Regulation of inflammation in the adipose tissue in cancer cachexia: effect of exercise.

The paraneoplastic syndrome of cachexia is considered a degenerative chronic inflammatory disease, being deeply related to the increase of pro-inflammatory factors, especially tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). It is known that the adipose tissue is affected by cachexia and contributing with the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors which reach the adjacent tissues and the circulation. The effect of pro-inflammatory factors is balanced by the effect of anti-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin 10 (IL-10).

Bilateral macular hemorrhage as a complication of drug-induced anemia: a case report.

Introduction: Bilateral macular hemorrhage is a rare ocular finding and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such hemorrhages as a presentation of drug-induced anemia.

Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian boy who presented with a toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and was treated with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. Three months later, he presented with a bilateral macular hemorrhage as a complication of a toxic induced anemia.

Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation: guidelines translated for the clinician.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, accounting for approximately one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances. The highest incidence of AF is in patients 70-80 years old and other high-risk populations. Although the diagnosis of AF is usually straightforward, effective treatment strategies are less well implemented.

Hypertensive emergencies.

Emergencies and hypertensive crises are clinical situations which may represent more than 25% of all medical emergency care. Considering such high prevalence, physicians should be prepared to correctly identify these crises and differentiate between urgent and emergent hypertension. Approximately 3% of all visits to emergency rooms are due to significant elevation of blood pressure.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

We report a case of a 55-year-old man who, after a 6-month history of enlargement of cervical lymph nodes, presented with multiple painful ulcerations of the oral mucosa and lips and multiple skin erosions on the trunk, back, extremities, and genitals. A lymph node biopsy was performed and revealed diffuse peripheral B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Skin biopsy revealed an acantholytic blister in the epidermis.

Endurance training modulates lymphocyte function in rats with post-MI CHF.

Purpose: Exercise training restores innate immune system cell function in post-myocardial infarction (post-MI) rats. However, studies of the involvement of lymphocyte (Ly) in the setting of the congestive heart failure (CHF) are few. To address this issue, we investigated the function of Ly obtained from cervical lymph nodes from post-MI CHF rats submitted to treadmill running training.

[Chronicle myeloid leukemia and hiperviscosity syndrome: case report].

Background And Objectives: Hyperleukocytosis (> 100 x 10(9)/L) is an uncommon presentation of chronic leukemias and it can present clinical symptoms of hyperviscosity syndrome. Hearing loss and blindness rarely occurs in patients with leukemia; however, it can be strong association with hyper-viscosity syndrome. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of acute hearing loss as the initial manifestation of acute leukemia and hyper-viscosity syndrome and also mainly aspects of the intensive care treatment.

[Liver ischemic necrosis and diabetes mellitus: case report].

Background And Objectives: Hepatic infarction is characterized by parenchyma ischemic necrosis involving at least two acinis. It is extremely uncommon due to the arterial and portal venous blood supply. We report a case of a patient not know to have diabetes who developed massive areas of ischemic infarcts of the liver after episode of acutely diabetes decompensated.

Percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Accomplishing a successful percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with a suspected or diagnosed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) requires the selection of an appropriate alternative anticoagulant and a thorough assessment of bleeding and thrombotic risks. In this review, we suggest an evidence-based management algorithm that takes into account the clinical phase of HIT (acute, recent, and remote HIT) and the associated risk when patients present with acute coronary syndrome. The algorithm also integrates preventive measures directed at decreasing the bleeding risk associated with the antithrombotic and invasive therapies used for HIT and percutaneous coronary intervention.

Total plasmatic homocysteine and von Willebrand factor in experimental diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To determine the plasma homocysteine and von Willebrand factor levels as markers of endothelial dysfunction in rats with diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin.

Methods: Thirty-five adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) (weight between 180-200 g) were randomized into three groups: control group (n=10), which received no drugs or vehicles; sham group (n=10), which received streptozotocin solution; and diabetic group (n=15), which received streptozotocin. Eight weeks after diabetes mellitus induction, the animals were weighed and anesthesized; blood samples were collected from abdominal aorta for plasma total homocysteine, von Willebrand factor and glucose levels.

[Intensive care of postoperative patients in bariatric surgery].

