Effects of Dermatan Sulfate from Marine Invertebrate Styela plicata in the Wound Healing Pathway: A Natural Resource Applied to Regenerative Therapy.

Acute and chronic dermatological injuries need rapid tissue repair due to the susceptibility to infections. To effectively promote cutaneous wound recovery, it is essential to develop safe, low-cost, and affordable regenerative tools. Therefore, we aimed to identify the biological mechanisms involved in the wound healing properties of the glycosaminoglycan dermatan sulfate (DS), obtained from ascidian Styela plicata, a marine invertebrate, which in preliminary work from our group showed no toxicity and promoted a remarkable fibroblast proliferation and migration. In this study, 2,4-DS (50 µg/mL)-treated and control groups had the relative gene expression of 84 genes participating in the healing pathway evaluated. The results showed that 57% of the genes were overexpressed during treatment, 16% were underexpressed, and 9.52% were not detected. In silico analysis of metabolic interactions exhibited overexpression of genes related to: extracellular matrix organization, hemostasis, secretion of inflammatory mediators, and regulation of insulin-like growth factor transport and uptake. Furthermore, in C57BL/6 mice subjected to experimental wounds treated with 0.25% 2,4-DS, the histological parameters demonstrated a great capacity for vascular recovery. Additionally, this study confirmed that DS is a potent inducer of wound-healing cellular pathways and a promoter of neovascularization, being a natural ally in the tissue regeneration strategy.

Nanocellulose-based membrane as a potential material for high performance biodegradable aerosol respirators for SARS-CoV-2 prevention: a review.

The controversy surrounding the transmission of COVID-19 in 2020 has revealed the need to better understand the airborne transmission route of respiratory viruses to establish appropriate strategies to limit their transmission. The effectiveness in protecting against COVID-19 has led to a high demand for face masks. This includes the single-use of non-degradable masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators by a large proportion of the public, leading to environmental concerns related to waste management. Thus, nanocellulose-based membranes are a promising environmental solution for aerosol filtration due to their biodegradability, renewability, biocompatibility, high specific surface area, non-toxicity, ease of functionalization and worldwide availability. Although the technology for producing high-performance aerosol filter membranes from cellulose-based materials is still in its initial stage, several promising results show the prospects of the use of this kind of materials. This review focuses on the overview of nanocellulose-based filter media, including its processing, desirable characteristics and recent developments regarding filtration, functionalization, biodegradability, and mechanical behavior. The porosity control, surface wettability and surface functional groups resulting from the silylation treatment to improve the filtration capacity of the nanocellulose-based membrane is discussed. Future research trends in this area are planned to develop the air filter media by reinforcing the filter membrane structure of CNF with CNCs. In addition, the integration of sol-gel technology into the production of an air filter can tailor the pore size of the membrane for a viable physical screening solution in future studies.

Influence of a High-fat Diet in the Progression of Apical Periodontitis.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on the progression of apical periodontitis (AP) in rats. METHODS: Eight-week old Wistar rats (N = 24) were included in this study. Half of the animals received an HFD and the other half a control diet (CD). AP lesions were induced 8 weeks later by creating pulp exposure of the mandibular left first molars. The animal's body mass was verified on a weekly basis. After 21 and 40 days, the animals were sacrificed. Blood was collected for biochemical tests, and the liver was removed for hepatic triglycerides analysis. The left hemimandibles were removed, radiographed, and then prepared for histologic evaluation. The right hemimandibles (region near molars) were removed for bone mineral density analysis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Radiographs showed that AP lesions were significantly larger in the HFD group compared with the CD group (P < .05). Histologic analysis confirmed that the AP lesions were larger and revealed a more severe inflammatory infiltrate in the HFD group. Bone mineral density was reduced in the HFD group compared with the CD groups (P < .05). The HFD resulted in a significant increase in body mass (P < .05), liver mass (P < .05), relative liver mass (P < .05), and hepatic triglycerides (P < .05). The levels of triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein were significantly higher in the 40-day HFD group compared with the 21-day HFD and 21- and 40-day CD groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that an HFD can influence the progression and severity of AP.

