Clinical characteristics and outcomes in COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients: a propensity score matched cohort study.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those on dialysis or who have received a kidney transplant (KT), are considered more vulnerable to severe COVID-19. This susceptibility is attributed to advanced age, a higher frequency of comorbidities, and the chronic immunosuppressed state, which may exacerbate their susceptibility to severe outcomes. Therefore, our study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in KT patients with those on chronic dialysis and non-CKD patients in a propensity score-matched cohort study. This multicentric retrospective cohort included adult COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed patients admitted from March/2020 to July/2022, from 43 Brazilian hospitals. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Propensity score analysis matched KT recipients with controls - patients on chronic dialysis and those without CKD (within 0.25 standard deviations of the logit of the propensity score) - according to age, sex, number of comorbidities, and admission year. This study included 555 patients: 163 KT, 146 on chronic dialysis, and 249 non-CKD patients (median age 57 years, 55.2% women). With regards to clinical outcomes, chronic dialysis patients had a higher prevalence of acute heart failure, compared to KT recipients, furthermore, both groups presented high in-hospital mortality, 34.0 and 28.1%, for KT and chronic dialysis patients, respectively. When comparing KT and non-CKD patients, the first group had a higher incidence of in-hospital dialysis (26.4% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001), septic shock (24.1% vs. 12.0%, p = 0.002), and mortality (32.5% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.039), in addition to longer time spent in the intensive care unit (ICU). In this study, chronic dialysis patients presented a higher prevalence of acute heart failure, compared to KT recipients, whereas KT patients had a higher frequency of complications than those without CKD, including septic shock, dialysis during hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality as well as longer time spent in the ICU.

SFX-01 in hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Sulforaphane can induce the transcription factor, Nrf2, promoting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. In this study, hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were treated with stabilised synthetic sulforaphane (SFX-01) to evaluate impact on clinical status and inflammation. Methods: Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of SFX-01 (300 mg oral capsule, once daily for 14 days) conducted in Dundee, UK, between November 2020 and May 2021. Patients had radiologically confirmed CAP and CURB-65 (confusion, urea >7 mmol·L-1, respiratory rate ≥30 breaths·min-1, blood pressure <90 mmHg (systolic) or ≤60 mmHg (diastolic), age ≥65 years) score ≥1. The primary outcome was the seven-point World Health Organization clinical status scale at day 15. Secondary outcomes included time to clinical improvement, length of stay and mortality. Effects on Nrf2 activity and inflammation were evaluated on days 1, 8 and 15 by measurement of 45 serum cytokines and mRNA sequencing of peripheral blood leukocytes. Results: The trial was terminated prematurely due to futility with 133 patients enrolled. 65 patients were randomised to SFX-01 treatment and 68 patients to placebo. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was the cause of CAP in 103 (77%) cases. SFX-01 treatment did not improve clinical status at day 15 (adjusted OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.41-1.83; p=0.71), time to clinical improvement (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.02, 95% CI 0.70-1.49), length of stay (aHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.56-1.26) or 28-day mortality (aHR 1.45, 95% CI 0.67-3.16). The expression of Nrf2 targets and pro-inflammatory genes, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß and tumour necrosis factor-α, was not significantly changed by SFX-01 treatment. At days 8 and 15, respectively, 310 and 42 significant differentially expressed genes were identified between groups (false discovery rate adjusted p<0.05, log2FC >1). Conclusion: SFX-01 treatment did not improve clinical status or modulate key Nrf2 targets in patients with CAP primarily due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Ocorrência de indicações farmacológicas não recomendadas por estágios na endometriose e impacto no quadro de ansiedade por persistência de sintomas / Occurrence of pharmacological indications not recommended by stages in endometriosis and impact on anxiety due to persistence of symptoms / Presencia de indicaciones farmacológicas no recomendadas por etapas en la endometriosis e impacto en la ansiedad por la persistencia de los síntomas

