Association of the Lipoprotein Lipase S447X and Neuropeptide Y Leu7Pro Genetic Polymorphisms with the Lipid Profiles of Individuals with and without Evidence of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease whose etiogenesis involves a number of environmental, genetic and lifestyle-related factors. Genetic polymorphisms are noteworthy among these factors because they alter gene expression and, thus, the functions of the respective products. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the Cardiology Institute, with 79 subjects classified as cases with CAD, and 96 subjects as controls without CAD or other disease. In this study, we evaluated the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of S447X and Leu7Pro of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) genes, respectively. Results: No differences were found in the frequencies of LPL SNP between the cases and controls. However, the LPL 447X allele carriers exhibited a near-significant difference in the triglycerides (p=0.086) and higher mean in the HDL-c (p=0.018). NPY polymorphisms proved to be infrequent in this study population, and no significant difference was observed between the groups. Conclusions: Our findings provide further support of the genetic polymorphisms effect on the lipid metabolism control. So, further studies are needed to assess the functional effect of this and other polymorphisms, on LPL and in the NPY activity, and their impact on CAD risk.

Fósforo na alimentação de pacus criados em tanques-rede / Phosphorus in the feeding of pacus reared in net-cages

Avaliaram-se o desempenho zootécnico, as características da carcaça, as características hematológicas e bioquímicas, a composição química e também a qualidade da água na criação de pacus Piaractus mesopotamicus em tanques-rede em reservatório e alimentados com dietas que continham diferentes quantidades de fósforo total. Foram utilizados 3.000 peixes, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições em 20 tanques-rede, sendo a unidade experimental composta por um tanque com 150 peixes. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por cinco dietas, elaboradas de modo a conterem quantidades de fósforo total de 6,0; 7,5; 9,0; 10,5 e 12,0g/kg por meio da suplementação de fosfato bicálcico. A quantidade de 6,0 a 12,0g/kg de fósforo total na ração pode ser utilizada na alimentação de pacus criados em tanques-rede, sem que haja comprometimento do desempenho dos animais, e pode-se recomendar, comercialmente, 6,0g/kg de fósforo total em dietas para pacus...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance, carcass characteristics, hematologic and biochemical characteristics, chemical composition and water quality in the rearing of pacus Piaractus mesopotamicus in cages in the reservoir fed with diets containing different total phosphorus quantities. A total of 3,000 fish allotted to a completely randomized design were used with five treatments and four replications in 20 cages, and the experimental unit consisted of a tank with 150 fish. The treatments were formed by five diets made to contain total phosphurus quantities of 6.0; 7.5; 9.0; 10.5 and 12.0g/kg through supplementation of dicalcium phosphate. The quantities of 6.0 to 12.0g/kg of total phosphurus can be used in the feeding of pacus reared in cages without compromising the animals' performance and the use of 6.0 g/kg total phosphorus in diets for pacus can be commercially recommended...

Antecedente de hipotiroidismo en pacientes consultantes por lipodistrofia (celulitis) / Hypothyroidism in women who consulted for lipodystrophy (cellulite)

La celulitis es una entidad que afecta a la mayoría de las mujeres. Existen varias teorías sobre su fisiopatología. Sabemos que la hormona tiroidea tiene un efecto a nivel cutáneo, y en nuestro país se ha reportado una mayor prevalencia de hipotiroidismo que en otros países. Objetivo: Comparar la prevalencia de hipotiroidismo en mujeres que consultaron para tratamiento de celulitis y/o flaccidez abdominal en un centro dermatológico de Santiago con la reportada en la literatura. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con 122 pacientes evaluadas entre noviembre 2009 y enero 2012. Se excluyeron 25 por no contar con anamnesis completa. Los datos fueron obtenidos de la entrevista inicial, y de la ficha clínica cuando ésta estaba incompleta. Resultados: Se obtuvo una prevalencia de 19 por ciento, valor significativamente mayor (p<0,001)a la reportada en la literatura (6,8 por ciento en Chile y entre 5 por ciento y 10 por ciento en otros países).

Cellulite is an entity that affects most women. There are many theories about its physiopathology. It is known that the thyroid hormone has an effect on the skin, and there are reports of a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism in our country than elsewhere. Objective: Compare the prevalence of hypothyroidism in women who consulted for cellulite and/or abdominal flabbiness in a dermatologic clinic in Santiago, with the data reported in the literature. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective study with 122 patients who consulted between November 2009 and January 2012, of whom 25 were excluded because of incomplete data. Information was obtained from the initial interview, and, if missing some data, from the clinical records. Results: We found a prevalence of 19 percent, which is significantly higher (p<0,001) than the value reported in the literature (6,8 percent in Chile, and between 5 percent and 10 percent elsewhere).

The challenge of preparation for a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terrorist attack.

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but, in the contemporary scene, it has established itself in a manner which commands the most serious attention of the authorities. Until relatively recently, the major threat has been through the medium of conventional weaponry and explosives. Their obvious convenience of use and accessibility guarantees that such methods will continue to represent a serious threat. However, over the last few years, terrorists have displayed an enthusiasm for higher levels of carnage, destruction and publicity. This trend leads inexorably to the conclusion that chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) methods will be pursued by terrorist organisations, particularly those which are well organised, are based on immutable ideological principles, and have significant financial backing. Whilst it is important that the authorities and the general public do not risk over-reacting to such a threat (otherwise, they will do the work of the terrorists for them), it would be equally ill-advised to seek comfort in denial. The reality of a CBRN event has to be accepted and, as a consequence, the authorities need to consider (and take seriously) how individuals and the community are likely to react thereto and to identify (and rehearse in a realistic climate) what steps would need to be taken to ameliorate the effects of such an event.

Ciprofloxacina em exacerbaçöes agudas de bronquite crônica / Ciprofloxacin in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Trinta e quatro pacientes com exacerbaçöes agudas purulentas de bronquite crônica foram tratados com 500mg de ciprofloxacina duas vezes por dia, oralmente, por dez dias. O índice de resposta a curto prazo foi de 97% (cura 70,6%), melhora 26,4%) e falha de 3%; o índice de resposta a longo prazo (seis meses de acompanhamento) foi dfe 73,5%. Os patógenos que predominaram no início foram o Haemophilus influenzae e o Streptococcus pneumoniae, principalmente em cultura puras. Todas as culturas de escarro, com exceçäo daquelas com Str pneumoniae, tornaram-se negativas no terceiro dia de tratamento. Fora a observaçäo de um menor desaparecimento do pneumococo do escarro, näo houve diferenças nas respostas entre as infecçöes por pneumococos e por Haemphilus durante e após a terapia. Os níveis de picos séricos 2h após a administraçäo foram de 3,8 ñ 1,7mg/l, a meia vida foi de 3H; os níveis de pico no escarro após 4 h foram de 1,3 ñ 0,95mg/l. A penetraçäo soro-escarro, medida pela ASC, foi de 49,9%. Reaçöes adversas leves, do tipo gastrointestinal, foram observadas em cinco pacientes