Stability in cognitive classification as a function of severity of impairment and ethnicity: A longitudinal analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The interaction of ethnicity, progression of cognitive impairment, and neuroimaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease remains unclear. We investigated the stability in cognitive status classification (cognitively normal [CN] and mild cognitive impairment [MCI]) of 209 participants (124 Hispanics/Latinos and 85 European Americans). METHODS: Biomarkers (structural MRI and amyloid PET scans) were compared between Hispanic/Latino and European American individuals who presented a change in cognitive diagnosis during the second or third follow-up and those who remained stable over time. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in biomarkers between ethnic groups in any of the diagnostic categories. The frequency of CN and MCI participants who were progressors (progressed to a more severe cognitive diagnosis at follow-up) and non-progressors (either stable through follow-ups or unstable [progressed but later reverted to a diagnosis of CN]) did not significantly differ across ethnic groups. Progressors had greater atrophy in the hippocampus (HP) and entorhinal cortex (ERC) at baseline compared to unstable non-progressors (reverters) for both ethnic groups, and more significant ERC atrophy was observed among progressors of the Hispanic/Latino group. For European Americans diagnosed with MCI, there were 60% more progressors than reverters (reverted from MCI to CN), while among Hispanics/Latinos with MCI, there were 7% more reverters than progressors. Binomial logistic regressions predicting progression, including brain biomarkers, MMSE, and ethnicity, demonstrated that only MMSE was a predictor for CN participants at baseline. However, for MCI participants at baseline, HP atrophy, ERC atrophy, and MMSE predicted progression.

The association of depression and apathy with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in a cross-cultural sample.

Cross-cultural differences in the association between neuropsychiatric symptoms and Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers are not well understood. This study aimed to (1) compare depressive symptoms and frequency of reported apathy across diagnostic groups of participants with normal cognition (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia, as well as ethnic groups of Hispanic Americans (HA) and European Americans (EA); (2) evaluate the relationship between depression and apathy with Aß deposition and brain atrophy. Statistical analyses included ANCOVAs, chi-squared, nonparametric tests, correlations, and logistic regressions. Higher scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were reported in the MCI and dementia cohorts, while older age corresponded with lower GDS-15 scores. The frequency of apathy differed across diagnoses within each ethnicity, but not when comparing ethnic groups. Reduced volume in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) significantly correlated with and predicted apathy for the total sample after applying false discovery rate corrections (FDR), controlling for covariates. The EA group separately demonstrated a significant negative relationship between apathy and superior frontal volume, while for HA, there was a relationship between rostral ACC volume and apathy. Apathy corresponded with higher Aß levels for the total sample and for the CN and HA groups.

Depression and the Diagnosis of MCI in a Culturally Diverse Sample in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze (1) whether there are ethnic differences in the severity of depressive symptoms between groups of elders classified as cognitively normal (CN) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and (2) the influence of depressive symptoms on specific cognitive performance by ethnicity across diagnoses, controlling for covariates. METHODS: 164 Hispanics residing in the United States (HAs) and European Americans (EAs) (100 women; Mage = 72.1, SD = 8.0) were diagnosed as either CN or aMCI. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Cognition was assessed using the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (semantic memory), Multilingual Naming Test (confrontation naming), and the Stroop Test (Color-Word condition; executive function). A 2 × 2 univariate ANCOVA as well as linear and logistic regressions explored differences in depressive symptoms among diagnostic and ethnic groups. RESULTS: Higher depression was seen in aMCI compared to the CN group for both ethnicities, after controlling for age, education, gender, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. Greater levels of depression also predicted lower scores in confrontation naming and semantic memory for only the EA group and marginally in scores of executive function for HA participants. GDS-15 scores of ≤ 4 also predicted less likelihood of aMCI diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of depressive symptoms was associated with greater cognitive impairment, independent of ethnicity. Significant results suggest detrimental effects of depression on clinical diagnoses most evidently for subjects from the EA group.

