Injury Risk Estimation in Mandible-Related Surgical Procedures: A CBCT Study Based on Vital Interforaminal Anatomical Structures.

The mandibular interforaminal region has been considered safe for surgical procedures; nevertheless, the risk of injury to neurovascular structures, such as the mental foramen (MF) and its related structures (anterior loop [AL] and lingual foramina [LF]) should not be overlooked. The study aimed to evaluate the relative risk of injury to these structures during surgical procedures in the anterior region of the mandible based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. A retrospective cross-sectional and observational study was performed on 250 CBCTs from adults (18-69 years) with dentate jaws. Linear measurements of the MF, AL, and LF were evaluated to estimate the risk of injury to these structures during chin-related surgical procedures. The most frequent distance between the base of the mandible (BM) and MF was 8 mm (30.2%). In addition, 20.4% of the CTs had 6 mm from the vestibular cortical bone to the LF. The commonly found measurement from LF to the apex of the nearest tooth was 7 mm (24.0%); 64.2% of the CTs showed a 2-mm distance between the most distal point of the dental implant site to the most anterior point of the AL. Safety distances for genioplasty techniques (MF to mandible base > 6 mm, 96.6% [CI 95%, 95.0%-98.2%]) were observed. Considering the 5-mm cut-off point between the lower limit of a hypothetical bone graft and the chin, 65.4% (CI 95%, 58.9%-71.9%) of CTs were within this distance. Regarding the safety margin of 8 mm, 85.6% (CI 95%, 80.8%-90.4%) were up to this value. This study found safety margins for genioplasty and chin bone grafting surgical techniques that adopt a 5-mm cut-off point. Further similar studies assessing other surgical methods and employing larger samples from different geographical origins may contribute to this field of investigation.

Analysis of signs and symptoms in confirmed cases of severe dengue among children aged 0 to 10 years old.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalent symptoms of severe dengue in pediatric patients are divided into three subgroups: severe plasma leakage, severe bleeding, and severe organ damage. In addition, the seasonal patterns of the disease and the outcomes of cure or death from dengue were evaluated. METHODS: An epidemiological, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the Notifiable Disease Information System (SINAN - Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação and DATASUS - Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde) of the Ministry of Health from 2019 to 2020. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,857 cases of severe dengue were observed in the pediatric age group, with the most common symptoms being respiratory failure, melena, hematemesis, and altered level of consciousness. The total proportion of patients hospitalized for severe dengue was 89.6%, and 51.2% of these patients died, corroborating the importance of early detection of the disease. CONCLUSION: Severe dengue is more prevalent during the seasonal period, with hot and humid characteristics owing to the mechanism involved in the viral cycle. The most prevalent symptoms of severe dengue in pediatric patients were respiratory failure alone, gastrointestinal bleeding, and altered level of consciousness. It is important to identify signs of severity for early intervention and a better prognosis, considering that death is closely related to a delayed diagnosis.

Interaction between residual feed intake and thermal environment on performance, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior and carcass yield of dorper lambs.

Residual feed intake (RFI) is a nutritional variable used in genetic improvement programs, the relationship between the environment and the availability of energy and protein in the diet has not yet been explored. Thus, the aim was to evaluate interactions between RFI and thermal environment on performance, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior and carcass yield of Dorper lambs receiving diets containing different concentrate levels. Dorper lambs (male, n = 64, 17.83 ± 2.43 kg and 110 ± 10 days of age) were confined individually for 40 days for RFI classification. Lambs were separated into positive RFI (n = 30) and negative RFI (n = 30) and remained confined for another 60 days. The animals were distributed in a randomized block design, with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with 2 confinement environments (full sun or shade), 2 groups of feed efficiency (RFI positive or RFI negative) and three diets containing different concentrate levels (30, 45 and 60%), with 5 replications in each treatment. Isolated effects of concentrate level were observed for dry matter intake and digestibility, feeding, rumination, idle and chewing times, feeding efficiency, ingested, excreted and absorbed nitrogen, and on cooling losses, hot and cold carcass yield (P < 0.05). There was an effect of environment × concentrate interaction on performance, retained nitrogen and nitrogen balance (P < 0.05). There was an effect of RFI × environment interaction on the dry matter rumination efficiency, hot and cold carcass weight (P < 0.05). Under experimental conditions, RFI did not influence the productive performance of Dorper lambs. Interactions between environment and diet indicate better performance for Dorper lamb confined in the shade and receiving a higher proportion of concentrate. Animals with negative RFI show better performance and carcass weight when confined in shade, while animals with positive RFI showed better responses to these variables when confined in full sun.

