RESUMO

Background: Coronary arteries originate from the first portion of the aorta, emerging from the right and left aortic sinuses. They traverse through the subepicardium and coronary sulcus to supply the myocardium during diastolic function. The objective of this review was to understand how the hypoplasia and agenesis of the coronary arteries are associated with cardiac pathologies. Methods: The databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and LILACS were researched until January 2024. An assurance tool for anatomical studies (AQUA) was used to evaluate methodological quality. The pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. Results: A total of three studies met the established selection criteria for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The prevalence of coronary artery variants was 3% (CI = 2% to 8%), with a heterogeneity of 77%. The other studies were analyzed descriptively, along with their respective clinical considerations in the presence of the variant. Conclusions: Hypoplasia and the congenital absence of the coronary arteries are often incidental findings and understanding these variants is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis. Additionally, it is essential to exercise caution when considering surgical management for hearts with these variants.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: A high incidence of anatomical variations in the origin of the branches of the aortic arch has been reported, Nowadays, this variation is considered the most frequent in the aortic arch, its prevalence being estimated between 0.5% and 2.5% of the population. To understand its origin, knowledge of embryonic development is necessary. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Latin-American literature and caribean of health sciences databases with dates ranging from their inception to June 2023. Study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality were assessed with the guaranteed tool for anatomical studies (Anatomical Quality Assurance). Finally, the pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies were found that met the eligibility criteria. Twenty studies with a total of 41,178 subjects were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of an ARSA variant was 1% (95% confidence interval = 1%-2%), the clinical findings found are that if ARSA is symptomatic it could produce changes in the hemodynamic function of the thoracocervical region in addition to other associated symptomatic complications in surrounding structures. CONCLUSIONS: ARSA can cause several types of alterations in the cervical or thoracic region, resulting in various clinical complications, such as lusory dysphagia. Hence, knowing this variant is extremely important for surgeons, especially those who treat the cervico-thoracic region. The low prevalence of ARSA means that many professionals are completely unaware of its existence and possible course and origin. Therefore, this study provides detailed knowledge of ARSA so that professionals can make better diagnoses and treatment of ARSA.

Assuntos

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Pain catastrophizing is an important psychological predictor of pain. Recent evidence suggests the relationship between catastrophizing and pain intensity could be bidirectional, but most studies have been conducted on chronic pain patients and using criticized statistical methods. The present study aimed to examine if the relationship between pain intensity and catastrophizing was bidirectional in the context of childbirth. METHODS: A total of 504 women without chronic pain were recruited on their 32-37 gestational week. They completed measures of catastrophizing and pain intensity on the first encounter and then again at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum. The temporal relationship between the variables was assessed using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model. RESULTS: The hypothesis of reciprocal association did not receive support, as pain intensity predicted catastrophizing during the postpartum period, but catastrophizing did not show an effect over pain intensity at any moment. CONCLUSIONS: Pain intensity predicting catastrophizing is consistent with previous literature, while the lack of effect of catastrophizing over pain intensity is an unexpected result, which may suggest that catastrophizing plays a different role in the postpartum period. These results highlight the importance of timely efforts for pain management during the postpartum period and contribute to the theoretical conceptualization of catastrophizing.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme is a marker of inflammatory processes whose activity can be measured through a colorimetric method developed as an in-house assay. This validation can reduce costs and expand the alternatives for laboratory diagnosis. METHODS: The ADA analysis was achieved through a modified form of Giusti and Galanti's (1984) method. The following parameters were characterized: calibration curve, linearity, analytical sensitivity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, method working range, precision (within-assay and between-assay), bias, total analytical error, and sample stability. The results were statistically evaluated and compared with quality specifications based on biological variations and the performance of commercial tests. RESULTS: The analytical sensitivity and limit of detection (0.013 and 3.0 U/L, respectively) were lower than those of commercial tests. The method's working range was 3.2-100.0 U/L. According to the quality specification, the method showed optimum performance with a bias <3.5%. However, repeatability (2.2% and 1.7% for normal- and high-activity samples, respectively) and reproducibility achieved worse results when compared to commercial tests. The method demonstrated an inappropriate between-assay precision for low enzymatic activity (10.4%) and the minimum and desirable performance for medium (8.8%) and high (5.0%) activities, respectively. It also presented at least a minimum performance (<25%) for the total analytical error of the three analyzed samples. The pleural fluid samples were found to be stable at -20°C for six days. CONCLUSION: The findings show that the in-house method displays an acceptable performance and is capable of generating results comparable to existing commercial tests.

