Outcomes of permanent canines on the cleft side after secondary alveolar grafting using different materials in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

The prevalence of impaction of the permanent canine on the cleft side (PCCS) ranges from 12-35% after alveolar bone grafting (ABG). PCCSs usually develop above other permanent teeth in the alveolar process, gradually becoming vertical until they reach the occlusal plane. The type of cleft, hypodontia of lateral incisor on the cleft side, slower PCCS root development, and genetic factors are predictors of impaction and/or its ectopic eruption. To compare the behavior of PCCS in individuals with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) subjected to secondary alveolar grafting (SAG) with different materials. This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed 120 individuals undergoing SAG with iliac crest bone, rhBMP-2, and mandibular symphysis. The individuals were selected at a single center and equally divided into three groups. Panoramic radiographs were analyzed by the Dolphin Imaging 11.95 software to measure PCCS angulation and PCCS height from the occlusal plane at two different timepoints. No statistical significance was found between grafting materials (P=0.416). At T1, the PCCS height from the occlusal plane was greater for rhBMP-2 and mandibular symphysis compared to iliac crest bone. The lateral incisor on the cleft side was not related to success or lack of eruption of PCCS (P=0.870). Impaction rates of PCCS were similar for the materials studied. Absence of the lateral incisor on the cleft side did not prevent spontaneous eruption of PCCSs.

Early orthognathic surgery with postsurgical bone-anchored retention in unilateral cleft lip and palate: A case report.

We present a case report of early Le Fort I osteotomy with maxillary advancement retained postoperatively by Class III elastics anchored on miniplates in a growing patient with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). A 14-year-old boy who underwent orthognathic surgery at the pubertal growth spurt was presented. During surgery, Bollard miniplates were installed in the posterior region of the maxilla and in the anterior region of the mandible. Class III elastics anchored on miniplates were used at night (8-10 h) starting 60 days after surgery. The force of the elastics progressively increased from 100 g to 250 g. The elastics were replaced daily. The positive overjet remained stable over 15 months of postoperative follow-up. Maxillary advancement was adequately retained using Bollard miniplates and the facial profile remained stable until the end of facial growth.

Evaluation of Radiographic Outcomes of Alveolar Graft Associated with Premaxillary Osteotomy Performed with rhBMP-2.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of filling material and timing of surgery on radiograph outcomes of alveolar grafting with premaxillary osteotomy. The null hypothesis was that radiographic outcomes would be similar with both rhBMP-2 (rhBMP-2G) and cancellous bone from the iliac crest (IG), regardless of the timing of surgery. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling of 56 periapical or occlusal radiographs taken 12 months after surgery. SETTING: A single tertiary craniofacial center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate and mean age of 13 years. The individuals underwent bilateral alveolar grafting associated with premaxillary osteotomy (AG + PO) with rhBMP-2 or cancellous bone from the iliac crest. INTERVENTIONS: Experienced maxillofacial surgeons used the same surgical technique in both groups. AG + PO were assigned as success or failure by 3 blinded raters based on modified Bergland and SWAG scales. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The influence of filling materials and timing of surgery on radiographic outcomes was verified by Fisher's exact test and chi-square test (P < .05). RESULTS: There was no significance variation between the mean age of participants in the rhBMP-2G and IG (P = .471). Scales showed almost perfect reliability (agreement rate = 96.4%; K = 0.85). rhBMP-2G and IG had similar success rates with modified Bergland scale (85.7% and 82.1%) and SWAG scale (92.9% and 82.1%), respectively. However, only modified Bergland scale found influence of age on radiographic outcomes (P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: AG + PO performed with rhBMP-2 and iliac crest bone showed similar radiographic success rates, regardless of the timing of surgery.

Avaliação da satisfação com a vida e o risco para violência em idosos / Assessment of life satisfaction and risk of violence in elderly / Evaluación de la satisfacción con la vida y riesgo de violencia en personas mayores

Objetivo:descrever a relação da satisfação com a vida e o risco para violência entre homens e mulheres idosos. Método: estudo quantitativo, transversal, realizado com 159 idosos, utilizando a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida e Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test. Os dados foram analisados mediante estatística descritiva (frequência absoluta e relativa, medidas de tendência central e dispersão) e inferencial (Teste t de Student; Regressão Linear). Resultados: a satisfação com a vida segundo o gênero apresentou diferença significativa entre as médias do risco para violência, verificando que os homens idosos que apresentavam risco para violência estavam menos satisfeitos com a vida. Observou-se correlação negativa para o grupo masculino (ß=-0,416) e feminino (ß=-0,293) entre essas variáveis. Conclusão: homens idosos que apresentam risco para violência exibem menores escores de satisfação, apontando que a satisfação com a vida aumenta à medida em que o risco para violência diminui

