Caffeine Neuroprotection Decreases A2A Adenosine Receptor Content in Aged Mice.

Caffeine is a bioactive compound worldwide consumed with effect into the brain. Part of its action in reducing incidence or delaying Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases symptoms in human is credited to the adenosine receptors properties. However, the impact of caffeine consumption during aging on survival of brain cells remains debatable. This work, we investigated the effect of low-dose of caffeine on the ectonucleotidase activities, adenosine receptors content, and paying particular attention to its pro-survival effect during aging. Male young adult and aged Swiss mice drank water or caffeine (0.3 g/L) ad libitum for 4 weeks. The results showed that long-term caffeine treatment did not unchanged ATP, ADP or AMP hydrolysis in hippocampus when compared to the mice drank water. Nevertheless, the ATP/ADP hydrolysis ratio was higher in young adult (3:1) compared to the aged (1:1) animals regardless of treatment. The content of A1 receptors did not change in any groups of mice, but the content of A2A receptors was reduced in hippocampus of mice that consumed caffeine. Moreover, the cell viability results indicated that aged mice not only had increased pyknotic neurons in the hippocampus but also had reduced damage after caffeine treatment. Overall, these findings indicate a potential neuroprotective effect of caffeine during aging through the adenosinergic system.

A reduction in DNA damage in neural tissue and peripheral blood of old mice treated with caffeine.

Studies on caffeine consumption have shown a negative correlation with development of some diseases with subsequent beneficial manifestations. Our aim was to assess the effects of caffeine on peripheral blood and neural tissue DNA in young adult and aged mice. Male Swiss mice (age 2-3 or 16-18 months, respectively) were treated with a caffeine solution (0.3 g/l) for 4 weeks, while controls received water. After the treatments, blood and hippocampal cells (for a comet assay) and femurs (for a micronucleus [MN] test) were collected. The comet assay of peripheral blood and hippocampal cells demonstrated no significant differences between caffeine-treated and control young adult mice in terms of DNA damage index (DI) and frequency. In contrast, when comparing young adult with aged animals, significant differences were observed in DNA damage in blood and hippocampal cells. The differences between aged animals (with or without caffeine) consisted of a significant decrease in DNA DI in the group that received caffeine. In the MN test, an increase in frequency of micronucleated polychromatic (PCE) erythrocytes was noted in aged animals that received water compared to young adult mice. In addition, comparing treated with control aged murine groups, a decrease in frequency of MN was found in PCE erythrocytes of caffeine-treated mice. Chronic caffeine consumption was neither genotoxic nor mutagenic at the dose tested; however, it appears that caffeine actually protected mice from genotoxicity and mutagenicity, consequences attributed to aging.

Use of Data Mining to Predict the Risk Factors Associated With Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in Women.

Osteoporosis has recently been acknowledged as a major public health issue in developed countries because of the decrease in the quality of life of the affected person and the increase in public costs due to complete or partial physical disability. The aim of this study was to use the J48 algorithm as a classification task for data from women exhibiting changes in bone densitometry. The study population included all patients treated at the diagnostic center for bone densitometry since 2010. Census sample data collection was conducted as all elements of the population were included in the sample. The service in question provides care to patients via the Brazilian Unified Health System and private plans. The results of the classification task were analyzed using the J48 algorithm, and among the dichotomized variables associated with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, the mean accuracy was 74.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.0-68.0) and the mean area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.64-0.66), with a mean sensitivity of 76.0 (95% CI, 76.0-76.0) and a mean specificity of 48.0 (95% CI, 46.0-49.0). The analyzed results showed higher values of sensitivity, accuracy, and curve of the ROC area in experiments conducted with individuals with osteoporosis. Most of the generated rules were consistent with the literature, and the few differences might serve as hypotheses for further studies.

Nigrostriatal Inflammation Is Associated with Nonmotor Symptoms in an Experimental Model of Prodromal Parkinson's Disease.

