Comparison of prophylactic and therapeutic use of short-chain fatty acid enemas in diversion colitis: a study in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of short-chain fatty-acids on atrophy and inflammation of excluded colonic segments before and after the development of diversion colitis. INTRODUCTION: Diversion colitis is a chronic inflammatory process affecting the dysfunctional colon, possibly evolving with mucous and blood discharge. The most favored hypotheses to explain its development is short-chain fatty-acid deficiency in the colon lumen. METHODS: Wistar rats were submitted to colostomy with distal colon exclusion. Two control groups (A1 and B1) received rectally administered physiological saline, whereas two experimental groups (A2 and B2) received rectally administered short-chain fatty-acids. The A groups were prophylactically treated (5th to 40th days postoperatively), whereas the B groups were therapeutically treated (after post-operative day 40). The mucosal thickness of the excluded colon was measured histologically. The inflammatory reaction of the mucosal lamina propria and the lymphoid tissue response were quantified through established scores. RESULTS: There was a significant thickness recovery of the colonic mucosa in group B2 animals (p = 0.0001), which also exhibited a significant reduction in the number of eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cells in the lamina propria (p = 0.0126) and in the intestinal lumen (p = 0.0256). Group A2 showed no mucosal thickness recovery and significant increases in the numbers of lymphocytes (p = 0.0006) and eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cells in the lamina propria of the mucosa (p = 0.0022). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic use of short-chain fatty-acids significantly reduced eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cell numbers in the intestinal wall and in the colonic lumen; it also reversed the atrophy of the colonic mucosa. Prophylactic use did not impede the development of mucosal atrophy

INTERSEPT study: we still need more clarity

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Hosp São Paulo, Anesthesiol & Crit Care Dept, BR-04024900 São Paulo, BrazilHosp Dona Helena, BR-89204205 Joinville, SC, BrazilHosp Procardiaco, BR-22280000 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Paraiba, Univ Hosp, BR-58000000 Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, BrazilHosp Base, Intens Care Div, Dept Internal Med, Fac Med Sao Jose Rio Preto, BR-15090000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, BrazilHosp Copa DOr, BR-22031011 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilHosp Santo Amaro, BR-40210320 Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Portugues, Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Salvador, Salvador, BA, BrazilCtr Hosp UNIMED, BR-89204060 Joinville, SC, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Hosp São Paulo, Anesthesiol & Crit Care Dept, BR-04024900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes pediátricos después de un año de trasplante renal

