High levels of immunosuppression are related to unfavourable outcomes in hospitalised patients with rheumatic diseases and COVID-19 : first results of ReumaCoV Brasil registry

Objectives To evaluate risk factors associated with unfavourable outcomes: emergency care, hospitalisation, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation and death in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD) and COVID-19. Methods Analysis of the first 8 weeks of observational multicentre prospective cohort study (ReumaCoV Brasil register). Patients with IMRD and COVID-19 according to the Ministry of Health criteria were classified as eligible for the study. Results 334 participants were enrolled, a majority of them women, with a median age of 45 years; systemic lupus erythematosus (32.9%) was the most frequent IMRD. Emergency care was required in 160 patients, 33.0% were hospitalised, 15.0% were admitted to the ICU and 10.5% underwent mechanical ventilation; 28 patients (8.4%) died. In the multivariate adjustment model for emergency care, diabetes (prevalence ratio, PR 1.38; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.73; p=0.004), kidney disease (PR 1.36; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.77; p=0.020), oral glucocorticoids (GC) (PR 1.49; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.85; p50 years (PR 1.89; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.85; p=0.002), no use of tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) (PR 2.51;95% CI 1.16 to 5.45; p=0.004) and methylprednisolone pulse therapy (PR 2.50; 95% CI 1.59 to 3.92; p<0.001); for ICU admission, oral GC (PR 2.24; 95% CI 1.36 to 3.71; p<0.001) and pulse therapy with methylprednisolone (PR 1.65; 95% CI 1.00 to 2.68; p<0.043); the two variables associated with death were pulse therapy with methylprednisolone or cyclophosphamide (PR 2.86; 95% CI 1.59 to 5.14; p<0.018). Conclusions Age >50 years and immunosuppression with GC and cyclophosphamide were associated with unfavourable outcomes of COVID-19. Treatment with TNFi may have been protective, perhaps leading to the COVID-19 inflammatory process

Trajetórias da Educomunicação nas Políticas Públicas e a Formação de seus Profissionais

Esta obra é composta com os trabalhos apresentados no primeiro subtema, TRAJETÓRIA – Educação para a Comunicação como Política pública, nas perspectivas da Educomunicação e da Mídia-Educação, do II Congresso Internacional de Comunicação e Educação. Os artigos pretendem propiciar trocas de informações e produzir reflexões com os leitores sobre os caminhos percorridos, e ainda a percorrer, tendo como meta a expansão e a legitimação das práticas educomunicativas e/ou mídia-educativas como política pública para o atendimento à formação de crianças, adolescentes, jovens e adultos, no Brasil e no mundo

The Genome of Anopheles darlingi, the main neotropical malaria vector

Anopheles darlingi is the principal neotropical malaria vector, responsible for more than a million cases of malaria per year on the American continent. Anopheles darlingi diverged from the African and Asian malaria vectors ∼100 million years ago (mya) and successfully adapted to the New World environment. Here we present an annotated reference A. darlingi genome, sequenced from a wild population of males and females collected in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10 481 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated, 72% of which have their closest counterpart in Anopheles gambiae and 21% have highest similarity with other mosquito species. In spite of a long period of divergent evolution, conserved gene synteny was observed between A. darlingi and A. gambiae. More than 10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and short indels with potential use as genetic markers were identified. Transposable elements correspond to 2.3% of the A. darlingi genome. Genes associated with hematophagy, immunity and insecticide resistance, directly involved in vectorhuman and vectorparasite interactions, were identified and discussed. This study represents the first effort to sequence the genome of a neotropical malaria vector, and opens a new window through which we can contemplate the evolutionary history of anopheline mosquitoes. It also provides valuable information that may lead to novel strategies to reduce malaria transmission on the South American continent. The A. darlingi genome is accessible at www.labinfo.lncc.br/index.php/anopheles- darlingi. © 2013 The Author(s)

There have been changes in the incidence and epidemiology of pelvic ring fractures in recent decades?

The pelvic ring fractures comprise 2 -8% of all skeletal injuries. As the incidence rises to 25% in polytrauma and represents a negative prognostic factor with regard to morbidity and mortality of patients, we sought with this work to establish the profile of these, compared to an alteration in the profile of patients with pelvic ring fractures in recent decades. To this end, we evaluated the epidemiological profile, mechanism of injury and types of fractures. By reviewing the literature indexed in the databases related to the theme, 20 papers were selected that contained the requirements for the study. For the period between January 1987 and December 1999 (first decade), and another period in January 2000 and December 2010 (second decade), data were analyzed by Mann -Whitney test. The ratings Tile, Young and Burgess AO were adequate to permit their categorization. The research in each decade was homogeneous. At first the lesions were more prevalent in men with 62.5% with a tendency to reverse this pattern given the increase of women in the second decade (p = 0.286). The average age in the first decade was 39.3 years, an increase in the second (p = 0.068). The most prevalent mechanisms of trauma were related to traffic in both periods as well as fractures classified as type A (p = 0.203 and p = 0.457, respectively), having mortality rates decreased (p = 0.396). We conclude that there was a tendency to increase in the average age of patients (p = 0.068); however the increasing involvement of women (p = 0.286) and decreased mortality (p = 0.396) were not significant

Tertiary assessment of trauma patients in a hospital in the city of S&#227;o Paulo: a question of necessity

OBJECTIVE: To minimize the occurrence of missed injuries, the tertiary evaluation was introduced consisting of reassessment of the patient, 24 hours after admission, with: complete history, physical examination, review of exams and diagnostic testing if necessary. METHODS: Observational study evaluating trauma patients admitted to a teaching hospital in S&#227;o Paulo, according to a protocol for tertiary evaluation. RESULTS: Between February and May 2012, for 12 weeks, 182 patients were submitted to tertiary evaluation, 100 (55%) polytraumatized and 82 (45%) were victims of low-energy trauma. Neglected lesions were observed in 21 (11.5%) patients, who had 28 missed injuries. Of these 28 lesions, seven (25%) required surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Strategies including formal tertiary evaluation, the protocol applied for assessing trauma victims, seem to be beneficial in these patients, regardless of the mechanism of trauma. The method is easily applied, effective and has low cost in identifying missed injuries in the victims of trauma

High frequency of asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism in patients with fibromyalgia: random association or misdiagnosis?

