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Arias-Chávez DJ, Mailloux-Salinas P, Aparicio JL, Bravo G, Gómez-Viquez NL. Combined fructose and sucrose consumption from an early age aggravates cardiac oxidative damage and causes a dilated cardiomyopathy in SHR rats. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2023; 73:205-213. [PMID: 37970552 PMCID: PMC10636576 DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.23-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity increases the risk of arterial hypertension in young adults and favors an early-onset cardiomyopathy by generating oxidative stress. In this sense, indiscriminate consumption of sucrose and fructose sweetened beverages from early ages causes obesity, however its consequences on the heart when there is a genetic predisposition to develop hypertension are not clear. We compared the effects of sucrose, fructose, and their combination in weanling male spontaneously hypertensive rats to determine the relationship between genetic hypertension, obesity, and consumption of these sugars on the degree of cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress and Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II delta oxidation. Histological, biochemical, and Western blot studies were performed 12 weeks after treatment initiation. We found that chronic consumption of sucrose or fructose leads to obesity, exacerbates genetic arterial hypertension-induced metabolic alterations, and increases cardiac oxidative stress, Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II delta oxidation and cardiac hypertrophy. Nonetheless, when sucrose and fructose are consumed together, metabolic alterations worsen and are accompanied by dilated cardiomyopathy. These data suggest that sucrose and fructose combined consumption starting from maternal weaning in rats with genetic predisposition to arterial hypertension accelerates the progression of cardiomyopathy resulting in an early dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Julian Arias-Chávez
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico. Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, Ciudad de México14330, México
| | - Patrick Mailloux-Salinas
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico. Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, Ciudad de México14330, México
| | - Jessica Ledesma Aparicio
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico. Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, Ciudad de México14330, México
| | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico. Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, Ciudad de México14330, México
| | - Norma Leticia Gómez-Viquez
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico. Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, Ciudad de México14330, México
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Gómez-Viquez NL, Balderas-Villalobos J, Bello-Sánchez MD, Mayorga-Luna M, Mailloux-Salinas P, García-Castañeda M, Ríos-Pérez EB, Mártinez-Ávila MA, Camacho-Castillo LDC, Bravo G, Ávila G, Altamirano J, Carvajal K. Oxidative stress in early metabolic syndrome impairs cardiac RyR2 and SERCA2a activity and modifies the interplay of these proteins during Ca 2+ waves. Arch Physiol Biochem 2023; 129:1058-1070. [PMID: 33689540 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2021.1895224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We investigated how oxidative stress (OS) alters Ca2+ handling in ventricular myocytes in early metabolic syndrome (MetS) in sucrose-fed rats. The effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or dl-Dithiothreitol (DTT) on systolic Ca2+ transients (SCaTs), diastolic Ca2+ sparks (CaS) and Ca2+ waves (CaW), recorded by confocal techniques, and L-type Ca2+ current (ICa), assessed by whole-cell patch clamp, were evaluated in MetS and Control cells. MetS myocytes exhibited decreased SCaTs and CaS frequency but unaffected CaW propagation. In Control cells, NAC/DTT reduced RyR2/SERCA2a activity blunting SCaTs, CaS frequency and CaW propagation, suggesting that basal ROS optimised Ca2+ signalling by maintaining RyR2/SERCA2a function and that these proteins facilitate CaW propagation. Conversely, NAC/DTT in MetS recovered RyR2/SERCA2a function, improving SCaTs and CaS frequency, but unexpectedly decreasing CaW propagation. We hypothesised that OS decreases RyR2/SERCA2a activity at early MetS, and while decreased SERCA2a favours CaW propagation, diminished RyR2 restrains it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Leticia Gómez-Viquez
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jaime Balderas-Villalobos
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
- Laboratorio de Nutrición Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ma Dolores Bello-Sánchez
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Maritza Mayorga-Luna
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Patrick Mailloux-Salinas
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Maricela García-Castañeda
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Erick Benjamín Ríos-Pérez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | | | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Guillermo Ávila
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Julio Altamirano
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey, México
| | - Karla Carvajal
- Laboratorio de Nutrición Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México, México
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Arias-Chávez DJ, Mailloux-Salinas P, Ledesma-Aparicio J, Campos-Pérez E, Medina-Campos ON, Pedraza-Chaverri J, Bravo G. Tomato lipidic extract plus selenium decrease prostatic hyperplasia, dihydrotestosterone and androgen receptor expression versus finasteride in rats. World J Urol 2023; 41:2793-2799. [PMID: 37659980 PMCID: PMC10582118 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-023-04558-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Evaluate the therapeutic effect of a tomato lipidic extract (STE) in combination with selenium (Se) on rats with prostatic hyperplasia (PH) and to observe its possible mechanisms of action and synergism versus finasteride. MATERIALS AND METHODS 54 male Wistar rats of nine weeks old were divided in Control (C), PH, Finasteride (F), STE, Se, F + STE, F + Se, STE + Se and F + STE + Se with testosterone enanthate (except C). After 4 weeks of treatment administration, prostate weight, bladder weight, diuresis, prooxidant and antioxidant activity, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androgen receptor (AR) expression and anatomopathological analysis were determined. RESULTS STE + Se decreased prostate weight 53.8% versus 28% in F group, also STE + Se decreased significatively glandular hyperplasia, prooxidant activity, DHT and AR expression and increased diuresis and antioxidant activity versus finasteride which increased MDA in prostate. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate a greater therapeutic and beneficial effect of tomato lipidic extract in combination with Se in young rats with PH with respect to finasteride without increase prooxidant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Julian Arias-Chávez
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede Sur, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Patrick Mailloux-Salinas
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede Sur, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jessica Ledesma-Aparicio
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede Sur, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Elihu Campos-Pérez
- Departamento de Patología, Hospital General Dra Matilde Petra Montoya Lafragua, ISSSTE, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Patología, Hospital Ángeles Lindavista, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Omar Noel Medina-Campos
- Laboratorio F-315, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - José Pedraza-Chaverri
- Laboratorio F-315, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede Sur, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Arias‐Chávez DJ, Mailloux‐Salinas P, Ledesma Aparicio J, Campos‐Pérez E, Medina‐Campos ON, Pedraza‐Chaverri J, Bravo G. Selenium in combination with a tomato lipid extract as a therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia and its alterations in rats with induced BPH. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:3147-3156. [PMID: 37726932 PMCID: PMC10568668 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common adenoma in old men. Tomatoes are a rich source of bioactive compounds that, as well as selenium (Se), possess antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Se in combination with a tomato extract in aged rats with BPH. Aged male Wistar rats were divided in the following groups (n = 10 rats/group): Control (C), BPH, BPH + Finasteride (BPH + F), BPH + Tomato Lipidic Extract (BPH + E), BPH + Selenium (BPH + S) and BPH plus E plus S (BPH + E + S). After 4 weeks of treatment, prostate weight, diuresis, antioxidants enzymes, prooxidants and inflammatory markers, growth factors and androgens were determined. BPH + E + S reduced prostate weight by 59.29% and inhibited growth by 99.35% compared to BPH + F which only decreased weight and inhibited growth by 15.31% and 57.54%, respectively. Prooxidant markers were higher with BPH + F (49.4% higher vs. BPH), but BPH + E + S decreased these markers (94.27% vs. BPH) and increased antioxidant activity. Finally, diuresis was higher with the BPH + E + S combination and markers of inflammation and growth factors were significantly lower with respect to BPH + F. Our findings provide a beneficial and protective therapeutic option of E + S directed against androgens, oxidative stress and inflammation that regulates cell proliferation in the prostate gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Julian Arias‐Chávez
- Departmento de FarmacobiologíaCentro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede SurMexico CityMexico
| | - Patrick Mailloux‐Salinas
- Departmento de FarmacobiologíaCentro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede SurMexico CityMexico
| | - Jessica Ledesma Aparicio
- Departmento de FarmacobiologíaCentro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede SurMexico CityMexico
| | - Elihu Campos‐Pérez
- Departamento de Patología, ISSSTEHospital General Dra. Matilde Petra Montoya LafraguaMexico CityMexico
- Departamento de PatologíaHospital Ángeles LindavistaMexico CityMexico
| | - Omar Noel Medina‐Campos
- Laboratorio F‐315, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de QuímicaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMexico CityMexico
| | - José Pedraza‐Chaverri
- Laboratorio F‐315, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de QuímicaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMexico CityMexico
| | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Departmento de FarmacobiologíaCentro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Sede SurMexico CityMexico
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Colado-Velázquez JI, Mailloux-Salinas P, Arias-Chávez DJ, Ledesma-Aparicio J, Gómez-Viquez NL, Cano-Europa E, Sarabia GN, Bravo G. Lipidic extract of whole tomato reduces hyperplasia, oxidative stress and inflammation on testosterone-induced BPH in obese rats. Int Urol Nephrol 2023; 55:529-539. [PMID: 36464759 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-022-03383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tomato is an important source of lycopene, a carotenoid that has been emerging as a natural preventive agent for prostate disease. Moreover, tomato contains other components with a wide range of physiological properties, but their potential beneficial effects on prostatic hyperplasia (PH) during obesity have not been completely established. In this study, we compared the effect of a lipidic extract of tomato saladette (STE) with Serenoa repens (SR) on obese rats with PH. METHODS Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided in Control (C) and Obese (Ob) treated without (n = 12) and with (n = 36) testosterone enanthate (TE), once a week for 8 weeks to induce PH. After 4 weeks, SR and STE were administered. Biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines production were determined. RESULTS TE increased prostate weight and caused prostatic hyperplasia in C group, and these effects were exacerbated by obesity. SR and STE reverted the increase in prostate weight and hyperplasia caused by TE in C and Ob groups. Obesity increased LDL, TGs, NOx and MAD, but decreased HDLc, GSx, SOD and CAT. SR reverted the effects of obesity, but these were significantly reduced and HDLc increased with STE. Obesity and TE increased TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, but these were partially reverted by STE compared with SR. CONCLUSIONS Excess of fat tissue increases the alterations by PH. STE diminishes these alterations compared with SR, suggesting its beneficial effect to improve prostate function. Whole tomato lipid extract could serve as sole therapy or as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment for PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juventino Iii Colado-Velázquez
- Depto. Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-IPN, Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, 14330, México, Mexico
- Autonomous University of the West, Unidad Regional Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Patrick Mailloux-Salinas
- Depto. Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-IPN, Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, 14330, México, Mexico
| | - David Julian Arias-Chávez
- Depto. Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-IPN, Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, 14330, México, Mexico
| | - Jessica Ledesma-Aparicio
- Depto. Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-IPN, Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, 14330, México, Mexico
| | - Norma Leticia Gómez-Viquez
- Depto. Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-IPN, Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, 14330, México, Mexico
| | - Edgard Cano-Europa
- Lab. de Metabolismo I, Departamento de Fisiología "Dr. Mauricio Russek Berman", Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, Mexico
| | | | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Depto. Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-IPN, Calz. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, 14330, México, Mexico.
