Why not "do simple things in a simple way": Use of the Pap test as the first step in screening genetic stability for human cultured stem cell therapy?

The aim of this study was to analyze adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) using the Pap test as a first screening step to evaluate genetic stability. Human adipose tissue from six healthy female donors was obtained from elective liposuction procedures. The cells were isolated, cultivated at P2/P3, characterized by flow cytometric analysis, and differentiation induced. The AT-MSCs were stained by Papanicolaou staining and analyzed according to the Bethesda classification, and viability-apoptosis relationships were evaluated. The results of the Pap test for Sample I indicated high-grade alterations consistent with genetic instability; for Samples II-V, atypical cells of undetermined significance; and for Sample VI, normal cells. These results demonstrate the potential of using the Pap test as an initial screening step to evaluate the genetic stability of cultured AT-MSCs and also suggest its use for other adherent cells such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells

Echocardiographic assessment of myocardial infarction evolution in young and adult rats

BACKGROUND: The regeneration of cardiomyocytes after a myocardial infarction (MI) is more evident in young animals; however, it is not known whether it is associated with functional improvement. OBJECTIVE: To perform the functional analysis by echocardiography (echo) of young adult rats submitted to MI. METHODS: Seventy-two animals were included in the study: 35 young rats (group Y) that were 28 days old and 37 adult rats (group A) that were 153 days old. The rats were subdivided in two subgroups: infarcted (YI and AI) and control (YC and AC). The animals were assessed by echocardiogram on the 7thand 30th postoperative days for the analysis of the ejection fraction (EF) and the final systolic (FSV) and diastolic volume (FDV) of the left ventricle. Only animals with EF < 40% were included in the study. RESULTS: The comparison of the FDV and FSV between infarcted and control animals showed that there was a significant increase in infarcted adult animals at the two analyzed phases. Among young animals only the FSV was significantly higher on the 7th day. The intragroup evolution analysis showed an increase in FDV and FSV in the two young subgroups, which was proportional to growth and only increase in FDV in the infarcted adult group. There was an improvement in EF in young rats, whereas EF remained decreased in adult rats when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: The infarcted young rats presented improvement in the systolic function and ventricular volumes 30 days after the infarction, whereas the adult rats presented increased FDV with no improvement in systolic function.FUNDAMENTO: A regeneração dos cardiomiócitos após o infarto do miocárdio (IM) é mais evidente em animais jovens; entretanto, não se sabe se é acompanhada de melhora funcional. OBJETIVO: Realizar a análise funcional pela ecocardiografia (eco) de ratos jovens e adultos submetidos a IM. MÉTODOS: Setenta e dois animais foram incluídos no estudo: 35 ratos jovens (grupo J) com 28 dias, e 37 ratos adultos (grupo A) com 153 dias. Os ratos foram subdivididos em dois subgrupos: infartado (JI e AI) e controle (JC e AC). Os animais foram avaliados por meio de ecocardiograma no 7º e 30º dias de pós-operatório para análise da fração de ejeção (FE) e dos volumes sistólico (VSF) e diastólico (VDF) finais do ventrículo esquerdo. Foram incluídos no grupo de estudo somente animais com FE menor que 40%. RESULTADOS: Na comparação dos VDF e VSF entre infartados e controles, observou-se aumento significativo nos animais adultos infartados nas duas fases analisadas. Nos animais jovens, apenas o VSF, no 7º dia, foi significativamente maior. Na evolução intragrupo, observou-se aumento do VDF e do VSF nos dois subgrupos jovens, proporcional ao crescimento, e somente aumento do VDF no grupo adulto infartado. Houve melhora da FE nos ratos jovens, enquanto nos ratos adultos a FE permaneceu diminuída em relação aos controles. CONCLUSÃO: Os ratos jovens infartados apresentaram melhora da função sistólica e dos volumes ventriculares após 30 dias do infarto, enquanto nos ratos adultos houve aumento do VDF sem melhora da função sistólica.Pontifícia Universidade Católica do ParanáUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Papel da eletroanalgesia na função respiratória de pacientes submetidos à operação de revascularização do miocárdio The role of electroanalgesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eletroanalgesia como método eficaz na diminuição da dor e consequente melhora da capacidade pulmonar em pacientes submetidos a operação de revascularização do miocárdio. MÉTODOS: No período de um ano foram estudados 30 pacientes submetidos a operação para tratamento da doença coronariana isquêmica. Após a randomização, 15 pacientes foram alocados no grupo estudo (que receberam eletroanalgesia) e 15 pacientes no grupo controle (placebo). No pré-operatório todos os doentes foram entrevistados e realizaram espirometria. Do primeiro ao quinto dia de pós-operatório foram realizadas duas aplicações diárias de eletroanalgesia ou de corrente placebo, conforme o grupo em que o paciente estivesse alocado, e no quinto dia, nova espirometria. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes evoluíram satisfatoriamente, sem complicações inerentes à operação de revascularização do miocárdio. Verificou-se que a cirurgia reduziu os valores espirométricos de ambos os grupos (P= 0,00). Os resultados encontrados demonstraram também redução nos níveis de dor no grupo estudo quando comparado ao grupo controle. Este por sua vez não repercutiu em melhora da função pulmonar como resultado da aplicação da TENS quando comparado ao grupo controle (P>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O grupo que realizou eletroanalgesia apresentou redução da intensidade da dor pós-operatória o que não implicou, contudo, na melhora da função respiratória de tais pacientes<br>OBJECTIVE: To assess the electroanalgesia as an effective method in the reduction of pain and consequent improvement in lung function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: During the period of one year were studied 30 patients undergoing surgery for treatment of the ischemic coronary disease. After randomization, 15 patients were allocated in the study group (that received electroanalgesia) and 15 patients from the controlled group (placebo). From the 1st until the 5th postoperative day were realized two applications of eletroanalgesia or the placebo current, according the group where the patient was allocate. RESULTS: There was a reduction in the levels of pain in the study group compared to the controlled group, evidenced by the value P<0.05; however, there isn't evidence of statistical difference of the spirometric variables between them. CONCLUSION: The group that did eletroanalgesia presented reduction in the intensity of postoperative pain, which however did not mean improvement in respiratory function of these patient

"Surgical treatment of a giant left ventricular aneurysm- A case report"

An aneurysm of the left ventricle is a complication of acute myocardial infarction. We report a case of a giant aneurysm of the left ventricle after myocardial infarction in a 59 year-old male patient. The surgery to correct the aneurysm was performed with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass under normothermia. A bovine pericardial patch was used for the geometric reconstruction of the ventricular wall affected by the aneurysm. After the procedure, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and volume reduction