This study tested the ecological apparency hypothesis in the community of Barroquinha, in the municipality of Lagoa, Paraíba State, Brazil. We used the Use Value (UV) by testing the information obtained through three types of calculations: UVgeneral, UVcurrent, and UVpotential. The botanical sampling was conducted in two areas of the community (Preserved - A1; Degraded - A2), and interviews were carried out with 66 people, who signed a Free and Transparent Consent form, required by the Research Ethics Committee. The Spearman's correlation test was performed to relate phytosociological data to ethnobotanical data. We used the Pearson Correlation to test the correlation between genders and the Use Values (UVs). Fifteen useful species were recorded in A1 and 16 species in A2. Positive correlations were found in both areas between species and the phytosociological data: in A1 between UVcurrent with basal area and dominance (p < 0.05) and in A2 between UVgeneral and UVcurrent with all parameters (p < 0.05). Only the forage category showed a positive correlation in A1 between UVpotential and density and frequency (p < 0.05). In A2, the fuel category was correlated with UVcurrent and basal area and dominance (p < 0.05). There was positive correlation between UVgeneral/UVcurrent, UVgeneral/UVpotential, UVcurrent/UVpotential (p < 0.0001). Men and women considered the same species as the most important (p < 0.0001). According to the results of this study, we can conclude that ecological apparency best explains the relationship between use and availability of species used for timber.

FUNDAMENTO: A cistatina C sérica (s-CC), um marcador endógeno da função renal, tem sido proposta também como um marcador de risco cardiovascular. No entanto, ainda não está estabelecido se se trata de um marcador direto de aterosclerose, independentemente da função renal. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi correlacionar a s-CC com dois marcadores substitutos de aterosclerose subclínica. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal envolvendo 103 pacientes hipertensos ambulatoriais, de meia idade (57,49 ± 11,7 anos), sendo 60 do sexo feminino (58,25%) e a maioria com função renal preservada. A s-CC foi correlacionada com a espessura mediointimal carotídea (EMIc) e a dilatação mediada por fluxo de artéria braquial (DMF), ambas avaliadas por ultrassonografia, bem como com o clearance de creatinina medido e fatores de risco cardiovascular estabelecidos. RESULTADOS: A s-CC não se correlacionou significativamente nem com a EMIc (r = -0,024, p = 0,84) nem com a DMF (r = -0,050 e p = 0,687), e não foi observada também associação significativa com fatores de risco convencionais nem marcadores inflamatórios. Na análise univariada, a s-CC se correlacionou com o clearance de creatinina medido (r = - 0,498, p < 0,001), idade (r = 0,408, p < 0,001), microalbuminúria (r = 0,291, p = 0,014), ácido úrico (r = 0,391, p < 0,001), relação E/e' (r = 0,242, p = 0,049) e escore de Framingham (r = 0,359, p = 0,001). No entanto, após análise de regressão múltipla, apenas a associação com o clearance de creatinina medido permaneceu significativa (r = -0,491, p <0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes hipertensos ambulatoriais de meia idade, a s-CC se correlacionou com o clearance de creatinina medido,como esperado, mas não foi observada associação com marcadores de aterosclerose nem com fatores de risco cardiovascular estabelecidos.

BACKGROUND: Serum cystatin C (s-CC), an endogenous marker of kidney function, has also been proposed as a cardiovascular risk marker. However, it is unknown whether it is a direct marker of atherosclerosis, independently of kidney function. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate s-CC with two surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 103 middle-aged (57.49 ± 11.7 years) hypertensive outpatients, being 60 female (58.25%), most with preserved kidney function. S-CC was correlated with carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery (FMD), both assessed by ultrasound, as well as with measured creatinine clearance and established cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: S-CC was neither significantly correlated with IMT (r = -0.024; p = 0.84) nor with FMD (r = -0.050 and p = 0.687) and no significant association was observed with conventional risk factors and inflammatory markers. In univariate analysis, s-CC was correlated with measured creatinine clearance (r = -0,498; p < 0,001), age (r = 0,408; p < 0,001), microalbuminuria (r = 0,291; p = 0,014), uric acid (r = 0,391; p < 0,001), ratio E/e' (r = 0,242; p = 0,049) and Framingham score (r = 0,359; p = 0,001). However, after multiple regression analysis, only the association with measured creatinine clearance remained significant (r = -0,491; p < 0,001). CONCLUSION: In middle-aged hypertensive outpatients, s-CC correlated with measured creatinine clearance, as expected, but no association was observed with markers of atherosclerosis neither with established cardiovascular risk factors.

OBJETIVO: O transplante renal é a melhor opção para pacientes renais crônicos em estágio terminal. Este estudo avaliou o perfil da cistatina C (CysC), interleucina 2 (IL-2), IL-6, e fator de necrose tumoral-α (TNF-α) como marcadores inflamatórios em 23 transplantados renais de doador vivo. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo, analítico e prospectivo conduzido entre 1o de janeiro (2007) e 30 de junho (2008) em 23 transplantados renais de doador vivo. Os biomarcadores foram avaliados no pré, com 30 e 180 dias do pós-transplante. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 34,3 anos (± 11,7), 52% do sexo feminino e 61% de negros. Foi encontrada diferença significativa na CysC e creatinina antes do transplante e 30 dias após o procedimento (p < 0,0001) e antes do transplante e 180 dias após o procedimento (p < 0,0001). Houve uma diferença significativa na IL-2, entre 30 and 180 dias do pós-transplante (p = 0,0418) e no TNF-α antes do transplante e 30 dias após o procedimento (p = 0,0001). Foi observada uma correlação negativa entre CysC e TNF-α no pré-transplante, e entre CysC e IL-6 com 180 dias do pós-transplante. Em pacientes biopsiados houve uma diferença significante na creatinina e na CysC com 30 e 180 dias do pós-transplante. CONCLUSÃO: Em seguimento a curto prazo, não houve correlação relevante entre os níveis de CysC, IL-2, IL-6 e TNF-α em transplantados renais. Em pacientes biopsiados e não biopsiados, os níveis de CysC foram muito similares aos da creatinina, ao contrário de outros marcadores inflamatórios. Demais estudos são importantes para avaliar o perfil destes marcadores a longo prazo.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney transplantation is the best option for patients with end-stage renal disease. This study evaluated the profile of cystatin C (CysC), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as inflammatory markers in 23 living donor kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: A descriptive, analytical and prospective study was conducted between January 1st, 2007 and June 30th, 2008 on 23 living donor kidney transplant recipients. The biomarkers were evaluated before and 30 and 180 days after transplantation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.3 years (± 11.7), females (52%) and non-whites (61%). Significant difference was found in cystatin C and creatinine before and 30 days after transplantation (p < 0.0001) and before and 180 days after transplantation (p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in IL-2 between 30 and 180 days post-transplant (p = 0.0418) and in TNF-α between pre-transplant and 30 days post-transplant (p = 0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between cystatin C and TNF-α at pre-transplant and between cystatin C and IL-6 at 180 days post-transplant. Comparison of biopsied and non-biopsied patients showed a significant difference in creatinine and cystatin C at 30 and 180 days post-transplant in biopsied patients. CONCLUSION: Our results showed no significant correlations between CysC, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in kidney transplant recipients at short-term follow-up. Moreover, CysC levels were very similar to creatinine levels in contrast to other inflammatory markers studied in biopsied and non-biopsied patients. Further studies are important to evaluate the long-term profile of these markers.