Anosmia and COVID-19: perspectives on its association and the pathophysiological mechanisms involved.

With the spread of SARS-CoV-2, contingency measures and plans to facilitate the screening of infected patients are needed. Changes in olfaction have been cited as symptoms of the disease, and it is important to prove or exclude its association with this condition to refine the symptomatic criteria for early isolation. This article aims to analyze the association between olfactory disorders and SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as investigate the possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The research was carried out using the PubMed, Science Direct, and LILACS databases on May 9, 2020, and updated on May 21. Combinations of MeSH descriptors and the Boolean operator, "AND," were used: coronavirus infections AND olfactory disorders, coronavirus infections, and neurological manifestations. A total of 1187 articles were found in the databases, of which 17 were included in the study. The data suggest that changes in smell are strongly associated with Covid-19, especially in women and patients with fever; these changes increase the degree of suspicion of Covid-19, and they warrant early implementation of isolation and surveillance measures. There are still gaps in the elucidation of the pathways involved in the loss of smell caused by SARS-CoV-2; however, the great affinity of the virus for ACE-2 receptors, which are present in large quantities in the nasal cavity and olfactory bulb, has been considered.

Role of moxifloxacin-dexamethasone in cardiac histomorphometric findings among Wistar rats from infected mothers.

PURPOSE: To investigate cardiac changes in young rats, whose mothers underwent autogenic fecal peritonitis, during organogenesis phase and to evaluate the role of intravenous administration of moxifloxacin and dexamethasone in preventing infection-related cardiac changes. METHODS: A prospective histomorphometric study was performed on 29 hearts of Wistar four-month old rats. Animals were divided into three groups: Negative Control Group (NCG) included 9 subjects from healthy mothers; Positive Control Group (PCG) included 10 subjects from mothers with fecal peritonitis (intra-abdominal injection of 10% autogenic fecal suspension in the gestational period) and did not receive any treatment; and Intervention Group (IG), with 10 animals whose infected mothers received moxifloxacin and dexamethasone treatment 24 hours after induction of fecal peritonitis. RESULTS: Nuclear count was higher in the IG group as compared to PCG (p = 0.0016) and in NCG as compared to PCG (p = 0.0380). There was no significant difference in nuclear counts between NCG and IG. CONCLUSION: Induced autogenic fecal peritonitis in pregnant Wistar rats determined myocardial changes in young rats that could be avoided by the early administration of intravenous moxifloxacin and dexamethasone.

Role of moxifloxacin-dexamethasone in cardiac histomorphometric findings among Wistar rats from infected mothers

Abstract Purpose: To investigate cardiac changes in young rats, whose mothers underwent autogenic fecal peritonitis, during organogenesis phase and to evaluate the role of intravenous administration of moxifloxacin and dexamethasone in preventing infection-related cardiac changes. Methods: A prospective histomorphometric study was performed on 29 hearts of Wistar four-month old rats. Animals were divided into three groups: Negative Control Group (NCG) included 9 subjects from healthy mothers; Positive Control Group (PCG) included 10 subjects from mothers with fecal peritonitis (intra-abdominal injection of 10% autogenic fecal suspension in the gestational period) and did not receive any treatment; and Intervention Group (IG), with 10 animals whose infected mothers received moxifloxacin and dexamethasone treatment 24 hours after induction of fecal peritonitis. Results: Nuclear count was higher in the IG group as compared to PCG (p = 0.0016) and in NCG as compared to PCG (p = 0.0380). There was no significant difference in nuclear counts between NCG and IG. Conclusion: Induced autogenic fecal peritonitis in pregnant Wistar rats determined myocardial changes in young rats that could be avoided by the early administration of intravenous moxifloxacin and dexamethasone.

Fecal peritonitis in aging rat model. Therapeutic response to different antibiotic strategies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the response of aging rats with sepsis to two different antibiotic regimens. METHODS: The study was conducted with 30 aging rats (18 month-old) with autologous feces peritonitis. The animals were divided into three groups: Group 0 received no therapeutic intervention (control), while Group 1 received a single dose of 40 mg/kg meropenem and Group 2 received a single dose of 20 mg/kg moxifloxacin. The intervention in both Groups was made 6 hours after induction of peritonitis. The animals were followed up to 15 days for evaluating morbidity and mortality. The weights at baseline were similar in all groups. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, weight loss was significantly greater (p=0.0045) in Group 0 (non-intervention controls). Culture from a blood sample at the end of follow-up was positive in all the animals in Group 0, in two animals in Group 1 and in four animals in Group 2. Morbidity/mortality was significantly higher in Group 0 compared to both Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.003) but the scores were not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.6967). CONCLUSION: Both antibiotic regimens rendered promising results for the treatment of fecal peritonitis.

