Results: 436

Serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria undergoing sex reassignment surgery

Abstract Introduction: Transsexualism (ICD-10) is a condition characterized by a strong and persistent dissociation with one's assigned gender. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) and hormone therapy provide a means of allowing transsexual individuals to feel more congruent with their gender and have played ...

MMP-9 Levels and IMT of Carotid Arteries are Elevated in Obese Children and Adolescents Compared to Non-Obese

Arq. bras. cardiol; 108 (3), 2017
Abstract Background: Childhood obesity is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Increased intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery is linked to the initiation and progression of the chronic inflammatory processes implicated in cardiovascular...

Effects of Chronic Exercise on Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Microparticles in Professional Runners

Arq. bras. cardiol; 108 (3), 2017
Abstract Background: The effects of chronic exposure to exercise training on vascular biomarkers have been poorly explored. Objective: Our study aimed to compare the amounts of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and endothelial (EMP) and platelet (PMP) microparticles between professional runners and ...

Is there an association between vitamin D and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C?

Arq. gastroenterol; 54 (1), 2017
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Vitamin D is known for its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties, which are quite relevant in the pathogenesis and treatment of many causes of chronic liver disease. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and t...

New index for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in Schistosomiasis mansoni

Arq. gastroenterol; 54 (1), 2017
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Periportal fibrosis is the major pathological consequence of the Schistosoma mansoni infection. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of serum markers and to construct an index to assess fibrosis. METHODS Patients (n=116) with schistosomiasis were evaluated by ultrasound scan and meas...

Circulating microRNA as a marker for predicting liver disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Abstract INTRODUCTION Hepatitis B virus (HBV) constitutes an important risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The link between circulating microRNAs and HBV has been previously reported, although not as a marker of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aim o...

Obesity, bariatric surgery and oxidative stress

Summary Introduction: Obesity refers to the accumulation of fatty tissues and it favors the occurrence of oxidative stress. Alternatives that can contribute to body weight reduction have been investigated in order to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species responsible for tissue damage. The ai...

Serum levels of neurotrophic factors in active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis

Braz. j. infect. dis; 21 (2), 2017
Abstract Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TR) is the most common identifiable cause of posterior uveitis in Brazil. Response to treatment and clinical presentation may vary significantly. We assessed serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF...

Anti-CCP antibodies are not a marker of severity in established rheumatoid arthritis: a magnetic resonance imaging study

Rev. bras. reumatol; 57 (1), 2017
ABSTRACT Introduction: The presence of anti-CCP is an important prognostic tool of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But research is still ongoing on its relationship with disease activity and functional capacity. Objectives: To study the relationship between anti-CCP and disease activity, functional capacity...

Non-HDL cholesterol is a good predictor of the risk of increased arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women in an urban Brazilian population

Clinics; 72 (2), 2017
OBJECTIVES: Increased arterial stiffness is an important determinant of the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lipid profile impairment, especially hypercholesterolemia, is associated with stiffer blood vessels. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine which of the five circulating lipid components (hig...