42 Negative correlation between PlGF and Endocan-1 in women with preeclampsia

Introduction: Endocan-1 is a soluble proteoglican specifically expressed in endothelial cells, a biomarker/predictor of vascular endothelial related pathologies, as pre-eclampsia (PE). PlGF is an angiogenic factor, and a marker of placental dysfunction, which is down regulated in women with PE. We hypothesized that Endocan-1 and PlGF levels would be negatively correlated in pregnant women with PE. Objectives: To analyse Endocan-1 and PlGF levels in maternal plasma in normotensive and women with PE and test the correlation between the findings in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Endocan-1 and PlGF levels were measured in maternal plasma from normotensive (n= 67) and PE (n= 50) women using MagPlexTH-C microspheres system. Data was analysed by ANCOVA, adjusted for BMI, gestational age and maternal age. To estimate the difference between groups, mean ratio (MR) and confidence interval (CI) of 95% was calculated. Analysis between Endocan-1 levels and PlGF were made by Pearson correlation. The null hypothesis was rejected when p < 0.05. Results: Higher concentrations of Endocan-1 were found in maternal plasma in PE (MR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19–1.85,p= 0.001), with a moderate effect size (Cohen’s D = 0.84). When women with superimposed PE and HELLP syndrome were excluded, lower levels of PlGF were found in the PE group (MR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15–0.95 p = 0.041). A strong negative correlation between Endocan-1 e PlGF in the entire group (r=-0.605; p < 0.001); as well as in PE group (r=-0.545; p < 0.001) was observed. Conclusion: Endocan-1 levels are increased in patients with PE and are negatively correlated with PlGF levels. These data could be related to hypoxemia and fetal growth restriction (seen by lower PlGF levels), leading to a systemic response in order to find a volumetric compensation; leading to endothelial lesions (seen as the upregulation of Endocan-1). Thus, it is important to analyse angiogenic and proinflamatory molecules concomitantly in women with PE, in order to better understand the disease pathophysiology. In this case, both molecules are strong potentials as specific PE biomarkers

Estresse no trabalho da enfermagem em hospital de pronto-socorro: análise usando a Job Stress Scale

Estudio que tuvo el objetivo identificar el estrés en el trabajo, según la Job Stress Scale y asociarlo con aspectos sociodemográficos y laborales de trabajadores de enfermería de un hospital de emergencia. Estudio de tipo transversal, cuyos datos fueron recolectados, por medio de cuestionario, con 388 profesionales de enfermería. El análisis fue realizado con la estadística descriptiva, análisis univariado y multivariado. Los resultados identificaron asociación significativa con el cargo de técnico/auxiliar de enfermería, tiempo en el cargo superior a 15 años y bajo apoyo social, con chances respectivas de 3,84; 2,25 y 4,79 mayores para el cuadrante alto desgaste. El estudio demostró que los aspectos relacionados al ambiente de trabajo deben ser acompañados por los órganos competentes con la finalidad de invertir recursos en la calidad de vida en el trabajo de la enfermería.Trata-se de estudo cujo objetivo foi identificar o estresse no trabalho, segundo a Job Stress Scale, e associá-lo aos aspectos sociodemográficos e laborais de trabalhadores de enfermagem de um hospital de pronto-socorro. É estudo tipo transversal, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de questionário, com 388 profissionais de enfermagem. A análise foi realizada pela estatística descritiva, análise univariada e multivariada. Através dos resultados identificaram-se associação significativa com o cargo de técnico/auxiliar de enfermagem, tempo no cargo superior a 15 anos e baixo apoio social, com chances respectivas de 3,84, 2,25 e 4,79 maiores para o quadrante alto desgaste. Demonstra-se, assim, que os aspectos relacionados ao ambiente de trabalho devem ser acompanhadas pelos órgãos competentes no intuito de investir na qualidade de vida no trabalho da enfermagem.This study identifies workplace stress according to the Job Stress Scale and associates it with socio-demographic and occupational variables of nursing workers from an emergency hospital. This is a cross-sectional study and data were collected through a questionnaire applied to 388 nursing professionals. Descriptive statistics were applied; univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The results indicate there is a significant association with being a nursing technician or auxiliary, working in the position for more than 15 years, and having low social support, with 3.84, 2.25 and 4.79 times more chances of being placed in the high strain job&#39; quadrant. The study reveals that aspects related to the workplace should be monitored by competent agencies in order to improve the quality of life of nursing workers

Negative correlation between Placental Growth Factor and Endocan-1 in women with preeclampsia

