Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy: A Proposal for an Epidemiological Study Through the Creation of a Virtual Platform

Amyloidosis are characterized by mutations in the gene coding for transthyretin (TTR), located on chromosome 18. TTR is a set of four 127-aminoacid polypeptides structured as homotetrameric protein of 56 kDa with a secondary ß sheet structure. It plays the role of thyroxin (T4) carrier, and has a bindingdomain for retinol (vitamin A). It is synthesized in the liver, although a small quantity is also produced by the choroid plexus, and retinal cells. Mutations of this gene result in loss of tetramer stability. Insoluble amyloid fibrils (AF) are formed and deposited in tissues and organs. The abnormal aggregation ofTTR protein trigger several syndromes, such as familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP-TTR), cardiomyopathies (CMP), and senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA). It is estimated there are 5,000 to 10,000 cases of FAP-TTR globally. Objective: The study intends to develop an online platform for the diagnosis of FAP-TTR. The aim is to facilitate the diagnosis process and promote a tool for epidemiological study.Methods: The project was based on a literature review featuring clinical and epidemiological evidence for the development of a practical platform (applied research). Results: It was elaborated a platform containing a questionnaireto allow a more dynamic, cheaper, and efficient operation, mediated by a better characterization of the disease to enable its early diagnosis. Conclusion: The platform might become a valuable resource for the characterization, diagnosis, and future epidemiological study of FAP-TTR

Metabolically Healthy Obesity and High Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children and Adolescents: International Childhood Vascular Structure Evaluation Consortium

OBJECTIVE It has been argued that metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) does not increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study examines the association of MHO with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a proxy of CVD risk, in children and adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were available for 3,497 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years from five population-based cross-sectional studies in Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Weight status categories (normal, overweight, and obese) were defined using BMI cutoffs from the International Obesity Task Force. Metabolic status (defined as "healthy" [no risk factors] or "unhealthy" [one or more risk factors]) was based on four CVD risk factors: elevated blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels, reduced HDL cholesterol, and elevated fasting glucose. High cIMT was defined as cIMT ≥90th percentile for sex, age, and study population. Logistic regression model was used to examine the association of weight and metabolic status with high cIMT, with adjustment for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and study center. RESULTS In comparison with metabolically healthy normal weight, odds ratios (ORs) for high cIMT were 2.29 (95% CI 1.58–3.32) for metabolically healthy overweight and 3.91 (2.46–6.21) for MHO. ORs for high cIMT were 1.44 (1.03–2.02) for unhealthy normal weight, 3.49 (2.51–4.85) for unhealthy overweight, and 6.96 (5.05–9.61) for unhealthy obesity. CONCLUSIONS Among children and adolescents, cIMT was higher for both MHO and metabolically healthy overweight compared with metabolically healthy normal weight. Our findings reinforce the need for weight control in children and adolescents irrespective of their metabolic status

"HPV NAS CONDIÇÕES CLÍNICAS DENTRO DA ATENÇÃO BÁSICA, COM EVIDÊNCIAS EM CÂNCER DO COLO DO ÚTERO"

