Symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with persistent asthma: a cross-sectional analysis of the INSPIRERS studies.

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety and depression are relevant comorbidities in asthma, but, in Portugal and Spain, data on this topic are scarce. We assessed, in patients with asthma, the frequency of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D); the level of agreement between these questionnaires, and the factors associated with these symptoms. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS studies. A total of 614 adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (32.6±16.9 years, 64.7% female) were recruited from 30 primary care centres and 32 allergy, pulmonology and paediatric clinics. Demographic and clinical characteristics, HADS and EQ-5D were collected. A score ≥8 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety/Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression or a positive answer to EQ-5D item 5 indicated the presence of these symptoms. Agreement was determined by Cohen's kappa. Two multivariable logistic regressions were built. RESULTS: According to HADS, 36% of the participants had symptoms of anxiety and 12% of depression. According to EQ-5D, 36% of the participants had anxiety/depression. The agreement between questionnaires in identifying anxiety/depression was moderate (k=0.55, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.62). Late asthma diagnosis, comorbidities and female gender were predictors of anxiety/depression, while better asthma control, health-related quality of life and perception of health were associated with lower odds for anxiety/depression. CONCLUSION: At least 1/3 of the patients with persistent asthma experience symptoms of anxiety/depression, showing the relevance of screening these disorders in patients with asthma. EQ-5D and HADS questionnaires showed a moderate agreement in the identification of anxiety/depression symptoms. The identified associated factors need to be further investigated in long-term studies.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of arnica montana 6ch in the control of postoperative myalgia by isometric effort in dentistry

Arnica montana 6CH is a medicine indicated for inflammatory and painful conditions, especially in muscle structures. The RDC / TMD Axis II questionnaire is a validated tool for the diagnosis of Temporomandibular Muscle Dysfunction. Objective: This multicenter, randomized and controlled study, approved by Human or Animal Research Ethics Committee UniFOA -CAAE: 48680015.3.0000.5237 aimed to verify the clinical performance of Arnica montana 6CH in contractures and muscle pain triggered by isometric stress. Materials and Methods: 70 patients underwent prolongeddental treatment sessions, and they were selected after clinical examination and positive responses to the RDC / TMD questionnaire to confirm signs and symptoms of Temporomandibular Muscle Dysfunction at the first consultation. Randomly, Arnica montana 6CH was prescribed for 35 patients called group I, and placebo for 35 patients called group II, at a dose of 5 globules, 03 times a day, for 1 week. In the second endodontic consultation, after 15 days, a new clinical examination was performed at the beginning and end of the prolonged dental consultation with crossing of data from the RDC questionnaire, to monitor the prevalence of TMD muscle signs and symptoms. The data were tabulated and analyzed. Statistical analysis: The test t de Student was used for paired samples, significant at the level ≤ 0.05%. Results:Anamnetic data from the RDC questionnaire, 86% of the individuals in the GI had lower pain and muscle contracture rates in the second consultation, compared with 22% in the GII. Conclusion:The drug Arnica montana 6CH proved to be effective in preventing muscle changes and clinical symptoms resulting from isometric efforts with a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05).

Determinants of the Use of Health and Fitness Mobile Apps by Patients With Asthma: Secondary Analysis of Observational Studies.