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Bérubé A, Tapp D, Dupéré S, Plaisance A, Bravo G, Downar J, Couture V. Do Socioeconomic Factors Influence Knowledge, Attitudes, and Representations of End-of-Life Practices? A Cross-Sectional Study. J Palliat Care 2022:8258597221131658. [PMID: 36237145 DOI: 10.1177/08258597221131658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Access to palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care might be influenced by knowledge, attitudes, and representations of these practices. Socioeconomic factors might then affect what people know about EOL care practices, and how they perceive them. This study aims to compare knowledge, attitudes, and representations regarding EOL practices including assisted suicide, medical assistance in dying, and continuous palliative sedation of adults, according to socioeconomic variables. METHODS A cross-sectional community-based questionnaire study featuring two evolving vignettes and five end-of-life practices was conducted in Quebec, Canada. Three sample subgroups were created according to the participants' perceived financial situation and three according to educational attainment. Descriptive analysis was used to compare levels of knowledge, attitudes, and representations between the subgroups. RESULTS Nine hundred sixty-six (966) people completed the questionnaire. Two hundred and seventy participants (28.7%) had a high school diploma or less, and 42 participants (4.4%) were facing financial hardship. The majority of respondents supported all end-of-life options and the loosening of eligibility requirements for medical assistance in dying. Differences between subgroups were minor. While respondents in socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups had less knowledge about EOL practices, those with lower educational attainment were more likely to be in favor of medical assistance in dying, and less likely to favor continuous palliative sedation. CONCLUSIONS People living with situational social and economic vulnerabilities face multiple barriers in accessing health care. While they may have poorer knowledge about EOL practices, they have a positive attitude towards medical assistance in dying and assisted suicide, and a negative attitude towards continuous palliative sedation. This highlights the need for future research and interventions aimed at empowering this population and enhancing their access to EOL care.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bérubé
- Faculty of Nursing, 4440Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, local A-3645-D, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Cardiology Department, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Research Center-Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - D Tapp
- Faculty of Nursing, 4440Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, local A-3645-D, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Cardiology Department, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Research Center-Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - S Dupéré
- Faculty of Nursing, 4440Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, local A-3645-D, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - A Plaisance
- Faculty of Nursing, 4440Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, local A-3645-D, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Cardiology Department, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Research Center-Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - G Bravo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - J Downar
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - V Couture
- Faculty of Nursing, 4440Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, local A-3645-D, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Axis, Research Center of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
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Scarpis E, Bravo G, Cocconi R, Brunelli L. Psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare leaders in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Eur J Public Health 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The current pandemic scenario may cause psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs). Although several studies highlighted this issue as particularly affecting frontline HCWs, no data are available regarding professionals dealing with the governance of healthcare organizations. This study aims to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare leaders (HeLs).
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out between October and November 2020, among HeLs working within Friuli-Venezia Giulia healthcare system (Italy). HeLs included: heads of surgical or medical department, deans of hospital, heads of doctors and nurses working at regional level or in hospital/community settings. We collected demographic data and assessed the presence of depressive (DS) and anxiety symptoms (AS), perceived stress (PS) and insomnia using internationally validated tools. Relationship between mental health outcomes and professional role was analysed using nonparametric tests.
Results
A total of 48 HeLs participated; their mean age was 53.4±7.9, women were 56.3%. Most (45.8%) were heads of department, 16.7% deans of hospital, 8.3% heads of doctors, 29.2% heads of nurses. The majority (60.4%) worked in hospital setting, 22.9% in the community and 16.7% at regional level. The prevalence of DS and AS was 14.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Moderate insomnia was found in 12.5% of HeLs, while severe insomnia in 6.3% of them. The 45.8% of HeLs showed moderate level of stress, whereas 4.2% high level. PS was significantly higher among deans of hospital. Moreover, lower PS correlated with lower DS, AS and insomnia (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The high level of perceived stress, insomnia, depressive and anxious symptoms experienced by HeLs shows another issue of the COVID-19 pandemic psychological impact. Considered the key role of HeLs in leading healthcare organizations over the current crisis, mental health of these professionals is a major issue that needs higher attention.
Key messages
Psychological impact of COVID19 not only affects frontline HCWs, but also the professionals who are leading healthcare organization through the crisis. Promotion of mental well-being among HCWs should be improved at all levels of healthcare organizations, ensuring a healthier workplace for all professionals working for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G Bravo
- University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - R Cocconi
- Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - L Brunelli
- University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
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Scarpis E, Bravo G, Cocconi R, Brunelli L. The most challenging COVID19 phases and the skills healthcare leaders need to face the pandemic. Eur J Public Health 2021. [PMCID: PMC8574668 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic is the most significant public health threat of the century, a crisis that have been challenging healthcare systems around the world. Assessment of leadership skills is needed in order to identify attributes of successful leadership during public health emergencies. This study aims to highlight the critical role played by healthcare leaders during this pandemic, assessing the most challenging and demanding phases of the health crisis and the characteristics required for a healthcare leader.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was carried out between October and November 2020, using online questionnaires, involving medical and nursing leaders working in the healthcare organizations of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region (Northeast of Italy). Professionals from hospital, community setting and regional level were asked about the two most challenging phases of the current pandemic among: crisis early recognition, peak of the emergency phase, declining epidemic, long tail. The most important healthcare leaders' skills were investigated among competence, awareness, communication, decision-making, inspiring trust and data interpretation.
Results
A total of 48 healthcare leaders participated. Women were 56.3%. Mean age was 53.4±7.9. According to the leaders interviewed, the two most challenging phases of such crisis were crisis early recognition (45%) and the peak phase (31%). Lesser important phases were recognized in the declining epidemic (15%) and the long tail phases (8%). Concerning healthcare leaders' skills required to manage with pandemic, the most reported were communication (35%) and decision-making (26%); while lower importance was identified in inspiring confidence (5%).
Conclusions
The two most challenging phases identified by this study suggested the importance of public health surveillance and monitoring systems. Communication appeared a critical success factor for leaders in public health emergencies.
