Cancer screening in Portugal: sex differences in prevalence, awareness of organized programmes and perception of benefits and adverse effects.

BACKGROUND: Cancer screening has contributed to downward trends in cancer mortality, but is also associated with adverse effects, which highlights the importance of promoting the participation based on informed decisions. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the use of cancer screening (either in organized programmes or as opportunistic screening), awareness of organized programmes and perception of its potential benefits and adverse effects, depicting possible sex differences. DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated 1624 Portuguese-speaking dwellers, aged between 16 and 79 years, through face-to-face interviews. To quantify sex differences, adjusted prevalence ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals were computed using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Among eligible age groups, the lifetime prevalence of screening for breast and cervical cancers was 89.8 and 71.9%, respectively. The prevalence was 23.7% for colorectal cancer and no significant sex differences were observed. Prostate cancer screening was reported by 63.8% of men. Over half of the participants referred that cancers such as prostate, skin, lung and stomach should be screened for, in addition to those for which organized programmes are recommended. Reassurance by negative results was identified as the main potential benefit of screening by nearly one-third of men and women. Anxiety while waiting for results was the most mentioned potential adverse effect (60.4%); men refer less often this and financial costs, although statistical significance of these results was borderline. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a benchmark to plan and monitor the effects of awareness-raising interventions, as well as for international comparisons across countries with different cancer prevention and control structures.

Plasma corticotropin releasing hormone during the feeling of induced emotions.

OBJECTIVES: Central neuropeptides modulate behaviour. Plasma levels of neuropeptides may reflect central levels due to specific brain-to-blood transport systems. We purposed to show the modulation of plasma corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) levels in relation to induced emotions. DESIGN: Three groups were defined. For experimental groups A and B, an emotionally significant movie fragment was projected for 20 min, while no film projection occurred in group C. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected before, 10 and 60 min after the film or at 0 and 30 min for group C. Total CRH was measured in plasma. Personality was evaluated by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). RESULTS: Plasma CRH levels did not change in the condition with no movie projection - group C - 346 + or - 198 vs. 327 + or - 143 pg/mL. Plasma CRH levels dramatically increased with the projection of a dramatic movie - group A - 394 + or - 147 vs. 791 + or - 636 vs. 803 + or - 771 pg/mL, p<0.05. Plasma CRH increased less markedly in the condition with the projection of a comic movie - group B - 364 + or - 138 vs. 486 + or - 260 vs. 483 + or - 228 pg/mL, p<0.05 for differences between samples 1 and 3. Baseline plasma CRH was significantly and independently related to the neurotic triad and psychotic dyad - partial r=0.328 and 0.267, respectively, p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that plasma CRH levels increase with experimental emotion induction and that baseline levels are significantly related to behavioural traits. Plasma levels of neuropeptides may reflect central levels and may be useful in clinical medicine and in the study of behavioural disorders.

The impact of migration on body weight: a review.

Immigrants may be more vulnerable to obesity as a result of the immigration process. The aim of this article is to summarize current knowledge about the impact of immigration on body mass index (BMI). A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines through a database search of scientific articles (last updated in August 2014). Thirty-nine articles were included and assessed. Results varied according to ethnic background, country of origin and host country. A consistent positive association between BMI and time since immigration was found among Hispanic, European and African immigrants. Less than half of the studies observed a positive association among Asian immigrants. The quality of the majority of the studies assessed was poor, reflecting a need to improve methodology and concept definition. Immigration appears to have a deteriorative effect on BMI. Underlying causes may include changes in nutrition and physical activity, psychological and social factors, and genetic susceptibility and these aspects should be included as moderator variables in future studies.

[Endogenous hyperinsulinism: two diagnostic challenges]. / Hiperinsulinismo endógeno: dois desafios diagnósticos.

