Inflammatory cytokines are associated to lower glomerular filtration rate in patients with hypertensive crisis.

Introduction: Hypertension and kidney function are closely related. However, there are few studies on renal function during acute elevation of blood pressure (BP), denominated hypertensive crisis (HC). Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between renal function and inflammatory cytokines in HC, subdivided into hypertensive urgency (HUrg) and emergency (HEmerg). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 74 normotensive (NT) and 74 controlled hypertensive individuals (ContrHT) followed up in outpatient care. Additionally, 78 subjects with hypertensive emergency (HEmerg) and 50 in hypertensive urgency (HUrg), attended in emergency room, were also evaluated. Hypertensive crisis was classified into HEmerg, defined by systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 180 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 120 mmHg in presence of target-organ damage (TOD), and HypUrg, clinical situation with BP elevation without TOD. The glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated, and cytokine levels were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's correlation, with significant differences p-value < 0.05. Results: The median age was 53.5 years in the NT group (52 female), 61 years in the ContrHT group (52 female), and 62.5 years in the HC group (63 female) (p-value < 0.0001). The median BP was 118.5/75 mmHg for NT, 113.5/71 for ContrHT, and 198.5/120 mmHg for HC, respectively (p-value < 0.0001 among groups). BP and heart rate levels were significantly higher in the HC group compared to the NT and ContrHT groups (P < 0.001 for all). The eGFR was significantly lower in HC group compared to the NT and ContrHT groups. The cytokine levels were higher in the HEmerg and HUrg groups compared to ContrHT group (P < 0.0001, except for IL-1ß in HUrg vs. ContrHT), without difference between the acute elevation of BP groups. Thus, all cytokines were significantly elevated in patients with HC compared to the control groups (NT and ContrHT). There was a negative correlation between eGFR and the cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α) in the HC group. Conclusion: Elevated inflammatory cytokines are associated with reduced eGFR in individuals with HC compared to control groups, suggesting that the inflammatory process participates in the pathogenesis of acute elevations of BP.

Characterisation of neonatal cardiac dynamics using ordinal partition network.

The maturation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) starts in the gestation period and it is completed after birth in a variable time, reaching its peak in adulthood. However, the development of ANS maturation is not entirely understood in newborns. Clinically, the ANS condition is evaluated with monitoring of gestational age, Apgar score, heart rate, and by quantification of heart rate variability using linear methods. Few researchers have addressed this problem from the perspective nonlinear data analysis. This paper proposes a new data-driven methodology using nonlinear time series analysis, based on complex networks, to classify ANS conditions in newborns. We map 74 time series given by RR intervals from premature and full-term newborns to ordinal partition networks and use complexity quantifiers to discriminate the dynamical process present in both conditions. We obtain three complexity quantifiers (permutation, conditional, and global node entropies) using network mappings from forward and reverse directions, and considering different time lags and embedding dimensions. The results indicate that time asymmetry is present in the data of both groups and the complexity quantifiers can differentiate the groups analysed. We show that the conditional and global node entropies are sensitive for detecting subtle differences between the neonates, particularly for small embedding dimensions (m < 7). This study reinforces the assessment of nonlinear techniques for RR interval time series analysis. Graphical Abstract.

Assessment of heart rate variability by application of central tendency measure.

The heart rate variability (HRV) is an indicator of the subject homeostasis alterations. For a healthy individual, the HRV shows a nonlinear behavior, thus requiring a nonlinear approach to provide additional information about HRV dynamics. In this work, the nonlinear techniques, central tendency measure (CTM) and second-order difference plot, are applied to HRV analysis using the successive difference of RR intervals in a time series. In total are analyzed 170 tachograms collected by Polar monitor and then classified into three groups according to a cardiologist: healthy young adults, adults in preoperative evaluation for coronary artery bypass grafting for severe coronary disease and premature newborns. This approach identified the tachograms with high and low variability, which demonstrates the ability of CTM to classify and quantitatively characterize cardiac RR intervals.

Impact of genetic variants of apolipoprotein E on lipid profile in patients with Parkinson's disease.

