Portuguese-Brazilian evidence-based guideline on the management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: In current management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular and renal prevention have become important targets to be achieved. In this context, a joint panel of four endocrinology societies from Brazil and Portugal was established to develop an evidence-based guideline for treatment of hyperglycemia in T2DM. Methods: MEDLINE (via PubMed) was searched for randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies related to diabetes treatment. When there was insufficient high-quality evidence, expert opinion was sought. Updated positions on treatment of T2DM patients with heart failure (HF), atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and patients with no vascular complications were developed. The degree of recommendation and the level of evidence were determined using predefined criteria. Results and conclusions: In non-pregnant adults, the recommended HbA1c target is below 7%. Higher levels are recommended in frail older adults and patients at higher risk of hypoglycemia. Lifestyle modification is recommended at all phases of treatment. Metformin is the first choice when HbA1c is 6.5–7.5%. When HbA1c is 7.5–9.0%, dual therapy with metformin plus an SGLT2i and/or GLP-1RA (first-line antidiabetic agents, AD1) is recommended due to cardiovascular and renal benefits. If an AD1 is unaffordable, other antidiabetic drugs (AD) may be used. Triple or quadruple therapy should be considered when HbA1c remains above target. In patients with clinical or subclinical atherosclerosis, the combination of one AD1 plus metformin is the recommended first-line therapy to reduce cardiovascular events and improve blood glucose control. In stable heart failure with low ejection fraction ( 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, metformin plus an SGLT-2i is recommended to reduce cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalizations and improve blood glucose control. In patients with diabetes-associated chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR 30–60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or eGFR 30–90 mL/min/1.73 m2 with albuminuria > 30 mg/g), the combination of metformin and an SGLT2i is recommended to attenuate loss of renal function, reduce albuminuria and improve blood glucose control. In patients with severe renal failure, insulin-based therapy is recommended to improve blood glucose control. Alternatively, GLP-1RA, DPP4i, gliclazide MR and pioglitazone may be considered to reduce albuminuria. In conclusion, the current evidence supports individualizing anti-hyperglycemic treatment for T2DM

Nitric oxide system and diabetic nephropathy

About 30% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus develop clinically overt nephropathy. Hyperglycemia is necessary, but not sufficient, to cause the renal damage that leads to kidney failure. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a multifactorial disorder that results from interaction between environmental and genetic factors. In the present article we will review the role of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the pathogenesis of DN. Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived gaseous lipophilic molecule produced in almost all tissues, and it has three distinct genes that encode three NOS isoforms: neuronal (nNOS), inducible (iNOS) and endothelial (eNOS). The correct function of the endothelium depends on NO, participating in hemostasis control, vascular tone regulation, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and blood pressure homeostasis, among other features. In the kidney, NO plays many different roles, including control of renal and glomerular hemodynamics. The net effect of NO in the kidney is to promote natriuresis and diuresis, along with renal adaptation to dietary salt intake. The eNOS gene has been considered a potential candidate gene for DN susceptibility. Three polymorphisms have been extensively researched: G894T missense mutation (rs1799983), a 27-bp repeat in intron 4, and the T786C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter (rs2070744). However, the potential link between eNOS gene variants and the induction and progression of DN yielded contradictory results in the literature. In conclusion, NOS seems to be involve in the development and progression of DN. Despite the discrepant results of many studies, the eNOS gene is also a good candidate gene for DN

The disenchanted mountain's Heritage. Protection and reuse of sanatoriums in the Alps

Imaging studies are expected to produce reliable information regarding the size and fat content of the pancreas. However, the available studies have produced inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of imaging studies assessing pancreas size and fat content in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Medline and Embase databases were performed. Studies evaluating pancreatic size (diameter, area or volume) and/or fat content by ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging in patients with T1DM and/or T2DM as compared to healthy controls were selected. Seventeen studies including 3,403 subjects (284 T1DM patients, 1,139 T2DM patients, and 1,980 control subjects) were selected for meta-analyses. Pancreas diameter, area, volume, density, and fat percentage were evaluated.Pancreatic volume was reduced in T1DM and T2DM vs. controls (T1DM vs. controls: -38.72 cm3, 95%CI: -52.25 to -25.19, I2 = 70.2%, p for heterogeneity = 0.018; and T2DM vs. controls: -12.18 cm3, 95%CI: -19.1 to -5.25, I2 = 79.3%, p for heterogeneity = 0.001). Fat content was higher in T2DM vs. controls (+2.73%, 95%CI 0.55 to 4.91, I2 = 82.0%, p for heterogeneity<0.001).Individuals with T1DM and T2DM have reduced pancreas size in comparison with control subjects. Patients with T2DM have increased pancreatic fat content

Homicídio nas Relações Íntimas de Mulheres em Portugal Estudo Exploratório

A Criminologia desempenha o papel de clarificar as causas a respeito do crime, da criminalidade e sua origem, o estudo da vítima, do controlo social do criminoso, bem como a sua personalidade de forma de reintegrá-lo na sociedade. O poder discricionário concedido ao/a julgador/a penal leva-nos a observar a existência de disparidades, por vezes sem justificação, na determinação concreta da pena. É neste contexto que surge o presente estudo sobre as decisões judiciais, em matéria de homicídios, nas relações íntimas contra mulheres em Portugal, que tem por objetivo geral de contribuir na soma de conhecimento científico de natureza criminológica.N/

