Renal deficit and associated factors in children born with low birth weight.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney problems may be due to low birth weight alone or may occur in association with other conditions. The objective this study was to evaluate the association between maternal and birth characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and kidney function deficit in low birth weight infants. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with children who were born weighing < 2500 grams and were under outpatient follow-up. Maternal factors investigated were prenatal care and presence of hypertension, diabetes, and infection during pregnancy. The children's variables were sex, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, use of nephrotoxic medications, age, body weight at the time of evaluation, height, and serum creatinine and cystatin C dosages. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with the combined Zapittelli equation. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for identification of associated factors, with renal function deficit (GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Of the 154 children evaluated, 34.42% had kidney function deficit. Most of them had a gestational age > 32 weeks (56.6%), a mean birth weight of 1439.7 grams, and mean estimated GFR of 46.9 ± 9.3 mL/min/1.73 m2. There was a significant association of GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with children's current weight and use of nephrotoxic drugs. DISCUSSION: Children born with low birth weight had a high prevalence of kidney function deficit and current normal weight was a protective factor while the use of nephrotoxic drugs during perinatal period increased the chance of kidney deficit. These findings reinforce the need to evaluate the kidney function in these children, especially those who use nephrotoxic drugs.

Strandings of cetaceans on the Espírito Santo coast, southeast Brazil, 1975-2015.

Espírito Santo state is located on the eastern margin of Brazil, in a transitional tropical-subtropical area (18°S-21°S) dominated by oligotrophic waters. With the exception of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), the cetacean community of Espírito Santo has been understudied. In addition to the chronic impacts from fisheries, marine pollution, urban development, and coastal habitat degradation, in November 2015 the cetacean communities of Espírito Santo were challenged by the greatest environmental disaster in Brazil's history. The Mariana dam disaster caused 60 million cubic meters of mining waste to be washed into the Doce River, which ultimately flowed to the coastal waters of Espírito Santo, with a high concentration of heavy metals. This study reviews and updates information on cetacean strandings in the state of Espírito Santo (excluding humpback whales) prior to this disaster. From 1975 to September 2015, there were 461 recorded cetacean strandings, representing 20 species. An average 1.18 strandings per 100 km per month were recorded since a state-wide daily beach survey program was implemented in October 2010, contrasting with the 0.14 strandings per 100 km per month in previous years. Six species comprised the majority (94.7%) of stranding events: Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), Franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). Oceanic cetaceans stranded most frequently on the southern portion of Espírito Santo, where the continental platform is narrower, whereas the strandings of coastal cetaceans such as Guiana dolphins and Franciscanas were concentrated near estuaries, especially the Doce River. This is particularly concerning in face of the Mariana dam disaster, which drastically altered the estuarine and coastal environment associated with the Doce River.

Antimyotoxic Activity of Synthetic Peptides Derived from Bothrops atrox Snake Gamma Phospholipase A2 Inhibitor Selected by Virtual Screening.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have aimed to identify molecules that inhibit the toxic actions of snake venom phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). Studies carried out with PLA2 inhibitors (PLIs) have been shown to be efficient in this assignment. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to analyze the interaction of peptides derived from Bothrops atrox PLIγ (atPLIγ) with a PLA2 and to evaluate the ability of these peptides to reduce phospholipase and myotoxic activities. METHODS: Peptides were subjected to molecular docking with a homologous Lys49 PLA2 from B. atrox venom modeled by homology. Phospholipase activity neutralization assay was performed with BthTX-II and different ratios of the peptides. A catalytically active and an inactive PLA2 were purified from the B. atrox venom and used together in the in vitro myotoxic activity neutralization experiments with the peptides. RESULTS: The peptides interacted with amino acids near the PLA2 hydrophobic channel and the loop that would be bound to calcium in Asp49 PLA2. They were able to reduce phospholipase activity and peptides DFCHNV and ATHEE reached the highest reduction levels, being these two peptides the best that also interacted in the in silico experiments. The peptides reduced the myotubes cell damage with a highlight for the DFCHNV peptide, which reduced by about 65%. It has been suggested that myotoxic activity reduction is related to the sites occupied in the PLA2 structure, which could corroborate the results observed in molecular docking. CONCLUSION: This study should contribute to the investigation of the potential of PLIs to inhibit the toxic effects of PLA2s.

