Beyond fight or flight: The protective role of pre-pandemic meditation practice against anxiety and perceived stress.

The COVID-19 pandemic generated distinct mental health challenges, characterised by stress and anxiety due to its unpredictable duration and continuous threat. This study examined the role of meditation practice on anxiety symptoms and perceived stress, considering co-variables such as self-compassion, acceptance, awareness, brooding, lockdown duration, and sociodemographic characteristics. The study used a longitudinal design and data were collected through online surveys from April 2020 to January 2021 (at four different time points) and included 238 participants from Portugal (165 had prior experience with meditation practices, 73 were non-meditators) with a mean age of 43.08 years (SD = 10.96). Linear mixed models revealed that over time, during the lockdown, the non-meditators group demonstrated a greater increase of anxiety symptoms (ß = -0.226, SE = 0.06, p = 0.006) and perceived stress (ß = -0.20, SE = 0.06, p = 0.004), whereas the meditators group showed non-significant (p > 0.05) variations in anxiety and stress symptoms during the same period of time. The effect of meditation on anxiety symptoms was moderated by sex, days of lockdown, self-compassion, and acceptance. The effect of meditation on perceived stress was moderated by sex, years of education, days of lockdown, and levels of awareness. Additionally, the study explored the potential predictive effect of different meditation session lengths, indicating that longer meditation practices offered greater protection against an increase in anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of cultivating self-regulation skills and investing in preventive mental health strategies to promote well-being and autonomy. Mental health professionals should prioritise educating communities on evidence-based practices like meditation and compassion exercises to enhance overall health.

Occurrence of parasitism promoted by Myzobdella lugubris Leidy, 1851 (Annelida: Piscicolidae) in Callinectes bocourti (Crustacea: Portunidae): A report of invasive leech in Brazilian Amazon province.

This study reports the presence of high parasitic load by Myzobdella lugubris Leidy, 1851 in the swimming crab Callinectes bocourti A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 from Amazon mangrove. We sampled the swimming crabs using a baited trap, between January and June 2023, in Santa Maria River, located in the municipality of Curuçá, state of Pará, Brazil (geographical coordinates 0°40'3.705"S, 047°54'43.405"W). After sampling, each swimming crab was individually placed in plastic containers for the count of leeches per individual. In the laboratory, the specimens were sexed, measured (parasite and host) and fixed in 70% alcohol. For the leech species identification, macroscopic techniques were combined with light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We examined 86 specimens of C. bocourti (75 males and 11 females) in a ratio of 1 M:0.14 F, all infested with leeches. In total, 186 leech specimens were collected, ranging from 1 to 21 leeches per host. Leeches oviposited the cocoons in greater quantities in ventral area of swimming crab carapace (32%), followed by dorsal area of carapace (29.09%), chelipeds (24.34%) and ambulatory legs (14.57%). The presence of M. lugubris is a risk to the health of the host, once it may transmit a range of diseases to aquatic organisms, and subsequently risk to human health.

The relationship between burden and caregiver's sleep disturbances in dementia: a systematic review.

Caregivers of people living with dementia (PLwD) have a high burden degree that leads to health issues, including sleep. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the impacts of the caregiving burden on caregiver's sleep disturbances. Methods: This systematic review involved a qualitative analysis of publications on Web of Science and Pubmed/Medline databases published between February 2018 and August 2022. Results: A total of 27 studies were identified and analyzed. Caregiver's sleep presents impairments in sleep latency, sleep fragmentation, sleep duration, subjective sleep quality, daytime dysfunction, and insomnia. Caregiver's distress and depressive symptoms have a dual relationship with sleep problems. Conclusion: Sleep disturbances presented by caregivers are correlated with higher burden levels and lead to more vulnerability to psychiatric symptoms and health issues.

Cuidadores de pessoas com demência possuem alto grau de sobrecarga que impacta de forma objetiva o sono e suas dimensões. Objetivo: Este estudo teve o objetivo de analisar o impacto da sobrecarga nas alterações do sono do cuidador. Métodos: Esta revisão sistemática envolveu a análise de resultados quantitativos e qualitativos de publicações das bases de dados Web of Science e PubMed/ Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline) publicadas entre fevereiro de 2018 e agosto de 2022. Resultados: O total de 27 estudos foi identificado e analisado. Cuidadores apresentam prejuízos na latência, fragmentação, duração e qualidade subjetiva do sono, disfunção diurna e insônia. O estresse e sintomas depressivos apresentados pelo cuidador possuem com o sono uma relação bidirecional. Conclusão: Os distúrbios do sono apresentados pelos cuidadores estão correlacionados com o alto nível de sobrecarga e geram maior vulnerabilidade para sintomas psiquiátricos e problemas de saúde.

