Search

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and its possible correlations with clinical characteristics in patients with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome in a single center in Brazil., Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study examined 53 children with the diagnosis of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome prior to an autism spectrum disorder assessment. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of autism spectrum disorder. Available variables (sex, medications, median age at onset of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, and presence of comorbidities) were compared using Mann-Whitney U or chi-square tests., Results: Among the included patients, 12 (23 %) were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, corresponding to a relative risk of 0.29 (95 % confidence interval 0.174-0.492). The age at the first seizure ranged from 3 to 15 months, with a mean of 6.65 months. This age significantly differed between participants with autism spectrum disorder (10.58 months) and those without (5.43 months), p<0.001., Conclusion: Children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome have a higher risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Later age of onset and period of spasm occurrence might be predisposing risk factors., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) constitute a group of progressive and multisystemic inherited metabolic diseases that profoundly affect both the mental health of patients and the wellbeing of their families. This study aims to evaluate the impact of MPS on family functioning and related factors., Methods and Results: Twenty-five patients with MPS, including types I ( n  = 4), II ( n  = 11), IIIB ( n  = 2), IVA ( n  = 3), and VI ( n  = 5), and their families participated in this study. The mean patient age was 13 years [standard deviation (SD): 7.7 years]. Behavioral and emotional problems were noted in 9.1% of all patients. While the type of MPS did not directly influence mental problems, the presence of neuronal involvement did ( p  = 0.006). Patients with MPS III exhibited difficulties primarily in emotional areas, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Importantly, both patients with MPS II and those with MPS III experienced a significant impact on communication [mean scores for communication domain: MPS II, 35.6 (SD: 24.3); MPS III, 35.0 (SD: 22.6)]; poorer communication was directly linked to worse adaptive behavior ( p  = 0.012), and worse adaptive behavior was associated with lower quality of life ( p  = 0.001). Quality of life and caregiver burden among family members did not significantly differ across MPS types; however, higher caregiver burden was negatively associated with quality of life ( p  = 0.002). Concerning family functioning, the most impacted domains included independence, intellectual/cultural orientation, activity/recreation, and expressiveness. Domain scores did not vary based on MPS type, treatment, or neurological involvement. Quality-of-life scores were positively associated with the cultural/intellectual domain score., Conclusion: The impacts of quality of life and family extend beyond clinical characteristics and MPS type, strongly influenced by patient cognition and communication, as well as type of family functioning, especially those with greater cultural/intellectual skills of their family members. A multidisciplinary approach addressing the broader needs of individuals with MPS becomes essential. Techniques aimed at improving communication, including prompt interventions such as speech therapy and augmentative and alternative communication strategies, can contribute to overall family functioning improvement., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Valle, Bara, Furlin, Santos and Cordeiro.)

Combining spectroscopic techniques with electrochemistry is a promising strategy, as it allows the detailed investigation of the species that are consumed and produced by the reaction in real time. However, as with any in situ coupling technique, the junction between NMR and electrochemistry presents some challenges, notably the distortion of NMR signals due to the placement of electrodes close to or within the detection region. In this work, miniaturized electrodes made of carbon fiber paper were developed and later modified with platinum. Platinum decoration by cathodic deposition was chosen, as platinum is a prominent element in electrocatalysis, able to catalyze a large variety of reactions. To evaluate the efficiency of this electrochemical system, the oxidation of ascorbic acid was used as a model reaction. It was observed that the electrodes caused substantial signal distortion when placed within the detection region (full width at half-maximum equal to 1.46 Hz), whereas no distortion was observed when the electrodes were placed 1 mm above the detection region (full width at half-maximum equal to 0.95 Hz). With this system, it was also possible to monitor the magnetoelectrolysis effect, caused by the interaction of the magnetic field with the flowing ions, leading to a doubling of the ascorbic acid oxidation rate, compared to the reaction performed without a magnetic field. In addition to its low cost and simplicity in preparation, the developed electrode system allows the electrode surface to be easily modified with other suitable catalysts.

Objectives: To bring summarized information about what has been published so far regarding Covid-19, facilitating the access to information and a better understanding of this pandemic, and to contribute to the medical community in the decision-making against this virus., Methods: This review article brings collected information from different articles published since the beginning of the pandemic of the 2019 novel coronavirus., Key Results: This paper aggregates and consolidates some epidemiological parameters and clinical knowledge about the novel coronavirus and brings what is new in the search for pandemic control., Major Conclusions: Governments and health authorities are under increased pressure to control the COVID-19 spreading. In this scenario, the scientific community is working hard to produce relevant papers which will help in the next steps against coronavirus. Our review summarized the latest news about SARS-CoV2, evidencing what we know about COVID-19 until now.

