Potential Mechanisms Underlying COVID-19-Mediated Central and Peripheral Demyelination: Roles of the RAAS and ADAM-17.

Demyelination is among the most conspicuous neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) in both the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanisms underlying demyelination in COVID-19. However, none have considered the SARS-CoV-2's effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Therefore, our objective in this review is to evaluate how RAAS imbalance, caused by direct and indirect effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, could contribute to myelin loss in the PNS and CNS. In the PNS, we propose that demyelination transpires from two significant changes induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, which include upregulation of ADAM-17 and induction of lymphopenia. Whereas, in the CNS, demyelination could result from RAAS imbalance triggering two alterations: (1) a decrease in angiotensin type II receptor (AT2R) activity, responsible for restraining defense cells' action on myelin; (2) upregulation of ADAM-17 activity, leading to impaired maturation of oligodendrocytes and myelin formation. Thus, we hypothesize that increased ADAM-17 activity and decreased AT2R activity play roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection-mediated demyelination in the CNS.

Study of Digastric Muscle in Brazilian Individuals / Estudio del Músculo Digástrico en Individuos Brasileños

SUMMARY: Correct detailed description of the anatomy of the digastric muscle (DM) in different populations should be carried out to improve the teaching of anatomy, avoid misinterpretations and help to avoid intercurrences during surgical procedures in the region. The aim of this study was to carry out a study of the DM in adult Brazilian individuals. The sample consisted of 50 DM from adult individuals (22 right side and 28 left side) fixed in 10 % formaldehyde. The morphology of the DM was observed, identifying possible anatomical variations; these were characterized and classified according to the number of the muscle bellies, direction of the fibre, and points of origin and insertion. The morphometric measurements were performed using a digital calliper. Student's t-test for dependent samples was used to measure differences between sides; one-way ANOVA was used to analyse the different classifications, and the chi-squared test to analyse qualitative variables, with significance threshold of 5 %. The anterior belly of the DM was classified as Type I in 28 samples (56 %), Type II in 20 (40 %) and Type III in 2 (4 %). The mean length was 37.8 mm, width 12.1 mm and thickness 5.39 mm, with no statistically significant differences found for these variables. The intermediate tendon of the DM was classified as Type I in 31 samples (62 %), Type II in 10 (20 %) and Type III in 9 (18 %); its mean total length was 45.1 mm. The posterior belly of the DM was Type I in 50 samples (100 %), with mean length 70.8 mm and width 8.15 mm. Anatomical variations of the DM, particularly its anterior belly, in Brazilian adults are very frequent. They must therefore be carefully identified to help avoid intercurrences during surgical procedures in the region, and to help correct evaluation of swollen lymph nodes in the submental triangle.

Con el propósito de ayudar en la enseñanza de la Anatomía se debe realizar una descripción correcta y detallada del músculo digástrico (MD), evitando malas interpretaciones y contribuyendo a evitar intercurrencias durante procedimientos quirúrgicos en la región. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar un estudio del MD en individuos brasileños. Fueron utilizadas 50 muestras de MD de individuos adultos (22 del lado derecho y 28 del lado izquierdo) fijadas en formaldehido al 10 %. Se analizó la morfología del MD, identificando las posibles variaciones anatómicas, que fueron clasificadas según el número de vientres musculares, dirección de las fibras y lugar de origen e inserción. Para el análisis estadístico las medidas fueron realizadas con un paquímetro digital. Para el análisis estadístico fueron utilizadas las pruebas de t de Student, ANOVA de una vía para variables continuas y la prueba de chi-cuadrado con ajuste de Bonferroni para las variables categóricas. Se utilizó el software SPSS v. 28.0, considerándo umbral de significación de 5 %. El vientre anterior del MD se clasificó como Tipo I en 28 muestras (56 %), como Tipo II en 20 (40 %) y como Tipo III en 2 (4 %). El promedio de longitud fue de 37,8 mm, la anchura de 12,1 mm y el espesor de 5,39 mm, no siendo encontradas diferencias estadísticas significativas para estas variables. El tendón intermedio del MD fue Tipo I en 31 muestras (62 %), Tipo II en 10 (20 %) y Tipo III en 9 (18 %). El promedio de su longitud total fue de 45,1 mm. El vientre posterior del MD fue de Tipo I en 50 muestras (100 %), con promedio de longitud de 70,8 mm y de ancho de 8,15 mm. Las variaciones anatómicas del MD, particularmente de su vientre anterior, son muy frecuentes en brasileños adultos, por lo que deben ser identificadas detalladamente contribuyendo a evitar intercurrencias durante los procedimientos quirúrgicos en la región y también para propiciar la correcta evaluación de las adenopatías del espacio submentoniano.

