Sensitivity of PM10 oxidative potential to aerosol chemical composition at a Mediterranean urban site: ascorbic acid versus dithiothreitol measurements.

The oxidative potential (OP) of PM10 daily samples collected at a traffic site in southeastern Spain during summer and winter was assessed by two acellular assays: the ascorbic acid (AA) and dithiothreitol (DTT) methods. Although PM10 levels were similar during both periods, OP values (expressed in nmol min-1 m-3) showed a defined seasonal trend. The AA activity was higher in summer than in winter, whereas the DTT reactivity exhibited an opposite seasonal pattern. Both assays were sensitive to different PM10 components, as shown by the results of the linear correlation analysis. Moreover, the relationship between OP values and PM10 chemical species was not the same during summer and winter, indicating that particle toxicity is associated with different sources during the warm and cold seasons. When OP values were expressed on a mass basis (nmol min-1 µg-1), lower correlation coefficients with PM10 chemical species were generally obtained compared to volume-normalized activities. These outcomes suggest that only some specific components have a significant intrinsic oxidative potential. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01332-1.

Economic and financial viability of small-scale dairy systems in central Mexico: economic scenario 2010-2018.

A simulation Monte Carlo model was used to assess the economic and financial viability of 130 small-scale dairy farms in central Mexico, through a Representative Small-Scale Dairy Farm. Net yields were calculated for a 9-year planning horizon by means of simulated values for the distribution of input and product prices taking 2010 as base year and considering four scenarios which were compared against the scenario of actual production. The other scenarios were (1) total hiring in of needed labour; (2) external purchase of 100 % of inputs and (3) withdrawal of subsidies to production. A stochastic modelling approach was followed to determine the scenario with the highest economic and financial viability. Results show a viable economic and financial situation for the real production scenario, as well as the scenarios for total hiring of labour and of withdrawal of subsidies, but the scenario when 100 % of feed inputs for the herd are bought-in was not viable.

Novos biomarcadores inflamatórios e de disfunção endotelial: predição de risco cardiovascular / Novel biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction: prediction of cardiovascular risk

Em consequência do avanço das pesquisas no campo da biologia molecular e celular, ampliou-se o entendimento dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos das doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) e, como consequência, uma nova série de biomarcadores tem emergido como promissoras ferramentas para refinar o diagnóstico, prognóstico e guia terapêutico, associado à análise individual do contexto clínico de cada paciente. Em recente publicação, o professor Eugene Braunwald apresentou a Classificação Braunwald de Biomarcadores para Insuficiência Cardíaca. A utilização desta estratégia de multimarcadores na abordagem das DCV permite a detecção da disfunção ventricular e coronariana sob a ótica dos diversos mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos. O desenvolvimento rápido nas técnicas de identificação de centenas de proteínas de aplicabilidade potencial como marcadores prognósticos propiciou a incorporação de uma abordagem com multibiomarcadores na rotina clínica do atendimento de pacientes com suspeita de DCV. Este procedimento possibilita ao clínico identificar com mais precisão pacientes com alto risco e que devem demandar estratégias de um manejo de cuidados intensivos (AU)

As a result of the advancement of research in molecular and cell biology, our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease (CV ) was expanded and, as a result, a new set of biomarkers have emerged as promising tools to refine the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic course, associated with the individual analysis of each patient's clinical context. In a recent publication, Professor Eugene Braunwald presented the Braunwald classification of Biomarkers for Heart Failure. The use of this strategy of multiple markers in addressing CVD allows detection of ventricular and coronary dysfunction from the perspective of the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved. The rapid technical development in the identification of hundreds of proteins of potential applicability as prognostic markers allowed incorporating an approach with multiple biomarkers in the clinical routine of care of patients with suspected CVD. This procedure allows the clinician to identify more accurately patients at high risk and who should require strategies of intensive care management (AU)

Pressão arterial de 24 horas em mulheres idosas normotensas e com hipertensão do avental branco / 24-hour blood pressure in normotensive elderly women and elderly women with white-coat hypertension

