Atrial fibrosis and decreased connexin 43 in rat hearts after exposure to high-intensity infrasound.

Background: Noise is an important environmental risk factor. Industrial environments are rich in high-intensity infrasound (hi-IFS), which we have found to induce myocardial and coronary perivascular fibrosis in rats. The effects of exposure to IFS on the ventricles have been studied, but not on the atria.

Raising awareness and early detection of atrial fibrillation, an experience resorting to mobile technology centred on informed individuals.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac arrhythmia responsible for one third of ischemic strokes. Early detection of AF plays an important role in preventing embolic stroke.

Objectives: This study aimed to test the feasibility of an awareness event including opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation; and to test the reliability of the innovative portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device used.

Infrasound induces coronary perivascular fibrosis in rats.

Background: Chronic exposure to industrial noise is known to affect biological systems, namely, by inducing fibrosis in the absence of inflammatory cells. In rat hearts exposed to this environmental hazard, we have previously found myocardial and perivascular fibrosis. The acoustic spectrum of industrial environments is particularly rich in high-intensity infrasound (<20 Hz), whose effects on the heart are unknown.

Pediatric liver transplantation in Latin America: Where do we stand?

LT started in LA in 1968, and pediatric LT records are available starting in the 1990s. Currently, eight countries perform pediatric LT in LA. Registries by national organizations fail to report robust data on pediatric LT.

Histomorphometric evaluation of the small coronary arteries in rats exposed to industrial noise.

Unlabelled: Morphological changes induced by industrial noise (IN) have been experimentally observed in several organs. Histological observations of the coronary arteries showed prominent perivascular tissue and fibrosis among IN-exposed rats. The effects on the small arteries are unknown.

Chronic hepatitis E virus infection in a pediatric female liver transplant recipient.

We describe a case of chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in a 13-year-old female liver transplant recipient with recurrent increased aminotransferase levels and acute cellular rejection. This finding demonstrates that chronic HEV infection can occur and should be further investigated in immunocompromised patients in Latin America.

Effects of low-frequency noise on cardiac collagen and cardiomyocyte ultrastructure: an immunohistochemical and electron microscopy study.

Introduction: Low-frequency noise (LFN) leads to the development of tissue fibrosis. We previously reported the development of myocardial and perivascular fibrosis and a reduction of cardiac connexin43 in rats, but data is lacking concerning the affected type of collagen as well as the ultrastructural myocardial modifications.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify cardiac collagens I and III and to evaluate myocardial ultrastructural changes in Wistar rats exposed to LFN.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of cardiac connexin43 in rats exposed to low-frequency noise.

Introduction: Low-frequency noise (LFN) leads to an abnormal proliferation of collagen and development of tissue fibrosis. It has been shown that myocardial fibrosis in association with gap junction remodeling occurs in several cardiac diseases and can be implicated in the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. We previously reported a strong development of myocardial fibrosis induced by LFN in rats but it is not known whether LFN induces any modification on cardiac connexin43 (Cx43).

Histomorphometric evaluation of the coronary artery vessels in rats submitted to industrial noise.

Introduction: Industrial noise (IN) is characterized by high intensity and a wide spectrum of wavelengths that induce physical vibration on the body structures. This effect, resulting from the low-frequency sound waves, can lead to pathological alterations in the extracellular matrix with an abnormal proliferation of collagen and development of tissue fibrosis, in the absence of an inflammatory process.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications of the arterial coronary vessels in Wistar rats submitted to IN.

Myocardial fibrosis in rats exposed to low frequency noise.

Unlabelled: Low frequency noise (LFN) characterized by large pressure amplitude (> or =90 dB SPL) and low frequency bands (< or =500 Hz) can lead to structural and ultrastructural modifications in the extracellular matrix of several tissues, with an abnormal proliferation of collagen and development of fibrosis. It is not known whether LFN induces similar structural alterations in the ventricular myocardium of rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and measure the myocardial fibrosis induced by LFN.

[INR telemonitoring: efficacy and safety of a telemonitoring program in 453 patients].

Introduction: The INR analyses of patients taking oral anticoagulants brings great burden to healthcare professionals, overspending founds from the National Health Service (NHS) and loss of quality of life of patients who are forced to frequent hospital visits. It should not be surprising that the technology is at the forefront of health care nowadays and some projects have been developed in the area of anticoagulation for INR self-monitoring by telephone, mobile phone or internet. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of an INR telemonitoring system that was implemented in our hospital in 2006.

[High-degree atrioventricular block induced by Prinzmetal angina].

We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with episodes of chest pain with ST-T segment elevation and paroxysmal high-degree atrioventricular block and syncopal episodes. Coronary angiography revealed no significant atheromatous lesions. The patient was treated with nitrates and calcium channel blockers but syncopal episodes with atrioventricular block persisted.

False positive responses to head-up tilt testing in elderly patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Unlabelled: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a role as a modulator in the pathogenesis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The clinical pattern of vagally mediated PAF has been observed mainly in young patients. Neurocardiogenic responses during orthostatic stress are related to autonomic reflexes in which the vagal influence predominates.

Enterotoxigenic and nontoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis strains isolated in Brazil.

The presence of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis and nontoxigenic B. fragilis (NTBF) among 109 strains isolated from 1980-2008 in Brazil were investigated by PCR. One strain, representing 0.

Head-up tilt testing with different nitroglycerin dosages: experience in elderly patients with unexplained syncope.

Aims: Protocols using sublingual nitrates have been increasingly used to improve diagnostic accuracy of head-up tilt testing (HUT). Nevertheless, exaggerated responses to nitrates have been frequently described, particularly in elderly patients. The aim of this article is to evaluate, in an elderly population with unexplained syncope, whether the impact of sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) used as a provocative agent is dose-dependent.

Use of nitroglycerin in the active phase of tilt testing: is there a difference in elderly patients?

Introduction: The importance of tilt testing has been demonstrated in the evaluation of patients with syncope of unknown cause, and it is the gold standard technique for the diagnosis of neurocardiogenic syncope, particularly with the use of pharmacological provocative agents to improve diagnostic accuracy. Stimulation with sublingual nitroglycerin is generally well tolerated and increases test sensitivity, shortening the test duration; this also allows the test to be applied in elderly patients.

Objectives: To evaluate, in a population referred for syncope of unknown etiology, the value of tilt testing with sublingual nitroglycerin and to compare the responses obtained in elderly and younger patients.

Tilt test in elderly patients with syncope of unknown etiology: experience with pharmacological stimulation with nitroglycerin.

Unlabelled: The importance of head-up tilt testing has been demonstrated in the evaluation of patients with unexplained syncope. In elderly patients, the prevalence of syncope increases, is associated with a worse outcome and frequently requires several complementary tests.

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of head-up tilt testing with sublingual nitroglycerin as a provocative agent, in elderly patients with unexplained syncope.

Long-term clinical outcome in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator after ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Unlabelled: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is accepted as an important prognostic marker in patients (pts) with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). The impact of this therapeutic approach in the survival of pts with life-threatening arrhythmias and severe left ventricular dysfunction remains a matter of discussion.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term clinical implications of severe left ventricular dysfunction in pts with an ICD implanted for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SD).

Non-toxigenic pattern II and III Bacteroides fragilis strains: coexistence in the same host.

Diarrhoeic stool samples from 334 0-5-year-old children were analysed with respect to the incidence of Bacteroides fragilis as well as other enteropathogens. B. fragilis was recovered in 9.