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In this study, we examined the insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) and XbaI polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene and the -36delG polymorphism in the sterol regulatory element binding protein-1a (SREBP-1a) gene in 298 patients with non-diabetic angiographically assessed coronary artery disease (CAD), and 188 healthy controls, from a Brazilian population of European descent. Del/X+ haplotype carriers had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients (TC, p = 0.05; LDL-C, p = 0.049) and controls (TC, p = 0.004; LDL-C, p = 0.013). No association was detected between the SREBP-1a-36delG polymorphism and lipid levels, but a significant interaction effect between APOB and SREBP-1a polymorphisms was observed in the patient sample on TC (p = 0.005) and on LDL-C (p = 0.019) levels. Carriers of the APOB Del/X+ haplotype and SREBP-1a G-G- genotype showed the highest levels of these lipid parameters. This effect of interaction was not observed in the control sample. Despite the associations with lipids, these polymorphisms were not associated with CAD risk or severity in this sample.

This article investigates the dependency of temperature on electrical resistance (R) change in micro carbon fiber polymer composites (MCFPC), for further development as an Internet of Things sensor from previous research works. Three mixtures were prepared using Dow Corning’s Silastic 145 as base polymer and made vary fiber content weight percentages: fiber diameter to length ratio ∅⁄l 0.13 and carbon fiber content of 13%; ∅⁄l:0.66 and carbon fiber contents of 40% and 50%. Composites tested were submitted to temperature loading, with a constant strain of 0.0%, for assessment of R when a change in the composite’s temperature occurs. The composite response was observed to follow an Arrhenius function, for temperatures ranging from −10°C to 40°C. The apparent activation energy was calculated to evaluate further differences between carbon fiber contents and the sensitivity factor, [Formula: see text] due to temperature is determined. The specimens were also tested with a constant strain of 2.86% to assess creep. It was found that creep and R, over the period of time in the analysis, best fit a discrete latent variable model. The sensitivity factor change is determined in regard to stress relaxation, [Formula: see text]. The properties of MCFPC investigated here can be used to establish relationships between electrical resistance outputs and environmental loading conditions for this type of composites, enabling the possibility of deployment as part of a management system network for structural monitoring with real-time data acquisition.

Lipoprotein lipase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the lipolysis of plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. We studied six variants (T-93G, D9N, N291S, PvuII, HindIII and S447X) in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene in 309 non-diabetic patients with angiographically assessed coronary artery disease and in 197 controls in a southern Brazilian population of European descent. The HindIII H-allele was associated with lower triglycerides (p < 0.01) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.03) levels, and the S447X mutation was associated with lower triglyceride levels (p < 0.01) in males, but not females. No other significant lipid associations were observed. Haplotypes were derived from these two sites (HindIII/S447X), and carriers of H-S and H-X haplotypes showed lower triglycerides (p < 0.01) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.01) levels when compared to the H+S haplotype in males. In this gender, the H-X haplotype was associated with a protective effect (OR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.13-0.97) for significant disease (> or = 60% of luminal coronary stenosis), even controlling for other classical risk factors.

Purpose:To evaluate axonal regeneration after end-to-side nerve repair with fibrin glue in rats. Methods: Forty-five Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group A (n=15), were not submitted to surgery (control group); group B (n=15) were submitted to fibular transection without repair; and group C (n=15), were submitted to fibular transection with end-to-side nerve anastomosis using fibrin glue, in the lateral surface of an intact tibial nerve. The three groups were submitted to walking track (30 and 90 days) and posterior morphometrical analysis (90 days). Results: The functional tests demonstrated that there was no difference in the walking track during the study in group A (p>0.05). The group B had walking pattern impairment in the two tests (p>0.05). The group C had walking pattern impairment in the first test, with important recovery in the second test (p<0.05). The morphometrical assessment revealed significantly higher number of regenerated mielinates axons in group C, compared to group B (p<0.05). Conclusion: The end-to-side nerve repair with fibrin glue shows axonal recovery, demonstrated through functional and morphometrical ways in rats. Key words: Suture Techniques. Fibrin Tissue Adhesive. Microsurgery. Rats. RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar a regeneração axonal após anastomose nervosa término-lateral (ATL) usando cola de fibrina em ratos. Métodos: Quarenta e cinco ratos Wistar distribuídos em três grupos: os animais do grupo A (n=15) não foram submetidos à secção nervosa (grupo controle); os animais do grupo B (n=15) foram submetidos apenas à secção do nervo fibular, sem posterior anastomose; e os animais do grupo C (n=15) foram submetidos à secção do nervo fibular e à ATL com cola de fibrina no nervo tibial. Posteriormente, os animais foram submetidos a dois testes de marcha (30 e 90 dias) e à análise morfométrica (90 dias). Resultados: A análise estatística dos testes de marcha demonstrou que o grupo A não apresentou alteração no padrão de caminhada durante o estudo (p>0,05). O grupo B apresentou prejuízo motor no primeiro e no segundo teste (p>0,05). O grupo C apresentou um padrão de atrofia no primeiro teste, com recuperação da marcha no segundo teste (p<0,05). Na análise morfométrica, o grupo C apresentou regeneração axonal significativamente superior ao grupo B (p<0,05). Conclusão: A ATL realizada com cola de fibrina resultou em regeneração axonal no rato, demonstrada tanto histologicamente quanto funcionalmente. Descritores: Técnicas de Sutura. Adesivo Tecidual de Fibrina. Microcirurgia. Ratos.