Abstract Introduction The Acute Leukemia-European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (AL-EBMT) risk score was recently developed and validated by Shouval et al. Objective To assess the ability of this score in predicting the 2-year overall survival (OS-2), leukemia-free survival (LFS-2) and transplant-related mortality (TRM) in acute leukemia (AL) adult patients undergoing a first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) at a transplant center in Brazil. Methods In this prospective, cohort study, we used the formula published by Shouval et al. to calculate the AL-EBMT score and stratify patients into three risk categories. Results A total of 79 patients transplanted between 2008 and 2018 were analyzed. The median age was 38 years. Acute myeloid leukemia was the most common diagnosis (68%). Almost a quarter of the cases were at an advanced stage. All hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) were human leukocyte antigen-matched (HLA-matched) and the majority used familial donors (77%). Myeloablative conditioning was used in 92% of the cases. Stratification according to the AL-EBMT score into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups yielded the following results: 40%, 12% and 47% of the cases, respectively. The high scoring group was associated with a hazard ratio of 2.1 (p= 0.007), 2.1 (p= 0.009) and 2.47 (p= 0.01) for the 2-year OS, LFS and TRM, respectively. Conclusion This study supports the ability of the AL-EBMT score to reasonably predict the 2-year post-transplant OS, LFS and TRM and to discriminate between risk categories in adult patients with AL, thus confirming its usefulness in clinical decision-making in this setting. Larger, multicenter studies may further help confirm these findings.

Resumo Fundamento A aterosclerose, em alguns casos, é uma condição assintomática, sendo necessário conhecer o grau de comprometimento arterial provocado pelas placas e sua associação com os fatores de risco. O exame de autópsia permite a compreensão dos processos básicos de doenças, assim como a avaliação e fornecimento de dados sobre a característica macroscópica do acometimento aterosclerótico. Objetivo Avaliar macroscopicamente e padronizar o acometimento aterosclerótico das artérias aorta, carótidas e ilíacas e comparar com a idade, o sexo e a causa de morte. Métodos Foram coletados 53 artérias aorta, 53 artérias carótida direita, 53 artérias carótida esquerda, 53 artérias ilíaca direita e 53 artérias ilíaca esquerda. Para essa avaliação, foi considerada a extensão de estrias lipídicas, de placas ateromatosas, de fibrose e de calcificação, as quais serviram de referência para pontuar a intensidade do acometimento aterosclerótico. Foram observados vários graus da aterosclerose e valores acurados para a classificação discreta, moderada e acentuada. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o software GraphPad Prism ® 7.0. As diferenças foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas quando “p” foi menor que 5% (p<0,05). Resultados As artérias carótidas apresentaram maior acometimento aterosclerótico em comparação às outras artérias avaliadas (K=15,73, p=0,0004). A ocorrência da aterosclerose se mostrou progressiva e significativa com o decorrer da idade (carótidas: t=6,321; p<0,0001; aortas: U=83,5; p<0,0001; ilíacas: U=306; p<0,0001) e na causa de morte cardiovascular (carótidas: t=5,047; p<0,0001; aortas: U=98,5; p=0,0068; ilíacas: U=467,5; p=0,0012). Conclusão A avaliação macroscópica da aterosclerose trata-se de uma forma inovadora e de baixo custo de avaliação através da visualização direta das placas ateroscleróticas, possibilitando uma associação com fatores de risco como idade avançada e doenças cardiovasculares, fornecendo dados importantes para a prática clínica.

