Sarcopenia and dynapenia is correlated to worse quality of life perception in middle-aged and older adults with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies that assess the relationship between nutritional status and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease, despite the well-established negative impact of sarcopenia and dynapenia on functional capacity and quality of life. These conditions impair protein-muscular status and are prevalent in individuals with Parkinson's disease. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutritional status, including body composition, functional capacity, and diagnosis of sarcopenia and dynapenia, and quality-of-life perception in individuals with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in two Parkinson's disease centers in the northeast of Brazil. The researchers assessed muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance to diagnose dynapenia, sarcopenia and functional capacity. Quality of life was estimated using the Parkinson's disease Quality of Life Questionnaire. RESULTS: We found positive correlations between quality of life and variables such as severity and duration of the disease, as well as positive screening for sarcopenia (p<0.001). Negative correlations were observed between quality of life and muscle strength and functional capacity. The study also found that individuals with sarcopenia and dynapenia had significantly worse quality-of-life scores compared to those who did not have these nutritional outcomes (p <0.05; p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of sarcopenia, dynapenia, low gait speed, disease duration, and severity had an impact on higher scores in the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, indicating a worsening perception of quality of life.

High Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio is Associated with Dynapenia in COVID-19 Inpatients: a Case-Control Study / Elevada Relação Plaqueta-Linfócito Está Associada com a Dinapenia em Pacientes Hospitalizados com COVID-19: um Estudo Caso-Controle

SARS-CoV-2 virus infection can cause a cytokine storm leading to symptoms like fever, fatigue, anorexia, and myalgia, which are associated with impaired nutritional status including dynapenia. However, few studies have examined the relationship between dynapenia and prognostic markers in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of dynapenia in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and investigate its association with prognostic markers. This study was a case-control design, including inpatients with and without a COVID-19 diagnosis. The occurrence of dynapenia was evaluated according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia 2 criteria. Additionally, inflammatory markers and 4C Mortality Score were assessed. The study sample consisted of 96 patients, and there were no differences between groups regarding age (p=0.656), sex (p=0.777), presence of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (p=0.659) and systemic arterial hypertension (p=0.427), and Body Mass Index (p=0.657). Dynapenia was observed in 53.1% of patients with COVID-19. Dynapenic COVID-19 patients had a lower mean Phase Angle (p=0.029), hematocrit (p=0.046), and hemoglobin (p=0.045) and higher Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (p=0.089). The occurrence of dynapenia in patients with COVID-19 was associated with Phase Angle <5º (p = 0.013) and high PLR >180 (p = 0.019) (markers of worse inflammatory prognosis). Dynapenia was associated with high PLR and PA, but did not relate to other prognostic variables. These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating muscle strength and quality to prevent and/or treat dynapenia.(AU)

A infecção pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 pode causar uma tempestade de citocinas levando a sintomas como febre, fadiga, anorexia e mialgia, que estão associados a um estado nutricional comprometido, incluindo a dinapenia. No entanto, poucos estudos examinaram a relação entre dinapenia e marcadores prognósticos em pacientes com COVID-19. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência de dinapenia em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 e investigar sua associação com marcadores prognósticos. Este é um estudo caso-controle, incluindo pacientes internados com e sem diagnóstico de COVID-19. A dinapenia foi avaliada de acordo com os critérios do Grupo de Trabalho Europeu sobre Sarcopenia 2. Marcadores inflamatórios e o Escore de Mortalidade 4C também foram avaliados. 96 pacientes foram avaliados, e não houve diferenças entre os grupos em relação à idade (p=0,656), sexo (p=0,777), presença de comorbidades como diabetes tipo 2 (p=0,659) e hipertensão arterial sistêmica (p=0,427) e Índice de Massa Corporal (p=0,657). A dinapenia foi observada em 53,1% dos pacientes com COVID-19. Pacientes com COVID-19 e dinapenia apresentaram uma média menor de Ângulo de Fase (p=0,029), hematócrito (p=0,046) e hemoglobina (p=0,045), e uma maior relação plaquetas/linfócitos (RPL) (p=0,089). A ocorrência de dinapenia em pacientes com COVID-19 foi associada a um Ângulo de Fase <5º (p=0,013) e uma RPL alta >180 (p=0,019) (marcadores de pior prognóstico inflamatório). A dinapenia foi associada a RPL alta e Ângulo de Fase, mas não se relacionou com outras variáveis prognósticas. Esses achados enfatizam a importância de avaliar a força muscular e a qualidade para prevenir e/ou tratar a dinapenia.(AU)

