São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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Exposure to air pollutants has several effects on human health, including during pregnancy. ⋯ It was possible to identify that maternal exposure to benzene and toluene has an acute effect on preterm delivery.
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Lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Brazil. In the 2000s, better understanding of molecular pathways led to development of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted treatments that have improved outcomes. However, these treatments are unavailable in most Brazilian public healthcare services (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS). ⋯ Reducing drug acquisition costs may improve access to EGFR-targeted therapy for lung cancer.
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Review
What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about interventions for age-related macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third largest cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for 8.7% of all cases. A considerable number of preventive or therapeutic interventions have been used for AMD. ⋯ The Cochrane systematic reviews found evidence that use of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and multivitamin compounds may present some benefits for treating AMD. There was insufficient evidence for supporting the use of macular translocation, submacular surgery, steroid implantation, radiotherapy, intravitreal aflibercept, interferon alfa, statins or omega-3 fatty acids for treating AMD; or the use of multivitamin antioxidant vitamins or mineral supplementation for preventing AMD. Future randomized controlled trials are imperative to reduce the uncertainty in several clinical questions regarding AMD.