Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

The clinical hallmark of acute myocardial infarction is chest pain, typically located in the substernal region or sometimes in the epigastrium which frequently radiates to the neck, left arm and left shoulder. Anginal equivalents such as dyspnoea and epigastric discomfort may also occur. The physical findings can include diaphoresis, pale cool skin, sinus tachycardia and sometimes hypotension. The objective of my thesis is to describe the health-social overall impact. I have been interested in acute myocardial infarction problems since my first education as a rescuer. I used the method of classificatory frequency analysis of documents, comparing and analogy results each other. The main task was to show how the people live after acute myocardial infarction, if they are able to work or not. Graphical analysis shows patient{\crq}s social anamnesis, productivity, gender ratio and etc. Sample for analysis forms 109 patients, from that 16 forms employment history results, which are made separate.

Nesta dissertação, estudamos o efeito da Rosuvastatina (Ros) sob pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos. Dentro de 180 dias de estudo prospectivo, avaliamos a eficácia da utilização de anticorpos contra a LDL oxidada ou contra sequência peptídica da apolipoproteína B (apoBD) como marcadores no acompanhamento de resposta à droga. Acompanhamos 76 pacientes (Ros.,n=40/cont.,n=36) através das seguintes variáveis: perfil lipídico, TBARS, anticorpos IgG e IgM anti-oxLDL e IgG anti-apoBD. A partir dos resultados obtidos, concluímos que: não houve alterações consideradas significativas dentro do perfil lipídico; o tratamento controle reduziu significativamente TBARS; os anticorpos IgM anti-oxLDL e IgG anti-apoBD foram sensíveis como marcadores e houve redução significativa destes apenas no tratamento com Rosuvastatina; os níveis de anticorpos IgM e IgG anti-oxLDL não são correlacionados; existe correlação direta entre anticorpos IgG anti-oxLDL e anti-apoBD; os níveis de LDL se correlacionam inversamente aos níveis de IgG anti-oxLDL e IgG anti-apoBD. / In this dissertation, we studied the effect of rosuvastatin (Ros) in hypercholesterolemic patients. During 180 days, we evaluated t if antibodies against oxidized LDL or against a peptide from apolipoprotein B (apoBD) would work as markers to monitor a response to the drug. We enrolled 76 patients (Ros.,n = 40/cont.,n = 36 and used the following variables: lipid profile, TBARS, IgG and IgM anti-oxLDL and IgG anti-apoBD., We conclude that there were no significant changes seen in the lipid profile, the control treatment significantly reduced TBARS ,IgM anti-oxLDL and IgG anti-apoBD were sensitive markers and decreased significantly only in the treatment in Ros group; levels of IgM and IgG anti-oxLDL are not correlated; there is a direct correlation between IgG anti-oxLDL and anti-apoBD; LDL levels correlate inversely with levels of IgG anti-oxLDL and IgG anti-apoBD.

