Antimicrobial and anthelmintic effects of copper nanoparticles against Koi carp parasites and their toxicity.

This study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial and anthelmintic effect of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) against the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila, the monogeneans Dactylogyrus minutus, Dactylogyrus extensus, Gyrodactylus cyprini, and the cestode Schyzocotyle acheilognathi, as well as their toxicity to Cyprinus carpio Koi. In the antimicrobial in vitro test, the inhibition zone method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were performed. In order to determine the time and efficacy of monogenean parasite mortality, the parasites were exposed to CuNP concentrations of 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mg L-1, and a control group with tank water and one with copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) at a concentration of 0.3 mg L-1, performed in triplicate. The parasites were observed every 10 min for 300 min, and mortality was recorded. For the cestodes, parasites were immersed in CuNP concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 300 mg L-1. At the end of the in vitro tests, the anthelmintic efficacy of each treatment was calculated. To assess the tolerance and toxicity in fish, they were exposed to CuNP concentrations of 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg L-1 for 12 h. The MIC demonstrated that CuNPs effectively inhibited the growth of A. hydrophila up to a dilution of 12,500 mg L-1 and showed an inhibition zone of 14.0 ± 1.6 mm for CuNPs. The results of anthelmintic activity showed a dose-dependent effect of concentration for both groups of parasites, with the most effective concentration being 300 mg L-1 in 120 min. In the toxicity test, the carps showed tolerance to lower concentrations. The study indicated that CuNPs were effective against the studied pathogens. However, it proved to be toxic to fish at high concentrations. The use of low concentrations is recommended still requires further investigation.

Measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures for women with dysmenorrhea: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, is a subjective experience, and can only be assessed by patient-reported outcomes. These instruments should be reliable, valid and responsive. AIM: To identify and critically appraise the available evidence for the measurement properties of specific patient-reported outcome measures used for dysmenorrhea. METHODS: The PRISMA statement was used to report this systematic review. Databases searched were PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar (April 2021; updated on February 2023). Original studies with primary data collection, with no restriction on language and publication date that reported psychometric properties of one or more dysmenorrhea-related patient-reported outcome measure. The literature searches, selection of studies, data extraction and assessment of the risk of bias were performed independently by two reviewers and followed the COSMIN guidelines. RESULTS: Thirty studies were analysed in this review, and 19 patient-reported outcome measures were evaluated. The instruments varied in relation to the measured construct and measurement properties (validity, reliability and responsiveness). The methodological quality of the studies and the quality of evidence of the patient-reported outcome measures were variable. Among the 13 studies that reported the development of patient-reported outcome measures, most had inadequate methodological quality, and the overall rating was insufficient or inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: The Dysmenorrhea Symptom Interference (DSI) scale was the only identified patient-reported outcome measure that has the potential to be recommended because of its sufficient rating combined with moderate quality of evidence for content validity. Future studies should further evaluate the measurement properties of the existing patient-reported outcome measures, or develop new patient-reported outcome measures following the COSMIN methodology. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Not applicable as this is a systematic review. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO protocol: CRD42021244410. Registration on April 22, 2021.

Pain neuroscience education improves quality of life when added to aquatic exercise therapy for women with fibromyalgia: randomized controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of adding Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) to an aquatic therapy protocol on pain, fibromyalgia (FMS) impact, quality of life and sleep. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five women were randomly allocated into two groups: aquatic exercises (AEG, n = 36) and aquatic exercises + PNE (PNG, n = 39). The primary outcome was pain, and the secondary outcomes were FMS impact, quality of life, sleep and pain sensitivity (pressure pain thresholds - PPTs). Participants performed 45-min sessions of aquatic exercises, twice a week, for 12 weeks. PNG also received 4 PNE sessions during this period. Participants were assessed four times: initial (before treatment), after 6 weeks (intermediate) and 12 weeks (final) of treatment and after 12 weeks after the end of treatment (follow-up). RESULTS: Both groups improved pain after treatment, with no difference between them (p > 0.05, partial ƞ2 0.10). FMS impact and PPTs improved after treatment with no difference between groups, and sleep did not change. Quality of life improved several domains for both groups, with slightly better results for the PNG, with low effect sizes between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that the addition of PNE to an aquatic exercise intervention did not provide larger effects than aquatic exercises alone for people with FMS concerning pain intensity, but provided benefit for health-related quality of life for this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03073642, version 2, April 1st, 2019). PERSPECTIVE: The addition of 4 Pain Neuroscience Education sessions to an aquatic exercises protocol did not add benefits for women with fibromyalgia syndrome on pain, fibromyalgia impact, and sleep, but improved quality of life and pain sensitivity.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONAquatic exercises are commonly prescribed, but patient education is crucial for the treatment.The addition of Pain Neuroscience Education to an aquatic exercises protocol did not add benefits for women with fibromyalgia syndrome.The positive changes on quality of life and pain sensitivity that this combination led to had small effect sizes and did not achieve minimal important clinical difference.