Objective: To analyse Endocan-1, a biomarker of vascular endothelial related pathologies, and Placental growth factor (PlGF), an angiogenic factor and a placental dysfunction marker in patients with pre-eclampsia (PE). Methods: Case-control study conducted at São Lucas Hospital. Endocan-1 and PlGF levels were quantified in maternal plasma using MagPlexTH-C microspheres system and analysed by ANCOVA adjusted by BMI, gestational age and maternal age. To estimate the difference between groups, mean ratio (MR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Pearson correlation test was used to establish any association between Endocan-1 and PlGF levels. The null hypothesis was rejected when p<0.05. Results: The group of patients was composed by normotensive (n=67) and patients with PE (n=50). A negative correlation between Endocan-1 and PlGF was noted in the entire group (r= -0,605; p< 0.001); as well as in the PE group (r= -0,545; p< 0.001). Conclusion: Endocan-1 levels are increased in patients with PE and inversely correlated with PlGF levels. We suggest that it is important to analyze angiogenic and pro-inflammatory molecules concomitantly in women with PE to better understand the disease pathophysiology. Both molecules are strong competitors as a PE biomarkers and future work will examine any mechanisms connecting these factors in PE

Estresse no trabalho segundo o Modelo Demanda-Controle e distúrbios psíquicos menores em trabalhadores de enfermagem

This was a cross-sectional study that aimed to assess the association between work-related stress according to the Demand-Control Model, and the occurrence of Minor Psychic Disorder (MPD) in nursing workers. The participants were 335 professionals, out of which 245 were nursing technicians, aged predominantly between 20 and 40 years. Data were collected using the Job Stress Scale and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20. The analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics. The prevalence of suspected MPD was 20.6%. Workers classified in the quadrants active job and high strain of the Demand-Control Model presented higher potential for developing MPD compared with those classified in the quadrant low strain. In conclusion, stress affects the mental health of workers and the aspects related to high psychological demands and high control still require further insight in order to understand their influence on the disease processes of nursing workers.Estudio transversal cuyo objetivo fue evaluar la asociación entre el estrés laboral, según el Modelo Demanda-Control, y la aparición de Trastorno Psíquico Menor (TPM) en los trabajadores de enfermería. Participaron 335 profesionales, siendo 245 técnicos de enfermería, con edad predominante entre 20 y 40 años. Los datos fueron recolectados utilizándose la Job Stress Scale y el Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20. El análisis se realizó mediante estadística descriptiva y analítica. La prevalencia de probable TPM encontrada fue del 20,6%. Los trabajadores en los cuadrantes trabajo activo y alto desgaste, del modelo demanda-control, presentan probabilidades de desarrollar TPM, en comparación con los situados en el cuadrante bajo desgaste. Se concluye que el estrés afecta la salud mental de los trabajadores y que los aspectos relacionados con la alta demanda psicológica y alto control todavía necesitan de mayores conocimientos para comprender su influencia en los procesos de enfermedad de los trabajadores de enfermería.Estudo transversal cujo objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre o estresse no trabalho, segundo o Modelo Demanda-Controle, e a ocorrência de Distúrbio Psíquico Menor (DPM) nos trabalhadores de enfermagem. Participaram 335 profissionais, sendo 245 técnicos de enfermagem, com idade predominante entre 20 e 40 anos. Os dados foram coletados utilizando-se a Job Stress Scale e o Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20. A análise foi realizada utilizando-se estatística descritiva e analítica. A prevalência de suspeição para DPM encontrada foi de 20,6%. Os trabalhadores nos quadrantes trabalho ativo e alto desgaste, do Modelo Demanda-Controle, apresentaram chances de desenvolver DPM, quando comparados com os situados no quadrante baixo desgaste. Conclui-se que o estresse afeta a saúde mental dos trabalhadores e que os aspectos relacionados a alta demanda psicológica e alto controle ainda necessitam de maiores aprofundamentos para que se entenda sua influência nos processos de adoecimento dos trabalhadores de enfermagem

Negative correlation between Placental Growth Factor and Endocan-1 in women with preeclampsia

Objective: To analyse Endocan-1, a biomarker of vascular endothelial related pathologies, and Placental growth factor (PlGF), an angiogenic factor and a placental dysfunction marker in patients with pre-eclampsia (PE). Methods: Case-control study conducted at São Lucas Hospital. Endocan-1 and PlGF levels were quantified in maternal plasma using MagPlexTH-C microspheres system and analysed by ANCOVA adjusted by BMI, gestational age and maternal age. To estimate the difference between groups, mean ratio (MR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Pearson correlation test was used to establish any association between Endocan-1 and PlGF levels. The null hypothesis was rejected when

