Evaluation of How Methacrylate Gelatin Hydrogel Loaded with Ximenia americana L. Extract (Steam Bark) Effects Bone Repair Activity Using Rats as Models.

The use of bioactive materials, such as Ximenia americana L., to stimulate the bone repair process has already been studied; however, the synergistic effects of its association with light emitting diode (LED) have not been reported. The present work aims to evaluate the effect of its stem bark extract incorporated into methacrylate gelatin hydrogel (GelMA) on the bone repair process using pure hydrogel and hydrogel associated with LED therapy. For this purpose, the GelMA hydrogel loaded with Ximenia americana L. extract (steam bark) was produced, characterized and applied in animal experiments. The tests were performed using 50 male Wistar rats (divided into 5 groups) submitted to an induced tibia diaphyseal fracture. The therapy effects were verified for a period of 15 and 30 days of treatment using histological analysis and Raman spectroscopy. After 15 days of induced lesion/treatment, the new bone formation was significantly higher in the GXG (GelMA + X. americana L.) group compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). After 30 days, a statistically significant difference was observed when comparing the GXLEDG (GelMA + X. americana L. + LED) and the control group (p < 0.0001), the GXG and the control group (p < 0.001), and when comparing the GG, GXG (p < 0.005) and GXLEDG (p < 0.001) groups. The results shows that the Ximenia americana L. stem extract incorporated into GelMA hydrogel associated with LED therapy is a potentiator for animal bone repair.

Survey on the risk factors for cervical cancer known by biomedicine students

The development of cervical cancer is related with human papillomavirus infection with greater intensity the subtypes 16 and 18. Considering that the lifestyle of women influences the development of this cancer, this study aimed to perform a survey on the risk factors for cervical cancer known by biomedicine students. Descriptive and exploratory research, with a quantitative approach was performed with 101 biomedical undergraduates. Data were collected from February to March 2018 through a questionnaire and analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Science program. Students in the age group of 18 to 24 years old (89.11%), single (93.07%), with family income between two and three minimum wages prevailed (43.56%). It also showed that participants started their sexual life early (average 16 years old), had more than one sexual partner throughout their lives, had no relation to smoking (100%), most were not alcohol consumers (66%), did not take the Papanicolaou preventive exam (61.39%), did not practice physical activity (55.45%) and had a low frequency in the use of condoms during sexual intercourse (22.08%). It is concluded that there is a need for educational campaigns in Higher Education Institutions, which provide more information about the prevention of Cervical Cancer and the prevention of associated risk factors.

Effects of the application of the amniotic membrane in the healing process of skin wounds in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the application of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) on the inflammatory process, fibroblast proliferation, formation of collagenand reduction of skin wound areas in rats. METHODS: Thirty six rats were submitted to a surgical injury induction and divided into two groups (n = 18): group C (control) and T (treated with the HAM). The macroscopic evolution in the wound area and the histological characteristics of the skin samples were evaluated. RESULTS: The regression of the wound area was greater in group T. The histological analysis revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the inflammatory infiltrate in group T at all experimental periods compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, the group T presented a significant increase in the proliferation of fibroblasts at 14 and 21 days compared with group C (p < 0.05). Regarding the deposition of mature collagen fibers, there was an increase in the replacement of type III collagen by type I collagen in group T (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with the HAM reduced the healing time as well as the inflammatory responses, increased the proliferation of fibroblasts, and induced a higher concentration of mature collagen fibers.

Effects of the application of the amniotic membrane in the healing process of skin wounds in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the application of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) on the inflammatory process, fibroblast proliferation, formation of collagenand reduction of skin wound areas in rats. Methods: Thirty six rats were submitted to a surgical injury induction and divided into two groups (n = 18): group C (control) and T (treated with the HAM). The macroscopic evolution in the wound area and the histological characteristics of the skin samples were evaluated. Results: The regression of the wound area was greater in group T. The histological analysis revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the inflammatory infiltrate in group T at all experimental periods compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, the group T presented a significant increase in the proliferation of fibroblasts at 14 and 21 days compared with group C (p < 0.05). Regarding the deposition of mature collagen fibers, there was an increase in the replacement of type III collagen by type I collagen in group T (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with the HAM reduced the healing time as well as the inflammatory responses, increased the proliferation of fibroblasts, and induced a higher concentration of mature collagen fibers.

