Objectives: Ketamine has a fast onset of action that may offer a paradigm change for depression management at the end of life. We aimed to synthesize evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of ketamine in depression treatment within a broad palliative care concept. Methods: We searched seven databases and included studies on the safety and efficacy of ketamine for depression treatment in patients diagnosed with any life-threatening disease. We also conducted a narrative review of the evidence. Results: Among 2,252 screened titles and abstracts, we included 32 studies in our final synthesis: 14 case reports, two case series, two quasi-experimental studies, and seven randomized clinical trials (RCTs), as well as data from three unpublished clinical trials and seven cases from four larger case series. Most case reports reported a robust effect; however, the larger studies reported conflicting findings. Five RCTs reported positive outcomes; however, four of them were focused on a perioperative setting. Two negative studies did not primarily focus on depression and did not apply severity cutoffs. Conclusion: Although ketamine is generally safe and potentially useful, its efficacy in palliative care settings remains unclear. It may be a reasonable alternative for perioperative depression in oncological patients.

Resumo A hiperuricemia é comum na doença renal crônica (DRC) e pode estar presente em até 50% dos pacientes que se apresentam para diálise. A hiperuricemia pode ser secundária ao comprometimento da taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) que ocorre na DRC. No entanto, ela também pode preceder o desenvolvimento da doença renal e mesmo prever uma DRC incidente. Estudos experimentais de modelos hiperuricêmicos descobriram que tanto o ácido úrico solúvel quanto o cristalino podem causar danos renais significativos, caracterizados por isquemia, fibrose tubulointersticial e inflamação. Entretanto, a maioria dos estudos de randomização Mendeliana falhou em demonstrar uma relação causal entre o ácido úrico e a DRC, e os ensaios clínicos têm apresentado resultados variáveis. Aqui sugerimos explicações potenciais para os achados clínicos e genéticos negativos, incluindo o papel do ácido úrico cristalino, do ácido úrico intracelular e da atividade da xantina oxidase na lesão renal mediada por ácido úrico. Propomos ensaios clínicos futuros, bem como um algoritmo para o tratamento de hiperuricemia em pacientes com DRC.

Abstract Hyperuricemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may be present in 50% of patients presenting for dialysis. Hyperuricemia can be secondary to impaired glomerular filtration rate (GFR) that occurs in CKD. However, hyperuricemia can also precede the development of kidney disease and predict incident CKD. Experimental studies of hyperuricemic models have found that both soluble and crystalline uric acid can cause significant kidney damage, characterized by ischemia, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and inflammation. However, most Mendelian randomization studies failed to demonstrate a causal relationship between uric acid and CKD, and clinical trials have had variable results. Here we suggest potential explanations for the negative clinical and genetic findings, including the role of crystalline uric acid, intracellular uric acid, and xanthine oxidase activity in uric acid-mediated kidney injury. We propose future clinical trials as well as an algorithm for treatment of hyperuricemia in patients with CKD.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has generated the collapse of health care systems and significant impacts on the health of the workers involved in combatting the disease worldwide. METHODS: We conducted an integrative literature review focusing on the alternatives implemented to develop care for frontline health care workers in times of COVID-19. RESULTS: Fifteen articles disclosed the importance of physical and mental care for workers. CONCLUSIONS: A sensitive view of the health care worker’s care is urgently needed to maintain the quality of health service offered to the population and preserve the health of frontline workers.

ABSTRACT The present study evaluates the economic viability of the application of solar energy for electric power generation via the use of photovoltaic systems in a residential consumption unit in the city of Curitiba. Since the energy from the sun is abundant, clean, renewable and has the potential to compete in productivity and profitability, the evaluation of the applicability of these systems in homes, not only in industrial parks, is of great interest. A household with the determined consumption profile was chosen for this case study through simulations with the HomerPro software. After analyzing the data, the photovoltaic potential of the State of Paraná was estimated to investigate the possibility of photovoltaic generation growth in the state energy matrix and its consequences.

In Mexico, native orchids are appreciated for their ornamental value and traditional uses and in many indigenous communities they comprise part of a biocultural heritage. The orchid Prosthechea karwinskii (Mart.) J.M.H. Shaw, Orchidaceae, is particularly relevant in this context, although some of its traditional uses have been attributed to a very similar species, P. citrina. A recent study of P. karwinskii reported unknown medicinal and other traditional uses by the Mixtec community in Mexico. Unfortunately, increasing acculturation of indigenous communities has resulted in a loss of the community's traditional knowledge, thus, we herein documented the worldview and practices associated with the medicinal use of P. karwinskii as well as the socioeconomic aspects that characterize the holders of this knowledge. People with this knowledge are mainly indigenous women with little or no schooling, who learned the medicinal practices from family tradition. They use pseudobulbs, leaves, or flowers of the plant to treat coughs (infusions), wounds and burns (poultices), diabetes (tea or chewed), to prevent miscarriages and to assist in childbirth (infusions). These results show a promising future for ethnopharmacological research on P. karwinskii.

Objetivo: avaliar os resultados da assistência ao parto de gestantes com apresentação pélvica. Pacientes e Métodos: estudo descritivo em que foram analisadas 160 gestantes com feto em apresentação pélvica, com recém-nascidos vivos, divididas em 2 grupos conforme o tipo de parto. Foram estudados dados clínicos referentes ao trabalho de parto, parto e recém-nascido (RN). Para os procedimentos estatísticos comparararam-se os partos vaginais às cesarianas, utilizando cálculo de médias, desvio-padrão, chi² e os testes de Mann-Whitney e t de Student. Resultados: o índice geral de cesárea foi de 81,2%. A idade gestacional e o peso do RN foram significativamente menores no grupo de parto vaginal. A prematuridade e o baixo peso do RN estiveram significativamente associados ao parto vaginal. Somente 14 recém-nascidos tiveram índice de Apgar <7 ao quinto minuto, quase 60% deles no grupo de parto vaginal. Conclusões: esta população teve elevadas taxas de cesárea, com maior morbidade perinatal, prematuridade e baixo peso no grupo com parto vaginal. Tais achados não permitem conclusões acerca da real associação entre apresentação pélvica, via de parto e resultados perinatais, sendo necessário o controle pela idade gestacional e paridade, além de uma decisão aleatória sobre a via de parto.

Purpose: to evaluate the results of assistance to breech deliveries. Methods: this was a descriptive study where 160 pregnant women with breech presentation and live newborns were analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to the route of delivery. Clinical data concerning labor, delivery and newborns were studied. For statistical analysis vaginal deliveries were compared with cesarean sections using mean and standard deviation estimates, Student's t, Mann-Whitney and chi² tests. Results: the global cesarean section rate was 81.2%. The gestational age and the weight of the newborns were significantly lower in the vaginal delivery group. Prematurity and low birth weight were significantly associated with vaginal delivery. Only 14 newborns had an Apgar score below 7 at the fifth minute, almost 60% of them in the vaginal delivery group. Conclusions: this population presented a high cesarean section rate and also high perinatal morbidity, prematurity and low birth weight in the vaginal delivery group. These findings do not allow conclusions regarding the real relationships among breech presentation, route of delivery and perinatal outcomes. The control regarding gestational age and parity, besides a random decision on the route of delivery, is necessary for future conclusions.