Ayahuasca and its major component harmine promote antinociceptive effects in mouse models of acute and chronic pain.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ayahuasca (AYA) is a psychedelic brew used in religious ceremonies. It is broadly used as a sacred medicine for treating several ailments, including pain of various origins. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antinociceptive effects of AYA and its mechanisms in preclinical models of acute and chronic pain in mice, in particular during experimental neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antinociceptive effects of AYA administered orally were assessed in the following models of pain: formalin test, Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation, tail flick test, and partial sciatic nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain. Antagonism assays and Fos immunohistochemistry in the brain were performed. AYA-induced toxicity was investigated. AYA was chemically characterized. The antinociceptive effect of harmine, the major component present in AYA, was investigated. RESULTS: AYA (24-3000 µL/kg) dose-dependently reduced formalin-induced pain-like behaviors and CFA-induced mechanical allodynia but did not affect CFA-induced paw edema or tail flick latency. During experimental neuropathy, single treatments with AYA (24-3000 µL/kg) reduced mechanical allodynia; daily treatments once or twice a day for 14 days promoted consistent and sustained antinociception. The antinociceptive effect of AYA (600 µL/kg) was reverted by bicuculline (1 mg/kg) and methysergide (5 mg/kg), but not by naloxone (5 mg/kg), phaclofen (2 mg/kg), and rimonabant (10 mg/kg), suggesting the roles of GABAA and serotonergic receptors. AYA increased Fos expression in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and nucleus raphe magnus after 1 h, but not after 6 h or 14 days of daily treatments. AYA (600 µL/kg) twice a day for 14 days did not alter mice's motor function, spontaneous locomotion, body weight, food and water intake, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. Harmine (3.5 mg/kg) promoted consistent antinociception during experimental neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: AYA promotes consistent antinociceptive effects in different mouse models of pain without inducing detectable toxic effects. Harmine is at least partially accountable for the antinociceptive properties of AYA.

Responses to graded levels of zinc amino acid complex in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in fish development and physiology. This study aimed to evaluate the effects on growth and health in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) supplemented with graded levels of zinc amino acid complex (Zn-AA) and subjected to transport stress. Nile tilapia (21.78 ± 0.17 g; (n = 12 fish per tank; stocking density of 1.045 kg- 3) were fed with 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 mg Zn-AA kg- 1 (equivalent to 77.49, 102.69, 127.89, 153.09, or 178.29 mg Zn kg- 1) in extruded diets (280 g kg- 1 digestible protein; isoproteic and isocaloric) for 60 days. At the end of the experimental period, after growth performance measurements, the fish were transported by car for 3 h, and blood collection was performed. The linear regression showed that the best growth performance (final weight, final biomass, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed intake) was found in fish fed with 100 mg Zn-AA kg diet- 1 (p < 0.05). The increased dietary Zn-AA increased linearly plasma triglyceride levels, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and leukocyte values and reduced plasma total protein, cholesterol (total and LDL), and aspartate aminotransferase levels (p < 0.05). According to quadratic regression, the highest plasma glucose and alanine aminotransferase values were found in the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, 100 mg Zn-AA kg diet- 1 is recommended for Nile tilapia as it can improve their growth, metabolism, physiology, and immunity.

Renal functional and structural alterations induced by intramuscular injection of Bothrops leucurus venom.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the main cause of death from Bothrops snakebite. Although many studies have investigated the nephrotoxicity induced by other Bothrops species, no study has assessed the renal alterations induced by intramuscular (i.m.) injection of Bothrops leucurus venom. In this study, we evaluated the nephrotoxicity induced by B. leucurus venom by analyzing renal function and histology. Wistar rats were submitted to i. m. injection of B. leucurus venom or saline and divided into two groups: Control group (C), rats submitted to i. m. injections of saline, and B. leucurus group (Bl), rats submitted to i. m. injections of B. leucurus venom (1 mg/kg). After venom or saline injection, serum and urine were collected to measure creatinine, albumin, sodium, and potassium levels. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary flow urinary, creatinine/serum creatinine ratio, and albuminuria-urinary creatinine ratio were determined. All rats were euthanized 72 h following the injections, and the kidneys were removed for histology and immunohistochemical studies. B. leucurus experimental envenoming was accompanied by an increase of 236% in serum creatine kinase activity in the Bl group. The weights of the right and left kidneys were, respectively, 26 and 22% higher in rats of the Bl group than in control rats. Regarding renal function, the Bl group showed a decrease of 37% in GFR compared to control group. The rats of the Bl group also presented increased cortical (8.20 ± 1.35) and medullar (6.17 ± 2.00) tubulointerstitial lesion area when compared to control group (0.02 ± 0.00) (1.20 ± 0.73), respectively. The number of macrophages was also higher in the renal cortex (6.66 ± 0.06) and medulla (1.22 ± 0.10) of rats from the Bl group when compared to control rats (1.04 ± 0.55), (0.65 ± 0.10), respectively. Our results indicate that B. leucurus venom promoted significant histological and functional renal alterations following intramuscular inoculation, which simulates the majority of snakebites observed in the clinical practice.

