Involvement of substance P, osteopontin and satellite glial cells on photobiomodulation-induced antinociceptive effect in an experimental model of dentin hypersensitivity.

The aim of this work was to investigate the involvement of substance P (SP), osteopontin (OPN), and satellite glial cells (SGC) on photobiomodulation-induced (PBM) antinociceptive effect in an experimental model of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Rats ingested isotonic drink (ID, pH 2.87) for 45 consecutive days and after this period received PBM irradiation at λ660 nm or λ808 nm (1 J, 3.5 J/cm2, 100 mW, 10 s, 0.028 cm2, continuous wave, 3 consecutive daily sessions), and were evaluated for nociceptive behavior 24, 48, 72 h, and 14 days after laser treatments. ID ingestion induced an increase on thermal sensitivity of DH characteristics in rats that was completely reversed by PBM treatment at both 660 and 808 nm. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased SP expression at both dentin-pulp complex (DPC) and trigeminal ganglia (TG) of DH-rats which did not occur in PBM groups by PBM treatment. Also, the increase of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) observed in the TG of DH-rats was also reversed by PBM treatment. Finally, PBM at both 660 and 808 nm increased OPN expression in the dentin-pulp complex of DH-rats after 14 days of PBM treatment. All in all, this data demonstrates that PBM reverses nociception in a DH experimental model by inhibiting neurogenic inflammation and inducing a regenerative response.

Dry needling in the treatment of myofascial trigger points and painful shoulder dysfunctions: narrative review of the literature / Agulhamento a seco no tratamento de pontos-gatilho miofasciais e disfunções dolorosas do ombro: revisão narrativa da literatura

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Shoulder painful dysfunctions comprises one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders that requires specialized assistance. Dry Needling (DN) became an adjuvant approach with increased use in clinical practice to treat this type of condition. The present study discusses the literature related to DN in the treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTPs), shoulder dysfunctions and associated pain. METHODS: A narrative review through search of articles from 2010 to 2022 written in Portuguese, English or Spanish was performed in Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS), Health Information from the National Library of Medicine (Medline), Web of Science and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) databases using the keywords: <"Dry Needling">; <"Agulhamento a Seco">; <"Myofascial Trigger Points">; <"Pontos-Gatilhos Miofasciais">; <"Shoulder Dysfunctions">; <"Disfunções do ombro">. The qualitative analysis was performed determining the level of evidence for DN treatment of MTPs, shoulder dysfunctions and pain. RESULTS: A total of 45 citations were found, 22 citations were excluded because they did not meet the selection criteria. The 23 remaining citations were examined for titles and abstracts and duplicate studies were removed. Finally, 10 articles met the selection criteria and were included in the present review. No articles were excluded after full-text screening. The analysis showed poor advances and knowledge regarding the application of DN for the treatment of pain, painful and general shoulder dysfunctions and MTPs, with few evidence regarding treatment effectiveness, patient's pain scores data, mechanisms of action and statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: There is still a lack of concrete scientific evidence to assess DN effectiveness in modulating pain in patients with MTPs shoulder. More systematic reviews and meta-analyses together with experimental and clinical searches must be conducted to provide stronger evidence of this modality to relief painful symptoms in the shoulder, as well as a treatment of MTPs and general shoulder disorders.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As disfunções dolorosas de ombro constituem uma das disfunções musculoesqueléticas mais comuns que requerem assistência especializada. O agulhamento a seco (AS) tornou-se uma abordagem adjuvante com uso crescente na prática clínica para tratar esse tipo de condição. O objetivo deste estudo foi rever na literatura aspectos relacionados ao AS no tratamento de pontos-gatilho miofasciais (PGMs), disfunções do ombro e dores associadas. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa através da busca de artigos de 2010 a 2022 escritos em português, inglês ou espanhol, na Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe nos bancos de dado Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Informações em Saúde da Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (Medline), Web of Science e Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) utilizando as palavras-chave <"Dry Needling">; <"Agulhamento a Seco">; <"Myofascial Trigger Points">; <"Pontos-Gatilhos Miofasciais">; <" Disfunções do ombro">. A análise qualitativa foi realizada determinando o nível de evidência para tratamento de AS para o tratamento de PGMs, disfunções do ombro e dor. RESULTADOS: Um total de 45 citações foram encontradas, 22 citações foram excluídas porque não atenderam aos critérios de seleção. As 23 citações restantes foram examinadas para títulos e resumos e estudos duplicados foram removidos. Finalmente, 10 artigos atenderam aos critérios de seleção e foram incluídos na presente revisão. Nenhum artigo foi excluído após a triagem de texto completo. A análise mostrou poucos avanço e conhecimento sobre a aplicação de AS para o tratamento da dor, disfunções dolorosas e gerais do ombro e PGMs, com poucas evidências sobre a eficácia do tratamento, dados dos escores de dor do paciente, mecanismos de ação e análise estatística. CONCLUSÃO: Ainda faltam evidências científicas concretas para avaliar a eficácia do AS na modulação da dor em pacientes com PGMs no ombro. Mais revisões sistemáticas e meta-análises associadas a pesquisas experimentais e clínicas devem ser realizadas para fornecer evidências dessa modalidade promissora para alívio de sintomas dolorosos no ombro, bem como tratamento de PGMs e distúrbios gerais do ombro.

Adopt a Bacterium - an active and collaborative learning experience in microbiology based on social media.