Objective: to describe the relationship between life satisfaction and risk of violence among elderly men and women. Method: quantitative study, cross-sectional, conducted with 159 elderlies, using the Life Satisfaction Scale and Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistic (absolute and relative frequency, measures of central tendency and dispersion) and inferential (Student's t-test; Linear regression). Results: life satisfaction according to gender presented significant difference between the averages of the risk of violence, verifying that older men that presented risk of violence were less satisfied with life. It was observed negative correlation for male group (ß=-0,416) and female between these variables. (ß=-0,293). Conclusion: older men that presented risk of violence exhibit lower satisfaction scores, pointing out that life satisfaction increases as the risk of violence decreases

Objetivo: describir la relación entre la satisfacción vital y el riesgo de violencia entre hombres y mujeres ancianos. Método: estudio cuantitativo, transversal, realizado con 159 ancianos, utilizando la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida y Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test. Los datos se analizaron mediante estadísticas descriptivas (frecuencia absoluta y relativa, medidas de tendencia central y dispersión) y estadísticas inferenciales (prueba t de Student; regresión lineal). Resultados: la satisfacción con la vida según el género mostró diferencia significativa entre las medias de riesgo de violencia, verificando que los hombres ancianos que presentaban riesgo de violencia estaban menos satisfechos con la vida. Se observó correlación negativa para el grupo de hombres (ß=-0,416) y mujeres (ß=-0,293) entre estas variables. Conclusión: los hombres ancianos que presentan riesgo de violencia muestran puntuaciones de satisfacción más bajas, lo que indica que la satisfacción con la vida aumenta a medida que disminuye el riesgo de violencia

Outcomes of permanent canines on the cleft side after secondary alveolar grafting using different materials in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate

Abstract The prevalence of impaction of the permanent canine on the cleft side (PCCS) ranges from 12-35% after alveolar bone grafting (ABG). PCCSs usually develop above other permanent teeth in the alveolar process, gradually becoming vertical until they reach the occlusal plane. The type of cleft, hypodontia of lateral incisor on the cleft side, slower PCCS root development, and genetic factors are predictors of impaction and/or its ectopic eruption. Objective: To compare the behavior of PCCS in individuals with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) subjected to secondary alveolar grafting (SAG) with different materials. Methodology: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed 120 individuals undergoing SAG with iliac crest bone, rhBMP-2, and mandibular symphysis. The individuals were selected at a single center and equally divided into three groups. Panoramic radiographs were analyzed by the Dolphin Imaging 11.95 software to measure PCCS angulation and PCCS height from the occlusal plane at two different timepoints. Results: No statistical significance was found between grafting materials (P=0.416). At T1, the PCCS height from the occlusal plane was greater for rhBMP-2 and mandibular symphysis compared to iliac crest bone. The lateral incisor on the cleft side was not related to success or lack of eruption of PCCS (P=0.870). Conclusion: Impaction rates of PCCS were similar for the materials studied. Absence of the lateral incisor on the cleft side did not prevent spontaneous eruption of PCCSs.

Novel Combination of the Biophysical, Nutritional, and Nutraceutical Properties in Subtropical Pigmented Maize Hybrids.

Maize (Zea mays L.) represents the main caloric source for much of the world's population. Pigmented maize varieties are an excellent source of nutraceutical compounds: blue and yellow maize are rich in anthocyanins as well as carotenoids and phenolic acids, respectively. However, blue maize is usually grown in small quantities as a specialty crop because it lacks the qualities and adaptations of commercial white and yellow varieties. Here, a new high-yield variety of blue maize called Vitamaiz was developed from inbred lines of subtropical blue, white, and yellow maize. The aim of this study was to characterize the nutraceutical and physical properties of 30 Vitamaiz hybrids in two subtropical locations. Kernel physical traits, nutrient composition, and nutraceutical components (free phenolic acids, FPA; cell wall-bound phenolic acids, BPA; total monomeric anthocyanin content, TAC; antioxidant capacity, AOX by oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, and total carotenoid content, TCC) were evaluated. The biophysical traits of the hybrids were suitable for nixtamalized and flour maize industries. High levels of FPA (228 mg GAE/100 g), BPA (635 mg GAE/100 g), and AOX (2.0 and 8.1 mM Trolox equivalent/100 g for FPA and BPA, respectively) were also detected with elevated TAC levels (274 mg C3G/kg dw) and AOX activity (3.1 mM Trolox equivalent/100 g). This is the first study to characterize Blue × Yellow maize hybrids that adapt to subtropical environments.

