Background: Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with terminal liver disease. The Balance of Risk Score (BAR), Survival Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation (SOFT) and Donor Risk Index (DRI) scores are predictive systems for post-transplant survival. Aim: To evaluate the most accurate score and the best cutoff point for each predictor in the brazilian population. Method: Retrospective cross-sectional study of 177 patients. Data on the recipient, donor and transplant were analyzed and the prognostic scores BAR, SOFT and DRI were calculated for each transplant. To determine the BAR and SOFT cutoff points associated with death in three months, ROC curves were adjusted. Results: The best cutoff point for BAR was 9 points with an area under the ROC curve=0.69 and for SOFT it was 12 points with an area under the ROC curve=0.73. The DRI score did not discriminate survival (p = 0.139). Conclusion: The SOFT score proved to be better than BAR for survival analysis post-hepatic transplantation and the DRI was not effective.

Background/Objectives: Most of the rapid inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain is mediated through activation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABA_A) receptor, which is a ligand-gated ion channel. GABA_A receptor activation via GABA binding allows for an intracellular influx of Cl⁻ ions, thus inducing cellular hyperpolarization. Each GABA_A receptor consists of a combination of five subunits, and several subunits have been proposed as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Here, we show the expression of genes encoding β subunits of the GABA_A receptor, namely GABRB1, GABRB2, and GABRB3, across the four different molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma (MB), which is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. We also show the associations of GABA_A receptor β subunits with MB patients’ overall survival (OS). Methods: The expression of genes encoding GABA_A receptor β subunits was analyzed using a previously described dataset comprising 763 MB tumor samples. Patients were classified into high- and low-gene-expression groups, and the Kaplan–Meier estimate was used to examine the relationship between gene expression levels and patient OS. Results: High GABRB1 expression was associated with better OS within each of the four molecular subgroups. The GABRB2 gene showed higher transcript levels in Group 3 MB compared to all other subgroups, and high expression was associated with better prognosis in Group 3 tumors. GABRB3 expression was significantly higher in Group 3 and Group 4 MB, and high expression of GABRB3 genes was associated with longer OS in the sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup. The high expression of GABRB1, GABRB2, and GABRB3 is associated with longer patient OS in a subgroup-specific manner. Conclusions: These results indicate a role for GABA_A receptors containing β subunits in influencing MB progression.

Background: Retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) effectively treats biliary and pancreatic disorders. Its indications are limited and precise, since its misuse delays adequate treatment, increases costs and to patient´s adverse events. Aim: To compare clinical, radiological and exploratory characteristics in relation to therapeutic success in patients undergoing ERCP in relation to age. Method: 421 patients who underwent the method were retrospectively studied; those who were not able to access the duodenal papilla were excluded. The patients were divided into two age groups: 60 years (group 2), and the variables of gender, examination indications, radiological findings, therapeutic success, diagnosis and the occurrence of immediate adverse events were analyzed. Results: 177 patients were allocated to group 1 and 235 to group 2. The main indication found in both groups was choledocholithiasis. In group 2, the number of cases of acute cholangitis (p=0.001), biliary stenosis (p=0.002) and papilla cancer (p=0.046) was higher. In this group, urgent indication for ERCP was higher (p=0.042), as well as the diagnosis of biliary tract dilatation (p<0.001). The placement of prostheses was the most common procedure performed in both groups, but the greatest number of patients in absolute quantity occurred in group 2. In group 1, the success in catheterization and the chance of achieving clearing of the biliary tract was significantly higher in compared to group 2 (p=0.016, OR=2.1). Conclusion: The success of catheterization and complete clearance of the bile duct was significantly higher in the group of young patients.

Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancer comprises a group of neoplasms with a high incidence in the world population. It is divided into basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. As it is highly prevalent, understanding the process of oncogenesis and the relationship with ions, proteins and cellular receptors in nonmelanoma skin cancer can contribute to the evaluation of new therapies. Objective: To understand the oncogenesis process of non-melanoma skin tumors and its relationship with the immunolocalization of IP3R. Methods: Integrative literature review with evidence synthesis. The database was PubMed; the search strategy: “squamous cell carcinoma, AND/OR basal cell carcinoma, AND/OR IP3R, AND/OR immunohistochemistry”. Works published between 2018 and 2023 were considered for review; 40 works were included, fully read and summarized. Results: Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide, with 75-80% being basal cell carcinoma, and up to 25% being cell carcinoma. Molecular interactions in general involve a large participation of tumor suppressor molecules, as well as procto-oncogenes. Furthermore, voltage-dependent ion channels control the cytosolic flow of ions, including calcium. The IP3R (phosphatidyl inositol-3 receptor) allows the exit of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum so that it can be used by the cell for physiological activities such as proliferation, angiogenesis, motility and invasion capacity. Conclusion: The IP3R, due to its immunohistochemical expression characteristics, appears may also be related to the pathophysiology of nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Background: Obesity changes the anatomy of the patient. In addition to the aesthetic change, the high percentage of fat determines evident functional changes. Anthropometric normality in measuring abdominal circumference and height can serve as a basis for measuring cardiometabolic risks of obesity. Aim: To verify if it is possible to determine parameters of normality between waist and height in people with normal BMI and fat percentages, to serve as a basis for assessing risks for obesity comorbidities. Methods: A sample of 454 individuals with BMI and percentages of fat considered within the normal range was extracted. It was divided into age groups for both men and women between 18 and 25; 26 to 35; 36 to 45; 46 to 55; 56 to 65. A total of 249 men and 205 women were included. Results: Regarding the percentage of height as a measure of the abdominal perimeter, the total female sample had an average of 44.2±1.1% and the male 45.3%+1.5. For women, this percentage determined the equation of the waist-height ratio represented by X=(age+217) / 5.875, and for men X=(age+190.89) / 5.2222. “X” represents the percentage of the height measurement so that the individual falls into the category of adequate percentage of fat and BMI. Conclusion: Between the stature of adult men and women with normal fat percentage and BMI, there is a common numerical relationship, with is on average 44% for women and 45% for men.

Background: The treatment of 3rd degree burns represents a major medical challenge. Pinus vegetable cellulose is a biomaterial with characteristic similar to bacterial cellulose. Aim: To evaluate the safety of cellulose membrane (Pinus sp) in the treatment of 3rd burns in rats and to compare its effectiveness with the bacterial membrane already on the market. Method: Thirty-three Wistar rats were beaten with a 3rd degree burn on back skin by applying water at 98º C for 30 s. Then, they were divided into three groups (n=11): group 1 - simple dressing with gauze; group 2 - dressing with bacterial cellulose membrane; and group 3 - dressing with vegetable cellulose membrane. The animals were maintained for 15 days to check the general clinical status, macroscopic aspect, contraction of the wounds and microscopic analysis for the degree of healing and collagenization. Results: They were clinically well during the experiment. During the removal of the dressing, there was bleeding in the wound of the control group, unlike the groups treated with cellulose membranes, which protected the bed from injury. The macroscopic evaluation showed a greater contraction of the wounds treated with the membranes in relation to the control. A microscopic analysis revealed that most of the wounds were in advanced healing degree with predominance of mature collagen in all groups. Conclusion: Pinus sp cellulose membrane showed efficacy similar to that of the bacterial membrane in the treatment of 3rd degree burns.