The Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Antibiotics for the Treatment of Bronchiectasis in Adults: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled antibiotics are recommended conditionally by international bronchiectasis guidelines for the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis, but results of individual studies are inconsistent. A previous meta-analysis demonstrated promising results regarding the efficacy and safety of inhaled antibiotics in bronchiectasis. Subsequent publications have supplemented the existing body of evidence further in this area. RESEARCH QUESTION: To what extent do inhaled antibiotics demonstrate both efficacy and safety as a treatment option for adults with bronchiectasis?. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of inhaled antibiotics in adult patients with bronchiectasis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov for eligible studies. Studies were included if they enrolled adults with bronchiectasis diagnosed by CT imaging and had a treatment duration of at least 4 weeks. The primary end point was exacerbation frequency, with additional key efficacy end points including severe exacerbations, bacterial load, symptoms, quality of life, and FEV1. Data were pooled through random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty studies involving 3,468 patients were included. Inhaled antibiotics were associated with reduced number of patients with exacerbations (risk ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.96), a slight reduction in exacerbation frequency (rate ratio [RR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.91), a probable reduction in the frequency of severe exacerbations (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.31-0.74), and a likely slight increase in time to first exacerbation (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.94). Inhaled antibiotics likely lead to a slight increase in the Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis respiratory symptom score (2.51; 95% CI, 0.44-4.31) and may reduce scores on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (-3.13; 95% CI, -5.93 to -0.32). Bacterial load consistently was reduced, but FEV1 was not changed with treatment. Evidence suggests little to no difference in adverse effects between groups (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.75-1.30). Antibiotic-resistant organisms likely were increased by treatment. INTERPRETATION: Inhaled antibiotics result in a slight reduction in exacerbations, a probable reduction in severe exacerbations, and a likely slight improvement in symptoms and quality of life in adults with bronchiectasis. TRIAL REGISTRY: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; No.: CRD42023384694; URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.

Homens autores de homicídios femininos e feminicídios: análise de casos entre 2018 e 2019 na cidade de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil / Male perpetrators of female homicides and femicides: analysis of cases between 2018 and 2019 in the Campinas city, São Paulo, Brazil

Resumo A violência contra as mulheres em entornos domésticos e familiares tem raízes na desigualdade existente entre os gêneros. Estudos sobre autores de violência letal são necessários para uma compreensão ampliada do fenômeno. O objetivo do estudo é caracterizar os crimes dessa natureza e seus autores, mediante autópsias verbais realizadas com conhecidos e familiares de mulheres vítimas de homicídio na cidade de Campinas. No total, foram estudados 38 casos de homicídio feminino, dos quais 63,2% correspondem a feminicídios. A maioria dos responsáveis pelos crimes eram conhecidos (parceiros, cônjuges e namorados) nos casos de feminicídio, e desconhecidos (sujeitos cuja identidade foi ignorada) nos casos de homicídio feminino. As mortes ocorreram majoritariamente em entornos domésticos, sendo ocasionadas mediante o uso expressivo de violência e o emprego de objetos cortantes/perfurantes e armas de fogo. A fuga foi a conduta mais frequente depois da perpetração dos assassinatos. Os casos foram discutidos articulando intervenções voltadas para grupos reflexivos de masculinidade, centros de educação e reabilitação ou programas de recuperação, problematizando as dificuldades e ganhos no marco da Lei Maria da Penha.

Abstract Violence against women in domestic and family environments has its roots in the inequalities that exist between the genders. Studies on perpetrators of lethal violence are necessary for an expanded understanding of the phenomenon. This study aims to characterize the crimes of this nature and their perpetrators, with verbal autopsies carried out with acquaintances and relatives of women victims of homicide in Campinas. In total, we studied 38 cases of female homicide, of which 63.2% correspond to femicides. Most perpetrators were acquaintances (partners, spouses, and lovers) in the cases of feminicide, and not acquaintances (subjects whose identity was unknown) in the cases of female homicide. The deaths occurred mostly in domestic environments and were caused by the expressive use of violence and the use of sharp/perforating objects and firearms. Fleeing was the most frequent behavior after the perpetration of the murders. The cases are discussed articulating the interventions aimed at the reflexive groups of masculinities, educational and rehabilitation centers, or recovery programs, problematizing their difficulties and gains within the framework of Lei Maria da Penha.