Dyslipidemia Secondary to the Use of HAART in Adults: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection affects millions of people globally. Currently, although several drugs have brought an improvement in the quality and life expectancy of these individuals, they are accompanied by several adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of studies examining the relationship between antiretroviral therapy (ART) uses and secondary dyslipidemia. METHODS: The review followed the criteria defined by PRISMA. Only articles that completely evaluated the lipid profile were included, which consisted of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and LDL cholesterol (LDL-c), HDL cholesterol (HDL-c). RESULTS: It was observed that the use of nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI and NNRTI respectively) drugs and protease inhibitors are the most used in ART and are associated with changes in lipid profiles. The main changes observed were increases in TC, TG, and LDL-c in addition to a decrease in HDL-c. These patients had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease not only due to the use of therapy, but also due to the presence of other comorbidities evaluated in these studies, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The increase in age, the difference between genders, CD4 T-cell count, and viral load, were observed as risk factors for worsening dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, anti-HIV therapy is linked to dyslipidemia, which may or may not be the primary cause, and is frequently connected with a number of metabolic problems that can exacerbate the illness.

Potential therapeutic effects of green tea on obese lipid profile - a systematic review.

Background: Green tea, obtained from the plant Camellis sinensis, is one of the oldest drinks in the world and contains numerous bioactive compounds. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of green tea in preventing obesity and cardiovascular diseases that may be related to the reduction of lipid levels. Aim: This study aimed to evidence, through a systematic review, the therapeutic potential of green tea on the lipid profile in preclinical studies in obese animals and clinical studies in obese individuals. Methods: This systematic review follows the recommendations of the preferred report items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The electronic databases, PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science were consulted. Articles from January 2009 to December 2019 were selected. Results: This search resulted in twenty-nine articles were included cirtically reviewed. In experimental studies, green tea administration has been shown to reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in animals exposed to obesity-inducing diet. In humans' studies green tea was not shown to be effective for obese lipid control. Because supplementation with green tea extract reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein for three months at a specific dose. Conclusion: Therefore, green tea appears to act as a protective agent for dyslipidemia in obesity-induced animals. In human studies, green tea has not been shown to be effective in controlling obese lipids.

Sickle cell disease children's gut colonization by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales: an antibiotic prophylaxis effect?

Introduction. Sickle cell disease (SCD) children have a high susceptibility to pneumococcal infection. For this reason, they are routinely immunized with pneumococcal vaccines and use antibiotic prophylaxis (AP).Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Yet, little is known about SCD children's gut microbiota. If antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales may colonize people on AP, we hypothesized that SCD children on AP are colonized by resistant enterobacteria species.Objective. To evaluate the effect of continuous AP on Enterobacterales gut colonization from children with SCD.Methodology. We analysed 30 faecal swabs from SCD children on AP and 21 swabs from children without the same condition. Enterobacterales was isolated on MacConkey agar plates and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). We performed the antibiogram by Vitek 2 system (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France), and the resistance genes were identified by multiplex PCR.Results. We found four different species with resistance to one or more different antibiotic types in the AP-SCD children's group: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, and Citrobacter farmeri. Colonization by resistant E. coli was associated with AP (prevalence ratio 2.69, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.98-3.67, P<0.001). Strains producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) were identified only in SCD children, E. coli, 4/30 (13 %), and K. pneumoniae, 2/30 (7 %). The ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were associated with penicillin G benzathine use (95 % CI, 22.91-86.71, P<0.001). CTX-M-1 was the most prevalent among ESBL-producers (3/6, 50 %), followed by CTX-M-9 (2/6, 33 %), and CTX-M-2 (1/6, 17 %).Conclusion. Resistant enterobacteria colonize SCD children on AP, and this therapy raises the chance of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales colonization. Future studies should focus on prophylactic vaccines as exclusive therapy against pneumococcal infections.

