Sofia Gurgel

All Publications

• Parvalbumin and anxiety across development in female offspring of the MAM neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia. Journal of psychiatric research Gurgel, S. E., Kumaran, C., Uliana, D. L., Grace, A. A. 2026; 201: 507-517

  Abstract

  Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder often accompanied by heightened anxiety. The methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rodent model has demonstrated that prenatal MAM exposure disrupts neurodevelopment and leads to schizophrenia-like deficits, including increased anxiety-like behaviors. While previous research has focused primarily on male subjects, this study investigates anxiety-like behaviors and parvalbumin (PV) interneuron and perineuronal net (PNN) expression in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), and ventral hippocampus (vHIP) in female MAM rats across postnatal development (PD31-PD75). We found that female MAM rats exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood (PD75), as evidenced by reduced time spent and entries in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and increased center exploration in the open field test. At PD31, an increase in the open arms time and margin exploration was observed in female MAM rats. Interestingly, a baseline hyperlocomotion was observed at PD31 and PD51 in the MAM condition. The TRN also showed reduced PNN density at PD31 and PV density at PD51 which indicates a possible deficit in inhibitory control. Interestingly, in contrast to prior work in males, the BLA did not show alterations in PV or PNN densities that would contribute to increased anxiety, suggesting a different mechanism of anxiety regulation in females compared to males. These findings highlight sex-specific neurodevelopmental alterations following prenatal MAM exposure, emphasizing the need for further research on female models of schizophrenia. Understanding these differences may improve targeted therapeutic strategies for anxiety and psychosis risk in schizophrenia.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2026.07.002

  View details for PubMedID 42413186

• Safety and behavior of implantable electronic devices during cremation. Heart rhythm Maher, T., Kong, N., Spray, R., Lee, S., Gurgel, S., Waks, J., Kramer, D. B., Ellenbogen, K. A., Zimetbaum, P., d'Avila, A. 2025; 22 (4): 1073-1079

  Abstract

  The current standard of practice for cremating patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is surgical explantation before cremation to mitigate the risk of device explosion. This surgery may conflict with patient or family beliefs, whereas cremation of CIEDs may create occupational hazards.This study sought to establish an ex vivo model for screening CIED behavior during cremation.Seven CIEDs underwent testing including projectile/sound testing, impact testing, and gas analysis. In the projectile test, devices were heated until thermal failure (explosion) and filmed with a high-speed camera and microphone. For impact testing, brick structures were built to assess damage after explosion. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified released gases. Findings were compared with occupational health standards, where available.The implantable loop recorder and leadless pacemaker produced minimal kinetic energy and impact risk with thermal failure. The remaining devices demonstrated explosive disintegration at thermal temperatures <500°C. The pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators produced sound levels >120 dB and resulted in damage to brick structures. Small quantities of benzene and hydrogen fluoride were produced but at quantities within acceptable occupational exposure limits in a cremation chamber.All tested CIEDs experienced explosion at temperatures below crematorium standards. The smallest devices produced minimal risk of damage or injury, suggesting that they may safely remain in situ during cremation, whereas the larger devices produced more kinetic energy, testing chamber damage, and louder explosions, suggesting potential risk with cremation. Cadaveric testing in full-sized cremation chambers is required to determine real-world risk.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.08.031

  View details for PubMedID 39154877

• Proper timing or ERCP and cholecystectomy on acute cholecystitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta cirurgica brasileira Gonçalvez, G. F., Barros, L. L., Gurgel, S. E., Medeiros, K. S., Araújo Filho, I. 2025; 40: e401025