BACKGROUND: Health and fitness apps have potential benefits to improve self-management and disease control among patients with asthma. However, inconsistent use rates have been reported across studies, regions, and health systems. A better understanding of the characteristics of users and nonusers is critical to design solutions that are effectively integrated in patients' daily lives, and to ensure that these equitably reach out to different groups of patients, thus improving rather than entrenching health inequities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the use of general health and fitness apps by patients with asthma and to identify determinants of usage. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS observational studies was conducted using data from face-to-face visits. Patients with a diagnosis of asthma were included between November 2017 and August 2020. Individual-level data were collected, including age, gender, marital status, educational level, health status, presence of anxiety and depression, postcode, socioeconomic level, digital literacy, use of health services, and use of health and fitness apps. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the probability of being a health and fitness app user. Statistical analysis was performed in R. RESULTS: A total of 526 patients attended a face-to-face visit in the 49 recruiting centers and 514 had complete data. Most participants were ≤40 years old (66.4%), had at least 10 years of education (57.4%), and were in the 3 higher quintiles of the socioeconomic deprivation index (70.1%). The majority reported an overall good health status (visual analogue scale [VAS] score>70 in 93.1%) and the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 34.3% and 11.9%, respectively. The proportion of participants who reported using health and fitness mobile apps was 41.1% (n=211). Multivariate models revealed that single individuals and those with more than 10 years of education are more likely to use health and fitness mobile apps (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.22, 95%CI 1.05-4.75 and aOR 1.95, 95%CI 1.12-3.45, respectively). Higher digital literacy scores were also associated with higher odds of being a user of health and fitness apps, with participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles reporting aORs of 6.74 (95%CI 2.90-17.40), 10.30 (95%CI 4.28-27.56), and 11.52 (95%CI 4.78-30.87), respectively. Participants with depression symptoms had lower odds of using health and fitness apps (aOR 0.32, 95%CI 0.12-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the barriers and enhancers of app use among patients with lower education, lower digital literacy, or depressive symptoms is key to design tailored interventions to ensure a sustained and equitable use of these technologies. Future studies should also assess users' general health-seeking behavior and their interest and concerns specifically about digital tools. These factors may impact both initial engagement and sustained use.

Atenção psicossocial e bem viver: relato de experiência de um Projeto Terapêutico Singular pelas dimensões da Felicidade Interna Bruta / Psychosocial care and good living: experience report of a Singular Therapeutic Project by the dimensions of Gross National Happiness

RESUMO Este artigo é um relato de experiência da elaboração e implantação de um Projeto Terapêutico Singular (PTS) no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (Caps) na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Aborda-se o modelo de atenção adotados no Caps a partir do seu projeto político-institucional, que se destaca pela organização do cuidado psicossocial em torno de processos de trabalho instituídos pela incorporação do PTS por meio da Felicidade Interna Bruta (FIB) e pelo conceito de bem viver. Como em um estudo de caso de caráter exploratório, descrevem-se, por intermédio do conceito de sociomaterialidade, inovações na organização e práticas de cuidado. O PTS é apresentado tanto pela dimensão instrumental quanto social, por meio do protagonismo de gestores, profissionais e usuários no desafio de elaborar uma tecnologia de cuidado a partir de bases diferenciadas e por pressupostos teóricos e práticos que fazem dialogar as diretrizes basilares da atenção psicossocial com as dimensões da FIB. A culminância dessa estratégia visa à formulação de projetos para a felicidade pelo PTS, como uma aposta na reflexão do contexto atual de vida dos usuários do Caps e suas possibilidades de novas subjetividades de sujeitos/cidadãos proativos pelo bem viver no território e na comunidade onde habitam.

ABSTRACT This article is an experience report of the elaboration and implementation of a Singular Therapeutic Project (PTS) at the Psychosocial Care Center (Caps) in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Care model adopted in Caps is approached from its political-institutional project, which stands out for the organization of psychosocial care around work processes instituted by the incorporation of PTS through Gross Internal Happiness (FIB) and the concept of good living. As in an exploratory case study, innovations in the organization and care practices are described, through the concept of sociomateriality. The PTS is presented both by the instrumental and social dimension, through the role of managers, professionals and users in the challenge of developing care technology from different bases and by theoretical and practical assumptions that make dialogue with the basic guidelines of psychosocial care with the dimensions of the FIB. The culmination of this strategy aims at formulating projects for happiness by PTS, as a bet on reflecting on the current context of life of Caps users and their possibilities of new subjectivities of proactive subjects / citizens for the well-living in the territory and the community where they live.

