Metarhizium pingshaense photolyase expression and virulence to Rhipicephalus microplus after UV-B exposure.

The current study examined the impact of ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation in Metarhizium pingshaense blastospores' photolyase expression and their virulence against Rhipicephalus microplus. Blastospores were exposed to UV under laboratory and field conditions. Ticks were treated topically with fungal suspension and exposed to UV-B in the laboratory for three consecutive days. The expression of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimmers (CPDs)-photolyase gene maphr1-2 in blastospores after UV exposure followed by white light exposure was accessed after 0, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Average relative germination of blastospores 24 h after in vitro UV exposure was 8.4% lower than 48 h. Despite this, the relative germination of blastospores exposed to UV in the field 18 h (95.7 ± 0.3%) and 28 h (97.3 ± 0.8%) after exposure were not different (p > 0.05). Ticks treated with fungus and not exposed to UV exhibited 0% survival 10 days after the treatment, while fungus-treated ticks exposed to UV exhibited 50 ± 11.2% survival. Expression levels of maphr1-2 8, 12, and 24 h after UV-B exposure were not different from time zero. Maphr1-2 expression peak in M. pingshaense blastospores occurred 36 h after UV-B exposure, in the proposed conditions and times analyzed, suggesting repair mechanisms other than CPD-mediated-photoreactivation might be leading blastospores' germination from 0 to 24 h.

Moderate and severe periodontitis are positively associated with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between periodontitis severity (exposure) and metabolic syndrome (MetS - outcome), using two criteria for diagnosis of the outcome, since this relationship remains unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with 870 individuals: 408 with first MetS diagnosis (cases) and 462 without MetS (controls). Participants' general information was obtained using a questionnaire and laboratory data was collected from medical records. Periodontitis severity criteria followed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: none, mild, moderate, and severe. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Findings showed a positive association between moderate and severe periodontitis and MetS: ORadjusted = 1.64 (95% CI: 1.01 to 2.68) and ORadjusted = 1.94 (95% CI: 1.19 to 3.16), respectively, after adjustment for age, sex, schooling level, smoking habit, and cardiovascular disease. The adjusted measurements showed that among individuals with moderate or severe periodontitis, the probability of having MetS was around two times greater than among those without periodontitis, and that the chance was greater among participants with severe periodontitis than those with moderate periodontitis. CONCLUSION: An association between the severity of periodontal status and MetS was found, suggesting a possible relationship between the two diseases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MetS influences the etiology of cardiovascular diseases, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The findings suggest that the greater the severity of periodontitis, the greater is the association magnitude with MetS. The health professional needs to recognize that the importance of periodontal disease may play in MetS.

Satisfação com a Vida em Aposentados que Continuam Trabalhando / Life Satisfaction in Retirees Who are still Working 1 / Satisfacción con la vida en jubilados que permanecen trabajando

Resumo Nem sempre a aposentadoria significa a saída definitiva do mercado de trabalho. O trabalho é um dos aspectos mais relevantes na vida das pessoas adultas e parece haver uma relação entre a continuidade do trabalho durante a aposentadoria e a satisfação com a vida. Este estudo avaliou a percepção de 230 aposentados que ainda estavam trabalhando e a satisfação com suas vidas. Os participantes responderam a um questionário contendo escalas de Satisfação com a Vida, Percepção do Trabalho e Motivos para o Retorno ao Trabalho. As correlações e a regressão linear múltipla apontaram que a percepção do trabalho, a satisfação com a renda e os motivos intrínsecos, como o sentimento de produtividade, influenciaram a satisfação com a vida desses aposentados que retornaram ao trabalho. Tais resultados apontam para a necessidade de políticas públicas e organizacionais visando a retenção de aposentados que desejam permanecer trabalhando.

Abstract Retirement does not always represent the final exit from the labor market. Work is one of the most important aspects in people's lives, and a relationship seems to exist between continuity of work during retirement and life satisfaction. This study evaluated the perception of life satisfaction among 230 retirees who were still working. Participants completed a questionnaire containing scales for Life Satisfaction, Job Perception and Reasons for Returning to Work. Correlations and multiple linear regression indicated that perception of the work, satisfaction with income and intrinsic reasons (such as the feeling of productivity) influenced life satisfaction of retirees who returned to work. Our results reinforce the adoption of public and organizational policies to maintain retirees who wish to continue working.

Resumen La jubilación no siempre representa la salida definitiva del mercado laboral. El trabajo es uno de los aspectos más importantes en la vida de las personas adultas y parece haber una relación entre la continuidad del trabajo durante la jubilación y la satisfacción con la vida. Este estudio evaluó la percepción de 230 jubilados que aun trabajan y su satisfacción con la vida. Los participantes respondieron a un cuestionario que contiene las escalas de Satisfacción con la Vida, Percepción del Trabajo y Razones para el Regreso al Trabajo. Las correlaciones y la regresión linear múltiple, demostraron que la percepción del trabajo, la satisfacción con la renta y las razones intrínsecas - como la sensación de la productividad - influyeron en la satisfacción con la vida de estos jubilados. Estos resultados refuerzan la necesidad de políticas públicas y organizacionales que permitan la permanencia de jubilados que deseen seguir trabajando.

Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Brazilian cattle presenting with neurological syndrome

Abstract Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) was investigated in the central nervous system of cattle with neurological syndrome. Two-hundred-ninety samples were analyzed by histology, and molecular methods to detect ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OvHV-2) were optimized and validated. The qualitative polymerase chain reaction (qualitative PCR) analytical sensitivity was 101 DNA copies/µL and found 4.8% (14/290) positive for OvHV-2. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analytical sensitivity was 100 DNA copy/µL and 5.9% (17/290) positivity, with 47.1% (8/17) of the positive samples presenting histological evidence of non-purulent meningo-encephalitis. The qualitative PCR products (422 bp of the ORF75 region) were sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. Identity matrices showed 100% similarity in OvHV-2 samples obtained in this study and those recovered from GenBank, corroborating other studies.

Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Brazilian cattle presenting with neurological syndrome.

Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) was investigated in the central nervous system of cattle with neurological syndrome. Two-hundred-ninety samples were analyzed by histology, and molecular methods to detect ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OvHV-2) were optimized and validated. The qualitative polymerase chain reaction (qualitative PCR) analytical sensitivity was 101DNA copies/µL and found 4.8% (14/290) positive for OvHV-2. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analytical sensitivity was 100DNA copy/µL and 5.9% (17/290) positivity, with 47.1% (8/17) of the positive samples presenting histological evidence of non-purulent meningo-encephalitis. The qualitative PCR products (422bp of the ORF75 region) were sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. Identity matrices showed 100% similarity in OvHV-2 samples obtained in this study and those recovered from GenBank, corroborating other studies.

Treatment of nonunion in neglected long bone shaft fractures by osteoperiosteal decortication.

UNLABELLED: In emerging countries, nonunion in the shaft of fractured long bones is common. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a 3-year long prospective study, 50 patients (38 men, 12 women) with an average age of 40.9 years (range 17-60) were treated for neglected diaphyseal nonunion an average of 11 months (range 6-48) after the fracture event. The femur was involved 14 times, tibia 22 times, humerus eight times and forearm bones six times. All of these patients had consulted initially with a traditional bone setter at the time of fracture. The surgical procedure consisted of osteoperiosteal decortication followed by repermeabilization of the medullary canal and then internal fixation. Compression plating was used for the humerus, radius and ulna. Nonunion of the middle-third of the femur and tibia was treated by intramedullary nailing and nonunion of the proximal third of the femur with an inverted DCS screw-plate. Patients were reviewed clinically and with X-rays on postoperative days 21, 45, 90 and 120. RESULTS: Bone union was obtained in under 90 days in the upper limb and under 120 days in the lower limb. No additional grafting was needed. There were only two cases of leg length differences. DISCUSSION: Osteoperiosteal decortication is a reliable technique that leads to predictable, satisfactory results, given the limited materials required to treat long bone nonunion in emerging countries.

Femur malunion treated with open osteotomy and intramedullary nailing in developing countries.

INTRODUCTION: In developing countries, malunion, after diaphyseal femur fractures initially untreated by internal fixation, is not rare. Their difficult management contrasts with the deficiency of the technical operating room facilities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our prospective study, conducted over a 1-year period, reports 16 open osteotomies fixed using Küntscher intramedullary nailing in patients who presented malunion of the femoral diaphysis. Twelve males and four females (mean age, 34.5 years; range, 18-67 years) were managed with a mean time to surgery of 8 months (range, 4-14 months). All had initially consulted a bonesetter. The mean length inequality was 3 cm (range, 2-6 cm); the mean knee flexion limitation was 90° (range, 10°-120°). Locking of the rotation was obtained by the obliquity of the osteotomy line. No bone filling was added but reaming and decortications were systematic. The patients were clinically and radiographically assessed at D21, D45, D90, and D120, based on the evaluation of the length inequality, mobility, and bone union. Rotational malunion or deformity were not analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had achieved union in 90 days. In one case, secondary incurvation of the nail led to changing the nail, allowing union with no axis deformity at D120. The mean postoperative knee flexion was 120° (range, 45°-130°). The mean gain in length was 2 cm (range, 1.5-4 cm). DISCUSSION: This open technique using non-interlocking material allowed us to obtain bone union while improving joint mobility and length inequality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Retrospective study.

Polyurethanes as supports for human retinal pigment epithelium cell growth.