Recent evidence has supported a pathogenic role for neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD). Inflammatory response has been associated with symptoms and subtypes of PD. However, it is unclear whether immune changes are involved in the initial pathogenesis of PD, leading to the non-motor symptoms (NMS) observed in its prodromal stage. The current study aimed to characterize the behavioral and cognitive changes in a toxin-induced model of prodromal PD-like syndrome. We also sought to investigate the role of neuroinflammation in prodromal PD-related NMS. Male mice were subjected to bilateral intranasal infusion with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or saline (control group), followed by comprehensive behavioral, pathological and neurochemical analysis. Intranasal MPTP infusion was able to cause the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). In parallel, it induced impairment in olfactory discrimination and social memory consolidation, compulsive and anxiety-like behaviors, but did not influence motor performance. Iba-1 and GFAP expressions were increased in the SN, suggesting an activated state of microglia and astrocytes. Consistent with this, MPTP mice had increased levels of IL-10 and IL-17A, and decreased levels of BDNF and TrkA mRNA in the SN. The striatum showed increased IL-17A, BDNF, and NFG levels compared to control mice. In conclusion, neuroinflammation may play an important role in the early stage of experimental PD-like syndrome, leading to cognitive and behavioral changes. Our results also indicate that intranasal administration of MPTP may represent a valuable mouse model for prodromal PD.

Weight-drop model as a valuable tool to study potential neurobiological processes underlying behavioral and cognitive changes secondary to mild traumatic brain injury.

The pathophysiology of post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) behavioral and cognitive changes is not fully understood, especially in its mild presentation. We designed a weight drop TBI model in mice to investigate the role of neuroinflammation in behavioral and cognitive sequelae following mild TBI. C57BL/6 mice displayed depressive-like behavior at 72 h after mild TBI compared with controls, as indicated by a decrease in the latency to first immobility and climbing time in the forced swim test. Additionally, anxiety-like behavior and hippocampal-associated spatial learning and memory impairment were found in the elevated plus maze and in the Barnes maze, respectively. Levels of a set of inflammatory mediators and neurotrophic factors were analyzed at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h, and 30 days after injury in ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Principal components analysis revealed two principal components (PC), which represented 59.1% of data variability. PC1 (cytokines and chemokines) expression varied between both hemispheres, while PC2 (neurotrophic factors) expression varied only across the investigated brain areas. Our model reproduces mild TBI-associated clinical signs and pathological features and might be a valuable tool to broaden the knowledge regarding mild TBI pathophysiology as well as to test potential therapeutic targets.

Temperament Similarities and Differences: A Comparison of Factor Structures from the Behavioral Style Questionnaire in Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The majority of studies of temperament in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) use scales normed on typical populations. The present study examined a widely used measure of temperament, the Behavioral Style Questionnaire (McDevitt and Carey in Behavioral Styles Questionnaire, Behavioral-Developmental Initiatives Scottsdale, AZ, 1975) to determine whether it contains the temperament traits theorized by its creators. Neither confirmatory nor exploratory factor analysis, using a sample of children with ASD and a population comparison group, identified the theorized nine temperament factors; many items did not strongly load on any of the original factors. A 10 factor solution best described the ASD data and a 9 factor solution best described the typical group's data. There were substantial similarities in the 9 factor solutions, but groups differed from one another enough to question construct similarity for several factors. These results highlight that more basic psychometric research is needed to better understand the BSQ in children with ASD.

T-lymphocytes response persists following Plasmodium berghei strain Anka infection resolution and may contribute to later experimental cerebral malaria outcomes.

Several studies have proposed cerebral malaria (CM) as a CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte-mediated disease. However, there are no data regarding the recruitment and/or persistence of these cells in the CNS following the phase of infection resolution. Glutamate-mediate excitotoxicity has also been implicated in CM. Blockade of glutamate NMDA receptors by its noncompetitive antagonist MK801 modulates cytokine and neurotrophic factors expression preventing cognitive and depressive-like behavior in experimental CM. Herein, we aim to investigate the role of T lymphocytes in later outcomes in CM, and whether the protective role of MK801 is associated with T lymphocytes response.