Physalis angulata reduces the progression of chronic experimental periodontitis by immunomodulatory mechanisms.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Physalis angulata is an herb found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world; it is widely applied in popular medicine due to the therapeutic properties of the whole plant and its parts. Extracts and infusions of this plant have been extensively applied in folk medicine worldwide to treat inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including oral inflammatory conditions such as sore throat and gingivitis. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of the ethanolic extract of P. angulata (EEPA) in a murine model of chronic periodontitis, aiming to corroborate its traditional use as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent, and to point out possible mechanisms involved in these effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EEPA was obtained from the stems of P. angulata collected in Belém (PA, Brazil). Chronic periodontitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by 12 administrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 20 µg/1µL) into the gingival papilla in the course of 28 days. Starting from the 15th day after the first LPS injection, mice were daily treated with EEPA (50 or 100 mg/kg), nimesulide (25 mg/kg, reference drug), or vehicle by oral route for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, alveolar bone loss was evaluated along with the gingival expression of biomarkers of periodontitis and cytokines by RT-q-PCR and ELISA. Hematological and biochemical parameters suggestive of systemic toxicity were also evaluated. The transcriptional activity of NF-κB was investigated using the luciferase assay in macrophages. RESULTS: Mice with chronic experimental periodontitis suffered alveolar bone loss that was prevented by the treatment with EEPA (50 or 100 mg/kg) or nimesulide (25 mg/kg). EEPA (50 and 100 mg/kg) and nimesulide (25 mg/kg) reduced mRNA levels of MMP-9 mRNA, but not of TIMP-1 in gingival tissue of periodontitis-induced mice. Both treatments also reduced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-6. The treatment with EEPA (100 mg/kg) increased the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-ß. No hematological or biochemical alterations were caused by the daily treatment with EEPA. In vitro luciferase assay suggested that a putative mechanism of EEPA is reducing the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS: EEPA exhibited a disease-modifying effect in the chronic experimental periodontitis, along with unidentifiable systemic toxicity. This work corroborates the traditional use of P. angulata in oral inflammatory conditions and provides mechanistic hypotheses to explain its therapeutic effects.

Low Doses Naltrexone: The Potential Benefit Effects for its Use in Patients with Cancer.

Naltrexone (NTX) is an opioid antagonist that inhibits cell proliferation in vivo when administered in low doses. Naltrexone in low doses can reduce tumor growth by interfering with cell signalling as well as by modifying the immune system. It acts as an Opioid Growth Factor receptor (OGFr) antagonist and the OGF-OGFr axis is an inhibitory biological pathway present in human cancer cells and tissues, being a target for the treatment with naltrexone low-dose (LDN). Clinical trials have proposed a unique mechanism(s) allowing LDN to affect tumors. LDN shows promising results for people with primary cancer of the bladder, breast, liver, lung, lymph nodes, colon and rectum. This short review provides further evidence to support the role of LDN as an anticancer agent.

Paternal High-Fat Diet Exposure Induces Adverse Effects on Offspring Health: a Systematic Review of Animal Studies

Abstract This systematic review examined the effects of paternal exposure to a high-fat diet on the likelihood of offspring developing health consequences, including metabolic conditions. While the connection between a mother's diet and offspring health has been well established, our understanding of whether offspring health is affected by a father's diet remains limited. This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. The PubMed, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases were searched using combinations of the MESH terms: obesogenic diet, high-fat diet, cafeteria diet, paternal diet, parental diet, programming, paternal effects, and paternal programming. Sixteen studies were selected after assessing articles for eligibility criteria. The main outcomes concerning offspring health related to metabolic disorders. The offspring of fathers exposed to a high-fat diet displayed elevated gene expression and serum levels of leptin, decreased gene expression and serum levels of adiponectin, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, changes in the transcriptome of pancreatic islet tissues, increased triglycerides, and increased expression of lipogenic genes. The available evidence suggests that paternal exposure to a high-fat diet may induce harmful effects on the health of offspring.

Toxicological alert: Exposure to glycidyl methacrylate and cancer risk.

Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA; CAS no. 106-91-2) is a chemical monomer used in the manufacture of dental resins, can coatings and polymers. GMA has demonstrated toxicity to the ocular, digestive, respiratory and dermal systems. Human exposure occurs mainly in the workplace, but it can also happen through food. Although there were no available data on carcinogenicity of GMA, carcinogenic potential in the nasal cavity is highly expected. Further studies are needed to assess GMA exposure in humans. This study provides an alert of GMA human exposure and its genotoxic and carcinogenic potential.

