Advancing Chikungunya Diagnosis: A Cost-Effective and Rapid Visual employing Loop-mediated isothermal reaction.

The diagnosis of Chikungunya (CHIKV), along with the simultaneous monitoring of virus circulation in the population or vectors, is essential for global health. Although effective diagnostic methods for CHIKV, such as RT-qPCR, exist, their utilization is constrained by high costs. With the aim of contributing to the field of diagnostics, we have developed a diagnostic assay using isothermal amplification technology with visually interpretable results. This test can detect the virus within a maximum timeframe of 30 minutes. The detection limit of RT-LAMP CHIKV was found to be 66 copies of RNA molecules (Ct ≅ 31.28), and no cross-reactivity with other arboviruses was observed. During test validation, our assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 80.43%, specificity of 100%, and an overall accuracy of 88.89%. By utilizing more cost-effective reagents and equipment compared to RT-qPCR, this test holds the potential for broader application and enhanced accessibility, particularly in point-of-care settings.

Paving the way for affordable and equitable liposomal amphotericin B access worldwide.

Amphotericin B has long been crucial for treating many serious infectious diseases, such as invasive fungal infections and visceral leishmaniasis, particularly for patients who are immunocompromised, including those with advanced HIV infection. The conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate formulation has largely been replaced in high-income countries with liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB), which has many advantages, including lower rates of adverse events, such as nephrotoxicity and anaemia. Despite an evident need for LAmB in low-income and middle-income countries, where mortality from invasive fungal infections is still substantial, many low-income and middle-income countries still often use the amphotericin B deoxycholate formulation because of a small number of generic formulations and the high price of the originator LAmB. The pricing of LAmB is also highly variable between countries. Overcoming supply barriers through the availability of additional quality-assured, generic formulations of LAmB at accessible prices would substantially facilitate equitable access and have a substantial effect on mortality attributable to deadly fungal infections.

Wrist Circumference Cutoff Points for Determining Excess Weight Levels and Predicting Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults.

(1) Background: An elevated wrist circumference may indicate excess weight and cardiometabolic risk. The present study aims to identify wrist circumference cutoff points (WrC) to determine excess weight levels and predict cardiometabolic risk in adults. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults aged 20 to 59 years old, attending the outpatient clinic at University Hospital/Federal University of Sergipe HU/UFS-EBSERH. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure (BP) data were collected. Cardiometabolic risk was assessed, according to the global risk score (ERG) and Framingham score criteria. The descriptive analysis included calculating medians and frequencies of anthropometric, demographic, biochemical, and blood pressure variables. The gender and age of adult groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Spearman's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the association between wrist circumference (WrC) and the variables mentioned above. The predictive validity of WrC in identifying excess weight levels and cardiometabolic risk was analyzed using the ROC curve. The sample consisted of 1487 adults aged 20 to 59 years, 55.7% of whom were female; (3) Results: WrC correlated positively with other adiposity indicators such as waist circumference and Body Mass Index. WrC was the anthropometric indicator most significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. WrC cutoff points identified by the study for determining excess weight were categorized by gender and age group. For males aged 20 to 40 years and >40 years, respectively, the cutoff points for overweight were 17.1 cm and 17.3 cm, and for obesity, 17.9 cm and 17.5 cm. For females aged 20 to 40 years and >40 years, respectively, the cutoff points for overweight were 15.6 cm and 15.4 cm, and for obesity, 16.1 cm and 16 cm (4). Conclusions: Wrist circumference showed a significant correlation with other adiposity indicators and can be used to identify adults with excess weight and predict cardiometabolic risk.

Combinatorial analysis of ACE and ACE2 polymorphisms reveals protection against COVID-19 worsening: A genetic association study in Brazilian patients.

