Relationship between circulating VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin and MMP9 and the extent of coronary lesions

OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory molecules play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, which is the primary origin of cardiovascular disorders. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has attempted to investigate the relationship between these circulating molecules and the prediction of cardiovascular risk. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 serum concentrations with the extent of coronary lesions. METHODS: Seventy-four individuals who were undergoing coronary angiography for the first time for diagnostic purposes were enrolled in this study. The extent of the coronary lesion was assessed using the Friesinger Index, and subjects were classified into four groups: no lesions, minor lesions, intermediate lesions and major lesions. Serum biochemical parameters and serum concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were analyzed. RESULTS: The vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 concentration was higher than 876 ng/mL in individuals with intermediate and major lesions (

ATLANTIC-PRIMATES: a dataset of communities and occurrences of primates in the Atlantic Forests of South America

Primates play an important role in ecosystem functioning and offer critical insights into human evolution, biology, behavior, and emerging infectious diseases. There are 26 primate species in the Atlantic Forests of South America, 19 of them endemic. We compiled a dataset of 5,472 georeferenced locations of 26 native and 1 introduced primate species, as hybrids in the genera Callithrix and Alouatta. The dataset includes 700 primate communities, 8,121 single species occurrences and 714 estimates of primate population sizes, covering most natural forest types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and some other biomes. On average, primate communities of the Atlantic Forest harbor 2 ± 1 species (range = 1–6). However, about 40% of primate communities contain only one species. Alouatta guariba (N = 2,188 records) and Sapajus nigritus (N = 1,127) were the species with the most records. Callicebus barbarabrownae (N = 35), Leontopithecus caissara (N = 38), and Sapajus libidinosus (N = 41) were the species with the least records. Recorded primate densities varied from 0.004 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta guariba at Fragmento do Bugre, Paraná, Brazil) to 400 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta caraya in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Our dataset reflects disparity between the numerous primate census conducted in the Atlantic Forest, in contrast to the scarcity of estimates of population sizes and densities. With these data, researchers can develop different macroecological and regional level studies, focusing on communities, populations, species co-occurrence and distribution patterns. Moreover, the data can also be used to assess the consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and disease outbreaks on different ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, species invasion or extinction, and community dynamics. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this Data Paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data. © 2018 by the The Authors. Ecology © 2018 The Ecological Society of Americ

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Avaliação de parâmetros antioxidantes em ratos tratados com sevoflurano Evaluación de parámetros antioxidantes en ratones tratados con sevoflurano Evaluation of antioxidant parameters in eats treated with sevoflurane

