Fetal dystocia in guinea pigs: A case report.

Dystocia is a common complication in guinea pig pregnancies, presenting significant challenges in clinical management. The present case report describes the presentation, diagnosis, and surgical intervention in an 8 months old female guinea pig with dystocia. The subject is a primiparous guinea pig originating from a commercial breeder, exhibited prolonged labor with two pups, one of which was stillborn. Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen, lack of uterine contractions, signs of distress, and vulvar discharge. Radiographic and ultrasound tests confirmed obstruction due to large fetal size and mineralization of the pubic symphysis. Surgical intervention proceeded with a ventral midline approach, ovariohysterectomy and removal of three fetuses. The guinea pig recovered well from the procedure, being discharged with postoperative care, and the use of anti-inflammatory, analgesics, prokinetics, antibiotics as well as scopolamine. The objective of the present work is to discuss and emphasize the importance of veterinary intervention, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutics for the multifactorial nature of dystocia management. Despite the surgical treatment, the prognosis for both dam and offspring remains guarded, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention to optimize outcomes in guinea pig dystocia cases.

A distocia é uma complicação comum em gestações de porquinhas-da-índia, apresentando desafios significativos no manejo clínico. Este relato de caso descreve a apresentação, diagnóstico e intervenção cirúrgica em uma porca-da-índia fêmea de oito meses que estava experimentando distocia. A porquinha-da-índia, primípara e proveniente de um criador comercial, apresentou trabalho de parto prolongado com dois filhotes, um dos quais nasceu natimorto. O exame físico revelou abdome distendido, falta de contrações uterinas, sinais de angústia e secreção vulvar. Exames radiográficos e de ultrassom confirmaram obstrução devido ao tamanho fetal grande e mineralização da sínfise púbica. A intervenção cirúrgica prosseguiu com uma abordagem ventral na linha média, ovariohisterectomia e remoção de três fetos. A paciente se recuperou bem do procedimento e recebeu alta com cuidados pós-operatórios, incluindo o uso de anti-inflamatórios, analgésicos, pró-cinéticos, antibióticos e escopolamina. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir e destacar a importância da intervenção veterinária, avaliação diagnóstica e terapêutica na natureza multifatorial do manejo da distocia. Apesar do tratamento cirúrgico, o prognóstico tanto para a mãe quanto para a prole permanece reservado, ressaltando a necessidade de detecção e intervenção precoces para otimizar os resultados em casos de distocia em porquinhas-da-índia.

Contextual and individual determinants of oral health-related quality of life among adolescents.

The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with oral health-related quality of life in adolescents (OHRQoL). Individual data on adolescents were collected from a secondary database. OHRQoL was measured using the oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) scale. Individual- and city-level variables were selected to represent the structural and intermediate determinants of health. The individual covariates analyzed were sex, age, skin color, maternal education, household income, number of people per room in the housing unit, dental attendance, self-perception of dental needs, untreated dental caries, and gingival bleeding. The contextual variables included the allocation factor, the Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient, illiteracy, unemployment, income, average number of emergency dental visits per inhabitant, access to a sanitary sewer system, garbage collection, primary health care coverage, oral health team coverage, and number of tooth extractions between selected dental procedures and supervised toothbrushing. Unadjusted and adjusted multilevel Poisson regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between contextual and individual variables with overall OIDP scores (STATA version 16.0) - rate ratio (RR) and 95%CI. The mean OIDP score was 0.72 and the prevalence was 31.8%. There was an association between supervised toothbrushing average and the outcome (RR 0.95; 95%CI 0.91­0.99). Moreover, adolescents who lived in municipalities with the highest average number of emergency dental visits per inhabitant showed a higher OIDP. Sex, maternal education, untreated dental caries, and gingival bleeding were associated with OIDP. In addition, intersectoral public policies focusing on the reduction of social inequalities should be on the agenda of policymakers and stakeholders.

How glaucoma patients balance between the advantages and disadvantages of acceptance to the recommended treatment regimen in real-life: Perspectives from a middle-income country.