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric patients after one year of renal transplant. METHODS: This was an exploratory retrospective study. Data were collected from 111 medical records of pediatric patients (aged 0 to incomplete 18 year old) who underwent renal transplant at both the Hospital do Rim and Hypertension (Renal and High Blood Pressure Hospital) and the São Paulo Hospital of the Federal University of São Paulo between January 2000 and January 2006. RESULTS: A half of patients (50.5%) used high blood pressure medications prior to undergoing renal transplant. A year after renal transplant the use of high blood pressure medications by the pediatric patients was reduced by 28%. Before transplant, 13.5% of the patients were overweighed and did not have any significant changes in their weight after the transplant (12.6%). There was an increase in the number of overweight patients after a year of renal transplant by 50.0%. Approximately 1.0% of the patients developed diabetes mellitus after the renal transplant. CONCLUSION: Obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus were common conditions among pediatric patients after renal transplant.OBJETIVO: Identificar la frecuencia de diabetes mellitus y la presencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes pediátricos después de un año de trasplante renal. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, de orden documental y exploratorio, realizado de enero de 2000 a enero de 2006, abarcando 111 fichas de pacientes pediátricos (0 a 18 años incompletos) sometidos a trasplante renal en el Hospital del Riñón e Hipertensión y en el Hospital São Paulo de la Universidad Federal de São Paulo. RESULTADOS: Fueron analizados 111 pacientes, 50,5% utilizaban anti-hipertensores antes del trasplante renal. Un año después este número cayó para 28%. En el pre-trasplante, 13,5% pacientes presentaron sobrepeso y después de un año no hubo alteración importante (12,6%). El número de pacientes obesos aumentó 50% después de un año de trasplante renal. Aproximadamente 1% de los niños desarrollaron diabetes mellitus después del trasplante renal. CONCLUSIÓN: La presencia de exceso de peso (sobrepeso y obesidad), hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus son frecuentes en pacientes pediátricos después del trasplante renal.OBJETIVO: Identificar a frequência de diabetes mellitus e a presença de fatores de risco cardiovascular em pacientes pediátricos após um ano de transplante renal. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, de cunho documental e exploratório, realizado de janeiro de 2000 a janeiro de 2006, abrangendo 111 prontuários de pacientes pediátricos (0 a 18 anos incompletos) submetidos a transplante renal no Hospital do Rim e Hipertensão e no Hospital São Paulo da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 111 pacientes, 50,5% utilizavam anti-hipertensivos antes do transplante renal. Um ano após este número caiu para 28%. No pré-transplante 13,5% pacientes apresentaram sobrepeso e após um ano não houve alteração importante (12,6%). O número de pacientes obesos aumentou 50% após um ano de transplante renal. Aproximadamente 1% das crianças desenvolveram diabetes mellitus pós-tranplante renal. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de excesso de peso (sobrepeso e obesidade), hipertensão arterial e diabetes mellitus são freqüentes em pacientes pediátricos pós-tranplante renal.Associação Beneficente São CristóvãoUNIFESPCentro Universitário São CamiloHemocentro do Hospital Oswaldo CruzHospital do Rim e HipertensãoHospital São PauloUNIFESP Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP Hospital do Rim e Hipertensão Ambulatório de Transplante RenalUNIFESP Departamento de MedicinaHospital do Rim e Hipertensão Unidade de TransplanteUNIFESPHospital São PauloUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaUNIFESP, Hospital do Rim e Hipertensão Ambulatório de Transplante RenalUNIFESP, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

Metabolomics applied to maternal and perinatal health : a review of new frontiers with a translation potential

The prediction or early diagnosis of maternal complications is challenging mostly because the main conditions, such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus, are complex syndromes with multiple underlying mechanisms related to their occurrence. Limited advances in maternal and perinatal health in recent decades with respect to preventing these disorders have led to new approaches, and “omics” sciences have emerged as a potential field to be explored. Metabolomics is the study of a set of metabolites in a given sample and can represent the metabolic functioning of a cell, tissue or organism. Metabolomics has some advantages over genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, as metabolites are the final result of the interactions of genes, RNAs and proteins. Considering the recent “boom” in metabolomic studies and their importance in the research agenda, we here review the topic, explaining the rationale and theory of the metabolomic approach in different areas of maternal and perinatal health research for clinical practitioners. We also demonstrate the main exploratory studies of these maternal complications, commenting on their promising findings. The potential translational application of metabolomic studies, especially for the identification of predictive biomarkers, is supported by the current findings, although they require external validation in larger datasets and with alternative methodologies

Mean arterial blood pressure : potential predictive tool for preeclampsia in a cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women

