Vascular Myelopathies.

There are many vascular disorders that can affect the spinal cord, and their prevalence and etiology are highly influenced by age, sex, and risk factors. This article reviews the embryology and anatomy of the spinal cord, as well as several vascular conditions, describing their clinical and imaging presentation, emphasizing the different imaging modalities' contributions to increasing specificity and better defining the most appropriate therapy strategy for improving the patient's prognosis.

Temporomandibular joint: from anatomy to internal derangement.

The temporomandibular joint can be affected by various conditions, such as joint dysfunction, degenerative changes, inflammatory processes, infections, tumors, and trauma. The aim of this pictorial essay is to help radiologists identify and describe the main findings on magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the temporomandibular joint, given that the correct diagnosis is essential for the appropriate treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.

A articulação temporomandibular pode ser afetada por diversas afecções, como disfunções articulares, alterações degenerativas, doenças inflamatórias ou infecciosas, tumores e trauma. Este ensaio iconográfico visa auxiliar de forma prática o radiologista a identificar e descrever os principais achados nos exames de ressonância magnética da articulação temporomandibular, tendo em vista que o diagnóstico correto das alterações mais comuns é essencial para o tratamento adequado desses pacientes.

Temporomandibular joint: from anatomy to internal derangement / Articulação temporomandibular: da anatomia ao desarranjo interno

Abstract The temporomandibular joint can be affected by various conditions, such as joint dysfunction, degenerative changes, inflammatory processes, infections, tumors, and trauma. The aim of this pictorial essay is to help radiologists identify and describe the main findings on magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the temporomandibular joint, given that the correct diagnosis is essential for the appropriate treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.

Resumo A articulação temporomandibular pode ser afetada por diversas afecções, como disfunções articulares, alterações degenerativas, doenças inflamatórias ou infecciosas, tumores e trauma. Este ensaio iconográfico visa auxiliar de forma prática o radiologista a identificar e descrever os principais achados nos exames de ressonância magnética da articulação temporomandibular, tendo em vista que o diagnóstico correto das alterações mais comuns é essencial para o tratamento adequado desses pacientes.

Acute kidney injury in HIV-infected children: comparison of patients according to the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy / Lesão renal aguda em crianças com HIV: estudo comparativo entre pacientes com e sem terapia antirretroviral altamente ativa

Abstract Objective: To assess clinical and laboratory data, and acute kidney injury (AKI) in HIV-infected children using and not using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) prior to admission. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with HIV-infected pediatric patients (<16 years). Children who were using and not using HAART prior to admission were compared. Results: Sixty-three patients were included. Mean age was 5.3 ± 4.27 years; 55.6% were females. AKI was observed in 33 (52.3%) children. Patients on HAART presented lower levels of potassium (3.9 ± 0.8 vs. 4.5 ± 0.7 mEq/L, p = 0.019) and bicarbonate (19.1 ± 4.9 vs. 23.5 ± 2.2 mEq/L, p = 0.013) and had a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (102.2 ± 36.7 vs. 77.0 ± 32.8 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.011) than those not on HAART. In the multivariate analysis, the use of HAART prior to the admission was a protective factor for AKI (p = 0.036; OR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.097-0.926). Conclusion: AKI is a common complication of pediatric HIV infection. Use of HAART prior to the admission preserved glomerular filtration and was a protective factor for AKI, but increased medication side effects, such as hypokalemia and renal metabolic acidosis.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar dados clínicos e laboratoriais, bem como ocorrência de lesão renal aguda (LRA), em crianças HIV positivas com e sem uso de terapia antirretroviral altamente ativa (TARV) antes da admissão. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo em pacientes pediátricos HIV positivos (< 16 anos). Foram comparadas as crianças que estavam em uso com aquelas sem uso de TARV prévia à internação. Resultados: Foram incluídos 63 pacientes, com média de 5,3 ± 4,27 anos, 55,6% do sexo feminino. LRA foi encontrada em 33 casos (52,3%). Os pacientes que usavam TARV apresentaram menores níveis de potássio (3,9 ± 0,8 vs. 4,5 ± 0,7 mEq/L, p = 0,019) e bicarbonato (19,1 ± 4,9 vs. 23,5 ± 2,2 mEq/L, p = 0,013), bem como maior taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (102,2 ± 36,7 vs. 77,0 ± 32,8 mL/min/1,73m2, p = 0,011), do que o pacientes sem TARV prévia. Na análise multivariada o uso de TARV prévia à internação foi fator protetor contra LRA (p = 0,036; RC = 0,30; IC de 95% = 0,097-0,926). Conclusão: A LRA é uma complicação comum da infecção pediátrica pelo HIV. O uso de TARV antes da internação foi associado a melhor taxa de filtração glomerular e foi fator de proteção contra LRA, porém desencadeou efeitos colaterais como hipocalemia e acidose metabólica.