The Association Between Functional Assessment and Structural Brain Biomarkers in an Ethnically Diverse Sample With Normal Cognition, Mild Cognitive Impairment, or Dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the functional activities questionnaire (FAQ) and brain biomarkers (bilateral hippocampal volume [HV], bilateral entorhinal volume [ERV], and entorhinal cortical thickness [ERT]) in cognitively normal (CN) individuals, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia. METHOD: In total, 226 participants (137 females; mean age = 71.76, SD = 7.93; Hispanic Americans = 137; European Americans = 89) were assessed with a comprehensive clinical examination, a neuropsychological battery, a structural magnetic resonance imaging, and were classified as CN or diagnosed with MCI or dementia. Linear regression analyses examined the association between functional activities as measured by the FAQ on brain biomarkers, including HV, ERV, and ERT, controlling for age, education, global cognition, gender, and ethnicity. RESULTS: The FAQ significantly predicted HV, ERV, and ERT for the entire sample. However, this association was not significant for ERV and ERT when excluding the dementia group. The FAQ score remained a significant predictor of HV for the non-dementia group. Age, education, gender, ethnicity, Montreal Cognitive Assessment score, and FAQ were also significant predictors of HV for the overall sample, suggesting that younger Hispanic females with fewer years of education, higher global mental status, and better functioning, were more likely to have larger HV. CONCLUSION: FAQ scores were related to HV in older adults across clinical groups (CN, MCI, and dementia), but its association with the entorhinal cortex was driven by individuals with dementia. Demographic variables, including ethnicity, additionally influenced these associations.

Complex strabismus: a case report of hypoplasia of the third cranial nerve with an unusual clinical presentation.

Congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders are a group of complex strabismus syndromes that present as congenital and non-progressive ophthalmoplegia. The genetic defects are associated with aberrant axonal targeting onto the motoneurons, development of motoneurons, and axonal targeting onto the extraocular muscles. We describe here the surgical management of a 16-year-old boy who presented with complex strabismus secondary to hypoplasia of the third cranial nerve and aberrant innervation of the upper ipsilateral eyelid.

Spondias mombin L. attenuates ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory modulation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate Spondias mombin L. (SM) pulp and its influence on cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI). Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: a sham group (animals underwent simulated surgery) that received standard chow (S; n = 20), an infarcted group that received standard chow (MI; n = 24), an infarcted group supplemented with 100 mg of SM/kg bodyweight/d, (MIS100; n = 23) and an infarcted group supplemented with 250 mg of SM/kg bodyweight/d (MIS250; n = 22). After 3 months of treatment, morphological, functional and biochemical analyses were performed. MI induced structural and functional changes in the left ventricle with worsening systolic and diastolic function, and SM supplementation at different doses did not influence these variables as analysed by echocardiography and an isolated heart study (P > .05). However, SM supplementation attenuated cardiac remodelling after MI, reducing fibrosis (P = .047) and hypertrophy (P = .006). Biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammatory processes and energy metabolism were further investigated in the myocardial tissue. SM supplementation improved the efficiency of energy metabolism and decreased lipid hydroperoxide in the myocardium [group S (n = 8): 267.26 ± 20.7; group MI (n = 8): 330.14 ± 47.3; group MIS100 (n = 8): 313.8 ± 46.2; group MIS250: 294.3 ± 38.0 nmol/mg tissue; P = .032], as well as decreased the activation of the inflammatory pathway after MI. In conclusion, SM supplementation attenuated cardiac remodelling processes after MI. We also found that energy metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with this effect. In addition, SM supplementation at the highest dose is more effective.

Quality of life of locally advanced cervical cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation versus chemoradiation alone (CIRCE trial): a randomized phase II trial.