Renal deficit and associated factors in children born with low birth weight / Déficit renal e fatores associados em crianças nascidas com baixo peso

ABSTRACT Introduction: Kidney problems may be due to low birth weight alone or may occur in association with other conditions. The objective this study was to evaluate the association between maternal and birth characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and kidney function deficit in low birth weight infants. Methods: Cross-sectional study with children who were born weighing < 2500 grams and were under outpatient follow-up. Maternal factors investigated were prenatal care and presence of hypertension, diabetes, and infection during pregnancy. The children's variables were sex, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, use of nephrotoxic medications, age, body weight at the time of evaluation, height, and serum creatinine and cystatin C dosages. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with the combined Zapittelli equation. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for identification of associated factors, with renal function deficit (GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) as the dependent variable. Results: Of the 154 children evaluated, 34.42% had kidney function deficit. Most of them had a gestational age > 32 weeks (56.6%), a mean birth weight of 1439.7 grams, and mean estimated GFR of 46.9 ± 9.3 mL/min/1.73 m2. There was a significant association of GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with children's current weight and use of nephrotoxic drugs. Discussion: Children born with low birth weight had a high prevalence of kidney function deficit and current normal weight was a protective factor while the use of nephrotoxic drugs during perinatal period increased the chance of kidney deficit. These findings reinforce the need to evaluate the kidney function in these children, especially those who use nephrotoxic drugs.

RESUMO Introdução: Problemas renais podem ser devido apenas ao baixo peso ao nascer ou podem ocorrer em associação com outras condições. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação entre características maternas e de nascimento, medidas antropométricas e déficit da função renal em bebês de baixo peso ao nascer. Métodos: Estudo transversal com crianças que nasceram com peso < 2500 gramas e estavam sob acompanhamento ambulatorial. Os fatores maternos investigados foram cuidados pré-natal e presença de hipertensão, diabetes e infecção durante a gravidez. As variáveis das crianças foram sexo, idade gestacional, peso ao nascer, índice Apgar, uso de medicamentos nefrotóxicos, idade, peso corporal no momento da avaliação, altura e dosagens séricas de creatinina e cistatina C. A taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) foi estimada com a equação combinada de Zapittelli. Utilizou-se um modelo de regressão logística multivariada para identificação de fatores associados, com déficit da função renal (TFG < 60 mL/min/1,73 m2) como variável dependente. Resultados: Das 154 crianças avaliadas, 34,42% apresentaram déficit da função renal. A maioria tinha idade gestacional > 32 semanas (56,6%), peso médio ao nascer de 1439,7 gramas, e TFG média estimada de 46,9 ± 9,3 mL/min/1,73 m2. Houve uma associação significativa da TFG < 60 mL/min/1,73 m2 com o peso atual das crianças e o uso de medicamentos nefrotóxicos. Discussão: Crianças nascidas com baixo peso apresentaram alta prevalência de déficit da função renal e o peso atual normal foi um fator de proteção, enquanto o uso de medicamentos nefrotóxicos durante o período perinatal aumentou a chance de déficit renal. Estes achados reforçam a necessidade de avaliar a função renal destas crianças, especialmente aquelas que usam medicamentos nefrotóxicos.

Effects of therapeutic approach on the neonatal evolution of very low birth weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of treatment approach on the outcomes of newborns (birth weight [BW] < 1,000 g) with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), from the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network (BNRN) on: death, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH III/IV), retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgical (ROPsur), necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery (NECsur), and death/BPD. METHODS: This was a multicentric, cohort study, retrospective data collection, including newborns (BW < 1000 g) with gestational age (GA) < 33 weeks and echocardiographic diagnosis of PDA, from 16 neonatal units of the BNRN from January 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2011. Newborns who died or were transferred until the third day of life, and those with presence of congenital malformation or infection were excluded. Groups: G1 - conservative approach (without treatment), G2 - pharmacologic (indomethacin or ibuprofen), G3 - surgical ligation (independent of previous treatment). Factors analyzed: antenatal corticosteroid, cesarean section, BW, GA, 5 min. Apgar score < 4, male gender, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE II), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), late sepsis (LS), mechanical ventilation (MV), surfactant (< 2 h of life), and time of MV. OUTCOMES: death, O2 dependence at 36 weeks (BPD36wks), IVH III/IV, ROPsur, NECsur, and death/BPD36wks. STATISTICS: Student's t-test, chi-squared test, or Fisher's exact test; Odds ratio (95% CI); logistic binary regression and backward stepwise multiple regression. Software: MedCalc (Medical Calculator) software, version 12.1.4.0. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 1,097 newborns were selected and 494 newborns were included: G1 - 187 (37.8%), G2 - 205 (41.5%), and G3 - 102 (20.6%). The highest mortality was observed in G1 (51.3%) and the lowest in G3 (14.7%). The highest frequencies of BPD36wks (70.6%) and ROPsur were observed in G3 (23.5%). The lowest occurrence of death/BPD36wks occurred in G2 (58.0%). Pharmacological (OR 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14-0.62) and conservative (OR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.79) treatments were protective for the outcome death/BPD36wks. CONCLUSION: The conservative approach of PDA was associated to high mortality, the surgical approach to the occurrence of BPD36wks and ROPsur, and the pharmacological treatment was protective for the outcome death/BPD36wks.