Abstract Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease with numerous genes and environmental factors affecting its intiation and progression. During the past years many candidate genes for atherosclerosis have been suggested, and it has also become evident that the immune system plays a part in atherogenesis. Early atherosclerotic changes can be effectively detected by measuring carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). In the present study the associations between IMT and polymorphisms of three candidate genes for atherosclerosis were studied: endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), apolipoprotein E (apoE) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1). To assess the role of immunological factors determining carotid atherosclerosis, CRP and circulating autoantibodies to oxidised LDL were studied in relation to IMT. The study population consisted of 519 hypertensive and 526 control subjects from a middle-aged population in Oulu, Finland. The results showed that the investigated polymorphisms of eNOS and PON1 genes were not associated with IMT, suggesting that these polymorphisms are not major risk factors for atherosclerosis in the general Caucasian population. A significant interaction between the apoE polymorphism and smoking in relation to IMT was observed among men, indicating that carriers of the ε4 allele may be particularly prone to the atherogenic effects of smoking. This interaction was especially clear in hypertensive subjects. CRP was strongly associated with IMT before adjusting for confounding factors. After the adjustment, this association diasppeared. The finding suggests that instead of early atherosclerosis CRP may be related to the later phases of the disease. This may partly explain the strong correlation between CRP and future cardiovascular events. IgM type of autoantibodies binding to oxidised LDL were inversely associated with IMT, and this finding remained after adjusting for previously known risk factors for atherosclerosis, implying a possible protective role for these antibodies in atherogenesis.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos recentes mostraram maior mortalidade em indivíduos nos extremos dos valores do índice de massa corpórea (IMC). Discute-se, também, a intensidade da influência da obesidade na mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares (DCV), em mulheres na pós-menopausa, e da participação dos estrógenos endógenos. Neste trabalho, analisamos, prospectivamente, a influência da obesidade e os níveis séricos de estrona nos principais fatores de risco em mulheres na pós-menopausa com doença arterial coronária (DAC), ou de alto risco para DAC, matriculadas no Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, realizado entre março de 2004 e setembro de 2006, em 251 mulheres na pós-menopausa com alto risco para eventos cardiovasculares, na ausência de reposição hormonal. Foram estudadas, em 3 visitas semestrais (V1-basal, V2 e V3), as características clínicas (pressão arterial, índice de massa corpórea, fatores de risco para DCV, medicação utilizada, e ocorrência de eventos neste período) e as laboratoriais [glicemia, perfil lipídico, inflamatórias (análise PCR ultra-sensível), bem como e os níveis de estrógeno endógeno (estrona)]. Foram classificadas, segundo o IMC (kg/m2), em normal (18,5<=IMC<25), sobrepeso (25<=IMC<30) e obesa (>=30), e também os níveis de estrona (= e =pg/mL). Foram realizadas as análises univariada, curvas de Kaplan-Meier para mortalidade, segundo os níveis de estrona, e regressão multivariada de Cox. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças entre os grupos com relação à idade (71±8 vs 70±7 vs 69±6 anos; p=0,112). O aumento do IMC associou-se a maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) (81% vs 96% vs 100%; p<0,01), diabetes melito (38% vs 52% vs 69%; p=0,001), e níveis de estrona (22,3±11 vs 22,4±9,4 vs 28,2±16,4 pg/mL; p=0,002). Menores níveis de HDL (58±15 vs 53±12 vs 50±11 mg/dl; p=0,009) e LDL (123±30 vs 115±38 vs 107±36 mg/dl; p=0,039). Os níveis de PCR permaneceram inalterados (0,38±0,33 vs 0,79±1,81 vs 0,63±0,57 mg/dl; p=0,180) e houve tendência de maiores níveis de triglicérides (143±81 vs 167±80 vs 191±149 mg/dl; p=0,061). Níveis séricos de estrona >=25 pg/mL foram observados nas pacientes com maiores níveis de pressão arterial sistólica (140±18 vs 145±18 mmHg; p=0,031), pressão arterial diastólica (82±10 vs 85±9 mmHg; p=0,003), e maiores níveis de glicemia (123±48 