The relationship between burden and caregiver's sleep disturbances in dementia: a systematic review / A relação entre sobrecarga e sono do cuidador na demência: um estudo de revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT Caregivers of people living with dementia (PLwD) have a high burden degree that leads to health issues, including sleep. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the impacts of the caregiving burden on caregiver's sleep disturbances. Methods: This systematic review involved a qualitative analysis of publications on Web of Science and Pubmed/Medline databases published between February 2018 and August 2022. Results: A total of 27 studies were identified and analyzed. Caregiver's sleep presents impairments in sleep latency, sleep fragmentation, sleep duration, subjective sleep quality, daytime dysfunction, and insomnia. Caregiver's distress and depressive symptoms have a dual relationship with sleep problems. Conclusion: Sleep disturbances presented by caregivers are correlated with higher burden levels and lead to more vulnerability to psychiatric symptoms and health issues.

RESUMO Cuidadores de pessoas com demência possuem alto grau de sobrecarga que impacta de forma objetiva o sono e suas dimensões. Objetivo: Este estudo teve o objetivo de analisar o impacto da sobrecarga nas alterações do sono do cuidador. Métodos: Esta revisão sistemática envolveu a análise de resultados quantitativos e qualitativos de publicações das bases de dados Web of Science e PubMed/ Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline) publicadas entre fevereiro de 2018 e agosto de 2022. Resultados: O total de 27 estudos foi identificado e analisado. Cuidadores apresentam prejuízos na latência, fragmentação, duração e qualidade subjetiva do sono, disfunção diurna e insônia. O estresse e sintomas depressivos apresentados pelo cuidador possuem com o sono uma relação bidirecional. Conclusão: Os distúrbios do sono apresentados pelos cuidadores estão correlacionados com o alto nível de sobrecarga e geram maior vulnerabilidade para sintomas psiquiátricos e problemas de saúde.

The European Portuguese Version of the Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory-Revised (DMPI-R).

Objectives: Meditation practice has beneficial effects on physical and mental health, and barriers to regular practice have been recognized. The Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory (DMPI) was developed and recently revised (DMPI-R). DMPI-R is a 12-item self-report instrument encompassing four dimensions: low perceived benefit, perceived inadequate knowledge, perceived pragmatic barriers, and perceived socio-cultural conflict. The current study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties and factor structure of the European Portuguese version of the DMPI-R in a general population Portuguese sample (non-meditators). Methods: A sample comprising 154 participants completed a set of self-report measures online. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and parallel analyses were conducted to decide on the number of factors. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was computed in an independent sample (N = 229). Three models were tested and compared. Reliability and validity were analyzed. Results: The EFA and parallel analysis revealed a four-factor structure. The three models tested showed a good fit to the data. Models' comparison pointed that the four-factor model, excluding item 10, was the one with the lower Expected Cross-Validation Index. The DMPI-R factors revealed adequate reliability and test-retest stability. The DMPI-R showed correlations with experiential avoidance and perspectives on meditation. No significant differences were found between men and women on the DMPI-R four factors. No significant associations with age and years of education were found. Conclusions: The European Portuguese version of DMPI-R is a reliable and valid self-report instrument to assess perceived barriers to meditation, contributing to expand research and support meditation instructors in improving meditation programs.

Psychological inflexibility in university students: the european portuguese version of the acceptance and action questionnaire-university students.

Psychological inflexibility is defined as a transdiagnostic mechanism characterized by rigid efforts to control psychological reactions to painful, undesirable, unpleasant internal experiences. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-University Students (AAQ-US) was designed to assess students' academic context-related psychological inflexibility. This study adapted the AAQ-US to Portuguese and examined its factor structure, validity, and reliability in a college student sample (sample 1: N = 262). Exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis suggested a two-factor structure. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in a second sample to cross-validate the AAQ-US factor structure (sample 2: N = 260). One higher-order factor (psychological inflexibility) with two lower-order factors (cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance) revealed a very good fit to the data. The AAQ-US total and dimensions showed good reliability, convergent and incremental validity. Overall, the Portuguese version of the AAQ-US is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing context-specific psychological inflexibility in university students.

