Variation of the Anthropometric Index for pectus excavatum relative to age, race, and sex

OBJECTIVES: To determine possible variations in the Anthropometric Index for pectus excavatum relative to age, race, and sex in individuals free of thoracic wall deformities. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2012, 166 individuals with morphologically normal thoracic walls consented to have their chests and the perimeter of the lower third of the thorax measured according to the Anthropometric Index for pectus excavatum. The participant characteristics are presented (114 men and 52 women; 118 Caucasians and 48 people of African descent). RESULTS: Measurements of the Anthropometric Index for pectus excavatum were statistically significantly different between men and women (11-40 years old); however, no significant difference was found between Caucasians and people of African descent. For men, the index measurements were not significantly different across all of the age groups. For women, the index measurements were significantly lower for individuals aged 3 to 10 years old than for individuals aged 11 to 20 years old and 21 to 40 years old; however, no such difference was observed between women aged 11 to 20 years old and those aged 21 to 40 years old. CONCLUSION: In the sample, significant differences were observed between women aged 11 to 40 years old and the other age groups; however, there was no difference between Caucasian and people of African descent

Quantitative assessment of the intensity of palmar and plantar sweating in patients with primary palmoplantar hyperhidrosis

Objective: To compare individuals with and without hyperhidrosis in terms of the intensity of palmar and plantar sweating. Methods: We selected 50 patients clinically diagnosed with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis and 25 normal individuals as controls. We quantified sweating using a portable noninvasive electronic device that has relative humidity and temperature sensors to measure transepidermal water loss. All of the individuals had a body mass index of 20-25 kg/cm(2). Subjects remained at rest for 20-30 min before the measurements in order to reduce external interference. The measurements were carried out in a climate-controlled environment (21-24 degrees C). Measurements were carried out on the hypothenar region on both hands and on the medial plantar region on both feet. Results: In the palmoplantar hyperhidrosis group, the mean transepidermal water loss on the hands and feet was 133.6 +/- 51.0 g/m(2)/h and 71.8 +/- 40.3 g/m(2)/h, respectively, compared with 37.9 +/- 18.4 g/m(2)/h and 27.6 +/- 14.3 g/m(2)/h, respectively, in the control group. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001 for hands and feet). Conclusions: This method proved to be an accurate and reliable tool to quantify palmar and plantar sweating when performed by a trained and qualified professional

Oxibutinina para tratamento de hiperidrose: análise comparativa entre gêneros

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis treatment in males and females using low doses of oxybutynin. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 395 women and 170 men followed up in our service with complaint of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. RESULTS: A total of 70% of patients in both groups presented partial or great improvement in the level of hyperhidrosis after treatment. The best results were obtained in the female group, in which 40% classified their improvement as "great". Approximately 70% of the patients in both groups improved their quality of life after medical therapy and 30% presented no change in condition. CONCLUSION: Gender is not a factor that significantly interferes in oxybutynin treatment results. Quality of life indices and clinical improvement level were similar in men and women

AVALIAÇÃO PRÉ-OPERATÓRIA MULTIDIMENSIONAL E SEU PAPEL NA PREVENÇÃO DE COMPLICAÇÕES PERIOPERATÓRIAS EM IDOSOS COM FRATURAS

