Asthma, allergic sensitization and lung function in sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary disease is a frequent acute and chronic manifestation in sickle cell disease (SCD), presenting high morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence and association of asthma, allergic sensitization and altered pulmonary function in patients with SCD (SS and Sßo). METHODS: A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 70 patients with SCD and 44 controls, aged six to 18 years, responded to the questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), complemented with an anamnesis regarding the associated clinical outcomes. All patients underwent immediate hypersensitivity skin tests with aeroallergens and a pulmonary function evaluation (spirometry). Regarding the statistical analysis, parametric and non-parametric methods were used, depending on the variables studied. Tests were considered significant when p<0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the patients and controls regarding the prevalence of asthma and allergic sensitization (p>0.05). The number of occurrences of acute chest syndrome per patient per year was significantly higher for asthmatic patients than for non-asthmatic patients (p=0.04). Obstructive pulmonary function occurred in 30.9% of the patients and in 5.4% of the controls, and restrictive pulmonary function occurred in 5.5% of the patients and 5.4% of the controls. Asthma and wheezing in the last 12months had significant associations with obstructive pulmonary function (p=0.014 and p=0.027, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of asthma, allergic sensitization and alteration in lung function in patients with SCD reinforces the importance of routine monitoring of these diagnoses, which allows for early treatment and prevention of the evolution of pulmonary disease in adulthood.

Complete Blood Count in Children With COVID-19: A Predictor of Disease Severity.

Blood count abnormalities are frequent in patients with severe COVID-19 disease and there is still a lack of information in pediatric complete blood count (CBC) results. Thus, this study aims to correlate the CBC in the emergency room of children with COVID-19 between 0 and 10 years old and the clinical severity of the disease. A retrospective cohort study was performed in children with COVID-19 who collected at the emergency room CBC, C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil to monocyte ratio (NMR), lymphocyte to neutrophil ratio (LNR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), monocyte to neutrophil ratio (MNR) and monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR). In total, demographic data from 93 children with median age of 19 months (0.3-126), 60.2% males, were included. The main changes in the CBC were atypical lymphocytes (51.6%) and eosinopenia (49.5%). From 69 hospitalized children, 21 were considered severe. There was no association between age, gender, and CRP value with clinical severity. The presence of underlying disease was five times higher (odds ratio [OR] = 5.08) in patients who required hospitalization and a higher NLR value was 54% (OR = 1.54) more likely to occur. Eosinopenia was three times more frequent in inpatients with disease severity criteria (OR = 3.05). In conclusion, children younger than 10 years of age with COVID-19 have changes in the CBC collected in the emergency room, mainly atypical lymphocytes and eosinopenia. The presence of a comorbidity or a higher NLR increases the chance of hospitalization. In addition, eosinopenia was a predictor of severity in inpatient children due to COVID-19.

Clinical and laboratory differences between pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected or not by SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify clinical and complete blood count differences between pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected or not by SARS-CoV-2 and compare the complete blood count of patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 before hospitalization and on admission. METHODS: This study was a single-center prospective cohort. Data were collected from medical records of pediatric inpatients with sickle cell disease under 18 years old infected or not with SARS-CoV-2 from the first visit to the hospital until discharge and from the last medical appointment. All patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among 57 pediatric patients with sickle cell disease hospitalized from March to November 2020 in a Brazilian academic hospital, 11 (19.3%) had a positive result for SARS-CoV-2. Patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 had a higher prevalence of comorbidities than the ones who were not infected (63.6 vs. 30.4%; p=0.046). During hospital stay, no clinical or complete blood count differences between groups were found. There was a decrease in eosinophil count on hospital admission in patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 (p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 had more comorbidities and had a decrease in eosinophil count between hospital admission and the last medical appointment.

Clinical and laboratory differences between pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected or not by SARS-CoV-2 / Diferenças clínicas e laboratoriais entre pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados com doença falciforme infectados ou não por SARS-CoV-2