Fecal peritonitis in aging rat model. Therapeutic response to different antibiotic strategies

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the response of aging rats with sepsis to two different antibiotic regimens. Methods: The study was conducted with 30 aging rats (18 month-old) with autologous feces peritonitis. The animals were divided into three groups: Group 0 received no therapeutic intervention (control), while Group 1 received a single dose of 40 mg/kg meropenem and Group 2 received a single dose of 20 mg/kg moxifloxacin. The intervention in both Groups was made 6 hours after induction of peritonitis. The animals were followed up to 15 days for evaluating morbidity and mortality. The weights at baseline were similar in all groups. Results: At the end of follow-up, weight loss was significantly greater (p=0.0045) in Group 0 (non-intervention controls). Culture from a blood sample at the end of follow-up was positive in all the animals in Group 0, in two animals in Group 1 and in four animals in Group 2. Morbidity/mortality was significantly higher in Group 0 compared to both Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.003) but the scores were not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.6967). Conclusion: Both antibiotic regimens rendered promising results for the treatment of fecal peritonitis.

Severe autogenously fecal peritonitis in ageing Wistar rats. Response to intravenous meropenem.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment outcome of severe peritonitis in rats with increasing age. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats stratified in three groups: group I - six month-old; group II - 12 month-old; and group III - 18 month-old, underwent autogenously fecal peritonitis (6 ml/kg rat), and were treated with intravenous meropenem. The survival animals were followed-up for 45 days. The variables were expressed by their mean and standard error of the mean (SEM). p<0.05 was used for rejecting the null hypothesis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the mortality and morbidity in elderly rats. Of interest, even among young survival rats presenting with severe residual abscesses both in the abdomen and thorax cavities, they present an almost normal life. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of severe autogenously fecal peritonitis with intravenous meropenem reached reasonable results in rats with six and twelve months of age, even considering residual abscesses on abdomen and thorax cavities. However, the great majority (80%) of elderly rats could not overcome the initial severe infectious challenge, proving that ageing is a very important risk factor for impairing immune response. Thus, sepsis remains a challenging situation, especially in elderly.

Severe autogenously fecal peritonitis in ageing Wistar rats. Response to intravenous meropenem

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment outcome of severe peritonitis in rats with increasing age. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats stratified in three groups: group I - six month-old; group II - 12 month-old; and group III - 18 month-old, underwent autogenously fecal peritonitis (6 ml/kg rat), and were treated with intravenous meropenem. The survival animals were followed-up for 45 days. The variables were expressed by their mean and standard error of the mean (SEM). p<0.05 was used for rejecting the null hypothesis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the mortality and morbidity in elderly rats. Of interest, even among young survival rats presenting with severe residual abscesses both in the abdomen and thorax cavities, they present an almost normal life. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of severe autogenously fecal peritonitis with intravenous meropenem reached reasonable results in rats with six and twelve months of age, even considering residual abscesses on abdomen and thorax cavities. However, the great majority (80%) of elderly rats could not overcome the initial severe infectious challenge, proving that ageing is a very important risk factor for impairing immune response. Thus, sepsis remains a challenging situation, especially in elderly. .

Translational realistic expectations of chronic cerebral hypoxemia in rat model after bilateral commom carotid artery ligation. Neurocognitive aspects.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of chronic cerebral hypoxia on memory of rats submitted to bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BCCL). METHODS: Every each week, for 16 weeks, 31 rats were tested for memory using a water and land mazes and compared with 30 normal rats (control group A). The variables were expressed by their mean and standard error of the mean (SEM). p<0.05 was used for rejecting the null hypothesis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for animal investigation. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the latency time, in the survival water and land mazes, after four weeks (study group B) follow-up. However, without any medication or therapeutically induced measures, after 16 weeks (study group C) follow-up the latency mean times tend to be similar to control group (A) in the neurocognitive tests. CONCLUSIONS: Neurocognitive deficits after 16 weeks post-operative follow-up of rats that underwent bilateral common carotid artery ligation is a natural adaptive phenomenon. Thus, is not realistic to allow translational information from this animal model for therapeutically approaches aiming at to prevent, or to improve brain damage in human beings suffering from chronic deprivation of adequate blood supply.