Acute kidney injury in HIV-infected children: comparison of patients according to the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical and laboratory data, and acute kidney injury (AKI) in HIV-infected children using and not using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) prior to admission. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with HIV-infected pediatric patients (<16 years). Children who were using and not using HAART prior to admission were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were included. Mean age was 5.3±4.27 years; 55.6% were females. AKI was observed in 33 (52.3%) children. Patients on HAART presented lower levels of potassium (3.9±0.8 vs. 4.5±0.7mEq/L, p=0.019) and bicarbonate (19.1±4.9 vs. 23.5±2.2mEq/L, p=0.013) and had a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (102.2±36.7 vs. 77.0±32.8mL/min/1.73m2, p=0.011) than those not on HAART. In the multivariate analysis, the use of HAART prior to the admission was a protective factor for AKI (p=0.036; OR=0.30; 95% CI=0.097-0.926). CONCLUSION: AKI is a common complication of pediatric HIV infection. Use of HAART prior to the admission preserved glomerular filtration and was a protective factor for AKI, but increased medication side effects, such as hypokalemia and renal metabolic acidosis.

Acute kidney injury in a tropical country: a cohort study of 253 patients in an infectious diseases intensive care unit.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and potentially fatal complication in infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical aspects of AKI associated with infectious diseases and the factors associated with mortality. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in patients with AKI who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary infectious diseases hospital from January 2003 to January 2012. The major underlying diseases and clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 253 cases were included. The mean age was 46±16 years, and 72% of the patients were male. The main diseases were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (30%), tuberculosis (12%), leptospirosis (11%) and dengue (4%). Dialysis was performed in 70 cases (27.6%). The patients were classified as risk (4.4%), injury (63.6%) or failure (32%). The time between AKI diagnosis and dialysis was 3.6±4.7 days. Oliguria was observed in 112 cases (45.7%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were higher in patients with HIV/AIDS (57±20, p-value=0.01) and dengue (68±11, p-value=0.01). Death occurred in 159 cases (62.8%). Mortality was higher in patients with HIV/AIDS (76.6%, p-value=0.02). A multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for death: oliguria, metabolic acidosis, sepsis, hypovolemia, the need for vasoactive drugs, the need for mechanical ventilation and the APACHE II score. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is a common complication in infectious diseases, with high mortality. Mortality was higher in patients with HIV/AIDS, most likely due to the severity of immunosuppression and opportunistic diseases.

Acute kidney injury in a tropical country: a cohort study of 253 patients in an infectious diseases intensive care unit