Assuntos

RESUMO

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Healthy individuals exhibit a significantly higher concentration of faecal bifidobacteria in comparison to celiac patients. Even though there are potential benefits in probiotic usage, they have been little explored as an adjunctive therapy in celiac disease. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at the comparison of faecal bifidobacteria concentration and pH among celiac patients and healthy subjects before and after the daily intake of 100 g of yogurt containing probiotic for a thirty-day period. METHODS Feces from 17 healthy subjects and 14 celiac patients were analyzed, in which stool culture was performed for the isolation and quantification of faecal bifidobacteria. Furthermore, Gram’s method was employed for the microscopic analysis of the colonies, while the identification of the Bifidobacterium genus was made through determination of the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase enzyme. Faecal pH was measured using a calibrated pHmeter. RESULTS Faecal bifidobacteria concentration before probiotic consumption was significantly higher in healthy individuals (2.3x108±6.3x107 CFU/g) when compared to celiac patients (1.0x107±1.7x107 CFU/g). Faecal pH values did not show a significant difference. After the daily consumption of probiotic-containing yogurt both groups showed a significant increase in the concentration of faecal bifidobacteria, but healthy subjects presented significantly higher bifidobacteria concentrations (14.7x108±0.2x108 CFU/g) than the celiac group (0.76x108±0.1x108 CFU/g). The obtained pH values from both groups were not significantly different, being 7.28±0.518 for the celiac patients and 7.07±0.570 for healthy individuals after the probiotic intake. CONCLUSION The probiotic supplementation significantly increased the number of bifidobacteria in the feces of celiac patients, although it was not sufficient to reach the concentration found in healthy individuals prior to its consumption.

RESUMO CONTEXTO Indivíduos saudáveis apresentam uma concentração de bifidobactérias fecais significativamente maior em comparação a pacientes celíacos. Apesar de haver benefícios potenciais no uso de probióticos na doença celíaca, estes têm sido pouco explorados como uma terapia adjuvante. OBJETIVO Este estudo objetivou a comparação do pH e concentração fecal de bifidobactérias entre pacientes celíacos e indivíduos saudáveis antes e após o consumo diário de 100 g de iogurte contendo probiótico por um período de 30 dias. MÉTODOS Foram analisadas fezes de 17 pessoas saudáveis e 14 pacientes celíacos, tendo sido realizada a coprocultura para o isolamento e quantificação de bifidobactérias fecais. Além disso, o método de Gram foi empregado na análise microscópica das colônias, enquanto a identificação do gênero Bifidobacterium foi feita através da determinação da enzima frutose-6-fosfato fosfocetolase. O pH fecal foi medido usando um pHmetro calibrado. RESULTADOS A concentração de bifidobactérias fecais antes do consumo do iogurte probiótico foi significativamente maior em indivíduos saudáveis (2.3x108±6.3x107 UFC/g) quando comparada aos celíacos (1.0x107±1.7x107 CFU/g). Por outro lado, o pH fecal de ambos os grupos não apresentou diferença significativa. Após o consumo diário de iogurte contendo probiótico, ambos os grupos tiveram um aumento significativo na concentração de bifidobactérias fecais, entretanto indivíduos saudáveis apresentaram concentrações de bifidobactérias significativamente maiores (14.7x108±0.2x108 UFC/g) do que o grupo celíaco (0.76x108±0.1x108 UFC/g). Os valores de pH obtidos de ambos os grupos não foram significativamente diferentes, sendo de 7.28±0.518 para os pacientes celíacos e de 7.07±0.570 para os indivíduos saudáveis após o consumo do probiótico. CONCLUSÃO A suplementação com probiótico aumentou significativamente o número de bifidobactérias nas fezes dos pacientes celíacos apesar de não ter sido suficiente para alcançar a concentração encontrada em indivíduos saudáveis antes do consumo de probióticos.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Healthy individuals exhibit a significantly higher concentration of faecal bifidobacteria in comparison to celiac patients. Even though there are potential benefits in probiotic usage, they have been little explored as an adjunctive therapy in celiac disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at the comparison of faecal bifidobacteria concentration and pH among celiac patients and healthy subjects before and after the daily intake of 100 g of yogurt containing probiotic for a thirty-day period. METHODS: Feces from 17 healthy subjects and 14 celiac patients were analyzed, in which stool culture was performed for the isolation and quantification of faecal bifidobacteria. Furthermore, Gram's method was employed for the microscopic analysis of the colonies, while the identification of the Bifidobacterium genus was made through determination of the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase enzyme. Faecal pH was measured using a calibrated pHmeter. RESULTS: Faecal bifidobacteria concentration before probiotic consumption was significantly higher in healthy individuals (2.3x108±6.3x107 CFU/g) when compared to celiac patients (1.0x107±1.7x107 CFU/g). Faecal pH values did not show a significant difference. After the daily consumption of probiotic-containing yogurt both groups showed a significant increase in the concentration of faecal bifidobacteria, but healthy subjects presented significantly higher bifidobacteria concentrations (14.7x108±0.2x108 CFU/g) than the celiac group (0.76x108±0.1x108 CFU/g). The obtained pH values from both groups were not significantly different, being 7.28±0.518 for the celiac patients and 7.07±0.570 for healthy individuals after the probiotic intake. CONCLUSION: The probiotic supplementation significantly increased the number of bifidobacteria in the feces of celiac patients, although it was not sufficient to reach the concentration found in healthy individuals prior to its consumption.

Assuntos