Thyroid Hormones within the Normal Range and Cardiac Function in the General Population: The EPIPorto Study

Background: Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated with marked changes in cardiac structure and function. However, the association of thyroid function within the normal range with cardiac structure and function in the general population remains uncertain. Methods: Eight hundred thirty-five subjects aged ≥45 years from the EPIPorto cohort (evaluation between 2006 and 2008) were cross-sectionally analyzed. We excluded participants with TSH, free T4 (FT4), or free T3 (FT3) outside of the reference range or with self-reported cardiovascular or thyroid disease. Cardiac structure and function were evaluated by echocardiography. We used linear regression models unadjusted and adjusted for sex and age (model 1), and sex, age, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking (model 2). Nonlinear associations were assessed using restricted cubic splines. Results: The mean age was 61.5 years (SD 10.5); 61.1% of the patients were women. In the adjusted model 2, heart rate was positively associated with FT3; diastolic blood pressure was positively associated with TSH; LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were inversely associated with TSH, and ejection fraction was nonlinearly associated with FT3, with higher ejection fractions near the limits of the reference range. Left ventricle (LV) posterior wall thickness was nonlinearly associated with FT4 in the adjusted model 1, with a greater thickness near the limits of the reference range. Regarding diastolic function, no significant associations were observed in adjusted models. Conclusions: Thyroid function within the reference range was associated with heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac structure, and function. Increasing thyroid function (lower TSH, higher FT4, or higher FT3) was associated with a higher heart rate, a lower diastolic blood pressure, and larger LV volumes. LV wall thickness and ejection fraction had a U-shaped association with thyroid hormones.This work was supported by the DOCnet project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000003), supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the NETDIAMOND project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016385), supported by European Structural and Investment Funds, Lisbon’s Regional Operational Program 2020, and national funds from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology – both projects through the Cardiovascular Research Center (UnIC, FCT 51/94) – and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (grant POCI/SAU-ESP/61492/2004) and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia – Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862, ref. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID/DTP/04750/2013/PT)

Association of thyroid function, within the euthyroid range, with cardiovascular risk: The EPIPorto study

Background: Thyroid hormones are important modulators of cardiovascular function. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are known to contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk. It remains uncertain whether thyroid hormones level within the euthyroid range are associated with cardiometabolic risk. We aimed to evaluate the association between thyroid function levels within the euthyroid range and cardiovascular risk in a population-based cohort. Methods: Eight hundred thirty-five subjects aged ≥45 years from the EPIPorto population-based cohort were included. We excluded participants with TSH, free T4 (FT4), or free T3 (FT3) outside of the reference range, or with previous cardiovascular or thyroid disease. The associations between thyroid function, cardiovascular risk factors and the 10-year estimated risk of cardiovascular events (using SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP) were evaluated in linear and logistic regression models, crudely and adjusting for age, sex, BMI, diabetes, and smoking. Results: The mean age of the participants was 61.5 (SD 10.5) years and 38.9% were men. Eleven percent of the participants had diabetes, 47.8% had dyslipidemia, and 54.8% had hypertension. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 (SD 4.6) kg/m2, and the median (percentile25-75) 10-year risk of cardiovascular events was 5.46% (2.92, 10.11). Participants with higher BMI, larger waist circumference and higher hs-CRP had higher levels of FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio. Lower FT3/FT4 ratio and higher FT4 levels were associated with higher prevalence of diabetes and more adverse lipid profile. Higher TSH, lower FT3 and lower FT3/FT4 ratio were associated with lower eGFR. Lower FT3, lower FT3/FT4 ratio and higher FT4 were associated with an increased 10-year risk of cardiovascular events. Conclusions: In a population-based study, variations of thyroid function within the euthyroid range were associated with cardiovascular risk factors. On one hand, individuals with higher BMI, larger waist circumference and higher hs-CRP had higher levels of FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio. On the other hand, a decreased conversion of T4 to T3 (lower FT3, lower FT3/FT4 ratio and/or higher FT4) was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, a more adverse lipid profile, a lower eGFR and an increased 10-year risk of cardiovascular events. Copyright © 2022 Neves, Fontes-Carvalho, Borges-Canha, Leite, von Hafe, Vale, Martins, Guimarães, Carvalho, Leite-Moreira and Azevedo.This work was supported by the DOCnet project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000003), supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the NETDIAMOND project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016385), supported by European Structural and Investment Funds, Lisbon’s Regional Operational Program 2020, and national funds from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology – both projects through the Cardiovascular Research Center (UnIC, FCT 51/94) – and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (grant POCI/SAU-ESP/61492/2004) and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia – Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862, ref. UID/DTP/04750/2013). This work is financed by national funds through the FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., within the scope of projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020

Low-Cost Wearable Data Acquisition for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Proof-of-Concept Study on Accelerometry for Functional Task Assessment