Application of metabolic engineering to enhance the content of alkaloids in medicinal plants.

Plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds, many of which have been exploited for cosmetic, nutritional, and medicinal purposes. Through the characterization of metabolic pathways, as well as the mechanisms responsible for the accumulation of secondary metabolites, researchers have been able to increase the production of bioactive compounds in different plant species for research and commercial applications. The intent of the current review is to describe the metabolic engineering methods that have been used to transform in vitro or field-grown medicinal plants over the last decade and to identify the most effective approaches to increase the production of alkaloids. The articles summarized were categorized into six groups: endogenous enzyme overexpression, foreign enzyme overexpression, transcription factor overexpression, gene silencing, genome editing, and co-overexpression. We conclude that, because of the complex and multi-step nature of biosynthetic pathways, the approach that has been most commonly used to increase the biosynthesis of alkaloids, and the most effective in terms of fold increase, is the co-overexpression of two or more rate-limiting enzymes followed by the manipulation of regulatory genes.

Case Report: Depression × dementia with Lewy bodies in the elderly: The importance of differential diagnosis.

Background: Dementia is a clinical syndrome which is more common in elderly people. Dementia with Lewy bodies (LBD) is not so rare in elderly people, with cognitive impairment in about 30% over age 65. The clinical picture is characterized by fluctuation in cognitive functions, recurrent, well-formed, detailed visual hallucinations, and Parkinsonism, with rigidity, tremor, bradykinesia, and slurred speech. Case presentation: We present a case report of LBD in a 73-year-old retired teacher, which a initial wrong diagnosis of refractory depression for at least 3 years. We also conduct a review of recent works on theme. Conclusion: LBD diagnosis can be neglected for years, with a legal and clinical issues to patients and their families. Detailed medical research, including differential diagnosis, are very necessary on those cases, specially when they are called refractory. We encourage new research and adequate clinical training to prevent damage.

Effects of different stimulators of cGMP synthesis on lipid content in bovine oocytes matured in vitro.

Bovine oocytes and blastocysts produced in vitro are frequently of lower quality and less cryotolerant than those produced in vivo, and greater accumulation of lipids in the cytoplasm has been pointed out as one of the reasons. In human adipocytes cGMP signaling through the activation of PKG appears to be involved in lipid metabolism, and components of this pathway have been detected in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of this pathway on the lipid content in oocytes and expression of PLIN2 (a lipid metabolism-related gene) in cumulus cells. COCs were matured in vitro for 24 h with different stimulators of cGMP synthesis. The activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) by Protoporphyrin IX reduced lipid content (22.7 FI) compared to control oocytes (36.45 FI; P <0.05). Stimulation of membrane guanylyl cyclase (mGC) with natriuretic peptides precursors A and C (NPPA and NPPC) had no effect (36.5 FI; P>0.05). When the PKG inhibitor KT5823 was associated with Protoporphyrin IX, its effect was reversed and lipid contents increased (52.71 FI; P<0.05). None of the stimulators of cGMP synthesis affected the expression of PLIN2 in cumulus cells. In conclusion, stimulation of sGC for cGMP synthesis promotes lipolytic activities in bovine oocytes matured in vitro and such effect is mediated by PKG. However, such effect may vary depending on the stimulus received and/or which synthesis enzyme was activated, as stimulation of mGC had no effects.

Wild and trapped: a history of Colombian zoos and its revelations of animal fortunes and State entanglements, 1930s-1990s / Selvagens e confinados: uma história dos zoológicos colombianos e suas revelações sobre os destinos de animais e entrelaçamentos do Estado, décadas de 1930 a 1990

Abstract This article presents the first history of Colombian zoos and one of the few contributions to the history of these institutions in Latin America. It proposes that in this region's zoos native animals tended to predominate, signaling the increasing transformation of forests and other native ecosystems into croplands and pasturelands, as well as the growing distance between people and natural environments. Colombian zoos additionally underscore the limitations of the State in its period of most rapid expansion. They reveal how private interests overshadowed the State by providing public amenities, but also how they offered unconventional solutions to certain hurdles of State formation.