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) seems to involve genetic susceptibility to neurodegeneration. APOE gene has been considered a risk factor for PD. This study aimed to evaluate the association of APOE polymorphism with PD and its influence on lipid profile. We studied 232 PD patients (PD) and 169 individuals without the disease. The studied polymorphism was analyzed by PCR/RFLP. The Fisher's exact test, chi-square, ANOVA, and t-test (P < 0.05) were applied. The APOE3/3 genotype was prevalent in PD patients and Controls (P = 0.713) followed by APOE3/4 (P = 0.772). Both groups showed recommended values for lipid profile, with increase in the values of total cholesterol and LDLc, as well as decreased values of triglycerides in PD patients compared with Controls (P < 0.05 for all of them). Increased levels of HDLc, in PD patients, were associated with the APOE3/3 versus APOE-/4 genotypes (P = 0.012). The APOE polymorphism does not distinguish PD patients from Controls, as opposed to the lipid profile alone or in association with APOE. Furthermore, a relationship between increase of HDLc levels and APOE3 in homozygous was found in PD patients only.

Application of an automatic adaptive filter for Heart Rate Variability analysis.

The presence of artifacts and noise effects in temporal series can seriously hinder the analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV). The tachograms should be carefully edited to avoid erroneous interpretations. The physician should carefully analyze the tachogram in order to detect points that might be associated with unlikely biophysical behavior and manually eliminate them from the data series. However, this is a time-consuming procedure. To facilitate the pre-analysis of the tachogram, this study uses a method of data filtering based on an adaptive filter which is quickly able to analyze a large amount of data. The method was applied to 229 time series from a database of patients with different clinical conditions: premature newborns, full-term newborns, healthy young adults, adults submitted to a very-low-calorie diet, and adults under preoperative evaluation for coronary artery bypass grafting. This proposed method is compared to the demanding conventional method, wherein the corrections of occasional ectopic beats and artifacts are usually manually executed by a specialist. To confirm the reliability of the results obtained, correlation coefficients were calculated, using both automatic and manual methods of ltering for each HRV index selected. A high correlation between the results was found, with highly significant p values, for all cases, except for some parameters analyzed in the premature newborns group, an issue that is thoroughly discussed. The authors concluded that the proposed adaptive filtering method helps to efficiently handle the task of editing temporal series for HRV analysis.

Fractal dimension and Shannon's entropy analyses of the architectural complexity caused by the inflammatory reactions induced by highly crystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) microspheres implanted in subcutaneous tissues of the Wistar rats.

The results of the histopathological analyses after the implantation of highly crystalline PVA microspheres in subcutaneous tissues of Wistar rats are here in reported. Three different groups of PVA microparticles were systematically studied: highly crystalline, amorphous, and commercial ones. In addition to these experiments, complementary analyses of architectural complexity were performed using fractal dimension (FD), and Shannon's entropy (SE) concepts. The highly crystalline microspheres induced inflammatory reactions similar to the ones observed for the commercial ones, while the inflammatory reactions caused by the amorphous ones were less intense. Statistical analyses of the subcutaneous tissues of Wistar rats implanted with the highly crystalline microspheres resulted in FD and SE values significantly higher than the statistical parameters observed for the amorphous ones. The FD and SE parameters obtained for the subcutaneous tissues of Wistar rats implanted with crystalline and commercial microparticles were statistically similar. Briefly, the results indicated that the new highly crystalline microspheres had biocompatible behavior comparable to the commercial ones. In addition, statistical tools such as FD and SE analyses when combined with histopathological analyses can be useful tools to investigate the architectural complexity tissues caused by complex inflammatory reactions.

Variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e infecções pulmonares pós revascularização miocárdica / Heart rate variability and pulmonary infections after myocardial revascularization / Variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca e infecciones pulmonares post revascularización miocárdica

FUNDAMENTO: A variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) é um método diagnóstico não invasivo usado na avaliação da modulação autonômica do coração. A análise da VFC por métodos de dinâmica não linear no período pré-operatório da cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio poderia ser preditora de morbidade no pós-operatório, como por exemplo, infecções pulmonares. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o comportamento da VFC pela dinâmica não linear, no período pré-operatório da cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio e sua relação com a ocorrência de infecções pulmonares no período pós-operatório hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 69 pacientes (média de idade de 58,6 ± 10,4 anos) com doença arterial coronariana e indicação eletiva de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio. Para quantificar a dinâmica não linear da VFC, foram realizadas: análise das flutuações depuradas de tendências (DFA), seus componentes de curto (α1) e longo (α2) prazos, entropia aproximada (-ApEn), expoente de Lyapunov (LE), e expoente de Hurst (HE) de séries temporais dos intervalos RR do ECG, captados com equipamento Polar S810i, na véspera da operação. RESULTADOS: Nos níveis de corte estipulado pela curva ROC, houve diferença significativa entre os grupos com e sem infecções pulmonares no pós-operatório de revascularização do miocárdio para a DFA total, entropia aproximada e expoente Lyapunov com p = 0, 0309, p = 0,0307 e p = 0,0006, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Os métodos de dinâmica não linear, nos seus respectivos níveis de corte, permitiram diferenciar os casos que evoluíram com infecção pulmonar no pós-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio, sugerindo que, nesse grupo de pacientes, estes métodos podem ter caráter prognóstico.