Meta-Analysis of the Sensitivity of Decision Support Systems in Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications presenting by patients diagnosticated with diabetic diseases. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia may manifest as visual impairment and blindness. The early detection of DR is essential to minimize the risk and consequence of visual diminishing. The standard gold diagnoses tool relies on different imaging modalities and requires a judgment of expert photographers, which are not available in most of the primary care centers or remote location. In that scenario, an automate or semiautomated DR screening systems can contribute to improving the accuracy of the diagnostic. Thus, we performed a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to evaluate the Decision Support Systems (DSS) in diagnosing DR. The overall Diagnostic Odds Ratio was 73.15 (95%CI: 37.54-142.50), sensitivity was 97.70 (95%CI: 97.50-97.90) and specificity was 90.30 (95%CI: 90.00-90.60). Our results corroborate with the concept of usefulness of DSSs in early diagnosis, screening and preliminary evaluation of suspicious images of DR.

Análise do estoque de medicamentos em farmácias das unidades básicas de saúde do Distrito Federal

Objetivo: Analisar o estoque de medicamentos nas unidades básicas de saúde das regiões do Distrito Federal (DF). Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo por meio da consulta ao sistema de informações InfoSaúde-DF. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de junho a novembro de 2022. Nas análises, considerou-se a relação de medicamentos essenciais do DF e empregou-se a classificação anatômica, terapêutica e química. Resultados: Verificou-se, a média de 43,1 medicamentos em falta no total de unidades básicas de saúde do DF. Os meses com maior frequência de desabastecimento foram outubro e novembro (n=58). Na região sul do DF, observou-se a maior falta de medicamentos e a região leste foi aquela com menor desabastecimento. Na comparação das médias dos medicamentos desabastecidos entre a região sul do DF e as demais regiões obteve-se p<0,05. Os antimicrobianos estiveram comumente em falta, especialmente aqueles do componente estratégico da assistência farmacêutica. Os medicamentos cetotifeno, hipromelose e tioridazina estiveram em falta durante todo o período. Conclusão: Houve diferenças nos estoques de medicamentos nas unidades básicas de saúde do DF. Além disso, os medicamentos cuja responsabilidade financiamento e aquisição eram do Ministério da Saúde estavam mais frequentemente em falta. Logo, este estudo subsidia as discussões no âmbito da assistência farmacêutica, bem como, a execução de ações que otimizem a integralidade da assistência e cuidado no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Influence of dietary and physical activity restriction on pediatric adenotonsillectomy postoperative care in Brazil: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Although culturally food and physical activity restriction are part of the routine postoperative care of many Brazilian surgeons, current evidences from other countries support no such recommendations. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dietary and physical restriction effectively lead to a decrease on postoperative complications of adenotonsillectomy in children when compared to no restriction. METHODS: We have designed a randomized clinical trial comparing two intervention: no specific counseling on diet or activity (Group A), and restriction recommendations on diet and physical activities (Group B). Caregivers completed a questionnaire on observed pain, diet and activity patterns, and medications administered. Parameters were compared at the 3rd and at the 7th postoperative day between intervention groups. RESULTS: We have enrolled a total of 95 patients, 50 in Group A and 45 in Group B. Fourteen patients were lost to follow up. Eventually, 41 patients in group A and 40 in Group B were available for final analysis. Mean age in months (A=79.5; SD=33.9/B=81.1; SD=32.6) and sex (A=58% male; B=64.4% male) were equivalent between groups. Pain, evaluated through visual analog scale in the 3rd (A=2.0; IQR 1-6/B=4.5; IQR 2-6; p=0.18) and in the 7th (A=1.0; IQR 1.0-4.5/B=2.0; IQR 1.0-4.7; p=0.29) postoperative days, was not different between groups, as was the amount of analgesics administered. Dietary and physical activity patterns also showed no statistically significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Dietary and activity restriction after adenotonsillectomy does not seem to affect patients' recovery. Such information may impact considerably on the social aspects that involve a tonsillectomy, reducing the working days lost by parents and accelerating the return of children to school.

