The influence of age and sex on the absolute cell numbers of the human brain cerebral cortex.

The human cerebral cortex is one of the most evolved regions of the brain, responsible for most higher-order neural functions. Since nerve cells (together with synapses) are the processing units underlying cortical physiology and morphology, we studied how the human neocortex is composed regarding the number of cells as a function of sex and age. We used the isotropic fractionator for cell quantification of immunocytochemically labeled nuclei from the cerebral cortex donated by 43 cognitively healthy subjects aged 25-87 years old. In addition to previously reported sexual dimorphism in the medial temporal lobe, we found more neurons in the occipital lobe of men, higher neuronal density in women's frontal lobe, but no sex differences in the number and density of cells in the other lobes and the whole neocortex. On average, the neocortex has ~10.2 billion neurons, 34% in the frontal lobe and the remaining 66% uniformly distributed among the other 3 lobes. Along typical aging, there is a loss of non-neuronal cells in the frontal lobe and the preservation of the number of neurons in the cortex. Our study made possible to determine the different degrees of modulation that sex and age evoke on cortical cellularity.

Determining factors of functioning in hemodialysis patients using the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) treatment affects functioning, physical activity level, clinical biomarkers, and body composition. However, the association between these variables with functioning, considering International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between physical activity, biomarkers, and body composition with functioning in HD patients in reference to the ICF. METHODS: Eighty HD patients performed different tests grouped according to ICF domain: Body structure and function - handgrip strength (HS), 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, and 60-s sit-to-stand test (5-STS, 60-STS, respectively); Activity - short physical performance battery (SPPB); and Participation - participation scale questionnaire. Physical activity [Human Activity Profile questionnaire (HAP)], body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), Parathormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed as possible variables associated with ICF domains. Data analyses were performed using simple and multiple regression models adjusted for age, duration of HD, and diuresis volume. RESULTS: In the body structure and function domain, appendicular lean mass, PTH level, and age were associated with HS (R2 = 0.558); HAP and PTH were associated with 5-STS (R2 = 0.263); and HAP, PTH, duration of HD, and age were associated with 60-STS (R2 = 0.337). In the activity domain, HAP, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, duration of HD, age, and body fat were associated with SPPB (R2 = 0.689). Finally, only HAP was associated with the participation scale (R2 = 0.067). CONCLUSION: Physical activity and PTH levels are determinant protagonists of functioning in all ICF domains in hemodialysis patients.

Analysis of Postural Control in Patients Diagnosed with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthrosis and Its Relationship with the Risk of Falls.

Introduction: Knee osteoarthrosis, whether subtle or marked, appears to alter the stability and performance of the knee joint in activities of daily living that prevent the maintenance of bipedal posture. However, there is still a gap in the literature as to how knee osteoarthritis can affect static balance. Objective: To analyze the performance of postural control in elderly diagnosed with unilateral knee osteoarthrosis. Materials and Methods: 40 elderly people of both sexes participated in this study, divided into two groups containing 20 elderly each. Group 1 (G1) consists of elderly patients who have received a diagnosis of unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Despite undergoing conservative treatment, their condition has shown insufficient improvement, leading to a clinical recommendation for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The G2 group was made up of 20 elderly with an average age of 71.09 years, considered active, who do not have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in the knee joint and practice physical activity. With the aid of a Baroscan pressure platform, the center of pressure (COP) displacement in the anteroposterior (COPAP) direction and mediolateral direction (COPML) and the area of center of pressure displacement were evaluated during bipedal postural control with eyes open and eyes closed. Results: During postural control with eyes open and eyes closed, the G1 group showed greater displacement of the COP in the anteroposterior direction-COPAP (p = 0.007)-and mediolateral direction-COPML (p = 0.033)-when compared to the G2 group. As for the area of displacement of the COP, group G1 presented a larger area of displacement (p = 0.002) than group G2 during bipedal postural control with open eyes. For the condition with eyes closed, both groups showed similar behaviors, which resulted in no present statistically significant differences. Conclusion: The results suggest that unilateral knee osteoarthritis influences bipedal postural control and activities of daily living that require this static balance, since information from the somatosensory system is reduced, resulting in stability of tasks that require body control and promoting the risk of falls. From a clinical perspective, the results suggest that the assessment of bipedal postural control can assist orthopedic physicians in assessing joint stability in patients with unilateral knee osteoarthrosis.