Do the instruments used to assess fibromyalgia symptoms according to American College of Rheumatology criteria generate similar scores in other chronic musculoskeletal pain?

BACKGROUND: As with fibromyalgia, several musculoskeletal disorders are characterized by chronic pain, raising a clinical question - do the instruments used to assess fibromyalgia symptoms according to ACR criteria (ACR criteria) generate similar scores in other chronic musculoskeletal pain? OBJECTIVE: To compare the symptoms among fibromyalgia and other chronic musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, we also compared the most researched outcomes in fibromyalgia (i.e., present pain at rest and after movement; fatigue; pain severity and impact; function, global impact, and fibromyalgia symptom). METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Participants over 18 years old were included if they presented report of chronic musculoskeletal pain (≥ 3 months) and after that, they were divided into two groups (fibromyalgia and chronic pain). They answered the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQ-R), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain and fatigue, WPI, and SSS. RESULTS: A total of 166 participants were included in this study into two independent groups (chronic pain, n = 83; fibromyalgia, n = 83). We observed significant differences (p < 0.05) and large effect sizes (Cohen's d, ≥ 0.7) in clinical outcomes comparisons between groups (i.e., widespread pain; symptom severity; present pain at rest and after movement; fatigue; pain severity and impact; function, global impact, and fibromyalgia symptoms). CONCLUSION: Fibromyalgia patients (2016 ACR criteria) compared to other chronic musculoskeletal pain patients have higher levels of pain (at rest or after movement) and fatigue, greater impairment in both functionality and global impact, and worse symptoms. Therefore, the WPI and SSS instruments should be used exclusively to assess fibromyalgia symptoms.

Low responders may benefit from undergoing ovarian stimulation with a long GnRH agonist protocol with corifollitropin alfa followed by hMG.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of a long GnRH agonist protocol with corifollitropin alfa followed by hMG in low responders. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Patients with a suboptimal previous ovarian response (<9 oocytes) and a normal ovarian reserve (Poseidon groups 1 and 2) were classified in 1) Group 1 (n=88), submitted to a second cycle with a GnRH antagonist protocol using rFSH/hMG; 2) Group 2 (n=66), submitted to a long GnRH agonist protocol with corifollitropin alfa followed by hMG (named as simplified long protocol). Clinical outcomes were compared between groups and between the first/second cycle of each group. RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were similar between groups. There were no differences in the number of oocytes [7(5-11.75) versus 7(5-10), p=0.802], clinical pregnancy (19.3% versus 18.2%, p=0.858) and live birth rates (18.2% versus 15.2%, p=0.619). However, baseline characteristics were different, decoding a poor prognosis among women in group 2. Both groups (1 and 2) had significantly higher number of oocytes, pregnancy, and live birth rates in the second cycle. In group 2, there was a higher rate of embryo transfer (56.1% versus 27.3%, p<0.001). In group 1, despite the similar rate of embryo transfer, there was a higher positive hCG (23.9% versus 8.0%, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Both simplified long protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol are suitable for low responders. The best second cycle clinical outcomes experienced in a population with worse prognosis (group 2) suggests that the simplified long protocol may be a better option, although prospective well-conducted studies must explore this hypothesis.

Immediate puerperium during the pandemic: women's oral history in the light of obstetric care models / Puerperio inmediato en la pandemia: historia oral de mujeres a la luz de modelos de atención obstétrica / Puerpério imediato na pandemia: história oral de mulheres à luz dos modelos de assistência obstétrica