Context: The size of colorectal lesions, besides a risk factor for malignancy, is a predictor for deeper invasion objectives: To evaluate the malignancy of colorectal lesions ≥20 mm., Methods: Between 2007 and 2011, 76 neoplasms ≥20 mm in 70 patients were analyzed., Results: The mean age of the patients was 67.4 years, and 41 were women. Mean lesion size was 24.7 mm ± 6.2 mm (range: 20 to 50 mm). Half of the neoplasms were polypoid and the other half were non-polypoid. Forty-two (55.3%) lesions were located in the left colon, and 34 in the right colon. There was a high prevalence of III L (39.5%) and IV (53.9%) pit patterns. There were 72 adenomas and 4 adenocarcinomas. Malignancy was observed in 5.3% of the lesions. Thirty-three lesions presented advanced histology (adenomas with high-grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma), with no difference in morphology and site. Only one lesion (1.3%) invaded the submucosa. Lesions larger than 30 mm had advanced histology (P = 0.001). The primary treatment was endoscopic resection, and invasive carcinoma was referred to surgery. Recurrence rate was 10.6%., Conclusions: Large colorectal neoplasms showed a low rate of malignancy. Endoscopic treatment is an effective therapy for these lesions.

Rape is a global public health problem, and steps have been taken to encourage studies on the issue and propose interventions for its prevention and appropriate care. This study aimed to characterize the population of female rape victims and describe the characteristics of the sexual assault and the care provided at a university referral center. This was a quantitative retrospective study of care provided to female rape victims from June 2006 to December 2010. The majority of the women (n = 687) were white, single, had no children, with a mean age of 23.7 years and primary to secondary schooling, employed, and practiced a religion. One-fourth of the victims reported no sexual intercourse prior to the sexual assault. Rape occurred mainly at night, on the street, perpetrated by a single stranger, with vaginal penetration, and with threatened or actual force. Most of the victims had reported the rape to someone and felt supported. Early care occurred for almost 90% of women, allowing preventive measures. From 2006 to 2010 there was an increase in the proportion of women that sought help. Better knowledge of the characteristics of this group and the event itself can help improve the structure and functioning of models to assist rape victims.

Purpose: To describe an adjustable suture (AS) experimental model that allows for tightening, loosening and retightening of the suture tension in trabeculectomy., Methods: Standard trabeculectomy was performed in fifteen pig eyeballs. All pig eyes were tested twice: one test with conventional suture in both flap's corners (conventional suture group) and another test with a conventional suture at one corner and an adjustable suture in the other corner (AS group). The order in which each test was performed was defined by randomization. Intraocular pressure was measured at three time points: T1) when the knots were tightened; T2) when the AS was loosened or the conventional knot was removed; and T3) when the AS was retightened in the AS group or five minutes after the knot removal in the conventional suture group., Results: The mean Intraocular pressure was similar between the two groups at time point 1 (p=0.97). However, significant Intraocular pressure differences were found between eyes in the conventional and adjustable suture groups at time points 2 (12.6 ± 4.2 vs 16.3 ± 2.3 cmH₂O, respectively, p=0.006) and 3 (12.2 ± 4.0 vs 26.4 ± 1.7 cmH₂O, respectively; p=0.001). While the conventional technique allowed only Intraocular pressure reduction (following the knot removal; T2 and T3), the AS technique allowed both Intraocular pressure reduction (T2) and elevation (T3) through the management (loosening and retightening) of the suture., Conclusion: This experimental model provides an effective noninvasive postoperative mechanism of suture tension adjustment.

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients who underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at a university general hospital., Method: In this retrospective study, records from all patients undergoing ECT between January 1988 and January 2008 at the psychiatric unit of the general hospital of Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) were reviewed. Telephone contact was made with patients/relatives to collect follow-up data., Results: A total of 200 charts were reviewed. The majority of patients were women, with a mean age of 39 years, and history of psychiatric hospitalization. The main indications for ECT were depression and catatonia. Complications were observed in less than half of the cases, and most were temporary and not severe. There was a good psychiatric outcome for 89.7% of the patients, especially for catatonic patients (100%, p = 0.02). Thirty-four percent of the cases were later contacted by telephone calls, at a mean of 8.5 years between the procedure and the contact. Among these, three (1.5%) reported persistent memory disorders and 73% considered ECT a good treatment., Conclusion: ECT has been performed according to international guidelines. In the vast majority of cases, undesirable effects were temporary and not severe. Response to ECT was positive in most cases, particularly in catatonic patients.

Purpose: To compare total protein concentration in the aqueous humor of primary open-angle glaucoma and non-glaucomatous patients., Methods: Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 22 patients just before trabeculectomy for clinically uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma (POAG group). Aqueous humor (0.1 mL) was aspirated by inserting a 26-gauge needle into the anterior chamber. The same procedure was performed in 22 non-glaucomatous patients just before cataract surgery (control group). Immediately after collection, the aqueous humor was stored at -20 degrees C. Aqueous humor total protein concentration was determined using a colorimetric assay., Results: The geometric mean of total protein concentration of the aqueous humor samples was 32 mg/dL (range: 8-137 mg/dL) in the primary open angle glaucoma group and 16 mg/dL (range: 2-85 mg/dL) in the control group. The ratio of the protein concentration between the two groups was 2.0 (95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 3.2; p=0.003)., Conclusions: The total protein concentration in primary open-angle glaucoma aqueous humor was approximately two times higher than that in non-glaucomatous subjects.