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to identify clinical and complete blood count differences between pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected or not by SARS-CoV-2 and compare the complete blood count of patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 before hospitalization and on admission. Methods: This study was a single-center prospective cohort. Data were collected from medical records of pediatric inpatients with sickle cell disease under 18 years old infected or not with SARS-CoV-2 from the first visit to the hospital until discharge and from the last medical appointment. All patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Among 57 pediatric patients with sickle cell disease hospitalized from March to November 2020 in a Brazilian academic hospital, 11 (19.3%) had a positive result for SARS-CoV-2. Patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 had a higher prevalence of comorbidities than the ones who were not infected (63.6 vs. 30.4%; p=0.046). During hospital stay, no clinical or complete blood count differences between groups were found. There was a decrease in eosinophil count on hospital admission in patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 (p=0.008). Conclusions: Pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 had more comorbidities and had a decrease in eosinophil count between hospital admission and the last medical appointment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar diferenças clínicas e laboratoriais entre pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados com doença falciforme infectados ou não por SARS-CoV-2 e comparar o hemograma completo de pacientes com doença falciforme infectados por SARS-CoV-2 antes da hospitalização e durante a admissão. Métodos: Coorte prospectiva unicêntrica, cujos dados foram coletados em prontuários de pacientes pediátricos internados com doença falciforme, menores de 18 anos, infectados ou não com SARS-CoV-2, desde a primeira visita ao hospital até a alta e desde a última consulta médica. Todos os pacientes foram testados para SARS-CoV-2 pela transcrição reversa seguida de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real. Resultados: Dos 57 pacientes pediátricos com doença falciforme internados de março a novembro de 2020 em um hospital universitário brasileiro, 11 (19,3%) apresentaram resultado positivo para SARS-CoV-2. Pacientes infectados pelo SARS-CoV-2 apresentaram maior prevalência de comorbidades do que aqueles não infectados (63,6 vs. 30,4%; p=0,046). Durante a internação hospitalar, não foram encontradas diferenças clínicas ou laboratoriais entre os grupos. Houve diminuição da contagem de eosinófilos na admissão hospitalar em pacientes com doença falciforme infectados pelo SARS-CoV-2 (p=0,008). Conclusões: Pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados com doença falciforme infectados pelo SARS-CoV-2 apresentaram mais comorbidades e diminuição da contagem de eosinófilos entre a admissão hospitalar e a última consulta médica.

Ultrastructural characterization of craniopharyngioma at the tumor boundary: A structural comparison with an experimental toxic model using "oil machinery" fluid, with emphasis on Rosenthal fibers.

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are cystic, encapsulated, slow-growing epithelial tumors. CPs can be aggressive forms invading and resorting surrounding structures of adjacent brain tissue, where Rosenthal fibers (RFs) are expressed. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of these fibers in human biopsies and compare it with an experimental toxic model produced by the cortical infusion of the oil cyst fluid ("Oil machinery" fluid or OMF) from CPs to rats. For this purpose, the CPs from ten patients were examined by light and electron microscopy. OMF was administered to rats intracortically. Immunohistochemical detection of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin was assessed. In both freshly obtained CPs and rat brain tissue, the presence of abundant cellular debris, lipid-laden macrophages, reactive gliosis, inflammation and extracellular matrix destruction were seen. Ultrastructural results suggest focal pathological disturbances and an altered microenvironment surrounding the tumor-brain junction, with an enhanced presence of RFs in human tumors. In contrast, in the rat brain different degrees of cellular disorganization with aberrant filament-filament interactions and protein aggregation were seen, although RFs were absent. Our immunohistochemical findings in CPs also revealed an enhanced expression of GFAP and vimentin in RFs at the peripheral, but not at the central (body) level. Through these findings we hypothesize that the continuous OMF release at the CPs boundary may cause tissue alterations, including damaging of the extracellular matrix, and possibly contributing to RFs formation, a condition that was not possible to reproduce in the experimental model. The presence of RFs at the CPs boundary might be considered as a major criterion for the degree of CPs invasiveness to normal tissue. The lack of RFs reactivity in the experimental model reveals that the invasive component of CPs is not present in the OMF, although the fluid per se can exert tissue damage.

El estado epiléptico no convulsivo en el paciente geriátrico / Non convulsive epileptic status in the geriatric patient

Resumen: El estado epiléptico no convulsivo como diagnóstico diferencial de delirio es una enfermedad clínica cada más prevalente en la población geriátrica. Su manifestación se ha relacionado con múltiples factores de riesgo; la confusión es la manifestación clínica inicial en 49% de los pacientes, que interfiere en su calidad de vida y funcionalidad. El diagnóstico diferencial con el delirio es esencial debido a ser clínicamente similar, por lo que descartar factores predisponentes y precipitantes y corregir causas reversibles forma parte del manejo inicial. El electroencefalograma con correlación clínica establece el diagnóstico de acuerdo con el tipo de manifestación de estado epiléptico no convulsivo. El diagnóstico correcto permite su identificación y confirmación tempranas para otorgar el tratamiento anticonvulsivo ideal basado en la edad del paciente, comorbilidades y trastornos psiquiátricos acompañantes que permiten al paciente geriátrico disminuir su morbilidad y mortalidad y preservar su funcionalidad.

Abstract: The non-convulsive epileptic status (NCES) as a differential diagnosis of delirium is an increasingly prevalent clinical entity in the geriatric population. Its presentation has been linked to many risk factors and confusion is the initial clinical manifestation in up to 49% of the patients which interferes with their quality of life and conditions disability. Differential diagnosis with delirium is essential because its similarity, so discard predisposing and precipitating factors and correct reversible causes is part of the initial management. The electroencefalogram (EEG) with clinical correlation establishes the diagnosis according to the type of non-convulsive epileptic status presentation. Diagnostic suspicion allows the identification and early confirmation, for choosing the ideal anticonvulsant treatment based on the patient's age, comorbidities and psychiatric disorders in the geriatric patients, to reduce morbidity and mortality and preserve their functionality.