Background And Objectives: Obesity is an epidemic disease reaching more than 300 million people all over the world. Its prevalence has increased during the past few years and according to some studies its mortality in the critically ill patient seems to be much higher, especially among patients who were submitted to surgery. This study has as objective to discuss some particularities of managing obese patients in the intensive care unit after bariatric surgery.

[Cardiovascular complications related to cocaine use: case report].

Background And Objectives: Cocaine is the most commonly used illicit drug and its acute and chronic effects are related to a variety of physiological changes, mainly in the cardiovascular system. This study is a case report of a patient with cardiomyopathy related to cocaine use.

Case Report: A 19 year old men, who has been using cocaine and crack since 15 years old, was admitted to the emergency department (ED) in February 2006 with progressive dyspnea during minimal efforts and bloody expectoration.

[Adverse systemic reactions in intensive care medicine after isolated limb perfusion with melphalan and hyperthermia: case report].

Background And Objectives: The presence of adverse reactions, inherent to all treatments, justifies the necessity of deep knowledge, by the medical team of the prevention and treatment of occasional organic dysfunctions, reducing its impact. The purpose of this paper is to report a case comprising the several systemic adverse reactions after perfusion of limb with melphalan and hyperthermia.

Case Report: A white female, 64-years old patient with diagnosis of melanoma in the medial malleoli region of the left lower limb.

[Polyneuropathy in the critical ill patient: a common diagnosis in intensive care medicine?].

Background And Objectives: The diffuse axonal polyneuropathy, more commonly known as Critical Illness Polyneuropathy (CIP), has been discussed by authors by decades; however, it has only been deeply studied over the last thirty years, becoming more important as an important cause of long term dependence on mechanical ventilation by seriously ill patients in intensive care medicine.

Contents: A significant reason for such interest is due to the importance of the CIP as complication of the septic shock and in patients with multiple organ failure, as much as responsible for the prolonging hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit, as for the gradual reduction of the chance of survival. It has been suggested that the polyneuropathy is related with cytokines and other mediators which would increase the permeability of the vases, resulting in endoneural edema and causing the axonal injury.

[Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxical epidermal necrolysis in intensive care medicine].

Background And Objectives: The Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxical Epidermal Necrolisys (TEN) are important skin and mucosal lesions that need intensive care treatment. The aim of this article is to show a literature review about SJS and TEN.

Contents: This article reviews the concepts, diagnostic topics, clinical presentation and the principle of basic treatment in Intensive Care Unit for SJS and TEN.

[Update on cardiopulmonary resuscitation: what changed with the new guidelines].

Background And Objectives: New resuscitation guidelines contain significant changes intended to improve resuscitation practice and survival from cardiac arrest. This article provides an overview of the key changes on resuscitation for healthcare provider.

Contents: There are several new recommendations on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the major are intended to provide good circulation during cardiac arrest.

[Perforation of esofagic mucosa for enteric tube: case report].

Background And Objectives: This study is a case report of a patient that was submitted to implant of enteric tube (ET) in the ICU, being evidenced false passage in proximal esophagus during endoscopic procedure, demonstrating tunnel for the submucosa.

Case Report: A 77 years old woman, transferred to ICU, where ET was installed (due to difficulty of being carried through both nostrils) being confirmed its position through thoraco-abdominal x-ray. The patient remained around 10 days with the ET, receiving diet, without any alteration.

[Iatrogenic in intensive care medicine].

Background And Objectives: Iatrogenic conditions was due of the medical, correctly intervention or not, justified or not, which harmful consequences to the patient. The cares in Intensive Care Medicine present substantial challenges with relation to the security of the patient. The objective of this article is to make one brief revision of literature on the iatrogenic in its concepts and basic terms and its taxes prevalence in Intensive Care Medicine.

[Quality and humanization of the attendance in Intensive Care Medicine. What the parents think's?].

Background And Objectives: This study aims to describe the view of family members about the quality of care given in a general intensive care unit of a university hospital.

Methods: A questionnaire to evaluate the level of satisfaction with the care was elaborated. The study included family members of patients with a length of stay more than 48h who already had visited the patient one time or more during the period.

Comparative study on the susceptibility of freshwater species to copper-based pesticides.

Copper compounds have been intentionally introduced into water bodies as aquatic plant herbicides, algicides and molluscicides. Copper-based fertilizers and fungicides have been widely used in agriculture as well. Despite the fact that copper is an essential element for all biota, elevated concentrations of this metal have been shown to affect a variety of aquatic organisms.