A robust platform for integrative spatial multi-omics analysis to map immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung tissues.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus has caused a devastating global pandemic of respiratory illness. To understand viral pathogenesis, methods are available for studying dissociated cells in blood, nasal samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and similar, but a robust platform for deep tissue characterization of molecular and cellular responses to virus infection in the lungs is still lacking. We developed an innovative spatial multi-omics platform to investigate COVID-19-infected lung tissues. Five tissue-profiling technologies were combined by a novel computational mapping methodology to comprehensively characterize and compare the transcriptome and targeted proteome of virus infected and uninfected tissues. By integrating spatial transcriptomics data (Visium, GeoMx and RNAScope) and proteomics data (CODEX and PhenoImager HT) at different cellular resolutions across lung tissues, we found strong evidence for macrophage infiltration and defined the broader microenvironment surrounding these cells. By comparing infected and uninfected samples, we found an increase in cytokine signalling and interferon responses at different sites in the lung and showed spatial heterogeneity in the expression level of these pathways. These data demonstrate that integrative spatial multi-omics platforms can be broadly applied to gain a deeper understanding of viral effects on cellular environments at the site of infection and to increase our understanding of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the lungs.

Evaluation of hospital laundry effluents treated by advanced oxidation processes and their cytotoxic effects on Allium cepa L.

Hospital laundries are responsible for a significant part of the amount of wastewater that is generated in hospitals. Hospital laundry wastewater represents a complex mixture of chemicals that arouse concerns about possible environmental risks. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of different laundry effluents from the Regional University Hospital of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, on Allium cepa L. meristematic root cells. The effluents were characterised as rinsing, wetting, prewashing, washing, softening, wastewater (the effluent generated at the end of the washing process), the wastewater that was treated by physicochemical (PC) processes and the wastewater that was treated by advanced oxidation processes (PC + UV, PC + H2O2 and PC + UV/H2O2). The mitotic indexes were calculated by scoring 5000 cells per group and the statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post-test (α = 0.05). Results showed that the rinsing, wetting, prewashing and wastewater laundry effluents were cytotoxic at 24 h of exposure, significantly reducing the mitotic index. Despite the slight cytotoxicity of the PC + UV/H2O2 treatment, physicochemical and advanced oxidation processes efficiently reduced the critical parameters of wastewater, such as the biochemical and chemical oxygen demands, to tolerable levels of effluent discharge. It is essential to perform constant monitoring of these effluents in order to reduce the possible occurrence of environmental impacts.

Whole transcriptome profiling of placental pathobiology in SARS-CoV-2 pregnancies identifies placental dysfunction signatures.

Objectives: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infection in pregnancy is associated with higher incidence of placental dysfunction, referred to by a few studies as a 'preeclampsia-like syndrome'. However, the mechanisms underpinning SARS-CoV-2-induced placental malfunction are still unclear. Here, we investigated whether the transcriptional architecture of the placenta is altered in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We utilised whole-transcriptome, digital spatial profiling, to examine gene expression patterns in placental tissues from participants who contracted SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester of their pregnancy (n = 7) and those collected prior to the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (n = 9). Results: Through comprehensive spatial transcriptomic analyses of the trophoblast and villous core stromal cell subpopulations in the placenta, we identified SARS-CoV-2 to promote signatures associated with hypoxia and placental dysfunction. Notably, genes associated with vasodilation (NOS3), oxidative stress (GDF15, CRH) and preeclampsia (FLT1, EGFR, KISS1, PAPPA2) were enriched with SARS-CoV-2. Pathways related to increased nutrient uptake, vascular tension, hypertension and inflammation were also enriched in SARS-CoV-2 samples compared to uninfected controls. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the utility of spatially resolved transcriptomic analysis in defining the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy, particularly its role in placental dysfunction. Furthermore, this study highlights the significance of digital spatial profiling in mapping the intricate crosstalk between trophoblasts and villous core stromal cells, thus shedding light on pathways associated with placental dysfunction in pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Common mental disorders in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: to map common recurrent mental disorders in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: this is a scoping review carried out in January 2022 in electronic databases and repositories of dissertations and thesis. Studies that answered the research question, met the objective of the study and were available in full electronically, in any language, were included. RESULTS: the sample consisted of 28 studies, 14 of which were published in the United States of America. The common mental disorders found were depressive, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and mood disorders. Twenty symptoms were mentioned, among the most prevalent are fatigue and sleep disorders/insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: the difficulty and importance of carrying out the differential diagnosis of these disorders were highlighted, since their symptoms can be confused with other health problems and have a strong potential to interfere with patients' evolution.