Key messages
Early recognition of the crisis and the emergency peak management are considered the most challenging phases of the COVID19 pandemic by healthcare leaders. Ability to communicate and decision-making emerged as the two most important crisis skills, and should be included among public health leaders core competencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G Bravo
- University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - R Cocconi
- Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - L Brunelli
- University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
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Brunelli L, Bravo G, Arnoldo L, Lesa L, Celotto D, Battistella C, Malacarne F, d'Angelo M, Parpinel M, Brusaferro S. Nutrition therapy in intensive care unit setting: what can be learned from a 6 months survey in a large academic hospital? Ann Ig 2021; 32:385-394. [PMID: 32744297 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2020.2362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition in Intensive Care Unit patients has been associated with worse clinical outcomes such as mortality and length of stay (LOS) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and nutritional status of Intensive Care Unit patients in particular seemed to be a significant predictor of mortality. Promptness of clinical nutrition administration is a key of nutritional support whenever volitional intake is unfeasible. Early enteral nutrition is associated with better clinical outcomes (reduced complications, LOS in ICU and in Hospital). The aim of this study is to investigate the nutrition therapy management in a large Academic Hospital, evaluating its effects on mortality and LOS in ICU and in the Hospital. STUDY DESIGN Data were collected retrospectively from clinical records. Six physicians were trained on the data collection protocol and they reviewed every clinical record of patients included in the survey. METHODS Data of 426 patients admitted to ICUs between November 2016, 1st and April 2017, 30th were collected. A multivariate logistic adjusted regression, with backward variables selection method, was performed in order to identify predictors of enteral and parenteral nutrition conducted within 48 hours after admission to the ICU. The relation between medical nutrition therapy, mortality and LOS in ICU and in the Hospital were also evaluated. RESULTS Patients were given prompt parenteral and enteral nutrition in 25.12% and 27.46% of cases, respectively. No association was found between medical nutrition therapy and ICU or hospital mortality. Predictors of early enteral nutrition were type of admission and surgery before admission; early parenteral nutrition predictors were gender, ICU (A vs B), impaired immunity status and Central Venous Catheter presence at admission. CONCLUSIONS Our study stresses the need of monitoring nutrition prescribing behaviors in acute hospitals in order to better set up tailored interventions to standardize clinicians' practices and to focus on specific training targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brunelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - G Bravo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - L Arnoldo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy - Udine Healthcare and University Integrated Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - L Lesa
- Udine Healthcare and University Integrated Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - D Celotto
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - C Battistella
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - F Malacarne
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - M d'Angelo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - M Parpinel
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - S Brusaferro
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy - Udine Healthcare and University Integrated Trust, Udine, Italy
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10
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Viviani CA, Bravo G, Lavallière M, Arezes PM, Martínez M, Dianat I, Bragança S, Castellucci HI. Productivity in older versus younger workers: A systematic literature review. Work 2021; 68:577-618. [PMID: 33612506 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide ageing and thus, workforce ageing, is a concern for both developed and developing nations. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current research was to determine, through a systematic literature review, the effects of age in three dimensions that are often used to define or assess productivity at work. METHODS PICO framework was used to generate search strategies, inclusion criteria and terms. Scopus and PubMed databases were used. Peer-reviewed journal papers written in English and published (or in press) between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. RESULTS After filtering through inclusion criteria, 74 papers were included in the review. Considering productivity, 41%of the findings showed no differences between younger and older workers, 31%report better productivity of younger workers and 28%reported that older workers had better productivity than younger workers. Performance was better in older workers (58%), presenteeism generally showed no significant differences between age groups (61%). Absenteeism was the only outcome where younger workers outperformed older workers (43%). CONCLUSION Overall, there was no difference in productivity between older and younger workers. Older workers performed better than younger workers, but had more absenteeism, while presenteeism showed no differences. As ageing has come to workplaces, holistic approaches addressing total health are suggested to overcome the worldwide workforce ageing phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Viviani
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela de Kinesiología, Chile
| | - G Bravo
- Facultad de Salud y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Las Américas, Chile
| | - M Lavallière
- Module de Kinésiologie, Département des Sciences de la Santé, Université du Québec á Chicoutimi (UQAC), Saguenay (QC), Canada
| | - P M Arezes
- ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering of the University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - M Martínez
- Mutual de Seguridad de la Cámara Chilena de la Construcción, Santiago, Chile
| | - I Dianat
- Department of Ergonomics, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - S Bragança
- Research Innovation and Enterprise, Solent University, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - H I Castellucci
- Centro de Estudio del Trabajo y Factores Humanos, Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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11
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Castellucci HI, Viviani CA, Molenbroek JFM, Arezes PM, Martínez M, Aparici V, Bragança S, Bravo G. Secular changes in the anthropometrics of Chilean workers and its implication in design. Work 2021; 68:137-147. [PMID: 33427715 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthropometrics is very important when ensuring a physical match between end users and product or workstations. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study are twofold, to provide anthropometric data for the design of products and to examine the secular changes in the adult Chilean workers in a period of more than 20 years. METHODS Nineteen anthropometric measurements from two samples from 1995 and 2016 were compared using independent t-test (95% confidence interval), where additionally absolute and relative differences were calculated. RESULTS The secular trend observed for Stature is characterized by an increase average of 20mm and 10.5mm per decade for females and males, respectively. There is a positive secular trend for both genders, which is observed for most of the selected body measurements. The most pronounced increases were onWeight, Shoulder breadth, Body mass index, Popliteal height; Buttock-popliteal length and Hip width. CONCLUSIONS Segmental dimensions that experienced a positive secular trend, together with Weight and Stature, are highly correlated with seating design, addressing the need to review products targeting Chilean adult workers, such as public transport seats, office furniture or industrial workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Castellucci
- Centro de Estudio del Trabajo y Factores Humanos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - C A Viviani
- Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - J F M Molenbroek
- Section Applied Ergonomics and Design, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - P M Arezes
- ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering of the University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - M Martínez
- Mutual de Seguridad de la Cámara Chilena de la Construcción, Santiago, Chile
| | - V Aparici
- Carrera de Kinesiología, Universidad de Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - S Bragança
- Research Innovation and Enterprise, Solent University, Southampton, UK
| | - G Bravo
- Facultad de Salud y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Las Américas, Chile
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12
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Chirico L, Righini M, Bravo G, Mellace F, Cocconi R. Legionella and agar cultures in healthcare facilities waters: a monitoring study in North-East Italy. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Water healthiness is fundamental in medical facilities. Monitoring Legionella spp. and agar cultures concentration is therefore very important. This study looks into these parameters to examine possible criticalities that could need interventions.
Methods
We collected 399 Legionella and 82 agar cultures withdrawals between November 2019 and February 2020 from 157 detection points (like taps and showers) in 31 structures of four health districts. Withdrawals referred to the 4 quarters of year 2019 (t1, t2, t3, t4). Legionella values were expressed in colony forming units (CFU)/l; agar cultures in CFU/ml. We performed a non-parametric analysis to compare mean values between districts. We used the statistical software package SAS version 9.4 for Windows, setting the significance level at α = 0.05.
Results
45% of structures presented at least one positive withdrawal for Legionella (in six we found positivity in more than 1 quarter). Concerning Legionella concentration, we found significant difference between districts in t2 (p = 0.012) and between wards of one district in t3 (p < 0.05). We observed agar positive values in 11 structures (in four cases in more than 1 quarter). In t4 we found a very significant difference (p < 0.0001) between agar values in the four districts, while in t3 we observed a non significant association (p = 0.067). In t3 we found a significant difference for agar values between wards of one district (p = 0.025). We finally considered the simultaneous presence or absence of Legionella and agar positivities: without considering quarters division, we observed accordance (both present or both absent) in 60 detection points, while in 34 points we didn't find it.
Conclusions
Data provided by this study show that Legionella is rather present in our districts, revealing an association with concentration of CFU in agar. Disinfecting operations should be implemented considering the differences between districts to provide a safe water in every ward.
Key messages
Water quality monitoring in healthcare facilities is fundamental to provide a safe and healthy environment. Legionella spp. and agar cultures concentrations depend by quarter and spot considered; focused operations should be taken into account to improve disinfection quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Chirico
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - M Righini
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - G Bravo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - F Mellace
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - R Cocconi
- Friuli Centrale Healthcare and University Trust, Udine, Italy
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13
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de Lourdes Medina-Contreras JM, Mailloux-Salinas P, Colado-Velazquez JI, Gómez-Viquez NLGV, Velázquez-Espejel R, Del Carmen Susunaga-Notario A, Arias-Chávez DJ, Bravo G. Topical capsaicin cream with moderate exercise protects against hepatic steatosis, dyslipidemia and increased blood pressure in hypoestrogenic obese rats. J Sci Food Agric 2020; 100:3212-3219. [PMID: 32105339 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of capsaicin (Cap), moderate exercise (Ex), and their combination on arterial blood pressure (BP) and metabolic complications in hypoestrogenic (HE) obese (HEOb) rats. Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and given 300 g L-1 sucrose solution (HEOb), or purified water (HE) ad libitum, for 28 weeks. After shaving the abdominal skin, cold cream vehicle was applied to sedentary (Sed) and exercise (Ex) groups, and 0.75 g kg-1 Cap cream was applied to Ex groups. Ex groups ran on a treadmill every day for 20 min at speeds from 0.15 to 0.3 m s-1 . For combination groups (Cap + Ex), topical Cap was applied 90 min before Ex. The treatments were performed for 6 weeks, and BP was recorded before and at the end of the experimental protocol. The animals were killed by decapitation, and blood and tissues were obtained to perform oxidative profile, as well as to undertake biochemical and histologic studies. RESULTS Compared with individual treatments, the combined therapy (Cap + Ex) in HEOb rats caused a higher reduction in the caloric intake, body weight, abdominal fat percentage, oxidative stress, and hepatic steatosis. In HEOb groups, Cap was the only treatment that reduced BP and prevented dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION The present data show that Cap improves the metabolic alterations induced by obesity and hypoestrogenism, suggesting that Cap can be considered as an excellent candidate for therapy of these clinical conditions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Pharmacobiology Department, Cinvestav-IPN Sede Sur, Mexico City, Mexico
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14
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Castellucci HI, Bravo G, Arezes PM, Lavallière M. Are interventions effective at improving driving in older drivers?: A systematic review. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20:125. [PMID: 32245367 PMCID: PMC7119079 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-01512-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the aging of the population, the number of older drivers is on the rise. This poses significant challenges for public health initiatives, as older drivers have a relatively higher risk for collisions. While many studies focus on developing screening tools to identify medically at-risk drivers, little research has been done to develop training programs or interventions to promote, maintain or enhance driving-related abilities among healthy individuals. The purpose of this systematic review is to synopsize the current literature on interventions that are tailored to improve driving in older healthy individuals by working on components of safe driving such as: self-awareness, knowledge, behaviour, skills and/or reducing crash/collision rates in healthy older drivers. Methods Relevant databases such as Scopus and PubMed databases were selected and searched for primary articles published in between January 2007 and December 2017. Articles were identified using MeSH search terms: (“safety” OR “education” OR “training” OR “driving” OR “simulator” OR “program” OR “countermeasures”) AND (“older drivers” OR “senior drivers” OR “aged drivers” OR “elderly drivers”). All retrieved abstracts were reviewed, and full texts printed if deemed relevant. Results Twenty-five (25) articles were classified according to: 1) Classroom settings; 2) Computer-based training for cognitive or visual processing; 3) Physical training; 4) In-simulator training; 5) On-road training; and 6) Mixed interventions. Results show that different types of approaches have been successful in improving specific driving skills and/or behaviours. However, there are clear discrepancies on how driving performance/behaviours are evaluated between studies, both in terms of methods or dependent variables, it is therefore difficult to make direct comparisons between these studies. Conclusions This review identified strong study projects, effective at improving older drivers’ performance and thus allowed to highlight potential interventions that can be used to maintain or improve older drivers’ safety behind the wheel. There is a need to further test these interventions by combining them and determining their effectiveness at improving driving performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Castellucci
- Centro de Estudio del Trabajo y Factores Humanos, Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - G Bravo
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Las Américas, Providencia, Chile
| | - P M Arezes
- ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering of the University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - M Lavallière
- Module de Kinésiologie, Département des Sciences de la Santé, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), Saguenay, QC, Canada. .,Laboratoire de recherche biomécanique & neurophysiologique en réadaptation neuro-musculo-squelettique - Lab BioNR, UQAC, Saguenay, QC, Canada. .,Centre intersectoriel en santé durable - UQAC, Saguenay, QC, Canada. .,Centre de recherche-Charles-Le Moyne-Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CRCSIS), Longueuil, Canada.