PURPOSE: Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) are required to take long-term treatments with topical medications to halt disease progression. This cross-sectional survey aimed to describe the level of acceptance of Brazilian patients toward the long-term treatment with eyedrops and to find possible correlates of high acceptance. METHODS: POAG patients were recruited from the Glaucoma Service-Santa Casa of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from participants' electronic records. All patients answered the ACCEPT© questionnaire. This is a generic patient-reported outcome questionnaire specifically developed to assess patients' acceptance of long-term medications and not adherence. Summed scores and those for each domain were calculated to range from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating greater acceptance. RESULTS: The sample comprised 96 patients with POAG. The mean age was 63.2 ± 8.9 years; 48 were male and 48 female; 55 (57.3%) were white, 36 (37.5%) African-Brazilian, and 5 (5.2%) were of mixed color; most patients (97.9%) had less than high school degree and all had a family income

Contextual and individual determinants of oral health-related quality of life among adolescents

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with oral health-related quality of life in adolescents (OHRQoL). Individual data on adolescents were collected from a secondary database. OHRQoL was measured using the oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) scale. Individual- and city-level variables were selected to represent the structural and intermediate determinants of health. The individual covariates analyzed were sex, age, skin color, maternal education, household income, number of people per room in the housing unit, dental attendance, self-perception of dental needs, untreated dental caries, and gingival bleeding. The contextual variables included the allocation factor, the Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient, illiteracy, unemployment, income, average number of emergency dental visits per inhabitant, access to a sanitary sewer system, garbage collection, primary health care coverage, oral health team coverage, and number of tooth extractions between selected dental procedures and supervised toothbrushing. Unadjusted and adjusted multilevel Poisson regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between contextual and individual variables with overall OIDP scores (STATA version 16.0) - rate ratio (RR) and 95%CI. The mean OIDP score was 0.72 and the prevalence was 31.8%. There was an association between supervised toothbrushing average and the outcome (RR 0.95; 95%CI 0.91-0.99). Moreover, adolescents who lived in municipalities with the highest average number of emergency dental visits per inhabitant showed a higher OIDP. Sex, maternal education, untreated dental caries, and gingival bleeding were associated with OIDP. In addition, intersectoral public policies focusing on the reduction of social inequalities should be on the agenda of policymakers and stakeholders.

Qualidade de vida: sobrecarga e depressão entre cuidadores de idosos em atendimento domiciliar / Quality of life: overload and depression between caregivers of elderly people in home care / Calidad de vida: sobrecarga y depresión en cuidadores de ancianos en atención domiciliaria

Objetivo: avaliar prevalência e impacto da sobrecarga e da depressão na qualidade de vida de 102 cuidadores de idosos cadastrados no Programa Melhor em Casa. Método: estudo analítico transversal aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa. Realizado entre junho e novembro 2022, em Juiz de Fora (MG/Brasil), com amostra censitária e aplicação de formulário sociodemográfico, da Escala de Zarit, do Inventário de Depressão de Beck e do questionário de qualidade de vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHOQOL-bref). Foram utilizados Teste t de Student, Mann-Whitney e regressão linear múltipla, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: observou-se sobrecarga em 69,6% dos cuidadores, além da presença de sintomas sugestivos de depressão em 41,1% da população em estudo. Conclusão: a sobrecarga esteve associada a piora da qualidade de vida nos domínios físico, psicológico e de relação social, enquanto a depressão esteve associada a piora da qualidade de vida nos domínios psicológico e de avaliação geral(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the prevalence and impact of overload and depression on the quality of life of 102 caregivers of elderly people registered in the Melhor em Casa Program. Method: cross-sectional analytical study approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Carried out between June and November 2022, in Juiz de Fora (MG/Brazil), with a census sample and application of a sociodemographic form, the Zarit Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the World Health Organization's quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-bref). Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test and multiple linear regression were used, with a significance level of 5%. Results: overload was observed in 69.6% of caregivers, in addition to the presence of symptoms suggestive of depression in 41.1% of the study population. Conclusion: overload was associated with worsening quality of life in the physical, psychological and social relationship domains, while depression was associated with worsening quality of life in the psychological and general evaluation domains(AU)