Femicide in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil: Matched case-control study.

Amid the pandemic of violence against women, it is imperative to identify the contributing factors to lethal forms of violence against them. Femicides are the result of the intersection of variables that increase women's vulnerability. This study seeks to estimate the risk factors associated with death due to femicide in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. We considered sociodemographic variables, employment, exposure to violence, and psychoactive substance use. Our analysis employed conditional logistic regression. Using a case-control study design, we paired femicide cases with female controls from the general population, matching them by age and human development index, with a ratio of four controls per case. We analyzed 24 femicide cases and 96 controls. Women in the femicide group had lower educational attainment and were more likely to originate from outside the state of São Paulo. They predominantly held informal jobs, had experienced physical violence from intimate partners within the last 30 days, and exhibited higher alcohol, crack, and antidepressant consumption. Women in the femicide group reported more exposure to threats compared to those in the control group. Two variables significantly explained the likelihood of being a femicide case: a history of intimate partner violence in the last 30 days (OR 73.3, 95% CI: 8.1 to 661.7) and originating from outside the state of São Paulo (OR 6.5, 95% CI: 1.7 to 25.2). In this text, we discuss the findings and methodological challenges encountered in researching lethal violence against women.

Oxygen in interstitial lung diseases.

Domiciliary oxygen is essential in the care of hypoxaemic interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. Guidelines concur in advising prescription of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for ILD patients with severe hypoxaemia at rest, in view of its beneficial impact on breathlessness/disability and extrapolating potential survival benefits seen in COPD patients. A less severe hypoxaemia threshold for initiation of LTOT is recommended for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH)/right heart failure, requiring careful evaluation in all ILD patients. In light of evidence suggesting a link between nocturnal hypoxaemia, development of PH and poor survival, studies assessing the impact of nocturnal oxygen are urgently needed. Severe exertional hypoxaemia is frequent in ILD patients, with impact on exercise tolerance, quality of life and mortality. Ambulatory oxygen therapy (AOT) has been associated with improvement in breathlessness and quality of life in ILD patients with exertional hypoxaemia. However, given the paucity of evidence, not all current AOT guidelines are in agreement. Ongoing clinical trials will provide further useful data. Despite its beneficial effects, supplemental oxygen imposes burdens and challenges to patients. A key unmet area of need is the development of less cumbersome and more efficient oxygen delivery systems to reduce the negative impact of AOT on patients' lives.

Risk of Femicide and Quality of Life Assessment of Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Violence against women is a public priority issue for epidemiological and public health sciences. Severe consequences of violence affect the quality of life of women victims. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact in the quality of life of the strengthening group in women victims of intimate partner violence who attend a reference violence center in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Method: Quasi-experimental before and after the study was designed. The danger assessment and WHOQOL-BREF scales were applied at admission, after 3 and 6 months. Descriptive and statistical analysis of the variables was carried out to verify the difference between the measurements in the quality of life domains. Results: Seventy-eight victims of intimate partner violence participated in the study. The most prevalent violence was psychological (96.2%), physical (79.5%), and moral (67.7%). Three months after participating in the strengthening group, there was an improvement in the 4 domains of quality of life, significantly in the psychological (p=0.032) and physical (p=0.006) domains. More than half of the participants were classified at the extreme level of risk of femicide (51.3%). The study was stopped early because of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: With the available data collected, the strengthening group proved to be a strategy that positively impacts the quality of life of women victims of intimate partner violence.

Risk and protective factors for suicide: a populational case-control study, Brazil, 2019.

OBJETIVE: To estimate risk and protection factors associated with suicide in Campinas, Brazil, in 2019. METHODS: This is a populational case-control study analyzing 83 cases of suicide that occurred in 2019 in Campinas, a Brazilian city with about 1.2 million inhabitants. Controls were composed of 716 inhabitants. An adjusted multiple logistic regression was used. Cases and controls were the dichotomous response variables. Sociodemographic and behavioral variables were the predictor variables. RESULTS: The categories which presented higher risk of suicide were: males [OR = 5.26 (p < 0.001)]; people aged 10-29 years [OR = 5.88 (p = 0.002)]; individuals without paid work [OR = 3.06 (p = 0.013)]; individuals presenting problematic use of alcohol [OR = 33.12 (p < 0.001)] and cocaine [14.59 (p < 0.007)]; and people with disabilities [OR = 3.72 (p < 0.001)]. Moreover, the perception of fear was associated with reduced suicide risk [OR = 0.19 (p = 0.015)]. Higher district HDI levels also showed a 4% decrease in risk for each 0.01 increase in district HDI levels [OR = 0.02 (p = 0.008)]. CONCLUSIONS: This study evidenced the association between sociodemographic and behavioral variables and suicide. It also emphasized the complexity in the dynamics between personal, social, and economic factors to this external cause of death.

