Demographic and geographic vascular risk factor differences in European young adults with ischemic stroke: the 15 cities young stroke study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We compared among young patients with ischemic stroke the distribution of vascular risk factors among sex, age groups, and 3 distinct geographic regions in Europe. METHODS: We included patients with first-ever ischemic stroke aged 15 to 49 years from existing hospital- or population-based prospective or consecutive young stroke registries involving 15 cities in 12 countries. Geographic regions were defined as northern (Finland, Norway), central (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland), and southern (Greece, Italy, Turkey) Europe. Hierarchical regression models were used for comparisons. RESULTS: In the study cohort (n=3944), the 3 most frequent risk factors were current smoking (48.7%), dyslipidemia (45.8%), and hypertension (35.9%). Compared with central (n=1868; median age, 43 years) and northern (n=1330; median age, 44 years) European patients, southern Europeans (n=746; median age, 41 years) were younger. No sex difference emerged between the regions, male:female ratio being 0.7 in those aged <34 years and reaching 1.7 in those aged 45 to 49 years. After accounting for confounders, no risk-factor differences emerged at the region level. Compared with females, males were older and they more frequently had dyslipidemia or coronary heart disease, or were smokers, irrespective of region. In both sexes, prevalence of family history of stroke, dyslipidemia, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and atrial fibrillation positively correlated with age across all regions. CONCLUSIONS: Primary preventive strategies for ischemic stroke in young adults-having high rate of modifiable risk factors-should be targeted according to sex and age at continental level.

Diagnóstico de enfermagem: mobilidade física prejudicada em pacientes acometidos por acidente vascular encefálico

O estudo teve como objetivo investigar a ocorrência do diagnóstico de enfermagem Mobilidade Física Prejudicada em pacientes com AVE. Estudo exploratório, desenvolvido em unidades de reabilitação, de novembro de 2007 a março de 2008, por meio de entrevista e exame físico. A Taxonomia II da NANDA foi utilizada para a identificação do diagnóstico. Foram avaliados 121 indivíduos, com idade média de 62,1 anos, 52,3% homens, com média de 1,5 episódio de AVE em 3,4 anos. O diagnóstico esteve presente em 90%, com média de 5,8 características definidoras. Dificuldade para virar-se foi a característica mais presente, e 3,4 fatores foram relacionados por paciente, com destaque para a Força muscular diminuída, além de Prejuízos neuromusculares (100%). Destaca-se a necessidade de enfocar-se esse diagnóstico no planejamento das intervenções após o AVE, com vistas à promoção da saúde desses pacientes.

Indicadores para avaliação do acesso vascular de usuários em hemodiálise

Os objetivos deste estudo foram construir indicadores para avaliar a qualidade das práticas assistenciais relacionadas ao acesso vascular de usuários em hemodiálise (HD) e proceder à validação dos indicadores. As etapas para elaborar os indicadores constituíram-se de seleção das práticas assistenciais relacionadas ao acesso vascular, fundamentação teórica dessas práticas e construção de quatro indicadores, segundo o modelo Donabediano: desempenho de cateter temporário duplo lúmen para HD, manutenção de cateter temporário de duplo lúmen, monitoramento de fístula arteriovenosa e complicações de fístula arteriovenosa. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre outubro e novembro de 2008, por meio de um questionário composto pelo julgamento do manual operacional, dos atributos dos indicadores e de seus componentes. A validação foi realizada por nove juízes, e todos os indicadores foram validados sob o consenso mínimo de 75%. Acredita-se que o emprego dessa ferramenta contribua para a avaliação e gestão da qualidade nos serviços de hemodiálise.

Differential regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in bladder cancer cells.

The growth of any solid tumor depends on angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a prominent role in vesical tumor angiogenesis regulation. Previous studies have shown that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) was involved in the angiogenesis process. Here, we report for the first time that in two different human bladder cancer cell lines, RT4 (derived from grade I tumor) and T24 (derived from grade III tumor), VEGF (mRNA and protein) is differentially up-regulated by the three PPAR isotypes. Its expression is increased by PPARalpha, beta, and gamma in RT4 cells and only by PPARbeta in T24 cells via a transcriptional activation of the VEGF promoter through an indirect mechanism. This effect is potentiated by an RXR (retinoid-X-receptor), selective retinoid LG10068 providing support for a PPAR agonist-specific action on VEGF expression. While investigating the downstream signaling pathways involved in PPAR agonist-mediated up-regulation of VEGF, we found that only the MEK inhibitor PD98059 reduced PPAR ligand-induced expression of VEGF. These data contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms by which PPARs regulate VEGF expression. They may lead to a new therapeutic approach to human bladder cancer in which excessive angiogenesis is a negative prognostic factor.