Urinary cytology: a potential tool for differential diagnosis of acute kidney injury in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is a frequent cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). In patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS), AKI demands the differential diagnosis between ATN and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. In some cases, conclusive diagnosis is possible only by kidney biopsy. We aimed to study the potential use of urine cytology in the differential diagnosis between ATN and proliferative glomerular lesion in patients with NS. RESULTS: Cell size analysis showed a higher proportion of small cells and a lower proportion of large cells in the urine of patients with AKI. Cells phenotypes were easily defined using cytological preparations. Leukocytes were found to be a primary classifier of NS groups, with higher number in patients with AKI and patients with proliferative glomerular lesions. Although renal biopsy is still required for confirmative diagnosis, our data suggests that urinary cytology can be readily performed and support the differential diagnosis between proliferative glomerular lesion and ATN in patients with NS and AKI.

Evaluation of ibuprofen prescriptions into a Psychiatric Hospital: regarding safety, indication, and dose / Avaliação das prescrições de ibuprofeno em um hospital psiquiátrico: aspectos de segurança, indicação e dose

Introduction: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are widely used throughout the world. In the psychiatric hospital, where this study was conducted, drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and lithium are widely used and may interact with ibuprofen (IBU). The literature also shows that ibuprofen may lead to changes in the central nervous system, which may trigger the imbalance of psychiatric disorders. Objective: to evaluate whether both the frequency of use and the prescriptions of ibuprofen are in agreement with the information contained in the literature regarding safety, indication, and dose. Methodology: retrospective observational cross-sectional study to evaluate the use of ibuprofen on patients from a psychiatric hospital. The prescriptions were evaluated for a 10-month period. Results: of the total number of prescriptions, 43 contained ibuprofen 600 mg. Note that in most cases, the drug was being prescribed according to the literature. However, in some cases there were divergences in the literature regarding: i) safety ­ information about the absence or presence of ulcers (1; 2.3%), gastrointestinal events (0; 0%) and absence of dyspepsia, abdominal pain and discomfort gastrointestinal (11; 25.5%) ­ ii) and the dose, in which in 19 cases (44%) it was higher than recommended by the literature. In addition, in 2 prescriptions (4.7%), the concomitant use of IBU and SSRI was observed and in 5 (11.6%) of IBU and lithium. Conclusion: the use of this drug often escaped safety and dosage criteria concerning scientific literature.

Introdução: os anti-inflamatórios não esteróides (AINEs), como o ibuprofeno, são amplamente utilizados no mundo todo. No hospital psiquiátrico em que este estudo foi realizado, medicamentos como inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina e lítio são amplamente utilizados e sabe-se que podem interagir com o ibuprofeno. A literatura também mostra que o ibuprofeno pode levar a alterações no sistema nervoso central, o que pode desencadear o desequilíbrio dos distúrbios psiquiátricos. Objetivo: avaliar a frequência da utilização do ibuprofeno e se suas prescrições estão de acordo com as informações contidas na literatura com relação à segurança, indicação e dose. Metodologia: realizou-se um estudo transversal observacional retrospectivo para avaliar o uso de ibuprofeno em pacientes de um hospital psiquiátrico. As prescrições foram avaliadas por um período de 10 meses. Resultados: entre as 43 prescrições avaliadas, recomendou-se a dose de 600 mg. Foi observado que, na maioria dos casos, o medicamento estava sendo usado conforme prescrito na literatura. No entanto, em alguns casos houve divergências da literatura em relação a i) segurança ­ informações sobre a ausência ou presença de úlceras (1; 2,3%), de eventos gastrointestinais (0; 0%) e ausência de dispepsia, dor abdominal e desconforto gastrointestinal (11; 25,5%) ­ ii) dose, em que em 19 casos (44%) foi maior do que o preconizado pela literatura. Além disso, em duas (4,7%) prescrições, foi observado o uso concomitante de IBU e ISRS) e em cinco (11,6%) de IBU e lítio. Conclusão: o uso desse medicamento frequentemente de modo geral não obedeceu aos critérios de segurança e dosagem referentes à literatura científica.