Background: An increasingly aging society and consequently rising number of patients with poststroke-related neurological dysfunctions are forcing the rehabilitation field to adapt to ever-growing demands. Although clinical reasoning within rehabilitation is dependent on patient movement performance analysis, current strategies for monitoring rehabilitation progress are based on subjective time-consuming assessment scales, not often applied. Therefore, a need exists for efficient nonsubjective monitoring methods. Wearable monitoring devices are rapidly becoming a recognized option in rehabilitation for quantitative measures. Developments in sensors, embedded technology, and smart textile are driving rehabilitation to adopt an objective, seamless, efficient, and cost-effective delivery system. This study aims to assist physiotherapists’ clinical reasoning process through the incorporation of accelerometers as part of an electronic data acquisition system. Methods: A simple, low-cost, wearable device for poststroke rehabilitation progress monitoring was developed based on commercially available inertial sensors. Accelerometry data acquisition was performed for 4 first-time poststroke patients during a reach-press-return task. Results: Preliminary studies revealed acceleration profiles of stroke patients through which it is possible to quantitatively assess the functional movement, identify compensatory strategies, and help define proper movement. Conclusion: An inertial data acquisition system was designed and developed as a low-cost option for monitoring rehabilitation. The device seeks to ease the data-gathering process by physiotherapists to complement current practices with accelerometry profiles and aid the development of quantifiable methodologies and protocols.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Substrate-borne vibrations disrupt the mating behaviors of the neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros: implications for pest management.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-24T00:52:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 10.1007s1034001809615.pdf: 942088 bytes, checksum: 49c966694e10345b8560655a6a4dc7c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-05-23bitstream/item/177582/1/10.1007-s10340-018-0961-5.pd

Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tityus pachyurus and Tityus obscurus Novel Putative Na+-Channel Scorpion Toxins

Background: Colombia and Brazil are affected by severe cases of scorpionism. In Colombia the most dangerous accidents are caused by Tityus pachyurus that is widely distributed around this country. In the Brazilian Amazonian region scorpion stings are a common event caused by Tityus obscurus. The main objective of this work was to perform the molecular cloning of the putative Na+-channel scorpion toxins (NaScTxs) from T. pachyurus and T. obscurus venom glands and to analyze their phylogenetic relationship with other known NaScTxs from Tityus species. Methodology/Principal Findings: cDNA libraries from venom glands of these two species were constructed and five nucleotide sequences from T. pachyurus were identified as putative modulators of Na+-channels, and were named Tpa4, Tpa5, Tpa6, Tpa7 and Tpa8; the latter being the first anti-insect excitatory b-class NaScTx in Tityus scorpion venom to be described. Fifteen sequences from T. obscurus were identified as putative NaScTxs, among which three had been previously described, and the others were named To4 to To15. The peptides Tpa4, Tpa5, Tpa6, To6, To7, To9, To10 and To14 are closely related to the a-class NaScTxs, whereas Tpa7, Tpa8, To4, To8, To12 and To15 sequences are more related to the b-class NaScTxs. To5 is possibly an arthropod specific toxin. To11 and To13 share sequence similarities with both a and b NaScTxs. By means of phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Parsimony method and the known NaScTxs from Tityus species, these toxins were clustered into 14 distinct groups. Conclusions/Significance: This communication describes new putative NaScTxs from T. pachyurus and T. obscurus and their phylogenetic analysis. The results indicate clear geographic separation between scorpions of Tityus genus inhabiting the Amazonian and Mountain Andes regions and those distributed over the Southern of the Amazonian rainforest. Based on the consensus sequences for the different clusters, a new nomenclature for the NaScTxs is proposed

A 12-month clinical evaluation of pit-and-fissure sealants placed with and without etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems in newly-erupted teeth

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this one-year clinical study was to investigate the effect of two adhesive systems (Adper Single Bond, a two-step etch-and-rinse and Clearfil SE Bond, a two-step self-etch system) on pit-and-fissure sealant retention in newly-erupted teeth. This study compared the success of the sealants in mesial and distopalatal grooves with and without these two adhesive systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a clinical trial, 35 children aged 6-8 years undergoing sealant placement were recruited. This one-year clinical study scored 70 mesial and 70 distopalatal sealants of newly-erupted permanent maxillary first molar, with a split-mouth design. All children received sealant alone in one permanent maxillary molar tooth. Children were randomized into two groups. One group received Self-Etch (SE) bond plus sealant and the other group received Single Bond plus sealant in another permanent maxillary molar tooth. Clinical evaluation at 3, 6 and 12 months was performed and the retention was studied in terms of the success and failure. RESULTS: The success rate of sealant in the distopalatal groove, using SEB at 3, 6 and 12 months was 93.3% (95% CI: 68.0, 99.8), 73.3% (95% CI: 44.9, 92.2) and 66.7% (95% CI: 38.4, 88.2), respectively. It was greater than that of the distopalatal groove in SB group with a success rate of 62.5% (95% CI: 35.4, 84.8), 31.3% (95% CI: 11.8, 58.7) and 31.3% (95% CI: 11.8, 58.7), at the three evaluation periods. The success rate of sealant in the mesial groove using SEB was 86.6% (95% CI: 59.5, 98.3), 53.3% (95% CI: 26.6, 78.7) and 53.3% (95% CI: 26.6, 78.7), while this was 100% (95% CI: 79.4, 100.0), 81.3% (95% CI: 54.4, 96.0) and 81.3% (95% CI: 54.4, 96.0) using SB, at 3, 6 and 12-month evaluation periods. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of these two bonding agents in pit-and-fissure sealants under both isolated and contaminated conditions. Further, SE bond seemed to be less sensitive to moisture contamination