vs 146±67 mg/dl; p=0,003), com menor prevalência de DAC (81% vs 67%; p=0,010). Para o seguimento de 1,99±0,54 anos, observou-se aumento gradativo dos níveis de estrona (V1=25±13, V2=31±14, V3=33±17 pg/mL; p<0,01). A incidência de eventos cardiovasculares, segundo os níveis de estrona =25 pg/mL, foi semelhante nos dois grupos analisados, e aconteceram no tempo médio de seguimento de 0,62±0,46 anos. Ocorreram 14 óbitos, sendo 8 por DCV, e 6 por outras causas. A curva de Kaplan-Meier mostrou uma tendência (p=0,074) de maior mortalidade, conforme os níveis de estrona =pg/mL. A idade [OR=1,08 (IC95%:1,01-1,18); p=0,037], PCR [OR=1,24 (IC95%:1,03-1,50); p=0,024] e HAS [6,22 (IC95%:1,86-20,81); p=0,003] foram as variáveis independentes para mortalidade. Conclusões: Nível sérico de estrona, para valor >=25 pg/mL, associou-se a menor prevalência de DAC, porém, não influenciou na incidência de eventos cardiovasculares, nem na mortalidade. Observou-se uma tendência de maior mortalidade em mulheres com níveis de estrona <=15 pg/mL. Na divisão em normal, sobrepeso e obesa observamos padrão de síndrome metabólica nas pacientes. / INTRODUCTION: Recent studies showed higher mortality in people with extreme values of body mass index (BMI). The obesity\'s influence intensity in mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in postmenopausal women and the participation of the endogenous estrogens are unknown. In this study we analysed the influence of BMI and blood levels of estrone in the main risk factors for postmenopausal women (registered on the Heart Institute, University of São Paulo Medical School) with coronary artery disease (CAD) or with high risk for CVD. METHODS: Prospective study performed between March/2004 and September/2006, in 251 postmenopausal women with high risk for cardiovascular events in the absence of hormonal therapy. They were studied, in 3 biannual visits (V1-baseline, V2 and V3), clinical characteristics (blood pressure, BMI, risk factors for CVD, medication in use and events occurred during this period), laboratories exams [glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein and blood levels of endogenous estrogen (estrone)]. They were classified according to the BMI (kg/m2) in normal (18,5<=IMC<25), overweight (25<=IMC<30) and obese (>=30) and blood levels of estrone (= and =pg/mL). Univariate analysis, Kaplan-Meier estimation curves according to the blood levels of estrone and the Cox multivariate regression were done. RESULTS: No differences were seen among the groups regarding age (71±8 vs 70±7 vs 69±6 years; p=0,112). The increase of BMI was associated with higher prevalence of hypertension (81% vs 96% vs 100%; p<0,01), diabetes melito (38% vs 52% vs 69%; p=0,001) and blood levels of estrone (22,3±11 vs 22,4±9,4 vs 28,2±16,4 pg/mL; p=0,002); lower levels of HDL-cholesterol blood (58±15 vs 53±12 vs 50±11 mg/dL; p=0,009) and LDL-cholesterol (123±30 vs 115±38 vs 107±36 mg/dL; p=0,039). The levels of C-reactive protein remained unchanged (0,38±0,33 vs 0,79±1,81 vs 0,63±0,57 mg/dL; p=0,180) and a trend of higher levels of triglycerides (143±81 vs 167±80 vs 191±149 mg/dL; p=0,061). Blood level of estrone >=25 pg/mL was observed in pacientes with higher level of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (140±18 vs 145±18 mmHg; p=0,031), diastolic blood pressure (DBP)(82±10 vs 85±9 mmHg; p=0,003) and higher levels of glucose (123±48 vs 146±67 mg/dL; p=0,003), with lower prevalence of CHD (81% vs 67%; p=0,010). During the follow-up of 1,99±0,54 years was noticed a gradual increase of blood level of estrone (V1=25±13, V2=31±14, V3=33±17 pg/mL; p<0,01). The incidence of cardiovascular events according to the blood levels of estrone =25 pg/mL was similar in the two groups and occurred during the follow-up period of 0,62±0,46 years. Were reported 14 deaths: 8 associated with CVD and 6 related to another causes. The Kaplan-Meier estimation curve showed a trend (p=0,074) of greater mortality for CVD according the blood level of estrone of =15 pg/mL. The age [OR=1,08 (IC95%:1,01-1,18);p=0,037], C-reactive protein [OR=1,24 (IC95%:1,03-1,50);p=0,024] and hypertension [6,22 (IC95%:1,86- 20,81);p=0,003] were independent variables for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Blood level of estrone for readings of >=25 pg/mL, can be associated with smaller prevalence of CAD, but had no impact in cardiovascular events and mortality. We noticed a trend of greater mortality in women with estrone level lower than 15 pg/mL.

