Ana Paula Nunes

Quality of DNA extracted from saliva samples collected with the Oragene™ DNA self-collection kit

BackgroundLarge epidemiological studies in DNA biobanks have increasingly used less invasive methods for obtaining DNA samples, such as saliva collection. Although lower amounts of DNA are obtained as compared with blood collection, this method has been widely used because of its more simple logistics and increased response rate. The present study aimed to verify whether a storage time of 8 months decreases the quality of DNA from collected samples.MethodsSaliva samples were collected with an OrageneTM DNA Self-Collection Kit from 4,110 subjects aged 14–15 years. The samples were processed in two aliquots with an 8-month interval between them. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations were carried out in 20% of the samples by spectrophotometry and genotyping. Descriptive analyses and paired t-tests were performed.ResultsThe mean volume of saliva collected was 2.2 mL per subject, yielding on average 184.8 μg DNA per kit. Most samples showed a Ratio of OD differences (RAT) between 1.6 and 1.8 in the qualitative evaluation. The evaluation of DNA quality by TaqMan®, High Resolution Melting (HRM), and restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR (RFLP-PCR) showed a rate of success of up to 98% of the samples. The sample store time did not reduce either the quantity or quality of DNA extracted with the Oragene kit.ConclusionThe study results showed that a storage period of 8 months at room temperature did not reduce the quality of the DNA obtained. In addition, the use of the Oragene kit during fieldwork in large population-based studies allows for DNA of high quantity and high quality.

Efeitos de um programa de exercício físico não-supervisionado e acompanhado a distância, via internet, sobre a pressão arterial e composição corporal em indivíduos normotensos e pré-hipertensos

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of a six-month non-supervised physical training program followed via the Internet on blood pressure and body composition in normotensive and borderline hypertensive individuals. METHODS: One hundred and thirty five individuals were divided into two groups: 1) normotensive individual (n = 57), 43 ± 1 years of age, systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 120 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 80 mmHg (GI); and 2) borderline hypertensive individual (n = 78), 46 ± 1 years of age, SBP 120 to 139 and DBP 80 to 89 mmHg (GII). RESULTS: After a three and six-month physical training, GII individuals showed a significant reduction in SBP (-3.6 ± 0.94 and -10 ± 0.94 mmHg, p < 0.05, respectively) and PAD (-6.5 ± 1 and -7.1 ± 0.9 mmHg, p < 0.05, respectively), body weight (-1.12 ± 0.26 and -1.25 ± 0.31 kg, p < 0.05, respectively), BMI (-0.79 ± 0.4 and -0.84 ± 0.41 kg/m2, p < 0.05, respectively) and waist circumference (-1.12 ± 0.53 and -1.84 ± 0.56 cm, p < 0.05, respectively). In the GI group, the physical training led to a decrease in waist circumference at the sixth month (-1.6 ± 0.63 cm, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This program decreases blood pressure, body weight, BMI, and waist circumference in borderline hypertensive individuals, and is therefore a safe and low-cost strategy in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and improvement of health status of the population.

Produção de carne em ovinos de cinco genótipos: 3. Perdas e morfologia

Fifty (ten per breed) Merino, Polwarth. Corriedale, Romney Marsh and Texel lambs were castradet at 30 days of age and raised up to weaning (ten weeks) on native pasture at the Centro de Pesquisa de Pecuaria dos Campos Sulbrasileiros (EMBRAPA), Southern (Bage, RS) region of Brazil. Following weaning, the animals were feedioted during one week and each lamb was daily fed with 200 grams of a diet containing 17% of crude protein and 75% of dry matter basin. The animals were then moved to pasture up to 225 days of age when they were slaughtered to quantify and compare in vivo and carcass tosses and morphology. Liveweight (with and without a fasting period) was influenced by genotype. However, Merino, Polwarth and Corriedale live weight were not different among themselves, but lower than Romney Marsh lambs, which by their turn, were lower than Texel animals live weight. Fasting losses was significantiy affected when compared in absolute numbers (kg), bui not percentually. Highest tosses were observed in Texel breed lambs followed by Romney Marsh, whereas Corriedale, Polwarth and Merino didnot differ among themselves. Live weight carcass yield were significantly influenced by genotype. Heavier lambs showed superior carcass yield. Texel animals showed superior in vivo and in the carcass morphology, along wilh better conformation, body condition and body and carcass capacity, as cpmpared to other breeds.

