hypovascular dense collagenous tissue covered by squamous epithelium exhibiting acanthosis and elongated rete ridges. The diagnosis was HGF. The treatment instituted was an association of gingivectomy with a rigorous program of oral hygiene and follow-up. Herein, we describe a rare non-syndromic case of generalized HGF, including clinical and microscopical features, as well as highlighting the importance of correct diagnosis of this genetic condition

Lodo de esgoto em revegetação de área degradada

The objective of this work was to verify the viability of using the sludge produced by Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto do Aeroporto Internacional do Rio de Janeiro (Etar-Apoio), in the revegetation process of a degraded area located in this airport. The addition of such material to the soil increased significantly the organic matter contents, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and calcium, as well as the cation exchange capacity (pH 7). The micronutrients Fe, Zn, and Cu increased with the sewage sludge application. However, this behavior is not related to the soil pH decrease, but to the CEC increment and to the organic matter increase. No significant sewage sludge effect was observed in the development of the species used (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia – Sabiá – and M. bimucronata – Maricá). However, it was observed a significant interaction between the rates of sewage sludge application and the plants. Those results have indicated that the revegetation process used was a feasible alternative to the final disposal of the sewage sludge.O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a viabilidade da aplicação do lodo, produzido pela Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto do Aeroporto Internacional do Rio de Janeiro (Etar-Apoio), à revegetação de uma área degradada do aeroporto. A adição desse material ao solo causou o aumento significativo dos teores de carbono orgânico, nitrogênio, fósforo, magnésio, potássio e cálcio, bem como da capacidade de troca catiônica. Os teores dos micronutrientes Fe, Zn e Cu também aumentaram significativamente com a aplicação de lodo. Contudo, em princípio, esse comportamento não está relacionado ao decréscimo significativo verificado no pH do solo, mas sim ao incremento da capacidade de troca catiônica (pH 7) e da matéria orgânica. Não se observou efeito significativo da aplicação de lodo no desenvolvimento das espécies vegetais utilizadas (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia –Sabiá – e M. bimucronata – Maricá). Verificou-se, no entanto, significância na interação entre as doses de lodo com as duas espécies vegetais implantadas. Esses resultados indicam que o processo de revegetação utilizado representa alternativa viável para a disposição final do lodo de esgoto

Productive performance, breast growth and digestive system development in European quail subjected to post-hatch fasting for different periods

Abstract This study assessed the effect of different periods of post-hatch fasting on animal performance and breast and digestive system growth in European quail. Quail chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four fasting periods (0, 24, 36, and 48 hs) and four replications of 40 birds per treatment. In 1 to 14-day-old chicks, weight gain decreased with increasing fasting time. Compensatory gain was observed from 15 days of age onward. Fasted quail had a lower length and relative weight of the digestive system than fed animals for up to 14 days. Histologically, the duodenal villus height was significantly lower in 3-day-old quail fasted for 36 hs than in those fasted for 48 hs, but this effect was not observed at 7 days. Scanning electron microscopy showed no differences in the small intestinal mucosa between fasted and fed birds at 3 days of age. Post-hatch fasting reduced the relative weight of the breast in quail aged 1 to 14 days but did not affect type IIa and IIb fiber diameter at 35 days. On the basis of these results, it is recommended that European quail raised for meat should not be fasted for more than 48 hs post-hatch

Renal function evaluation in patients with American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis after specific treatment with pentavalent antimonial

Background\ud Renal evaluation studies are rare in American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL). The aim of this study is to investigate whether specific treatment reverts ACL-associated renal dysfunction.\ud \ud Methods\ud A prospective study was conducted with 37 patients with ACL. Urinary concentrating and acidification ability was assessed before and after treatment with pentavalent antimonial.\ud \ud Results\ud The patients mean age was 35.6 ± 12 years and 19 were male. Before treatment, urinary concentrating defect (U/Posm <2.8) was identified in 27 patients (77%) and urinary acidification defect in 17 patients (46%). No significant glomerular dysfunction was observed before and after specific ACL treatment. There was no reversion of urinary concentrating defects, being observed in 77% of the patients before and in 88% after treatment (p = 0.344). Urinary acidification defect was corrected in 9 patients after treatment, reducing its prevalence from 40% before to only 16% after treament, (p = 0.012). Microalbuminuria higher than 30 mg/g was found in 35% of patients before treatment and in only 8% after treatment. Regarding fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, there was no significant difference between pre and post-treatment period.\ud \ud Conclusion\ud As previously described, urinary concentrating and acidification defects were found in an important number of patients with ACL. Present results demonstrate that only some patients recover urinary acidification capacity, while no one returned to normal urinary concentration capacity.This research was supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The desmopressin acetate was provided by Ferring of Brazil

