Morphology of the brain base arteries of the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

This study aimed to describe the brain base arteries of the Myrmecophaga tridactyla using ten cadavers of adults from this species, including five male and five female specimens. The arterial vascular bed was perfused via the thoracic aorta with a dyed natural latex solution, and the animals were fixed and preserved with a 10% formaldehyde buffered solution. The encephala were removed, and their vessels dissected. Basilar artery formation occurred by anastomosis of the thick ventral spinal artery with vertebral arteries. The basilar artery formed two arterial islands and gave bulbar and pontine branches, and cranial, middle, and caudal cerebellar arteries and ended by forking into its terminal branches, the caudal communicating arteries. The blood supply of the encephalon derived solely from the vertebrobasilar system, and the arterial circle of the brain was closed caudally and rostrally. The absence of participation of internal carotid arteries in encephalon irrigation, the island formations by the basilar artery, and the fusiform shape of the arterial circle of the brain are peculiar characteristics of the vascular anatomy of the brain base of M. tridactyla.

Human Anatomy: Teaching-Learning Experience of a Support Teacher and a Student with Low Vision and Blindness.

In Brazil, a federal law ensures that all students with disabilities are entitled to enrollment in higher education institutions. Higher courses in human anatomy stand out for their complexity in both theoretical and practical contents. Therefore, adaptation is required to accommodate students with special educational needs. This study aimed to describe the experience of a Support Teacher in the development of inclusive pedagogical practices for the discipline of Human Anatomy offered in the physiotherapy course for a student with low vision and blindness. The challenges and learning difficulties faced by a visually impaired student are reported. Qualitative analysis was performed by interviewing a student with low vision and blindness and a Support Teacher. The audio recordings were transcribed, categorized, and analyzed using content analysis. The Support Teacher created schematics and drawings of anatomical structures, reviewed theoretical and practical contents, developed adaptations of the examinations, and applied palpatory anatomy to facilitate the student's learning process. The findings illustrate that the student faced the greatest difficulty in dealing with the emotional aspects, due to the inability to visualize the anatomical details in human cadavers. Thus, the presence of a Support Teacher was fundamental to ensure that the student could learn the content and overcome this limitation. In conclusion, personalized adaptation, commitment, and collaborative work between the Support Teacher and students with low vision and blindness improve their learning conditions.

Assessment of complex genomic alterations induced by AZT, 3TC, and the combination AZT +3TC.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens are based on the use of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which are the main drugs used by patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The use of NRTIs combinations has afforded clear clinical benefits to patients undergoing HAART. However, the combination of two NRTIs may increase the risk of genomic instability in comparison with the drugs administered individually. We analyzed the ability of zidovudine (AZT) and lamivudine (3TC), and the combination AZT +3TC to induce complex genomic alterations using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells. The 24-h cell treatment with individual NRTIs showed that AZT increased micronucleus frequencies and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs). No significant differences were observed for any parameters investigated after exposure of CHO-K1 cells to 3TC. The combination AZT +3TC significantly increased micronucleus frequencies. Analysis of interaction between these drugs suggested that antagonism occurs in all AZT +3TC concentrations. These results highlight the importance to investigate the genotoxic profile of NRTIs to develop safer intervention strategies in antiretroviral treatment protocols.

Assistência de enfermagem na monitorização da pressão intracraniana em pacientes neurocríticos / Service of nursing in intracranial pressure monitoring in patients neurocríticos / Servicio de enfermería en el monitoreo de la presión intracraneal en pacientes neurocríticos

Objetivo: Identificar a través de la literatura las intervenciones de enfermería en el monitoreo de la presión intracraneal en pacientes neurocríticos. Método: Revisión de la literatura integradora con búsqueda de artículos, SciELO, LILACS y PUBMED. Los artículos seleccionados fueron publicados entre los años 2007 y 2017. Resultados: Se encontraron 94 artículos y excluidos 78 como criterios de inclusión. Hasta 16 artículos fueron utilizados en esta revisión. Estos datos sugieren que la monitorización neurológica puede realizarse en una invasiva y no invasiva. Entre los métodos invasivos es el monitoreo de la presión intracraneal y la enfermera, que era directamente responsable de este cuidado. Por lo tanto, el cuidado y la elevación de la cabeza, cuidado con aspiración traqueal, cuidado con hipoxemia, coordinación y gestión en enfermería entre otros debe ser parte de la atención de enfermería. Conclusión: Cuidados de enfermería es esencial para el paciente neurocrítico. Este cuidado contribuir tanto positivos como negativos en estos pacientes

Objective: To identify through literature the nursing interventions in the intracranial pressure monitoring in patients neurocríticos. Method: Integrative review of literature with search of articles in SciELO, LILACS, and PUBMED. The selected articles were published between the years 2007 and 2017. Results: We found 94 articles and excluded 78 as inclusion criteria. So 16 articles were used in this review. These suggest that the neurological monitoring can be performed in a invasive and non invasive. Among the invasive methods is the monitoring of intracranial pressure, and the nurse, who was directly responsible for this care. Thus, care and the elevation of the head, care with tracheal aspiration, care with hypoxemia, coordination and management in nursing care among others must be part of nursing care. Conclusion: Nursing care is essential for the patient neurocrítico. This care contribute to both positive developments as negative in these patients