Resumo Este artigo apresenta a primeira história dos zoológicos colombianos e é uma das poucas contribuições à história dessas instituições na América Latina. Nele, propõe-se que nos zoológicos dessa região predominavam animais nativos, indício da crescente transformação de florestas e outros ecossistemas nativos em terrenos agrícolas e pastos, assim como do gradativo distanciamento entre pessoas e natureza. Os zoológicos colombianos também evidenciam as limitações do Estado no período de sua mais rápida expansão. Eles revelam como os interesses privados eclipsaram o Estado fornecendo comodidades públicas, mas também como ofereceram soluções não convencionais a algumas das dificuldades na formação do Estado.

Interventions to prevent elder abuse in the community: a mixed-methods systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the interventions proposed in the literature aimed at preventing elder abuse among community-residing elders. METHOD: This was a mixed-methods systematic review that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols checklist. The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. We included studies published between January 2004 and December 2019 in the databases: LILACS, IBECS, CUMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE and SciELO. The methodological quality of each study included was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: Seven studies formed the final sample. Two groups emerged after the analyses: the primary level intervention group, which used health education and coexisting elder abuse groups; and the secondary intervention level, focused mostly on the mental health care of victims of elder abuse. CONCLUSION: There is still a shortage of intervention studies to prevent elder abuse. All the studies selected had a positive outcome, and all interventions can be implemented in nursing care practice.

Effects of saline elicitors on saponin production in Agave salmiana plants grown in vitro.

Agave plants are natives of Mexico and have an important role in the functional food industry. Agave salmiana grows in dry and desert soils, which are high in salt content; however, little is known about its response to saline conditions. In this study, A. salmiana plants grown in vitro were exposed to 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mM of salt elicitors, including AlCl3, NaCl, and CoCl2, and saponin synthesis and morphological characteristics were examined. Saponins were identified and quantified in ethanolic extracts using HPLC-ELSD. Root length and number, leaf length and number, and plant fresh weight were evaluated to determine the phenological condition of the plant. The presence of salts at various concentrations did not affect the physiological characteristics of the plant. Moreover, 0.5 mM NaCl induced a higher production of total saponin. Chlorogenin glycoside 1 (CG1) and hecogenin glycoside 1 (HG1) content remained unchanged across treatments. By contrast, CG2 and HG2 concentrations tended to decrease in response to increased concentrations of AlCl3, NaCl, or CoCl2. In vitro salt elicitors could be a feasible tool in the synthesis of specific saponins, without compromising on plant biomass. Our findings can be used in further generation of low saponin agave plants in field for the improvement of fermentation yield.

Wild and trapped: a history of Colombian zoos and its revelations of animal fortunes and State entanglements, 1930s-1990s.

This article presents the first history of Colombian zoos and one of the few contributions to the history of these institutions in Latin America. It proposes that in this region's zoos native animals tended to predominate, signaling the increasing transformation of forests and other native ecosystems into croplands and pasturelands, as well as the growing distance between people and natural environments. Colombian zoos additionally underscore the limitations of the State in its period of most rapid expansion. They reveal how private interests overshadowed the State by providing public amenities, but also how they offered unconventional solutions to certain hurdles of State formation.

O distanciamento social em tempos de Covid-19: uma análise de seus rebatimentos em torno da violência doméstica / Social distancing in times of Covid-19: an analysis of its effects on domestic violence / El distanciamiento social en tiempos de Covid-19: un análisis de sus implicaciones alrededor de la violencia doméstica

O objetivo do presente artigo foi analisar os rebatimentos do distanciamento social em tempos de Covid-19 em torno da violência doméstica. Trata-se de um estudo documental com abordagem qualitativa feito por meio do conteúdo de notícias disponíveis em quatro jornais on-line de circulação nacional. Foram incluídas notícias publicadas entre 20 de março e 25 de abril de 2020 com as temáticas distanciamento social e violência doméstica, analisadas pelo software Interface de R pourles Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires (Iramuteq) associado à análise de conteúdo de Bardin. A análise lexicográfica e de conteúdo do corpus textual de 102 notícias produziu quatro categorias temáticas com foco na rede de proteção, ambiente doméstico, elevação dos casos de violência doméstica e contexto de pandemia como potencializador do fenômeno. O distanciamento social decorrente da pandemia de Covid-19 potencializou as situações de violência doméstica, demonstrando necessidade de medidas de intervenção e fortalecimento da rede de proteção. (AU)

