Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments for breast cancer (BC). However, there is evidence of side effects like cognitive changes related to the chemotherapy treatment. The aim of the study was not only to summarize the existing evidence on the relationship between chemotherapy and cognitive performance in women with BC but also to identify additional consequences and aspects associated with these impairments. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression to present updated information on the matter. We retrieved data from the databases PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus. Twenty studies comprising over 2,500 women were examined and the results indicated that chemotherapy can compromise cognition in women with BC (-1.10 OR [95%CI: -1.81 to -0.74], P<0.01), with working memory (-0.49 OR [95%CI: -0.85 to -0.13], P=0.03) being the most affected among the domains. Furthermore, additional data indicated that cognitive impairment is most likely amid women with BC having a lower education level (Q=4.85, P=0.02). Our results suggested that chemotherapy affects cognitive functions in women with BC, and certain characteristics can worsen the deterioration. A comprehensive study of women with breast cancer and existing predictors contributes to optimized personal journeys, elevated life prospects, and advanced care that can also aid prognosis and therapeutic approaches.

Background: The diagnosis of breast cancer requires a complicated series of diagnostic exams. The present study addressed the delay of patients who used publicly and privately financed diagnostic services. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) donated diagnostic mammograms and biopsies. Design and methods: Data from 304 patients were obtained from two Brazilian referral centres. In one referral centre (FAP), diagnostic mammography, clinic-histopathological exam and immunohistochemistry were outsourced, whereas in the other centre (HNL), these services were integrated. Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis and non-parametric tests were used to compare variables and time intervals. Results: If diagnostic mammography was financed privately and covered by private health insurance, the likelihood of a delay of >90 days between the first medical visit and the initiation of treatment decreased 2.15-fold (95%CI: 1.06-4.36; p=0.033) and 4.44-fold (95%CI: 1.58-12.46; p=0.004), respectively. If the clinic- histopathological exam was outsourced (FAP) and publicly or privately financed, the median time between diagnostic mammography and the diagnostic result was 53 and 65 days in the integrated (HNL) and outsourced public system, compared to 29 days in the outsourced private system (p<0.050). The median time between the first medical visit and the diagnostic results of patients who were supported by NGOs, who financed their diagnostic services privately, and who used exclusively public diagnostic services was, respectively, 28.0, 48.5 and 77.5 days (p<0.050). Conclusion: Patients who used privately financed health services had shorter delays. Compared to outsourcing, the integration of the publicly financed clinic- histopathological exam diminished the delay. The support of patients by NGOs accelerated patient flow.

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a influência da suscetibilidade genética na incidência e mortalidade de COVID-19. Trata-se de uma revisão descritiva da literatura realizada nas bases de dados PUBMED e Science direct utilizando os seguintes descritores: genetic susceptibility” AND “COVID-19”. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos científicos disponíveis gratuitamente, nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português e que foram publicados em 2020. Foram excluídos os artigos duplicados entre as bases. Ao final 58 estudos seguiam os critérios estabelecidos. Os genes ACE2 e TMPRSS2, têm potencial para intervenção profilática e terapêutica nos estágios iniciais de infecção por SARS-CoV-2, desempenhando um papel crucial para a entrada do vírus nas células hospedeiras. Além disso, o lócus do Antígeno Leucocitário Humano (HLA), parece ser crucial para influenciar a suscetibilidade e a gravidade do COVID-19. Indivíduos do sexo masculino apresentam uma maior taxa de mortalidade e de gravidade para a COVID-19, sendo relacionado a uma expressão mais significativa de ACE2 e diferenças na regulação epigenética de ACE2. A suscetibilidade genética pode contribuir para a variabilidade clínica interindividual associada ao COVID-19, permitindo uma avaliação de risco baseada em evidências levando a medidas preventivas personalizadas e opções terapêuticas.

Objectives: The effects of smoking on color vision have been scarcely studied. To bridge such gap, this study examined if there were differences in chromatic discrimination between heavy and light smokers. Methods: The psychophysical Trivector test was used to evaluate chromatic discrimination in healthy controls (n = 36), heavy smokers (n = 29), and light smokers (n = 32). The subject’s task was to identify the orientation of the Landolt C ring gap – presented and randomized in one of the four positions (e.g., up, down, right, and left). Results: The thresholds for Protan (red), Deutan (green) and Tritan (blue) were higher in heavy smokers compared to nonsmokers but not to light smokers. Conclusions: The results confirm that heavy smoking and chronic exposure to its harmful compounds affect color discrimination when compared to light smoking; and this is more pronounced in heavy smokers than light smokers. This is particularly important to understand the differences among smokers on visual and multisensory processing.

O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma revisão integrativa da literatura a respeito da depressão e fatores associados em estudantes, essencialmente do nível superior. Foi acessada a base de dados Scielo, através dos descritores “depressão” e “estudantes” com auxílio do operador boleano “and”, adicionando-se os filtros “Brasil”, e “últimos cinco anos” (2016-2020). A busca resultou em18 artigos, cujo conteúdo foi organizado em um único corpus textual, e foi submetido a uma Classificação Hierárquica Descendente (CHD).44% (8) dos estudos encontrados foram realizados na região Sudeste, 44% 8 recrutaram estudantes de Medicina em sua metodologia, sendo 5 exclusivamente com estudantes de Medicina. Apenas um dos estudos que especificaram os cursos a serem elencados, buscou analisar cursos que não fossem da área de saúde, como pedagogia, administração, ciências econômicas, farmácia-bioquímica, engenharia de processos e biotecnologia. Fatores agravantes do quadro de depressão são estilo de vida, curso, relações interpessoais e variáveis pessoais. Fatores atenuantes encontrados foram a religiosidade e vivência profissional.