Effects of lidocaine and magnesium sulfate in attenuating hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation: single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized study / Os efeitos da lidocaína e do sulfato de magnésio na atenuação da resposta hemodinâmica à intubação orotraqueal: estudo unicêntrico, prospectivo, duplamente encoberto e aleatorizado

Abstract Background and objectives: Hemodynamic response to airway stimuli is a common phenomenon and its management is important to reduce the systemic repercussions. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate versus lidocaine on this reflex hemodynamics after laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Methods: This single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized study evaluated 56 patients ASA 1 or 2, aged 18-65 years, scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia with intubation. The patients were allocated into two groups: Group F received 30 mg·kg-1 of magnesium sulphate and Group L, 2 mg·kg-1 of lidocaine, continuous infusion, immediately before the anesthetic induction. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and bispectral index (BIS) were measured in both groups at six different times related to administration of the study drugs. Results: In both groups there was an increase in HR and BP after laryngoscopy and intubation, compared to baseline. Group M showed statistically significant increase in the values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure after intubation, which was clinically unimportant. There was no difference in the BIS values between groups. Among patients receiving magnesium sulfate, three (12%) had high blood pressure versus only one among those receiving lidocaine (4%), with no statistical difference. Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate and lidocaine have good efficacy and safety for hemodynamic management in laryngoscopy and intubation.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A resposta hemodinâmica aos estímulos das vias aéreas é um fenômeno comum e seu controle é importante para diminuir as repercussões sistêmicas. O objetivo deste trabalho é comparar os efeitos da administração endovenosa de sulfato de magnésio versus lidocaína na hemodinâmica desse reflexo após a laringoscopia e intubação orotraqueal. Métodos: Este estudo duplamente encoberto, aleatorizado, unicêntrico e prospectivo avaliou 56 pacientes, ASA 1 ou 2, entre 18 e 65 anos, escalados para cirurgias eletivas sob anestesia geral com intubação orotraqueal. Foram alocados em dois grupos, o M recebeu 30 mg·kg-1 de sulfato de magnésio e o L, 2 mg·kg-1 de lidocaína, em infusão contínua, imediatamente antes da indução anestésica. Os valores de pressão arterial (PA), frequência cardíaca (FC) e índice biespectral (BIS) foram aferidos nos dois grupos em seis momentos relacionados com a administração dos fármacos do estudo. Resultados: Em ambos os grupos houve aumento na FC e PA após a laringoscopia e intubação, em relação aos valores basais. No Grupo M observou-se elevação estatisticamente significativa, mas clinicamente pouco importante, nos valores das pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica após a intubação. Não houve diferença nos valores de BIS entre os grupos. Dos pacientes que receberam o sulfato de magnésio, 3 (12%) apresentaram episódio de hipertensão, ao passo que apenas um dos que receberam lidocaína (4%) apresentou esse sinal, sem diferença estatística. Conclusão: Sulfato de magnésio e a lidocaína apresentam boa eficácia e segurança no controle hemodinâmico à laringoscopia e intubação.

[Effects of lidocaine and magnesium sulfate in attenuating hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation: single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized study]. / Os efeitos da lidocaína e do sulfato de magnésio na atenuação da resposta hemodinâmica à intubação orotraqueal: estudo unicêntrico, prospectivo, duplamente encoberto e aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hemodynamic response to airway stimuli is a common phenomenon and its management is important to reduce the systemic repercussions. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate versus lidocaine on this reflex hemodynamics after laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. METHODS: This single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized study evaluated 56 patients ASA 1 or 2, aged 18 to 65 years, scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia with intubation. The patients were allocated into two groups: Group F received 30mg·kg-1 of magnesium sulphate and Group L, 2mg·kg-1 of lidocaine, continuous infusion, immediately before the anesthetic induction. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and bispectral index (BIS) were measured in both groups at six different times related to administration of the study drugs. RESULTS: In both groups there was an increase in HR and BP after laryngoscopy and intubation, compared to baseline. Group M showed statistically significant increase in the values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure after intubation, which was clinically unimportant. There was no difference in the BIS values between groups. Among patients receiving magnesium sulfate, three (12%) had high blood pressure versus only one among those receiving lidocaine (4%), with no statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate and lidocaine have good efficacy and safety for hemodynamic management in laryngoscopy and intubation.