BACKGROUND: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive diagnostic method used in the assessment of the autonomic modulation of the heart. The assessment of HRV using nonlinear dynamics methods in the preoperative period of surgical myocardial revascularization could be predictive of morbidity such as pulmonary infections in the postoperative period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the behavior of HRV using nonlinear dynamics in the preoperative period of surgical myocardial revascularization and its relation to the occurrence of pulmonary infections in the in-hospital postoperative period. METHODS: A total of 69 patients with coronary artery disease (mean age of 58.6 ± 10.4 years) and indication for elective surgical myocardial revascularization were studied. In order to quantify the nonlinear dynamics of HRV, the following procedures were performed: detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA); analysis of the short (α1) and long-term (α2) components of DFA; approximate entropy (ApEn); Lyapunov exponent (LE); and Hurst exponent (HE) of time series of RR intervals of the ECG, as captured by the Polar S810i instrument on the day before surgery. RESULTS: At the cut-off levels set by the ROC curve, there was a significant difference between the groups with and without pulmonary infections in the postoperative period of myocardial revascularization for total DFA, approximate entropy and Lyapunov exponent with p = 0. 0309, p = 0.0307 and p = 0.0006, respectively. CONCLUSION: The nonlinear dynamics methods, at their respective cut-off levels, allowed for the identification of patients developing pulmonary infection in the postoperative period of surgical myocardial revascularization, thus suggesting that these methods may have a prognostic value for this group of patients.

FUNDAMENTO: La variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca (VFC) es un método diagnóstico no invasivo usado en la evaluación de la modulación autonómica del corazón. El análisis de la VFC por métodos de dinámica no lineal en el período pre-operatorio de la cirugía de revascularización del miocardio podría ser predictora de morbilidad en el post-operatorio, como por ejemplo, infecciones pulmonares. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el comportamiento de la VFC por la dinámica no lineal, en el período pre-operatorio de la cirugía de revascularización del miocardio y su relación con la ocurrencia de infecciones pulmonares en el período post-operatorio intrahospitalario. MÉTODOS: Fueron evaluados 69 pacientes (media de edad de 58,6 ± 10,4 años) con enfermedad arterial coronaria e indicación electiva de cirugía de revascularización del miocardio. Para cuantificar la dinámica no lineal de la VFC, fueron realizados: análisis de las fluctuaciones depuradas de tendencias (DFA), sus componentes de corto (α1) y largo (α2) plazos, entropía aproximada (-ApEn), exponente de Lyapunov (LE), y exponente de Hurst (HE) de series tiemporales de los intervalos RR del ECG, captados con equipamiento Polar S810i, en la víspera de la operación. RESULTADOS: En los niveles de corte estipulado por la curva ROC, hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos con y sin infecciones pulmonares en el post-operatorio de revascularización del miocardio para la DFA total, entropía aproximada y exponente Lyapunov con p = 0, 0309, p = 0,0307 y p = 0,0006, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Los métodos de dinámica no lineal, en sus respectivos niveles de corte, permitieron diferenciar los casos que evolucionaron con infección pulmonar en el post-operatorio de cirugía de revascularización del miocardio, sugiriendo que, en ese grupo de pacientes, estos métodos pueden tener carácter pronóstico.

[Heart rate variability and pulmonary infections after myocardial revascularization]. / Variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e infecções pulmonares pós revascularização miocárdica.