Introdução: É comum a associação entre apnéia do sono e a doença arterial coronária (DAC), devido a fatores predisponentes comuns como sexo masculino e obesidade. Entretanto, ainda não existe uma definição objetiva da relação entre apnéia e DAC. Objetivo: Avaliar se os episódios de isquemia miocárdica, a variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC) e as arritmias cardíacas de portadores de DAC sofrem alteração na presença da apnéia do sono. Métodos: Cinqüenta e três pacientes portadores de DAC foram submetidos à monitorização eletrocardiográfica ambulatorial de 48 horas e ao estudo do sono na primeira noite da monitorização. Os pacientes foram divididos de acordo com o índice de apnéia e hipopnéia (IAH) em: grupo Controle (IAH<=15) e grupo Apnéia (IAH>15). Os grupos foram comparados quanto à isquemia miocárdica, VFC e arritmias cardíacas ocorridas no período da vigília e do sono. Uma subanálise apenas com pacientes portadores de apnéia grave (IAH>30 - grupo Ap-Grave) foi realizada e comparada ao grupo Controle. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o teste de Mann-Whitney, teste de Fisher e teste T de student. Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças nas características clínicas básicas entre os grupos, exceto pelos níveis de pressão arterial mais elevada no grupo Ap-Grave (p<0,05). Nenhum dos pacientes despertou por angina noturna; 75% foram submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco, sem diferença quanto à gravidade da DAC e aos valores da fração de ejeção. Foi registrada isquemia em 39 (73,58%) pacientes, com carga isquêmica de 2892,26 minutos na vigília e 1186 no sono. Na vigília, foi menor a duração dos episódios isquêmicos no grupo Ap- Grave (p<0,05); no período do sono não houve diferença entre os grupos. Não houve diferença nas medidas da VFC e arritmias entre os grupos. Não foram registradas pausas >2 segundos, fibrilação ou flutter atrial, ou qualquer tipo de bloqueio atrioventricular. Conclusão: A apnéia do sono não apresentou relação direta com isquemia miocárdica, variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca e arritmias cardíacas em pacientes portadores de DAC. / Introduction: It is common to associate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with coronary artery disease (CAD) given the common predisposing factors; however, there are still controversies on the influence of OSA in the progression of CAD. Objective: To assess if OSA causes any changes in myocardial ischemia episodes, heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac arrhythmias in patients with CAD. Methods: Fifty-three people with CAD were submitted to ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and to polysomnography) simultaneously and divided according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) into two groups: Control (AHI<=15) and Apnea (AHI>15). A sub analysis including only people with severe apnea (AHI>30) was done and compared with the control group. Results: Differences in the basic clinical characteristics between the groups were not found, except for higher blood pressure levels in the Severe Apnea Group (p<0.05). None of the patients woke up because of nocturnal angina. The groups did not differ in relation to the extension of coronary artery disease and ejection fraction values. Myocardial ischemia was recorded in 39 (73.58%) patients. The total ischemic burden was 2892.26 minutes while awake and 1186 minutes while asleep; the groups did not differ during sleep. There was also no significant difference in HRV and arrhythmia measurements between the groups. Pauses >2 seconds, fibrillation or atrial flutter or any type of atrioventricular blocks were not registered. Conclusion: OSA did not present a direct relationship with myocardial ischemia, heart rate variability and arrhythmias in patients with CAD.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Radiography)-Dept. of Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2008. xxi, 146 leaves, Appendices A-S / The main aim of this study, was to assess the prevalence of coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic risk and non risk individuals in the South African Indian population, within the age group of 20-70 years.