FUNDAMENTO: Mudanças no comportamento do ritmo circadiano podem ser deletérias, levando à lesão de órgãos-alvo, o que sugere ser de importante significado prognóstico e, eventualmente, podem também demandar intervenção terapêutica. OBJETIVO: Descrever e comparar os ritmos circadianos de pressão arterial (PA) entre mulheres idosas normotensas e portadoras de hipertensão do avental branco (HAB). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal em uma amostra de 36 pacientes, com idades entre 60-83 anos, submetidas à monitorização ambulatorial de pressão arterial (MAPA) durante 24 horas. Dezenove idosas normotensas e 17 com HAB foram comparadas quanto à queda noturna e variabilidade de PA, ascensão matinal da PAS, pressão de pulso, hipotensão pós-prandial e correlação de médias de PA de 24 horas. Na análise estatística, utilizou-se o teste t de Student, teste do qui-quadrado, teste exato de Fisher e teste de correlação linear de Pearson. RESULTADOS: As idosas com HAB apresentaram níveis mais elevados de PAS do que as normotensas, entre 8-12 horas (133 ± 8,0 mmHg vs 123 ± 9,0 mmHg, respectivamente, p < 0,001). A variabilidade da PA foi mais elevada no grupo de HAB apenas no período de vigília (entre 7-23 horas, p = 0,02). Constatou-se correlação positiva entre o IMC e as médias de PAS, à noite, apenas nas idosas com HAB (r = 0,578; p = 0,015 e r = 0,488; p = 0,055, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: As idosas portadoras de HAB apresentaram médias de PAS e PAD mais elevadas na vigília. Nas primeiras horas da manhã, as idosas com HAB apresentaram médias significativamente mais altas de PAS.

BACKGROUND: Changes in the behavior of the circadian rhythm can be deleterious, leading to target-organ damage, which suggests that they can have a prognostic significance and, eventually, can also demand therapeutic intervention. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the circadian rhythms of blood pressure (BP) in normotensive elderly women and in those with white-coat hypertension (WCH). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in sample of 36 patients, aged 60-83 years, submitted to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for a period of 24 hours. Nineteen normotensive elderly women and 17 with WHC were compared regarding the nocturnal dipping and the BP variability, morning increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure, post-prandial hypotension and correlation of 24-hour BP means. The statistical analysis used the Student's t test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Pearson's linear correlation. RESULTS: The elderly women with WCH presented higher levels of SBP than the normotensive ones, between 8 am-12 pm (133 ± 8.0 mmHg vs 123 ± 9.0 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.001). The BP variability was higher in the WCH group only during the wakefulness period (between 7 am-11 pm, p = 0.02). A positive correlation was observed between the BMI and the SBP means at night, only in the elderly women with WCH (r = 0.578; p = 0.015 and r = 0.488; p = 0.055, respectively). CONCLUSION: The elderly women with WCH presented higher SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) means during the wakefulness period. In the early hours of the morning, the elderly women with WCH presented significantly higher SBP means.

[24-hour blood pressure in normotensive elderly women and elderly women with white-coat hypertension]. / Pressão arterial de 24 horas em mulheres idosas normotensas e com hipertensão do avental branco.

BACKGROUND: Changes in the behavior of the circadian rhythm can be deleterious, leading to target-organ damage, which suggests that they can have a prognostic significance and, eventually, can also demand therapeutic intervention. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the circadian rhythms of blood pressure (BP) in normotensive elderly women and in those with white-coat hypertension (WCH). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in sample of 36 patients, aged 60-83 years, submitted to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for a period of 24 hours. Nineteen normotensive elderly women and 17 with WHC were compared regarding the nocturnal dipping and the BP variability, morning increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure, post-prandial hypotension and correlation of 24-hour BP means. The statistical analysis used the Student's t test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Pearson's linear correlation. RESULTS: The elderly women with WCH presented higher levels of SBP than the normotensive ones, between 8 am-12 pm (133 +/- 8.0 mmHg vs 123 +/- 9.0 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.001). The BP variability was higher in the WCH group only during the wakefulness period (between 7 am-11 pm, p = 0.02). A positive correlation was observed between the BMI and the SBP means at night, only in the elderly women with WCH (r = 0.578; p = 0.015 and r = 0.488; p = 0.055, respectively). CONCLUSION: The elderly women with WCH presented higher SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) means during the wakefulness period. In the early hours of the morning, the elderly women with WCH presented significantly higher SBP means.

[Neurocardiogenic syncope and hereditarity]. / A predispodição genética na síncope vasovagal.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a possible familial predisposition in neurocardiogenic syncope. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey with 252 subjects, with positive familial history for syncope, who underwent head-up tilt-test (TT) at Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, between September 2001 and September 2005. The relationship between familial history for neurocardiogenic syncope and TT result was analysed. RESULTS: Familial history for neurocardiogenic syncope was identified in 40% (49/126 cases) of subjects with positive tilt-test results and 25% (31/126 ) of those with negative TT. CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between familial history for neurocardiogenic syncope and its occurence. A genetic component can possibly explain this relationship.