Tracheostomy in children: a ten-year experience from a tertiary center in southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Children may require tracheostomy due to many different health conditions. Over the last 40 years, indications of tracheostomy have endorsed substantial modifications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pediatric patients warranted tracheostomy at our Hospital, in regard to their indications, associated comorbidities, complications and decannulation rates. METHODS: Retrospective study concerning patients under 18 years of age undergoing tracheostomy in a tertiary health care center, from January 2006 to November 2015. RESULTS: 123 children required a tracheostomy after ENT evaluation during the study period. A proportion of 63% was male, and 56% was under one year of age. Glossoptosis was the most common indication (30%), followed by subglottic stenosis (16%) and pharyngomalacia (11%). The mortality rate was 31%. By the end of this review, 35 children (28.4%) had been decannulated, and the fewer the number of comorbidities, the greater the decannulation rate (0.77±0.84 vs. 1.7±1.00 comorbidities; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Tracheostomy in children is a relatively frequent procedure at our hospital. The most common indications are glossoptosis and subglottic stenosis. A high mortality rate was found, potentially substantiated by the high number of critical care patients with chronic neurological conditions in this cohort. Our decannulation rate is slightly below other series, probably because of the greater amount of patients with comorbidities.

Object-substitution masking weakens but does not eliminate shape interactions.

At any moment, some objects in the environment are seen clearly, whereas others go unnoticed. Whether or not these gaps in awareness are actually problematic may depend on the extent that information about unseen objects is lost. Determining when and how visual awareness and visual processing become linked is thus of great importance. Previous research using object-substitution masking (OSM) demonstrated that relatively simple visual features, such as size or orientation, are still processed even when they are not visible. Yet this does not appear to be the case for more complex features like faces. This suggests that, during OSM, disruptions of visual processing and awareness may tend to co-occur beginning at some intermediate stage along the ventral pathway. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating the extent to which OSM disrupted the perception and processing of two-dimensional objects. Specifically, we evaluated whether an unseen shape's aspect ratio would influence the appearance of another shape that was briefly visible nearby. As expected, the aspect ratios of two shapes appeared to be more similar to each other when both were visible. This averaging effect was weakened, but not eliminated, when one ellipse in each pair received OSM. These shape interactions persisted even when one ellipse from each pair was invisible. When combined with previous work, these results suggest that during object-substitution masking, disruptions of visual processing tend to strengthen with increases in stimulus complexity, becoming more tightly bound to the mechanisms of visual awareness at intermediate stages of visual analysis.

Promoção de saúde por estudantes de Odontologia na pandemia da COVID-19: relato da experiência / Health promotion by Dentistry students in the COVID-19 pandemic: experience report

A Odontologia é uma especialidade da área da saúde que exige o desenvolvimento e o refinamento de habilidades técnicas. Entretanto, atrelada a essa característica, surge a necessidade de uma visão mais complexa de cada contexto onde o dentistaexercerá suas funções. Esse trabalho descreve a experiência de cinco alunas do Estágio Extramural do curso de Odontologia da UNIFORocorrida no segundo semestre de 2020, durante a pandemia por Coronavírus Disease(COVID-19).As atividades foram desenvolvidas semanalmente, às sextas-feiras, no turno da manhã, das07:30 às 11:10, nas diversas salas de espera no Núcleo de Atenção Médica Integrada (NAMI).A ações do Estágio Extramural (EEM)utilizaram metodologias simples e dinâmicas, valorizaram os saberes e as subjetividades dos sujeitos; instigaram os participantes a refletir sobre suas escolhas, contribuindo para a autonomia dos cuidados em saúde dos envolvidos nesse processo. Percebeu-se assim, que o EEM contribuiu de forma significativa para a sensibilização ao autocuidado em saúde bucal e saúde geral dos pacientes, proporcionando atividades de promoção à saúde que exploraram a criatividade, instigaram o poder de percepção e de forma lúdica contribuíram para análise da realidade em que estão inseridos (AU).

