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BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease whose diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations, serological testing for autoantibodies, and nailfold capillaroscopy. Although some proteins have been proposed as biomarkers, the diagnosis of SSc remains a challenge for clinicians. The soluble oncostatin M receptor (sOSMR) is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of SSc, as it appears to act as an antagonist of oncostatin M (OSM)-mediated signaling, which is involved in biological and inflammatory processes, including tissue injury and fibrosis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of sOSMR in systemic sclerosis. METHODOLOGY: Serum samples were collected from 105 patients with SSc, 50 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 64 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 130 healthy controls (HC). The sOSMR levels were measured using an ELISA kit, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the biomarker's potential for diagnosing SSc. RESULTS: sOSMR levels are significantly elevated in the serum of patients with SSc when compared to patients with RA and SLE, as well as healthy controls (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC curve analysis revealed the ability of sOSMR serum levels to distinguish patients with SSc from those with RA (0.901 [95 % CI 0.842-0.943]; p < 0.0001), with a sensitivity of 89.52 % and specificity of 78.00 %, and from patients with SLE (0.897 [95 % CI 0.841-0.938]; p < 0.0001), with a sensitivity of 81.90 % and specificity of 89.06 %, as well as from healthy controls (0.876 [95 % CI 0.827 - 0.916]; p < 0.0001), with a sensitivity of 82.86 % and specificity of 81.54 %. When comparing patients with SSc to patients with other diseases (RA and SLE combined), an AUC of 0.898 ([95 % CI 0.851-0.935]; p < 0.0001) was found, with a sensitivity of 82.86 % and specificity of 85.09 %. CONCLUSION: Serum sOSMR levels are elevated in patients with SSc and have shown a good ability to distinguish between SSc patients, patients with other autoimmune rheumatologic diseases (RA and SLE), and healthy controls. Thus, sOSMR is a promising marker for diagnosing SSc.

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PURPOSE: Measure associations between clinicopathological and immunohistochemical human Mut-L homologue 1 (hMLH1) gene, and human Mut-L homologue 2 (hMSH2) genes, variables in recurrent AMBs. METHODS: This study consisted of a research retrospective, observational case-control study consisting of 22 cases of recurrent AMB and 22 non-recurrent cases. Cases of AMB with more than one year of follow-up were included in the study. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis was performed considering the cellular location (nuclear) of the proteins studied. The McNemar test was used to compare variables between primary and recurrent AMBs. Recurrence-free survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and survival functions were compared according to the variables using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The posterior mandible was the most affected site in the recurrent (n = 18, 81.8%) and non-recurrent groups (n = 16, 72.8%). Recurrence-free survival was 50.0 (34.5-63.6) months. The following factors were significantly associated with AMB recurrence: presence of cortical bone expansion (p = 0.01), absence of bone reconstruction (p = 0.02), conservative treatment (p = 0.02), loss of hMSH2 (p = 0.01) and hMLH1 (p = 0.04) immunoexpression, and strong Ki-67 immunoexpression (p = 0.03). The risk factors for AMB recurrence were anatomical location (OR = 3.31), locularity (OR = 1.07), cortical expansion (OR = 6.17), cortical perforation (OR = 2.10), bone resorption (OR = 1.52), tooth impaction (OR = 1.86), jaw reconstruction (OR = 6.92), and immunoexpression of hMSH2 (OR = 10.0) and hMLH1 (OR = 4.50). CONCLUSION: Radiographic appearance, treatment modality, and immunoexpression of mismatch repair proteins can be used as predictors of AMB recurrence.

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BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is beneficial for musculoskeletal health. Although low levels of vitamin D are linked to increased pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA), their association with functionality remains understudied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and functional status in elderly individuals with OA and explore the potential correlation between vitamin D deficiency and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: The study included older adults (≥60 years) from an ageing study, encompassing 105 OA patients and 152 controls. OA diagnosis was confirmed radiographically, and the WOMAC questionnaire assessed functional impairment in these patients. Blood samples were collected to measure 25(OH) vitamin D levels by chemiluminescence and TNF-α and IL-6 levels by ELISA. RESULTS: Patients with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency exhibited more severe cases of OA compared to those with normal vitamin D levels (p = 0.04). Vitamin D levels were inversely correlated with functional impairment in OA, according to the WOMAC Index (global: rS = -0.25, p = 0.01; pain: rS = -0.21, p = 0.03). Moreover, OA patients with vitamin D deficiency showed significantly higher levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced levels of vitamin D are associated with more severe cases of hip and knee osteoarthritis, increased pain, greater functional impairment, and elevated serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the influence of vitamin D on osteoarthritis and to evaluate the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation for mitigating disease symptoms and progression.