OBJECTIVE: The CIRCE trial (NCT01973101) investigated the efficacy, safety, and quality of life of the addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine to standard chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer (stages IIB-IVA). The impact of both treatment arms on quality of life is reported in the present study. METHODS: Patients completed the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire QLQ-C30 and CX24 before treatment and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. Linear mixed models were fitted to analyze differences in quality of life over time and between groups. Differences in mean quality of life scales >10 points and p<0.05 were considered clinically relevant and statistically significant, respectively. Inclusion criteria were: (1) histological diagnosis of locally advanced invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IIB-IVA; (2) signed informed consent to participate in the CIRCE trial; and (3) answered at least one quality of life questionnaire. Excluded were patients who did not complete any quality of life questionnaire. Relevant exclusion criteria for the CIRCE trial included Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >2 and peripheral neuropathy >2. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to assess differences between groups in quality of life at baseline. To evaluate differences between treatment arms, linear mixed models were fitted using the transformed quality of life scores as a dependent variable and time of follow-up and study arm as factors. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients were enrolled (n=55 neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm; n=52 chemoradiation arm). Quality of life compliance rates were higher for the chemoradiation group at every assessment time (ranging from 75-86.5% in the chemoradiation arm vs 55-81.8% in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm). For quality of life results at baseline, no statistically significant difference between the groups was seen. For both groups, most scales showed improvements over time, except for worsening of the summary score, sexual enjoyment, peripheral neuropathy, and menopausal symptoms. For chemoradiation, body image was lower (p<0.001) and patients presented more lymphedema (p<0.001) and sexual worry (p<0.001) at 12 months compared with baseline. Comparing study arms, neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed significantly lower scores in the menopausal symptoms scale (p=0.03) and higher scores for sexual/vaginal functioning (p=0.01). At 12 months, clinical differences were seen only for body image and menopausal symptoms scale, with neoadjuvant chemotherapy presenting better body image scores and a lower burden of menopausal symptoms. CONCLUSION: After treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer, patients improved in most quality of life aspects. However, worsening was observed in sexual enjoyment, peripheral neuropathy, and menopausal symptoms. To improve patients' quality of life, efforts should be made to prevent and treat these long term effects of locally advanced cervical cancer treatment.

Morte digna: percepção de médicos de hospital de ensino / Dignified death: the perception of doctors in a teaching hospital / Muerte digna: la percepción de los médicos de un hospital de enseñanza

Resumo Com o objetivo de identificar a percepção de morte digna de médicos de hospital de ensino, propõe-se estudo transversal, com amostra por conveniência (100 médicos), utilizando a versão reduzida da escala de percepção de morte digna. Todos os fatores do instrumento foram considerados de alta necessidade, enfatizando-se boa relação com a família (98,9%), manutenção da esperança e do prazer (97,8%) e não ser um fardo para os demais (92,3%). Mulheres priorizaram boas relações com a família e equipe; médicos com mais de 45 anos, não ser um fardo para os demais; e os sem religião, não ser um fardo e ter controle sobre o futuro. A percepção de morte digna dos médicos valorizou aspectos sociais, como afetividade e convivência, ao priorizar esses três fatores, além de demonstrar que idade, sexo e religiosidade a influenciam. Aprovação CEP-UFSC CAAE 71111317.4.0000.0121

Abstract In order to identify the perception of good death by physicians who work at a teaching hospital, a cross sectional study with a convenience sample (100 physicians) is proposed, using the reduced version of the perceived dignified death scale (Brazilian reduced version of Good Death Inventory). All factors of the instrument were considered as highly needed, emphasizing good relationship with the family (98.9%), maintenance of hope and pleasure (97.8%) and not being a burden to others (92.3%). Women prioritized good relationships with family and team; doctors over 45 years old, not being a burden to others; and those without religion, not being a burden to others and having control over the future. The perception of good death presented by physicians valued social aspects such as affectivity and acquaintanceship, by prioritizing these three factors, in addition to showing that age, sex and religiosity influence this perception. Approval CEP-UFSC CAAE 71111317.4.0000.0121

Resumen Con el objetivo de identificar la percepción de muerte digna por parte de médicos de un hospital de enseñanza, se propone un estudio transversal, con muestra de conveniencia (100 médicos), utilizando la versión reducida de la escala de percepción de muerte digna. Todos los factores del instrumento fueron considerados como de alta necesidad, con destaque para buena relación con la familia (98,9%), mantenimiento de la esperanza y placer (97,8%) y no ser una carga para los demás (92,3%). Las mujeres priorizaron buenas relaciones con la familia y el equipo; médicos con más de 45 años, no ser una carga para los demás; y los sin religión, no ser una carga para los demás y tener control sobre el futuro. La percepción de muerte digna por parte de los médicos valoró aspectos sociales como afectividad y convivencia, al priorizar estos tres factores, además de demostrar que edad, sexo y religiosidad la influencian. Aprobación CEP-UFSC CAAE 71111317.4.0000.0121