Estado neurológico e cognição de pacientes pós-acidente vascular cerebral

Objetivou-se investigar por meio de uma equipe multidisciplinar o estado neurológico e o desempenho cognitivo de pacientes pós-AVC mediante um estudo transversal com 45 pacientes em processo de reabilitação após um AVC agudo. Utilizaram-se como instrumentos de coleta de dados uma ficha de avaliação, o Mini Mental-MEEM e o National International Health Stroke Scale-NIHSS. Amostra mostrou-se predominantemente feminina (55,6%), AVC Isquêmico (86,7%), hemisfério cerebral direito (60%) e Escolarizados (68,8%). A média do MEEM para escolarizados e analfabetos foi de 19,3 ± 5,0 e 15,92 ± 3,7, respectivamente. A média geral do estado neurológico encontrado foi 13,0±4,8. Houve diferença significativa entre as médias cognitivas dos pacientes quanto à escolaridade (p valor=0,017) e relação significativa entre o estado neurológico e o desempenho cognitivo (r=-0,44 p valor=0,002). O estado neurológico e o nível cognitivo de pacientes pós-AVC agudo parecem estar diretamente relacionados, o que evidencia a necessidade de maior atenção à questão cognitiva envolvida no início do processo de reabilitação.

Investigating the Effect of Aloe vera Gel on the Buccal Permeability of Didanosine.

The buccal mucosal route offers several advantages but the delivery of certain drugs can be limited by low membrane permeability. This study investigated the buccal permeability properties of didanosine (ddI) and assessed the potential of ALOE VERA gel (AVgel) as a novel buccal permeation enhancer. Permeation studies were performed using Franz diffusion cells, and the drug was quantified by UV spectroscopy. Histomorphological evaluations were undertaken using light and transmission electron microscopy. The permeability of ddI was concentration-dependent, and it did not have any adverse effects on the buccal mucosae. A linear relationship (R (2) = 0.9557) between the concentrations and flux indicated passive diffusion as the mechanism of drug transport. AVgel at concentrations of 0.25 to 2 %w/v enhanced ddI permeability with enhancement ratios from 5.09 (0.25 %w/v) to 11.78 (2 %w/v) but decreased permeability at 4 and 6 %w/v. Ultrastructural analysis of the buccal mucosae treated with phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4 (PBS), ddI/PBS, and ddI/PBS/AVgel 0.5 %w/v showed cells with normal plasmalemma, well-developed cristae, and nuclei with regular nuclear envelopes. However, cells from 1, 2, and 6 %w/v AVgel-treated mucosae showed irregular nuclear outlines, increased intercellular spacing, and plasmalemma crenulations. This study demonstrates the potential of AVgel as a buccal permeation enhancer for ddI to improve anti-HIV and AIDS therapy.

Intervenções de enfermagem aos pacientes com acidente vascular encefálico: uma revisão integrativa de literatura

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o conhecimento sobre as intervenções de enfermagem aos pacientes hospitalizados por acidente vascular encefálico. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura a partir de acesso on-line a cinco bases de dados, no mês de setembro de 2009. Utilizou-se os descritores Cuidados de Enfermagem e Acidente Cerebral Vascular nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola. Foram encontrados 223 artigos e selecionados 12. Identificou-se nos artigos um maior número de intervenções de enfermagem assistenciais, seguidas das educacionais, gerenciais e de pesquisa. As do domínio assistencial estão mais relacionadas aos aspectos biológicos dos pacientes. Em relação às educativas, os artigos apontam o papel fundamental do enfermeiro, bem como dos familiares e dos cuidadores. A principal intervenção gerencial foi a coordenação dos cuidados. Quanto às intervenções de pesquisa foi identificada apenas uma descrita como o desenvolvimento e aprimoramento da prática de cuidados por meio de evidências clínicas.

Upregulation of vasopressin V1A receptor mRNA and protein in vascular smooth muscle cells following cyclosporin A treatment.

1. The major side effects of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) are hypertension and nephrotoxicity. It is likely that both are caused by local vasoconstriction. 2. We have shown previously that 20 h treatment of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) with therapeutically relevant CsA concentrations increased the cellular response to [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) by increasing about 2 fold the number of vasopressin receptors. 3. Displacement experiments using a specific antagonist of the vasopressin V1A receptor (V1AR) showed that the vasopressin binding sites present in VSMC were exclusively receptors of the V1A subtype. 4. Receptor internalization studies revealed that CsA (10(-6) M) did not significantly alter AVP receptor trafficking. 5. V1AR mRNA was increased by CsA, as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Time-course studies indicated that the increase in mRNA preceded cell surface expression of the receptor, as measured by hormone binding. 6. A direct effect of CsA on the V1AR promoter was investigated using VSMC transfected with a V1AR promoter-luciferase reporter construct. Surprisingly, CsA did not increase, but rather slightly reduced V1AR promoter activity. This effect was independent of the cyclophilin-calcineurin pathway. 7. Measurement of V1AR mRNA decay in the presence of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D revealed that CsA increased the half-life of V1AR mRNA about 2 fold. 8. In conclusion, CsA increased the response of VSMC to AVP by upregulating V1AR expression through stabilization of its mRNA. This could be a key mechanism in enhanced vascular responsiveness induced by CsA, causing both hypertension and, via renal vasoconstriction, reduced glomerular filtration.

