Lyme Borreliosis as a Cause of Myocarditis in Pediatric Age

Lyme borreliosis with myocarditis is rare in pediatrics and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. We present an adolescent with myocarditis, depressed left ventricular function, and evidence of Lyme borreliosis infection. Early recognition and treatment of Lyme disease can help to avoid serious complications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistémica em Crianças Associada a COVID-19 num Hospital de Nível III em Portugal

Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare and severe manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of children with MIS-C admitted to a pediatric tertiary hospital in Portugal. Material and methods: Observational descriptive study of MIS-C patients admitted between April 2020 and April 2021. Demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic tests, and treatment data were collected. The diagnosis of MIS-C was based on the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Results: We reported 45 children with MIS-C. The median age was seven years (IQR 4 - 10 years) and 60.0% were previously healthy. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 77.8% by RT-PCR or antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2, and in 73.3%, an epidemiological link was confirmed. All the patients had a fever and organ system involvement: hematologic (100%), cardiovascular (97.8%), gastrointestinal (97.8%), mucocutaneous (86.7%), respiratory (26.7%), neurologic (15.6%), and renal (13.3%) system. Neurological (p = 0.035) and respiratory (p = 0.035) involvement were observed in patients with a more severe presentation. There was a significant difference of medians when comparing disease severity groups, namely in the values of hemoglobin (p = 0.015), lymphocytes (p = 0.030), D-dimer (p = 0.019), albumin (p < 0.001), NT-proBNP (p = 0.005), ferritin (p = 0.048), CRP (p = 0.006), procalcitonin (p = 0.005) and IL-6 (p = 0.002). From the total number of children, 93.3% received intravenous immunoglobulin, 91.1% methylprednisolone, and one patient (2.2%) received anakinra. Thirteen patients (28.8%) required intensive care and there were no deaths. Of the 21 patients evaluated, 90.4% had reduction of exercise capacity and of the 15 patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance, 53.3% had sequelae of cardiac injury. Conclusion: We observed a large spectrum of disease presentation in a group of patients where most were previously healthy. A small percentage of patients (28.9%) had a severe presentation of the disease. MIS-C is a challenge in current clinical practice and its diagnosis requires a high level of clinical suspicion as the timely initiation of therapy is essential to prevent complications. However, there is no scientific consensus on the treatment and follow-up of these patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The body as a brand in social media : analyzing digital fitness influencers as product endorsers

New social actors have emerged with the social media. Among them, we highlighted the digital influencers, people who have millions of online followers, and induce them in favor or against products and brands to be consumed. Therefore, we aimed to analyze this endorsement process carried out by digital influencers in their online profiles, having as research field the fitness market that encourages people to evaluate and work tirelessly in their bodies. We used the Semiotic Image Analysis to investigate the postings of three Brazilian digital fitness influencers and identified four categories that configure the post format: body exposure, body extension, interaction between influencer and brand/product, and interaction between influencer and followers. By means of these categories, we identified that these influencers act as brand avatars, creating an intense link with these products, exposing their bodies in advertisements and extending the meanings of their good shape to endorsed goods and services

ANÁLISE DOS EVENTOS ADVERSOS EM UMA UNIDADE DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA NEONATAL COMO FERRAMENTA DE GESTÃO DA QUALIDADE DA ASSISTÊNCIA DE ENFERMAGEM

