Comparison of morphometry and ventricular function of healthy and smoking young people.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoke is one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and damages in the myocardial tissue directly. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been used and is a promising tool to evaluate morphometry and cardiac function in humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations of smoking with morphometry and cardiac function by CMR technique in young adult smokers. METHODS: Altogether, 49 volunteers (22 smokers and 27 non-smokers) were included in the study. The comparisons between groups were performed by multiple linear regression adjusting for body mass index and gender. RESULTS: In the morphometric and functional evaluation of the left ventricle, we observed statistical significant lower values of end-diastolic volume (EDV) (p = 0.02), ejection volume (EV) (p = 0.001) and indexed ejection volume (IEV) (p = 0.007) in smokers when compared to no-smoker group. Right ventricle showed statistical significant lower values of EDV (p = < 0.001), end-systolic volume (p = 0.01), EV (p = < 0.001), IEV (p = 0.001), indexed end-diastolic volume (p = 0.001) and major axis (p = 0.01) in smokers when compared to non-smokers group. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strongly association of smoking in young adult and cardiac function decline, even adjusted by cofounders, which compromises the proper functioning of the heart. Evidence confirms that smoking can directly influence the cardiac function, even without atherosclerosis or other chronic comorbidities, associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Different Clusters in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Two-Center Study in Brazil.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a functional definition. However, differences in clinical characteristics and systemic manifestations make COPD a heterogeneous disease and some manifestations have been associated with different risks of acute exacerbations, hospitalizations, and death. Objective: Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate possible clinical clusters in COPD at two study centers in Brazil and identify the associated exacerbation and mortality rate during 1 year of follow-up. Methods: We included patients with COPD and all underwent an evaluation composed of the Charlson Index, body mass index (BMI), current pharmacological treatment, smoking history (packs-year), history of exacerbations/hospitalizations in the last year, spirometry, six-minute walking test (6MWT), quality of life questionnaires, dyspnea, and hospital anxiety and depression scale. Blood samples were also collected for measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP), blood gases, laboratory analysis, and blood count. For the construction of the clusters, 13 continuous variables of clinical importance were considered: hematocrit, CRP, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, absolute number of peripheral eosinophils, age, pulse oximetry, BMI, forced expiratory volume in the first second, dyspnea, 6MWD, total score of the Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire and packs-year of smoking. We used the Ward and K-means methods and determined the best silhouette value to identify similarities of individuals within the cluster (cohesion) in relation to the other clusters (separation). The number of clusters was determined by the heterogeneity values of the cluster, which in this case was determined as four clusters. Results: We evaluated 301 COPD patients and identified four different groups of COPD patients. The first cluster (203 patients) was characterized by fewer symptoms and lower functional severity of the disease, the second cluster by higher values of peripheral eosinophils, the third cluster by more systemic inflammation and the fourth cluster by greater obstructive severity and worse gas exchange. Cluster 2 had an average of 959±3 peripheral eosinophils, cluster 3 had a higher prevalence of nutritional depletion (46.1%), and cluster 4 had a higher BODE index. Regarding the associated comorbidities, we found that only obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and pulmonary thromboembolism were more prevalent in cluster 4. Almost 50% of all patients presented an exacerbation during 1 year of follow-up. However, it was higher in cluster 4, with 65% of all patients having at least one exacerbation. The mortality rate was statistically higher in cluster 4, with 26.9%, vs 9.6% in cluster 1. Conclusion: We could identify four clinical different clusters in these COPD populations, that were related to different clinical manifestations, comorbidities, exacerbation, and mortality rate. We also identified a specific cluster with higher values of peripheral eosinophils.

Anatomia e avaliação funcional do músculo frontal: estudos dos padrões de contração / Anatomy and functional evaluation of the frontalis muscle: study on contraction's patterns

Introdução: na face estão inseridos numerosos músculos, artérias, glândulas, veias e nervos. O arranjo anatômico do músculo frontal permite uma grande mobilidade à região frontal, sendo, pois considerado o músculo mimético do couro cabeludo. A interpretação de cada uma das emoções apresenta diferenças substanciais: o temor, conforme esperado, é detectado quase que exclusivamente na parte superior do rosto. Objetivo: classificar os padrões de contração do músculo frontal de estudantes do curso de fisioterapia de uma Universidade da cidade de Bauru, estado de São Paulo. Material e Método: Trata-se de uma análise retrospectiva de fotografias de 105 sujeitos. Resultados: obteve-se uma imagem da face do sujeito com o músculo frontal em repouso e a segunda durante a contração máxima do músculo frontal. Quatro padrões foram identificados por quatro examinadores em: total, medial, lateral, hipocinesia. O padrão total foi observado em 32,4 por cento examinador A, 36,1 por cento examinadores B e C, 30,4 por cento examinador D. O padrão medial foi de 25,7 por cento examinador A, 23,8 por cento examinador B, 27,6 por cento examinador C, 29,5 por cento examinador D. O padrão lateral foi de 11,4 por cento examinadores A e D, 16,1 por cento examinador B e 14,2 por cento examinador C. O padrão hipocinesia foi de 30,5 por cento examinador A, 23,8 por cento examinador B, 21,9 por cento examinador C e 28,5 por cento examinador D. Conclusão: conclui-se que o conhecimento dos vários padrões de contração do músculo frontal, permite um planejamento e intervenção fisioterapêutica mais eficiente e preciso.

Introduction: numerous muscles, arteries, small glands, blood vessels and nerves are inserted in the face. The anatomical arrangement of the frontalis muscle allows vast mobility to the frontal region, and is therefore considered the mimetic muscle of the scalp. The interpretation of each of the emotions shows essential differences: the fear, as expected, is detected almost exclusively in the upper face. Objective: classify the patterns of frontalis muscle contractions in students of physiotherapy in a University, located in Bauru, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Material and Method: this is a retrospective analysis of pictures taken from 105 subjects. Results: The first picture of the subject's face was taken with the frontalis muscle at rest and the second one, in maximal contraction of the frontalis muscle. Four patterns were identified by four examinators: total, medial, lateral, hypokinesia. The total pattern was observed in 32.4 per cent, examinator A; 36.1 per cent by examinators B and C; and 30.4 per cent, examinator D. The medial pattern was observed in 25.7 per cent, examinator A; 23.8 per cent examinator B; 27.6 per cent , examinator C and 29.5 per cent, examinator D. The lateral pattern was observed in 11,4 per cent, examinators A and D; 16,1 per cent, examinator B; and 14,2 per cent examinator C. The hypokinesia pattern was observed in 30,5 per cent, examinator A; 23,8 per cent, examinator B; 21,9 per cent examinator C; and 28,5 per cent, examinator D. Conclusion: we conclude that the knowledge of the several patterns of frontalis muscle contractions, allows a more efficient and accurate planning and interventions in physioytherapy.