Introdução: Endometriose é uma patologia pélvica crônica de caráter inflamatório e estrogênio-dependente. Manifesta-se em quatro tipos de estágio (EI, EII, EIII e EIV), caracterizados pelos números de lesões. Tem indicações farmacológicas recomendadas se baseadas nos estágios, sendo EI/EII sintomático com AINES e/ou uso de anticonceptivos de uso contínuo; e EIII/EIV com fármacos análogos de GnRH. O estilo de vida dessas mulheres é impactado pela dor, que altera a rotina e vida afetivo/sexual contribuindo para quadros de ansiedade. O presente estudo se norteia pela questão "qual impacto na ansiedade de mulheres com endometriose, quando não ocorrem indicações farmacológicas recomendadas para os estágios que se encontra? Logo, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os efeitos do tratamento medicamentoso não recomendado e risco de ansiedade. Metodologia: Levantamento de pacientes com diagnóstico de Endometriose, cadastradas no Banco de Dados do Projeto agrupadas em estágios de tratamentos farmacológicos similares (EI/EII e EIII/EIV). O relato de ansiedade, com diagnóstico médico e pós endometriose foi a variável dependente em estudo. As variáveis independentes (ou influenciadoras) foram [1] Estágio da doença, [2] Farmacoterapia recomendada (FR) ou não (FNR) e [3] esquema medicamentoso empregado (classes e combinações). Estatística feitas por chi quadrado e Fischer. Resultados: Do total de 375 mulheres, 274 apresentavam ansiedade. Destas, 170 estavam no grupo IFR; sendo 141 no agrupamento EI/EII, e 29 mulheres no EIII/EIV. No que se refere ao grupo IFNR, teve se um n=104 mulheres, sendo apenas 1 nos EI/EII e 103 nos EIII/EIV. Os casos de FNR estão mais presentes em EIII/EIV, com 90% dos casos (IC 95%, p<0,05). O esquema terapêutico mais presente foi AINEs em monoterapia, sendo 65% (IC 95%, p<0,05) em Estágio inadequado. Notou-se uma correlação positiva entre FNR e quadros de ansiedade, principalmente quando se empregava a monoterapia com AINEs (IC 95%, p<0,05). Conclusão: Dificuldades de acesso a especialistas para diagnóstico e aos medicamentos do EIII/EIV podem ser as causas, que serão investigadas em estudos futuros.

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic pelvic pathology with an inflammatory and estrogen-dependent nature. It manifests itself in four types of stages (EI, EII, EIII and EIV), characterized by the number of lesions. It has recommended pharmacological indications based on the stages, being symptomatic EI/EII with NSAIDs and/or use of continuous contraceptives; and EIII/EIV with GnRH analogue drugs. The lifestyle of these women is impacted by pain, which alters their routine and emotional/sexual life, contributing to anxiety. The present study is guided by the question "what impact on the anxiety of women with endometriosis, when there are no recommended pharmacological indications for the stage they are in?" Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of non-recommended drug treatment and the risk of anxiety. Methodology: Survey of patients diagnosed with Endometriosis, registered in the Project Database grouped into stages of similar pharmacological treatments (EI/EII and EIII/EIV). The report of anxiety, with medical diagnosis and post-endometriosis was the dependent variable under study. The independent (or influencing) variables were [1] Stage of the disease, [2] Pharmacotherapy recommended (FR) or not (FNR) and [3] medication regimen used (classes and combinations). Statistics made by chi square and Fischer. Results: Of the total of 375 women, 274 had anxiety. Of these, 170 were in the IFR group; 141 in the EI/EII group, and 29 women in the EIII/EIV group. Regarding the IFNR group, there were n=104 women, with only 1 in EI/EII and 103 in EIII/EIV. FNR cases are more present in EIII/EIV, with 90% of cases (95% CI, p<0.05). The most common therapeutic regimen was NSAIDs as monotherapy, with 65% (95% CI, p<0.05) in an inadequate stage. A positive correlation was noted between FNR and anxiety, especially when using monotherapy with NSAIDs (95% CI, p<0.05). Conclusion: Difficulties in accessing specialists for diagnosis and EIII/EIV medications may be the causes, which will be investigated in future studies.

Introducción: La endometriosis es una patología pélvica crónica de naturaleza inflamatoria y estrógeno-dependiente. Se manifiesta en cuatro tipos de estadios (EI, EII, EIII y EIV), caracterizados por el número de lesiones. Tiene indicaciones farmacológicas recomendadas según los estadios, siendo EI/EII sintomática con AINE y/o uso de anticonceptivos continuos; y EIII/EIV con fármacos análogos de GnRH. El estilo de vida de estas mujeres se ve impactado por el dolor, lo que altera su rutina y su vida emocional/sexual, contribuyendo a la ansiedad. El presente estudio se guía por la pregunta "¿qué impacto tiene en la ansiedad de las mujeres con endometriosis, cuando no existen indicaciones farmacológicas recomendadas para las etapas en las que se encuentra? Por tanto, el objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los efectos del tratamiento farmacológico no recomendado y el riesgo de ansiedad. Metodología: Encuesta a pacientes diagnosticadas de Endometriosis, registradas en la Base de Datos del Proyecto agrupadas en etapas de tratamientos farmacológicos similares (EI/EII y EIII/EIV). El reporte de ansiedad, con diagnóstico médico y post-endometriosis fue la variable dependiente en estudio. Las variables independientes (o influyentes) fueron [1] Estadio de la enfermedad, [2] Farmacoterapia recomendada (FR) o no (FNR) y [3] régimen de medicación utilizado (clases y combinaciones). Estadística realizada por chi cuadrado y Fischer. Resultados: Del total de 375 mujeres, 274 presentaron ansiedad. De ellos, 170 estaban en el grupo IFR; 141 en el grupo EI/EII y 29 mujeres en el grupo EIII/EIV. En cuanto al grupo IFNR, hubo n=104 mujeres, siendo sólo 1 en EI/EII y 103 en EIII/EIV. Los casos de FNR están más presentes en EIII/EIV, con un 90% de los casos (IC 95%, p<0,05). El régimen terapéutico más común fue el de AINE en monoterapia, con un 65% (IC 95%, p<0,05) en estadio inadecuado. Se observó una correlación positiva entre la FNR y la ansiedad, especialmente cuando se utilizaba monoterapia con AINE (IC del 95%, p<0,05). Conclusión: Las dificultades para acceder a especialistas para el diagnóstico y a los medicamentos EIII/EIV pueden ser las causas, que serán investigadas en futuros estudios.

