Performance of quality of life and functional capacity in women with knee osteoarthritis treated with viscosupplementation and strength training

The viscosupplementation and strength training are interventions accepted in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Objective: The study describes the effect of two interventions in quality of life and functional capacity. Method: Thirty women diagnosed with bilateral knee osteoarthritis of grade II and III by radiological criteria of Kellgren & Lawrence, were randomized into three groups with ten patients each: VSTF group submitted to viscosupplementation and strength training, TF group submitted only to strength training and VS group submitted only to viscossuplementation. Moments of the study were defined as pre-procedure (PRE), after 48 hours of VS (POS-VS) after 12 weeks of training (POS T) and after eight weeks of detraining (POS D). Quality of life was assessed by the SF-36 BRAZIL, functional capacity by Lequesne index. Intraarticular infiltrations were carried out with a single dose of 6 ml / 48 mg with 6,000,000 kDa Hylan GF-20 and strength training sessions were held for twelve weeks. Results: Strength training and viscosupplementation were effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Both interventions promoted improvements in quality of life and in functional capacity (p < 0.001), with advantage to the groups that trained force. Conclusion: Strength training is a possible replacement of viscosupplementation in the treatment of osteoarthritis of women's knees. However, the beneficial effect of viscosupplementation in pain reduction suggests better efficiency in the strength training execution which may be an advantage of the association of both

Antifungal activity of amphotericin B conjugated to nanosized magnetite in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis

This study reports on in vitro and in vivo tests that sought to assess the antifungal activity of a newly developed magnetic carrier system comprising amphotericin B loaded onto the surface of pre-coated (with a double-layer of lauric acid) magnetite nanoparticles. The in vitro tests compared two drugs; i.e., this newly developed form and free amphotericin B. We found that this nanocomplex exhibited antifungal activity without cytotoxicity to human urinary cells and with low cytotoxicity to peritoneal macrophages. We also evaluated the efficacy of the nanocomplex in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. BALB/c mice were intratracheally infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and treated with the compound for 30 or 60 days beginning the day after infection. The newly developed amphotericin B coupled with magnetic nanoparticles was effective against experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, and it did not induce clinical, biochemical or histopathological alterations. The nanocomplex also did not induce genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that amphotericin B coupled to magnetic nanoparticles and stabilized with bilayer lauric acid is a promising nanotool for the treatment of the experimental paracoccidioidomycosis because it exhibited antifungal activity that was similar to that of free amphotericin B, did not induce adverse effects in therapeutic doses and allowed for a reduction in the number of applications

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

In Vitro Susceptibilities of Isolates of Sporothrix schenckii to Itraconazole and Terbinafine

Thirty isolates of the yeast form of Sporothrix schenckii were evaluated for in vitro susceptibility to itraconazole and terbinafine by the recommended NCCLS modified technique (M27-A2). The MICs of itraconazole obtained oscillated between 0.062 and 4.0 μg/ml, and those of terbinafine oscillated between 0.007 and 0.50 μg/ml; therefore, terbinafine showed greater in vitro activity

Análise da associação da fadiga com variáveis clínicas e psicológicas em uma série de 371 pacientes brasileiros com artrite reumatoide

Objetivos: A fadiga &#233; um sintoma altamente subjetivo e extremamente comum em pacientes com artrite reumatoide, embora seja dif&#237;cil de caracterizar e definir. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a fadiga em uma coorte de pacientes brasileiros e analisar a rela&#231;&#227;o entre fadiga e vari&#225;veis espec&#237;ficas da doen&#231;a. M&#233;todos: Foram prospectivamente investigados 371 pacientes brasileiros diagnosticados com artrite reumatoide, de acordo com os crit&#233;rios de classifica&#231;&#227;o do Col&#233;gio Americano de Reumatologia de 1987. Dados demogr&#225;ficos, cl&#237;nicos e laboratoriais foram obtidos dos registros cl&#237;nicos. Foram registrados o n&#250;mero de articula&#231;&#245;es dolorosas, &#237;ndice de massa corporal, dura&#231;&#227;o da doen&#231;a, qualidade de vida, capacidade funcional, ansiedade e depress&#227;o. A fadiga foi avaliada com o uso da subescala espec&#237;fica da escala Fatigue Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT-FATIGUE). Resultados: O escore mediano para fadiga foi 42 (10), negativamente correlacionado com a capacidade funcional (-0,507; p < 0,001), ansiedade e depress&#227;o (-0,542 e -0,545; p < 0,001, respectivamente) e predominantemente com o dom&#237;nio f&#237;sico do question&#225;rio Short Form-36 para qualidade de vida (SF-36P: 0,584; p < 0,001). N&#227;o houve correla&#231;&#227;o entre os escores e a velocidade de sedimenta&#231;&#227;o das hem&#225;cias (-0,118; p <0,05), prote&#237;na C reativa (-0,089; p < 0,05), atividade da doen&#231;a (-0,250;p < 0,001) ou n&#250;mero de articula&#231;&#245;es dolorosas (-0,135; p < 0,01). Para todas as medidas foi aplicado um intervalo de confian&#231;a de 95%. Conclus&#245;es: Nesta s&#233;rie de pacientes brasileiros com artrite reumatoide, sugerimos um novo significado para as queixas de fadiga como um par&#226;metro independente n&#227;o relacionado com o n&#250;mero de articula&#231;&#245;es dolorosas ou escores de atividade inflamat&#243;ria. Parece haver maior rela&#231;&#227;o entre transtornos psicol&#243;gicos e funcionais com a fadiga. Seriam importantes novos estudos e uso rotineiro de medidas padronizadas para a monitoriza&#231;&#227;o das queixas de fadiga