Introduction: Elderly patients have higher rates of morbidity and mortality during hospitalizations, diagnostic and surgical procedures. In order to improve the quality of care for the elderly, the APOIO (Preoperative Assessment of Elderly and Care Guidance) protocol was created, a tool to measure the risks of surgical complications. Objective: To evaluate the impact of APOIO on several outcomes, in order to validate it as a useful vehicle in the prevention of perioperative complications in elderly patients with fractures. Method: Retrospective cross-sectional study through review of 218 medical records of elderly patients hospitalized for fractures, and with surgical indication, having collected data on sex, age, reason for hospitalization, type of fracture, indication or not of surgical treatment, evaluation or not by APOIO, indication or not of ICU in the postoperative period, length of ICU stay, total length of hospitalization, immediate outcome and outcome within 30 days after the operation. Result: It was found that the application of APOIO was associated with a 70% reduction in the chances of death during hospitalization (p=0.040), length of stay in the ICU (p<0.001) and total length of hospital stay (p = 0.010). There was also a trend towards a reduction in the death rate within 30 days of the postoperative period (p = 0.117). Conclusion: The application of the APOIO tool reduces the length of hospitalization, optimizes indication and length of stay in the ICU and, also, reduces the risk of death in elderly people undergoing surgical treatment for fractures.Introdução: Pacientes idosos apresentam maior morbidade e mortalidade em internamentos hospitalares, procedimentos diagnósticos e cirúrgicos. Buscando melhorar a qualidade assistencial aos idosos foi criado o protocolo APOIO (Avaliação Pré-Operatória de Idosos e Orientação de cuidados), ferramenta para mensurar os riscos de complicações cirúrgicas. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto do APOIO sobre vários desfechos, a fim de validá-lo como veículo útil na prevenção de complicações perioperatórias em idosos com fraturas. Método: Pesquisa retrospectiva transversal por meio de revisão de 218 prontuários de pacientes idosos internados por fraturas, e com indicação cirúrgica, tendo sido coletados dados sobre sexo, idade, motivo do internamento, tipo de fratura, indicação ou não de tratamento cirúrgico, avaliação ou não pela APOIO, indicação ou não de UTI no pós-operatório, duração do internamento em UTI, duração total do internamento, desfecho imediato e desfecho em 30 dias após a operação. Resultado: Foi constatado que a aplicação do APOIO foi associada à redução de 70% nas chances de óbito durante o internamento (p = 0,040), ao tempo de permanência em UTI (p <0,001) e ao tempo total de internamento hospitalar (p =  0,010). Observou-se ainda tendência à redução na taxa de óbitos em 30 dias do pós-operatório (p = 0,117). Conclusão: A aplicação da ferramenta APOIO reduz tempo de internamento, otimiza indicação e tempo de permanência em UTI e ainda diminui o risco de óbito de idosos submetidos a tratamentos cirúrgicos de fraturas

AVALIAÇÃO DO VOLUME E FORÇA DO MÚSCULO QUADRÍCEPS ANTES E APÓS OPERAÇÃO DE RECONSTRUÇÃO DO LIGAMENTO CRUZADO ANTERIOR

Introduction: The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the main ligaments of the knee, often more susceptible to injuries due to its central position and its vital role in stabilizing this joint. The strength of the quadriceps plays a crucial role, with impact absorption function, helping to reduce load. Objective: To evaluate the volume and strength of the quadriceps muscle before and after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, their correlation and which variables predict pre- and postoperative muscle strength. Method: Prospective cohort of 37 patients evaluated preoperatively and 4 months after the operation, using magnetic resonance imaging and isokinetic dynamometry. The measurements of the limb undergoing the operation were compared to the contralateral limb as a control. Result: The volume of the quadriceps muscle was 65.2+13.4cm3 before and 63.4+15.9 cm3 after, significantly lower in the control at both moments, with a reduction of 3.0cm3 (4.1%) in the pre and 7.8 cm3 post (12.0%). Muscle strength was 105.5+29.9N/m before and 100.9+28.6N/m after, significantly lower in the operated limb (126.4+28.2N/m and 129.6+27.6N /m, p<0.001). This reduction was similar in the 2 evaluation moments, on average of 17.5N/m (16.3%) in the pre and 22.8N/m (22.5%) in the post. The loss of strength was greater than the loss of muscle volume, with muscle volume and time of anterior cruciate ligament injury being the main determinants of muscle strength in the pre-op. The strength in the post was mainly determined by that in the pre. Conclusion: The loss of muscle strength was 4 times greater than the loss of volume pre-operatively and 2 times greater post-operatively, indicating the beginning of recovery 4 months post-operatively.Introdução: O ligamento cruzado anterior é um dos principais ligamentos do joelho, frequentemente mais suscetível às lesões devido à sua posição central e seu papel vital na estabilização desta articulação. A força do quadríceps desempenha papel crucial, com função de absorção de impacto, auxiliando na redução de carga. Objetivo: Avaliar o volume e a força do músculo quadríceps antes e após a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho, sua correlação e quais as variáveis preditivas da força muscular pré e pós-operatória. Método: Coorte prospectiva de 37 pacientes avaliados no pré-operatório e com 4 meses após a operação, por meio de ressonância magnética e dinamometria isocinética. As medidas do membro submetido à operação foram comparadas ao membro contralateral como controle. Resultado: O volume do músculo quadríceps foi de 65,2+13,4cm3 antes e de 63,4+15,9 cm3 após, significativamente menor no controle nos 2 momentos, com redução de 3,0cm3 (4,1%) no pré e 7,8 cm3 no pós (12,0%). A força muscular foi de 105,5+29,9N/m antes e de 100,9+28,6N/m após, significativamente menor no membro operado (126,4+28,2N/m e 129,6+27,6N/m, p<0,001). Esta redução foi semelhante nos 2 momentos de avaliação, em média de 17,5N/m (16,3%) no pré e de 22,8N/m (22,5%) no pós. A perda de força foi maior que a perda de volume muscular, sendo que o volume muscular e o tempo da lesão do ligamento cruzado anterior foram os principais determinantes da força muscular no pré. A força no pós foi determinada principalmente pela do pré. Conclusão: A perda de força muscular foi 4 vezes maior que a perda de volume no pré e 2 vezes maior no pós, indicando início da recuperação com 4 meses no pós-operatório

