Stressful life events and current psychological distress are associated with self-reported hypertension but not with true hypertension: results from a cross-sectional population-based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The evidence linking stress to hypertension has been scarcely documented in population-based studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants were selected through a multi-stage probability sampling and interviewed at home, being submitted to measures of demographics, anthropometrics, blood pressure (BP), and risk factors for hypertension. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or use of BP-lowering drugs or as self-reported hypertension. Stressful life events were investigated through an inventory of nine major life events occurring in the year preceding the interview. Psychological distress was evaluated through a facial scale of expression of emotion in the last month.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the total, 1,484 adult individuals were investigated. Prevalence of hypertension was lower in individuals who reported any stressful life event in comparison with individuals who did not reported an event (34.3 versus 44.2%, P < 0.01), such as relative or friend death, loss of job, divorce, violence and migration. There was a trend for higher prevalence of hypertension in individuals with higher psychological distress in the last month, which was not longer significant after adjustment for confounding. In contrast, individuals who self-reported hypertension, but actually had normal blood pressure and were not using antihypertensive medication, reported higher numbers of stressful events.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Recent stressful life events and current psychological distress are not associated with hypertension. Associations between stress events and distress with self-reported hypertension are not intermediated by effects of stress on blood pressure, and may be ascribed to negative feeling about disease and not to the disease itself.</p

Prevalência de tabagismo e fatores associados em área metropolitana da região Sul do Brasil

A cross-sectional study was carried out for the purpose of evaluating, the prevalence of smoking and the factors associated with it in Porto Alegre, a city in southern Brazilian. Through proportional, multiple stage, random sampling, 1.091 individuals (92% of those eligible) of 18 or more years of age, were interviewed at home. Exposure to smoking was measured by a questionnaire that inquired about the type, quantity and frequency of tobacco use. The prevalence of smoking was 34.9% (Cl 31.9 - 37.8). It was higher -among men - 41.5% (Cl 38.5 - 44.4) then women - 29.5% (Cl 26.8 - 32.2). The former started smoking at mean age of 16 (&plusmn; 5.6), with mode of 15 and smoked an average of 19.0 (&plusmn; 14.0) cigarettes per day. Females started at a mean age of 17.8 (&plusmn; 6.7), with mode of 14 years old and smoked 14.5 (&plusmn; 10.3). The association of the drinking habit and demographic and socioeconomic variables with smoking was evaluated through logistic regression. The variables included in the model were sex, age, education, income, professional qualification and alcohol consumption. The prevalence of smoking was greater for men, individuals of lower sociecinomic level, between 30 and 39 years of age, and among those accustomed to consuming alcoholic beverages. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that smoking is a public health problem in Brazil as in another countries. It is associated with sex, age, education and professional qualification, as has been observed elsewhere. The association of alcohol consumption with smoking may be understood as risk behavior, both having similar determinants.Com o objetivo de avaliar a prevalência de tabagismo em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, e os fatores associados, executou-se estudo observacional, de delineamento transversal e base populacional. Através de amostragem aleatória proporcional, por estágios múltiplos e conglomerados, selecionaram-se 1.091 indivíduos, a partir de 18 anos, que responderam a um questionário, em entrevista domiciliar. Aferiu-se o hábito de fumar através de perguntas dirigidas ao tipo de fumo, freqüência e tempo de exposição. A prevalência foi de 34,9% (IC 31,9 - 37,8), sendo de 41,5% (IC 38,5 - 44,4) entre os homens e 29,5% (IC 26,8 - 32,2) entre as mulheres. O início foi, em média, aos 16 (&plusmn;5,6) e 17,8 (&plusmn;6,7) anos, com moda de 15 e 14 anos, respectivamente. Os homens fumavam 19,0 &plusmn; 14,0 cigarros por dia e as mulheres 14,5 &plusmn; 10,3. Analisaram-se as associações através de regressão logística, incluindo-se no modelo sexo, idade, educação, renda, qualificação profissional e consumo de álcool. O hábito de fumar foi mais freqüente entre os homens, indivíduos de menor nível socioeconômico, dos 30 aos 39 anos, e entre os usuários de bebidas alcoólicas. Conclui-se que o tabagismo é freqüente em Porto Alegre, constituindo-se problema de saúde pública similar ao referido pela literatura. O consumo de álcool deve estar associado ao fumo por serem ambos comportamentos de risco, com determinantes comuns