The adverse events are non-deliberate lesions that resulted in temporary or permanent helplessness and/or extension of the time of permanence or death as a consequence of the care given. The objective of this epidemiologic study of historical type is to analyze the evolution of the adverse events in a neonatal intensive therapy unit as a management strategy to improve the quality of nursing care. The study was carried out in a middle size private hospital of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data were collected from the information found in protocols of neonates’ admissions that were in the unit between January 2005 and December 2006 until hospital discharge. The research project was assessed and approved by the Ethic Commission in Research of its study field and also by the Ethic Commission in Research of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. In regard to the results during the studied period, the incidences of 547 admissions were verified. The average gestational age was 35.4 weeks and the weight of newborns was 2,411.2 grams. The group of children most affected by adverse events was the extreme prematures. The adverse events related to demise include intracranial hemorrhage, change of tracheal tube and septicemia, confirmed through laboratory tests. Intracranial hemorrhage and septicemia are highlighted, confirmed through laboratory tests, and in addition to being related to demise, they also occur in large number in the neonatal unit. The demise rate, septicemia confirmed through laboratory tests, and intracranial hemorrhage presented by the service studied, can be improved through adopting specific management actions such as implementing permanent education programs and reinforcing humanization initiatives of care in the neonatal unit.    Los eventos adversos son lesiones no intencionales que resultan en incapacidad temporal o permanente y/o prolongación del tiempo de permanencia o muerte como consecuencia del cuidado dispensado. El objeto del presente estudio epidemiológico de corte histórico es analizar la evolución de los eventos adversos en una Unidad de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal como estrategia de gestión para mejorar la calidad de la atención de enfermería. El estudio se efectuó en un hospital privado de tamaño mediano de la región metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Los datos se recogieron de información en protocolos de neonatos internados en la unidad entre enero de 2005 y diciembre de 2006 hasta el alta hospitalaria. El proyecto de investigación fue evaluado y aprobado por la Comisión de Ética en Investigación de su campo de estudio y también por la Comisión de Ética en Investigación de la Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais. En cuanto a los resultados, durante el período en estudio se verificó incidencia de 547 internaciones. El promedio de edad gestacional fue de 35,4 semanas y el peso de los recién nacidos 2.411,2 gramos. El grupo de niños más afectado por eventos adversos fue el de prematuros extremos. Los eventos adversos asociados a óbito incluyen hemorragia intracraneal, cambio de tubo traqueal y septicemia confirmada por exámenes de laboratorio. Se destacan hemorragia intracraneal y septicemia confirmada por exámenes de laboratorio que, además de estar asociados a óbito, ocurren en gran cantidad en la unidad neonatal. Los índices de óbitos, septicemia confirmada por exámenes de laboratorio y hemorragia intracraneal presentados por el servicio estudiado pueden ser mejorados adoptando determinadas acciones de gestión, tales como implementación de programas de educación permanente y fortalecimiento de iniciativas de humanización del cuidado en la unidad neonatal.Os eventos adversos são lesões não intencionais que resultam em incapacidade temporária ou permanente e/ou prolongamento do tempo de permanência ou morte como conseqüência do cuidado prestado. Neste estudo epidemiológico do tipo coorte histórica, objetivou-se analisar a evolução dos eventos adversos em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal como estratégia gerencial para a melhoria da qualidade da assistência de enfermagem. O estudo foi desenvolvido em um hospital privado de médio porte da região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de informações registradas nos prontuários dos neonatos internados na unidade no período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2006 até a alta hospitalar. O projeto de pesquisa foi apreciado e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa do campo do estudo, bem como pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. No que se refere aos resultados obtidos, verificou-se, no período estudado, a ocorrência de 547 internações. A média da idade gestacional e o peso dos recém-nascidos eram de 35,4 semanas e 2.411,2 gramas, respectivamente. O grupo de crianças mais afetado pelos eventos adversos foi o de prematuros extremos. Os eventos adversos que apresentaram associação com o óbito foram hemorragia intracraniana, troca de tubo traqueal e septicemia laboratorial. Dentre os eventos mencionados destacam-se: hemorragia intracraniana e a septicemia laboratorial que, além de apresentarem associação com o óbito, ocorrem em volume significativo na Unidade Neonatal. O serviço estudado apresentou índices de óbitos, septicemia laboratorial e hemorragia intracraniana que podem ser melhorados mediante a adoção de ações gerenciais, tais como a implementação de programas de educação permanente e o fortalecimento de iniciativas de humanização do cuidado na Unidade Neonatal.