Effectiveness of ozone therapy compared to other therapies for low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials / Efetividade da ozonioterapia comparada a outras terapias para dor lombar: revisão sistemática com metanálise de ensaios clínicos randomizados

Abstract Background and objectives: Low back pain is a prevalent disease in the adult population, whose quality of life is considerably affected. In order to solve this problem, several therapies have been developed, of which ozone therapy is an example. Our objective in this study was to determine the effectiveness of ozone therapy for lumbar pain relief in adult patients compared to other therapies (steroid and placebo). Method: We used randomized clinical trials to compare the effectiveness of ozone and other therapies for lumbar pain relief in adults (Prospero: CRD42018090807). Two independent reviewers searched the Medline (1966-April/2018), Scopus (2011-May/2018), Lilacs (1982-May/2018), and EMBASE (1974-March/2018) databases. We use the terms ozone and pain as descriptors. The primary variable was pain relief and the secondary ones were complication, degree of satisfaction, quality of life and recurrence of pain. Results: Of the 779 identified articles, six selected clinical trials show that ozone therapy is more effective for lumbar pain relief; however, they were mostly classified as having a high or uncertain risk of bias (Cochrane Handbook). The meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness of pain relief did not show a significant difference between groups in the three-month period (RR = 1.98, 95% CI: 0.46-8.42, p= 0.36; 366 participants). It also showed greater effectiveness of the ozone therapy at six months compared to other therapies (steroid and placebo) (RR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.87-2.60, p< 0.00001; 717 participants). Conclusions: The systematic review has shown that ozone therapy used for six months for lumbar pain relief is more effective than other therapies; however, this result is not definitive as data from studies with moderate to high risk of bias were used.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A lombalgia é uma enfermidade prevalente na população adulta, que tem sua qualidade de vida afetada consideravelmente. Com intuito de resolver este problema, desenvolveram-se várias terapias. Um exemplo é a ozonioterapia. Objetivamos neste estudo determinar a efetividade da ozonioterapia para alívio da dor lombar em pacientes adultos, quando comparada a outras terapias (esteroide e placebo). Método: Usamos de ensaios clínicos randomizados para comparar a efetividade do ozônio e de outras terapias para o alívio da dor lombar em adultos (Prospero: CRD42018090807). Dois revisores independentes analisaram as bases Medline (1966-Abril/2018), Scopus (2011-Maio/2018), Lilacs (1982-Maio/2018) e Embase (1974-Março/2018). Como descritores, usamos termos ozone e pain. Temos como variável primária o alívio da dor e como variáveis secundárias: complicação, grau de satisfação, qualidade de vida e recorrência da dor. Resultados: Os seis ensaios clínicos selecionados, de 779 artigos identificados, mostram que o grupo do ozônio é mais efetivo para o alívio da dor lombar, porém, foram classificados em sua maioria com alto ou incerto risco de viés (Handbook Cochrane). A metanálise referente à efetividade no alívio da dor não apresentou diferença significante entre os grupos no período de três meses (RR = 1,98; 95% IC: 0,46-8,42; p= 0,36; 366 participantes). Também denotou maior efetividade em seis meses do grupo ozônio em relação a outras terapias (esteroide e placebo) (RR = 2,2; 95% IC: 1,87-2,60; p< 0,00001; 717 participantes). Conclusões: A revisão sistemática demonstrou que ozonioterapia usada por seis meses para alívio da dor lombar é mais efetiva do que outras terapias. Entretanto, esse resultado não é definitivo, visto que foram usados dados de estudos com moderado a alto risco de viés.

