Novel kidney injury biomarkers in tropical infections: a review of the literature

Tropical diseases are mainly found in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. They are a major Public Health problem in these regions, most of them are considered neglected diseases and remain as important contributors to the development of AKI (Acute Kidney Injury), which is associated with increased patients' morbidity and mortality. In most countries, kidney disease associated to tropical diseases is attended at health services with poor infrastructure and inadequate preventive measures. The long-term impacts of these infections on kidney tissue may be a main cause of future kidney disease in these patients. Therefore, the investigation of novel kidney injury biomarkers in these tropical diseases is of utmost importance to explain the mechanisms of kidney injury, to improve their diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the assessment to health systems by these patients. Since 2011, our group has been studying renal biomarkers in visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, leptospirosis and leprosy. This study has increased the knowledge on the pathophysiology of kidney disease in the presence of these infections and has contributed to the early diagnosis of kidney injury, pointing to glomerular, endothelial and inflammatory involvement as the main causes of the mechanisms leading to nephropathy and clinical complications. Future perspectives comprise establishing long-term cohort groups to assess the development of kidney disease and the patients' survival, as well as the use of new biomarkers such as urinary exosomes to detect risk groups and to understand the progression of kidney injuries.

Kidney involvement in yellow fever: a review

Yellow fever is one of the most important mosquito-borne diseases, which still affects a significant number of people every year, mainly in tropical countries. Mortality can be high, even with intensive treatment due to multiple organ failure, including acute kidney injury (AKI). This disease can also be a burden on the health care system in developing countries, without mentioning the number of lives that could be spared with an early diagnosis and adequate monitoring and treatment. The pathophysiology of yellow fever-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is still to be completely understood, and the best clinical approach has not yet been determined. This manuscript presents the most recent scientific evidence of kidney involvement in yellow fever, since AKI plays an important role in the mortality rate. Recent outbreaks have occurred in Brazil and further studies are required to provide a better clinical control for patients with yellow fever.

[Care of women victims of spouse violence from the Heidegger's perspective of the technology world]

This is concerned with a reflexive text that approaches the subject of the care to women that suffer conjugal violence in an analytic perspective of the world of the technique, developed from conceptions and concepts of Martin Heidegger, contemporary philosopher of phenomenology. The care of women that suffer conjugal violence appears as one that considers values, decision, trust to care, knowledge and care actions and its consequences.

[Psychodrama as a pedagogical strategy: experiences in undergraduate teaching of women's health services]

As the result from a discussion by the Grupo de Estudos sobre Saúde da Mulher--GEM (Group of Studies on Women's Health), psychodrama has been used as a pedagogical strategy to develop the topic Female's Conditions and Women's Health. Written and oral individual accounts as well as stories constructed in "group meetings" were treated by the gender perspective. The dynamics has facilitated relationships and self-knowledge, making it possible for day-by-day situations to emerge. The reflection between what is lived and what is theoretical has allowed the visibility of women's insertion in the public and private sectors as well as created situations for the construction of concepts.

[Phenomenology as a methodologic reference: sharing the experience of women who search for the prevention of cervical cancer]

The article has the purpose to bring out the experience of having phenomenology as a methodological reference and Martin Heidegger's philosophical thinking expressed in the book entitled ¿Being and Time, used by nursing in order to understanding women who search for the prevention of cervical cancer as well as to analyse teh programs offered to women.