The "Adopt a Bacterium" project is based on the use of social network as a tool in Microbiology undergraduate education, improving student learning and encouraging students to participate in collaborative learning. The approach involves active participation of both students and teachers, emphasizing knowledge exchange, based on widely used social media. Students were organized in groups and asked to adopt a specific bacterial genus and, subsequently, submit posts about "adopted genus". The formative assessment is based on posting information on Facebook®, and the summative assessment involves presentation of seminars about the adopted theme. To evaluate the project, students filled out three anonymous and voluntary surveys. Most of the students enjoyed the activities and positively evaluated the experience. A large amount of students declared a change in their attitude towards the way they processed information, especially regarding the use of scientific sources. Finally, we evaluated knowledge retention six months after the end of the course and students were able to recall relevant Microbiology concepts. Our results suggest that the "Adopt a Bacterium" project represents a useful strategy in Microbiology learning and may be applied to other academic fields.

Electrical stimulation of the posterior insular cortex induces opioid and cannabinoid-dependent antinociception and regulates glial cells in the spinal cord / A estimulação elétrica do córtex insular posterior induz antinocicepção opioide e canabinoide dependente e regula células da glia na medula espinal

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Half of neuropathic pain patients still end up failing clinical treatments. Electrical stimulation of the posterior insular cortex (ESI) modulates sensory and nociceptive circuits. This study evaluated the effects of a range of frequencies of ESI proposed to improve neuropathic pain. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats, 280-340 g, submitted to the chronic constriction of the right sciatic nerve were tested for mechanical sensitivity using the paw pressure and von Frey flaments tests, and for thermal sensitivity using the hot plate test. The rats were submitted to ESI 10, 60 or 100 Hz (one, five or seven ESI, 15 min, 210 µs, 1V), applied to the posterior insular cortex, and were evaluated in the tests before and after ESI, or in follow-up of 48, 72 and 168h. The open field evaluated general activity after ESI 5. The involvment of opioid and cannabinoid testes were evaluated through treatment with naloxone and SR1416A - antagonist and inverse agonist/antagonist of the receptors, respectively, after ESI 5, while activation of astrocytes, marked by glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), and of microglia, marked by IBA-1 (glial marker), in the spinal cord evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Data demonstrate that 10, 60, and 100 Hz ESIs modulate mechanical and thermal sensitivity. ESI 5 increased immunoreactivity of GFAP in the spinal cord, without altering IBA-1 (glial marker). Naloxone and SR141716A reversed the antinociception of 60 Hz ESI 5. 60 Hz ESI 7 induced antinociception up to 72h. CONCLUSION: 60 Hz ESI induces opioid and cannabinoid-dependent antinociception and regulates glia. HIGHLIGHTS 60 Hz-delivered ESI was the best analgesic protocol for the insular stimulation. Data showed a prolonged analgesic effect up to 72h after repetitive ESI. ESI regulates glia activation in pain modulatory system.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Metade dos pacientes com dor neuropática são refratários aos tratamentos. A estimulação elétrica do córtex insular (EECI) posterior modula circuitos sensoriais e nociceptivos. Assim, este estudo avaliou os efeitos de uma faixa de frequências de EECI como tratamento em modelo animal de dor neuropática. MÉTODOS: Ratos machos, Sprague Dawley, 280-340 g, submetidos a cirurgia para indução de constrição crônica (ICC) do nervo isquiático direito, foram avaliados em relação à sensibilidade mecânica com a utilização do teste de pressão de pata e de flamentos de von Frey, e sensibilidade térmica usando o teste de placa quente. Os ratos foram submetidos a EECI de 10, 60 ou 100 Hz (uma, cinco ou sete EECI, 15 min, 210 µs, 1V), aplicada ao córtex insular posterior esquerdo, e avaliados nos testes antes e após EECI, ou em follow up de 48, 72 e 168 horas. Por meio do teste de campo aberto, avaliou-se a atividade geral após a EECI5. O envolvimento de receptores opioides e canabinoides foi avaliado por meio da administração de naloxona e SR141716A - antagonista e agonista/antagonista inverso dos receptores, respectivamente - após a EECI 5, enquanto a ativação de astrócitos - marcada por proteína ácida fibrilar glial (GFAP), e de micróglia - marcada por IBA-1 - na medula espinal foi avaliada por imuno-histoquímica. RESULTADOS: Os dados mostraram que EECI em 10, 60 e 100 Hz modulam a sensibilidade mecânica e térmica dos animais. A EECI 5 aumentou a imunorreatividade de GFAP na medula espinhal, sem alterar IBA-1 (marcador glial). Naloxona e SR141716A reverteram a antinocicepção produzida por EECI 5 de 60 Hz. EECI 7 de 60 Hz induziu antinocicepção por até 72 horas. CONCLUSÃO: A EECI 60 Hz produz antinocicepção dependente de opioides e canabinoides e regula a glia. DESTAQUES A EECI de 60 Hz foi o melhor protocolo analgésico para nossa estimulação insular. Os dados mostram um efeito analgésico prolongado de até 72h após repetidas EECI. A EECI regula a ativação da glia no sistema modulatório da dor.

Adopt a Bacterium - an active and collaborative learning experience in microbiology based on social media

ABSTRACT The "Adopt a Bacterium" project is based on the use of social network as a tool in Microbiology undergraduate education, improving student learning and encouraging students to participate in collaborative learning. The approach involves active participation of both students and teachers, emphasizing knowledge exchange, based on widely used social media. Students were organized in groups and asked to adopt a specific bacterial genus and, subsequently, submit posts about "adopted genus". The formative assessment is based on posting information on Facebook®, and the summative assessment involves presentation of seminars about the adopted theme. To evaluate the project, students filled out three anonymous and voluntary surveys. Most of the students enjoyed the activities and positively evaluated the experience. A large amount of students declared a change in their attitude towards the way they processed information, especially regarding the use of scientific sources. Finally, we evaluated knowledge retention six months after the end of the course and students were able to recall relevant Microbiology concepts. Our results suggest that the "Adopt a Bacterium" project represents a useful strategy in Microbiology learning and may be applied to other academic fields.