Objetivo: Identificar por meio da literatura as intervenções de enfermagem na monitorização da pressão intracraniana em pacientes neurocríticos. Método:Revisão integrativa da literatura com busca dos artigos nas bases de dados SciELO, LILACS e PUBMED. Os artigos selecionados foram publicados entre os anos de 2007 e 2017. Resultados: Foram encontrados 94 artigos e excluídos 78 conforme critérios de inclusão. Assim, 16 artigos foram usados nesta revisão. Estes apontaram que a monitorização neurológica pode ser realizada de maneira invasiva e não invasiva. Entre os métodos invasivos, está a monitorização da pressão intracraniana, sendo o enfermeiro, responsável direto neste cuidado. Assim, cuidados como a elevação da cabeceira, cuidados com aspiração traqueal, cuidados com hipoxemia, coordenação e gerenciamento nos cuidados de enfermagem, entre outros, devem fazer parte da assistência de enfermagem. Conclusão: Os cuidados de enfermagem são indispensáveis para o paciente neurocrítico. Estes cuidados contribuem tanto para evolução positiva quanto negativa desses pacientes

Costal malformation related to thoracolumbar scoliosis in adolescents - case report / Malformação costal relacionada à escoliose toracolombar em adolescente - relato de caso / Malformación costal relacionada con la escoliosis toracolumbar en adolescentes - relato de caso

ABSTRACT Congenital scoliosis associated with costal malformation is well known. However, there are no reports of idiopathic scoliosis associated with the fusion of the costal arcs in the literature. This report describes a case of idiopathic scoliosis with fusion of the 1st and 2nd costal arches in a female patient and reports changes in the deformity due to scoliosis because of the treatment. The analysis was performed from a morphological and clinical point of view, and by complementary tests. Radiographs and CT scans were obtained and evaluated from the first consultation in 2012 and during the period in which the patient was followed in a private clinic, until the stabilization of the condition, in 2014. The evolution was favorable with the use of a Milwaukee vest and there was improvement of the clinical picture after the skeletal maturity, and the angle of lateral curvature, measured by the Cobb method, initially of 20 degrees, was reduced and stabilized in nine degrees, measure which is currently maintained. The analysis showed concomitant pathologies, and the fusion of costal arches did not influence the spine deformity, since there was regression with the clinical treatment. This evolution leads us to conclude that adolescent idiopathic scoliosis should be imputed as the sole responsible for the clinical picture of the patient, and that the fusion of the costal arches does not interfere with the biomechanics of the spine. Level of Evidence: IV. Type of study: Case series.

RESUMO A escoliose congênita associada à malformação costal é bem conhecida. Porém, não existe na literatura relatos de escoliose idiopática associada à fusão dos arcos costais. Este relato descreve um caso de escoliose idiopática com a fusão do 1º e 2º arcos costais em paciente do sexo feminino, e relata modificações da deformidade por escoliose em decorrência do tratamento. A análise foi realizada do ponto de vista morfológico, clínico e por exames complementares. Foram avaliadas radiografias e tomografias obtidas desde a primeira consulta, em 2012, e durante o período em que a mesma foi acompanhada em uma clínica particular, até a estabilização do quadro em 2014. A evolução foi favorável com uso de colete de Milwaukee e houve melhora do quadro clínico após maturidade esquelética, sendo que o ângulo de curvatura lateral, aferido pelo método de Cobb, inicialmente de 20 graus, reduziu e se estabilizou em nove graus, sendo que esta medida se mantém atualmente. Pela análise realizada, houve uma concomitância de patologias, sendo que a fusão de arcos costais não influenciou na deformidade da coluna, uma vez que a mesma regrediu com o tratamento clínico. Esta evolução nos leva a concluir que a escoliose idiopática da adolescente deve ser imputada como a única responsável pelo quadro clínico da paciente, e que a fusão dos arcos costais não interfere na biomecânica da coluna vertebral. Nível de Evidência: IV. Tipo de estudo: Série de caso.