Absence of multinucleated giant cell reaction as an indicator of tumor progression in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and distribution of multinucleated giant cell (MGC) reactions in 61 cases of OTSCC and to verify the association of this microscopic finding with clinicopathological parameters (gender, age, tumor size/extent, regional lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, clinical stage, and histopathological grade of malignancy). METHODS: Clinical data were collected from medical records and the histopathological grade of malignancy of OTSCCs was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system. The presence and distribution of MGC reaction in high power fields (HPFs) were evaluated in hematoxylin-eosin-stained histological sections. In all cases containing MGCs, immunohistochemical analysis for CD68 was performed in order to confirm the histiocytic nature of these cells. RESULTS: Twenty-one (34.4%) cases had MGC reactions, with a higher frequency of the focal distribution pattern (57.1%). All MGCs were immunohistochemically positive for CD68. The absence of MGC reaction was significantly associated with regional lymph node metastasis (PR: 2.75; 95% CI 1.05-7.20; p = 0.027), advanced clinical stage (PR: 3.37; 95% CI 1.28-8.85; p = 0.006), and moderately/poorly differentiated tumors (PR: 3.36; 95% CI 1.51-7.48; p = 0.001). No significant associations were observed between the distribution of MGCs and clinicopathological parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the absence of MGC reaction may represent an indicator of tumor progression in OTSCCs.

The emotional impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in women facing infertility.

People facing infertility are inevitably affected by COVID-19 pandemic, having to delay their parental projects. This study aimed to explore the emotional impact (depression and anxiety symptoms and perceived stress) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portuguese women pursuing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Results showed 67.4% of participants were in confinement but were dealing with it in a reasonably positive way. Women who continued to work at their workplace presented significantly higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than those who stayed at home. No significant differences were found regarding depression and anxiety symptoms scores when comparing the current sample with an infertility reference sample and a community sample. Depressive and anxiety symptoms remained stable, but there was a significant decrease in perceived stress over the eight-week period. Although these findings do not suggest a worsening of psychological difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals should be attentive to patients' long-term psychological consequences. It may be helpful to provide additional psychological support to women when restarting their ART treatments.

Assessment of the presence of interleukin 17+ macrophages and Th17 cells in situ in lip and oral tongue cancer.

Increasing clinical evidence indicates that Th17 cells may promote or inhibit tumor progression, however the exact role of these cells in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCCs) pathogenesis and progression remains unclear. Tumor associated macrophages are highly plastic phenotype cells which can differentiate as M1 or M2. The mechanism and cellular phenotype of IL-17 expressing macrophages are unknown. 40 cases of lip and 28 of tongue SCCs were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis, and histologically graded. In tongue cases TNM was analyzed. The number of IL-17+ T cells was higher in lip SCC (p = 0.028). IL-17+ macrophages was greater in tongue SCC (p = 0.014). There were more IL-17+ macrophages in the high-grade malignancy oral tongue SCCs (p = 0.016), yet there was no significant difference in the numbers of RORγt+ lymphocytes by histopathological or TNM analysis. This study provides evidence concerning IL-17's pleiotropic roles, being possibly dependent on its cellular sources in the tumor microenvironment.

Psammoma Bodies in a Large Myoepithelioma.

Myoepithelioma is a rare benign tumor of the salivary glands, in which the vast majority of neoplastic cells are myoepithelial. A rare microscopic finding in salivary gland tumors, including myoepitheliomas, is the presence of psammoma bodies (PBs), whose etiology and role in the tumors are uncertain. The objective of this study is to describe the unusual histopathologic findings, such as psammomas, of a large myopephelioma on the palate and the prosthetic restorative treatment performed after resection of the tumor. A 52-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a tumor-like lesion, of smooth surface and normal mucosal color, measuring approximately 5 cm, on the left side hard palate, which had been identified 4 years earlier. The diagnostic hypothesis was a pleomorphic adenoma (PA), and an incisional biopsy was performed. After histopathologic analysis, a PA was suggested, and surgical resection of the tumor was performed. The histopathologic findings were compatible with myoepithelioma showing numerous calcified basophilic structures compatible with PB. Sixteen months after resection of the tumor, a removable maxillary obturator prosthesis was made because of the communication into oral and nasal cavity due from the surgical procedure. The treatment of choice for myoepithelioma is surgical excision with a nonlesional area margin. In the present report, the authors achieve good postoperative results without recurrences. After installation of the prosthesis, the patient had an excellent adaptation and acceptance, thus restoring her function and psychologic condition.