Effects of lidocaine and magnesium sulfate in attenuating hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation: single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hemodynamic response to airway stimuli is a common phenomenon and its management is important to reduce the systemic repercussions. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate versus lidocaine on this reflex hemodynamics after laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. METHODS: This single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized study evaluated 56 patients ASA 1 or 2, aged 18-65 years, scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia with intubation. The patients were allocated into two groups: Group F received 30mg·kg-1 of magnesium sulphate and Group L, 2mg·kg-1 of lidocaine, continuous infusion, immediately before the anesthetic induction. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and bispectral index (BIS) were measured in both groups at six different times related to administration of the study drugs. RESULTS: In both groups there was an increase in HR and BP after laryngoscopy and intubation, compared to baseline. Group M showed statistically significant increase in the values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure after intubation, which was clinically unimportant. There was no difference in the BIS values between groups. Among patients receiving magnesium sulfate, three (12%) had high blood pressure versus only one among those receiving lidocaine (4%), with no statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate and lidocaine have good efficacy and safety for hemodynamic management in laryngoscopy and intubation.

Impacto econômico da doença de Alzheimer no Brasil: é possível melhorar a assistência e reduzir custos? / Economic impact of Alzheimer's Disease in Brazil: is it possible to improve care and minimize costs?

O objetivo deste estudo foi discutir dados relativos aos custos da Doença de Alzheimer (DA) e as iniciativas assistenciais para reduzir custos e auxiliar a família e os cuidadores no manejo com a doença. O fator de maior custo para as pessoas com DA leve foi o do tempo do cuidador não remunerado, enquanto que para aqueles com a doença em estágio avançado foi o dos cuidados relativos à institucionalização. Frente a esse panorama a literatura propõe a adoção de modelos de atenção que maximizem a independência funcional do idoso e a manutenção de suas habilidades, como a implantação do Centro Dia para Idosos e de programas de reabilitação e amparo ao idoso e família. Esses modelos de atenção precisam ser discutidos, estruturados e implantados na realidade brasileira.

The scope of this study is to discuss data relating to the costs involved with Alzheimer's Disease and the initiatives in terms of care in order to reduce costs and help family members and caregivers to cope with the disease. The biggest cost for people with mild Alzheimer's Disease is the cost of time spent by the unremunerated caregiver, and for those at the advanced stages of the disease it is the cost of institutional care. In this respect, the literature proposes the adoption of models of care that maximize the functional independence of the elderly and maintain their skills, such as Day Care Centers for the Elderly and rehabilitation programs and support offered to the elderly and their family members. These models of care need to be discussed, structured and deployed in the context of the Brazilian reality.

[Economic impact of Alzheimer's Disease in Brazil: is it possible to improve care and minimize costs?]. / Impacto econômico da doença de Alzheimer no Brasil: é possível melhorar a assistência e reduzir custos?

The scope of this study is to discuss data relating to the costs involved with Alzheimer's Disease and the initiatives in terms of care in order to reduce costs and help family members and caregivers to cope with the disease. The biggest cost for people with mild Alzheimer's Disease is the cost of time spent by the unremunerated caregiver, and for those at the advanced stages of the disease it is the cost of institutional care. In this respect, the literature proposes the adoption of models of care that maximize the functional independence of the elderly and maintain their skills, such as Day Care Centers for the Elderly and rehabilitation programs and support offered to the elderly and their family members. These models of care need to be discussed, structured and deployed in the context of the Brazilian reality.