Objetivo: evaluar la prevalencia y el impacto de la sobrecarga y la depresión en la calidad de vida de 102 cuidadores de ancianos registrados en el Programa Melhor em Casa (Mejor en casa). Método: estudio analítico transversal aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación. Realizado entre junio y noviembre de 2022, en Juiz de Fora (MG/Brasil), con muestra censal y aplicación de un formulario sociodemográfico, la Escala de Zarit, el Inventario de Depresión de Beck y el cuestionario de calidad de vida de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (WHOQOL-bref). Se utilizó la prueba t de Student, la prueba de Mann-Whitney y la regresión lineal múltiple, con un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: se observó que el 69,6% de los cuidadores sentían sobrecarga, además de algunos síntomas sugestivos de depresión en el 41,1% de la población de estudio. Conclusión: la sobrecarga se asoció con un empeoramiento de la calidad de vida en los dominios físico, psicológico y de relaciones sociales, mientras que la depresión se asoció con un empeoramiento de la calidad de vida en los dominios psicológico y de evaluación general(AU)

Indicators of Eating Disorders in Sexually Abused Brazilian Adolescents: Family and School Contexts.

Eating disorders, characterized by abnormal eating behaviors, are among a wide variety of psychiatric conditions that mainly affect children and adolescents. These disorders have a multifactorial origin and can be associated with restrictive diets, negative feelings, harmful family relationships, and post-traumatic stress. Thus, this study's objective was to evaluate the association between indicators of eating disorders and family and school contexts in Brazilian adolescents who previously experienced sexual abuse and examine the findings based on sex. National School Health Survey data were utilized. Among 102,301 students between 11 and 19 years of age, 4124 reported having experienced sexual abuse and were included in this study. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess participants' health status and the presence of risk behaviors, which were examined through multivariate analysis using a Poisson regression model. The results indicated positive relationships between self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, and other purgative methods and infrequent meals with family, hunger, and the presence of violence in students' daily lives, regardless of sex (p < 0.05). In addition, body dissatisfaction and negative feelings about one's body were associated with having been bullied or teased by schoolmates for both sexes (p < 0.05). Distant relationships with parents were associated with purgative methods and body dissatisfaction among female students (p < 0.05). In conclusion, body dissatisfaction, negative feelings about one's body, laxative misuse, self-induced vomiting, and purgative methods were found to be associated with factors in family and school contexts such as hunger, infrequent meals with family, family violence, distant relationships with parents, and bullying at school in adolescents who have previously experienced sexual abuse.

A Molecular Basis of Human Brain Connectivity.

Neuroimaging is commonly used to infer human brain connectivity, but those measurements are far-removed from the molecular underpinnings at synapses. To uncover the molecular basis of human brain connectivity, we analyzed a unique cohort of 98 individuals who provided neuroimaging and genetic data contemporaneous with dendritic spine morphometric, proteomic, and gene expression data from the superior frontal and inferior temporal gyri. Through cellular contextualization of the molecular data with dendritic spine morphology, we identified hundreds of proteins related to synapses, energy metabolism, and RNA processing that explain between-individual differences in functional connectivity and structural covariation. By integrating data at the genetic, molecular, subcellular, and tissue levels, we bridged the divergent fields of molecular biology and neuroimaging to identify a molecular basis of brain connectivity. One-Sentence Summary: Dendritic spine morphometry and synaptic proteins unite the divergent fields of molecular biology and neuroimaging.

