Category: Health Sciences

Extreme obesity is a challenging disease to manage and requires a multifactorial approach

Photograph of a person's mid section. They are holding a measuring tape around their waist

Extreme obesity is a challenging disease that can present with multiple comorbidities and high rates of mortality and complications. Although lifestyle changes and anti-obesity drugs are recommended, they are less effective than bariatric surgery. Read More →

Budget impact of adding cabergoline is lower than other treatments for Cushing’s disease In Brazil

Tornado diagram from the article illustrating the univariate sensitivity analyses of selected variables affecting the total costs in Scenario 2

The estimated budget impact of adding cabergoline to the formulary for Cushing’s disease (CD) treatment within the Brazilian Public Health System would be about BRL $6 million. While cost savings cannot be expected, the budget impact of adding cabergoline would be lower than that of adding other treatment options. Read More →

Stem cell-derived secretome reduces dermonecrosis caused by spider venom

The image shows two live Loxosceles intermedia spiders from the Ezequiel Dias Foundation (FUNED) in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. On the left side (A), we see a male specimen, which is smaller and has a slimmer abdomen. On the right side (B), there is a female specimen, which is larger and has a more rounded and voluminous abdomen. Both spiders have a brown coloration, long and thin legs, and bodies with characteristics typical of the species.

By investigating the protective effects of secretome-derived mesenchymal stromal cells on dermonecrosis caused by Loxosceles intermedia venom in rabbits, it was observed that treated groups showed milder local effects and swelling compared to controls, which highlights the potential of stem cell-derived secretome for treating dermonecrotic lesions. Read More →

Active surveillance is cheaper than immediate surgery in low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

Photograph of a young woman lying down, with a doctor examining her neck using an ultrasound scanner.

When comparing long-term medical costs of active surveillance (AS), partial thyroidectomy, and total thyroidectomy in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma that receives care covered by their Public Health System, researchers concluded that the AS approach was less costly than immediate surgery over a 30-year follow-up period. Read More →

Heterologous Fibrin Biopolymer is an innovative and entirely Brazilian product with potential for aiding neuromuscular junction regeneration

Diagram illustrating the repair of nerve injury using HFB therapy, with a depiction of a nerve, rats, a syringe, and text explaining benefits.

Nerve injuries lead to the disruption of neuromuscular junctions impairing motor function. Currently, satisfactory recovery after injuries remains a medical challenge. The heterologous fibrin biopolymer, a Brazilian product created from rattlesnake venom and buffalo blood, has demonstrated its ability to create a protective microenvironment enhancing regeneration in these treatments. Read More →

Pregnant women treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion have better glycemic control

Photograph of a pregnant woman with hands on her belly.

In a comparison of maternal-fetal outcomes among T1D patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections during pregnancy, a higher frequency of cesarean and a lower occurrence of congenital malformations group were observed in the CSII. Adjusted results might indicate that these are influenced by glycemic control. Read More →

Central fat accumulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome evaluated by different methods

Stock photo. A person wears a tape measure around her body. She is wearing a beige underwear.

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome and normal body mass index, both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the adiposity indices, visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation product, are the most sensitive methods to evaluate total body fat and fat accumulation in the central abdominal region. Read More →

Stratifying hypoechogenicity into 3 degrees improves ultrasound thyroid nodule risk stratification

Collage of four ultrasound images. Arrows point to the hypoechoic nodules in different degrees.

The analysis of different degrees of hypoechogenicity in thyroid nodules shows that the classification into three grades (mild, moderate, and severe) allows for better differentiation between benign and malignant nodules. The method can avoid unnecessary invasive procedures, in addition to improving efficiency and accuracy in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Read More →

Electrocardiogram in the Pre-Exercise Evaluation of Children and Adolescents

Photo of a person lying on a hospital bed. He has no shirt and electrodes attached to his body. Next to the stretcher, an electrocardiograph producing a paper with the patient's heartbeat.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) has a crucial role in the early identification of risks, particularly in children and adolescents. Detection of cardiac alterations in 3.3% of asymptomatic participants, despite no personal or family history of heart disease, highlights the importance of ECG in ensuring the cardiac well-being of young individuals. Read More →

Serum magnesium concentrations one day after total thyroidectomy are predictors for calcium replacement

Graph. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for the magnesium concentration in the first postoperative day as a predictor of the need for calcium replacement.

The ability of serum magnesium (Mg) (measured on the first postoperative day; Mg1PO) to predict the need for calcium (Ca) replacement, was assessed in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (TT). In this group of subjects, serum Mg1PO was identified as the isolated predictor for the need for Ca replacement. Read More →