A predispodição genética na síncope vasovagal / Neurocariogenic syncope and hereditarity

OBJETIVO: Investigar uma possível predisposição genética para síncope vasovagal. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com 252 indivíduos com história de síncope, submetidos ao teste de inclinação (TI) no Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, durante o período de setembro de 2001 a setembro de 2005. Foi analisada a relação entre história familiar positiva para síncope vasovagal e resultado do TI. RESULTADOS: Todos indivíduos foram submetidos ao TI sendo que 126 (50 por cento) casualmente tiveram resultado positivo para síncope vasovagal. História familiar dessa patologia foi identificada em 40 por cento (49/126 casos) dos pacientes com teste de inclinação positivo e em 25 por cento (31/126 pacientes) daqueles que tiveram TI negativo (p= 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Há uma correlação entre a história familiar de síncope vasovagal e sua ocorrência. É possível que um componente genético possa explicar essa relação.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a possible familial predisposition in neurocardiogenic syncope. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey with 252 subjects, with positive familial history for syncope, who underwent head-up tilt-test (TT) at Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, between September 2001 and September 2005. The relationship between familial history for neurocardiogenic syncope and TT result was analysed. RESULTS: Familial history for neurocardiogenic syncope was identified in 40 percent (49/126 cases) of subjects with positive tilt-test results and 25 percent (31/126 ) of those with negative TT. CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between familial history for neurocardiogenic syncope and its occurence. A genetic component can possibly explain this relationship.

The pre-pore from Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin is necessary to induce insect death in Manduca sexta.

The insecticidal Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria are pore-forming toxins that lyse midgut epithelial cells in insects. We have previously proposed that they form pre-pore oligomeric intermediates before membrane insertion. For formation of these oligomers coiled-coil structures are important, and helix alpha-3 from Cry toxins could form coiled-coils. Our data shows that different mutations in helix alpha-3 are affected in pore formation and toxicity. Mutants affected in toxicity bind Bt-R(1) receptor with a similar K(D) as the wild type toxin but do not form oligomers nor induce pore formation in planar lipid bilayers, indicating that the pre-pore oligomer is an obligate intermediate in the intoxication of Cry1Ab toxin and that interaction of monomeric Cry1Ab with Bt-R(1) is not enough to kill susceptible larvae.

Cintilografia miocárdica perfusional derepouso na avaliação de dor torácica / Myocardial perfusion scan at rest forchest pain evaluation

Dor torácica é uma das principais causas de consulta em salas de emergência. Asdiversas etiologias de dor torácica podem ser ordenadas num espectro que vai desde entidadesbenignas, como a dor de etiologia osteomuscular, até situações de alto risco comoa síndrome coronariana aguda. O diagnóstico diferencial e a decisão terapêutica permanecemsendo um desafio para o clínico. A cintilografia tomográfica miocárdica de repousotem sido empregada, entre outros métodos, na avaliação desses pacientes. Sua utilizaçãotem sido considerada especialmente naqueles pacientes com dor torácica estratificadoscomo tendo baixa probabilidade de terem uma síndrome coronariana aguda atravésde avaliação clínica, eletrocardiográfica e de enzimas cardíacas.Relamos o caso de um paciente que foi avaliado por quadro clínico de dor torácica nasala de emergência onde o estudo cintilográfico do miocárdio de repouso foi decisivopara o diagnóstico da doença coronariana e para a decisão terapêutica.

Chest pain is one of the chief complains of the patients undergoing evaluation in theemergency room. There are different causes of chest pain that vary from benign etiologies,such as the osteomuscular, to high-risk diseases like the acute coronary syndrome.The differential diagnosis and therapeutic action continue being a challenge to the physician.The myocardial perfusion scan at rest has been used, together with other diagnosticmethods, in the evaluation of these patients. Its use has been considered, especially, regardingthose patients that are stratified as low risk based on clinical, electrocardiographicand cardiac enzymes assays information.We report the case of a patient that was evaluated for chest pain in the emergencyroom where the scan was decisive to ensure the correct diagnosis of the coronary syndromeand adequate patient management.

Eletrograma intramiocárdico na avaliação da estimulação biventricular para miocardiopatia dilatada / The intramyocardial electrogram in the evaluation of biventricular simulation for dilated cardiomyopathy

Um paciente masculino de 64 anos de idade, com miocardiopatia dilatada, fibrilação atrial e bloqueio intraventricular, teve implantado um sistema de marcapasso (MP) composto de um gerador de duplacâmara Physios CTM 01 e de dois eletrodos: um eletrodo ventricular direito endocárdico modelo PX60-BP e um eletrodo de seio coronário (fixado na veia cardíaca esquerda) modelo V336 (Biotronik, Berlim). Os eletrodos foram conectados respectivamente ao canal atrial e ventricular do MP, que foi programado em modo DDT com um atraso atrioventricular de 15 ms. A partir dos eletrogramas intracavitários ("IEGM") registraram-se a resposta ventricular evocada ("VER") e a resposta ventricular evocada cruzada ("VERX"). Da análise do "VERX" observou-se "VERX-tX" (intervalo entre o estímulo em um eletrodo e a ocorrência de inclinação negativa máxima da despolarização no outro eletrodo), "VER-DUR" (duração do "VER", considerado como o intervalo entre o estímulo e o final da repolarização) e o "VER?R slew" (inclinação máxima do sinal durante a fase de despolarização). Durante avaliações seqüenciais o "VER-R slew" aumentou, o que indica uma redução do tamanho ventricular e melhoras nas condições hemodinâmicas. O potencial benefício diagnóstico do "IEGM" durante estimulação biventricular poderá ser mais bem definido como aumento da experiência médica

Thalidomide, a current teratogen in South America.

