Comparative Efficacy of iPACK vs Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block for Pain Management Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis.

Introduction Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with severe acute postoperative pain. The use of tourniquets and drains (T/D) is common in TKA but may have an influence on postoperative pain and muscular strength. The infiltration of local anesthetic between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee (iPACK block) is a motor-sparing block that provides analgesia to the posterior aspect of the knee. However, evidence regarding its efficacy is scarce. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of iPACK block and the impact of T/D use on pain and muscular strength after TKA. Material and methods A retrospective study was carried out including patients who underwent TKA from January 2020 to April 2023. Patients were allocated into groups according to the peripheral nerve block performed and T/D use. Results We included 415 patients in this study. No differences were found in pain at rest or the need for rescue analgesia between patients who received an iPACK block or sciatic nerve block (SNB) with T/D applied. Patients who received a SNB reported lower pain scores on movement (p = 0.019), but with a higher prevalence of motor block (p < 0.001). Patients who underwent surgery without using T/D reported lower pain scores on movement (p = 0.021) and reduced need for rescue analgesia (p = 0.041). Conclusion These findings indicate that iPACK block can facilitate early mobilization after TKA without significant impact on postoperative muscle strength. Furthermore, the use of a T/D may be a source of postoperative pain that could compromise early rehabilitation.

Anesthetic Management of a Patient With Prinzmetal Angina.

Prinzmetal angina (PA) is characterized by the development of reversible vasoconstriction of the coronary arteries, transient ischemic electrocardiographic changes in the ST segment, chest pain at rest, and prompt response to nitrates. Spasms of the coronary arteries can be precipitated during the perioperative period by an imbalance of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor factors of smooth muscle cells, which can lead to myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and death. Nevertheless, this is a relatively unrecognized topic, and literature is scarce about it. We present a case report detailing the successful anesthetic management of a patient diagnosed with PA and a documented nitrate allergy, who underwent bilateral ureterorenoscopy.

Structural, functional and behavioral impact of allergic rhinitis on olfactory pathway and prefrontal cortex.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has been identified as a cause of olfactory dysfunction. Beyond the classic symptoms, AR has been associated with altered sleep patterns, a decline in cognitive performance and higher likelihood of depression and anxiety. The olfactory pathway has been postulated to be a possible link between nasal inflammation and central nervous system (CNS) modifications. Thus, we aimed to investigate the structural, functional and behavioral changes in the olfactory pathway and related areas in an animal model of AR. METHODS: AR was induced in adult Wistar rats by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. Following olfactory and behavioral tests we investigated the synaptic structure of the olfactory bulb (OB), anterior olfactory nuclei (AON), piriform cortex and prefrontal cortex (PFC), by immunofluorescence detection of synaptophysin (Syn) and glutamatergic, GABAergic and dopaminergic neuronal markers. RESULTS: We detected a significant decrease in Syn in the glomerular layer (GL) of OB and in the PFC of the AR group. Additionally, the optical density of GAD67 and VGLUT2 was reduced in the OB, AON and PFC, compared to controls. The behavioral tests demonstrated olfactory dysfunction and reduced male aggressiveness in AR rats, but we did not find any difference in the cognition and anxiety-like behavior. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed olfactory dysfunction in a rat model of AR and we identified modifications in synaptic activity by reduction of Syn optical density in the GL of the OB and in the PFC. This was accompanied by structural changes in glutamatergic and GABAergic activity in essential components of the olfactory pathway and PFC.

The impact of the social isolation in elderly Brazilian mental health (anxiety and depression) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of social isolation in the pandemic context on elderly Brazilian mental health is little known, especially about the occurrence of depressive symptoms. In this study, we evaluated elderly people undergoing social isolation in order to identify factors associated with depression and which of these are more important to characterize elderly Brazilians with depression. In a cross-sectional, exploratory, and analytical study of a quantitative nature, the mental profile of elderly individuals subjected to social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic period was used. A total of 450 participants was divided into normal and depressive groups, and a form covering sociodemographic data, opinions/perceptions about the pandemic, and a Reduced Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess participants' mental health. To assess the statistical significance between the variables, chi-square test was applied, considering the p-value <0.05. The effect size was analyzed to identify the magnitude of the difference between groups. To identify the most important characteristics to define the groups Multilayer Perceptron algorithm were applied. We found that elderly people with a depressive profile are (in Multilayer Perceptron rank order) (1) showing signs of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) of low education, (3) being divorced, (4) having more than one mental disorder, (5) reading, watching, or listening to information about COVID-19, and (6) being previously diagnosed with depression. In conclusion, elderly Brazilians in social isolation tend to develop depressive disorders during quarantine. Thus, we can consider that the pandemic requires effective and safe gerontological care and monitoring, especially with regard to mental health.