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15
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Smaniotto C, Del Bianco F, Giardinelli E, Bravo G, Oppi C, Campanale C, Cinquini L, Brusaferro S. Final Products: a regional integrated output assessment in Public Health services, 2017-19 Italy. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Issue/problem
The classification of Public Health services (PHS) and related healthcare information systems (HIS) in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, are complex and non-homogeneous. Since 2017 the Region has been realigning HIS according to the new Final Products (FP) System to classify PHS. The aim is to implement an integrated FP-based HIS, easing data transmission and improving the quality of planning, scheduling and expense reporting activities.
Description of the problem
From June 2017 to October 2018 68 Public Health professionals (PHP) from 10 Public Health areas outlined 102 PF from HIS through flowcharts and technical dossiers. Afterwards (10/5th-10/29th 2018) they assessed HIS through a questionnaire of 24 items. Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher’s Exact Test, stratifying 4 categories (physician, veterinarian, prevention technician, other professional). In June-July 2019, through a matrix-based assessment, PHP of regional PHS were invited to weight each FP activity on the basis of involved personnel and possible required transfer (valorisation phase).
Results
The questionnaire got 45/68 responses (66%). Among responders, 27% reported a HIS for their PHS not being available at all; 65% of responders agreed on the usefulness of an integrated regional HIS for PHS. Fisher’s Test showed significant differences in HIS features according to profession, as interoperability with national/regional databases (p = 0.0144), mobile usability for external activities (p = 0.0302), real correspondence between monitored data and performed activities (p = 0.0215). Valorisation was performed by 445/557 PHP (80%).
Lessons
PHS currently often deal with functional flaws or inappropriateness of HIS when compared to real activities. Valorisation data will be submitted to the attention of policymakers in October 2019 in order to apply an integrated classification of PHS considering both effectiveness and generation of value of activities performed in Public Health.
Key messages
Healthcare is a multilayered product and measuring healthcare outputs requires managerial skills and tools, to assess need of resources and to plan activities. The regional Final Products project defines a uniform classification of Public Health services and implements a standardised accounting system for activities performed in Public Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Smaniotto
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | | | - G Bravo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - C Oppi
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Campanale
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Cinquini
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Brusaferro
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Udine Healthcare and University Integrated Trust, Udine, Italy
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16
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Romanese F, Brunelli L, Bravo G, Righini M, Lesa L, De Odorico A, Miceli S, Pascut S, Bastiani E, Brusaferro S. Knowledge and attitudes about Human Papillomavirus and its prevention in Italian students, 2018. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections show an estimated prevalence of 290 millions of cases worldwide, being the most common viral infection related to the reproductive tract and the main cause of cervical cancer. Being HPV vaccination currently recommended for both genders, we assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV prevention among high school students in Udine, Northern Italy.
Methods
Between April and May 2018, a sexual and reproductive health anonymous questionnaire was proposed to first-year students in five academic, technical and vocational upper secondary schools of Udine. In particular, students were asked about HPV related diseases, whether they were vaccinated against HPV and how that decision was taken. Data were analyzed by school type and gender using Chi Square Test with α = 0.05.
Results
A total of 747 questionnaires were collected from 990 students; both genders had a mean age of 14.8±0.9 years, 59% of respondents were males. Technical high school students were 42% of the sample, while 30% came from vocational and 28% from academic high schools. Genital warts and cervical cancer were identified as HPV-related by 8% and 20% of students respectively, the latter more frequently in technical institutes (p = 0.0016) and in females (43% vs 13%, p < 0.001). Almost 54% of students did not know if they were immunized against HPV; academic school students and females declared more frequently to have received at least one vaccine dose compared to others (p < 0.001). Almost two thirds of respondents reported to have undergone vaccination due to a parental decision; parents discussed this choice more frequently with academic students (p = 0.0016) and females (22% vs 14%, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Girls and technical school students are more informed about HPV, while adherence to immunization schedules is higher in females and those attending academic school. Parents appear to create a supportive environment for females.
Key messages
The different level of knowledge by gender can be explained by past vaccination campaigns, mainly focused on girls, and by parental proactivity towards females. There is room for improvement in HPV-related knowledge and prevention among both adolescents in general and males in particular as they can play an important role to reduce the burden of HPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Romanese
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - L Brunelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - G Bravo
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - M Righini
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - L Lesa
- Udine Healthcare and University Integrated Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - A De Odorico
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - S Miceli
- Udine Healthcare and University Integrated Trust, Udine, Italy
| | - S Pascut
- Healthy Cities Project, Municipality of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - E Bastiani
- Healthy Cities Project, Municipality of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - S Brusaferro
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Udine Healthcare and University Integrated Trust, Udine, Italy
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17
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Bravo G, Bragança S, Arezes PM, Molenbroek JFM, Castellucci HI. A literature review of anthropometric studies of school students for ergonomics purposes: Are accuracy, precision and reliability being considered? Work 2018; 60:3-17. [PMID: 29843294 DOI: 10.3233/wor-182719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite offering many benefits, direct manual anthropometric measurement method can be problematic due to their vulnerability to measurement errors. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this literature review was to determine, whether or not the currently published anthropometric studies of school children, related to ergonomics, mentioned or evaluated the variables precision, reliability or accuracy in the direct manual measurement method. METHODS Two bibliographic databases, and the bibliographic references of all the selected papers were used for finding relevant published papers in the fields considered in this study. RESULTS Forty-six (46) studies met the criteria previously defined for this literature review. However, only ten (10) studies mentioned at least one of the analyzed variables, and none has evaluated all of them. Only reliability was assessed by three papers. Moreover, in what regards the factors that affect precision, reliability and accuracy, the reviewed papers presented large differences. This was particularly clear in the instruments used for the measurements, which were not consistent throughout the studies. Additionally, it was also clear that there was a lack of information regarding the evaluators' training and procedures for anthropometric data collection, which are assumed to be the most important issues that affect precision, reliability and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS Based on the review of the literature, it was possible to conclude that the considered anthropometric studies had not focused their attention to the analysis of precision, reliability and accuracy of the manual measurement methods. Hence, and with the aim of avoiding measurement errors and misleading data, anthropometric studies should put more efforts and care on testing measurement error and defining the procedures used to collect anthropometric data.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bravo
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Las Américas, Chile
| | - S Bragança
- Research and Innovation, Southampton Solent University, UK
| | - P M Arezes
- ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering of the University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J F M Molenbroek
- Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering Section Applied Ergonomics and Design, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - H I Castellucci
- Centro de Estudio del Trabajo y Factores Humanos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile
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18
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Zanotti G, Modenese A, Bravo G, Arcangeli G, Camisa V, Corona G, Giglioli S, Ligabue G, Moccaldi R, Mucci N, Vimercati L, Zaffina S, Gobba F. 1650a Subjective symptoms in magnetic resonance imaging operators: preliminary results of an italian study. Radiation 2018. [DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2018-icohabstracts.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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19
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Meza-Cuenca F, Medina-Contreras JML, Mailloux-Salinas P, Bautista-Hernández LA, Buentello-Volante B, Domínguez-López A, Garfias Y, Correa-López PV, Bautista de Lucio VM, Bravo G. Characterization of free fatty acid receptors expression in an obesity rat model with high sucrose diet. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2018; 38:76-82. [PMID: 29369009 DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2018.1426609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS In recent years, it has been shown that free fatty acids receptors (FFAR) of whose function in the cell surface plays a significant role in the regulation of cell function and nutrition as well are activated by various endogenous ligands, but mainly by fatty acids. Within FFAR of our interest are GPR 41, 43 and 120. The functions of these receptors are varied and dependent on the tissue where they are. The activation and signaling of these receptors, FFAR, are involved in many physiological processes, and currently the target of many drugs in metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Obesity was induced with hypercaloric diet (HD) in male Wistar rats for 20 weeks (n = 10). At the end, adipose tissue (abdominal and subcutaneous) was taken to perform assays for relative quantification mRNA expression by end-point RT-PCR and protein level expression by Western blot. RESULTS These present data have shown for the first time that total mRNA isolation and protein expression from both adipose tissues (abdominal and subcutaneous) of rat in obesity condition yield significative statistical difference among the control versus obese groups, showing that the diet high in carbohydrates modifies the total presence of mRNA and protein level expression of the receptors GPR41, 43 and 120. CONCLUSIONS Further comparative methods are in process to clarify whether or not the obesity changes the functional receptors in these two tissues for new pharmacological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián Meza-Cuenca
