Arterial stiffness indices, pulse wave velocity and central systolic blood pressure, are able to discriminate between obese and non-obese children.

The objectives of this study were to verify, first, if arterial stiffness indices can discriminate between obese and healthy children. Second, to evaluate arterial stiffness index predictors and hemodynamic parameters in obese children. Arterial stiffness indices evaluated were pulse wave velocity (PWV), central systolic blood pressure (SBPc), and central pulse pressure (PPc). A cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative study design was used. The sample consisted of 78 normal-weight children (8.1 ± 1.96 years) and 58 obese children (9.0 ± 1.87 years). PWV, PPc, and SBPc were significantly higher in the group of obese children than in the control group. The ROC curve analysis showed that maximum PWV and SBPc sensitivity and specificity in differentiating obese from non-obese children occurred at 4.09 m/s and 86.17 mmHg, respectively. PPc did not exhibit a discriminatory capacity between the two groups. Peripheral systolic blood pressure (SBPp), peripheral pulse pressure (PPp), and PPc (R2 = 0.98) were predictors of increased PWV. Augmentation pressure, PPp, and reflection coefficient (R2 = 0.873) were predictors of PPc. Age, augmentation index, total vascular resistance, cardiac index, and mean fat percentage (R2 = 0.801) were predictors of SBPc. CONCLUSION: This study shows for the first time that PWV > 4.09 m/s and SBPc > 86.17 mmHg are cut-off points associated with a higher risk of obesity. These results indicate that the simple, rapid, and noninvasive measurement of arterial stiffness adds prognostic information regarding cardiovascular risk, in addition to increased body mass index. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Overweight and obesity are strongly associated with comorbidities que contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. WHAT IS NEW: • This is the first study to show that PWV and SBPc can discriminate obese from non-obese children. These results show that, in addition to an increased BMI, a simple, rapid, and noninvasive measurement of arterial stiffness adds prognostic information on cardiovascular risk.

Knowledge and practice of nursing in sickle cell disease and hemoglobinopathies in primary care / Conocimiento y práctica de enfermería en el cuidado de la enfermedad de células falciformes y hemoglobinopatías en la atención primaria / Conhecimento e prática de enfermagem no atendimento à doença falciforme e hemoglobinopatias na atenção primária

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the level of knowledge of nurses in Basic Health Units and their engagement in monitoring patients with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies. Methods: this is a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study, carried out with 12 nurses from basic health units in the municipality of Santa Luzia/Minas Gerais between August 2018 and February 2019. The semi-structured interview was the technique used for data collection, which was analyzed using Content Analysis. Results: the analysis of the interviews emerged in the construction of three categories: understanding of sickle cell disease, risk factors, and alterations on physical examination; nursing care at the health unit according to the recommendation of the Ministry of Health; obstacles and facilitators for the tracking and identification of patients. Discourse analysis highlighted: the outstanding presence of misconceptions regarding sickle cell disease; the absence of effective follow-up of patients in the area covered by the nurse; and the non-existence of a positive sickle cell disease patient link with primary care. Conclusion: although nursing plays a fundamental role in monitoring and assisting patients with sickle cell disease, the study revealed a significant gap between care recommendations and practice in basic health units.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar el nivel de conocimiento de los enfermeros de las Unidades Básicas de Salud y su participación en el seguimiento de pacientes con enfermedad de células falciformes y otras hemoglobinopatías. Método: se trata de un estudio cualitativo descriptivo-exploratorio, realizado con 12 enfermeros de unidades básicas de salud de la ciudad de Santa Luzia/Minas Gerais entre agosto de 2018 y febrero de 2019. La entrevista semiestructurada fue la técnica utilizada para la recolección de datos, que fueron analizados mediante el Análisis de Contenido. Resultados: el análisis de las entrevistas emergió en la construcción de tres categorías: comprensión sobre la enfermedad de células falciformes, factores de riesgo y alteraciones en el examen físico; atención de enfermería en la unidad de salud según recomendación del Ministerio de salud; obstáculos y facilitadores para el seguimiento e identificación de pacientes. El análisis del discurso destacó: la marcada presencia de conceptos erróneos en relación con la enfermedad de células falciformes; la falta de seguimiento efectivo de los pacientes en el área cubierta por la enfermera; y la inexistencia de un vínculo positivo entre el paciente y la enfermedad células falciformes con atención primaria. Conclusiones: si bien la enfermería tiene un papel fundamental en la conducción del seguimiento y atención de los pacientes con enfermedad de células falciformes, el estudio reveló una brecha significativa entre las recomendaciones de atención y la práctica en las unidades básicas de salud.