Since angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, ACE2, was identified as the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and considering the intense physiological interplay between the two angitensinases isoforms, ACE and ACE2, as counter-regulatory axis of the renin-angiotensin system, we proposed the evaluation of polymorphisms in these two key regulators in relation to COVID-19 severity. A genetic association study involving 621 COVID-19 hospitalized patients from Brazil was performed. All subjects had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 via RT-PCR. Patients were categorized into two groups: the "mild" group (N = 296), composed of individuals hospitalized in ward beds who progressed to cure, and the "severe" group (N = 325), composed of individuals who required hospitalization in an intensive care unit (ICU), or who died. Blood samples were genotyped for ACE I/D polymorphism and ACE2 G8790A polymorphism by real-time PCR via TaqMan assay. The analysis of combined polymorphisms revealed a protective role for genotypic profile II/A_ (ORA = 0,26; p = 0,037) against the worsening of COVID-19 in women. The results indicate a protection profile to COVID-19 progression, in which the II/A_ carriers have almost four times less chance of a severe outcome. It is proposed that a decreased activity of ACE (deleterious effects) in conjunction with an increased ACE2 activity (protective effects), should be the underlying mechanism. The findings are unprecedented once other studies have not explored the genotypic combination analysis for ACE and ACE2 polymorphisms and bring perspectives and expectations for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic based on definitions of genetically-based risk groups within the context of personalized medicine.

The impact of bariatric and metabolic surgery on the morbidity and mortality of patients infected during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Since the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020, several studies have shown a strong relationship between obesity and severe cases of COVID-19. It is imperative to assess whether bariatric surgery exerts a protective effect in such cases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of bariatric surgery on the morbidity and mortality in obese patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive search was performed using the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort studies conducted in the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), Brazil. METHODS: The search comprised the following descriptors: "bariatric, surgery, COVID-19". Current retrospective cohort studies that examined the influence of bariatric surgery on the morbidity and mortality of obese patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were considered eligible. RESULTS: After removing duplicates, 184 studies were obtained from the databases. Of these, 181 were excluded from the analysis as they did not meet the eligibility criteria. Patients undergoing postoperative follow-up of bariatric surgery had a similar probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population, and persistent comorbidities were associated with an increased risk and severity of infection. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has a protective effect against severe COVID-19 in the obese population, bringing the prevalence of severe disease cases to levels equivalent to those of the nonobese general population, with a positive impact on morbidity and mortality.

Genomic analysis of an extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST312 harbouring IncU plasmid-mediated blaKPC-2 isolated from ascitic fluid.

OBJECTIVES: The Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) is disseminated worldwide mostly by plasmids. However, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa chromosomal mutations are more frequently responsible for resistance to carbapenems than the acquisition of mobile elements harbouring carbapenemases genes. Indeed, although uncommon, KPC-2-producing P. aeruginosa has appeared more frequently, including in Brazil. Here we report the first genomic analysis of a plasmid-mediated KPC-2 in an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa isolated in Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI 2020 guidelines. The genome was sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform and the data were analysed using SPAdes and Prokka. In silico predictions were fulfilled using curated bioinformatics tools. RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain MIMA_PA2.1 (JACGTM000000000) was classified as XDR, belongs to sequence type 312 (ST312) and harbours the blaKPC-2 gene located on a small (7975 bp) IncU plasmid. This plasmid showed 86.3% identity with a non-conjugative plasmid (KC609322) carrying the blaKPC-2 gene from a multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (ST1006) from Colombia isolated in 2006. Besides the blaKPC-2 gene, other resistance genes to ß-lactams, aminoglycosides, phenicol, fosfomycin and quinolones were detected, the last two also associated with mobile genetic elements other than the IncU plasmid described here. CONCLUSION: This is the first genomic report of the presence of the blaKPC-2 gene carried by Pseudomonas in Southern Brazil and highlights the adaptability of blaKPC-2 to different mobile elements. This draft genome might be useful for comparative genomic analyses to monitor the spread of plasmid-mediated blaKPC in P. aeruginosa in Latin America.