Validade de um monitor digital de pulso para mensuração de pressão arterial em comparação com um esfigmomanômetro de mercúrio

BACKGROUND Valid measurements of blood pressure, both at clinical and community settings, are essential for monitoring this variable at the population level. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the validity of a wrist digital monitor for measuring blood pressure among adolescents in comparison to a mercury sphygmomanometer. METHODS A validation study was carried out in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Blood pressure was measured twice using two different sphygmomanometers; an OMRON wrist digital and a desktop BD mercury one. Half of the sample was measured first with the digital manometer and subsequently with the mercury one, whereas the remaining half was evaluated in the opposite order. Agreement between both measures was evaluated using the Bland and Altman method. RESULTS 120 adolescents aged 14 to 15 years were included (50% of each sex). Mean systolic blood pressure among boys was 113.7 mmHg (SD 14.2) when using the mercury manometer and 115.5 mmHg (SD 15.2) when using the digital one. Equivalent values for diastolic blood pressure were 61.5 mmHg (SD 9.9) and 69.6 mmHg (10.2), respectively. Among girls, the mean systolic blood pressure was 104.7 mmHg (SD 10.1) when using the mercury manometer and 102.4 mmHg (SD 11.9) when using the digital device. Values for diastolic blood pressure were 60.0 mmHg (SD 10.4) and 65.7 mmHg (SD 7.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The digital device showed a high level of agreement with the mercury manometer when measuring systolic blood pressure. The level of agreement was lower for diastolic blood pressure. The use of correction equations may be an alternative for studies using this wrist digital monitor in adolescent patients.

Importance of the area of fibrosis at midterm evolution of patients submitted to ventricular reconstruction

BACKGROUND Although it is acknowledged that the ventricular reconstruction surgery (VRS) can promote reverse remodeling, new studies are necessary to define the influence of the left ventricular (LV) area of fibrosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the extension of the area of fibrosis of the LV is important in the LV functional recovery after the surgery and correlate it with clinical factors. METHODS Prospective analysis of 82 patients with ventricular dysfunction submitted to VRS. We analyzed the importance of the clinical characteristics and the amount of fibrosis was assessed, measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as small, medium and large. RESULTS All patients were followed for 36 months, with a mortality of 6%. The amount of medium fibrosis was 25.8% +/- 13.6%. There was improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), from 36.9% +/- 6.8% to 48.2% +/- 8.2% (p < 0.001). There was an inverse association between the amount of fibrosis and the increase in LVEF (r = -0.83, p < 0.0001). There was a decrease in the LV end-systolic volume of 43.3 +/- 8.2 ml/m(2) (p < 0.001). There was an improvement in heart failure symptoms, except in patients with large areas of fibrosis (p = 0.45). The independent predictors for events were: fibrotic area (p = 0.01), age (p = 0.01), LV end-systolic volume (p = 0.03) and LVEF (p = 0.02). The event-free follow-up was different in relation to the area of fibrosis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION In patients with ventricular dysfunction, the extension of the area of fibrosis was an independent predictor of the LV functional recovery after the VRS. The combination of cardiac MRI and clinical parameters can help in the indication for VRS.FUNDAMENTO: Si bien se reconoce que la cirugia de reconstruccion ventricular (CRV) promueve remodelacion reversa, son necesarios nuevos estudios para definir la influencia del area de fibrosis del ventriculo izquierdo (VE). OBJETIVO: Evaluar si la extension del area de fibrosis del VI es importante en la recuperacion funcional ventricular tras la CRV y correlacionarlo con factores clinicos. METODO: Analisis prospectivo de 82 pacientes con disfuncion ventricular sometidos a CRV. Se analizo la importancia de las caracteristicas clinicas y se evaluaron las areas de fibrosis, medidas por resonancia magnetica y ponderadas como pequena, mediana y grande. RESULTADOS: Se realizo un seguimiento de 36 meses a todos los pacientes, con mortalidad del 6%. La cantidad de fibrosis promedio fue del 25,8% ± 13,6%. Existio una mejora de la fraccion de eyeccion del VI (FEVI), del 36,9% ± 6,8% al 48,2% ± 8,2% (p < 0,001). Existio relacion inversa entre la cantidad de fibrosis y el incremento de la FEVI (r = -0,83, p < 0,0001). Hubo una disminucion del volumen de fin de sistole del VI de 43,3 ± 8,2ml/m² (p < 0,001). Se produjo una mejoria en los sintomas de insuficiencia cardiaca, excepto en los pacientes con gran area de fibrosis (p = 0,45). Los predictores independientes para eventos fueron: area de fibrosis (p = 0,01), edad (p = 0,01), volumen de fin de sistole del VI (p = 0,03) y fraccion de eyeccion (p = 0,02). El seguimiento libre de eventos fue diferente en relacion con el area de fibrosis (p < 0,01). CONCLUSION: En pacientes con disfuncion ventricular, la extension del area de fibrosis fue un predictor independiente de la recuperacion funcional del VI luego de la CRV. La combinacion de RMC y parametros clinicos puede auxiliar en la indicacion de CRV.