Maternal Knowledge of Oral Health During Pregnancy and Childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: This cohort study was to investigate maternal knowledge of the oral health of woman and children during pregnancy and after childbirth, and the associated factors. METHODS: Groups of women participating in a public prenatal dental care programme in Brazil were assessed, in two different stages. In the first stage, pregnant women were assessed for their own oral health. In the second stage, after childbirth, women were assessed for the oral health of their child. The examiner assigned a maternal knowledge score to the questionnaires, considering the ideal alternatives within the context of oral health promotion as correct answers. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis and multiple linear regression tests, considering a level of significance of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Ninety-eight women were included in the study, with a mean age 26.27 years (SD 6.51). In the regression analysis, the maternal knowledge score was associated with the presence of myths about oral health (P < 0.01), the children first dental appointment in the first year of life (P = 0.07), the presence of a non-nutritious sucking habit (P < 0.01), considering dental treatment to be important during pregnancy (P < 0.01), and having been instructed on oral health during pregnancy (P < 0.01) and after the children birth (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the women showed a regular score of knowledge about their oral health and that of their children, as they still believed in some myths about oral health and the risks of dental treatment during pregnancy. Women who received guidance on oral health in pregnancy and after birth showed higher knowledge of their oral health and that of their children, demonstrating the importance of carrying out health promotion actions during pregnancy and the first years of the child's life.

Sub­chronic administration of lead alters markers of oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase and Na+K+­ATPase activities in rat brain.

This study investigated the effects of sub­chronic administration of lead (Pb) acetate on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA­RS), total sulfhydryl content, protein carbonyl content, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GSH­Px]), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and Na+K+­ATPase in the cerebral structures of rats. Male Wistar rats aged 60 days were treated with saline (control group) or Pb (treatment group), at various doses, by gavage, once a day for 35 days. The animals were sacrificed twelve hours after the last administration, and the cerebellum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex were removed. The results showed that Pb did not alter the evaluated oxidative stress parameters. Furthermore, Pb (64 and/or 128 mg/kg) altered SOD in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Pb (128 mg/kg) altered CAT in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex and GSH­Px in the cerebral cortex. Also, Pb (64 mg/kg and 128 mg/kg) altered GSH­Px in the cerebellum. Moreover, Pb (128 mg/kg) increased AChE in the hippocampus and decreased Na+K+­ATPase in the cerebellum and hippocampus. In conclusion, sub­chronic exposure to Pb (occupational and environmental intoxication) altered antioxidant enzymes, AChE, and Na+K+­ATPase, contributing to cerebral dysfunction.

In vitro galactose impairs energy metabolism in the brain of young rats: protective role of antioxidants.

We, herein, investigated the in vitro effects of galactose on the activity of pyruvate kinase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), complex II and IV (cytochrome c oxidase) of the respiratory chain and Na+K+-ATPase in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus of 30-day-old rats. We also determined the influence of the antioxidants, trolox, ascorbic acid and glutathione, on the effects elicited by galactose. Galactose was added to the assay at concentrations of 0.1, 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mM. Control experiments were performed without galactose. Galactose, at 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mM, decreased pyruvate kinase activity in the cerebral cortex and at 10.0 mM in the hippocampus. Galactose, at 10.0 mM, reduced SDH and complex II activities in the cerebellum and hippocampus, and reduced cytochrome c oxidase activity in the hippocampus. Additionally, decreased Na+K+-ATPase activity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus; conversely, galactose, at 3.0 and 5.0 mM, increased this enzyme's activity in the cerebellum. Data show that galactose disrupts energy metabolism and trolox, ascorbic acid and glutathione addition prevented the majority of alterations in the parameters analyzed, suggesting the use of antioxidants as an adjuvant therapy in Classic galactosemia.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This manuscript presents a systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. A meta-analysis was made to compare the number of treated/operated HNC patients in the pre-COVID-19 era versus the COVID-19 era. This investigation was based on previous reports showing a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of new cases of cancer during the pandemic. Worsening in cancer prognosis would be expected as a result of the delayed treatments. METHOD AND MATERIALS: An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library databases. Relevant articles were selected based on specific inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 8,942 HNC patients were included. A higher prevalence in male (1,873) in comparison to female (1,695) was observed considering 3,568 patients. Regarding staging, the majority of cases were stage III to IV. The treatment type more frequently described was surgery. Positive diagnosis for COVID-19 in the pre-oncologic treatment was reported for 242 patients, and for post-oncologic treatment in 119 patients. Mortality by COVID-19 was reported for 27 HNC patients. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly smaller number of surgeries/oncologic treatments of HNC patients performed (2,666) in the COVID-19 era when compared to the pre-COVID-19 era (3,163) (Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.00, P = .05). CONCLUSION: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HNC patients occurred mainly in the number of surgeries/oncologic treatments, showing a significantly smaller number of surgeries/oncologic treatments performed in the COVID-19 era rather than the pre-COVID-19 era.