Estudo comparativo entre cetamina e morfina peridural em pacientes submetidas à mastectomia / Comparative study between epidural ketamine and morphine in patients submitted to mastectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at comparing epidural thoracic S(+) ketamine and morphine, both associated to ropivacaine, for mastectomy procedures. METHODS: This is a prospective study with 26 patients aged between 18 and 70 years, submitted to mastectomy, who were divided into two equal groups. Group M (morphine) patients have received 12 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine associated to 2 mg preservative-free morphine; Group K (ketamine) patients have received 12 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine associated to 50 mg of preservative-free S(+) ketamine. We have evaluated hemodynamic parameters, need for vasopressors, drugs for sedation, pain visual analog scale in the first 24 hours, analgesic and antiemetic consumption, and incidence of nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: There has been no statistical difference between groups in demographics, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, amount of local anesthetics or need for vasopressors. The ketamine group has demanded more midazolam to control sedation (p = 0.0005). This group had lower pain scores at post-anesthetic care unit discharge (p = 0.0018), 12 hours after procedure (p = 0.0001) and 24 hours later (p = 0.0094). The Morphine Group had higher pain scores at post-anesthetic care unit, 12 and 24 postoperative hours, and has demanded more postoperative analgesics (dipirone, p = 0.0009) and antiemetics (metoclopramide, p = 0.0032). CONCLUSION: It has been observed that S(+) ketamine in the evaluated dose was hemodynamically safe and effective, with better performance to control postoperative pain, generating less analgesic consumption as well as lower incidence of nausea and vomiting.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a S(+) cetamina em relação à morfina associada à ropivacaína por via peridural torácica em operações de mastectomia. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo com 26 pacientes com idade entre 18 e 70 anos submetidas à mastectomia, divididas em dois grupos de igual tamanho. As pacientes do Grupo M (morfina) receberam 12 mL de ropivacaína a 0,75% associadas a 2 mg de morfina sem conservantes, e as pacientes do Grupo C (cetamina) receberam 12 mL de ropivacaína a 0,75% associadas a 50 mg de S(+) cetamina sem conservantes. Foram avaliados os parâmetros hemodinâmicos, a necessidade de vasopressores, os fármacos para sedação, a escala analógica visual de dor nas primeiras 24 horas, consumo de analgésicos e de antieméticos e a incidência de náuseas e vômitos. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos em relação a dados demográficos, níveis de pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica, quantidade de anestésico local utilizado ou necessidade de vasopressores. O GC demandou maior uso de midazolam para controle da sedação (p = 0,0005). Este grupo apresentou menores escores de dor ao serem avaliados na alta da sala de recuperação pós-anestésica (p = 0,0018), após 12 horas do procedimento (p = 0,0001) e após 24 horas (p = 0,0094). O grupo morfina apresentou maiores escores de dor na sala de recuperação pós-anestésica, após 12 e 24 horas, demandando maior uso de analgésicos no pós-operatório (dipirona, p = 0,0009) assim como antieméticos (metoclopramida, p = 0,0032). CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se que a S(+) cetamina na dose avaliada foi segura e eficaz do ponto de vista hemodinâmico, apresentando melhor desempenho no controle de dor pós-operatória, gerando menor consumo de analgésicos, assim como menor incidência de náuseas e vômitos.

Prognostic value of unrelated atypical serum immunofixation patterns during multiple myeloma therapy.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the gold standard therapy for suitable multiple myeloma (MM) patients after induction with high dose therapy. To date, the evidence of a reliable marker of prognosis in these cases remains scarce. Our aim was to evaluate appearance of unrelated atypical serum immunofixation patterns (ASIPs) as a marker of prognosis in MM patients submitted to ASCT. We retrospectively analysed data from 65 patients. Interestingly, we observed that presence of ASIPs was associated with longer progression-free survival and longer overall survival. Our results suggested that presence of ASIPs could be a novel marker of good prognosis in MM patients submitted to ASCT.

[Outsourcing in long-term care: a risk management approach]. / Terceirização em cuidados continuados: uma abordagem de gestão de risco.

This article seeks to investigate outsourcing decisions in supply chain management of healthcare organizations, namely the motives and constraints behind the decision, the selection criteria for activities to be outsourced to third parties, the type of possible agreements, and the impact of this decision on the organization per se. A case study of the start-up phase of a Long-term Care unit with an innovative approach and high levels of customization was conducted to understand the outsourcing process in a start-up context (not in the standard context of organizational change) and a risk evaluation matrix was created for outsourcing activities in order to define and implement a performance monitoring process. This study seeks to understand how to evaluate and assess the risks of an outsourcing strategy and proposes a monitoring model using risk management tools. It was shown that the risk management approach can be a solution for monitoring outsourcing in the organizational start-up phase. Conclusions concerning dissatisfaction with the results of outsourcing strategies adopted are also presented.