Evaluation of oral mucositis, candidiasis, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer treated with a hypofractionated or conventional radiotherapy protocol: a longitudinal, prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, recently, Radiotherapy (RT) protocols requiring fewer sessions (hypofractionated) have been used to shorten RT treatment and minimize patient exposure to medical centers, and decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: This longitudinal, prospective, observational study aimed to compare the quality of life (QoL) and the incidence of oral mucositis and candidiasis in 66 patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who undergo a hypofractionated RT protocol (GHipo), total of 55 Gy for 4 weeks, or a conventional RT protocol (GConv), total of 66 - 70 Gy for 6 - 7 weeks. PURPOSE: To assess the incidence and severity of oral mucositis, the incidence of candidiasis, and QoL were evaluated using the World Health Organization scale, clinical evaluation, and the QLC-30 and H&N-35 questionnaires, respectively, at the beginning and the end of RT. RESULTS: The incidence of candidiasis did not show differences between the two groups. However, at the end of RT, mucositis had a higher incidence (p < 0.01) and severity (p < 0.05) in GHipo. QoL was not markedly different between the two groups. Although mucositis worsened in patients treated with hypofractionated RT, QoL did not worsen for patients on this regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Our results open perspectives for the potential use of RT protocols for HNC with fewer sessions in conditions that require faster, cheaper, and more practical treatments.

Mental health, art, and deinstitutionalization: an aesthetic-poetic-theatrical account of the city's occupation. / Saúde mental, arte e desinstitucionalização: um relato estético-poético-teatral de uma ocupação da cidade.

This study aimed to report the experience of an aesthetic, poetic, and theatrical production of the city's occupation from a device of the Psychosocial Care Network to offer space for sociability, production, and cultural intervention. This is an account of an experience from the Social and Cultural Center (CECCO) in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, within madness and mental health deinstitutionalization. The intervention "The Little Prince occupies the Ribeira" was inspired by the work of author Saint-Exupéry. The artistic and creative acts reported occurred in December 2019. We experienced in this intervention the reach of an aesthetic clinic that, when opened to the street and art, expanded and weaved in the territory, instrumentalized by theater, dance, poetry, percussion, crafts, and city's occupation. The movement led the community to "step down from the stage" to the streets and is connected with the twist of the asylum model and the production of the affection clinic that we seek to sustain in the daily service.

Objetivou-se relatar a experiência de uma produção estética, poética e teatral de ocupação da cidade a partir de um dispositivo da Rede de Atenção Psicossocial, com vistas a oferecer espaço de sociabilidade, produção e intervenção cultural. Trata-se de um relato de experiência a partir do Centro de Convivência e Cultura (CECCO) de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, dentro do campo da desinstitucionalização da loucura e da saúde mental. A intervenção urbana "O Pequeno Príncipe ocupa a Ribeira" foi inspirada na obra do escritor Saint-Exupéry. Os atos artísticos e criativos relatados aconteceram em dezembro de 2019. Experimentamos nessa intervenção os alcances de uma clínica-estética que, ao se abrir para a rua e para a arte, se amplia e se tece no território, instrumentalizado pelo teatro, dança, poesia, percussão, artesanato e ocupação da cidade. O movimento gerou no coletivo um "descer do palco" em direção à rua e se conecta com a desconstrução do modelo manicomial e produção da clínica dos afetos que buscamos sustentar no cotidiano do serviço.

