RESUMO. A co-ocorrência de distúrbios comportamentais e comprometimento cognitivo pós-acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é amplamente descrita na literatura. No entanto, os estudos geralmente não incluem a cognição social entre os domínios cognitivos avaliados. Objetivo: Investigar a potencial associação entre o reconhecimento da emoção facial, uma medida da cognição social, e os sintomas comportamentais e cognitivos na fase subaguda do AVC isquêmico. Métodos: Pacientes internados em uma Unidade de AVC com AVC isquêmico foram acompanhados até 60 dias, quando foram avaliados com os seguintes instrumentos: Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM); Bateria de Avaliação Frontal (FAB); Teste de Memória Visual da Bateria Cognitiva Breve (VMT); Fluência Verbal Fonêmica (Teste F-A-S); Span de dígitos; Teste de Reconhecimento de Emoção Facial (FERT) e Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS). Um grupo controle constituído por 21 indivíduos saudáveis também foi submetido à mesma avaliação. Resultados: Dezoito pacientes com AVC isquêmico foram incluídos no presente estudo, apresentando idade, sexo e anos de escolaridade semelhantes aos do grupo controle. Os sintomas de depressão e déficits de memória episódica foram significativamente mais frequentes em pacientes com AVC. O reconhecimento da expressão de tristeza correlacionou-se positivamente com os níveis de ansiedade e depressão, ao passo que o reconhecimento da expressão de medo correlacionou-se negativamente com depressão no grupo de AVC. Conclusões: Após um AVC isquêmico, pacientes podem apresentar alterações de cognição social, especificamente de reconhecimento da emoção facial, em associação com sintomas comportamentais.

ABSTRACT. The co-occurrence of post-stroke behavioral disorders and cognitive impairment has been extensively investigated. However, studies usually do not include social cognition among the assessed cognitive domains. Objective: To investigate the potential association between facial emotion recognition, a measure of social cognition, and behavioral and cognitive symptoms in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. Methods: Patients admitted to a Stroke Unit with ischemic stroke were followed up to 60 days. At this time point, they were evaluated with the following tools: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB); Visual Memory Test of the Brief Cognitive Battery (VMT); Phonemic Verbal Fluency (F-A-S Test); Digit Span; Facial Emotion Recognition Test (FERT) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A control group composed of 21 healthy individuals also underwent the same evaluation. Results: Eighteen patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study. They had similar age, sex and schooling years compared to controls. Depression symptoms and episodic memory deficits were significantly more frequent in patients compared to controls. The recognition of sadness expression positively correlated with the levels of anxiety and depression, while and the recognition of fear expression negatively correlated with depression in the stroke group. Conclusions: After an ischemic stroke, patients exhibit impairment in social cognition skills, specifically facial emotion recognition, in association with behavioral symptoms.

Resumo O estudo investigou a prevalência de declínio da capacidade funcional e seus fatores associados em idosos adscritos à Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), em um município do sul de Minas Gerais. Estudo observacional, transversal, de base populacional, com 406 idosos. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada pelo Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); seus fatores associados foram avaliados por um questionário estruturado incluindo aspectos sociodemográficos, econômicos, clínicos e físicos. Concentrações de mediadores inflamatórios foram dosadas pelo método de Elisa (“Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay”). Regressão linear múltipla foi usada para as análises (p < 0,05). A prevalência de declínio funcional na amostra foi de 57,6% e os fatores associados à capacidade funcional foram: idade avançada, sexo feminino, número de medicamentos, sintomas depressivos, elevadas concentrações plasmáticas de receptor solúvel 1 do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (sTNFR1) e baixa força de preensão palmar. Os resultados mostraram que a capacidade funcional foi associada a uma rede de fatores multidimensionais. O presente estudo contribui para a prática de profissionais na ESF ao apontar os principais fatores que podem nortear as ações de promoção e prevenção do declínio da capacidade funcional na população idosa.

Abstract The study investigated the prevalence of functional capacity decline and its associated factors in the older people enrolled in the Family Health Strategy (ESF) in a city in the south of Minas Gerais. This is an observational, cross-sectional, population-based study with 406 elderly (70.49 years ± 6.77). The functional capacity was evaluated by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and its associated factors were evaluated by a structured questionnaire including sociodemographic, economic, clinical and physical aspects. The analysis of plasma levels of inflammatory mediators was performed by the ELISA method. Multiple linear regression was used for the analyses (p < 0.05). The prevalence of functional decline in the sample was 57.6% and factors associated with functional capacity were advanced age, female gender, number of medications, depressive symptoms, high plasma concentrations of the soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor alpha 1 (sTNFR1) and low handgrip strength. The results demonstrated that functional capacity was associated with a network of multidimensional factors. This study contributes to the practice of ESF professionals by indicating the main factors that can guide actions to promote and prevent the decline of functional capacity in the elderly population.

Resumo O estudo investigou a prevalência de declínio da capacidade funcional e seus fatores associados em idosos adscritos à Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), em um município do sul de Minas Gerais. Estudo observacional, transversal, de base populacional, com 406 idosos. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada pelo Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); seus fatores associados foram avaliados por um questionário estruturado incluindo aspectos sociodemográficos, econômicos, clínicos e físicos. Concentrações de mediadores inflamatórios foram dosadas pelo método de Elisa (“Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay”). Regressão linear múltipla foi usada para as análises (p < 0,05). A prevalência de declínio funcional na amostra foi de 57,6% e os fatores associados à capacidade funcional foram: idade avançada, sexo feminino, número de medicamentos, sintomas depressivos, elevadas concentrações plasmáticas de receptor solúvel 1 do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (sTNFR1) e baixa força de preensão palmar. Os resultados mostraram que a capacidade funcional foi associada a uma rede de fatores multidimensionais. O presente estudo contribui para a prática de profissionais na ESF ao apontar os principais fatores que podem nortear as ações de promoção e prevenção do declínio da capacidade funcional na população idosa.

Abstract The study investigated the prevalence of functional capacity decline and its associated factors in the older people enrolled in the Family Health Strategy (ESF) in a city in the south of Minas Gerais. This is an observational, cross-sectional, population-based study with 406 elderly (70.49 years ± 6.77). The functional capacity was evaluated by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and its associated factors were evaluated by a structured questionnaire including sociodemographic, economic, clinical and physical aspects. The analysis of plasma levels of inflammatory mediators was performed by the ELISA method. Multiple linear regression was used for the analyses (p < 0.05). The prevalence of functional decline in the sample was 57.6% and factors associated with functional capacity were advanced age, female gender, number of medications, depressive symptoms, high plasma concentrations of the soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor alpha 1 (sTNFR1) and low handgrip strength. The results demonstrated that functional capacity was associated with a network of multidimensional factors. This study contributes to the practice of ESF professionals by indicating the main factors that can guide actions to promote and prevent the decline of functional capacity in the elderly population.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a acurácia dos níveis de interleucina 3 para predizer prognóstico em pacientes sépticos. Métodos: Conduzimos uma coorte prospectiva que incluiu pacientes adultos internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, que apresentassem sepse ou choque séptico iniciados há até 48 horas. Mediram-se os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 quando da inclusão (dia 1) e nos dias 3 e 7. O desfecho primário analisado foi a mortalidade hospitalar por qualquer causa. Resultados: Foram incluídos 120 pacientes. Os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 dosados à inclusão foram significativamente mais elevados em pacientes que faleceram em comparação aos que sobreviveram à internação hospitalar (91,2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL; p = 0,024). Em modelo de sobrevivência de Cox com inclusão de idade e valores sequenciais de SOFA, os níveis de interleucina 3 mensurados na inclusão mantiveram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (HR 1,032; IC95% 1,010 - 1,055; p = 0,005). Em curva Característica de Operação do Receptor construída para investigação adicional da acurácia da interleucina 3 na predição do prognóstico, encontrou-se área sob a curva de 0,62 (IC95% 0,51 - 0,73; p = 0,024) para mortalidade hospitalar. Valores iniciais de interleucina 3 acima de 127,5pg/mL mostraram-se significativamente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (p = 0,019; OR = 2,97; IC95% 1,27 - 6,97; p = 0,019), entretanto com baixo desempenho (especificidade de 82%, sensibilidade de 39%, valor preditivo positivo de 53%, valor preditivo negativo de 72%, razão de verossimilhança negativa de 0,73 e razão de verossimilhança positiva de 2,16). Conclusão: Níveis elevados de interleucina 3 mostraram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes sépticos, entretanto com baixo desempenho clínico.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of IL-3 to predict the outcome of septic patients. Methods: Prospective cohort study with adult patients in an intensive care unit with sepsis or septic shock diagnosed within the previous 48 hours. Circulating IL-3 levels were measured upon inclusion (day 1) and on days 3 and 7. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were included. Serum levels of IL-3 on day 1 were significantly higher among patients who died than among patients who survived the hospital stay (91.2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL, p = 0.024). In a Cox survival model considering the IL-3 levels at inclusion, age and sequential SOFA, IL-3 values remained independently associated with mortality (HR 1.032; 95%CI 1.010 - 1.055; p = 0.005). An receiver operating characteristic curve was built to further investigate the accuracy of IL-3, with an area under the curve of 0.62 (95%CI 0.51 - 0.73; p = 0.024) for hospital mortality. A cutoff initial IL-3 value above 127.5pg/mL was associated with hospital mortality (OR 2.97; 95%CI: 1.27 - 6.97; p = 0.0019) but with a low performance (82% for specificity, 39% for sensibility, 53% for the positive predictive value, 72% for the negative predictive value, 0.73 for the negative likelihood and 2.16 for the positive likelihood ratio). Conclusion: Higher levels of IL-3 are shown to be independently associated with hospital mortality in septic patients but with poor clinical performance.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of low bone mass is 3 times higher in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) and using antiretrovirals than in the HIV-unaffected population. Changes in vitamin D levels is one of the factors associated with decreased bone mass. The objective of this study is to evaluate the low bone mass and altered vitamin D levels in PLWH who have not been exposed to antiretrovirals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with HIV-infected individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years immediately prior to the start of antiretroviral therapy in a specialized reference center focusing on infectious and parasitic diseases. Results of clinical examination (patient’s weight, height, blood pressure, and clinical history), laboratory tests, and X-ray absorptiometry, were collected. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included, with a mean age of 34 years. Nine (16.7%) patients presented with low bone mass and 4 (7.1%) patients showed low total femur BMD. Analysis revealed that 23.3% and 36.7% of the patients had deficient and insufficient levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study population presented with compromised bone health and with low bone mineral density and 25-(OH)-vitamin D levels.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Mortality among HIV patients is 3-15 times higher than that among the general population. Currently, most deaths are due to non-infectious diseases. Chronic inflammation and adverse events due to antiretroviral therapy play crucial roles in increasing cardiovascular risk (CVR). METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and inflammatory biomarkers (D-dimer, ADAMTS13, GDF-15, sICAM-1, MPO, myoglobin, NGAL, SAA, sVCAM-1, and p-selectin) among naïve patients. RESULTS: Sixty-seven participants were included: median age, 32 years; males, 82.1%; non-white, 61.1%; higher education level, 62.7%; and exposed to HIV through sexual relationship (men who have sex with men), 68.7%. The median viral load and LTCD4+ value were 42,033 copies/mL and 426 cells/mm³. The prevalence of arterial hypertension was 16.4%; those of diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were 3% and 70.1%, respectively. The CIMT was 494.08 (± 96.84mm). The mean vascular age was 33.2 ± 18.9 years, one year longer than the chronological age, without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS The majority of participants had a low CVR (94%). After reclassification, considering the CIMT percentiles, 13 (19.4%) patients had medium/ high CVR, while 54 (80.6%) patients had low CVR. The difference between the proportions of CVR when considering the CIMT and its corresponding percentile was statistically relevant. Body mass index was the only predictor of higher CVR (p = 0.03). No biomarker was found to predict CVR. People living with HIV have a high prevalence of dyslipidemia before ARV therapy.

ABSTRACT Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Objectives: Herein, we sought to evaluate the association between T. gondii infection and clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 48 patients with chronic schizophrenia and 40 controls. Peripheral blood was drawn, and IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were evaluated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Depressive, positive and negative symptoms were assessed, respectively, by the Calgary Depression Scale (CDS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Cognitive performance was assessed in patients by the Brazilian version of the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS-BR). Quality of life was assessed by the Brazilian version of the Quality of Life in Schizophrenia scale (QLS-BR). Results: The prevalence and titers of T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies did not differ between patients and controls. The positive serology for T. gondii IgG antibodies was not associated with illness symptoms, cognitive performance, depressive symptoms or quality of life. Discussion: Our findings suggest that toxoplasmosis infection is not associated with severity of symptoms, quality of life, cognitive or depressive symptoms in schizophrenia patients.