Importância da área de fibrose na evolução em médio prazo de pacientes submetidos à reconstrução ventricular

BACKGROUND Although it is acknowledged that the ventricular reconstruction surgery (VRS) can promote reverse remodeling, new studies are necessary to define the influence of the left ventricular (LV) area of fibrosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the extension of the area of fibrosis of the LV is important in the LV functional recovery after the surgery and correlate it with clinical factors. METHODS Prospective analysis of 82 patients with ventricular dysfunction submitted to VRS. We analyzed the importance of the clinical characteristics and the amount of fibrosis was assessed, measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as small, medium and large. RESULTS All patients were followed for 36 months, with a mortality of 6%. The amount of medium fibrosis was 25.8% +/- 13.6%. There was improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), from 36.9% +/- 6.8% to 48.2% +/- 8.2% (p < 0.001). There was an inverse association between the amount of fibrosis and the increase in LVEF (r = -0.83, p < 0.0001). There was a decrease in the LV end-systolic volume of 43.3 +/- 8.2 ml/m(2) (p < 0.001). There was an improvement in heart failure symptoms, except in patients with large areas of fibrosis (p = 0.45). The independent predictors for events were: fibrotic area (p = 0.01), age (p = 0.01), LV end-systolic volume (p = 0.03) and LVEF (p = 0.02). The event-free follow-up was different in relation to the area of fibrosis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION In patients with ventricular dysfunction, the extension of the area of fibrosis was an independent predictor of the LV functional recovery after the VRS. The combination of cardiac MRI and clinical parameters can help in the indication for VRS.FUNDAMENTO: Si bien se reconoce que la cirugia de reconstruccion ventricular (CRV) promueve remodelacion reversa, son necesarios nuevos estudios para definir la influencia del area de fibrosis del ventriculo izquierdo (VE). OBJETIVO: Evaluar si la extension del area de fibrosis del VI es importante en la recuperacion funcional ventricular tras la CRV y correlacionarlo con factores clinicos. METODO: Analisis prospectivo de 82 pacientes con disfuncion ventricular sometidos a CRV. Se analizo la importancia de las caracteristicas clinicas y se evaluaron las areas de fibrosis, medidas por resonancia magnetica y ponderadas como pequena, mediana y grande. RESULTADOS: Se realizo un seguimiento de 36 meses a todos los pacientes, con mortalidad del 6%. La cantidad de fibrosis promedio fue del 25,8% ± 13,6%. Existio una mejora de la fraccion de eyeccion del VI (FEVI), del 36,9% ± 6,8% al 48,2% ± 8,2% (p < 0,001). Existio relacion inversa entre la cantidad de fibrosis y el incremento de la FEVI (r = -0,83, p < 0,0001). Hubo una disminucion del volumen de fin de sistole del VI de 43,3 ± 8,2ml/m² (p < 0,001). Se produjo una mejoria en los sintomas de insuficiencia cardiaca, excepto en los pacientes con gran area de fibrosis (p = 0,45). Los predictores independientes para eventos fueron: area de fibrosis (p = 0,01), edad (p = 0,01), volumen de fin de sistole del VI (p = 0,03) y fraccion de eyeccion (p = 0,02). El seguimiento libre de eventos fue diferente en relacion con el area de fibrosis (p < 0,01). CONCLUSION: En pacientes con disfuncion ventricular, la extension del area de fibrosis fue un predictor independiente de la recuperacion funcional del VI luego de la CRV. La combinacion de RMC y parametros clinicos puede auxiliar en la indicacion de CRV.