Impact of oral anticoagulation therapy on postoperative atrial fibrillation outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery. Recent studies had shown this phenomenon is no longer considered transitory and is associated with higher risk of thromboembolic events or death. The aim of this study was to systematically review and analyze previous studies comparing oral anticoagulation therapy with no anticoagulation, regarding these long-term outcomes. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Database were systematically searched to identify the studies comparing the risk of stroke, or thromboembolic events or mortality of POAF patients who received anticoagulation compared with those who were not anticoagulated. Incidence of stroke, thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality were evaluated up to 10 years after surgery. Time-to-event outcomes were collected through hazard ratio (HR) along with their variance and the early endpoints using frequencies or odds ratio (OR). Random effect models were used to compute statistical combined measures and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was evaluated through Q statistic-related measures of variance (Tau2, I2, Chi-squared test). RESULTS: Eight observational cohort studies were selected, including 15,335 patients (3492 on Oral Anticoagulants (OAC) vs 11,429 without OAC) that met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis. Patients had a wide gender distribution (38.6-82.3%), each study with a mean age above 65 years (67.5-85). Vitamin K antagonists were commonly prescribed anticoagulants (74.3-100%). OAC was associated with a protective impact on all-cause mortality at a mean of 5.0 years of follow-up (HR is 0.85 [0.72-1.01]; p = 0.07; I2 = 48%). Thromboembolic events did not differ between the two treatment arms (HR 0.68 [0.40-1.15], p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Current literature suggests a possibly protective impact of OAC therapy for all-cause mortality in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. However, it does not appear to impact thromboembolism rate.

A watershed impacted by anthropogenic activities: Microbial community alterations and reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes.

Water is the main resource for maintaining life. Anthropic activities influence the microbial epidemiological chain in watersheds, which can act as ways of disseminating microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial drugs, with impacts on human, animal, and environmental health. Here, we characterized aquatic microbial communities and their resistomes in samples collected along Rio das Ostras watershed during two seasons. Surface water samples were collected at eleven sites from the Jundiá, Iriry, and Rio das Ostras rivers in two seasons (dry and wet season). Microbial DNA was extracted, high-throughput sequenced and screened for antimicrobial resistance genetic (ARG) markers. The physicochemical characteristics and the microbiota data confirmed that Rio das Ostras watershed can be divided into three well defined portions: rural, urban, and marine. Rural areas were enriched by bacteria typically found in limnic environments and Patescibacteria phyla. The urban portion was characterized by sites with low pH and groups associated with iron oxidation. Some genera of clinical relevance were also identified, though in relatively low abundance. The marine site was enriched mainly by Cyanobacteria and bacteria that showed strong correlation with conductivity, salinity, and chloride. Twenty-six ARG markers were identified on the resistome, being found most frequently in the urban area, despite being present in rural sites. Among them were some related to classes of great clinical concern, such as genes coding for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (blaCTX-M and blaTEM), resistance to carbapenems (blaKPC) and to methicillin by Staphylococcus aureus (mecA). These results broaden our understanding of the microbial community of a watershed impacted by anthropogenic actions. The large number of ARGs detected along the Rio das Ostras watershed contrasts with the small number of microorganisms of clinical relevance observed, suggesting that antimicrobial resistance has arisen from non-clinical environments and microbes. Our results corroborate that freshwater acts as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes.

From Molecules to Behavior in Long-Term Inorganic Mercury Intoxication: Unraveling Proteomic Features in Cerebellar Neurodegeneration of Rats.