Examination of Nanoparticle Filtration by Filtering Facepiece Respirators During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020 resulted in a spike in the demand for face masks and respirators. Due to their effectiveness at filtering aerosols that could potentially contain viruses, the N95-type filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are frequently used by healthcare workers and first responders. However, due to a shortage of domestic N95 FFRs in the US at the beginning of the pandemic, internationally produced respirators were imported and deployed under an Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. Due to concerns raised at the time, there was an urgent need to verify their effectiveness and usability. In this study, we summarize our characterization of the nanoparticulate filtration performances of 136 such respirators, measured between April 1 and June 30, 2020. Our results indicate that about 42% of the respirators showed filtration efficiencies better than 90% (≤10% penetration), but only 17% performed better than 95% (≤5% penetration). On the other hand, about 35% showed filtration efficiencies below 80% (≥20% penetration). A representative subset of devices was analyzed for the origin of such variations in filtration performance. We found that filtration efficiency increased with the level of electrostatic charge on the FFRs and that the poor performance of the internationally sourced FFRs could be traced to a lack of electrostatic filtration mechanisms. Furthermore, electrostatics shifted the particle size at which aerosol penetration through the FFR was maximal from around 200 nm to less than 100 nm for the highest-performing FFRs, a size range that largely goes undetected in standardized tests.

Atuação do enfermeiro no atendimento ao público infantojuvenil em sofrimento mental: Uma revisão integrativa / Nurses' performance in the care of children and adolescents in mental suffering: An integrative review / Actuación del enfermero en la atención al público infantojuvenil en sufrimiento mental: Una revisión integrativa

CONTEXTO: A qualidade da assistência de enfermagem em saúde mental é essencial na vida das crianças e adolescentes. OBJETIVO: Descrever a atuação do enfermeiro no cuidado ao público infantojuvenil em sofrimento mental. MÉTODO: Revisão integrativa da literatura nas bases de dados BVS e EBSCO, a partir de descritores selecionados. A amostra constituiu-se de 15 artigos, publicados entre 2013 a 2017, disponíveis na íntegra e nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. RESULTADOS: A atuação do enfermeiro perpassa pela gestão e organização do cuidado e considera o olhar individualizado e respeitoso. Busca-se a promoção da autonomia e ressocialização desses jovens e suas famílias, a partir da inclusão do familiar/cuidador no planejamento do cuidado. CONCLUSÃO: O olhar ampliado e a variedade de intervenções desempenhadas pelo enfermeiro torna sua prática complexa e fundamental para a qualidade de vida desses jovens. O diferencial em sua atuação está no conhecimento aberto, reflexivo e cientificamente embasado.

BACKGROUND: The quality of nursing care in mental health is essential in the lives of children and adolescents. AIM: To describe the nurse's role with the child and adolescent public in mental suffering. METHOD: Integrative literature review on the VHL and EBSCO databases, from selected descriptors. The sample consisted of 15 articles, published between 2013 and 2017, available in full electronic form and in the Portuguese, English and Spanish languages. RESULTS: Nurses work through the management and organization of care and consider the individualized and respectful look. What is sought is the promotion of the autonomy and resocialization of these young people and their families, from the inclusion of the caregiver in the planning of care. CONCLUSION: The expanded look and variety of interventions performed by nurses makes their practice complex and fundamental to the quality of life of these young people. The differential in its performance lies in open, reflective and scientifically grounded knowledge.

CONTEXTO: La calidad de la asistencia de enfermería en salud mental es esencial en la vida de los niños y adolescentes. OBJETIVO: Describir la actuación del enfermero en el cuidado al público infantojuvenil en sufrimiento mental. MÉTODOLOGÍA: Revisión integrativa de la literatura en las bases de datos BVS y EBSCO, a partir de descriptores seleccionados. La muestra consistió en 15 artículos publicados entre 2013 a 2017, totalmente disponible electrónicamente en portugués, inglés y español. RESULTADOS: La actuación del enfermero pasa por la gestión y organización del cuidado y considera la mirada individualizada y respetuosa. Se busca la promoción de la autonomía y resocialización de estos jóvenes y sus familias, a partir de la inclusión del familiar / cuidador en la planificación del cuidado. CONCLUSIÓN: La mirada ampliada y la variedad de intervenciones desempeñadas por el enfermero hacen su práctica compleja y fundamental para la calidad de vida de esos jóvenes. El diferencial en su actuación está en el conocimiento abierto, reflexivo y científicamente embasado.