Types of errors on a semantic interference task in mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to determine whether qualitative analysis of different types of intrusion errors on a verbal cognitive task was useful in detecting subtle cognitive impairment in preclinical stages prior to the progression to dementia. METHOD: Different types of semantic intrusions on the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales of Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L) were compared across 160 individuals diagnosed as cognitively normal (CN), amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), and dementia. The sample included Hispanics and non-Hispanic European Americans. RESULTS: Across diagnostic groups, the most common type of intrusion error was actual targets presented from a competing word list under conditions eliciting proactive semantic interference (PSI), and retroactive semantic interference (RSI), followed by intrusions that represented one of three overlapping semantic categories but none of the targets from List A or B. Nonsemantic intrusions rarely occurred. These competing list intrusions (CLI) and semantically related intrusions (SRI) differentiated between aMCI and CN participants. Further, these intrusion error were related to brain amyloid load, indicating their importance as potential primary markers of AD-related neurodegeneration. Ethnicity effects were not seen across the types of intrusion errors. CONCLUSIONS: Two types of intrusion errors (CLI and SRI) showed differences between the CN and aMCI group, with the aMCI group evidencing a higher rate of these intrusion errors compared with the CN group. These results support previous literature about the LASSI-L's sensitivity at the earliest stages of abnormal aging. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Determinants of health-related quality of life in elderly ovarian cancer patients: The role of frailty and dependence.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of frailty and dependence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: Data was gathered from a prospectively collected data biobank, OncoLifeS (Oncological Life Study) at the University Medical Center of Groningen. Women with a diagnosis of EOC, ≥65 years of age, with baseline assessment available from January 2016 to May 2018 were included. HRQOL was determined using the EORTC QLQ-C30 yielding scores on Global Health Status, five functional scales, three symptom scales, and six single items. The summary score was also calculated. Frailty was measured using the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), and dependence using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). To evaluate the impact of frailty and dependence on HRQOL, linear regression was performed. Analyses were adjusted for age and tumor stage. RESULTS: 84 patients were included. Median age was 71 years (IQR: 68-75), 78% had advanced stage and 81% serous histology. Overall, the median global health status was 67 (IQR: 50-83). HRQOL scales with lowest scores were: role functioning (median: 66.7; IQR: 33-100), fatigue (median: 33.3; IQR: 22-56) and insomnia (median: 33.3; IQR: 0-67). Being frail was associated with worse functioning on all HRQOL scales and higher symptom scores (p = .001). Conversely, being independent was associated with better functioning on all HRQOL scales and lower symptom scores. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age and tumor stage. CONCLUSION: In women ≥65 years, diagnosed with EOC, frailty and dependence are associated to reduced HRQOL. These associations remain significant adjusting for age and stage.

Produção de conhecimento no serviço social sobre as lutas e proteção social à velhice dos trabalhadores / Knowledge production in social work about the struggles and social protection to the elderly workers

A história da proteção social aos velhos trabalhadores contempla modelos que antecedem a concepção liberal de "Direito do Cidadão" e indica uma trajetória de lutas e conquistas, respostas às expressões da "Questão Social". A velhice "trágica" compõe o rol dessas expressões, encaminhadas cotidianamente à profissão do Serviço Social. Este estudo tem como objetivo provocar a reflexão em torno das lutas sociais e da proteção social ao segmento idoso, a partir da produção de conhecimento do Serviço Social. Caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa explicativa, de cunho teórico-bibliográfico e fundamenta-se na concepção teórico-metodológica dialética de análise. Por fim, apontam-se cinco tendências observadas na atual produção de conhecimento do Serviço Social brasileiro, no campo da Gerontologia Social, sendo que uma delas permite a reflexão acerca da velhice na perspectiva da totalidade social, um desafio à profissão.

