Current status of perfusionists in Brazil: a 2018 survey.

Perfusionists have a fundamental role in multi-professional teams involved in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. The main objective of this study is to outline the profile of Brazilian perfusionists in the labor market by considering the evolution, current scenario, and future perspectives of this profession. Data from socio-demographic and professional profiles in active duty in Brazil were obtained through an electronic survey.

(+)-Catechin attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells.

(+)-Catechin is a type of catechin present in large amounts in açaí fruits and cocoa seeds. Besides its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, little is known about its effects in the liver, especially during hepatic fibrosis. We report here the effects of (+)-catechin on hepatic stellate cells.

Antiproliferative effect of catechin in GRX cells.

The phenolic compounds present in cocoa seeds have been studied regarding health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Fibrosis is a wound healing response that occurs in almost all patients with chronic liver injury. A large number of cytokines and soluble intercellular mediators are related to changes in the behavior and phenotype of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) that develop a fibrogenic and contractile phenotype leading to the development of fibrosis.