Influence of high-heeled shoes on venous function in young women.

BACKGROUND: Walking with high-heeled shoes is a common cause of venous complaints such as pain, fatigue, and heavy-feeling legs. The aim of the study was to clarify the influence of high-heeled shoes on the venous return and test the hypothesis that women wearing different styles of high-heeled shoes present an impaired venous return when compared with their values when they are barefoot. METHODS: Thirty asymptomatic women (mean age, 26.4 years) wearing appropriately sized shoes were evaluated by air plethysmography (APG), a test that measures changes in air volume on a cuff placed on the calf, while they performed orthostatic flexion and extension foot movements and altered standing up and lying down. The test was repeated in four situations: barefoot (0 cm), medium heels (3.5 cm), stiletto high heels (7 cm), and platform high heels (7 cm). The APG values of venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF), and residual volume fraction (RVF) were divided into four groups according to heel height and compared by repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: RVF was increased in the groups wearing high heels (stiletto and platform) compared with the barefoot group (P < .05). RVF was increased in the medium-heel group (3.5 cm) compared with the barefoot group (P < .05), and despite the lack of statistical significance, the medium-heel group showed lower values of RVF compared with the two high-heel groups. The EF parameter followed the opposite tendency, showing higher values for the barefoot group compared with the other three groups (P < .05). Values for VFI were similar in the three situations evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: High heels reduce muscle pump function, as demonstrated by reduced EF and increased RVF values. The continuous use of high heels tends to provoke venous hypertension in the lower limbs and may represent a causal factor of venous disease symptoms.

Desordens alimentares: aspectos de interesse na odontologia / Eating disorders: aspects of dentistry interest

As principais desordens alimentares são a anorexia nervosa e a bulimia nervosa. Qualquer indivíduo pode desenvolver estas desordens alimentares, porém, aproximadamente 85% destas desordens originam-se na adolescência. Alguns fatores sociais, como a pressão sobre a mulher em manter um suposto peso ideal e a diminuição ou impossibilidade de praticar regularmente atividades físicas, podem contribuir para a ocorrência destas desordens. Nos últimos anos temos observado um aumento na ocorrência destes distúrbios, principalmente entre pacientes do sexo feminino. Desta forma, esta revisão de literatura tem como objetivo mostrar aos profissionais de Odontologia, como se faz o diagnóstico destas desordens, quais são as principais características bucais dos pacientes que apresentam a bulimia ou anorexia nervosa, e as formas de tratamento que podem ser oferecidos a estes pacientes. O cirurgião-dentista tem um papel muito importante na identificação das desordens alimentares, pois através da anamnese e exame físico extra e intra-oral é possível descobrir sinais e sintomas sugestivos destas desordens e, desta forma, indicar um tratamento precoce.

Objetivo The main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anyone may develop them; about 85% of these disorders have the beginning during the adolescent time. Some factors as social pressure on women to maintain the ideal weight and the reduction of physic activity may contribute to the occurrence of such disorders. In the last years we have observed an increase in the occurrence of these disturbances, mainly among female patients. So, this literature review is aimed to show to Dentistry professionals how to diagnostic these disorders, how are the main oral characteristics of patients whose present bulimia or anorexia nervosa and the kinds of treatment that could be offered to the patients. The dental surgeon plays an important role on the identification of these food disorders, because by the anamnesis and physical exam in and out the mouth is possible to detect signs and symptoms that suggest these disorders, and then indicate an earlier treatment.

