O Papel dos Níveis Séricos de ANP na Perda de Peso,Risco Cardiometabólico e Composição Corporal de Adolescentes com Obesidade Submetidos a Terapia Interdisciplinar

BackgroundThe action of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on natriuresis, diuresis and vasodilatation, insulin resistance, liver, kidney, and adipose tissue may contribute to the healthy metabolic and cardiovascular development. Even though the circulating level of ANP is reduced in patients with obesity, its response to weight loss remains poorly explored in pediatric populations.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of ANP variations in response to interdisciplinary weight loss intervention on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiometabolic risks in adolescents with obesity.Methods73 adolescents with obesity attended a 20-week clinical interdisciplinary weight loss therapy including clinical, nutritional, psychological and exercise training approach. Body composition, biochemical analyses and blood pressure were evaluated. MetS was classified according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) (2007). After the treatment, volunteers were divided according to Increasing (n=31) or Decreasing (n=19) ANP plasma levels.ResultsBoth groups present significant reduction of body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist, neck and hip circumferences (WC, NC and HC, respectively) and increasing fat-free mass (FFM). Interestingly, a significant reduction in body fat, TG/HDL-c ratio and MetS prevalence (from 23% to 6%) was observed in the Increased ANP group only.ConclusionThis study suggests that an increase in ANP serum levels after weight loss therapy could be associated with improvements in cardiometabolic risks and the reduced prevalence of MetS in adolescents with obesity.     

Tecido Adiposo Epicárdico nos Fenótipos de Insuficiência Cardíaca – Uma Metanálise

BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is increased in comorbidities common in heart failure (HF). In this sense, EAT could potentially mediate effects that lead to an impaired cardiac function.ObjectivesThis meta-analysis aims to investigate if the amount of EAT in all-types of HF and each HF phenotype is significantly different from control patients.MethodsThis meta-analysis followed the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. The search was performed in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Lilacs databases until November 2020. Two authors performed screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. A p-value <0.05 was defined as statistically significant.ResultsEight observational studies were included, comprehending 1,248 patients in total, from which 574 were controls, 415 had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and 259 had HF with mid-range or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF or HFpEF). The amount of EAT was not different between all types of HF and the control group (SMD = -0.66, 95% CI: -1.54 to 0.23, p =0.14). Analyzing each HF phenotype separately, patients with HFrEF had a reduced EAT when compared to the controls (SMD= -1.27, 95% CI: - 1.87 to -0.67, p <0.0001), while patients with HFmrEF or HFpEF showed an increased EAT when compared to controls (SMD= 1.24, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.50, p <0.0001).ConclusionThe amount of EAT was not significantly different between all types of HF and the control group. In patients with HFrEF, the EAT volume was reduced, whereas in HFpEF and HFmrEF, the amount of EAT was significantly increased. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019134441.     

Vanadium-doped phosphomolybdic acids as catalysts for geraniol oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

In this work, vanadium-doped phosphomolybdic acids were evaluated as catalysts in green oxidation routes of terpene alcohols with hydrogen peroxide. A series of phosphomolybdic acids containing a variable load of vanadium cations (i.e., V⁵⁺ ions) were synthesized, and tested as catalysts in geraniol oxidation, the model molecule selected. All the catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, attenuated diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray dispersive spectroscopy, and n-butylamine potentiometric titration. Various catalysts were evaluated; phosphomolybdic acids with general formulae H_3+nPMo_12−nV_nO₄₀ (n = 0, 1, 2 and 3), and common Brønsted acids (i.e., H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄, and p-toluene sulfonic acid). Among them, vanadium monosubstituted phosphomolybdic acid was the most active catalyst and selective toward epoxide. The effect of main reaction variables, such as temperature, load catalyst, and reactant stoichiometry was assessed. Evaluating the effect of substrate, it was verified that only allylic alcohols such as geraniol and nerol were successfully epoxidized, demonstrating that this is a hydroxy group-assisted reaction. The effect of vanadium doping on the physicochemical properties of the phosphomolybdic acid catalysts was evaluated and used to explain their catalytic performance.

The vanadium-doped phosphomolybdic acid (H₄PMo₁₁VO₄₀) was the most active and selective heteropoly catalyst in one-pot oxidative esterification of benzaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide.     