BACKGROUND: heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive diagnostic method used in the assessment of the autonomic modulation of the heart. The assessment of HRV using nonlinear dynamics methods in the preoperative period of surgical myocardial revascularization could be predictive of morbidity such as pulmonary infections in the postoperative period. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the behavior of HRV using nonlinear dynamics in the preoperative period of surgical myocardial revascularization and its relation to the occurrence of pulmonary infections in the in-hospital postoperative period. METHODS: a total of 69 patients with coronary artery disease (mean age of 58.6 ± 10.4 years) and indication for elective surgical myocardial revascularization were studied. In order to quantify the nonlinear dynamics of HRV, the following procedures were performed: detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA); analysis of the short (α1) and long-term (α2) components of DFA; approximate entropy (ApEn); Lyapunov exponent (LE); and Hurst exponent (HE) of time series of RR intervals of the ECG, as captured by the Polar S810i instrument on the day before surgery. RESULTS: at the cut-off levels set by the ROC curve, there was a significant difference between the groups with and without pulmonary infections in the postoperative period of myocardial revascularization for total DFA, approximate entropy and Lyapunov exponent with p = 0. 0309, p = 0.0307 and p = 0.0006, respectively. CONCLUSION: the nonlinear dynamics methods, at their respective cut-off levels, allowed for the identification of patients developing pulmonary infection in the postoperative period of surgical myocardial revascularization, thus suggesting that these methods may have a prognostic value for this group of patients.

Exercise testing in individuals with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in its morbid form. Bariatric surgery is an effective therapeutic option for sustained weight loss. However, there is no consensus in these cases regarding the performance of functional tests for preoperative evaluations. The aim of the present study was to analyze clinical, electrocardiographic, and hemodynamic response variables using a conventional exercise test on individuals with morbid obesity in comparison to overweight individuals. METHODS: Six hundred seventeen cases were included. Group I had 290 patients with morbid obesity and group II had 327 overweight patients. All were submitted to a conventional treadmill exercise test. Classic positivity criteria were used. RESULTS: Both groups tolerated the test well. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of positivity of the test [ST segment abnormality or angor (P = 0.3863) or ST segment abnormality alone (P = 0.1000)]. The significantly higher values in the obese individuals were basal heart rate, basal systolic arterial pressure (SAP), maximum SAP, basal diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), maximum DAP, chronotropic deficit (P < 0.0001), and maximum rate-pressure product (P < 0.0421). The significantly lower values in the obese individuals were exercise time, maximum heart rate, and metabolic equivalents values (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic parameters were significantly different between the two groups. However, there were no differences in terms of ST segment abnormalities or effort-induced angina. The very low functional capacity and complex arrhythmia found in some obese individuals draws attention to the need for complementary investigation with the aim of diminishing the risk of postoperative heart complications.

Safe limits for aspirate volume under wet liposuction.

BACKGROUND: Hypovolemia is a hemodynamic disorder occasionally associated with liposuction. The purpose of this study is to settle a safe limit for the volume of aspirate under wet liposuction relating this volume to body weight. The criteria used to establish this limit were based on the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). METHODS: Thirty patients underwent wet liposuction and were submitted postoperatively to a 24-h noninvasive monitoring control of vital signs. Tachycardia (over 100 bpm) and systolic hypotension (below 100 mmHg) were recorded as well as urinary volume and respiratory rate. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and leukocyte counts were determined preoperatively and also determined 1 and 6 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The volume of aspirate ranged from 1,480 to 3,980 ml (2.6% to 6.9% of body weight). Hemoglobin count decreased around 6 h postoperatively compared to the immediate preoperative period (p<0.0001). An increase of leukocytes was observed around 6 h postoperatively when compared with the preoperative period-nearly 30 min before surgery (p<0.0001). No association was found between hemoglobin or leukocyte counts and volume of aspirate. In 15 patients, tachycardia and/or hypotension were recorded postoperatively. These hemodynamic disorders were associated to volumes of aspirate higher than 5% of body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Under wet liposuction, a volume of aspiration not superior to 5% of body weight is proposed as a safe limit. It has been found as a clue to avoid hypovolemia and subsequently the shock. This statement is in agreement with ATLS guidelines.

Retirada de corpo estranho na artéria pulmonar de neonato por técnica intravascular / Percutaneous removal of foreign body from the pulmonary artery in a premature newborn

A retirada de corpo estranho intravascular por técnica percutânea é um procedimento cada vez mais utilizado e que tem se mostrado seguro e eficaz, mesmo em crianças e lactentes. Relatamos o caso de retirada de corpo estranho em ramo arterial pulmonar direito em um neonato prematuro de 18 dias de idade.

