Role of circulating microparticles and cytokines in periodontitis associated with diabetes.

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the supporting tissues of the teeth, and can lead to serious complications such as tooth loss and systemic health problems, including diabetes, which have a bidirectional relationship with periodontitis. Circulating microparticles originate from different cell types after stimuli such as activation or apoptosis. Interleukins are related to processes in the regulation of the immune response, inflammation, and cell growth.

Forty years of a Postgraduate Program in Cardiology at a Brazilian public university: indicators of its graduates.

Purpose: To evaluate the profile of graduates of the Postgraduate Program (PGP) in Cardiology of a public federal university, according to sociodemographic factors and professional trajectory.

Methods: The variables were collected from databases from the observed institution and digital platforms. The analysis of differences between the various levels of degrees was carried out in three cohorts: the entire historical series (graduates from 1978-2021), the first 20 years (1978-1997) and the second 20 years (1998-2018).

How long does the biological effect of a red light-emitting diode last on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells?

This research investigated the duration of the influence of red light-emitting diodes (LED, 630 nm; output power: 2452.5 mW; laser beam: 163.5 cm; irradiance: 15 mW/cm; radiant exposure: 4 J/cm) on different periods after irradiation (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h) on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells' (AdMSCs) metabolism and paracrine factors.

Persistence of a proinflammatory status after treatment of the acute myocardial infarction.

Aim: To evaluate the lipid-lowering and antiplatelet combined strategies on the expression of the receptors CCR2, CCR5, and CX3CR1 and the percentage of CCR2, CCR5, and CX3CR1 cells in monocyte subtypes after acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Prospective, randomized, open-label study, with blinded analyses of endpoints (PROBE, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02428374, registration date: April 28, 2015).

Metrics of care and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with pharmacoinvasive strategy: a decade-long network in a populous city in Brazil.

Background: Pharmacoinvasive strategy is an effective myocardial reperfusion therapy when primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) cannot be performed in a timely manner.

Methods: Authors sought to evaluate metrics of care and cardiovascular outcomes in a decade-long registry of a pharmacoinvasive strategy network for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Data from a local network including patients undergoing fibrinolysis in county hospitals and systematically transferred to the tertiary center were accessed from March 2010 to September 2020.

Microparticles: potential new contributors to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis?

Background: Microparticles (MPs) are membrane-derived vesicles released from cells undergoing activation or apoptosis with diverse proinflammatory and prothrombotic activities, that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EMPs), and monocyte-derived microparticles (MMPs) in SSc patients, and the association between MPs and the clinical features of SSc.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 patients with SSc and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated.

Monocytes presenting a pro-inflammatory profile persist in patients submitted to a long-term pharmacological treatment after acute myocardial infarction.

Although it is broadly known that monocyte recruitment is involved in atherosclerosis development and that, in accordance with the microenvironment, these cells can be modulated into three well-known subpopulations: Classical (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14++CD16+), and non-classical (CD14+CD16++), the effects of treatment with different pharmacological strategies (based on lipid-lowering and antiplatelets) after acute myocardial infarction upon the monocytes modulation and the role of the chemokine receptors CCR2, CCR5 and CX3CR1 in this context, are poorly understood. In this study, patients [n = 148, both men (n = 105, 71%) and women (n = 43, 29%)] submitted to treatment with a 2×2 factorial design, in which they received rosuvastatin 20 mg or simvastatin 40 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg, as well as ticagrelor 90 mg or clopidogrel 75 mg were enrolled. Monocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry at baseline (BL), and after one (1-M) and 6 months (6-M) of treatment.

Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fixed-Dose Combination of Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe Compared with a Fixed-Dose Combination of Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Brazilian Patients with Primary Hypercholesterolemia or Mixed Dyslipidemia: A Multicenter, Randomized Trial.

Background: The addition of ezetimibe to statin therapy has been reported to result in increased efficacy for reduction of LDL-C levels and achievement of lipid targets, compared with monotherapy.

Objective: This study was designed to demonstrate the noninferiority of therapy with fixed-dose rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe formulations versus fixed dose simvastatin and ezetimibe formulations for reduction of LDL-C levels in Brazilian patients with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia.

Methods: Phase III, multicenter, randomized, parallel, open-label, noninferiority study that included male and female participants (aged 21-80 years) with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia.

Regional QT Interval Dispersion as an Early Predictor of Reperfusion in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction after Fibrinolytic Therapy.

Background: Patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction attending primary care centers, treated with pharmaco-invasive strategy, are submitted to coronary angiography within 2-24 hours of fibrinolytic treatment. In this context, the knowledge about biomarkers of reperfusion, such as 50% ST-segment resolution is crucial.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of QT interval dispersion in addition to other classical criteria, as an early marker of reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy.

Association of Multiple Genetic Variants with the Extension and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a condition that, when associated with ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular events, can be influenced by genetic variants and determine more severe coronary atherosclerosis.

Objectives: To examine the contribution of genetic polymorphisms to the extension and severity of coronary disease in subjects with MS and recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: Patients (n = 116, 68% males) aged 56 (9) years, with criteria for MS, were prospectively enrolled to the study during the hospitalization period after an ACS.