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the immediate puerperium experience of women during the COVID-19 pandemic in a public maternity hospital in Curitiba/PR in southern Brazil. Method: A qualitative study, following the Thematic Oral History methodological framework. The setting was a high-risk maternity-school. Data collection took place through a semi-structured, audio-recorded, on-site interview, from October to December 2021, with analysis of results following the Thematic Oral History method, which comprises the phases of transcription, textualization and transcreation. Results: Nine women in immediate puerperium participated, with varied professions and aged between 25 and 34 years. Relevant topics were: "Maternity in a context of risk", which deals with emotional aspects related to the pandemic, health care during the pandemic and care actions against COVID-19; "Physical and symbolic perceptions of breastfeeding", which involves feelings, manifestations in the body and the symbolic of breastfeeding; "Achieve: direct and indirect transitive verb", which talks about women's power of personal transformation; and "Nuances of care", which addresses the (in)delicacies of the care received. Conclusion: The experience of immediate puerperium in hospital environments during the pandemic transversely went beyond aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, revealing elements not related to the pandemic and others, such as fear of contamination specific to the pandemic context. Talking about their experience is an opportunity to expose feelings and align thoughts about their reality. Characteristics of childbirth care models orbiting between technocratic and humanized were observed, demonstrating aspects to be overcome by health professionals and worked with women.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir la experiencia del posparto inmediato de mujeres durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en una maternidad pública de Curitiba/PR en el sur de Brasil. Método: Estudio cualitativo, siguiendo el marco metodológico de la Historia Oral Temática. El escenario era una maternidad-escuela de alto riesgo. La recolección de datos se realizó a través de una entrevista semiestructurada, grabada en audio, cara a cara, de octubre a diciembre de 2021, con análisis de los resultados siguiendo el método de Historia Oral Temática, que comprende las fases de transcripción, textualización y transcreación. Resultados: Participaron nueve mujeres en puerperio inmediato, con variadas profesiones y con edades entre 25 y 34 años. Los temas relevantes fueron: "Maternidad en contexto de riesgo", que trata aspectos emocionales relacionados con la pandemia, la atención a la salud en la pandemia y las acciones de atención frente al COVID-19; "Percepciones físicas y simbólicas de la lactancia materna", que involucra sentimientos, manifestaciones en el cuerpo y lo simbólico de la lactancia materna; "Conseguir: verbo transitivo directo e indirecto", que habla del poder de transformación personal de la mujer; y "Matices del cuidado", que aborda las (in)delicadezas del cuidado recibido. Conclusión: La vivencia del puerperio inmediato en el ambiente hospitalario durante la pandemia permeó transversalmente aspectos del embarazo, parto y puerperio, revelando elementos no relacionados con la pandemia y otros, como el miedo a la contaminación, propios del contexto pandémico. Hablar de tu experiencia es una oportunidad para exponer sentimientos y alinear pensamientos sobre tu realidad. Se observaron características de modelos de atención al parto que orbitan entre tecnocráticos y humanizados, evidenciando aspectos a ser superados por profesionales de la salud y trabajados con mujeres.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever a experiência de puerpério imediato de mulheres na pandemia da COVID-19 em maternidade pública de Curitiba/PR, no Sul do Brasil. Método: estudo qualitativo, seguindo referencial metodológico da História Oral Temática; o local foi uma maternidade-escola de alto risco; a coleta de dados deu-se por entrevista semiestruturada, audiogravada, presencial, de outubro a dezembro de 2021, com análise dos resultados seguindo o método História Oral Temática, que compreende as fases de transcrição, textualização e transcriação. Resultados: participaram nove mulheres no puerpério imediato, com profissões variadas e idade entre 25 e 34 anos. Os Temas Relevantes foram: "Maternar em um contexto de risco", que versa sobre aspectos emocionais relativos à pandemia, assistência à saúde na pandemia e ações de cuidado contra COVID-19; "Percepções físicas e simbólicas do aleitamento materno", que envolve sentimentos, manifestações no corpo e o simbólico do amamentar; "Conseguir: verbo transitivo direto e indireto", que fala sobre o poder de transformação pessoal das mulheres; e "Nuances do cuidar", que aborda (in)delicadezas do cuidado recebido. Conclusão: A experiência de puerpério imediato no ambiente hospitalar na pandemia perpassou transversalmente aspectos da gestação, parto e puerpério, revelando elementos não relacionados à pandemia e outros, como o medo da contaminação, específicos do contexto pandêmico. Falar sobre sua experiência é oportunidade de expor sentimentos e alinhar pensamentos sobre sua realidade. Foram observadas características dos modelos de assistência ao parto orbitando entre tecnocrático e humanizado, demonstrando aspectos a serem superados por profissionais de saúde e trabalhados com as mulheres.

Measurement properties of the Brazilian online version of the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST).

OBJECTIVE: The Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST) was developed to screen people with chronic pain for Fibromyalgia (FM), especially in primary health care settings. This study aimed to translate the FiRST into Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate its measurement properties for an online application. METHODS: After the process of translation and backtranslation, the FiRST was applied online in 483 adults with chronic pain (FM group n = 395; Chronic pain group n = 88), along with the Numerical Rating Scale for pain and fatigue, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised. A Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was computed and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to determine the sensibility, specificity, and cut-off score for the FiRST. The Mann-Whitney test was used for quantitative variables and the Chi-square and the Fisher's exact test, for the categorical variables with level of significance of 5%. Fleiss' Kappa, Gwet's AC1 and percentage of agreement were also calculated between test and retest. RESULTS: For all the questionnaires, the FM group presented higher scores, which mean a worst condition. The FiRST presented a sensitivity of 92.3%, and a specificity of 61.6% with 5 as the cut-off score. AUC, Fleiss' Kappa, Gwet's AC1 and percentage of agreement were, respectively, 0.82, 0.38, 0.63 and 71.8%. CONCLUSION: The FiRST was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and the online version presented a good content validity and adequate measurement errors that allow FM patients to be screened among people with chronic pain.