RESUMEN La escoliosis congénita asociada a la malformación costal es bien conocida. Sin embargo, no existen relatos de escoliosis idiopática asociada a la fusión de los arcos costales en la literatura. Este relato describe un caso de escoliosis idiopática con la fusión del primer y segundo arco costal en paciente del sexo femenino y relata modificaciones de la deformidad por escoliosis como consecuencia del tratamiento. El análisis fue realizado desde el punto de vista morfológico y clínico y por exámenes complementarios. Se evaluaron las radiografías y tomografías obtenidas en la primera consulta, en 2012 y durante el período en el que la paciente fue acompañada en una clínica particular, hasta la estabilización del cuadro, en 2014. La evolución fue favorable con uso de chaleco de Milwaukee y hubo una mejora del cuadro clínico después de la madurez esquelética, siendo que el ángulo de curvatura lateral, medido por el método de Cobb, inicialmente de 20 grados, se redujo y se estabilizó en nueve grados, lo que se mantiene actualmente. Por el análisis realizado, hubo concomitancia de patologías, siendo que la fusión de arcos costales no influenció la deformidad de la columna, una vez que hubo regresión con el tratamiento clínico. Esta evolución nos lleva a concluir que la escoliosis idiopática de esta adolescente debe ser imputada como la única responsable del cuadro clínico de la paciente, y que la fusión de los arcos costales no interfiere en la biomecánica de la columna vertebral. Nivel de Evidencia: IV. Tipo de estudio: Serie de caso.

Genotoxicity testing of combined treatment with cisplatin, bleomycin, and 5-fluorouracil in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

The simultaneous treatment with the cross-linking agent cisplatin, the radiomimetic antitumoral drug bleomycin, and the anti-metabolite drug 5-fluorouracil has been used as a regimen to treat patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Considering that these drugs interact directly with DNA, one of the important late-occurring complications from treatment of primary malignancies is the therapy-related secondary cancers as a result of the genotoxic activity of the drugs on normal cells. In this sense, the genotoxicity of this combination was evaluated using the wing somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila melanogaster. The mutant spots observed in marker-heterozygous and balancer-heterozygous flies were compared in order to quantitatively and qualitatively estimate the genotoxic effect of these drugs. Cisplatin (0.003 and 0.006mM), bleomycin (0.005 and 0.01mM), and both combinations preferentially induced recombinational events, while mutation is the major event regarding the genetic toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (0.025 and 0.05mM). The combination of these drugs produced synergistic and antagonistic genotoxic effects, depending on the concentrations used, which could impose a higher risk of secondary effects associated with their genotoxic effects, emphasizing the importance of long-term monitoring in patients being treated with these drugs.

The genetic toxicity effects of lamivudine and stavudine antiretroviral agents.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: The nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are used in antiretroviral therapy worldwide for the treatment of HIV infections. These drugs act by blocking reverse transcriptase enzyme activity, causing pro-viral DNA chain termination. As a consequence, NRTIs could cause genomic instability and loss of heterozygosity. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: This review highlights the toxic and genotoxic effects of NRTIs, particularly lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T) analogues. In addition, a battery of short-term in vitro and in vivo systems are described to explain the potential genotoxic effects of these NRTIs as a single drug or a complexity of highly active antiretroviral therapy. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: The readers will gain an understanding of a secondary effect that could be induced by 3TC and d4T treatments. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Considering that AIDS has become a chronic disease, more comprehensive toxic genetic studies are needed, with particular attention to the genetic alterations induced by NRTIs. These alterations play a primary role in carcinogenesis and are also involved in secondary and subsequent steps of carcinogenesis.

Mutagenic and recombinagenic effects of lamivudine and stavudine antiretrovirals in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T) are nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors employed in antiretroviral therapies. The mutational and recombinational potential as well as the total genetic toxicity was determined for both compounds at concentrations allowing at least 30% survival using the standard version of wing SMART assay. The standardized clone induction frequency per mg/ml for mwh/flr(3) genotype were approximately 2 and approximately 33 mutant clones/10(5) cells/(mg/ml) for d4T and 3TC, respectively. Comparing these results with those obtained in the mwh/TM3 genotype, it was possible to quantify the recombinagenic action of each drug. Approximately 86% of the mutant clones induced by 3TC and approximately 76% of the d4T induced clones were related to their mitotic recombination action. Our results indicate that both 3TC and d4T have high recombinagenic potential, and suggest that exposure to the drugs could cause genomic instability and loss of heterozygosity. This may be due to the fact that these genetic alterations play a primary role in carcinogenesis, and are also involved in secondary and subsequent steps of carcinogenesis by which recessive oncogenic mutations are revealed.

Comparative analysis of genetic toxicity of AZT and ddI antiretrovirals in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Antiretroviral therapies based on nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, like zidovudine (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine; AZT) and didanosine (2',3'-dideoxyinosine; ddI), markedly reduce human immunodeficiency virus loads. The Somatic Mutation And Recombination Test in Drosophila melanogaster (wing SMART), in its standard version, was applied to compare AZT and ddI genetic toxicity expressed as point and chromosomal mutation as well as homologous mitotic recombination. The present findings provide evidence that the mechanistic basis underlying the genetic toxicity of these antiretrovirals is mainly related to mitotic recombination. However, a genotoxic pattern can correspondingly be discerned: AZT is able to induce recombination ( approximately 85%) and mutation ( approximately 15%), and ddI causes only homologous recombination (100%) in the wing SMART assay. Another point to be considered is the fact that ddI is 3.8 times less active to induce mutant clones per mg/ml unit as compared to AZT. The clinical significance of these observations has to be interpreted in the light of data obtained from long-term toxicity in patients treated with the above mentioned agents.