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Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic disabling mental disorder with high heritability, and several immune-regulating genes have been implicated in its pathophysiology In this study, we investigated the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 1, 2, and 6 in peripheral blood monocytes from SZ patients and healthy control subjects (HCSs) in the Mexican population, focusing on specific SZ-associated gene variants. Gene expressions were assessed by qPCR, and protein expression was measured using flow cytometry. The secretory profiles of MALP2-stimulated monocytes were evaluated through immunoproteomic arrays. Our results indicate that patients with SZ carrying the rs4833093/TLR1 GG genotype exhibited significantly lower TLR1 gene expression compared to TT carriers. Notably, HCSs with the TT genotype showed markedly higher TLR1 protein expression, while all patients with SZ exhibited significantly reduced protein levels regardless of genotype. Furthermore, monocytes from patients with SZ displayed altered secretion profiles upon TLR stimulation, with significant elevations in IL-18, uPAR, angiopoietin-2, and serpin E1, alongside reductions in MCP-1, IL-17A, IL-24, MIF, and myeloperoxidase compared to HCSs. These findings suggest a dysfunctional TLR-mediated innate immune response in SZ.

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Malaria is a parasitic disease of great relevance in global public health. The development of new sensitive and specific diagnostic high-throughput methods remains a challenge in the eradication of this disease. In this study, we developed a flow cytometry test using latex microbeads and polyclonal antibodies obtained from rabbits and mice for the detection of the P. vivax lactate dehydrogenase (PvLDH) antigen. We processed 50 samples from Brazilian patients diagnosed with malaria caused by P. vivax and 40 samples from healthy individuals. The assay presented sensitivity of 64%, specificity of 97%, a positive predictive value of 97%, and a negative predictive value of 57% when analyzed using the fluorescent labeling method. Using the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) analysis method, the sensitivity was 53%, specificity was 89%, the positive predictive value was 95%, and the negative predictive value was 33%. In both methods of analysis, we observed significant statistical differences between the analyzed groups (P-value <0.0001). A high correlation (0.60) between the two methods and a low correlation between PvLDH concentration and parasite density was found. The test was able to detect the PvLDH protein with high specificity, but its sensitivity should be improved. More promising results were observed when the samples were analyzed according to the percentage of fluorescent labeling. Improvement of this assay would enable its application as a serological test for the detection of asymptomatic patients and for the validation of rapid diagnostic tests.

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INTRODUCTION: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a dementia syndrome whose onset and course manifests with language deficits. There is a lack of instruments for clinical assessment of language in dementia and further research in the area is needed. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to identify language tasks that can aid the process of clinically diagnosing PPA and to determine those tasks most impaired in this population. METHOD: A sample of 87 individuals comprising 2 groups was assessed: a PPA group (PPAG) of 29 PPA patients; and a control group (CG) of 58 healthy subjects matched for age and education. All participants underwent a brief cognitive battery followed by a comprehensive language assessment using the MTL-BR Battery. RESULTS: A statistically significant performance difference was found between the PPAG and CG on the following tasks: structured interview, oral comprehension of phrases, oral narrative discourse, written comprehension of phrases, written dictation, sentence repetition, semantic verbal fluency, oral naming of nouns and verbs, object manipulation, phonological verbal fluency, body part recognition and left-right orientation, written naming of nouns, oral text comprehension, number dictation, written narrative discourse, written text comprehension and numerical calculations (mental and written). CONCLUSION: The results revealed that performance of PPA patients was poorer compared to healthy subjects on various language tasks. The most useful subtests from the MTL-BR battery for aiding clinical diagnosis of PPA were identified, tasks which should be prioritized when assessing this patient group.