Resilience of Neural Cellularity to the Influence of Low Educational Level.

BACKGROUND: Education is believed to contribute positively to brain structure and function, as well as to cognitive reserve. One of the brain regions most impacted by education is the medial temporal lobe (MTL), a region that houses the hippocampus, which has an important role in learning processes and in consolidation of memories, and is also known to undergo neurogenesis in adulthood. We aimed to investigate the influence of education on the absolute cell numbers of the MTL (comprised by the hippocampal formation, amygdala, and parahippocampal gyrus) of men without cognitive impairment. METHODS: The Isotropic Fractionator technique was used to allow the anisotropic brain tissue to be transformed into an isotropic suspension of nuclei, and therefore assess the absolute cell composition of the MTL. We dissected twenty-six brains from men aged 47 to 64 years, with either low or high education. RESULTS: A significant difference between groups was observed in brain mass, but not in MTL mass. No significant difference was found between groups in the number of total cells, number of neurons, and number of non-neuronal cells. Regression analysis showed that the total number of cells, number of neurons, and number of non-neuronal cells in MTL were not affected by education. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a resilience of the absolute cellular composition of the MTL of typical men to low schooling, suggesting that the cellularity of brain regions is not affected by formal education.

Lagochilascaris minor: experimental infection of C57BL/6 and BALB/c isogenic mice reveals the presence of adult worms.

The nematode Lagochilascaris minor is the causative agent of lagochilascariosis, a human disease that affects the neck region causing exudative abscesses with eggs, larvae, and adult parasites. Mice are currently considered intermediate hosts for the parasite. To determine the pattern of infection and the possibility of mice as definitive hosts for L. minor, experimental lagochilascariosis was studied in two distinct isogenic mouse strains: BALB/c and C57BL/6. Our results indicate that BALB/c mice are more resistant to L. minor infection than C57BL/6, having less intense lesions in the lungs, a lower number of nodules with encysted larvae and fewer adult worms, and displaying a higher serum level of IFN gamma. Both mouse strains had low levels of serum IL-10. We also observed adult parasites in both mouse strains, raising the possibility that mice are definitive hosts of L. minor. This is the first description of adult parasite development of L. minor in mice.

Ações e atitudes das enfermeiras na abordagem das parturientes sobre tecnologias não invasivas de cuidado / Nurse's actions and attitudes in approaching parturient women on non-invasive care technologies / Acciones y actitudes de las enfermeras en el enfoque de las parturientas sobre tecnologías de cuidado no invasivas

Objetivos: conhecer as ações das enfermeiras obstétricas para mobilizar as parturientes quanto ao uso das tecnologias não invasivas de cuidado; e discutir as atitudes destas profissionais diante da não adesão das parturientes a estas tecnologias. Método: estudo qualitativo e exploratório, com 17 enfermeiras obstétricas. Os dados foram coletados de novembro de 2019 a janeiro de 2020, através de entrevistas, submetidos à análise temática e discutidos à luz do conceitos da Teoria de Madeleine Leininger. Resultados: as mulheres são mobilizadas com as seguintes ações: construção de vínculo; compartilhamento de saberes; colaboração de outras enfermeiras; e incentivo à participação do acompanhante. Diante da não adesão, as atitudes das enfermeiras perpassam pela negociação ou imposição cultural. Conclusão: Incorporar os valores da parturiente no processo de cuidar é fundamental para evitar o choque cultural, seja por meio da negociação do cuidado desmedicalizado ou da preservação do padrão medicalizado.

Objective: to learn what action is taken by obstetric nurses to mobilize parturient women towards the use non-invasive care technologies; and to discuss nurses' attitudes to parturients' non-adherence to these technologies. Method: in this exploratory, qualitative study, with 17 obstetric nurses, data were collected through interviews, from November 2019 to January 2020, subjected to thematic analysis and discussed in light of the concepts of Madeleine Leininger's Theory. Results: women were mobilized by the following actions: bonding; knowledge sharing; collaboration from other nurses; and encouragement for companion participation. Faced with non-adherence to technologies, nurses' actions hinge on negotiation or cultural imposition. Conclusion: incorporating the mother's values into the care process, either by negotiating de-medicalized care or maintaining standard medicalized care, is essential in order to avoid culture shock.