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O sevoflurano é um éter halogenado com flúor que sofre biotransformação hepática através do citocromo P450 2E1. Éteres halogenados que sofrem biotransformação pelo P450 2E1 podem produzir espécies reativas do oxigênio (ERO) e promover enfraquecimento do sistema de defesa antioxidante. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a relação entre a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes eritrocitárias e o sevoflurano. MÉTODO: Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: Grupo 1 controle: apenas oxigênio a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 dias consecutivos); Grupo 2 - sevoflurane 4,0% em oxigênio a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 dias consecutivos); Grupo 3 - isoniazida (i.p.), 50 mg.kg-1 de peso corporal /dia, durante 4 dias e em seguida tratados apenas com oxigênio a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 dias consecutivos); Grupo 4 - isoniazida por via intraperitoneal na dose de 50 mg.kg-1 de peso corporal, diariamente durante 4 dias, seguido da administração do sevoflurane a 4,0% em oxigênio a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 dias). Após 12 horas da última exposição ao sevoflurane, os animais foram sacrificados e o sangue foi coletado através da veia porta para análise da atividade das enzimas antioxidantes. RESULTADOS: Aumento da atividade específica da glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase, diminuição da atividade específica da catalase, principalmente no grupo de animais pré-tratados com isoniazida e, em seguida, tratados com sevoflurano. A glutationa peroxidase não apresentou alteração na sua atividade. CONCLUSÕES: A interação do sevoflurano com indutores enzimáticos do citocromo P450 2E1 pode propiciar a instalação do estresse oxidativo caso a exposição se torne prolongada e repetitiva.<br>JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El sevoflurano es un éter halogenado con flúor que sufre una biotransformación hepática a través del citocromo P450 2E1. Los éteres halogenados que sufren biotransformación por el P450 2E1, pueden generar especies reactivas del oxígeno (ERO) y promover el debilitamiento del sistema de defensa antioxidante. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la relación entre la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes eritrocitarias y el sevoflurano. MÉTODO: Los animales fueron distribuidos en cuatro grupos: Grupo 1 control: apenas oxígeno a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 días consecutivos); Grupo 2 - sevoflurano 4,0% en oxígeno a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 días consecutivos); Grupo 3 - isoniazida (i.p.), 50 mg.kg-1 de peso corporal /día, durante 4 días y enseguida tratados apenas con oxígeno a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 días consecutivos); Grupo 4 - isoniazido por vía intraperitoneal en dosis de 50 mg.kg-1 de peso corporal, diariamente durante 4 días, seguido de la administración del sevoflurano a 4,0% en oxígeno a 100% (1 L.min-1 por 60 minutos durante 5 días). Después de 12 horas de la última exposición al sevoflurano, los animales se sacrificaron y la sangre se recolectó a través de la vena porta para el análisis de la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes. RESULTADOS: Aumento de la actividad específica de la glucosa- 6-fosfato deshidrogenasa, reducción de la actividad específica de la catalasis, principalmente en el grupo de animales pretratados con isoniazida y enseguida, tratados con sevoflurano. El glutatión peroxidasa no presentó ninguna alteración en su actividad. CONCLUSIONES: La interacción del sevoflurano con inductores enzimáticos del citocromo P450 2E1 puede propiciar la instalación del estrés oxidativo en el caso que la exposición se prolongue y sea repetitiva.<br>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sevoflurane is a halogenated fluorinated ether that undergoes hepatic biotransformation through cytochrome P4502E1. Halogenated ethers undergoing biotransformation by P4502E1 can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), weakening the antioxidant defense mechanism. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the activity of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and sevoflurane. METHODS: Animals were divided in four groups: Group 1 - control: 100% oxygen (1 L.min-1 for 60 min during five consecutive days); Group 2 - 4.0% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen (1 L.min-1 for 60 minutes during five consecutive days); Group 3 - isoniazid (i.p.), 50 mg.kg-1/ day for four consecutive days, followed by 100% oxygen (1 L.min-1 for 60 minutes during four consecutive days); Group 4 - intraperitoneal isoniazid, 50 mg.kg-1 daily for four days, followed by 4.0% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen (1 L.min-1 for 60 minutes during five days). Twelve hours after the last exposure to sevoflurane, animals were sacrificed and their blood was collected through the portal vein for analysis of antioxidant enzymes. RESULTS: An increase in the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and a decrease in the activity of catalase were observed, especially in the group of animals pre-treated with isoniazid. Changes in the activity of glutathione peroxidase were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between sevoflurane and cytochrome P450 2E1 with enzymatic inducers can lead to oxidative stress with prolonged and repetitive exposure

Enzymatic activity analysis of MMP-2 and 9 collected by swab from lower limb venous ulcers

Metalloproteinases play a role in repair of venous ulcers of the lower limbs. The great majority of studies of metalloproteinase enzyme activity conducted to date have employed material from biopsies of ulcers. We evaluated the viability of using zymography to measure the enzyme activity of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in samples of venous ulcer exudate collected on swabs. The method chosen for processing the samples proved viable in terms of its ability to provide adequate protein concentrations for analysis. Using zymography, we observed that the parameters that provided the best results for analysis of gelatinolytic activity were 0.125 to 0.5 μg of total protein content in the gels and enzymatic activation time of 19 hours (at 37 °C). Collection of venous ulcer fluid using swabs proved to be a simple, rapid and effective method for obtaining samples for measurement of gelatinolytic activity with a minimum degree of invasivity