Can predation by invasive mice drive seabird extinctions?

The house mouse, Mus musculus, is one of the most widespread and well-studied invasive mammals on islands. It was thought to pose little risk to seabirds, but video evidence from Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean shows house mice killing chicks of two IUCN-listed seabird species. Mouse-induced mortality in 2004 was a significant cause of extremely poor breeding success for Tristan albatrosses, Diomedea dabbenena (0.27 fledglings/pair), and Atlantic petrels, Pterodroma incerta (0.33). Population models show that these levels of predation are sufficient to cause population decreases. Unlike many other islands, mice are the only introduced mammals on Gough Island. However, restoration programmes to eradicate rats and other introduced mammals from islands are increasing the number of islands where mice are the sole alien mammals. If these mouse populations are released from the ecological effects of predators and competitors, they too may become predatory on seabird chicks.

Disponibilidad y barreras para el acceso a opioides en Colombia: experiencia de una institución universitaria / Access and barriers to access to opioids in Colombia: the patientþs perspective

Introducción: El consumo de opioides es uno de los indicadores de la calidad de alivio de dolor de un país. Colombia presenta un bajo consumo de opioides para uso médico, debido a diferentes factores a lo largo de una cadena de distribución, cuyo usuario final es el paciente. Identificar las barreras que los pacientes encuentran para acceder a dichos medicamentos, permitirá sugerir soluciones. Métodos: Mediante una encuesta estructurada se determinaron las barreras para acceder a los opioides de pacientes con dolor crónico que asistieron a una consulta ambulatoria de dolor en una institución hospitalaria en Colombia. Resultados: Se encuestaron 24 pacientes entre 40 y 59 años. El 67 por ciento tuvo problemas para obtener el medicamento; 33 por ciento reportó problemas de autorización con sus aseguradoras; 33 por ciento tuvo inconvenientes con el sitio de entrega del medicamento; 17 por ciento tuvo problemas con la información sobre cómo hacer el trámite y, 17, problemas con la fórmula médica...

Introduction: Opioid consumption is one of the indicators of pain relief in a country. According to data from the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Colombia reported a consumption significantly lower than the global average. Problems related with opioid distribution impairs the patient´s access. Therefore it is important to identify the barriers from the patient´s perspective in order to suggest improving initiatives. Methods: a structured survey was designed to find barriers for opioid analgesics access in an ambulatory chronic pain clinic in Colombia. Results: 24 patients were surveyed. 67 percent of the patients reported difficulties to obtain opioid medication; 33 percent had problems with the health maintenance organizations policies; 33 percent had problems with the dispensation; 17 percent had information issues about getting the medication; 17 percent had trouble with prescription...

Evaluation of Capacity for Implementation of Pediatric-to-Adult Care Transition for Sickle Cell Disease in Brazil

Implementation of HCT programs is a high priority in Brazil, given the growing survival rates for children with SCD. Our data highlights a well-connected community of healthcare workers, but also reveals that the current level of HCT activities for SCD in Brazil is low. This underscores the urgent need for transition intervention. The key facilitators for successful HCT implementation in Brazil are strong leadership and a motivated workforce. However, community participation and finances are weak points that require implementation strategies during program implementation. Compared to the US, both Brazilian institutions scored significantly lower on all components needed for transition, emphasizing the need for intervention. This project is the first to evaluate the readiness for HCT implementation in a low- and middle-income country. Designing a context-specific HCT program that suits low-resource settings will improve outcomes for individuals with SCD in the country. (AU)

Diferenças clínicas, epidemiológicas e biológicas entre o câncer na criança e no adulto / Clinical, epidemiological and biological differences between cancer in children and in adults

O câncer representa hoje a primeira causa de morte por doença entre a populaçÝo de faixa etária compreendida entre 1 e 21 anos nos Estados Unidos e em outros países economicamente desenvolvidos. No Brasil, esta doença figura como a terceira causa de morte por doença entre a populaçäo de faixa etária compreendida entre 1 e 14 anos, sendo já a primeira causa de óbito no município e no estado de Säo Paulo no grupo etário compreendido entre 5 e 14 anos, excluindo-se acidentes e causas externas. O objetivo deste artigo é informar a classe médica, principalmente a pediátrica, das particularidades do câncer infantil e de suas diferenças com as formas dos adultos, mais conhecidas e freqüentes. Graças à moderna abordagem multidisciplinar, o câncer infantil pode atingir índices de cura de 60 porcento a 70 porcento, mas, para tal, é imprescindível o diagnóstico precoce. Portanto, é importante que toda a comunidade pediátrica mostre-se motivada e informada sobre os sinais e sintomas das neoplasias pediátricas, já que näo dispomos de métodos de "screening" täo úteis e eficazes como para o controle do câncer do adulto.