Effectiveness of Insulin Analogs Compared with Human Insulins in Pregnant Women with Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Diabetes during pregnancy has been linked to unfavorable maternal-fetal outcomes. Human insulins are the first drug of choice because of the proven safety in their use. However, there are still questions about the use of insulin analogs during pregnancy. The objective of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of insulin analogs compared with human insulin in the treatment of pregnant women with diabetes through a systematic review with meta-analysis. The search comprised the period since the inception of each database until July 2017, and the following databases were used: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus, SIGLE and Google Scholar. We have selected 29 original articles: 11 were randomized clinical trials and 18 were observational studies. We have explored data from 6,382 participants. All of the articles were classified as having an intermediate to high risk of bias. The variable that showed favorable results for the use of insulin analogs was gestational age, with a mean difference of - 0.26 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.49; p = 0.02), but with significant heterogeneity (Higgins test [I2] = 38%; chi-squared test [χ2] = 16.24; degree of freedom [DF] = 10; p = 0.09). This result, in the clinical practice, does not compromise the fetal well-being, since all babies were born at term. There was publication bias in the gestational age and neonatal weight variables. To date, the evidence analyzed has a moderate-to-high risk of bias and does not allow the conclusion that insulin analogs are more effective when compared with human insulin to treat diabetic pregnant women.

Diabetes durante a gestação tem sido relacionado a desfechos materno-fetais desfavoráveis. As insulinas humanas são a primeira escolha medicamentosa, devido à comprovada segurança no seu uso. Entretanto, ainda há questionamentos sobre o uso dos análogos da insulina na gestação. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a efetividade dos análogos da insulina comparados às insulinas humanas no tratamento de gestantes com diabetes por meio de uma revisão sistemática com metanálise. A busca compreendeu desde o início de cada base de dados até julho de 2017, e foi realizada nos seguintes bancos de dados: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus, SIGLE e Google Scholar. Selecionamos 29 artigos originais, sendo 11 ensaios clínicos randomizados e 18 estudos observacionais. Exploramos dados de 6.382 participantes. Todos os artigos foram classificados como sendo de intermediário a alto risco de viés. A variável que demonstrou resultado favorável ao uso dos análogos da insulina foi idade gestacional, com uma diferença média de - 0.26 (95% índice de confiança [IC]: 0.03­0.49; p = 0.02), porém com heterogeneidade significativa (teste de Higgins [I2] = 38%; teste do qui quadrado [χ2] =16.24; graus de liberdade [GL] =10; p = 0.09). Esse resultado, na prática clínica, não compromete o bem-estar fetal, uma vez que todos os bebês nasceram a termo. Houve viés de publicação nas variáveis idade gestacional e peso neonatal. Até o momento, as evidências analisadas possuem um risco de viés moderado a elevado e não permitem concluir que os análogos da insulina sejam mais efetivos em comparação às insulinas humanas para tratar gestantes diabéticas.

Risk of bias assessment of systematic reviews regarding dental implant placement in smokers: An umbrella systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Although dental implant treatment has a high success rate, patient-related factors may cause implant failure. In this context, smoking is associated with adverse effects on implant osseointegration. In spite of systematic reviews addressing this topic, the risk of bias in these reviews must be assessed to inform readers whether the studies were conducted with methodological rigor and whether their recommendations are viable in daily clinical practice. PURPOSE: The purpose of this umbrella systematic review was to assess the risk of bias of systematic reviews regarding dental implant placement in smokers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic review articles with meta-analysis regarding dental implant placement in smokers were eligible for this study. The following were excluded: articles in which implant survival or failure rate was not the primary outcome; articles in which implant survival or failure rate was not related to smokers; and duplicated articles. The search was performed by 2 independent reviewers on MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, DARE-Cochrane, and SIGLE via OpenGrey. Non-peer-reviewed literature was sought on SIGLE via OpenGrey without language restrictions. Reviewers read titles and/or abstracts to select potential eligible studies, and articles initially selected were read fully. A third reviewer was consulted in cases of disagreement. References of the selected articles were also screened to identify articles of potential interest. The last search was performed on April 29, 2017. Risk of bias assessment was performed with the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool. RESULTS: Of the initial 2539 results, 6 systematic reviews with meta-analysis were eligible for the umbrella review (kappa=0.90; very good agreement). All studies were published in the last 11 years. One meta-analysis (16.7%) presented low risk of bias, 3 (50.0%) were assessed as of unclear risk of bias, and 2 (33.3%) received a score of high risk of bias according to the assessment with the ROBIS tool, which also indicated that the criteria most commonly not met were study eligibility criteria and identification and selection of studies. CONCLUSIONS: Five of the 6 included meta-analyses had a risk of bias (high or unclear). Therefore, their conclusions and recommendations required careful review. Future meta-analyses must focus especially on study eligibility criteria and identification and selection of studies.

