RESUMO
Bitumen is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons for which microstructural understanding is incomplete. In an effort to detail this microstructure, a asphalt cement sample (CAP 30/45) was analysed by thermal phase detection atomic force microscopy. Phase contrast and topography images showed that sample morphology is highly dependent on temperature. The 'bee structure' changed considerably at temperatures between 50 degrees C and 56 degrees C. A decrease of the oscillation amplitude was observed upon heating and the 'bees' completely disappeared at temperatures above 57 degrees C. When the temperature was decreased after melting at 170 degrees C, the 'bees' began to nucleate gradually at temperatures of 57 degrees C and its evolution with time was followed. Changes in morphology were compared to thermal analysis results and a model for the 'bee' structure was proposed.
RESUMO
The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of the immunosuppressant rapamycin (Rapamune®, Sirolimus) on both resistance vessel responsiveness and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient 8-week-old male mice fed a normal rodent diet. Norepinephrine (NE)-induced vasoconstriction, acetylcholine (ACh)- and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced vasorelaxation of isolated mesenteric bed, and atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated. After 12 weeks of orally administered rapamycin (5 mg·kg-1·day-1, N = 9) and compared with untreated (control, N = 9) animals, rapamycin treatment did not modify either NE-induced vasoconstriction (maximal response: 114 ± 4 vs 124 ± 10 mmHg, respectively) or ACh- (maximal response: 51 ± 8 vs 53 ± 5 percent, respectively) and SNP-induced vasorelaxation (maximal response: 73 ± 6 vs 74 ± 6 percent, respectively) of the isolated vascular mesenteric bed. Despite increased total cholesterol in treated mice (982 ± 59 vs 722 ± 49 mg/dL, P < 0.01), lipid deposition on the aorta wall vessel was significantly less in rapamycin-treated animals (37 ± 12 vs 68 ± 8 µm² x 10³). These results indicate that orally administered rapamycin is effective in attenuating the progression of atherosclerotic plaque without affecting the responsiveness of resistance vessels, supporting the idea that this immunosuppressant agent might be of potential benefit against atherosclerosis in patients undergoing therapy.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Apolipoproteínas E/deficiência , Aterosclerose/prevenção & controle , Endotélio Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunossupressores/farmacologia , Sirolimo/farmacologia , Resistência Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Administração Oral , Camundongos Knockout , Vasoconstrição/efeitos dos fármacos , Vasodilatação/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of the immunosuppressant rapamycin (Rapamune, Sirolimus) on both resistance vessel responsiveness and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient 8-week-old male mice fed a normal rodent diet. Norepinephrine (NE)-induced vasoconstriction, acetylcholine (ACh)- and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced vasorelaxation of isolated mesenteric bed, and atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated. After 12 weeks of orally administered rapamycin (5 mg.kg-1.day-1, N = 9) and compared with untreated (control, N = 9) animals, rapamycin treatment did not modify either NE-induced vasoconstriction (maximal response: 114 +/- 4 vs 124 +/- 10 mmHg, respectively) or ACh- (maximal response: 51 +/- 8 vs 53 +/- 5%, respectively) and SNP-induced vasorelaxation (maximal response: 73 +/- 6 vs 74 +/- 6%, respectively) of the isolated vascular mesenteric bed. Despite increased total cholesterol in treated mice (982 +/- 59 vs 722 +/- 49 mg/dL, P < 0.01), lipid deposition on the aorta wall vessel was significantly less in rapamycin-treated animals (37 +/- 12 vs 68 +/- 8 microm(2) x 10(3)). These results indicate that orally administered rapamycin is effective in attenuating the progression of atherosclerotic plaque without affecting the responsiveness of resistance vessels, supporting the idea that this immunosuppressant agent might be of potential benefit against atherosclerosis in patients undergoing therapy.
