Effect of recreational cannabis use on bone mineral density: a systematic review.

The recreational use of cannabis products has risen considerably worldwide over the past decade. As the cannabis legal market grows, a critical challenge has been to make substantiated claims about the benefits and adverse health problems triggered by cannabis exposure. Despite accumulating evidence from animal studies demonstrating the role of cannabinoids on bone metabolism, there are conflicting results in clinical literature regarding their effects on bone health outcomes.We undertook a systematic review to assess the evidence for the safety of cannabis use on bone health. We searched the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to March 2023 for studies evaluating the effect of the recreational use of cannabis on the bone mineral density (BMD) of adults.Among the 2620 studies reviewed, three cross-sectional studies and one randomized controlled trial comprised 4032 participants from 18 to 60 years who met the inclusion criteria. Two studies showed that cannabis exposure decreased BMD, while the other 2 indicated no alteration. Despite the different study designs, the included studies showed a low risk of bias according to the Joanna Briggs Institute tool.Eligible studies present differences in cannabis products, administration routes, and exposure determination. Further longitudinal research is needed to establish multiple clinical predictors associated with potentially negative consequences of cannabis exposure, especially in vulnerable populations such as elderly individuals.

Cuidados paliativos perinatais: abordagem diante anomalias congênitas que ameaçam a continuidade da vida / Perinatal Palliative Care: Approach To Congenital Abnormalities That Threaten The Continuity Of Life

Objetivo: identificar quais condutas são tomadas frente a fetos e neonatos com anomalias congênitas e fatores facilitadores e dificultadores para a atuação da medicina fetal e neonatologia neste escopo. Método: revisão sistemática da literatura realizada entre os anos de 2018 e 2022. Resultado: nas estratégias utilizadas para encaminhamento aos cuidados paliativos no pré-natal estão o apoio psicoespiritual priorizado à família e as opções de cuidado para avaliar até qual ponto intervir de forma invasiva no atendimento ao nascituro. Identificou-se que a falta de preparo profissional para abordar a família de um nascituro com mau prognóstico faz com que não tenham o tato necessário para tal ação. Conclusão: em um momento que a família passa por um processo de luto, exaustão emocional e necessidade de tomada de decisões, é imprescindível a capacitação dos profissionais para atuarem com qualidade, de forma a melhorar a organização do serviço e a assistência adequada.(AU)

Objective: to identify what actions are taken against fetuses and neonates with congenital anomalies and facilitating and complicating factors for the performance of fetal medicine and neonatology in this scope. Method: systematic review of the literature conducted between the years 2018 and 2022. Results: in the strategies used for referral to palliative care in prenatal care are the prioritized psychospiritual support to the family and care options to assess to what extent to intervene invasively in the care of the unborn child. It was identified that the lack of professional preparation to approach the family of an unborn child with a poor prognosis makes them lack the necessary tact for such an action. Conclusion: at a time when the family goes through a process of mourning, emotional exhaustion and the need to make decisions, it is essential to train professionals to act with quality, in order to improve the organization of the service and adequate assistance.(AU)

Objetivo: identificar qué actuaciones se realizan ante fetos y neonatos con anomalías congénitas y factores facilitadores y complicadores para la realización de medicina fetal y neonatología en este ámbito. Método: revisión sistemática de la literatura realizada entre los años 2018 y 2022. Resultados: en las estrategias utilizadas para la derivación a cuidados paliativos en la atención prenatal se prioriza el apoyo psicoespiritual a la familia y las opciones asistenciales para valorar hasta qué punto intervenir de forma invasiva en el cuidado del feto. Identificou-se que a falta de preparação profissional para abordar a família de um nascituro com mau pronóstico faz que não tenham o tato necessário para tal ação. Conclusión: en un momento en que la familia pasa por un proceso de luto, agotamiento emocional y necesidad de tomar decisiones, es imprescindible la capacitación de los profesionales para actuar con calidad, de forma que se mejore la organización del servicio y la asistencia adecuada.(AU)