This study analyzed the effects of social distancing in times of Covid-19 on domestic violence. We conducted a documentary study of news content in four online national newspapers. The study included news published between 20 March and 25 April 2020 addressing social distancing and domestic violence. A content analysis was conducted using the software IRAMUTEQ adopting the approach proposed by Bardin. The lexicographic and content analysis of the corpus of 102 news items produced four thematic categories: protection networks, the home environment, the increase in cases of domestic violence, and the pandemic as a driver of the phenomenon. Social distancing imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated domestic violence, demonstrating the need for interventions and the strengthening of the protection network. (AU)

Analizar las implicaciones del distanciamiento social en tiempos de Covid-19 alrededor de la violencia doméstica. Estudio documental con abordaje cualitativo, por medio del contenido de noticias disponibles en cuatro periódicos online de circulación nacional. Se incluyeron noticias publicadas entre el 20 de marzo y el 25 de abril de 2020 con estas temáticas: distanciamiento social y violencia doméstica, analizadas por el software IRAMUTEQ, asociado al análisis de contenido de Bardin. El análisis lexicográfico y de contenido del corpus textual de 102 noticas produjo cuatro categorías temáticas enfocadas en la red de protección, ambiente doméstico, elevación de los casos de violencia doméstica y el contexto de pandemia como potenciador del fenómeno. El distanciamiento social proveniente de la pandemia de Covid-19 potenció las situaciones de violencia doméstica, demostrando la necesidad de medidas de intervenciones y fortalecimiento de la red de protección. (AU)

Interventions to prevent elder abuse in the community: a mixed-methods systematic review / Intervenções para prevenir o abuso de idosos na comunidade: uma revisão sistemática de métodos mistos / Intervenciones para prevenir el abuso de personas mayores en la comunidad: una revisión sistemática de métodos mixtos

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the interventions proposed in the literature aimed at preventing elder abuse among community-residing elders. Method: This was a mixed-methods systematic review that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols checklist. The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. We included studies published between January 2004 and December 2019 in the databases: LILACS, IBECS, CUMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE and SciELO. The methodological quality of each study included was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: Seven studies formed the final sample. Two groups emerged after the analyses: the primary level intervention group, which used health education and coexisting elder abuse groups; and the secondary intervention level, focused mostly on the mental health care of victims of elder abuse. Conclusion: There is still a shortage of intervention studies to prevent elder abuse. All the studies selected had a positive outcome, and all interventions can be implemented in nursing care practice.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar na literatura as intervenções propostas para prevenir maus-tratos a idosos residentes na comunidade. Método: Revisão sistemática mista conduzida de acordo com a recomendação PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis). O protocolo desta revisão sistemática foi registrado no International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Foram incluídos estudos publicados entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2019 nas bases de dados: LILACS, IBECS, CUMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE e SciELO. Para avaliar a qualidade metodológica de cada estudo incluído, foi utilizada a Ferramenta para Análise de Métodos Mistos. Resultados: Sete estudos formaram a amostra final. Após as análises, emergiram dois grupos, o grupo de intervenção de nível primário, onde foi utilizada educação em saúde e grupos de abuso de idosos coexistentes; e o grupo de intervenção de nível secundário, focado principalmente na atenção à saúde mental dos idosos vítimas de abuso. Conclusão: Estudos de intervenção para prevenir o abuso de idosos ainda são escassos. Todos os estudos selecionados tiveram resultado positivo, e todas as intervenções podem ser implementadas na prática assistencial de enfermagem.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar las intervenciones propuestas en la literatura dirigidas a prevenir el maltrato a personas mayores residentes en la comunidad. Método: Revisión sistemática de métodos mixtos realizada de acuerdo con la recomendación PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis). El protocolo para esta revisión sistemática se registró en el International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Se incluyeron los estudios publicados entre enero de 2004 y diciembre de 2019 en las bases de datos: LILACS, IBECS, CUMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE y SciELO. Para evaluar la calidad metodológica de cada estudio incluido, se utilizó la Herramienta de Análisis de Métodos Mixtos. Resultados: Siete estudios formaron la muestra final. Después del análisis, surgieron dos grupos, el grupo de intervención de nivel primario, donde se utilizó educación para la salud y grupos de abuso de las personas mayores coexistentes; y el grupo de intervención de nivel secundario, enfocado principalmente en la atención de salud mental de personas mayores víctimas de abuso. Conclusión: Los estudios de intervención para prevenir el maltrato a las personas mayores aún son escasos. Todos los estudios seleccionados tuvieron resultados positivos y todas las intervenciones se pueden implementar en la práctica del cuidado de enfermería.