Consenso brasileiro de viscossuplementação do joelho (COBRAVI)

The aim of this consensus statement on viscosupplementation is to serve as a reference document based on relevant literature and clinical experience in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis using an intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid, covering key aspects such as clinical indications, effectiveness, and tolerability. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel including two sports medicine physicians, six orthopedists, four physiatrists, and two rheumatologists were selected based on their clinical and academic experience of viscosupplementation. Sixteen statements were prepared and discussed, after which a vote was held. Each member of the panel gave a score between 0 and 10 on a Likert scale, specifying their level of agreement with the statement. Results: The panel reached a consensus on several issues. Specifically, the panel agreed that the best indication is for mild to moderate knee arthrosis; prior or concomitant use of intraarticular triamcinolone hexacetonide may optimize the effect of hyaluronic acid; viscosupplementation should not be performed as an isolated procedure but in conjunction with other rehabilitative and pharmacological measures; viscosupplementation has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotective effects; and viscosupplementation is cost-effective. Conclusion: This consensus statement provides clear information and guidance for both individuals and payers274230236sem informaçãoO Consenso Brasileiro de Viscossuplementação visa gerar uma fonte referencial e consensual, a partir de levantamentos bibliográficos relevantes, do conhecimento teórico e da experiência clínica de especialistas de áreas afins para tratamento de viscossuplementação na osteoartrite do joelho, mitigando pontos críticos desse procedimento, como via de aplicação, indicação, eficácia e tolerabilidade. Métodos: Um painel multidisciplinar foi formado com dois médicos do esporte, seis ortopedistas, quatro fisiatras e dois reumatologistas, com base nas experiências clínica e acadêmica no uso da viscossuplementação. Foram elaboradas, discutidas e votadas 16 afirmativas. Cada membro do painel deu um valor entre zero e 10, em uma escala tipo Likert, especificando seu nível de concordância com a afirmação. Resultados: O painel chegou a um consenso sobre diversos aspectos da viscossuplementação, com destaque para as seguintes afirmativas: a melhor indicação é para artrose de joelhos leve a moderada; o uso prévio ou concomitante de hexacetonido de triancinolona intra-articular pode otimizar o efeito do ácido hialurônico; a viscossuplementação não deve ser realizada como procedimento isolado no tratamento da OA, mas em conjunto com outras medidas reabilitadoras e farmacológicas; promove efeito analgésico; anti-inflamatório; condroprotetor; e é custo-efetiva. Conclusão: Este consenso traz informações claras e servirá, como guia tanto para médicos quanto para as fontes pagadoras. Nível de evidência V, Consenso de especialistassem informaçã

A white paper on collagen hydrolyzates and ultrahydrolyzates:potential supplements to support joint health in osteoarthritis?

Abstract Purpose of Review: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common forms of arthritis in the general population, accounting for more pain and functional disability than any other musculoskeletal disease. There are currently no approved disease modifying drugs for OA. In the absence of effective pharmacotherapy, many patients with OA turn to nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals, including collagen derivatives. Collagen hydrolyzates and ultrahydrolyzates are terms used to describe collagens that have been broken down into small peptides and amino acids in the presence of collagenases and high pressure. Recent Findings: This article reviews the relevant literature and serves as a White Paper on collagen hydrolyzates and ultrahydrolyzates as emerging supplements often advertised to support joint health in OA. Collagen hydrolyzates have demonstrated some evidence of efficacy in a handful of small scale clinical trials, but their ability to treat and reverse advanced joint disease remains highly speculative, as is the case for other nutritional supplements. Summary: The aim of this White Paper is to stimulate research and development of collagen-based supplements for patients with OA and other musculoskeletal diseases at academic and industrial levels. This White Paper does not make any treatment recommendations for OA patients in the clinical context, but simply aims to highlight opportunities for scientific innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, which are crucial for the development of novel products and nutritional interventions based on the best available and published evidence