Ceratocisto odontogênico em mandíbula: relato de caso / Odontogenic keratocyst in mandible: case report

O ceratocisto odontogênico (CO) é um cisto de origem odontogênica, cujo diagnóstico final é dado com base nos aspectos clínicos, radiográficos e histopatológicos. O tratamento mais comum consiste na enucleação cirúrgica. O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar um caso de CO em região posterior de mandíbula, abordando as características clínico-patológicas e a terapia para essa lesão. Paciente do sexo feminino, 69 anos de idade, apresentou um tumor, de superfície ulcerada, na região retromolar inferior do lado direito. O exame radiográfico da região afetada revelou a presença de uma imagem radiolúcida com limites bem definidos. Após dois meses da primeira consulta e de ter feito ajuste de sua prótese mal adaptada, a paciente retornou apresentando uma lesão tumoral, sem a presença de úlcera, na mesma região. Sob as hipóteses diagnósticas de CO e de cisto residual, foi realizada biópsia excisional. Os achados histopatológicos foram compatíveis com CO. Dezoito meses após a remoção da lesão, não foram identificados sinais de recidiva. O CO possui achados clínicos e radiográficos característicos, bem como diferentes possibilidades terapêuticas, sendo estas abordagens agressiva ou conservadora. Em todos os casos, faz-se necessário o acompanhamento periódico, considerando as altas taxas de recorrência da doença... (AU)

The odontogenic keratocyst (OK) is a cyst of odontogenic origin, which final diagnosis is given from the clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. The most common treatment is surgical enucleation. The objective of the present study was to report a case of OK in the posterior mandible, approaching the clinicopathological features and treatment for this lesion. A 69-year-old female patient presented a tumor lesion of ulcerated surface in the retromolar region of the right side. Radiographic examination of the affected region revealed the presence of radiolucent image with well-defined limits. After two months of the first appointment and after having made adjustments to her poorly adapted prosthesis, the patient returned presenting a tumor lesion, without the presence of ulcers, in the same region. Under the diagnostic hypotheses of OK and residual cyst, excisional biopsy was performed. The histopathologic findings were consistent with OK. Eighteen months after the removal of the lesion there were not identified clinical and radiographic signs of recurrence. The OK has characteristic clinical and radiographic findings, as well as different therapeutic possibilities, being these approaches aggressive or conservative. In all cases, periodic follow-up is necessary, taking into account the high recurrence rates of the disease... (AU)

Relationship Between Brain-Derived Neurotrofic Factor (Bdnf) and Sleep on Depression: A Critical Review.

The Brain-Derived Neurotrofic Factor (BDNF) is one of the most important neurotrophins in the brain and it is suggested influences the activity of the serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic pathways. In the last few years, it has been hypothesized that BDNF level is related with depression and sleep. Several studies show that depressive subjects present low levels of BDNF in the brain. Poor sleep quality is also related with alterations in the BDNF concentration. Some authors argue that most of the cases show that impaired sleep quality increases the stress and, consequently, the vulnerability to depressive disorders, suggesting that there is a relationship between sleep, depression and BDNF levels.