Effectiveness of Low-Intensity Laser Therapy on Tissue Repair Following Saphenectomy in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT) on tissue repair following saphenectomy during postoperative period in patients having undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial, controlled and double-blind study was conducted with 40 volunteers, divided into 2 groups: a placebo group (PG, n = 20) and a laser group (LG, n = 20). The patients in the LG group were irradiated with laser during saphenectomy (InGaAlP, λ 660 nm, energy density 6 J/cm2) daily from the first to the fourth postoperative day. The surgical incision was clinically evaluated and imaged at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. The areas of hematoma and hyperemia were evaluated using the software ImageJ 1.4©, and border closure was evaluated by three researchers, who were blinded concerning the allocation of the participants. RESULTS: The LG group presented a reduction of the areas of hematoma and hyperemia (p = 0.0003) and better border closure (p = 0.009), when compared with the PG group. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed LLLT protocol improved the tissue repair following saphenectomy in CABG patients.

Effects of the Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in the process of healing diabetic foot ulcers

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the low-level laser therapy applying Laser on the tissue repair in ulcer carriers due to diabetes. METHODS: Sixteen type II diabetic patients, ulcer carriers in the lower limbs, participated in the research from which eight were in the control group and eight were submitted to the low-level laser therapy with a pulsed wave form, visible ray, wave length of 632.8 nm, 30 mW peak power, (Laser - HTM). The application time was of 80 (4J/cm2) seconds. The application was punctual without contact (approximately 1mm of distance), the pen being held in a perpendicular position related to the wound, in equidistant points. There were 12 appointments, of which three were done weekly in alternated days. Photograph records and an application of the brief inventory of pain were done before and after 30 days of follow-up. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the size of the wound when compared to the control group (p<0.05). The pain was also reported as having an intense improvement in the treated group. CONCLUSION: The low-level laser treatment seems to be an efficient method, viable, painless and of low costs concerning the tissue repair ulcers in a diabetic foot.

Effects of the Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in the process of healing diabetic foot ulcers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the low-level laser therapy applying Laser on the tissue repair in ulcer carriers due to diabetes. METHODS: Sixteen type II diabetic patients, ulcer carriers in the lower limbs, participated in the research from which eight were in the control group and eight were submitted to the low-level laser therapy with a pulsed wave form, visible ray, wave length of 632.8 nm, 30 mW peak power, (Laser - HTM). The application time was of 80 (4J/cm2) seconds. The application was punctual without contact (approximately 1mm of distance), the pen being held in a perpendicular position related to the wound, in equidistant points. There were 12 appointments, of which three were done weekly in alternated days. Photograph records and an application of the brief inventory of pain were done before and after 30 days of follow-up. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the size of the wound when compared to the control group (p<0.05). The pain was also reported as having an intense improvement in the treated group. CONCLUSION: The low-level laser treatment seems to be an efficient method, viable, painless and of low costs concerning the tissue repair ulcers in a diabetic foot.

Diástase dos músculos retos abdominais em puérperas na fase hospitalar / Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle in puerperium during hospitalization period

Introdução: Uma diástase do músculo reto abdominal (DMRA) de 3 cm ou mais em puérperas é considerada acima dos padrões de normalidade e poderão trazer maiores complicações como dores lombares, limitações funcionais e herniações das vísceras abdominais. Objetivo: Mensurar a DMRA em puérperas, na Maternidade do Hospital Satélite, e correlacionar com paridade, idade da puérpera, peso do recém nascido (RN) e sedentarismo. Material e métodos: Estudo transversal, observacional, com uma amostra de 30 puérperas, examinadas no mês de novembro de 2008 em relação à paridade, ao sedentarismo e ao peso do RN. Resultados: A multiparidade foi o que apresentou uma maior relação ao aumento de DMRA, quando comparada ao grupo primigestas/secundigestas (p = 0,003). A média da DMRA em sedentárias foi de 3,7 cm e para as não sedentárias foi de 2,8 cm (p < 0,05). O peso do RN tem influência de 11,47 por cento sobre a diástase (p < 0,067). A variável que mais evidenciou uma correlação positiva com o aumento da DMRA foi a faixa etária da gestante com influência de 42,99 por cento sobre DMRA (p < 0,008).Conclusão: A paridade, a prática de atividade física, o peso do RN e, principalmente, a idade da gestante influenciam diretamente na variação do tamanho da DMRA durante o período de gestação.