Meta-analyses and Forest plots using a microsoft excel spreadsheet: step-by-step guide focusing on descriptive data analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Meta-analyses are necessary to synthesize data obtained from primary research, and in many situations reviews of observational studies are the only available alternative. General purpose statistical packages can meta-analyze data, but usually require external macros or coding. Commercial specialist software is available, but may be expensive and focused in a particular type of primary data. Most available softwares have limitations in dealing with descriptive data, and the graphical display of summary statistics such as incidence and prevalence is unsatisfactory. Analyses can be conducted using Microsoft Excel, but there was no previous guide available.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We constructed a step-by-step guide to perform a meta-analysis in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, using either fixed-effect or random-effects models. We have also developed a second spreadsheet capable of producing customized forest plots.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It is possible to conduct a meta-analysis using only Microsoft Excel. More important, to our knowledge this is the first description of a method for producing a statistically adequate but graphically appealing forest plot summarizing descriptive data, using widely available software.</p

Prevalence of hepatitis A in the capitals of the States of North, Southeast and South regions of Brazil: decrease in prevalence and some consequences

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been considered one of the leading causes of acute hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of HAV among children and adolescents in a population-based study in the capitals of the States of the North, Southeast and South of Brazil and identify predictive factors for the infection. A multi-stage sampling was used to select subjects aged between 5-9 and 10-19 years. Individual and household levels aside from the level of variables in the areas were collected. The outcome was the total IgG antibodies to HAV levels detected using a commercial Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA). The associations between HAV and the independent variables were assessed using the odds ratio. A multilevel analysis was performed by GLLAMM using the Stata software. The prevalence of HAV infection in the 5-9 and 10-19 age groups was 28.7% and 67.5%, respectively for the North, 20.6% and 37.7%, for the Southeast and 18.9% and 34.5% for the South Region. The prevalence of HAV increased according to age in all sites. Variables related to education at the individual level (North and South), family and area level (South and Southeast) and family income level (Southeast and South) were independently associated with HAV infection. This emphasizes the need for individualized strategies to prevent the infection

Association between different measurements of blood pressure variability by ABP monitoring and ankle-brachial index

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood pressure (BP) variability has been associated with cardiovascular outcomes, but there is no consensus about the more effective method to measure it by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). We evaluated the association between three different methods to estimate BP variability by ABPM and the ankle brachial index (ABI).</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>In a cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension, BP variability was estimated by the time rate index (the first derivative of SBP over time), standard deviation (SD) of 24-hour SBP; and coefficient of variability of 24-hour SBP. ABI was measured with a doppler probe. The sample included 425 patients with a mean age of 57 ± 12 years, being 69.2% women, 26.1% current smokers and 22.1% diabetics. Abnormal ABI (≤ 0.90 or ≥ 1.40) was present in 58 patients. The time rate index was 0.516 ± 0.146 mmHg/min in patients with abnormal ABI versus 0.476 ± 0.124 mmHg/min in patients with normal ABI (P = 0.007). In a logistic regression model the time rate index was associated with ABI, regardless of age (OR = 6.9, 95% CI = 1.1- 42.1; P = 0.04). In a multiple linear regression model, adjusting for age, SBP and diabetes, the time rate index was strongly associated with ABI (P < 0.01). None of the other indexes of BP variability were associated with ABI in univariate and multivariate analyses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Time rate index is a sensible method to measure BP variability by ABPM. Its performance for risk stratification of patients with hypertension should be explored in longitudinal studies.</p

Deconstructing the DGAT1 enzyme: membrane interactions at substrate binding sites