Effects of therapeutic approach on the neonatal evolution of very low birth weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus / Efeitos da abordagem terapêutica da persistência de canal arterial sobre a evolução neonatal de recém-nascidos de extremo baixo peso

Objetivo: analisar os efeitos da terapêutica adotada para o canal arterial (CA) em recém-nascidos (RN) < 1.000gadmitidos em unidades neonatais (UN) da Rede Brasileira de PesquisasNeonatais (RBPN), sobre os desfechos: óbito, displasia broncopulmonar (DBP), hemorragiaintraventricular grave (HIVIII/IV), retinopatia da prematuridade cirúrgica (ROPcir), enterocolitenecrosante cirúrgica (ECNcir) e o desfecho combinado óbito e DBP.Métodos: estudo multicêntrico, de coorte, coleta de dados retrospectiva, incluindo RN de 16UN da RBPN de 01/01/2010 a 31/12/2011, PN < 1.000 g, idade gestacional (IG) < 33 semanase diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de PCA. Excluídos: óbitos ou transferências até o terceiro diade vida, infecc¸ões congênitas ou malformac¸ões. Grupos: G1 --- conservadora (sem intervenc¸ãomedicamentosa ou cirúrgica), G2 --- farmacológica (indometacina ou ibuprofeno) e G3 --- cirúrgico(com ou sem tratamento farmacológico anterior). Analisou-se: uso de esteroide antenatal, partocesárea, PN, IG, Apgar5' < 4, sexo masculino, SNAPPE II, síndrome do dDesconforto respiratório (SDR), sepse tardia, ventilac¸ão mecânica (VM), surfactante < 2 horas de vida, tempo de VMe os desfechos: óbito, dependência de oxigênio com 36 semanas (DBP36s), HIV III/IV, ROPcir,ECNcire óbito/DBP36s. Estatística: Teste t-Student, Qui-Quadrado ou teste Exato de Fisher.Testes de Regressão Binária Logística e Regressão Múltipla Stepwise Backward. MedCalc (MedicalCalculator) software, versão 12.1.4.0.p < 0,05.Resultados: foram selecionados 1.097 RN e 494 foram incluídos: G1-187 (37,8%), G2-205 (41,5%)e G3-102 (20,6%). Verificou-se: maior mortalidade (51,3%) no G1 e menor no G3(14,7%); maiorfrequência DBP36s(70,6%) e ROPcir(23,5%) no G3; maior frequência de óbito/DBP36sno G2(58,0%). As abordagens farmacológica (OR-0,29; 95%, IC-0,14-0,62) e conservadora (OR-0,34;95%, IC- 0,14-0,79) foram protetoras somente para o desfecho óbito/DBP36sem.Conclusão: em RN com PCA, a abordagem conservadora relacionou-se à maior mortalidade,a cirúrgica à ocorrência de DBP36se ROPcir., enquanto o tratamento farmacológico mostrou-seprotetor para o desfecho óbito/DBP 36sem.

Effects of therapeutic approach on the neonatal evolution of very low birth weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus / Efeitos da abordagem terapêutica da persistência de canal arterial sobre a evolução neonatal de recém-nascidos de extremo baixo peso