COMO A CICLINA D1 SE COMPORTA COMO BIOMARCADOR NOS CARCINOMAS PAPILÍFEROS DE TIREOIDE E BÓCIOS MULTINODULARES?

Introduction: Papillary carcinomas are the most prevalent and least aggressive thyroid carcinomas (PTC). In some cases, the diagnosis is doubtfull and the prognosis is poor. The search for tissue biomarkers that ensure both the diagnosis for indeterminate cases and the prognosis, identifying the most aggressive cases, has been studied in recent decades. Objective: To review the literature in search of cyclin D1 as a marker of papillary thyroid carcinomas and multinodular goiters and evaluate whether its expression correlates with the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinomas. Methods: Narrative review carried out by collecting information for reading and analysis from online research on virtual platforms. Initially, a search was carried out from MESH descriptors related to the topic, using the following terms: “papillary thyroid carcinoma, cyclin D1, immunohistochemistry, diagnosis, prognosis.” with AND or OR search, considering the title and/or abstract and those chosen were read in full. Results: The search included 77 articles that were compiled in this review. Conclusion: Cyclin D1 was expressed in the vast majority of PTCs, with diffuse distribution being predominant. There was no correlation between its expression and any clinicopathological characteristic of PTC.Racional - Os carcinomas papilíferos são os mais prevalentes e menos agressivos de tireoide (CPT). Em alguns casos, o diagnóstico é duvidoso e o prognóstico ruim. A busca de biomarcadores teciduais que permitam assegurar tanto o diagnóstico para casos indeterminados, quanto o prognóstico, identificando os casos de maior agressividade, têm sido estudadas nas últimas décadas. Objetivo: Revisar na literatura na busca da ciclina D1 como marcador dos carcinomas papilíferos de tireoide e nos bócios multinodulares, e avaliar se a expressão dela apresenta correlação com as características clínico-patológicas dos carcinomas papilíferos de tireoide. Métodos: Revisão narrativa feita colhendo informações para leitura e análise a partir de pesquisa online em platoformas virtuais. Inicialmente foi realizada busca por descritores DECs relacionados ao tema, utilizando os seguintes termos: “carcinoma papilífero de tireoide, ciclina D1, imunoistoquímica, diagnóstico, prognóstico.” com busca AND ou OR, considerando o título e/ou resumo e os escolhidos foram lidos na íntegra. Resultados: A busca incluiu 77 artigos que foram compilados nesta revisão.  Conclusão: A ciclina D1 foi expressa na grande maioria dos CPT sendo a distribuição difusa predominante. Não houve correlação entre a expressão dela com qualquer característica clinicopatológica dos CPT