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis, in some cases, is an asymptomatic condition, and it is important to know the degree of arterial impairment caused by plaques and its association with risk factors. Autopsy examination provides understanding of basic disease processes and assessment to data about macroscopic characteristic of atherosclerotic involvement. Objective To macroscopically assess and standardize atherosclerotic involvement of aorta, carotid and iliac arteries and compare with age, gender and causes of death. Methods We collected 53 aortic arteries, 53 right carotid arteries, 53 left carotid arteries, 53 right iliac arteries and 53 left iliac arteries. For this assessment, the extension of fatty streaks, atheromatous plaques, fibrosis and calcification were considered, being the reference to score the degree of atherosclerotic involvement. Many degrees of atherosclerosis and accurate values were observed for mild, moderate and severe classification. For statistical analysis, data were analyzed using the software GraphPad Prism® 7.0. Differences were considered statistically significant if p-value was less than 5% (p <0.05). Results Carotid arteries had greater atherosclerotic involvement compared to the other arteries (K = 15.73, p = 0.0004). Atherosclerosis was progressive and significant with increasing age (carotid arteries: t = 6.321; p <0.0001; aorta: U = 83.5; p <0.0001; iliac: U = 306; p <0.0001) and as cause of cardiovascular death (carotids: t = 5.047; p <0.0001; aorta: U = 98.5; p = 0.0068; iliac: U = 467.5; p = 0.0012). Conclusion Macroscopic assessment of atherosclerosis is an innovative and low-cost way of direct visualization of atherosclerotic plaques, enabling an association with risk factors such as increasing age and cardiovascular diseases, providing important data for clinical practice.

Resumo Objetivo: Validar o instrumento de avaliação do letramento em saúde Health Literacy Questionnaire para o português brasileiro. Métodos: Para a adaptação transcultural e validação das propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ-Br), foi utilizado o protocolo estabelecido pelos autores do instrumento original. O HLQ-Br foi respondido por 794 adultos de três regiões do Brasil. A Análise Fatorial Confirmatória foi realizada por meio do Diagonally Weighted Least Squares e a confiabilidade foi verificada pelos indicadores alfa de Cronbach e confiabilidade composta. Resultados: A avaliação cognitiva do HLQ-Br mostrou que os itens do instrumento foram facilmente compreendidos pelos participantes. A análise confirmatória apresentou índices de ajuste satisfatórios: χ2WLSMV (866 GL) = 1698,53, p<0,0001; CFI = 0,978; TLI = 0,976 e RMSEA = 0,035 [0,032; 0,037, IC de 90%]. O alfa de Cronbach e confiabilidade composta foram >0,76 em oito das nove escalas do instrumento. Conclusão: O HLQ-Br apresentou equivalência com a versão original e propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias. Pode ser aplicado para avaliar o letramento em saúde da população brasileira na prática clínica, ensino e pesquisa. O uso do HLQ-Br nas práticas de saúde pode auxiliar a incorporar o letramento em saúde nas práticas de saúde no Brasil.

Abstract Objective: To validate the health literacy assessment instrument Health Literacy Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese. Methods: We used the protocol established by the original authors of the instrument for transcultural adaptation and validation of the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ-Br). The HLQ-Br was answered by 794 adults from three regions of Brazil. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed by means of the Diagonally Weighted Least Squares and reliability was verified by Cronbach’s Alpha and Composite Reliability indicators. Results: Cognitive evaluation of the HLQ-Br showed that the items of the instrument were easily understood by the participants. The confirmatory analysis presented satisfactory fit indices: χ2WLSMV (866 df) = 1698.53, p <0.0001; CFI = 0.978; TLI = 0.976, and RMSEA = 0.035 [0.032; 0.037, 90%CI]. Cronbach’s Alpha and Composite Reliability > 0.76 on eight of the nine scales of the instrument. Conclusion: The HLQ-Br presented equivalence to the original version and satisfactory psychometric properties. It can be applied in the evaluation of Brazilian population HL in clinical practice, teaching and research. The use of HLQ-Br in health practices can aid in the incorporation of health literacy into health care practices in Brazil.