Association between depression severity and executive functioning in late-life depression: a systematic review / Associação entre a severidade dos sintomas depressivos e o funcionamento executivo de idosos com depressão: uma revisão sistemática

OBJECTIVE: Late-life depression is an under-diagnosed and under-treated disease that reduces the well-being of older adults. Executive dysfunction is another critical impairment in elderly depressed individuals which further disrupts their everyday functioning. This systematic review aims to analyze the association between executive function and depression severity in elderly individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. METHOD: The studies were retrieved from MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and PsychInfo, after a search strategy combining the terms "depression", "executive function", "neuropsychological assessment", "elderly" and "late life". Study selection, data collection and quality ratings was performed by two independent raters. RESULTS: A total of 1,130 articles were found but only 8 studies met the defined eligibility criteria and evaluated the association between depression severity and executive functioning. Six out of 8 studies found an association between depression severity and executive function, with correlations ranging from small to large (r= -0.15 to -0.53). The included reports had several methodological limitations such as selective data reporting, non-comprehensive executive function assessment and not controlling potential biases. CONCLUSION: Depression severity may be more strongly correlated with a specific set of executive abilities although it also seems to be a broad-based association with executive functioning as a whole. Future high-quality prospective studies are recommended in order to understand the causal relationship between depression severity and executive functioning taking into account possible mediators such as age-related or neurodegenerative cognitive impairment, educational level and other clinic characteristics (e.g. age of onset, medication).

OBJETIVO: A depressão de início tardio é uma doença subdiagnosticada e subtratada que reduz o bem-estar da pessoa idosa. A disfunção executiva é outra alteração crítica em idosos deprimidos, perturbando ainda mais o seu funcionamento diário. Esta revisão sistemática tem como objetivo analisar a associação entre o funcionamento executivo e a severidade dos sintomas depressivos em idosos diagnosticados com transtorno depressivo major. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge e PsychInfo utilizando os termos "depression", "executive function", "neuropsychological assessment", "elderly" e "late life". A seleção, classificação dos estudos e coleta de dados foram realizadas por dois avaliadores independentes. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 1130 artigos, mas apenas 8 estudos preencheram os critérios de elegebilidade. Três avaliaram a associação entre a severidade dos sintomas e o funcionamento executivo. Seis dos 8 estudos encontraram uma associação entre a severidade dos sintomas e o funcionamento executivo, com correlações de diversas magnitudes (r= -0,15 a -0,53). Os artigos incluídos apresentaram várias limitações metodológicas, tais como descrição seletiva de dados, avaliação não compreensiva do funcionamento executivo e falha no controlo de possíveis vieses. CONCLUSÃO: A severidade dos sintomas depressivos pode ser fortemente correlacionada com um conjunto específico de habilidades executivas, embora pareça também existir uma associação mais ampla com o funcionamento executivo como um todo. Recomenda-se a realização de estudos prospetivos com o fim de compreender a relação causal entre a severidade dos sintomas depressivos e o funcionamento executivo, tendo em conta possíveis mediadores tais como défices cognitivos associados ao envelhecimento ou outros processos neuro-degenerativos, nível de escolaridade e outras características clínicas (idade de início da doença, medicação).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for schizophrenia: an overview on efficacy, recent trends and neurobiological findings / Terapia cognitivo-comportamental para esquizofrenia: uma revisão sobre eficácia, avanços recentes e achados neurobiológicos

