Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently considered an important component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The spectrum of NAFLD includes conditions that range from simple hepatic steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. NAFLD is correlated with liver-related death and is predicted to be the most frequent indication for liver transplantation by 2030. Insulin resistance is directly correlated to the central mechanisms of hepatic steatosis in NAFLD patients, which is strongly correlated to the imbalance of the renin-angiotensin system, that is involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. Among the emerging treatment approaches for NAFLD is the anti-hypertensive agent telmisartan, which has positive effects on liver, lipid, and glucose metabolism, especially through its action on the renin-angiotensin system, by blocking the ACE/AngII/AT1 axis and increasing ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis activation. However, treatment with this drug is only recommended for patients with an established indication for anti-hypertensive therapy. Thus, there is an increased need for large randomized controlled trials with the aim of elucidating the effects of telmisartan on liver disease, especially NAFLD. From this perspective, the present review aims to provide a brief examination of the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH and the role of telmisartan on preventing liver disorders and thus to improve the discussion on potential therapies.

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The knowledge about diagnostic imaging methods among primary care and medical emergency physicians * O conhecimento dos médicos da atenção primária à saúde e da urgência sobre os exames de imagem

This is a qualitative study with family physicians from Montes Claros (MG), aimed at understanding the request for exams by physicians in Primary Health Care. Data were obtained by means of unstructured interviews and were examined through discourse analysis. The request for exams is influenced by professional education; by Family Health Strategy characteristics, the first contact on health issues; by carrying out integral and continued care, coordinated by the team; by the possibility of managing attendance duration; by multi-professional work; and by difficulties faced: demand for exams by the patients and pressure by managers for less requests. KEYWORDS

The present report is aimed at describing a rare case of cranial malformation - cloverleaf skull syndrome -, whose presence was noticed after the birth of a child with signs of abnormality. Imaging diagnosis methods such as computed tomography and conventional radiography were used to characterize the syndrome.

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Resumo Introdução Os exames integram o sistema de saúde e contribuem para o avanço da assistência. A sua solicitação pelos médicos deve ser realizada adequadamente, podendo ser influenciada por diferentes aspectos. Objetivo Desenvolver e validar um instrumento de avaliação de aspectos que influenciam a solicitação de exames. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal e analítico que passou pelas seguintes etapas: 1) identificação dos aspectos que influenciam a solicitação de exames na prática médica; 2) verificação da validade aparente e validade de conteúdo; 3) verificação da validade de construto; 4) análise da confiabilidade; 5) verificação da validade discriminante, aplicada a 158 médicos de família e emergencistas no norte de Minas Gerais. Resultados O instrumento permaneceu com 36 itens, psicometricamente válidos, agrupados em cinco dimensões: particularidade pessoal do médico; estrutura e processos do sistema de saúde; características do paciente; preparo profissional; e dificuldade para a realização do exame. O instrumento apresentou validade aparente, validade de conteúdo, validade de construto, nível satisfatório de confiabilidade e validade discriminante. Conclusão O instrumento de avaliação dos aspectos que influenciam a solicitação de exames na prática médica tem a possibilidade de identificar a influência particular de cada aspecto e de cada dimensão que interfere na prática de solicitação de exames.