Dynapenic abdominal obesity is related to cardiovascular risk in older adults with Parkinson's disease: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Currently, the impact of nutritional status in Parkinson's disease over the cardiovascular risk is poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate dynapenic abdominal obesity and its influence in anthropometric parameters of cardiovascular risk in older patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving outpatients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in two treatment centers in northeast of Brazil. We included patients who aged 60 years and older. The data was collected from January to July of 2019. For abdominal obesity, waist circumference was used. For dynapenia, Handgrip Strength was measured. Dynapenic abdominal obesity was established as the coexistence of dynapenia and abdominal obesity. RESULTS: The dynapenic abdominal obesity occurred in 25% of the patients and was higher in women (p = 0.073). The dynapenic abdominal obesity group had a decreased muscle strength, higher values of Body Mass Index, a worse Waist Height Ratio; increased values of Fat Mass and percentual of Fat Mass and an increased value of Conicity Index (p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of dynapenic abdominal obesity in our population was related to the worsening of anthropometric values of cardiovascular risk. From our results we can suggest that the early identification of the coexistence of nutritional disorders, such as dynapenia and abdominal obesity can help in the appropriate intervention to mitigate the risks related to adverse events.

Histomorphometry of Bone Microarchitecture in Rats Treated with Vitamin D and Bisphosphonate in the Management of Osteoporosis.

Objective To verify how the combined administration of alendronate (ALN) and vitamin D3 (VD) acts on the bone microarchitecture in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Methods The experiment used 32 90-day-old female Wistar rats weighing between 300 and 400g. The induction of osteoporosis consisted of intramuscular administration of dexamethasone at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of body weight once a week for 5 weeks, except for the animals in the control group. The animals were separated into the following groups: G1 (control group without osteoporosis), G2 (control group with osteoporosis without treatment), G3 (group with osteoporosis treated with ALN 0.2 mg/kg), G4 (group with osteoporosis treated with VD 10,000UI/500µL), and G5 (group with osteoporosis treated with ALN + VD). The right femurs of the rats were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde, decalcified, and processed for inclusion in paraffin. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histomorphometric analysis. Cortical thickness and medullary cavity were measured in cross-sections. Results There was a statistical difference ( p < 0.05) between groups G3 and G5 compared with the positive control group (G2), both related to the measurement of cortical thickness and to the total diameter of the bone. In the evaluation of the spinal area, only the G3 group has shown to be statistically different from the G2 group. Conclusion Concomitant treatment with daily ALN and weekly VD is effective in preventing glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. However, there was no difference between the therapy tested and treatment with ALN alone.

Histomorphometry of Bone Microarchitecture in Rats Treated with Vitamin D and Bisphosphonate in the Management of Osteoporosis / Histomorfometria da microarquitetura óssea em ratas tratadas com vitamina D e bisfosfonato no manejo da osteoporose

Abstract Objective To verify how the combined administration of alendronate (ALN) and vitamin D3 (VD) acts on the bone microarchitecture in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Methods The experiment used 32 90-day-old female Wistar rats weighing between 300 and 400g. The induction of osteoporosis consisted of intramuscular administration of dexamethasone at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of body weight once a week for 5 weeks, except for the animals in the control group. The animals were separated into the following groups: G1 (control group without osteoporosis), G2 (control group with osteoporosis without treatment), G3 (group with osteoporosis treated with ALN 0.2 mg/kg), G4 (group with osteoporosis treated with VD 10,000UI/500μL), and G5 (group with osteoporosis treated with ALN þ VD). The right femurs of the rats were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde, decalcified, and processed for inclusion in paraffin. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histomorphometric analysis. Cortical thickness and medullary cavity were measured in cross-sections. Results There was a statistical difference (p< 0.05) between groups G3 and G5 compared with the positive control group (G2), both related to the measurement of cortical thickness and to the total diameter of the bone. In the evaluation of the spinal area, only the G3 group has shown to be statistically different from the G2 group. Conclusion Concomitant treatment with daily ALN and weekly VD is effective in preventing glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. However, there was no difference between the therapy tested and treatment with ALN alone.