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been recommended by several international guidelines as the gold-standard treatment to address the needs of patients with schizophrenia. This review provides an overview on recent advances regarding CBT for schizophrenia. METHODS: An electronic search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Cochrane Database, using the key-words: "schizophrenia", "psychosis", "cognitive-behavioral therapy", "CBT" and "psychotherapy". RESULTS: Numerous systematic reviews support the immediate and long-term efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reduce positive and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. In the last decade, CBT for schizophrenia has been applied to clinical high-risk subjects and delivered using innovative approaches (low intensity, web-based and self-guided). Brain regions and networks which support high-level cognitive functions have been associated with CBT responsiveness. There is preliminary evidence indicating that CBT induces a prefrontal dependent increase in the top-down modulation of social threat activation. CONCLUSION: In the last decade, CBT for schizophrenia has explored new treatment outcomes, targeted acute and pre-clinical populations and provided alternative methods to reach more patients and reduce intervention costs. The patients' neurocognitive profile seems to play a critical role in treatment response and combining CBT with cognitive remediation may allow to enhance therapeutic effects. Although CBT for schizophrenia is widely established as a gold-standard practice, future studies using innovative CBT protocols, exploring brain-related predictors and treatment outcomes may allow this intervention to be more effective, personalized and to reach a wider number of patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: A terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) tem sido recomendada em diversas guidelines internacionais como a intervenção psicoterapêutica padrão de ouro para pacientes com esquizofrenia. Esta revisão tem como objetivo fornecer uma visão global sobre os avanços recentes da TCC na esquizofrenia. MÉTODOS: Para esta revisão narrativa foi realizada uma busca eletrônica na PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science e Cochrane Database utilizando as palavras-chave: "schizophrenia", "psychosis", "cognitive-behavioral therapy", "CBT" e "psychotherapy". RESULTADOS: Várias revisões sistemáticas suportam a eficácia da TCC na redução a curto e longo prazo dos sintomas positivos e negativos da esquizofrenia. Na última década, a TCC tem sido aplicada a indivíduos com alto risco de psicose, sendo também exploradas abordagens inovadoras na sua utilização (curta duração, web-based, autogestão). Redes neurais responsáveis por funções cognitivas de nível superior têm sido associadas a respostas positivas após TCC para esquizofrenia. Existe ainda evidência preliminar que a TCC promove a ativação de zonas pré-frontais responsáveis pela modulação top-down face a ameaças sociais. CONCLUSÃO: Na última década, a TCC para esquizofrenia tem explorado novos desfechos, intervindo em populações agudas e pré-clínicas e utilizado métodos alternativos para alcançar mais pacientes e reduzir custos O perfil neurocognitivo dos pacientes aparenta ter um papel crítico na resposta ao tratamento, pelo que combinar a TCC com reabilitação cognitiva poderá potenciar os seus efeitos terapêuticos. Apesar da TCC ser uma prática recomendada para a esquizofrenia, estudos futuros usando protocolos inovadores e explorando preditores e desfechos relacionados com o cérebro poderão possibilitar que esta intervenção seja mais eficaz, personalizável e alcance o máximo número de pacientes possível.

Epidemiological survey of mucus extravasation phenomenon at an oral pathology referral center during a 43 year period / Levantamento epidemiológico de fenômeno de extravasamento de muco de um centro de referência em patologia oral por um período de 43 anos

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Mucoceles are common benign pseudocystic lesions of the oral cavity; their main etiological factors are trauma and ductal obstruction. Two histological patterns are found: mucus retention phenomenon (MRP) and mucus extravasation phenomenon (MEP). Mucus extravasation phenomenon is the more common histological subtype and it mainly affects the lower lip. The knowledge of its main clinical features and management is important to assist health professionals in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relative frequency and distribution of oral mucoceles in an oral pathology reference center. METHODS: Cross-sectional historical study that analyzed all cases pathologically diagnosed as mucus extravasation phenomenon by the department of anatomic pathology of an oral pathology referral center from June of 1970 to May of 2014, considering the clinical characteristics of the lesion and those relating to the patient. SPSS v. 20.0 software for Windows was used for descriptive analysis. RESULTS: During 43 years, 719 cases of mucus extravasation phenomenon (54.7% men and 45.3% women) were registered, with the lower lip as the most commonly affected site (n = 484; 67.3%). The average age of patients was 20.8 years (SD ± 14.4) with a peak occurrence in the second decade of life. Most professionals had oral mucocele/ranula (n = 606; 84.3%) as the initial clinical impression. CONCLUSION: Mucus extravasation phenomenon is a lesion that primarily affects young patients, affecting mainly the lower lip, and is commonly found in oral diagnostic services.

Resumo Introdução: Mucoceles são lesões pseudocísticas benignas comuns da cavidade oral, que possuem como principais fatores etiológicos trauma ou obstrução ductal. Dois padrões histopatológicos são encontrados: fenômeno de retenção de muco (FRM) e fenômeno de extravasamento de muco (FEM). O FEM é o subtipo histológico mais comum e tem como principal local de acometimento o lábio inferior. O conhecimento acerca de suas principais características clínicas e formas de tratamento se faz importante para auxiliar profissionais da saúde na prática clínica. Objetivo: Este trabalho objetivou determinar a frequência relativa e a distribuição das mucoceles orais em um centro de referência em patologia oral. Método: Estudo transversal de caráter histórico, no qual foram analisados os casos diagnosticados histopatologicamente como FEM pelo serviço de anatomia patológica de um centro de referência em patologia oral no período de junho de 1970 a maio de 2014, considerando-se variáveis clínicas da lesão e relativas ao paciente. O programa estatístico SPSS 20.0 for Windows foi utilizado para a análise descritiva dos dados. Resultados: Durante 43 anos foram observados 719 casos de FEM (54,7% homens e 45,3% mulheres), sendo o lábio inferior (n = 484; 67,3%) o local de principal acometimento. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 20,8 anos (DP ± 14,4), com pico de ocorrência na segunda década de vida. A maioria dos profissionais teve mucocele oral/rânula (n = 606; 84,3%) como primeira hipótese clínica. Conclusão: O FEM é uma lesão que afeta principalmente pacientes jovens, acometendo preferencialmente o lábio inferior, sendo comumente encontrada nos serviços de diagnóstico oral.

