Epidemiological overview of Hodgkin lymphoma across the Mediterranean Basin

The epidemiology of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has always been a source of fascination to researchers due to its heterogeneous characteristics of presentation. HL is an uncommon neoplasm of B-cell origin with an incidence that varies significantly by age, sex, ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status. This complex pattern was also found to be replicated among Mediterranean basin populations. HL incidence rates progressively decreased from industrialized European countries such as France (ASR=2.61) and Italy (ASR=2.39) to less developed nations such as Albania (ASR=1.34) and Bosnia Herzegovina (ASR=1.1). Regarding HL mortality we have found that countries with the lowest incidence rates show the highest number of deaths from this cancer and viceversa. Finally, a wide gap in terms of survival was showed across the Mediterranean basin with survival rates ranged from 82.3% and 85.1% among Italian men and women, to 53.3 % and 59.3% among Libyan men and women, respectively. Factors such as the degree of socio-economic development, the exposure to risk factors westernization-related, the availability of diagnostic practices along with different genetic susceptibilities to HL may explain its variation across Mediterranean countries. Furthermore, the lack of health resources decisively contribute to the poor prognosis recorded in less developed region. In the future, the introduction of appropriate and accessible treatment facilities along with an adequate number of clinical specialists in the treatment of HL and other cancers are warranted in order to improve the outcomes of affected patients and treat a largely curable type of cancer in disadvantaged regions

Effects of neuroendocrine obesity induction on systemic hemodynamics and left ventricular function of normotensive rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of obesity induced by neonatal Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) administration upon body weight, tail blood pressure, systemic hemodynamics and left ventricular function of Wistar rats. Two groups of Wistar rats were prepared: a) 18 animals made obese through the administration of 2mg/Kg/SC of MSG during the first 11 days of the neonatal period and b)16 control animals (vehicle treated for the same period). Adults animals were followed from the 3rd up the 6th month of life with blood pressure and body weight being measured twice a week. At the end of this period, in part of animals from both groups, we evaluated the left ventricular function through the Langendorff isolated heart preparation whereas the remainders were used to evaluate the systemic hemodynamics through a termodilution method. Results: MSG animals showed significant increases in heart rate (WST = 235,0 ± 35,1; MSG = 312,0 ± 90,8 bpm), total peripheral resistance (WST = 0,312 ± 0,100; MSG = 0,535 ± 0,195 mmHg.ml-1.min) and in relative epididymal adipose tissue content (WST = 2,076 ± 0,622; MSG = 2,731 ± 0,722 g/100g) and a reduction of systolic volume (WST = 1,020 ± 0,364; MSG = 0,748 ± 0,455 ml/bat). An increase in mean arterial pressure was also detected in obese animals during the hemodynamic evaluation. The increases in HR and TPR and the reduction in SV suggest an augmentation in the sympathetic activation of those obese normotensive rats associated with an increased visceral fat deposition.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da obesidade induzida pela administração neonatal de glutamato monossódico (MSG) sobre o peso corporal, a pressão arterial de cauda, a hemodinâmica sistêmica e a função ventricular esquerda de ratos Wistar. Dois grupos de ratos Wistar foram preparados: a)18 animais foram tornados obesos por meio da administração de 2 mg/kg/SC de MSG durante os 11 primeiros dias do período neonatal e b)16 animais controles (que receberam o veículo do MSG pelo mesmo período). Animais adultos foram acompanhados dos três aos seis meses de vida e tiveram pressão arterial e peso corporal medidos duas vezes por semana. Ao final desse período, em parte dos animais dos dois grupos, avaliou-se a função ventricular por intermédio da preparação do coração isolado de Langerdorff, e os animais restantes foram usados para o estudo da hemodinâmica sistêmica por meio de um método de termodiluição. Resultados: Nos animais MSG houve aumento da gordura epididimal relativa (WST = 2,076 ± 0,622; MSG = 2,731 ± 0,722 g/100 g), aumento significante da freqüência cardíaca (WST = 235,0 ± 35,1; MSG = 312,0 ± 90,8 bpm), da resistência periférica total (WST = 0,312 ± 0,100; MSG = 0,535 ± 0,195 mmHg.ml-1.min), e diminuição do volume sistólico (WST = 1,020 ± 0,364; MSG = 0,748 ± 0,455 µl/bat). No estudo hemodinâmico, também detectou-se nos animais obesos aumento da pressão arterial média. Os aumentos da FC e da RPT e a diminuição do VS sugerem que houve aumento da atividade simpática nos ratos normotensos com obesidade associado ao aumento da deposição de gordura visceral.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Disciplina de Nefrologia Laboratório de Hipertensão Arterial ExperimentalUNIFESP, Disciplina de Nefrologia Laboratório de Hipertensão Arterial ExperimentalSciEL