Latero-lateral femoro-femoral arteriovenous fistula: a new surgical approach for hemodialysis patients with no vascular access / Fístula artériovenosa fêmoro-femoral látero-lateral: uma nova abordagem para hemodiálise de pacientes sem opção de acesso vascular

Purpose: A new surgical approach for vascular access for hemodialysis using a latero-lateral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in the thigh between the femoral artery (FA) and superficial femoral vein (SFV) transposed to the subcutaneous layer in patients with no other access options is described. Methods: Ten patients (mean age: 37,9 years) for whom all possible sites for execution of any other procedure had been exhausted, underwent latero-lateral AVF close to the adductor channel between the FA and the SFV. The FSV was released and sectioned 2 cm from its confluence with the deep femoral vein and transposed in the subcutaneous tissue with extensions using saphenous vein or prosthetic material (PTFE) when needed. Follow -up included patency, flow evaluation and complications. Results: Postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 96 months, with a mean of 38 months. The AVFs presented a flow of more than 350 ml/min and the AVFs remained patent for a mean period of 38 months. There were three failures of the procedures at 3, 5 and 7 months during postoperative follow-up due to graft infection and thrombosis (a case), anaphylactic shock and thrombosis (a case) and calf pain during dialysis (a case). Two patients developed slight inferior limb edema. Conclusion: The new surgical approach for access for hemodialysis represents a feasible procedure, with acceptable patency rates in exceptional cases where no other access option is available.

Objetivo: Nova abordagem para acesso vascular para hemodiálise usando fistula artério-venosa (FAV) látero-lateral na coxa entre a artéria femoral (AF) e a veia femoral superficial (VFS) transposta no subcutâneo em pacientes sem opção de acesso. Métodos: Dez pacientes (idade média 37,9 anos), cuja possibilidade de acesso havia sido exaurido, foram submetidos a FAV látero-lateral na coxa entre a AF e a VFS.Esta veia foi liberada e seccionada 2 cm de sua confluência com a veia femoral profunda e transposta no plano superficial com extensão usando a veia safena ou material protético (PTFE) quando necessário.O seguimento incluíu a perviedade , fluxo e complicações. Resultados: O seguimento pós-operatório foi de 3 a 96 meses (média 38). A FAV apresentou fluxo mínimo de 350 ml/min e permaneceu pérvia no período médio de 38 meses. Houve 3 falências aos 3, 5, e 7 meses pós-operatórios por infecção de prótese e trombose da FAV (um caso), choque anafilático e trombose (um caso) e dor na panturrilha na hemodiálise (um caso). Dois pacientes desenvolveram discreto edema de membro inferior. Conclusão: A nova abordagem para acesso vascular para hemodiálise representa um procedimento factível, com aceitável perviedade em casos excepcionais onde nenhum outro acesso é disponível.

Latero-lateral femoro-femoral arteriovenous fistula: a new surgical approach for hemodialysis patients with no vascular access.

PURPOSE: A new surgical approach for vascular access for hemodialysis using a latero-lateral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in the thigh between the femoral artery (FA) and superficial femoral vein (SFV) transposed to the subcutaneous layer in patients with no other access options is described. METHODS: Ten patients (mean age: 37,9 years) for whom all possible sites for execution of any other procedure had been exhausted, underwent latero-lateral AVF close to the adductor channel between the FA and the SFV. The FSV was released and sectioned 2 cm from its confluence with the deep femoral vein and transposed in the subcutaneous tissue with extensions using saphenous vein or prosthetic material (PTFE) when needed. Follow -up included patency, flow evaluation and complications. RESULTS: Postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 96 months, with a mean of 38 months. The AVFs presented a flow of more than 350 ml/min and the AVFs remained patent for a mean period of 38 months. There were three failures of the procedures at 3, 5 and 7 months during postoperative follow-up due to graft infection and thrombosis (a case), anaphylactic shock and thrombosis (a case) and calf pain during dialysis (a case). Two patients developed slight inferior limb edema. CONCLUSION: The new surgical approach for access for hemodialysis represents a feasible procedure, with acceptable patency rates in exceptional cases where no other access option is available.