Measurement properties of the Brazilian online version of the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST)

Abstract Objective The Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST) was developed to screen people with chronic pain for Fibromyalgia (FM), especially in primary health care settings. This study aimed to translate the FiRST into Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate its measurement properties for an online application. Methods After the process of translation and backtranslation, the FiRST was applied online in 483 adults with chronic pain (FM group n = 395; Chronic pain group n = 88), along with the Numerical Rating Scale for pain and fatigue, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised. A Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was computed and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to determine the sensibility, specificity, and cutoff score for the FiRST. The Mann-Whitney test was used for quantitative variables and the Chi-square and the Fisher's exact test, for the categorical variables with level of significance of 5%. Fleiss' Kappa, Gwet's AC1 and percentage of agreement were also calculated between test and retest. Results For all the questionnaires, the FM group presented higher scores, which mean a worst condition. The FiRST presented a sensitivity of 92.3%, and a specificity of 61.6% with 5 as the cut-off score. AUC, Fleiss' Kappa, Gwet's AC1 and percentage of agreement were, respectively, 0.82, 0.38, 0.63 and 71.8%. Conclusion The FiRST was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and the online version presented a good content validity and adequate measurement errors that allow FM patients to be screened among people with chronic pain.

Representações sociais sobre a escolha da enfermagem na perspectiva de estudantes do sexo masculino

RESUMO Introdução: A enfermagem é uma profissão exercida por ambos os sexos, embora que historicamente o sexo feminino sempre se apresentou predominante. Atualmente observa-se um aumento de homens destacando-se na profissão, apesar do imaginário social reconhecer o homem com menos conhecimento no processo do cuidar. Objetivo: Analisar as representações sociais da carreira profissional em enfermagem para estudantes do sexo masculino que cursam o bacharelado. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, exploratório, qualitativo, desenvolvido em uma instituição privada de ensino superior, na cidade do Recife/Pernambuco/Brasil. A população foi constituída por alunos do sexo masculino, matriculados entre o 1° ao 10º período no curso de graduação em enfermagem no ano de 2018. A amostra foi composta por 24 alunos que atenderam aos critérios estabelecidos. Foi utilizado instrumento semiestruturado contendo três questões sobre o tema do estudo. Os resultados foram analisados à luz da análise de conteúdo, com base na teoria das representações sociais. Resultados: A enfermagem é compreendida como ciência do cuidado, porém há desafios enfrentados pelos estudantes que escolhem a profissão. Estes reconhecem a existência de uma visão estereotipada e sexista que questiona sobre masculinidade. Esta pode influenciar o comportamento do profissional em sua percepção e valorização. Conclusão: É imperiosa a necessidade de mudanças na imagem da enfermagem, uma vez que o valor do cuidado não deve estar centrado no sexo do profissional. Faz-se necessária visibilidade para desconstrução de estereótipos e preconceitos que possam interferir no processo do cuidado.

RESUMEN Introducción: La enfermería es una profesión ejercida por ambos sexos, aunque históricamente el sexo femenino siempre ha sido predominante. Actualmente, hay un aumento en los hombres que se destacan en la profesión, a pesar del imaginario social que reconoce a los hombres con menos conocimiento en el proceso de atención. Objetivo: Analizar las representaciones sociales de las carreras profesionales de enfermería para estudiantes varones que cursan una licenciatura. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, cualitativo, desarrollado en una institución privada de educación superior, en la ciudad de Recife/Pernambuco/Brasil. La población estuvo compuesta por estudiantes varones, matriculados entre el primer y el décimo período en el curso de pregrado de enfermería en 2018. La muestra consistió en 24 estudiantes que cumplieron con los criterios establecidos. Se utilizó un instrumento semiestructurado, que contiene tres preguntas sobre el tema de estudio. Los resultados se analizaron a la luz del análisis de contenido, basado en la teoría de las representaciones sociales. Resultados: La enfermería se entiende como una ciencia de la atención, pero los estudiantes que eligen la profesión enfrentan desafíos. Reconocen la existencia de una visión estereotipada y sexista que cuestiona la masculinidad. Esto puede influir en el comportamiento del profesional en su percepción y apreciación. Conclusión: Es imprescindible cambiar la imagen de la enfermería, ya que el valor de la atención no debe centrarse en el sexo del profesional. La visibilidad es necesaria para deconstruir estereotipos y prejuicios que puedan interferir en el proceso de atención.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Nursing is a profession practiced by both sexes, although historically the female sex has always been the predominant one. Currently, there is an increase in the number of men who stand out in the profession, despite the social imaginary that recognizes men as having less knowledge in the care process. Objective: To analyze the social representations of professional nursing careers among male students majoring for a bachelor's degree. Methods: Descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study carried out in a private higher education institution in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The population consisted of male students enrolled in the undergraduate Nursing course, between the first and tenth periods, in 2018. The sample consisted of 24 students who met the established criteria. A semistructured instrument was used, which contains three questions on the subject of study. The results were analyzed following content analysis, based on the theory of social representations. Results: Nursing is understood as a science of care, but the students who choose the profession face challenges. They recognize the existence of a stereotypical and sexist vision that questions masculinity. This can influence the professional's behavior regarding the perception and appreciation of nursing. Conclusion: It is essential to change the image of nursing, since the value of care should not focus on the gender of the professional. Visibility is necessary to deconstruct stereotypes and prejudices that may interfere with the care process.