Tectonic insight based on anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and compaction studies in the Sierras Australes thrust and fold belt (southwest Gondwana boundary, Argentina)

The Sierras Australes fold and thrust belt (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) was in the southwestern Gondwanaland margin during the Paleozoic. The Tunas Formation (Permian) is exposed along the eastern part of it and continues eastward beneath the Claromecó Basin. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and compaction studies are described and compared with previous paleomagnetic studies with the aim of determining direction and magnitude of the main stresses acting during the sedimentation of the Tunas Formation. The anisotropy ellipsoids are triaxial with oblate or prolate shapes, reflecting different stages of layer parallel shortening during the evolution of the basin. Kmax axes trend NW-SE, parallel to the fold axes, while Kmin move from a horizontal (base) to a vertical orientation at the top of the succession, showing a change from a tectonic to almost a sedimentary fabric. The magnitude of anisotropy and compaction degree decreases toward the top of the succession. The AMS results are consistent with the outcrop structural observations and the compaction and paleomagnetic data. Regional pattern indicates a compression from the SW along this part of Gondwana, with a migration of the orogenic front and attenuation toward the NE in the foreland basin during the Upper Paleozoic. This deformation, locally assigned to the San Rafael noncollisional orogenic phase, is the result of the latitudinal movements toward the Equator of Gondwana (southern plates) and Laurentia (northern plates) during the Permian. This movement is the result of a rearrangement of the microplates that collided with Gondwana during the Late Devonian, to configure Pangea during the Triassic.Fil: Arzadún, Guadalupe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología; ArgentinaFil: Tomezzoli, Renata Nela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Cesaretti, Nora Noemi. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología; Argentin

Agricultural productivity in past societies: toward an empirically informed model for testing cultural evolutionary hypotheses

Agricultural productivity, and its variation in space and time, plays a fundamental role in many theories of human social evolution. However, we often lack systematic information about the productivity of past agricultural systems on a scale large enough to test these theories properly. The effect of climate on crop yields has received a great deal of attention resulting in a range of empirical and process-based models, yet the focus has primarily been on current or future conditions. In this paper, we argue for a “bottom-up” approach that estimates potential productivity based on information about the agricultural practices and technologies used in past societies. Of key theoretical interest is using this information to estimate the carrying high quality historical and archaeological information about past societies in order to infer the temporal and geographic patterns of change in agricultural productivity and potential. We discuss information we need to collect about past agricultural techniques and practices, and introduce a new databank initiative that we have developed for collating the best available historical and archaeological evidence. A key benefit of our approach lies in making explicit the steps in the estimation of past productivities and carrying capacities, and in being able to assess the effects of different modelling assumptions. This is undoubtedly an ambitious task, yet promises to provide important insights into fundamental aspects of past societies, enabling us to test more rigorously key hypotheses about human socio-cultural evolution

Systemic hemodynamic and left ventricular function of diabetic-induced hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) induction on systemic hemodynamic and ventricular function of normotensive and hypertensive rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DM1 was induced by streptozotocin in Wistar rats (WST), borderline hypertensive rats (BHR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The systemic hemodynamic was evaluated by thermodilution and ventricular function by Langendorff preparation. RESULTS: DM1-induction increased tail arterial pressure of WST and BHR. DM1 also increased total peripheral resistance in WST and decrease in cardiac output stroke volume in WST and BHR. Systolic function indexes were reduced and ventricular stiffness increased in all WST-diabetic rats. All of these effects were more prominent on diabetic WST rats. CONCLUSION: The DM1 in rats was accompanied by important changes in both systolic and diastolic heart function leading to significant changes in the systemic hemodynamics that were not significantly enhanced by hypertension.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a indução do diabetes melito tipo 1 (DM1) na hemodinâmica sistêmica e função ventricular de ratos normotensos e hipertensos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O DM1 foi induzido por estreptozotocina em ratos Wistar (WST), borderline hypertensive rats (BHR) e spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). A hemodinâmica sistêmica foi avaliada por termodiluição e a função ventricular, pela preparação de Langendorff. RESULTADOS: A indução de DM1 produziu aumento na pressão arterial de WST e BHR. O DM1 determinou aumento na resistência periférica total no grupo WST e diminuição do débito cardíaco e do volume sistólico nos grupos WST e BHR. Índices de função sistólica foram reduzidos e a rigidez ventricular, apenas nos ratos WST diabéticos. Todos esses efeitos foram mais proeminentes nos ratos WST diabéticos. CONCLUSÃO: O DM1 foi acompanhado por importantes alterações nas funções sistólica e diastólica, levando a uma diminuição nos valores hemodinâmicos sistêmicos que não foram alterados pela hipertensão arterial.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo Departamento de Ciências FisiológicasUNIFESPSciEL