In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D supplementation may be blurred in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D supplementation under uremic conditions, both in vivo and in vitro, and its effects on the parameters of mineral metabolism. METHODS: Thirty-two hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo (N=14) or cholecalciferol (N=18) for six months. Serum levels of calcium, phosphate, total alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and vitamin D were measured at baseline and after three and six months. The levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured at baseline and at six months. Human monocytes were used for in vitro experiments and treated with cholecalciferol (150 nM) and uremic serum. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cathelicidin (CAMP) expression were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate assay, and real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: Both patient groups were clinically and biochemically similar at baseline. After six months, the levels of vitamin D and iPTH were higher and lower, respectively, in the cholecalciferol group than in the placebo group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the parameters of mineral metabolism, such as IL-1ß and hs-CRP levels, in both groups. Treatment with uremic serum lowered the monocyte viability (p<0.0001) and increased ROS production (p<0.01) and CAMP expression (p<0.05); these effects were counterbalanced by cholecalciferol treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, cholecalciferol supplementation is an efficient strategy to ameliorate hypovitaminosis D in hemodialysis patients, but its beneficial effects on the control of secondary hyperparathyroidism are relatively unclear. Even though cholecalciferol exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, its short-term supplementation was not effective in improving the inflammatory profile of patients on hemodialysis, as indicated by the IL-1ß and hs-CRP levels.

Common mental disorders in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: a scoping review / Trastornos mentales comunes en pacientes con trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas: revisión del alcance / Transtornos mentais comuns em pacientes transplantados com células-tronco hematopoéticas: revisão de escopo

ABSTRACT Objective: to map common recurrent mental disorders in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: this is a scoping review carried out in January 2022 in electronic databases and repositories of dissertations and thesis. Studies that answered the research question, met the objective of the study and were available in full electronically, in any language, were included. Results: the sample consisted of 28 studies, 14 of which were published in the United States of America. The common mental disorders found were depressive, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and mood disorders. Twenty symptoms were mentioned, among the most prevalent are fatigue and sleep disorders/insomnia. Conclusions: the difficulty and importance of carrying out the differential diagnosis of these disorders were highlighted, since their symptoms can be confused with other health problems and have a strong potential to interfere with patients' evolution.

RESUMEN Objetivo: mapear los trastornos mentales recurrentes comunes en pacientes sometidos a trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas. Métodos: se trata de una revisión de alcance realizada en enero de 2022 en bases de datos electrónicas y repositorios de disertaciones y tesis. Se incluyeron publicaciones que respondieron a la pregunta de investigación, cumplieron con el objetivo del estudio y estaban disponibles en su totalidad en formato electrónico, en cualquier idioma. Resultados: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 28 estudios, 14 de los cuales fueron publicados en los Estados Unidos de América. Los trastornos mentales comunes encontrados fueron depresión, ansiedad, estrés postraumático y trastornos del estado de ánimo. Se mencionaron 20 síntomas, entre los más prevalentes se encuentran fatiga y trastornos del sueño/insomnio. Conclusiones: se destacó la dificultad e importancia de realizar el diagnóstico diferencial de estos trastornos, ya que sus síntomas pueden confundirse con otros problemas de salud y tienen un fuerte potencial de interferir en la evolución del paciente.

RESUMO Objetivo: mapear os transtornos mentais comuns recorrentes em pacientes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas. Métodos: trata-se de revisão de escopo realizada em janeiro de 2022 em bases de dados eletrônicas e repositórios de dissertações e tese. Foram incluídas publicações que respondessem à questão de pesquisa, atendessem ao objetivo do estudo e que estivessem disponíveis na íntegra em meio eletrônico, em qualquer idioma. Resultados: a amostra foi composta por 28 estudos, dos quais 14 foram publicados nos Estados Unidos da América. Os transtornos mentais comuns encontrados foram os transtornos depressivos, de ansiedade, estresse pós-traumático e de humor. Foram citados 20 sintomas, entre os mais prevalentes estão a fadiga e distúrbios do sono/insônia. Conclusões: evidenciaram-se a dificuldade e a importância de realizar o diagnóstico diferencial desses transtornos, uma vez que seus sintomas podem ser confundidos com outros problemas de saúde e têm forte potencial para interferir na evolução do paciente.

Case report: is low α-Gal enzyme activity sufficient to establish the diagnosis of Fabry disease?

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease due to alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) deficient activity which leads to the accumulation of glucoesphingolipids, such as globotriaosilceramide. There are over 700 known mutations of the enzyme gene, and most of them cause Fabry Disease. This case report describes a hemodialysis patient with a rare and controversial GLA gene mutation, the D313Y. The medecial investigation confirmed that D313Y is an alpha-galactosidase A sequence variant that causes pseudo deficient enzyme activity in plasma but not Fabry disease. Thus, clinical symptoms that prompted Fabry disease investigation could not be attributable to Fabry disease and therefore enzyme replacement therapy was not indicated.