A Rare Case of Relapsed Pediatric Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia with Skin Involvement by Myeloid Sarcoma.

BACKGROUND Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a very rare leukemia in children. Extramedullary involvement by APL has been reported in between 3-5% of cases, mainly associated with cases of relapse. A rare case of relapse of APL in a 9-year-old child is presented with skin involvement with myeloid sarcoma. CASE REPORT A 9-year-old male child was admitted to the Oncology Service of the hospital complaining of fever, progressive fatigue, oral petechiae with severe bleeding in the oral cavity. Bone marrow examination showed some promyelocytes. Flow cytometry showed 86% immature myeloid cells with the t(15;17) translocation, and molecular analysis showed expression of the PML/RARa fusion protein, which confirmed the diagnosis of APL. The patient completed a course of daunorubicin, cytarabine, and AII trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) with complete remission. After six months, the patient was re-admitted to hospital with a violaceous lesion on the scalp, with relapse of APL. Histological and immunohistochemistry of the lesion involving the skin of the scalp showed a myeloid sarcoma invading the dermis. CONCLUSIONS Myeloid sarcoma, also called granulocytic sarcoma, is an extramedullary tumor of immature myeloid cells, which very rarely presents in children with APL. The mechanisms that lead to myeloid sarcoma in children with APL and the possible association with ATRA therapy remain to be investigated.

Physical Exercise on Inflammatory Markers in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Scientific findings showed that physical exercise is an option for treatment of these patients. This study's objective is to investigate the effects of supervised aerobic and/or resistance physical training on inflammatory markers in subjects with T2DM. Methods. A systematic review was conducted on four databases, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, and Scopus, and manual search from 21 to 30 November 2016. Randomized clinical trials involving individuals diagnosed with T2DM, who have undergone supervised training protocols, were selected in this study. Results. Eleven studies were included. Studies that evaluated control group versus aerobic exercise reported controversial results about the effectiveness of physical training in modifying C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokine levels. The only variable analyzed by the six studies in comparison to the control group versus resistance exercise was CRP. This protein showed no significant difference between groups. Between the two modes of exercise (aerobic and resistance), only one study demonstrated that aerobic exercise was more effective in reducing CRP. Conclusion. The evidence was insufficient to prove that aerobic or resistance exercise improves systemic levels of inflammatory markers in patients with T2DM.

Quality assessment of systematic reviews regarding immediate placement of dental implants into infected sites: An overview.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: With the increased number of published systematic reviews and in view of their wide clinical applicability, these studies must be carefully assessed before professionals begin to use their recommendations in daily practice, and above all, the methodological quality of this study design must be considered. In implant dentistry, one topic that has been arousing particular interest is the immediate placement of dental implants into infected sites. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the methodological quality of systematic reviews that evaluated the immediate placement of dental implants into infected sites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed by 2 independent reviewers of PubMed, LILACS, and ISI Web of Knowledge up to March 2016. All selected articles were published in the English language. Systematic reviews of original papers that assessed the immediate placement of dental implants into infected sites were eligible for the overview. Narrative reviews, randomized clinical trials, and case reports were excluded. Methodological quality assessment was performed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews. RESULTS: Of the 5 selected systematic reviews, 3 were low methodological quality and 2 were assessed as moderate. None were high methodological quality. The first systematic review of the topic was published in 2010, and the most recent, published in 2015, was the only one that performed meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic reviews that assessed the immediate placement of dental implants into infected sites were assessed as low or moderate methodological quality. The topic focus remains controversial because the implant survival rate, the main outcome considered for the implant placement prognosis, presents contradictory results.