Hypoglycemia in apparently healthy adults is a rare finding in clinical practice requiring a thorough investigation of the cause. During the investigation, identification of hypoglycemia associated with inappropriately high levels of insulin and C-peptide should prompt the exclusion of rare causes of hypoglycemia, including pancreatic islet-cells disease and autoimmune hypoglycemia. In this paper, we describe two cases of hypoglycemia associated with endogenous hyperinsulinism, whose causes are uncommon in clinical practice, and review important aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

Rare and severe complications of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: We report the case of a patient with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency who presented with unusual anatomical and biochemical features, namely massively enlarged adrenal glands, adrenogenital rest tissue and an unexpected endocrine profile. The contribution of the adrenocortical cells in the adrenals and testicles was determined by a cosyntropin stimulation test before and after adrenalectomy. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of such a case in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the emergency room with an Addisonian crisis. He had been diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the neonatal period. He acknowledged poor adherence to treatment and irregular medical assistance. Physical examination revealed marked cutaneous and gingival hyperpigmentation, hypotension, and hard nodules in the upper pole of both testicles. Blood analysis showed mild anemia and hyponatremia and no evidence of acute infection. Endocrine evaluation showed very low cortisol levels, low dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and elevated corticotropin, 11-deoxycortisol and delta-4-androstenedione. The concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone was 20,400ng/dL. After the cosyntropin stimulation test the pattern was similar and there was no significant increase in cortisol or 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The abdominal computed tomography scan revealed grossly enlarged and heterogeneous adrenal glands (left, 12cm; and right, six cm). A bilateral adrenalectomy was performed and pathologic examination revealed adrenal myelolipomas with nodular cortical hyperplasia. The sonogram showed bilateral heterogeneous masses on the upper pole of both testes which corresponded to the nodular hyperplasia of adrenal rest tissues. The genetic study revealed compound heterozigoty (mutations R124H and R356W), suggestive of a phenotypically moderate disease. We performed a cosyntropin stimulation test after adrenalectomy. The steroidogenic profile displayed the same unusual features, indicating an important contribution from the adrenogenital cells. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates that congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency can progress to severe acute and chronic complications. The masses in the patient's adrenal glands and testicles resulted from chronically elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone and growth of adrenocortical cells. The basal and stimulated steroid profile, before and after adrenalectomy, revealed an unexpected pattern, suggesting significant contribution of the testicular adrenal cells to the steroidogenesis.

The impact of migration on body weight: a review / O impacto da migração no peso corporal: uma revisão / El impacto de la migración sobre el peso corporal: una revisión

Immigrants may be more vulnerable to obesity as a result of the immigration process. The aim of this article is to summarize current knowledge about the impact of immigration on body mass index (BMI). A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines through a database search of scientific articles (last updated in August 2014). Thirty-nine articles were included and assessed. Results varied according to ethnic background, country of origin and host country. A consistent positive association between BMI and time since immigration was found among Hispanic, European and African immigrants. Less than half of the studies observed a positive association among Asian immigrants. The quality of the majority of the studies assessed was poor, reflecting a need to improve methodology and concept definition. Immigration appears to have a deteriorative effect on BMI. Underlying causes may include changes in nutrition and physical activity, psychological and social factors, and genetic susceptibility and these aspects should be included as moderator variables in future studies.

A obesidade pode ser uma das características mais alteráveis no processo de migração. Pretendeu-se resumir a informação sobre o impacto da migração no índice de massa corporal (IMC). Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura de acordo com as diretrizes PRISMA, por meio de pesquisa eletrônica (última atualização em agosto de 2014). Foram incluídos e avaliados qualitativamente 39 artigos. A associação entre migração e evolução de IMC varia de acordo com o grupo étnico e países de origem/acolhimento. Imigrantes hispânicos, europeus e africanos apresentam relação consistente e positiva entre IMC e tempo de migração. Os imigrantes asiáticos apresentam associação positiva em menos da metade dos estudos. No geral, a qualidade dos estudos é fraca e há necessidade de melhorar conceitos e métodos. Parece existir um efeito deteriorativo da migração no IMC. Alterações nutricionais, de atividade física, fatores psicossociais e suscetibilidade genética podem ser motivos subjacentes a incluir como variáveis moderadoras em estudos futuros.