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BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative, progressive, chronic disease that mainly affects the central nervous system, caused by dopamine deficiency. One of the ways to evaluate the central nervous system is with auditory evoked potentials (AEP). OBJECTIVE: To characterize the audiometric responses, and the auditory brainstem response (ABR), and cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP) in individuals with PD. METHODS: Thirty-two patients aged between 40 and 81 of both sexes were assessed, 16 with PD (study group [SG]) and 16 without PD (control group [CG]) matched for sex and age. The subjects were assessed using pure tone audiometry, ABR with click stimuli, and CAEP using the oddball paradigm with tone burst and speech stimuli. The results were compared between the groups using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. RESULTS: In pure-tone audiometry, significantly higher hearing thresholds were found in the SG at 6 and 8 kHz. For the ABR, no differences were observed between groups. The CAEP analysis did not find statistical differences in the latencies between the groups, however, the SG presented smaller amplitudes of P1-N1, P2-N2, and N2-P3 than the CG. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed a significantly higher threshold in higher frequencies in PD. Although no differences were observed at the brainstem level, the decrease in amplitude of all components in patients with PD in the CAEP suggests a deficit in both automatic and attentional cortical processing of acoustic stimuli.

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INTRODUCTION: Although there are some studies evaluating CIE incidence and associated risk factors, none assessed mortality several months after the Candida spp. BSI episode. We aimed to assess risk factors for CIE and outcomes, including 1-year mortality, in patients with Candida spp. BSI in a public tertiary-care teaching hospital in Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective case-control, followed by a cohort study, with adult patients who presented a Candida spp. BSI. Participants were eligible if they had at least one echocardiogram performed no longer than 3 days before Candida spp. BSI diagnosis and thereafter during the respective hospital admission. CIE diagnosis was defined by the presence of two major Duke criteria. RESULTS: We studied 164 patients (median age: 57.6 years) with a median Charlson comorbidity index of 3 points. Most patients were female (54.9%), were on haemodialysis (54.9%), and 4.6% had a preexisting moderate/severe heart valve disease. C. albicans (36.2%) and C. parapsilosis complex (34.4%) were the most frequent Candida species identified. CIE was detected in 10 patients (6.1%; 95% CI: 2.4%-9.8%). In the multivariable analysis, age and C. parapsilosis complex remained as independent predictors of CIE. There was no significant difference between CIE and no CIE groups in 1-year mortality after Candida spp. BSI diagnosis and hospital discharge. DISCUSSION: Considering the low costs and hazards associated with an echocardiogram, performing it systematically in all patients with Candida spp. BSI might improve CIE diagnosis and ultimately survival rates.

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BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic syndrome of uncertain etiology with abnormal respiratory findings in approximately 90% of cases. Spirometry is the most common lung function test used for assessing lung function in diagnosis and monitoring pulmonary health. Respiratory oscillometry allows a simple alternative for the analysis of respiratory abnormalities. Integer-order and fractional-order modeling have increasingly been used to interpret measurements obtained from oscillometry, offering a detailed description of the respiratory system. In this study, we aimed to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological changes in sarcoidosis and assess the diagnostic accuracy of these models. METHODS: This observational study includes 25 controls and 50 individuals with sarcoidosis divided into normal to spirometry (SNS) and abnormal spirometry (SAS). The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by investigating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: The integer-order model showed significant airway and total resistance increases in the SNS and SAS groups. There was a reduction in compliance and an increase in peripheral resistance in the SAS group (p < 0.001). The fractional-order model showed increased energy dissipation and hysteresivity in the SNS and SAS groups. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations among model and spirometric parameters, where the strongest associations were between total resistance and FEV1 (r: -0.600, p = 0.0001). The diagnostic accuracy analysis showed that total resistance and hysteresivity were the best parameters, reaching an AUC = 0.986 and 0.938 in the SNS and SAS groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The studied models provided a deeper understanding of pulmonary mechanical changes in sarcoidosis. The results suggest that parameters obtained through the studied models enhance evaluation and enable better management of these patients. Specifically, total resistance and hysteresivity parameters demonstrated diagnostic potential, which may be beneficial for the early identification of individuals with sarcoidosis, even when spirometry results are within normal ranges.