Mercury is a severe environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects, especially when exposed for long periods. Although there are several evidences regarding mercury toxicity, little is known about inorganic mercury (IHg) species and cerebellum, one of the main targets of mercury associated with the neurological symptomatology of mercurial poisoning. Besides that, the global proteomic profile assessment is a valuable tool to screen possible biomarkers and elucidate molecular targets of mercury neurotoxicity; however, the literature is still scarce. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term exposure to IHg in adult rats' cerebellum and explore the modulation of the cerebellar proteome associated with biochemical and functional outcomes, providing evidence, in a translational perspective, of new mercury toxicity targets and possible biomarkers. Fifty-four adult rats were exposed to 0.375 mg/kg of HgCl2 or distilled water for 45 days using intragastric gavage. Then, the motor functions were evaluated by rotarod and inclined plane. The cerebellum was collected to quantify mercury levels, to assess the antioxidant activity against peroxyl radicals (ACAPs), the lipid peroxidation (LPO), the proteomic profile, the cell death nature by cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and the Purkinje cells density. The IHg exposure increased mercury levels in the cerebellum, reducing ACAP and increasing LPO. The proteomic approach revealed a total 419 proteins with different statuses of regulation, associated with different biological processes, such as synaptic signaling, energy metabolism and nervous system development, e.g., all these molecular changes are associated with increased cytotoxicity and apoptosis, with a neurodegenerative pattern on Purkinje cells layer and poor motor coordination and balance. In conclusion, all these findings feature a neurodegenerative process triggered by IHg in the cerebellum that culminated into motor functions deficits, which are associated with several molecular features and may be related to the clinical outcomes of people exposed to the toxicant.

Letramento funcional em saúde: experiência dos estudantes e percepção dos usuários da atenção primária / Functional health literacy: experience of students and perception in users of primary care

Resumo: Introdução: A participação social na prática de ações promotoras da saúde é uma das diretrizes do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A partir disso, surge o letramento funcional em saúde (LFS) que se compreende como a capacidade do indivíduo de entender, interpretar e aplicar as informações escritas ou faladas sobre saúde. Nesse contexto, a extensão universitária torna-se uma estratégia que transmite informações sobre prevenção em saúde e permite o seu empoderamento pelos usuários. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo relatar a experiência de um projeto de extensão que possibilita a interação de acadêmicos e usuários da atenção primária, a fim de estimular o LFS e avaliar a percepção dos usuários sobre as ações desenvolvidas pelos discentes. Método: As intervenções do projeto priorizavam temas e doenças prevalentes na população local e/ou que estão no calendário nacional de conscientização do Ministério da Saúde. No final das intervenções, realizaram-se dinâmicas que simularam situações reais, e alguns usuários foram convidados a participar delas e, partir disso, estimular o LFS. Ademais, a avaliação da percepção dos usuários sobre a participação dos discentes foi realizada por meio de uma entrevista, na qual se utilizou uma pergunta norteadora, e, em seguida, aplicou-se o método de análise do conteúdo de Bardin. Resultado: No decorrer da execução do projeto, foi perceptível que as intervenções tiveram rendimento satisfatório em relação aos conteúdos trabalhados, pois ocorreram inúmeros questionamentos e relatos dos usuários. Constatou-se que as práticas educativas foram muito construtivas no contexto da estimulação do LFS, pois proporcionaram a participação ativa dos indivíduos. Além disso, os relatos positivos dos usuários corroborou a percepção dos alunos quanto às ações. Justificativas como a carência de ações em educação em saúde, a falta de informação sobre o processo saúde-doença, a importância da prevenção e a troca de conhecimento foram abordadas pelos usuários. Conclusão: Por meio dos relatos dos usuários e pela experiência dos autores, conclui-se que as ações em educação em saúde desenvolvidas sempre buscando tornar os usuários protagonistas da própria saúde possibilitam a troca de saberes entre acadêmicos e comunidade, promovendo a multiplicação de conhecimento acerca dos temas abordados no projeto.