La obesidad puede ser una de las características más variables en el proceso de migración. En este estudio se pretendieron actualizar los conocimientos acerca de la relación entre migración e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Además, se procedió a una revisión sistemática de la literatura, de acuerdo con las directrices PRISMA, por búsqueda electrónica (actualizada en agosto de 2014). Se incluyeron 39 artículos y se analizaron cualitativamente. Los resultados variaron según el grupo étnico, el país de origen y acogida. Los inmigrantes hispanos, africanos y europeos mostraron una relación consistente y positiva entre el IMC y el tiempo de migración. Los inmigrantes asiáticos mostraron una asociación positiva en menos de la mitad de los estudios. Puede haber un efecto negativo de la migración sobre el IMC. Cambios nutricionales y de actividad física, factores psicosociales y la susceptibilidad genética pueden ser razones subyacentes que deben ser incluidas como variables moderadoras en estudios futuros.

Hiperinsulinismo endógeno: dois desafios diagnósticos / Endogenous hyperinsulinism: two diagnostic challenges

A hipoglicemia em um adulto aparentemente saudável é um achado raro na prática clínica que exige uma investigação exaustiva da causa. A identificação de glicemia plasmática diminuída associada a concentrações plasmáticas de insulina e peptídeo-C não suprimidos deverá levar à exclusão de causas raras de hipoglicemia, entre elas, doença das células betapancreáticas e hipoglicemia autoimune. Neste artigo, descrevemos dois casos de hipoglicemia associada a hiperinsulinismo endógeno, cujas causas são pouco habituais na prática clínica. A propósito desses casos clínicos revemos aspectos importantes de diagnósticos e tratamento da hipoglicemia no contexto de hiperinsulinismo endógeno.

Hypoglycemia in apparently healthy adults is a rare finding in clinical practice requiring a thorough investigation of the cause. During the investigation, identification of hypoglycemia associated with inappropriately high levels of insulin and C-peptide should prompt the exclusion of rare causes of hypoglycemia, including pancreatic islet-cells disease and autoimmune hypoglycemia. In this paper, we describe two cases of hypoglycemia associated with endogenous hyperinsulinism, whose causes are uncommon in clinical practice, and review important aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

Changes in the salivary protein profile of morbidly obese women either previously subjected to bariatric surgery or not

Saliva is a non-invasive source of biomarkers useful in the study of physiological mechanisms. Moreover, this fluid has diverse functions, among which food perception and ingestion, making it particularly suitable for the study of obesity. The aims of this study were to assess changes in salivary proteome among morbidly obese women, with a view to provide information about mechanisms potentially related to the development of obesity, and to evaluate whether these changes persist after weight loss. Mixed saliva samples from morbidly obese women (N = 18) who had been either subjected (group O-BS) or not (group O) to bariatric surgery and women with normal weight (N = 14; group C) were compared for protein profiles, alpha-amylase abundance and enzymatic activity, and carbonic anhydrase (CA) VI abundance. Differences in salivary obese profiles were observed for 23 different spots. Zinc-alpha-2 glycoprotein-containing spots showed higher abundance in group O only, whereas cystatin S-containing spots presented higher abundance in the two groups of obese subjects. Most of the spots identified as salivary amylase were present at lower levels in group O-BS. With regard to the amylase enzymatic activity, increases were observed for group O and decreases for group O-BS. One interesting finding was the high correlation between levels of CA VI and body mass index in group O, which was not observed for groups O-BS or C. The differences between groups, mainly regarding salivary proteins involved in taste sensitivity and metabolism, point to the potential of using saliva in the study of obesity development