- a Pharmacobiology Department , Cinvestav-IPN Unidad Coapa , Mexico City , Mexico.,b Microbiology and Ocular Proteomics, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Fundación de Asistencia Privada Conde de Valenciana" , Mexico City , Mexico
| | | | | | - Luis A Bautista-Hernández
- b Microbiology and Ocular Proteomics, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Fundación de Asistencia Privada Conde de Valenciana" , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Beatríz Buentello-Volante
- b Microbiology and Ocular Proteomics, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Fundación de Asistencia Privada Conde de Valenciana" , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Alfredo Domínguez-López
- b Microbiology and Ocular Proteomics, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Fundación de Asistencia Privada Conde de Valenciana" , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Yonathan Garfias
- b Microbiology and Ocular Proteomics, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Fundación de Asistencia Privada Conde de Valenciana" , Mexico City , Mexico.,c Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Mexico City , Mexico
| | | | - Víctor M Bautista de Lucio
- b Microbiology and Ocular Proteomics, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology "Fundación de Asistencia Privada Conde de Valenciana" , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Bravo
- a Pharmacobiology Department , Cinvestav-IPN Unidad Coapa , Mexico City , Mexico
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20
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Bravo G, Rodrigue C, Arcand M, Downie J, Dubois MF, Kaasalaine S, Hertogh CM, Pautex S, Van den Block L. Nurses' perspectives on whether medical aid in dying should be accessible to incompetent patients with dementia: findings from a survey conducted in Quebec, Canada. Geriatr Nurs 2018; 39:393-399. [PMID: 29306500 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a survey in a random sample of 514 Quebec nurses caring for the elderly to assess their attitudes towards extending medical aid in dying to incompetent patients and to explore associated factors. Attitudes were measured using clinical vignettes featuring a hypothetical patient with Alzheimer disease. Vignettes varied according to the stage of the disease (advanced or terminal) and the presence or absence of a written request. Of the 291 respondents, 83.5% agreed with the current legislation that allows physicians to administer aid in dying to competent patients who are at the end of life and suffer unbearably. A similar proportion (83%, p = 0.871) were in favor of extending medical aid in dying to incompetent patients who are at the terminal stage of Alzheimer disease, show signs of distress, and have made a written request before losing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bravo
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Research Centre on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - C Rodrigue
- Research Centre on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - M Arcand
- Research Centre on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - J Downie
- Schulich School of Law and Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - M-F Dubois
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Research Centre on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - S Kaasalaine
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - C M Hertogh
- Department of General Practice & Elderly Care Medicine, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Pautex
- Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - L Van den Block
- VUB-UGhent End-of-life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Espinosa-Juárez JV, Colado-Velázquez JI, Mailloux-Salinas P, Medina-Contreras J, Correa-López PV, Gómez-Viquez NL, Meza-Cuenca F, Huang F, Bravo G. Beneficial effects of lipidic extracts of saladette tomato pomace and Serenoa repens on prostate and bladder health in obese male Wistar rats. J Sci Food Agric 2017; 97:4451-4458. [PMID: 28276068 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with increased risk of a number of serious medical conditions, including urological disorders. This study investigated the effect of lipidic extracts of saladette tomato pomace (STP) and Serenoa repens (SR) on the prostate and bladder in a rat obese model induced by high-carbohydrate diet. RESULTS High-sucrose-fed rats showed higher prostate weight as well as increased contractility and stromal and epithelial hyperplasia in the prostate. Treatment with STP and SR improved contractility and diminished hyperplasia and hypertrophy in the prostate. Obese animals also showed impaired bladder contractility, but neither extract reversed this deterioration. In the histological study, a disarray in the process of smooth muscle cell proliferation with non-parallel fibers was observed; interestingly, treatment with STP and SR led to improvement in this derangement. CONCLUSION These findings indicated impaired contractility and hyperplasia in the prostate and bladder of obese rats induced by high sucrose. STP and SR could enhance prostate function by reducing contractility and hyperplasia and improve smooth muscle fiber structure and decrease cell proliferation in the bladder, suggesting their possible health-beneficial effects on lower urinary tract symptoms. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fengyang Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, México City, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Pharmacobiology Department, Cinvestav-IPN, México City, Mexico
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Ortiz Segura MDC, Del Río Navarro BE, Rodríguez Espino BA, Marchat LA, Sánchez Muñoz F, Villafaña S, Hong E, Meza-Cuenca F, Mailloux Salinas P, Bolaños-Jiménez F, Zambrano E, Arredondo-López AA, Bravo G, Huang F. Abnormality of adipokines and endothelial dysfunction in Mexican obese adolescents with insulin resistance. Endocr Res 2017; 42:252-259. [PMID: 28318332 DOI: 10.1080/07435800.2017.1294601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship among insulin resistance (IR), endothelial dysfunction, and alteration of adipokines in Mexican obese adolescents and their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred and twenty-seven adolescents were classified according to the body mass index (BMI) (control: N=104; obese: N=123) and homeostasis model of the assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) (obese with IR: N=65). The circulating concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and IR were determined by standard methods. RESULTS The obese adolescents with IR presented increased presence of MetS and higher circulating concentrations in sICAM-1 in comparison with the obese subjects without IR. The lowest concentrations of adiponectin were observed in the obese with IR. In multivariate linear regression models, sICAM-1 along with triglycerides, total cholesterol, and waist circumference was strongly associated with HOMA-IR (R2=0.457, P=0.008). Similarly, after adjustment for age, BMI-SDS, lipids, and adipokines, HOMA-IR remained associated with sICAM-1 (R2=0.372, P=0.008). BMI-SDS was mildly associated with leptin (R2=0.176, P=0.002) and the waist circumference was mild and independent determinant of adiponectin (R2=0.136, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that the obese adolescents, particularly the obese subjects with IR exhibited increased presence of MetS, abnormality of adipokines, and endothelial dysfunction. The significant interaction between IR and endothelial dysfunction may suggest a novel therapeutic approach to prevent or delay systemic IR and the genesis of cardiovascular diseases in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Carmen Ortiz Segura
- a Department of Pharmacobiology , Centro de Investigacion de Estudio Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | | | | | - Laurence A Marchat
- d Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía del Instituto Politécnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Fausto Sánchez Muñoz
- e Department of Inmunology , Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Santiago Villafaña
- f Sección de Postgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina-Instituto Politécnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Enrique Hong
- a Department of Pharmacobiology , Centro de Investigacion de Estudio Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Fabián Meza-Cuenca
- a Department of Pharmacobiology , Centro de Investigacion de Estudio Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Patrick Mailloux Salinas
- a Department of Pharmacobiology , Centro de Investigacion de Estudio Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Francisco Bolaños-Jiménez
- g INRA, UMR1280 Physiologie des Adaptations Nutritionnelles , Université de Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Université , Nantes , France
| | - Elena Zambrano
- h Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran , Mexico City , Mexico
| | | | - Guadalupe Bravo
- a Department of Pharmacobiology , Centro de Investigacion de Estudio Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Fengyang Huang
- j Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, HIMFG , Mexico City , Mexico
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Medina-Contreras JML, Colado-Velázquez J, Gómez-Viquez NL, Mailloux-Salinas P, Pérez-Torres I, Aranda-Fraustro A, Carvajal K, Bravo G. Effects of topical capsaicin combined with moderate exercise on insulin resistance, body weight and oxidative stress in hypoestrogenic obese rats. Int J Obes (Lond) 2017; 41:750-758. [PMID: 28163315 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2017.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoestrogenic (HE) women are one of the most vulnerable groups for the development of obesity and its complications. Capsaicin and exercise have demonstrated to reduce body weight and to improve insulin sensitivity in different animal models, but it is unknown whether their combination could be useful in HE obese females. METHODS We investigated whether topical capsaicin, exercise or their combination had better therapeutic effects in an obesity-hypoestrogenism model. Ovariectomized Wistar rats were given a 30% sucrose solution (HE-Obese (HEOb)) or purified water (HE) during 28 weeks ad libitum; four experimental groups per each condition. After shaving the abdominal skin, cold cream vehicle was applied to the Sedentary groups (Sed) and capsaicin cream 0.075% (0.6 mg kg-1 per day) to the Capsaicin groups (Cap). Exercise (Ex) groups ran on a treadmill every day for 20 min at speeds from 9 to 18 m per min increased every 10 days; combination groups (Cap+Ex) were given topical capsaicin 90 min before exercise. The treatments were performed for 6 weeks, and caloric intake and body weight were monitored. At the end of the experimental protocol, glucose tolerance tests were performed, the animals were killed by decapitation; blood and organs were obtained to perform oxidative profile, histology, biochemical analyses and Western blot. RESULTS In HEOb rats, the combined therapy reduced caloric intake, body weight and abdominal fat in a higher proportion than the individual treatments; it also decreased insulin resistance (IR), oxidative stress and pancreatic islet size. It was the only treatment that significantly increased p-AMPK levels in the soleus muscle. In HE rats, topical capsaicin was the only treatment that reduced glucose intolerance and improved the oxidative profile in a higher proportion than the combined therapy or Ex alone. CONCLUSIONS Capsaicin per se or its combination with moderate exercise could be a useful therapy against complications linked to obesity-IR in HE females.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M L Medina-Contreras
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J Colado-Velázquez
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - N L Gómez-Viquez
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - P Mailloux-Salinas