The removal of intravascular foreign body by percutaneous interventional technique is a highly safe and effective procedure that has a low rate of complications even in children and premature infants. We describe a case of foreign body retrieval from the right branch pulmonary artery in an 18-day-old premature newborn.

Associação do polimorfismo 936C>T do gene do Fator de Crescimento Endotelial Vascular (VEGF) com a Doença Arterial Coronariana / Association between VEGF 936C>T Polymorphism and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) with Coronary Artery Disease

Introdução: O gene que codifica o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) tem sido investigado no desenvolvimento de doenças coronárias. Estudos apontam para um efeito protetor do VEGF no desenvolvimento da placa aterosclerótica, atuando como regulador da integridade endotelial vascular. O polimorfismo 936C>T do gene VEGF está associado com redução da síntese da proteína e parece desempenhar um importante papel no desenvolvimento da doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre o polimorfismo VEGF e presença, extensão e gravidade da DAC. Casuística e Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo 50 pacientes com DAC confirmada por angiografia coronária e 50 indivíduos controles sem sinais angiográficos da doença. A genotipagem do polimorfismo VEGF 936C>T foi realizada por Reação em cadeia da polimerase, seguida de digestão enzimática. As análises estatísticas foram feitas por meio de teste Qui-quadrado, Teste exato de Fisher, Teste t e Regressão logística. Resultados: Tabagismo e Diabetes Mellitus (DM) foram mais freqüentes nos pacientes em relação aos controles (P = 0,015 e P = 0,013,respectivamente). As freqüências do alelo polimórfico foram 0,11 no grupo de pacientes e 0,17 no grupo controle (P = 0,308). A distribuição genotípica não diferiu significantemente entre os grupos (P = 0,397). Os genótipos VEGF 936C>T não foram associados ao número de vasos obstruídos (P = 0,452) ou grau deobstrução arterial (P = 0,681). Conclusão: O polimorfismo 936C>T do gene VEGF não apresentou associação com a DAC ou com a severidade da obstrução coronariana.

Introduction: The gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been investigated in coronary artery disease progression. Studies point out protector effect of VEGF on atherosclerotic plaque development, playing regulating role of vascular endothelial integrity. The polymorphism VEGF 936C>T is associated with reduction of the protein synthesis, and could have an important role in coronary artery disease (CAD)development. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the VEGF 936C>T polymorphism and the presence, extension, and severity of CAD. Casuistics and Methods: Fifty patients with CAD confirme dangiographically, and 50 individuals without angiographic signs of the disease were included in the study. The genotyping of the VEGF 936C>T polymorphism was conducted by Polymerase chain reaction followed by enzyme digestion. Statistical analyses were performed by Chi-square, Exact Fisher test, Test t and Logistic regression. Results: Smoking and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) were frequent in patients compared to the controls(P = 0.015 and P = 0.013, respectively). The frequencies of the polymorphic allele were 0.11 in the CAD group and 0.17 in the control group (P = 0.308). Genotype distribution did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.397). The genotypes VEGF 936C>T were not associated to the number of blocked vessels (P= 0.452), or degree of arterial obstruction (P = 0.681). Conclusion: The polymorphism 936C>T of the VEGF gene did not present association with CAD or with severity of the coronary obstruction.

Falta de associação entre o sistema Lewis e obstrução coronariana / Lack of association between the Lewis blood group system and coronary vessel obstruction

Estudos prévios demonstraram associação entre o sistema Lewis e a doença arterial coronariana (DAC) a partir da observação de que o fenótipo eritrocitário Le(a-b-) era prevalente em pacientes e propuseram que esse fenótipo representava um novo marcador de risco para essa doença. Esse estudo teve como objetivo verificar a prevalência desse marcador em pacientes brasileiros com indicação de realizar cineangiocoronariografia. A fenotipagem do sistema Lewis foi realizada pelo método gel centrifugação, e a genotipagem do loco LE foi feita pelo método PCR-RFLP. Cento e oitenta e três pacientes (114 masculinos e 69 femininos, com média de idade igual a 59,1 anos (DP ± 12,37; mediana 60) foram selecionados. Cento e vinte e um (66,1 por cento) pacientes apresentaram obstrução coronariana de qualquer grau, sendo essa característica duas vezes mais elevada no sexo masculino do que no feminino (p=0,07). As freqüências dos fenótipos eritrocitários Lewis foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos de pacientes e o fenótipo Le(a-b-) mostrou-se não estar associado à presença de obstrução coronariana (p=0,36). Elevados índices de discrepância fenótipo-genótipo foram observados entre os pacientes Le(a-b-), com base na genotipagem das mutações T59G (86,7 por cento) e T1067A (90,0 por cento). As freqüências dos alelos T e G (posição 59) e T e A (posição 1067) não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os pacientes com e sem obstrução coronariana (p = 0,52 e p = 0,44, respectivamente). Esses resultados demonstram que o sistema Lewis não está associado à presença de obstrução coronariana e não suportam a proposição de que o fenótipo eritrocitário Le(a-b-) representa um marcador de risco para essa doença na casuística brasileira.

