This study aimed to characterize pomegranate seed oil and evaluate its quality and stability parameters against those of linseed oil. The profile of fatty acids and phytosterols and the content of tocopherols were analyzed by gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The quality of both oils was assessed as recommended by the American Dil Chemists' Society (ADCS) and stability was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene bleaching (coupled oxidation of β-carotene/linoleic acid) and Rancimat  assays. While α-linolenic acid (52%) was the most abundant fatty acid in linseed oil (LD), punicic acid (55%) was highest in pomegranate seed oil (PSD). Tocopherols and phytosterols (175 and 539 mg/100 g, respectively) were greater in PSD than in LD (51 and 328 mg/100 g, respectively). Both oils met quality standards. The β-carotene bleaching and the DPPH assays showed greater oxidative stability for PSD than for LD. The Rancimat  method, on the other hand, indicated low stability for both oils.

In the present study we show the expression profiles of both type 1 and type 2 iodothyronine deiodinases (D1 and D2) in a wide spectrum of mouse tissues, and D2 regulation by thyroid status. A characteristic tissue-specific expression for each isoform was observed. D2 transcripts were detected in most tissues with variable levels of expression. The observed D2 mRNA tissue distribution was similar to that described in rats and is in agreement with the view of different patterns of expression between rodents and humans. However, it is interesting to note that despite the low levels of D2 transcripts in mouse heart and testis in the euthyroid state, the induction of hypothyroidism caused a significant increase in D2 activity in these tissues. Similar results were also obtained in adult rats. These results suggest a previously unrecognized role for type 2 deiodinase in controlling intracellular triiodothyronine levels in rodent heart and testis during states of thyroid hormone deficiency.

This study evaluated the acceptability, ceiling/floor effects, and the reliability of the instrument for measuring the Impact of the Disease on the Daily Life of Patients with Valvular Disease (IDCV) when applied to 135 patients with heart failure (HF). Acceptability was evaluated by the percentage of unanswered items and by the proportion of patients who responded to all items; the ceiling/floor effects by the percentage of patients who scored in the top of 10% best and worst results of the scale, respectively. Reliability was estimated by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) and stability of the measure (intraclass correlation coefficient -ICC). All patients responded to all items. Ceiling/floor effects evidenced were of moderate magnitude. The Cronbach's alpha was satisfactory for the majority of the domains and ICC> 0.90 in all the domains. The IDCV proved to be an easy to understand questionnaire, with evidence of reliability in patients with HF. DESCRIPTORS RESUMENEste estudio evaluó la aceptabilidad, los efectos pico/tierra y la confiabilidad del instrumento para medir el impacto de la enfermedad en la vida diaria de pacientes con valvulopatía -(IDCV) aplicado a 135 pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca. La aceptabilidad fue evaluada por el porcentaje de ítems no respondidos y por la proporción de pacientes que respondieron a todas los ítems; los efectos pico/tierra se calcularon como el porcentaje de pacientes que marcaron en los 10% mejores y en los peores resultados de la escala, respectivamente. La confiabilidad fue estimada por medio de la consistencia interna (coeficiente alfa de Cronbach) y de la estabilidad de la medida (coeficiente de correlación intra-clase -CCI). Todos los pacientes respondieron a todos los ítems. Se evidenció efectos pico/tierra de moderada magnitud. Se constató alfa de Cronbach satisfactorio para la mayoría de los dominios y CCI> 0,90 en todos los dominios. El IDCV demostró ser un cuestionario de fácil comprensión, con evidencias de confiabilidad en pacientes con IC.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, the ceiling and floor effects and the reliability of the Instrument to Measure the Impact of Coronary Disease on Patient's Daily Life (IDCV) when applied to hypertensive patients. METHOD: one hundred and thirty seven hypertensive outpatients were interviewed, using questionnaires to collect sociodemographic and clinical data, followed by the IDCV. Reliability was assessed according to the temporal stability and internal consistency criteria. RESULTS: the IDCV was applied in 8.0 (±3.0) minutes with 100% of the items answered. A ceiling effect of 31.4% was observed in the domain Adjustment to the Disease. The stability measure was observed for the total score and for all domains. There was evidence of internal consistency of the total IDCV (α=0.83) and the domains Physical Impact of the Disease - Symptoms (α=0.78) and Social and Emotional Impact of the Disease (α=0.74). CONCLUSION: the IDCV is an instrument of easy use and its reliability among hypertensive patients is evidenced. The domain Adjustment to the Disease, however, should be reviewed in further studies.

RESUMOA amiodarona é uma droga rica em iodo, amplamente utilizada em cardiologia clínica para o tratamento de arritmias cardíacas. O uso crônico da amiodarona está associado a uma série de efeitos colaterais, destacando-se entre eles alterações na função tireoidiana e no metabolismo dos hormônios tireoidianos, levando a indução de hipotireoidismo ou de tireotoxicose. Diversos mecanismos, incluindo distúrbios na auto-regulação tireoidiana em resposta ao excesso de iodo, fatores imunológicos e a citotoxicidade provocada pela droga, estão envolvidos na gênese da disfunção tireoidiana induzida pela amiodarona. Cerca de 50% dos indivíduos em uso crônico de amiodarona desenvolvem alguma anormalidade na função tireoidiana, o que ressalta a necessidade da monitoração das concentrações séricas dos hormônios tireoidianos e do TSH nestes pacientes. Amiodarone is an iodine-rich drug widely used for the management of cardiac arrhythmias. During long-term amiodarone therapy drug toxicity may occur and a substantial proportion of amiodarone-treated patients develop either hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis. Several mechanisms are involved in amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction: defective thyroid auto-regulatory mechanism in presence of excessive iodine offer, immunological factors and cytotoxicity. Approximately 50% of patients taking amiodarone present abnormal thyroid function. Therefore, for adequate clinical follow up of these patients, it is critical a careful monitoring of thyroid hormones and TSH, before and during treatment. AAMIODARONA FOI INTRODUZIDA na medicina clínica em meados de 1960 como agente anti-anginoso. Posteriormente, estudos de seus efeitos eletrofisiológicos consagraram seu uso como agente antiarrítmico (1,2), sendo de ampla utilização, especialmente nas arritmias refratárias aos tratamentos ditos convencionais (3). Entretanto, o uso de amiodarona está relacionado a uma série de efeitos colaterais tais como: fotossensibilidade, microdepósitos em córneas, toxicidade pulmonar, hepatotoxicidade, neuropatia periférica, hipotireoidismo e tireotoxicose (4).O propósito do presente artigo é revisar os efeitos do uso crônico de amiodarona sobre a função tireoidiana, e sugerir uma conduta adequada no diagnóstico e tratamento das disfunções tireoidianas induzidas pela droga.