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PURPOSE: to describe sociodemographic characteristics of individuals with multiple sclerosis and correlate and compare vocal fatigue, voice handicap, and voice-related quality of life of individuals with and without the disease. METHODS: Cross-sectional, quantitative study with 52 volunteers with multiple sclerosis and 52 control volunteers, matched by sex, age, and education level. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected through a questionnaire and medical record analysis. Participants responded to the reduced Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10), Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL). Correlational and comparative analyses were performed, with a 5% significance level (p < 0.05). RESULTS: There was a greater predominance of females diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, with a mean age of 40 years, who graduated from high school, and with a relapsing-remitting disease course. Voice handicap was positively correlated with vocal fatigue, and voice handicap and vocal fatigue were negatively correlated with voice-related quality of life in both groups. Participants with multiple sclerosis exceeded the VHI-10 and VFI cutoff scores and were below the V-RQOL cutoff score. CONCLUSION: There was a prevalence of the disease in young, educated females with relapsing-remitting disease. The greater the voice handicap and/or vocal fatigue, the lower the voice-related quality of life in both groups. However, people with multiple sclerosis self-reported greater voice handicap and vocal fatigue and poorer voice-related quality of life.

OBJETIVO: descrever características sociodemográficas de indivíduos com esclerose múltipla, correlacionar e comparar a fadiga, desvantagem vocal e a qualidade de vida em voz de indivíduos com e sem a doença. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, quantitativo e com 52 voluntários com esclerose múltipla e 52 voluntários-controle, pareados por sexo, idade e escolaridade. Dados sociodemográficos e clínicos foram coletados com questionário e análise de prontuários. Os participantes responderam ao Índice de Desvantagem Vocal reduzido (IDV-10), Índice de Fadiga Vocal (IFV) e Qualidade de Vida em Voz (QVV). Análises correlacionais e comparativas foram realizadas, com um nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). RESULTADO: Maior predomínio de participantes diagnosticados com esclerose múltipla do sexo feminino, média de 40 anos, ensino médio completo e curso da doença do tipo remitente-recorrente. Houve correlação positiva entre a desvantagem e a fadiga vocal, e correlação negativa entre a desvantagem e fadiga vocal com a qualidade de vida em voz em ambos os grupos. Além disso, os participantes com esclerose múltipla ultrapassaram as notas de corte do IDV-10 e do IFV e ficaram abaixo da nota de corte do QVV. CONCLUSÃO: Houve prevalência da doença em indivíduos jovens do sexo feminino, escolarizados e do tipo remitente-recorrente. Quanto maior a desvantagem e/ou a fadiga vocal, menor é a qualidade de vida em voz em ambos os grupos. No entanto, pessoas com esclerose múltipla autorreferem maior desvantagem e fadiga vocal, além de menor qualidade de vida relacionada à voz.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the effects of sound exposure on the vestibulocochlear system and the quality of life among musicians. METHODS: Fifty-six individuals participated, including 28 musicians and 28 non-musicians, aged 18 to 45 years, of both genders. Participants underwent medical history assessment, basic audiological evaluation, vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), and exclusively, WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire. RESULTS: Professional and enthusiast musicians participated, showing increased auditory thresholds at 3 and 4 kHz frequencies and considerably satisfactory quality of life. There was significance in cervical VEMP latencies and the latency of the P15 wave in the left ocular VEMP of the study group compared to the control group. VEMP demonstrated larger waves bilaterally in men compared to women. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that sound exposure, within tolerance limits in terms of time and intensity, was capable of providing auditory, vestibular, and quality of life benefits for musicians.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar os efeitos da exposição sonora no sistema vestíbulococlear entre os grupos e a qualidade de vida dos musicistas. MÉTODO: Participaram 56 indivíduos, sendo 28 musicistas e 28 não-musicistas, com faixa etária de 18 a 45 anos e de ambos os sexos. Os participantes foram submetidos à anamnese, avaliação audiológica básica, potencial evocado miogênico vestibular (VEMP) e, exclusivamente, os musicistas ao questionário WHOQOL-Bref. RESULTADOS: Participaram musicistas profissionais e entusiastas que apresentaram limiares auditivos aumentados nas frequências de 3 e 4KHz e qualidade de vida consideravelmente satisfatória. Houve significância nas latências do VEMP cervical e na latência da onda P15 do lado esquerdo do VEMP ocular do grupo estudo em relação ao grupo controle. O VEMP demonstrou ondas maiores bilateralmente nos homens em comparação com as mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que a exposição sonora, dentro dos limites de tolerância em tempo e intensidade, foi passível de proporcionar benefícios auditivos, vestibulares e de qualidade de vida para os musicistas.

