Regeneration of starfish radial nerve cord restores animal mobility and unveils a new coelomocyte population.

The potential to regenerate a damaged body part is expressed to a different extent in animals. Echinoderms, in particular starfish, are known for their outstanding regenerating potential. Differently, humans have restricted abilities to restore organ systems being dependent on limited sources of stem cells. In particular, the potential to regenerate the central nervous system is extremely limited, explaining the lack of natural mechanisms that could overcome the development of neurodegenerative diseases and the occurrence of trauma. Therefore, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of regeneration in starfish could help the development of new therapeutic approaches in humans. In this study, we tackle the problem of starfish central nervous system regeneration by examining the external and internal anatomical and behavioral traits, the dynamics of coelomocyte populations, and neuronal tissue architecture after radial nerve cord (RNC) partial ablation. We noticed that the removal of part of RNC generated several anatomic anomalies and induced behavioral modifications (injured arm could not be used anymore to lead the starfish movement). Those alterations seem to be related to defense mechanisms and protection of the wound. In particular, histology showed that tissue patterns during regeneration resemble those described in holothurians and in starfish arm tip regeneration. Flow cytometry coupled with imaging flow cytometry unveiled a new coelomocyte population during the late phase of the regeneration process. Morphotypes of these and previously characterized coelomocyte populations were described based on IFC data. Further studies of this new coelomocyte population might provide insights on their involvement in radial nerve cord regeneration.

Crohn's disease: review and standardization of nomenclature.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a variable clinical course, with alternating periods of disease activity and remission. Because the incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease have been increasing, evaluation by imaging methods has become more important. The most widely used methods are computed tomography enterography, magnetic resonance enterography (as an elective examination), and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (in the context of emergency). Computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography are useful for diagnosis, follow-up, evaluation of complications, and prognosis. Both can be used in order to evaluate the small bowel loops and the associated mesenteric findings, as well as to evaluate other abdominal organs. They both also can detect signs of disease activity, fibrosis, penetrating disease, and complications. The interpretation of such changes is essential to the multidisciplinary approach, as is the standardization of the nomenclature employed in the reports. In this paper, we review and illustrate the imaging findings of Crohn's disease, using the standardized nomenclature proposed in the multidisciplinary consensus statement issued by the Society of Abdominal Radiology, the Society of Pediatric Radiology, and the American Gastroenterology Association, with recommendations for descriptions, interpretations, and impressions related to those findings.

Doença de Crohn é uma doença inflamatória intestinal que pode acometer qualquer segmento do trato gastrointestinal, com curso clínico variado, alternando períodos de atividade de doença e remissão. Sua incidência e prevalência vêm aumentando, tornando a avaliação por métodos de imagem mais importante. Os métodos mais utilizados são enterotomografia computadorizada, enterorressonância magnética eletivamente e tomografia computadorizada com contraste no contexto da emergência. A enterotomografia computadorizada e a enterorressonância magnética são úteis para diagnóstico, seguimento, avaliação de complicações e para prognóstico. Avaliam as alças intestinais delgadas e os achados mesentéricos associados, além dos demais órgãos abdominais. Detectam sinais de atividade de doença, sinais de cronicidade e doença penetrante e complicações, importantes para a escolha do melhor tratamento. A interpretação dessas alterações é fundamental para que a equipe multidisciplinar trabalhe conjuntamente com compreensão da linguagem utilizada nos relatórios. Neste artigo, apresentamos uma revisão dos achados de imagem da doença de Crohn e ilustramos os possíveis achados dessa doença utilizando a nomenclatura padronizada proposta no consenso multidisciplinar composto pelas Sociedade de Radiologia Abdominal, Sociedade de Radiologia Pediátrica e a Associação Americana de Gastroenterologia, com recomendações de descrição, interpretação dos achados e recomendações de impressão.

Crohn's disease: review and standardization of nomenclature / Doença de Crohn: revisão e padronização da nomenclatura

Abstract Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a variable clinical course, with alternating periods of disease activity and remission. Because the incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease have been increasing, evaluation by imaging methods has become more important. The most widely used methods are computed tomography enterography, magnetic resonance enterography (as an elective examination), and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (in the context of emergency). Computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography are useful for diagnosis, follow-up, evaluation of complications, and prognosis. Both can be used in order to evaluate the small bowel loops and the associated mesenteric findings, as well as to evaluate other abdominal organs. They both also can detect signs of disease activity, fibrosis, penetrating disease, and complications. The interpretation of such changes is essential to the multidisciplinary approach, as is the standardization of the nomenclature employed in the reports. In this paper, we review and illustrate the imaging findings of Crohn's disease, using the standardized nomenclature proposed in the multidisciplinary consensus statement issued by the Society of Abdominal Radiology, the Society of Pediatric Radiology, and the American Gastroenterology Association, with recommendations for descriptions, interpretations, and impressions related to those findings.