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in a city of southeast Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health alarming problem. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the estimated prevalence of kidney disease in diabetic and high-risk hypertensive patients to cardiovascular disease registered in Hiperdia program of a city of southeast of Brazil. METHODS: It is a transversal study conducted between May 2014 and August 2015. The study has included randomly 243 diabetic and high-risk hypertensive patients to cardiovascular disease which were originally referred from primary health care to the Hiperdia. CKD was classified based on cause, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), and albumin creatinine ratio (ACR). Were considered abnormalities GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2 and/or ACR ≥ 30 mg/g. RESULTS: Of the 243 patients, 89 (36.6%) showed alterations in renal function markers in the first collection. Of these, 60 patients had a GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 25 the GFR was < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. The ACR was ≥ 30 mg/g in 43 patients and eight of the values were > 1000 mg/g. In 15 patients studied were found both changes. Of the 89 participants with abnormal renal function markers in the first collection 63 held the second test and 42 kept the changes being diagnosed with CKD. None of these patients had prior knowledge of the diagnosis of kidney disease and the need for consultation with the nephrologist. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CKD was 17.3% of disease in the population studied.

Lesão renal glomerular: processo inflamatório e o papel das quimiocinas / Glomerular kidney injury: the inflammatory process and the role of chemokines

As lesões renais podem ser explicadas, de um modo geral, por agressões que causam danos às células e/ou tecidos e à resposta inflamatória gerada por esse processo a partir da ativação do sistema imune e estímulo contínuo de sua ação. Visando realizar o diagnóstico precoce da doença renal crônica e minimizar os aspectos econômicos e os impactos à vida do paciente causados pela instalação e progressão da doença renal, muitos autores procuram explicar os processos inflamatórios que são as linhas de bases de muitas doenças crônicas e os biomarcadores que participam desse processo. Este artigo tem por objetivo fazer uma revisão de literatura narrativa sobre a fisiopatologia da progressão da doença renal glomerular, bem como, as possíveis funções das quimiocinas como marcadores de progressão da doença renal.

Kidney injuries can generally be explained as attacks damaging cells and/or tissues and the inflammatory response generated by such process due to the activation of the immune system and its continuous stimulation. Aiming to reach an early diagnosis of CKD and minimize both the economic aspects and the impacts on the patient's life caused by the onset and progression of kidney diseases, many authors have tried to explain the inflammatory processes that are the baselines of several chronic diseases, as well as the biomarkers that participate in that process. This paper aims to make a narrative literature review on the pathophysiology of the progression of glomerular kidney disease as well as the possible roles played by chemokines as progression markers of renal disease.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in a city of southeast Brazil / Prevalência da doença renal crônica em um município do sudeste do Brasil

Abstract Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health alarming problem. Objective: This study investigated the estimated prevalence of kidney disease in diabetic and high-risk hypertensive patients to cardiovascular disease registered in Hiperdia program of a city of southeast of Brazil. Methods: It is a transversal study conducted between May 2014 and August 2015. The study has included randomly 243 diabetic and high-risk hypertensive patients to cardiovascular disease which were originally referred from primary health care to the Hiperdia. CKD was classified based on cause, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), and albumin creatinine ratio (ACR). Were considered abnormalities GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2 and/or ACR ≥ 30 mg/g. Results: Of the 243 patients, 89 (36.6%) showed alterations in renal function markers in the first collection. Of these, 60 patients had a GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 25 the GFR was < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. The ACR was ≥ 30 mg/g in 43 patients and eight of the values were > 1000 mg/g. In 15 patients studied were found both changes. Of the 89 participants with abnormal renal function markers in the first collection 63 held the second test and 42 kept the changes being diagnosed with CKD. None of these patients had prior knowledge of the diagnosis of kidney disease and the need for consultation with the nephrologist. Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD was 17.3% of disease in the population studied.