Commercial capture-based aquaculture of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT), Thunnus thynnus (L.), has been prominent in the Mediterranean for over a decade. Owing to several limitations encountered in working with the species, including its high commercial value, there has been little research carried out relating to this species. The objective of this study was to examine several health parameters of captive ABT. These included an examination of coronary artery lesions, haematology, plasma biochemistry, assessment of immune function and changes in fatty acid (FA) flesh content through the on-growing period. Arteriosclerosis in fish is a pathologic condition of uncertain etiology and involves the main coronary artery in teleosts. Apart from reports of their widespread occurrence in salmonids, they have been described from a restricted number of wild ABT specimens but have not received further attention. This investigation analysed the effect of size and period of net-pen rearing on the prevalence and severity of arteriosclerotic lesions in ABT. Coronary arteries from wild and captive fish were investigated and prevalence was 100 %, but increasing structural degradation was observed with increasing fish size, suggesting that lesions progress throughout the life of the fish. Due to the limited availability of wild specimens, the effect of captivity on arteriosclerosis in ABT could not be adequately quantified, although observations suggest that the farming process has no major effect on arteriosclerotic lesions in ABT. Studies on the haematology, plasma biochemistry and immunology of ABT are limited. Haematological and plasma biochemical indices are useful in animal health assessment but use of these requires the establishment of species-specific ranges. Blood was collected from captive ABT specimens of varying weight (61-361 kg) and the major haematological (n = 45), plasma biochemical (n = 30) and immunological parameters (n = 45) were quantified. Size-based differences were found in haematological indices between experimental sub-groups including increased erythrocyte number and haemoglobin level in smaller ABT. No differences were found in immunological parameters except for total IgM levels, which were higher in the smaller individuals. Preliminary investigations indicated that disease prevalence in captive ABT is very low. Epidermal mucus is an important interface between fish and their environment and comprises immunological components which act as a first barrier against pathogen entry or colonisation. Mucus was collected from captive ABT and analysed for innate immune components. The presence of IgM was detected in the mucus of ABT by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and several different enzymes were detected with an API-ZYM kit assay. Zymography experiments confirmed the presence of protease-like enzymes in the mucus, while enzyme assays quantified alkaline phosphatase, protease, esterase and cathepsin B activities. Lysozyme levels were high. The mucus agglutinated sheep erythrocytes but did not demonstrate complement or bacteriolytic activity. There is restricted information on the fatty acid composition of farmed ABT or how this is influenced when the fish are held under commercial aquaculture conditions. This study investigated the FA composition of farmed ABT, its variation by dorsal muscle region and the correlation between dietary FA composition with that of the fish. Analysis of flesh samples retrieved from farmed ABT did not reveal significant differences in the FA composition of experimental sub-groups irrespective of size, time held in captivity or diet. These results indicate that FA metabolism in ABT is substrate-selective. Gene expression measurements from several organs of ABT showed that expression of Δfad5 and elovl5, genes involved in FA metabolism, were highest in the brain followed by the liver but no expression of these genes was detected in the spleen. The findings of this research address aspects of health evaluation and nutritional status in farmed ABT and are discussed in terms of farming practice. Conclusions from some of these studies suggest that the practice of holding wild-captured stock in cages for periods of up to 18 months does not result in significant impact on ABT.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master's Degree in technology: Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / The main aim of this study, was to assess the prevalence of coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic risk and non risk individuals in the South African Indian population, within the age group of 20-70 years. / M

