Peroxidase activity in Malpighian tubules of Triatoma infestans Klug

Benzidine and diamino benzidine (DAB) oxidation, typically performed by peroxidases, was demonstrated by light and electron microscopy in peroxisomes, mitochondria and membranous structures which occurred in close contact with urate crystals in Malpighian tubules of nymphs and adults of Triatoma infestans. Peroxisomes were predominantly identified in cells of the distal region of the tubules, which is engaged in excretory mechanisms. DAB oxidation in mitochondria, even in the absence of hydrogen peroxide, may indicate the existence of a mitochondrial peroxidase and possibly a cytochrome c peroxidase. The localization of the extracellular membranous structures appeared restricted to the lumen of the proximal region of the tubules and they were assumed to be remnants of endoplasmic reticulum containing peroxidases

Coronary lesions in patients with COPD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stages I–III) and suspected or confirmed coronary arterial disease

Igor Larchert Mota,1 Antônio Carlos Sobral Sousa,1–3 Maria Luiza Doria Almeida,1,2 Enaldo Vieira de Melo,2 Eduardo José Pereira Ferreira,2,3 José Barreto Neto,2 Carlos José Oliveira Matos,1,3 Caio José Coutinho Leal Telino,2,3 Maria Júlia Silveira Souto,2,3 Joselina Luzia Menezes Oliveira1–3 1Department of Internal Medicine, Pneumology Division, Federal University of Sergipe (FUS), São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, Federal University of Sergipe (FUS), São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil; 3Echocardiography Laboratory (ECOLAB), Clínica e Hospital São Lucas, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil Background: Systemic inflammation is the pathophysiological link between coronary artery disease (CAD) and COPD. However, the influence of subclinical COPD on patients with suspected or diagnosed CAD is largely unknown. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the degree of coronary involvement in patients with COPD and suspected or confirmed CAD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, carried out between March 2015 and June 2017, 210 outpatients with suspected or confirmed CAD were examined by both spirometry and coronary angiography or multidetector computed tomography. These patients were divided into two groups: with and without COPD. Size, site, extent, and calcification of the coronary lesions, and the severity of COPD were analyzed. Results: COPD patients (n = 101) presented with a higher frequency of obstructive coronary lesions ≥50% (n = 72, 71.3%), multivessels (n = 29, 28.7%), more lesions of the left coronary trunk (n = 18, 17.8%), and more calcified atherosclerotic plaques and higher Agatston coronary calcium score than the patients without COPD (P < 0.0001). The more severe the COPD in the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stages, the more severe the CAD and the more calcified coronary plaques (P < 0.0001). However, there was no difference between the two groups with respect to the main risk factors for CAD. In the univariate analysis, COPD was an independent predictor of obstructive CAD (odds ratio [OR] 4.78; 95% confidence interval: 2.21–10.34; P < 0.001). Conclusion: In patients with suspected CAD, comorbid COPD was associated with increased severity and extent of coronary lesions, calcific plaques, and elevated calcium score independent of the established risk factors for CAD. In addition, the more severe the COPD, the greater the severity of coronary lesions and calcification present. Keywords: COPD, coronary artery disease, spirometry, coronary angiography, multidetector computed tomograph

Educação em saúde na estratégia saúde da família: o significado e a práxis dos enfermeiros Educación en salud en la estrategia salud de la familia: el significado y la praxis de los enfermeros Health education in the family health strategy program: the meaning and praxis of nurse

O estudo objetivou identificar o significado da educação em saúde para os enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) e as ações educativas individuais e coletivas desenvolvidas por eles. Participaram da pesquisa 20 enfermeiros que atuam na ESF no âmbito da 10ª Regional de Saúde do Estado do Paraná. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo-exploratório com abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados em abril de 2010, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas gravadas, e submetidos à análise de conteúdo categorial. Os resultados apontam para duas categorias: desvelamento do significado da educação em saúde sob a ótica dos enfermeiros; e a práxis educativa no cotidiano dos enfermeiros. Conclui-se que há necessidade de se esclarecer os objetivos da ESF relacionados à educação em saúde aos profissionais, e estabelecer um processo de capacitação e educação permanente para que ela seja eficaz e propicie a prevenção de doenças e a promoção da saúde da população.<br>El estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar el significado de la educación en salud para los enfermeros de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF) y las acciones educativas individuales y colectivas desarrolladas por ellos. Participaron de la investigación 20 enfermeros que actúan en la ESF en el ámbito de la 10ª Regional de Salud del Estado de Paraná. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y exploratorio con abordaje cualitativo. Los datos fueron recogidos en abril de 2010 a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas grabadas, y sometidos al análisis de contenido de categorías. Los resultados apuntan para dos categorías: desvelamiento del significado de la educación en salud bajo la óptica de los enfermeros; y la praxis educativa en el cotidiano de los enfermeros. Se concluye que hay necesidad de aclararse los objetivos de la ESF relacionados a la educación en salud a los profesionales, y establecer un proceso de capacitación y educación permanente para que ésta sea eficaz y propicie la prevención de enfermedades y la promoción de la salud de la población.<br>The study aimed to identify the meaning of health education for the nurses of the Family Health Strategy Program (ESF) and the individual and collective educational actions developed by them. In the research took part 20 nurses who work in the ESF program within the 10th Regional of Health of Paraná State. This is a descriptive-exploratory study with qualitative approach. Data were collected in April 2010 through semi-structured recorded interviews, and submitted to the analysis of its categorical content. Results point to two categories: unveiling of the meaning of health education under the nurses' view; and the educational praxis in the quotidian of the nurses. It is concluded that there is a need of clarifying the objectives of ESF related to health education to the professionals, and to establish a training process and permanent education so that it becomes effective propitiating prevention of diseases and promoting health to the population