Assuntos
Apolipoproteínas E/deficiência , Aterosclerose/prevenção & controle , Endotélio Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunossupressores/farmacologia , Sirolimo/farmacologia , Resistência Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Administração Oral , Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Vasoconstrição/efeitos dos fármacos , Vasodilatação/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The increasing use of living kidney donors requires knowledge about long-term effects, especially number and causes of donors with chronic renal failure (CRF), and discussion about a regular follow-up program for donors, policies giving priority to kidney donors on the waiting list for a kidney, and a national record of donors. METHODS: We performed a Retrospective analysis of 470 records of our kidney donors from the kidney transplantation unit between 1977 and 1997. RESULTS: Five out of the 470 donors developed CRF (1.1%), with a calculated incidence of 610 per million people a year. CONCLUSION: The data showed that the risk of a donor developing CRF may be higher than in the in general population. These results showed the necessity of creating an effective follow-up program for donors and a national record.
Assuntos
Transplante de Rim/estatística & dados numéricos , Doadores Vivos , Nefrectomia/efeitos adversos , Obtenção de Tecidos e Órgãos/estatística & dados numéricos , Uremia/epidemiologia , Seguimentos , Humanos , Seleção de Pacientes , Uremia/etiologia , Uremia/cirurgiaRESUMO
Seventy pharmacies located in Sao Paulo were randomly selected and visited. Seven researchers posed as ordinary clients presenting with a standardized complaint of symptoms according to a scenario previously defined. The client asked for medicines to relieve his/her pain or discomfort. After the seller's suggestion the client asked for 2 drugs randomly selected from a drug list containing 30 trademarked drugs commonly prescribed to arthritis patients. These drugs should be available only on prescription. In only 12.8% of the pharmacies did the seller initially suggest the client see a physician. The sellers "prescribed' non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), vitamins, analgesics (AN) and corticosteroids (CO) in respectively 42.8, 20.0, 14.3 and 5.7% of the visits. From the drug list, the client secured 67.7% of the NSAID, 65.0% of the CO and 20.0% of the sedatives without presenting a prescription. Pharmacy sellers usually comply with the clients demands. Future studies should aim at the evaluation of interventions to reduce the availability of the over-the-counter drugs for arthritis.
Assuntos
Analgésicos/provisão & distribuição , Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/provisão & distribuição , Anti-Inflamatórios/provisão & distribuição , Artrite/tratamento farmacológico , Países em Desenvolvimento , Mau Uso de Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Medicamentos sem Prescrição/provisão & distribuição , Saúde da População Urbana , Adulto , Analgésicos/uso terapêutico , Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Artrite/epidemiologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Revisão de Uso de Medicamentos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Farmácias/estatística & dados numéricos , EsteroidesRESUMO
Reports of dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis complicating pregnancy are rare. Only nineteen cases have been published. We describe the first case in which juvenile DM appeared during pregnancy. An emergency cesarean section had to be performed due to fetal distress at 37 weeks of gestation. Patient and infant are doing well after 8 months of followup.
Assuntos
Dermatomiosite/complicações , Complicações na Gravidez , Adolescente , Dermatomiosite/epidemiologia , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Polimiosite/complicações , Polimiosite/epidemiologia , Gravidez , Complicações na Gravidez/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common painful inflammatory condition occurring mainly in the later half of life. Hip and knee are the joints mostly affected. Petiveria alliacea (tipi) popularly known as an anti-rheumatic medicine, has been used by OA patients to relief pain. This one-week cross-over double-blind trial has preliminary evaluated the analgesic effect of tipi tea in 14 patients with hip and knee OA. Imperata exaltata (sape) was used as the Placebo tea. The pain assessments that were made at baseline and before the start of the second treatment period by treatment groups were comparable. While taking tipi or placebo tea patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in pain on motion and pain at night. The comparison between the improvements reported while on tipi and placebo tea, however, did not disclose any statistically significant difference. At the conclusion of the study 7 patients preferred tipi tea and 6 preferred placebo tea (NS). Two patients reported insomnia, one during placebo treatment and the other during tipi treatment.