Pre-treatment and continuous administration of simvastatin during sepsis improve metabolic parameters and prevent CNS injuries in survivor rats.

Sepsis causes overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, organ dysfunction, and cognitive impairment in survivors. In addition to inflammation, metabolic changes occur according to the stage and severity of the disease. Understanding the role and place of metabolic disturbances in the pathophysiology of sepsis is essential to evaluate the framework of septic patients, predict the syndrome progress, and define the treatment strategies. We investigated the effect of simvastatin on the disease time course and on metabolic alterations, especially with respect to their possible consequences in the CNS of surviving rats. The animals of this study were weighed daily and followed for 10 days to determine the survival rate. In the first experiment, control or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-animals were randomized in 24 h, 48 h, and 10 days after septic induction, for bacterial load determination and quantification of cytokines. In the second experiment, control or CLP-animals were treated or not with simvastatin and randomized in the same three time points for cytokines quantification and assessment of their body metabolism and locomotor activity (at 48 h and 10 days), as well as the evaluation of cytoarchitecture and astrogliosis (at 10 days). The CLP-rats treated with simvastatin showed a reduction in plasma cytokines and improvement in metabolic parameters and locomotor activity, followed by minor alterations compatible with apoptosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of simvastatin plays a crucial role in restoring energy production, maintaining a hypermetabolic state necessary for the recovery and survival of these CLP-rats.

Corticosterone and Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone Secretion Is Recovered after Immune Challenge or Acute Restraint Stress in Sepsis Survivor Animals.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and experimental studies report a dysregulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during sepsis that causes impairment in hormone secretion in the late phase contributing for the pathophysiology of the disease. However, it is unclear whether this alteration persists even after the disease remission. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of an immune challenge or restraint stress on the hormone secretion of HPA axis in sepsis survivor rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation-puncture (CLP) surgery. Naive or animals that survive 5 or 10 days after CLP were submitted to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection or restraint stress. After 60 min, blood was collected for plasma nitrate, cytokines, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) and brain for synaptophysin and hypothalamic cytokines. RESULTS: Five days survivor animals showed increased plasma nitrate (p < 0.001) and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels (p < 0.05) that were abolished in the 10 days survivors. In the hypothalamus of both survivors, the reverse was seen with IL-6 increased (p < 0.01), while IL-1ß did not show any alteration. Synaptophysin expression was reduced in both survivors and did not change after any stimuli. Only the LPS administration increased plasma and/or inflammatory mediators levels in both groups (survivors and naive) being apparently lower in the survivors. There was no difference in the increased secretion pattern of ACTH and CORT observed in the naive and sepsis survivor animals submitted to immune challenge or restraint stress. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the HPA axis is already recovered soon after 5 days of sepsis induction responding with normal secretion of ACTH and CORT when required.

Brazilian-Portuguese Validation Assessment of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index for Patients After Laparoendoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Background: Cholelithiasis is currently one of the most common diagnosis in Brazil. The aim of this study was to validate the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) as a quality-of-life (QoL) assessment among the Brazilian population with syntomatic gallstone. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted after the linguistic validation process determined by the international methodology. Sixty-three patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy responded to the GIQLI-Brazil and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) instruments. For the evaluation of reproducibility, 30 patients responded to GIQLI-Brazil two more times after 2 and 4 weeks. After the University of São Paulo Ethics Commitee Board approval (UNIFESP/CEP: 1270/2019), the study was carryed out between May 2019 and February 2020 at the Gastroenterology outpatient clinic of Hospital São Paulo-Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). Cronbach's alpha, the calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Spearman's correlation were used to assess the validity and reproducibility of the instrument translated into Portuguese, and to measure correlation between the domains of the GIQLI-Brazil and SF-36 (P < .05). Results: Seven questions were modified during the process of translation and cultural adaptation. The Brazilian version of the instrument presented a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89, and excellent reproducibility through the ICC, with the following variation between domains: meteorism (ICC = 0.918; P < .001) and gastrointestinal function (lower tract) (ICC = 0.956; P < .001). The dimensions of the GIQLI-Brazil and SF-36 demonstrated a significant correlation (P < .001), except between the domains: functional aspects of the SF-36 and gastrointestinal function (lower tract) of the GIQLI-Brazil (r = 0.211). Conclusion: The GIQLI was translated and validated for Portuguese-Brazil and can be used to assess the QoL of adult patients with gastrointestinal diseases and/or disorders.

