Probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: Does it work?

The number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of diseases mainly represented by Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), has increased in recent decades. As a consequence, the number of people undergoing any drug treatment against these diseases has expanded. However, IBD conventional therapies present several limitations, which lead researchers to look for better alternatives to improve the quality of life of patients. Moreover, microbiome imbalance seems to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IBD, since important alterations in bacterial, viral, protist and fungal populations are observed in the gut microbiota of affected individuals. Given the importance of such life forms in that context, the use of probiotics becomes a plausible alternative for treating affected patients. Trials have been developed aiming the evaluation of probiotics potential to induce and to maintain remission in CD and UC. Regarding the tested microorganisms, various non-pathogenic bacteria and fungi have been assessed. However, consistent results have been obtained only with some of them, including Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, VSL#3, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. Therefore, this minireview aims to explore the role of microbiota in the genesis of such a disorder and to compile the most concrete data on probiotic-related efficiency in IBD treatment.     

Effects of Ultracavitation and Radiofrequency on Abdominal Adiposity

Background The mechanism of fat reduction from radiofrequency occurs via the thermal stimulation of adipocyte metabolism, causing a lipase-mediated triglyceride enzyme degradation, apoptosis, and adipocyte rupture. Ultracavitation promotes fat reduction using adipose cell destruction through mechanical stimulus. The literature on the combination of these two physical agents, named ultrafrequency, is still scarce and requires consistent analysis of the effects of this therapy combination.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of radiofrequency associated with ultracavitation in the treatment of abdominal subcutaneous tissue of women.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized clinical trial in which 45 participants were divided into three distinct groups: the control group (no treatment); ultracavitation group; and ultracavitation and radiofrequency (UCV+RF) group, each with 15 volunteers. The following variables were evaluated: weight, perimetry, plicometry, ultrasonography, treatment reactions, and patient satisfaction.ResultsThe participants in the UCV+RF group presented a more significant decrease in adipose tissue, which was verified through all the evaluation methods.ConclusionBased on our results, the simultaneous application of ultracavitation and radiofrequency generated a reduction in localized adiposity superior to the isolated use of ultracavitation.     

Protocolo genético en Atención Primaria para enfermedades raras: el síndrome de Wolfram como prototipo

Las enfermedades raras, pese a su baja frecuencia individual, afectan globalmente al 7% de la población, por lo que el profesional de Atención Primaria (AP) tendrá varios de estos pacientes bajo seguimiento. El 80% de estas enfermedades tienen base genética, lo que hace fundamental un asesoramiento genético adecuado. El seguimiento de pacientes con síndrome de Wolfram (SW) puede servir para diseñar un protocolo susceptible de ser utilizado en el diagnóstico y manejo de otras entidades y ser utilizado por profesionales sanitarios para dar soporte a los pacientes, contando con la participación de profesionales sanitarios e investigadores especializados en el SW, los propios pacientes y su entorno. Se desarrollan los pasos fundamentales de todo procedimiento clínico genético, en el que la AP es clave para dar soporte a estas familias y transmitir de forma comprensible la información sobre los aspectos genéticos.Palabras clave: Enfermedades raras, Síndrome de Wolfram, DIDMOAD, Genética, Consejo genético, Atención Primaria     

微创经皮肾镜取石术治疗肾脏铸型感染性结石

肾脏感染性结石常呈铸型鹿角状,术后结石残留率及复发率较高,是泌尿外科的难题之一。自2003年1月至2005年3月,我们对66例肾脏铸形感染性结石采用微创经皮肾脏穿刺取石术(m in im ally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy,m in i-PCNL)治疗,效果满意。现报告如下。1资料与方     

Intra-rater Reliability of a Qualitative Landing Scale for the Single-Hop Test: A Pilot Study