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - I Pérez-Torres
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Aranda-Fraustro
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - K Carvajal
- Experimental Nutrition Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - G Bravo
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
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Huang F, Del-Río-Navarro BE, Torres-Alcántara S, Pérez-Ontiveros JA, Ruiz-Bedolla E, Saucedo-Ramírez OJ, Villafaña S, Sánchez Muñoz F, Bravo G, Hong E. Adipokines, asymmetrical dimethylarginine, and pulmonary function in adolescents with asthma and obesity. J Asthma 2016; 54:153-161. [PMID: 27337146 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2016.1200611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was to investigate whether the metabolic abnormalities of adipokines and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) associate with pulmonary function deficits in adolescents with obesity and asthma. METHODS This study enrolled 28 obese adolescents with asthma, 46 obese adolescents without asthma, 58 normal-weight adolescents with asthma, and 63 healthy control subjects. Serum levels of leptin, high-molecule-weight (HMW) adiponectin, retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), and pulmonary function were qualified. RESULTS The obese subjects had higher levels of leptin and ADMA but lower levels of HMW adiponectin than the normal-weight subjects with or without asthma. The subjects with asthma had higher levels of RBP4 than those without asthma. The obese adolescents with asthma had lowest forced expiratory lung volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio among the four study groups. In all the study subjects and in the subjects with asthma alone, the FEV1/FVC ratio associated negatively with leptin, however, such association was rendered non-significant when adjusted for BMI. The pulmonary function deficits associated inversely with BMI percentile in the subjects with asthma. However, the decreased FEV1/FVC ratio was not correlated with HMW adiponectin, RBP4 or ADMA. CONCLUSIONS Our present study confirmed obstructive pattern of pulmonary function characterized by the reduced FEV1/FVC ratio in the obese adolescents with asthma. These pulmonary deficits were associated inversely with the increased BMI percentile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyang Huang
- a Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital Infántil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG) , Mexico City , Mexico
| | | | - Saúl Torres-Alcántara
- a Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital Infántil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG) , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - José Alfredo Pérez-Ontiveros
- a Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital Infántil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG) , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Eliseo Ruiz-Bedolla
- c Center Laboratory, Hospital Infántil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG) , Mexico City , Mexico
| | | | - Santiago Villafaña
- d Superior School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Fausto Sánchez Muñoz
- e Departamento de Atención a la Salud , Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Bravo
- f Department of Pharmacobiology , Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Enrique Hong
- f Department of Pharmacobiology , Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional , Mexico City , Mexico
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III Colado-Velázquez J, Mailloux-Salinas P, Medina-Contreras JML, Cruz-Robles D, Bravo G. Effect ofSerenoa Repenson Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory and Growth Factors in Obese Wistar Rats with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Phytother Res 2015; 29:1525-31. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juventino III Colado-Velázquez
- Departamento Farmacobiología; Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Patrick Mailloux-Salinas
- Departamento Farmacobiología; Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional; Mexico City Mexico
| | - JML Medina-Contreras
- Departamento Farmacobiología; Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional; Mexico City Mexico
| | - David Cruz-Robles
- Departamento de Biología Molecular; Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, Ignacio Chávez; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Bravo
- Departamento Farmacobiología; Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional; Mexico City Mexico
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Huang F, Del-Río-Navarro BE, Pérez-Ontiveros JA, Ruiz-Bedolla E, Saucedo-Ramírez OJ, Villafaña S, Bravo G, Mailloux-Salinas P, Hong E. Effect of six-month lifestyle intervention on adiponectin, resistin and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptors in obese adolescents. Endocr J 2014; 61:921-31. [PMID: 25029953 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej14-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a six-month lifestyle intervention on adiponectin, resistin, and two soluble forms of tumor necrosis factor-α receptor (sTNFR) in obese adolescents. A total of 54 obese adolescents aged 10 to 16 years completed the program. Twenty-four adolescents with normal weight at baseline were used as a control group. Our results demonstrated that obese adolescents had abnormal lipid profile, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, adiponectin level (5.6 ± 2.7 vs. 7.6 ± 2.9 μg/mL, p = 0.005) as well as resistin level (31.0 ± 9.0 vs. 24.3 ± 8.5 ng/mL, p = 0.003), whereas levels of both sTNFRs were similar to those in normal weight subjects. After the six-month lifestyle intervention, obese adolescents had a slight but significant drop in standard deviation score-body mass index (SDS-BMI), a significant decrease in waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HOMA index, as well as resistin, and a significant increase in adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In adolescents without decreased SDS-BMI, no change was observed in adipokines. Changes in adiponectin correlated negatively with changes in waist circumference (r = -0.275, p = 0.044). Changes in resistin correlated positively with changes in triglycerides (r = 0.302, p = 0.027). The study demonstrated the increase of resistin and the decrease of adiponectin in obese adolescents. Lifestyle intervention improved adipokine abnormalities in obese subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyang Huang
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital Infántil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG), Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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López-Muñoz FJ, Moreno-Rocha LA, Bravo G, Guevara-López U, Domínguez-Ramírez AM, Déciga-Campos M. Enhancement of Antinociception but not Constipation by Combinations Containing Tramadol and Metamizole in Arthritic Rats. Arch Med Res 2013; 44:495-503. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2013.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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28
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Lima-Mendoza LA, Colado-Velázquez J, Mailloux-Salinas P, Espinosa-Juárez JV, Gómez-Viquez NL, Molina-Muñoz T, Huang F, Bravo G. Vascular damage in obese female rats with hypoestrogenism. J Physiol Biochem 2013; 70:81-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s13105-013-0283-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Balderas-Villalobos J, Molina-Muñoz T, Mailloux-Salinas P, Bravo G, Carvajal K, Gómez-Viquez NL. Oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes contributes to decreased SERCA2a activity in rats with metabolic syndrome. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2013; 305:H1344-53. [PMID: 23997093 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00211.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ca(+) mishandling due to impaired activity of cardiac sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2a) has been associated with the development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in insulin-resistant cardiomyopathy. However, the molecular causes underlying SERCA2a alterations induced by insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), are not completely understood. In this study, we used a sucrose-fed rat model of MetS to test the hypothesis that decreased SERCA2a activity is mediated by elevated oxidative stress produced in the MetS heart. Production of ROS and cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration were recorded in left ventricular myocytes using confocal imaging. The level of SERCA2a oxidation was determined in left ventricular homogenates by biotinylated iodoacetamide labeling. Compared with control rats, sucrose-fed rats exhibited several characteristics of MetS, including central obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Moreover, relative to myocytes from control rats, myocytes from MetS rats exhibited elevated basal production of ROS accompanied by slowed cytosolic Ca(2+) removal, reflected by prolonged Ca(2+) transients. The slowed cytosolic Ca(2+) removal was associated with a significant decrease in SERCA2a-mediated Ca(2+) reuptake and increased SERCA2a oxidation. Importantly, myocytes from MetS rats treated with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine showed normal ROS levels and SERCA2a-mediated Ca(2+) reuptake as well as accelerated cytosolic Ca(2+) removal. These data suggest that elevated oxidative stress may induce oxidative modifications on SERCA2a leading to abnormal function of this protein in the MetS heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Balderas-Villalobos
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; and
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Huang F, del-Río-Navarro BE, Pérez Ontiveros JA, Ruiz-Bedolla E, Navarro-Olivos E, Villafaña S, Bravo G, Hong E. Changes in ghrelin and asymmetrical dimethylarginine in obese Mexican adolescents after six-month lifestyle intervention. Endocrine 2013; 43:603-10. [PMID: 23055013 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-012-9808-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a six-month lifestyle intervention on ghrelin and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) in obese Mexican adolescents. A total of 65 obese Mexican adolescents aged 10-16 years completed a six-month lifestyle intervention. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at six months. Twenty normal-weight adolescents were also evaluated at baseline. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined by the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). Ghrelin and ADMA were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Obese adolescents presented significantly higher triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and ADMA levels, while ghrelin was significantly lower. The lifestyle intervention led to a significant improvement in HOMA-IR, ghrelin, and ADMA in the whole studied obese subjects. ADMA and ghrelin levels were associated with BMI and IR components. According to the value of HOMA-IR, the obese subjects were divided into subjects with or without IR, no difference in ghrelin and ADMA was observed in these two subgroups. After intervention, the obese with IR showed increased ghrelin and decreased ADMA, while the obese without IR only showed improvement in ghrelin. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the changes of systolic blood pressure were the only predictor for the changes of ghrelin in the obese with IR. Our study demonstrated the increase of ADMA and the decrease of ghrelin in obese adolescents. Lifestyle intervention improved insulin resistance, decreased ADMA, and increased ghrelin in obese subjects with IR although no significant weight loss was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyang Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital Infántil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG), Mexico City, Mexico.