Previous studies have shown an association between the Lewis blood group system and coronary artery disease (CAD) from the observation that the Le(a-b-) red blood cell phenotype was prevalent among these patients and thus proposed this red blood cell phenotype as a new genetic marker for the disease. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of this genetic marker among Brazilian patients who had undergone coronary arteriography. Phenotyping of the Lewis system was carried out using gel centrifugation and genotyping of the LE locus was made using PCR-RFLP. One hundred and eighty-three patients, 114 male and 69 female, with an average age of 59.1 years (SD ± 12.37; median 60), were enrolled. One hundred and twenty-one (66.1 percent) patients presented some degree of coronary obstruction, which was two times more frequent in men compared to women (p=0.07). The frequencies of the Lewis red blood cell phenotypes were similar between patients with and without coronary obstruction and the Le(a-b-) was not associated to the presence of coronary obstructions (p=0.36). A high level of discrepancies between phenotype and genotype were observed in Lewis negative patients based on genotyping of the T59G (86.7 percent) and T1067A (90.0 percent) SNPs. The frequencies of T and G alleles (position 59) and T and A alleles (position 1067) were similar among patients with and without coronary obstructions (p = 0.52 and p= 0.44, respectively). These results show that the Lewis system is not associated with the presence of coronary artery obstruction and do not support the proposition that the Le(a-b-) red blood cell phenotype represents a risk marker for this disease among Brazilian patients.

Glutathione S-transferase variants increase susceptibility for late-onset Alzheimer's disease: association study and relationship with apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele.

BACKGROUND: Several factors participate in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including free radicals, which when out of balance with their antioxidant capacity contribute to the oxidative stress process and neuronal death. The glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms are associated with the organism detoxification capacity and can help with the identification of sub-groups that present susceptibility to the development of AD. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of GSTs, including GSTP1, GSTT1 and GSTM1 and apolipoprotein E (apoE) with AD and the distribution of these polymorphisms in the first-degree relatives of patients. METHODS: For this, 41 patients with AD, 24 elderly without cognitive deficits (control group), 109 relatives of patients with AD and 41 relatives of controls were studied. A sample of peripheral blood was drawn for leukocyte DNA extraction. The genetic polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher frequency of the 4 allele in the patients (0.21) and in their relatives (0.25) when compared to controls (0.04; p=0.01) and their relatives (0.03; p<0.0001). The V allele of the GSTP1 polymorphism was higher in patients compared to controls (0.35 and 0.19, respectively; p=0.04). In contrast, the presence of the GSTT1 polymorphism prevailed in controls (79%) and their relatives. CONCLUSIONS: The V allele may be a risk factor for AD, mainly in the presence of the apoE 4 allele, while the presence of GSTT1 may indicate protection against the disease.

Estudo da aplicação da técnica de relaxamento muscular progressivo de Jacobson modificada nas respostas das variáveis cardiovasculares e respiratórias de pacientes hansenianos / A study on the application of a modified version of the Jacobson’s techniqueof progressive muscular relaxation in responses of cardiovascular and respiratory variables of lepers