Terceirização em cuidados continuados: uma abordagem de gestão de risco / Outsourcing in long-term care: a risk management approach

Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar a decisão de externalização, integrada na gestão da cadeia de suprimentos no setor da saúde, nomeadamente os motivos e condicionantes da decisão, os critérios de escolha das atividades a entregar a terceiros, os tipos de acordos possíveis e o impacto que a decisão tem na organização e na pratica. Através do estudo de caso de uma unidade de saúde prestadora de cuidados continuados de forma inovadora, com grandes níveis de customização e em início de atividade, investigou-se todo o processo de terceirização em contexto do início do ciclo de vida de uma organização (não no contexto comum de mudança organizacional) e construiu-se uma matriz de avaliação de risco para atividades terceirizadas de modo a permitir a definição do processo de monitorização da performance a implementar. Este estudo visa compreender como se avaliam e balizam os riscos da adopção de uma estratégia de terceirização e sugere um modelo de monitorização, com recurso a ferramentas de gestão de risco. Concluiu-se que uma abordagem de Gestão de Risco pode ser uma solução para monitorização de terceirização em atividade que se iniciam. Retiram-se, ainda, conclusões acerca da insatisfação com os resultados da estratégia de externalização adotada.

This article seeks to investigate outsourcing decisions in supply chain management of healthcare organizations, namely the motives and constraints behind the decision, the selection criteria for activities to be outsourced to third parties, the type of possible agreements, and the impact of this decision on the organization per se. A case study of the start-up phase of a Long-term Care unit with an innovative approach and high levels of customization was conducted to understand the outsourcing process in a start-up context (not in the standard context of organizational change) and a risk evaluation matrix was created for outsourcing activities in order to define and implement a performance monitoring process. This study seeks to understand how to evaluate and assess the risks of an outsourcing strategy and proposes a monitoring model using risk management tools. It was shown that the risk management approach can be a solution for monitoring outsourcing in the organizational start-up phase. Conclusions concerning dissatisfaction with the results of outsourcing strategies adopted are also presented.

Morbid obesity and inflammation: a prospective study after adjustable gastric banding surgery.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory status underlying obesity seems to be implicated in several aspects of metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between weight loss achieved by laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB) surgery, chronic inflammatory markers, and nutritional state. METHODS: Thirty-two morbid obese females were enrolled in the study and evaluated at baseline, 1 and 18 months after LAGB surgery. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, IgM, C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, total proteins, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, ferritin, and transferrin soluble receptor were evaluated. In addition, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting glucose were also evaluated. RESULTS: In average, patients presented 18.7% and 63.2% excess body weight loss 1 and 18 months after LAGB, respectively (p < 0.01). CRP and total cholesterol mean levels were elevated (1.03 +/- 1.11 mg dL(-1) and 2.02 +/- 0.41 g L(-1)) at the presurgery study. CRP mean levels were significantly reduced when compared to reference range (p < 0.01) 18 months after the LAGB surgery. Prealbumin as well as serum total protein mean levels decreased 1 month after surgery (p < 0.01) and values returned to normal at 18 months after surgery. Albumin mean levels showed an increase during the postsurgery evaluations. Serum IgA and IgM concentrations were significantly increased at 1 month after surgery compared to baseline (p < 0.01, both cases). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that amelioration of inflammatory markers after LAGB does not seem to negatively impact nutritional status following weight reduction surgery. However, careful attention should be driven to serum IgA. Adequacy of nutritional intake and complete serial laboratory measurements should be always included in the required life-long follow-up of patients surgically treated for morbid obesity.

[The role of adipose tissue and macrophages in chronic inflammation associated with obesity: clinical implications]. / Papel do tecido adiposo e dos macrófagos no estado de inflamação crónica associada à obesidade: implicações clínicas.