Dentistry is a specialty in the health area that requires developing and refining technical skills. However, linked to this characteristic, there is a need for a more complex view of each context in which dentists will exercise their functions. This paper describes the experience of five students from the Extramural Internship of the Dentistry course at UNIFOR, held in the second half of 2020, during the pandemic of Coronavirus Disease(COVID)-19. The activities were developed weekly, on Fridays, in the morning shift, from 7:30 am to 11:10 am, in the various waiting rooms in the Medical Care Center Integrated (NAMI). The Extramural Internship (EEM) actions used simple and dynamic methodologies, valued the subjects' knowledge and subjectivities; urged the participants to reflect on their choices, contributing to the autonomy of health care for those involved in this process. Thus, it was noticed that the EEM contributed significantly to the awareness of oral health self-care and general health of patients, providing health promotion activities which explored creativity, instigated the power of perception, and playfully contributed to the analysis of the reality in which they are inserted (AU).

Representação da masculinidade de homens acadêmicos e sua implicação para o campo da saúde / Representation of the masculinity of academic men and its implications for the health field / Representación de la masculinidad de los hombres académicos y sus implicaciones para el campo de la salud

Objetivo: conhecer a representação da masculinidade dos homens acadêmicos da Universidade Federal Fluminense e analisar suas implicações para o campo da saúde. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, de natureza qualitativa que teve como referencial metodológico a hermenêutica-dialética. Foi submetido ao Comitê de Ética do Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro sob o CAAE 0264.0.258.000-10. Os participantes da pesquisa foram quinze acadêmicos do gênero masculino, de diferentes cursos de graduação da universidade. Utilizou-se o questionário de dados sociodemográficos e um instrumento de entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: os depoimentos mostraram a importância de conhecer a representação que cada indivíduo possui acerca de sua masculinidade, para que melhor se compreenda o homem e suas expectativas. Conclusão: o reduzido envolvimento dos acadêmicos com os cuidados em saúde decorre em função dos modelos de masculinidade estabelecidos ao longo da vida do homem.(AU)

Objective: to know the representation of masculinity of academic men at Universidade Federal Fluminense and analyze its implications for the health field. Method: this is a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study that used the hermeneutic-dialectic methodological framework. Submitted to the Ethics Committee of Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro under CAAE 0264.0.258.000-10. The participants were fifteen male academics, from different undergraduate courses in university. The socio-demographic data questionnaire and a semi-structured interview instrument were used. Results: the testimonies showed the importance of knowing the representation that each individual has about his masculinity, in order to better understand the man and his expectations. Conclusion: the reduced involvement of academics in health care is due to the masculinity models established throughout the life of men.(AU)

Objetivo: conocer la representación de la masculinidad de los académicos en la Universidade Federal Fluminense y analizar sus implicaciones para el campo de la salud. Método: se trata de un estudio descriptivo, exploratorio y cualitativo que utilizó el marco metodológico hermenéutico-dialéctico. Fue presentado al Comité de Ética del Hospital Universitario Antonio Pedro bajo CAAE 0264.0.258.000-10. Los participantes de la investigación fueron quince académicos masculinos, de diferentes cursos de pregrado en la universidad. Se utilizó el cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos y un instrumento de entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: los testimonios mostraron la importancia de conocer la representación que cada indivíduo tiene sobre su masculinidad, para comprender mejor al hombre y sus expectativas. Conclusión: la menor participación de los académicos en la atención médica se debe a los modelos de masculinidad establecidos a lo largo de la vida de los hombres.(AU)

Qualidade de vida e bem-estar de trabalhadores de colégio universitário / Quality of life and well-being of college university workers / Calidad de vida y bienestar de trabajadores universitarios

Objetivo: Conhecer fatores relacionados à qualidade de vida e saúde de trabalhadores de um colégio universitário. Métodos: pesquisa quantitativa, realizada por meio de inquérito epidemiológico, utilizando-se questionário autoaplicado e dados clínicos. Resultados: participaram da pesquisa 106 trabalhadores, 74,5% do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 38 anos (DP±12,4), onde 92,5% relataram não fumar e 58,5% não beber álcool; 50,9% afirmou ser sedentário. Os dados clínicos demonstraram que 44,9% apresentaram pressão alterada e 11,3% glicemia elevada. Na análise dos quadrantes de exposição ao estresse, o trabalho ativo alocou maior número de profissionais (50%) e a suspeição de transtorno mental comum entre os trabalhadores foi de 22,6%. Na análise bivariada, observou-se associação entre ser solteiro e trabalho ativo (p=0,040). Conclusão: observa-se que há predominância de grau mediano de estresse no trabalho e hábitos de vida pouco saudáveis. Sabe-se que esses achados contribuem para maior ocorrência de problemas de saúde