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Moreno-Rocha LA, Domínguez-Ramírez AM, Cortés-Arroyo AR, Bravo G, López-Muñoz FJ. Antinociceptive effects of tramadol in co-administration with metamizol after single and repeated administrations in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 103:1-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2012] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Huang F, del-Río-Navarro BE, Alcántara ST, Ontiveros JAP, Cienfuegos DRP, Bello González SA, Villafaña S, Bravo G, Hong E. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, fibrinogen, and lung function in adolescents with asthma and obesity. Endocr Res 2012; 37:135-44. [PMID: 22578058 DOI: 10.3109/07435800.2012.654555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity promotes a low-grade systemic inflammatory state that may act on the lung to exacerbate asthma. There is little information on the relationship between systemic inflammation and lung function in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVES To explore the relationship among fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), lung function in adolescents with the presence of asthma, and/or obesity. METHODS Totally 178 adolescents (boys and girls) were involved; four groups were divided according to their diagnosis: non-obese and non-asthmatic controls (n = 38), non-obese asthmatics (n = 31), obese non-asthmatics (n = 62), obese asthmatics (n = 47). The levels of PAI-1 and fibrinogen were determined in blood samples. The lung function was evaluated with spirometry by measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flows between 25 and75% (FEF(25-75%)). RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, obese adolescents with or without asthma show higher levels of fibrinogen (289.2 ± 61.5, 328.4 ± 54.9, and 324.9 ± 68.9 mg/dL, respectively), PAI-1 (36.0 ± 17.3, 53.2 ± 22.3, and 52.6 ± 24.7 ng/mL, respectively), and the reduced FEV1/FVC ratio (87.7 ± 7.7, 81.6 ± 8.6, and 81.7 ± 6.9, respectively). In the whole studied subjects, FEV1/FVC ratio shows significant inverse correlation with PAI-1 (r = -0.185), fibrinogen (r = -0.157), body mass index (BMI; r = -0.303), insulin(r = -0.198), and HOMA (r = -0.173). In the 78 asthmatic subjects, FVC correlates positively with BMI. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that the degree of systemic inflammation and the degree of obesity in the whole studied adolescents groups correlate negatively with lung function, suggesting an obstructive pulmonary pattern. Further studies are needed to identify the pathophysiological mechanism for such association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyang Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital Infántil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG), Mexico City, Mexico
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Hong E, Larios F, Gómez-Viquez NL, Huang F, Bravo G. Role of alpha adrenoceptors and nitric oxide on cardiovascular responses in acute and chronic hypertension. J Physiol Biochem 2011; 67:427-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s13105-011-0093-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Accepted: 03/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Romero-Silva S, Angel Martinez R M, P. Romero-Romero L, Rodriguez O, Gerardo Salas G C, Morel N, Javier Lopez-Munoz F, Angel Lima-Mendoza L, Bravo G. Effects of Honey Against the Accumulation of Adipose Tissue and the Increased Blood Pressure on Carbohydrate-Induced Obesity in Rat. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2011. [DOI: 10.2174/157018011793663912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Huang F, Lezama MAR, Ontiveros JAP, Bravo G, Villafaña S, del-Rio-Navarro BE, Hong E. Effect of Losartan on Vascular Function in Fructose-Fed Rats: The Role of Perivascular Adipose Tissue. Clin Exp Hypertens 2010; 32:98-104. [DOI: 10.3109/10641960902993129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Gobba F, Bargellini A, Bravo G, Scaringi M, Cauteruccio L, Borella P. Natural Killer Cell Activity Decreases in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields Exceeding 1 μt. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2009; 22:1059-66. [DOI: 10.1177/039463200902200422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In a preliminary study a reduction in Natural Killer (NK) cell activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was observed in a group of workers exposed to levels of Extremely Low Frequency-Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF) exceeding 1 μT. This study was performed to confirm the results. In 121 workers engaged in various occupational activities, individual ELF-MF exposure was monitored for 2 work shifts. Exposure levels were calculated as Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Subjects were classified as Low exposure (TWA ≤ 0.2 μT), Medium exposure (TWA 0.21–0.99 μT), or Higher exposure (TWA ≥1 μT). In higher exposure workers NK activity proved significantly reduced compared to low exposure, (p<0.01). In medium exposure a reduction was also observed, but the difference was not significant. Multivariate analysis also confirmed the relation between exposure and NK activity. It has been suggested that ELF might affect tumour progression by inducing changes in the immune system: due to the role played by NK activity in host defence against cancer, the interference with the NK cell activity observed in this study is in agreement with this hypothesis. Furthermore, an increased risk for some neurodegenerative disorders has been reported in some epidemiological studies in ELF-MF-exposed workers: changes in NK function were also described in these diseases. Our results, showing the effect on NK activity of exposure exceeding 1 μT, suggest a possible mechanism for ELF-MF effects. This could open new horizons regarding the adverse long-term effects of these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Gobba
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - A. Bargellini
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - G. Bravo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - M. Scaringi
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - L. Cauteruccio
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - P. Borella
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Pérez-Pomares F, Díaz S, Bautista V, Pire C, Bravo G, Esclapez J, Zafrilla B, Bonete MJ. Identification of several intracellular carbohydrate-degrading activities from the halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei. Extremophiles 2009; 13:633-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s00792-009-0246-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Romero SE, Bravo G, Hong E, Rojas G, Ibarra A. Acute, subacute and chronic effect of cyclosporin-A on mean arterial pressure of rats with severe spinal cord contusion. Neurosci Lett 2008; 445:99-102. [PMID: 18775474 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.08.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2008] [Revised: 08/21/2008] [Accepted: 08/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cyclosporin-A (CsA) protects and regenerates the neural tissue after spinal cord (SC) injury. These beneficial effects are achieved when CsA is administered at a dose of 2.5mg/kg/12h during the first 2 days after lesion. In view of these observations, it is realistic to envision that, CsA could be tested in SC-clinical trials. Since CsA is a drug strongly related to hypertension, results imperative to evaluate experimentally the effect of the above CsA-dose regimen on blood pressure. For this purpose, one hundred and twenty adult rats were subjected (10 groups) or not (10 groups) to SC-injury. Five injured and five Sham-operated groups received CsA. The remaining groups received only vehicle. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded from these animals at acute (6 and 24h post surgery; p.s.), subacute (96h), or chronic (30 days) stages of injury. In the latter, the therapy (CsA or vehicle) was administered only during the first 2 days p.s. or daily during 30 days of follow-up. The results of this study showed that SC-injury by itself induces a significant decrease of MAP during the acute and subacute phases of injury. CsA therapy was able to reestablish MAP parameters to control values in these phases. Regardless the therapy, a reestablishment of MAP was observed in chronic stages. Only the daily administration of CsA induced a significant increase in MAP, however; such variation remained into the normal ranges of MAP for rats. The potential benefits offered by CsA support its usefulness after SC-injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta E Romero
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, CINVESTAV, IPN, Calzada de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, 14330 México D.F., Mexico
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Scaringi M, Temperani P, Rossi P, Bravo G, Gobba F. [Evaluation of the genotoxicity of the extremely low frequency-magnetic fields (ELF-MF) in workers exposed for professional reasons]. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2007; 29:420-421. [PMID: 18409756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Whether or not ELF-MF has genotoxic potential is a controversial issue. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxic effect using cytogenetic assays (CA - SCE - MN), in 109 workers exposed to ELF-MF. The mean value of occupational exposure in the whole group was 0.35 microT. According to the exposure level the workers were stratified in two different groups: low exposed (n. 39, TWA < or = 0.2 microT) and higher exposed (n. 70; TWA > 0.2 microT): the groups did not significantly differ for the examined variables. Due to these results we decided to re-evaluate the effect only considering the highest exposed workers: we selected 31 workers exposed to TWA levels exceeding 1 microT, and compared vs. the low exposed subjects: again, the difference in the groups examined were not significant. At multivariate regression analysis was also applied: no correlation was observed with cytogenetic biomarkers. The results of this study does not support the hypothesis of any direct genotoxic effect of ELF-MF, at least at the environmental levels currently found in an occupational settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Scaringi
- Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Dipartimento di Scienze di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Bravo G, Scaringi M, Vandelli AM, Romanelli A, Rossi P, Gobba F. [ELF-MF occupational exposure: repeated measures on workers]. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2007; 29:424-425. [PMID: 18409758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to estimate occupational exposure to Extremely Low Frequency-Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF). Using personal dosimeters we evaluated occupational exposure in 543 workers employed in 9 occupational settings (about 150 jobs), representative of the main occupational activities in Emilia-Romagna region. In the whole sample, the median Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure resulted 0.14 microT (5 degrees - 95 degrees percentiles: 0.04 - 2.50 microT); Tile production presented the highest occupational setting TWA (0.46 +/- 1.83 microT), while the lower job TWA was Stock Clerk in Tile Production and Stock Clerk in Garment Production. After 6-9 months we repeated measurement in about 10% of the original sample (about 48 subjects) to verify the resulted obtained. At repeated measurement analysis with SPSS 12.0 no variation was found compared the previous monitoring. Individual occupational exposure to ELF-MF evaluated in a relatively large group of workers engaged in the main occupational activities proved low values compared to the proposed occupational limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bravo
- Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena.
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Bravo G, Kurtansky A, López-Muñoz FJ, Hong E, Rojas G, Villalón CM, Huang F. Protective Action of Amlodipine on Cardiac Negative Inotropism Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Rats. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2007; 100:339-44. [PMID: 17448121 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2007.00055.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Amlodipine has been shown to prevent decrease in vascular responsiveness induced by injection of Salmonella typhosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS); however, there is no study reporting if this protection by amlodipine extends to ventricular contractility. Therefore, we have investigated in rat isolated right ventricle strips contracted by electrical stimulation (1 and 3 Hz and subsequently 1 Hz) whether pre-treatment with amlodipine (15 mg/kg orally for 1 week) precludes the decrease in ventricular contractility related to the induction of nitric oxide synthase stimulated by LPS injection (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The induction of septic shock was confirmed in isolated aortic rings from LPS-injected rats by verifying that the contractile response to 1 microM noradrenaline had been (i) decreased after LPS injection and (ii) markedly potentiated by the addition of 10 microM l-arginine. The injection of saline to untreated and amlodipine-treated rats produced a non-significant effect on right ventricular contractility during 180 min. at 3 Hz; the recovery of the contractile response was improved when the stimulation frequency was subsequently returned to 1 Hz after 30 min. In contrast, injection of LPS to untreated and amlodipine-treated rats (amlodipine + LPS) produced a decrease in right ventricular contractility during 180 min. at 3 Hz, an effect that was more pronounced in LPS than in amlodipine-treated rats. These ex vivo results obtained after LPS injection suggest that amlodipine may have inhibited, at least in part, the induction of nitric oxide synthase with a resulting preclusion of the cardiovascular failure produced by septic shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Bravo
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados IPN, México D.F., México.
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Abstract
The effect of indorenate (5-methoxytryptamine, beta-methyl carboxylate hydrochloride), a 5-HT1A agonist, was investigated on the motor performance of rats with chronic spinal cord injury. Four months after a ninth thoracic vertebrae spinal cord contusion, 29 rats were randomly allocated into two groups: saline solution and indorenate-treated animals with daily doses incremented at weekly intervals. The locomotor performance of all rats was measured by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale. The results showed that at the end of the treatment, the motor activity of indorenate group was significantly better than that presented by saline solution group. The 80% of indorenate, (against 15% of saline solution) did not show detriment on motor activity. When we analysed the motor activity of rats with basal BBB lower than 10, a significant improvement of motor recovery in indorenate-treated animals was observed. The benefits observed in locomotor function at low doses followed by increasing doses could be associated with pharmacological treatment by indorenate, a well-known 5-HT1A receptor agonist. Our results suggest a potential mechanism by which serotonergic agents may improve motor function in rats with chronic spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Bravo
- Department of Pharmacobiology, CINVESTAV-IPN, Sede Sur, Mexico.
