Effectiveness of Oral Hydration in Preventing Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Individuals Undergoing Elective Coronary Interventions.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is defined as worsening renal function, represented by an increase in serum creatinine of ≥ 25% or ≥ 0.5 mg/dL up to 72 h after exposure to iodinated contrast medium (ICM). The most effective preventive measure to date is intravenous hydration (IVH).

Endocarditis due to Trichosporon beigelii 11 years after mitral valve replacement.

Trichosporon beigelii is a non-pathogenic fungus that can however become an opportunist agent of disseminating and potentially fatal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. In the literature, there are only 11 published cases of infective endocarditis due to T. beigelii.

Responsiveness of the CCVUQ-Br quality of life questionnaire in chronic venous ulcer patients.

Background: Responsiveness is a measure of an instrument's ability to reflect in its score the variability that has occurred in a patient's life as a result of an intervention. The CCVUQ-Br has been validated in Portuguese, but its responsiveness still needs to be tested. When this study has been completed, the CCVUQ-Br will be available for use as an instrument capable of detecting and reflecting in its score the changes that take place in the quality of life of people with venous ulcers.

Determination of the longitudinal sensitivity of the AVVQ-Brazil Quality of Life Questionnaire to non-surgical treatment of chronic venous disease.

Background: Sensitivity determines the efficiency and quality of construction of an assessment measure, but studies of the subject are scarce in the literature.

Objective: To evaluate the longitudinal sensitivity of the AVVQ-Brazil to clinical changes after treatment for chronic venous disease (CVD).

Methods: A longitudinal intervention study, with 112 chronic venous patients receiving elective treatment, assessed with CEAP, VAPS, AVVQ-Brazil, and VEINES-QOL/Sym at pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (4 weeks).

Mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency inhibits lysosomal hydrolysis.

Mitochondria are key organelles for cellular metabolism, and regulate several processes including cell death and macroautophagy/autophagy. Here, we show that mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) deficiency deactivates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK, a key regulator of energy homeostasis) signaling in tissue and in cultured cells. The deactivation of AMPK in RC-deficiency is due to increased expression of the AMPK-inhibiting protein FLCN (folliculin).

Use of transfer factor in immunosuppressed surgical patients.

Objective: to evaluate the action of Transfer Factor on the immune response of patients with malignant neoplasm submitted to surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Method: we analyzed the variations of leukocytes, total lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes and CD4 counts in 60 patients submitted to immunostimulation with a single, daily dose of 0.5mg sublingual Transfer Factor, started simultaneously with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Berberine-induced cardioprotection and Sirt3 modulation in doxorubicin-treated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most widely used anti-neoplastic agents. However, treatment with DOX is associated with cumulative cardiotoxicity inducing progressive cardiomyocyte death. Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3), a mitochondrial deacetylase, regulates the activity of proteins involved in apoptosis, autophagy and metabolism.

Targeting Mitochondria in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the main factors responsible for human morbidity and mortality. Since mitochondria play a critical role in the regulation of cardiac tissue homeostasis, this organelle is a critical target for the protective effects of several pharmaceuticals. Although specific mitochondria-targeted antioxidants and some pharmacological agents are described as potential cardioprotective agents, there are still a few effective mitochondrial therapies for the treatment of CVDs.

Measuring p66Shc Signaling Pathway Activation and Mitochondrial Translocation in Cultured Cells.

The adaptor protein p66Shc links membrane receptors to intracellular signaling pathways, with downstream consequences on mitochondrial metabolism and reactive oxygen species production. Moreover, p66Shc has also been implicated in cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Increased phosphorylation of serine 36 residue of p66Shc very often correlates with oxidative stress-associated pathologies.

Bisphenol A as epigenetic modulator: setting the stage for carcinogenesis?

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely produced chemicals worldwide and is often used in the production of food and beverage containers. As a result of BPA contact with food, drink and toiletries, its ingestion and absorption by humans has been growing. The industrialization and modern lifestyles brought a constant exposure to several health-disturbing compounds and ushered a new era of chronic diseases.

β-adrenergic over-stimulation and cardio-myocyte apoptosis: two receptors, one organelle, two fates?

Neuro-hormonal regulation of cardiac function via cathecol-amines results in increased heart rate and contractility. A persistent adrenergic tone, however, is an insult to the heart, affecting its regular homeostasis, altering morphology and gene expression patterns, as well as inducing apoptosis of cardio-myocytes. At the same time as being the main oxygen consumers, mitochondria are also key to the energy production required for the heart to maintain its vital functions and to integrate a series of signaling pathways that define the life and death of the cell.

[Autochthonous malaria notified in the State of São Paulo: clinical and epidemiological characteristics from 1980 to 2007].

Introduction: Autochthonous malaria in the State of São Paulo is characterized by sporadic outbreaks in the western region and by persistent transmission in the eastern region, where oligosymptomatic cases with low parasitemia due to Plasmodium vivax occur. The objectives of this study were to assess the completeness of autochthonous malaria notification forms; to estimate the incidence trends of autochthonous cases in the State of São Paulo from 1980 to 2007; and to analyze the clinical and epidemiological patterns of cases in two autochthonous regions over this period.

Methods: This was a descriptive study that analyzed 18 variables on the notification form for malaria in the State of São Paulo, comparing these two regions over two periods (1980-1993 and 1994-2007).