Resumo Doença de Crohn é uma doença inflamatória intestinal que pode acometer qualquer segmento do trato gastrointestinal, com curso clínico variado, alternando períodos de atividade de doença e remissão. Sua incidência e prevalência vêm aumentando, tornando a avaliação por métodos de imagem mais importante. Os métodos mais utilizados são enterotomografia computadorizada, enterorressonância magnética eletivamente e tomografia computadorizada com contraste no contexto da emergência. A enterotomografia computadorizada e a enterorressonância magnética são úteis para diagnóstico, seguimento, avaliação de complicações e para prognóstico. Avaliam as alças intestinais delgadas e os achados mesentéricos associados, além dos demais órgãos abdominais. Detectam sinais de atividade de doença, sinais de cronicidade e doença penetrante e complicações, importantes para a escolha do melhor tratamento. A interpretação dessas alterações é fundamental para que a equipe multidisciplinar trabalhe conjuntamente com compreensão da linguagem utilizada nos relatórios. Neste artigo, apresentamos uma revisão dos achados de imagem da doença de Crohn e ilustramos os possíveis achados dessa doença utilizando a nomenclatura padronizada proposta no consenso multidisciplinar composto pelas Sociedade de Radiologia Abdominal, Sociedade de Radiologia Pediátrica e a Associação Americana de Gastroenterologia, com recomendações de descrição, interpretação dos achados e recomendações de impressão.

Uso de substâncias psicoativas por estudantes rurais: distribuição por sexo e idade / Consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en una escuela rural: distribución por sexo y edad / Use of psychoactive substances by students of a rural school: distribution by sex and age

Objetivo: analisar o uso na vida de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas e sua distribuição por sexo e idade em estudantes do fundamental II e médio, de uma escola pública e rural. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, realizado de agosto a novembro de 2011 com 146 estudantes de Petrolina e analisado pelo programa Microsoft Excel 2007. Como critérios de elegibilidade elegeu-se ser maior de 18 anos e assinar o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido ou, se menor, obter a assinatura do responsável. Resultados: verificou-se maior uso na vida por álcool, predominando mulheres de 16 a 18 anos; 16,44% usaram cigarro, sem distinção do sexo; e 3,42% usaram drogas ilícitas, prevalecendo os homens. Conclusões: estratégias educacionais, através da escola, família ou governo, são necessárias na promoção de diálogos com os alunos, reduzindo o uso de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas entre estudantes.

Objective: to analyze the lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and their distribution by sex and age of students of elementary and high school, in a rural public school. Method: quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted from August to November of 2011 with 146 students in Petrolina and analyzed by Microsoft Excel 2007. As for the criteria of eligibility, elligible students had to be over 18 and sign the Informed Consent or, if underage, obtain the parents’ signature. Results: there was greater lifetime use of alcohol, predominantly among women of 16-18 years old; 16.44% used cigarettes, without distinction of sex; and 3.42% used illicit drugs, prevailing men. Conclusions: educational strategies, through school, family or government, are necessary to promote dialogues with students, reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among students.

Objetivo: analizar el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y otras drogas y su distribución por sexo y edad entre estudiantes de una escuela pública rural de primaria y secundaria. Método: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal, realizado entre agosto y noviembre de 2011 con 146 estudiantes en Petrolina (PE, Brasil) y analizados com Microsoft Excel 2007. Como criterios de elegibilidad se exigió ser mayor de 18 años yFirmar un consentimiento informado o, para menores de edad, obtener la firma del responsable. Resultados: se verificó mayor consumo de alcohol, predominantemente entre mujeres de 16-18 años; 16,44% consumen cigarrillos, sin distinción de sexo; y 3,42% consumen drogas ilícitas, prevaleciendo los hombres. Conclusiones: estratégias educativas, a través de la escuela, la familia o el gobierno, son necesarios en la promoción de diálogos con los estudiantes, para reducir el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y otras drogas entre los estudiantes.

Validity of body adiposity index in predicting body fat in a sample of Brazilian women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the validity of BAI in predicting %BF in a sample of Brazilian women DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 102 women (average age 60.3 ± 9.8) were assessed. To determine percentage body fat (% BF), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used as the "gold standard." To evaluate the association between body adiposity index (BAI) and % BF assessed by DXA, we used Pearson's correlation coefficient. Paired sample t-test was used to test differences in mean % BF between BAI and DXA. To evaluate the concordance between % BF measured by DXA and estimated by BAI, we used the Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and the agreement analysis of Bland-Altman. RESULTS: The correlation between % BF obtained by DXA and that estimated by BAI was r = 0.65, P < 0.001. Paired t-test showed significant mean difference between methods (P < 0.0001). Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was C_b = 0.73, which is classified as poor, while the Bland-Altman plots showed BAI underestimating % BF in relation to the used criterion measure in a large portion of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study show that BAI presented low agreement with % BF measured by DXA, which is not recommended for % BF prediction in this studied sample.

Active illumination single-pixel camera based on compressive sensing.

We present an optical imaging system based on compressive sensing (CS) along with its principal mathematical aspects. Although CS is undergoing significant advances and empowering many discussions and applications throughout various fields, this article focuses on the analysis of a single-pixel camera. This work was the core for the development of a single-pixel camera approach based on active illumination. Therefore, the active illumination concept is described along with the experimental results, which were very encouraging toward the development of compressive-sensing-based cameras for various applications, such as pixel-level programmable gain imaging.