Thalidomide, mainly used for the treatment of leprosy, is a current teratogen in South America, and it is reasonable to assume that at present this situation is affecting many births in underdeveloped countries. Moreover, the potential re-marketing of thalidomide for the treatment of a large variety of diseases may extend the problem to the developed world. When the drug is available, the control of its intake during early pregnancy is very difficult since most pregnancies are unintended. The ongoing occurrence of thalidomide embryopathy cases went undetected by the ECLAMC, due to several factors: (1) low populational coverage through this monitoring system; (2) pre-existence of the teratogen with its effects present in both baseline (expected) and monitored (observed) materials; and (3) lack of a defined phenotype to be monitored. Thus, if thalidomide re-enters the market throughout the world, due to the wide range of new applications, occurrence of phocomelia alone might not be sufficient to detect its effects. By a case-reference approach, the ECLAMC registered 34 thalidomide embryopathy cases born in South America after 1965 whose birthplaces correspond to endemic areas for leprosy. Phocomelia was found in five of eleven fully described cases. Thus, phocomelia alone is neither specific nor sufficient to serve as a suitable phenotype to survey the teratogenic effects of thalidomide. Therefore, a thalidomide-like phenotype, defined as any bilateral upper and/or lower limb reduction defect of the preaxial and/or phocomelia types, should be included in the routine surveillance of birth defects in all programmes.

[Uterine estrogen sulfotransferase and estrogen sulfatase in embryo implantation]. / Estrógeno sulfotransferasa y estrógeno sulfatasa uterinas en la implantación embrionaria.

The relation conjugated/unconjugated estrogens associated with reproductive processes has brought about the interest to study the biological role and regulation of the estrogen sulfotransferase and estrogen sulfatase which participate in the formation and hydrolysis of estrogen 3-sulfates, respectively. In this paper, both activities were measured through the reciprocal conversion of 3H-estrone sulfate and 3H-unconjugated estrogen during in vitro incubation with implantation sites (SI) and non-implanted sites (SNI) from the rat uterus, during the process of embryo implantation. Contrasting enzyme activities were found in these tissues. While sulfotransferase activity was higher in SI than in SNI (0.205 vs 0.144 pmol of E1S formed/mg protein/h, the inverse was found for the sulfatase (1.470 vs 1.977 pmol of E1 formed/mg protein/h). These results indicate the presence of both enzymes in the rat uterus and suggest the existence of a mechanism in SI that locally regulate the concentration of free and sulfoconjugated estrogens in which these enzymes participate.

Uma estratégia para a prevençäo da endocardite infecciosa / A strategy fot the prevention of infectious endocarditis

Säo apresentadas as indicaçöes médicas e os regimes terapêuticos para a prevençäo da endocardite infecciosa, baseados no último encontro do Comitê da American Heart Association adaptados à realidade do nosso país. Apresenta-se a estratégia utilizada no Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, enfatizando a importância de uma conduta uniformizada, assim também como a utilizaçäo de material impresso para ser fornecido aos pacientes

Estudo sobre a qualidade de vida de pacientes com prótese valvular cardíaca / Quality of life of patients with heart valve prosthesis

Avaliamos mudanças de comportamento de 37 pacientes em período pós-operatório de cirurgia de implante de prótese valvular cardíaca frente às variáveis: trabalho, exercício físico, fumo, humor, ansiedade, relacionamentos pessoal e sexual. Quanto ao trabalho, 39% dos pacientes continuam trabalhando, 3% começaram a trabalhar, 36% deixaram de fazê-lo e 22% que näo trabalhavam assim permanecem. Dos que trabalham após a cirurgia, 83% sentem-se satisfeitos trabalhando e 74% consideram que a intervençäo auxiliou no melhor desempenho de seu trabalho. Näo ocorreu associaçäo significativa entre o estado de saúde dos pacientes e o fato de estarem trabalhando, praticando exercício físico ou vida sexual ativa. A maioria dos fumantes abandonou este hábito após a cirurgia. Em geral os pacientes com vida sedentária näo mudaram seu comportamento após a cirurgia. Quanto ao estado de humor, 51% dos pacientes näo sentem mudança, enquanto 41% sentem melhora e 8% piora. A maioria responde que a família os encorajou a voltarem ao trabalho. É considerável o número de pacientes que näo sente mudança no relacionamento familiar e social