Abstract: Introduction: Social participation in the practice of health-promoting actions is one of the guidelines of the Unified Health System (SUS). From this comes Functional Health Literacy (LFS), which is understood as the individual's ability to understand, interpret and apply written or spoken information about health. In this context, the university community outreach program comes to represent a strategy that transmits information about health prevention and allows user empowerment. Objective: To report the experience of a community outreach project that works by enabling interaction between academics and primary care users in order to stimulate LFS and assess the users' views on the actions developed by students. Method: The project's interventions prioritized themes and diseases prevalent in the local population and/or feature in the Ministry of Health's national awareness calendar. At the end of the interventions, role plays were performed to simulate real life situations, where some users were invited to participate and, hence, stimulate LFS. Furthermore, the users' views on the students' participation were assessed through an interview using a guiding question followed by the application of Bardin's method of content analysis. Result: During the project, the interventions produced noticeably satisfactory results in relation to the content, as the users presented several questions and accounts of experiences. It was noteworthy how constructive the educational practices were in the context of LFS stimulation, as they provided for the active participation of individuals. In addition, the users' positive reports corroborated the students' perception of the actions. Users addressed justifications such as lack of actions in health education, lack of information about the health-disease process, the importance of prevention and exchange of knowledge. Conclusion: Through the users' accounts and the authors' experience, the conclusion can be drawn that health education actions always developed to place the user as the protagonist of their own health enable an exchange of knowledge between academics and the community, promoting the multiplication of knowledge about the topics covered in the project.

Hippocampal Impairment Triggered by Long-Term Lead Exposure from Adolescence to Adulthood in Rats: Insights from Molecular to Functional Levels.

Lead (Pb) is an environmental and occupational neurotoxicant after long-term exposure. This study aimed to investigate the effects of systemic Pb exposure in rats from adolescence to adulthood, evaluating molecular, morphologic and functional aspects of hippocampus. For this, male Wistar rats were exposed to 50 mg/kg of Pb acetate or distilled water for 55 days by intragastric gavage. For the evaluation of short-term and long-term memories, object recognition and step-down inhibitory avoidance tests were performed. At the end of the behavioral tests, the animals were euthanized and the hippocampus dissected and processed to the evaluation of: Pb content levels in hippocampal parenchyma; Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant status; global proteomic profile and neuronal degeneration by anti-NeuN immunohistochemistry analysis. Our results show the increase of Pb levels in the hippocampus of adult rats exposed from adolescence, increased MDA and GSH levels, modulation of proteins related to neural structure and physiology and reduced density of neurons, hence a poor cognitive performance on short and long-term memories. Then, the long-term exposure to Pb in this period of life may impair several biologic organizational levels of the hippocampal structure associated with functional damages.

Adult Nasoethmoidal Encephalocele Corrected by Supraorbitary Approach: Case Report and Literature Review

Encephalocele is a protrusion of the central nervous system elements through a defect in the dura mater and in the cranium. The prevalence of encephalocele ranges from 0.08 to 0.5 per 1,000 births. The posterior encephaloceles are more common in North America and Europe, while frontal defect is frequently found in Asia. The present paper describes a 26-year-old male patient presenting with cerebrospinal fluid leak and meningitis symptoms. He was diagnosed with congenital nasoethmoidal encephalocele and treated surgically using a supraorbital approach without complications.

e-COVID Xingu: Mídias Sociais e Informação no Combate à Covid-19 em Altamira, Pará / e-COVID Xingu: Social Media and Information against Covid-19 in Altamira, Pará

