Clinics
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To evaluate the mean concentration of 25-hydroxivitamin D [25(OH) D] and prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in individuals residing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ⋯ Mean 25(OH) D values were higher in children and lower in adolescents and women. Approximately 90% of non-seniors and presumably healthy residents of the urban metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro presented satisfactory levels of 25(OH) D during the summer months; however, in over half of the elderly, the serum concentrations of 25(OH) D were inadequate. Therefore, strategies for the prevention of hypovitaminosis D should be considered in the senior population.
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To compare the inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS) states of adults with bronchiectasis with those of healthy controls and correlate inflammatory and OS levels with lung function and physical capacity. ⋯ Adults with bronchiectasis presented an increased systemic inflammatory response that correlated negatively with physical capacity.
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The aim was to prospectively assess the variation in liver stiffness (LS) and the associated factors for LS progression in a cohort of naïve, non-responder (NR), and sustained virological response (SVR) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. ⋯ LS in diabetes patients progresses despite SVR, suggesting the need for a close follow-up of this group post-treatment considering the risk of progression of liver disease even after SVR.
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Impact of clinical characteristics on human chorionic gonadotropin regression after molar pregnancy.
This study aimed to determine the effects of age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and contraception on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) regression following the evacuation of a molar pregnancy. ⋯ Age and race/ethnicity were not associated with hCG regression rates. Hormonal contraceptive use and obesity were associated with shorter hCG half-lives, but with unlikely clinical significance. It is important to understand whether the clinical characteristics of patients may influence the hCG regression curve, as it has been proposed as a way to predict the risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
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Observational Study
Predictors and reference equations for augmentation index, an arterial stiffness marker, in healthy children and adolescents.
To investigate predictors and propose reference equations for the augmentation index normalized to 75 bpm heart rate (AIx@75) in healthy children and adolescents. ⋯ In the present study, we used a representative sample from Belo Horizonte to establish normality values of AIx@75. We also identified, for the first time, independent predictors of AIx@75 in healthy children and adolescents categorized by sex and age. Determining AIx@75 reference equations may facilitate the early diagnosis of preclinical atherosclerosis and allow an objective measure of the vascular effects of therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying cardiovascular risk factors.