Salivary proteome analysis of crack cocaine dependents.

OBJECTIVE: Salivary proteomic analysis may help to understand physiopathological changes in crack cocaine dependents. This study aimed to compare the salivary protein profile between crack cocaine dependents and non-drug users. DESIGN: Nine heavy smokers and alcohol consumers men admitted to rehab due to crack cocaine abuse and nine non-drug users age-matched men were evaluated. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected. Proteomic analysis was performed by mass spectrometer. Data were processed using ProteinLynx GlobalServer software. Results were obtained by searching the Homo sapiens database from the UniProt catalog. The search tool IBI-IMIM was used to identify proteins candidates for biomarkers. RESULTS: The mean age of crack cocaine and control groups was 36.89 ±â€¯7.78 and 35.78 ±â€¯6.68 years, respectively. 458 salivary proteins were identified in both groups; 305 proteins in the crack cocaine group. Among the 68 proteins presented in both groups, 29 were down-regulated (i.e. "Statherin" and "Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3" were down-regulated at least 10-fold) and 27 up-regulated (i.e. "Negative elongation factor" was up-regulated 19-fold) in the crack cocaine group compared to controls. 90 out of the 458 proteins found in the proteomic analysis were identified as candidates for biomarkers of diseases. Among these, 65 (72.22 %) were detected in the crack cocaine group. CONCLUSION: Crack cocaine dependents with chronic alcohol and tobacco use have a higher number of proteins in saliva compared to non-drug users. 22.3 % of salivary proteins present in crack cocaine dependents were present in controls; 3.9 % of them were expressed in similar quantity.

Viscoelastic haemostatic assays in the perioperative period of surgical procedures: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Viscoelastic Haemostatic Assays (VHA) to guide transfusions in patients undergoing surgical procedures. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials up until June 5, 2019. SETTING: Hospitalized patients. INTERVENTIONS: VHAs compared to the Standard-Of-Care (SOC), which are represented by standard laboratory tests and/or clinical decisions. MEASUREMENTS: Primary - Risk of death, acute kidney injury, thrombotic events and reoperation for bleeding; Secondary - Risk of use of red blood cells (RBC), platelets, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), fibrinogen, factor VIIa, prothrombin complex, volume of RBC, platelets and FFP, length of hospital stay, and length of ICU stay. RESULTS: VHAs were associated to a statistically significant reduction in mortality (7.3% vs. 12.1%; RR = 0.64, p-value = 0.03), risk of acute kidney injury (10.5% vs. 17.6%; RR = 0.53, p-value = 0.005), volume of red blood cells (RBCs) transfused (MD = -1.63 U, p-value = 0.02), risk of platelet transfusion (23.9% vs. 27.3%; RR = 0.74, p-value = 0.006), risk of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion (RR = 0.57, p-value = 0.001), and volume of FFP transfused (MD = -0.90, p-value = 0.0003). No significant differences were observed in terms of thrombotic events, reexploration for bleeding, RBC transfusion, volume of platelets transfused, use of fibrinogen, prothrombin complex, or factor VIIa, length of hospitalization and length of ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Viscoelastic haemostatic assays are safe and efficacious for coagulation control in patients undergoing surgical procedures, therefore it should be considered for use in practice.

Hallmarks of Aging: An Autophagic Perspective.

Autophagy is a major protein turnover pathway by which cellular components are delivered into the lysosomes for degradation and recycling. This intracellular process is able to maintain cellular homeostasis under stress conditions, and its dysregulation could lead to the development of physiological alterations. The autophagic activity has been found to decrease with age, likely contributing to the accumulation of damaged macromolecules and organelles during aging. Interestingly, failure of the autophagic process has been reported to worsen aging-associated diseases, such as neurodegeneration or cancer, among others. Likewise, it has been proposed in different organisms that maintenance of a proper autophagic activity contributes to extending longevity. In this review, we discuss recent papers showing the impact of autophagy on cell activity and age-associated diseases, highlighting the relevance of this process to the hallmarks of aging. Thus, understanding how autophagy plays an important role in aging opens new avenues for the discovery of biochemical and pharmacological targets and the development of novel anti-aging therapeutic approaches.

Pandemia do vírus influenza A H1N1: experiência da abordagem pediátrica no Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG / Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 virus: pediatric experience in the Clinical Hospital of UFMG

Introdução: apresenta-se revisão histórica com as características do vírus influenza A H1N1 e a evolução da pandemia. Objetivos: observar o comportamento da população pediátrica e comparar temporalmente as ações e as recomendações dos protocolos do Ministério da Saúde vigentes em cada momento. Métodos: trata-se de estudo descritivo das ações tomadas pelo Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas para atendimento hospitalar e ambulatorial pediátrico dos casos suspeitos ou confirmados de infecção pelo novo vírus. Resultados: nas publicações mundiais atuais, a infecção pelo vírus influenza A H1N1 na faixa pediátrica mostrou ter mais gravidade nos pacientes com comorbidades. A evolução das crianças que não apresentavam comorbidades foi semelhante à da influenza sazonal. Conclusões: é importante o levantamento de dados brasileiros no preparo para uma possível segunda onda de infecção por esse vírus ou outro mutante. (AU)

Introduction: This is a historical review of the influenza A vírus H1N1 subtype and the pandemic evolution. Objectives: To observe the behavior of the pediatric population and to compare over time the actions and recommendations of the protocols of the Ministério da Saúde in effect at any time. Methods: This is a descriptive study of the actions taken by the Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais for hospital and outpatient pediatric cases of suspected or confirmed infection by this new virus. Results: The current publications worldwide show that the infection with influenza A H1N1 in pediatric patients was shown to be more serious in patients with comorbidities. The development of children who had no comorbidities was similar to seasonal influenza. Conclusions: Data collection in Brazil is important in preparation for a possible second infection stage by this virus or other mutants. (AU)