Gender-dependent differential phosphorylation in the ERK signaling pathway is associated with increased MMP2 activity in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: The present experiments were conducted to explore the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, potential upstream regulators of MMPs, in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) from males and females were treated with media containing interleukin (IL)-1beta (2 ng/mL), a concentration known to be present in AAAs. Levels of both total and phosphorylated (activated) extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun amino terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK), and p38 were examined by Western blotting at various time intervals up to 60 min. Similar experiments were conducted following exposure of RASMCs to elastase (6 U/mL), a concentration known to induce AAA formation in rodents. Finally, media was assayed for MMP activity by zymography. RESULTS: Total ERK (t-ERK) was consistently no different in females compared with males prior to or following IL-1beta exposure. In contrast, levels of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) were significantly higher in males than females throughout the postexposure period (P < 0.0001). Levels of t-p38, p-p38, and t-JNK were not altered in a gender-dependent manner. The lack of p-JNK levels detected in both male and female RASMCs did not allow for conclusions to be drawn regarding gender disparities in this pathway. Results were similar following RASMC elastase exposure, although t-ERK levels were consistently higher in females than males (P < 0.0001). Pro-MMP2 levels were significantly higher (P = 0.0035) in males than females at each time point following elastase exposure. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence implicating alterations in p-ERK signaling via the up-regulation of MMPs as a potential explanation for gender-related discrepancies in AAA formation.

Influência da altura do salto de sapatos na função venosa da mulher jovem / Influence of shoe heel height on venous function in young women / Influence of shoe heel height on venous function in young women

CONTEXTO: A influência da altura do salto de sapatos na função venosa é ainda assunto controverso na literatura mundial. A importância da ergonomia na qualidade de vida é um fator consagrado e situações que a prejudiquem como permanência prolongada na posição supina, qualidade dos calçados e condições do local de trabalho podem interferir na saúde do indivíduo. OBJETIVO: Estudar a influência da altura do salto do sapato na drenagem venosa dos membros inferiores, utilizando-se a pletismografia a ar (PGA). MÉTODO: Quinze mulheres, com idade média de 24,6 anos, assintomáticas, utilizando calçados de tamanhos apropriados, foram examinadas em três momentos: descalças (0 cm), salto médio (3,5 cm) e alto (7 cm). Apresentavam índice de massa corporal < 25 e foram classificadas de acordo com a Classificação Internacional CEAP, em critérios: clínico (C0 ou C1), etiológico (Ep), anatômico (As) e fisiopatológico (Pr). Os valores do índice de enchimento venoso (IEV), da fração de ejeção (FE) e da fração de volume residual (FVR) foram separados em três categorias pela altura do salto e comparados entre si, utilizando-se a análise de variância para médias repetidas (ANOVA). RESULTADOS: Houve diminuição da FE e aumento da FVR no grupo de salto alto em relação ao grupo descalço (p < 0,005). Não ocorreu diferença desses parâmetros entre o grupo de salto médio e os outros grupos. O IEV comportou-se de maneira semelhante nas três situações avaliadas. CONCLUSÃO: O salto alto diminui a função de bomba muscular demonstrado pela queda da FE e aumento da FVR, podendo, com o seu uso contínuo, provocar hipertensão venosa nos membros inferiores, o que poderia ser preditivo de sintomatologia na doença venosa.

BACKGROUND: The influence of shoe heel height on venous function is still a controversial subject in the international literature. The importance of ergonomics for quality of life is a universally accepted factor, and situations that impair it, such as prolonged permanence in the supine position, shoe quality and workplace conditions may interfere with the individual"s health. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of shoe heel height on lower limb venous drainage using air plethysmography. METHOD: Fifteen asymptomatic women with mean age of 24.6 years, wearing shoes of appropriate size were examined in three different situations: barefoot (0 cm), medium heels (3.5 cm) and high heels (7 cm). Body mass index was < 25 and the subjects were classified according to the CEAP International Classification based on clinical (C0 or C1), etiologic (Ep), anatomic (As) and physiopathological (Pr) criteria. The values of venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF) and residual volume fraction (RVF) were divided into three categories according to heel height and compared to one another by repeated means analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: EF was decreased and RVF was increased in the high heel group compared to the barefoot group (p < 0.005). These parameters did not differ between the medium heel group and the other groups. VFI showed a similar behavior in the three situations evaluated. CONCLUSION: High heels reduce muscle pump function, as demonstrated by the fall in EF and increase in RVF, and their continued use may provoke venous hypertension in the lower limbs, possibly representing a predictive factor of venous disease symptoms.