Huntington's Disease: Premotor Phase.

Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable, neurodegenerative disease, which manifests via a triad of progressive symptoms: motor impairment, psychiatric disorders, and cognitive decline. Conventionally, the HD diagnosis is based on the presence of involuntary choreiform movements and a positive genetic test for the CAG-expanded allele gene. Although the diagnosis focuses on the motor part of the triad, there is increasing evidence that both cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms can, and often do, present decades before the onset of motor symptoms. In this paper, we review the evidence regarding the symptoms in the HD premotor phase and summarize the most relevant and robust studies in the last few years. Regarding neuropsychiatric symptoms, higher levels of depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability, psychosis, disinhibition, hostility, and sleeping problems were found. In terms of cognition, there was impairment in attention, working memory, episodic memory, language, recognition of facial emotions, empathy, and theory of mind. These early symptoms of HD can be very debilitating and are often disregarded by doctors. It is necessary to acknowledge them so that they can be treated or alleviated. Moreover, an earlier diagnosis can lead to the implementation of neurodegenerative prevention therapies, which may slow the progression of the disease and prolong overall functioning. This will improve the patient's independence and their quality of life.

In vitro anti-Candida activity of lidocaine and nitroglycerin: alone and combined.

The aim of this work was to study the anti-Candida activity of lidocaine and nitroglycerin alone and in combination. Ten Candida strains were included, corresponding to 1 collection type strain (ATCC 10231) and 9 clinical isolates: 4 C. albicans, 2 C. glabrata, 1 C. tropicalis, 1 C. krusei, and 1 C. parapsilosis. The CLSI reference M27-A3 micromethod was used to determine the anti-Candida activity of the drugs alone; minimal inhibitory and lethal concentrations were determined. The classic checkboard technique was used to determine the activity of combined drugs. Lidocaine fungicidal effect was dosedependent. Nitroglycerin exhibited a higher effect. The drugs combination resulted in a reduction of the inhibitory concentration, corresponding to an additive effect. In conclusion, both drugs exhibited an interesting anti-Candida activity. The combination of lidocaine with nitroglycerin was shown to have an additive effect against Candida spp., predicting the interest to include, in the future, these drugs in a new delivery system for the treatment of mucocutaneous candidosis.

Brincar e crescer no mundo da saúde - os riscos de álcool / Playing and growing in the healthcare world - the risks of alcohol

A intervenção do estágio a que se refere este relatório foi realizada com crianças que frequentavam o 3º ano de escolaridade. A iniciação das crianças no mundo do álcool é um dos principais problemas da sociedade moderna, podendo levar a um uso descontrolado destas substâncias e tornar-se um dos principais problemas de saúde pública. O tema da prevenção do consumo do álcool nesta faixa etária surgiu, numa primeira fase, da necessidade reportada pelos professores, os quais referem que tanto rapazes como raparigas iniciam o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas entre os 10 e os 13 anos de idade. A atualização do diagnóstico de situação já existente neste contexto confirmou esta realidade. Tendo por base a revisão da literatura, desenvolveu-se um programa de educação para a saúde com as crianças em contexto escolar. A avaliação da intervenção sugere a importância da estratégia da EpS na prevenção do consumo do álcool na infância e a relevância da precocidade da mesma

The traineeship intervention referred on this report was conducted with children attending the 3rd grade. The initiation of children into the world of alcohol is one of the main problems of modern society and can lead to uncontrolled use of these substances and evolve into a major public health problem. The issue of the prevention of alcohol consumption in this age group came, initially, from the need reported by teachers who observed that both boys and girls start the consumption of alcoholic beverages between the ages of 10 and 13 years old. Updating the diagnosis of the existing situation in this context confirmed this reality. Based on the literature review, a health education program for school children was developed. The evaluation of the intervention suggests the importance of the EpS strategy in the prevention of childhood alcohol consumption and the importance of its precocity.