Objetivo: conocer las acciones de las enfermeras obstétricas para movilizar a las parturientas sobre el uso de tecnologías de atención no invasivas; y discutir las actitudes de estos profesionales frente a la no adherencia de las parturientas a estas tecnologías. Método: estudio cualitativo y exploratorio, junto a 17 enfermeras obstétricas. Los datos fueron recolectados de noviembre de 2019 a enero de 2020, a través de entrevistas, sometidos a análisis temático y discutidos a la luz de los conceptos de la Teoría de Madeleine Leininger. Resultados: las mujeres se movilizan con las siguientes acciones: construcción de vínculos; intercambio de conocimientos; colaboración de otras enfermeras; y fomento a la participación del acompañante. Frente a la no adherencia, las actitudes de los enfermeros pasan por la negociación o imposición cultural. Conclusión: Incorporar los valores de la madre en el proceso de cuidado es fundamental para evitar el choque cultural, ya sea a través de la negociación de la atención desmedicalizada o la preservación del estándar medicalizado.

Experimental lagochilascariosis in X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient mice.

Lagochilascaris minor is the etiological agent of lagochilascariosis, a disease that affects the neck region and causes exudative abscesses, with eggs, adult parasites and L3/L4 larvae in the purulent exudates. Mice are now considered to be intermediate hosts for the parasite. To determine the pattern of infection in B1 cell-deficient mice, experimental lagochilascariosis was studied in BALB/c and X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient (xid) mice. BALB.xid-infected mice showed lower numbers of larvae. Third-stage larvae, fourth-stage larvae and adult parasites were found in both strains. BALB/c mice produced IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE against the crude extract and secreted/excreted antigens of the parasite. On the other hand, BALB.xid mice did not produce IgM and produced lower levels of IgG and IgA, and similar quantities of IgE.

Aplicação da Escala de Braden em domicílio: incidência e fatores associados a úlcera por pressão / Application of the Braden Scale in the home setting: incidence and factors associated with pressure ulcers

OBJETIVO: Estimar a capacidade da Escala de Braden em predizer o surgimento de úlcera por pressão no âmbito domiciliar, conhecer a incidência da úlcera por pressão neste grupo e os seus fatores associados. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo de coorte prospectivo que incluiu 183 pacientes. Foram estudadas variáveis demográficas e clínicas, grau de acometimento cognitivo e comprometimento de atividades da vida diária. A Escala de Braden foi aplicada em seis visitas domiciliárias mensais acompanhadas por seis meses em um Programa de Acompanhamento Domiciliar. RESULTADOS: A incidência de úlcera por pressão encontrada foi de 20%. A pontuação com melhor representatividade para considerar risco de desenvolvimento de úlcera foi o ponto de corte 18. O grau de classificação no programa de acompanhamento domiciliar, Alzheimer e Acidente Vascular Encefálico foram fatores preditores ao surgimento do agravo. CONCLUSÃO: A Escala de Braden demonstrou ser efetiva no âmbito domiciliar para predizer o surgimento de úlceras por pressão. A incidência de úlcera por pressão no acompanhamento domiciliar foi de 20%. E os fatores associados foram: Grau no Programa de Acompanhamento Domiciliar, Alzheimer e Atividades da Vida Diária.

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the capacity of the Braden Scale for predicting the onset of pressure ulcers in the home environment, and learn the incidence of pressure ulcers in this group and their associated factors. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that included 183 patients. Demographic and clinical variables, degree of cognitive impairment and impairment of activities of daily living were studied. The Braden Scale was applied in six monthly home visits that were monitored for six months in a Homecare Monitoring Program. RESULTS: The incidence of pressure ulcers found was 20%. The score with the best representation as for the risk of ulcer development was the cutoff point 18. The degree of classification in the homecare monitoring program, Alzheimer disease and stroke were predictive factors in the emergence of the disorder. CONCLUSION: The Braden Scale was effective in the home environment to predict the onset of pressure ulcers. The incidence of pressure ulcers in homecare monitoring was 20%, and the associated factors were the degree in the Homecare Monitoring Program, Alzheimer and activities of daily living.