Anthropometric measures and obstructive sleep apnea in children and adolescents: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anthropometric measurements can be used to identify children at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The study aimed to assess which anthropometric measurements (AMs) are most associated with an increased predisposition to develop OSA in healthy children and adolescents. METHODS: We performed a systematic review (PROSPERO #CRD42022310572) that searched eight databases and gray literature. RESULTS: In eight studies with low-to-high risk of bias, investigators reported the following AMs: body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, neck-to-waist ratio, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and facial AMs. The meta-analysis showed that the OSA group had an average of 1.00 cm greater for the neck circumference (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 2.26 [0.72, 5.23]), 3.07 cm greater for the waist circumference (p = 0.030; Cohen's d = 0.28 [0.02, 0.53]), 3.96 cm greater for the hip circumference (p = 0.040; Cohen's d = 0.28 [0.02, 0.55]), 5.21° greater for the cervicomental angle (p = 0.020; Cohen's d = 0.31 [0.03, 0.59]), and 1.23° greater for maxillary-mandibular relationship angle (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.47 [0.22, 0.72]) than the control group. The mandibular depth angle had a reduction of 1.86° (p = 0.001; Cohen's d = -0.36° [-0.65, -0.08]) in control than in patients with OSA. The BMI (p = 0.180), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.280), neck-to-waist ratio (p = 0.070), maxillary depth angle (p = 0.250), and upper/lower face height ratio (p = 0.070) showed no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the control group, the OSA group exhibited a greater mean difference in neck circumference, the only anthropometric measurement with high certainty of evidence.

Insucesso de indução por misoprostol em gestantes: revisão integrativa / Fracaso de la inducción por misoprostol en mujeres embarazadas: revisión integradora / Unsuccessful misoprostol induction in pregnant women: an integrative review