Analysis of femicide cases in Campinas, SP, Brazil, from 2018 to 2019 through the ecological model of violence. / Análise de casos de feminicídio em Campinas, SP, Brasil, entre 2018 e 2019 por meio do modelo ecológico da violência.

Lethal violence against women is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon in which a wide number of factors intersect and converge to make a femicide happen at a specific time and place. The main factors that contributed to the occurrence of femicides in the city of Campinas were identified from January 2018 to December 2019. Interviews were conducted with family members, friends, neighbors, witnesses, and health agents about 24 femicides using the verbal autopsy technique. The autopsies were supplemented, when possible, with information from the media and clinical autopsy reports. For the data analysis process, narratives of the cases were carried out, recovering the most important aspects of the verbal autopsies and organizing the factors found in the four levels of the ecological model of violence used by the World Health Organization: individual, relational, community, and social. The analysis was structured in categories following a deductive approach. Starting from particular cases delimited in time (2018 and 2019) and in space (municipality of Campinas) it is expected to understand the phenomenon of femicide in its broadest dimension.

A violência letal contra a mulher é um fenômeno complexo e multidimensional no qual interseccionam e confluem um amplo número de fatores para que aconteça um feminicídio em um momento e lugar específico. Identificaram-se os principais fatores que contribuíram na ocorrência de feminicídios na cidade de Campinas no período de janeiro de 2018 a dezembro de 2019. Foram feitas entrevistas com membros da família, amigos, vizinhos, testemunhas e agentes de saúde sobre 24 casos de feminicídio utilizando a técnica da autópsia verbal. As autópsias foram complementadas, quando possível, com informações veiculadas na mídia e informes de autópsia clínica. Para o processo de análise de dados, foram realizadas narrativas dos casos resgatando os aspectos mais importantes das autópsias verbais e organizando os fatores encontrados nos quatro níveis do modelo ecológico da violência utilizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde: individual, relacional, comunitário e social. Estruturou-se a análise em categorias seguindo uma abordagem dedutiva. Partindo de casos particulares delimitados no tempo (2018 e 2019) e no espaço (a cidade de Campinas), espera-se compreender o fenômeno da violência letal contra as mulheres em sua dimensão mais ampla.

Análise de casos de feminicídio em Campinas, SP, Brasil, entre 2018 e 2019 por meio do modelo ecológico da violência / Analysis of femicide cases in Campinas, SP, Brazil, from 2018 to 2019 through the ecological model of violence

Resumo A violência letal contra a mulher é um fenômeno complexo e multidimensional no qual interseccionam e confluem um amplo número de fatores para que aconteça um feminicídio em um momento e lugar específico. Identificaram-se os principais fatores que contribuíram na ocorrência de feminicídios na cidade de Campinas no período de janeiro de 2018 a dezembro de 2019. Foram feitas entrevistas com membros da família, amigos, vizinhos, testemunhas e agentes de saúde sobre 24 casos de feminicídio utilizando a técnica da autópsia verbal. As autópsias foram complementadas, quando possível, com informações veiculadas na mídia e informes de autópsia clínica. Para o processo de análise de dados, foram realizadas narrativas dos casos resgatando os aspectos mais importantes das autópsias verbais e organizando os fatores encontrados nos quatro níveis do modelo ecológico da violência utilizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde: individual, relacional, comunitário e social. Estruturou-se a análise em categorias seguindo uma abordagem dedutiva. Partindo de casos particulares delimitados no tempo (2018 e 2019) e no espaço (a cidade de Campinas), espera-se compreender o fenômeno da violência letal contra as mulheres em sua dimensão mais ampla.