Perspectives on Adherence to Glaucoma Medical Therapy in Brazilian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to glaucoma medication regimens may be associated with subsequent optic nerve damage and irreversible visual loss. Specific barriers to effective patient adherence in low-middle income countries are not fully recognized and new disease-specific instruments to assess adherence have been developed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate adherence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients to treatment in a middle-income country. METHODS: POAG patients were recruited from the Glaucoma Service - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericordia de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from participants' electronic records. All patients answered the Glaucoma Treatment Compliance Assessment Tool (GTCAT). This 27-item questionnaire was designed to evaluate multiple behavioral factors associated with glaucoma medication adherence. RESULTS: The sample comprised 96 patients with POAG. The mean age was 63.2 ± 8.9 years; 48 were male and 48 female; 55 (57.3%) were White, 36 (37.5%) African-Brazilian, and five (5.2 %) were of mixed color. Most patients (97.9%) had less than a high school degree and all had a family income < US$10,000. The GTCAT identified 69 (71.8%) patients who "sometimes forget to use drops," 68 (70.8%) patients who "sometimes fall asleep before dosing time," and 60 (62.5%) patients "whose drops aren't with them at the time to take them"; 82 (85.4%) patients admitted to using "reminders to take medications." Eighty-two (85.4%) patients agreed that "doctor answers my questions," and 77 (80.5%) said "they are happy with their eye doctor." CONCLUSIONS: The GTCAT identified a number of mostly unintentional factors associated with adherence in this cohort of Brazilian patients. The data may impact on how to understand and improve adherence to ocular hypotensive treatment in the Brazilian population.

Rhizobacteria control damping-off and promote growth of lima bean with and without co-inoculation with Rhizobium tropici CIAT899.

Rhizoctonia solani compromises the production of lima bean, an alternative and low-input food source in many tropical regions. Inoculation of bacterial strains has been used, but research on their biocontrol and growth promotion potential on lima bean is scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inoculation with rhizobacterial strains of the genera Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus, Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobium in combination or not with N2-fixing Rhizobium tropici on the control of damping-off disease and growth promotion in lima bean plants. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the inoculation with bacterial strains with biocontrol potential in combination or not with R. tropici in substrate infected with R. solani CML 1846. Growth promotion of these strains was also assessed. Strains of Brevibacillus (UFLA 02-286), Pseudomonas (UFLA 02-281 and UFLA 04-885), Rhizobium (UFLA 04-195), and Burkholderia (UFLA 04-227) co-inoculated with the strain CIAT 899 (Rhizobium tropici) were the most effective in controlling R. solani, reducing the disease incidence in 47-60% on lima bean. The promising strains used in the biocontrol assays were also responsive in promoting growth of lima bean under disease and sterile conditions. A positive synergistic effect of co-inoculation of different genera contributed to plant growth, and these outcomes are important first steps to improve lima bean production.

Teeth with acute apical abscess vs. teeth with chronic apical periodontitis: a quantitative and qualitative proteomic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the proteomic profile of teeth with acute apical abscesses (AAA) compared with teeth with chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) and to correlate the expression of detected human proteins with their main biological functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were obtained from root canals of 9 patients diagnosed with AAA and 9 with CAP. Samples were analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis was performed by Protein Lynx Global Service software. Differences in protein expression were calculated using the t-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In total, 246 human proteins were identified from all samples. Proteins exclusively found in the AAA group were mainly associated with the immunoinflammatory response and oxidative stress response. In the quantitative analysis, 17 proteins were upregulated (p < 0.05) in the AAA group, including alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, hemopexin, fibrinogen gamma chain, and immunoglobulin. Additionally, 61 proteins were downregulated (p < 0.05), comprising cathepsin G, moesin, gelsolin, and transketolase. Most of the proteins were from the extracellular matrix, cytoplasm, and nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: The common proteins between the groups were mainly associated with the immune response at both expression levels. Upregulated proteins mostly belonged to the acute-phase proteins, while the downregulated proteins were associated with DNA/RNA regulation and repair, and structural function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The host response is directly related to the development of apical abscesses. Thus, understanding the behavior of human proteins against the endodontic pathogens involved in this condition might contribute to the study of new approaches related to the treatment of this disease.