Effects of different stimulators of cGMP synthesis on lipid content in bovine oocytes matured in vitro

Bovine oocytes and blastocysts produced in vitro are frequently of lower quality and less cryotolerant than those produced in vivo, and greater accumulation of lipids in the cytoplasm has been pointed out as one of the reasons. In human adipocytes cGMP signaling through the activation of PKG appears to be involved in lipid metabolism, and components of this pathway have been detected in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of this pathway on the lipid content in oocytes and expression of PLIN2 (a lipid metabolism-related gene) in cumulus cells. COCs were matured in vitro for 24 h with different stimulators of cGMP synthesis. The activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) by Protoporphyrin IX reduced lipid content (22.7 FI) compared to control oocytes (36.45 FI; P <0.05). Stimulation of membrane guanylyl cyclase (mGC) with natriuretic peptides precursors A and C (NPPA and NPPC) had no effect (36.5 FI; P>0.05). When the PKG inhibitor KT5823 was associated with Protoporphyrin IX, its effect was reversed and lipid contents increased (52.71 FI; P<0.05). None of the stimulators of cGMP synthesis affected the expression of PLIN2 in cumulus cells. In conclusion, stimulation of sGC for cGMP synthesis promotes lipolytic activities in bovine oocytes matured in vitro and such effect is mediated by PKG. However, such effect may vary depending on the stimulus received and/or which synthesis enzyme was activated, as stimulation of mGC had no effects.(AU)

Effects of different stimulators of cGMP synthesis on lipid content in bovine oocytes matured in vitro

Abstract Bovine oocytes and blastocysts produced in vitro are frequently of lower quality and less cryotolerant than those produced in vivo, and greater accumulation of lipids in the cytoplasm has been pointed out as one of the reasons. In human adipocytes cGMP signaling through the activation of PKG appears to be involved in lipid metabolism, and components of this pathway have been detected in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of this pathway on the lipid content in oocytes and expression of PLIN2 (a lipid metabolism-related gene) in cumulus cells. COCs were matured in vitro for 24 h with different stimulators of cGMP synthesis. The activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) by Protoporphyrin IX reduced lipid content (22.7 FI) compared to control oocytes (36.45 FI; P <0.05). Stimulation of membrane guanylyl cyclase (mGC) with natriuretic peptides precursors A and C (NPPA and NPPC) had no effect (36.5 FI; P>0.05). When the PKG inhibitor KT5823 was associated with Protoporphyrin IX, its effect was reversed and lipid contents increased (52.71 FI; P<0.05). None of the stimulators of cGMP synthesis affected the expression of PLIN2 in cumulus cells. In conclusion, stimulation of sGC for cGMP synthesis promotes lipolytic activities in bovine oocytes matured in vitro and such effect is mediated by PKG. However, such effect may vary depending on the stimulus received and/or which synthesis enzyme was activated, as stimulation of mGC had no effects.

Criminal Responsibility Scale: Development and Validation of a Psychometric Tool Structured in Clinical Vignettes for Criminal Responsibility Assessments in Brazil.

Criminal responsibility assessment is undertaken by psychologists or psychiatrists to assess offenders' legal capacities, which vary among countries or regional legislations. There are two psychometric tools (i.e., checklists) validated for criminal responsibility assessment: the Roger Criminal Responsibility Scale, and the rating scale of criminal responsibility for mentally disordered offenders. Despite the existence of psychometric tools structured in clinical vignettes for evaluating legal capacities, none serve the purpose of assessing criminal responsibility. This study aims to validate a novel psychometric tool structured in vignettes for the assessment of criminal responsibility called the "Criminal Responsibility Scale." We applied the tool to 88 defendants referred for criminal responsibility assessment in a forensic medical institute in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 2017 to December 2018. The validity of the Criminal Responsibility Scale and subscales were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. The two-factor solution proved satisfactory and met the needs for practical application of the tool (Kaiser-Meyer-Oklin = 0.82; p < 0.001). Moreover, the inter-rater reliability was evaluated by comparing the tool's final score with that of the expert's conclusion in each case and was found to be satisfactory (k = 0.667-1.0), with a resulting cutoff point of 30.50 (±2) and a Youden index of 0.509. Hence, the Criminal Responsibility Scale is an effective psychometric tool for assessments of criminal responsibility that may encourage future research in assessments of legal capacity with clinical vignette-based psychometric instruments.

