Metabolic Syndrome and Positive Frailty Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study with Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: Metabolic Syndrome is a set of disorders that characterized by the association of three or more risk factors, like the obesity central, dyslipidemia, borderline blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and the increase of triglycerides. However, these factors also can be associated with pathophysiology of frailty. Objectives: verifying whether the metabolic syndrome is associated to the positive frailty screening in the older people. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: 443 older people living in Rio Branco, Brazil. Setting: Data collection was carried out in two stages: a personal interview and blood collection. Measurements: The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the criteria of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. The frailty screening was performed using subjective questions validated in a previous study. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used for data analyses. Results: There was a predominance of female older people (69.07%), aged between 60 and 79 years (87.13%), with an income greater than or equal to one minimum wage (72.09%), no cognitive decline (75.94%) and depressive symptoms (63.31%), independent for BADL (86.46%) and dependent for IADL (51.69%). From the total sample, 56.88% of the older people were identified as frail, 34.09% pre-frail and 9.03% non frail. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 51.69%. After adjusting by the independent variables, an association between metabolic syndrome and pre-frailty was observed, and older people with metabolic syndrome were more likely to be prefrail (RRR=2.36; 95%CI=1.08-5.18). Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome was associated to the increase chance of screening for prefrailty in the older people evaluated, which reinforces the needy to establish preventive measures in relation to the metabolic syndrome to avoid frailty in the older people.

Vena cava replacement and major hepatectomy for liver tumors: international multicenter retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Involvement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins (HV) has been considered a relative contraindication to hepatic resection for primary and metastatic liver tumors. However, patients affected by tumors extending to the IVC have limited therapeutic options and suffer worsening of quality of life due to IVC compression. METHODS: Cases of primary and metastatic liver tumors with vena cava infiltration from 10 international centers were collected (7 European, 1 US, 2 Brazilian, 1 Indian) were collected. Inclusion criteria for the study were major liver resection with concomitant vena cava replacement. Clinical data and short-term outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 36 cases were finally included in the study. Median tumor max size was 98 mm (range: 25-250). A biliary reconstruction was necessary in 28% of cases, while a vascular reconstruction other than vena cava in 34% of cases. Median operative time was 462 min (range: 230-750), with 750 median ml of estimated blood loss and a median of one pRBC transfused intraoperatively (range: 0-27). Median ICU stay was 4 days (range: 1-30) with overall in-hospital stay of 15 days (range: 3-46), post-operative CCI score of 20.9 (range: 0-100), 12% incidence of PHLF grade B-C. Five patients died in a 90-days interval from surgery, 1 due to heart failure, 1 due to septic shock and 3 due to multiorgan failure. With a median follow-up of 17 months (interquartile range: 11-37), the estimated five-years overall survival was 48% (95% CI: 27%-66%), and five-year cumulative incidence of tumor recurrence was 55% (95% CI: 33%-73%). CONCLUSIONS: Major liver resections with vena cava replacement can be performed with satisfactory results in expert HPB centers. This surgical strategy represents a feasible alternative for otherwise unresectable lesions and is associated with favorable prognosis compared to non-operative management, especially in patients affected by intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 is not clinically different from other viruses: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of cases with olfactory loss, other respiratory viruses can also cause this condition. We aimed to compare the prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and other respiratory viruses in patients with sudden smell loss, and to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infection on olfactory symptoms. METHODS: Patients with sudden smell loss were recruited in a multicenter prospective cohort study in 15 hospitals in Brazil. Clinical questionnaire, Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test and nasopharyngeal swab to perform a PCR-based respiratory viral panel were collected at first visit (day 0) and 30 and 60 days after recruitment. RESULTS: 188 of 213 patients presented positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, among which 65 were co-infected with other respiratory viruses (e.g., rhinovirus, enterovirus, and parainfluenza). 25 had negative test results for SARS-CoV-2. Patients in both SARSCoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 groups had objective anosmia (less than 2 points according to the psychophysical olfactory CCCRC) at day 0, with no significant difference between them. Both groups had significant smell scores improvement after 30 and 60 days, with no difference between them. Co-infection with other respiratory viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 viral load did not impact olfactory scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with sudden smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses had similar presentation, with most participants initiating with anosmia, and total or near total recovery after 60 days. SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infections with other respiratory viruses were not associated with poorer olfactory outcomes.

Quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil / Qualidade de vida de mulheres de uma comunidade quilombola do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract Quilombola communities are present in many Brazilian states living in precarious health conditions. This is due to geographic isolation, limitations to the access of the area in which they live in, and the lack of quality in the service when it is needed to be provided. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil. It is an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study. 160 adult women were first interviewed through a form to collect a profile and then it was applied the WHOQOL Quality of Life questionnaire - bref. It was observed that the women were on average 40.7 years old (±17.25), married, self-declared black, who did not finish elementary school, housewife, had no income, with their own masonry house, with up to 6 rooms, supplied by a box of community treated water. Quality of Life had median scores in the domains: physical (3.18), psychological (3.4), social relationships (3.45) and environment (2.59). With this research, it was possible to characterize the quilombola community of Santa Luzia do Norte-AL regarding the difficulties of access to health and income generation, issues that affect their health condition. The problems described in this study can contribute to health actions being planned and carried out in order to improve socioeconomic and health conditions in this community, considering the social, political and environmental context, valuing their traditional knowledge and practices.

Resumo As comunidades quilombolas, estão presentes em diversos estados brasileiros, vivendo em condições de saúde mais precárias. Isto ocorre por conta do isolamento geográfico, das limitações de acesso e da falta de qualidade no serviço quando este é prestado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar a qualidade de vida de mulheres de uma comunidade quilombola do nordeste brasileiro. Estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo. Foram entrevistadas 160 mulheres adultas, através de um formulário para a coleta de perfil e do questionário de Qualidade de Vida WHOQOL - bref. Foi observado que as mulheres tinham em média 40,7 anos (±17,25), casadas, autodeclaradas negras, com fundamental incompleto, do lar, sem renda, com moradia de alvenaria, própria, com até 6 cômodos, abastecidas por caixa de água comunitária, tratada. A Qualidade de Vida, apresentou escores medianos nos domínios: físico (3,18), psicológico (3,4), relações sociais (3,45) e meio ambiente (2,59). Com a realização desta pesquisa foi possível caracterizar a comunidade quilombola de Santa Luzia do Norte-AL quanto as dificuldades de acesso a saúde e geração de renda, fatos que repercutem na sua condição de saúde. Os problemas descritos neste estudo podem contribuir para que ações de saúde sejam planejadas e efetivadas com o intuito de melhorar as condições socioeconômicas e de saúde nessa comunidade, considerando-se o contexto social, político e ambiental, valorizando seus saberes e práticas tradicionais.

Quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil

Abstract Quilombola communities are present in many Brazilian states living in precarious health conditions. This is due to geographic isolation, limitations to the access of the area in which they live in, and the lack of quality in the service when it is needed to be provided. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil. It is an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study. 160 adult women were first interviewed through a form to collect a profile and then it was applied the WHOQOL Quality of Life questionnaire bref. It was observed that the women were on average 40.7 years old (±17.25), married, self-declared black, who did not finish elementary school, housewife, had no income, with their own masonry house, with up to 6 rooms, supplied by a box of community treated water. Quality of Life had median scores in the domains: physical (3.18), psychological (3.4), social relationships (3.45) and environment (2.59). With this research, it was possible to characterize the quilombola community of Santa Luzia do Norte-AL regarding the difficulties of access to health and income generation, issues that affect their health condition. The problems described in this study can contribute to health actions being planned and carried out in order to improve socioeconomic and health conditions in this community, considering the social, political and environmental context, valuing their traditional knowledge and practices.

Resumo As comunidades quilombolas, estão presentes em diversos estados brasileiros, vivendo em condições de saúde mais precárias. Isto ocorre por conta do isolamento geográfico, das limitações de acesso e da falta de qualidade no serviço quando este é prestado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar a qualidade de vida de mulheres de uma comunidade quilombola do nordeste brasileiro. Estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo. Foram entrevistadas 160 mulheres adultas, através de um formulário para a coleta de perfil e do questionário de Qualidade de Vida WHOQOL bref. Foi observado que as mulheres tinham em média 40,7 anos (±17,25), casadas, autodeclaradas negras, com fundamental incompleto, do lar, sem renda, com moradia de alvenaria, própria, com até 6 cômodos, abastecidas por caixa de água comunitária, tratada. A Qualidade de Vida, apresentou escores medianos nos domínios: físico (3,18), psicológico (3,4), relações sociais (3,45) e meio ambiente (2,59). Com a realização desta pesquisa foi possível caracterizar a comunidade quilombola de Santa Luzia do Norte-AL quanto as dificuldades de acesso a saúde e geração de renda, fatos que repercutem na sua condição de saúde. Os problemas descritos neste estudo podem contribuir para que ações de saúde sejam planejadas e efetivadas com o intuito de melhorar as condições socioeconômicas e de saúde nessa comunidade, considerando-se o contexto social, político e ambiental, valorizando seus saberes e práticas tradicionais.