PURPOSE: The transplant of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells on supports may well be an effective therapeutic approach to improve the visual results of patients with age-related macular degeneration. In this study, two biodegradable polyurethanes were investigated as supports for human RPE cells (ARPE-19). METHODS: Polyurethane aqueous dispersions based on poly(caprolactone) and/or poly(ethylene glycol) as soft segments, and isophorone diisocyanate and hydrazine as hard segments were prepared. Polyurethane films were produced by casting the dispersions and allowing them to dry at room temperature for one week. The ARPE-19 cells were seeded onto the polyurethane films and they were investigated as supports for in vitro adhesion, proliferation, and uniform distribution of differentiated ARPE-19 cells. Additionally, the in vivo ocular biocompatibility of the polyurethane films was evaluated. RESULTS: The RPE adhered to and proliferated onto the polyurethane supports, thus establishing cell-PUD surface interactions. Upon confluence, the cells formed an organized monolayer, exhibited a polygonal appearance, and displayed actin filaments which ran along the upper cytoplasm. At 15 days of seeding, the occluding expression was confirmed between adjacent cells, representing the barrier functionality of epithelial cells on polymeric surfaces and the establishment of cell-cell interactions. Results from the in vivo study indicated that polyurethanes exhibited a high degree of short-term intraocular biocompatibility. CONCLUSIONS: Biodegradable polyurethane films display the proper mechanical properties for an easy transscleral-driven subretinal implantation and can be considered as biocompatible supports for a functional ARPE-19 monolayer.

The stigma of burns Perceptions of burned patients' relatives when facing discharge from hospital.

The objective of this ethnographic study was to investigate the cultural meanings reported by 25 relatives of burned patients about their loved one's impending hospital discharge. Data were collected by means of participant observation and semi-structured interviews conducted during hospital visiting hours, and support group meetings with relatives. The following inter-related phases were considered in the analysis process: reading of the material and data reduction (selection of data using the objective of the study as a guide), data display, conclusion outlining, and verification. Following this process, the data were coded and similar codes were grouped into categories. It was found that the relatives of burned patients felt afraid when faced with the prospect of hospital discharge. Their descriptions reveal the family's feelings and attitudes in face of other people's reactions, and in face of the patient's own reactions in the context of possible changes in their social roles.

[Tuberculous spondylodiscitis with neurologic problems: results of surgical treatment]. / Spondylodiscite tuberculeuse avec troubles neurologiques: resultats du traitement chirurgical.

The purpose of this study is to describe the outcome of surgical treatment for tuberculous spondylitis in 29 patients. These patients were part of an overall series of 67 cases of tuberculous spondylitis treated at the Traumatology and Orthopedic Department of the Yalgado-Ouedraogo National Hospital Center (YONHC) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Almost 90% of the 29 patients that underwent surgical treatment of tuberculous spondylitis associated with neurological manifestations were from poor rural areas. Mean age was 48 years and most patients were men. The procedure consisted of corporectomy via the anterolateral approach. Resection of variable extent was followed by replacement with forced insertion of a fibular graft. Intraoperative complications included non-fatal cardiovascular arrest (n = 1), inadvertent incision of the peritoneum (n = 3), and technical error in exposure of the damaged vertebrae (n = 1). Postoperative complications included emphysema (n = 2), massive pleurisy (n = 1), chylothorax (n = 1), pneumonia (n = 1), worsening of neurological manifestations (n = 1), and subacute peritonitis (n = 1). Surgical mortality was 10.3% (n = 3). Bone fusion was achieved in all patients. Functional recovery ranged from 50 to 60% after surgical treatment, which is comparable to rates in previous African reports. Choice of therapeutic modalities must take into account cost within the national health care context, duration of hospitalization and invasiveness. Surgical treatment should be used only when absolutely necessary.

Hermafroditismo em suíno: relato de caso / Hermaphroditism in pig: a case related

Relata-se um caso esporádico de hermafroditismo parcial em suíno da raça Landrace. Ao exame, constatou-se que o animal apresentava um nítida prega cutânea que se prolongava desde a regiäo abdominal, onde existia um pênis rudimentar, até atingir a borda anal. Constatou-se, ainda, um aumento significativo do volume abdominal que à percussäo, revelava conter líquido no seu interior. A necrópsia, observou-se que o aparelho reprodutor feminino era incompleto, constituído de 2 ovários aparentemente normais, uma trompa de aspecto anatômico também normal, anexa à qual se observava um testículo e epidídimo atrofiados. A trompa contralateral mostrava-se muito aumentada de volume e no seu interior constatou-se a existência de um fluido espesso, incolor e inodoro. Näo foi verificada a existência de corpo uterino bem como de tubo vaginal e da vulva, visto que as trompas terminavam em fundo cego. Da mesma forma, verificou-se ausência dos demais anexos do aparelho reprodutor masculino. A histopatologia revelou que os ovários apresentavam estruturas normais, enquanto o testículo mostrava-se com acentuada hipoplasia e aplasia das células germinativas e túbulos seminíferos