Abstract Pitaya is a rich source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and betalains. Moreover, these compounds has been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of this fruit on glycemia and oxidative stress in aloxan-induced diabetic mice. Thus, considering that In the in vivo assays, the mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 6): (a) healthy group treated with water; (b) diabetic mice treated with metformin at 200 mg/kg body weight diluted in water; (c) untreated diabetic mice; (d) diabetic mice treated with pitaya at 200 mg/kg and (e) diabetic mice treated with pitaya at 400 mg/kg of body weight diluted in water. The results shows that pitaya was able significantly to reduce blood glucose (p < 0.05) (200 mg/kg); significantly reduce cholesterol (200 and 400 mg/kg) and significantly increase HDL-c (400 mg/kg) levels. In the oxidative stress experiment, Malondialdehyde levels in the liver were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the groups treated with pitaya, when compared to the other groups, suggesting lower lipid peroxidation. The consumption of pitaya reduced the blood glucose and cholesterol and increase the HDL, in addition, the lipid peroxidation - which is common in diabetic patients, was reduced.

Abstract Background The MTHFR 677C>T variant’s involvement with hyperhomocysteinemia and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is still unclear. Objectives To evaluate associations between the MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) variant and susceptibility to and severity of PAD and homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Methods The study enrolled 157 PAD patients and 113 unrelated controls. PAD severity and anatomoradiological categories were assessed using the Fontaine classification and the Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC), respectively. The variant was genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Hcy levels were determined using chemiluminescence microparticle assay. Results The sample of PAD patients comprised 60 (38.2%) females and 97 (61.8%) males. Patients were older and had higher Hcy than controls (median age of 69 vs. 45 years, p<0.001; and 13.66 µmol/L vs. 9.91 µmol/L, p=0.020, respectively). Hcy levels and the MTHFR 677C>T variant did not differ according to Fontaine or TASC categories. However, Hcy was higher in patients with the CT+TT genotypes than in those with the CC genotype (14.60 µmol/L vs. 12.94 µmol/L, p=0.008). Moreover, patients with the TT genotype had higher Hcy than those with the CC+CT genotypes (16.40 µmol/L vs. 13.22 µmol/L, p=0.019), independently of the major confounding variables. Conclusions The T allele of MTHFR 677C>T variant was associated with higher Hcy levels in PAD patients, but not in controls, suggesting a possible interaction between the MTHFR 677C>T variant and other genetic, epigenetic, or environmental factors associated with PAD, affecting modulation of Hcy metabolism.

Resumo Contexto O envolvimento da variante MTHFR 677C>T na hiperhomocisteinemia e na doença arterial periférica (DAP) ainda não está claro. Objetivos Avaliar a associação da variante MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) com suscetibilidade e gravidade da DAP e valores séricos de homocisteína (Hcy). Métodos Este estudo caso-controle envolveu 157 pacientes com DAP e 113 controles não relacionados. A gravidade e as categorias anatomorradiológicas da DAP foram avaliadas pela classificação de Fontaine e pelo Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease, respectivamente. A genotipagem foi realizada por meio de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real, e os valores de Hcy foram determinados por ensaio de micropartículas de quimioluminescência. Resultados Entre os pacientes com DAP, 97 (61,8%) eram homens e 60 (38,2%) eram mulheres, com mediana de idade de 69 anos. Os pacientes com DAP eram mais velhos e apresentaram valores mais elevados de Hcy do que os controles (mediana de 69 vs. 45 anos de idade, p < 0,001; 13,66 µmol/L vs. 9,91 µmol/L, p = 0,020, respectivamente). Os valores de Hcy foram mais elevados em pacientes com os genótipos CT+TT do que aqueles com o genótipo CC (14,60 µmol/L vs. 12,94 µmol/L, p = 0,008). Além disso, os pacientes com o genótipo TT apresentaram valores mais elevados de Hcy do que aqueles com os genótipos CC+CT (16,40 µmol/L vs. 13,22 µmol/L, p = 0,019, respectivamente), independentemente das principais variáveis confundidoras. Conclusões O alelo T da variante MTHFR 677C>T foi associado a valores mais elevados de Hcy nos pacientes com DAP, mas não em controles, sugerindo uma possível interação entre a variante genética MTHFR 677C>T e outros fatores genéticos, epigenéticos ou ambientais associados com a DAP na modulação do metabolismo da Hcy.

Abstract The last Brazilian guidelines on melanoma were published in 2002. Development in diagnosis and treatment made updating necessary. The coordinators elaborated ten clinical questions, based on PICO system. A Medline search, according to specific MeSH terms for each of the 10 questions was performed and articles selected were classified from A to D according to level of scientific evidence. Based on the results, recommendations were defined and classified according to scientific strength. The present Guidelines were divided in two parts for editorial and publication reasons. In this second part, the following clinical questions were answered: 1) which patients with primary cutaneous melanoma benefit from sentinel lymph node biopsy? 2) Follow-up with body mapping is indicated for which patients? 3) Is preventive excision of acral nevi beneficious to patients? 4) Is preventive excision of giant congenital nevi beneficious to patients? 5) How should stages 0 and I primary cutaneous melanoma patients be followed?

