Aims/hypothesis The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the relationship between HbA 1c levels and subsequent cardiovascular outcomes in individuals without diabetes. Methods We searched Medline, Embase and Scopus from initiation of the study until the end of 2009. One reviewer searched and another verified findings. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by another. We accepted prospective studies in any language reporting three or more quartiles for HbA 1c levels. Within quartiles, authors must have presented both numbers of patient-years at risk and cardiovascular outcomes. Outcomes per person-time at risk were regressed on average HbA 1c values using Poisson regression. We pooled β coefficients using Cochran's semiweighted (inverse variance) random-effects model. Study quality was assessed using the Downs-Black scale. Results We investigated 16 datasets (nine for total cardiovascular events and seven for death) from five papers with 44,158 patients (44% men) over 404,899 patient-years of follow-up. There were 1,366 cardiovascular deaths (3.1%; 3.37/1,000 person-years) and 2,142 cardiovascular events (4.9%; 5.29/1,000 person-years). The overall meta-analytic β coefficients were 0.720 (95% CI 0.307-1.133) and 0.757 (95% CI 0.382-1.132) for cardiac death and events, respectively. Compared with the baseline value of 0.0427, an HbA 1c level of 0.05 was associated with a relative risk for cardiovascular death of 1.13 (95% CI 1.05-1.21), a 0.06 value with 1.34 (95% CI 1.13-1.58), and a 0.07 HbA 1c with relative risk 1.58 (95% CI 1.22-2.06). Results for total cardiovascular events were similar. The average study quality was 0.7 (70%). Conclusions/interpretation We conclude that HbA 1c was significantly associated with cardiovascular events and deaths in persons without diabetes.

This study aimed to investigate different types of morphologies obtained using the electrospinning process to produce a material that enables wound healing while performing a controlled release. Using benign solvents, the authors prepared and characterised electrospun polycaprolactone mats loaded with propolis, a popular extract in traditional medicine with potential for skin repair. Different morphologies were obtained from distinct storage periods of the solution before electrospinning to investigate the effect of PCL hydrolysis (average diameters of fibres and beads: 159.2–280.5 nm and 1.9–5.6 μm, respectively). Phytochemical and FTIR analyses of the extract confirmed propolis composition. GPC and viscosity analyses showed a decrease in polymer molecular weight over the storage period (about a 70% reduction over 14 days) and confirmed that it was responsible for the nanostructure diversity. Moreover, propolis acted as a lubricant agent, affecting the spun solutions’ viscosity and the thermal properties and hydrophilicity of the mats. All samples were within the value range of the water vapour transpiration rate of the commercial products (1263.08 to 2179.84 g/m2.day). Even though the presence of beads did not affect the propolis release pattern, an in vitro wound-healing assay showed that propolis-loaded mats composed of beaded fibres increased the cell migration process. Thus, these films could present the potential for use in wound dressing applications.

Whether in the cosmetic or as therapeutic, the use of nanoparticles has been increasing and taking on global proportion. However, there are few studies about the physical potential of long-term use or use in special conditions such as chronic, AIDS, pregnant women and other special health circumstances. In this context, the study of the mutagenicity and the transplacental passage represents an important and reliable model for the primary evaluation of potential health risks, especially maternal and child health. In this study we performed mutagenicity, cytotoxic and transplacental evaluation of magnetic core mesoporous silica nanoparticles, radiolabeled with Tc for determination of toxicogenic and embryonic/fetuses potential risk in animal model. Magnetic core mesoporous silica nanoparticles were produced and characterized by obtaining nanoparticles with a size of (58.9 ± 8.1 nm) in spherical shape and with intact magnetic core. The 99 m Tc radiolabeling process demonstrated high efficacy and stability in 98% yield over a period of 8 hours of stability. Mutagenicity assays were performed using Salmonella enteric serovar Typhimurium standard strains TA98, TA100 and TA102. Cytotoxicity assays were performed using WST-1. The transplacental evaluation assays were performed using the in vivo model with rats in two periods: embryonic and fetal stage. The results of both analyzes corroborate that the nanoparticles can i) generate DNA damage; ii) generate cytotoxic potential and iii) cross the transplantation barrier in both stages and bioaccumulates in both embryos and fetuses. The results suggest that complementary evaluations should be conducted in order to attest safety, efficacy and quality of nanoparticles before unrestricted approval of their use.