Beyond sleep duration: Sleep timing is associated with BMI among Brazilian adults.

Objectives: To examine the association of sleep duration and timing with BMI among adults. Also, to identify obesogenic and unhealthy behaviors (e.g.diet/sleep quality, physical activity, screen time, smoking) associated with short sleep duration and late bedtime. Participants: Participants (n=755) were part of exploratory, population-based research, with data collection in a virtual environment. Methods: For purposes of characterizing the population we considered short sleepers<7h/night, and the population bedtime median was used to stratify participants into early and late sleepers (before and after 23:08). Student's t-test and chi-square test were performed to assess differences in characteristics between groups. Linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the association of sleep duration, bedtime, and wake-up time with BMI. Quantile regression was estimated for the 25th, 50th, and 75th quantiles to identify the distributional correlations between BMI and sleep variables. Restricted cubic splines were also used to study the shape of the association between sleep-BMI. Analyses were adjusted for potential confounding variables. Results: BMI decreased by 0.40Kg/m2 for each additional hour of sleep duration [95%CI=-0.68,-0.12,p=0.005] and increased by 0.37 kg/m2 for each additional hour of bedtime [95%CI=0.12,0.61,p=0.003]. The association between bedtime and BMI remained even after adjustment for sleep duration. These effects were higher and stronger with higher BMI values (p75th). Wake-up time did not show statistically significant associations. Conclusions: Because we found that beyond sleep duration, bedtime was significantly associated with BMI, our data reflect the pertinence of assessing sleep timing patterns in disentangling sleep-obesity association. Insights into the characteristics, obesogenic and unhealthy behaviors related to short and late sleep may support specific strategies to prevent and treat excess body adiposity and other negative health outcomes.

Association of Ang/Tie2 pathway mediators with endothelial barrier integrity and disease severity in COVID-19.

Endothelial barrier (EB) disruption contributes to acute lung injury in COVID-19, and levels of both VEGF-A and Ang-2, which are mediators of EB integrity, have been associated with COVID-19 severity. Here we explored the participation of additional mediators of barrier integrity in this process, as well as the potential of serum from COVID-19 patients to induce EB disruption in cell monolayers. In a cohort from a clinical trial consisting of thirty patients with COVID-19 that required hospital admission due to hypoxia we demonstrate that i) levels of soluble Tie2 were increase, and of soluble VE-cadherin were decreased when compared to healthy individuals; ii) sera from these patients induce barrier disruption in monolayers of endothelial cells; and iii) that the magnitude of this effect is proportional to disease severity and to circulating levels of VEGF-A and Ang-2. Our study confirms and extends previous findings on the pathogenesis of acute lung injury in COVID-19, reinforcing the concept that EB is a relevant component of this disease. Our results pave the way for future studies that can refine our understanding of the pathogenesis of acute lung injury in viral respiratory disorders, and contribute to the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these conditions.

Spondias sp: Shedding Light on Its Vast Pharmaceutical Potential.

Many plants are used by the population through popular knowledge passed from generation to generation for the treatment of various diseases. However, there is not always any scientific content supporting these uses, which is very important for safety. One of these plants is the fruit of the Spondias genus, which during its processing generates various residues that are discarded, but which also have pharmacological properties. The focus of this review is to survey the pharmacological activities that Spondias genus shows, as well as which part of the plant is used, since there is a lot of richness in its by-products, such as leaf, bark, resin, seed, and peel, which are discarded and could be reused. The main activities of this genus are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antifungal, and antiviral, among others. These properties indicate that this genus could be used in the treatment of several diseases, but there are still not many products available on the market that use this genus as an active ingredient.

Co-Encapsulation of Drugs for Topical Application-A Review.

Achieving the best possible outcome for the therapy is the main goal of a medicine. Therefore, nanocarriers and co-delivery strategies were invented to meet this need, as they can benefit many diseases. This approach was applied specifically for cancer treatment, with some success. However, these strategies may benefit many other clinical issues. Skin is the largest and most exposed organ of the human body, with physiological and psychological properties. Due to its exposition and importance, it is not difficult to understand how many skin diseases may impact on patients' lives, representing an important burden for society. Thus, this review aims to summarize the state of the art in research concerning nanocarriers and co-delivery strategies for topical agents' applications targeting skin diseases. The challenge for the medicine of the future is to deliver the drug with spatial and temporal control. Therefore, the co-encapsulation of drugs and the appropriate form of administration for them are so important and remain as unmet needs.

Desfechos clínicos de pacientes pediátricos tratados com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea / Clinical outcomes of pediatric patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Resumo Objetivo Identificar os fatores relacionados à mortalidade e avaliar a sobrevida de pacientes pediátricos tratados com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, que incluiu pacientes pediátricos que utilizaram o dispositivo nos últimos cinco anos. Os grupos foram divididos com base naqueles que sobreviveram ou não após a terapia. Para avaliar os fatores preditivos de morte, foi utilizada análise multivariada com regressão logística e, para a sobrevida, o método de Kaplan-Meier e Log-Rank. Resultados A fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo era maior no grupo de sobreviventes (74%+14,6% vs 56,2% + 22%, p=0,038) e o número de pacientes que necessitaram de diálise foi maior no grupo de não sobreviventes (52,4% vs. 12,5%, p=0,039), sendo a sobrevida significativamente menor neste grupo (log-rank=0,020). Conclusão Disfunção ventricular prévia, evidenciada pela fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo <55%, e necessidade de terapia de substituição renal concomitante aumentaram o risco de morte.

Abstract Objective To identify factors related to mortality, and evaluate the survival of pediatric patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Methods A retrospective cohort study that included pediatric patients using the device in the last five years. The groups were divided into those who survived after therapy, and those who did not. Multivariate logistic regression was used for assessing the predictive factors of death, and the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank for assessing survival. Results Left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in the group of survivors (74% + 14.6% vs 56.2% + 22%, p = 0.038), and the number of patients who required dialysis was higher in the group of non-survivors (52.4% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.039), showing significantly lower survival in this group (log-rank = 0.020). Conclusion Previous ventricular dysfunction, evidenced by a left ventricular ejection fraction <55%, and requirement of concomitant renal replacement therapy, increased the risk of death.