Abstract Lethal violence against women is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon in which a wide number of factors intersect and converge to make a femicide happen at a specific time and place. The main factors that contributed to the occurrence of femicides in the city of Campinas were identified from January 2018 to December 2019. Interviews were conducted with family members, friends, neighbors, witnesses, and health agents about 24 femicides using the verbal autopsy technique. The autopsies were supplemented, when possible, with information from the media and clinical autopsy reports. For the data analysis process, narratives of the cases were carried out, recovering the most important aspects of the verbal autopsies and organizing the factors found in the four levels of the ecological model of violence used by the World Health Organization: individual, relational, community, and social. The analysis was structured in categories following a deductive approach. Starting from particular cases delimited in time (2018 and 2019) and in space (municipality of Campinas) it is expected to understand the phenomenon of femicide in its broadest dimension.

Risk and protective factors for suicide: a populational case-control study, Brazil, 2019

ABSTRACT OBJETIVE To estimate risk and protection factors associated with suicide in Campinas, Brazil, in 2019. METHODS This is a populational case-control study analyzing 83 cases of suicide that occurred in 2019 in Campinas, a Brazilian city with about 1.2 million inhabitants. Controls were composed of 716 inhabitants. An adjusted multiple logistic regression was used. Cases and controls were the dichotomous response variables. Sociodemographic and behavioral variables were the predictor variables. RESULTS The categories which presented higher risk of suicide were: males [OR = 5.26 (p < 0.001)]; people aged 10-29 years [OR = 5.88 (p = 0.002)]; individuals without paid work [OR = 3.06 (p = 0.013)]; individuals presenting problematic use of alcohol [OR = 33.12 (p < 0.001)] and cocaine [14.59 (p < 0.007)]; and people with disabilities [OR = 3.72 (p < 0.001)]. Moreover, the perception of fear was associated with reduced suicide risk [OR = 0.19 (p = 0.015)]. Higher district HDI levels also showed a 4% decrease in risk for each 0.01 increase in district HDI levels [OR = 0.02 (p = 0.008)]. CONCLUSIONS This study evidenced the association between sociodemographic and behavioral variables and suicide. It also emphasized the complexity in the dynamics between personal, social, and economic factors to this external cause of death.

The Nutritional Status of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbators.

Introduction: Malnutrition is underdiagnosed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of COPD patients and the link between dyspnea and nutritional status. Methods: This longitudinal observational study included patients hospitalized with exacerbated COPD. Nutritional status was assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, anthropometric, and biochemical assessments, in the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Results: Thirty patients were evaluated. According to the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, half of the patients were at increased risk of malnutrition. 36.7% were classified as malnourished if we only considered the body mass index. From the evaluation of the tricipital skin fold, 69.0% were classified as malnourished, with 48.3% having severe malnutrition. According to the serum albumin level, 29.6% had malnutrition criteria. A significant association between dyspnea and increasing age (p=0.037) was found. There was a strong association between the fold classification and the degrees of severity of dyspnea (Fisher exact test: 13.60, p=0.001, V Cramer = 0.826). Most patients were malnourished and had higher grades of dyspnea. Tricipital skinfold reflects subcutaneous adipose tissue; this anthropometric measurement seems to be a good method to classify the nutritional status of COPD patients. It classified the biggest portion of patients as malnourished. Conclusion: The number of patients classified as malnourished changed with the method under analysis. The tricipital skin fold parameter was strongly associated with the dyspnea score. Most patients had adipose tissue and muscular mass depletion.

Beyond the skin - A rare case of primary pulmonary melanoma and endobronchial aspergilloma.

Melanoma is an aggressive skin tumor, but it may be present in other locations. Primary lung melanoma and endobronchial aspergilloma are rare entities. The authors report a case of a 72-year-old, asthmatic woman, with worsening of her respiratory complaints. Imaging revealed finger in glove sign at the left hemithorax. Bronchoscopy revealed an elongated mass with evidence of Aspergillus. Despite endoscopic mass removal, the patient maintained the nodular imaging at the left hemithorax. She underwent thoracic surgery, and the histological evaluation identified malignant melanoma. After undergoing a thorough evaluation, we excluded other melanocytic lesions, and assumed the diagnosis of primary malignant lung melanoma. This case demonstrates a rare association between endobronchial aspergilloma and primary lung melanoma, raising awareness of considering the co-existence of lung tumor in the presence of endobronchial aspergilloma, and showing endobronchial aspergilloma mimicking malignant lesions.