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INTRODUCTION: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. MicroRNA (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs related to the control of gene expression in biological fluids. Our study analyzed the expression of miRNAs related to inflammation in individuals with PCOS compared to controls. METHODS: Twenty patients with PCOS and 20 controls, matched by body mass index and age, were included in the study. The miRNAs evaluated were miRNA-30c-5p; miRNA-545-3p and miRNA-125a-5p. RESULTS: The expression of the miRNAs was similar between the two groups. A positive correlation was observed between the expression of miRNA-125a-5p and LDLc levels only in the PCOS group. Subsequent analysis of biological pathways showed that miRNA-125a -5p is significantly involved in the regulation of SREBP/SREBF pathways of cholesterol biosynthesis, glycolysis, insulin receptor signaling, oxidative stress-induced senescence and estrogen-dependent gene expression. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the miRNA-125a-5p shows a potential implication to the regulation of lipid biosynthesis and LDL-c levels in PCOS women.

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PURPOSE: to verify the immediate effects of high-frequency oral oscillation using the Classic Shaker®, on acoustic, perceptual-auditory and vocal self-perception measures, in adults with and without vocal complaints. METHODS: 50 individuals were allocated into four groups - men with vocal symptoms, men without vocal symptoms, women with vocal symptoms and women without vocal symptoms. The participants completed the Vocal Symptoms Scale, the self-assessment of vocal discomfort, and were subjected to voice recording before and after performing the tested exercise, which consisted of blowing the Shaker® - Classic model - mouthpiece, while emitting the vowel U, for three minutes. The recordings were submitted to acoustic analysis and perceptual-auditory analysis. Paired T-test and Wilcoxon test were used, significance level of 5%. RESULTS: after the exercise, there was a decrease in jitter in the groups of men with symptoms and in shimmer in men without symptoms. Women with symptoms showed an increase in fundamental frequency, harmonic-to-noise ratio, CPP, and CPPS values and a decrease in jitter; women without symptoms showed an increase in GNE. The perceptual-auditory evaluation did not indicate changes after carrying out the exercise. A reduction in vocal discomfort was observed in all groups after the exercise. CONCLUSION: The high-frequency oral oscillation exercise using the Shaker® was able to promote improvements in acoustic parameters and a reduction in self-reported vocal discomfort in the four groups evaluated.

OBJETIVO: verificar os efeitos imediatos da oscilação oral de alta frequência sonorizada utilizando o dispositivo Shaker® Classic, nas medidas acústicas, perceptivo-auditivas e autopercepção vocal, em adultos com e sem sintomas vocais. MÉTODO: participaram 50 indivíduos, distribuídos em quatro grupos - homens com sintomas vocais, homens sem sintomas vocais, mulheres com sintomas vocais e mulheres sem sintomas vocais. Os participantes preencheram a Escala de Sintomas Vocais, uma escala visual numérica quanto ao nível de desconforto vocal e foram submetidos à gravação da voz antes e após a execução do exercício testado, o qual consistiu em soprar o bocal do Shaker® - modelo Classic, ao mesmo tempo em que emitiam a vogal U, durante três minutos. As gravações foram submetidas à análise acústica e análise perceptivo-auditiva. Foram utilizados os testes T-pareado e de Wilcoxon, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: após o exercício houve diminuição do jitter no grupo de homens com sintomas vocais e do shimmer no de homens sem sintomas vocais. Mulheres com sintomas vocais apresentaram aumento da frequência fundamental, da proporção harmônico-ruído, dos valores de CPP e CPPS e diminuição do jitter; mulheres sem sintomas vocais apresentaram aumento de GNE. A avaliação perceptivo-auditiva não indicou mudanças após a realização do exercício. Observou-se redução do desconforto vocal em todos os grupos, após o exercício. CONCLUSÃO: o exercício de oscilação oral de alta frequência sonorizada, utilizando o Shaker®, foi capaz de promover melhora em parâmetros acústicos e diminuição de desconforto vocal autorreferido nos quatro grupos avaliados.