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López JRM, Domínguez-Ramírez AM, Cook HJ, Bravo G, Díaz-Reval MI, Déciga-Campos M, López-Muñoz FJ. Enhancement of antinociception by co-administration of ibuprofen and caffeine in arthritic rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2006; 544:31-8. [PMID: 16872598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2006] [Revised: 06/13/2006] [Accepted: 06/19/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
It has been observed that caffeine improves antinociceptive efficacy of some non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in several experimental models, however, these effects have been questioned in humans. Controversy in clinical studies may be due to the use of different protocols as well as to high interindividual variability in patient response. In addition, the antinociceptive interaction of ibuprofen+caffeine has not been studied. To assess a possible synergistic antinociceptive interaction, the antinociceptive effects of ibuprofen, and caffeine administered either separately or in combinations were determined in a model of arthritic pain: "Pain-induced functional impairment in the rat (PIFIR model). The antinociceptive efficacies were evaluated using several dose-response curves and time courses. The antinociceptive effects from the combination that produced the greater effect were compared with the maximal antinociceptive effect of either morphine or acetylsalicylic acid alone. The animals were administered with 0.05 ml intra-articular (i.a.) of uric acid to induce nociception. Groups of six rats received either acetylsalicylic acid, morphine, ibuprofen or caffeine, or a combination ibuprofen+caffeine (18 combinations). We report here that caffeine (17.8 and 31.6 mg/kg) is able to potentiate the antinociceptive effect of ibuprofen. This investigation showed that six combinations presented effects of potentiation and twelve combinations only showed antinociceptive effects not different from that of ibuprofen alone. The maximum antinociceptive effect was 270.7+/-12.7 area units (au), produced by ibuprofen 100 mg/kg+caffeine 17.8 mg/kg; this effect was greater than the maximum produced by morphine 17.8 mg/kg (244.7+/-22.9 au) in these experimental conditions. The maximum potentiation was 197 % produced with the combination of ibuprofen 17.8 mg/kg+caffeine 17.8 mg/kg. These results suggest that the antinociceptive effect of ibuprofen was significantly potentiated by doses of caffeine that by themselves are ineffective in this model.
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Martínez-Moreno NE, Martínez-Alvarez R, Rey-Portolés G, Gutiérrez-Sárraga J, Burzaco-Santurtún J, Bravo G. [Gamma Knife radiosurgery treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain]. Rev Neurol 2006; 42:195-201. [PMID: 16521057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Typical trigeminal neuralgia (TTN) is a condition that is treated initially by pharmacological means and, if this fails, with different surgical techniques. With the advent of radiosurgery a relatively bloodless form of treatment with low toxicity and good results has become available and can be considered for use as the first choice procedure. AIMS Our aim was to report the findings obtained from treating this pathology using Gamma Knife radiosurgery in order to assess the possibility of using it for patients with neuralgia associated to multiple sclerosis (MS) or who have atypical facial pain (AFP). We also assessed the patients who were re-treated owing to recurrence or persistence. PATIENTS AND METHODS The sample was made up of 74 patients, including seven cases of lesions in the brain stem at the nerve entry point, 45 cases of associated vascular compression, 15 cases of AFP and eight cases of re-treatment. The median maximum dose was 84 Gy (60.2-120). The mean follow-up time was 23.26 months (1-97.83). RESULTS Of those with TTN, 76.2% of subjects had no pain at the end of the study (75% in cases of second treatments, 69% in cases of associated vascular compression, 52% of those with prior interventions and 43% with MS), and 33% in the case of AFP. The mean time elapsed before pain disappeared was 4.34 months (0-23.72). Sensitivity was newly affected in 20.3% of patients with TTN or AFP. CONCLUSIONS Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a first choice therapeutic option for use with patients who have TTN or AFP, as well as in cases of neuralgia associated to MS. It can also be considered for use as re-treatment with a tolerable rate of morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Martínez-Moreno
- Unidad de Radiocirugía y Neurocirugía Funcional, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kaminsky
- Department of Dermatology School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Scaringi M, Bravo G, Vandelli AM, Romanelli A, Besutti G, Ghersi R, Gobba F. [Personal exposure to ELF magnetic fields in workers engaged in various occupations]. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2005; 27:342-5. [PMID: 16240591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Using personal dosimeters worn during two complete work-shifts, we measured occupational exposure to Extremely Low Frequency-Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF) in 290 workers employed in 56 jobs, representative of the main occupational activities in the area of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy). Environmental nonoccupational exposure was also monitored. In the whole sample, the mean Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure during work resulted 0.59 microT (SD 3.2), while the median was 0.13 microT. Exposure was lower than 1 microT in more than 90% of the workers. In one job only exposure was greater than 1 microT (job-related median TWA); in other 8 exposure was between 1 and 0.4 microT, while about 84% of the jobs presented a median TWA lower than 0.4 microT. A high variability among workers engaged in the same job resulted in various occupational tasks. Non-occupational exposure was lower than 0.4 microT in more than 98% of the examined workers. Our results show a low to moderate occupational exposure to ELF-MF in the greatest part of the workers and working activities. Also the non-occupational exposure resulted low in the large majority of the subjects. The high variability observed among workers engaged in some occupations may represent a problem in exposure evaluation. Personal monitoring is particularly useful in such a situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Scaringi
- Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Dipartimento di Scienze Igienistiche, Dottorato di Ricerca in Sanita Pubblica, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia
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Guízar-Sahagún G, Velasco-Hernández L, Martínez-Cruz A, Castañeda-Hernández G, Bravo G, Rojas G, Hong E. Systemic microcirculation after complete high and low thoracic spinal cord section in rats. J Neurotrauma 2005; 21:1614-23. [PMID: 15684653 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2004.21.1614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces multiple systemic and metabolic alterations. Although some systemic alterations could be associated with ischemic organ damage, little is known about microvascular blood flow (MVBF) in organs other than the spinal cord after acute SCI. We used laser Doppler flowmetry in anesthetized rats to assess MVBF in several tissues before and after complete T-2 and T-9 SCI at 1 h and on days 1, 3, and 7 post-SCI. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate and hematologic variables also were recorded. MAP changes after T-2 injury were not significant, while MAP decreased significantly 1 h after T-9 injury. Statistically significant bradycardia occurred after T-2 injury at 7 days; statistically significant tachycardia occurred after T-9 injury at 1, 3, and 7 days. Hematocrit significantly increased at day 1 and decreased at days 3 and 7 after T-2 injury. SCI was associated with significant decreases in MVBF in liver, spleen, muscle and fore footpad skin. Changes in MVBF in hind footpad skin and kidney were not significant. Changes were more pronounced at 1 h and 1 day post-SCI. Significant differences between MVBF after T-2 and T-9 SCI occurred only in liver. MVBF significantly correlated with regional peripheral vascular resistances (assessed using the MAP/MVBF ratio), but not with MAP. In conclusion, organ-specific changes in systemic MVBF that are influenced by the level of SCI, could contribute to organ dysfunction.
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Hébert R, Leclerc G, Bravo G, Girouard D, Lefrançois R. Efficacy of a support group programme for care-givers of demented patients in the community: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2005; 18:1-14. [PMID: 15374309 DOI: 10.1016/0167-4943(94)90043-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/1993] [Accepted: 10/07/1993] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dementia induces morbidity not only in the patients but also in the families taking care of them. Many studies described the impact of care-giving on physical and psychological health. Support groups were designed to alleviate the burden of care-givers. The objective of this study was to measure the efficacy of a support group programme for care-givers of demented patients in the community. Forty-one primary care-givers were randomly assigned to a study (n=23) or a control group (n=18). Subjects of the study group attended a structured programme of eight 2-h sessions. These weekly sessions consisted of information on the disease, role-playing on management of behavior problems, discussion on emotional impact of care-giving, and learning of stress management techniques. Subjects of the control group were referred to informal monthly meetings of the Alzheimer's Society. Subjects of both groups were evaluated at the entry (T1), after 8 weeks (T2) and after 8 months (T3). The outcome variables were the Burden Interview, the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist, the Brief Symptoms Inventory, the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Test and a questionnaire on health care utilization. Compared with the control group, subjects of the study group yielded only a significant increase in knowledge about the disease (p<0.0001) but no significant difference on the other outcome variables. It is concluded that this type of support group programme seems to have only a minimal impact on morbidity and on the burden of care-givers. These results are similar with two other studies examining the same issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Hébert
- Centre de recherche en gérontologie et gériatrie, Hôpital d'Youville, 1036, Belvédére Sud, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, JIH 4C4
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Abstract
The recent developments in the management of spinal cord injury (SCI) have led to a reduction in mortality and in the consequences, resulting from incomplete spinal cord damage in those who survive. In this respect, it is noteworthy that SCI not only results in paraplegia or tetraplegia, but also in systemic, cardiovascular and metabolic alterations secondary to autonomic dysfunction. After SCI there is a decrease in sympathetic discharge and an increase in parasympathetic drive, resulting in profound changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. When SCI is induced in experimental animals, an immediate hypotension occurs (acute phase) which has been attributed to an autonomic imbalance involving a predominance of parasympathetic activity. Subsequently, an episodic hypertension may develop (chronic phase) as a part of a condition denominated autonomic dysreflexia. This hypertension is caused by afferent stimulation below the level of injury and can be so severe that sometimes may lead to cerebral haemorrhage, seizures, and death. In the light of the above lines of evidence, experimental SCI may provide an ideal model to study the nature of cardiovascular mechanisms following traumatic injury. Thus, the present review will deal with an update of the possible cardiovascular complications associated to SCI (including spinal shock, autonomic dysreflexia, deep venous thrombosis, and risk for coronary heart disease). This will be discussed within the context of the development of drugs with potential therapeutic usefulness in the acute and chronic stages of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Bravo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, CINVESTAV-IPN, Czda. de los Tenorios 235, Col. Granjas Coapa, Deleg. Tlalpan, 14330 México DF, México.
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