Systemic and local effects of doxycycline and low-intensity laser treatment on periodontitis in rats.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the systemic and local effects of doxycycline (DOX) and low-intensity laser (LIL) treatment as adjuvants to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats. METHODS: The sample consisted of 180 male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar), of which 30 did not receive induction of periodontal disease (negative control [NC] group) and 150 received induction of periodontal disease in the lower first molar. After 7 days, the ligature was removed, and the animals were divided into the following groups: NT (no treatment), SRP (SRP), DOX (SRP and DOX irrigation), LIL (SRP and laser irradiation), and DOX+LIL (SRP, DOX, and LIL). The animals were euthanized at 7, 15, and 30 days; thereafter, biochemical, radiographic, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the intragroup analysis, lower concentrations of α-1-glycoprotein acid (α-1-Ga) and complement 3 (C3) were observed in the DOX+LIL group than in all other groups at all time points, as well as lower levels of complement 4 (C4) at 15 and 30 days (P<0.001). Less bone loss was observed in the DOX, LIL, and DOX+LIL groups than in the NC and SRP groups at all time points (P<0.001). There was a smaller number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells in the DOX+LIL group than in the other groups at all time points (P<0.001). Positive correlations were observed between the systemic levels of α-1-Ga, C3, and C4 and the number of TRAP-positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of DOX with LIL as SRP adjuvants was effective both systemically and locally for the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats.

Use of P-CPQ to measure the impact of oral health on the quality of life of children with special health care needs / Uso de la P-CPQ para medir el impacto de la salud oral en la calidad de vida de los niños con necesidades especiales de atención médica / Uso do P-CPQ para mensuração do impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida de crianças com necessidades especiais de saúde

Abstract Introduction and objective: the WHO defined the concept of quality of life as the self-perception that the individual has about his position in the social, cultural and ideological context, being these factors the main responsible for denoting the worst parameters regarding oral health care during the dental clinical examination performed by the dentist. To evaluate the impact of oral health on the quality of life of children with special health care needs aged 7 to 14 years old and the influence of different types of specialties on the quality of life, in the view of parents/caregivers in the Brazil southeast region. Materials and methods: the sample was composed of 62 children enrolled in municipal public schools and the Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional. The validated Parental- Caregivers Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) was used as an instrument for data collection, applied in the home environment and answered by the main responsible. The relation between demographic factors, type of special need and P-CPQ was evaluated with alpha of 0.05. Results: the worst parameters in Family Impact Scale were observed when the mother and father was responsible for data transmission (p= 0.004). Oral health was associated with the worst parameters of oral symptoms on quality of life in the view of parents (p = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the impact of the child's type of specialty on quality of life. Conclusion: the variables caregiver and oral health status child are related to the worst indicators regarding the impact of oral health on quality of life.

Resumen Introducción y objetivo: la OMS definió el concepto de calidad de vida como la autopercepción que tiene el individuo sobre su posición en el contexto social, cultural e ideológico, siendo estos factores los principales responsables de denotar los peores parámetros en cuanto al cuidado de la salud bucal durante el examen clínico dental realizado por el dentista. Evaluar el impacto de la salud bucal en la calidad de vida de los niños con necesidades especiales de atención de la salud de 7 a 14 años de edad y la influencia de los diferentes tipos de especialidades en la calidad de vida, en opinión de los padres/cuidadores de la región sudoriental del Brasil. Materiales y métodos: la muestra se compuso de 62 niños matriculados en escuelas públicas municipales y en la Asociación de Padres y Amigos de los Excepcionales. Se utilizó el cuestionario validado Parental- Caregivers Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) como instrumento para la reunión de datos, aplicado en el entorno doméstico y contestado por el principal responsable. La relación entre los factores demográficos, el tipo de necesidad especial y el P-CPQ se evaluó con un alfa de 0,05. Resultados: los peores parámetros en la Escala de Impacto Familiar se observaron cuando la madre y el padre fueron los responsables de la transmisión de datos (p= 0,004). La salud oral se asoció con los peores parámetros de los síntomas orales sobre la calidad de vida a juicio de los padres (p = 0,012). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto al impacto del tipo de especialidad del niño en la calidad de vida. Conclusión: las variables "cuidador" y "estado de salud bucal del niño" se relacionan con los peores indicadores relativos al impacto de la salud bucal en la calidad de vida.