Neurotoxicidades apresentadas por pacientes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas: uma revisão de escopo / Neurotoxicidades en pacientes sometidos al trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas: una revisión de alcance / Neurotoxicity presented by patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a scoping review

Resumo Objetivo Mapear os tipos de neurotoxicidades apresentadas por pacientes submetidos ao Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas. Métodos Trata-se de uma Scoping Review, orientada a partir do método proposto pelo Joanna Briggs Institute, e seguiu as recomendações do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A busca pelos estudos foi realizada entre os meses de julho e agosto de 2020 e ocorreu nas bases de dados e em portais de teses e dissertações nacionais e internacionais. Resultados A amostra final foi composta por 71 artigos científicos, todos na língua Inglesa. Houve destaque para o ano de 2018 com 14 (19%) publicações. Observou-se prevalência de estudos realizados nos Estados Unidos da América com 29 (40,8%). No tocante a população, todos (100%) os artigos são sobre pacientes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas que apresentaram neurotoxicidades. Acerca dos quimioterápicos utilizados no regime de condicionamento pré-transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas sete (9,8%) utilizaram a combinação de Fludarabina e Ciclofosfamida, seguida da Ciclosporina e Tacrolimus em seis (8,4%), ciclosporina em quatro (5,6%), Fludarabina em três (4,2%). Quanto às neurotoxicidades apresentadas em pacientes submetidos ao transplante, evidenciou-se a síndrome de encefalopatia reversível posterior em 19 (26,7%) estudos. Cabe ressaltar que outros estudos identificaram essa síndrome, porém relataram sintomas diferentes. Conclusão As neurotoxicidades apresentadas por pacientes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas, são encefalopatia reversível posterior, leucoencefalopatia reversível posterior, encefalopatia de Wernicke, encefalopatia hipertensiva, encefalopatia metabólica, encefalopatia límbica, complicações hemorrágicas e convulsões.

Resumen Objetivo Mapear los tipos de neurotoxicidades en pacientes sometidos al trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas. Métodos Se trata de una Scoping Review, orientada a partir del método propuesto por el Joanna Briggs Institute, que siguió las recomendaciones del Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. La búsqueda de los estudios se realizó entre los meses de julio y agosto de 2020 y ocurrió en las bases de datos y en portales de tesis de doctorado y maestría nacionales e internacionales. Resultados La muestra final estuvo compuesta por 71 artículos científicos, todos en lengua inglesa. Se destacó el año 2018 con 14 publicaciones (19 %). Se observó una prevalencia de estudios realizados en Estados Unidos de América con 29 (40,8 %). En lo que se refiere a la población, todos los artículos (100 %) tratan sobre pacientes sometidos al trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas que presentaron neurotoxicidades. Sobre los quimioterápicos utilizados en el régimen de acondicionamiento previo al trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas, siete (9,8 %) utilizaron la combinación de Fludarabina y Ciclofosfamida, seguida de la Ciclosporina y Tacrolimus en seis (8,4 %), ciclosporina en cuatro (5,6 %), Fludarabina en tres (4,2 %). Con relación a las neurotoxicidades en pacientes sometidos al trasplante, se evidenció el síndrome de encefalopatía reversible posterior en 19 estudios (26,7 %). Cabe destacar que otros estudios identificaron ese síndrome, pero refirieron síntomas distintos. Conclusión Las neurotoxicidades presentadas por pacientes sometidos al trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas son encefalopatía reversible posterior, leuco encefalopatía reversible posterior, encefalopatía de Wernicke, encefalopatía hipertensiva, encefalopatía metabólica, encefalopatía límbica, complicaciones hemorrágicas y convulsiones.