Estágio de mineralização dos terceiros molares e sua relação com a idade cronológica: uma amostra da população do Centro-Oeste do Brasil / Third molars stage of mineralization and its relation to chronological age: Midwest Brazil sample

Introdução: Nos últimos anos, alguns estudos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de avaliar a aplicabilidade da análise de desenvolvimento dos terceiros molares na estimativa da idade humana. No entanto, há escassez de trabalhos em amostras populacionais da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre estágio de desenvolvimento dos terceiros molares inferiores e a idade cronológica de indivíduos da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Material e Método: Trata-se de um estudo observacional transversal, com uma amostra constituída por 120 prontuários de pacientes entre 5 e 22 anos de idade, dos gêneros masculino e feminino, atendidos entre os anos de 2007 e 2012 na nossa instituição. O estágio de desenvolvimento dos terceiros molares inferiores foi avaliado pelo método descrito por Nolla e relacionado à idade cronológica do indivíduo por meio de regressão linear, sendo considerados significantes valores de tendência linear entre 0 e 1. Resultado: Pode-se observar que tanto a amostra composta por pacientes do gênero masculino (R2 = 0,7495) quanto do feminino (R2 = 0,8507) apresentaram correlação linear entre o estágio de desenvolvimento dos terceiros molares inferiores e a idade cronológica. Notou-se, ainda, que os estágios de desenvolvimento coincidiram com idades semelhantes em ambos os gêneros. Conclusão: Há relação entre a idade cronológica e o estágio de desenvolvimento dos terceiros molares inferiores na amostra estudada. Estes dados sugerem que este tipo de análise deve ser individualizada, de acordo com as características populacionais da região. .

Introduction: In recent years some studies have been taken to evaluate the applicability of the third molar development analysis in the estimation of human age. However, just a few studies with the population from Midwest Brazil were performed. Objective: The present study aim to analyze the relationship between the lower third molars development stage and the chronological age of individuals in Midwest Brazil region. Material and Method: This cross-sectional observational study comprised a total of 120 panoramic radiographies of patients aged 5-22 year-old, males and females, attended between 2007 and 2012 at our Institution. The third molars development stage was analyzed based on the method described by Nolla and related with the chronological age of the individual by linear regression. It was considered significant values for linear tendency between 0-1. Result: It was observed that both, male patients (R2 = 0.7495) and females (R2 = 0.8507), showed a linear correlation between the third molars development stage and chronological age. It was also noted that the development stages coincided with similar ages in both genders. Conclusion: There is a relationship between chronological age and developmental stage of the third molars in the sample studied. These data suggest that this type of analysis should be individualized according to the population characteristics. .

Infrared LED light therapy influences the expression of fibronectin and tenascin in skin wounds of malnourished rats--a preliminary study.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of infrared (λ 846±20nm) LED irradiation on the expression profile of the extracellular matrix protein components, tenascin and fibronectin on skin wounds induced in well nourished and malnourished rats. Eighteen albino rats (21 days old) were randomly divided into a well-nourished group (standard diet) and a malnourished group (regional basic diet). After receiving the diet for 70 days, skin wounds were created and the animals were subdivided into three groups: well-nourished control (n=6), malnourished control (n=6), and malnourished+LED irradiated (λ 846±20nm, 100mW, 4J/cm(2)) (n=6). The animals were sacrificed 3 and 7 days after injury and histological sections were immunostained for both proteins. They were examined for the presence, intensity, distribution and pattern of immunolabeling. At 3 days, the distribution of tenascin was shown to be greater in the wound bed of malnourished animals compared to the well-nourished group. The intensity and distribution of tenascin was shown to be lower in the malnourished LED irradiated group compared to the malnourished control. There was a significant difference regarding the presence of fibronectin in the malnourished and well-nourished groups after 7 days (p=0.03). The intensity of fibronectin was slight (100%) in the irradiated group and moderate to intense in the malnourished control group. The results of the present study indicate that infrared LED irradiation modulates positively the expression of tenascin and particularly fibronectin.

