Use of Biomarkers in the Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertensive Patients

The current definition of hypertension is based on blood pressure values, and blood pressure also drives treatment decisions, is the most important treatment monitoring tool and helps estimating risk of hypertension related organ damage. In an era of precision medicine additional biomarkers are needed in the diagnosis and management of patients with hypertension. In this review we outline the areas in which functional, imaging and circulating biomarkers could help in a more individualised definition of hypertension and associated risk. We will cover biomarkers for diagnosis; of pathophysiology and prediction of hypertension; response to treatment, organ damage; and to monitor treatment. A clear focus is on the vasculature, the heart and the kidneys, whereas we see a need to further develop biomarkers of cerebral function in order to diagnose cognition deficits and monitor changes in cognition in the future to support addressing the growing burden of hypertension associated vascular dementia

Bragg gratings inscription in highly birefringent microstructured POFs

FINEP - FINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOSWe report for the first time, the fast inscription of high-quality Bragg gratings in highly birefringent microstructured polymer optical fibers by the phase mask method using 248-nm UV radiation. The fibers birefringence is created through a special design of the structure of holes through the fiber. A Bragg grating in these type of fibers allows the creation of two reflection peaks, where the peak separation is related to the phase birefringence.We report for the first time, the fast inscription of high-quality Bragg gratings in highly birefringent microstructured polymer optical fibers by the phase mask method using 248-nm UV radiation. The fibers birefringence is created through a special design of the structure of holes through the fiber. A Bragg grating in these type of fibers allows the creation of two reflection peaks, where the peak separation is related to the phase birefringence.286621624FINEP - FINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOSFINEP - FINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOS112039300This work was supported in part by National Funds through the FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia under Project PEst-OE/EEI/LA0008/2013 and scholarships (SFRH/BD/88472/2012 and SFRH/BPD/78205/2011), and in part by FINEP under Project 0112039300. The development of mPOF structure 1 was financed by the Wroclaw Research Centre EIT+

Estudo citofotométrico da expressão dos marcadores tumorais Caspase-3 e Ki-67 no adenocarcinoma gástrico Cytophotometric study of the expression of tumoral markers Caspase-3 and Ki-67 in gastric adenocarcinoma

RACIONAL: A carcinogênese gástrica é processo complexo e depende de fatores genéticos, ambientais e infecciosos. Nos últimos anos, houve grandes avanços nos campos da genética e da biologia molecular, sobre o desenvolvimento dos tumores. Os marcadores tumorais são substâncias ausentes nos tecidos normais e que podem ser identificadas em tecidos com câncer. Através de procedimentos imunoistoquímicos eles podem ser estudados. OBJETIVOS: Descrever a expressão citofotométrica do marcador tumoral Ki-67 analisando a densidade óptica e o índice de marcagem no adenocarcinoma de estômago. Descrever a expressão citofotométrica do marcador tumoral Caspase-3 analisando a densidade óptica e o índice de marcagem no adenocarcinoma de estômago. Comparar o índice de marcagem e densidade óptica dos marcadores tumorais Ki-67 e Caspase-3 no adenocarcinoma de estômago. MÉTODO: Foram selecionados, inicialmente, 58 blocos com espécime de adenocarcinoma gástrico coletados nos Serviços de Anátomo-Patologia do Hospital do Gama - Brasília (DF) e Hospital Dom Orione - Araguaina (TO), e analizados no Laboratório de Citologia e Histopalogia Ltda - CITOLAB, Curitiba (PR). Foram aproveitados 31 blocos para o estudo histológico e imunoistoquímico realizado pelo sistema de análise computarizado SAMBA 4000. RESULTADOS: Das 31 lâminas estudas, 15 (48%) foram marcadas pelo marcador Ki-67, 22 (71%) foram marcadas pelo marcador Caspase-3 e 14 (45%) marcaram com os dois marcadores. CONCLUSÕES: A expressão citofométrica do marcador Ki-67 foi observada em 15 lâminas da amostra estudada e apresentaram média do índice de marcagem de 36,85%, enquanto a densidade óptica apresentou média de 29,33 pixels. A expressão citofotométrica do marcador Caspase-3 foi observada em 22 lâminas da amostra estudada e apresentaram média do índice de marcagem de 87,71% e 60,74 pixels de média para a densidade óptica. Na comparação do índice de marcagem dos marcadores Ki-67 e Caspase-3 com a leitura de 14 lâminas, observamos que existe diferença significativa (P<0,001) em favor do marcador Caspase-3, o mesmo aconteceu para a densidade óptica também com diferença significativa (P<0,001).<br>BACKGROUND: Gastric tumorigenesis is a complex mechanism where genetic, enviromental and infeccious interferences may occur. In the last few years, advances in molecular biology brought a new way in the research of the malignancies using tumoral markers and imunohistochemistry. AIM: To describe the cytophotometric expression of tumoral markers Ki-67 and caspase-3, analyzing optical density and labeling index as parameters in gastric adenocarcinoma. To compare the labeling index and optical density of Ki-67 and Caspase-3 in gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Fifty eight paraffin blocks containing gastric adenocarcinomas specimens were collected in the Serviços de Anátomo-Patologia do Hospital do Gama - Brasília (DF) and Hospital Dom Orione - Araguaina (TO), being analyzed at CITOLAB - Cytology and Hystopathology Laboratory Ltda, in Curitiba (PR). A total of 31 of the blocks were used for hystological studies. Immunohistochemistry was performed utilizing the SAMBA 4000 computerized analysis system. RESULTS: Of the 31 slides studies, 15 (48%) were marked by Ki-67, 22 (71%) were marked by Caspase-3 and 14 (45%) were marked by both of the tumoral markers. CONCLUSIONS: Cytophotometric expression of Ki-67 was observed in 15 of the slides studied, presenting an average labeling index of 36,85%, where as the optical density showed an average of 29,33 pixels. Cytophotometric expression of Caspase-3 was observed in a total of 22 slides, presenting an average labeling index of 87,71% and optical density of 60,74 pixels. When comparing the labeling indexes of both of the tumoral markers Ki-67 and Caspase-3 concerning the 14 slides analyzed, a significant difference (P<0,001