A semi-automated microscopic image analysis method for scoring Ki-67 nuclear immunostaining.

Nuclear proliferation marker MIB-1 (Ki-67) immunohistochemistry (IHC) is used to examine tumor cell proliferation. However, the diagnostic or prognostic value of the Ki-67 nuclear staining intensity and location, defined as nuclear gradient (NG), has not been assessed. This study examined the potential association between Ki-67 NG and cell cycle phases and its effect on the prognosis of pulmonary typical carcinoid (PTC) tumors. We propose a method for classifying the NG of Ki-67 during the cell cycle and compare the results between PTC, pulmonary adenocarcinoma (PAD), and breast ductal carcinoma (BDC). A literature review and objective analysis of IHC-stained paraffin sections were used to determine the Ki-67 labeling index and composed a stratification of the NG into NG1, NG2, and NG3/4 categories. A semi-automated image analysis protocol was established to determine the Ki-67 NG in PTC, PAD, and BDC. High intraobserver consistency and moderate interobserver agreement were achieved in the determination of Ki-67 NG in tumor specimens. NG1 and NG2 were lower in PTC than in PAD and BDC. Cox multivariate analysis of PTC after adjusting for age and number of metastatic lymph nodes showed that Ki-67 NG1 and NG2 significantly predicted clinical outcomes. The semi-automated method for quantification of Ki-67 nuclear immunostaining proposed in this study could become a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool in PTC.

Role of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 in the maintenance of colonic mucosal integrity in an experimental colitis model.

The role of cyclooxygenase (COXs) isoforms in maintaining colonic mucosal integrity is not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the role of COX-1 and -2 on colonic mucosal integrity in an experimental colitis model. Colitis was induced in Wistar rats by intracolonic administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (20 mg + 50% ethanol). The control group (sham group) received saline only. After 7, 14, or 28 days, colonic samples were removed, and macroscopic lesion scores, wet weight, myeloperoxidase activity, and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were determined. In other rat groups, colonic samples from the sham group and a 7th day post-colitis group were mounted in Üssing chambers with the luminal side exposed to a buffer solution (control), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), SC-560 (COX-1 inhibitor), or celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor). TER and epithelial permeability to fluorescein were measured. The 7th day colitis group had higher macroscopic damage scores, wet weight, and myeloperoxidase activity and lower basal TER than the sham, 14th day colitis, and 28th day colitis groups. Inhibition of COX-1 but not COX-2 significantly decreased TER and increased permeability to fluorescein in the 7th day post-colitis group compared to the sham group. Additionally, ASA decreased the colonic mucosal integrity on day seven post-colitis compared to the sham group. A decrease in the colonic mucosa integrity in the experimental colitis model can be aggravated only by the inhibition of COX-1, which demonstrated the importance of this enzyme in the maintenance of colonic mucosal integrity.

Opiliofauna (ARACHNIDA: OPILIONES) of the Atlantic Forest in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

Opiliones are arachnids that provide different services in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in tropical forests, which justifies inventory studies to better understand the occurrence and distribution of these arthropods in Brazil, since little is known about the harvestmen fauna in Conservation Units such as in the state of Paraná. In this context, the objective of the present study was to survey the harvestmen fauna at the Iguaçu National Park (PARNA) and in the Bela Vista Biological Refuge (BVBR), from September 2021 to May 2022, using a sampling effort of 40 hours in the BVBR, and 66 hours at the PARNA Iguaçu. Ten species/morphospecies were recorded, highlighting a new occurrence for Brazil, the species Opisthoplatus vegetus. The present study reduces the information gap about Opiliones in the state, which reaffirms the importance of Conservation Units for the protection of the biota in the state of Paraná.