Introdução. A doença de Hansen em virtude de seus aspectos fisiopatológicos e sociais pode desencadear o estresse, favorecendo cronicamente o aparecimento de problemas cardiovasculares. Estresse crônico pode levar à ocorrência de pressão arterial elevada, além de crises de dispnéia e taquicardia. Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar se uma técnica do Relaxamento Muscular Progressivo é eficaz no sentido de reduzir os sinais indicativos de estresse cardiovascular. Método Aplicou-se nesses pacientes, para tratamento psicossomático, uma técnica de relaxamento chamada “Relaxamento Muscular Progressivo de Jacobson Modificado”, avaliando sua eficácia no que se refere à diminuição das seguintes variáveis: pressão arterial (PA), freqüência cardíaca (FC) e freqüência respiratória (FR). As terapias foram realizadas com 16 pacientes, com idades entre 20 e 75 anos (52,7±15,9 anos; mediana 56,5 anos), 56% masculinos, 2 vezes por semana, com duração de 1 hora, por 10 sessões. Todas as medidas foram feitas antes e após as terapias. As sessões eram feitas em grupo de no máximo 6 pessoas, com pessoas deitadas em colchonetes.Resultados Obteve-se redução significativa das medidas da FC (p<0,0001) e FR (p<0,0001), mas não houve alteração da PA (p=0,42 para pressão arterial sistólica e 0,24 para pressão arterial diastólica). Conclusão A terapia usada pode ser considerada eficaz para os pacientes em relação à FC e FR, e quanto à PA, não foi possível detectar redução significativa, provavelmente, em razão de mecanismos compensatórios ou eventuais interferências externas durante o procedimento.

Influência do exercício físico no perfil lipídico e estresse oxidativo / Influence of the physical exercise on the lipid profile and oxidative stress

O perfil lipídico e a formação de radicais livres são influenciados por vários fatores tais como sedentarismo, obesidade, tabagismo, diabetes e características genéticas, entre outros. Este estudo teve como objetivo discutir aspectos sobre o possível efeito preventivo do exercício físico no perfil lipídico e no estresse oxidativo. Nas últimas três, décadas inúmeros estudos foram realizados relacionando níveis de lipoproteínas plasmáticas, estresse oxidativo e exercícios na prevenção de doenças como aterosclerose, sendo controversas as opiniões sobre o tipo e a intensidade da atividade física.

Lipid profile and free radicals formation are influenced by many factors such as sedentary, obesity, smoking, diabetes, and genetic characteristics, among others. This paper aimed to discuss the aspects about the potential preventive effect of physical exercise in lipid profile and oxidative stress. In the last three decades a number of papers have been written reporting plasmatic lipoprotein levels, oxidative stress, and exercises to prevent diseases such as atherosclerosis. The opinions related to the type and the intensity of the physical activity is controversial.

Quantificação do desperdício de medicamentos na prática clínica / Quantifying the drug waste in clinical practice

Objetivo: Analisar medicamentos, incluindo forma de apresentação e preço, visando adequar o produto comercializado à prática de prescrição médica e, conseqüentemente, reduzir gastos governamentais e pessoais.Métodos: Foi realizado um levantamento de drogas prescritas clinicamente incluindo nimesulida, paracetamol+ fosfato de codeína, cefalexina, amoxicilina, ciprofloxacino, omeprazol, loratadina e haloperidol. Foram relacionados o princípio ativo, a apresentação, a indicação terapêutica, a posologia, o tratamento administradoe os desperdícios financeiro e medicamentoso. A análise de custo dos medicamentos foi realizada comparando-se medicamentos genéricos com os de referência. Resultados: Nimesulida 100mg mostrou variação de preço sem torno de 60% em relação ao Nisulid®. Para cefalexina 500mg o custo variou de 37,5 a 62,2% comparado aoKeflex®. Amoxicilina 500mg apresentou variação de 36,5 a 58% do custo do Amoxil®. Para ciprofloxacino500mg o custo foi de 31 a 58,3% do valor do Cipro®. As variações para omeprazol 20mg foram de 52,3 e 67,1%do valor do Peprazol®. Loratadina 10mg variou seu preço de 57,2 a 65% do Claritin®. A apresentação denimesulida, paracetamol + fosfato de codeína, omeprazol, loratadina e haloperidol mostrou-se em desajusteà prescrição médica para as doenças ora associadas, refletindo em desperdício de dois a oito comprimidos evariação do prejuízo de R$ 0,32 a R$ 13,76. Conclusões: A apresentação da maioria dos medicamentosindicados no tratamento de doenças freqüentes na população está em desajuste com a prescrição médica, refletindo em desperdícios medicamentoso e financeiro. Isso confirma a necessidade da elaboração de estratégia para conscientização de indústrias, instituições e profissionais de saúde também na economia terapêutica medicamentosa.