The impact of bariatric and metabolic surgery on the morbidity and mortality of patients infected during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Since the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020, several studies have shown a strong relationship between obesity and severe cases of COVID-19. It is imperative to assess whether bariatric surgery exerts a protective effect in such cases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of bariatric surgery on the morbidity and mortality in obese patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive search was performed using the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort studies conducted in the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), Brazil. METHODS: The search comprised the following descriptors: "bariatric, surgery, COVID-19". Current retrospective cohort studies that examined the influence of bariatric surgery on the morbidity and mortality of obese patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were considered eligible. RESULTS: After removing duplicates, 184 studies were obtained from the databases. Of these, 181 were excluded from the analysis as they did not meet the eligibility criteria. Patients undergoing postoperative follow-up of bariatric surgery had a similar probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population, and persistent comorbidities were associated with an increased risk and severity of infection. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has a protective effect against severe COVID-19 in the obese population, bringing the prevalence of severe disease cases to levels equivalent to those of the nonobese general population, with a positive impact on morbidity and mortality.

O farmacêutico entre o trabalho prescrito e o real na Atenção Primária à Saúde / The pharmacist between prescribed and real work in Primary Health Care / El farmacéutico entre el trabajo prescrito y el real en la Atención Primaria de Salud

Resumo O trabalho do profissional farmacêutico na Atenção Primária à Saúde está em permanente construção. Este artigo analisa o trabalho realizado pelos farmacêuticos na gestão entre o que está prescrito e o que o real exige, na atenção primária do Distrito Federal. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, com triangulação na coleta e na análise dos dados, obtidos por meio de entrevistas e observação do trabalho de farmacêuticos de cinco Regiões de Saúde, resultando em três categorias: estrutura das farmácias; organização do trabalho; tempo e tarefas. O estudo evidencia que o farmacêutico tem sua atuação centrada nos seguintes grupos de ações: pausas; trabalho gerencial/logística; interrupção; atendimento aos usuários. As tarefas ligadas à assistência ao usuário são pontuais e esporádicas, com o foco da atuação nas gerenciais, sobretudo a logística. Apesar dos limites estruturais das farmácias, há elementos no contexto, revelados pelos farmacêuticos, que podem favorecer a ampliação das atividades técnico-assistenciais: a garantia do acesso aos medicamentos como princípio ético; as normativas; a postura de aprendizagem dos profissionais e de abertura para enfrentar o inusitado; a conexão com necessidades da equipe da Unidade Básica de Saúde; a ação coletiva dos farmacêuticos e a formação sobre cuidado farmacêutico.

Abstract The work of the pharmaceutical professional in Primary Health Care is under permanent construction. This article analyzes the work performed by pharmacists in managing what is prescribed and what is actually required in primary care in the Brazilian Federal District. This is a case study, with triangulation in the collection and analysis of data, obtained through interviews and observation of the work of pharmacists from five Health Regions, resulting in three categories: structure of pharmacies; work organization; time and tasks. The study shows that the pharmacist's performance is centered on the following groups of actions: breaks; managerial/logistics work; interruption; service to users. Tasks related to user assistance are punctual and sporadic, with the focus on management, especially logistics. Despite the structural limits of pharmacies, there are elements in the context that can favor the expansion of technical assistance activities: guaranteeing access to medicines as an ethical principle; the regulations; the learning attitude of professionals and openness to face the unusual; the connection with the needs of the Basic Health Unit team; the collective action of pharmacists and training on pharmaceutical care.