Resumo Introdução e objetivo: a OMS definiu o conceito de qualidade de vida como a autopercepção que o indivíduo tem sobre sua posição no contexto social, cultural e ideológico, sendo esses fatores os principais responsáveis por denotar os piores parâmetros quanto aos cuidados com a saúde bucal durante o exame clínico odontológico realizada pelo dentista. Avaliar o impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida de crianças com necessidades especiais de cuidados de saúde de 7 a 14 anos de idade e a influência de diferentes tipos de especialidades na qualidade de vida, na visão dos pais/cuidadores na região sudeste do Brasil. Materiais e métodos: a amostra foi composta por 62 crianças matriculadas nas escolas públicas municipais e na Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais. Foi utilizado o Parental- Caregivers Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) como um instrumento de mensuração, aplicado no ambiente familiar e respondido pelo responsável principal. A relação entre fatores demográficos, tipo de necessidade especial e o P-CPQ foi avaliada com alfa de 0,05. Resultados: os piores parâmetros em relação à qualidade de vida foram observados quando a mãe foi a responsável pela transmissão dos dados (p= 0,004). A variável estado de saúde bucal (p= 0,012) apresentou resultados relevantes quando relacionadas com os piores parâmetros na percepção do impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida na percepção dos cuidadores sobre suas crianças. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante com relação ao impacto do tipo de especialidade da criança na qualidade de vida. Conclusão: as variáveis cuidador e estado de saúde oral da criança estão relacionadas com os piores indicadores relativos ao impacto da saúde oral sobre a qualidade de vida.

Protective effect of Myrcia pubipetala Miq. against the alterations in oxidative stress parameters in an animal model of depression induced by corticosterone.

Depression is a debilitating disorder in humans that significantly affects quality of life. As such, alternative therapies are highly sought after by patients seeking treatment for depression. Experimentally, the chronic administration of corticosterone (CORT) in rodents has been reported to promote depressive-like behaviors. Herein, animals received saline or CORT for 21 days and, during the last 7 days, they were treated with the crude hydroalcoholic extract (CHE) of Myrcia pubipetala Miq (50, 100 or 150 mg/Kg), or vehicle (distilled water), by oral route. After 24 h, animals were subjected to the open field (OFT) and forced swimming tests (FST), and then sacrificed for the removal of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex for biochemical analysis. Results showed enhanced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as an elevated formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), in the cerebral cortex of CORT-treated mice. The chronic administration of the CHE (100 and 150 mg/Kg) reduced TBARS and the increased total sulfhydryl content, and also reversed the increase in TBARS induced by CORT. In the hippocampus, CORT increased CAT and SOD activities and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (C) activity, while Myrcia pubipetala Miq. CHE (100 and 150 mg/Kg) increased GSH-Px activity when administered alone and reversed decreased GSH-Px (100 and 150 mg/Kg) activity when given during CORT administration. Neither CORT administration nor CHE treatment significantly altered the immobility time of the animals in FST and no changes were observed in the locomotor activity of the animals in the OFT. Findings indicate that the CHE of Myrcia pubipetala Miq. exerts antioxidant effects in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice induced to depression by CORT. Since phenolic compounds are reported to have antioxidant effects in this species, the effects of the CHE may be, at least in part, mediated by the presence of these compounds in Myrcia extract.

Impacto de las comorbilidades orales en las mujeres encarceladas: una revisión integradora / Impact of oral comorbidities on incarceratd women: an integrative review

Introducción: El cuidado de la salud bucal impacta directamente en el bienestar de las mujeres privadas de libertad. Las discrepancias socioeconómicas y la falta de acceso a programas que ofrezcan servicios odontológicos gratuitos y de promoción de lasalud para esta población tienen un impacto sobre su calidad de vida.Objetivos: Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo conocer los retos de salud bucal a los que se enfrentan las mujeres encarceladas enBrasil y en el mundo.Material y método: Se seleccionaron las siguientes bases de datos: EMBASE, (Biblioteca de salud virtual [BVS] = LILACS + BDENF),Scielo, Scopus, Cochrane-Library y PubMed. Se realizaron búsquedas en estas bases de datos hasta octubre de 2021, sin límite de tiempopara realizarlas. Las palabras clave utilizadas en las búsquedas fueron “encarcelamiento”, “prisión”, “mujer” y “salud bucal”.Resultados: La caries, la enfermedad periodontal, el dolor de muelas y el uso de prótesis dentales, fueron las condiciones desalud bucal más prevalentes en mujeres privadas de libertad en Brasil y en el mundo. En cuanto al nivel de evidencia científica,los artículos incluidos se encuadran en el nivel III, según Melnyk y Fineout.Discusión: En el contexto mundial, considerando las limitaciones del estudio, las enfermedades bucales mostraron afectar negativamente a la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal y sistémica de las mujeres durante y después del encarcelamiento.También es esencial que se realicen más estudios clínicos y de seguimiento en mujeres encarceladas que aborden sus necesidade reales de salud bucal. (AU)

