Comparação entre os Efeitos da Ingestão de Sal do Himalaia e de Sal Comum sobre os Valores de Sódio Urinário e Pressão Arterial em Indivíduos Hipertensos

Background The Himalayan salt (HS) has become a popular alternative for the traditional table salt (TS) due to its health benefit claims, particularly for individuals with arterial hypertension. However, despite the increase in HS consumption, there is still a lack of clinical evidence to support a recommendation for its consumption by health professionals.Objective This cross-over study aimed to compare the impact of HS and TS intake on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and urinary sodium concentration in individuals with arterial hypertension.Methods This study recruited 17 female patients with arterial hypertension who ate out no more than once a week. Participants were randomized into two groups, to receive and consume either HS or TS. Before and after each intervention, participants had their blood pressure measured and urine collected for mineral analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results There were no statistically significant differences before and after the HS intervention for DBP (70mmHg vs. 68.5mmHg; p=0.977), SBP (118.5 mmHg vs. 117.5 mmHg; p= 0.932) and sodium urinary concentration (151 mEq/24h vs. 159 mEq/24; p=0.875). Moreover, the between-group analysis showed no significant differences after the intervention regarding SBP (117mmHg vs 119 mmHg; p=0.908), DBP (68.5 mmHg vs. 71mmHg; p= 0,645) or sodium urinary concentration (159 mEq/24h vs. 155 mEq/24h; p=0.734).Conclusion This study suggests that there are no significant differences on the impact of HS consumption compared to TS on blood pressure and sodium urinary concentration in individuals with arterial hypertension.     

Use of ginger to control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in patients with cervical cancer undergoing treatment: An experiment

Introduction:Uterine cervix tumors have an invasive nature, with the capacity to proliferate to surrounding organs such as the vagina, bladder, and rectum, as well as the capacity for dissemination and involvement of structures distant from its place of origin. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, patients with stages IB I, IB I microscopic (small dimension <4 cm) are indicated for radiotherapy or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin (40 mg/m²). However, cisplatin has side effects such as hematological implications (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia), gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), and fatigue. Zingiber officinale contains bioactive compounds that act on pregnancy and postoperative nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and also in the management of fatigue, myalgia, and insomnia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ginger on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cervical cancer undergoing treatment with cisplatin and radiotherapy.Methods and analyses:A randomized intervention clinical and controlled trial with a triple-blind design is described, comparing the effects of institutional antiemetic therapy alone, as well as in combination with 2 different ginger concentrations.Ethics and dissemination:Due to the nature of the study, we obtained approval from the Division Ethics Committee of Liga Contra o Câncer. All participants signed an informed consent form prior to randomization. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The data collected will also be available in a public repository of data.Trial registration number:This study is registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials under number RBR-47yx6p9. This study was approved by the Division Ethics Committee of Liga Contra o Câncer under CAAE 40602320.0.0000.5293.     

An exploratory study of body composition as a determinant of epirubicin pharmacokinetics and toxicity

Purpose

Although body composition has emerged as an important predictor of drug efficacy and toxicity, explanations for this association are unclear. Our goal was to investigate relationships between lean body mass (LBM), liver size/function and epirubicin pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicity.

Methods

Data from a clinical study (n?=?24) of patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant intravenous FE₁₀₀C chemotherapy were used to examine relationships between LBM, liver size, and epirubicin clearance. Muscle tissue and liver mass were measured by analysis of computerized tomography cross-sectional images, and an extrapolation of muscle mass to total LBM compartment was employed. Population PK analysis of epirubicin was undertaken to test effects of body composition on epirubicin clearance and area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Estimated LBM was extremely variable in this cohort ranging from 32.9 to 67.3?kg. LBM was associated with neutrophil nadir (r?=?0.5, P?=?0.023), and mean LBM was lower for patients presenting with toxicity compared to those where toxicity was absent (41.6 vs. 56.2?kg, P?=?0.002); 33% of variance in clearance was explained by LBM and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Liver mass was not related to epirubicin clearance likely due to larger livers presenting with larger fat content, but liver attenuation (degree of fat infiltration) and AST were associated with AUC.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine relationships between LBM, liver mass/function and epirubicin PK and toxicity. This exploratory work investigates the notion of organs and tissues having distinctive contributions to the distribution and metabolism of antineoplastic drugs.     