Causal effects on low Apgar at 5-min and stillbirth in a malaria maternal-fetal health outcome investigation: a large perinatal surveillance study in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Malaria elimination in Brazil poses several challenges, including the control of Plasmodium falciparum foci and the hidden burden of Plasmodium vivax in pregnancy. Maternal malaria and fetal health outcomes were investigated with a perinatal surveillance study in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre state, Brazilian Amazon. The research questions are: what are the causal effects of low birth weight on low Apgar at 5-min and of perinatal anaemia on stillbirth? METHODS: From November 2018 to October 2019, pregnant women of ≥ 22 weeks or puerperal mothers, who delivered at the referral maternity hospital (Juruá Women and Children's Hospital), were recruited to participate in a malaria surveillance study. Clinical information was obtained from a questionnaire and abstracted from medical reports. Haemoglobin level and presence of malarial parasites were tested by haematology counter and light microscopy, respectively. Low Apgar at 5-min and stillbirth were the outcomes analysed in function of clinical data and epidemiologic risk factors for maternal malaria infection using both a model of additive and independent effects and a causal model with control of confounders and use of mediation. RESULTS: In total, 202 (7.2%; N = 2807) women had malaria during pregnancy. Nearly half of malaria infections during pregnancy (n = 94) were P. falciparum. A total of 27 women (1.03%; N = 2632) had perinatal malaria (19 P. vivax and 8 P. falciparum). Perinatal anaemia was demonstrated in 1144 women (41.2%; N = 2779) and low birth weight occurred in 212 newborns (3.1%; N = 2807). A total of 75 newborns (2.7%; N = 2807) had low (< 7) Apgar scores at 5-min., and stillbirth occurred in 23 instances (30.7%; n = 75). Low birth weight resulted in 7.1 higher odds of low Apgar at 5-min (OR = 7.05, 95% CI 3.86-12.88, p < 0.001) modulated by living in rural conditions, malaria during pregnancy, perinatal malaria, and perinatal anaemia. Stillbirth was associated with perinatal anaemia (OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.02-6.42, p = 0.0444) modulated by living in rural conditions, falciparum malaria during pregnancy, perinatal malaria, and perinatal fever. CONCLUSIONS: While Brazil continues its path towards malaria elimination, the population still faces major structural problems, including substandard living conditions. Here malaria infections on pregnant women were observed having indirect effects on fetal outcomes, contributing to low Apgar at 5-min and stillbirth. Finally, the utility of employing multiple statistical analysis methods to validate consistent trends is vital to ensure optimal public health intervention designs.

Microglial Activation Modulates Neuroendocrine Secretion During Experimental Sepsis.

Sepsis promotes an inflammatory state in the central nervous system (CNS) that may cause autonomic, cognitive, and endocrine changes. Microglia, a resident immune cell of the CNS, is activated in several brain regions during sepsis, suggesting its participation in the central alterations observed in this disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of microglial activation in the neuroendocrine system functions during systemic inflammation. Wistar rats received an intracerebroventricular injection of the microglial activation inhibitor minocycline (100 µg/animal), shortly before sepsis induction by cecal ligation and puncture. At 6 and 24 h after surgery, hormonal parameters, central and peripheral inflammation, and markers of apoptosis and synaptic function in the hypothalamus were analyzed. The administration of minocycline decreased the production of inflammatory mediators and the expression of cell death markers, especially in the late phase of sepsis (24 h). With respect to the endocrine parameters, microglial inhibition caused a decrease in oxytocin and an increase in corticosterone and vasopressin plasma levels in the early phase of sepsis (6 h), while in the late phase, we observed decreased oxytocin and increased ACTH and corticosterone levels compared to septic animals that did not receive minocycline. Prolactin levels were not affected by minocycline administration. The results indicate that microglial activation differentially modulates the secretion of several hormones and that this process is associated with inflammatory mediators produced both centrally and peripherally.

Vasopressin and copeptin release during sepsis and septic shock.

