Identification of mesothelial cells in intraoperative blood salvage.

Intraoperative auto-transfusion with the use of cell saver systems is routinely used to reduce the rate of packed red blood transfusion in major surgery. Nevertheless some concerns have been raised on possible risks of coagulation disorders. The aim of the study was to analyze the blood processed by the cell saver, ready to be re-infused to the patient, in order to individuate unexpected cellular components, that can favor coagulopathy.

Correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and carotid intima-media thickness in a Brazilian population descended from African slaves.

Hypovitaminosis D has been identified as a possible new cardiovascular risk factor. However, the results of studies correlating serum vitamin D levels with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis have been conflicting. The aim of this study was to correlate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Afro-descendants.

Is vitamin d deficiency a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

The role of vitamin D in the regulation of bone metabolism has been well established. However, in recent years, many studies have demonstrated that its role extends far beyond bone health. Growing evidence has shown a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis.

Effects of weight loss induced by bariatric surgery on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is often linked to overweight/obesity and can improve after weight loss, such improvement is expected to be proportional to the intensity of weight loss.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of weight loss induced by bariatric surgery (BS) on the prevalence of MS in a middle-term period.

Methods: Thirty-five (35) patients who underwent surgical Roux's Y gastrojejunal by-pass from October 2001 until October 2005 in our University Hospital were evaluated.

[Aspects related to choice of type of delivery: a comparative study of two maternity hospitals in São Luís, State of Maranhão, Brazil].

This study aimed to analyze aspects related to choice of type of delivery in two maternity hospitals, one public and the other private, in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil. This cross-sectional study compared 163 primiparous women in a public maternity hospital and 89 in a private hospital, with mean ages of 21.63 +/- 5.