Evaluation of the Computer-Based Intervention Program Stayingfit Brazil to Promote Healthy Eating Habits: The Results from a School Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Interventions via the Internet are promising regarding the promotion of healthy habits among youth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an adapted version of StayingFit to promote healthy eating habits and the measurement adequacy of anthropometric markers among adolescents. A web school-based 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial examining 7th to 9th grade students was conducted in twelve schools in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The schools' students were randomly distributed into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in StayingFit, an online program designed to encourage and guide healthy eating habits and control body weight. Data on food consumption, anthropometry, physical activity level, and sedentary behavior were collected from all of the students at the beginning of and after the 12-month study. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected at baseline. The baseline data indicated high rates of overweight (14.4% overweight and 8.5% obese), insufficiently active (87.6%), and sedentary (63.7%). Furthermore, few adolescents regularly consumed fruits (18.8%) and vegetables/legumes (16.4%). Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. At the end of the follow-up period, students in the intervention group had a 43% increased chance of regularly consuming beans (OR = 1.43, 95% CIs = 1.10-1.86) and a 35% decreased chance of regularly consuming soft drinks (OR = 0.65, 95% CIs = 0.50-0.84). No differences were found between the groups studied with regard to the anthropometric parameters. Despite these modest results, the implementation of a web intervention can be beneficial and help promote positive changes in adolescent eating habits.

HDL Particle Size and Functionality Comparison between Patients with and without Confirmed Acute Myocardial Infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the most common cause of death worldwide, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is noteworthy due to its great magnitude. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the structure (molecular and particle size) and functionality of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) shortly after AMI, in the presence of acute inflammatory response. CASUISTIC AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted between January 2015 and August 2016, with a total convenient sample of 85 patients. The patients' data were segregated according to the Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction (REAMI), with 45 confirmed AMI patients. The study groups consisted of patients from both sexes, older than 35 years, presented to the Hospital São Rafael (HSR) initially with AMI clinical symptoms. In addition, 40 nonischemic control patients (CPs), without AMI symptomatology, and according to previous inclusion criteria, were selected for convenience in an outpatient care unit. The HDL particle size was measured by laser light scattering (LLS), after separation of HDL from apoB-rich lipoproteins. The paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity was determined in a spectrophotometer by using paraoxon as a substrate. The other laboratory marker information, secondary data, was obtained in the laboratory system. RESULTS: The HDL particle size, free cholesterol, and hs-CRP analysis showed significant differences when compared between REAMI and CP groups (p < 0.0001, p=0.007, and p < 0.0001; two-tailed unpaired t-test, respectively). Regarding paraoxonase, the data comparison between REAMI and CP groups was also significantly different (p < 0.0067; two-tailed unpaired t-test). CONCLUSION: Despite an important current database on the HDL cholesterol role, our study provides relevant complementary information about the HDL particle susceptibility to the inflammation following AMI. The HDL particles' quantitative and functional attributes should be measured as markers of HDL functionality.

Self-reported smoking status and urinary cotinine levels in patients with asthma / Tabagismo entre asmáticos: avaliação por autorrelato e dosagem de cotinina urinária

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the frequency of active smoking among patients with asthma and individuals without asthma by self-report and urinary cotinine measurement. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Salvador, Brazil, and involving 1,341 individuals: 498 patients with severe asthma, 417 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, and 426 individuals without asthma. Smoking status was determined by self-report (with the use of standardized questionnaires) and urinary cotinine measurement. The study variables were compared with the chi-square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Of the sample as a whole, 55 (4.1%) reported being current smokers. Of those, 5 had severe asthma, 17 had mild-to-moderate asthma, and 33 had no asthma diagnosis. Of the 55 smokers, 32 (58.2%) were daily smokers and 23 (41.8%) were occasional smokers. Urinary cotinine levels were found to be high in self-reported nonsmokers and former smokers, especially among severe asthma patients, a finding that suggests patient nondisclosure of smoking status. Among smokers, a longer smoking history was found in patients with severe asthma when compared with those with mild-to-moderate asthma. In addition, the proportion of former smokers was higher among patients with severe asthma than among those with mild-to-moderate asthma. Conclusions: Former smoking is associated with severe asthma. Current smoking is observed in patients with severe asthma, and patient nondisclosure of smoking status occurs in some cases. Patients with severe asthma should be thoroughly screened for smoking, and findings should be complemented by objective testing.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a frequência de tabagismo ativo entre pacientes com asma e indivíduos sem asma, usando questionários padronizados e dosagem da cotinina urinária. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em Salvador (BA), com 1.341 indivíduos, sendo 498 com asma grave, 417 com asma leve/moderada e 426 sem asma. O tabagismo foi identificado por meio de autorrelato utilizando questionários e por mensuração da cotinina urinária. Para a comparação das variáveis estudadas, utilizaram-se os testes do qui-quadrado e de Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: Dos 55 participantes (4,1%) que se declararam tabagistas atuais, 5, 17 e 33 eram dos grupos asma grave, asma leve/moderada e sem asma, respectivamente. Desses 55, 32 (58,2%) eram tabagistas diários e 23 (41,8%) eram tabagistas ocasionais. Observaram-se níveis elevados de cotinina urinária entre não fumantes autodeclarados e tabagistas pregressos, especialmente no grupo asma grave, o que sugere omissão do hábito atual de fumar. A carga tabágica entre os fumantes e a proporção de ex-tabagistas foram maiores no grupo asma grave do que no grupo asma leve/moderada. Conclusões: O tabagismo pregresso esteve associado à asma grave. Tabagismo atual também foi observado em alguns pacientes com asma grave e detectou-se omissão em alguns casos. A investigação de tabagismo deve ser meticulosa em pacientes com asma grave e a entrevista desses deve ser complementada por uma avaliação objetiva.