Resumen Objetivo: Validar el instrumento de evaluación del nivel de conocimientos en salud Health Literacy Questionnaire al portugués brasileño. Métodos: Para la adaptación transcultural y validación de las propiedades psicométricas de la versión brasileña del Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ-Br), se utilizó el protocolo establecido por los autores del instrumento original. El HLQ-Br fue respondido por 794 adultos de tres regiones de Brasil. El análisis factorial confirmatorio fue realizado mediante el Diagonally Weighted Least Squares y la fiabilidad fue verificada por el indicador alfa de Cronbach y fiabilidad compuesta. Resultados: La evaluación cognitiva del HLQ-Br demostró que los ítems del instrumento fueron fácilmente comprendidos por los participantes. El análisis confirmatorio presentó índices de ajustes satisfactorios: χ2WLSMV (866 GL) = 1698,53, p<0,0001; CFI = 0,978; TLI = 0,976 y RMSEA = 0,035 [0,032; 0,037, IC de 90%]. El alfa de Cronbach y la fiabilidad compuesta fueron >0,76 en ocho de las nueve escalas del instrumento. Conclusión: El HLQ-Br presentó equivalencia con la versión original y propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias. Puede aplicarse para evaluar el nivel de conocimientos en salud de la población brasileña en la práctica clínica, educación e investigación. El uso del HLQ-Br en las prácticas de salud puede ayudar a incorporar la instrucción en salud en las prácticas sanitarias en Brasil.

Abstract Accidents caused by the bites of brown spiders (Loxosceles) generate a clinical condition that often includes a threatening necrotic skin lesion near the bite site along with a remarkable inflammatory response. Systemic disorders such as hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure may occur, but are much less frequent than the local damage. It is already known that phospholipases D, highly expressed toxins in Loxosceles venom, can induce most of these injuries. However, this spider venom has a great range of toxins that probably act synergistically to enhance toxicity. The other protein classes remain poorly explored due to the difficulty in obtaining sufficient amounts of them for a thorough investigation. They include astacins (metalloproteases), serine proteases, knottins, translationally controlled tumor proteins (TCTP), hyaluronidases, allergens and serpins. It has already been shown that some of them, according to their characteristics, may participate to some extent in the development of loxoscelism. In addition, all of these toxins present potential application in several areas. The present review article summarizes information regarding some functional aspects of the protein classes listed above, discusses the directions that could be taken to materialize a comprehensive investigation on each of these toxins as well as highlights the importance of exploring the full venom repertoire.

BACKGROUND Malaria is responsible for 429,000 deaths per year worldwide, and more than 200 million cases were reported in 2015. Increasing parasite resistance has imposed restrictions to the currently available antimalarial drugs. Thus, the search for new, effective and safe antimalarial drugs is crucial. Heterocyclic compounds, such as dihydropyrimidinones (DHPM), synthesised via the Biginelli multicomponent reaction, as well as bicyclic compounds synthesised from DHPMs, have emerged as potential antimalarial candidates in the last few years. METHODS Thirty compounds were synthesised employing the Biginelli multicomponent reaction and subsequent one-pot substitution/cyclisation protocol; the compounds were then evaluated in vitro against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites (W2 strain). Drug cytotoxicity in baseline kidney African Green Monkey cells (BGM) was also evaluated. The most active in vitro compounds were evaluated against P. berghei parasites in mice. Additionally, we performed an in silico target fishing approach with the most active compounds, aiming to shed some light into the mechanism at a molecular level. RESULTS The synthetic route chosen was effective, leading to products with high purity and yields ranging from 10-84%. Three out of the 30 compounds tested were identified as active against the parasite and presented low toxicity. The in silico study suggested that among all the molecular targets identified by our target fishing approach, Protein Kinase 3 (PK5) and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK-3β) are the most likely molecular targets for the synthesised compounds. CONCLUSIONS We were able to easily obtain a collection of heterocyclic compounds with in vitro anti-P. falciparum activity that can be used as scaffolds for the design and development of new antiplasmodial drugs.