Resumo Objetivo Analisar as evidências disponíveis na literatura acerca do insucesso da indução do trabalho de parto com misoprostol em gestações a termo. Métodos Revisão integrativa, realizada entre janeiro e novembro de 2022, cuja pergunta de pesquisa e descritores foram delineados por meio da estratégia PECO. As buscas foram realizadas nas bases de dados MEDLINE; Web of Science; CINAHL; EMBASE e Scopus por duas pesquisadoras de forma independente, assim como a avaliação. Para a fase de seleção e identificação dos estudos foi utilizado o Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A avaliação do risco de viés dos artigos incluídos foi realizada através do questionário Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Resultados Foram identificados 3.674 artigos, 84 foram lidos na íntegra, dos quais 11 compuseram a revisão (n=9.010 gestantes), com publicação entre os anos de 2005 a 2021, sendo a maioria nos Estados Unidos. Quanto ao nível de evidência, todos os artigos foram classificados como 2b, avaliada coforme o delineamento de cada investigação. O estudo apontou evidências quanto aos seguintes fatores: IMC elevado (maior igual a 30kg/m2), nuliparidade, bishop imaturo, comprimento cervical (maior igual a 30mm), estatura, etnia (não caucasianas do sul da Europa) e peso fetal (maior igual a 4kg). Conclusão Alcançou-se o objetivo do estudo tendo sido demonstrado seis fatores maternos e um fetal que podem levar ao insucesso da indução. Vale ressaltar a necessidade de evidências que incorporem a individualidade de cada característica e destaca-se a contribuição desse estudo para embasar a escolha da melhor conduta para cada gestação de forma individualizada.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar las evidencias disponibles en la literatura acerca del fracaso de la inducción del trabajo de parto con misoprostol en gestaciones a término. Métodos Revisión integradora, realizada entre enero y noviembre de 2022, cuya pregunta de investigación y descriptores fueron definidos mediante la estrategia PECO. Las búsquedas fueron realizadas en las bases de datos MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE y Scopus por dos investigadoras de forma independiente, al igual que la evaluación. Para la fase de selección e identificación de los estudios se utilizó el Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). La evaluación del riesgo de sesgo de los artículos incluidos se realizó a través del cuestionario Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Resultados Se identificaron 3.674 artículos, 84 se leyeron en su totalidad, de los cuales 11 conformaron la revisión (n=9.010 mujeres embarazadas), publicados entre los años 2005 y 2021, la mayoría en Estados Unidos. Respecto al nivel de evidencia, todos los artículos fueron clasificados como 2b, evaluada de acuerdo con el diseño de cada investigación. El estudio indicó evidencias respecto a los siguientes factores: IMC elevado (mayor igual a 30 kg/m2), nuliparidad, bishop bajo, longitud cervical (mayor o igual a 30 mm), estatura, etnia (no caucasoide del sur de Europa) y peso fetal (mayor igual a 4 kg). Conclusión Se alcanzó el objetivo del estudio y se demostraron seis factores maternos y uno fetal que pueden llevar al fracaso de la inducción. Cabe resaltar la necesidad de evidencias que incorporen la individualidad de cada característica y se destaca la contribución de este estudio para fundamentar la elección de la mejor conducta en cada gestación de forma individualizada.

Abstract Objective To analyze the evidence available in literature regarding unsuccessful labor induction with misoprostol in full-term pregnancies. Methods This is an integrative review, carried out between January and November 2022, whose research question and descriptors were outlined using the PECO strategy. The searches were carried out in the MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE and Scopus databases by two researchers independently as well as assessment. For the study selection and identification phase, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used. The risk of bias assessment of included articles was carried out using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results A total of 3,674 articles were identified, and 84 were read in full, of which 11 comprised the review (n=9,010 pregnant women), published between 2005 and 2021, with the majority in the United States. Regarding the level of evidence, all articles were classified as 2b, assessed according to the design of each study. The study showed evidence regarding the following factors: High BMI (greater than 30 kg/m2), nulliparity, immature bishop, cervical length (greater than 30 mm), height, ethnicity (non-Caucasians from southern Europe) and fetal weight (greater equal to 4 kg). Conclusion The objective study was achieved, having demonstrated six maternal factors and one fetal factor that can lead to unsuccessful induction. It is worth highlighting the need for evidence that incorporates the individuality of each characteristic and the contribution of this study to support the choice of the best conduct for each pregnancy on an individual basis stands out.

Clinicopathologic analysis of oral dermoid and epidermoid cysts: a Brazilian multicenter study.

Dermoid cysts (DCs) and epidermoid cysts (ECs) are uncommon developmental cysts affecting the oral cavity. This study aims to evaluate patients with oral DCs and ECs and their demographic and clinicopathologic features. A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 105,077 biopsy records of oral and maxillofacial lesions from seven Brazilian oral pathology centers were analyzed. All cases diagnosed as oral DCs and ECs were reviewed, and clinical, demographic, and histopathological data were collected. The series comprised 32 DCs (31.4%) and 70 ECs (68.6%). Most of the DCs occurred on the floor of the mouth (n = 14; 45.2%) of women (n = 17; 53.1%) with a mean age of 34.6 ± 21.6 years. All DCs were lined partially or entirely by stratified squamous epithelium (100%). Chronic inflammatory cells, melanin pigmentation, multinucleated giant cell reaction, and cholesterol clefts were observed in the fibrous capsule . Most of the ECs affected the labial mucosa (n = 20; 31.7%) of men (n = 39; 56.5%) with a mean age of 48.0±19.8 years. Microscopically, most ECs (n = 68; 97.1%) were lined entirely by stratified squamous epithelium. Two cysts (2.9%) showed areas of respiratory metaplasia. Chronic inflammatory cells, melanin pigmentation, multinucleated giant cell reaction, and cholesterol clefts were also observed in the fibrous capsule. Conservative surgical excision was the treatment of choice in all cases. Oral DCs and ECs are uncommon and often clinically misdiagnosed lesions. Clinicians should consider DCs and ECs in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue lesions in the oral cavity, mainly located on the floor of the mouth and labial mucosa.

