RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Comorbidities are common in COPD and have been associated with reduced health status, increased health care utilization, all-cause hospitalization, and mortality. There is a scarcity of data on the relationship between comorbidities and functional capacity. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the impact of comorbidities on functional capacity of COPD patients. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted at two teaching hospitals in Fortaleza, Brazil. The functional capacity was assessed by spirometry and the 6-min walking test (6MWT). The health status was assessed by the St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) and the COPD assessment test (CAT). The sample was stratified as having "none", "one" and "two or three" comorbidities groups. One-way ANOVA was used to compare means of the three groups and a multiple linear regression was run to predict the impact of comorbidities on 6MWT. RESULTS: Comorbidities (hypertension, coronary disease and diabetes) were found in 54% of the studied patients. The mean age of the 79 patients was 67±8 years and 55% were male. CAT scores increased from "no comorbidity" (17.9±7.7) to "one comorbidity" (22.8±6.8) and "two or three comorbidities" groups (24.2±10.2). A post hoc test showed a significant difference in the "no comorbidity" compared to the "two or three comorbidities" groups (p=0.01). The distance walked by the patients decreased from "no comorbidity" (386.1±83.2m) to "one comorbidity" (350±98m) and "two or three comorbidities" groups (312.6±91m). A post hoc test showed significant difference in the "no comorbidity" compared to "two or three comorbidities" groups (p=0.007). Numbers of comorbidities were independently associated with the 6MWT adjusting for age, severity of COPD and CAT scores. CONCLUSION: in the studied sample, the presence of comorbidities contributed to impair exercise capacity in patients with COPD.
Assuntos
Tolerância ao Exercício , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/fisiopatologia , Idoso , Doenças Cardiovasculares/complicações , Doenças Cardiovasculares/fisiopatologia , Comorbidade , Estudos Transversais , Complicações do Diabetes/complicações , Complicações do Diabetes/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hipertensão/complicações , Hipertensão/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/complicaçõesRESUMO
In this work we have characterized the effects of the intercalator ethidium bromide (EtBr) on the DNA condensation process by using force spectroscopy and gel electrophoresis. We have tested two condensing agents: spermine (spm(4+)), a tetravalent cationic amine which promotes cation-induced DNA condensation, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a neutral polymer which promotes DNA ψ-condensation. Two different types of experiments were performed. In the first type, bare DNA molecules disperse in solution are first treated with EtBr for intercalation, and then the condensing agent is added to the sample with the purpose of verifying the effects of the intercalator in hindering DNA condensation. In the second experiment type, the bare DNA molecules are first condensed, and then the intercalator is added to the sample in order to verify its influence on the previously condensed DNA. The results obtained with the two different experimental techniques used agree very well, indicating that previously intercalated EtBr can hinder both cation-induced and ψ-condensation, being more efficient in the first case. On the other hand, EtBr has little effect on the previously formed cation-induced condensates, but is efficient in unfolding the ψ-condensates.
Assuntos
DNA/química , Etídio/farmacologia , Substâncias Intercalantes/farmacologia , Conformação de Ácido Nucleico/efeitos dos fármacos , Polietilenoglicóis/farmacologia , Espermina/farmacologia , Eletroforese , Análise EspectralRESUMO
RESUMEN: Los pericitos son células musculares lisas modificadas de los tubos capilares circundantes los cuales cambian el diámetro del lumen vascular. En este artículo relatamos un caso dehemangiopericitoma renal presente en una mujer de 78 años, quien manifestaba dolor abdominal. La ultrasonografía determinó una lesión sólida en la tercera porción del riñón izquierdo. La exploración abdominal de CT reveló una masa tumoral. Debido a la alta sospecha de neoplasia maligna, la paciente fue sometida a nefrectomía radical izquierda. La evaluación histopatológica confirmó el hemangiopericitoma, a través de inmunohistoquímica. La paciente sobrevive cinco años después de la nefrectomía radical.