Effect of low-level laser therapy (λ660 nm) on angiogenesis in wound healing: a immunohistochemical study in a rodent model.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the angiogenesis on dorsal cutaneous wounds in a rodent model treated with λ660 nm laser light. New vessel formation is a multistep process involving vessel sprouting, endothelial cell migration, proliferation and tube formation. Although several in vivo studies have shown that laser phototherapy influences tissue repair, a fully understanding of angiogenesis mechanisms are not yet known. Twenty-four young adult male Wistar rats weighing between 200 and 250 g were used. Under general anesthesia, one excisional wound was created on the dorsum of each animal and they were randomly distributed into two groups: one control and one treated with laser (λ660 nm, 16 mW, 10 J/cm2). Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the animal death timing (2, 4 and 6 days). Laser irradiation started immediately after surgery and was repeated every other day during the experiment and marked with Sirius Red, specific for collagen, and immunomarked with anti-TGF-ß and anti-von Willebrand factor. Marked sections underwent histological analysis by light microscopy and the mean area of the wound of each animal was calculated and analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Although at some death periods, collagen expression and number of blood vessels on irradiated animals were higher than in the control ones, no significant differences were found at any time in relation to TGF-ß expression (p>0.05). It was concluded that laser treatment (λ660 nm) contributed to increase angiogenesis.

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy (660 nm) on Angiogenesis in Wound Healing: A Immunohistochemical Study in a Rodent Model

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the angiogenesis on dorsal cutaneous wounds in a rodent model treated with λ660 nm laser light. New vessel formation is a multistep process involving vessel sprouting, endothelial cell migration, proliferation and tube formation. Although several in vivo studies have shown that laser phototherapy influences tissue repair, a fully understanding of angiogenesis mechanisms are not yet known. Twenty-four young adult male Wistar rats weighing between 200 and 250 g were used. Under general anesthesia, one excisional wound was created on the dorsum of each animal and they were randomly distributed into two groups: one control and one treated with laser (λ660 nm, 16 mW, 10 J/cm2). Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the animal death timing (2, 4 and 6 days). Laser irradiation started immediately after surgery and was repeated every other day during the experiment and marked with Sirius Red, specific for collagen, and immunomarked with anti-TGF-β and anti-von Willebrand factor. Marked sections underwent histological analysis by light microscopy and the mean area of the wound of each animal was calculated and analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Although at some death periods, collagen expression and number of blood vessels on irradiated animals were higher than in the control ones, no significant differences were found at any time in relation to TGF-β expression (p>0.05). It was concluded that laser treatment (λ660 nm) contributed to increase angiogenesis.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a angiogênese em feridas cutâneas no dorso de ratos tratados com o laser de λ660 nm. A neovascularização é um processo que envolve o aparecimento vascular, a migração das células endoteliais, a proliferação e a formação tubular. Embora diversos estudos in vivo demonstrem que a fototerapia laser influencia no reparo tecidual, uma compreensão completa dos mecanismos da angiogênese ainda não é conhecida. Foram utilizados 24 ratos Wistar novos, machos e adultos pesando entre 200 e 250 g. Uma ferida excisional foi criada no dorso de cada animal sob anestesia geral e os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: G0 (controle) e G1 (laser λ660 nm, 16 mW, 10 J/cm2). Cada grupo foi subdividido em três subgrupos de acordo com o sincronismo da morte dos animais (2, 4 e 6 dias). A irradiação laser foi iniciada imediatamente após a cirurgia, sendo repetida diariamente durante a experiência, avaliada por meio de vermelho de Sirius, específico para o colágeno e avaliação imunológica com anti-TGF-β e o Fator anti-von Willebrand. As seções marcadas foram submetidas à análise histológica no foto-microscópio, onde a área média de cada subgrupo foi calculada e analisada usando o teste ANOVA e de Tukey (α=0,05). Os valores dos animais irradiados foram maiores em certos períodos da morte, na expressão do colágeno e no número de vasos em comparação com os grupos controles. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada na expressão do TGF-β entre os grupos nos períodos. Conclui-se que o tratamento com laser λ660 nm contribuiu para o aumento da angiogênese.

Laser and LED phototherapies on angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is a key process for wound healing. There are few reports of LED phototherapy on angiogenesis, mainly in vivo. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate histologically the angiogenesis on dorsal cutaneous wounds treated with laser (660 and 790 nm) or LEDs (700, 530, and 460 nm) in a rodent model. Twenty-four young adult male Wistar rats weighting between 200 and 250 g were used on the present study. Under general anesthesia, one excisional wound was created on the dorsum of each animal that were then randomly distributed into six groups with four animals each: G0-control; G1-laser λ660 nm (60 mW, ϕ ∼2 mm, 10 J/cm(2)); G2-laser λ790 nm (50 mW, ϕ ∼2 mm, 10 J/cm(2)); G3-LED λ700 ± 20 nm (15 mW, ϕ ∼16 mm, 10 J/cm(2)); G4-LED λ530 ± 20 nm (8 mW, ϕ ∼16 mm, 10 J/cm(2)); G5-LED λ460 ± 20 nm (22 mW, ϕ ∼16 mm, 10 J/cm(2)). Irradiation started immediately after surgery and was repeated every other day for 7 days. Animal death occurred at the eighth day after surgery. The specimens were removed, routinely processed to wax, cut and stained with HE. Angiogenesis was scored by blood vessel counting in the wounded area. Quantitative results showed that green LED (λ530 ± 20 nm), red LED (λ700 ± 20 nm), λ790 nm laser and λ660 nm laser caused significant increased angiogenesis when compared to the control group. It is concluded that both laser and LED light are capable of stimulating angiogenesis in vivo on cutaneous wounds and that coherence was not decisive on the outcome of the treatment.