Introduction: Oral health care directly impacts the well-being of incarcerated women. It is related to the quality of life, social andeconomic discrepancies and lack of access to programs that offer free dental services and health promotion for this population.Objectives: This work aimed to understand oral health challenges faced by women incarcerated in Brazil and worldwide.Material and method: The following databases were selected: EMBASE, (Virtual Health Library=LILACS+BDENF), Scielo, Scopus, Cochrane-Library and the PubMed search engine. These databases were searched until the closing date of October 2021 with notime limit for the searches. The key words used in the searches were “incarceration”, “prison”, “woman”, and “oral health”.Results: Caries, periodontal disease, tooth pain, and the use of dental prostheses were the most prevalent oral health conditionsamongst incarcerated women in Brazil and worldwide. Regarding the level of scientific evidence, the included articles fit level III,according to Melnyk and Fineout. Discussion: Bearing in mind the limitations of the study, oral diseases in the global context showed that the quality of life relatedto oral and systemic health of women during and after incarceration was negatively affected. It is also essential for further clinicaland follow-up studies to be carried out on incarcerated women that address their actual oral health needs. (AU)

Nutritional Status is Associated with Permanent Tooth Eruption in a Group of Brazilian School Children.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional status with delayed tooth eruption (DTE). Oral examination was performed in schoolchildren (8-11 years old), and DTE was defined by absence of dental gingival emergence or when primary tooth was still present in the oral cavity after the expected time. BMI z-score of each child were collected and nutritional status was defined. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression adjusted by age and gender were performed. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) were calculated. The established alpha was 5%. Among 353 included children, 247 were classified as eutrophic, 16 as underweight, 64 as overweight, and 26 as obese. Underweight was associated as a risk factor to DTE (P = .014; OR = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.3-9.8), and underweight girls had more chance to present DTE than eutrophic girls (P = .048; OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 1.1-17.2) in chi square test. In logistic regression, underweight was associated as a risk factor to DTE (OR = 4.21; CI 95% = 1.42-12.43; P = .009). Underweight children have a higher risk of DTE in permanents.

Concepts of Neuroinflammation and Their Relationship With Impaired Mitochondrial Functions in Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric disease, characterized by frequent behavioral episodes of depression and mania, and neurologically by dysregulated neurotransmission, neuroplasticity, growth factor signaling, and metabolism, as well as oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis, contributing to chronic neuroinflammation. These abnormalities result from complex interactions between multiple susceptibility genes and environmental factors such as stress. The neurocellular abnormalities of BD can result in gross morphological changes, such as reduced prefrontal and hippocampal volume, and circuit reorganization resulting in cognitive and emotional deficits. The term "neuroprogression" is used to denote the progressive changes from early to late stages, as BD severity and loss of treatment response correlate with the number of past episodes. In addition to circuit and cellular abnormalities, BD is associated with dysfunctional mitochondria, leading to severe metabolic disruption in high energy-demanding neurons and glia. Indeed, mitochondrial dysfunction involving electron transport chain (ETC) disruption is considered the primary cause of chronic oxidative stress in BD. The ensuing damage to membrane lipids, proteins, and DNA further perpetuates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, creating a perpetuating pathogenic cycle. A deeper understanding of BD pathophysiology and identification of associated biomarkers of neuroinflammation are needed to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating disorder.

Influence of Doxycycline and InGaAlP Diode Laser at 660 nm Wavelength in the Treatment of Periodontitis Induced in Rats: In Vivo Study.

This study evaluated the influence of Doxycycline (DOX) and Low-Intensity Laser (LIL) (InGaAlP diode laser) as scaling and root planing (SRP) adjuvants in the treatment of periodontitis induced in rats. The rats received periodontal disease induction, and after 7 days, the ligature was removed, and the animals were divided into groups/treatments: NT-receive no treatment; SRP-submitted only to SRP; DOX-submitted to SRP and DOX irrigation; LIL-submitted to SRP and LIL irradiation; and DOX + LIL-submitted to SRP treatments, DOX irrigation and LIL irradiation. The animals were sacrificed at 7, 15 and 30 days, and then, the analyses were performed. A lower concentration of Alpha-glycoprotein acid and Complement 3 was observed in the DOX + LIL group compared to all the other groups in all the periods, and for Complement 4 at 15 and 30 days (P < 0.01). A lower bone loss (BL) was observed in the DOX + LIL group compared to all the other groups in all the periods (P < 0.01). It can be concluded that LIL was effective in the reduction of proteins, and its association with DOX was effective in the reduction of proteins and BL, in the treatment of periodontal induction in rats.

Protective effect of resveratrol on citrullinemia type I-induced brain oxidative damage in male rats.

