BackgroundThere is growing interest in sex differences and RAS components. However, whether gender influences cardiac angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity is still unknown. In the present work, we determined the relationship between ACE and ACE2 activity, left ventricular function and gender in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).Methodology / Principal FindingsTwelve-week-old female (F) and male (M) SHRs were divided into 2 experimental groups (n = 7 in each group): sham (S) and gonadectomized (G). Fifty days after gonadectomy, we measured positive and negative first derivatives (dP/dt maximum left ventricle (LV) and dP/dt minimum LV, respectively), hypertrophy (morphometric analysis) and ACE and ACE2 catalytic activity (fluorimetrically). Expression of calcium handling proteins was measured by western blot. Male rats exhibited higher cardiac ACE and ACE2 activity as well as hypertrophy compared to female rats. Orchiectomy decreased the activity of these enzymes and hypertrophy, while ovariectomy increased hypertrophy and ACE2, but did not change ACE activity. For cardiac function, the male sham group had a lower +dP/dt than the female sham group. After gonadectomy, the +dP/dt increased in males and reduced in females. The male sham group had a lower -dP/dt than the female group. After gonadectomy, the -dP/dt increased in the male and decreased in the female groups when compared to the sham group. No difference was observed among the groups in SERCA2a protein expression. Gonadectomy increased protein expression of PLB (phospholamban) and the PLB to SERCA2a ratio in female rats, but did not change in male rats.ConclusionOvariectomy leads to increased cardiac hypertrophy, ACE2 activity, PLB expression and PLB to SERCA2a ratio, and worsening of hemodynamic variables, whereas in males the removal of testosterone has the opposite effects on RAS components.

Objective: The identification of populational levels of maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) is an aid to studies that propose to relate physical fitness to cardiovascular risk, and also for prescribing exercise and analyzing the effects of training. To date, there is no information with which this parameter can be classified in samples of adolescents from the Brazilian population. This study is, therefore, the first to propose the determination of mean VO 2max levels in a sample of the Brazilian population.Methods: A sample of 380 schoolchildren (177 boys and 203 girls, aged 10 to 14 years) was selected at random from public schools in Vitória, ES. After anthropometric assessment they underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, VO 2max was measured directly and results were classified according to quintiles calculated from the study sample.Results: The mean VO 2max values observed ranged from 42.95 to 49.55 mL.kg -1 .min -1 for boys and from 36.76 to 38.29 mL.kg -1 .min -1 for girls.Conclusions: This paper proposes mean VO 2max ranges as a classification parameter for cardiorespiratory fitness, in addition to contributing to a definition of normal values for the Brazilian population. This classification will also be of use for establishing cutoff points in future studies.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2006;82(6):426-30: Maximum oxygen uptake, adolescents, aerobic fitness, cardiopulmonary exercise testing. ResumoObjetivo: A identificação de valores populacionais do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO 2 máx) auxilia nos estudos que se propõem a relacionar a aptidão física ao risco cardiovascular, bem como na prescrição do exercício e na análise do efeito do treinamento. Em amostras de adolescentes da população brasileira, ainda não existem informações para classificação desse parâmetro. Portanto, a proposta inédita deste estudo foi de determinar os valores médios de VO 2 máx de uma amostra da população brasileira.Métodos: Foi selecionada aleatoriamente uma amostra de 380 escolares (177 meninos e 203 meninas) da rede pública de Vitória (ES), com idade de 10 a 14 anos. Após avaliação antropométrica, foram submetidos a teste cardiopulmonar para medida direta do VO 2 máx, cujos valores foram classificados de acordo com o quintil calculado a partir da amostra estudada.Resultados: Os valores médios de VO 2 máx encontrados para os meninos foram de 42,95 a 49,55 mL.kg -1 .min -1 e, nas meninas, entre 36,76 e 38,29 mL.kg -1 .min -1 .Conclusões: O presente trabalho propõe faixas de valores médios de VO 2 máx como parâmetro para classificação de aptidão cardiorrespiratória, além de contribuir para a definição dos valores de normalidade da população brasileira. Essa classificação auxilia também no estabelecimento de pontos de corte para estudos posteriores. O sedentarismo é um problema crescente que tem atingido um número cada vez maior de crianças e adolescentes. Autores relatam que há uma tendência entre os adolescentes de se envolverem menos nas atividades de educação física escolar e em atividades vigorosas e de aumentarem o tempo d...

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RYGB and SG procedures demonstrated a similar impact on adipokine levels in women 1 year post-surgery. Both techniques may improve the course of chronic diseases and the state of inflammation associated with obesity.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the severity of pain and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) in untreated patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).MethodsA study group of 127 patients with HNSCC were interviewed before antineoplastic treatment. The severity of pain was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire, and the QoL was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the head and neck module (QLQ-H&N35).ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 57.9 years, and there was a predominance of men (87.4%). The most frequent site of the primary tumor was the oral cavity (70.6%), and the majority of the patients had advanced cancers (stages III and IV). QoL in early stage of cancer obtained better scores. Conversely, the patients with advanced stage cancer scored significantly higher on the symptom scales regarding fatigue, pain, appetite loss and financial difficulties, indicating greater difficulties. Regard to the severity of pain, patients with moderate-severe pain revealed a significantly worse score than patients without pain.ConclusionsThe severity of pain is statistically related to the advanced stages of cancer and directly affects the QoL. An assessment of the quality of life and symptoms before therapy can direct attention to the most important symptoms, and appropriate interventions can then be directed toward improving QoL outcomes and the response to treatment.