Objetivo: Conocer factores relacionados con calidad de vida y salud de trabajadores en un colegio universitario. Métodos: investigación cuantitativa, realizada mediante encuesta epidemiológica, utilizando cuestionario autoadministrado y datos clínicos. Resultados: 106 trabajadores participaron de la investigación, 74.5% mujeres, con edad media de 38 años (SD ± 12.4), donde 92.5% informaron no fumar y 58.5% no tomar alcohol; El 50,9% dijo que eran sedentarios. Los datos clínicos mostraron que el 44,9% tenía presión arterial anormal y el 11,3% de glucosa en sangre alta. En el análisis de los cuadrantes de exposición al estrés, el trabajo activo asignó un mayor número de profesionales (50%) y la sospecha de trastorno mental común entre los trabajadores fue del 22,6%. En el análisis bivariado, se observó asociación entre trabajo individual y trabajo activo (p = 0.040). Conclusión: se observa que hay un predominio del grado medio de estrés en trabajo y hábitos de vida poco saludables. Se sabe que estos hallazgos contribuyen a una mayor ocurrencia de problemas de salud

Objective:To know factors related to the quality of life and health of workers at a university college. Methods: quantitative research, carried out by means of an epidemiological survey, using a self-administered questionnaire and clinical data. Results: 106 workers participated in the research, 74.5% female, with a mean age of 38 years (SD ± 12.4), where 92.5% reported not smoking and 58.5% not drinking alcohol; 50.9% said they were sedentary. Clinical data showed that 44.9% had abnormal blood pressure and 11.3% high blood glucose. In the analysis of the stress exposure quadrants, active work allocated a greater number of professionals (50%) and the suspicion of common mental disorder among workers was 22.6%. In the bivariate analysis, an association was observed between being single and active work (p = 0.040). Conclusion: it is observed that there is a predominance of median degree of stress at work and unhealthy lifestyle habits. It is known that these findings contribute to a greater occurrence of health problems

Atuação do fisioterapeuta no trabalho de parto: revisão da literatura e proposta de manual de orientação / Physiotherapist performance in labor: literature review and guidance manual proposal

O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão crítica da literatura sobre a atuação do fisioterapeuta durante o trabalho de parto e elaborar um manual com informações mais relevantes baseadas nesta pesquisa. Foram procurados artigos nas bases Scielo, PubMed/Medline, e Lilacs de 2006 até 2018. Após serem analisados, foram selecionados 13 artigos para a revisão, sendo 5 na Scielo, 6 na PubMed/Medline e 2 na Lilacs. Com esse levantamento pôde-se concluir que as intervenções fisioterapêuticas foram benéficas para o alívio da dor, na redução do tempo de trabalho de parto e da ansiedade e no aumento dos níveis de saturação de oxigênio, porém os estudos não encontraram eficácia da eletroestimulação elétrica transcutânea para os desfechos de alívio de dor no trabalho de parto. Palavras-chave: fisioterapia, trabalho de parto, dor de parto, gestante. (AU)

The objective of this literature review was the physiotherapist's performance during labor and ti elaborate a manual with the most relevant information found in this research. Articles were selected in the Scielo, PubMed/Medline and Lilacs databases from 2006 to 2018. After being analyzed for relevance, 13 articles were selected for review, being: 5 in Scielo, 6 in PubMed/Medline and 2 in Lilacs. Through this research, the studies demonstrated that the physiotherapeutic interventions were beneficial for the relief of pain, the reduction of labor time, the reduction of anxiety and the increase of levels of oxygen saturation. The studies did not find efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief outcomes in labor. (AU)

A Data Mining Approach to Identify Sexuality Patterns in a Brazilian University Population.

This paper presents the profile and experience of sexuality generated from a data mining classification task. We used a database about sexuality and gender violence performed on a university population in southern Brazil. The data mining task identified two relationships between the variables, which enabled the distinction of subgroups that better detail the profile and experience of sexuality. The identification of the relationships between the variables define behavioral models and factors of risk that will help define the algorithms being implemented in the data mining classification task.