[Correlation between weekly working time and burnout syndrome among anesthesiologists of Maceió-AL]. / Correlação entre a carga horária semanal de trabalho com a síndrome de burnout entre os médicos anestesiologistas de Maceió­AL.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The current reports are insufficient to determine the causative agent, as well as to identify high risk profiles for BS, leaving a clear need for more studies to this end. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between weekly workload and BS dimensions. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study performed with 43 anesthesiologists from Maceió-AL, with the application of Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) forms. Pearson's correlation coefficient r was used for the three dimensions and a 95% confidence interval for the prevalence of burnout syndrome and high scores in all three dimensions. RESULTS: Among the studied physicians, 51.16% were male and the average age was 49.82±12.05 years. For physicians who have been diagnosed with BS through the MBI, the average weekly working time 69.27±22.39hours. The high level of frequency in at least one of the three dimensions was found in 67.44% of physicians, with this percentage being considered diagnostic for burnout syndrome in this population. CONCLUSION: This study showed no correlation between the weekly working time and the BS dimensions in this population.

Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and additional antioxidant therapy: a review article.

PURPOSE: The hypoxia and reoxygenation cycles in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) cause a change in the oxidative balance, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species capable of reacting with other organic molecules impairing their functions. This study aimed to determine the best markers of oxidative stress in OSAS and what better antioxidant agent to be used to treat the disease. METHODS: Searches were conducted in three different databases (PubMed, LILACS, SCIELO), using as descriptors the terms obstructive sleep apnea, oxidative stress, and antioxidant therapy. A total of 120 articles were found but only those considered of interest to the research were selected. Thus, 10 articles were included for further analysis regarding the biomarkers of oxidative stress in OSAS, and 6 articles to evaluate the antioxidant most often used for demonstration of efficacy. RESULTS: The thioredoxin, malondialdehyde, superoxide dysmutase, and reduced iron were the most commonly used biomarkers and showed a more consistent relationship between increased oxidative stress and OSAS. As antioxidant therapy, vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) presented interesting results as a reduction of oxidative stress, which may become an alternative to the complementary treatment of OSAS. CONCLUSIONS: This review's findings agree mostly to measure that the markers of oxidative stress in OSAS may be a contributing aspect to assessment and monitoring of patient, and the antioxidant therapy appears to be beneficial in the treatment of OSAS.

Is there any benefit in associating neuraxial anesthesia to general anesthesia for coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of neuraxial anesthesia in cardiac surgery is recent, but the hemodynamic effects of local anesthetics and anticoagulation can result in risk to patients. OBJECTIVE: To review the benefits of neuraxial anesthesia in cardiac surgery for CABG through a systematic review of systematic reviews. CONTENT: The search was performed in Pubmed (January 1966 to December 2012), Embase (1974 to December 2012), The Cochrane Library (volume 10, 2012) and Lilacs (1982 to December 2012) databases, in search of articles of systematic reviews. The following variables: mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, in-hospital length of stay, arrhythmias and epidural hematoma were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of neuraxial anesthesia in cardiac surgery remains controversial. The greatest benefit found by this review was the possibility of reducing postoperative arrhythmias, but this result was contradictory among the identified findings. The results of findings regarding mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke and in-hospital length of stay did not show greater efficacy of neuraxial anesthesia.

