São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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Some studies have suggested a wide range of possible mechanisms through which probiotics may play a role in diabetes prevention and treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We conducted this study to review the potential mechanisms suggested for the effect of probiotics in diabetes. ⋯ The results may throw some light on the capacity of probiotics as a novel approach towards controlling diabetes. However, further human studies are warranted to elucidate and confirm the potential role of probiotics in diabetes prevention and treatment. Also, it needs to be ascertained whether the effectiveness of probiotics in diabetes prevention and treatment is dependent on the strain of the microorganisms.
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Comparative Study
Comparative analysis of death by suicide in Brazil and in the United States: descriptive, cross-sectional time series study.
The World Health Organization recognizes suicide as a public health priority. Increased knowledge of suicide risk factors is needed in order to be able to adopt effective prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the association between the Gini coefficient (which is used to measure inequality) and suicide death rates over a 14-year period (2000-2013) in Brazil and in the United States (US). The hypothesis put forward was that reduction of income inequality is accompanied by reduction of suicide rates. ⋯ The hypothesis that reduction of income inequality is accompanied by reduction of suicide rates was not verified.
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Multicenter Study
Economic evaluation of human albumin use in patients with nephrotic syndrome in four Brazilian public hospitals: pharmacoeconomic study.
In 2004, the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA) published a resolution establishing guidelines for albumin use. Although the published data do not indicate any definitive conclusions about the benefits of albumin use in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS), the guidelines recommend this procedure only in cases of edema that is refractory to use of diuretics. The aim here was to analyze albumin use among patients with nephrotic syndrome. ⋯ The economic analyses of this study demonstrated that there were greater cost benefits for patients whose treatment followed the guidelines.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become an important public health issue. The socioeconomic burden of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is very high, as is CKD-related cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Preventive and therapeutic measures only have modest impact and more research is needed. Few cohort studies have been conducted on populations with CKD. Our aim was to establish a cohort that would include more advanced forms of CKD (stages 3 and 4). Data collection was focused on renal and cardiovascular parameters. ⋯ The PROGREDIR cohort is a promising prospective study that will allow better understanding of CKD determinants and validation of candidate biomarkers for the risks of CKD progression and mortality.