Sepsis is defined as a potentially fatal organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Despite tremendous progress in the medical sciences, sepsis remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The host response to sepsis and septic shock involves changes in the immune, autonomic, and neuroendocrine systems. Regarding neuroendocrine changes, studies show an increase in plasma vasopressin (AVP) concentrations followed by a decline, which may be correlated with septic shock. AVP is a peptide hormone derived from a larger precursor (preprohormone), along with two peptides, neurophysin II and copeptin. AVP is synthesized in the hypothalamus, stored and released from the neurohypophysis into the bloodstream by a wide range of stimuli. The measurement of AVP has limitations due to its plasma instability and short half-life. Copeptin is a more stable peptide than AVP, and its immunoassay is feasible. The blood concentrations of copeptin mirror those of AVP in many physiological states; paradoxically, during sepsis-related organ dysfunction, an uncoupling between copeptin and AVP blood levels appears to happen. In this review, we focus on clinical and experimental studies that analyzed AVP and copeptin blood concentrations over time in sepsis. The findings suggest that AVP and copeptin behave similarly in the early stages of sepsis; however, we did not find a proportional decrease in copeptin concentrations as seen with AVP during septic shock. Copeptin levels were higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors, suggesting that copeptin may work as a marker of severity or sepsis-related organ dysfunction.

Silicone granuloma mimicking lymphatic metastases in a patient with breast cancer

Silicone breast implants are commonly used, even for reconstruction after mastectomy in malignant disease. In this setting, the presence of suspicious lymphadenopathy should be investigated, because it could represent disease progression. A case of a woman with left breast cancer (more than 20 years ago) and prosthesic reconstruction is reported. She developed a second breast cancer on the opposite side. During follow up, a suspicious lymphadenopathy was seen in the computed tomography scan, but the final diagnosis corresponded to a siliconoma. Silicone granuloma is a difficult diagnosis in these cases, but must be considered.

Profile of female deaths by homicide in the city of Goiânia.

OBJECTIVES: to identify the female homicide profile in the city of Goiânia. METHODS: a cross-sectional, descriptive study that characterized female deaths by homicide from 2008 to 2015. They occurred in Goiânia, and registered in the Mortality Information System. Cases of homicide of women aged ≥ 10 years were eligible. Other causes of death were excluded. Descriptive statistical analysis with frequencies. RESULTS: three hundred seventy-six women died from assault, with an increase in the percentage of deaths annually. Most of the victims were young (57.5%), single (78.8%), mixed-ethnicity (61.1%) and with low education (58.4%). The most frequent means of assault was firearm (64.0%). The health districts with the highest record of female deaths due to assault were southwest, center and northwest. CONCLUSIONS: the predominant profile of women victims of femicide was young, mixed-ethnicity, single, with low level of education and living in less favored regions.

Simvastatin Prevents Long-Term Cognitive Deficits in Sepsis Survivor Rats by Reducing Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy causes brain dysfunction that can result in cognitive impairments in sepsis survivor patients. In previous work, we showed that simvastatin attenuated oxidative stress in brain structures related to memory in septic rats. However, there is still a need to evaluate the long-term impact of simvastatin administration on brain neurodegenerative processes and cognitive damage in sepsis survivors. Here, we investigated the possible neuroprotective role of simvastatin in neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration conditions of brain structures related to memory in rats at 10 days after sepsis survival. Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were submitted to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP, n = 42) or remained as non-manipulated (naïve, n = 30). Both groups were treated (before and after the surgery) by gavage with simvastatin (20 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of saline and observed for 10 days. Simvastatin-treated rats that survived to sepsis showed a reduction in the levels of nitrate, IL1-ß, and IL-6 and an increase in Bcl-2 protein expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and synaptophysin only in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence revealed a reduction of glial activation, neurodegeneration, apoptosis, and amyloid aggregates confirmed by quantification of GFAP, Iba-1, phospho Ser396-tau, total tau, cleaved caspase-3, and thioflavin-S in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In addition, treated animals presented better performance in tasks involving habituation memory, discriminative, and aversive memory. These results suggest that statins exert a neuroprotective role by upregulation of the Bcl-2 and gliosis reduction, which may prevent the cognitive deficit observed in sepsis survivor animals.

Sepsis-induced encephalopathy impairs descending nociceptive pathways in rats.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a significant problem in patients with sepsis, and it is associated with a decrease in cognitive and sensitivity capability induced by systemic inflammation. SAE is implicated in reversible brain damage of several regions related to cognition, emotion, and sensation; however, it is not well established if it could affect brain regions associated with nociceptive modulation. Here were evaluated the nociceptive thresholds in rats with systemic inflammation induced by cecal ligation puncture (CLP). After 24 h of CLP, it was observed an increase in nociceptive threshold in all tests. Periaqueductal gray, rostroventral medulla, critical regions for descending nociceptive modulation, were evaluated and showed enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as glial activation. These results suggest that systemic inflammation could compromise descending facilitatory pathways, impairing nociceptive sensory functioning.