Bio-based electrospun mats composed of aligned and nonaligned fibers from cellulose nanocrystals, castor oil, and recycled PET.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), castor oil (CO), and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET), were used to add value to renewable raw materials and to a recycled polymer produced worldwide, producing mats composed of fibers on the nano- and submicrometric (ultrathin) scales through a sustainable process. Bio-based electrospun mats composed of aligned (rotary collector) and nonaligned (static collector) nanofibers/ultrathin fibers were produced from the electrospinning of solutions prepared from rPET (mixed with CO, CNCs, or CNCs/CO). The contact angle results showed that the CNC mat surfaces composed of nonaligned fibers were hydrophilic, and in contrast, these surfaces were hydrophobic when composed of aligned fibers. Among the mats composed of nonaligned fibers, PET/CO/CNC exhibited storage and Young's moduli approximately eleven and ten times, respectively, better than those of neat rPET. The PET/CO/CNC mat showed both modulus and tensile strength values higher than those of PET/CNC, when characterized in the preferential direction of fiber alignment. Electrospun mats were obtained from environmentally sound raw materials with diversified properties, which were modulated by the type of collector used, as well as whether CO and CNC were mixed with rPET, and have the potential for use in applications such as membrane separation processes and biomedical applications.

Parenting by lying in childhood is associated with negative developmental outcomes in adulthood.

Parenting by lying refers to the parenting practice of deception to try to control children's behavioral and affective states. Although the practice is widely observed across cultures, few studies have examined its associations with psychological outcomes in adulthood. The current research fills this gap by sampling 379 young Singaporean adults who reported on their childhood exposure to parenting by lying, their current deceptive behaviors toward parents, and their psychosocial adjustment. Results revealed that the adults who remembered being exposed to higher levels of parenting by lying in childhood showed higher levels of deception toward their parents and higher levels of psychosocial maladjustment. Our findings suggest that parenting by lying may have negative implications for children's psychosocial functioning later in life.

Dataset on childhood exposure to parenting by lying and its associations with adulthood psychosocial outcomes in a Singapore sample.

The present data are reported in the article "Parenting by Lying in Childhood is Associated with Negative Developmental Outcomes in Adulthood" (Setoh et al., in press). Data were collected using online survey. In this dataset, there are 377 responses from young adults from Singapore who reported on their childhood exposure to parenting by lying, their current deceptive behaviors toward parents, and their psychosocial adjustment. Path analysis was performed to better understand parenting by lying - a prevalent, but under-studied parenting practice.

A2ML1 and otitis media: novel variants, differential expression, and relevant pathways.

A genetic basis for otitis media is established, however, the role of rare variants in disease etiology is largely unknown. Previously a duplication variant within A2ML1 was identified as a significant risk factor for otitis media in an indigenous Filipino population and in US children. In this report exome and Sanger sequencing was performed using DNA samples from the indigenous Filipino population, Filipino cochlear implantees, US probands, Finnish, and Pakistani families with otitis media. Sixteen novel, damaging A2ML1 variants identified in otitis media patients were rare or low-frequency in population-matched controls. In the indigenous population, both gingivitis and A2ML1 variants including the known duplication variant and the novel splice variant c.4061 + 1 G>C were independently associated with otitis media. Sequencing of salivary RNA samples from indigenous Filipinos demonstrated lower A2ML1 expression according to the carriage of A2ML1 variants. Sequencing of additional salivary RNA samples from US patients with otitis media revealed differentially expressed genes that are highly correlated with A2ML1 expression levels. In particular, RND3 is upregulated in both A2ML1 variant carriers and high-A2ML1 expressors. These findings support a role for A2ML1 in keratinocyte differentiation within the middle ear as part of otitis media pathology and the potential application of ROCK inhibition in otitis media.