Prevention of hypertension in patients with pre-hypertension: protocol for the PREVER-prevention trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood pressure (BP) within pre-hypertensive levels confers higher cardiovascular risk and is an intermediate stage for full hypertension, which develops in an annual rate of 7 out of 100 individuals with 40 to 50 years of age. Non-drug interventions to prevent hypertension have had low effectiveness. In individuals with previous cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the use of BP-lowering agents reduces the incidence of major cardiovascular events. In the absence of higher baseline risk, the use of BP agents reduces the incidence of hypertension. The PREVER-prevention trial aims to investigate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of a population-based intervention to prevent the incidence of hypertension and the development of target-organ damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with participants aged 30 to 70 years, with pre-hypertension. The trial arms will be chlorthalidone 12.5 mg plus amiloride 2.5 mg or identical placebo. The primary outcomes will be the incidence of hypertension, adverse events and development or worsening of microalbuminuria and of left ventricular hypertrophy in the EKG. The secondary outcomes will be fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events: myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, evidence of new sub-clinical atherosclerosis, and sudden death. The study will last 18 months. The sample size was calculated on the basis of an incidence of hypertension of 14% in the control group, a size effect of 40%, power of 85% and P alpha of 5%, resulting in 625 participants per group. The project was approved by the Ethics committee of each participating institution.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The early use of blood pressure-lowering drugs, particularly diuretics, which act on the main mechanism of blood pressure rising with age, may prevent cardiovascular events and the incidence of hypertension in individuals with hypertension. If this intervention shows to be effective and safe in a population-based perspective, it could be the basis for an innovative public health program to prevent hypertension in Brazil.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Clinical Trials <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00970931">NCT00970931</a>.</p

Definições para a padronização da pesquisa de auto-anticorpos contra constituintes do núcleo (FAN HEp-2), nucléolo, citoplasma e aparelho mitótico e suas associações clínicas

OBJECTIVE: The Second Brazilian Consensus on Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) in HEp-2 Cells approved and extended the decision trees developed during the First Brazilian Consensus in order to also offer information about mixed patterns of fluorescence. METHODS: Since this test elicits reactions not only to nuclear autoimmune antigens but also to different cell compartments, new denominations for the test were approved. Results and CONCLUSIONS: These new denominations encompass variations on the autoantibody testing against the nucleus (ANA HEp-2), nucleolus, cytoplasm, and mitotic apparatus issue. Furthermore, major clinical associations were described for each immunofluorescent pattern, facilitating the interpretation of laboratory results in the clinical practice.OBJETIVO: O Segundo Consenso Brasileiro de Fator Antinuclear (FAN) em Células HEp-2 ratificou os algoritmos de decisão para leitura dos padrões do FAN na imunofluorescência indireta vistos na primeira edição do Consenso Brasileiro, adicionando ainda um novo algoritmo relacionado com os padrões mistos. MÉTODOS: Tendo em vista a habilidade do teste em detectar autoantígenos nos distintos compartimentos celulares, e não apenas no núcleo, propõe-se novas denominações para este exame laboratorial. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: Como novas denominações algumas sugestões foram igualmente aceitas, dentro do tema pesquisa de auto-anticorpos contra constituintes do núcleo (FAN HEp-2), nucléolo, citoplasma e aparelho mitótico. Foram abordadas as principais relevâncias clínicas com os padrões de FAN descritos, facilitando o melhor uso do ensaio pelo médico.FMUSPUNIFESPBio-Rad Laboratório BrasilHospital Geral de GoiâniaBiomédicaUniversidade Federal de UberlândiaUFMG HCPUCRS HCNew Life Produtos HospitalaresUniversidade Católica de GoiásFMUSP HC Laboratório CentralPatologista ClínicaFMUSP HCFrischmann Aisengart Unidad InmunologíaUniversidade Católica de Goiás Laboratório de Auto-ImunidadeExame Medicina LaboratorialFMUFG HC Laboratório de Imuno-Reumatologia e HLALab. Santa LuziaMedivax/BionHSPE/SPUniversidade Católica de Goiás Laboratório da Área de SaúdeFarmacêutica-BioquímicaUniv. Fed. Mato GrossoFMUFG Serviço de ReumatologiaHospital Durand Unidad InmunologíaLaboratório ClínicoUFRGS HCPA Serviço de ReumatologiaUERJ FCMUFMG FMHospital Universitário de Brasília Laboratório de ReumatologiaUNIFESPSciEL