Effectiveness of combined regional-general anesthesia for reducing mortality in coronary artery bypass: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neuraxial anesthesia (NA) has been used in association with general anesthesia (GA) for coronary artery bypass; however, anticoagulation during surgery makes us question the viability of benefits by the risk of epidural hematoma. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analyzes examining the efficacy of NA associated with GA compared to GA alone for coronary artery bypass on mortality reduction. METHODS: Mortality, arrhythmias, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), length of hospital stay (LHS), length of ICU stay (ICUS), reoperations, blood transfusion (BT), quality of life, satisfaction degree, and postoperative cognitive dysfunction were analyzed. The weighted mean difference (MD) was estimated for continuous variables, and relative risk (RR) and risk difference (RD) for categorical variables. RESULTS: 17 original articles analyzed. Meta-analysis of mortality (RD=-0.01, 95% CI=-0.03 to 0.01), CVA (RR=0.79, 95% CI=0.32-1.95), MI (RR=0.96, 95% CI=0.52-1.79) and LHS (MD=-1.94, 95% CI=-3.99 to 0.12) were not statistically significant. Arrhythmia was less frequent with NA (RR=0.68, 95% CI=0.50-0.93). ICUS was lower in NA (MD=-2.09, 95% CI=-2.92 to -1.26). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in mortality. Combined NA and GA showed lower incidence of arrhythmias and lower ICUS.

Do suicide attempts occur more frequently in the spring too? A systematic review and rhythmic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal variations in suicides have been reported worldwide, however, there may be a different seasonal pattern in suicide attempts. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review on seasonality of suicide attempts considering potential interfering variables, and a statistical analysis for seasonality with the collected data. METHOD: Observational epidemiological studies about seasonality in suicide attempts were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, LILACS and Cochrane Library databases with terms attempted suicide, attempt and season. Monthly or seasonal data available were evaluated by rhythmic analysis softwares. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles from 16 different countries were included in the final review. It was observed different patterns of seasonality, however, suicide attempts in spring and summer were the most frequent seasons reported. Eight studies indicated differences in sex and three in the method used for suicide attempts. Three articles did not find a seasonal pattern in suicide attempts. Cosinor analysis identified an overall pattern of seasonal variation with a suggested peak in spring, considering articles individually or grouped and independent of sex and method used. A restricted analysis with self-poisoning in hospital samples demonstrated the same profile. LIMITATIONS: Grouping diverse populations and potential analytical bias due to lack of information are the main limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of a seasonal profile suggests the influence of an important environmental modulator that can reverberate to suicide prevention strategies. Further studies controlling interfering variables and investigating the biological substrate for this phenomenon would be helpful to confirm our conclusion.

Is there a protocol in experimental skin wounds in rats using low-level diode laser therapy (LLDLT) combining or not red and infrared wavelengths? Systematic review.

A systematic review addressing experiments with healing of skin wounds in rats using LLDLT with different active means seeking to identify a pattern in adjustments such as laser wavelength, power and fluency and analysing wound healing parameters, such as wound area, presence of fibroblasts, angiogenesis, leukocyte infiltration, epithelial coverage and antibacterial effect. It was perceived that a protocol does not exist in view of the wide variation in the use of power (9 to 500 mW) and fluency (1 to 60 J/cm2); however, between the different wavelengths, the highlight was the combined use of red and infrared wavelengths showing better results than when used alone.

[Effectiveness of combined regional-general anesthesia for reducing mortality in coronary artery bypass: meta-analysis]. / Efetividade da associação da anestesia regional à anestesia geral na redução da mortalidade em revascularização miocárdica: metanálise.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neuraxial anesthesia (NA) has been used in association with general anesthesia (GA) for coronary artery bypass; however, anticoagulation during surgery makes us question the viability of benefits by the risk of epidural hematoma. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analyzes examining the efficacy of NA associated with GA compared to GA alone for coronary artery bypass on mortality reduction. METHODS: Mortality, arrhythmias, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), length of hospital stay (LHS), length of ICU stay (ICUS), reoperations, blood transfusion (BT), quality of life, satisfaction degree, and postoperative cognitive dysfunction were analyzed. The weighted mean difference (MD) was estimated for continuous variables, and relative risk (RR) and risk difference (RD) for categorical variables. RESULTS: 17 original articles analyzed. Meta-analysis of mortality (RD=-0.01, 95% CI=-0.03 to 0.01), CVA (RR=0.79, 95% CI=0.32 to 1.95), MI (RR=0.96, 95% CI=0.52 to 1.79) and LHS (MD=-1.94, 95% CI=-3.99 to 0.12) were not statistically significant. Arrhythmia was less frequent with NA (RR=0.68, 95% CI=0.50 to 0.93). ICUS was lower in NA (MD=-2.09, 95% CI=-2.92 to -1.26). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in mortality. Combined NA and GA showed lower incidence of arrhythmias and lower ICUS.