Renal function evaluation in patients with American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis after specific treatment with pentavalent antimonial

Background\ud Renal evaluation studies are rare in American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL). The aim of this study is to investigate whether specific treatment reverts ACL-associated renal dysfunction.\ud \ud Methods\ud A prospective study was conducted with 37 patients with ACL. Urinary concentrating and acidification ability was assessed before and after treatment with pentavalent antimonial.\ud \ud Results\ud The patients mean age was 35.6 ± 12 years and 19 were male. Before treatment, urinary concentrating defect (U/Posm <2.8) was identified in 27 patients (77%) and urinary acidification defect in 17 patients (46%). No significant glomerular dysfunction was observed before and after specific ACL treatment. There was no reversion of urinary concentrating defects, being observed in 77% of the patients before and in 88% after treatment (p = 0.344). Urinary acidification defect was corrected in 9 patients after treatment, reducing its prevalence from 40% before to only 16% after treament, (p = 0.012). Microalbuminuria higher than 30 mg/g was found in 35% of patients before treatment and in only 8% after treatment. Regarding fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, there was no significant difference between pre and post-treatment period.\ud \ud Conclusion\ud As previously described, urinary concentrating and acidification defects were found in an important number of patients with ACL. Present results demonstrate that only some patients recover urinary acidification capacity, while no one returned to normal urinary concentration capacity.This research was supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The desmopressin acetate was provided by Ferring of Brazil