C-shaped canals in first and second mandibular molars from Brazilian individuals: A prevalence study using cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to evaluate, through in vivo tomographic analysis, the prevalence of C-shaped canals in mandibular first and second molars of Brazilian individuals, analyzing its frequency by thirds of the roots, and in contralateral teeth. METHODS: Images of 801 mandibular molars (379 first molars and 422 second molars) from 334 Brazilian individuals (142 men and 192 women) were identified through 1544 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) exams, obtained from a private oral radiologic clinic. The cross-sectional configurations were analyzed to determine the frequency of C-shaped canals at three different axial levels and classified in categories by three experienced endodontists independently. RESULTS: The incidence of C-shaped canals was 181 (23%). Considering the type of tooth, 91 (24.01%) were identified in the first molars, and 90 (21.32%) were found in the second molars. The incidence was significantly higher in female individuals (P < 0.05) for both first and second molars. The most common C-shaped canal configurations were: C1 (89.01% for first molars and 90% second molars), followed by C2 (8.79% for first molars and 6.66% for second molars) and C4 (2.19% for the first molars and 3.33% for the second molars). Bilateral C-shaped canals were significantly higher than unilateral for both first and second molars (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of C-shaped canals in mandibular molars of the Brazilian individuals was higher than previously reported for both mandibular first (24.01%) and second molars (21.32%). The incidence was significantly higher in female individuals and the coronal portion of the roots. The classic C-shaped format "C1" was the most frequent anatomical configuration. Furthermore, the prevalence of bilateral C-shaped canals was higher for the first molar (61.70%) and lower for the second molar (38.29%).

Percepção das mães de crianças com câncer sobre o cuidado humanizado da enfermagem / Mothers of children with cancer perception about humanized nursing care

Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção das mães de crianças em tratamento oncológico sobre o cuidado humanizado da enfermagem. Método: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, realizado com 16 mães de crianças em tratamento oncológico em uma casa de apoio filantrópica. Foi utilizada a entrevista semiestruturada para coleta das informações e foi empregada a análise de discurso, a partir dos depoimentos das participantes. Resultados: Os resultados trazem uma discrepância em relação à assistência de enfermagem: algumas mães se sentiram completamente acolhidas e apoiadas e, em contrapartida, outras se sentiram desamparadas e desrespeitadas. Conclusão: As mães percebem o cuidado humanizado da enfermagem no acolhimento integral da criança e família para além da doença; a enfermagem contribui na reflexão e reestruturação das ações do cuidado, elevando a qualidade da assistência.

Objective: To know the mothers of children in oncological treatment perception on the humanized nursing care. Method: Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, carried out with 16 mothers of children in oncological treatment in a philanthropic support house. The semi-structured interview was used to collect information and the speech analysis was used, from the participants' testimonials. Results: The results bring some discrepancy regarding the nursing care: some mothers felt completely welcomed and supported, however, others felt helpless and disrespected. Conclusion: Mothers realize the humanized nursing care in the integral reception of the child and family beyond the disease; nursing contributes to the reflection and restructuring of the care actions, raising the care quality.

Objetivo: Conocer la percepción de las madres de niños en tratamiento oncológico sobre el cuidado humanizado de la enfermería. Método: Estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo, realizado con 16 madres de niños en tratamiento oncológico en una casa de apoyo filantrópico. Se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada para recopilar la información y se empleó el análisis de discurso, a partir de los testimonios de los participantes. Resultados: Los resultados traen una discrepancia en relación a la asistencia de enfermería: algunas madres se sintieron completamente acogidas y apoyadas, pero, en contrapartida, otras se sintieron desamparadas e no respetadas. Conclusión: Las mujeres perciben el cuidado humanizado de la enfermería en la acogida integral del niño y la familia más allá de la enfermedad; la enfermería contribuye en la reflexión y reestructuración de las acciones del cuidado, elevando la calidad de la asistencia.