Study of the Oxidative and Microbiological Stability of Nitrite-Reduced, Vacuum-Packed, Refrigerated Lamb Sausages Supplemented with Red Propolis Extract.

Vacuum-packed lamb sausages with or without red propolis extract and a reduced sodium nitrite content were evaluated for oxidative and microbiological stability during storage for 21 days at 2 °C. The following treatments were evaluated: EN150 (control, base formulation (BF) + 500 mg/kg sodium erythorbate and 150 mg/kg sodium nitrite); EN75 (BF + 500 mg/kg sodium erythorbate and 75 mg/kg sodium nitrite); P1N75 (without the addition of erythorbate, BF + 1800 mg/kg propolis extract and 75 mg/kg sodium nitrite); and P2N75 (without the addition of erythorbate, BF + 3600 mg/kg propolis extract and 75 mg/kg sodium nitrite). Analyses were conducted to characterize the samples on day 0 with respect to the proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) and sensory acceptance. Stability during refrigerated storage was evaluated on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 for the parameters pH, color profile (L*, a*, and b*), TBARs index (oxidative stability) and microbiological count of aerobic psychrotrophic microorganisms. Texture profile, cooking weight loss (WLC), peroxide index and free fatty acids were evaluated on days 0 and 21. The treatments with propolis and reduced nitrite (EN150 and P1N75) showed a red color intensity (a*) similar to the treatment with erythorbate and the same nitrite content (EN75) at the end of storage, maintaining the characteristic reddish color of the sausages. The extract slowed down lipid oxidation during storage, especially P2N75, which showed the lowest level of TBARS (0.39 mg MDA/kg) and the peroxide index (2.13 mEq g O2) on day 21. The residual nitrite value in EN75 was the lowest (p < 0.05) on day 21, showing that synthetic antioxidants are more efficient than the extract in nitrite reduction reactions. The results for the counts of psychrotrophic microorganisms showed that the extract did not have the expected antimicrobial effect on the growth of this microorganisms, and leveling the results revealed no differences (p < 0.05) between the treatments. Despite the red propolis extract not showing a significant antimicrobial improvement in lamb sausages, it can be considered a healthy option with good prospects for replacing synthetic antioxidants with a natural product.

Intramuscular Hemangioma: A Rare Cause of Omalgia.

Intramuscular hemangiomas (IHs) are benign soft-tissue tumors that represent less than 1% of all hemangiomas. This clinical entity is rarely considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of musculoskeletal pain. A healthy 38-year-old woman presented to our office with complaint of left omalgia, with 8 months of evolution, limiting her daily activities. She reported the appearance of tumefaction in the previous 4 months. She was medicated with analgesic and antiinflammatory drugs with no clinical improvement. The objective examination showed limitation of left shoulder abduction (0-90°). The patient underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in which a well-circumscribed nodular formation was detected in the deltoid muscle. Then, she underwent a biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis of hemangioma. The patient was referred for sclerotherapy. Intramuscular hemangiomas are usually observed in young patients. The gold-standard examination for diagnosis is MRI, which often forestalls the need for a biopsy. In many cases, IHs are asymptomatic and tend to involute over time. Despite the low frequency of this clinical entity, it is important to place it as a diagnostic hypothesis in cases of chronic pain of the limbs in young patients with poor therapeutic response to antiinflammatory drugs and analgesia.