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PURPOSE: To investigate whether the cochlear responses of a group of children with normal temporal ordering tests would be different from those children with abnormal results in the same tests. METHODS: 25 children aged 8 to 13 years participated in the study, all with normal range pure-tone audiometry thresholds, type A tympanometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) present in both ears. Of these, 13 children formed the Study Group and 12 the Control Group. The Study Group differed from the Control Group by presenting changes in temporal auditory tests. In addition to the tests to verify the inclusion criteria, the DPOAE growth function were recorded for three different f2 frequencies, respectively 2002, 3003 and 4004 Hz. The stimuli were presented at level f2 (L2) from 20 to 65 dB SPL in steps of 5 dB and the stimulus level f1 (L1) followed the formula: L1=0.4L2+39 dB. The data were analyzed statistically, adopting a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The groups did not differ in relation to conventional DPOAE values (DP-Gram). The Study Group differed from the Control Group by exhibiting both the threshold (p=0.034) and the higher slope (p=0.043) in the 2000 Hz DPOAE growth. CONCLUSION: Children with alterations in temporal ordering tests require greater intensity to reach the DPOAE threshold at a frequency of 2000 Hz when compared to children without complaints, also presenting a more linear cochlear amplification at this same frequency, indicated by the increase in the value of slope.

OBJETIVO: Investigar se as respostas cocleares de um grupo de crianças com testes de ordenação temporal dentro da normalidade seriam distintas daquelas encontradas em crianças com tais testes alterados. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 25 crianças entre 8 e 13 anos, com limiares audiométricos normais, timpanometria tipo A e emissões otoacústicas-produto de distorção (EOAPD) presentes em ambas as orelhas. Destas, 13 crianças formaram o Grupo Estudo e 12 o Grupo Controle. O Grupo Estudo se diferenciou do Grupo Controle por apresentar alteração em testes auditivos temporais. Além dos testes para averiguar os critérios de inclusão, foi realizado o registro da curva de crescimento das EOAPD para três diferentes frequências f2, respectivamente 2002, 3003 e 4004 Hz. Os estímulos foram apresentados na intensidade de f2 (L2) de 20 a 65 dBNPS em degraus de 5 dB e o nível de intensidade de f1 (L1) seguiu a fórmula: L1=0,4L2+39 dB. Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente, adotando-se nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Os grupos não se diferenciaram em relação aos valores das EOAPD convencionais (DP-Grama). O Grupo Estudo diferenciou-se do Grupo Controle por exibir tanto o limiar (p=0,034), como o slope mais elevado (p=0,043) nas curvas de crescimento de EOAPD, isoladamente na frequência de 2000Hz. CONCLUSÃO: Crianças com alteração em testes de ordenação temporal necessitam de uma maior intensidade para alcançar o limiar das EOAPD na frequência de 2000 Hz quando comparadas às crianças sem queixas, apresentando também uma amplificação coclear mais linear nessa mesma frequência, indicada pelo aumento do valor do slope.

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AIM: To determine risk factors associated with keratoconus in Bucaramanga, Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A paired case-control study was conducted at Bucaramanga, Colombia, between November 2022 and December 2023. The controls were age- and sex-matched. Patients answered a questionnaire designed for this study regarding their family history of keratoconus, eye rubbing, atopy, sun exposure, and sleeping habits. Information from medical records was also obtained. Univariate and multivariate conditional analyses were used to test the significance of associations. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six patients with a diagnosis of keratoconus and 312 controls were included. Univariate analyses revealed significant differences between cases and controls in the following factors: very frequent eye rubbing (OR = 20.9, 95% CI 6.2-70.1), a positive family history of keratoconus (OR = 13.0, 95% CI 5.5-30.8), a personal history of atopy (OR = 2.2), and nocturnal eye compression (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.7). Multivariate analysis showed a statistical significance for eye rubbing (OR = 6.9, 95% CI 3.8-12.5), and family history of keratoconus (OR = 10.3, 95% CI 2.3-44.9). There was a significant mild interaction between both, since when the two coincided the OR increased up to 74.1 times. CONCLUSION: Eye rubbing and family history of keratoconus were the most important risk factors for keratoconus in our population. Although it is impossible to establish causal relationships, our results suggest that controlling eye rubbing could be a potentially useful preventive measure, particularly in individuals with a family history of keratoconus. Other factors, such as sun exposure, sleeping position, and atopy, may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease.

