New In Vitro studies on the bioprofile of Genista tenera antihyperglycemic extract

The inhibition of a-glucosidase and glucose-6-phosphatase, two enzymes involved in the carbohydrate metabolism, is an important target to control glycaemia on individuals with type 2 diabetes. In this work we report for the first time the inhibition of both enzymes by the antihyperglycemic n-butanol extract from Genista tenera (Fabaceae). This extract decreased a-glucosidase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities to 0.97 and 80.25 %, respectively, being more effective than acarbose, and phlorizin, the positive controls, which reduced enzymes activities only to 17.39 and 96.06 %. Once inflammation and oxidative stress are related to diabetic impairments, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was also evaluated, through its inhibitory activity over COX-1 enzyme (47.5 % inhibition). Moreover, after induction of oxidative stress by UV radiation, the viability of irradiated rat liver hepatoma cells exposed to the extract was significantly higher (67.82 %) than that promoted by ascorbic acid, the positive control (45.05 %). In addition, the stability of the extract under gastrointestinal conditions was evaluated by HPLC–DAD-ESI–MS/MS. Flavonoid diglycosides were identified as the main constituents of the extract, and no alterations in the chemical composition nor in the antioxidant activity were observed after in vitro digestion with artificial gastric and pancreatic juices.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia e Comissão Europeiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Lemaitre Model and the Generalisation of the Cosmic Mass

We consider the spherically symmetric metric with a comoving perfect fluid and non-zero pressure -- the Lemaitre metric -- and present it in the form of a calculational algorithm. We use it to review the definition of mass, and to look at the apparent horizon relations on the observer's past null cone. We show that the introduction of pressure makes it difficult to separate the mass from other physical parameters in an invariant way. Under the usual mass definition, the apparent horizon relation, that relates the diameter distance to the cosmic mass, remains the same as in the Lemaitre-Tolman case.Comment: latex, 16 pages, Revision has minor changes due to referee's comments

Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to cardioinhibitory reflex syncopeA complex and controversial issue

Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness due to global cerebral hypoperfusion and is one of the leading causes of emergency department admission. The initial approach should focus on excluding non‐syncopal causes for loss of consciousness and risk stratification for cardiac cause, in order to ensure an appropriate etiological investigation and therapeutic approach. Vasovagal syncope (VVS), the most common type of syncope, should be assumed once other causes are excluded. Pathophysiologically, the vasovagal reflex is the result of a paradoxical autonomic response, leading to hypotension and/or bradycardia. VVS has not been shown to affect mortality, but morbidity may be considerable in those with recurrent syncopal episodes. The management of VVS includes both non‐pharmacological and pharmacological measures that act on various levels of the reflex arc that triggers the syncopal episode. However, most are of uncertain benefit given the scarcity of high‐quality supporting evidence. Pacemaker therapy may be considered in recurrent refractory cardioinhibitory reflex syncope, for which it is currently considered a robust intervention, as noted in the European guidelines. Non‐randomized and unblinded studies have shown a potential benefit of pacing in recurrent VVS, but double‐blinded randomized controlled trials have not consistently demonstrated positive results. We performed a comprehensive review of the current literature and recent advances in cardiac pacing and pacing algorithms in VVS, and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the complex patient with recurrent VVS and reduced quality of life.publishersversionpublishe

Fatores associados à bacteriúria após sondagem vesical na cirurgia ginecológica

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a frequência e os principais fatores associados à bacteriúria após a sondagem vesical em mulheres submetidas à cirurgia ginecológica eletiva. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo do tipo coorte em mulheres submetidas à cirurgia ginecológica após sondagem vesical no Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, no período de janeiro a maio de 2007. As uroculturas foram coletadas até 24 horas após a retirada da sonda e 7/10 dias após a sondagem vesical. A análise estatística bivariada e multivariada foi realizada calculando-se a razão de risco e os seus intervalos de confiança a 95%. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídas no estudo 249 mulheres. A frequência de uroculturas positivas até 24 horas depois da retirada da sonda foi de 23,6%, diminuindo para 11,1% 7/10 dias após a sondagem. Destas, apenas 2,4% eram sintomáticas. Verificou-se menor risco de bacteriúria com 7/10 dias após a sondagem vesical quando a paciente referiu vulvovaginite tratada nos últimos três meses, não permanecendo estatisticamente significativa após a análise multivariada. Não houve associação significativa com idade, escolaridade, número de gestações, paridade, fase da vida reprodutiva, tipo e duração da cirurgia, tipo da anestesia, uso de antibiótico profilático, profissional que colocou a sonda e o tempo de permanência da sonda vesical. CONCLUSÃO: A frequência de bacteriúria foi de 23,6% e 11,1% com 24 horas e 7/10 dias, respectivamente. Não se encontrou associação significativa das variáveis pesquisadas com a bacteriúria evidenciada na urocultura com 7/10 dias.OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and risk factors associated to bacteriuria after urinary catheterization in women submitted to elective gynecological surgery. METHODS: A cohort study was carried out among women submitted to gynecological surgery after urinary catheterization. This study took place at the "Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira" from January to May of 2007. Uroculture samples were collected during two periods: in the first 24 hours and seven to ten days after catheter removal. To demonstrate the association between risk factors and bacteriuria, the relative risk was calculated with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: This study included 249 women. At 24 hours after catheter removal, 23.6% of the urocultures collected were positive, while on days 7 to 10 this was reduced to 11.1%. Of all participants studied only 2.4% had symptomatic bacteriuria. Risk of bacteriuria at 7/10 days was reduced when the patient reported a positive history of treatment for vulvovaginitis in the previous three months. However this association was not found after multivariate analysis. There was no significant association with age, education, stage of reproductive phase, number of pregnancies and deliveries, type and duration of surgery, type of anesthetics, use of prophylactic antibiotic, professional who introduced the catheter and time of urinary catheterization. CONCLUSION: Frequency of bacteriruria was 23.6% at 24 hours and 11.1% seven days after catheter removal. There was no association between bacteriuria at 7/10 days and any of the variables analyzed