Profile of female deaths by homicide in the city of Goiânia / Perfil de homicidio muerte de mujeres en la ciudad de Goiania / Perfil dos óbitos femininos por homicídios no município de Goiânia

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify the female homicide profile in the city of Goiânia. Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study that characterized female deaths by homicide from 2008 to 2015. They occurred in Goiânia, and registered in the Mortality Information System. Cases of homicide of women aged ≥ 10 years were eligible. Other causes of death were excluded. Descriptive statistical analysis with frequencies. Results: three hundred seventy-six women died from assault, with an increase in the percentage of deaths annually. Most of the victims were young (57.5%), single (78.8%), mixed-ethnicity (61.1%) and with low education (58.4%). The most frequent means of assault was firearm (64.0%). The health districts with the highest record of female deaths due to assault were southwest, center and northwest. Conclusions: the predominant profile of women victims of femicide was young, mixed-ethnicity, single, with low level of education and living in less favored regions.

RESUMEN Objetivos: identificar el perfil de homicidios femeninos en la cuidad de Goiânia. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal que caracterizó las muertes de mujeres por homicidios de 2008 a 2015, ocurridas en Goiânia, registradas en el Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Los casos de homicidio de mujeres ≥ 10 años que vivían en Goiânia eran elegibles. Se excluyeron otras causas de muerte. Análisis estadístico descriptivo con frecuencias. Resultados: 376 mujeres murieron por agresión, con un aumento en el porcentaje de muertes anuales. La mayoría de las víctimas eran jóvenes (57.5%), solteras (78.8%), mestizas (61.1%) y con baja educación (58.4%). El medio de agresión más frecuente fue con un arma de fuego (64.0%). Los distritos de salud con el mayor número de muertes de mujeres debido a la agresión fueron Suroeste, Centro y Noroeste, respectivamente. Conclusiones: el perfil predominante de mujeres víctimas de feminicidio era joven, morena, soltera, con bajo nivel educativo y viviendo en regiones menos favorecidas.

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar o perfil de homicídios femininos no município de Goiânia, Goiás. Métodos: estudo transversal, descritivo, que caracterizou os óbitos femininos por homicídios de 2008 a 2015, ocorridos em Goiânia, registrados no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. Foram elegíveis casos de homicídios de mulheres com idade ≥ 10 anos que residiam em Goiânia. Foram excluídas as outras causas de morte. Análise estatística descritiva com frequências. Resultados: 376 mulheres morreram por agressão, observando-se um aumento da porcentagem de óbitos anualmente. A maioria das vítimas era jovens (57,5%), solteiras (78,8%), pardas (61,1 %) e de baixa escolaridade (58,4%). O meio de agressão mais frequente foi com arma de fogo (64,0%). Os distritos sanitários com maior registro de óbitos femininos por agressão foram Sudoeste, Centro e Noroeste, respectivamente. Conclusões: o perfil predominante das mulheres vítimas de feminicídio foi jovens, pardas, solteiras, com baixo nível de escolaridade e moradoras de regiões menos favorecidas.

Profile of female deaths by homicide in the city of Goiânia / Perfil de homicidio muerte de mujeres en la ciudad de Goiania / Perfil dos óbitos femininos por homicídios no município de Goiânia

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify the female homicide profile in the city of Goiânia. Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study that characterized female deaths by homicide from 2008 to 2015. They occurred in Goiânia, and registered in the Mortality Information System. Cases of homicide of women aged ≥ 10 years were eligible. Other causes of death were excluded. Descriptive statistical analysis with frequencies. Results: three hundred seventy-six women died from assault, with an increase in the percentage of deaths annually. Most of the victims were young (57.5%), single (78.8%), mixed-ethnicity (61.1%) and with low education (58.4%). The most frequent means of assault was firearm (64.0%). The health districts with the highest record of female deaths due to assault were southwest, center and northwest. Conclusions: the predominant profile of women victims of femicide was young, mixed-ethnicity, single, with low level of education and living in less favored regions.

