Smoking is a risk factor for progression of CKD.

Early mobilization is beneficial for critically ill patients because it reduces muscle weakness acquired in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and passive cycle ergometry (PCE) on the nitrous stress and inflammatory cytometry in critically ill patients. This was a controlled, randomized, open clinical trial carried out in a 16-bed intensive care unit. The patients were randomized into four groups: Control group (n=10), did not undergo any therapeutic intervention during the study; PCE group (n=9), lower-limb PCE for 30 cycles/min for 20 min; FES group (n=9), electrical stimulation of quadriceps muscle for 20 min; and FES with PCE group (n=7), patients underwent PCE and FES, with their order determined randomly. The serum levels of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukins 6 and 10 were analyzed before and after the intervention. There were no differences in clinical or demographic characteristics between the groups. The results revealed reduced nitric oxide concentrations one hour after using PCE (Po0.001) and FES (Po0.05), thereby indicating that these therapies may reduce cellular nitrosative stress when applied separately. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were reduced after the PCE intervention (P=0.049). PCE and FES reduced nitric oxide levels, demonstrating beneficial effects on the reduction of nitrosative stress. PCE was the only treatment that reduced the tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration.

OBJECTIVE:The passive cycle ergometer aims to prevent hypotrophy and improve muscle strength, with a consequent reduction in hospitalization time in the intensive care unit and functional improvement. However, its effects on oxidative stress and immune system parameters remain unknown. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of a passive cycle ergometer on the immune system and oxidative stress in critical patients.METHODS:This paper describes a randomized controlled trial in a sample of 19 patients of both genders who were on mechanical ventilation and hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Hospital Agamenom Magalhães. The patients were divided into two groups: one group underwent cycle ergometer passive exercise for 30 cycles/min on the lower limbs for 20 minutes; the other group did not undergo any therapeutic intervention during the study and served as the control group. A total of 20 ml of blood was analysed, in which nitric oxide levels and some specific inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10)) were evaluated before and after the study protocol.RESULTS:Regarding the demographic and clinical variables, the groups were homogeneous in the early phases of the study. The nitric oxide analysis revealed a reduction in nitric oxide variation in stimulated cells (p=0.0021) and those stimulated (p=0.0076) after passive cycle ergometer use compared to the control group. No differences in the evaluated inflammatory cytokines were observed between the two groups.CONCLUSION:We can conclude that the passive cycle ergometer promoted reduced levels of nitric oxide, showing beneficial effects on oxidative stress reduction. As assessed by inflammatory cytokines, the treatment was not associated with changes in the immune system. However, further research in a larger population is necessary for more conclusive results.

Introduction: Proximal femur fractures affect the mortality and morbidity of elderly individuals. Recent studies have shown an association between fragility fractures and hyponatremia, a common fluid and electrolyte balance disorder. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hyponatremia in patients with fragility fractures of the proximal femur. Methods: The authors looked into the data from the medical records of patients admitted to the emergency unit of the Real Hospital Português for fragility fractures of the proximal femur from 2014 to 2017. The study included patients with serum sodium levels recorded in their charts. Results: Fourteen of 69 (20.3%) patients with proximal femur fractures had hyponatremia. The main factors linked to hyponatremia were lung disease, and prescription of amiodarone and/or antidepressants. Conclusion: In elderly individuals, fragility fractures of the proximal femur may correlate with hyponatremia, particularly among patients on amiodarone or antidepressants.

No final de 2019, emergiu um grupo de casos de pneumonia associados a um novo coronavírus de RNA envelopado, espalhando-se rapidamente pelos continentes e sendo rotulado como pandemia global por COVID-19. Uma proporção considerável da população doente não necessitará de hospitalização, entretanto, alguns pacientes podem desenvolver a forma grave da doença e apresentar complicações como a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA), requerendo ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI). Pacientes com SDRA por COVID-19 podem apresentar algumas características específicas em comparação com as formas típicas da síndrome, desenvolvendo fenótipos distintos que ainda tem sido estudados. As pesquisas têm, então, se concentrado em esclarecer estratégias ventilatórias protetoras do pulmão (EPP) para estes pacientes. Esta revisão narrativa teve como objetivo investigar a experiência mundial atual em relação à EPP como manejo da SDRA associada à COVID-19 e destacar considerações para as práticas de VMI durante a pandemia. Após um processo de rastreamento de estudos nas bases de dados PubMed e BVS, foram selecionados 20 estudos a serem analisados. Na maior parte dos estudos o manejo ventilatório dos pacientes se assemelhou ao da SDRA “clássica” e, portanto, a EPP destacou-se como importante aliada na regressão da SDRA nos pacientes COVID-19. No entanto, deve ser levado em consideração a heterogeneidade fenotípica dos pacientes, principalmente quanto à mecânica pulmonar e capacidade de recrutamento. Este estudo possibilitou aprofundamento cientifico sobre as semelhanças e diferenças da SDRA por COVID-19 e por outras causas, além de permitir a formação de orientações quanto aos ajustes ventilatórios iniciais em pacientes com SDRA/COVID-19.