AC-Redes semânticas de hashtags: modelo de estudo métrico de informações em saúde em mídias sociais / CA-Hashtags semantic networks: a metric study model of health information on social media / AC-Redes semánticas de hashtags: un modelo de estudio métrico de información de salud en las redes sociales

As mídias sociais são importantes canais de difusão de informações em saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um modelo de estudo métrico de informações para minerar temáticas relacionadas à covid-19 no Facebook, intitulado AC-Redes semânticas de hashtags. O modelo é composto pelos métodos de análise de redes semânticas e de análise de coocorrência. As métricas aplicadas no período de maio de 2020 a janeiro de 2021 foram: as frequências de hashtags, as centralidades de grau e de intermediação e o índice incidência-fidelidade; e o estudo de ilhas. As temáticas identificadas foram: 'Educação na pandemia'; 'Trabalho e pandemia'; 'Ciência, saúde e pandemia'; 'Isolamento social na pandemia'; e 'Política e pandemia'. Por meio desse modelo, foi possível identificar as temáticas mais relevantes sobre a covid-19 para os usuários do Facebook.

Social media are important channels for the dissemination of information on public health. The goal of this paper is to present a model of quantitative analysis of information from the hashtags with respect to covid-19 on Facebook, called CA-Hashtag semantic networks. This model consists of the methods of semantic network analysis and co-occurrence analysis.The metrics used from May 2020 to January 2021 were: hashtag's frequency, degree and betweenness centralities and incidence-fidelity index; and study of islands. The themes identified have been: 'Education in the pandemic'; 'Work and pandemic'; 'Science, health and pandemic'; 'Social isolation in the pandemic'; and 'Politics and pandemic'. Applying the proposed model, it has been possible to identify the most relevant themes about covid-19 for Facebook users.

Las redes sociales son canales importantes para la difusión de información sobre salud pública. El objetivo del artículo es presentar un modelo de análisis cuantitativo de información a partir de los contenidos de hashtags relacionadas con covid-19 en Facebook, llamado de AC-Redes semánticas de hashtags. Este modelo es compuesto por los métodos de análisis de redes semánticas y análisis de co-ocurrencia. Las métricas utilizadas desde mayo de 2020 hasta enero de 2021 han sido: la frecuencia de hashtags, las centralidades de grado e intermediación y el índice incidencia-fidelidad; e el estudio de islas. Los temas identificados han sido: 'Educación en la pandemia'; 'Trabajo y pandemia'; 'Ciencia, salud y pandemia'; 'Aislamiento social en la pandemia'; y 'Política y pandemia'. Con basis en el modelo propuesto, ha sido posible identificar los temas más relevantes sobre covid-19 para los usuarios de Facebook.

Protection of nascent DNA at stalled replication forks is mediated by phosphorylation of RIF1 intrinsically disordered region.

RIF1 is a multifunctional protein that plays key roles in the regulation of DNA processing. During repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), RIF1 functions in the 53BP1-Shieldin pathway that inhibits resection of DNA ends to modulate the cellular decision on which repair pathway to engage. Under conditions of replication stress, RIF1 protects nascent DNA at stalled replication forks from degradation by the DNA2 nuclease. How these RIF1 activities are regulated at the post-translational level has not yet been elucidated. Here, we identified a cluster of conserved ATM/ATR consensus SQ motifs within the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of mouse RIF1 that are phosphorylated in proliferating B lymphocytes. We found that phosphorylation of the conserved IDR SQ cluster is dispensable for the inhibition of DSB resection by RIF1, but is essential to counteract DNA2-dependent degradation of nascent DNA at stalled replication forks. Therefore, our study identifies a key molecular feature that enables the genome-protective function of RIF1 during DNA replication stress.

Local connectivity and synaptic dynamics in mouse and human neocortex.

We present a unique, extensive, and open synaptic physiology analysis platform and dataset. Through its application, we reveal principles that relate cell type to synaptic properties and intralaminar circuit organization in the mouse and human cortex. The dynamics of excitatory synapses align with the postsynaptic cell subclass, whereas inhibitory synapse dynamics partly align with presynaptic cell subclass but with considerable overlap. Synaptic properties are heterogeneous in most subclass-to-subclass connections. The two main axes of heterogeneity are strength and variability. Cell subclasses divide along the variability axis, whereas the strength axis accounts for substantial heterogeneity within the subclass. In the human cortex, excitatory-to-excitatory synaptic dynamics are distinct from those in the mouse cortex and vary with depth across layers 2 and 3.