Resumo Objetivo Verificar como a administração conjunta de alendronato de sódio (ALN) e vitamina D3 (VD) atua na microarquitetura óssea em ratas com osteoporose induzida por glicocorticoide. Métodos O experimento utilizou 32 ratas da linhagem Wistar, com peso médio de 300 a 400g, com 90 dias de vida. A indução da osteoporose consistiu na administração de dexametasona na dose de 7,5 mg/kg de peso corporal, por via intramuscular, 1 vez por semana durante 5 semanas, à exceção dos animais do grupo controle. Os animais foram distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: G1 (grupo controle sem osteoporose), G2 (grupo controle com osteoporose sem tratamento), G3 (grupo com osteoporose tratado com ALN 0,2 mg/kg), G4 (grupo com osteoporose tratado com VD 10.000UI/500μL) e G5 (grupo com osteoporose tratado com ALN þ VD). Os fêmures direitos das ratas foram fixados em formol a 10% tamponado, descalcificados e processados para inclusão em parafina. Os cortes histológicos foram corados com hematoxilina-eosina para análise histomorfométrica. A espessura cortical e a cavidade medular foram medidas em cortes transversais. Resultados Houve diferença estatística (p< 0,05) entre os grupos G3 e G5 em relação ao grupo controle positivo (G2), tanto em relação à medida da espessura cortical quanto em relação ao diâmetro total do osso. Na avaliação da área medular, apenas o grupo G3 se mostrou estatisticamente diferente do grupo G2. Conclusão O tratamento concomitante com ALN diário e VD semanal é eficaz para prevenir a perda óssea induzida por glicocorticoide. No entanto, não houve diferença entre esta terapia testada e o tratamento apenas com o ALN.

The Dichotomous Effect of Thiamine Supplementation on Tumorigenesis: A Systematic Review.

The malignant neoplastic cell is characterized by its diverse metabolic changes. It occurs in order to maintain the high rate of proliferation. The possibility of new pharmacological targets has inserted tumor metabolism as a target for recent research, emphasizing the enzymatic activity of thiamin. This review aims to elucidate the behavior of thiamin against tumor development. This is a systematic review in which studies indexed in Pubmed, Scopus, SciELO and BVS were searched using the descriptors (Thiamin OR Vitamin B1) AND (Cancer OR Malignant neoplasia) AND (Tumor metabolism). Title and abstract were read. Duplicates, literary reviews, books, conference abstracts, editorials, and papers published prior to 2010 were eliminated. 23 records were included in this review. Low doses of thiamin have been shown to be enough to stimulate tumor growth. Another population studies has shown evidence of tumor regression after correction of vitamin B1 deficiency. There is an open path for the development of new research to better assess the influence of thiamin on cancer cells. Once the connections between thiamin and the metabolism of cancer cells are fully established, new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and dietary modification will appear to reduce the progression of the disease in patients with cancer.

Alendronato de sódio e vitamina D na osteoporose pós-menopausa: revisão sistemática / Alendronate sodium and vitamin D in postmenopausal osteoporosis: a systematic review

Objetivo: avaliar a eficácia da utilização da terapia combinada de alendronato de sódio e vitamina D no metabolismo ósseo de mulheres em tratamento de osteoporose pós-menopausa. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão sistemática, a qual foram pesquisados ensaios clínicos randomizados (ECR) indexados nas bases de dados BVS, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect e Scopus que comparavam a associação de alendronato sódico e vitamina D com a monoterapia de alendronato de sódio. Resultados: um total de seis ECR contemplou os critérios para serem inclusos nesse estudo, compreendendo um total de 4164 participantes e seus respectivos dados. Os estudos avaliaram diferentes domínios do metabolismo ósseo, como níveis séricos de vitamina D, paratormônio, densidade mineral óssea e marcadores de turnover ósseo. A terapia combinada produziu melhora significativa nos marcadores metabólicos ósseos. Conclusão: a terapia combinada de alendronato de sódio com vitamina D promove melhora no metabolismo ósseo de mulheres com osteoporose pós-menopausa.

Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of using the combined therapy of sodium alendronate and vitamin D on bone metabolism in women undergoing postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods: this is a systematic review. The studies included were Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) indexed in the BVS, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect and Scopus Databases which compared the association of sodium alendronate and vitamin D to monotherapy of sodium alendronate. Results: a total of six RCT met the criteria to be included in this study, comprising a total of 4164 participants and their respective data. The studies evaluated different domains of bone metabolism, such as serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, bone mineral density and bone turnover markers. Combination therapy produced significant improvement in bone metabolic markers. Conclusion: combined therapy of sodium alendronate with vitamin D promotes improved bone metabolism in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Treatment of mycobacteriosis in a patient with compatible symptoms after a cesarean delivery.

This study aims to report the diagnostic course and treatment of a fast-growing mycobacteria infection after cesarean delivery. We report the case of a 37-year-old woman admitted to the Infectious Diseases' Clinic of the Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Pernambuco State, Brazil, four months after a cesarean section, presenting with healing difficulties and located pain outside the surgical site. The first diagnosis was a probable rejection of the sutures that were not absorbed, but based on the clinical signs, reported history, complementary laboratory tests and no response to treatment with the conventional antibiotic therapy (cephalosporins/quinolones) prescribed, the ultimate diagnosis was a mycobacteriosis caused by Micobacterium fortuitum. Since fast-growing mycobacteria do not easily penetrate host tissues, they is mainly related to post-trauma or post-surgical procedures. It is extremely important to call attention to these occurrences in the gynecological-obsthetric field. Treatment for mycobacteriosis is often complicated because of the side effects of antibiotics, especially the ototoxicity of amikacin.

Identification and resistance profile of bacteria isolated on stethoscopes by health care professionals: Systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Evaluate the presence of bacteria and resistance profile in stethoscopes used by health care professionals and its consequences within the hospital environment. METHODS: It is a systematic review, in which articles indexed in the BVS, CAPES-Periódicos, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and ScienceDirect databases were searched. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were selected for this study. The significant majority of professionals does not perform hygiene of the stethoscope, either due to the lack of instructions or the lack of knowledge about the contamination's risks. In addition, over these 22 articles evaluated, only 10 demonstrated that more than 50% of the analyzed samples were contaminated with some type of bacteria. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most recurrent pathogens. Besides that, multiresistant strains were also isolated, highlighting resistance to Ampicillin and Clindamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Indeed, the stethoscope is a potential disseminator of bacterial infections. The contamination is explained by the possible cross reactions that make the transmission of infectious agents possible. Cleaning before and after each auscultate is an efficient alternative to minimize these pathogens.

Transtorno do espectro autista e a suplementação por ácido fólico antes e durante a gestação / Autism spectrum disorder and folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy

RESUMO Objetivo Elucidar se a suplementação com ácido fólico pouco antes da concepção e/ou durante a gestação pode estar realmente atrelado ao desenvolvimento do transtorno do espectro autista (TEA). Metódos Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura em base de dados, nos idiomas português e inglês, durante o período de novembro de 2017 até abril de 2018, com ênfase nas publicações mais recentes. Resultados Do total de 174 artigos, 87 compuseram este trabalho. Pesquisas apontam que o aumento dos casos de TEA se deve ao fato de que mais fatores genéticos estejam implicados na etiopatogênese neural. No entanto, a grande maioria dos artigos ressalta com maior precisão que há mais efeitos benéficos do uso de ácido fólico antes da concepção e durante a gestação na prevenção do TEA, assim como de outras anormalidades relacionadas aos defeitos do tubo neural. Conclusão Quando se analisa o risco-benefício da suplementação com ácido fólico nas doses recomendadas, 0,4 a 0,8 mg/dia, conclui-se que os benefícios sobrepujam os possíveis riscos de desenvolver o TEA.

ABSTRACT Objective Elucidating whether supplementation with folic acid shortly before conception and/or during pregnancy may actually be linked to the development of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods A literature review was conducted in the Portuguese and English languages during the period from November 2017 to April 2018, with emphasis on the most recent publications. Results Of the total of 174 articles, 87 compose this work. Research indicates that the increase in ASD cases should take into account the fact that more genetic factors are implicated in neural pathogenesis. However, a large majority of articles point out that there are more beneficial effects of using folic acid before application and during pregnancy in the prevention of ASD, as well as other abnormalities related to neural tube defects. Conclusion When analyzing the risk-benefit of folic acid supplementation at the recommended doses, 0.4 to 0.8 mg/day, it is concluded that the benefits outweigh the possible risks of developing ASD.