Resumo: Introdução: A necessidade de levar informação visando combater a Covid-19 é ainda mais urgente nas regiões em desenvolvimento, uma vez que nesses locais há carência de recursos, supervisão governamental limitada, consideráveis índices de pobreza e dificuldade de acesso à informação. Com base na realidade da Transamazônica e do Xingu e na urgente necessidade da diminuição do número de casos da Covid-19 na região, a qual depende da adesão da população às medidas preventivas, surgiu o projeto de extensão "e-COVID Xingu: Mídias Sociais e Informação no Combate à COVID-19 em Altamira, Pará". Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever as experiências dos integrantes desse projeto durante a pandemia na região. Relato de Experiência: O projeto adotou como público-alvo a população do Xingu, em especial as comunidades indígenas e rurais. Publicações nas redes sociais levaram informações sobre medidas de prevenção, grupos de risco e isolamento social. Para alcançar as populações mais vulneráveis e que não possuem acesso à internet, uma parceria com a rádio local levou material informativo para a zona rural e comunidades indígenas afastadas. O projeto também lançou uma cartilha, em português e kayapó, com orientações de prevenção da Covid-19 para os indígenas do Médio Xingu. Discussão: Os informativos conseguiram bom alcance pelas redes sociais. Ademais, os meios de comunicação em massa, como o rádio, ainda se mostram eficazes na disseminação de informações. Com multiplataformas pode-se fazer educação em saúde inclusiva a diversos grupos sociais, seja pela internet, pelo rádio ou por materiais físicos. Conclusão: Utilizando múltiplas ferramentas de comunicação e respeitando o distanciamento social, a universidade, por meio de ação extensionista, pôde contribuir no combate à Covid-19, ao levar informações e conhecimento ao público, e atentar à necessidade de também incluir e informar populações histórica, social e economicamente vulneráveis, como indígenas e comunidade rurais do Xingu.

Abstract: Introduction: The need to provide information in the fight against COVID-19 is more urgent in developing regions, which suffer from insufficient resources, limited government supervision, high poverty rates and difficulty in accessing information. Considering the reality experienced by those living by the Transamazonian Highway and the Xingu River and the urgent need to reduce COVID-19 cases in the region, which depends on the population taking prevention measures, this community outreach project called "e-COVID Xingu: Social media and information against COVID-19 in Altamira, Pará" took shape. This article aims to describe the experiences of the project members in the initial months of the outreach project during the pandemic in the region. Experience Report: The project's audience target was the population of the Xingu region, especially indigenous communities and those living in rural areas. While posts on social media spread information about prevention, risk groups and social isolation, in order to reach the most vulnerable people, who lack an internet connection, a partnership with a local TV and radio broadcaster provided important information to these remote indigenous villages and rural communities. Moreover, an informative booklet with guidance on how to prevent infection by COVID-19 was released in both Portuguese and the Kayapo language to raise awareness and understanding among Xingu indigenous communities. Discussion: The posts on social media achieved a good reach in social media. Furthermore, mass media, like radio, remain efficient information disseminators. The use of multiple tools is one possible way to educate diverse social groups, including the use of the internet, the radio or printed materials. Conclusion: Using different communication platforms and respecting social distancing, the university, through this community outreach project, was able to contribute to the fight against COVID-19, spreading accurate and safe information and considering the need to include historically, socially and economically vulnerable population groups such as the indigenous and rural Xingu communities.

Adsorption of Vi Capsular Antigen of Salmonella Typhi in Chitosan-Poly (Methacrylic Acid) Nanoparticles.

The development of a nanoparticulate system for the carrier antigen is now an important tool in the vaccination process, since a smaller number of doses is necessary for effective immunization. Thus, in this work a nanoparticulate system using polymers of chitosan and poly (methacrylic acid) (CS-PMAA) to adsorb the Vi antigen of Salmonella Typhi was developed. CS-PMAA nanoparticles with different proportions of chitosan and poly (methacrylic acid) were obtained and reached sizes from 123.9 ± 2.48 to 234.9 ± 2.66 nm, and spherical shapes were seen in transmission microscopy. At pH 7.2, the nanoparticles had a cationic surface charge that contributed to the adsorption of the Vi antigen. Qualitative analyses of the isolated Vi antigen were performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicated the presence of all the characteristic bands of the capsular polysaccharide, and nuclear magnetic resonance, which showed signals for the five hydrogens and the N-acetyl and O-acetyl groups which are characteristic of the Vi antigen structure. In the adsorption kinetics study, the Vi capsular antigen, contained in a phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.2, experienced 55% adsorption on the 1-1% (CS-PMAA) nanoparticles. The adsorption kinetics results showed the ability of the nanoparticulate system to adsorb the Vi antigen.

Potential prebiotic activity of Tenebrio molitor insect flour using an optimized in vitro gut microbiota model.