BackgroundThe test battery classically used for return-to-sport (RTS) decision-making after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) may not be sufficient, as it does not include a qualitative analysis of movement. Therefore, the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scale was adapted to a primary functional test in the typical RTS test battery: the single leg hop for distance (SHD).Hypothesis/ PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the intra-rater reliability of the LESS scale adapted to the SHD (SHD-LESS scale) in healthy young athletes.Study DesignReliability analysisMethodsNineteen healthy individuals (14 men, 5 women; mean age: 22.4 years) participated in the study. Participants performed the SHD tasks on both limbs (dominant and non-dominant) using a standardized protocol in two sessions that were one week apart (single reviewer; 2-dimensional video). Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC2,1) were used to measure the reproducibility of the scale in the dominant (dom) and non-dominant (nondom) limbs. Additionally, limb data (dom and nondom) were pooled and evaluated collectively with intra-class correlation coefficients. The Kappa coefficient was used to assess the reproducibility of each individual item of SHD-LESS scale.ResultsThe intra-rater reliability was good (ICCdom = 0.77; ICCnondom = 0.87; ICCpooled = 0.87) for the overall SHD-LESS scale scores. Agreement of SHD-LESS individual items ranged from 62% to 100%. Dorsiflexion at initial contact (97% agreement; kappa value=0.79) and knee valgus after landing (88% agreement; kappa value=0.65) had excellent agreement and kappa values.ConclusionThe newly-adapted SHD-LESS scale showed good intra-rater reliability overall. Further studies should evaluate the impact of using the SHD-LESS scale within the RTS test battery on outcomes in patients after ACLR.Level of Evidence3     

SARS-CoV-2 IgG Seroprevalence among Blood Donors as a Monitor of the COVID-19 Epidemic,Brazil

During epidemics, data from different sources can provide information on varying aspects of the epidemic process. Serology-based epidemiologic surveys could be used to compose a consistent epidemic scenario. We assessed the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG in serum samples collected from 7,837 blood donors in 7 cities of Brazil during March–December 2020. Based on our results, we propose a modification in a compartmental model that uses reported number of SARS-CoV-2 cases and serology results from blood donors as inputs and delivers estimates of hidden variables, such as daily values of SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates and cumulative incidence rate of reported and unreported SARS-CoV-2 cases. We concluded that the information about cumulative incidence of a disease in a city’s population can be obtained by testing serum samples collected from blood donors. Our proposed method also can be extended to surveillance of other infectious diseases.     

Catalytic pyrolysis of coconut oil with Ni/SBA-15 for the production of bio jet fuel

Catalytic pyrolysis of vegetable oil is one of the potential routes to convert oil to drop-in biofuels, known as renewable hydrocarbons. In this paper, we explored catalytic pyrolysis of coconut oil using SBA-15 impregnated with Ni in proportions of 1% to 5% to produce sustainable aviation fuel. The catalysts were synthesized, calcined and then characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDS. In order to better understand the behavior of this process, thermal and kinetic studies were carried out by thermogravimetry. The TG curves of vegetable oil with (10%) and without catalysts were obtained at heating rates of 5, 15 and 20 °C min⁻¹, in the temperature range between 30 and 600 °C. The kinetic parameters were calculated by the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) methods. In the kinetic study, lower heat rates promoted higher conversions and the KAS model suits the process. The results calculated for the OC sample using the two kinetic models showed an increase in the E_a energy as the conversion progressed to a certain point. Catalytic pyrolysis experiments were performed in a one-stage tubular reactor at 500 °C with a catalyst loading of 10 wt% on the basis of mass of oil. The catalyst with 5% Ni showed greater presence of hydrocarbons and greater formation of water, indicating that the deoxygenation process occurred through decarbonylation. With this, the present study was successful in the development of methodologies for obtaining hydrocarbons with a composition close to that of drop-in fuels, compared to the process carried out with vegetable oil in the absence of catalysts.

Catalytic pyrolysis of vegetable oil is one of the potential routes to convert oil to drop-in biofuels, known as renewable hydrocarbons.     

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.