Introduction: A diastasis recti of the rectus abdominis muscle (RAMD) of 3 cm width or more is considered out of the acceptable patterns and can cause other commitments such as back pain, functional limitations and abdominal visceral herniation. Objective: To measure the RAM in post childbirth woman at the Maternity of Satélite Hospital in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, and to correlate it to parity, mother’s age at delivery, newborn weight and sedentarism. Method: This was a transversal and observational study with 30 women examined at immediate post-partum on November 2008 in terms of parity, sedentarism and newborn weight. Results: High parity factor showed a higher relation to the diastase increase when was compared first pregnancy and second pregnancy group (p = 0.003). The average of RAMD in sedentary women was 3.7 cm comparing to 2.8 cm in non-sedentaries (p < 0.05). The newborn weight has 11.47 percent of influence over diastase (p < 0,067). The variable that most influenced with a positive correlation with RAMD was the mother age at delivery (42.99 percent over RAMD, p < 0.008). Conclusion: Parity, physical activity, newborn weight and, mainly, age of pregnant woman are factors that influence RAMD size range during pregnancy.

Avaliação neurofuncional no pré e pós-operatório de neurólise no dano neural devido à hanseníase / Pre and post operative neurofunctional assessment of neurolysis surgery in nerve damage in leprosy patients

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar, por meio do exame neurofuncional, a eficácia da cirurgia de neurólise em pacientes com neurite hansênica. Tratou-se de um estudo prospectivo, do tipo descritivo. Teve como universo de estudo a população portadora de neurite hansênica do Estado do Amazonas, tratada na FUAM-AM. Foram selecionados 27 participantes os quais foram triados para cirurgia eletiva de neurólise no período de outubro de 2004 a janeiro de 2005, correspondendo a 64 cirurgias eletivas. Foi realizada uma avaliação neurofuncional pré-operatória compreendendo o teste de força muscular manual, teste de sensibilidade pelos estesiômetros de Semmes-Weinstein, avaliação da dor por meio de escala analógica visual e classificação do grau de incapacidade.A mesma avaliação foi repetida um mês após a cirurgia. Os principais nervos operados foram, em ordem decrescente, medial e ulnar, fibular comum e tibial posterior. A forma clínica mais comum entre os mesmos foi a virchowiana (67 por cento), seguida da dimorfa-virchoviana (19 por cento), tuberculóide (7 por cento) e dimorfa-tuberculóide (7 por cento). Setenta e quatro por cento dos pacientes operados encontravam-se em alta clínica e 26 por cento ainda realizavam tratamento por poliquimioterapia. A principal queixa apresentada foi dor (55 por cento). Em relação ao grau de incapacidade, 70 por cento apresentaram grau I e 30 por cento apresentaram grau II. No pós-operatório, foi relatada melhora da dor em 64 por cento das cirurgias, 30 por cento não apresentaram alteração e 6 por cento apresentaram piora. Cinqüenta e seis por cento dos nervos com comprometimento motor não apresentaram melhora, 32 por cento melhoraram em até um grau e 12 por cento apresentaram piora em até um grau. Trinta e quatro por cento dos pacientes apresentaram melhora da sensibilidade, e 66 por cento se mostraram com quadro inalterado.

The aim of this study was to analyze, through neurofunctional assessment, the effectiveness of the neurolysis surgery in patients with neuritis due to leprosy. It was a prospective and descriptive study. The subjects of this study were the population with neuritis due to leprosy of Amazon state, treated in Fundação Alfredo da Matta (FUAM-AM). 27 participants were selected for elective surgery of neurolysis from October 2004 to January 2005, corresponding to 64 elective surgeries. A preoperative neurofunctional assessment was carried out including manual muscle strength testing, sensibility test using Semmes-Weinstein nylon filaments, pain assessment using a visual analogical scale and classification of rate disability. The same assessment was repeated one month after surgery. The main nerves that underwent surgery were, in decreasing order, medial and ulnar, fibular and posterior tibial. The clinical form more frequently was the lepromatous form (67 percent), following by the lepromatous-borderline (19 percent), tuberculoid (7 percent) and tuberculoid-borderline (7 percent). Seventy four percent of patients had already finished clinical treatment and 26 percent were still using multidrug therapy. Fifty five percent referred pain complaint. Concerning rate disability, 70 percent had level I and 30 percent level II. During the postoperative, patients referred to get better pain sensation in 64 percent of surgeries, 30 percent did not have alteration and 6 percent were worst. Fifty six percent of motor nerves degeneration did not improve, 32 percent improved one level and 12 percent have become worse one level. Thirty four percent of patients referred improvement of sensibility and 66 percent referred no improvement.