Anatomical basis for sciatic nerve block at the knee level.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, administration of sciatic nerve block has been revised due to the potential benefit for postoperative analgesia and patient satisfaction after the advent of ultrasound. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical relations of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa to determine the optimal distance the needle must be positioned in order to realize the sciatic nerve block anterior to its bifurcation into the tibial and common fibular nerve. METHOD: The study was conducted by dissection of human cadavers' popliteal fossa, fixed in 10% formalin, from the Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Morphology Departments of the Universidade Federal de Alagoas and Universidade de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas. Access to the sciatic nerve was obtained. RESULTS: 44 popliteal fossa were analyzed. The bifurcation of the sciatic nerve in relation to the apex of the fossa was observed. There was bifurcation in: 67.96% below the apex, 15.90% above the apex, 11.36% near the apex, and 4.78% in the gluteal region. CONCLUSIONS: The sciatic nerve bifurcation to its branches occurs at various levels, and the chance to succeed when the needle is placed between 5 and 7 cm above the popliteal is 95.22%.

Correlation between the severity of apnea and hypopnea sleep, hypertension and serum lipid and glycemic: a case control study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the levels of blood pressure (BP), lipids and glucose, as intermittent hypoxia increases BP, changes the oxidative balance, and can induce the formation of free radicals and atherogenesis. 32 patients were evaluated about BP during wakefulness and sleep, total cholesterol and lipids, LDL (low-density lipoprotein), HDL (high-density lipoprotein), triglycerides, glucose and polysomnography. They were divided into four groups according to the respiratory events per hour of sleep (RDI): control group (RDI < 5), Group I (RDI 5-15), Group II (RDI 15-30), Group III (RDI > 30). There was no increase in BP in groups' cases, the verification of systolic (p = 0.429) and diastolic (p = 0.475) BP in 24 h, systolic (p = 0.277) and diastolic (p = 0.143) BP during wakefulness, and systolic (p = 0.394) and diastolic (p = 0.703) BP during sleep in the control group. When implementing the Spearman correlation test, a correlation directly proportional to the severity of the disease was not observed. Regarding the level of serum total cholesterol (p = 0.092), LDL (p = 0.242), HDL (p = 0.517), triglycerides (p = 0.947), total lipids (p = 0.602) and glucose (0.355), there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p > 0.05 for all parameters). There is no correlation between the severity of OSA and BP levels in 24 h, during daytime, during the sleep and serum levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol.

Use alone or in Combination of Red and Infrared Laser in Skin Wounds.

A systematic review was conducted covering the action of red laser, infrared and combination of both, with emphasis on cutaneous wound therapy, showing the different settings on parameters such as fluency, power, energy density, time of application, frequency mode and even the type of low-power lasers and their wavelengths. It was observed that in general, the lasers brings good clinical and histological results mainly, but there is not a protocol that defines a dosage of use that has predictability of therapeutic success in repairing these wounds.

Emergencia y Trayecto de las Arterias Epigástricas Superiores: Aplicación en los Abcesos Quirúrgicos Abdominales / Emergency and Trajectory of the Superior Epigastric Arteries: Aplication on the Assessement Abdominal Surgery

El conocimiento de la vascularización de la pared anterior del abdomen es un importante instrumento para la realización de incisiones y punciones abdominales, contribuyendo a evitar algunas complicaciones reurrentes de este procedimiento. Con el propósito de estudiar la emergencia y el trayecto de las arterias epigástricas superiores, fueron disecados 32 cadáveres adultos, del sexo masculino, no fijados, blancos y no blancos, con edades entre 18 y 65 años. Se observó el trayecto de las arterias epigástricas superiores, su emergencia y su forma de distribución. Las arterias epigástricas superiores emergieron por atrás del 7 cartílago costal en todos los casos. En el 75% de los casos las arterias epigástricas se presentaron como un tronco único y en 15 casos (23,44%) bifurcadas, siendo 11 a la derecha y 4 a la izquierda y en 1 caso (1,56%) a la izquierda. En este último, caso dio origen a tres ramos principales. Cuando era un tronco único, su trayecto fue descendente de medial para lateral en relación al margen lateral del músculo recto del abdomen. Cuando era bifurcada, sus ramos se separaron uno del otro luego de su emergencia, volviendo a convergir próximo a la cicatriz umbilical.