Tendência da mortalidade por Paracoccidioidomicose no Brasil ­ 1996 a 2020 / Mortality trends due to Paracoccidioidomycosis in Brazil ­ 1996 to 2020

Objetivo: Analisar a tendência da mortalidade por paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) e caracterizar o perfil sociodemográfico no Brasil e suas regiões geográficas numa série temporal de 25 anos. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo ecológico de séries temporais. Considerou-se como participantes do estudo a população brasileira dividida em faixas etárias, que tiveram como causa básica do óbito a PCM. Para calcular a variação percentual anual (VPA) dos coeficientes, na análise de tendência, foi utilizada a regressão de Prais-Winsten. Os coeficientes de mortalidade foram calculados a nível nacional, segundo as regiões geográficas, sexo e faixa etária e proporcional para as demais variáveis. Resultados: De acordo com os resultados deste estudo, ocorreram 2.101 óbitos por PCM no Brasil. A tendência ao longo dos 25 anos evidenciou um comportamento estável nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. Já no Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste houve uma tendêndia de queda. A mortalidade média no Brasil foi de 84,04/100 mil hab., VPA -3,29 (IC 95% -2,43; -4,14). Levando em consideração a análise dos aspectos sociodemográficos, houve um predomínio de escolaridade ignorada (764; 36%), raça/ cor da pele branca (1.109; 53%), estado civil misto: casado (942; 45%) e solteiro (640; 30%), local de ocorrência do óbito predominantemente no âmbito hospitalar (1.852; 88%). Conclusão: Tanto no Brasil como nas regiões geográficas Sudeste, Sul e Centro-Oeste a mortalidade por PCM apresentou-se com tendência temporal decrescente. Já nas regiões Nordeste e Norte a tendência foi estacionária. O perfil sociodemográfico dos pacientes que foram a óbito apontou para sexo masculino, adultos, de baixa escolaridade, brancos e casados.

Objective: To analyze the trend in mortality from paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) and characterize the sociodemographic profile in Brazil and its geographic regions in a 25-year time series. Methods: This is an ecological time series study. The study participants were the Brazilian population divided into age groups whose underlying cause of death was PCM. To calculate the annual percentage change (VPA) of the coefficients in the trend analysis, the Prais-Winsten regression was used. National mortality coefficients were calculated according to geographic regions, sex and age group and proportional to the other variables. Results: According to this study, there were 2,101 deaths from PCM in Brazil. The trend over the 25 years showed stable behavior in the North and Northeast regions. In the South, Southeast, and Midwest, there was a downward trend. The average mortality in Brazil was 84.04/100,000 inhab., VPA -3.29 (95% CI -2.43; -4.14). According to the analysis of sociodemographic aspects, there was a predominance of ignored schooling (764 deaths; 36%), white race/skin color (1,109; 53%), mixed marital status: married (942; 45%) and single (640; 30%), and place of death predominantly in the hospital environment (1,852; 88%). Conclusion: In Brazil and in the Southeast, South, andMidwest geographic regions, mortality from PCM showed a decreasing temporal trend. In the Northeast and North regions, the trend was stationary. The sociodemographic profile of the dying patients indicated males, adults, with low education, white, and married.

Controversies in immunotherapy for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a scoping review with a proposal of operational definitions.

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE), an autoimmune encephalitis associated with autoantibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, affects predominantly young women and is associated with psychiatric symptoms, seizures, movement disorders, and autonomic instability. Traditional treatments of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis involve corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab. However, many controversies remain in the treatment for NMDA receptor encephalitis, such as optimal timing and combination of different immunotherapies, the role of newer strategies (e.g., bortezomib or tocilizumab) for severe and refractory patients, and the need or not for long-term immunosuppression. Our goal was to perform a scoping review to discuss the controversial topics of immunotherapy for NMDA receptor encephalitis and propose operational definitions to guide clinical practice and future research in the field.

