Prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with a calcium score of zero

The absence of coronary calcification is associated with an excellent prognosis. However, a calcium score of zero does not exclude the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) or the possibility of future cardiovascular events. Our aim was to study the prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with a calcium score of zero. Prospective registry consisted of 3,012 consecutive patients that underwent cardiac CT (dual source CT). Stable patients referred for evaluation of possible CAD that had a calcium score of zero (n = 864) were selected for this analysis. The variables that were statistically significant were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. From 864 patients with a calcium score of zero, 107 (12.4 %) had coronary plaques on the contrast CT (10.8 %, n = 93 with nonobstructive CAD and 1.6 %, n = 14 with obstructive CAD). By logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of CAD in this population were age >55 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.63 (1.05-2.52)], hypertension [OR 1.64 (1.05-2.56)] and dyslipidemia [OR 1.54 (1.00-2.36)]. In the presence of these 3 variables, the probability of having coronary plaques was 21 %. The absence of coronary artery calcification does not exclude the presence of coron

Distribution of microglial cells in the cerebral hemispheres of embryonic and neonatal chicks

The distribution, morphology and morphometry of microglial cells in the chick cerebral hemispheres from embryonic day 4 (E4) to the first neonatal day (P1) were studied by histochemical labeling with a tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) lectin. The histochemical analysis revealed lectin-reactive cells in the nervous parenchyma on day E4. Between E4 (5.7 ± 1.35 mm length) and E17 (8.25 ± 1.2 mm length), the lectin-reactive cells were identified as ameboid microglia and observed starting from the subventricular layer, distributed throughout the mantle layer and in the proximity of the blood vessels. After day E13, the lectin-reactive cells exhibited elongated forms with small branched processes, and were considered primitive ramified microglia. Later, between E18 (5.85 ± 1.5 mm cell body length) and P1 (3.25 ± 0.6 mm cell body length), cells with more elongated branched processes were observed, constituting the ramified microglia. Our findings provide additional information on the migration and differentiation of microglial cells, whose ramified form is observed at the end of embryonic development. The present paper focused on the arrangement of microglial cells in developing cerebral hemispheres of embryonic and neonatal chicks, which are little studied in the literature. Details of morphology, morphometry and spatial distribution of microglial cells contributed to the understanding of bird and mammal central nervous system ontogeny. Furthermore, the identification and localization of microglial cells during the normal development could be used as a morphological guide for embryonic brain injury researches

People's knowledge and practice about dengue, its vectors, and control means in Brasilia (DF), Brazil : its relevance with entomological factors

In South America, the epidemiology and ecology of dengue fever are strongly associated with human habits because the vector #Aedes aegypti$ is strictly urban. Thus, the evaluation of people's knowledge and practice (PKB) is of great importance to improve integrated control measures. A PKP evaluation has been done in a suburb of Brasilia. Thirty questions were submitted to 130 habitants about income level, education, sources of information, specific knowledge about dengue, vector biology, and control measures applied. Other questions were about the responsibility of dengue control and the opportunity of applying a fine to people who would not cooperate with the control measures. Level of PKP was fairly high, either for housekeepers, workers, or students. The mosquito bit was cited as source of infection by 60.8% of interviewed people but 22.3% had no knowledge about this topic. The most cited symptoms in association with dengue were fever (73.1%), headache (66.2%), and rash (35.4%). Knowledge about mosquito biology and control was also fairly accurate, as demonstrated by 96.6% of answers. Elimination of water containers was the most efficient means according to 73% of people. Such action should be done mainly by the citizen (75.3% of answers). Despite the good PKP, correlations existed only between the PKP about the disease and potential breeding containers in April. In conclusion, global educational campaigns may have a real impact on the PKP but this did not result in effective control of the mosquito breeding containers by the people. (Résumé d'auteur

Coesão e resistência ao cisalhamento relacionadas a atributos físicos e químicos de um Latossolo Amarelo de tabuleiro costeiro Cohesion and shear strength as related to physical and chemical properties of a Yellow Latosol of coastal plain

Os solos coesos de tabuleiros costeiros têm como característica peculiar horizontes minerais subsuperficiais, que apresentam consistência friável quando úmidos, porém, quando secos, têm consistência dura, muito dura ou extremamente dura. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de estudar o comportamento mecânico de horizontes coesos e não-coesos de um Latossolo Amarelo de tabuleiro costeiro por meio de características de cisalhamento relacionadas com propriedades físicas, químicas e teor de água do solo. Os resultados mostraram que a coesão do solo e a resistência ao cisalhamento aumentaram expressivamente com a redução do teor de água no horizonte coeso. Este horizonte apresentou os maiores valores de densidade do solo, microporosidade e óxidos de Fe, Si e Al, resultando em maiores valores de coesão do solo e resistência ao cisalhamento, em relação aos horizontes não-coesos. Os maiores valores de coesão do solo resultaram em maiores valores de resistência à penetração no horizonte coeso, em relação aos não-coesos. As características de cisalhamento (coesão do solo, ângulo de atrito interno e resistência ao cisalhamento) mostraram-se sensíveis à identificação de horizontes coesos em solos de tabuleiros costeiros.<br>The cohesive soils of Brazilian coastal plain have subsurface horizon with a peculiar characteristic - when wet the consistency is friablet, but of hard, very hard or extremely hard consistency when dry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of cohesive and non-cohesive horizons of a Yellow Latosol of coastal tableland based on shear parameters related with soil physical and chemical properties and moisture. The results showed that soil cohesion and shear strength increased substantially with the reduction of the water content in the cohesive horizon. The cohesive horizon presented the highest values of bulk density, microporosity and Fe, Si and Al oxides, resulting in higher values of soil cohesion and shear strength as compared to the non-cohesive horizons. The highest values of soil cohesion resulted in greater resistance to penetration in the cohesive horizon in comparison to the non-cohesive horizons. The shear parameters (soil cohesion, internal friction angle and shear strength) proved sensitive for the identification of cohesive horizons in soils of coastal plains