Cervical cancer is one of the main causes of death in women in Brazil, including those in the city of Salvador. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the main risk factors for the development of this type of cancer and clinical conditions. Immunization against HPV stands out as an efficient preventive measure in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. This article explores the importance of HPV vaccination as a strategy for preventing cervical cancer, specifically among women in Salvador. We discuss the epidemiology of cervical cancer in the context of Salvador and the socioeconomic factors that may influence availability and adherence to vaccination. Furthermore, we address the different types of immunizations available, their safety and efficacy profile. Awareness about HPV vaccination is crucial, as many women in Salvador may not be fully informed about its benefits in preventing cervical cancer. We suggest health education strategies, including information campaigns aimed at schools, health units and local communities. Collaboration between public health authorities and medical institutions is also important to improve access and vaccination coverage, especially among the most vulnerable populations. In conclusion, immunization against HPV represents a valuable tool in the fight against cervical cancer in Salvador. Through increased awareness, easier access and adequate health education, it is possible to significantly reduce the incidence of this cancer among women in Salvador, promoting an improvement in quality of life and public health in general.O câncer do colo do útero é uma das principais causas de morte em mulheres no Brasil, incluindo aquelas da cidade de Salvador. A infecção pelo Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) é um dos principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento desse tipo de câncer e condições clínicas. A imunização contra o HPV se destaca como uma medida preventiva eficiente na redução da incidência do câncer do colo do útero. Este artigo explora a importância da vacinação do HPV como estratégia de prevenção do câncer do colo do útero, especificamente entre as mulheres soteropolitanas. Discutimos a epidemiologia do câncer do colo do útero no contexto de Salvador e os fatores socioeconômicos que podem influenciar a disponibilidade e adesão à vacinação. Além disso, abordamos os diferentes tipos de imunizantes disponíveis, seu perfil de segurança e eficácia. A conscientização sobre a vacinação do HPV é crucial, já que muitas mulheres soteropolitanas podem não estar completamente informadas sobre seus benefícios na prevenção do câncer do colo do útero. Sugerimos estratégias de educação em saúde, incluindo campanhas de informação direcionadas a escolas, unidades de saúde e comunidades locais. Também é importante a colaboração entre autoridades de saúde pública e instituições médicas para melhorar o acesso e a cobertura vacinal, principalmente entre as populações mais vulneráveis. Em conclusão, a imunização contra o HPV representa uma ferramenta valiosa na luta contra o câncer do colo do útero em Salvador. Por meio do aumento da conscientização, acesso facilitado e educação em saúde adequada, é possível reduzir significativamente a incidência desse câncer entre as mulheres soteropolitanas, promovendo uma melhoria na qualidade de vida e na saúde pública em geral

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states

CENTRO DE OBESIDADE INFANTIL: RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

Este estudo objetiva relatar a experiência de acadêmicos, mestrandos e professores de enfermagem no Centro de Obesidade Infantil quanto ao processo de acompanhamento e tratamento de crianças com sobrepeso e obesidade, entre agosto de 2008 a janeiro de 2012. O Centro conta com equipe multiprofissional para o acompanhamento de 349 crianças; essas têm a oportunidade de serem acompanhadas pelos profissionais, os quais interagem na discussão sobre o estado clínico e avaliam a sua evolução. A vivência no Centro propiciou perceber a real possibilidade de reunir uma equipe multidisciplinar focada em um mesmo objetivo com vistas a realizar um trabalho contínuo que possibilite meios para o alcance de resultados satisfatórios à saúde de crianças obesas ou com sobrepeso.Este estudio tuvo el objetivo de relatar la experiencia de académicos, mestrandos y profesores de enfermería en el Centro de Obesidad Infantil cuanto al proceso de acompañamiento y tratamiento de niños con sobrepeso y obesidad, entre agosto de 2008 y enero de 2012. El Centro cuenta con equipo multiprofesional para el acompañamiento de 349 niños; eses tienen la oportunidad de ser acompañados por los profesionales, los cuales interactúan en la discusión acerca del estado clínico y evalúan su evolución. La vivencia en el Centro propició percibir la real posibilidad de reunir un equipo multidisciplinar alrededor de un mismo objetivo con vistas a realizar un trabajo continuo que posibilite medios para llegar a resultados satisfactorios a la salud de niños obesos o con sobrepeso.This study aimed to report the experience of academics, Master’s degree students and professors of nursing at an Infantile Obesity Center, concerning the monitoring and treatment of overweight or obese children. The Center has a multiprofessional team for the monitoring of 349 children; these have the opportunity to be monitored by the healthcare professionals, who interact in discussion about the child’s clinical state and evaluate its evolution. Experience in the Center made it possible to see what happens when a multidisciplinary team is united, focussed on the same objective, with the aim of carrying out a continuous work which ensures means for the achievement of satisfactory results with the health of overweight or obese children