Abstract Objective To map the types of neurotoxicity presented by patients undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Methods This is a scoping review, guided by the method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute, and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews recommendations. The search for studies was carried out between the months of July and August 2020 and took place in databases and in national and international theses and dissertations portals. Results The final sample consisted of 71 scientific articles, all in English. There was a highlight for the year 2018 with 14 (19%) publications. There was a prevalence of studies carried out in the United States of America with 29 (40.8%). Regarding the population, all (100%) articles are about patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who presented neurotoxicity. Regarding the chemotherapeutic agents used in the pre-transplantation regimen of hematopoietic stem cells, seven (9.8%) used the combination of Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide, followed by Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus in six (8.4%), Cyclosporine in four (5.6%), Fludarabine in three (4.2%). As for the neurotoxicity presented in patients undergoing transplantation, the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome was evidenced in 19 (26.7%) studies. It should be noted that other studies have identified this syndrome, but have reported different symptoms. Conclusion The neurotoxicity presented by patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are posterior reversible encephalopathy, posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy, Wernicke's encephalopathy, hypertensive encephalopathy, metabolic encephalopathy, limbic encephalopathy, hemorrhagic complications and seizures.

Saúde mental, arte e desinstitucionalização: um relato estético-poético-teatral de uma ocupação da cidade / Mental health, art, and deinstitutionalization: an aesthetic-poetic-theatrical account of the city's occupation

Resumo Objetivou-se relatar a experiência de uma produção estética, poética e teatral de ocupação da cidade a partir de um dispositivo da Rede de Atenção Psicossocial, com vistas a oferecer espaço de sociabilidade, produção e intervenção cultural. Trata-se de um relato de experiência a partir do Centro de Convivência e Cultura (CECCO) de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, dentro do campo da desinstitucionalização da loucura e da saúde mental. A intervenção urbana "O Pequeno Príncipe ocupa a Ribeira" foi inspirada na obra do escritor Saint-Exupéry. Os atos artísticos e criativos relatados aconteceram em dezembro de 2019. Experimentamos nessa intervenção os alcances de uma clínica-estética que, ao se abrir para a rua e para a arte, se amplia e se tece no território, instrumentalizado pelo teatro, dança, poesia, percussão, artesanato e ocupação da cidade. O movimento gerou no coletivo um "descer do palco" em direção à rua e se conecta com a desconstrução do modelo manicomial e produção da clínica dos afetos que buscamos sustentar no cotidiano do serviço.

Abstract This study aimed to report the experience of an aesthetic, poetic, and theatrical production of the city's occupation from a device of the Psychosocial Care Network to offer space for sociability, production, and cultural intervention. This is an account of an experience from the Social and Cultural Center (CECCO) in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, within madness and mental health deinstitutionalization. The intervention "The Little Prince occupies the Ribeira" was inspired by the work of author Saint-Exupéry. The artistic and creative acts reported occurred in December 2019. We experienced in this intervention the reach of an aesthetic clinic that, when opened to the street and art, expanded and weaved in the territory, instrumentalized by theater, dance, poetry, percussion, crafts, and city's occupation. The movement led the community to "step down from the stage" to the streets and is connected with the twist of the asylum model and the production of the affection clinic that we seek to sustain in the daily service.

Incomplete petrosphenoidal foramen: morphological and morphometric analysis and the proposal of a classification study in Brazilian dry skulls / Foramen petrosfenoidal incompleto: análisis morfológico y morfométrico y propuesta de clasificación: estudio en cráneos secos brasileños

SUMMARY: The complete petrosphenoidal foramen, or canal, is an eventual and atavistic bony formation at the boundary between the posterior and middle cranial fossa, by occurrence of ossification of the superior petrosphenoidal ligament. This ligament ossification, which has important clinical and surgical significance, can be complete or incomplete, in variable degrees, and is associated with the passageway of neurovascular structures, such as the abducens nerve and the inferior petrosal sinus. This study, conducted with 175 dry skulls that belong to the University of São Paulo's collection (USP), São Paulo, Brazil, established criteria for a morphological classification of the incomplete petrosphenoid foramen in nine types. In addition, anatomical parameters were established for the morphometric determination of two diameters: the Oblique Diameter (ObDi) and the Maximum Transverse Diameter (MTD). Thus, of the 175 skulls, 146 (83.42 %) presented some of the incomplete forms of the petrosphenoid foramen, and 43 skulls (29.45 %), due to their conservation characteristics, were habilitated to the morphological study, in the classification and in the morphometry (the types I and II of our classification). The type II (incomplete foramen with bony projections of the petrosal tubercle, of the margin of the dorsum of the hypophyseal fossa or of the posterior clinoid process with a distance between them greater than 1mm) and type V (incomplete foramen with a bony projection only in one of the referential structures - posterior clinoid process) were the most common in this study (50 % of the 86 hemiskulls). Morphometry was attributed only to the types: I selar (incomplete foramen with bony projections from the petrosal tubercle and the margin of the dorsum of the hypophyseal fossa with a distance between them less than or equal to 1mm) and to the type II of this classification. The type I selar (9.3 % of the 43 skulls) resulted in an average of 3.25 mm of MTD and 4.63 mm, on average, of ObDi. The type II (25.58 % of the 43 skulls) showed, on average, 4.93 mm of MTD and 7.01 mm of ObDi.

