Apolipoprotein E polymorphism influences orthotopic liver transplantation outcomes in patients with hepatitis C virus-induced liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is responsible for a chronic liver inflammation,which may cause end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.Apolipoprotein E(protein:ApoE,gene:APOE),a key player in cholesterol metabolism,is mainly synthesized in the liver and APOE polymorphisms may influence HCV-induced liver damage.AIM To determine whether APOE alleles affect outcomes in HCV-infected patients with liver cirrhosis following orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT).METHODS This was a cohort study in which 179 patients,both genders and aged 34-70 years,were included before or after(up to 10 years follow-up)OLT.Liver injury severity was assessed using different criteria,including METAVIR and models for endstage liver disease.APOE polymorphisms were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS The APOE3 allele was the most common(67.3%).In inflammation severity of biopsies from 89 OLT explants and 2 patients in pre-transplant,the degree of severe inflammation(A3F4,0.0%)was significantly less frequent than in patients with minimal and moderate degree of inflammation(≤A2F4,16.2%)P=0.048,in patients carrying the APOE4 allele when compared to non-APOE4.In addition,a significant difference was also found(≤A2F4,64.4%vs A3F4,0.0%;P=0.043)and(A1F4,57.4%vs A3F4,0.0%;P=0.024)in APOE4 patients when compared to APOE3 carriers.The fibrosis degree of the liver graft in 8 of 91 patients and the lack of the E4 allele was associated with more moderate fibrosis(F2)(P=0.006).CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the E4 allele protects against progression of liver fibrosis and degree of inflammation in HCV-infected patients.

Vitamin D and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in HIV Infected Patients Taking Antiretroviral Therapy

Objective: Due to the lack of studies assessing hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism in Brazilian HIV-infected population, especially in the northeastern population, this study aimed to determine the profile of these conditions in patients infected with HIV and its correlation with immuno-virological, sociodemographic data and associated comorbidities. Methods: Comparison studies were obtained from routine clinical samples of HIV infected patients submitted for 25-OH Vitamin D, PTH and alkaline phosphatase determination. Results: A total of 78 patients were included, 42 (53.8%) males, mean age 45.7 years. Antiretroviral regimens most used in this study were Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Efavirenz 17.9%, Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Efavirenz 17.9%,Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Atazanavir-r 15.4%. The mean value CD4 count was 592.1 ± 247.2 cells/mm3, CD8 cell count was 1026.5 ± 467.3 cells/mm3, mean detectable viral load was 2220 ± 15703 copies and CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.63 ± 0.33. A total of 34 vitamin D dosages were collected with 41.2% representing sufficient amount and 58.8% insufficient. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) dosage was elevated in 49.3% (N=35) of the patients. Parathormone (PTH) was elevated in 18% (N = 11). Among patients with elevated PTH levels, 81.9% had elevated levels of ALP (p = 0.01). In the group of patients with high levels of ALP, 45.7% had a CD4 count 3 (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in vitamin D related to gender (p = 0.21), age (p = 0.23), CD4 count (p = 0.26), suppressed viral load (p = 0.44) or blood glucose (p = 0.45). Conclusions: This study evidenced a high prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency in Northeast Brazil, which suggests HIV infection correlation. A high prevalence of Hyperparathyroidism was detected and related with inflammatory condition persistence and low CD4 count. We suggest improve vitamin D follow up and measurements in this population with better CD4 count control to avoid future osteoarticular complications of HIV treatment.

Severe dengue associated with aseptic meningitis, acute kidney injury, and sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A case report

Rationale:Dengue is the most important human arboviral disease.Neurological manifestations occur rarely in dengue.To the best of our knowledge,there is only one reported case of dengue-associated sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL)in Brazil untill now.Patient concerns:A 42-year-old man was presented to the emergency department with unconsciousness and generalized tonicclonic seizures.Diagnosis:Dengue-associated aseptic meningitis,acute kidney injury,and SSNHL.Interventions:The patient was treated with anticonvulsants and thiamine and underwent mechanical ventilation.He received combined ceftriaxone and acyclovir,which were later switched to meropenem,acyclovir and ampicillin empirically until culture results became available.He also required hemodialysis and plasmapheresis sessions and fresh frozen plasma and buffy coat transfusions until definitive diagnosis.Outcomes:The patient was discharged after improvement of his general condition and of his blood test results,but hearing loss remained.A six-month follow-up visit showed persistent deafness.Lessons:Dengue should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients from dengue-endemic areas presenting an acute febrile disease with neurological manifestations.To the best of our knowledge,this is the second reported case of dengueassociated SSNHL,suggesting an association between dengue and development of SSNHL.

Use of the Tinetti Index to Assess Fall Risk in Patients with Sequelae of Stroke

Background and Objective: The knowledge about risk of falls in patients with sequelae of stroke by applying a scale constitutes an important factor fort nurses since it allows planning for quality care and consequently improves the quality of life of such patients. The present study aimed to assess the risk of falls of patients with sequelae of stroke using Tinetti Index. Methods: Transversal descriptive study with 61 hospitalized patients. The data were collected through the application of Tinetti Index, the total score of which is 28 points. Results: The index evaluation shows que 47.9% had 19 points under the ideal score, indicating a high risk of falls, 41.7% from 24 to 28, indicating moderate risk and 10.4% from 19 to 23 points, indicating low risk of falls. The final average was (15.23), the median (16.50) and standard deviation (±11.034). Conclusions: There is a high risk of falls in this population, a quantification of impaired balance and gait anticipate the future risk of falls. The use of assessment instruments has important implications for improving the quality of life in patients with symptomatic stroke.

Proposition of a Tool to Adjust the Inspired Oxygen Fraction in Anesthesia Devices during Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on health care services, leading to a breakdown in public and private health systems worldwide. A major challenge was the scarcity of mechanical ventilators, which resulted in the use of anaesthesia devices for this purpose. However, they are quite different from mechanical ventilators used in Intensive Care Units and some adaptations, such as the use of high flow to reduce CO2 rebreathing, were necessary to ensure patient safety. The objective of this study was to present a mathematical formula and develop a tool that can be used to adjust the flow of oxygen and air in flow metres of anaesthesia devices that do not have oxygen analysers or these analysers are not operational. A literature review was conducted using the main health databases and libraries as research sources: PubMed, Virtual Health Library (VHL), SciELO, and Cochrane. The review included studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Animal studies were excluded. A total of 11 references were included to support this article.