Intravenous glutamine decreases lung and distal organ injury in an experimental model of abdominal sepsis

Introduction The protective effect of glutamine, as a pharmacological agent against lung injury, has been reported in experimental sepsis; however, its efficacy at improving oxygenation and lung mechanics, attenuating diaphragm and distal organ injury has to be better elucidated. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that a single early intravenous dose of glutamine was associated not only with the improvement of lung morpho-function, but also the reduction of the inflammatory process and epithelial cell apoptosis in kidney, liver, and intestine villi. Methods Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture surgery (CLP), while a sham operated group was used as control (C). One hour after surgery, C and CLP groups were further randomized into subgroups receiving intravenous saline (1 ml, SAL) or glutamine (0.75 g/kg, Gln). At 48 hours, animals were anesthetized, and the following parameters were measured: arterial oxygenation, pulmonary mechanics, and diaphragm, lung, kidney, liver, and small intestine villi histology. At 18 and 48 hours, Cytokine-Induced Neutrophil Chemoattractant (CINC)-1, interleukin (IL)-6 and 10 were quantified in bronchoalveolar and peritoneal lavage fluids (BALF and PLF, respectively). Results CLP induced: a) deterioration of lung mechanics and gas exchange; b) ultrastructural changes of lung parenchyma and diaphragm; and c) lung and distal organ epithelial cell apoptosis. Glutamine improved survival rate, oxygenation and lung mechanics, minimized pulmonary and diaphragmatic changes, attenuating lung and distal organ epithelial cell apoptosis. Glutamine increased IL-10 in peritoneal lavage fluid at 18 hours and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 48 hours, but decreased CINC-1 and IL-6 in BALF and PLF only at 18 hours. Conclusions In an experimental model of abdominal sepsis, a single intravenous dose of glutamine administered after sepsis induction may modulate the inflammatory process reducing not only the risk of lung injury, but also distal organ impairment. These results suggest that intravenous glutamine may be a potentially beneficial therapy for abdominal sepsis.Centres of Excellence Program (PRONEX-FAPERJ)Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)Carlos Chagas FilhoRio de Janeiro State Research Supporting Foundation (FAPERJ)Sao Paulo State Research Supporting Foundation (FAPESP

Abnormal NK cell lymphocytosis detected after splenectomy: association with repeated infections, relapsing neutropenia, and persistent polyclonal B-cell proliferation

Abnormal NK cell lymphocytosis detected after splenectomy: association with repeated infections, relapsing neutropenia, and persistent polyclonal B-cell proliferation. Granjo E, Lima M, Fraga M, Santos F, Magalhães C, Queirós ML, Moreira I, Rocha S, Silva AS, Rebelo I, Quintanilha A, Ribeiro ML, Candeias J, Orfão A. Department of Hematology, Hospital S. João, Porto, Portugal. [email protected] Abstract We report the case of a boy with hereditary spherocytosis who presented with mild microcytic hypochromic anemia and recurrent leg ulcers that had been present since childhood. Chronic natural killer (NK) cell and B-cell lymphocytosis was detected 1 year after therapeutic splenectomy during investigation of recurrent episodes of neutropenia and persistent lymphocytosis. NK cells proved to be abnormal at immunophenotyping studies, and B-cells were polyclonal and displayed a normal immunophenotype. Genotypic analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR)-beta and TCR-gamma genes showed a germ-line pattern. The clinical course of this patient was characterized by multiple pulmonary infections and amygdalitis. We discuss the potential roles of persistent immune stimulation due to chronic hemolysis and severe leg ulcers and of splenectomy in the origin of NK cell lymphocytosis and the relationship between NK cells and recurrent infections, relapsing neutropenia, and polyclonal B-cell response

Vascular retinal findings after COVID-19 vaccination in 11 cases: a coincidence or consequence?