Citrullinemia Type I is an inborn error, which leads to accumulation of citrulline and ammonia in blood and body tissues. We evaluated the in vitro effects of citrulline, ammonia and the influence of resveratrol on oxidative stress parameters in the cerebrum of 30- and 60-day-old male Wistar rats. Citrulline (0.1, 2.5, 5.0 mM), ammonia (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mM) and resveratrol (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 mM) were added to the assays to measure thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS), total sulfhydryl content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Citrulline (2.5 and 5.0 mM) increased TBA-RS in the cerebellum of 30-day-old and in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of 60-day-old. Citrulline (5.0 mM) increased SOD and reduced GSH-Px in the hippocampus of 30-day-old, whereas in the cerebellum it increased GSH-Px. In the cerebral cortex, 2.5 and 5.0 mM citrulline reduced GSH-Px. In 60-day-old, 2.5 and 5.0 mM citrulline increased SOD in the cerebellum, increased GSH-Px in the cerebral cortex and 5.0 mM citrulline reduced CAT and increased SOD in the cerebral cortex. Ammonia (0.1 and 1.0 mM) reduced the sulfhydryl content in the cerebral cortex of 30- and 60-day-old, 1.0 mM ammonia increased SOD and reduced GSH-Px in the cerebellum of 30-day-old and increased SOD in the hippocampus and cerebellum of 60-day-old. Resveratrol was able to prevent the majority of these alterations. Thus, citrulline and ammonia induce oxidative stress in the cerebrum of rats; however, resveratrol was able to exert antioxidant effects against these substances.

Genetic polymorphisms in interleukin-6 and interleukin-1-beta were associated with dental caries and gingivitis.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene (rs1800795) and in Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1ß) gene (rs1143627 and rs1143629) with dental caries and gingivitis in Brazilian children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-three children aged 8-11 years were included. Visible biofilm and gingival bleeding were evaluated by Community Periodontal Index. The International System for Detection and Assessment of Carious Lesions (ICDAS) was used to investigate dental caries. Real-time PCR evaluated SNPs in the DNA. Chi-square test, haplotype analysis and logistic regression were applied (alpha of 5%). RESULTS: The GG genotype in rs1800795 (IL-6) decreases the risk of gingivitis in a co-dominant model (p = .05; OR = 0.64). The GG genotype in rs1143627 (IL-1ß) reduces the risk of dental caries (Co-dominant model: ICDAS0 versus ICDAS1-6: p = .05; OR = 0.55. ICDAS0-2 versus ICDAS3-6: p = .02; OR = 0.49. Recessive model: ICDAS0 versus ICDAS1-6: p = .005; OR = 0.48. ICDAS0-2 versus ICDAS3-6: p = .004; OR = 0.45. Logistic regression: ICDAS0-2 versus ICDAS3-6: p = .05; OR = 0.24; CI 95%= 0.05-1.00). The GG genotype in rs1143629 was more frequent in ICDAS0 (p = .05; OR: 0.60). In the haplotype analysis, IL-1ß was associated with gingivitis. CONCLUSION: The rs1800795 in IL-6 gene was associated with gingivitis. The rs1143627 and rs1143629 in IL-1ß were associated with dental caries and gingivitis.

Effects of resveratrol on alterations in cerebrum energy metabolism caused by metabolites accumulated in type I citrullinemia in rats.

We investigated the in vitro effects of citrulline (0.1, 2.5 and 5.0 mM) and ammonia (0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 mM), and the influence of resveratrol (0.01 mM, 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM) on pyruvate kinase, citrate synthase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), complex II, and cytochrome c oxidase activities in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus homogenates of 60-day-old male Wistar rats. Results showed that 2.5 and 5.0 mM citrulline decreased pyruvate kinase activity in cerebral cortex and, at a concentration of 5.0 mM, increased its activity in hippocampus. Additionally, 5.0 mM citrulline increased citrate synthase activity in the cerebellum of rats. Citrulline (5.0 mM) reduced complex II and cytochrome c oxidase activities in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. With regard to ammonia, at 0.1 and 1.0 mM, decreased complex II activity in cerebral cortex and at 1.0 mM decreased its activity in cerebellum and hippocampus. Ammonia (1.0 mM) also decreased cytochrome c oxidase activity in cerebral cortex and cerebellum of rats. Resveratrol was able to prevent most of the alterations caused by these metabolites in the biomarkers of energy metabolism measured in the cerebrum of rats. Data suggest that these alterations in energy metabolism, caused by citrulline and ammonia, are probably mediated by the generation of free radicals, which can in turn be scavenged by resveratrol.