A Comparative Study of Bayes Net, Naive Bayes and Averaged One-Dependence Estimators for Osteoporosis Analysis.

This paper presents an evaluation of the accuracy of the Bayesian classifiers: Bayes Net, Naive Bayes and Averaged One-Dependence Estimator, to support diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis. All classifiers showed good results, thus, given data, it is possible to produce a reasonably accurate estimate of the diagnosis.

Aleitamento materno: conhecimento dos estudantes do sexo masculino do último ano do curso de medicina / Breastfeeding: knowledge of male students in the last year of medical course

Introdução: As informações e o domínio de conhecimentos relacionados com a prática do aleitamento materno devem ser exercitados durante o curso médico, pois estes serão de grande importância no manejo da lactação e seu desfecho. Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre aleitamento materno entre estudantes do último ano do curso de medicina. Casuística e Método: Estudo quantitativo de tipo transversal, que avaliou o conhecimento de 75 estudantes por meio de um questionário, com perguntas baseadas nas recomendações do Ministério da Saúde sobre a temática. O projeto foi previamente aprovado pelo Comite de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: A média de idade dos estudantes foi 23,8 anos; 10,67% eram casados e 89,33% solteiros; 6,67% afirmaram já ter filhos, todos amamentados pela mãe. Em relação às razões de se optar pelo aleitamento materno, foram citados aspectos nutricionais (68%), imunidade (64%), benefícios para o vínculo mãe-filho (37,33%) e fatores econômicos (17,33%). Os alunos que responderam ser na primeira hora de vida o momento ideal de iniciar o aleitamento materno, correspondeu a 85,33%. Sobre a duração da amamentação exclusiva, 100% dos estudantes responderam que deve ser até 6 meses; a maioria, 81,33%, responderam que a duração do aleitamento materno total é de até 2 anos ou mais. Entre os benefícios para as crianças, 86,67% relataram proteção imunológica; 85,33% dos estudantes reconheceram existir benefícios para a família que apoia a amamentação. A respeito do papel do pai na amamentação, 90,67% acreditam que o pai exerce um papel importante. Quanto ao aprendizado sobre amamentação durante o curso médico, 98,67% dos participantes, relatam que foi adequado. Conclusões: Estudantes do sexo masculino do último ano de um curso de medicina apresentam conhecimento satisfatório (maior do que 80% das recomendações atuais) em relação aos principais itens relacionados ao aleitamento materno. Um percentual pequeno de estudantes apresenta visão unilateral da função exclusiva da mãe no processo de amamentação. Adicionalmente, os participantes da pesquisa que já experimentaram a parternidade apoiam que seus filhos sejam amamentados.

Introduction: Information and knowledge related to breastfeeding practice must be exercised during the medical course because they are of great importance in the management of lactation and its outcome. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge about breastfeeding among students in the last year of medical school. Casuistry and Method:Quantitative transversal study, which evaluated the knowledge of 75 students through a questionnaire, with questions based on the recommendations of the Braziliam Ministry of Health about subject. The Research Ethics Committee previously approved the project. Results: The mean age of the students was 23.8 years; 10.67% were married and 89.33% were single; 6.67% affirmed they already have children ­ all these children were breastfed by their mothers. Regarding the reasons for choosing breastfeeding, nutritional aspects (68%), immunity (64%), benefits for the mother-child bond (37.33%) and economic factors (17.33%) were cited. 85.33% answered that the ideal moment of onset of breastfeeding should be in the first hour of life. Regarding the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, 100% of the students answered that it should be up to 6 months; the majority, 81.33%, answered that the duration of total breastfeeding is up to 2 years or more. Among the benefits for children, 86.67% reported immunological protection; 85.33% of the students acknowledged there were benefits for the family that supports breastfeeding. Regarding the father's role in breastfeeding, 90.67% believe that the father plays an important role. Regarding the learning about breastfeeding during the medical course, 98.67% report that it was adequate. Conclusions: Male seniors in a medical school present satisfactory knowledge (greater than 80% of current recommendations) regarding the main items related to breastfeeding. A small percentage of students present a one-sided view of the unique role of the mother in the breastfeeding process. In addition, research participants who had parental support supported their children to be breastfed