HLA-B27 did not protect against COVID-19 in patients with axial spondyloarthritis - data from the ReumaCov-Brasil Registry.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested the HLA-B27 gene may protect against some infections, as well as it could play a benefit role on the viral clearance, including hepatitis C and HIV. However, there is lack of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic data in spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. AIM: To evaluate the impact of HLA-B27 gene positivity on the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 and disease activity in axial SpA patients. METHODS: The ReumaCoV-Brasil is a multicenter, observational, prospective cohort designed to monitor immune-mediated rheumatic diseases patients during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil. Axial SpA patients, according to the ASAS classification criteria (2009), and only those with known HLA-B27 status, were included in this ReumaCov-Brasil's subanalysis. After pairing them to sex and age, they were divided in two groups: with (cases) and without (control group) COVID-19 diagnosis. Other immunodeficiency diseases, past organ or bone marrow transplantation, neoplasms and current chemotherapy were excluded. Demographic data, managing of COVID-19 (diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, including hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and death), comorbidities, clinical details (disease activity and concomitant medication) were collected using the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database. Data are presented as descriptive analysis and multiple regression models, using SPSS program, version 20. P level was set as 5%. RESULTS: From May 24th, 2020 to Jan 24th, 2021, a total of 153 axial SpA patients were included, of whom 85 (55.5%) with COVID-19 and 68 (44.4%) without COVID-19. Most of them were men (N = 92; 60.1%) with mean age of 44.0 ± 11.1 years and long-term disease (11.7 ± 9.9 years). Regarding the HLA-B27 status, 112 (73.2%) patients tested positive. There were no significant statistical differences concerning social distancing, smoking, BMI (body mass index), waist circumference and comorbidities. Regarding biological DMARDs, 110 (71.8%) were on TNF inhibitors and 14 (9.15%) on IL-17 antagonists. Comparing those patients with and without COVID-19, the HLA-B27 positivity was not different between groups (n = 64, 75.3% vs. n = 48, 48%, respectively; p = 0.514). In addition, disease activity was similar before and after the infection. Interestingly, no new episodes of arthritis, enthesitis or extra-musculoskeletal manifestations were reported after the COVID-19. The mean time from the first symptoms to hospitalization was 7.1 ± 3.4 days, and although the number of hospitalization days was numerically higher in the B27 positive group, no statistically significant difference was observed (5.7 ± 4.11 for B27 negative patients and 13.5 ± 14.8 for B27 positive patients; p = 0.594). Only one HLA-B27 negative patient died. No significant difference was found regarding concomitant medications, including conventional or biologic DMARDs between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference of COVID-19 frequency rate was observed in patients with axial SpA regarding the HLA-B27 positivity, suggesting a lack of protective effect with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, the disease activity was similar before and after the infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Brazilian Committee of Ethics in Human Research (CONEP), CAAE 30186820.2.1001.8807, and was registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - REBEC, RBR-33YTQC. All patients read and signed the informed consent form before inclusion.

Invasive dynamic electrical impedance myography during 100 s of moderate contraction in rats' gastrocnemius muscle.

GOAL: The present study aimed to investigate the behavior of dynamic electrical impedance myography (dEIM) signals during a 100-s period of the dynamic contraction of Wistar rats' gastrocnemius evoked by electrical stimulation and to link the variations in bioimpedance with muscular energy systems. METHODS: Muscle contraction used 30% of the maximum muscular force and persisted for 100 s, along which dynamic bioimpedance signals were acquired. Based on the bioimpedance signals, two parameters, ΔZc and ΔZpc, were calculated to allow the analysis of their changes with the energy systems that supplied adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the muscle. ΔZc indicated the variation of impedance of a twitch cycle compared to the values observed during the rest period preceding the cycle, and ΔZpc indicated slow bioimpedance variations compared to the values obtained during the rest period. RESULTS: The results indicated that ΔZc followed the force behavior, achieving a change rate of ∼14%. This parameter was associated with instantaneous impedance changes owing to the occurrence of each twitch. CONCLUSION: Although the findings of this study were linked to energy system processes, future studies are required for improving the understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in dEIM. SIGNIFICANCE: The results contributed to understanding the relation of energy systems that supply ATP to the muscles with dEIM variations that occurred during muscle activity.