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and potentially fatal complication in infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical aspects of AKI associated with infectious diseases and the factors associated with mortality. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in patients with AKI who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary infectious diseases hospital from January 2003 to January 2012. The major underlying diseases and clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. Results: A total of 253 cases were included. The mean age was 46±16 years, and 72% of the patients were male. The main diseases were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (30%), tuberculosis (12%), leptospirosis (11%) and dengue (4%). Dialysis was performed in 70 cases (27.6%). The patients were classified as risk (4.4%), injury (63.6%) or failure (32%). The time between AKI diagnosis and dialysis was 3.6±4.7 days. Oliguria was observed in 112 cases (45.7%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were higher in patients with HIV/AIDS (57±20, p-value=0.01) and dengue (68±11, p-value=0.01). Death occurred in 159 cases (62.8%). Mortality was higher in patients with HIV/AIDS (76.6%, p-value=0.02). A multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for death: oliguria, metabolic acidosis, sepsis, hypovolemia, the need for vasoactive drugs, the need for mechanical ventilation and the APACHE II score. Conclusions: AKI is a common complication in infectious diseases, with high mortality. Mortality was higher in patients with HIV/AIDS, most likely due to the severity of immunosuppression and opportunistic diseases. .

Evaluation of renal function in patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate renal function in patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals. A prospective study was conducted with 15 patients with confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis who were starting to use immunobiologicals. The mean age was 41 ± 11 years, with 60% females. The mean time of disease was 11 ± 6.6 years. Significant changes in creatinine and creatinine clearance were not observed in the course of the study. There was an increase in transaminases and a decrease in magnesium levels.

Interaction of MTHFR C677T and A1298C, and MTR A2756G gene polymorphisms in breast cancer risk in a population in Northeast Brazil.

Polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes of folate metabolism are a focus of breast cancer risk studies due of the role of these enzymes in DNA methylation, synthesis, and repair. MTHFR, encoding for 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, is one of the most studied genes in this regard, but findings are controversial, and the majority of studies have analyzed polymorphisms individually. In this case control study, we examined the combination of the polymorphisms MTHFR C677T and A1298C with MTR A2756G, where MTR, methionine synthase, is an important enzyme of the folate cycle in the methylation pathway. One hundred and forty-two patients with breast cancer and controls were included and the genotypes were determined using PCR-RFLP. In the population studied, individuals carrying the polymorphic allele in the heterozygous state for both enzymes, MTHFR C677T and MTR A2756G, had an increased risk [odds ratio, OR=2.77 (95% confidence interval, CI=1.19-6.52)] for disease, compared to those with the wild genotype. In addition, individuals carrying the MTR 2756 genotype AG had an increased risk when this was combined with the MTHFR 1298 genotype CC [OR=5.13 (95% CI=0.87-38.82)]. No significant results were found from the analyses associating the MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes. However, when stratifying the patients by age (50 years old as the cut-off), patients over 50 years old had greater risk, with the presence of both MTHFR polymorphisms in the heterozygous state [OR=5.33 (95% CI=1.42-21.03)]. This study points out the importance of the interactions between the MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C and MTR A2756G polymorphisms, and also highlights the relevance of the MTR A2756G polymorphism and age in breast cancer risk.

TP53 codon 72 and intron 3 polymorphisms and mutational status in gastric cancer: an association with tumor onset and prognosis.

Although TP53 alterations have been studied in human tumors, data considering the role of two common TP53 polymorphisms (Pro72Arg in codon 72 and Ins16bp in intron 3) and their associations with TP53 mutations in gastric cancer are very limited. Thus, we analyzed these parameters taking into consideration the clinicopathological data. DNA from 106 gastric tumor samples was available for TP53 Pro72Arg and TP53 Ins16bp polymorphism genotyping by PCR-RFLP and PCR, respectively. The mutational status of the TP53 exons 5-7 was assessed by the single-strand conformational polymorphism test. The TP53 72ArgArg genotype was statistically associated with patients aged ≥65 years (p = 0.039), and the intron 3 A2A2 genotype was correlated with late-stage tumors (III and IV; p = 0.043). Considering both polymorphisms, a negative correlation between the TP53 Pro-A1 haplotype and age <65 years (r = -0.211; p = 0.030) was found. Taking into account the TP53 mutations, the Pro/Pro genotype was positively correlated with the presence of exon 7 mutations (p = 0.049), and a correlation between this genotype and the number of mutations in TP53 was observed (p = 0.019). This study corroborates the understanding of TP53 polymorphisms in gastric carcinogenesis, especially regarding the genetic features in tumor onset and prognosis.