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BACKGROUND: Elevated concentrations of IL-10 have been detected in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients and are a possible disease severity marker. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and their haplotypes can be associated with differences in IL-10 levels and with viral disease susceptibility. AIM: Evaluate the associations of SNVs and their haplotypes in Brazilian patients with COVID-19 severity and outcome. METHODS: In this cross-sectional and case-control study, the patients were selected from the University Hospital of State University of Londrina (HU-UEL) (n = 367) and were subdivided into mild (n = 165), moderate (n = 72) and severe (n = 130) groups. The DNA samples of the participants were subjected to real-time PCR for the detection of rs1800896 (A>G), rs1800871 (C>T) and rs1800872 (C>A) genotypes. The haplotypes were inferred with PHASE v2.1.1. RESULTS: The severe cases of COVID-19 were independently associated with the GG genotype (rs1800896) (P = 0.038, OR 2.522, 95 % CI 1.053-6.038) as well as with the GCC haplotype in homozygosity (P = 0.037, OR 2.767, 95 % CI 1.065-7.191). CONCLUSION: These results showed that the GG genotype of rs1800896 or the GCC haplotype are associated with COVID-19 severity in Brazilian patients.

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OBJECTIVES: The ubiquitin proteasome system is the main mediator of inflammation-induced muscle atrophy through the expression of TRIM63 and Atrogin-1. The aim of this study was to address the expression of these ubiquitin ligases and their relationship with inflammatory and atrophy parameters of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). METHODS: We recruited 37 adult IIM patients, and 10 age and sex-matched healthy donors. We assessed the proportion of different peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) subsets expressing TRIM63 and Atrogin-1 and the serum amount of theses ubiquitin ligases, cytokines, and chemokines, using multiparametric flow-cytometry, ELISA and luminometry respectively. The muscle expression of TRIM63 and Atrogin-1 was assessed by confocal microscopy. We compared the quantitative variables with the Mann-Whitney U test and assessed the correlations with Spearman Rho. RESULTS: IIM patients had a higher proportion of TRIM63+ CD4+ T cells (24.56 (7.71-53.23) vs. 2.55 (0.42-4.51), p<0.0001), TRIM63+ CD8+ T cells (15.1 (3.22-37.40) vs. 1.06 (0.83-2.45), p=0.0002), TRIM63+ monocytes (14.09 (3.25-29.80) vs. 1.97 (0.59-7.64), p=0.011), Atrogin-1+ CD4+ T cells (27.30 (6.61-64.19) vs. 2.55 (0.42-4.51), p<0.0001), Atrogin-1+ CD8+ T cells (14.88 (5.99-34.30) vs. 2.33 (0.60-8.01), p=0.001), and Atrogin1+ monocytes (17.38 (8.93-47.37) vs. 1.41 (0.79-3.77), p<0.0001). Muscle from IIM patients had a higher expression of TRIM63 and Atrogin-1. TRIM63+ CD8+ T cells mainly correlated with serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, G-CSF, and TNF-a. CONCLUSIONS: TRIM63 and Atrogin-1 are expressed in PBMC and muscle from patients with IIM and correlate with serum cytokines, and chemokines. This mechanism may contribute to the inflammation-induced muscle atrophy in IIM.

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BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to evaluate if the intestinal permeability is associated with overweight/obesity with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS) and correlate intestinal permeability parameters with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a cross-sectional study that individuals were divided in three groups: 1) controls (n = 34), 2) overweight/obesity (n = 29), and 3) overweight/obesity + MetS (n = 29). Anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters were used to estimate cardiovascular risk factors. Intestinal permeability was evaluated using the lactulose/mannitol test in urine samples analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometry Detection. Correlations between intestinal permeability and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated using Spearman's correlations (r2). Logistic regression models were performed to elucidate variables associated with intestinal permeability parameters. The percentage of urinary excretion of lactulose, mannitol, and the lactulose/mannitol ratio was similar between the studied groups. The percentage of urinary mannitol excretion was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure (r2 = 0.24, p = 0.23), fasting glucose (r2 = 0.26, p = 0.013), fasting insulin (r2 = 0.25, p = 0.015) and HOMA-IR (r2 = 0.26, p = 0.012). The logistic regression showed fasting insulin was associated with a higher mannitol urinary excretion (AOR = 1.08, 95 % CI = 1.02-1.14). CONCLUSION: Intestinal permeability was not disrupted in overweight/obesity and MetS, however the results suggest that the increased cardiovascular risk factors were associated with a higher intestinal absorption area. Further studies should investigate other intestinal parameters related to overweight/obesity and MetS in humans.