Resumo Introdução: A doença renal crônica (DRC) é um impactante problema de Saúde Pública nos dias atuais no Brasil e no mundo. Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência estimada de doença renal crônica em pacientes diabéticos e hipertensos de alto risco cardiovascular cadastrados no Hiperdia em um município do sudeste do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado entre maio de 2014 e agosto de 2015. Incluídos de forma aleatória 243 pacientes com diabetes e/ou hipertensão de alto risco cardiovascular que foram referenciados da atenção básica em saúde para o Hiperdia. A DRC foi classificada com base na causa, na categoria da taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) e razão albumina/creatinina (RAC). Foram consideradas anormalidades TFG < 60 mL/min/1,73m2 e/ou RAC ≥ 30 mg/g. Os dados foram coletados em dois momentos: no início do estudo e seis meses após a primeira coleta. Resultados: Dos 243 pacientes, 89 (36,6%) apresentaram alteração nos marcadores de função renal na primeira coleta. Destes, 60 pacientes apresentaram TFG < 60 mL/min/1,73 m2 e em 25 a TFG foi < 45 mL/min/1,73 m2. A RAC foi ≥ 30 mg/g em 43 pacientes e, em oito destes, os valores foram > 1000 mg/g. Em 15 pacientes foram encontradas ambas as alterações estudadas. Dos 89 participantes com alteração dos marcadores de função renal na primeira coleta, 63 realizaram a segunda coleta e 42 mantiveram as alterações, sendo diagnosticados com DRC. Nenhum desses pacientes tinha o conhecimento prévio desse diagnóstico e da necessidade da consulta com o nefrologista. Conclusão: A prevalência de DRC foi de 17,3% da doença na população estudada.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase-derived hydrogen peroxide effect in grafts used in human coronary bypass surgery.

Recently, H2O2 has been identified as the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), which mediates flow-induced dilation in human coronary arteries. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is expressed in the cardiovascular system and, besides NO, generates H2O2 The role of nNOS-derived H2O2 in human vessels is so far unknown. The present study was aimed at investigating the relevance of nNOS/H2O2 signaling in the human internal mammary artery (IMA) and saphenous vein (SV), the major conduits used in coronary artery bypass grafting. In the IMA, but not in the SV, ACh (acetylcholine)-induced vasodilatation was decreased by selective nNOS inhibition with TRIM or Inhibitor 1, and by catalase, which specifically decomposes H2O2 Superoxide dismutase (SOD), which generates H2O2 from superoxide, decreased the vasodilator effect of ACh on SV. In the IMA, SOD diminished phenylephrine-induced contraction in endothelium-containing, but not in endothelium-denuded vessels. Importantly, while exogenous H2O2 produced vasodilatation in IMA, it constricted SV. ACh increased H2O2 production in both sets of vessels. In the IMA, the increase in H2O2 was inhibited by catalase and nNOS blockade. In SV, H2O2 production was abolished by catalase and reduced by nNOS inhibition. Immunofluorescence experiments showed the presence of nNOS in the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells of both the IMA and SV. Together, our results clearly show that H2O2 induced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in the IMA, whereas, in the SV, H2O2 was a vasoconstrictor. Thus, H2O2 produced in the coronary circulation may contribute to the susceptibility to accelerated atherosclerosis and progressive failure of the SV used as autogenous graft in coronary bypass surgery.

Antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic potential of the ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae).

Ethanol extract (EE) and fractions obtained from the ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum were examined in order to determine their phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, antibacterial activities and cytotoxic potential. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with DAD analysis indicated that caffeic and chlorogenic acids were the main phenolic compounds present in the EE, dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (Ac) fractions. The antioxidant activity assessed by the scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical was significantly more pronounced for DCM and Ac fractions than that of the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT). EE and fractions exhibited selective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, especially the hexane (Hex) and DCM fractions. EE and fractions exhibited low toxicity towards the LLC-MK2 cell line, especially the Hex, DCM and Ac fractions. This work provides the knowledge of phenolic composition in the extract and fractions from the ripe fruits of S. lycocarpum and their antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.