Nanostructured electrospun nonwovens of poly(ε-caprolactone)/quaternized chitosan for potential biomedical applications.

Blend solutions of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and N-(2-hydroxy)-propyl-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (QCh) were successfully electrospun. The weight ratio PCL/QCh ranged in the interval 95/5-70/30 while two QCh samples were used, namely QCh1 (DQ¯â€¯= 47.3%; DPv¯â€¯= 2218) and QCh2 (DQ¯â€¯= 71.1%; DPv¯â€¯= 1427). According to the characteristics of QCh derivative and to the QCh content on the resulting PCL/QCh nonwoven, the nanofibers displayed different average diameter (175 nm-415 nm), and the nonwovens exhibited variable porosity (57.0%-81.6%), swelling capacity (175%-425%) and water vapor transmission rate (1600 g m-2 24 h-2500 g m-2 24 h). The surface hydrophilicity of nonwovens increases with increasing QCh content, favoring fibroblast (HDFn) adhesion and spreading. Tensile tests revealed that the nonwovens present a good balance between elasticity and strength under both dry and hydrated state. Results indicate that the PCL/QCh electrospun nonwovens are new nanofibers-based biomaterials potentially useful as wound dressings.

Effects of aging, gender, and hypogonadism on mandibular bone density.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate how aging, sex, and hypogonadism influence mandibular bone density with and without the benefits of hormone treatment. METHODS: Three-month old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, with eights animals per group: controls, castrated (orchiectomized [ORX], ovariectomized [OVX]) and castrated with hormonal treatment (ORX + testosterone, OVX + estradiol benzoate). Females were previously evaluated by vaginal cytology. The corporal mass was verified weekly, and after three experimental periods (90, 120, and 150 days), the animals were killed. Blood was collected, and bones underwent densitometric and biomechanical analyses. RESULTS: After castration, the male rats demonstrated low gain in body weight compared to females (P < .05). Male and female castrated animals presented serum concentrations of sex steroid hormones lower than the control group (P < .05). Bone mineral density and biomechanical properties of the L4 vertebrae and femur were reduced earlier in females than in males (P < .05). However, mandibles were affected only in the male rats at the most chronic experimental period. CONCLUSION: Hypogonadism promotes alterations in the mandible over chronic periods, especially in males, and these alterations could be minimized by hormone treatment.

Renewable Resources and a Recycled Polymer as Raw Materials: Mats from Electrospinning of Lignocellulosic Biomass and PET Solutions.

Interest in the use of renewable raw materials in the preparation of materials has been growing uninterruptedly in recent decades. The aim of this strategy is to offer alternatives to the use of fossil fuel-based raw materials and to meet the demand for materials that are less detrimental to the environment after disposal. In this context, several studies have been carried out on the use of lignocellulosic biomass and its main components (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin) as raw materials for polymeric materials. Lignocellulosic fibers have a high content of cellulose, but there has been a notable lack of investigations on application of the electrospinning technique for solutions prepared from raw lignocellulosic biomass, even though the presence of cellulose favors the alignment of the fiber chains during electrospinning. In this investigation, ultrathin (submicrometric) and nanoscale aligned fibers were successfully prepared via electrospinning (room temperature) of solutions prepared with different contents of lignocellulosic sisal fibers combined with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as solvent. The "macro" fibers were deconstructed by the action of TFA, resulting in solutions containing their constituents, i.e., cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, in addition to PET. The "macro" sisal fibers were reconstructed at the nanometer and submicrometric scale from these solutions. The SEM micrographs of the mats containing the components of sisal showed distinct fiber networks, likely due to differences in the solubility of these components in TFA and in their dielectric constants. The mechanical properties of the mats (dynamic mechanical analysis, DMA, and tensile properties) were evaluated with the samples positioned both in the direction (dir) of and in opposition (op) to the alignment of the nano and ultrathin fibers, which can be considered a novelty in the analysis of this type of material. DMA showed superior values of storage modulus (E' at 30 °C) for the mats characterized in the preferential direction of fiber alignment. For example, for mats obtained from solutions prepared from a 0.4 ratio of sisal fibers/PET, Sisal/PET0.40dir presented a high E' value of 765 MPa compared to Sisal/PET0.40op that presented an E' value of 88.4 MPa. The fiber alignment did not influence the Tg values (from tan δ peak) of electrospun mats with the same compositions, as they presented similar values for this property. The tensile properties of the electrospun mats were significantly impacted by the alignment of the fibers: e.g., Sisal/PET0.40dir presented a high tensile strength value of 15.72 MPa, and Sisal/PET0.40op presented a value of approximately 2.5 MPa. An opposite trend was observed regarding the values of elongation at break for these materials. Other properties of the mats are also discussed; such as the index of fiber alignment, average porosity, and surface contact angle. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the influence of fiber alignment on the properties of electrospun mats based on untreated lignocellulosic biomass combined with a recycled polymer, such as PET, has been evaluated. The mats obtained in this study have potential for diversified applications, such as reinforcement for polymeric matrices in nanocomposites, membranes for filtration, and support for enzymes, wherein the fiber alignment, together with other evaluated properties, can impact their effectiveness in these applications.