Self-reported smoking status and urinary cotinine levels in patients with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of active smoking among patients with asthma and individuals without asthma by self-report and urinary cotinine measurement. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Salvador, Brazil, and involving 1,341 individuals: 498 patients with severe asthma, 417 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, and 426 individuals without asthma. Smoking status was determined by self-report (with the use of standardized questionnaires) and urinary cotinine measurement. The study variables were compared with the chi-square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Of the sample as a whole, 55 (4.1%) reported being current smokers. Of those, 5 had severe asthma, 17 had mild-to-moderate asthma, and 33 had no asthma diagnosis. Of the 55 smokers, 32 (58.2%) were daily smokers and 23 (41.8%) were occasional smokers. Urinary cotinine levels were found to be high in self-reported nonsmokers and former smokers, especially among severe asthma patients, a finding that suggests patient nondisclosure of smoking status. Among smokers, a longer smoking history was found in patients with severe asthma when compared with those with mild-to-moderate asthma. In addition, the proportion of former smokers was higher among patients with severe asthma than among those with mild-to-moderate asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Former smoking is associated with severe asthma. Current smoking is observed in patients with severe asthma, and patient nondisclosure of smoking status occurs in some cases. Patients with severe asthma should be thoroughly screened for smoking, and findings should be complemented by objective testing.

Estratégias para a popularização dos conhecimentos sobre a doença falciforme / Strategies for the popularization of the knowledge about sickle cell disease / Estrategias para la popularización del conocimiento de la enfermedad de células falciformes

Frente a lacuna formativa dos profissionais da atenção básica e da educação para o manejo e acompanhamento adequados das pessoas que vivem com a Doença Falciforme, considerada a doença genética de maior prevalência no Brasil, este trabalho teve como objetivo capacitar profissionais das áreas da saúde e da educação em nove municípios da região do Recôncavo do estado da Bahia, entre 2014 e 2015. As capacitações ocorreram com equipe multidisciplinar, envolvendo enfermeiros, médicos, dentistas, discentes e docentes da Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, membros da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado da Bahia, Secretarias Municipais de Saúde, Núcleo Regional de Saúde Leste e apoio financeiro da Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia. Os resultados indicaram a participação de 702 profissionais no programa: 29 (4,1%) médicos, 101 (14,4%) enfermeiros, 43 (6,1%) dentistas, 69 (9,8%) outros profissionais graduados (psicólogos, fisioterapeutas, nutricionistas, professores) e 460 (65,5%) agentes comunitários de saúde e técnicos. No curso de manejo clínico compareceram 80 (46%) enfermeiros, 56 (32,2%) médicos e 38 (21.8%) dentistas, totalizando 174 participantes. Concluiu-se que, mediante o número expressivo de participantes das diferentes áreas do conhecimento que atuam na atenção básica e nas escolas da região, o tema possuiu extrema relevância para os profissionais, apesar da pouca visibilidade demonstrada pelas políticas de saúde pública e de educação. Não obstante, a estratégia utilizada mostrou-se eficiente e contribuiu de forma eficaz para a capacitação dos profissionais.