Hypolipidemic, hipoglycemiant and antioxidant effects of Myrcia splendens (Sw) DC in an animal type 2 diabetes model induced by streptozotocin / Efectos hipolipemiante, hipoglucemiante y antioxidante de Myrcia splendens (Sw) DC en un modelo animal de diabetes tipo 2 inducido por estreptozotocina

We investigated the effects of dichloromethane extract (DME) from Myrcia splendenson alterations caused by type 2 diabetes in the blood and kidney of rats, in order to reduce side effects caused by synthetic drugs. Rats received streptozotocin (60 mg/kg),15 minutes after nicotinamide (120 mg/kg) or water. After 72 hours, the glycemic levels were evaluated to confirm diabetes and the animals received (15 days) DME (25, 50, 100 or 150 mg/Kg) or water. DME partially reversed hyperglycemia and (100 and 150 mg/kg) reversed hypertriglyceridemia. Histopathological findings elucidated that DME reduced damage to pancreatic islets. DME 150 mg/kgreversed the increases in TBA-RS, the reduction in the sulfhydryl content, 100 and 150 mg/kg increased CAT, reversed the decrease in GSH-Px and increased it activity in the blood. DME 150 mg/kg reversed CAT and GSH-Px reductions in the kidney. We believe that DME effects might be dependent on the presence of phenolic compounds.

Investigamos los efectos del extracto de diclorometano (DME)de Myrcia splendens sobre las alteraciones causadas por la diabetes tipo 2 en la sangre y los riñones de las ratas, para reducir los efectos secundarios causados por las drogas sintéticas. Las ratas recibieron estreptozotocina (60 mg/kg), 15 minutos después de la nicotinamida (120 mg/kg) o agua. Después de 72 horas, se confirmo la diabetes y los animales recibieron (15 días) DME (25, 50, 100 o 150 mg/Kg) o agua. DME revierte parcialmente la hiperglucemia y revierte la hipertrigliceridemia. DME redujo el daño a los islotes pancreáticos. DME revirtió los aumentos en TBA-RS, la reducción en el contenido de sulfhidrilo, aumentó la CAT, revirtió la disminución en GSH-Px y aumentó su actividad en la sangre. Además, DME revirtió las reducciones de CAT y GSH-Px en el riñón. Creemos que los efectos provocados por DME pueden depender de la presencia de compuestos fenólicos.

Evaluations of hydroxyapatite and bioactive glass in the repair of critical size bone defects in rat calvaria.

To overcome the morbidity of autogenous graft removal and limitations of allogeneic and xenogeneic grafts, a great interest exists in the development of biomaterials of synthetic origin. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological behavior of a novel bioactive glass (60% SiO2- 36% CaO-4% P2O5) as bone substitute in critical calvaria defects of rats, in comparison to hydroxyapatite. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided in three groups, according to the treatment: Control Group (C) - blood clot; Hydroxyapatite (HA) - particulate hydroxyapatite (≤0,5 mm); and Bioactive Glass (BG) - particulate bioactive glass (0.04-1 mm). RESULTS: From the intergroup analysis, it was observed that Group C presented a greater newly formed bone area (NBA) when compared to Groups HA and BG. In addition, Group HA showed higher NBA when compared to Group BG at 30 and 60 days (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that groups HA and BG presented high and moderate osteocalcin immunolabeling respectively. Group HA displayed a greater number of TRAP-positive cells compared to Groups C and BG at 30 and 60 days (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: From these results, we can conclude that the resorption rate of hydroxyapatite is higher than the novel bioactive glass, which maintained significant higher volume until the last experimental period. Both of the tested biomaterials acted as osteoconductors during bone repair, and their physical characteristics importantly influenced this process.

A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA).

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), a pathogen classified by the United Nations (UN) as a dangerous category B biological substance. For the sake of the workers' safety, handling of all samples presumed to carry Mtb must be conducted in a containment level (CL) 3 laboratory. The TB molecular bacterial load assay (TB-MBLA) test is a reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) test that quantifies Mtb bacillary load using primers and dual-labelled probes for 16S rRNA. We describe the use of heat inactivation to render TB samples noninfectious while preserving RNA for the TB-MBLA. A 1 mL aliquot of the sputum sample in tightly closed 15 mL centrifuge tubes is boiled for 20 min at either 80 °C, 85 °C, or 95 °C to inactivate Mtb bacilli. Cultivation of the heat inactivated and control (live) samples for 42 days confirmed the death of TB. The inactivated sample is then spiked with 100 µL of the extraction control and RNA is extracted following the standard RNA isolation procedure. No growth was observed in the cultures of heat treated samples. The isolated RNA is subjected to real-time RT-qPCR, which amplifies a specific target in the Mtb 16S rRNA gene, yielding results in the form of quantification cycles (Cq). A standard curve is used to translate Cq into bacterial load, or estimated colony forming units per mL (eCFU/mL). There is an inverse relationship between Cq and the bacterial load of a sample. The limitation is that heat inactivation lyses some cells, exposing the RNA to RNases that cause a loss of <1 log10eCFU/mL (i.e., <10 CFU/mL). Further studies will determine the proportion of very low burden patients that cause false negative results due to heat inactivation.