Decrease in pancreatic perfusion of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus detected by perfusion computed tomography

Objectives: The objectives of the study was to compare pancreatic perfusion by computed tomography in type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic subjects. Material and Methods: In this case–control study, 17 patients with type 2 diabetes and 22 non-diabetic controls were examined with a dynamic 192-slices perfusion computed tomography for estimating pancreatic perfusion parameters. Results: thirty-nine patients were included (22 with Type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]), with a mean age of 64 years. There were significant differences in some pancreatic perfusion parameters in patients with and without type 2 diabetes. Blood volume (BV) was lower in pancreatic head (with T2DM: 14.0 ± 3.4 vs. without T2DM: 16.1 ± 2.4 mL/100 mL; P = 0.033), pancreatic tail (with: 14.4 ± 3.6 vs. without: 16.8 ± 2.5 mL/100 mL; P = 0.023), and in whole pancreas (with: 14.2 ± 3.2 vs. without: 16.2 ± 2.5 mL/100 mL; P = 0.042). Similar behavior was observed with mean transit time (MTT) in pancreatic head (with: 7.0 ± 1.0 vs. without: 7.9 ± 1.2 s; P = 0.018), pancreatic tail (with: 6.6 ± 1.3 vs. without: 7.7 ± 0.9 s; P = 0.005), and in whole pancreas (with: 6.8 ± 1.0 vs. without: 7.7 ± 0.9 s; P = 0.016). BV in head, tail, and whole pancreas had negative correlations with age (head r: –0.352, P = 0.032; tail r: –0.421, P = 0.031; whole pancreas r: –0.439, P = 0.007), and fasting plasma glucose (head r: –0.360, P = 0.031; tail r: –0.483, P = 0.003; whole pancreas r: –0.447, P = 0.006). In a multivariate linear regression model, HbA1c was independently associated with decrease in BV in whole pancreas (β: –0.884; CI95%: –1.750 to –0.017; P = 0.046). Conclusion: Pancreatic BV and MTT were significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes. BV was decreased with older age and poorer glycemic control

Bibliometric analysis on protection of geographical indications

This paper considers the importance of current certifications of origin of products seeking to examine the relevance of the registration of a geographical indication to local economies in development of regional products. The objective is to conduct an analysis of published scientific papers about the forms of registration and protection granted to geographical indications (IGs). To gather the papers dealing with the subject of Geographical Indications protection record, held a search in the database of the Web of Science, by removing the items that detail on products protected, twenty-one theme related papers were analyzed. You can see differences between the registration forms between the European Union and the United States, another fact highlighted is that most of the products protected by geographical indications are. Many countries are interested in publishing research in this area, those with greater numbers of publication, are also countries with numerous records of geographical indications. &nbsp

Pellagra

A pelagra (deficiência de vitamina B6) acomete pacientes cronicamente desnutridos e merece destaque por seu envolvimento multissistêmico. É relatado o caso de um paciente de 48 anos, sexo masculino, com história de alcoolismo crônico, diarréia, insônia, irritabilidade e diminuição da memória. Ao exame físico, apresentava lesões eritematodescamativas, edemaciadas, simétricas no dorso de ambos os pés e região anterior e posterior das pernas, poupando a área da bermuda e as tiras dos chinelos. Após 20 dias de reposição de niacina e complexo B, apresentou melhora significativa das lesões de pele, sem melhora dos sintomas digestivos e neurológicos. Os aspectos da patogênese, fisiopatologia, diagnóstico diferencial e tratamento da pelagra são discutidos. O diagnóstico de pelagra deve ser lembrado em pacientes com lesões de pele e fatores de risco para desnutrição, como pacientes alcoolistas e doentes crônicos.Pellagra (vitamin B6 deficiency) is seen in chronically malnourished patients and deserves attention because of its multisystemic involvement. We report a case of a 48-year-old male patient with chronic alcohol abuse, diarrhea, insomnia, irritability and memory impairment. On physical examination, there were symmetrical, erythematous, desquamative and edematous lesions on the dorsum of both feet and anterior and posterior aspects of the legs, sparing the area covered by the shorts and slippers straps. After 20 days of niacin and B complex replacement, there was marked improvement in skin lesions, but the digestive and neurological symptoms did not improve. Aspects concerning pathogenesis, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and treatment of pellagra are discussed. Diagnosis of pellagra should be considered in patients with skin lesions and risk factors for malnourishment, such as alcoholic and chronically ill patients

PELAGRA

A pelagra (deficiência de vitamina B6) acomete pacientes cronicamente desnutridos e merece destaque por seu envolvimento multissistêmico. É relatado o caso de um paciente de 48 anos, sexo masculino, com história de alcoolismo crônico, diarréia, insônia, irritabilidade e diminuição da memória. Ao exame físico, apresentava lesões eritematodescamativas, edemaciadas, simétricas no dorso de ambos os pés e região anterior e posterior das pernas,poupando a área da bermuda e as tiras dos chinelos. Após 20 dias de reposição de niacina e complexo B, apresentou melhora significativa das lesões de pele, sem melhora dos sintomas digestivos e neurológicos. Os aspectos da patogênese, fisiopatologia, diagnóstico diferencial e tratamento da pelagra são discutidos. O diagnóstico de pelagra deve ser lembrado em pacientes com lesões de pele e fatores de risco para desnutrição, como pacientes alcoolistas e doentes crônicos.Unitermos: Pelagra, desnutrição, alcoolismo