O IMPACTO DA PANDEMIA NA SAÚDE MENTAL: UM OLHAR SOBRE O PONTO DE VISTA DA SAÚDE DO TRABALHADOR

In 2020, the world began a processofhealthcrisisdueto a familyofvirusescalledCoronaviridaethat cause respiratoryinfections, triggeringthediseasecalled COVID-19, whichis a rapidlyandeasily spread respiratorysyndrome. It wasinitiallydetected in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. The rapidprocessofcontagionsandinfectionscausedthe WHO toraisethe status ofthediseaseto a pandemic, alongwiththealert came the social isolationthataimedtoreduce cases of mortality andinfections. Thisarticleexposesandreportsthecomplicationsandimpactsofthepandemiconthe mental healthofthepopulation, emphasizingthosemostmentallyaffectedsuch as healthprofessionals, students, workersandtheelderly. Withthequarantineadopted in all countries, several feelings begantobedevelopedbythepopulationsuch as loneliness, depression, anxietyandpanic, thecontrolmeasuresassociatedwith false information, andtheabsenceof a proveneffectiveand safe treatment, makes thepopulationexperiencemomentsofuncertaintyanddoubtswithfearoftheunknown, in additiontounemployment rates thathaverisenduetothelackofresourcesthatcompaniesandinstitutionshad. The threephasesofcrisis in thepandemic determine, stepbystep, the mental impairmentofindividuals, wherethey are thepre-crisisthatisconsideredtheinitialphase, theintra-crisisthatistheintermediatephasewherethecollapse in publichealth in Brazilisalreadyinstalled, andthelastphasecalled post-crisiswhich are thesequels in post wave mental health.En 2020, el mundo comenzó un proceso de crisis sanitaria debido a una familia de virus llamados Coronaviridae que causan infecciones respiratorias, desencadenando la enfermedad llamada COVID-19, que es un síndrome respiratorio de rápida y fácil propagación. Se detectó inicialmente a fines de 2019 en Wuhan, China. El rápido proceso de contagio provocó que la OMS elevara el estatus de la enfermedad a pandemia, junto con una advertencia llegó el aislamiento social que apuntaba a reducir los casos de mortalidad e infecciones. Este artículo informa sobre las complicaciones e impactos de la pandemia en la salud mental de la población, destacando a los más afectados mentalmente, como profesionales de la salud, estudiantes, trabajadores y ancianos. Con la cuarentena adoptada en todos los países, se comenzaron a desarrollar varios sentimientos por parte de la población como la soledad, la depresión, la ansiedad y el pánico, las medidas de control asociadas a la información falsa, y la ausencia de un tratamiento eficaz y seguro comprobado, provoca que la población experimente momentos de incertidumbre y dudas con miedo a lo desconocido, además de las tasas de desempleo que han aumentado debido a la falta de recursos que presentaban las empresas e instituciones. Las tres fases de crisis en la pandemia determinan paso a paso para el deterioro mental de los individuos, donde es la precrisis la que se considera la fase inicial, la intracrisis que es la fase intermedia donde ya está instalado el colapso de la salud pública en Brasil.Em 2020, o mundo iniciou um processo de crise na saúde devido a uma família de vírus chamada Coronaviridae que causam infecções respiratórias, desencadeando a doença chamada de COVID-19, que é uma síndrome respiratória de rápida e fácil propagação. Foi detectada incialmente no fim de 2019 em Wuhan, na China. O rápido processo de contágios fizeram com que a OMS elevasse o status da doença para pandemia, junto com alerta chegou o isolamento social que tinha como objetivo a redução dos casos de mortalidade e infeções. Esse artigo relata as complicações e impactos da pandemia sobre a saúde mental da população, frisando os mais afetados mentalmente como os profissionais da área de saúde, estudantes, trabalhadores e idosos. Com a quarentena adotada em todos os países, vários sentimentos começaram a ser desenvolvidos pela população como solidão, depressão, ansiedade e pânico, as medidas de controle associadas às informações falsas, e à ausência de um tratamento comprovadamente eficaz e seguro, faz com que a população vivencie momentos de incertezas e dúvidas com medo do desconhecido, além das taxas de desemprego que subiram devido à falta de recurso que as empresas e instituição apresentavam. As três fases de crise na pandemia determinam passo a passo para comprometimento mental dos indivíduos, onde são a pré-crise que é considerada a fase inicial, a intracrise que é a fase intermediária onde o colapso na saúde pública do Brasil já está instalado, e a última fase chamada de pós-crise que são as sequelas na saúde mental pós onda