Importancia del área de fibrosis en la evolución a mediano plazo de pacientes sometidos a reconstrucción ventricular

BACKGROUND Although it is acknowledged that the ventricular reconstruction surgery (VRS) can promote reverse remodeling, new studies are necessary to define the influence of the left ventricular (LV) area of fibrosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the extension of the area of fibrosis of the LV is important in the LV functional recovery after the surgery and correlate it with clinical factors. METHODS Prospective analysis of 82 patients with ventricular dysfunction submitted to VRS. We analyzed the importance of the clinical characteristics and the amount of fibrosis was assessed, measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as small, medium and large. RESULTS All patients were followed for 36 months, with a mortality of 6%. The amount of medium fibrosis was 25.8% +/- 13.6%. There was improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), from 36.9% +/- 6.8% to 48.2% +/- 8.2% (p < 0.001). There was an inverse association between the amount of fibrosis and the increase in LVEF (r = -0.83, p < 0.0001). There was a decrease in the LV end-systolic volume of 43.3 +/- 8.2 ml/m(2) (p < 0.001). There was an improvement in heart failure symptoms, except in patients with large areas of fibrosis (p = 0.45). The independent predictors for events were: fibrotic area (p = 0.01), age (p = 0.01), LV end-systolic volume (p = 0.03) and LVEF (p = 0.02). The event-free follow-up was different in relation to the area of fibrosis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION In patients with ventricular dysfunction, the extension of the area of fibrosis was an independent predictor of the LV functional recovery after the VRS. The combination of cardiac MRI and clinical parameters can help in the indication for VRS.FUNDAMENTO: Si bien se reconoce que la cirugia de reconstruccion ventricular (CRV) promueve remodelacion reversa, son necesarios nuevos estudios para definir la influencia del area de fibrosis del ventriculo izquierdo (VE). OBJETIVO: Evaluar si la extension del area de fibrosis del VI es importante en la recuperacion funcional ventricular tras la CRV y correlacionarlo con factores clinicos. METODO: Analisis prospectivo de 82 pacientes con disfuncion ventricular sometidos a CRV. Se analizo la importancia de las caracteristicas clinicas y se evaluaron las areas de fibrosis, medidas por resonancia magnetica y ponderadas como pequena, mediana y grande. RESULTADOS: Se realizo un seguimiento de 36 meses a todos los pacientes, con mortalidad del 6%. La cantidad de fibrosis promedio fue del 25,8% ± 13,6%. Existio una mejora de la fraccion de eyeccion del VI (FEVI), del 36,9% ± 6,8% al 48,2% ± 8,2% (p < 0,001). Existio relacion inversa entre la cantidad de fibrosis y el incremento de la FEVI (r = -0,83, p < 0,0001). Hubo una disminucion del volumen de fin de sistole del VI de 43,3 ± 8,2ml/m² (p < 0,001). Se produjo una mejoria en los sintomas de insuficiencia cardiaca, excepto en los pacientes con gran area de fibrosis (p = 0,45). Los predictores independientes para eventos fueron: area de fibrosis (p = 0,01), edad (p = 0,01), volumen de fin de sistole del VI (p = 0,03) y fraccion de eyeccion (p = 0,02). El seguimiento libre de eventos fue diferente en relacion con el area de fibrosis (p < 0,01). CONCLUSION: En pacientes con disfuncion ventricular, la extension del area de fibrosis fue un predictor independiente de la recuperacion funcional del VI luego de la CRV. La combinacion de RMC y parametros clinicos puede auxiliar en la indicacion de CRV.