Influence of dietary and physical activity restriction on pediatric adenotonsillectomy postoperative care in Brazil: a randomized clinical trial / Influência das restrições dietéticas e de atividade física no pós-operatório da adenotonsilectomia em pacientes pediátricos no Brasil: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract Introduction Although culturally food and physical activity restriction are part of the routine postoperative care of many Brazilian surgeons, current evidences from other countries support no such recommendations. Objective To determine whether dietary and physical restriction effectively lead to a decrease on postoperative complications of adenotonsillectomy in children when compared to no restriction. Methods We have designed a randomized clinical trial comparing two intervention: no specific counseling on diet or activity (Group A), and restriction recommendations on diet and physical activities (Group B). Caregivers completed a questionnaire on observed pain, diet and activity patterns, and medications administered. Parameters were compared at the 3rd and at the 7th postoperative day between intervention groups. Results We have enrolled a total of 95 patients, 50 in Group A and 45 in Group B. Fourteen patients were lost to follow up. Eventually, 41 patients in group A and 40 in Group B were available for final analysis. Mean age in months (A = 79.5; SD = 33.9/B = 81.1; SD = 32.6) and sex (A = 58% male; B = 64.4% male) were equivalent between groups. Pain, evaluated through visual analog scale in the 3rd (A = 2.0; IQR 1-6/B = 4.5; IQR 2-6; p = 0.18) and in the 7th (A = 1.0; IQR 1.0-4.5/B = 2.0; IQR 1.0-4.7; p = 0.29) postoperative days, was not different between groups, as was the amount of analgesics administered. Dietary and physical activity patterns also showed no statistically significant differences between groups. Conclusion Dietary and activity restriction after adenotonsillectomy does not seem to affect patients' recovery. Such information may impact considerably on the social aspects that involve a tonsillectomy, reducing the working days lost by parents and accelerating the return of children to school.

Resumo Introdução Embora culturalmente as restrições dietéticas e de atividade física sejam parte do cuidado pós-operatório de rotina de muitos cirurgiões brasileiros, evidências atuais de outros países não apoiam tais recomendações. Objetivo Determinar se as restrições dietéticas e físicas efetivamente levam a uma diminuição das complicações pós-operatórias da adenotonsilectomia em crianças quando comparadas com cuidados sem restrição. Método Realizamos um ensaio clínico randomizado comparando duas intervenções: nenhum aconselhamento específico sobre dieta ou atividade física (Grupo A) e recomendações de restrições dietéticas e de atividades físicas (Grupo B). Os cuidadores preencheram um questionário sobre a dor, a dieta e os padrões de atividade observados, e os medicamentos administrados. Os parâmetros foram comparados no 3° e no 7° dia do pós-operatório entre os grupos de intervenção. Resultados Avaliamos 95 pacientes, 50 no Grupo A e 45 no Grupo B; 14 foram perdidos no seguimento. Subsequentemente, 41 do grupo A e 40 do grupo B estavam disponíveis para a análise final. A média de idade em meses (A = 79,5, DP = 33,9/B = 81,1, DP = 32,6) e sexo (A = 58% do sexo masculino, B = 64,4% do sexo masculino) foram equivalentes entre os grupos. A dor, avaliada através da escala visual analógica no terceiro (A = 2,0; IIQ: 1-6/B = 4,5; IIR 2-6; p = 0,18) e no sétimo (A = 1,0; IIQ 1,0-4,5/B = 2,0; IIQR 1,0-4,7; p = 0,29) dia do pós-operatório, não foi diferente entre os grupos, assim como a quantidade de analgésicos administrados. Os padrões dietéticos e de atividade física também não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos. Conclusão A restrição dietética e de atividade física após a adenotonsilectomia não parece afetar a recuperação dos pacientes. Tal informação pode ter um impacto considerável nos aspectos sociais que envolvem uma tonsilectomia, reduzir os dias de trabalho perdidos pelos pais e acelerar o retorno das crianças à escola.