  Abstract

  To determine if endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be performed with surgery or as a different step, on acute cholecystitis, and which strategy has the least complications and morbimortality.Various databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, clinical trials, Google Scholar) were searched for randomized trials comparing the different timings for ERCP and cholecystectomy. No language or time restrictions were applied. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0 (Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2), and evidence certainty evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Data synthesis used R-4.1.0 Project for Statistical Computing for Windows, with meta-analysis via fixed-effects model and I2 for heterogeneity.Eleven studies was used, and meta-analysis was performed independently for each outcome. Different outcomes were evaluated, with preoperative ERCP as an intervention and intraoperative ERCP as the control: length of stays (four trials with mean differences - MD = -1.44; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI -3,87-0,98); bile leak (odds ratio - OR = 0.67; 95%CI 0.11-4.09); cholangitis (OR = 1.32; 95%CI 0.29-5.98); bleeding from sphincterotomy (OR = 0.98; 95%CI 0.20-4.86); wound infection (OR = 0.33; 95%CI 0.04-3.14); incisional bleeding (OR = 0.5; 95%CI 0.04-5.70); elevated amylase activity (OR = 5.22; 95%CI 2.17-12.59); acute pancreatitis (OR = 4.61; 95%CI 1.72-12.38); operative time (MD = -6,26; 95%CI -37.24-24.73); failure rate (OR = 1.74; 95%CI 0.99-3.05); conversion (OR = 1.34; 95%CI 0.6-2.96); morbidity (OR = 2.75; 95%CI 1.7-4.47).Risk of bias was significant due to lack of blindness. The morbidity, pancreatitis, and elevated amylase activity outcomes were the only ones to find statistical significance and favored the intraoperative approach.

  View details for DOI 10.1590/acb401025

  View details for PubMedID 39813536

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11729098

• Olmesartan-Induced Enteropathy: A Rare Case of Chronic Diarrhea. Case reports in medicine Gurgel, S. E., de Medeiros, K. S., Lima de Paiva, S. J., Gurgel Filho, J. 2024; 2024: 2666671

  Abstract

  The case involves a 63-year-old hypertensive man, taking antihypertensive medication (olmesartan) for the previous two years, who sought medical attention due to voluminous diarrhea, with several episodes per day and weight loss of 10 kg. He was submitted to a series of diagnostic procedures without elucidation and empirical treatment with unsuccessful outcome. After hospitalization for clinical stabilization and for presenting with duodenal atrophy, obtained by duodenal biopsy associated with negative markers for celiac disease, the patient was diagnosed with suspected olmesartan-induced enteropathy, showing rapid improvement of diarrhea after the drug was withdrawn, with weight regain in 6 months and normalization of the duodenal histological picture after 10 months.

  View details for DOI 10.1155/carm/2666671

  View details for PubMedID 39735218

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11671654

• Robotic surgery versus conventional laparoscopy in colon cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta cirurgica brasileira Gonçalves, G. F., Villarim, P. e., Marinho, V. R., Abreu, C. A., Pereira, L. H., Pereira, L. H., Gurgel, S. E., Rêgo, A. C., Medeiros, K. S., Araújo-Filho, I. 2024; 39: e397224

  Abstract

  To compare robotic versus laparoscopic colectomies in colon cancer patients in general complications.Nine databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigating patients with colon cancer, submitted to robotic surgery (RS) compared to a laparoscopic (LC) approach. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 tool, and certainty of the evidence was evaluated by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Data synthesis was performed using the software R. The meta-analysis of the included studies was carried out using the fixed-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird). Heterogeneity was measured using I2 analysis.A total of four studies were used with 293 patients. Three studies were used in this comparative LC vs. RS when evaluating infection rates on surgical wound sites. The odds ratio (OR) appeared to be slightly favorable to LC (OR = 3.05; 95% confidence interval-95%CI 0.78-11.96). In the hospitalization rates analysis, two randomized controlled trials were used, and the mean differences slightly favored the RS (MD = -0.54; 95%CI -2.28-1.19). GRADE evaluation detected a serious risk of bias due to RCT format and RoB-2 concurred.Both types of procedures seem to have their own benefits, risks, and limitations. They seem close to equal in terms of postsurgical infection and hospitalization.

  View details for DOI 10.1590/acb397224

  View details for PubMedID 39476069

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11506681