July-September - Volume 10, Number 3 (2023)
MICROBIAL BATTLEGROUNDS: ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE CHALLENGES IN TRACHEAL ASPIRATE CULTURES AMONG ICU SARS-COV-2 CASES
Costa Souza Marcelo, Gabriela Ferreira Alves
The rapid emergence and spread of the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 marked the onset of a global pandemic, posing significant health challenges. SARS-CoV-2 induces a spectrum of symptoms, ranging from coughing and fever to severe cases characterized by dyspnea and hypoxia, often leading to lung failure and fatal outcomes. This study focuses on the pandemic's impact in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, where the healthcare system faced a chaotic scenario, characterized by limited vaccination, high demand for ICU beds, and challenges in patient care. By October 2021, Santa Catarina reported 1,200,905 confirmed cases, with a case fatality rate of...
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS & METABOLIC SYMBIOSIS: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ADIPOSITY IN THE SYNDROME COMPLEX
Luan Gjoni
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which is believed to be due to accelerated atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation. Adiposity has emerged as a critical feature of metabolic syndrome, which is strongly linked with cardiovascular disease (CVD). To establish a comprehensive management approach to control the cardiovascular risk in RA, a tight control of both RA and metabolic syndrome-related inflammation is mandatory. Adipose tissue is a dynamic organ that releases several inflammatory and immune mediators, including adipokines that contribute to inflammation resolution and have beneficial effects on obesity-linked metabolic disorders. This review examines the relationship between...