Hemostasis biomarkers and incident cognitive impairment: the REGARDS study

Essentials Cognitive disorders are increasing and vascular risk factors play a role in this. We performed a nested case control study of hemostasis biomarkers and cognitive impairment (CI). Higher baseline fibrinogen, factor VIII and D-dimer were related to incident CI over 3.5 years. Adjusted for other risk factors, 2+ abnormal markers (but not single ones) led to higher risk. SUMMARY: Background Vascular risk factors are associated with cognitive impairment, a condition that imposes a substantial public health burden. We hypothesized that hemostasis biomarkers related to vascular disease would be associated with the risk of incident cognitive impairment. Methods We performed a nested case-control study including 1082 participants with 3.5 years of follow-up in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a longitudinal cohort study of 30 239 black and white Americans aged ≥ 45 years. Participants were free of stroke or cognitive impairment at baseline. Baseline D-dimer, fibrinogen, factor VIII and protein C levels were measured in 495 cases who developed cognitive impairment during follow-up (based on abnormal scores on two or more of three cognitive tests) and 587 controls. Results Unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) for incident cognitive impairment were 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.70) for D-dimer > 0.50 μg mL-1 , 1.83 (95% CI 1.24-2.71) for fibrinogen > 90th percentile, 1.63 (95% CI 1.11-2.38) for FVIII > 90th percentile, and 1.10 (95% CI 0.73-1.65) for protein C < 10th percentile. There were no differences in associations by race or region. Adjustment for demographic, vascular and health behavior risk factors attenuated these associations. However, having at least two elevated biomarkers was associated with incident cognitive impairment, with an adjusted OR of 1.73 (95% CI 1.10-2.69). Conclusion Elevated D-dimer, fibrinogen and FVIII levels were not associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment after multivariable adjustment; however, having at least two abnormal biomarkers was associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment, suggesting that the burden of these biomarkers is relevant

Scarabaeoidea (Insecta : Coleoptera) in the Brazilian Cerrado : current state of knowledge

Besouros pertencentes à superfamília Scarabaeoidea ocupam habitats variados, possuem hábitos alimentares diversifi cados, desempenham importante papel ecológico e diversas espécies apresentam importância agrícola. No entanto, estudos com esse grupo na região do Cerrado são escassos. Nesta revisão realizou-se um levantamento dos artigos publicados nos últimos 30 anos a respeito dos Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado. Foram recuperados 64 artigos, realizados em nove unidades da federação, que focavam quatro temas principais espécies praga, aspectos bioecológicos, biodiversidade e importância ecológica, e técnicas e metodologias de coleta de Scarabaeoidea. Os resultados desta revisão indicam que poucos estudos foram realizados com os Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado brasileiro nas últimas décadas frente à importância e diversidade desse grupo de insetos.Beetles belonging to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea occupy different habitats, present feeding habits diversifi ed, play an important ecological role and several species have agricultural importance. However, studies with this group in the Brazilian Cerrado are scarce. In this review we carried out a survey of scientifi c articles published in the past 30 years concerning Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado. Were found 64 studies in nine Brazilian states. The studies focused on four main topics: pest species, bioecology, biodiversity and ecological importance, techniques and methodologies for collecting Scarabaeoidea. The results of this review indicate that few studies have been conducted with Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado in recent decades compared to the importance and diversity of this group of insects

Internet na promoção da saúde: um instrumento para o desenvolvimento de habilidades pessoais e sociais Internet and health promotion: a tool for the development of individual and social skills

O desenvolvimento de habilidades pessoais e sociais, no sentido da aquisição de maior controle e maior poder de decisão (Empowerment), é considerado estratégia de fundamental importância na promoção da saúde. O acesso à informação é uma das bases para tal. Muito vem sendo dito e escrito sobre o imenso potencial da internet, estudos apontam-na como um instrumento especial para obtenção de informação e de capacitação, tanto individual, quanto comunitária. Este texto se apoia na literatura científica nacional e internacional sobre promoção da saúde, informação e saúde na internet e divisão/exclusão digital, com o objetivo de discutir a possibilidade de utilização da rede como recurso em projetos voltados para a promoção da saúde, apontando pontos positivos e possíveis barreiras, com destaque para a questão da divisão/exclusão digital de boa parte da população brasileira. Os autores consideram que a internet pode vir a ser uma grande aliada na construção de projetos de promoção da saúde. No entanto, no desenvolvimento desses projetos, é fundamental considerar os potenciais riscos e compreender que as estratégias e programas na área da promoção da saúde precisam se adaptar às necessidades e possibilidades de cada local e levar em conta as diferenças sociais, culturais e econômicas.<br>The development of individual and social skills, in the sense of acquiring greater control and produce empowerment, is considered a very important Health Promotion strategy. Access to information is one of the bases for such process. Much has been said and written about the immense potential of the internet, as studies point it as a special tool to obtain information and develop skills, both individual and communal. This article is based on national and international scientific literature on Health Promotion, Health Information on the internet and Digital Divide, with the aim of discussing the possibility of using the internet as a resource on Health Promotion projects, highlighting strength points and potential barriers, especially the digital divide. The authors believe that the internet may be a great ally in building projects for Health Promotion, however, in developing these projects is essential to consider the potential risks and understand that the strategies and programs in health promotion area need to adapt to the needs and possibilities of each site and take into account social, cultural and economic differences