São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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Preeclampsia is a multi-systemic disease and one of the most frequent severe health problems during pregnancy. Binding of insulin triggers phosphorylation and activates cytoplasmic substrates such as phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K). Phosphorylation of membrane phosphoinositide 2 (PIP2) to phosphoinositide 3 (PIP3) by PI3K starts Akt/PKB activation. Defects in phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and its substrates have an important role in insulin resistance. Studies have shown that insulin resistance is associated with preeclampsia and its pathophysiology. The aim here was to investigate insulin stimulation of the Akt/PKB pathway in the placenta, in normal and preeclampsia parturients. ⋯ In vitro insulin stimulation of the human placenta has been well established. There was no difference in Akt/PKB phosphorylation, after stimulation with insulin, between placentas of normal and preeclampsia patients. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that the Akt/PKB signaling pathway may have a role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, since the substrates of Akt/PKB still need to be investigated.
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Controversy exists regarding the relationship between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA), presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaques and bone mineral density (BMD) evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in postmenopausal women. ⋯ In women referred for routine osteoporosis screening, the relationship between CCA, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis can be demonstrated using either cortical or trabecular BMD. Vertebral fractures may be considered to be a likelihood factor for atherosclerotic plaque development.
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Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent agent isolated in diabetic foot infections and may be associated with changes to wound healing times. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature, including studies that assessed the efficacy of any clinical or surgical intervention, as well as oral or topical therapy for diabetic ulcers infected with S. aureus. ⋯ There are few studies reporting the healing of wounds infected with S. aureus in diabetic patients, although this is the most commonly found pathogen in this type of wound and it frequently consists of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). There is insufficient evidence to support early use of broad-spectrum antibiotics against MRSA to promote healing of diabetic ulcers, since antibiotic resistance may develop from such treatment. This highlights the need for further studies on the subject.
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Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) is a recently described medical condition that displays biological similarities to the most common subtype of adult leukemia in the Western world, i.e. chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Diagnostic criteria have been published with the aim of differentiating between these two entities. ⋯ MBL is classified as "clinical MBL", "population-screening MBL" and "atypical MBL" and the clinical management of affected individuals depends greatly on this differentiation. The present review provides a guide to diagnosing and following up MBL patients.