Calidad de vida de personas colostomizadas con o sin uso de métodos de control intestinal

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar a qualidade de vida (QV) de pessoas colostomizadas que utilizam e não utilizam os métodos de controle intestinal (MCI), ou seja, a irrigação e o sistema oclusor da colostomia, considerando a hipótese de que aquelas que os utilizam têm melhor QV. Método: O estudo foi desenvolvido no Ambulatório do Hospital Heliópolis, após a aprovação do projeto pelo Comitê de Ética, usando o WHOQoL-abreviado. A amostra foi constituída de dois grupos: 50 pessoas colostomizadas usando os dois MCI e 50, sem os MCI. Resultados: A QV do Grupo com MCI foi significativamente melhor em todos os Domínios e na QV Geral do que daquelas do Grupo sem MCI. Conclusão: O estudo confirmou a hipótese de que a QV do Grupo com MCI é melhor do que a do Grupo sem MCI.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and to compare the quality of life (QoL) of colostomy people, using or not using the bowel control methods (BCM), in other words, the colostomy irrigation and the plug system, considering the hypothesis that people who used them had better QoL. Method: This study was carried out in the Heliópolis Hospital Outpatient Department, after the project approval for the Ethical and Research Committee, using the WHOQoL-bref. The sample was constituted of two groups: 50 colostomy people with BCM and 50, without BCM. Results: The Group with BCM had a QoL significantly higher, being this observed in all the Domains and in the Overall QoL, than those of the Group without BCM. Conclusion: The study confirmed the hypothesis that the QoL of the Group with BCM is better than the Group without BCM.OBJETIVO: Evaluar y comparar la calidad de vida (CV) de las personas colostomizadas, con y sin el uso de los métodos de control intestinal (MCI), es decir, la irrigación y el sistema obturador de la colostomia, teniendo en cuenta la hipótesis de que aquellas que los utilizan tienen mejor CV. Método: El estudio fue llevado a cabo en el Ambulatorio del Hospital Heliópolis después de la aprobación del proyecto por lo Comité de Ética, usando el WHOQoL-bref. La muestra fue constituida de dos grupos: 50 personas colostomizadas usando los dos MCI y 50, sin los MCI. Resultados: Las personas del Grupo con MCI tenían CV perceptiblemente mejor, siendo eso observado en todos los Dominios y en la CV General, que aquellas del Grupo sin MCI. Conclusión: El estudio confirmo la hipótesis que la CV del Grupo con MCI es mejor que la del Grupo sin MCI

Irrigación de la colostomía: revisión sobre algunos aspectos técnicos

OBJECTIVE: Performing a literature review about four technical aspects related to the colostomy irrigation: volume of water to be infused, postoperative moment to start the method's training sessions, maintenance of a 24-hour interval between the colostomy irrigations, and time spent for the execution of the procedure, aiming to contribute for the most adequate systematization of the method. METHODS: After searching in the designated sources, sixty-three articles were identified. RESULTS: It was observed that there is no consensus among the several authors: the volume of infused water varied from 500ml to 1500ml, although, in the clinical practice, the average infused volume is 1000ml; the postoperative moment to start the training sessions varied from five days to six months; the maintenance time of a 24-hour interval between the colostomy irrigations varied from two weeks to six months; time spent in the execution of the procedure varied from 20 to 90min. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of these results may be an encouragement to the nurses, especially stomatherapists, to reevaluate their practice, in order to standardize the technical aspects related to the procedure, having as basis the specialized assistance.OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre quatro aspectos técnicos relacionados à irrigação da colostomia: volume de água a ser infundido, momento do pós-operatório em que se deve iniciar o treinamento para uso do método, tempo de manutenção de 24 horas como intervalo entre as irrigações e tempo gasto na realização do procedimento, visando contribuir para a sistematização mais adequada do método. MÉTODOS: Feitas as buscas nas fontes planejadas, foram identificados 63 artigos. RESULTADOS: Observou-se a inexistência de um consenso entre os diversos autores consultados: o volume de água infundido variou de 500ml a 1500ml, embora, na prática, o volume médio infundido seja de 1000ml; o momento do pós-operatório para início do treinamento variou de cinco dias a seis meses; o tempo de manutenção do intervalo de 24 horas entre as irrigações variou de duas semanas a seis meses; o tempo dispendido na realização do procedimento variou de 20 a 90 minutos. CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento desses resultados pode servir de estimulo aos enfermeiros, preferencialmente estomaterapeutas, para reavaliar a sua prática, a fim de padronizar os aspectos técnicos a esta relacionados, tendo como pano de fundo a assistência especializada.OBJETIVO: Realizar una revisión bibliográfica sobre cuatro aspectos técnicos relacionados a la irrigación de la colostomía: volumen de agua a ser infundido, momento del post-operatorio en que se debe iniciar el entrenamiento para el uso del método, tiempo de manutención de 24 horas como intervalo entre las irrigaciones y tiempo gastado en la realización del procedimiento, visando contribuir en la sistematización más adecuada del método. MÉTODOS: Una vez realizadas las búsquedas en las fuentes planificadas, fueron identificados 63 artículos. RESULTADOS: Se observó la inexistencia de un consenso entre los diversos autores consultados: el volumen de agua infundido varió de 500ml a 1500ml, aunque, en la práctica, el volumen promedio infundido sea de 1000ml; el momento del post-operatorio para el inicio del entrenamiento varió de cinco días a seis meses; el tiempo de manutención del intervalo de 24 horas entre las irrigaciones varió de dos semanas a seis meses; el tiempo utilizado en la realización del procedimiento varió de 20 a 90 minutos. CONCLUSIÓN: El conocimiento de esos resultados puede servir de estímulo a los enfermeros, preferentemente estomaterapeutas, para reevaluar su práctica, a fin de patronizar los aspectos técnicos relacionados con ella, teniendo como cortina de fondo la asistencia especializada

