Adequacies of skin puncture for evaluating biochemical and hematological blood parameters in athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The authors tested the effect of blood sampling (skin versus venous puncture) on some biochemical and hematological blood parameters in athletes to answer whether skin puncture could be used as a substitute for venous puncture. DESIGN: Comparative study of 2 methods of blood samples collection. SETTING: The blood was collected in the same athletes at 3 different moments of the preparatory training phase. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen male indoor soccer players (22 +/- 1 years old) and 7 female handball players (18 +/- 1 years old) participated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Blood was collected in heparin and K3EDTA by Vacutainer BD or Microvette Sarstedt system for biochemical and hematological analyses, respectively. RESULTS: There were no significant statistical differences between the 2 methods for the values of creatine kinase, urea, creatinine, lymphocytes, and platelets. The other hematological analyzes and uric acid exhibited significant higher values in skin blood, although they were all within the normal expected range. A high degree of correlation was observed between the 2 techniques for all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Skin puncture is a reliable, easy, accurate, and less invasive sampling method for assessing hematological and some biochemical parameters in athletes, respecting that blood samples should always be obtained from the same site, especially in follow-up studies.     

The Bradykinin-potentiating peptides from venom gland and brain of Bothrops jararaca contain highly site specific inhibitors of the somatic angiotensin-converting enzyme

Pyroglutamyl, proline-rich oligopeptides, classically referred to as bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs) are found in Bothrops jararaca venom, and are naturally occurring inhibitors of the somatic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The chemical and pharmacological properties of these peptides were essential for the development of captopril, the first active site directed inhibitor of ACE, currently used to treat human hypertension. ACE is a complex ectoenzyme of the vascular endothelium, possessing two catalytic sites, performing diverse specific roles. Recent advances concerning novel features of BPPs revealed that they might still contribute to a better understanding of the cardiovascular physiology and pathology. The molecular biology of the BPPs revealed that they are part of two distinct C-type natriuretic peptide precursors found in the venom gland and the brain of B. jararaca, each containing seven BPPs. In situ hybridization studies detected the presence of the corresponding mRNA precursor in snake brain regions correlated with neuroendocrine functions, such as the ventro-medial hypothalamus, the paraventricular nuclei, the paraventricular organ, and the subcommissural organ. In this article we discuss the large variety of homologous BPPs in B. jararaca venom and brain, its significance, and whether the BPPs could represent novel endogenous neuropeptides.     

Parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the cerebral cortex of the lizardPodarcis hispanica

An antibody against the calcium binding protein parvalbumin selectively labels a set of neurons in the cerebral cortex of lizards. Golgi-like immunostained bipolar, multipolar and pyramid-like neurons appear mainly located in the inner plexiform layers. Parvalbumin-immunoreactive (PARV-IR) puncta are concentrated in the cell layer of the dorsal and dorsomedial cortices showing a basket-like distribution. The morphology and distribution of PARV-IR neurons and puncta overlap GABA-immunostaining in the cerebral cortex of lizards. Thus, it is likely that PARV-IR neurons are a subset of the cortical GABAergic neurons of lizards.     

Efficacy of epoetin-beta 30,000 IU/week in correcting anaemia in patients with gastrointestinal tumours subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Objective  

The aim of the project was to assess the effectiveness and safety of weekly epoetin-beta (EB) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCTRT).     

Contribution of hypoxia-measuring molecular imaging techniques to radiotherapy planning and treatment

Hypoxia is related to poor prognosis because it is associated to chemo-and radioresistance. During recent years the evolution of imaging methods like PET/CT and MRI has meant the appearance of new perspectives with direct implications in radiation therapy. We discuss previous experiences in staging, planning and in the follow-up process with these techniques for measuring tumour hypoxia.     

Usefulness of the N-Terminal Fraction of Brain Natriuretic Peptide for Deciding When to Refer Patients With Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome to the Cardiologist

Introduction and objectiveWhen sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) and cardiovascular disease occur concurrently, prognosis is affected. Echocardiography can detect structural cardiac abnormalities but using this technique in all patients would place a heavy burden on resources. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the N-terminal fraction of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) can be used as a marker for silent heart disease.Patients and methodsNT-proBNP concentration was measured in the 114 consecutive patients with SAHS who underwent echocardiography before starting treatment. Left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as structural abnormalities, were studied. Correlations between NT-proBNP concentration and the abnormalities detected were investigated. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was plotted for NT-proBNP concentration and cardiac abnormalities.ResultsData for 98 patients were finally analyzed. NT-proBNP concentration was significantly correlated with ventricular septal thickness (r=0.63), posterior wall thickness (r=0.45), and left ventricular enddiastolic diameter (r=0.51) (P<.0001 for all correlations). The area under the ROC curve was significant (0.870; 95% confidence interval, 0.801-0.939; P<.0001). Assuming that specificity would be more useful for clinical practice, we calculated that NT-proBNP concentrations below 100 and 200 pg/mL could rule out structural abnormalities with a reliability of 90% and 100%, respectively.ConclusionsNT-proBNP concentration was strongly correlated with echocardiographic abnormalities and so could be a useful tool for identifying patients who should be referred to the cardiologist.