Abstract Brown spiders are venomous arthropods that use their venom for predation and defense. In humans, bites of these animals provoke injuries including dermonecrosis with gravitational spread of lesions, hematological abnormalities and impaired renal function. The signs and symptoms observed following a brown spider bite are called loxoscelism. Brown spider venom is a complex mixture of toxins enriched in low molecular mass proteins (4–40 kDa). Characterization of the venom confirmed the presence of three highly expressed protein classes: phospholipases D, metalloproteases (astacins) and insecticidal peptides (knottins). Recently, toxins with low levels of expression have also been found in Loxosceles venom, such as serine proteases, protease inhibitors (serpins), hyaluronidases, allergen-like toxins and histamine-releasing factors. The toxin belonging to the phospholipase-D family (also known as the dermonecrotic toxin) is the most studied class of brown spider toxins. This class of toxins single-handedly can induce inflammatory response, dermonecrosis, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia and renal failure. The functional role of the hyaluronidase toxin as a spreading factor in loxoscelism has also been demonstrated. However, the biological characterization of other toxins remains unclear and the mechanism by which Loxosceles toxins exert their noxious effects is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this review is to provide an insight into brown spider venom toxins and toxicology, including a description of historical data already available in the literature. In this review article, the identification processes of novel Loxosceles toxins by molecular biology and proteomic approaches, their biological characterization and structural description based on x-ray crystallography and putative biotechnological uses are described along with the future perspectives in this field.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o comportamento reológico do suco de jambo-vermelho, uma tradicional fruta da região amazônica com elevadas propriedades bioativas, a diferentes temperaturas e concentrações de sólidos solúveis. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reômetro Brookfield R/S Plus, operando em geometria de cilindros concêntricos. Os modelos reológicos da Lei da Potência, Herschel-Bulkley, Mizrahi-Berk e Sisko foram utilizados para modelagem dos dados experimentais. O suco de jambo-vermelho (polpa e casca) apresentou comportamento pseudoplástico para todas as temperaturas e concentrações, com índice de comportamento de fluxo menor que 1. O efeito da temperatura na viscosidade aparente das amostras foi analisado pela equação de Arrhenius. A energia de ativação aumentou com a diminuição na concentração dos sólidos solúveis, atestando que, quanto menor a concentração, maior a influência da temperatura na viscosidade aparente. O efeito da concentração de sólidos solúveis foi descrito pela equação exponencial. O fator exponencial aumentou sob aumento da temperatura, atestando que, quanto maior for a temperatura, maior será o efeito dos sólidos solúveis na viscosidade aparente das amostras. Por fim, um modelo matemático triparamétrico, relacionando temperatura, concentração de sólidos solúveis e taxa de deformação foi proposto, visando avaliar a influência destes parâmetros na viscosidade aparente das amostras e, de forma satisfatória, ajustou-se aos dados experimentais, com elevado índice de correlação R2.

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the rheological behavior of malay apple, a traditional Amazonian fruit with high bioactive properties, at different temperatures and soluble solids concentrations. The experiments were carried out in a Brookfield R/S Plus rheometer with concentric cylinders geometry. Power Law, Herschel-Bulkley, Mizrahi-Berk, and Sisko rheological models were fitted to the experimental data. The malay apple juice (pulp and skin) showed a pseudoplastic behavior for all temperatures and concentrations with flow behavior indexes lower than 1. The temperature effect on the samples’ apparent viscosity was analyzed by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy increased with a decrease in the soluble solids concentration, showing that the lower the concentration, the greater the temperature influence on the apparent viscosity. The soluble solids effect was described by the exponential equation. The exponential factor increased with the temperature increasing, showing that the higher the temperature, the greater the effect of the soluble solids concentration on samples’ apparent viscosity. Finally, a triparametric mathematical model combining temperature, concentration, and shear rate was proposed aiming to evaluate its effects on the samples’ apparent viscosity and has accurately adjusted to the data with high correlation index R2.

Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar fatores de risco potenciais para dor lombar na rotina diária de dois grupos de jovens: indivíduos com queixa de dor lombar e um grupo de controle. Métodos: A amostra consistiu de 198 estudantes em idade universitária (homens e mulheres), entre 18 e 29 anos. De acordo com os diagnósticos de dor nas costas, os participantes foram separados em dois grupos: com ou sem dor lombar crônica inespecífica. Ambos os grupos foram avaliados por um observador "cego", i.e. desconhecedor da presença ou de qualquer outra indicação de dor lombar. Foram aplicados questionários relativos às características clínico-demográficas, estilo de vida, qualidade de vida (questionário SF-36), dor pela escala visual analógica (EVA) e exame físico. Resultados: Uma análise univariada demonstrou uma associação estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05) entre presença de dor lombar e alguns fatores. Houve uma associação negativa entre dor lombar e as seguintes variáveis: IMC, autoavaliação da saúde/EVA e alguns domínios do SF-36 (função física, dor corporal, saúde em geral, vitalidade, função social). Houve uma correlação positiva com as seguintes variáveis: dor global por EVA, presença de dor difusa e número de pontos sensíveis. Contudo, a análise multivariada demonstrou correlações estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,05) entre dor lombar e poucas variáveis: dor global por EVA e número de pontos sensíveis. Conclusão: Algumas variáveis relacionadas à dor difusa crônica e à má qualidade de vida podem estar associadas à dor lombar crônica em adultos jovens. Mas há necessidade de estudos longitudinais.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate potential risk factors related to low back pain in the daily routines of two sets of youths: individuals complaining of chronic low back pain and a control group. Methods: The sample consisted of 198 university-age students (male and female) aged between 18 and 29. In accordance with back pain diagnoses, they were separated into two groups: with or without nonspecific chronic low back pain. Both groups were evaluated by a "blinded" observer with no knowledge to the presence or otherwise of lower back pain. Questionnaires concerning clinical-demographic characteristics, life style, quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire), pain visual analogical scales (VAS), and physical examination were applied. Results: A univariate analysis showed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) with the presence of low back pain and some factors. There was a negative association between low back pain and the following variables: BMI, health self-assessment, VAS and some SF-36 domains (physical functioning, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning). There was a positive correlation with the following variables: global pain by VAS, presence of diffuse pain and number of tender points. However, the multivariate analysis showed statistically significant correlations (P < 0.05) between low back pain and few variables: global pain VAS and number of tender points. Conclusion: Some variables related to chronic diffuse pain and lower quality of life might be associated to chronic low back pain in young adults. However, longitudinal studies are necessary.

OBJETIVO: avaliar a memória operacional fonológica e relacionar com a impulsividade de pacientes em tratamento no Centro de Atenção Integrada à Saúde Mental. MÉTODO: 29 usuários: 21 do gênero masculino e 8 do feminino, usuários de substâncias psicoativas, com 37,9±10,5 anos de idade e 10,59±3,53 anos de escolaridade; e 30 voluntários: 19 do gênero masculino e 11 do feminino, com 32,4±11,9 anos de idade e 11,07±3,29 anos de escolaridade, sem histórico psiquiátrico ou de dependência química foram convocados à avaliação de: 1) memória operacional para palavras e pseudo-palavras; 2) impulsividade em seus fatores de segunda ordem (impulsividade atencional, motora e de não planejamento). RESULTADOS: o desempenho dos usuários de substâncias psicoativas na avaliação da memória em comparação ao grupo controle foi pior tanto no span auditivo de palavras e pseudo-palavras como também no número total de recordação de palavras e pseudo-palavras. Na avaliação da impulsividade, os usuários apresentaram escores elevados em contraposição aos sujeitos controle em todos os subtipos de impulsividade, inclusive no total. Na análise de correlação dos dados não foram encontradas relações entre os escores de impulsividade e memória. CONCLUSÃO: : este padrão de respostas indica comprometimento da memória operacional fonológica provavelmente independente do alto nível de impulsividade apresentado pelos usuários de drogas. Estas análises contribuem para propor estratégias de tratamento direcionadas às alterações detectadas.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the phonological working memory abilities and check possible influences of impulsivity in patients starting treatment at the program for Alcohol and Drug users at CAISM. METHOD: 29 patients: 21 males and 8 females, drug users, 37.9±10.5 year old and with 10.59±3.53 years of schooling; and 30 volunteers: 19 males and 11 female, 32.4±11.9 year old and 11.07±3.29 years of schooling, with no psychiatric history or substance abuse freely participated. The subjects were asked to attend the specific evaluation, aiming to assess: 1) phonological working memory for words and pseudowords, 2) impulsivity in its second order factors (attention impulsiveness, motor and non-planning). RESULTS: concerning the performance of the subjects in the drug users' group in the evaluation of phonological working memory when compared to the control group we found a reduction in both the auditory word span and pseudowords, as well as the total number of correct recalls of words and pseudowords. In the evaluation of impulsivity, the group of drug users had high scores comparing to control subjects in all subtypes related to impulsivity, including the total score of impulsivity. There were no correlations among impulsivity scores and words and/or pseudowords' span. CONCLUSION: this pattern of responses indicates impairment in verbal working memory processing and high level of impulsivity in this population of chronic drug users. The poor performance of chronic drug users on all tests of phonological working memory is probably not due to the increased noted impulsivity. These analyses help to plan treatment strategies intended towards the detected alterations.