The knowledge of the vascularization of the anterior abdominal wall is very important on the incisions and abdominal punctures, contributing to avoid the injuries of this vessels during this procedures. With the goal to study the emergency and the trajectory of the superior epigastric arteries, 32 adult not preserved cadavers, of the masculine sex, white and not white, with age between 18 and 65 years were studied. The trajectory of the superior epigastric arteries, your emergency and distribution form were observed. The superior epigástric arteries emerged behind to 7th costal cartilage in all the cases. In 75% of the cases they appeared like an only trunk and in 15 cases (23,44%) they appeared forked, being 11 to the right and 04 to the left and in 01 case (1,56%) to the left, it'd origin three main branches. When in an only trunk, your trajectory went descending of medial for lateral in relationship to the lateral margin of the rectus abdominal muscle. When forked, your branches separated one of the other immediatelly after your emergency, back converging close to the umbilical scar.

Relaciones del Plexo Braquial con la Segunda Parte de la Arteria Axilar / Brachial Plexus Relationships whith the Second Part of Axillary Artery

Analizamos 62 axilas, 32 derechas y 30 izquierdas de cadáveres humanos, con el objetivo de hacer un estudio detallado de las relaciones topográficas de los cordones del plexo braquial (PB) en relación a la 2 parte de la arteria axilar (Aa) (parte retropectoral de la axila). Notamos que algunos cordones del PB pierden su identidad a lo largo de dicha porción, por este motivo, el análisis de ellos fue hecha en el comienzo de la región retropectoral y se limitó a los casos en que se presentaban al mismo tiempo los tres cordones (36 casos, 58%). Se comprobó que en el 27,42% de los casos, los cordones del PB circundaban la 2 parte de la Aa y estaban situados en conformidad con sus nombres ­ lateral (CL), medial (CM) y posterior (CP) ­ siendo ésta la disposición más citada en la literatura. En 16,13% de los casos, se observó el CM y el CP dispuestos posteriormente a la Aa, estando el CL lateral. En 6,46% de los casos, el CP estaba ubicado postero-lateral, el CM estaba posterior y el CL se ubicaba lateralmente a la Aa. En 3,23% de los casos, el CL y el CM estaban situados anteriormente, y el CP posteriormente a la Aa; en el mismo porcentaje todos los cordones del PB estaban ubicados lateralmente a la Aa. Sólo en el 1,62%, fueron encontrados los CM y CP relacionados con la Aa conforme a sus nombres, y el CL ubicado anteriormente a la Aa. En la mayoría de los casos donde los cordones estaban presentes, éstos se ubicaban de modo diferente a como se presenta en la literatura analizada.

62 axillas, 32 on the right upper limb and 30 on the left one were analyzed aiming a more detailed study of the topographic relationship between the brachial plexus' (BP) cords and the second part of the axillary artery (Aa). Once the second part of the Aa was determined (retropectoral part of the axilla) the authors observed that some of the BP's cords lost their identity during the length of the above-mentioned part of the axilla, so, the analysis of these cords and their relationship with the Aa was effected on the beginning of the retropectoral region. It was verified that in 27,42% of the cases, PB's cords surrounded the 2nd part of the Aa positioned according to their names ­ lateral cord (LC), medial cord (MC) and posterior cord (PC) ­ being this the most mentioned disposition in literature. In 16,13% of the cases, it was observed that MC and PC were disposed posteriorly to the Aa, while LC was situated laterally to the artery. In 3,23 % of the cases, LC and MC were found anteriorly, and PC posteriorly to the Aa; in the same percentage of cases, all the cords were situated laterally to the Aa. Only in 1,62%, MC and PC were situated according to their names, and the LC was anterior to the Aa. The majority of cases in which the cords were present, they disposed themselves differently of what the analyzed literature shows.