The Tenebrio molitor insect flour (TMIF) is considered a nutritive food ingredient, but its impact at the gut microbiota level and its potential prebiotic activity still need be assessed. For such studies, an in vitro simulation model of gut microbiota was optimized. Pure cultures of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in monocultures and co-cultures (pairs and consortium) were used in this model to evaluate the effect of TMIF on the viability and metabolic activity of those bacteria. The optimization of the in vitro model of the gut microbiota was successful, and growth of the most important groups of bacteria in the gut microbiota was observed. So this model can be used to study the effects of other ingredients at that level. It also enabled pinpointing the prebiotic effects of the studied TMIF suggesting possible symbiotic interactions. In addition, the direct effect of the TMIF on bacterial cells, when in nutritive stress was also evaluated. In terms of TMIF effects on probiotic bacteria viability and growth, no negative effects were observed, and even an enhancement of growth and an increase of production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactate, in most of the cases, was observed. Also, this study showed that TMIF helps in maintaining the viability of bacteria during incubation time when these are under nutritional stress conditions. A potential prebiotic effect of TMIF is then predictable with this study, opening a path to new research on this subject.

Neurochemical dysfunction in motor cortex and hippocampus impairs the behavioral performance of rats chronically exposed to inorganic mercury.

Chronic exposure to mercury chloride (HgCl2) has been shown to promote oxidative stress and cell death in the central nervous system of adult rats displaying motor and cognitive impairments. However, there are no investigations about neurochemical function after this type of exposure in rodents that may be associated with those behavioral changes already reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze glutamatergic and GABAergic dysfunctions in the motor cortex and hippocampus of adult rats, in a model of chronic exposure to HgCl2 in. Twenty rats were exposed to a daily dose of 0.375 mg/kg for 45 days. After this period, they were submitted to motor and cognitive functions tests and euthanized to collect the motor cortex and hippocampus for measurement of mercury (Hg) levels in the parenchyma and neurochemical assays for analysis of glutamatergic and GABAergic functions. It was observed that chronic exposure to HgCl2 promoted increase in total Hg levels in these two brain areas, with changes in glutamatergic transport, but without changes in GABAergic transport. Functionally this model of exposure caused the decrease of the spontaneous motor locomotion and in the process of learning and memory. In this way, our results provide evidences that glutamatergic neurochemical dysfunction can be pointed out as a strong causal factor of motor and cognitive deficits observed in rats exposed to this HgCl2.

Prevalence of calcification of the head and neck soft tissue diagnosed with digital panoramic radiography in Northeast Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: The orthopantomography is a diagnostic tool with a relevant role in the precocious detection of pathologies and anomalies of the head and neck, such as calcifications of the soft tissues. The digital orthopantomography is the most used image diagnostic tool in dentistry. It is a low cost easily taken radiography that allows the visualization of the mandible, maxillae, and other craniofacial structures without exposing the patient to high doses of radiation. Given the exposed, the aim of this study has a great relevance since it aims to evaluate the prevalence of atheroma plaques and tonsilloliths with digital panoramic radiography in Northeast Brazilian population. METHODS: A total of 500 digital orthopantomography were evaluated, but only 365 were eligible to be included in this study. The soft tissue calcification was classified in tonsilolith and atherosclerosis. Sex and age were correlated with calcification using Fisher´s test. Following an interexaminer analysis was perfomed using the kappa test. RESULTS: Calcifications were diagnosed in 6 radiographics, being 3 tonsiloliths and 3 Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis was found only in patients over 40 years old. This finding was statistically significant P≤0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Although, the prevalence of calcifications in soft tissues is low, the detection of these pathologies through the digital panoramic radiography becomes relevant once vascular diseases could be diagnosed at early stages, enabling thus an adequate management of the underlying clinical condition.

Low doses of methylmercury exposure during adulthood in rats display oxidative stress, neurodegeneration in the motor cortex and lead to impairment of motor skills.