Translational realistic expectations of chronic cerebral hypoxemia in rat model after bilateral commom carotid artery ligation. Neurocognitive aspects

To evaluate the effects of chronic cerebral hypoxia on memory of rats submitted to bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BCCL). METHODS: Every each week, for 16 weeks, 31 rats were tested for memory using a water and land mazes and compared with 30 normal rats (control group A). The variables were expressed by their mean and standard error of the mean (SEM). p<0.05 was used for rejecting the null hypothesis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for animal investigation. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the latency time, in the survival water and land mazes, after four weeks (study group B) follow-up. However, without any medication or therapeutically induced measures, after 16 weeks (study group C) follow-up the latency mean times tend to be similar to control group (A) in the neurocognitive tests. CONCLUSIONS: Neurocognitive deficits after 16 weeks post-operative follow-up of rats that underwent bilateral common carotid artery ligation is a natural adaptive phenomenon. Thus, is not realistic to allow translational information from this animal model for therapeutically approaches aiming at to prevent, or to improve brain damage in human beings suffering from chronic deprivation of adequate blood supply.

Learning and survival memory undergoing a permanent bilateral carotid ligation in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia on memory and learning survival of rats submitted to permanent bilateral carotid ligation (PBCL). METHODS: Twenty-four survivors of PBCL were evaluated after 30 days with regard to memory and learning using a water survival maze. Twenty-three healthy rats were used as control group. The results were expressed by their means and standard error of the mean (SEM). p<0.05 was used for rejecting the null hypothesis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for animal investigation. RESULTS: The mortality rate for the surgery was 44.4%. The latency time to find the survival platform was higher in rats that underwent PBCL (Normal: 10.24 ± 1.85s - STUDY: 25.30 ± 4.69s - Mann - Whitney p=0.0388). Additionally, the type of swimming and the spatial stability of the studied rats on the survival platform were compromised in these animals. CONCLUSION: The permanent bilateral carotid ligation induces change in the learning and survival memory.

Learning and survival memory undergoing a permanent bilateral carotid ligation in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia on memory and learning survival of rats submitted to permanent bilateral carotid ligation (PBCL). METHODS: Twenty-four survivors of PBCL were evaluated after 30 days with regard to memory and learning using a water survival maze. Twenty-three healthy rats were used as control group. The results were expressed by their means and standard error of the mean (SEM). p<0.05 was used for rejecting the null hypothesis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for animal investigation. RESULTS: The mortality rate for the surgery was 44.4%. The latency time to find the survival platform was higher in rats that underwent PBCL (Normal: 10.24 ± 1.85s - Study: 25.30 ± 4.69s - Mann - Whitney p=0.0388). Additionally, the type of swimming and the spatial stability of the studied rats on the survival platform were compromised in these animals. CONCLUSION: The permanent bilateral carotid ligation induces change in the learning and survival memory.

Fatores de risco cardiovascular em estudantes da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Campina Grande / Cardiovascular risk factors in students from the health Sciences Center - Campina Grande - Brazil

Fundamento: Pesquisa relacionada a fatores de risco cardiovascular entre universitários é essencial, considerando seus papéis na sociedade. Objetivos: Avaliar os fatores de risco cardiovascular entre estudantes da área de saúde de uma Universidade de Campina Grande. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado estudo envolvendo 234 universitários com média das idades de 23,2 ± 3,9 anos. Os estudantes foram entrevistados, foram obtidos os dados antropométricos e aferidaa pressão arterial. As variáveis contínuas foram expressas por suas médias e desvios padrão, enquanto as categóricas por suas freqüências. Foi usado o teste t de Student visando identificar diferenças entre médias. O teste do qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar diferenças entre freqüências. O nível de significância foi p < 0,05. O estudo foi aprovado no Comitê de Ética. Resultados: A maioria (161 - 68,8%) dos universitários foi do sexo feminino. O curso de medicina respondeu pelo maior número (150 - 64,1%) de graduandos pesquisados. Os cursos de fisioterapia e enfermagem responderam respectivamente por 17,9% dos alunos incluídos no estudo. A maioria (53,4%) dos pais dos alunos tinha curso superior completo. Sedentarismo foi relatado por 123 (52,6%) alunos. A prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade foi de 43,6%. Hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) foi verificadaem 37 (15,8%) estudantes; todavia, em apenas cinco (14,7%) a doença estava sob controle. Conclusão: As prevalências de: sobrepeso/obesidade e sedentarismo foram altos (±40%) estando associados à HAS.