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to assess vascular retinal findings temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination. With greater information regarding all possible future adverse events, we hope to understand the real dimension and relevance of what was presented. Methods: Eleven patients with visual complaints after COVID-19 vaccination were enrolled. Data on the following were included: age, sex, vaccine, time of symptom onset, systemic findings, medical history, best-corrected visual acuity, and ocular findings by slit-lamp biomicroscopy as well as multimodal retinal imaging (color fundus, red-free photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, and fluorescein-angiography). Inclusion criteria were the presence of ophthalmologic signs within 30 days after the first or second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Results: Of 11 patients, five had arterial occlusion (45.4%), four had venous occlusion (36.4%), and two (18.2%) had nonspecific vascular alterations suggestive of retinal ischemia such as cotton-wool spots. The mean age was 57 (SD = 16; range: 27-84) years. The mean time of symptoms onset was 10 (SD = 5.4; range: 3-16) days. Nine patients were female (81.8%). Systemic risk factors were observed in 36.4% of patients. Two patients had both neurological and visual symptoms, with arterial occlusion. Overall, 36.4% patients had COVID-19 in the previous year. Seven patients (63.6%) received ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 (AZD1222) vaccine. Conclusions: Our data suggest that retinal events temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination are possible but are very rare. The relationship of these events with post-COVID-19 vaccination warrants further attention to derive a meaningful conclusion.RESUMO Objetivos: o principal objetivo deste estudo foi descrever pacientes com achados vasculares retinianos temporalmente relacionados à vacinação contra COVID-19. Com maior notificação de possíveis eventos adversos similares, esperamos compreender a real dimensão e relevância do que foi apresentado. Métodos: Onze pacientes com queixas visuais após vacinação contra COVID-19 foram estudados. Os dados analisados foram: idade, gênero, tipo de vacinação, tempo de aparecimento de sintomas, achados sistêmicos, antecedentes pessoais, acuidade visual com melhor correção, biomicroscopia e imagem retiniana multimodal (retinografia colorida, red-free, SD-OCT, OCTA e angiofluoresceinografia). Os critérios de inclusão foram a presença de alterações oftalmológicas ocorridas dentro de 30 dias após a primeira ou segunda dose de qualquer vacina contra COVID-19. Resultados: Onze pacientes foram incluídos: 5 com oclusão arterial (45,4%), 4 com oclusão venosa (36,4%) e 2 (18,2%) com alterações não específicas vasculares sugestivas de isquemia retiniana como exsudatos algodonosos. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 57 anos (DP=16; com intervalo de 27 a 84 anos). A média de tempo de aparecimento de sintomas após a vacinação foi de 10 dias (DP=5,4; com intervalo de 3 a 16 dias). Nove dos onze pacientes eram do sexo feminino (81,8%). Fatores de risco sistêmicos foram observados em 36,4% dos pacientes. Dois pacientes tiveram sintomas neurológicos e visuais, com oclusão arterial. 36,4% dos pacientes tiveram infecção prévia por COVID-19 no último ano. Sete pacientes (63,6%) receberam a vacina ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222). Conclusões: nossos dados sugerem que eventos retinianos temporalmente relacionados à vacinação contra COVID-19 são possíveis, porém raros. A relação entre estes eventos pós-vacinais exigem futura atenção antes de maiores conclusões

Sex differences in risk factors for coronary heart disease: a study in a Brazilian population

BACKGROUND: In Brazil coronary heart disease (CHD) constitutes the most important cause of death in both sexes in all the regions of the country and interestingly, the difference between the sexes in the CHD mortality rates is one of the smallest in the world because of high rates among women. Since a question has been raised about whether or how the incidence of several CHD risk factors differs between the sexes in Brazil the prevalence of various risk factors for CHD such as high blood cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and cigarette smoking was compared between the sexes in a Brazilian population; also the relationships between blood cholesterol and the other risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: The population presented high frequencies of all the risk factors evaluated. High blood cholesterol (CHOL) and hypertension were more prevalent among women as compared to men. Hypertension, diabetes and smoking showed equal or higher prevalence in women in pre-menopausal ages as compared to men. Obesity and physical inactivity were equally prevalent in both sexes respectively in the postmenopausal age group and at all ages. CHOL was associated with BMI, sex, age, hypertension and physical inactivity. CONCLUSIONS: In this population the high prevalence of the CHD risk factors indicated that there is an urgent need for its control; the higher or equal prevalences of several risk factors in women could in part explain the high rates of mortality from CHD in females as compared to males