Despite the vast distribution among tissues, the central nervous system (CNS) represents the main target of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of MeHg exposure on the CNS at equivalent doses to human environmental exposure. In our study, we evaluated the motor cortex, an important area of motor control, in adult rats chronically exposed to MeHg in a concentration equivalent to those found in fish-eating populations exposed to mercury (Hg). The parameters evaluated were total Hg accumulation, oxidative stress, tissue damage, and behavioral assessment in functional actions that involved this cortical region. Our results show in exposed animals a significantly greater level of Hg in the motor cortex; increase of nitrite levels and lipid peroxidation, associated with decreased antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals; reduction of neuronal and astrocyte density; and poor coordination and motor learning impairment. Our data showed that chronic exposure at low doses to MeHg is capable of promoting damages to the motor cortex of adult animals, with changes in oxidative biochemistry misbalance, neurodegeneration, and motor function impairment.

Exposure to Inorganic Mercury Causes Oxidative Stress, Cell Death, and Functional Deficits in the Motor Cortex.

Mercury is a toxic metal that can be found in the environment in three different forms - elemental, organic and inorganic. Inorganic mercury has a lower liposolubility, which results in a lower organism absorption and reduced passage through the blood-brain barrier. For this reason, exposure models that use inorganic mercury in rats in order to evaluate its effects on the central nervous system are rare, especially in adult subjects. This study investigated if a chronic exposure to low doses of mercury chloride (HgCl2), an inorganic form of mercury, is capable of promoting motor alterations and neurodegenerative in the motor cortex of adult rats. Forty animals were exposed to a dose of 0.375 mg/kg/day, for 45 days. They were then submitted to motor evaluation and euthanized to collect the motor cortex. Measurement of mercury deposited in the brain parenchyma, evaluation of oxidative balance, quantification of cellular cytotoxicity and apoptosis and density of mature neurons and astrocytes of the motor cortex were performed. It was observed that chronic exposure to inorganic mercury caused a decrease in balance and fine motor coordination, formation of mercury deposits and oxidative stress verified by the increase of lipoperoxidation and nitrite concentration and a decrease of the total antioxidant capacity. In addition, we found that this model of exposure to inorganic mercury caused cell death by cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis with a decreased number of neurons and astrocytes in the motor cortex. Our results provide evidence that exposure to inorganic mercury in low doses, even in spite of its poor ability to cross biological barriers, is still capable of inducing motor deficits, cell death by cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and oxidative stress in the motor cortex of adult rats.

Heavy Chronic Ethanol Exposure From Adolescence to Adulthood Induces Cerebellar Neuronal Loss and Motor Function Damage in Female Rats.

Over the last years, heavy ethanol consumption by teenagers/younger adults has increased considerably among females. However, few studies have addressed the long-term impact on brain structures' morphology and function of chronic exposure to high ethanol doses from adolescence to adulthood in females. In line with this idea, in the current study we investigated whether heavy chronic ethanol exposure during adolescence to adulthood may induce motor impairments and morphological and cellular alterations in the cerebellum of female rats. Adolescent female Wistar rats (35 days old) were treated with distilled water or ethanol (6.5 g/kg/day, 22.5% w/v) during 55 days by gavage. At 90 days of age, motor function of animals was assessed using open field (OF), pole, beam walking and rotarod tests. Following completion of behavioral tests, morphological and immunohistochemical analyses of the cerebellum were performed. Chronic ethanol exposure impaired significantly motor performance of female rats, inducing spontaneous locomotor activity deficits, bradykinesia, incoordination and motor learning disruption. Moreover, histological analysis revealed that ethanol exposure induced atrophy and neuronal loss in the cerebellum. These findings indicate that heavy ethanol exposure during adolescence is associated with long-lasting cerebellar degeneration and motor impairments in female rats.

Hippocampal Dysfunction Provoked by Mercury Chloride Exposure: Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment, Oxidative Stress, Tissue Injury and Nature of Cell Death.