Facing the formative gap of professionals in basic health care and in education for the management and adequate follow-up of people living with Sickle Cell Disease, considered the most prevalent genetic disease in Brazil, this study aimed to train professionals in the fields of health and education in nine municipalities in the Recôncavo region of Bahia State between 2014 and 2015. The training took place with a multidisciplinary team involving nurses, doctors, dentists, students and teachers from the Federal University of Recôncavo of Bahia, members of the Health Department of Bahia State, Municipal Health Department, Eastern Regional Health Center and financial support from the Foundation for Research Support of Bahia State. The results indicated the participation of 702 professionals in the program: 29 (4.1%) physicians, 101 (14.4%) nurses, 43 (6.1%) dentists, 69 (9.8%) other (psychologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and teachers) and 460 (65.5%) community health agents and technicians. In the clinical management course, 80 (46%) nurses, 56 (32.2%) physicians and 38 (21.8%) dentists, 174 total participant number. It was possible to conclude that, for the expressive number of participants from different areas of knowledge, the theme was considered extremely relevant for the professionals in the region, despite the poor visibility of public health and education policies. Nevertheless, the strategy used proved to be efficient and contributed effectively to the training of all those involved.

Delante de la laguna formativa de los profesionales de la atención básica y de la educación para el manejo y acompañamiento adecuado de las personas que viven con la Enfermedad Falciforme, considerada la enfermedad genética de mayor prevalencia en Brasil, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo capacitar profesionales de las áreas de salud y de la educación en nueve municipios de la Región del Recôncavo de Bahia, entre 2014 y 2015. Las capacitaciones ocurrieron con equipo multidisciplinario, envolviendo enfermeros, médicos, dentistas, alumnos y profesores de la Universidad Federal del Recôncavo de Bahia, miembros de las Secretarias Municipales de Salud, Núcleo Regional de Salud Este y apoyo financiero de la Fundación de Amparo a la Investigación del Estado de Bahía. Los resultados indicaron la participación de 702 profesionales en el programa: 29 (4,1%) médicos, 101 (14,4%) enfermeros, 43 (6,1%) dentistas, 69 (9,8%) otros profesionales graduados (psicólogos, fisioterapeutas, nutricionistas, profesores) y 460 (65,5%) agentes comunitarios de salud y técnicos. En el curso de manejo clínico asistieron 80 (46%) enfermeros, 56 (32,2%) médicos y 38 (21.8%) dentistas, totalizando 174 participantes. Concluyóse que, delante del número expresivo de partícipes de las diferentes áreas del conocimiento, considerase que el tema poseía extrema relevancia para los profesionales, a pesar de la poca visibilidad por las políticas públicas de salud y educación. No obstante, la estrategia utilizada se mostró eficiente y contribuyó de forma eficaz para la capacitación de todos los envueltos.

Lipoprotein Profile Modifications during Gestation: A Current Approach to Cardiovascular risk surrogate markers and Maternal-fetal Unit Complications.

Several changes occur in lipid metabolism during gestation due to hormonal and metabolic changes, which are essential to satisfy the nutritional demands of the maternal-fetal unit development. The gestation shows two distinct periods that begin with fat accumulation, mainly in maternal adipose tissue, and the late phase, characterized by accelerated catabolism, with the increase of fatty acids in the circulation that causes hyperlipidemia, especially the one characterized as hypertriglyceridemia. Maternal hyperlipidemia may be associated with the development of maternal-fetal complications (preterm birth, preeclampsia, vascular complications) and the development of long-term cardiovascular disease. The cardiovascular risk may not only be related to lipoproteins cholesterol content, but also to the number and functionality of circulating lipoprotein particles. This review reports the major changes that occur in lipoprotein metabolism during pregnancy and that are associated with the development of dyslipidemias, lipoprotein atherogenic phenotype, and maternal-fetal unit complications.

Diversas mudanças ocorrem no metabolismo lipídico durante a gestação em função das alterações hormonais e metabólicas, que são essenciais para satisfazer a demanda nutricional ocasionada pelo desenvolvimento da unidade feto-placentária. O período da gestação apresenta dois momentos distintos que iniciam com acúmulo de gordura principalmente no tecido adiposo materno, e a fase tardia, caracterizada por catabolismo acelerado, com aumento de ácidos graxos na circulação causando hiperlipidemia, principalmente a aquela caracterizada como hipertrigliceridemia. A hiperlipidemia materna pode estar associada ao desenvolvimento de complicações materno-fetais (parto prematuro, pré-eclâmpsia, complicações vasculares) e de doenças cardiovasculares, a longo prazo. O risco pode estar relacionado não apenas ao teor de colesterol contido nas frações lipoprotéicas, mas também ao número e a funcionalidade das partículas lipoproteicas. Esta revisão aborda as principais mudanças que ocorrem no metabolismo lipoproteico durante a gravidez, e que estão associadas ao desenvolvimento de dislipidemias, fenótipo aterogênico e complicações materno-fetais.