[Burning witches: feminism and intimate femicides by burning in a Brazilian metropolis]. / Queima às bruxas: feminismo e feminicídios íntimos por queimadura em uma metrópole brasileira.

Feminicide configured as the murder of women due to unequal power relations. It is a growing reality that generates problems and exposes unequal gender, ethnic, and class relationships that culminate in extreme violence and death. This paper analyzes three femicide cases by burning that occurred in Campinas (SP), Brazil, from 2018 to 2019. This is a qualitative study that employed the verbal autopsy method to collect information and narratives to describe the cases. The circumstances of the women's deaths were discussed, integrating in the discussion the concepts of feminism, the symbolic representation of fire, intersectionality, patriarchy, and its implications from the perspective of collective health.

O feminicídio se configura como assassinato de mulheres em decorrência das relações desiguais de poder. É uma realidade crescente, que gera agravos e expõe relações de gênero, raça e classe desiguais, que culminam em violência extrema e morte. Objetiva-se analisar três casos de feminicídio por queimaduras ocorridos na cidade de Campinas (SP) durante os anos de 2018-2019. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo que usou o método de autópsia verbal para o levantamento de informações e utilizou narrativas para descrever os casos. Foram discutidas as circunstâncias da morte das mulheres, integrando na discussão os conceitos de feminismos, a representação simbólica do fogo, a interseccionalidae, o patriarcado e suas implicações a partir do olhar da saúde coletiva.

Domínios analisados na avaliação da resiliência em indivíduos com doenças cardiovasculares crônicas: revisão de escopo / Domains analyzed in the assessment of resilience in individuals with chronic cardiovascular diseases: a scoping review / Dominios analizados en la evaluación de la resiliencia en individuos con enfermedades cardiovasculares crónicas: revisión de escopo

OBJETIVO: Mapear as evidências científicas sobre os instrumentos utilizados na avaliação da resiliência em indivíduos adultos com doenças cardiovasculares crônicas e explorar seus domínios. MÉTODO: Revisão de escopo para responder à questão: Quais os instrumentos ou questionários utilizados para avaliação da resiliência em indivíduos adultos com doenças cardiovasculares crônicas? Foi realizada pesquisa nas bases de dados LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed, CINAHL e literatura cinzenta. Os estudos foram adicionados ao gerenciador Mendeley e a seleção realizada por dois revisores independentes (Kappa=0.86). RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 164 estudos e incluídos 14, sendo utilizados seis instrumentos para avaliação da resiliência. A avaliação da resiliência ocorreu em indivíduos com cardiopatia isquêmica, infarto do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral e insuficiência cardíaca. CONCLUSÃO: Os instrumentos não são adaptados para uso em indivíduos com doenças cardiovasculares crônicas. Faz-se necessária a formulação de instrumentos específicos que contemplem domínios individuais, mas que considerem o contexto social deste indivíduo.

OBJECTIVE: To map the scientific evidence on the instruments used to assess resilience in adult individuals with chronic cardiovascular disease, and explore their domains. METHOD: A scoping review to meet the question: What are the instruments or questionnaires used to assess resilience in adult individuals with chronic cardiovascular disease? The search was conducted in LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed, CINAHL databases and the grey literature. Studies were uploaded to Mendeley and the selection was performed by two independent reviewers (Kappa=0.86). RESULTS: A total of 164 studies were identified and 14 were included; six instruments were used to assess resilience. The resilience assessment occurred in individuals with ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. CONCLUSION: The instruments were not adapted for use in individuals with chronic cardiovascular diseases. The development of specific instruments that include individual domains and consider the social context of these individuals is necessary.