RESUMEN Objetivos: identificar el perfil de homicidios femeninos en la cuidad de Goiânia. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal que caracterizó las muertes de mujeres por homicidios de 2008 a 2015, ocurridas en Goiânia, registradas en el Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Los casos de homicidio de mujeres ≥ 10 años que vivían en Goiânia eran elegibles. Se excluyeron otras causas de muerte. Análisis estadístico descriptivo con frecuencias. Resultados: 376 mujeres murieron por agresión, con un aumento en el porcentaje de muertes anuales. La mayoría de las víctimas eran jóvenes (57.5%), solteras (78.8%), mestizas (61.1%) y con baja educación (58.4%). El medio de agresión más frecuente fue con un arma de fuego (64.0%). Los distritos de salud con el mayor número de muertes de mujeres debido a la agresión fueron Suroeste, Centro y Noroeste, respectivamente. Conclusiones: el perfil predominante de mujeres víctimas de feminicidio era joven, morena, soltera, con bajo nivel educativo y viviendo en regiones menos favorecidas.

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar o perfil de homicídios femininos no município de Goiânia, Goiás. Métodos: estudo transversal, descritivo, que caracterizou os óbitos femininos por homicídios de 2008 a 2015, ocorridos em Goiânia, registrados no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. Foram elegíveis casos de homicídios de mulheres com idade ≥ 10 anos que residiam em Goiânia. Foram excluídas as outras causas de morte. Análise estatística descritiva com frequências. Resultados: 376 mulheres morreram por agressão, observando-se um aumento da porcentagem de óbitos anualmente. A maioria das vítimas era jovens (57,5%), solteiras (78,8%), pardas (61,1 %) e de baixa escolaridade (58,4%). O meio de agressão mais frequente foi com arma de fogo (64,0%). Os distritos sanitários com maior registro de óbitos femininos por agressão foram Sudoeste, Centro e Noroeste, respectivamente. Conclusões: o perfil predominante das mulheres vítimas de feminicídio foi jovens, pardas, solteiras, com baixo nível de escolaridade e moradoras de regiões menos favorecidas.

HSP-Target of Therapeutic Agents in Sepsis Treatment.

Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory response, cellular stress, and organ injury. Sepsis is the main cause of death in intensive care units worldwide, creating need for research and new therapeutic strategies. Heat shock protein (HSP) analyses have recently been developed in the context of sepsis. HSPs have a cytoprotection role in stress conditions, signal to immune cells, and activate the inflammatory response. Hence, HSP analyses have become an important focus in sepsis research, including the investigation of HSPs targeted by therapeutic agents used in sepsis treatment. Many therapeutic agents have been tested, and their HSP modulation showed promising results. Nonetheless, the heterogeneity in experimental designs and the diversity in therapeutic agents used make it difficult to understand their efficacy in sepsis treatment. Therefore, future investigations should include the analysis of parameters related to the early and late immune response in sepsis, HSP localization (intra or extracellular), and time to the onset of treatment after sepsis. They also should consider the differences in experimental sepsis models. In this review, we present the main results of studies on therapeutic agents in targeting HSPs in sepsis treatment. We also discuss limitations and possibilities for future investigations regarding HSP modulators.

Kaolin-induced hydrocephalus causes acetylcholinesterase activity dysfunction following hypothalamic damage in infant rats.

In hydrocephalus, the progressive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) causes dilatation of the lateral ventricles affecting the third ventricle and diencephalic structures such as the hypothalamus. These structures play a key role in the regulation of several neurovegetative functions by the production of the hormones. Since endocrine disturbances are commonly observed in hydrocephalic children, we investigated the impact of progressive ventricular dilation on the hypothalamus of infant rats submitted to kaolin-induced hydrocephalus. Seven-day-old infant rats were submitted to hydrocephalus induction by kaolin 20% injection method. After 14 days, the animals were decapitated and brain was collected to analyze mitochondrial function, neuronal activity by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, oxidative damage, glial activation, and, neurotransmission-related proteins and anti-apoptotic processes in the hypothalamus. The hydrocephalic animals showed reduction in respiratory rates in the States of phosphorylation (P < 0.01) and non-phosphorylation (P < 0.05); increase in AChE activity in both the cytosol (P < 0.05) and the membrane (P < 0.01); decrease in synaptophysin (P < 0.05) and Bcl-2 (P < 0.05) contents and; increase in protein carbonyl (P < 0.01), GFAP (P < 0.01) and Iba-1 (P < 0.05) levels. The results demonstrate that ventricular dilation causes hypothalamic damage characterized by cholinergic dysfunction and suggests further investigation of the synthesis and secretion of hormones to generate new approaches and to assist in the treatment of hydrocephalic patients with hormonal alterations.