RESUMO Objetivos: investigar o nível de conhecimento dos enfermeiros das Unidades Básicas de Saúde e o engajamento destes no acompanhamento de pacientes com doença falciforme e outras hemoglobinopatias. Métodos: este é um estudo qualitativo descritivo-exploratório, realizado com 12 enfermeiros de unidades básicas de saúde do município de Santa Luzia/Minas Gerais entre agosto de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019. A entrevista semiestruturada foi a técnica utilizada para coleta de dados, as quais foram analisadas usando a Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados a análise das entrevistas emergiu na construção de três categorias: compreensão sobre a doença falciforme, fatores de risco e alterações ao exame físico; assistência do enfermeiro na unidade de saúde segundo a recomendação do Ministério da Saúde; dificultadores e facilitadores para o rastreamento e identificação dos pacientes. A análise do discurso destacou: a presença marcante de conceitos equivocados em relação à doença falciforme; a ausência de acompanhamento efetivo dos pacientes da área de abrangência do enfermeiro; e a não existência de vínculo entre paciente com doença falciforme positivo e a atenção básica ou uma lacuna significativa entre as recomendações de cuidado e a prática nas unidades básicas de saúde. Conclusão: embora a enfermagem desempenhe um papel fundamental no monitoramento e na assistência aos pacientes com doença falciforme, o estudo revelou uma lacuna significativa entre as recomendações de cuidados e a prática nas unidades básicas de saúde.

Effect of physical exercise on cardiometabolic parameters in post-menopause: an integrative review / Efeito do exercício físico nos parâmetros cardiometabólicos na pós-menopausa: revisão integrativa

Abstract Objective: To identify the evidence available in literature which relates the practice of physical exercise to improvements in the cardiovascular and metabolic parameters of postmenopausal women. Method: A search was performed of works published between 2008 and 2018 included in the MEDLINE, BDENF, IBCS and LILACS databases. Of the 792 studies identified, 23 met the inclusion criteria. Results: Following analysis, the studies were separated into three categories. In the first category it was observed that physical exercise improved lipid metabolism, reduced abdominal circumference and promoted weight loss. The second category revealed that physical exercise reduced systolic blood pressure, prevented the development of arterial hypertension and reduced the release of sympathomimetic hormones. In the third category the studies indicated that physical exercise elevated the antioxidant mediators and reversed the oxidative stress involved in the inflammatory reactions present in cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: The studies confirm the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the metabolic and cardiovascular parameters of postmenopausal women.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar as evidências disponíveis na literatura que relacionam a prática do exercício físico com a melhora dos parâmetros cardiovasculares e metabólicos em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Método: Foi realizada busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE, BDENF, IBCS e LILACS de trabalhos publicados entre 2008 a 2018. Dos 792 estudos identificados, 23 preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Resultados: A análise dos estudos permitiu a separação em três categorias. Na primeira categoria foi observado que o exercício físico melhorou o metabolismo lipídico, reduziu a circunferência abdominal e promoveu perda de peso. A segunda categoria evidenciou que o exercício físico reduziu a pressão arterial sistólica, preveniu o desenvolvimento de hipertensão arterial e reduziu liberação de hormônios simpatomiméticos. Na terceira categoria os estudos indicaram que o exercício físico eleva os mediadores antioxidantes e reverte o stress oxidativo envolvido nas reações inflamatórias presentes em doenças cardiovasculares. Conclusão: Os estudos afirmam efeitos benéficos do exercício físico sobre os parâmetros metabólicos e cardiovasculares de mulheres na pós-menopausa.