Intramuscular Hemangioma: A Rare Cause of Omalgia / Hemangioma intramuscular: Uma causa rara de Omalgia

Abstract Intramuscular hemangiomas (IHs) are benign soft-tissue tumors that represent less than 1% of all hemangiomas. This clinical entity is rarely considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of musculoskeletal pain. A healthy 38-year-old woman presented to our office with complaint of left omalgia, with 8 months of evolution, limiting her daily activities. She reported the appearance of tumefaction in the previous 4 months. She was medicated with analgesic and antiinflammatory drugs with no clinical improvement. The objective examination showed limitation of left shoulder abduction (0-90°). The patient underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in which a well-circumscribed nodular formation was detected in the deltoid muscle. Then, she underwent a biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis of hemangioma. The patient was referred for sclerotherapy. Intramuscular hemangiomas are usually observed in young patients. The gold-standard examination for diagnosis is MRI, which often forestalls the need for a biopsy. In many cases, IHs are asymptomatic and tend to involute over time. Despite the low frequency of this clinical entity, it is important to place it as a diagnostic hypothesis in cases of chronic pain of the limbs in young patients with poor therapeutic response to antiinflammatory drugs and analgesia.

Resumo Os hemangiomas intramusculares (HIs) são tumores benignos de tecidos moles que representam menos de 1% de todos os hemangiomas. Esta entidade clínica raramente é considerada como diagnóstico diferencial nos casos de dor musculoesquelética. Uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 38 anos de idade, saudável, se apresentou ao nosso consultório com queixa de omalgia esquerda, com 8 meses de evolução, que limitava suas atividades diárias. Ela relatou o aparecimento de tumefação 4 meses antes da consulta. A paciente estava medicada com analgésico e antiinflamatório sem melhoria clínica. Ao exame objetivo, ela apresentava limitação da abdução do ombro esquerdo (0-90°). A paciente foi submetida a uma ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) na qual foi detectada uma formação nodular bem circunscrita no músculo deltoide,. Em seguida, foi realizada uma biópsia que confirmou o diagnóstico de hemangioma. A paciente foi então encaminhada para a realização de escleroterapia. Os HIs normalmente são observados em pacientes jovens. O exame padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico é a RNM, que muitas vezes torna a realização de biópsia desnecessária. Em muitos casos, os HIs são assintomáticos e tendem a involuir com o tempo. Apesar da baixa frequência desta entidade clínica, é importante colocá-la como hipótese de diagnóstico em casos de dor crônica dos membros em pacientes jovens com má resposta terapêutica a antiinflamatórios e analgesia.

Top-Down Effect of Arthropod Predator Chinese Mitten Crab on Freshwater Nutrient Cycling.

Aquatic litter decomposition is highly dependent on contributions and interactions at different trophic levels. The invasion of alien aquatic organisms like the channeled apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) might lead to changes in the decomposition process through new species interactions in the invaded wetland. However, it is not clear how aquatic macroinvertebrate predators like the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) will affect the nutrient cycle in freshwater ecosystems in the face of new benthic invasion. We used the litter bag method to explore the top-down effect of crabs on the freshwater nutrient cycle with the help of soil zymography (a technology previously used in terrestrial ecosystems). The results showed significant feeding effects of crabs and snails on lotus leaf litter and cotton strips. Crabs significantly inhibited the intake of lotus litter and cotton strips and the ability to transform the environment of snails by predation. Crabs promoted the decomposition of various litter substrates by affecting the microbial community structure in the sediment. These results suggest that arthropod predators increase the complexity of detrital food webs through direct and indirect interactions, and consequently have an important impact on the material cycle and stability of freshwater ecosystems. This top-down effect makes macrobenthos play a key role in the biological control and engineering construction of freshwater ecosystems.