Neuroprotective action of Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids on Paraquat intoxication in Drosophila melanogaster.

Several studies have shown the protective effects of dietary enrichment of omega-3 (ω-3) long-chain fatty acids in several animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we investigate if eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids (ω-3) protect against neurodegeneration mediated by the exposure to a widely used herbicide Paraquat (PQ) (1,1'-dimethyl-4-4'-bipyridinium dichloride), focusing on mitochondrial metabolism using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Dietary ingestion of PQ for 3 days resulted in the loss of citrate synthase content, respiratory capacity impairment and exacerbated H2O2 production per mitochondrial unit related to complex I dysfunction, and high lactate accumulation in fly heads. PQ intoxication lead to 1) the loss of ELAV (embryonic lethal abnormal vision) and α-spectrin, essential proteins of neuronal viability and synaptic stability; 2) increased gamma-secretase activity, an enzyme related to APP release; and 3) increased the amyloid fibrils contents. All these toxic effects induced by PQ were prevented by concomitant dietary ingestion of EPA/DHA, suggesting that a neuroprotective effect of ω-3 also involves mitochondrial protection. In conclusion, concomitant EPA and DHA ingestion protects against PQ-induced neuronal and mitochondrial dysfunctions frequently found in neurodegenerative processes reinforcing its protective role against environmental neurodegenerative diseases.

High-risk pregnancy: clinical-epidemiological profile of pregnant women attended at the prenatal service of the Public Maternity Hospital of Rio Branco, Acre / Gestação de alto risco: perfil clínico-epidemiológico das gestantes atendidas no serviço de pré-natal da maternidade pública de Rio Branco, Acre

Abstract Objectives: to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of the pregnant women treated at the high-risk prenatal service of the Public Maternity Hospital of Rio Branco, Acre Methods: a cross-sectional study of326pregnant women attended at the Rio Branco high risk prenatal outpatient clinic from April to May 2016. Interviews were conducted with a structured questionnaire. Results: the results showed that the mean age of women was 28 years old, schooling equal to or higher than high school (58.8%), married / stable union (81.7%), unemployed (50%); (26.4%), four or more pregnancies (32.8%), prenatal start with gestational age <12 weeks (69.3%), and 3 to 5 prenatal consultations (58%). The most frequent clinical antecedents were obesity (35%) and chronic hypertension (8%). The most frequent clinical and obstetric complications were urinary tract infection (39.9%), weight gain (30.4%), anemia (14%), threat of abortion (11%) and gestational hypertension (10.4%) Conclusions: knowledge about the clinical-epidemiological profile of high-risk pregnant women helps to create strategic health services instruments and, consequently, to reduce maternal mortality.

Resumo Objetivos: descrever o perfil clínico e epidemiológico das gestantes atendidas no serviço de pré-natal de alto risco da Maternidade Pública de Rio Branco, Acre. Métodos: estudo de corte transversal de 326 gestantes atendidas no ambulatório de prénatal de alto risco de Rio Branco no período de abril a maio de 2016. Foram realizadas entrevistas com questionário estruturado. Resultados: os resultados evidenciaram que a média de idade das mulheres foi de 28 anos, escolaridade igual ou superior ao ensino médio (58,8%), casada/união estável (81,7%), desempregadas (50%); primigestas (26,4%), quatro ou mais gestações (32,8%), início do pré-natal com idade gestacional <12 semanas (69,3%) e de 3 a 5 consultas de prénatal (58%). Os antecedentes clínicos mais observados foram obesidade (35%) e hipertensão arterial crônica (8%). As intercorrências clínicas e obstétricas mais frequentes foram infecção do trato urinário (39,9%), ganho ponderal maior (30,4%), anemia (14%), ameaça de abortamento (11%) e hipertensão gestacional (10,4%). Conclusões: o conhecimento a cerca do perfil clinico-epidemiológico das gestantes de alto risco permite auxiliar na criação de instrumentos estratégicos dos serviços de saúde e consequentemente na redução da mortalidade materna.