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of treatment approach on the outcomes of newborns (birth weight [BW] < 1,000 g) with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), from the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network (BNRN) on: death, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH III/IV), retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgical (ROPsur), necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery (NECsur), and death/BPD. METHODS: This was a multicentric cohort study, retrospective data collection, including newborns (BW < 1000 g) with gestational age (GA) < 33 weeks and echocardiographic diagnosis of PDA, from 16 neonatal units of the BNRN from January 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2011. Newborns who died or were transferred until the third day of life, and those with presence of congenital malformation or infection were excluded. Groups: G1 - conservative approach (without treatment), G2 - pharmacologic (indomethacin or ibuprofen), G3 - surgical ligation (independent of previous treatment). Factors analyzed: antenatal corticosteroid, cesarean section, BW, GA, 5 min. Apgar score < 4, male gender, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE II), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), late sepsis (LS), mechanical ventilation (MV), surfactant (< 2 h of life), and time of MV. Outcomes: death, O2 dependence at 36 weeks (BPD36wks), IVH III/IV, ROPsur, NECsur, and death/BPD36wks. Statistics: Student's t-test, chi-squared test, or Fisher's exact test; Odds ratio (95% CI); logistic binary regression and backward stepwise multiple regression. Software: MedCalc (Medical Calculator) software, version 12.1.4.0. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 1,097 newborns were selected and 494 newborns were included: G1 - 187 (37.8%), G2 - 205 (41.5%), and G3 - 102 (20.6%). The highest mortality was observed in G1 (51.3%) and the lowest in G3 (14.7%). The highest frequencies of BPD36wks (70.6%) ...

OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos da terapêutica adotada para o canal arterial (CA) em recém-nascidos (RN) < 1.000gadmitidos em unidades neonatais (UN) da Rede Brasileira de Pesquisas Neonatais (RBPN), sobre os desfechos: óbito, displasia broncopulmonar (DBP), hemorragia intraventricular grave (HIVIII/IV), retinopatia da prematuridade cirúrgica (ROPcir), enterocolite necrosante cirúrgica (ECNcir) e o desfecho combinado óbito e DBP. MÉTODOS: Estudo multicêntrico, de coorte, coleta de dados retrospectiva, incluindo RN de 16 UN da RBPN de 01/01/2010 a 31/12/2011, PN < 1.000 g, idade gestacional (IG) < 33 semanas e diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de PCA. Excluídos: óbitos ou transferências até o terceiro dia de vida, infecções congênitas ou malformações. Grupos:G1 - conservadora (sem intervenção medicamentosa ou cirúrgica), G2 - farmacológica (indometacina ou ibuprofeno) e G3 - cirúrgico (com ou sem tratamento farmacológico anterior). Analisou-se: uso de esteroide antenatal, parto cesárea, PN, IG, Apgar5' < 4, sexo masculino, SNAPPE II, síndrome do dDesconforto respiratório (SDR), sepse tardia, ventilação mecânica (VM), surfactante < 2 horas de vida, tempo de VM e os desfechos: óbito, dependência de oxigênio com 36 semanas (DBP36s), HIV III/IV, ROPcir, ECNcir e óbito/DBP36s. Estatística: Teste t-Student, Qui-Quadrado ou teste Exato de Fisher. Testes de Regressão Binária Logística e Regressão Múltipla Stepwise Backward. MedCalc (Medical Calculator) software, versão 12.1.4.0.p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 1.097 RN e 494 foram incluídos: G1-187 (37,8%), G2-205 (41,5%) e G3-102 (20,6%). Verificou-se: maior mortalidade (51,3%) no G1 e menor no G3(14,7%); maior frequência DBP36s (70,6%) e ROPcir (23,5%) ...

Tratamento conservador dos tumores malignos do ânus / Preservative treatment of malignant tumors of the anus

De julho de 1982 a junho de 1985, foram analisados 18 pacientes portadores de tumores do ânus tratados no Instituto Nacional de Câncer, utilizando associaçäo de radioterapia e quimioterapia. Treze pacientes apresentavam lesäo em canal anal e dois deles foram excluídos da análise final. A margem anal foi sede do tumor primário em cinco pacientes. A quimioterapia utilizou Mitomicina C e 5-Fluorouraci, e o tratamento pelas irradiaçöes utilizou doses de 4.500 a 5.000 rads em 25 fraçöes, com reforço de 1.000 rads/5 fraçöes a 2.000 rads/10 fraçöes. A taxa de controle loco-regional com o tratamento conservador foi de 62,5% (10/16 pacientes) com um período de seguimento mediano de oito meses e 24 meses para margem anal e canal anal, respectivamente. Quando associada a cirurgia, esta taxa de controle foi de 81,2%. A freqüência e o tipo de complicaçöes observadas foram equivalentes àquelas encontradas na literatura. Näo houve óbitos conseqüentes ao tratamento