Elucidation of the role of the lamina cribrosa in glaucoma using optical coherence tomography.

Glaucoma is a chronic and progressive optic neuropathy characterized by the death of retinal ganglion cells and corresponding visual field loss. Despite the growing number of studies on the subject, the pathogenesis of the disease remains unclear. Notwithstanding, several studies have shown that the lamina cribrosa (LC) is considered an anatomic site of glaucomatous optic nerve injury, thus having a key role in the pathophysiology of glaucoma development and progression. Different morphological alterations of the LC have been described in vivo in glaucomatous eyes after the evolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices. The most relevant findings were the reduction of laminar thickness, the presence of localized defects, and the posterior LC displacement. These new laminar parameters documented through OCT are not only promising as possible additional tools for glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring, but also as predictors of disease progression. In spite of the advance of technology, however, proper evaluation of the LC is not yet viable in all eyes. We describe OCT-identified LC changes related to the development and progression of glaucoma and provide future directions based on a critical data analysis, focusing on its clinical relevance and applicability.

Conditional deletion of ROCK2 induces anxiety-like behaviors and alters dendritic spine density and morphology on CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Rho-associated kinase isoform 2 (ROCK2) is an attractive drug target for several neurologic disorders. A critical barrier to ROCK2-based research and therapeutics is the lack of a mouse model that enables investigation of ROCK2 with spatial and temporal control of gene expression. To overcome this, we generated ROCK2fl/fl mice. Mice expressing Cre recombinase in forebrain excitatory neurons (CaMKII-Cre) were crossed with ROCK2fl/fl mice (Cre/ROCK2fl/fl), and the contribution of ROCK2 in behavior as well as dendritic spine morphology in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA) was examined. Cre/ROCK2fl/fl mice spent reduced time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and increased time in the dark of the light-dark box test compared to littermate controls. These results indicated that Cre/ROCK2fl/fl mice exhibited anxiety-like behaviors. To examine dendritic spine morphology, individual pyramidal neurons in CA1 hippocampus, mPFC, and the BLA were targeted for iontophoretic microinjection of fluorescent dye, followed by high-resolution confocal microscopy and neuronal 3D reconstructions for morphometry analysis. In dorsal CA1, Cre/ROCK2fl/fl mice displayed significantly increased thin spine density on basal dendrites and reduced mean spine head volume across all spine types on apical dendrites. In ventral CA1, Cre/ROCK2fl/fl mice exhibited significantly increased spine length on apical dendrites. Spine density and morphology were comparable in the mPFC and BLA between both genotypes. These findings suggest that neuronal ROCK2 mediates spine density and morphology in a compartmentalized manner among CA1 pyramidal cells, and that in the absence of ROCK2 these mechanisms may contribute to anxiety-like behaviors.

Effect of Duodenogastric Reflux on Dental Enamel.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of stomach and duodenal fluid on enamel surfaces, simulating the action of refluxed liquid in patients with duodenogastric reflux. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty bovine incisors were used to obtain enamel fragments. Only half of the enamel surface was exposed to erosive challenges; the samples were then randomly divided into the following four groups (n = 10): G1: HCl; G2: HCl + pepsin; G3: HCl + ox bile + NaHCO3; and G4: HCl + pancreatin + NaHCO3. The specimens were placed in 37°C solutions, six times per day, for 20 s, over a period of 5 days and then analysed for morphology, surface roughness and the step formed on the dental enamel using confocal laser microscopy. The data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test (p <0.05). RESULTS: Both analyses revealed a higher step and surface roughness for the G3 group (5.6 µm ± 1.69, 2.2 µm ± 1.61), which were statistically significant compared with the G1 and G2 groups (3.9 µm ± 1.5 µm; 1.0 µm ± 0.18; 3.7 µm ± 1.45; and 0.9 µm ± 0.12) (p <0.05); only the step in the G4 group (4.9 µm ± 1.8 µm) was similar to that of the G3 group (p >0.05). Morphological analysis showed greater structural loss in the G3 and G4 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bile and pancreatin, in combination with hydrochloric acid, may promote a greater loss of structure, increased surface roughness and loss of enamel prismatic anatomy.