RESUMEN

Las enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos representan un problema creciente de salud pública. Se calcula que hay alrededor de 600 millones de personas que enferman por ingerir alimentos contaminados en el mundo. En El Salvador, durante 2023, se reportaron 129 casos de intoxicación alimentaria. Objetivo. Determinar las causas de un brote de enfermedad transmitida por alimentos en un centro escolar público del municipio de Nahuizalco, departamento de Sonsonate. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles con relación 2:1 en 205 alumnos de un centro escolar público en El Salvador involucrados en un brote de enfermedad transmitida por alimentos. Se utilizaron medidas de frecuencia, distribución y asociación como Odds Ratios (OR) con sus respectivas medidas de significancia estadística. Y se recolectaron hisopados de los lechos ungueales y nasofaríngeos de los manipuladores de alimentos. Resultados. Se identificaron 64 casos confirmados, a predominio del sexo femenino (58 %). El síntoma más frecuente fue el dolor abdominal (77 %) y la mayoría de los casos fueron leves con manejo ambulatorio (67 %). En el análisis estadístico, el consumo de cereal con leche mostró una asociación significativa con un Odds Ratio de 19,67 (IC 95 %: 6,78 ­ 57,10). Conclusión. La causa asociada al brote fue la ingesta de cereal con leche preparado por los manipuladores de alimentos del centro escolar. Debido a la falta de pruebas diagnósticas y al retraso en la notificación del brote al sistema de salud, la identificación del agente causal no fue posible

Foodborne diseases represent an increasing public health problem. It is estimated that globally around 600 million people get sick from consuming contaminated food. In El Salvador, 129 food poisoning cases were reported during 2023. Objective. Determine the causes of a foodborne illness outbreak in a public school in the municipality of Nahuizalco, department of Sonsonate. Methodology. A case-control study was conducted with a 2:1 ratio in an outbreak of 205 students from a public school in El Salvador. Measures of frequency, distribution and association were used such as Odds Ratios (OR) with their respective statistical significance. Nasopharyngeal and nail bed swabs were collected from food handlers. Results.Sixty four cases were identified, predominantly female (58 %). The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain (77 %) and the majority of cases were mild with outpatient management (67 %). Statistically, consumption of cereal with milk showed a significant association with illness with an Odds Ratio of 19, 67 (IC 95 %: 6.78 ­ 57.10). Conclusion. The associated cause with the outbreak was the ingestion of cereal with milk prepared by the school's food handlers. Due to the delay in notification of the outbreak to the health system, identification of the causal agent was not possible

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Children with myopathies often experience muscle weakness in their lower limbs. However, the upper limbs are also affected and, at the same time, play a key role in daily living activities as well as in transfers and assisted mobility using auxiliary devices. The objective was to assess the performance of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles through static and dynamic contractions in children with myopathies and in their typical peers. METHODS: This was a case-control study. Seven children with different myopathies participated and were matched with typical children by sex and age (1:2). The muscle performance of elbow flexors (EFL) and elbow extensors (EEX) was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer using isometric and isokinetic contractions at a speed of 120°s-1. The analyzed variables were peak torque (PT), total work (W), power (P), time to peak torque (TPT), acceleration time (AT), and deceleration time (DT). The raw variables were compared between groups using linear regression with mixed effects. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Children with myopathies showed significantly lower values of PT, W, and P for both elbow muscle groups (p < 0.05) compared to typically developing children; TPT showed no difference between groups; and AT and DT were higher in children with myopathies than in typical ones (p < 0.05). Children with myopathies exhibited deficits in muscle performance, suggesting that the elbow muscles adopt atypical motor strategies, indicating impaired neuromuscular control. The isokinetic dynamometer is a device that can provide relevant information about muscle performance in this group of diseases.