OBJETIVO: Mapear la evidencia científica sobre los instrumentos utilizados para evaluar la resiliencia en adultos con enfermedades cardiovasculares crónicas y explorar sus dominios. MÉTODO: Revisión de escopo para responder a la pregunta: ¿Que instrumentos o cuestionarios se utilizan para evaluar la resiliencia en personas adultas con enfermedades cardiovasculares crónicas? Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed, CINAHL y literatura gris. Los estudios fueron agregados al medidor Mendeley y la selección fue realizada por dos revisores independientes (Kappa=0.86). RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 164 estudios y se incluyeron 14, utilizando seis instrumentos para evaluar la resiliencia. La evaluación de la resiliencia se llevó a cabo en personas con cardiopatía isquémica, infarto del miocardio, accidente vascular cerebral e insuficiencia cardíaca. CONCLUSIÓN: Los instrumentos no están adaptados para su uso en personas con enfermedades cardiovasculares crónicas. Es necesario formular instrumentos específicos que contemplen dominios individuales, pero que consideren el contexto social de este individuo.

Queima às bruxas: feminismo e feminicídios íntimos por queimadura em uma metrópole brasileira / Burning witches: feminism and intimate femicides by burning in a Brazilian metropolis

Resumo O feminicídio se configura como assassinato de mulheres em decorrência das relações desiguais de poder. É uma realidade crescente, que gera agravos e expõe relações de gênero, raça e classe desiguais, que culminam em violência extrema e morte. Objetiva-se analisar três casos de feminicídio por queimaduras ocorridos na cidade de Campinas (SP) durante os anos de 2018-2019. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo que usou o método de autópsia verbal para o levantamento de informações e utilizou narrativas para descrever os casos. Foram discutidas as circunstâncias da morte das mulheres, integrando na discussão os conceitos de feminismos, a representação simbólica do fogo, a interseccionalidae, o patriarcado e suas implicações a partir do olhar da saúde coletiva.

Abstract Feminicide configured as the murder of women due to unequal power relations. It is a growing reality that generates problems and exposes unequal gender, ethnic, and class relationships that culminate in extreme violence and death. This paper analyzes three femicide cases by burning that occurred in Campinas (SP), Brazil, from 2018 to 2019. This is a qualitative study that employed the verbal autopsy method to collect information and narratives to describe the cases. The circumstances of the women's deaths were discussed, integrating in the discussion the concepts of feminism, the symbolic representation of fire, intersectionality, patriarchy, and its implications from the perspective of collective health.

Salmonella empyema an unusual infection - A case report.

Pleuropulmonary Samonella infections are very rare and are associated with high mortality. We present a case of empyema to Salmonella in an 83-year-old male patient, with uncontrolled hematological disease. The patient presented with a one-week history of fever, productive cough with purulent sputum, dyspnea, and pleuritic pain localized to the right hemithorax. He denied having nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. No history of smoking or respiratory diseases. Chest imaging showed a right loculated pleural effusion with adjacent parenchymal consolidation. Blood test revealed anemia without leukocytosis with elevated C-reactive protein (36.2 mg/dL). A chest tube was placed, with drainage of purulent fluid and empiric antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone and clindamycin was started. Pleural fluid and blood cultures were positive for Salmonella serotype Enteritidis. The stool cultures were negative. Due to slow improvement, clindamycin was suspended and ciprofloxacin was initiated. The patient showed clinical and laboratory improvement. After seven weeks of antibiotic therapy, he presented with negative blood cultures and significant imaging improvement. The patient was discharged. This case describes a positive outcome in an unusual infection with a high mortality caused by non-typhoid Salmonella.

From the Heart to the Lung: A Case of Drug Toxicity.

BACKGROUND Amiodarone is an anti-arrthymic drug used to treat and prevent several types of dysrhythmias. This drug is known for multiple-organ toxicity. Lung toxicity occurs in about 1% to 5% of cases. A wide variety of lung manifestations have been described, from mild to severe forms. Pulmonary toxicity can be acute, sub-acute, or chronic. Amiodarone-induced lung toxicity is a diagnosis of exclusion. The main treatment is discontinuation of the drug. Lung disease may progress initially due to the prolonged half-life and the accumulation of amiodarone in adipose tissue. Regarding the prognosis, lung toxicity can be reversible, but in some cases, it is irreversible and is sometimes fatal. The risks associated with its use must always be considered. Amiodarone should only be used for short periods. CASE REPORT The authors present a case of a 71-year-old female patient, taking amiodarone 200 mg/day for 18 months. The patient presented with amiodarone-induced lung toxicity. After drug withdrawal, without corticosteroid therapy, we observed clinical, functional, and radiological improvement. CONCLUSIONS This case shows that not all cases of amiodarone-induced lung toxicity require corticosteroid therapy, and highlights that is important to consider this diagnosis in patients on amiodarone therapy with respiratory symptoms.

Hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic modulation after an acute concurrent exercise circuit in older individuals with pre- to established hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have investigated whether post-exercise hypotension (PEH) after concurrent exercise (CEX) is related to changes in cardiac output (Q) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) in older individuals. We tested whether PEH after a single bout of CEX circuits performed in open-access facilities at the Third Age Academies (TAA) in Rio de Janeiro City (Brazil) would be concomitant with decreased Q and SVR in individuals aged ≥60 years with prehypertension. Moreover, we assessed autonomic modulation as a potential mechanism underlying PEH. METHODS: Fourteen individuals (age, 65.8±0.9 y; systolic/diastolic blood pressure [SBP/DBP], 132.4±12.1/72.8±10.8 mmHg; with half of the patients taking antihypertensive medications) had their blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), Q, SVR, HR variability (HRV), and spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) recorded before and 50 min after CEX (40-min circuit, including seven stations of alternate aerobic/resistance exercises at 60-70% HR reserve) and non-exercise control (CONT) sessions. The study protocol was registered in a World Health Organization-accredited office (Trial registration RBR-7BWVPJ). RESULTS: SBP (Δ=-14.2±13.1 mmHg, p=0.0001), DBP (Δ=-5.2±8.2 mmHg, p= 0.04), Q (Δ=-2.2±1.5 L/min, p=0.0001), and BRS (Δ=-3.5±2.6 ms/mmHg; p=0.05) decreased after CEX as compared with the CONT session. By contrast, the HR increased (Δ=9.4±7.2 bpm, p<0.0001), and SVR remained stable throughout the postexercise period as compared with the CONT session (Δ=0.10±0.22 AU, p=0.14). We found no significant difference between the CEX and CONT with respect to the HRV indexes reflecting autonomic modulation. CONCLUSION: CEX induced PEH in the older individuals with prehypertension status. At least in the first 50 min, PEH occurred parallel to the decreased Q and increased HR, while SVR was not different. The changes in autonomic outflow appeared to be unrelated to the acute cardiac and hemodynamic responses.

Hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic modulation after an acute concurrent exercise circuit in older individuals with pre- to established hypertension

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have investigated whether post-exercise hypotension (PEH) after concurrent exercise (CEX) is related to changes in cardiac output (Q) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) in older individuals. We tested whether PEH after a single bout of CEX circuits performed in open-access facilities at the Third Age Academies (TAA) in Rio de Janeiro City (Brazil) would be concomitant with decreased Q and SVR in individuals aged ≥60 years with prehypertension. Moreover, we assessed autonomic modulation as a potential mechanism underlying PEH. METHODS: Fourteen individuals (age, 65.8±0.9 y; systolic/diastolic blood pressure [SBP/DBP], 132.4±12.1/72.8±10.8 mmHg; with half of the patients taking antihypertensive medications) had their blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), Q, SVR, HR variability (HRV), and spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) recorded before and 50 min after CEX (40-min circuit, including seven stations of alternate aerobic/resistance exercises at 60-70% HR reserve) and non-exercise control (CONT) sessions. The study protocol was registered in a World Health Organization-accredited office (Trial registration RBR-7BWVPJ). RESULTS: SBP (Δ=−14.2±13.1 mmHg, p=0.0001), DBP (Δ=−5.2±8.2 mmHg, p= 0.04), Q (Δ=−2.2±1.5 L/min, p=0.0001), and BRS (Δ=−3.5±2.6 ms/mmHg; p=0.05) decreased after CEX as compared with the CONT session. By contrast, the HR increased (Δ=9.4±7.2 bpm, p<0.0001), and SVR remained stable throughout the postexercise period as compared with the CONT session (Δ=0.10±0.22 AU, p=0.14). We found no significant difference between the CEX and CONT with respect to the HRV indexes reflecting autonomic modulation. CONCLUSION: CEX induced PEH in the older individuals with prehypertension status. At least in the first 50 min, PEH occurred parallel to the decreased Q and increased HR, while SVR was not different. The changes in autonomic outflow appeared to be unrelated to the acute cardiac and hemodynamic responses.