Ultrasonographic and doppler velocimetric evaluation of the levator ani muscle according to the hormonal status

Objective

We aimed to study the cross-sectional area of levator ani muscle and the doppler velocimetric parameters of vessels its in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Study design

Sixty-four patients, divided into 3 groups, were assessed: group I (20 women—average age 28 years) premenopausal and nulliparous (control); group II (24 women—average age 38 years, vaginal delivery 1–4) premenopausal with vaginal deliveries; group III (20 women—average age 55 years, parity 0–4) postmenopausal without hormonal therapy. Doppler velocimetry of levator ani muscle vessels through resistance and pulsatility indices was used and the means of the groups compared by adjusting the weighed variance model with multiple comparisons, according to Tukey's method. Similarly, we measured the cross-sectional area of the muscle using ultrasonography.

Results

There was a significant increase in resistance and pulsatility indices in postmenopausal patients as compared to the other two groups. We also observed a significant decrease in the cross-sectional area of the muscle of postmenopausal patients when compared to those in premenopausal.

Conclusion

The obtained results allow us to conclude that levator ani muscle vascularization significantly decreases after menopause (age and/or hipoestrogenism) and that it can be assumed that vaginal delivery does not promote long-term alterations in levator ani muscle vascularization. We also observed a significant decrease in the cross-sectional area of the muscle in postmenopausal women when compared to those in premenopausal.     

A new heparin fragment decreases liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

<正>To the Editor:Ischemia-reperfusion injury following surgery and transplantation can lead to irreversible multiorgan failure.Intracellular calcium overload is associated to cellular death during ischemiareperfusion.A recently discovered heparin fragment (HF),trisulfated disaccharide (TD),that acts on sodium-calcium exchanger(NCX) decreasing intracellular Ca²⁺,showed effectiveness on protecting hepatocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury [1],     

Perception of Portuguese Consumers Regarding Food Labeling

Food labels are the first information tool used by consumers in the purchase and consumption of food products. Food labeling is a tool that can influence the consumers’ perception of quality and, in turn, their food choice. This study characterizes and demonstrates the importance of labeling and the degree of consumers’ perception and literacy about food labels through the application of an online questionnaire. The results obtained, in a sample of n = 467, showed that Portuguese consumers have the habit of reading the label and recognizing its importance but do not understand all the information contained in the label. They have an easier time understanding the front-of-pack labeling systems, especially those presented through symbols/colors. Thus, it demonstrates the need for greater education and literacy in the areas of food and nutrition so that through the reading and interpretation of labels, consumers can make informed food choices.     

Nanocomposites based on the graphene family for food packaging: historical perspective,preparation methods,and properties

Nanotechnology experienced a great technological advance after the discovery of the graphene family (graphene – Gr, graphene oxide – GO, and reduced graphene oxide-rGO). Based on the excellent properties of these materials, it is possible to develop novel polymeric nanocomposites for several applications in our daily routine. One of the most prominent applications is for food packaging, offering nanocomposites with improved thermal, mechanical, anti-microbial, and barrier properties against gas and water vapor. This paper reviewed food packaging from its inception to the present day, with the development of more resistant and intelligent packaging. Herein, the most common combinations of polymeric matrices (derived from non-renewable and renewable sources) with Gr, GO, and rGO and their typical preparation methods are presented. Besides, the interactions present in these nanocomposites will be discussed in detail, and their final properties will be thoroughly analyzed as a function of the preparation technique and graphene family-matrix combinations.

Food packaging based on nanotechnology of polymeric nanocomposites of graphene and graphene oxide results in packaging with better thermal, mechanical, antimicrobial, electrical packaging, moisture barrier and gas properties.