Neurofibromatosis in the gluteus and posterior region of the thigh: case report

Introduction: Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant disorder, and type 1 is associated with an increased risk of tumor formation with neurocutaneous involvement. The variable evolution, often with limiting tumors, in addition to the significant incidence of cases requiring treatment, makes it fundamental to discuss procedures already performed in medical practice for early, careful, and individualized recognition of the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. The report aims to present a surgical case of neurofibromatosis, calling attention to the surgical technique, the characteristics of the disease, and the importance of the procedure in the quality of life of patients limited by the condition. Case Report: A 23-year-old male patient with a large mass neurofibroma in the gluteus and posterior surface of the right leg, in addition to café au lait stains in the distal third of the legs. He was treated with surgery to remove the tumor and a flap and graft in the affected region. The procedures were performed by a multidisciplinary team, allowing the total removal of the tumor mass, with subsequent skin grafting in the hip and thigh lesion on the right side and the fasciocutaneous flap in VY in the area. There were no significant complications in the immediate postoperative period. Conclusion: Neurofibromas can become limiting and impair patients’ quality of life with neurofibromatosis type 1; therefore, early management and diagnosis are essential. Although the condition does not present a cure, there is a need for research into less invasive and preventive treatments for injuries

Nascidos vivos com comunicação interventricular: estudo epidemiológico

Introduction: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a medical condition characterized by the presence of an opening or gap between the two ventricles of the heart, the lower chambers responsible for pumping blood to the body. This opening allows oxygenated blood, which should be pumped to the body, to mix with deoxygenated blood, causing an overload on the lungs and consequently on the heart. Methodology: The exploratory epidemiological study on live births with ventricular septal defect adopted an approach that combined data from the Information System on Live Births (SINASC) of DATASUS and research from academic sources, such as Google Scholar. Results: Analyzing the variable Color/Race, the data reveals a distribution among different ethnic groups. Most cases of congenital heart disease occurred in individuals of white ethnicity, totaling 1,449 cases, representing 58.57% of the total. Next, the brown ethnicity contributed 796 cases, equivalent to 32.17%. Conclusion: Understanding the incidence in different ethnic groups, gestation duration, and types of delivery provides a comprehensive overview, emphasizing the need for public health strategies that consider not only the cardiac condition itself but also associated socioeconomic and clinical factors.Introdução: A comunicação interventricular (CIV) é uma condição médica que se caracteriza pela presença de uma abertura ou abertura entre os dois ventrículos do coração, como câmaras inferiores responsáveis pelo bombeamento do sangue para o corpo. Essa abertura permite que o sangue oxigenado, que deveria ser bombeado para o corpo, se misture com o sangue não oxigenado, causando uma sobrecarga nos pulmões e, por consequência, no coração. Metodologia: O estudo epidemiológico exploratório sobre nascidos vivos com comunicação interventricular adotou uma abordagem que combinou dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) do DATASUS e pesquisa em fontes acadêmicas, como o Google Acadêmico. Resultado: Ao analisar a variável Cor/Raça, os dados revelam uma distribuição entre diferentes grupos étnicos. A maioria dos casos de cardiopatia congênita ocorreu em indivíduos de cor/raça branca, totalizando 1.449 casos, o que representa 58,57% do total. Em seguida, a cor/raça parda contribuiu com 796 casos, equivalente a 32,17%. Conclusão: A compreensão da incidência em diferentes grupos étnicos, duração da gestação e tipos de parto oferece um panorama abrangente, ressaltando a necessidade de estratégias de saúde pública que levem em consideração não apenas a condição cardíaca em si, mas também os fatores socioeconômicos e clínicos associado

Desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor na infância e eventos obstétricos