O granuloma anular elastolítico gigantocelular é dermatose granulomatosa rara, caracterizada, histologicamente, por fagocitose das fibras elásticas por células gigantes multinucleadas e, clinicamente, por placas anulares com bordas elevadas e centro atrófico, com preferência por áreas expostas. A patogênese é controversa. Descreve-se um caso de mulher de 44 anos, com achados clínicos e histológicos clássicos, que apresentou boa resposta à hidroxicloroquina, após o período de 1 mês

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma is a rare granulomatous skin disease characterized histologically by phagocytosis of elastic fibers by multinucleated giant cells and clinically by annular patches with elevated borders and atrophic centers found mainly on sun-exposed skin. The pathogenesis of the disease is controversial. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman with classical clinical and histological findings of the disease whose condition improved when hydroxychloroquine was administered over a four-week period

Tumor triquilemal proliferante é uma neoplasia incomum que surge do istmo folicular, cuja característica histológica é a presença de ceratinização triquilemal. Apresenta-se usualmente como nódulo solitário no couro cabeludo de mulheres idosas. Descreve-se um caso de tumor triquilemal proliferante que se apresenta como lesão tumoral nodular na região glútea de uma jovem de 16 anos de idade

Proliferating trichilemmal tumor (PTT) is an uncommon neoplasm arising from the follicular isthmus. Its histological characteristic is the presence of trichilemmal keratinization. PTT usually presents as a solitary nodule on the scalp of elderly women. We describe a case of a PTT on the gluteal region (buttocks) of a 16-year-old female, presenting as a solitary nodule

O líquen escleroso e atrófico é uma doença crônica da pele e mucosas, que, usualmente, afeta a área genital de mulheres. Poucos casos de líquen escleroso e atrófico, confinados nos pés e/ou mãos, têm sido relatados. Relatamos um caso de líquen escleroso e atrófico envolvendo as extremidades e,posteriormente, a área perigenital

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus is a chronic disorder of the skin and mucosal surfaces, most commonly affecting the female genitalia. Few cases of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus confined to the feet and/or hands have been reported. We report a case of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus involving first the extremities and then the perigenital area