Alleged amnesia in sexual crime / Alegação de amnésia em crime sexual

ABSTRACT The current article describes the case of a man who claimed amnesia in relation to a sexual crime he had allegedly committed. Psychiatric examination concluded that the individual was feigning amnesia. Claimed amnesia of a criminal offense is one of the most commonly feigned symptoms in the forensic medical setting. It is thus necessary to rule out organic or psychogenic causes of amnesia and always consider feigned amnesia in the presence of psychopathological alterations that do not reflect classically known syndromes.

RESUMO O presente artigo descreve o caso de um homem que alegou amnésia ao fato da denúncia de crime sexual que lhe foi imputada. A perícia psiquiátrica concluiu tratar-se de simulação. A alegação de amnésia da ofensa criminosa é um dos sintomas mais comumente simulados no ambiente pericial. Portanto, devem-se excluir as causas de amnésia orgânica ou psicogênica e sempre considerar a amnésia simulada na presença de alterações psicopatológicas que não configuram quadros sindrômicos classicamente conhecidos.

Glomerular filtration rate and its relationship with visceral and subcutaneous adiposity: a study with patients from Northeast Brazil / Tasa de filtración glomerular y su relación con la adiposidad visceral y subcutánea: un estudio con pacientes del noreste brasileño

ABSTRACT Objective: evaluate the relationship between visceral/subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT/SAT) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Methods: A case series study was conducted with 146 male and female adult outpatients at a hospital in Northeast Brazil. VAT and SAT were quantified using computed tomography and GFR was estimated using the formula proposed by the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration. The conceptual model also considered socio-demographic, clinical, anthropometric and lifestyle variables. Results: Females accounted for 71.9% of the sample and mean age was 52.5±13.2 years. Mean body mass index indicated obesity in both sexes (men:30.4±5.9 kg/m2; women: 31.6±6.1 kg/m2). For the same mean age and BMI, men had more VAT and a higher VAT/SAT ratio. Mean GFR was similar between sexes and within the normal range. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that 21.8% of the reduction in GFR in males could be explained by the VAT/SAT ratio (p=0.002). Among females, both VAT alone and the VAT/SAT ratio were predictors of GFR reduction (r2=4.8%, p=0.025 and r2=5.3%, p=0.019, respectively). Conclusion: Mean VAT and VAT/SAT ratio were compatible with abdominal obesity in both sexes and were related to a reduction in GFR.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre el tejido adiposo visceral (TAV) y subcutáneo (TAS) con la tasa de filtración glomerular. Métodos: Estudio tipo serie de casos, en 146 pacientes adultos de ambos sexos, atendidos en un ambulatorio de un hospital de referencia en el Nordeste brasileño. El TAV y el TAS se cuantificaron por tomografía computadorizada y la tasa de filtración glomerular (TFG) estimada por la fórmula del grupo Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI). El modelo conceptual también consideró variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, antropométricas y de estilo de vida. Resultados: Pacientes con edad promedio de 52,5 ± 13,2 años y el 71,9% de sexo femenino. El promedio del IMC en ambos sexos se encuentra en el rango de obesidad (hombres= 30,4 ± 5,9 kg/m2 vs mujeres= 31,6 ± 6,1 kg/m2). Para un mismo promedio de edad e IMC, los hombres presentaron mayor TAV y mayor razón TAV/TAS que las mujeres. El promedio de la TFG fue similar entre los sexos y se encuentra en el rango normal. A través de regresión lineal simple, se evidenció que, en el sexo masculino, la disminución de la TFG puede explicarse en el 21,8% por la razón TAV/TAS (p=0,002). En el sexo femenino, tanto el TAV aislado como la razón TAV/TAS fueron predictores de disminución de la TFG (r2= 4,8%; p=0,025 e r2= 5,3%; p=0,019), respectivamente. Conclusión: Se evidenciaron valores muy elevados de los parámetros antropométricos de obesidad abdominal y promedio de TAV y de la razón TAV/TAS compatible con obesidad visceral en ambos sexos, siendo que estos dos últimos parámetros estuvieron relacionados al descenso de la TFG.