Uncaria tomentosa and acute ischemic kidney injury in rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the renoprotective effects of Uncaria Tomentosa (cat's claw) on ischemic acute kidney injury induced by renal clamping in rats. The hypoxia and hypoperfusion increase the production of reactive species already present in the inflammatory process. Results showed that the renal function evaluated by creatinine clearance, the urinary excretion of peroxides and malondealdehyde indexes demonstrated that UT induced renoprotection, probably related to its antioxidant activities.     

Nursing staff absenteeism rates as a personnel management indicator

Absenteeism in nursing is a difficult problem for health organizations; hence it is an indicator that must be monitored. The objective of this study was to analyze the absenteeism rate of nursing professionals in a public hospital. Absenteeism data were collected monthly, from January to July 2008, and calculated by means of an electronic program. The mean absenteeism index for nurses varied from 5.6% to 9.7% for technicians/nursing aides. Sick leaves were the most prevalent reason for absences. The data revealed the major cause of absenteeism and pointed at the need to change policies for hiring nursing professionals, in addition to reviewing the working processes in order to improve the workers' health conditions.     

The community health agent and working as a team: the easy and difficult aspects

The objective of this study is to analyze the easy and difficult aspects of teamwork according to community health agents. Qualitative analysis was carried out from the hermeneutical and dialectic perspective; the reference point was the senses interpretation method. The strengths and weaknesses they pointed out revealed that working as a team requires emotional relationships, with emphasis on communication, respect and cooperation, and that team meetings is an important strategy to achieve this. In conclusion, there is a need for continuous investments in team member relationships.     

Atherosclerosis imaging and heart failure

Coronary atherosclerosis is the most important primary etiologic factor predisposing to the development of heart failure. The mechanisms by which coronary atherosclerosis lead to heart failure likely involve the initial development of regional myocardial dysfunction, later progressing to global ventricular failure and symptomatic congestive disease. A variety of imaging strategies have been investigated for their value in identifying and characterizing markers of atherosclerosis in the effort to detect early cardiac disease. Non-invasive imaging techniques for assessing anatomic or functional manifestations of atherosclerosis include carotid ultrasonography, coronary computed tomography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, brachial artery reactivity testing, and the ankle-brachial index. Many of these imaging methods are shown to have accuracy, reliability, and the potential to add value to an office-based cardiovascular risk assessment. Further development of such imaging methods could facilitate early intervention in the development of myocardial dysfunction while enhancing our understanding of the natural course of atherosclerotic disease.     

Xanthene‐Based Oligothiophene‐Layered Polymers

We synthesized xanthene‐based oligothiophene‐layered polymers containing bithiophenes, terthiophenes, quaterthiophenes and quinquethiophenes by the Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reaction. The polymers were characterized by various spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. They were well soluble in common organic solvents and thermally stable. Effective π‐π interactions among the layered oligothiophene units in the polymer backbone were not observed in the ground state as well as in the excited state. A possible application of the polymers in opto‐electronic devices such as hole transporting materials is expected.

     

Sporothrix schenckii infection presented as monoarthritis: report of two cases and review of the literature

Septic arthritis demands early diagnosis and correct treatment if the function of the joint is to be restored. Sometimes, as in fungal infection, signs and symptoms may be mild and the diagnosis delayed. Nevertheless, the outcome of fungal arthritis is severe and usually causes joint disability. The authors report two patients with chronic monoarthritis due to Sporothrix schenckii infection diagnosed by synovial fluid cultures. Their clinical presentation, laboratory and image findings, and their treatment and follow-up are analyzed and compared to previously reported cases. These cases illustrate the differential diagnosis of monoarthritis in immunocompetent adults and picture clinical features that could lead to early diagnosis and proper treatment.     

Increased expression of specific thioredoxin family proteins; a pilot immunohistochemical study on human hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide, however, prognosis remains poor following its discovery. We investigate the Thioredoxin superfamily of proteins as diagnostic markers for HCC. Furthermore, we delineate possible roles of the endoplasmic reticulum member of the superfamily, ERdj5, in carcinogenesis. Using antibodies against Thioredoxin 1, Thioredoxin Reductase 1 and ERdj5, we performed immunohistochemistry on paraffin embedded liver biopsy sections from HCC patients. All three redox proteins exhibited elevated expression levels in tumor tissue compared to internal control, with ERdj5 showing a remarkable 3-fold increase. In vitro cell viability experiments using Hepatocellular Carcinoma HuH7 cells treated with ERdj5 small interfering RNA showed that ERdj5 knockdown cells exhibited less resistance to Doxorubicin (chemotherapy drug), but more resistance to Tunicamycin (Endoplasmic Stress inducer), compared to control cells. In conclusion, we introduce members of the Thioredoxin superfamily as possible immunohistochemical markers in the diagnostics of hepatocellular carcinoma and indicate a potential defensive role for ERdj5 in chemotherapeutic drug resistance.