RESUMEN: El foramen o canal petroesfenoidal completo es una formación ósea eventual y atávica en el límite entre las fosas craneal posterior y media, por osificación del ligamento petroesfenoidal superior. Esta osificación del ligamento, que tiene un importante significado clínico y quirúrgico, puede ser completa o incompleta, en grados variables, y está asociada al paso de estructuras neurovasculares, como el nervio abducente y el seno petroso inferior. Este estudio se realizó en 175 cráneos secos pertenecientes a la colección de la Universidad de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brasil. Se establecieron criterios para una clasificación morfológica del foramen petrosfenoidal incompleto en nueve tipos. Además, se establecieron parámetros anatómicos para la determinación morfométrica de dos diámetros: el Diámetro Oblicuo (ObDi) y el Diámetro Transversal Máximo (MTD). Así, de los 175 cráneos, 146 (83,42 %) presentaron alguna de las formas incompletas del foramen petrosfenoidal, y 43 cráneos (29,45 %), por sus características de conservación, fueron habilitados para el estudio morfológico, en la clasificación y en la morfometría (los tipos I y II de nuestra clasificación). El Tipo II (foramen incompleto con proyecciones óseas del tubérculo petroso, del margen del dorso de la fosa hipofisaria o del proceso clinoides posterior con una distancia entre ellos mayor de 1 mm) y el Tipo V (foramen incompleto con proyección ósea solamente en una de las estructuras referenciales - proceso clinoides posterior) fueron los más comunes en este estudio (50 % de los 86 hemiscráneos). La morfometría se atribuyó únicamente al Tipo I selar (foramen incompleto con proyecciones óseas desde el tubérculo petroso y el margen del dorso de la fosa hipofisaria con una distancia entre ellos menor o igual a 1mm) y al Tipo II de esta clasificación. El Tipo I selar (9,3 % de los 43 cráneos) resultó en un promedio de 3,25 mm de MTD y 4,63 mm, en promedio, de ObDi. El Tipo II (25,58 % de los 43 cráneos) mostró, en promedio, 4,93 mm de MTD y 7,01 mm de ObDi.

In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D supplementation may be blurred in hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D supplementation under uremic conditions, both in vivo and in vitro, and its effects on the parameters of mineral metabolism. METHODS: Thirty-two hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo (N=14) or cholecalciferol (N=18) for six months. Serum levels of calcium, phosphate, total alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and vitamin D were measured at baseline and after three and six months. The levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured at baseline and at six months. Human monocytes were used for in vitro experiments and treated with cholecalciferol (150 nM) and uremic serum. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cathelicidin (CAMP) expression were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate assay, and real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: Both patient groups were clinically and biochemically similar at baseline. After six months, the levels of vitamin D and iPTH were higher and lower, respectively, in the cholecalciferol group than in the placebo group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the parameters of mineral metabolism, such as IL-1β and hs-CRP levels, in both groups. Treatment with uremic serum lowered the monocyte viability (p<0.0001) and increased ROS production (p<0.01) and CAMP expression (p<0.05); these effects were counterbalanced by cholecalciferol treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, cholecalciferol supplementation is an efficient strategy to ameliorate hypovitaminosis D in hemodialysis patients, but its beneficial effects on the control of secondary hyperparathyroidism are relatively unclear. Even though cholecalciferol exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, its short-term supplementation was not effective in improving the inflammatory profile of patients on hemodialysis, as indicated by the IL-1β and hs-CRP levels.