The history of social protection for elderly workers include models that precede the liberal conception of "Citizen's Law" and indicates a path of struggles and achievements, responses to expressions of "Social Issues". The "tragic" old age make up the list of these expressions, observed daily in profession of Social Work. This study aims to provoke reflection on the social struggles and social protection to the elderly segment, from the production of knowledge of Social Work. Characterized as an explanatory research, of theoretical and bibliographic nature and based on the theoretical, methodological and dialectic of analysis. We can identify five trends in Brazilian Social Service current production of knowledge, in the field of social gerontology, and one of them allows the reflection on old age in the context of social totality, a challenge to the profession.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Supplementation Induces Changes in Cardiac miRNA Expression, Reduces Oxidative Stress and Left Ventricular Mass, and Improves Diastolic Function.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tomato supplementation on the normal rat heart and the role of oxidative stress in this scenario. Male Wistar rats were assigned to two groups: a control group (C; n = 16), in which animals received a control diet + 0.5 mL of corn oil/kg body weight/day, and a tomato group (T; n = 16), in which animals received a control diet supplemented with tomato +0.5 mL of corn oil/kg body weight/day. After three months, morphological, functional, and biochemical analyses were performed. Animals supplemented with tomato had a smaller left atrium diameter and myocyte cross-sectional area (CSA) compared to the control group (C group: 474 (415-539); T group: 273 (258-297) µm²; p = 0.004). Diastolic function was improved in rats supplemented with tomato. In addition, lipid hydroperoxide was lower (C group: 267 ± 46.7; T group: 219 ± 23.0 nmol/g; p = 0.039) in the myocardium of rats supplemented with tomato. Tomato intake was also associated with up-regulation of miR-107 and miR-486 and down-regulation of miR-350 and miR-872. In conclusion, tomato supplementation induces changes in miRNA expression and reduces oxidative stress. In addition, these alterations may be responsible for CSA reduction and diastolic function improvement.

Estudo do Perfil, Equilíbrio e Prevalência de Quedas em Idosos com Sequela de Acidente Vascular Encefálico / Study of Profile, Balance and Prevalence of Falls in Elderly Patients with Sequel of Cerebrovascular Accident

O acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é uma síndrome de rápido desenvolvimento com sinais e sintomas clínicos de perda de função cerebral, provocando sequelas motoras e sensitivas-cognitivas. Tais fatores podem provocar redução do equilíbrio, aumentando o risco de quedas. Assim sendo, o propósito deste estudo foi verificar o equilíbrio estático e dinâmico de pacientes com sequela de AVE e a prevalência de quedas. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com indivíduos com sequelas de AVE (hemiparéticos). O equilíbrio estático de dinâmico foi avaliado por meio da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg, e o equilíbrio durante a marcha em diferentes contextos pelo Índice de Marcha Dinâmica (IMD). A idade média foi de 85 ± 14,1anos, sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (81,8%) e aposentado (82%). Os voluntários apresentaram entre 8 meses e 12 anos de instalação da patologia, todos faziam fisioterapia e a maioria (63,6%) sofreu queda. Foi observado que, em relação aos equilíbrios estático e dinâmico, os pacientes tiveram média de 51,3 ± 6,3 pontos e 45,4% tiveram um escore menor ou igual a 19 pontos no índice de marcha dinâmica, que avalia risco de quedas e 54,5% com escore maior de 19 pontos. Conclui-se que os pacientes com sequela de acidente vascular encefálico apresentam equilíbrio funcional, apesar do risco de quedas.

The cerebrovascular accident is a syndrome of rapid development with clinical signs and symptoms of loss of brain function, causing motor and sensory-cognitive sequels. Such factors may result in decreased balance increasing the risk of falls. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the static and dynamic balance of patients with stroke sequel and the prevalence of falls. A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients with stroke sequel (hemiparesis). The static equilibrium dynamic was evaluated by the Berg Balance Scale and the balance during gait in different contexts by the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). The middle age was 85 ± 14,1anos, most were men (81.8%) and retired (82.0%). Volunteers presented from 8 months to 12 years of pathology installation, all of them were doing physical therapy and the majority (63.6%) had suffered fall. It was observed that in relation to the static and dynamic balance patients had an average of 51.3 ± 6.3 points and 45.4% had a score less than or equal to 19 points in the dynamic gait index, which assesses risk of falls and 54.5% with the highest score of 19 points. We conclude that patients with stroke sequel have functional balance, although the risk of falls.

