Abstract Objective: To evaluate sexual function female adolescents and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and healthy controls. Methods: After exclusion, 21 female adolescent and young JIA patients and 25 healthy controls were selected for this study. Sexual function was assessed by the Sexual Quotient Questionnaire for Females (SQQ-F) score, which is a validated tool and adapted for Brazilian Portuguese language. Demographic data, JIA clinical/laboratory parameters and treatment were also assessed. Results: The median current age [26.5 (17-38.1) vs. 29.3 (19.7-35.8) years, p = 0.700)] as well as age at the first sexual activity [18 (14-30) vs. 17 (10-24) years, p = 0.158] were similar in JIA patients and healthy controls. The median of SQQ-F score was alike in both groups [75.9 (50-92) vs. 78.2 (58-94), p = 0.529], as well as frequencies of sexual dysfunction (14% vs. 12%, p = 1.000). The frequencies of all sexual domains (desire/sexual fantasies, desire/interest, arousal/foreplay, arousal/lubrication, arousal/in tune with partner, penetration/relaxation, pain/penetration, desire/involvement, orgasm and general satisfaction scores) were similar in JIA patients and healthy controls (p > 0.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this was the first study using a validated sexual score in a chronic arthritis population suggesting a low frequency of overall sexual dysfunction in young JIA patients. Future multicenter studies with a large sample will be necessary to confirm this finding.

Fitato (PHYT, mio-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisfosfato) é um produto natural com forte efeito sobre a biodisponibilidade de minerais, especialmente o ferro. Neste trabalho, investigamos os efeitos antioxidantes do PHYT em modelos de transtornos de sobrecarga de ferro (ferro lábil plasmático e reservatório de ferro lábil). PHYT apresentou um efeito antioxidante considerável, com a vantagem de ser permeável às células e ser um constituinte normal da dieta humana. Nossos resultados sugerem que o PHYT pode auxiliar as defesas do organismo contra estresse induzido por sobrecarga de ferro.

Phytate (PHYT, myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate) is a natural product with strong effect on the bioavailability of minerals, especially iron. In this work, we investigated the antioxidant effects of PHYT on models of iron overload disorders (labile plasma iron and labile iron pool) both in solution and in HeLa cells. PHYT has a considerable antioxidant effect, with the benefit of being cell permeant and a normal constituent of human diet. Our results suggest that PHYT may assist organism defenses against iron-overload stress.

OBJETIVO: Descrever os aspectos clínicos e de imagem que podem auxiliar no diagnóstico correto do osteoma osteoide no cotovelo. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizado estudo retrospectivo de sete pacientes com diagnóstico de osteoma osteoide no cotovelo confirmado histologicamente por biópsia óssea. Eles tiveram seus prontuários médicos e exames de imagem revisados. RESULTADOS: Do total de 142 pacientes identificados em nossos arquivos, 4,9% apresentavam a lesão no cotovelo, com predomínio no sexo masculino (2,5:1) e idade média de 25 anos. Dor e limitação de movimento foram os sintomas mais comuns. Cinco pacientes (71,4%) receberam outro diagnóstico clínico prévio. A duração média dos sintomas foi de 21 meses. As radiografias não demonstraram o nidus em 42,8% dos casos. A tomografia computadorizada e a ressonância magnética mostraram claramente o nidus. Derrame articular foi um achado constante. O aspecto histológico observado foi o usual. A ressecção cirúrgica promoveu alívio dos sintomas e/ou melhora funcional em todos os casos. CONCLUSÃO: É importante considerar a possibilidade de osteoma osteoide em paciente adulto jovem com dor, limitação do movimento e sinais de sinovite no cotovelo, refratária ao tratamento conservador. Esclerose óssea, espessamento cortical e/ou reação periosteal detectados na radiografia permitem direcionar a tomografia computadorizada para a visualização precisa do nidus.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and imaging findings that may aid in correctly diagnosing osteoid osteoma of the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors have retrospectively evaluated seven patients diagnosed with osteoid osteoma of the elbow histologically confirmed by bone biopsy. The patients' medical records and imaging studies were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 142 patients with osteoid osteoma identified in the archives of the institutions, 4.9% had the lesion in the elbow, predominantly in men (2.5:1), with a mean age of 25 years. Pain and limitation of movement were the most common symptoms. Five of the patients (71.4%) had previously received a different clinical diagnosis. The mean duration of symptoms was 21 months. Radiography did not demonstrate the nidus in 42.8% of cases. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated the nidus. Joint effusion was a constant finding. The histological findings corresponded to the ones usually observed in such cases. Surgical resection has brought relief of symptoms and/or functional improvement in all of the cases. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider the possibility of osteoid osteoma in young adult patients with pain, limitation of movement and signs of synovitis in the elbow refractory to conservative treatment. The detection of bone sclerosis, cortical thickening and/or periosteal reaction at radiography allows directing computed tomography towards the accurate identification of the nidus.

Cinco complexos de ródio(II) de fórmula geral [Rh2(ponte)4] (ponte = acetato, propionato, butirato, trifluoroacetato e trifluoroacetamidato) tiveram suas afinidades em relação à albumina humana (HSA) determinadas por espectrofotometria, observando-se no caso dos alquilcarboxilatos uma correlação inversa com suas lipossolubilidades. A difusão dos complexos livres ou ligados à proteína para células de Ehrlich in vitro parece primordialmente governada pelo caráter hidrofóbico do complexo. O complexo [Rh2(tfc)4] apresentou afinidade pela proteína (K = 214,1), além de partição celular tanto em ausência (32,1%) como na presença (48,6%) de HSA. Desta forma, o composto HSA: [Rh2(tfc)4] teve sua ação antitumoral investigada em camundongos Balb-c portadores de ascite de Ehrlich, mostrando que a HSA pode ser um reservatório para o complexo de ródio.

The affinities for human albumin (HSA) of five rhodium(II) complexes of general formula [Rh2(bridge)4] (bridge = acetate, propionate, butyrate, trifluoroacetate and trifluoroacetamidate) were determined by spectrophotometry. In the case of the alkylcarboxylates, an inverse correlation of affinity with their liposolubilities was observed. Diffusion of the free or protein-bound complexes into Ehrlich cells in vitro seems to be primarily governed by the hydrophobic character of the complex. The complex [Rh2(tfc)4] exhibited affinity towards the protein (K = 214.1) as well as cell partition both in the absence (32.1%) and presence (48.6%) of HSA. The compound HSA: [Rh2(tfc)4] has had its antitumoral action in tumor-bearing Balb-c mice investigated, showing that HSA can be a drug reservoir for the rhodium complex.

The electrochemistry field has increased in recent years, specially in the search for new sensors to monitor specific analyte in complex samples. In order to improve electrodes, many rhodium compounds have been used as electron mediators for novel sensors development. The most used compounds for this purpose are metal, metal complexes and some organic dyes. Rhodium complexes are known by their good catalytic properties and it could be useful in the sensor field. However, there are only a few reports, on the use of rhodium complexes in sensors and biosensors. A brief review of the electrochemistry of rhodium complexes and some discription of their properties which make those compounds suitable for development of sensor and biosensor.