Experimental lagochilascariosis in X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient mice / Lagochilascariose experimental em camundongos com imunodeficiência ligada ao cromossomo X

Lagochilascaris minor is the etiological agent of lagochilascariosis, a disease that affects the neck region and causes exudative abscesses, with eggs, adult parasites and L3/L4 larvae in the purulent exudates. Mice are now considered to be intermediate hosts for the parasite. To determine the pattern of infection in B1 cell-deficient mice, experimental lagochilascariosis was studied in BALB/c and X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient (xid) mice. BALB.xid-infected mice showed lower numbers of larvae. Third-stage larvae, fourth-stage larvae and adult parasites were found in both strains. BALB/c mice produced IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE against the crude extract and secreted/excreted antigens of the parasite. On the other hand, BALB.xid mice did not produce IgM and produced lower levels of IgG and IgA, and similar quantities of IgE.

Lagochilascaris minor é o agente etiológico da lagochilascariose, uma doença que afeta a região de pescoço provocando abscessos exudativos contendo ovos, parasitas adultos e larvas L3/L4 nos exudates purulentos. Atualmente, camundongos são considerados hospedeiros intermediários do parasita. Para determinar o padrão de infecção em camundongos deficientes de células B1, a lagochilascariose experimental foi estudada em camundongos BALB/c e em camundongos com imunodeficiência ligada ao cromossomo X (xid). Camundongos BALB.xid infectados mostraram menor número de larvas. Larvas L3, L4 e parasitas adultos foram encontrados em ambas as linhagens. Camundongos BALB/c produziram IgM, IgG, IgA e IgE contra o extrato bruto e antígenos secretados/excretados do parasita; por outro lado, camundongos BALB.xid não produziram IgM, produziram baixos níveis de IgG e IgA, e quantidades semelhantes de IgE.

Associação do polimorfismo 936C>T do gene do Fator de Crescimento Endotelial Vascular (VEGF) com a Doença Arterial Coronariana / Association between VEGF 936C>T Polymorphism and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) with Coronary Artery Disease

Introdução: O gene que codifica o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) tem sido investigado no desenvolvimento de doenças coronárias. Estudos apontam para um efeito protetor do VEGF no desenvolvimento da placa aterosclerótica, atuando como regulador da integridade endotelial vascular. O polimorfismo 936C>T do gene VEGF está associado com redução da síntese da proteína e parece desempenhar um importante papel no desenvolvimento da doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre o polimorfismo VEGF e presença, extensão e gravidade da DAC. Casuística e Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo 50 pacientes com DAC confirmada por angiografia coronária e 50 indivíduos controles sem sinais angiográficos da doença. A genotipagem do polimorfismo VEGF 936C>T foi realizada por Reação em cadeia da polimerase, seguida de digestão enzimática. As análises estatísticas foram feitas por meio de teste Qui-quadrado, Teste exato de Fisher, Teste t e Regressão logística. Resultados: Tabagismo e Diabetes Mellitus (DM) foram mais freqüentes nos pacientes em relação aos controles (P = 0,015 e P = 0,013,respectivamente). As freqüências do alelo polimórfico foram 0,11 no grupo de pacientes e 0,17 no grupo controle (P = 0,308). A distribuição genotípica não diferiu significantemente entre os grupos (P = 0,397). Os genótipos VEGF 936C>T não foram associados ao número de vasos obstruídos (P = 0,452) ou grau deobstrução arterial (P = 0,681). Conclusão: O polimorfismo 936C>T do gene VEGF não apresentou associação com a DAC ou com a severidade da obstrução coronariana.

Introduction: The gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been investigated in coronary artery disease progression. Studies point out protector effect of VEGF on atherosclerotic plaque development, playing regulating role of vascular endothelial integrity. The polymorphism VEGF 936C>T is associated with reduction of the protein synthesis, and could have an important role in coronary artery disease (CAD)development. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the VEGF 936C>T polymorphism and the presence, extension, and severity of CAD. Casuistics and Methods: Fifty patients with CAD confirme dangiographically, and 50 individuals without angiographic signs of the disease were included in the study. The genotyping of the VEGF 936C>T polymorphism was conducted by Polymerase chain reaction followed by enzyme digestion. Statistical analyses were performed by Chi-square, Exact Fisher test, Test t and Logistic regression. Results: Smoking and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) were frequent in patients compared to the controls(P = 0.015 and P = 0.013, respectively). The frequencies of the polymorphic allele were 0.11 in the CAD group and 0.17 in the control group (P = 0.308). Genotype distribution did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.397). The genotypes VEGF 936C>T were not associated to the number of blocked vessels (P= 0.452), or degree of arterial obstruction (P = 0.681). Conclusion: The polymorphism 936C>T of the VEGF gene did not present association with CAD or with severity of the coronary obstruction.