Histopathological review of 667 cases of oral mucoceles with emphasis on uncommon histopathological variations.

Mucoceles can occur in the oral cavity, appendix, bladder, paranasal sinuses, and lacrimal sac. In the oral cavity, mucoceles arise from pathological alterations in the minor salivary gland ducts. In this study, we aimed to histologically reevaluate cases of oral mucoceles to identify possible variants. A total of 667 slides containing tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin diagnosed as a phenomenon of mucus extravasation were analyzed under light microscopy by 4 previously trained examiners. In 128 cases (19.1%), 1 or more histopathological changes were identified. Twenty cases (2.9%) exhibited collagenous globular structures compatible with myxoglobulosis. In 30 cases (4.49%), dissociation of collagen fibers after mucin extravasation was observed. Fifty-four cases (8.09%) exhibited papillary synovial metaplasia-like change, and 32 (4.79%) showed a significant reduction in the lumen of the cavity due to large papillae. Twenty cases (2.9%) were compatible with superficial mucoceles, and in 11 cases (1.64%), the foamy macrophages showed an unusual solid arrangement, known as clear cell change. It is essential to recognize the possible histopathological changes in oral mucoceles to avoid diagnostic pitfalls.

Working memory dysfunction in insomniac adults: a systematic metanalytical review / Disfunção da memória de trabalho em adultos insones: uma revisão sistemática

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is the most commonly occurring sleep disorder: recent reports estimate that 25-30% of adults in the general population occasional instances of experience insomnia, while 10% suffer from disturbances severe enough to meet diagnostic criteria for insomnia. Little is known about the mechanisms, causes, clinical course, and consequences of this condition. Over 30 studies have been published on the matter but only a small proportion has found differences in the working memory of individuals with vs. without insomnia. OBJECTIVE: To summarize evidence regarding the differences in working memory performance between insomniac vs. normal adult sleepers. METHODS: The survey was conducted using an advanced search in the ISI Web of Science and MEDLINE/PubMed with the terms "sleep", "insomnia" and "working memory" as major descriptors; these were crossed with the following keywords: "psychological tests", "neuropsychology" and "performance". RESULTS: A total of 112 articles were identified in the search conducted in PubMed and Web of Science. After the screening, 102 articles unrelated to the proposed theme were excluded. Thus, 10 articles were analyzed by the eligibility and exclusion criteria, and included in this systematic review. CONCLUSION: The information resulting from the analysis of the reviewed articles suggests that mild, but not definitive deficits in cognitive performance might be masked by insignificant disparities in studies comparing insomniac individuals with normal sleepers. This shortcoming can be circumvented by larger and better-characterized samples, together with optimized methodological control of factors which might otherwise result in confounding variations among participants.