Lipoprotein profile modifications during gestation: A current approach to cardiovascular risk surrogate markers and maternal-fetal unit complications / Modificações do perfil lipoproteico durante a gestação: uma abordagem atual demarcadores sugestivos de risco cardiovascular e complicações materno-fetais

Abstract Several changes occur in lipid metabolism during gestation due to hormonal and metabolic changes, which are essential to satisfy the nutritional demands of the maternal-fetal unit development. The gestation shows two distinct periods that begin with fat accumulation, mainly in maternal adipose tissue, and the late phase, characterized by accelerated catabolism, with the increase of fatty acids in the circulation that causes hyperlipidemia, especially the one characterized as hypertriglyceridemia. Maternal hyperlipidemia may be associated with the development of maternal-fetal complications (preterm birth, preeclampsia, vascular complications) and the development of long-term cardiovascular disease. The cardiovascular risk may not only be related to lipoproteins cholesterol content, but also to the number and functionality of circulating lipoprotein particles. This review reports themajor changes that occur in lipoprotein metabolismduring pregnancy and that are associated with the development of dyslipidemias, lipoprotein atherogenic phenotype, and maternal-fetal unit complications.

Resumo Diversas mudanças ocorrem no metabolismo lipídico durante a gestação em função das alterações hormonais e metabólicas, que são essenciais para satisfazer a demanda nutricional ocasionada pelo desenvolvimento da unidade feto-placentária. O período da gestação apresenta dois momentos distintos que iniciam com acúmulo de gordura principalmente no tecido adiposo materno, e a fase tardia, caracterizada por catabolismo acelerado, com aumento de ácidos graxos na circulação causando hiperlipidemia, principalmente a aquela caracterizada como hipertrigliceridemia. A hiperlipidemia materna pode estar associada ao desenvolvimento de complicações materno-fetais (parto prematuro, pré-eclâmpsia, complicações vasculares) e de doenças cardiovasculares, a longo prazo. O risco pode estar relacionado não apenas ao teor de colesterol contido nas frações lipoprotéicas, mas também ao número e a funcionalidade das partículas lipoproteicas. Esta revisão aborda as principais mudanças que ocorrem no metabolismo lipoproteico durante a gravidez, e que estão associadas ao desenvolvimento de dislipidemias, fenótipo aterogênico e complicações maternofetais.

Troponin I (cTnI) fragments immunoreactivity and the development of high-sensitivity diagnostic assays for the associated diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction / Imunorreatividade de fragmentos da troponina I (cTnI) e desenvolvimento de ensaios de alta sensibilidade para o diagnóstico associado do infarto agudo do miocárdio

ABSTRACT Among the cardiovascular diseases (CVD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is currently considered the most common cause of death and disability worldwide. Several laboratory tests have been developed for the detection of cardiac injury, including troponins that are considered the gold standard marker (surrogate biomarker) of myocardial injury. The high specificity of troponin for cardiomyocyte necrosis is related to a single unique peptide sequence present in troponin at the cardiac muscle. As a result, studies are currently focused on the development of troponin (hs-cTnI) determination tests with high diagnostic sensitivity value. These diagnostic tests aim to detect increasingly lower serum concentrations of cTnI biomarkers, from the detection of peptide fragments that are released after structural biochemical changes. This article discusses the differences between troponin fragments immunoreactivity to the development of cTnI determination tests, such as the high-sensitivity tests, which arise with the proposal of guaranteeing greater efficiency in the AMI associated diagnosis.

RESUMO Entre as doenças cardiovasculares (DCV), o infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) atualmente é considerado a causa mais comum de morte e incapacidade em todo o mundo. Vários testes laboratoriais vêm sendo desenvolvidos para a detecção de lesões cardíacas, entre eles, as troponinas, consideradas marcador (biomarcador sugestivo) padrão-ouro de lesão miocárdica. A alta especificidade da troponina para a necrose dos cardiomiócitos está relacionada com a sequência peptídica única presente na troponina do músculo cardíaco. Em função disso, estudos estão voltados para o desenvolvimento de conjuntos diagnósticos de alta sensibilidade para a determinação das troponinas I (hs-cTnI). Esses conjuntos diagnósticos surgem com o objetivo de detectar concentrações séricas cada vez menores desses biomarcadores a partir da detecção de fragmentos peptídicos que são liberados após modificações bioquímicas estruturais. O presente artigo discorre sobre as diferenças de imunorreatividade dos fragmentos de troponina no desenvolvimento de nossos testes para a determinação da cTnI, a exemplo dos testes de alta sensibilidade, que surgem com a proposta de garantir maior eficiência no diagnóstico associado do IAM.