Insuficiência cardíaca: expressões do conhecimento das pessoas sobre a doença

Pesquisa de natureza qualitativa que teve como objetivos caracterizar pessoas com Insuficiência Cardíaca (IC) segundo perfil sócio-demográfico, de saúde e de tratamento e analisar o conhecimento sobre a doença e tratamento. Foram entrevistados 42 pacientes com IC, em um hospital de cardiologia de São Paulo, foi utilizado questionário semiestruturado e análise de conteúdo dos dados. Predominou sexo masculino, idade maior que 45 anos, classe funcional II, comorbidades associadas e tratamento farmacológico. Da análise de conteúdo emergiram as categorias: conhecimento sobre a doença e conhecimento do tratamento. O conhecimento é ilustrativo, diagnóstico e explicativo, sendo atribuídos muitos significados à doença. A maioria desconhece nome, dose e frequência de uso dos medicamentos. O tratamento não farmacológico está relacionado às orientações dos profissionais de saúde sobre alimentação, sal e ingesta hídrica. Os resultados abrem perspectivas para intervenções educativas sistematizadas que possam contribuir para um melhor enfrentamento e manejo da doença.

Reduction of corneal edema in endotoxin-induced uveitis after application of L-NAME as nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in rats by iontophoresis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the involvement of the cornea during endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in the rat and the effect of Ngamma-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, administered by iontophoresis. METHODS: EIU was induced in Lewis rats that were killed at 8 and 16 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. The severity of uveitis was evaluated clinically at 16 hours, and nitrite levels were evaluated in the aqueous humor at 8 hours. Corneal thickness was measured, 16 hours after LPS injection, on histologic sections using an image analyzer. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for fine analysis of the cornea. Transcorneoscleral iontophoresis of L-NAME (100 mM) was performed either at LPS injection or at 1 and 2 hours after LPS injection. RESULTS: At 16 hours after LPS injection, mean corneal thickness was 153.7+/-5.58 microm in the group of rats injected with LPS (n=8) compared with 126.89+/-11.11 microm in the saline-injected rats (n=8) (P < 0.01). TEM showed stromal edema and signs of damage in the endothelial and epithelial layers. In the group of rats treated by three successive iontophoreses of L-NAME (n=8), corneal thickness was 125.24+/-10.36 microm compared with 146.76+/-7.52 microm in the group of rats treated with iontophoresis of saline (n=8), (P=0.015). TEM observation showed a reduction of stromal edema and a normal endothelium. Nitrite levels in the aqueous humor were significantly reduced at 8 hours by L-NAME treatment (P=0.03). No effect on corneal edema was observed after a single iontophoresis of L-NAME at LPS injection (P=0.19). Iontophoresis of saline by itself induced no change in corneal thickness nor in TEM structure analysis compared with normal rats. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal edema is observed during EIU. This edema is significantly reduced by three successive iontophoreses of L-NAME, which partially inhibited the inflammation. A role of nitric oxide in the corneal endothelium functions may explain the antiedematous effect of L-NAME.

Insuficiência do conceito mineralista para expressar a fertilidade do solo percebida pelas plantas cultivadas no sistema plantio direto

Fertilidade do solo é a capacidade deste de fornecer nutrientes, em quantidade e proporção adequadas para o desenvolvimento e produtividade das plantas, na ausência de elementos tóxicos. Este conceito, oriundo da teoria mineralista, é amplamente utilizado no mundo. Com a mudança do sistema de cultivo do solo do convencional (SC) para o plantio direto (SPD), é freqüente a obtenção de alta produtividade das culturas no SPD com valores de indicadores da fertilidade considerados inadequados para o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas no SC. É possível que a avaliação tradicional e, conseqüentemente, esse conceito não sejam adequados e, ou, suficientes, para expressar a fertilidade percebida pelas plantas em solos cultivados há longo tempo no SPD. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a capacidade do conceito mineralista, e de sua avaliação, em expressar a fertilidade percebida por plantas de milho (Zea mays) em solo cultivado por longo período de tempo no SPD com diferentes rotações de culturas. As avaliações, por indicadores da fertilidade do solo e por rendimento de grãos, foram feitas na safra de verão 2005/2006, em dois experimentos irrigados, conduzidos há mais de 20 anos em Eldorado do Sul, RS, com diferentes históricos de cultivo. Os resultados evidenciaram que nem sempre os indicadores químicos da fertilidade do solo detectam a mudança na capacidade produtiva do solo promovida pelos diferentes sistemas de cultivo e rotações de culturas. Esses indicadores tiveram, em geral, baixo grau de associação com o rendimento das plantas. A avaliação e, conseqüentemente, o conceito mineralista da fertilidade, utilizado para definir a capacidade de um solo produzir abundantemente, foram insuficientes para expressar a fertilidade percebida pela cultura de milho em solos cultivados há longo tempo no SPD.

New insights in the pathogenesis of high-altitude pulmonary edema.