The role of environmental filtering, geographic distance and dispersal barriers in shaping the turnover of plant and animal species in Amazonia

To determine the effect of rivers, environmental conditions, and isolation by distance on the distribution of species in Amazonia. Location: Brazilian Amazonia. Time period: Current. Major taxa studied: Birds, fishes, bats, ants, termites, butterflies, ferns + lycophytes, gingers and palms. We compiled a unique dataset of biotic and abiotic information from 822 plots spread over the Brazilian Amazon. We evaluated the effects of environment, geographic distance and dispersal barriers (rivers) on assemblage composition of animal and plant taxa using multivariate techniques and distance- and raw-data-based regression approaches. Environmental variables (soil/water), geographic distance, and rivers were associated with the distribution of most taxa. The wide and relatively old Amazon River tended to determine differences in community composition for most biological groups. Despite this association, environment and geographic distance were generally more important than rivers in explaining the changes in species composition. The results from multi-taxa comparisons suggest that variation in community composition in Amazonia reflects both dispersal limitation (isolation by distance or by large rivers) and the adaptation of species to local environmental conditions. Larger and older river barriers influenced the distribution of species. However, in general this effect is weaker than the effects of environmental gradients or geographical distance at broad scales in Amazonia, but the relative importance of each of these processes varies among biological groups

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Base de datos de abejas ibéricas

Las abejas son un grupo extremadamente diverso con más de 1000 especies descritas en la península ibérica. Además, son excelentes polinizadores y aportan numerosos servicios ecosistémicos fundamentales para la mayoría de ecosistemas terrestres. Debido a los diversos cambios ambientales inducidos por el ser humano, existen evidencias del declive de algunas de sus poblaciones para ciertas especies. Sin embargo, conocemos muy poco del estado de conservación de la mayoría de especies y de muchas de ellas ignoramos cuál es su distribución en la península ibérica. En este trabajo presentamos un esfuerzo colaborativo para crear una base de datos de ocurrencias de abejas que abarca la península ibérica e islas Baleares que permitirá resolver cuestiones como la distribución de las diferentes especies, preferencia de hábitat, fenología o tendencias históricas. En su versión actual, esta base de datos contiene un total de 87 684 registros de 923 especies recolectados entre 1830 y 2022, de los cuales un 87% presentan información georreferenciada. Para cada registro se incluye información relativa a la localidad de muestreo (89%), identificador y colector de la especie (64%), fecha de captura (54%) y planta donde se recolectó (20%). Creemos que esta base de datos es el punto de partida para conocer y conservar mejor la biodiversidad de abejas en la península ibérica e Islas Baleares. Se puede acceder a estos datos a través del siguiente enlace permanente: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6354502ABSTRACT: Bees are a diverse group with more than 1000 species known from the Iberian Peninsula. They have increasingly received special attention due to their important role as pollinators and providers of ecosystem services. In addition, various rapid human-induced environmental changes are leading to the decline of some of its populations. However, we know very little about the conservation status of most species and for many species, we hardly know their true distributions across the Iberian Peninsula. Here, we present a collaborative effort to collate and curate a database of Iberian bee occurrences to answer questions about their distribution, habitat preference, phenology, or historical trends. In total we have accumulated 87 684 records from the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands of 923 different species with 87% of georeferenced records collected between 1830 and 2022. In addition, each record has associated information such as the sampling location (89%), collector and person who identified the species (64%), date of the capture (54%) and plant species where the bees were captured (20%). We believe that this database is the starting point to better understand and conserve bee biodiversity in the Iberian Peninsula. It can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6354502Esta base de datos se ha realizado con la ayuda de los proyectos EUCLIPO (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-028360/EUCLIPO) y SAFEGUARD (ref. 101003476 H2020 -SFS-2019-2).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio