ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic review to synthesize the current evidence on the accuracy of IgM and IgA to early diagnosis the dengue virus. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD 42015024808). We searched for studies in the following electronic database from 1990 to January 2018. The search identified 3507 studies. Five studies were included for quantitative analysis. Three studies included evaluations of salivary IgM provided a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 93%. Two studies included evaluating of IgA salivary showed a combined sensitivity of 69% and a combined specificity of 98%. Despite the results found and the low methodological quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis it is still soon to claim that IgA is better than IgM to diagnosis Dengue.

Introduction: The early evaluation of the spine in children is desirable because it is at this stage of development that the greatest changes in the body structures occur. Objective: To determine the test-retest, intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Flexicurve instrument for the evaluation of spinal curvatures in children. Method: Forty children ranging from 5 to 15 years of age were evaluated by two independent evaluators using the Flexicurve to model the spine. The agreement was evaluated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Standard Error of the Measurement (SEM), and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC). Results: In relation to thoracic kyphosis, the Flexicurve was shown to have excellent correlation in terms of test-retest reliability (ICC2,2=0.87) and moderate correlation in terms of intra-(ICC2,2=0.68) and inter-rater reliability (ICC2,2=0.72). In relation to lumbar lordosis, it was shown to have moderate correlation in terms of test-retest reliability (ICC2,2=0.66) and intra- (ICC2,2=0.50) and inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.56). Conclusion: This evaluation of the reliability of the Flexicurve allows its use in school screening. However, to monitor spinal curvatures in the sagittal plane in children, complementary clinical measures are necessary. Further studies are required to investigate the concurrent validity of the instrument in order to identify its diagnostic capacity.

Nós investigamos os níveis do Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Cérebro (BDNF), citosinas e parâmetros oxidativos em soro e correlacionamos com a idade e funcionalidade dos pacientes com Distrofias Musculares Progressivas (PMD). Os pacientes foram separados em seis grupos (casos e controles pareados por idade e sexo), como segue: Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne (DMD); Distrofia Miotônica de Steinert (SMD); e Distrofia Muscular de Cinturas do tipo 2A (LGMD2A). Pacientes com DMD (±17,9 anos de idade) tiveram uma diminuição da funcionalidade, aumento nos níveis de IL-1β e TNF-α e uma diminuição dos níveis de IL-10 e da atividade da superóxido dismutase no soro. Pacientes com SMD (±25,8 anos de idade) tiveram uma diminuição dos níveis de BDNF e IL-10 e da atividade da superóxido dismutase e um aumento dos níveis de IL-1β no soro. Pacientes com LGMD2A (±27,7 anos de idade) tiveram uma diminuição somente nos níveis de IL-10 no soro. Esta pesquisa mostrou a primeira evidência do envolvimento dos níveis de BDNF em pacientes com SMD e um possível desequilíbrio entre fatores pró e antiinflamatórios de citosinas e uma diminuição da atividade da superóxido dismutase em soro de pacientes com DMD e SMD.

We investigated the levels of brain derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cytokines and oxidative parameters in serum and tried to correlate them with the age and functionality of patients with Progressive Muscle Dystrophies (PMD). The patients were separated into six groups (case and controls pared by age and gender), as follows: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD); Steinert Myotonic Dystrophy (SMD); and Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy type-2A (LGMD2A). DMD patients (±17.9 years old) had a decrease of functionality, an increase in the IL-1β and TNF-α levels and a decrease of IL-10 levels and superoxide dismutase activity in serum. SMD patients (±25.8 years old) had a decrease of BDNF and IL-10 levels and superoxide dismutase activity and an increase of IL-1β levels in serum. LGMD2A patients (±27.7 years old) had an decrease only in serum levels of IL-10. This research showed the first evidence of BDNF involvement in the SMD patients and a possible unbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, along with decreased superoxide dismutase activity in serum of DMD and SMD patients.