High-altitude pulmonary edema is a life-threatening condition occurring in predisposed but otherwise healthy individuals. It therefore permits the study of underlying mechanisms of pulmonary edema in the absence of confounding factors such as coexisting cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, and/or drug therapy. There is evidence that some degree of asymptomatic alveolar fluid accumulation may represent a normal phenomenon in healthy humans shortly after arrival at high altitude. Two fundamental mechanisms then determine whether this fluid accumulation is cleared or whether it progresses to HAPE: the quantity of liquid escaping from the pulmonary vasculature and the rate of its clearance by the alveolar respiratory epithelium. The former is directly related to the degree of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, whereas the latter is determined by the alveolar epithelial sodium transport. Here, we will review evidence that, in HAPE-prone subjects, impaired pulmonary endothelial and epithelial NO synthesis and/or bioavailability may represent a central underlying defect predisposing to exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and, in turn, capillary stress failure and alveolar fluid flooding. We will then demonstrate that exaggerated pulmonary hypertension, although possibly a conditio sine qua non, may not always be sufficient to induce HAPE and how defective alveolar fluid clearance may represent a second important pathogenic mechanism.

Congenital ataxia and hemiplegic migraine with cerebral edema associated with a novel gain of function mutation in the calcium channel CACNA1A.

Mutations in the CACNA1A gene, encoding the α1 subunit of the voltage-gated calcium channel CaV2.1 (P/Q-type), have been associated with three neurological phenotypes: familial and sporadic hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1, SHM1), episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2), and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6). We report a child with congenital ataxia, abnormal eye movements and developmental delay who presented severe attacks of hemiplegic migraine triggered by minor head traumas and associated with hemispheric swelling and seizures. Progressive cerebellar atrophy was also observed. Remission of the attacks was obtained with acetazolamide. A de novo 3bp deletion was found in heterozygosity causing loss of a phenylalanine residue at position 1502, in one of the critical transmembrane domains of the protein contributing to the inner part of the pore. We characterized the electrophysiology of this mutant in a Xenopus oocyte in vitro system and showed that it causes gain of function of the channel. The mutant CaV2.1 activates at lower voltage threshold than the wild type. These findings provide further evidence of this molecular mechanism as causative of FHM1 and expand the phenotypic spectrum of CACNA1A mutations with a child exhibiting severe SHM1 and non-episodic ataxia of congenital onset.

Unilateral optic disc edema following trabeculectomy.

Two cases of a benign form of optic disc edema after successful trabeculectomy are reported. In both patients, optic disc edema was noted 2 to 4 weeks after trabeculectomy. The edema occurred without loss of visual acuity or field. The absolute intraocular pressure and intracranial pressure were normal--that is, the edema was not a syndrome of hypotony or pseudotumor cerebri. However, both patients had intracranial pressure in the high-normal range. The decrease in intraocular pressure into the low normal range after trabeculectomy may have altered the intracranial pressure:intraocular pressure ratio at the lamina cribrosa enough to produce optic disc edema.

Neuronal calcium channel mutation in a patient with congenital ataxia and attacks of hemiplegic migraine with cerebral edema

Background: Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM), characterized by a prolonged unilateral hemiparesis, mainly results from mutations in the alpha-1a subunit of the calcium channel gene CACNA1A that can also cause two other dominantly inherited neurological disorders, Episodic Ataxia type 2 (EA2, with sometimes migrainous headaches) and Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 6 (SCA6, late-onset and progressive). A same mutation can have different clinical expression in a family (hemiplegic migraine, migraine-coma, cerebellar ataxia). CACNA1A mutations in FHM are usually missense, leading to gain-of-function, while truncating mutations leading to loss-of-function are usually associated with EA2. Case report: This 9-year-old girl was seen as a baby for hypotonia and transient vertical nystagmus. Her first brain MRI was normal. She evolved as a congenital ataxia, but since the age of two, she had attacks of coma, hemiparesis (either side), partial seizures, dystonic movements and fever. Attacks were initially triggered by minor head bumps, subsequently spontaneous. Brain MRIs in the acute stage always showed transient unilateral hemisphere swelling. Follow-up images revealed atrophic lesions in the temporo-occipital regions and cerebellar atrophy. A prophylactic trial with flunarizine was ineffective. Acetazolamide was recently introduced. Methods: Since our patient shared features of both FHM and EA2, we studied the CACNA1A gene by direct sequencing in the patient's and parents' DNA. Results: We identified an unreported de novo heterozygous deletion of three base pairs (c.4503_4505delCTT) predicting the deletion of one amino acid (p.Phe1502del). The CACNA1A protein contains 4 domains, each formed by six transmembrane segments. The deletion is located in a highly conserved region in segment 6 (S6) of the third domain. Mutations in S6 segments of calcium channels change single-channel conductance and channel selectivity, most resulting in loss-of-function. Outlook: In vitro expression studies of the identified mutation are underway, aiming at understanding its functional consequences and finding an efficient treatment.

La fisioterapia respiratoria: un vantaggio per il trattamento della polmonite?: revisione Cochrane per il medico di famiglia.