Objective: Investigate and analyze the relationship between obstetric events and neuropsychomotor development in children aged 0 to 12 years. The research aims to contribute to understanding the impacts of these events on child development, providing insights that can guide obstetric practices, early interventions, and strategies for promoting health in childhood.Introduction: Contextualization and relevance of the study, addressing the importance of understanding the influence of obstetric events on neuropsychomotor child development. The need to explore this relationship is emphasized to inform obstetric practices and intervention strategies that promote healthy development in childhood. Methodology: Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scielo, and Latindex databases using terms related to neuropsychomotor development and obstetric events. The DeCS terms used included "Neurology," "Growth and Development," "Child Development," "Obstetric Delivery," "Child Psychiatry," and "Adverse Birth Outcomes," combined with boolean operators AND and OR. Conclusion: The conclusion highlights the relationship between obstetric events and neuropsychomotor development. Understanding risk factors guides prevention and personalized interventions, addressing neonatal vulnerability. Evaluation and diagnosis are vital for adapted support, and therapeutic interventions drive progress. Emphasis on prevention, family support, research, and advocacy is crucial for inclusive environments and healthy development.Objetivo: Investigar e analisar a relação entre eventos obstétricos e o desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor em crianças de 0 a 12 anos. A pesquisa visa contribuir para a compreensão dos impactos desses eventos no desenvolvimento infantil, fornecendo insights que possam orientar práticas obstétricas, intervenções precoces e estratégias de promoção da saúde na infância. Introdução: Contextualização e relevância do estudo, abordando a importância de compreender a influência dos eventos obstétricos no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor infantil. Destaca-se a necessidade de explorar essa relação para informar práticas obstétricas e estratégias de intervenção que promovam um desenvolvimento saudável na infância. Metodologia: Foram conduzidas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, Scielo e Latindex usando termos relacionados ao desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e eventos obstétricos. Os DeCs utilizados incluíram "Neurologia", "Crescimento e Desenvolvimento", "Desenvolvimento Infantil", "Parto Obstétrico", "Psiquiatria Infantil" e "Desfechos Adversos do Nascimento", combinados por operadores booleanos AND e OR. Conclusão: A conclusão destaca a relação entre eventos obstétricos e desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor. Entender fatores de risco guia prevenção e intervenções personalizadas, atendendo à vulnerabilidade neonatal. Avaliação e diagnóstico são vitais para suporte adaptado, e intervenções terapêuticas impulsionam o progresso. A ênfase em prevenção, suporte familiar, pesquisa e advocacia é crucial para ambientes inclusivos e o desenvolvimento saudável

Micromechanical Properties of Injection-Molded Starch–Wood Particle Composites

The micromechanical properties of injection molded starch–wood particle composites were investigated as a function of particle content and humidity conditions. The composite materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The microhardness of the composites was shown to increase notably with the concentration of the wood particles. In addition,creep behavior under the indenter and temperature dependence were evaluated in terms of the independent contribution of the starch matrix and the wood microparticles to the hardness value. The influence of drying time on the density and weight uptake of the injection-molded composites was highlighted. The results revealed the role of the mechanism of water evaporation, showing that the dependence of water uptake and temperature was greater for the starch–wood composites than for the pure starch sample. Experiments performed during the drying process at 70°C indicated that the wood in the starch composites did not prevent water loss from the samples.Peer reviewe

Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on stroke and atrial fibrillation in diabetic kidney disease: Results from the CREDENCE trial and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate or elevated albuminuria increases risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This study assessed the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on stroke and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) from CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) and a meta-Analysis of large cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of SGLT2i in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: CREDENCE randomized 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease to canagliflozin or placebo. Post hoc, we estimated effects on fatal or nonfatal stroke, stroke subtypes, and intermediate markers of stroke risk including AF/AFL. Stroke and AF/AFL data from 3 other completed large CVOTs and CREDENCE were pooled using random-effects meta-Analysis. RESULTS: In CREDENCE, 142 participants experienced a stroke during follow-up (10.9/1000 patient-years with canagliflozin, 14.2/1000 patient-years with placebo; hazard ratio [HR], 0.77 [95% CI, 0.55-1.08]). Effects by stroke subtypes were: ischemic (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.61-1.28]; n=111), hemorrhagic (HR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.19-1.32]; n=18), and undetermined (HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.20-1.46]; n=17). There was no clear effect on AF/AFL (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.53-1.10]; n=115). The overall effects in the 4 CVOTs combined were: Total stroke (HRpooled, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.82-1.12]), ischemic stroke (HRpooled, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.89-1.14]), hemorrhagic stroke (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.30-0.83]), undetermined stroke (HRpooled, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.49-1.51]), and AF/AFL (HRpooled, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71-0.93]). There was evidence that SGLT2i effects on total stroke varied by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=0.01), with protection in the lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate (45 mL/min/1.73 m2]) subgroup (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.31-0.79]). CONCLUSIONS: Although we found no clear effect of SGLT2i on total stroke in CREDENCE or across trials combined, there was some evidence of benefit in preventing hemorrhagic stroke and AF/AFL, as well as total stroke for those with lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate. Future research should focus on confirming these data and exploring potential mechanisms

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to 300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field