ABSTRACT Fibromyalgia (FM) and hyperparathyroidism may present similar symptoms (musculoskeletal pain, cognitive disorders, insomnia, depression and anxiety), causing diagnostic confusion. Objectives: To determine the frequency of asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism in a sample of patients with FM and to evaluate the association of laboratory abnormalities to clinical symptoms. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 100 women with FM and 57 healthy women (comparison group). Parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and albumin levels were accessed, as well as symptoms in the FM group. Results: In FM group, mean serum calcium (9.6 ± 0.98 mg/dL) and PTH (57.06 ± 68.98 pg/mL) values were considered normal, although PTH levels had been significantly higher than in the comparison group (37.12 ± 19.02 pg/mL; p = 0.001). Hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in 6% of patients with FM, and 17% of these women exhibited only high levels of PTH, featuring a normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism, with higher frequencies than those expected for their age. There was no significant association between hyperparathyroidism and FM symptoms, except for epigastric pain, which was more frequent in the group of patients concomitantly with both diseases (p = 0.012). Conclusions: A high frequency of hyperparathyroidism was noted in women with FM versus the general population. Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism was also more frequent in patients with FM. Longitudinal studies with greater number of patients are needed to assess whether this is an association by chance only, if the increased serum levels of PTH are part of FM pathophysiology, or even if these would not be cases of FM, but of hyperparathyroidism

The role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in mediating the relationship between central adiposity and immunometabolic profile in postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT Objectives: To analyze the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in mediating the relationship between central adiposity and immune and metabolic profile in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study comprising 49 postmenopausal women (aged 59.26 ± 8.32 years) without regular physical exercise practice. Body composition was measured by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were collected for assessment of nonesterified fatty acids, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin, insulin and estimation of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Physical activity level was assessed with an accelerometer (Actigraph GTX3x) and reported as a percentage of time spent in sedentary behavior and MVPA. All analyses were performed using the software SPSS 17.0, with a significance level set at 5%

High frequency of asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism in patients with fibromyalgia: random association or misdiagnosis?

ABSTRACT Fibromyalgia (FM) and hyperparathyroidism may present similar symptoms (musculoskeletal pain, cognitive disorders, insomnia, depression and anxiety), causing diagnostic confusion. Objectives: To determine the frequency of asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism in a sample of patients with FM and to evaluate the association of laboratory abnormalities to clinical symptoms. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 100 women with FM and 57 healthy women (comparison group). Parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and albumin levels were accessed, as well as symptoms in the FM group. Results: In FM group, mean serum calcium (9.6 ± 0.98 mg/dL) and PTH (57.06 ± 68.98 pg/mL) values were considered normal, although PTH levels had been significantly higher than in the comparison group (37.12 ± 19.02 pg/mL; p = 0.001). Hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in 6% of patients with FM, and 17% of these women exhibited only high levels of PTH, featuring a normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism, with higher frequencies than those expected for their age. There was no significant association between hyperparathyroidism and FM symptoms, except for epigastric pain, which was more frequent in the group of patients concomitantly with both diseases (p = 0.012). Conclusions: A high frequency of hyperparathyroidism was noted in women with FM versus the general population. Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism was also more frequent in patients with FM. Longitudinal studies with greater number of patients are needed to assess whether this is an association by chance only, if the increased serum levels of PTH are part of FM pathophysiology, or even if these would not be cases of FM, but of hyperparathyroidism

Valores normativos de aptidão funcional em mulheres não ativas na pós-menopausa

Objetivou-se propor a tabela normativa para a população brasileira de mulheres não ativas na pós-menopausa entre 50 e 69 anos por meio da bateria de teste de aptidão funcional da AAHPERD. Estudo de característica transversal, com 170 mulheres na pós-menopausa (dosagem de FSH>26,72 mIU/L). A população foi dividida em dois grupos: 50 a 59 anos (n=97) e de 60 a 69 anos (n=73). Os critérios de inclusão foram não participar de intervenção motora sistematizada nos seis meses anteriores ao período do estudo; não apresentar comprometimentos motores ou cognitivos que inviabilizassem a realização dos protocolos de avaliação, não apresentar comorbidade que pudessem impedir ou limitar a realização das avaliações. O grupo 50 a 59 anos apresentou valores médios de 55,6 ± 2,9 anos de idade, 54,0 ± 21,1 mUI/ml para FSH, 11,3 ± 1,8 segundos para coordenação, 20,2 ± 4,0 repetições para força, 51,9 ± 11,8 centímetros para flexibilidade, 23,0 ± 2,4 segundos para agilidade e 497 ± 39 segundos para resistência aeróbia. O grupo de 60 a 69 anos apresentou média de 64,2 ± 2,8 anos de idade, 54,9 ± 16,1 mUI/ml para o FSH, 11,5 ± 2,5 segundos para coordenação, 20,2 ± 4,3 repetições para força, 54,4 ± 10,9 centímetros para flexibilidade, 24,5 ± 4,0 segundos para agilidade e 507 ± 47 segundos para resistência aeróbia. A proposta de apresentar uma tabela normativa foi possível com os dados analisados, sendo essa uma nova referência em relação a estudos de aptidão funcional especialmente em mulheres fisicamente inativas na pós-menopausa