Effects of physical training and potassium supplementation on blood pressure, glucose metabolism and albuminuria of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Introduction: It is still controversial whether there are synergistic effects among different non-pharmacological interventions used in the treatment of hypertension. Objetives: To evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise, oral supplementation of potassium and their combination on blood pressure, glucose metabolism, urinary albumin excretion and glomerular morphology in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: SHR were divided into groups: Control Group (SHR; standard diet and sedentary, n = 10), Exercise Group (SHR + E; trained on a treadmill, standard diet, n = 10), Potassium Group (SHR + K; sedentary, potassium supplementation, n = 10) and Group Exercise + Potassium (SHR + E + K, exercise, potassium supplementation n = 10). Weekly, body weight (BW) and tail blood pressure (TAP) were measured. At the end of 16 weeks, a Oral Glucose Tolerance Test was performed. Albuminuria was determined in the baseline period, at 8th and at 16th week. After sacrifice, the analysis of glomerular sclerosis index and visceral fat weight was performed. Results:The TAP and BW did not change significantly. There was improvement in insulin sensitivity in SHR + E and SHR + K, but not in SHR + E + K. At week 16, albuminuria in all groups was significantly lower than the SHR control. The glomerular sclerosis index and visceral fat content were also significantly lower in all groups compared to control. Conclusion: An oral supplementation of potassium and exercise led to an improvement in glucose metabolism, in albuminuria and glomerular morphology, however, the overlap of the treatments did not show synergism.Introdução: Ainda é controverso se ocorre sinergismo entre as diferentes medidas não farmacológicas utilizadas no tratamento da hipertensão arterial. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do exercício físico aeróbico, da sobrecarga oral de potássio e da sua associação sobre a pressão arterial, metabolismo glicídico, excreção urinária de albumina e morfologia glomerular de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). Métodos: SHRs foram divididos em: Grupo Controle (SHR; dieta padrão e sedentário, n = 10); Grupo Exercício (SHR + E; treinado em esteira rolante, dieta padrão, n = 10), Grupo Potássio (SHR + K; sedentário, dieta rica em potássio, n = 10) e Grupo Exercício + Potássio (SHR + E + K; exercitado, dieta rica em potássio, n = 10). Semanalmente, foi aferido o peso corporal (PC) e a pressão arterial de cauda (PAC). Ao final de 16 semanas, foi realizado o Teste de Tolerância oral a Glicose. A albuminúria foi determinada nos períodos basal, na 8ª e 16ª semana. Após o sacrifício, foi realizada a análise do índice de esclerose glomerular e a pesagem da gordura visceral. Resultados: A PAC e o PC não variaram significativamente. Houve melhora da sensibilidade à insulina no Grupo Exercício e Grupo Potássio, mas não no Grupo Exercício + Potássio. Na 16ª semana, a albuminúria de todos os grupos foi significativamente menor que o grupo SHR Controle. O índice de esclerose glomerular e o peso da gordura visceral também foram significativamente menores em todos os grupos tratados quando comparados ao controle. Conclusão: A dieta rica em potássio e o exercício físico determinaram melhora no metabolismo glicídico, na albuminúria e na morfologia glomerular, porém, a sobreposição dos tratamentos não apresentou sinergismo.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São PauloUNIFESPSciEL