Influence of laser therapy and muscle relaxant on the masseter muscle under occlusal wear: an ultrastructural study / Influencia de la terapia laser y relajante muscular en el músculo masetero bajo oclusión: un estudio ultraestructural

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of low-intensity laser therapy and muscle relaxant in the characteristic ultra structural masseter muscle occlusal wear. Animals and Methods: 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (GI), occlusal wear (G-II), laser occlusal wear (G-III), and the muscle relaxant occlusal wear (G-IV). Under general anesthesia given intraperitoneally, animals in groups II, III and IV had unilateral amputation of upper and lower molar cusps to simulate an occlusal wear situation. The masseter muscle G-III received laser therapy (830nm, 4J/cm2, 40mW, f ~ 2mm) and the procedure was subsequently repeated every other day for 14/30 days. G-IV animals were treated with daily injection of dantrolene ® (2.5 mg / kg in 0.5 ml of H2O). From 24 hours after the elimination peak. The animals were euthanized with an overdose of anesthesia on days 14 and 30 after the removal of the cusps and the ipsilateral masseter muscle was excised and divided in two, one half was routinely processed for light microscopy and other for electron microscopy. There was no statistical difference between each experimental group and the control and between periods in each experimental group. However, the muscle fibers in the G-II showed the most pronounced changes. There is no causal relationship between muscles fibers injuries and occlusion and, despite signs of muscular tissue injury were more evident in the occlusal wear group. Results indicates a moderate action of laser therapy and muscle relaxants in skeletal muscle...

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la influencia de la terapia láser de baja intensidad y del relajante muscular sobre las características ultraestructurales del músculo masetero en el desgaste oclusal. 40 ratas macho Wistar, se dividieron al azar en cuatro grupos: grupo de control (GI), desgaste oclusal (G-II), laserterapia desgaste oclusal (G-III), y relajante muscular desgaste oclusal (G-IV). Bajo anestesia general por vía intraperitoneal, los animales de los grupos II, III y IV sufrieron amputación unilateral de las cúspides de los molares superiores e inferiores para simular una situación de desgaste oclusal. El músculo masetero del G-III recibió la terapia con laser (830nm, 4J/cm2, 40mW, f ~ 2mm) después del procedimiento el cual se repitió durante 14/30 días. Los animales del G-IV fueron tratados con una inyección diaria de Dantroleno® (2,5 mg/Kg en 0,5 ml de H2O). Los animales fueron sacrificados con una sobredosis de anestesia general en los días 14 y 30. Después de la remoción de las cúspides el músculo masetero ipsilateral se extirpó y se dividió en dos, una mitad fue procesada para microscopía de luz y la otra para microscopía electrónica. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre cada grupo experimental y el control, así como, entre los períodos en cada grupo experimental. Sin embargo, las fibras musculares en el G-II mostraron los cambios más pronunciados. En conclusión no existe relación causal entre las lesiones de las fibras musculares y la oclusión, a pesar que los signos de lesión de los tejidos musculares fue más evidente en el grupo con desgaste oclusal. Los resultados indican una acción moderada ejercida por la terapia láser y de los relajantes musculares sobre el músculo esquelético...

Estudo sobre a avaliação aplicada no internato em clínica médica da Unisul / Study into medical intern assessment at Unisul

INTRODUÇÃO: O internato médico compreende o período do curso de graduação em Medicina em que o educando recebe preparação para a prática médica. A avaliação contribui para a aquisição da competência clínica e, consequentemente, prepara o educando para a prática médica. OBJETIVOS: Estudar os métodos de avaliação discente no internato em Clínica Médica do curso de graduação em Medicina da Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (Unisul), campus Tubarão, por meio da análise da percepção de discentes e docentes envolvidos neste estágio do curso. MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa 44 internos e 15 docentes do semestre letivo 2009/2. RESULTADOS: Os sujeitos da pesquisa percebem a existência e a necessidade de avaliação no internato, têm conhecimento das estratégias e itens utilizados no processo avaliativo e entendem que nesse processo são empregados métodos com medidas objetivas e subjetivas, com abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas. CONCLUSÕES: Sugere-se maior ênfase em conteúdo prático e capacitação docente, aliadas a uma lista de verificação ao final do estágio.

INTRODUCTION: Medical internship consists ofthe period of aundergraduate medicine course in which the student is prepared for medical practice. The assessment contributes toward clinical competency and, consequently, prepares the student for medical practice. OBJECTIVES: To study the assessment methods of medical interns from the undergraduate medicine course ofthe Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (UNISUL), through analysis of the perceptions of medical students and teachers involved. METHODS:The study involved 44 medical students and 15 teachers from the second school semester of 2009. Results: The research subjects perceive the existence and need for evaluation in the medical clinical internship period, possess knowledge of the strategies and items used in the assessment process and understand that this process uses methods with objective and subjective measures, qualitative and quantitative approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Greater emphasis on practical content and teacher training is suggested, as well asa final internship check-list.