Pediatric Tuberculosis: 12 Years of Experience in a Tertiary Referral Center in Portugal

Introduction: The diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is a challenge namely because extrapulmonary tuberculosis and severe disease are more frequent in this age group. The aim of this study was to evaluate and reflect about severe tuberculosis in pediatric age, in a metropolitan area of Lisbon. Material and methods: Descriptive study about patients under 18 years of age admitted with tuberculosis disease in a tertiary pediatric hospital, from 2008 to 2019 (12 years). Results: We report 145 patients, average of 12 cases/year, with an increase in the last three years. Median age of 12.9 years, 42.8% born in Portuguese-speaking African countries and 20% had a chronic disease. The diagnosis was pulmonary tuberculosis in 52.4% (n = 76) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in 47.6%: lymphatic (n = 26), skeletal (n = 15), miliary (n = 8), meningeal (n = 7), peritoneal/ intestinal (n = 6), pleural (n = 4), renal (n = 1), cutaneous (n = 1), thoracic wall (n = 1) and salivary glands (n = 1). The tuberculin test was positive in 78/99 (78.8%) and Interferon Gamma Release Assay in 61/90 (67.8%). In 20.7% (n = 30) acid-fast bacilli were identified in gastric aspirate/sputum and the agent was identified in 59.3% (n = 86). Tuberculosis was resistant in 11% (n = 16). Patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis were younger (p = 0.006) and had more prolonged therapy (p < 0.001). Therapy-related complications occurred in 11% (n = 16). One patient died (with terminal cancer). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for screening of tuberculosis in children from endemic countries, patients with immunosuppression and chronic disease.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The endogenous caspase-8 inhibitor c-FLIPL regulates ER morphology and crosstalk with mitochondria

Components of the death receptors-mediated pathways like caspase-8 have been identified in complexes at intracellular membranes to spatially restrict the processing of local targets. In this study, we report that the long isoform of the cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIPL), a well- known inhibitor of the extrinsic cell death initiator caspase-8, localizes at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). ER morphology was disrupted and ER Ca2+-release as well as ER-mitochondria tethering were decreased in c-FLIP-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Mechanistically, c-FLIP ablation resulted in enhanced basal caspase-8 activation and in caspase-mediated processing of the ER-shaping protein reticulon-4 (RTN4) that was corrected by re-introduction of c-FLIPL and caspase inhibition, resulting in the recovery of a normal ER morphology and ER-mitochondria juxtaposition. Thus, the caspase-8 inhibitor c-FLIPL emerges as a component of the MAMs signaling platforms, where caspases appear to regulate ER morphology and ER-mitochondria crosstalk by impinging on ER-shaping proteins like the RTN4

A New Chanidae (Ostariophysii: Gonorynchiformes) from the Cretaceous of Brazil with Affinities to Laurasian Gonorynchiforms from Spain

Based on specimens originally referred to as “Dastilbe minor”, a nomem-nudum, we describe a new genus of Chanidae †Nanaichthys longipinnus nov. gen. and sp. which exhibits several diagnostic characters such as the absence of orbitosphenoid and basisphenoid, anteriorly displaced quadrate-mandibular articulation, laterally expanded supraneurals, an acute angle between the preopercular limbs, expansion at the angle between the preopercular limbs, and a curved maxillary articular process. Its occurrence and supposed relationship within the Chanidae reinforce the influence of the Mediterranean Tethys over the Gondwanan main rift system prior to the Aptian/Albian highstands

High prevalence of ST121 in community-associated methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus lineages responsible for skin and soft tissue infections in Portuguese children

In order to evaluate the incidence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in Portugal, we analyzed a collection of 38 S. aureus isolates recovered from 30 children attending the pediatric emergency department of a central hospital in Lisbon due to skin and soft tissue infections. Molecular characterization identified seven clonal lineages among the 35 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates, of which the major lineage PFGE A/t159/ST121 included 63% of the isolates. The three MRSA isolates belonged to the Pediatric clone PFGE D/t535/ST5-IV (n = 2) and to the European CA-MRSA clone PFGE G/t044/ST80-IVc (n = 1). All isolates harbored several virulence factors, namely, leukocidins. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) was produced by isolates from five MSSA lineages and by the ST80 MRSA. Of interest, this is the first reported isolation of CA-MRSA ST80 in Portugal