Cardiovascular mortality in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison between underlying and multiple causes of death.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has differentially impacted cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality worldwide. Causes of death misclassification may be one of the reasons. We evaluated the impact of the pandemic on CVD mortality in Brazil, comparing underlying causes (UCs) and multiple causes (MCs) of death. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological time-series study. METHODS: An ecological, time-series study was conducted analysing age-standardised death rates for CVD, from epidemiological week (EW) 10/2020 to 39/2021, using data from the Mortality Information System, Brazil. CVD was defined using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) coding, if reported as UC or MC of death. Observed and expected data (mean for the same EW, 2017-2019) were compared. Risk ratios (RiRs) were analysed, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Age-standardised mortality rate for CVD as UC of death was 165.8 (95%CI: 165.4-166.3) per 100,000 inhabitants, similar to what was expected (165.6/100,000, 95%CI: 165.2-166.1, RiR = 1.00). There was increased out-of-hospital mortality (RiR = 1.18; 95%CI: 1.17-1.19) and deaths of ill-defined causes (RiR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.42-1.44). The increase in out-of-hospital deaths was more pronounced in the North (RiR = 1.33; 95%CI 1.30-1.36) region, with a less resilient health system. Conversely, as MCs of death, there was a 10% increase in CVD mortality (observed: 243.2 [95%CI: 242.7-243.7], expected: 221.6 [95%CI: 221.1-222.1] per 100,000). An increase also occurred in the North and Central West regions (RiR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.15-1.18), among men (RiR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.11-1.12) and individuals aged ≥60 years (RiR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.10-1.11). CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic, mortality rates for CVD as MCs of death increased in Brazil, whereas as UC mortality rates did not change. Higher out-of-hospital mortality, misclassification, and competing causes of death may explain this pattern.

A more radical perspective on surgical approach and outcomes in pancreatic cancer-a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains a dismal disease and is expected to become an even greater burden in the near future. This review focuses on the different surgical aspects for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), distal and total pancreatectomy (TP), incorporating lessons from both the western and eastern visions in treating pancreatic cancer. Methods: We conducted an extensive literature review through PubMed, prioritizing papers published in the last 5 years, but older emblematic papers were also included. We included articles that explored the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, with focus on the surgical aspect and strategies to improve outcomes. References of selected articles were also reviewed to identify any missed studies. Only papers in English were included. Key Content and Findings: As evidence continues to build, it is clear that both systemic and surgical therapies have a fundamental and complementary role. State of art surgical treatment encompasses complete mesopancreas excision for radical lymphadenectomy. Preoperative planning of dissection planes, extensive knowledge of vascular anatomic variations, oncological principles and expertise for vascular resections are mandatory to perform a more radical operation, in pursuit of improved outcomes. Conclusions: Based on current data, patient selection remains key and a more radical surgical approach brings more accomplishing results bringing as to believe that more is better.

Effects of chemical additive and packing density on the fermentation profile and nutrient composition of ensiled cocktail forage mix.

Recently, the use of cocktail forage mixes in dairy cattle rations has become more common because the mixtures are low-cost, fit well in rotation after a cereal grain forage, and can have similar yield and energy value compared with alfalfa silage. This experiment evaluated the effects of a chemical additive and packing density on the fermentation profile and nutrient composition of cocktail mix silage. The cocktail forage mix (brown-midrib sorghum-sudangrass, Italian ryegrass, red clover, berseem clover, and hairy vetch) was harvested, ensiled in laboratory silos (3.79-L plastic buckets), and allowed to ferment for 30 d. The experiment consisted of 6 treatments, 2 chemical additives [CON (30 mL of distilled water) or ADD (sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and fungal amylase)], and 3 packing densities [D100, D75, and D50 (100%, 75%, or 50% of the maximum material in laboratory silos, respectively)], for a total of 24 silos (4 replications per treatment combination). No interactions of additive by density were detected for any parameters evaluated. The addition of the chemical additive influenced fermentation profile, with reduced concentrations of total acids, lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol in ADD-treated silages. Moreover, D50 reduced concentrations of total acids, lactic acid, and acetic acid compared with D100, but had greater pH and yeast and mold counts. Minimal changes in nutrient composition were detected regardless of treatment. Overall, this study corroborates the importance of a well-packed silage during the ensiling process. Poorly packed cocktail mix silages may be more prone to spoilage based on yeast and mold counts.