The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition throughout a superovulation protocol in ewes.

Many studies identified new components of the renin­angiotensin system (RAS), such as Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1­7)] and Angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), in mammalian ovaries.We previously showed Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibition, which increases the level of Ang-(1­7), stimulated ovarian estradiol output in ewe after estrous synchronization. Considering that Ang-(1­7) stimulates ovarian function and elevated estradiol before ovulation is associated with increased chance of achieving pregnancy, the present study investigated whether ACE inhibition throughout a superovulation protocol in ewe might improve ovulation outcome. At first, immunohistochemistry in ovaries of nonpregnant ewes revealed localization of Angiotensin II (Ang II), Ang-(1­7) and ACE2 in theca cells of antral follicles and in corpus luteum. Ang II and Ang-(1­7)were also detected in follicular fluid (FF) by Radioimmunoassay (RIA). Enalapril treatment throughout the superovulation protocol decreased 17ß-estradiol (E2) output and raised progesterone:estradiol (P4:E2) ratio without a direct influence on ovulation and quality of embryos.

Sepsis induced by Staphylococcus aureus: participation of biomarkers in a murine model.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the role of biomarkers in the pathophysiological process induced by a Staphylococcus aureus strain obtained in a hospital environment. For this, we intraperitoneally inoculated groups of male BALB/c mice with S. aureus, using a clinical isolate (CI) of S. aureus. MATERIAL/METHODS: Mice were divided into groups according to time of euthanasia (24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 hours of infection). After being euthanized, blood samples were collected for quantification of microorganisms and leukocytes, as well as measurement of biomarkers of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Procalcitonin (PCT) by ELISA. Heart, kidneys, and lungs were removed for histopathological analysis, assessment of biomarkers of tissue expression by RT-PCR (polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcriptase), and quantification of microorganisms by real-time quantitative PCR (real-time PCR). RESULTS: The animals infected at between 120 hours and 168 hours had the highest blood levels of S. aureus. We observed that infection promoted increases in the levels of circulating neutrophils and monocytes. However, there was a reduction of circulating neutrophils and monocytes after 96 hours of infection. The infected mice also had increased levels of blood lymphocytes. In this model of infection with S. aureus, IL-6, CRP, and PCT demonstrated greater fidelity as markers of infection, since serum levels were elevated and lowered along with the number of circulating neutrophils and monocytes after resolution of the infection. The lungs showed hyperemia, with enlargement of the alveolar septa. On the other hand, infection with S. aureus did not promote visible change in histological tissue in the heart and kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: In this model of infection with S. aureus, IL-6, CRP, and PCT demonstrated greater fidelity as markers of infection, since serum levels were elevated and lowered along with the number of circulating neutrophils and monocytes after resolution of the infection. We believe our results may provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology, as well as aid in the search for a more reliable method of diagnosis.

Natriuretic peptide system: a link between fat mass and cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension in fat-fed female rats.

The present study was designed to develop an animal model of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy associated with obesity in female rats. Furthermore, we studied the involvement of the natriuretic peptide system in the mechanisms of these conditions. Obesity was induced in Wistar rats by a high fat diet and ovariectomy. The rats were divided into four groups: ovariectomized or sham-operated with high-fat diet and ovariectomized or sham-operated with control diet. After 24 weeks of diet, rats were killed, and their tissues were removed. Cardiac atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), clearance receptor (NPr-C) gene expression was determined by PCR. ANP concentrations were measured in plasma. Ovariectomized fat-fed rats (OF) showed increased body weight, visceral fat depot and blood pressure and decreased sodium excretion compared to other groups. Also, these rats showed higher heart-to-body weight and cell diameters of ventricular cardiomyocytes and lower cardiac ANP mRNA and plasma ANP than the control group. The adipocyte and renal NPr-C mRNA of OF rats were higher than the control group. These data showed that combined ovariectomy and high fat diet elicited obesity, hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. These results suggest that the impairment of the natriuretic peptide system may be one of the mechanisms involved not only in development of hypertension but also in cardiac hypertrophy associated with obesity in ovariectomized rats.