A poluição atmosférica de grandes centros urbanos é relacionada com o aumento dos índices de mortalidade e morbidade, principalmente em indivíduos com predisposição às doenças cardiovasculares e progressão da aterosclerose. Com o objetivo de verificar o potencial aterogênico da poluição atmosférica da cidade de São Paulo avaliamos o comportamento do estresse oxidativo e produção de auto-anticorpos em modelo murino experimental \"in vivo\". Foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros: quantidade de lipídeo e espessura da placa aterosclerótica por analisador de imagens, oxidação da LDL sérica (TBARS) e tecidual e imunohistoquímica (8-isoprostano), ativação macrofágica (imunohistoquímicaMAC2) e produção de anticorpos anti-LDL oxidada (LDLox) e anti-peptídeo D da apoB-100 (ELISA). Os dados foram estudados na emergência, arco e porção descendente da aorta em 40 camundongos LDLR - / - knockout, machos, 30 dias de idade expostos às câmaras de intoxicação seletiva não filtrada e filtrada para material particulado e gases tóxicos, no período de Maio/Setembro de 2004. Nesse período não houve ultrapassagem dos níveis aceitáveis de poluição. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: Filtrada-Padrão (FP), Filtrada-E.Col.(FEcol), Poluída-Padrão (PP) e Poluída-E.Col.(PEcol). Obtivemos os seguintes resultados: maior aumento dos níveis de colesterol total nos grupos FEcol e PEcol (p<0,05); triglicérides séricos menores no grupo PEcol (p<0,05); aceleração de oxidação LDL sanguínea apenas no grupo PEcol; índices aumentados de anticorpos anti-LDLox e anticorpos anti-peptídeo D nos grupos PP e PEcol em relação aos demais (p<0,05); maior quantidade de gordura na raiz da aorta nos grupos com dieta Ecol (p<0,05) porém com espessura da placa superior apenas no grupo PEcol (p<0,05). A região descendente e o arco (núcleo necrótico e placa aterosclerótica) não apresentaram diferenças na análise de estresse oxidativo. A quantificação de macrófagos na aorta descendente foi maior no grupo FEcol em relação aos animais com dieta padrão (p<0,05). O núcleo necrótico e placa aterosclerótica do arco aórtico apresentaram o mesmo comportamento: FEcol maior que PP e FP (p<0,05). Concluímos que a poluição atmosférica urbana, mesmo em níveis considerados aceitáveis, potencializa a progressão da aterosclerose. / Epidemiologic studies have shown important relationship between atherogenic cardiovascular morbid-mortality and acute or chronic exposure to air pollution. We aim to study the atherogenic potential of São Paulo urban air pollution analyzing the plaque formation and its physiopathology through oxidative stress and auto-antibody production in a murine experimental model in vivo. We quantified the lipid deposit in the atherosclerotic plaque and its thickness by Image Analyzer, LDL oxidation in blood by TBARS and tissue by 8-isoprosthane, production of anti oxLDL and anti peptide D of apoB-100 antibodies by ELISA and macrophage activation through MAC2 staining. We analyzed three regions of the aorta: emergency, arch and descendent in 40 LDLR - / - knockout mice, male, 30 days old exposed to selective intoxication chambers with filters or not for particulate matter and toxic gases, during May to September 2004, when pollution did not overpass standard limits of air quality. Mice were divided in four groups: Filtered-Normal diet (FN), Filtered-enriched cholesterol diet (FEchol), Polluted-Normal diet (PN) and Polluted-enriched cholesterol diet (FEchol). Our results were: the highest amount of total cholesterol levels in FEchol and PEchol groups (p<0,05); the lowest triglycerides in PEchol mice (p<0,05); increment of oxLDL in blood only in PEchol animals; higher anti oxLDL and anti-peptide D antibodies in PN and PEchol than other groups (p<0,05); similar amounts of lipids in atherosclerotic plaque in Echol diet groups, but higher than mice submitted to Normal diet (p<0,05); PEchol mice presented the highest aorta thickness (p<0.05); oxidative stress showed similar results in both aortic regions in all groups; macrophage activation in descent region of the aorta showed that FEchol mice presented higher values than animals submitted to normal diet (p<0,05) and PEchol group reached higher values than PN animals (p<0,05); macrophage activation in the atherosclerotic necrotic core and plaque of the aortic arch showed similar pattern: FEchol higher than normal diet mice (p<0,05). We concluded that urban air pollution, even within standard limits of air quality, is able to potentate atherosclerosis progression.