Influence of Different Time Intervals among the in-Office Bleaching Sessions on the Tooth Enamel Mass Variation / Influência do Intervalo de Tempo Entre as Sessões de Clareamento Profissional na Variação de Massa do Esmalte Dental

This study evaluated the effect of different time intervals between tooth bleaching sessions on the variation of tooth enamel mass, using a 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP35) gel. Twenty bovine incisor teeth were collected and cross-sectioned twice, leaving only the middle coronal portion. The dentin layer was removed, leaving only the buccal dental enamel. The samples were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 10): G1 (with a 7-day time interval between each bleaching session), and G2 (with a 2-day time interval between each bleaching session). Three bleaching sessions were performed for each group. Each specimen's mass was measured using an electronic analytical scale, first at the beginning of the experiments (T0), and then immediately after each bleaching intervention (T1, T2 and T3, respectively). All samples were stored in artificial saliva and kept in a biological chamber during the time of the study. The data analysis was performed using ANOVA for the related samples (p = 0.05). The results showed a reduction in the enamel mass values in G2 after the 3rd session when comparing to enamel mass values presented at the beginning of the study. On the other hand, G1 presented an increase in the mass values at the end of the third session, and these intragroup differences were statistically significant (p <0.001). It was concluded that bleaching treatment with 7-day intervals between sessions leads to no tooth enamel mass loss, whereas the reduced 2­day time interval between sessions caused a significant tooth enamel mass loss. (AU)

Este estudo avaliou a influência de diferentes intervalos de tempo entre as sessões de clareamento com peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (PH35) sobre a variação de massa do esmalte dental. Foram utilizados 20 dentes incisivos bovinos hígidos, seccionados em duas porções transversais, com a camada de dentina vestibular toda removida, restando apenas o esmalte dental vestibular. As amostras foram distribuídas em 2 grupos (n=10): G1 - intervalo de tempo de 7 dias entre as sessões de clareamento, e G2 - Intervalo de 2 dias entre as sessões de clareamento. Foram realizadas 3 aplicações de gel clareador em cada grupo. A pesagem dos espécimes foi realizada antes do início do tratamento clareador e ao final de cada intervenção clareadora, em uma balança analítica eletrônica. Os espécimes foram armazenados em saliva artificial, e mantidos em estufa biológica. Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA para amostras relacionadas (p=0.05). O G2 apresentou uma redução nos valores de massa do esmalte quando comparados os tempos antes do clareamento (T0 - 0.1650g) e após a 3° sessão (T3 - 0.1643g). Entretanto, o G1 apresentou um aumento nos valores de massa ao término da terceira sessão (T0 - 0.1615g e T3 - 0.1624g), sendo essas diferenças intragrupos estatisticamente significantes (p<0.001). Foi possível concluir que no clareamento com intervalo de 7 dias entre as sessões não houve perda de massa do esmalte dental, ao passo que quando reduzido o intervalo entre as sessões para 2 dias, uma perda significativa de massa foi observada. (AU)

Case report: is low α-Gal enzyme activity sufficient to establish the diagnosis of Fabry disease? / Relato de caso: a diminuição da enzimaα-Gal l é suficiente para estabelecer o diagnóstico?

Abstract Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease due to alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) deficient activity which leads to the accumulation of glucoesphingolipids, such as globotriaosilceramide. There are over 700 known mutations of the enzyme gene, and most of them cause Fabry Disease. This case report describes a hemodialysis patient with a rare and controversial GLA gene mutation, the D313Y. The medecial investigation confirmed that D313Y is an alpha-galactosidase A sequence variant that causes pseudo deficient enzyme activity in plasma but not Fabry disease. Thus, clinical symptoms that prompted Fabry disease investigation could not be attributable to Fabry disease and therefore enzyme replacement therapy was not indicated.

Resumo Doença de Fabry (DF) é uma doença de depósito lisossômico ligada ao cromossomo X, causada pela deficiência da enzima alfa-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) que leva ao acúmulo de glicoesfingolipídeos, principalmente globotriaosilceramide. Existem mais de 700 mutações conhecidas do gene da enzima, a maioria delas são causadoras de DF. Este relato de caso descreve sobre um paciente em hemodiálise com uma mutação do gene GLA rara e controversa, a D313Y. A investigação médica confirmou que D313Y é uma variante que leva à pseudodeficiência plasmática da enzima, mas não ocasiona DF. Assim, os sintomas clínicos que induziram a investigação da doença não devem ser atribuídos à DF e, portanto, não foi indicada a terapia de reposição enzimática.