O IMPACTO DA PANDEMIA NA SAÚDE MENTAL: UM OLHAR SOBRE O PONTO DE VISTA DA SAÚDE DO TRABALHADOR

In 2020, the world began a processofhealthcrisisdueto a familyofvirusescalledCoronaviridaethat cause respiratoryinfections, triggeringthediseasecalled COVID-19, whichis a rapidlyandeasily spread respiratorysyndrome. It wasinitiallydetected in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. The rapidprocessofcontagionsandinfectionscausedthe WHO toraisethe status ofthediseaseto a pandemic, alongwiththealert came the social isolationthataimedtoreduce cases of mortality andinfections. Thisarticleexposesandreportsthecomplicationsandimpactsofthepandemiconthe mental healthofthepopulation, emphasizingthosemostmentallyaffectedsuch as healthprofessionals, students, workersandtheelderly. Withthequarantineadopted in all countries, several feelings begantobedevelopedbythepopulationsuch as loneliness, depression, anxietyandpanic, thecontrolmeasuresassociatedwith false information, andtheabsenceof a proveneffectiveand safe treatment, makes thepopulationexperiencemomentsofuncertaintyanddoubtswithfearoftheunknown, in additiontounemployment rates thathaverisenduetothelackofresourcesthatcompaniesandinstitutionshad. The threephasesofcrisis in thepandemic determine, stepbystep, the mental impairmentofindividuals, wherethey are thepre-crisisthatisconsideredtheinitialphase, theintra-crisisthatistheintermediatephasewherethecollapse in publichealth in Brazilisalreadyinstalled, andthelastphasecalled post-crisiswhich are thesequels in post wave mental health.En 2020, el mundo comenzó un proceso de crisis sanitaria debido a una familia de virus llamados Coronaviridae que causan infecciones respiratorias, desencadenando la enfermedad llamada COVID-19, que es un síndrome respiratorio de rápida y fácil propagación. Se detectó inicialmente a fines de 2019 en Wuhan, China. El rápido proceso de contagio provocó que la OMS elevara el estatus de la enfermedad a pandemia, junto con una advertencia llegó el aislamiento social que apuntaba a reducir los casos de mortalidad e infecciones. Este artículo informa sobre las complicaciones e impactos de la pandemia en la salud mental de la población, destacando a los más afectados mentalmente, como profesionales de la salud, estudiantes, trabajadores y ancianos. Con la cuarentena adoptada en todos los países, se comenzaron a desarrollar varios sentimientos por parte de la población como la soledad, la depresión, la ansiedad y el pánico, las medidas de control asociadas a la información falsa, y la ausencia de un tratamiento eficaz y seguro comprobado, provoca que la población experimente momentos de incertidumbre y dudas con miedo a lo desconocido, además de las tasas de desempleo que han aumentado debido a la falta de recursos que presentaban las empresas e instituciones. Las tres fases de crisis en la pandemia determinan paso a paso para el deterioro mental de los individuos, donde es la precrisis la que se considera la fase inicial, la intracrisis que es la fase intermedia donde ya está instalado el colapso de la salud pública en Brasil.Em 2020, o mundo iniciou um processo de crise na saúde devido a uma família de vírus chamada Coronaviridae que causam infecções respiratórias, desencadeando a doença chamada de COVID-19, que é uma síndrome respiratória de rápida e fácil propagação. Foi detectada incialmente no fim de 2019 em Wuhan, na China. O rápido processo de contágios fizeram com que a OMS elevasse o status da doença para pandemia, junto com alerta chegou o isolamento social que tinha como objetivo a redução dos casos de mortalidade e infeções. Esse artigo relata as complicações e impactos da pandemia sobre a saúde mental da população, frisando os mais afetados mentalmente como os profissionais da área de saúde, estudantes, trabalhadores e idosos. Com a quarentena adotada em todos os países, vários sentimentos começaram a ser desenvolvidos pela população como solidão, depressão, ansiedade e pânico, as medidas de controle associadas às informações falsas, e à ausência de um tratamento comprovadamente eficaz e seguro, faz com que a população vivencie momentos de incertezas e dúvidas com medo do desconhecido, além das taxas de desemprego que subiram devido à falta de recurso que as empresas e instituição apresentavam. As três fases de crise na pandemia determinam passo a passo para comprometimento mental dos indivíduos, onde são a pré-crise que é considerada a fase inicial, a intracrise que é a fase intermediária onde o colapso na saúde pública do Brasil já está instalado, e a última fase chamada de pós-crise que são as sequelas na saúde mental pós onda

Endothelial biomarkers in critically-ill COVID-19 patients: potential predictors of the need for dialysis

Introduction: To evaluate the function of vascular biomarkers to predict need for hemodialysis in critically-ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: This is a prospective study with 58 critically-ill patients due to COVID-19 infection. Laboratory tests in general and vascular biomarkers, such as VCAM-1, Syndecan-1, Angiopoietin-1 and Angiopoeitin-2 were quantified on intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Results: There was a 40% death rate. VCAM and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio on ICU admission were associated with need for hemodialysis. Vascular biomarkers (VCAM-1, Syndecan-1, angiopoetin-2/ anogiopoetin-1 ratio) were predictors of death and their cut-off values were useful to stratify patients with a worse prognosis. In the multivariate cox regression analysis with adjusted models, VCAM-1 [O.R. 1.13 (C.I. 95%: 1.01 - 1.27); p= 0.034] and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio [O.R. 4.87 (C.I.95%: 1.732 - 13.719); p= 0.003] were associated with need for dialysis. Conclusion: Vascular biomarkers, mostly VCAM-1 and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio, showed better efficiency to predict need for hemodialysis in critically-ill COVID-19 patients