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Surgical Techniques and Results-Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to correct the typical changes that occur with aging to the periorbital area. The outcomes of this surgery are aesthetic, as well as functional. Many studies have described an impact on the cornea, intraocular pressure, dry eye syndrome, and visual quality. The aim of this systematic review is to compare the different surgical techniques and their outcomes. METHODS: The authors performed a literature review through online databases PubMed, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, and CENTRAL libraries. Information was collected about the surgery techniques and the functional and aesthetic outcomes as well as complications of the interventions. Six types of upper blepharoplasty surgery were studied. Data were analyzed using Cochrane RevMan. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included in our systematic review and nine in our meta-analysis. We presented results about intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, flattest keratometry, steepest keratometry, corneal astigmatism, visual acuity, Schirmer test 1 and 2, tear film break-up time and the ocular surface disease index questionnaire, according to type of surgery. Our meta-analysis showed no significant results. CONCLUSIONS: No significant results were found; however, many studies reported an impact of upper blepharoplasty surgery in the outcomes studied. Only a small number of complications were reported, and patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors https://www.springer.com/00266 .

COMBINSI (COMBat to INSufficient Insulin therapy) - A Portuguese project in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate glycemic control in type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of diabetes-related complications. Insulin initiation is often delayed for several years. This study aims to estimate the adequacy of insulin therapy prescription to people living with T2D in a primary care setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on adults with T2D in a Portuguese local health unit between January 2019 and January 2020. Subjects under insulin therapy were compared with non-insulin-treated subjects with Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥9% regarding clinical and demographic characteristics. The proportion of insulin-treated subjects in both of these groups was defined as insulin therapy index. RESULTS: Our study included 13,869 adults living with T2D, among whom 11.5% were treated with insulin therapy and 4.1% had HbA1c ≥ 9% and were not under insulin therapy. Insulin therapy index was 73.9%. When comparing with non-insulin-treated subjects with HbA1c ≥ 9%, insulin-treated subjects were significantly older (75.8 vs 66.2 years p < 0.001), had lower HbA1c (8.3 vs 10.3% p < 0.001), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (66.4 vs 74.0 ml/min/1.73 m2p < 0.001), lower LDL-cholesterol (87.1 vs 105.8 mg/dl), and higher rates of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (32.7 vs 16.7% p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Insulin therapy is underprescribed in T2D, with over 1-in-4 people living with T2D not being prescribed insulin despite deficient glycemic control. These findings highlight the need for insulin therapy when glycemic control is inadequate under other interventions.

Supplementation of feedlot lambs with cactus cladodes as strategy to improve testicular function.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing cactus cladodes genotypes on plasma testosterone levels, testicular histopathological and histomorphometric parameters, and oxidative stress markers in lambs. Thirty-six male, intact Santa Inês lambs (22.0 ± 2.9 kg initial body weight), were to feedlot for 86 days. A completely randomized design was used with three dietary treatments (control diet with Tifton-85 hay as the only roughage; and two more diets with Miúda or OEM cactus cladodes partially replacing hay) and twelve replicates. There was no influence of the diets on the testicular weight (P = 0.414) and gonadosomatic index (P = 0.384) of lambs. The testosterone serum concentrations were almost twice as higher in lambs fed Miúda cactus cladodes compared to control treatment. There was greater incidence and severity of lesions in the testicular parenchyma of animals that received control diet: loosening of germ cell epithelium, germ cell desquamation and vacuolization of Sertoli cells. The seminiferous tubule diameter and height of the seminiferous epithelium were higher in lambs fed OEM cactus cladodes (P = 0.003). The tubular volume and Leydig cells volume were higher in animals fed with cactus cladodes (P < 0.05). The levels of malondialdehyde were higher in the lambs of control group compared to OEM group (P = 0.039) and the testicular concentration of nitric oxide was higher in control group (P = 0.009). The diet containing OEM cactus cladodes increased the levels of superoxide dismutase. Our results indicate that diets containing cactus cladodes promote antioxidant protection to the testicular parenchyma and preserve the spermatogenic process of lambs.