Recent Articles

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disease that affects many psychopathological segments with the predominance of obsessive ideas or uncontrollable behaviors. Obsessions are presented as intrusive thoughts that cause increased anxiety; while compulsions present themselves as repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at minimizing anxiety. OCD was considered a very rare and poor prognosis, but with advances in scientific research, this concept is in the process of changing.

Medicinal plants have been used by the population since the beginning as a tool to prevent and fight diseases. In addition, to strengthening local culture and offering cheaper labor, this practice is an alternative to conventional therapies. The use of these plants in metabolic disorders has been studied worldwide. It has shown promising results in reducing glycemic levels and profiles related to diabetes, such as LDL lipid profile, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). These results can be potential sources for pharmacological treatments, through the production of medicines, as well as the implementation of these plants in the diet, dispensing with the use of commercialized drugs.

The existence of a complex health system is capable of providing the necessary care for the mother and mother, but the levels of complexity of this treatment vary according to the need and severity of the situation in which the pregnant woman is ebcibtra. From this perspective, this chapter will address the relationship between pregnant women and the Brazilian Unified Health System, as well as the care and diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Understanding the physiology of the metabolic regulation of hormones responsible for glycemic control is of fundamental importance for a thorough understanding of Diabetes Mellitus. In this scenario, this chapter is intended to explain this regulation, as well as the main hormones that participate in this metabolic process.

COVID-19 infection was first described in Wuhan, China after an increasing spread of atypical pneumonia of unknown pathogen. Unfortunately, this novel virus continues spreading causing a pandemic. Thalassemia considered one of the most common hemoglobinopathies. Beta thalassemia is the commonest type with a variety in clinical picture due to the deference in homozygous. A lot of vulnerable categories were at high risk of getting infected with the coronavirus and more even its complication. Despite the conflicting data and ongoing research on this topic, thalassemia patients were categorized among the high-risk population. Here we present a case series describing the clinical progression of two splenectomised patients who has transfusion dependent beta thalassemia major.

In India, person with dementia continue to live with their families all through their illness period. It is common in India that because of the family relationships and cultural values the caregiving process is a joint effort made by the adult members in the family. Thus understanding the psychosocial issues of the caregivers of persons with dementia in the Indian context and providing appropriate psychosocial support for the caregivers is essential in the holistic approach for the care for persons with dementia.The current paper shares the process of development of psychosocial intervention for the families of persons with dementia and findings from the pilot study in urban Bangalore. The findings were helpful in systematically developing the content for the proposed homebased care programme for caregivers of persons with dementia. The pilot results show that the psychosocial support through home based programme for the family caregivers of persons with dementia is feasible and effective.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterised by transient regional wall motion abnormalities of the left or right ventricles often associated with new ECG changes (including ST-segment elevations, ST-segment depressions, T-wave inversions and QTc prolongation) in the absence of a culprit atherosclerotic artery which could explain the ventricular dysfunction. In this article we present an unusual case of recurrent TTS following electrical cardioversion in a 61 year old female patient who was admitted to our unit.

Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma to the urinary bladder is extremely rare and has only been reported 4 cases worldwide. We describe such a case presented with hematuria and dysuria after ten months of the initial diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry helped to confirm the diagnosis of metachronous metastasis. Six months after being diagnosed with the bladder metastasis, progression with severe right hydronephrosis and mild dilatation of the left pyelocaliceal system palliated with an UventaTM metallic ureteral stent and a double J ureteric catheter.

Macaronesia islands’ invasive plant use in animal feed or composting may bring economic and environmental benefits to the region. Arundo donax, Pennisetum setaceum, Agave americana, and Ricinus communis, present in the three archipelagos (Canary, Azores and Madeira), were characterized chemically and biologically. A. donax and P. setaceum showed elevated crude protein (CP) content, 13.25 and 16.33 DM%, respectively, and extremely high NDF values, 75.87 and 80.83 DM%, with a DM digestibility of 55.02 to 59.77%. A. americana showed a low NDF value (22.78 to 27.94 DM%) and a very low CP value (4.24 to 5.61 DM%). However, its DM digestibility was high (79.89 to 86.33%). R. communis presented the best values for CP (24.62%) and NDF (26.56 DM%), however, due to the presence of toxic substances (ricin), it cannot be easily used in animal feed. The P. setaceum and R. communis were found to be the least gas-producing forage, with A. americana being the major producer. To increase these plants’ value for animal feed, treatment with urea or NaOH to A. donax and P. setaceum, and enrichment with nitrogen to Agave is proposed. Due to its toxic properties, R. communis must be used in composting.

CML is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder associated with activating mutations in tyrosine kinases forming a BCR-ABL fusion gene, causing hyperproliferation of neoplastic myeloid progenitors [1,2]. The incidence of CML peaks in the fourth and fifth decades of life [3]. In the United States, nearly 4,500 cases are diagnosed annually [3]. The onset of the disease is insidious due to the nonspecific initial “B symptoms,” such as increased fatigability, weight loss and weakness. The natural history of CML is slow with a median survival of three years if untreated [3,4]. The current treatment is targeted therapies to the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase using imatinib or nilotinib and hydroxyurea. Although B symptoms are common, priapism can be an initial presentation of CML in 1-5% of cases [5]. Priapism is a urological emergency defined by a sustained erection of four or more hours. Hyperviscous blood in leukemias, such as CML, prevents appropriate venous drainage of the corpora cavernosa, resulting in failure of detumescence [4]. This case reports highlights priapism as a presenting sign of CML and reviews the pathophysiology between the association.