Removal of propranolol hydrochloride by batch biosorption using remaining biomass of alginate extraction from Sargassum filipendula algae.

Propranolol hydrochloride is a popular anti-hypertensive and pollutant of emerging concern because of potential ecological risks to aquatic environment. In this study, biosorption is presented as an advanced approach for propranolol uptake from aqueous media. The remaining biomass of alginate extraction from brown seaweed (RSF) was tested as biosorbent owing to its key binding sites, namely carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups. The high 93% removal efficiency achieved consolidates RSF as effective biosorbent for propranolol environmental remediation and values this waste material, which has been largely discarded in industry after alginate extraction. RSF had morphology, porosity, chemical composition, and thermal behavior characterized prior and post to application in propranolol biosorption. Molecular sieving effects were excluded by assessing the molecular geometry of propranolol. The kinetics was inspected by both rate laws and mass transfer models. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich equations were tested for experimental isotherms. Propranolol biosorption onto RSF was further inspected by thermodynamic parameters, including isosteric heat.

Melatonin regulates tumor aggressiveness under acidosis condition in breast cancer cell lines.

Breast cancer progression is composed of multiple steps that are influenced by tumor cell adaptations to survive under acidic conditions in the tumor microenvironment. Regulation of this cell survival behavior is a promising strategy to avoid cancer development. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced and secreted by the pineal gland capable of modulating different biological pathways in cancer. Although the anti-cancer effects of melatonin are currently widespread, its role in the acid tumor microenvironment remains poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of low pH (6.7) on human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, and the effectiveness of melatonin in acute acidosis survival mechanisms. Cell viability was measured by a MTT assay and the protein expression of glucose transporter (GLUT)-1, Ki-67 and caspase-3 was evaluated by immunocytochemical (ICC) analysis following low pH media and melatonin treatment. In both cell lines the viability was decreased after melatonin treatment (1 mM) under acidosis conditions for 24 h. ICC analysis showed a significant increase in GLUT-1 and Ki-67 expression at pH 6.7, and a decrease after treatment with melatonin for 12 and 24 h. The low pH media decreased the expression of caspase-3, which was increased after melatonin treatment for 12 and 24 h. Overall, the results of the present study revealed melatonin treatment increases apoptosis, as indicated by changes in caspase-3, and decreases proliferation, indicated by changes to Ki-67, and GLUT-1 protein expression under acute acidosis conditions in breast cancer cell lines.

EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE OF PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF ASTHMATIC CHILDREN. / AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE PAIS E CUIDADORES DE CRIANÇAS ASMÁTICAS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the levels of quality of life of parents/caregivers of children with and without diagnosis of asthma. METHODS: Parents of children with asthma (asthma group) undergoing outpatient care and parents of children without asthma or asthma in remission (control group) were selected from public schools. They answered a questionnaire about quality of life (The World Health Organization Quality of Life- WHOQOL-BREF), previously validated for the study population. Domains (physical, psychological, social relations, environment and total score) were compared between groups, as well as the levels of correlation of self-perceived quality of life and satisfaction with health. RESULTS: 101 parents/caregivers were included in the sample, that is, 50 (49.5%) parents of asthmatic children and 51 (50.5%) in the control group. Most parents included in the sample were females (n=89; 88.1%), with mean age of 33.5±10.4 years. When assessing quality of life, the overall score of domains was considered satisfactory, both in general evaluation (68.6±13.4) and in each group (asthma: 62.8±10.7; control: 74.3±13.4; p-value<0.001). Comparison of asthma and control groups showed significant differences in total score and in scores of all domains (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parents/caregiversof children with asthma have a lower quality of life compared to parents/caregivers of healthy children.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar os níveis de qualidade de vida (QV) de pais de crianças com e sem diagnóstico médico de asma. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo com pais e cuidadores de crianças com e sem asma no período de 2015 a 2016. Foram selecionados pais de crianças com asma (grupo asma) em acompanhamento ambulatorial e pais de crianças sem asma ou com asma em remissão (grupo controle) em escolas proximais ao estudo, sendo aplicado um questionário respiratório para classificação da amostra. Para avaliação dos níveis de QV, foi aplicado o instrumento desenvolvido pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS)- The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), previamente validado para a população em estudo, sendo comparados os domínios físico, psicológico, das relações sociais e do meio ambiente e o escore total, além ter sido realizada correlação entre os níveis de autopercepção da QV e da satisfação com a saúde. RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 101 cuidadores de crianças com e sem asma- 50 (49,5%) formaram o grupo asma, e 51 (50,5%), o grupo controle. Amaioria dos genitores é do sexo feminino (n=89; 88,1%), com idade média de 33,5±10,4anos. Naavaliação da QV, o valor do escore total dos domínios foi considerado satisfatório, tanto na avaliação geral (68,6±13,4) quanto por grupos (asma: 62,8±10,7; controle: 74,3±13,4), demonstrando diferenças significativas entre estes em todos domínios estipulados pelo instrumento (p<0,001), bem como no escore total (p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Cuidadores de crianças com asma possuem QV significativamente inferior à dos responsáveis por crianças saudáveis.