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic metal, which can be found in its inorganic form in the environment. This form presents lower liposolubility and lower absorption in the body. In order to elucidate the possible toxicity of inorganic Hg in the hippocampus, we investigated the potential of low doses of mercury chloride (HgCl2) to promote hippocampal dysfunction by employing a chronic exposure model. For this, 56 rats were exposed to HgCl2 (0.375 mg/kg/day) via the oral route for 45 days. After the exposure period, the animals were submitted to the cognitive test of fear memory. The hippocampus was collected for the measurement of total Hg levels, analysis of oxidative stress, and evaluation of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and tissue injury. It was observed that chronic exposure to inorganic Hg promotes an increase in mercury levels in this region and damage to short- and long-term memory. Furthermore, we found that this exposure model provoked oxidative stress, which led to cytotoxicity and cell death by apoptosis, affecting astrocytes and neurons in the hippocampus. Our study demonstrated that inorganic Hg, even with its low liposolubility, is able to produce deleterious effects in the central nervous system, resulting in cognitive impairment and hippocampal damage when administered for a long time at low doses in rats.

Imagem corporal e fatores associados em meninas de escolas militares / Body image and associated factors in girls of military schools / Imagen corporal y factores asociados en las niñas de escuelas militares

Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal (IC) em adolescentes do sexo feminino e sua associação com faixa etária, estado nutricional e prática de atividade física. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado com 393 adolescentes do sexo feminino (entre 14 e 18 anos) das escolas militares da cidade de Fortaleza, Ceará, no período de agosto a novembro de 2015. Utilizou-se a escala de silhuetas de Stunkard para a avaliação da IC. O estado nutricional foi avaliado segundo o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) (IMC= peso/estatura²) e a prática de atividade física (sim ou não) foi autorrelatada. Inicialmente, recorreu-se à análise descritiva em valores absolutos (n) e relativos (%), em seguida empregou-se o teste do Qui-quadrado, adotando-se p≤0,05. Resultados: A maioria tinha entre 16-17 anos de idade (52,7%, n=207), praticava atividade física (62,6%, n=246), apresentava peso adequado (63,4%, n=249) e estava insatisfeita com a IC (65,4%, n=257). A faixa etária e a prática de atividade física estavam associadas à IC (p=0,04 e p=0,02 respectivamente). Não se constatou associação do estado nutricional com a IC nessa amostra. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam uma elevada prevalência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal, independente da faixa etária e da prática de atividade física.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of body image (BI) dissatisfaction in female adolescents and its association with age range, nutritional status and physical activity practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 393 female adolescents (aged 14-18 years) studying in military schools of the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, in the period from August to November 2015. The figure rating scale by Stunkard was used for BI assessment. The nutritional status was evaluated according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) (BMI = weight/height2) and the practice of physical activity (yes or no) was self-reported. Descriptive analysis was initially conducted, in absolute (n) and relative (%) values, followed by the chi-square test, adopting p≤0.05. Results: A majority of the adolescents were 16-17 years old (52.7%, n=207), practiced physical activity (62.6%, n=246), adequate weight (63.4%, n=249) and were dissatisfied with their BI (65.4%, n=257). Age range and physical activity were associated with BI (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively). There was no association between nutritional status and BI in this sample. Conclusion: The results indicate a high prevalence of body image dissatisfaction, regardless of age group and physical activity practice.

Objetivo: Investigar la prevalencia de insatisfacción de adolescentes del sexo femenino con el imagen corporal (IC) y su asociación con la franja de edad, el estado nutricional y la práctica de actividad física. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado con 393 adolescentes del sexo femenino (entre los 14 y 18 años) de las escuelas militares de la ciudad de Fortaleza, Ceará, en el período entre agosto y noviembre de 2015. Se utilizó la escala de siluetas de Stunkard para la evaluación del IC. El estado nutricional fue evaluado a través del Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) (IMC= peso/altura²) y la práctica de actividad física (sí o no) fue auto relatada. A principio se realizó un análisis descriptivo en valores absolutos (n) y relativos (%) y en seguida se utilizó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado con el p≤0,05. Resultados: La mayoría tenía entre los 16-17 años de edad (52,7%, n=207), practicaba actividad física (62,6%, n=246), tenía el peso adecuado (63,4%, n=249) y estaba insatisfecha con el IC (65,4%, n=257). La franja de edad y la práctica de actividad física se asociaron al IC (p=0,04 e p=0,02 respectivamente). No se ha constatado asociación entre el estado nutricional y la IC de la muestra. Conclusión: Los resultados indican una elevada prevalencia de insatisfacción con la imagen corporal independiente de la franja de edad y de la práctica de actividad física.