Jose Henrique Silvah

Impact of weight loss diet associated with flaxseed on inflammatory markers in men with cardiovascular risk factors: a clinical study

BackgroundFlaxseed has received attention for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant role. The present study hypothesizes if flaxseed added to a weight loss diet could improve the lipid and metabolic profiles and decrease risk factors related to cardiovascular disease.MethodsIn a prospective, single blinded 42 days protocol, subjects were allocated into two groups with low carbohydrates intake: GriceLC (35% of carbohydrate and 60g of raw rice powder per day) and GflaxLC (32% of carbohydrate and 60g of flaxseed powder per day). Blood pressure, anthropometric measures and serum levels of isoprostane, C-reactive protein, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, glucose, lipidic profile, uric acid, adiponectin, leptin and insulin were measured at baseline and at the end of interventions. Serum and urinary enterodiol and enterolactione were also measured.ResultsA total of 27 men with cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated, with mean age of 33 ± 10 years to GriceLC and 40 ± 9 years to GflaxLC. Both groups experienced weight loss and systolic blood pressure reduction. A decrease in inflammatory markers (CRP and TNF-α) was observed after flaxseed intake (mean decrease of 25% and 46% for GflaxLC respectively). All groups also showed improvement in levels of total cholesterol, LDL-c, uric acid and adiponectin. Only GflaxLC group showed a decrease in triglyceride levels.ConclusionThis study suggests that flaxseed added to a weight loss diet could be an important nutritional strategy to reduce inflammation markers such as CRP and TNF-α.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02132728.

The impact of intestinal resection on the immune function of short bowel syndrome patients

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is characterized by a massive intestinal loss after surgery resection. Likewise, disturbances involving the intestine, which represents a complex immune environment, may result in breakdown of homeostasis and altered responses, thus leading to unpredictable clinical outcomes. However, the consequences of bowel resection were poorly investigated until now. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the immunological status of SBS-patients. For this purpose, ten subjects and nine healthy controls were evaluated. Along with some metabolic disturbances, the main results showed higher levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in plasma among SBS-patients. However, there were no differences in the frequency of CD3+, CD3+CD4+ or CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes. An augmented frequency in CD4+ and CD8+ cells producing IFN-γ was also observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), together with elevated percentage of CD4+ cells producing IL-10. No differences were observed in the frequency of total CD4+CD25-, CD4+CD25+ lymphocytes nor in the expression of FoxP3 or GITR. Nevertheless, SBS-patients showed higher frequency of the regulatory T cell population CD4+CD25+CD39+ cells in PBMC. In conclusion, these data pointed to SBS as an important disturbance that compromises not only the intestinal environment but also negatively influences systemic immune components.

Retraction Note: Impact of weight loss diet associated with flaxseed on inflammatory markers in men with cardiovascular risk factors: a clinical study.

The Editor is retracting this article [1] because of concerns raised after publication with respect to the methods and the statistical analysis [2] which the authors have not been able to adequately address [2]. We apologise to all affected parties for the inconvenience caused. All authors support this retraction.

Hidrotórax secundário à nutrição parenteral - relato de caso

Hidrotorax secundario a infusao de nutricao parenteral e uma condicao rara, embora se apresente cada vez mais comum. Neste relato de caso, uma paciente com sindrome do intestino curto desenvolveu instabilidade hemodinâmica e insuficiencia respiratoria algumas horas apos o inicio da infusao de nutricao parenteral. Ressaltamos tambem as manobras para evitar e tratar tal complicacao.

Body surface infrared thermometry in patients with central venous cateter-related infections

Objective To evaluate if body surface temperature close to the central venous catheter insertion area is different when patients develop catheter-related bloodstream infections. Methods Observational cross-sectional study. Using a non-contact infrared thermometer, 3 consecutive measurements of body surface temperature were collected from 39 patients with central venous catheter on the following sites: nearby the catheter insertion area or totally implantable catheter reservoir, the equivalent contralateral region (without catheter), and forehead of the same subject. Results A total of 323 observations were collected. Respectively, both in male and female patients, disregarding the occurrence of infection, the mean temperature on the catheter area minus that on the contralateral region (mean ± standard deviation: -0.3±0.6°C versus -0.2±0.5ºC; p=0.36), and the mean temperature on the catheter area minus that on the forehead (mean ± standard deviation: -0.2±0.5°C versus -0.1±0.5ºC; p=0.3) resulted in negative values. Moreover, in infected patients, higher values were obtained on the catheter area (95%CI: 36.6-37.5ºC versus 36.3-36.5ºC; p<0.01) and by temperature subtractions: catheter area minus contralateral region (95%CI: -0.17 - +0.33ºC versus -0.33 - -0.20ºC; p=0.02) and catheter area minus forehead (95%CI: -0.02 - +0.55ºC versus -0.22 - -0.10ºC; p<0.01). Conclusion Using a non-contact infrared thermometer, patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections had higher temperature values both around catheter insertion area and in the subtraction of the temperatures on the contralateral and forehead regions from those on the catheter area.

Effect of Strontium Ranelate on Bone Metabolism of Elderly Men

To the Editor: Although less common than in women, male osteoporosis is associated with a significant burden of morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. Studies have shown that strontium ranelate (SR) reduces the risk of hip and vertebral fractures in women, and a recent study showed the effectiveness of SR in men with osteoporosis. SR seems to have a dual effect. It not only inhibits bone resorption, but also stimulates its formation. Preclinical studies using SR on laboratory animals and women show a preventive effect against osteoporosis. Considering the importance of the subject, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SR on bone metabolism in healthy, independent elderly men.

Indirect Calorimetry: From Expired CO2 Production, Inspired O2 Consumptionto Energy Equivalent

This paper emphasizes the methodology of data collection of indirect calorimetry, including establishment of steady state conditions and the standards in which the values are presented. It also aims to describe in details the calculations of VO2, VCO2, Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) and Respiratory Quotient (RQ). The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02072694.

Burning sensation and rupture of a totally implantable venous catheter

The case of a male patient, aged 46 years, with a history of thrombophilia who had mesenteric infarction in May 2011, is described. He suffered extensive bowel resection and terminal jejunostomy, with four inches of jejunum remaining after Treitz. The patient received PN through a totally implanted catheter in the left internal jugular vein for three weeks. After 21 days of PN infusion, during alcohol 70% infusion through the catheter,