Avaliação da qualidade de vida de pais e cuidadores de crianças asmáticas / Evaluation of quality of life of parents and caregivers of asthmatic children

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar os níveis de qualidade de vida (QV) de pais de crianças com e sem diagnóstico médico de asma. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo com pais e cuidadores de crianças com e sem asma no período de 2015 a 2016. Foram selecionados pais de crianças com asma (grupo asma) em acompanhamento ambulatorial e pais de crianças sem asma ou com asma em remissão (grupo controle) em escolas proximais ao estudo, sendo aplicado um questionário respiratório para classificação da amostra. Para avaliação dos níveis de QV, foi aplicado o instrumento desenvolvido pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS)- The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), previamente validado para a população em estudo, sendo comparados os domínios físico, psicológico, das relações sociais e do meio ambiente e o escore total, além ter sido realizada correlação entre os níveis de autopercepção da QV e da satisfação com a saúde. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 101 cuidadores de crianças com e sem asma- 50 (49,5%) formaram o grupo asma, e 51 (50,5%), o grupo controle. Amaioria dos genitores é do sexo feminino (n=89; 88,1%), com idade média de 33,5±10,4anos. Naavaliação da QV, o valor do escore total dos domínios foi considerado satisfatório, tanto na avaliação geral (68,6±13,4) quanto por grupos (asma: 62,8±10,7; controle: 74,3±13,4), demonstrando diferenças significativas entre estes em todos domínios estipulados pelo instrumento (p<0,001), bem como no escore total (p<0,001). Conclusões: Cuidadores de crianças com asma possuem QV significativamente inferior à dos responsáveis por crianças saudáveis.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and compare the levels of quality of life of parents/caregivers of children with and without diagnosis of asthma. Methods: Parents of children with asthma (asthma group) undergoing outpatient care and parents of children without asthma or asthma in remission (control group) were selected from public schools. They answered a questionnaire about quality of life (The World Health Organization Quality of Life- WHOQOL-BREF), previously validated for the study population. Domains (physical, psychological, social relations, environment and total score) were compared between groups, as well as the levels of correlation of self-perceived quality of life and satisfaction with health. Results: 101 parents/caregivers were included in the sample, that is, 50 (49.5%) parents of asthmatic children and 51 (50.5%) in the control group. Most parents included in the sample were females (n=89; 88.1%), with mean age of 33.5±10.4 years. When assessing quality of life, the overall score of domains was considered satisfactory, both in general evaluation (68.6±13.4) and in each group (asthma: 62.8±10.7; control: 74.3±13.4; p-value<0.001). Comparison of asthma and control groups showed significant differences in total score and in scores of all domains (p<0.001). Conclusions: Parents/caregiversof children with asthma have a lower quality of life compared to parents/caregivers of healthy children.