Background: Research related to cardiovascular risk factors among college students is essential, considering their roles in society.Purpose: To assess the cardiovascular risk factors among students of the Health Sciences of a University of Campina Grande. Materials and methods: We conducted a study involving 234 university students with mean age of 23.2± 3.9 years. Students were interviewed, obtained the anthropometric data and measured blood pressure. Continuous variables were expressed as means and standard deviations, while categorical variables by their frequencies. We used the Student t test to identify differences between means. The chi-square test was used to assess differences between frequencies. The level of significance was p <0.05. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. Results: The majority (161 to 68.8%) of students were female. The medical school accounted for the largest number (150 - 64.1%) of undergraduates surveyed. The courses of physiotherapy and nursing respectively accounted for 17.9% of students enrolled in the study. Most (53.4%) of parents had completed college. Sedentary lifestyle was reported by 123 (52.6%) students. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 43.6%. Hypertension (HBP) was observed in 37 (15.8%) students, however, in only five(14.7%) the disease was under control. Conclusion: The prevalence of: overweight / obesity and physical inactivity were high (± 40%) and areas sociated with hypertension.

O Ecocardiogarma na Avaliação das Valvopatias / The ecocardiography in valvopathies avaluation

As doenças valvares e suas implicações clínicas permanecem, nos dias atuais,um desafio para a prática médica. Apesar dos grandes avanços nas técnicas diagnósticas por imagem, a análise quantitativa da gravidade das lesões valvares ainda é motivo de controvérsia e de difícil uniformização. Com suas diversas modalidades, é o método de escolha na avaliação das doenças valvares, devido ao baixo custo e à facil realização. A ecocardiografia uni e bidimensional permite o estudo da geometria espacial do coração e a interrelação anatômica entre as diversas estruturas intra e extracardíacas, a avaliação do tamanho das cavidades e função ventricular, presença de trombos intracavitários, fornecendo informações importantes para o manejo correto dos portadores de doença valvar...

Impacto do Jet Lag no desempenho atlético / The impact of jet lag on athletic performance

Jet Lag é o termo utilizado para descrever as consequências físicas e mentais da rápida travessia das zonas de tempo(fuso horários). Além do impacto no desempenho físico e mental pelos síntomas do jet lag, os atletas profissionais são expostos também as consequências negativas do desvio circadiano do próprio desempenho atlético. Este artigo propõe-se a fazer uma revisão sobre os sintomas do jet lag e uma análise crítica sobre as abordagens propostas para aliviar seus sintomas.

Intervenção coronária percutânea no infarto do miocárdio / Coronary percutaneous intervention in acute myocardial infarction

A reperfusão coronária promoveu marcante transformação no tratamento dos pacientes com infarto do miocárdio, beneficiando grande número de enfermos no último quarto do século passado. O método mais adequado deve promover a lise do trombo coronário oclusivo e reduzir simultaneamente, a estenose coronária subjacente, que, associadas, constituem o binômio patogênico para o estabelecimento do infarto agudo do miocárdio. A primeira série de 12 pacientes consecutivos submetidos à angioplastia transluminal coronária na vigência de infarto agudo do miocárdio, sem o uso prévio de fibrinolíticos, foi relatada em 1983. A patir de 1993, foram realizados estudos randomizados, comparando os dois métodos de reperfusão coronária, farmacológico e mecânico...

Intervenção coronária percutânea no infarto do miocárdio: de onde viemos, para onde vamos / Percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction: where we came from, where we are going

A reperfusão coronária promoveu uma marcante transformação nos pacientes com infarto do miocárdio, beneficiando um grande número de enfermos no último quarto do século passado...