Background: Prediction of preeclampsia is a challenge to overcome. The vast majority of prospective studies in large general obstetric populations have failed in the purpose of obtain a useful and effective model of prediction, sometimes based on complex tools unavaible in areas where the incidence of preeclampsia is the highest. The goal of this study was to assess mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) levels at 19–21, 27–29 and 37–39 weeks of gestation and performance of screening by MAP for the prediction of preeclampsia in a Brazilian cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women. Methods: This was a cohort approach to a secondary analysis of the Preterm SAMBA study. Mean arterial blood pressure was evaluated at three different time periods during pregnancy. Groups with early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia and normotension were compared. Increments in mean arterial blood pressure between 20 and 27 weeks and 20 and 37 weeks of gestation were also calculated for the three groups studied. The accuracy of mean arterial blood pressure in the prediction of preeclampsia was determined by ROC curves. Results: Of the 1373 participants enrolled, complete data were available for 1165. The incidence of preeclampsia was 7.5%. Women with early-onset preeclampsia had higher mean arterial blood pressure levels at 20 weeks of gestation, compared to the normotensive group. Women with late-onset preeclampsia had higher mean arterial blood pressure levels at 37 weeks of gestation, than the normotensive groups and higher increases in this marker between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation. Based on ROC curves, the predictive performance of mean arterial blood pressure was higher at 37 weeks of gestation, with an area under the curve of 0.771. Conclusion: As an isolated marker for the prediction of preeclampsia, the performance of mean arterial blood pressure was low in a healthy nulliparous pregnant women group. Considering that early-onset preeclampsia cases had higher mean arterial blood pressure levels at 20 weeks of gestation, future studies with larger cohorts that combine multiple markers are needed for the development of a preeclampsia prediction model

Identification of earlier predictors of pregnancy complications through wearable technologies in a Brazilian multicentre cohort : Maternal Actigraphy Exploratory Study I (MAES-I) study protocol

Introduction Non-invasive tools capable of identifying predictors of maternal complications would be a step forward for improving maternal and perinatal health. There is an association between modification in physical activity (PA) and sleep–wake patterns and the occurrence of inflammatory, metabolic, pathological conditions related to chronic diseases. The actigraphy device is validated to estimate PA and sleep–wake patterns among pregnant women. In order to extend the window of opportunity to prevent, diagnose and treat specific maternal conditions, would it be possible to use actigraphy data to identify risk factors for the development of adverse maternal outcomes during pregnancy? Methods and analysis A cohort will be held in five centres from the Brazilian Network for Studies on Reproductive and Perinatal Health. Maternal Actigraphy Exploratory Study I (MAES-I) will enrol 400 low-risk nulliparous women who will wear the actigraphy device on their wrists day and night (24 hours/day) uninterruptedly from 19 to 21 weeks until childbirth. Changes in PA and sleep–wake patterns will be analysed throughout pregnancy, considering ranges in gestational age in women with and without maternal complications such as pre-eclampsia, preterm birth (spontaneous or provider-initiated), gestational diabetes, maternal haemorrhage during pregnancy, in addition to perinatal outcomes. The plan is to design a predictive model using actigraphy data for screening pregnant women at risk of developing specific adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes

Incidence and risk factors for preeclampsia in a cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women : a nested case-control study

The objective of this study is to determine the incidence, socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for preeclampsia and associated maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. This is a nested case-control derived from the multicentre cohort study Preterm SAMBA, in fve diferent centres in Brazil, with nulliparous healthy pregnant women. Clinical data were prospectively collected, and risk factors were assessed comparatively between PE cases and controls using risk ratio (RR) (95% CI) plus multivariate analysis. Complete data were available for 1,165 participants. The incidence of preeclampsia was 7.5%. Body mass index determined at the frst medical visit and diastolic blood pressure over 75mmHg at 20 weeks of gestation were independently associated with the occurrence of preeclampsia. Women with preeclampsia sustained a higher incidence of adverse maternal outcomes, including C-section (3.5 fold), preterm birth below 34 weeks of gestation (3.9 fold) and hospital stay longer than 5 days (5.8 fold) than controls. They also had worse perinatal outcomes, including lower birthweight (a mean 379g lower), small for gestational age babies (RR 2.45 [1.52–3.95]), 5-minute Apgar score less than 7 (RR 2.11 [1.03–4.29]), NICU admission (RR 3.34 [1.61–6.9]) and Neonatal Near Miss (3.65 [1.78–7.49]). Weight gain rate per week, obesity and diastolic blood pressure equal to or higher than 75mmHg at 20 weeks of gestation were shown to be associated with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia also led to a higher number of C-sections and prolonged hospital admission, in addition to worse neonatal outcomes