Increased plasma levels of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in type 2 diabetic patients with vascular complications

Résumé : Les concentrations plasmatiques du peptide natriurétique de type B sont augmentées chez les diabétiques de type 2 atteints de complications vasculaires. But : Les concentrations plasmatiques du peptide natriurétique de type B (NT-proBNP) sont augmentées chez les diabétiques de type 2 atteints de complications vasculaires. Les concentrations plasmatiques du peptide natriurétique de type B (BNP), ou de sa pro-hormone (NT-proBNP), sont reconnues depuis peu comme marqueur de choix de la dysfonction cardiaque. Les diabétiques de type 2 sont à haut risque de développer des complications cardiovasculaires. L'objectif de cette étude a été de déterminer si les concentrations plasmatiques de NT-proBNP étaient comparables chez des diabétiques de type 2 avec ou sans complications vasculaires. Méthodes : Nous avons mesuré le NT-proBNP plasmatique chez 54 diabétiques de type 2, 27 sans complications micro- ou macrovasculaires et 27 présentant des complications soit micro- soit macrovasculaires, soit les deux. Le même dosage a été effectué chez 38 témoins sains, appariés pour l'âge et le sexe avec les diabétiques. Résultat : Le NT-proBNP plasmatique était plus élevé chez les diabétiques avec complications (médiane 121 pg/ml, intervalle interquartile 50-240 pg/ml) que chez ceux sans complications (37 pg/ml, 21-54 pg/ml, P < 0,01). Comparés au groupe témoin (55 pg/ml, 40-79 pg/ml), seuls les diabétiques avec complications vasculaires avaient un NT-proBNP plasmatique significativement augmenté (P < 0,001). Chez les diabétiques la maladie coronarienne et la néphropathie (définie selon l'excrétion urinaire d'albumine) étaient chacune associée de façon indépendante avec une augmentation des concentrations plasmatiques de NT-proBNP. Conclusion : Chez les diabétiques de type 2 souffrant de complications micro- ou macrovasculaires, les concentrations plasmatiques de NT-proBNP sont augmentées par rapport à celles des malades indemnes de complications vasculaires. L'augmentation de sécrétion de ce peptide est associée de façon indépendante avec la maladie coronarienne et la néphropathie. La mesure du NT-proBNP plasmatique pourrait donc être utile pour dépister la présence de complications micro- ou macrovasculaires.

Cell-derived microparticles in haemostasis and vascular medicine.

Considerable interest for cell-derived microparticles has emerged, pointing out their essential role in haemostatic response and their potential as disease markers, but also their implication in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. They derive from different cell types including platelets - the main source of microparticles - but also from red blood cells, leukocytes and endothelial cells, and they circulate in blood. Despite difficulties encountered in analyzing them and disparities of results obtained with a wide range of methods, microparticle generation processes are now better understood. However, a generally admitted definition of microparticles is currently lacking. For all these reasons we decided to review the literature regarding microparticles in their widest definition, including ectosomes and exosomes, and to focus mainly on their role in haemostasis and vascular medicine.

Correlação entre qualidade de vida e morbidade do cuidador de idoso com acidente vascular encefálico

Este estudo objetivou descrever as características sociodemográficas e a qualidade de vida dos cuidadores de idosos com histórico de acidente vascular cerebral e correlacionar o número de morbidades com os escores de qualidade de vida do cuidador. Inquérito domiciliar transversal que entrevistou cuidadores de idosos utilizando-se de instrumentos: semi-estruturado; World Health Organization Quality of Life-abreviado e Brazilian Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire. Foi realizada análise descritiva e correlação de Pearson (p<0,05). Prevaleceu o sexo feminino (93,5%), idade média de 55,4±14,17 anos, casados ou moram com companheiro (58,7%), com 4| - 8 anos de estudo (28,3%) e renda de 1 salário mínimo (34,8%). O maior escore de qualidade de vida foi no domínio relações sociais (67,57) e, menor no meio ambiente (54,82). O maior número de morbidades do cuidador correlacionou-se com menores escores em todos os domínios de qualidade de vida.