Cytokines, cortisol, and nitric oxide as salivary biomarkers in oral lichen planus: a systematic review.

The etiopathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) is still not fully elucidated, and it is believed that its development could involve a neuro-immune-endocrine profile. This systematic review investigated the relationship between cytokines, cortisol, and nitric oxide (NO) in the saliva of OLP patients. An electronic search was conducted in Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, LIVIVO, and Web of Science databases with no restriction of language to identify studies published up to December 2017. Data extraction was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 140 articles were retrieved, and 32 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria (cytokines = 17; cortisol = 9; NO = 6). The most studied cytokines in the saliva of OLP patients were interleukins IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-Ò¯, and TNF-α, which were higher in OLP patients than in healthy controls (HC). Salivary cortisol was found to be higher in OLP than in HC in most (55.5%) of the selected studies, and all studies related to NO found higher levels of this marker in OLP than in HC. Despite controversial results, our review suggests that OLP patients have an increased inflammatory response, as indicated by the proinflammatory profile of salivary cytokines. In addition, we conclude that salivary cytokine and NO measurements may have significant diagnostic and prognostic potential for monitoring disease activity and therapeutic responses in OLP.

12th World Congress on Neurohypophysial Hormones Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 26th-29th, 2017.

This Special Issue of Journal of Neuroendocrinology comprises six reviews and eight original research articles describing recent advances in the field of Vasopressin and Oxytocin hormone research based on presentations given at the 12th World Congress on Neurohypophysial Hormones held in July 2017, in Brazil. We, the Chair of the Local Organising Committee and Guest Editor (Maria José A. Rocha) and Guest/Senior Editors for this issue (Celia Sladek and Mike Ludwig), would like to thank the contributors for their excellent reviews and original research articles, the colleagues who reviewed these articles and the Editorial Board of Journal of Neuroendocrinology for their enthusiastic support of the Special Issue. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Meeting report: IUPS and ADInstruments 2017 Teaching Workshop.

Every 4 yr, the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) Teaching Workshop is held as a traditional satellite event of the IUPS Congress. The 2017 satellite workshop was held August 5-8, 2017 in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The workshop provided an opportunity for discussion and experiences in physiology teaching for educators at various levels, graduate students, and undergraduate students. This report describes the workshop activities and reports the participants' perceptions of this event. For evaluation of perception, an anonymous questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all participants, addressing nine items: appropriate topics, time of activities, poster session, congress venue, registration fee, attention of the organizing committee before and during the event, social event, and food. Responses were ranked according to a five-point Likert scale. Of the 145 participants, 77 answered the questionnaire. The participants' perception was positive, noting in particular opportunities to share knowledge, space for reflection of teaching practice, contact networks for future, exchanges of experience, and collaborations in research in physiological education.

Direct Immunofluorescence as a Helpful Tool for the Differential Diagnosis of Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Lesions.

A great number of lichenoid lesions have overlapping clinicopathological features, so the use of adjunct tests to establish definitive diagnosis is recommended for correct management and prognosis of the lesions. In this context, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) can be a useful tool. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the clinical, histopathological, and DIF pattern in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and patients with oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs). Patients with OLP and patients with OLL were characterized and compared with patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, and fibrous hyperplasia through a cross-sectional study. Patients with OLP (n = 30) and patients with OLL (n = 26) were mostly white women in the fifth decade of age, with reticular lesions mainly on the buccal mucosa. All patients with OLP and half of the patients with OLL showed liquefaction degeneration at the basal cell layer and a band-like lymphocytic infiltrate in the subepithelial tissue. Twenty-two patients with OLP (73.3%), 10 with OLL (38.4%), 25 with mucous membrane pemphigoid (96.1%), and all with pemphigus vulgaris (100%) had positive DIF. There was no positive DIF in patients with fibrous hyperplasia. The most frequent DIF pattern in patients with OLP and patients with OLL was linear fibrinogen at the basement membrane zone, and a logistic regression model for positive DIF found statistically significant difference in OLP versus OLL (odds ratio, 3.73; confidence interval, 1.23-11.38). Although clinical and histopathological features are sufficient for diagnosing most of the patients with OLP and OLL, DIF is a key tool in differentiating some lichenoid lesions and could improve the diagnosis of OLP and OLL, especially in lesions showing typical clinical and histological features of OLP.