ResumoCom o uso crescente do dispositivo Amplatzer® para diversos procedimentos endovasculares, dentre os quais a comunicação interatrial, complicações decorrentes de seu uso vêm sendo descritas. Relatamos um caso em que o dispositivo foi empregado para correção de comunicação interatrial e, seis meses depois, migrou para a bifurcação da aorta abdominal. A retirada do corpo estranho foi realizada por cirurgia convencional, após insucesso de tentativa por via endovascular.

AbstractComplications arising from use of the Amplatzer© device to correct endovascular conditions such as atrial septal defect have been described with increasingly frequency. We report on a case in which this device was used to correct an atrial septal defect, but 6 months later migrated to the abdominal aorta bifurcation. Removal of the foreign body was accomplished by conventional surgery after an endovascular attempt had failed.

O rim em ferradura é uma das anomalias urológicas congênitas mais comuns e está presente em cerca de 0,12% dos pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal. O reparo cirúrgico convencional está associado a dificuldades técnicas que provavelmente aumentam a morbidade e a mortalidade, mas que podem ser evitadas com o tratamento endovascular. Relatamos um caso de um paciente de 64 anos com rim em ferradura e aneurisma de aorta abdominal, que foi submetido ao reparo endovascular do aneurisma com sucesso.

The horseshoe kidney is one of the most common urologic anomalies and is present in about 0,12% of the patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. The conventional surgical repair is associated with technical difficulties that probably increase morbidity and mortality, but can be averted by the endovascular treatment. We report a case of a 64-year-old patient with horseshoe kidney and abdominal aortic aneurysm, who underwent endovascular repair with success.

CONTEXTO: Desde sua introdução, em 1991, o reparo endovascular do aneurisma da aorta abdominal infrarrenal tem se tornado uma alternativa atraente para o tratamento dessa doença. Avaliar nossos resultados iniciais quanto à segurança e eficácia dessa técnica nos levou à realização deste estudo. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a mortalidade perioperatória, a sobrevida tardia, as reoperações, as taxas de perviedade e o comportamento do saco aneurismático em pacientes com anatomia favorável para a realização do procedimento. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal, observacional e retrospectivo realizado entre outubro de 2004 e janeiro de 2009 com 41 pacientes que foram submetidos à correção endovascular do aneurisma de aorta abdominal infrarrenal por apresentarem anatomia favorável para o procedimento. Foram analisados os achados dos exames diagnósticos, o tratamento e o seguimento em todos os pacientes. RESULTADOS: Foram implantadas, com sucesso, 31 (75,6%) próteses bifurcadas e 10 (24,5%) monoilíacas, de 5 diferentes marcas. O diâmetro médio dos aneurismas fusiformes era de 62 mm. A mortalidade perioperatória foi de 4,8% e a sobrevida tardia, 90,2%. Durante o acompanhamento médio de 30 meses, 2 (4,8%) pacientes necessitaram de reintervenção, um por migração da endoprótese e outro por vazamento tipo II. Dois (4,8%) pacientes apresentaram oclusão de ramo da prótese. Oito (19,5%) vazamentos foram diagnosticados e não houve nenhuma rotura dos aneurismas. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do pequeno número de pacientes, os resultados observados parecem justificar a realização do procedimento endovascular nos pacientes com anatomia favorável.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction in 1991, endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms has become an attractive option to treat this disease. The evaluation of our initial results about safety and efficacy of this technique has led us to carry out this study. OBJECTIVES: To analyze perioperative mortality, late survival, reoperations, patency rates and the aneurysmal sac behavior in patients with favorable anatomy for this procedure. METHODS: A longitudinal, observational and retrospective study was conducted from October 2004 to January 2009, involving 41 patients with favorable anatomy for endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysm. The findings of diagnostic exams, the treatment and follow-up results were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-one (75.6%) bifurcated and 10 (24.5%) mono-iliac prosthesis of five different brands were successfully implanted. The average diameter of the fusiform aneurysms was 62 mm. Perioperative mortality rate was 4.8% and late survival was 90.2%. During the mean follow-up period of 30 months, two (4.8%) patients needed re-intervention, one for migration of the endoprosthesis and the other for type II endoleak. Two (4.8%) patients presented occlusion of an endograft branch. Eight (19.5%) endoleaks were diagnosed and there was no aneurysm rupture. CONCLUSION: Despite the small number of patients, the results seem to justify the performance of endovascular therapy in patients with favorable anatomy.

A dissecção espontânea isolada do tronco celíaco sem a dissecção concomitante da aorta é uma condição rara, pouco descrita na literatura. O objetivo do presente trabalho é descrever um caso dessa entidade clínica em um paciente masculino, 74 anos, assintomático, cujo diagnóstico foi feito por ultrassonografia e confirmado com angiotomografia computadorizada. O paciente tem sido acompanhado com sucesso mediante observação clínica por um período de 25 meses.

The isolated spontaneous dissection of the celiac artery without the concomitant dissection of the aorta is a rare condition seldomly described in the literature. The objective of the present study is to describe a case of this clinical entity in a 74-year-old, male patient, who was asymptomatic, and whose diagnosis was established by means of ultrasound and confirmed using computed angiotomography. The patient has been successfully followed up by means of clinical management for a period of 25 months.