In the last decades, life style modifications particularly those related to food patterns and food choices, gave risen to a worldwide pandemic disease with no precedent in Human History: obesity. Energy storing and free fatty acids production were the only adipose tissue functions. However, it has been well established other adipose tissue functions like low grade pro-inflammatory molecules production (cytokines, adipokines and chemotactic factors) evolved in obese inflammatory condition. In this inflammatory state, adipocytes active role is inflammatory mediators (adipokines) production and and cell to cell interaction with resident macrophages. Adipose tissue low vascularization is even lower in the obese; so, hypoxia can be a critical factor in inflammatory obese state manifestation. Adipose tissue cytokines production and pre-adipocyte conversion into macrophage results in adipose tissue and macrophages interactions. One of the mononuclear phagocytic system components, macrophage, has an important role in obese-related inflammatory state. These cells have been found to be increased in number and shape proportional to Body Mass Index, rising to up to 60% of total adipose tissue components. The macrophages proportional accumulation could lead to an increase in pro-inflammatory molecules expression and contribute to the inflammatory state in a significant way. The reversion of the low grade inflammation and the reduction of risk factors in obese individuals seem to occur when a reduction in Body Mass Index is achieved and loss of adipose tissue is observed. We performed a critical review of last five years literature in order to better describe the impact of adipose tissue and macrophages interactions in low grade chronic inflammatory condition in the obese and their role in comorbidities pathogenesis.

Estudo comparativo da força de traçäo na remoçäo de pinos pré fabricados em canais morfologicamente diferentes / Comparative study of traction force to remove posts out of morphologically different root canals

A reconstituiçäo de dentes com grande destruiçäo coronária tratados endodonticamente é feita, em sua grande maioria, através de pinos pré-fabricados ou moldados e fundidos. A análise da literatura mostra uma preferência na utilizaçäo de pinos pré-fabricados, pois o procedimento pode ser realizado em uma única sessäo. Porém, pouco se discute a interferência da morfologia do canal radicular, na adaptaçäo dos pinos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se a quantidade de cimento entre as paredes dentinária do canal radicular e a superfície do pino interferem na força de tracionamento. Utilizaram-se 50 dentes recém-extraídos divididos em dois grupos: Grupo I com 25 incisivos centrais superiores e Grupo II com 25 caninos inferiores. Utilizou-se pinos unimetric 215 TR n§ 310 L com cimento de fosfato de zinco sendo selecionados vinte dentes de cada grupo para os testes de traçäo. Os testes de traçäo foram realizados em uma máquina de ensaio Universal EMIC utilizando-se uma velocidade de 1mm/minuto...

Análise comparativa da retençäo de pinos intra-radiculares pré-fabricados e fixos com diferentes agentes de cimentaçäo / Comparative analysis of the retention of prefabricated posts, cemented with different cementation agents

Este estudo in vitro comparou a resistência à remoçäo por traçäo de pinos pré-fabricados cimentados com três agentes cimentantes diferentes. Foram utilizados 120 dentes - 60 incisivos centrais superiores e 60 caninos inferiores -, divididos em seis grupos de vinte. A parte coronária dos dentes foi cortada, e suas raízes, entäo com 16,0 mm de comprimento, tiveram os canais tratados e aliviados, a fim de permitir um espaço de 10,0 mm para a cimentaçäo dos pinos. Pinos Maillefer de titânio, com configuraçäo cônica serrilhada, modelo Unimetric 215 TR n§ 310 L, foram cimentados em cada um dos grupos de incisivos e caninos. Os grupos 1 e 2 receberam cimento de fosfato de zinco; os grupos 3 e 4 receberam cimento de ionômero de vidro; e os grupos 5 e 6 receberam cimento resinoso. Os corpos-de-prova foram submetidos à carga de tensäo em uma máquina de ensaio universal EMIC a uma velocidade de 1 mm/min. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados pelo teste estatístico de U Mann-Whitney, que permitiu concluir que os pinos pré-fabricados cimentados com cimento de ionômero de vidro foram os mais resistentes à remoçäo por traçäo, seguidos dos cimentados com cimento de fosfato de zinco e com o resinoso. Observaram-se diferenças significativas na resistência à remoçäo de pinos cimentados com cimento de ionômero de vidro entre incisivos e caninos, sendo que as forças aplicadas para a remoçäo dos pinos dos caninos foram maiores do que as que removeram os pinos dos incisivos