INTRODUÇÃO: A insônia é o distúrbio do sono mais comum: relatórios recentes estimam que 25-30% dos adultos sofrem episódios de insônia, enquanto 10% sofrem de distúrbio do sono suficientemente grave para cumprir os critérios de diagnóstico para insônia. Além disso, pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos, causas, evolução clínica, e consequências desta doença crónica altamente prevalente. Mais de 30 estudos foram publicados sobre o assunto, mas apenas uma pequena proporção encontrou diferenças entre os indivíduos com e sem insônia, por exemplo, na memória de trabalho. OBJETIVO: Examinar as evidências sobre as diferenças entre adultos insones e normais no desempenho da memória de trabalho. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa foi realizada usando uma pesquisa avançada no ISI Web of Science e MEDLINE/PubMed com os termos "sleep", "insônia" e "memória de trabalho" como os principais descritores, que foram cruzados com as seguintes palavras-chave: "testes psicológicos", "neuropsicologia" e "performance". RESULTADOS: Um total de 132 artigos foram identificados na pesquisa realizada no PubMed e Web of Science; 20 duplicações foram excluídas. Após a triagem, 102 artigos foram excluídos, que não estavam relacionadas com o tema proposto. Assim, 10 artigos foram selecionados por critérios de elegibilidade e de exclusão, e incluídos na revisão sistemática. CONCLUSÃO: As descobertas relatadas em nosso estudo sugerem que os deficits leves mas não permanentes de desempenho cognitivo podem ser mascarados por disparidades insignificantes em estudos que comparam indivíduos com insônia com pessoas com sono normal. Tal deficiência pode ser contornada pela análise de amostras maiores e mais bem caracterizadas, em conjunto com o controle metodológico otimizado de fatores que potencialmente podem incorrer em variações entre os participantes.

Epidemiological survey of mucus extravasation phenomenon at an oral pathology referral center during a 43 year period.

INTRODUCTION: Mucoceles are common benign pseudocystic lesions of the oral cavity; their main etiological factors are trauma and ductal obstruction. Two histological patterns are found: mucus retention phenomenon (MRP) and mucus extravasation phenomenon (MEP). Mucus extravasation phenomenon is the more common histological subtype and it mainly affects the lower lip. The knowledge of its main clinical features and management is important to assist health professionals in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relative frequency and distribution of oral mucoceles in an oral pathology reference center. METHODS: Cross-sectional historical study that analyzed all cases pathologically diagnosed as mucus extravasation phenomenon by the department of anatomic pathology of an oral pathology referral center from June of 1970 to May of 2014, considering the clinical characteristics of the lesion and those relating to the patient. SPSS v. 20.0 software for Windows was used for descriptive analysis. RESULTS: During 43 years, 719 cases of mucus extravasation phenomenon (54.7% men and 45.3% women) were registered, with the lower lip as the most commonly affected site (n=484; 67.3%). The average age of patients was 20.8 years (SD±14.4) with a peak occurrence in the second decade of life. Most professionals had oral mucocele/ranula (n=606; 84.3%) as the initial clinical impression. CONCLUSION: Mucus extravasation phenomenon is a lesion that primarily affects young patients, affecting mainly the lower lip, and is commonly found in oral diagnostic services.

EEF1D modulates proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

EEF1D (eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1δ) is a subunit of the elongation factor 1 complex of proteins that mediates the elongation process during protein synthesis via enzymatic delivery of aminoacyl-tRNAs to the ribosome. Although the functions of EEF1D in the translation process are recognized, EEF1D expression was found to be unbalanced in tumours. In the present study, we demonstrate the overexpression of EEF1D in OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma), and revealed that EEF1D and protein interaction partners promote the activation of cyclin D1 and vimentin proteins. EEF1D knockdown in OSCC reduced cell proliferation and induced EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) phenotypes, including cell invasion. Taken together, these results define EEF1D as a critical inducer of OSCC proliferation and EMT.

Participation of hMLH1, p63, and MDM2 proteins in the pathogenesis of syndromic and nonsyndromic keratocystic odontogenic tumors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of hMLH1, p63, and MDM2 in Gorlin syndrome-associated keratocystic odontogenic tumors (SKOTs) and nonsyndromic keratocystic odontogenic tumors (NSKOTs). STUDY DESIGN: Seventeen primary NSKOTs, 17 SKOTs, and 8 recurrent NSKOTs were analyzed by using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: No significant differences in the hMLH1, p63, or MDM2 labeling indices were observed between groups (P = .398; P = .232; P = .426, respectively). Higher hMLH1 immunoexpression was found in the basal layer of primary NSKOTs. Most KOTs exhibited p63 immunoexpression in the upper layers of the epithelium. MDM2 immunoexpression was observed in the upper epithelial layers of SKOTs and recurrent NSKOTs. CONCLUSION: It was not possible to correlate the immunoexpression of hMLH1, p63, and MDM2 in SKOTs and primary and recurrent NSKOTs, suggesting that these proteins exert independent effects on the development of these groups of tumors.