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) is a key enzyme in the triacylglyceride synthesis pathway. Bovine DGAT1 is an endoplasmic reticulum membrane-bound protein associated with the regulation of fat content in milk and meat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction of DGAT1 peptides corresponding to putative substrate binding sites with different types of model membranes. Whilst these peptides are predicted to be located in an extramembranous loop of the membrane-bound protein, their hydrophobic substrates are membrane-bound molecules. In this study, peptides corresponding to the binding sites of the two substrates involved in the reaction were examined in the presence of model membranes in order to probe potential interactions between them that might influence the subsequent binding of the substrates. Whilst the conformation of one of the peptides changed upon binding several types of micelles regardless of their surface charge, suggesting binding to hydrophobic domains, the other peptide bound strongly to negatively-charged model membranes. This binding was accompanied by a change in conformation, and produced leakage of the liposome-entrapped dye calcein. The different hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions observed suggest the peptides may be involved in the interactions of the enzyme with membrane surfaces, facilitating access of the catalytic histidine to the triacylglycerol substrates

Applying the Maternal Near Miss Approach for the Evaluation of Quality of Obstetric Care: A Worked Example from a Multicenter Surveillance Study

Objective. To assess quality of care of women with severe maternal morbidity and to identify associated factors. Method. This is a national multicenter cross-sectional study performing surveillance for severe maternal morbidity, using the World Health Organization criteria. the expected number of maternal deaths was calculated with the maternal severity index (MSI) based on the severity of complication, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for each center was estimated. Analyses on the adequacy of care were performed. Results. 17 hospitals were classified as providing adequate and 10 as nonadequate care. Besides almost twofold increase in maternal mortality ratio, the main factors associated with nonadequate performance were geographic difficulty in accessing health services (P < 0.001), delays related to quality of medical care (P = 0.012), absence of blood derivatives (P = 0.013), difficulties of communication between health services (P = 0.004), and any delay during the whole process (P = 0.039). Conclusions. This is an example of how evaluation of the performance of health services is possible, using a benchmarking tool specific to Obstetrics. in this study the MSI was a useful tool for identifying differences in maternal mortality ratios and factors associated with nonadequate performance of care.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Med Sci, Dept Obstet & Gynaecol, BR-13083881 Campinas, SP, BrazilCtr Res Reprod Hlth Campinas Cemicamp, BR-13083888 Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, BrazilSch Med Sci, CISAM, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Geral Cesar Cals, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilHosp Geral Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilMaternidade Odete Valadares, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilHosp Materno Infantil, Goiania, Go, BrazilInst Materno Infantil Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Campina Grande, Campina Grande, PB, BrazilUniv Fed Maranhao, Sao Luis, MA, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Paraiba, BR-58059900 Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, BrazilHosp Maternidade Fernando Magalhaes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Maternidade Celso Pierro, Campinas, SP, BrazilInst Fernandes Figueira Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilHosp Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, BrazilUniv State São Paulo, Botucatu, SP, BrazilJundiai Sch Med, Jundiai, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, SP, BrazilSanta Casa Limeira, Limeira, SP, BrazilSanta Casa Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilMaternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilCNPq: 402702/2008-5Web of Scienc

The Brazilian Developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (BRAMS 5.2): An Integrated Environmental Model Tuned for Tropical Areas

We present a new version of the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System where different previous versions for weather, chemistry and carbon cycle were unified in a single integrated software system. The new version also has a new set of state-of-the-art physical parameterizations and greater computational parallel and memory usage efficiency. Together with the description of the main features are examples of the quality of the transport scheme for scalars, radiative fluxes on surface and model simulation of rainfall systems over South America in different spatial resolutions using a scale-aware convective parameterization. Besides, the simulation of the diurnal cycle of the convection and carbon dioxide concentration over the Amazon Basin, as well as carbon dioxide fluxes from biogenic processes over a large portion of South America are shown. Atmospheric chemistry examples present model performance in simulating near-surface carbon monoxide and ozone in Amazon Basin and Rio de Janeiro megacity. For tracer transport and dispersion, it is demonstrated the model capabilities to simulate the volcanic ash 3-d redistribution associated with the eruption of a Chilean volcano. Then, the gain of computational efficiency is described with some details. BRAMS has been applied for research and operational forecasting mainly in South America. Model results from the operational weather forecast of BRAMS on 5 km grid spacing in the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies, INPE/Brazil, since 2013 are used to quantify the model skill of near surface variables and rainfall. The scores show the reliability of BRAMS for the tropical and subtropical areas of South America. Requirements for keeping this modeling system competitive regarding on its functionalities and skills are discussed. At last, we highlight the relevant contribution of this work on the building up of a South American community of model developers

The Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (BRAMS 5.2): an integrated environmental model tuned for tropical areas

We present a new version of the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (BRAMS), in which different previous versions for weather, chemistry, and carbon cycle were unified in a single integrated modeling system software. This new version also has a new set of state-of-the-art physical parameterizations and greater computational parallel and memory usage efficiency. The description of the main model features includes several examples illustrating the quality of the transport scheme for scalars, radiative fluxes on surface, and model simulation of rainfall systems over South America at different spatial resolutions using a scale aware convective parameterization. Additionally, the simulation of the diurnal cycle of the convection and carbon dioxide concentration over the Amazon Basin, as well as carbon dioxide fluxes from biogenic processes over a large portion of South America, are shown. Atmospheric chemistry examples show the model performance in simulating near-surface carbon monoxide and ozone in the Amazon Basin and the megacity of Rio de Janeiro. For tracer transport and dispersion, the model capabilities to simulate the volcanic ash 3-D redistribution associated with the eruption of a Chilean volcano are demonstrated. The gain of computational efficiency is described in some detail. BRAMS has been applied for research and operational forecasting mainly in South America. Model results from the operational weather forecast of BRAMS on 5 km grid spacing in the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies, INPE/Brazil, since 2013 are used to quantify the model skill of near-surface variables and rainfall. The scores show the reliability of BRAMS for the tropical and subtropical areas of South America. Requirements for keeping this modeling system competitive regarding both its functionalities and skills are discussed. Finally, we highlight the relevant contribution of this work to building a South American community of model developers.CNPqFAPESPEarth System Research Laboratory at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (ESRL/NOAA), Boulder, USAInst Nacl Pesquisas Espaciais, Ctr Previsao Tempo & Estudos Climat, Cachoeira Paulista, SP, BrazilDiv Ciência da Computação, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José dos Campos, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista Unesp, Fac Ciencias, Bauru, SP, BrazilCtr Meteorol Bauru IPMet, Bauru, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geofis & Ciencias Atmosfer, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Campina Grande, Dept Ciencias Atmosfer, Campina Grande, PB, BrazilEmbrapa Informat Agr, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencia & Tecnol, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Dept Ciencias Atmosfer & Climat, Programa Pos Grad Ciencias Climat, Natal, RN, BrazilInst Nacl Pesquisas Espaciais, Ctr Ciencias Sistema, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Joao Del Rei, Dept Geociencias, Sao Joao Del Rei, MG, BrazilInst Nacl Pesquisas Espaciais, Lab Associado Computacao & Matemat Aplica, Sao Jose Dos Campos, BrazilUniv Evora, Inst Ciencias Agr & Ambientais Mediterr, Evora, PortugalUniv Lusofona Humanidades & Tecnol, Ctr Interdisciplinar Desenvolvimento Ambient Gest, Lisbon, PortugalUniv Fed Pelotas, Fac Meteorol, Pelotas, RS, BrazilUnive Tecnol Fed Parana, Londrina, PR, BrazilNASA, Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Univ Space Res Assoc, Goddard Earth Sci Technol & Res Global Modeling &, Greenbelt, MD USAUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencia & Tecnol, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencia & Tecnol, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, BrazilCNPq: 306340/2011-9FAPESP: 2014/01563-1FAPESP: 2015/10206-0FAPESP: 2014/01564-8Web of Scienc