Resumen El trabajo del farmacéutico en la Atención Primaria de Salud está en permanente construcción. Este artículo analiza el trabajo que realizan los farmacéuticos en el manejo de lo prescrito y lo realmente requerido, en la atención primaria del Distrito Federal brasileño. Se trata de un estudio de caso, con triangulación en la recolección y el análisis de los datos, obtenidos a través de entrevistas y observación del trabajo de farmacéuticos de cinco Regiones de Salud, resultando en tres categorías: estructura de las farmacias; organización del trabajo; tiempo y tareas. El estudio muestra que el farmacéutico tiene su actuación centrada en los siguientes grupos de acciones: pausas; trabajo de gestión/logística; interrupción; servicio a los usuarios. Las tareas relacionadas con la atención al usuario son puntuales y esporádicas, con foco en las que son gestionadas, especialmente aquellas relacionadas con la logística. A pesar de los límites estructurales de las farmacias, existen elementos en el contexto que pueden favorecer la expansión de las actividades técnico-asistenciales: la garantía del acceso a los medicamentos como principio ético; las regulaciones; la postura de aprendizaje de los profesionales y de la apertura para enfrentar lo insólito; la conexión con las necesidades del equipo de la Unidad Básica de Salud; la acción colectiva de los farmacéuticos y la formación en atención farmacéutica.

[Reboxetine in the treatment of bulimia nervosa]. / Reboxetina no tratamento da bulimia nervosa.

There is a substancial body of literature demonstrating the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants (SSRI) in reducing binge eating and vomiting frequency in Bulimia Nervosa. Good therapeutic response to noradrenergic agents, like desipramine and reboxetine, though not frequently reported in literature, has already been demonstrated. This case report describes the treatment of Bulimia Nervosa with reboxetine (4 to 8 mg/day) and its favorable therapeutic results.

Protótipo de um sistema de gerenciamento de protocolos de câncer colorretal / Management system prototype of colorectal cancer protocols

OBJETIVO: desenvolvimento de um protótipo de sistema de cadastro e controle de protocolos de Câncer Colorretal, com a finalidade de armazenar um conjunto abrangente de dados de forma estruturada para posterior aplicação de métodos de análise inteligente de dados. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: o protótipo foi construído em cinco etapas: análise do domínio de Câncer Colorretal, definição de requisitos básicos (operacionais e informacionais), projeto do sistema, construção do sistema usando tecnologias open source e avaliação do sistema com o apoio de especialistas. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: durante o desenvolvimento, o protótipo foi avaliado por especialistas quanto à estrutura do conjunto de dados, à coerência de organização das informações, à validade das funcionalidades implementadas e ao atendimento aos requisitos básicos definidos. CONCLUSÃO: de acordo com os especialistas usuários, o desenvolvimento do protótipo completou a primeira etapa do projeto de desenvolvimento de um sistema em nível de 100 por cento de satisfação e, atualmente, está sendo aplicado em cadastros de dados reais. Na próxima etapa será consolidado e implantado o sistema completo, atendendo a requisitos de segurança com suporte a multiusuários.

OBJECTIVE: to develop a prototype of a Colorectal Cancer records management system, aiming to store an embracing structured dataset for later application of intelligent data analysis methods. MATERIAL AND METHOD: the prototype was developed in five stages: Colorectal Cancer domain analysis, definition of basic requirements (operational and informational), system design, system construction using open source technologies and system evaluation supported by domain experts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: during development, the prototype dataset structure, coherence of information structure, validity of functions implemented and the attendance to the basic requirements define, were evaluated by domain experts. CONCLUSION: according to the experts evaluation, the prototype development completed the first stage of the project of developing the system with a 100 percent satisfaction rate and is now being used into recording real data. In the next stage it will be finished and deployed the complete system, attending to security requirements and multiuser support.

Prototype system to manage data on coloproctology surgery

OBJECTIVE: To develop a prototype system to manage data on coloproctology surgery, aiming at Data Quality (DQ) and the adoption of a DQ monitoring process, which is nonexistent in most biomedical systems. METHODS: The construction of the prototype was separated into five steps: analysis of an existing system (legacy), the analysis of requirements and specifications for the new prototype, the development of the model, definition of technologies and the development of a prototype. RESULTS: The analysis of the legacy system revealed several limitations and inconsistencies, which can result in problems concerning the DQ. Therefore, actions to prevent these problems are already being executed at the step of developing the prototype, such as the creation of interactive and more elaborate interfaces, the use of validation mechanisms on data fields and the proposal of a process to monitor inconsistencies and incompleteness in patients' data. CONCLUSION: The adoption of DQ mechanisms on system development results in building a reliable and consistent database, to assist tasks such as management, scientific research and future intelligent data analysis methods. Future work includes subjective evaluations of DQ indicating the adequacy of the prototype for the users' needs. (AU)