OBJETIVO: Estudar os padrões clínicos, radiológicos e histopatológicos da biópsia transbrônquica (BTB) utilizados para a confirmação diagnóstica em pacientes com suspeita clinica de doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI) atendidos em um hospital universitário de nível terciário. MÉTODOS: Os prontuários, laudos radiológicos e de biópsias transbrônquicas de todos os pacientes com suspeita de DPI submetidos a BTB entre janeiro de 1999 e dezembro de 2006 no Hospital das Clínicas de Botucatu, localizado na cidade de Botucatu (SP), foram revisados. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 56 pacientes. Desses, 11 (19,6%) apresentaram o diagnóstico definitivo de fibrose pulmonar idiopática (FPI), que foi significativamente maior nos casos nos quais DPI era uma possibilidade diagnóstica em comparação com aqueles nos quais DPI era a principal suspeita (p = 0,011), demonstrando a contribuição da BTB para a definição diagnóstica dessas doenças. O exame histopatológico dessas biópsias revelou que 27,3% dos pacientes com FPI apresentavam o padrão de pneumonia organizante, o que pode sugerir doença mais avançada. O padrão histológico indeterminado foi o mais frequente, refletindo a característica periférica da FPI. Entretanto, o padrão fibrose apresentou alta especificidade e alto valor preditivo negativo. Para os padrões sugestivos de FPI em TC, a curva ROC indicou que a melhor relação entre sensibilidade e especificidade ocorreu com a presença de cinco alterações radiológicas, sendo o aspecto de favo de mel fortemente sugestivo de FPI (p = 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Nas DPIs, a TC de tórax deve ser sempre realizada e a BTB usada em situações individualizadas, conforme a suspeita e distribuição das lesões.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical, radiological, and histopathological patterns of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) used in order to confirm the diagnosis in patients with clinical suspicion of interstitial lung disease (ILD) treated at a tertiary-care university hospital. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records, radiology reports, and reports of transbronchial biopsies from all patients with suspected ILD who underwent TBB between January of 1999 and December of 2006 at the Hospital das Clínicas de Botucatu, located in the city of Botucatu, Brazil. RESULTS: The study included 56 patients. Of those, 11 (19.6%) had a definitive diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the rate of which was significantly higher in the patients in which ILD was a possible diagnosis in comparison with those in which ILD was the prime suspect (p = 0.011), demonstrating the contribution of TBB to the diagnostic confirmation of these diseases. The histopathological examination of the biopsies revealed that 27.3% of the patients with IPF showed a pattern of organizing pneumonia, which suggests greater disease severity. The most common histological pattern was the indeterminate pattern, reflecting the peripheral characteristic of IPF. However, the fibrosis pattern showed high specificity and high negative predictive value. For CT scan patterns suggestive of IPF, the ROC curve showed that the best relationship between sensitivity and specificity occurred when five radiological alterations were present. Honeycombing was found to be strongly suggestive of IPF (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For ILDs, chest CT should always be performed, and TBB should be used in specific situations, according to the suspicion and distribution of lesions.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis é um dos mais bem sucedidos patógenos do homem. As cepas virulentas são mais facilmente transmitidas, induzindo respostas imunes variáveis. Avaliamos a resposta celular tipo Th1, através da produção de IFN-γ, como resposta a cepas com padrões diversos em voluntários sadios. Nossos resultados mostraram que indivíduos com teste tuberculínico (TT) negativo já tiveram contato com algumas das cepas testadas, ao passo que indivíduos com TT positivo não responderam a todas as cepas testadas. Cepas resistentes induziram uma média menor de produção de IFN-γ que aquelas sensíveis. Uma possível aplicação prática disto seria que a produção de IFN-γ, em relação a uma cepa isolada específica, poderia auxiliar na previsão da resposta ao tratamento dos pacientes.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the most successful human pathogens. Highly virulent strains, which are more easily transmitted than are less virulent strains, elicit variable immune responses. We evaluated the Th1 responses (IFN-γ production) in healthy volunteers after stimulation with various strains. Our results show that the individuals with negative tuberculin skin test (TST) results were not necessarily naive to all of the strains tested, whereas individuals with positive TST results did not respond to all of the strains tested. Drug-resistant strains induced a lower mean level of IFN-γ production than did drug-sensitive strains. One possible practical application of this finding would be for the prediction of responses to treatment, in which it might be advantageous to have knowledge of the estimated IFN-γ production elicited by a specific isolated strain.

O lúpus cutâneo é a principal manifestação clínica do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico. Diferentes formas de apresentações clínicas e histopatológicas compõem o quadro cutâneo. A diferenciação de tais apresentações clínicas é de grande relevância para melhor abordagem terapêutica dos pacientes. Ampla variedade de intervenções terapêuticas está atualmente disponível para o tratamento do lúpus cutâneo. Nessa revisão, serão abordadas as principais opções terapêuticas, medicamentosas e não-medicamentosas, além das novas terapias ainda em estudo.

Cutaneous lupus is the most common systemic lupus erythematosus clinical manifestation. Skin lesions are classified according to the clinical and histopathologic features, which are of great relevancy for the management of the disease. Nowadays several therapeutic interventions are available to the treatment of cutaneous lupus. In this review we will approach the most widely used and also the new therapies which are under study.