BACKGROUND: The adapted arcometer has been validated for use in adults. However, its suitability for use in children can be questioned given the structural differences present in these populations. OBJECTIVE: To verify the concurrent validity, repeatability, and intra- and inter-reproducibility of the adapted arcometer for the measurement of the angles of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in children. METHOD: Forty children were evaluated using both sagittal radiography of the spine and the adapted arcometer. The evaluations using the arcometer were carried out by two trained evaluators on two different days. In the statistical treatment, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson's product moment correlation, Spearman's rho, the paired t test, and Wilcoxon's test were used (α=.05). RESULTS: A moderate and significant correlation was found between the x-ray and the adapted arcometer regarding thoracic kyphosis, but no correlation was found regarding lumbar lordosis. Repeatability and intra-evaluator reproducibility of the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were confirmed, which was not the case of inter-evaluator reproducibility. CONCLUSION: The adapted arcometer can be used to accompany postural alterations in children made by the same evaluator, while its use for diagnostic purposes and continued evaluation by different evaluators cannot be recommended. Further studies with the aim of adapting this instrument for use in children are recommended.

INTRODUÇÃO: O suicídio é um problema mundial de saúde pública. Estimativas apontam que, anualmente, mais de 1 milhão de pessoas cometem suicídio em todo o mundo. O Brasil possui um coeficiente mediano de suicídio (4,1 por 100 mil habitantes), porém o fato de ser um país de grandes dimensões faz com que características e níveis de desenvolvimento variem grandemente em diferentes regiões. Nesse aspecto, o sul do país se destaca por possuir índices acima da média nacional. OBJETIVOS: Estimar o perfil do suicídio nos municípios da Região Carbonífera Catarinense no período de 1980 a 2007. METODOLOGIA: Estudo ecológico, temporal, descritivo, que buscou caracterizar os aspectos epidemiológicos em relação aos meios empregados para cometer suicídio, estado civil, gênero, faixa etária e ocupação nos municípios da região nos anos de 1980 a 2007. RESULTADOS: Ocorreram 474 suicídios no período, o que gerou um coeficiente médio de 10,83 por 100.000 habitantes. Houve predomínio masculino, na proporção de 5:1, e pico na faixa etária entre 55 e 64 anos (11,31 por 100.000 habitantes). O meio mais utilizado foi o enforcamento (72%), e a ocupação mais frequente foi a dos trabalhadores braçais (11,60%); em relação ao estado civil, os casados foram os que mais cometeram suicídio (48%). CONCLUSÃO: A Região Carbonífera Catarinense apresenta coeficientes de mortalidade por suicídio acima da média nacional. O presente estudo destaca características próprias do suicídio na região, podendo contribuir para o desenvolvimento de ações preventivas.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a public health problem worldwide. Estimates have indicated that over 1 million people commit suicide every year all over the world. Brazil has a moderate suicide death rate (4.1 per 100,000 inhabitants), but the fact that it is a large country leads to the coexistence of diverse characteristics and levels of development across the different Brazilian regions. In this sense, the South region has been shown to present suicide rates above the national average. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the profile of suicide in municipalities comprising the Santa Catarina Coal Mining Region from 1980 to 2007. METHODS: This ecological, time-series, descriptive study sought to characterize epidemiological aspects related to suicide method, marital status, sex, age, and occupation in the municipalities of the region in the years 1980 to 2007. RESULTS: A total of 474 suicides occurred in the period, yielding a mean death rate of 10.83 per 100,000 inhabitants. There was a predominance of males, at a 5:1 ratio, and a peak rate in the 55-64-year age group (11.31 per 100,000 inhabitants). The suicide method most commonly used was hanging (72%) and the most frequent occupation was hard labor work (11.60%); in relation to marital status, married subjects (48%) were the ones with the highest rates of suicide. CONCLUSIONS: The Santa Catarina Coal Mining Region has suicide mortality rates above the national average. This study highlights specific characteristics of suicide in the region and may contribute to the development of preventive measures.