A velhice vítima de negligência: omissão do Estado e rebatimentos ao Serviço Social / The old age victim of the violence:State’s omission and repercussions to Social Service

A violência, vista sob a ótica da totalidade social, é reveladora de particularidades. Na intenção de ir ao cerne desse fenômeno, o presente estudo tem por objetivo analisá-la como tendência da omissão do Estado no conteúdo das Políticas Sociais. Através da fundamentação teórica e crítica do Serviço Social e da interpretação dos dados demográficos e epidemiológicos, inferiu-se que a omissão do Estado, via políticas sociais, constitui uma negligência à velhice da classe trabalhadora, reservando contraditórias demandas ao Serviço Social.(AU)

The violence, seen from the perspective of social totality, is revealer of particularities. On intend to go to this problem's centre, the current study has as objective to analyze the violence like a tendency of State's omission in the content of Social Policies. Through the Social Service's theoretical and critical grounding and the interpretation of demographic and epidemiological information, it concludes that State's omission, by means of Social Policies, consist in a negligence to old age of worker class causing contradictory demands to Social Service.(AU)

A velhice vítima de negligência: omissão do Estado e rebatimentos ao Serviço Social / The old age victim of the violence:State’s omission and repercussions to Social Service

A violência, vista sob a ótica da totalidade social, é reveladora de particularidades. Na intenção de ir ao cerne desse fenômeno, o presente estudo tem por objetivo analisá-la como tendência da omissão do Estado no conteúdo das Políticas Sociais. Através da fundamentação teórica e crítica do Serviço Social e da interpretação dos dados demográficos e epidemiológicos, inferiu-se que a omissão do Estado, via políticas sociais, constitui uma negligência à velhice da classe trabalhadora, reservando contraditórias demandas ao Serviço Social.

The violence, seen from the perspective of social totality, is revealer of particularities. On intend to go to this problem's centre, the current study has as objective to analyze the violence like a tendency of State's omission in the content of Social Policies. Through the Social Service's theoretical and critical grounding and the interpretation of demographic and epidemiological information, it concludes that State's omission, by means of Social Policies, consist in a negligence to old age of worker class causing contradictory demands to Social Service.

Influência do ácido peracético na resistência à flexão e rugosidade das cerâmicas do sistema Procera AllCeram® / Peracetic acid influence on flexural strength and roughness of the Procera AllCeramTM ceramic system

Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da imersão em ácido peracético sobre a resistência à flexão e rugosidade das cerâmicas do sistema Procera AllCeram®. Métodos: Para cada ensaio foram analisados o grupo de controle e o experimental, cuja variável foi a imersão em ácido peracético (0,2%) por 50min. A resistência à flexão biaxial foi avaliada de acordo com a especificação 6872-08 da International Organization Standardization (ISO). A rugosidade (Ra,em micrometros) foi avaliada em rugosímetro. Para este estudo foram confeccionados trinta corpos-de-prova para cerâmica Procera® e 30 para AllCeram®, sendo vinte para o ensaio de resis-tência à flexão (dez unidades para o grupo de controle e dez para o grupo teste) e dez corpos-de-prova para o ensaio de rugosidade. Resultados: Os valores médios (MPa) da resistência à flexão ± desvio-padrão dos grupos de controle e experimental do Procera® e AllCeram® foram, respectivamente: 441 ± 115; 412 ± 45; 77 ± 3,6 e 87 ± 15. Os valores médios (micrometros) da rugosidade ± desvio-padrão dos grupos de controle e experimental do Procera® e AllCeram® foram, respectivamente: 0,090 ± 0,014; 0,086 ± 0,009; 0,022 ± 0,004 e 0,021 ± 0,006. Todos os corpos-de-prova atingiram os critérios exigidos quanto à resistência à flexão quando comparados com a ISO 6872-08. Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos teste e de controle tanto para resistência à flexão quanto para a rugosidade, mostrando que não houve influência significativa do ácido peracético nessas propriedades. Conclusão: Baseado na metodologia realizada, a imersão em ácido peracético não influenciou deleteriamente nas propriedades das cerâmicas do sistema Procera AllCeram®.