Una Revisión de los Instrumentos de Evaluación del Desgaste en la Seguridad Pública

Objetivou-se mapear os instrumentos utilizados na avaliação da síndrome de Burnout em profissionais da segurança pública, indicando os aspectos psicométricos, amostras e variáveis associadas. Foram selecionados 19 estudos nas bases de dados pesquisadas (PsycINFO, PubMED e Google Scholar). Os resultados indicaram a utilização dos instrumentos MBI-GS, MBI-HSS, BM-S, CBI e CESQT, mas apenas um dos instrumentos apresentou evidência de validade nesse contexto. Constatou-se a associação do Burnout com variáveis pessoais, organizacionais e específicas. A comparação dos estudos e dos índices de Burnout foi limitada devido à falta de padronização. A ausência de evidências de validade e de padronização dos resultados acarreta problemas como a falta de suporte empírico das pontuações e dificuldade na comparação dos estudos. Os dados revelam limitações na avaliação dos níveis de Burnout utilizadas no contexto de segurança pública, uma vez que as medidas não apresentam evidências de validade para esse contexto, indicando a necessidade de pesquisas na área.Aimed to map the instruments used in evaluating Burnout syndrome in public security professionals, indicating the psychometric aspects, samples, and associated variables. Nineteen studies were selected from the searched databases (PsycINFO, PubMED and Google Scholar). Results indicated that the instruments MBI-GS, MBI-HSS, BM-S, CBI and CESQT, but only one of the instruments showed evidence of validity in this context. Burnout was associated with personal, organizational, and specific variables. Comparison of studies and Burnout indices was limited due to the lack of standardization. The absence of evidence of validity and standardization of results leads to problems such as the lack of empirical support for the scores and difficulty in comparing studies. The data reveal limitations in the assessment of burnout levels used in the context of public safety, as the measures do not present validity evidence for this context, pointing to the need for research in the area.El objetivo fue mapear los instrumentos utilizados en la evaluación del síndrome de Burnout en profesionales de la seguridad pública, indicando los aspectos psicométricos, muestras y variables asociadas. Se seleccionaron diecinueve estudios de las bases de datos buscadas (PsycINFO, PubMED y Google Scholar). Los resultados indicaron el uso de los instrumentos MBI-GS, MBIHSS, BM-S, CBI y CESQT, pero solo uno de los instrumentos mostró evidencia de validez en este contexto. El Burnout se encuentra asociado con variables personales, organizacionales y específicas. La comparación de estudios e índices fue limitada debido a la falta de estandarización. La ausencia de evidencia de validez y estandarización de resultados conduce a problemas como la falta de soporte empírico para las puntuaciones y la dificultad para comparar estudios. Los datos revelan limitaciones en la evaluación de los niveles de burnout utilizados en el contexto de la seguridad pública, ya que las medidas no presentan evidencia de validez para este contexto, lo que apunta a la necesidad de realizar investigaciones en el área.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bronquiolite viral: aspectos epidemiológicos, fisiopatológicos e manejo terapêutico

A Bronquiolite Viral (BV) é uma condição aguda que afeta o trato respiratório inferior. Especialmente comum durante os meses mais frios do outono e inverno, a BV é uma das principais causas de hospitalização em crianças. O Vírus Sincicial Respiratório (VSR) é frequentemente associado à BV e pode levar a complicações graves em bebês, incluindo letargia, febre, inapetência, otite média, entre outras. Na maioria dos casos, em lactentes, a doença se apresenta de forma leve e pode ser resolvida em algumas semanas. O diagnóstico da BV pode ser realizado clinicamente, com exames adicionais usados ​​para avaliar possíveis complicações. Os critérios de internação incluem baixos níveis de saturação de oxigênio, sinais de desconforto respiratório moderado a grave, apneia e desidratação. O tratamento geralmente envolve medidas de suporte, garantindo uma oxigenação adequada, uma melhora da respiração e também atendendo as necessidades de fluidos e nutrição das crianças. Todavia, ainda existe uma grande necessidade de novos estudos a respeito da BV, objetivando-se sanar as lacunas do conhecimento evidenciadas no presente artigo