Effect of LED phototherapy (λ700 ± 20 nm) on TGF-ß expression during wound healing: an immunohistochemical study in a rodent model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) expression on cutaneous wounds in rodents treated or not treated with LED light. BACKGROUND: TGF-ß is a multifunctional cytokine that presents a central action during tissue repair. Although several studies both in vitro and in vivo have shown that LED phototherapy influences tissue repair, a full understanding of the mechanisms involved in its usage, such as in the modulation of some growth factors, remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under general anesthesia, 24 young adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g had one excisional wound created on the dorsum of each, and were randomly distributed into two groups: G0 (Control) and G1 (LED, λ700 ± 20 nm, 16 mW, SAEF = 5 J/cm(2), Illuminated Area = 2 cm(2), 8 mWcm(2), 626 s) Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the animal death timing (2, 4, and 6 days). LED phototherapy started immediately after surgery and was repeated every other day during the experimental time. Following animal death, specimens were removed, routinely processed to wax, cut and immunomarked with polyclonal anti-TGF-ß, and underwent histological analysis by light microscopy. The mean area of expression of each group was calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: The area of the expression of TGF-ß on LED-irradiated animals was significantly smaller than on controls at day 2 (p = 0.013). No significant difference was found at later times. It is concluded that the use of LED light, at these specific parameters, caused an inhibition of the expression of TGF-ß at an early stage of the healing process.

Earthworm (Eisenia andrei) avoidance of soils treated with cypermethrin.

The pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin is used for agricultural and public health campaigns. Its residues may contaminate soils and the beneficial soil organisms, like the earthworms, that may ingest the contaminated soil particles. Due to its ecological relevance, earthworms Eisenia andrei/fetida have been used in different ecotoxicological tests. The avoidance of soils treated with cypermethrin by compost worms Eisenia andrei was studied here as a bioindicator of the influence of treatment dosage and the pesticide formulation in three different agricultural soils indicated by the Brazilian environmental authorities for ecotoxicological tests. This earthworms' behavior was studied here as a first attempt to propose the test for regulation purposes. The two-compartment test systems, where the earthworms were placed for a two-day exposure period, contained samples of untreated soil alone or together with soil treated with technical grade or wettable powder formulation of cypermethrin. After 48 h, there was no mortality, but the avoidance was clear because all earthworms were found in the untreated section of each type of soil (p < 0.05). No differences were found by the Fisher's exact test (p ≤ 1.000) for each soil and treatment, demonstrating that the different soil characteristics, the cypermethrin concentrations and formulation, as well as the smaller amounts of soil and earthworms did not influence the avoidance behavior of the earthworms to cypermethrin. The number and range of treatments used in this study do not allow a detailed recommendation of the conditions applied here, but to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported attempt to identify the avoidance of pesticide treated tropical soils by earthworms.

Influence of the use of laser phototherapy (lambda660 or 790 nm) on the survival of cutaneous flaps on diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of laser phototherapy (LPT) on cutaneous flaps on diabetic rats. BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood glucose levels. Its main complications are delayed wound healing, an impaired blood supply, and a decrease in collagen production. Cutaneous flaps are routinely used in several surgical procedures, and most failures are related to poor blood supply. LPT has been studied using several healing models. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Twelve Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: group 1 (G1; diabetic animals without treatment), group 2 (G2; diabetic animals irradiated with lambda680 nm), and group 3 (G3; diabetic animals irradiated with lambda790 nm). Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin. A 2- x 8-cm cutaneous flap was raised on the dorsum of each animal, and a plastic sheet was introduced between the flap and the bed to cause poor blood supply. Nonirradiated animals acted as controls. The dose per session was 40 J/cm(2). Laser light was applied transcutaneously and fractioned on 16 contact points at the wound margins (16 x 2.5 J/cm(2)). Animal death occurred on day 8 after surgery. Specimens were taken, processed, cut, stained with eosin (HE) and sirius red, and underwent histological analysis. RESULTS: It is shown that accute inflammation was mostly discrete for G3. Chronic inflammation was more evident for G2. Fibroblast number was higher for G3. Angiogenesis was more evident for G3. Necrosis was more evident for G2. Statistical analysis among all groups showed significant differences (p = 0.04) on the level of acute inflammation between G1 and G3, tissue necrosis between G1 and G2 (p = 0.03), chronic inflammation between (p = 0.04), fibroblastic proliferation between G2 and G3 (p = 0.05), and neovascularization between G2 and G3 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: LPT was effective in increasing angiogenesis as seen on irradiated subjects and was more pronounced when IR laser light was used.