OBJETIVO: Desenvolvimento de um protótipo para gerenciamento de dados de cirurgia coloproctológica, visando à Qualidade de Dados (QD), e a adoção de um processo de monitoramento da QD, inexistente na maioria dos sistemas biomédicos. MÉTODOS: A construção do protótipo foi dividida em cinco etapas: análise de um sistema existente (legado), levantamento dos requisitos para o novo protótipo, elaboração de modelos, definição das tecnologias e desenvolvimento do protótipo. RESULTADOS: A análise do sistema legado revelou diversas limitações e inconsistências que podem resultar em problemas de QD. Sendo assim, medidas para prevenir esses problemas estão sendo adotadas, já na etapa do desenvolvimento do protótipo, como a criação de interfaces mais elaboradas e interativas, a utilização de mecanismos de validação dos campos de dados e a proposta de um processo para monitoramento das inconsistências e incompletudes dos dados dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: A adoção de medidas de QD no desenvolvimento de sistemas resulta na construção de uma base de dados confiável e consistente, contribuindo com as tarefas de gerenciamento, pesquisas científicas e futuras aplicações de métodos de análise inteligente de dados. Trabalhos futuros incluem avaliações subjetivas de QD que indiquem o nível de adequação do protótipo às necessidades dos usuários. (AU)

Reboxetina no tratamento da bulimia nervosa / Reboxetine in the treatment of bulimia nervosa

É vasta a literatura demonstrando a eficácia dos antidepressivos inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina na Bulimia Nervosa, diminuindo a freqüência do comportamento alimentar compulsivo e dos vômitos. A boa resposta terapêutica aos agentes farmacológicos noradrenérgicos, como a desipramina e a reboxetina, embora menos encontrada na literatura, também já foi documentada. O presente relato de caso descreve o tratamento de uma paciente com Bulimia Nervosa utilizando-se reboxetina na dose de 4 a 8 mg ao dia. A resposta terapêutica vem confirmar os resultados favoráveis do uso desta droga no tratamento da Bulimia Nervosa

Entorse do joelho com hemartrose / Knee sprain with hemarthrosis

Com base no estudo de 50 pacientes portadores de entorse moderada do joelho com hemartrose, submetidos a exame clínico sob anestesia e artroscopia, os autores chamam a atenção para a potencial gravidade destas lesões, principalmente para a alta incidência de lesão do ligamento cruzado anterior, constatada em 75 por cento dos pacientes.

O fumo como fator de risco nos portadores de silicose / Smoking as a risk factor in patients with silicosis

Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar qual a influência que o tabagismo possa ter sobre o aparelho respiratório dos trabalhadores portadores de silicose. Para isto foi realizda análise dos prontuários de todos os pacientes que foram atendidos no ambulatório de Saúde Ocupacional do Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro - UFF entre o período de out/87 a out/89. Foram selecionados trinta (30) com diagóstico de silicose, e separados em dois grupos: fumantes, sendo 20 (66,67%) e 10 (33,33%), respectivamente. Todos eram do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 39 anos, variando de 27 a 55 anos; e com tempo médio de exposição de 10 anos, sendo o tempo mínimo de 1,5 ano e tempo máximo de 33 anos. A função pulmonar foi avaliada pela espirometria. Observamos, que os fumantes quando avaliados separadamente, apresentavam função pulmonar pior que os não fumantes. Concluímos que o tempo de exposição à poeira de sílica, neste grupo de 30 pacientes, não foi importante para diferenciá-los quanto à função pulmonar, mas parece existir um sinergismo entre a silicose e o tabagismo na alteração da função pulmonar.