Cet article présente les résultats de la revue systématique: Yang M, Yan Y, Yin X, et al. Chest physiotherapy for pneumonia in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD006338. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006338.pub2. PMID: 20166082.

Protective role of early aquaporin 4 induction against postischemic edema formation.

Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is a water channel involved in water movements across the cell membrane and is spatially organized on the cell surface in orthogonal array particles (OAPs). Its role in edema formation or resolution after stroke onset has been studied mainly at late time points. We have shown recently that its expression is rapidly induced after ischemia coinciding in time with an early swelling of the ischemic hemisphere. There are two isoforms of AQP4: AQP4-M1 and AQP4-M23. The ratio of these isoforms influences the size of the OAPs but the functional impact is not known. The role of the early induction of AQP4 is not yet known. Thrombin preconditioning in mice provides a useful model to study endogenous protective mechanisms. Using this model, we provide evidence for the first time that the early induction of AQP4 may contribute to limit the formation of edema and that the AQP4-M1 isoform is predominantly induced in the ischemic tissue at this time point. Although it prevents edema formation, the early induction of the AQP4 expression does not prevent the blood-brain barrier disruption, suggesting an effect limited to the prevention of edema formation possibly by removing of water from the tissue.

Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant for the Treatment of Macular Edema after Retinal Vein Occlusion in a Clinical Setting.

Background: To study the efficacy and safety of a new intravitreal implant (sustained release of dexamethasone, Ozurdex®) recently approved in Switzerland for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion in a clinical setting.Patients and Methods: Prospective non-consecutive study of patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion or branch retinal vein occlusion treated with implant of dexamethasone 0.7 mg. Follow-up visits were performed at day 1, week 1 and monthly thereafter. ETDRS best corrected visual acuity, Goldmann tonometry and macular thickness on SD-OCT were registered. Retreatment was carried out on a pro re nata basis starting from month 3.Results: Fifteen eyes of 15 patients were included (8 branch retinal vein occlusions, 7 central retinal vein occlusions). 33 % of the patients achieved 3 lines or more of vision gain. The central retinal vein occlusion subgroup showed a mean decline in visual acuity at month 3. A reduction of 36 % of macular edema was already observed at day 1. All maculae were dry at month 1. The mean time of recurrence of macular edema for both groups was 4.6 months. A similar reduction of macular edema was obtained after a second implantation. An intraocular pressure increase of ≥ 20 % was observed after the first implantation in 53 % of patients.Conclusion: Our study showed efficacy and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in the treatment of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. Anatomical efficacy was observed at day 1 but seems to have shorter effect than previously published data. No serious side effects were observed.

Early effects of intravitreal triamcinolone on macular edema: mechanistic implication.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on cystoid macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional, small case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four patients with cystoid macular edema resulting from retinal vein occlusion or diabetic retinopathy of more than 4 months' duration and evaluated as suitable for treatment with intravitreous injection of TA. METHODS: After ophthalmic examination, including visual acuity assessment, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis, the patients received a single intravitreal injection of 4 mg TA. After the injection, consecutive visual acuity assessment, IOP measurement, and OCT analysis were performed after 1 hour, 6 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Optical coherence tomography assessment of macular thickness. RESULTS: Macular thickness and edema initially were reduced as early as 1 hour after TA injection. A further continuous decrease was observed during the 2 weeks after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This rapid effect of intravitreal TA is interpreted to indicate that nongenomic effects on retinal or retinal pigment epithelial cell membranes, or both, may be responsible for this phenomenon. Identifications of these mechanisms may help design alternative, more specific drugs for the treatment of macular edema.

Diabetic macular edema : cases and diagnostics

In the new book series 'ESASO Course Series', the essentials of the courses of the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO) are made available to interested ophthalmologists, optometrists, technicians and residents all over the world. In this volume, the seminars on surgical retina presented by renowned experts during ESASO's activities are collected. Many specialists have contributed their knowledge to make this volume a device to give practical support. The topics range from prevention to state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and the latest surgical treatment options for many eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This publication provides the ophthalmologist with the main aspects of surgical retina in a simple and practical update.

Plan integral de enfermería para la atención domiciliaria de pacientes con enfermedad neuromuscular e insuficiencia respiratoria

Las enfermedades neuromuscualres son enfermedades neurológicas, de naturaleza progresiva, normalmente hereditarias cuya principal característica clínica es la debilidad muscular. Dentro de las enfermedades que causan problemas respiratorios, existen una gran variedad de enfermedades neuromusculares que comprometen la función respiratoria, las cuales pueden dividirse en enfermedades neuromusculares neuropaticas y miopáticas, además de poder clasificarlas según la evolución. Las ENM pueden comprometer el sistema respiratorio condicionando morbilidad respiratoria de intensidad y precocidad variable dependiendo del grado de afección de los músculos respiratorios y deglutorios, así como de otros factores como el estado nutricional o la capacidad de deambulación, todos ellos factores que pueden ser incluidos dentro de un programa de enfermería de atención a domicilio.