Extraosseous vulvar chondroma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Extraosseous chondromas are cartilaginous tissue tumors with a nodular appearance on the hands and feet. There are reports of these tumors occurring on the knee, neck, back, liver and testis and in the oral cavity. Occurrence in the pelvis is generally rare. The origin is metaplastic and may be mesenchymal or subcelomic. Treatment is by surgery and requires removing the tumor with a safety margin. Recurrences are infrequent, and distant metastasis has never been reported. CASE: An 11-year-old girl was referred for a painless solid tumor located on the mons pubis. Surgical removal of the tumor with a safety margin was performed. Macroscopically, the tumor was shiny when cut open and yellowish. Microscopic examination revealed a very distinct cartilage-forming tumor compatible with extraosseous chondroma. Two years after the operation, the patient had no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Extraosseous chondroma is a rare benign tumor. Finding it in children is even less frequent, and localization in the vulvar region has never before been reported. This appears to be the first such report of this type of tumor in this region and age range.     

Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Morphological Surface Analysis of Polymeric Particles Containing Allium sativum Essential Oil

Biodegradable particles were developed using poly-ε-caprolactone and gelatin carriers containing different concentrations of Allium sativum essential oil (EO) (360 µg/mL, 420 µg/mL, and 460 µg/mL). Atomic force microscopy was useful to evaluate the particles’ surface based on morphological parameters. The particles’ size varied from 150 nm to 300 nm. The diameter was related to the increase of the particles’ height as a function of the EO concentration, influencing the roughness of the surface core values (from 20 to 30 nm) and surface irregularity. The spatial parameters Str (texture aspect ratio) and Std (texture direction) revealed low spatial frequency components. The hybrid parameters Sdq (root mean square gradient) and Sdr (interfacial area ratio) also increased as a function of the EO concentration, revealing fewer flat particles. On the other hand, the functional parameters (inverse areal material ratio and peak extreme height) suggested differences in surface irregularities. Higher concentrations of EO resulted in greater microtexture asperity on the particles’ surface, as well as sharper peaks. The nanoscale morphological surface analysis allowed the determination of the most appropriate concentration of encapsulated EO, influencing statistical surface parameters.     

Absolute and Relative Agreement between the Current and Modified Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Dietary Index (BALANCE DI) and the American Heart Association Healthy Diet Score (AHA-DS) in Post Myocardial Infarction Patients

The American Heart Association Diet Score (AHA-DS) defines the cardiovascular health, and the Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Dietary Index (BALANCE DI) was designed to evaluate diet quality in secondary cardiovascular prevention settings. Our aim was to assess the absolute and relative agreement between both tools in Brazilian adults after a myocardial infarction (MI). In this cross-sectional study, 473 individuals were included and had their diet assessed by a 24 h food recall and a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. The weighted Kappa between BALANCE DI and primary AHA-DS was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.08–0.21), and between BALANCE DI and total AHA-DS was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.20–0.32). To improve the agreement between the tools, modifications were made to the BALANCE DI scoring system. The weighted Kappa between New BALANCE DI and primary AHA-DS was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.36–0.48), and between BALANCE DI and total AHA-DS was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.34–0.46). The mean bias observed between the New BALANCE DI as compared to the primary and total AHA-DS was −16% (−51 to 19) and −8% (−41 to 24), respectively. Our results suggest that the New BALANCE DI may be a useful tool to evaluate diet quality in post MI patients.     

Case Report of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary,Hypercalcemic Type (Ovarian Rhabdoid Tumor) with SMARCB1 Mutation: A Literature Review of a Rare and Aggressive Condition

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and aggressive condition that is associated with the SMARCA4 mutation and has a dismal prognosis. It is generally diagnosed in young women. Here, we report a case of a young woman with SCCOHT harboring a rare molecular finding with a highly aggressive biological behavior. The patient had a somatic SMARCB1 mutation instead of an expected SMARCA4 alteration. Even though the patient was treated with high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation, she evolved with disease progression and died 11 months after her first symptoms appeared. We present a literature review of this rare disease and discuss the findings in the present patient in comparison to expected molecular alterations and options for SCCOHT treatment.