Meios utilizados para armazenagem de dentes em pesquisas odontológicas de impacto: uma revisão sistemática / Tooth storage medium used in high-impact dental researches: a sistematic review

Nos últimos anos, pesquisadores que utilizam dentes extraídos em seus trabalhos têm chamado a atenção para a necessidade de padronização dos materiais e métodos adotados, especialmente em relação aos meios de armazenagem. A padronização é um quesito fundamental em qualquer trabalho científico, porque é o que permite a reprodução do trabalho nas mesmas condições e a comparação dos resultados por outros pesquisadores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi fazer um levantamento dos meios de armazenagem que têm sido utilizados nas pesquisas odontológicas em publicações de impacto. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática completa de cinco anos, das revistas Caries Research, Dental Materials e Journal of Dental Research no período compreendido entre 1998 e 2002. Foram revisados 1.319 artigos, sendo que 301 (22,82%) utilizaram dentes extraídos. Destes, 110 (36,54%) não citaram o meio de armazenagem usado e, dentre os 191 restantes (63,46%), foram encontrados 41 tipos diferentes de meios de armazenagem. Os meios mais citados foram cloramina (7,31%), formol (6,64%), congelamento (6,31%), água destilada (3,99%), soro (3,99%), timol (3,99%), nenhum meio utilizado (3,32%), soro misturado com timol (3,32%), água (2,99%) e etanol (2,66%). Os demais meios utilizados somaram 18,94%. Os resultados mostram que não existe consenso quanto ao meio ideal para armazenagem de dentes extraídos e que muitos pesquisadores têm desconsiderado os efeitos dos meios utilizados sobre os resultados de seus ensaios, o que impede a comparação de resultados, podendo, inclusive, comprometer o valor científico de suas conclusões.

Tumor maligno da bainha neural periférica com diferenciação rabdomioblástica (tumor de triton maligno) pós-radioterapia / Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation ("malignant triton tumor") after radiation therapy

É relatado o primeiro caso de tumor maligno de bainha neural periférica com diferenciação rabdomioblástica (tumor de triton maligno), induzido por radioterapia por câncer de próstata com comprometimento (metástase) dos nódulos linfáticos localizados na região pélvica, com curto período de latência e de péssima evolução clínica. O paciente foi a óbito, sendo realizado exame necroscópico que revelou metástases para pulmões, fígado, diafragma e mesocólon.

We report the first case of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation ("triton tumor") induced by radiotherapy for prostate cancer with pelvic lymph node metastasis, with a short latency period and poor clinical outcome. The patient died and necropsy revealed multiple metastases in the lungs, liver, diaphragm and mesocolon.

Projeto caixa de brinquedos: uma análise da capacitação de profissionais de instituições de educação infantil em Minas Gerais, Brasil / Toy-box project: an analysis of a pre-school teacher-training program in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Este artigo objetiva avaliar o modelo de capacitação para educadores infantis utilizado pelo projeto Caixa de brinquedos, que teve como referência a inserção do brincar no projeto pedagógico das instituições educacionais, além da apreensão do brincar como processo importante para o desenvolvimento infantil. Foram analisados questionários de avaliação de reação, preenchidos por 485 educadores. Os dados coletados foram organizados em categorias de análise. Entre os principais resultados, um número significativo de educadores (40 porcento) não apresentava conhecimento prévio sobre o brincar e grande parcela deles considerou os assuntos abordados importantes e aplicáveis ao seu trabalho (96,1 porcento e 90,7 porcento, respectivamente). Tais resultados indicam que esse tipo de capacitação pode suprir a deficiência de formação dos educadores quanto à função do brincar no desenvolvimento humano. Essa capacitação poderia também ser introduzida de forma sistematizada na rotina de atividades das instituições de educação infantil (AU)

Projeto caixa de brinquedos: uma análise da capacitação de profissionais de instituições de educação infantil em Minas Gerais, Brasil / Toy-box project: an analysis of a pre-school teacher-training program in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Este artigo objetiva avaliar o modelo de capacitação para educadores infantis utilizado pelo projeto Caixa de brinquedos, que teve como referência a inserção do brincar no projeto pedagógico das instituições educacionais, além da apreensão do brincar como processo importante para o desenvolvimento infantil. Foram analisados questionários de avaliação de reação, preenchidos por 485 educadores. Os dados coletados foram organizados em categorias de análise. Entre os principais resultados, um número significativo de educadores (40 porcento) não apresentava conhecimento prévio sobre o brincar e grande parcela deles considerou os assuntos abordados importantes e aplicáveis ao seu trabalho (96,1 porcento e 90,7 porcento, respectivamente). Tais resultados indicam que esse tipo de capacitação pode suprir a deficiência de formação dos educadores quanto à função do brincar no desenvolvimento humano. Essa capacitação poderia também ser introduzida de forma sistematizada na rotina de atividades das instituições de educação infantil.