Clinical and epidemiological factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth : a multicentre cohort of low risk nulliparous women

The objective of this study was to determine incidence and risk factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). It was a prospective multicentre cohort study performed in fve Brazilian referral maternity hospitals and enrolling nulliparous women at 19–21 weeks. Comprehensive maternal data collected during three study visits were addressed as potentially associated factors for sPTB. Bivariate and multivariate analysis estimated risk ratios. The main outcomes measures were birth before 37 weeks due to spontaneous preterm labour or premature rupture of membranes (sPTB). The comparison group was comprised of women with term births (≥37weeks). Outcome data was available for 1,165 women, 6.7% of whom had sPTB, 16% had consumed alcohol and 5% had used other illicit drugs during the frst half of pregnancy. Current drinking at 19–21 weeks (RR 3.96 95% CI [1.04–15.05]) and a short cervix from 18–24 weeks (RR 4.52 95% CI [1.08–19.01]) correlated with sPTB on bivariate analysis. Increased incidence of sPTB occurred in underweight women gaining weight below quartile 1 (14.8%), obese women gaining weight above quartile 3 (14.3%), women with a short cervix (<25mm) at 18–24 weeks (31.2%) and those with a short cervix and vaginal bleeding in the frst half of pregnancy (40%). Cervical length (RRadj 4.52 95% CI [1.08–19.01]) was independently associated with sPTB. In conclusion, the incidence of sPTB increased in some maternal phenotypes, representing potential groups of interest, the focus of preventive strategies. Similarly, nulliparous women with a short cervix in the second trimester require further exploration

The food patterns of a multicenter cohort of Brazilian nulliparous pregnant women

Assessment of human nutrition is a complex process, in pregnant women identify dietary patterns through mean nutrient consumption can be an opportunity to better educate women on how to improve their overall health through better eating. This exploratory study aimed to identify a posteriori dietary patterns in a cohort of nulliparous pregnant women. The principal component analysis (PCA) technique was performed, with Varimax orthogonal rotation of data extracted from the 24-h dietary recall, applied at 20 weeks of gestation. We analysed 1.145 dietary recalls, identifying five main components that explained 81% of the dietary pattern of the sample. Dietary patterns found were: Obesogenic, represented by ultra-processed foods, processed foods, and food groups rich in carbohydrates, fats and sugars; Traditional, most influenced by natural, minimally processed foods, groups of animal proteins and beans; Intermediate was similar to the obesogenic, although there were lower loads; Vegetarian, which was the only good representation of fruits, vegetables and dairy products; and Protein, which best represented the groups of proteins (animal and vegetable). The obesogenic and intermediate patterns represented over 37% of the variation in food consumption highlighting the opportunity to improve maternal health especially for women at first mothering

Profile of calories and nutrients intake in a Brazilian multicenter study of nulliparous women

Objective: To assess the calorie intake and nutritional content of the maternal diet in regions with different culinary traditions and typical foods, and to understand the nutritional profile so as to provide information about the consumption of this population and promote maternal and perinatal health. Methods: From a cohort of 1145 pregnant women with diverse socio-backgrounds we analyzed the dietary characteristics profile according to three guidelines and compared the differences between regions of Brazil. Results: Women from the northeast had the lowest level of income, occupation, education, and age (P < 0.001). Intakes of unprocessed/minimally processed foods and processed foods were more prevalent in women from the northeast than in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). The consumption of dairy products and vegetables was less than the recommended intake, with lower intake in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). This study showed a lower consumption of dairy and vegetables, with a shortfall of vitamins K and D, iron, calcium, folate, magnesium, and chromium from natural and fortified foods. We observed a greater consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed food in women from the northeast of Brazil. Conclusion: Our findings indicate the importance of differentiating the source of calorie intake between regional nutritional guidance and the diversity of local cuisine