Corrigendum: Exposure to Parenting by Lying in Childhood: Associations with Negative Outcomes in Adulthood.

[This corrects the article on p. 1240 in vol. 8, PMID: 28824477.].

Exposure to Parenting by Lying in Childhood: Associations with Negative Outcomes in Adulthood.

Parents around the world engage in the practice of parenting by lying, which entails lying to manipulate children's emotional states and behavior. The current study is the first to examine whether exposure to parenting by lying in childhood is associated with later dishonesty and psychosocial maladjustment in adulthood. Female undergraduate adults retrospectively reported their experiences of parenting by lying during childhood, the current frequency at which they lie to their parents, and their current psychosocial functioning. We found that adults who recalled relatively high levels of parenting by lying during childhood both lie to their parents more often and experience greater psychosocial adjustments problems in adulthood than adults who recalled relatively low levels of parenting by lying during childhood. This study is the first to suggest that parenting by lying during childhood may be associated with negative moral and social outcomes later in life.

The fine tuning of retinocollicular topography depends on reelin signaling during early postnatal development of the rat visual system.

During postnatal development, neural circuits are extremely dynamic and develop precise connection patterns that emerge as a result of the elimination of synaptic terminals, a process instructed by molecular cues and patterns of electrical activity. In the rodent visual system, this process begins during the first postnatal week and proceeds during the second and third postnatal weeks as spontaneous retinal activity and finally use-dependent fine tuning takes place. Reelin is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein able to affect several steps of brain development, from neuronal migration to the maturation of dendritic spines and use-dependent synaptic development. In the present study, we investigated the role of reelin on the topographical refinement of primary sensory connections studying the development of retinal ganglion cell axon terminals in the rat superior colliculus. We found that reelin levels in the visual layers of the superior colliculus are the highest between the second and third postnatal weeks. Blocking reelin signaling with a neutralizing antibody (CR-50) from PND 7 to PND 14 induced a non-specific sprouting of ipsilateral retinocollicular axons outside their typical distribution of discrete patches of axon terminals. Also we found that reelin blockade resulted in reduced levels of phospho-GAP43, increased GluN1 and GluN2B-NMDA subunits and decreased levels of GAD65 content in the visual layers of the superior colliculus. The results suggest that reelin signaling is associated with the maturation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic machinery influencing the development and fine tuning of topographically organized neural circuits during postnatal development.

Intermittent urethral catheterisation: the reality of the lubricants and catheters in the clinical practice of a Brazilian service.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify how catheters and lubricants have been used among patients using intermittent urinary catheterisation in rehabilitation. BACKGROUND: The clean intermittent urinary catheterisation technique is an invasive procedure can cause discomfort, pain and urethral traumas. The use of lubricants and lubricated urinary catheters reduces the friction between the catheter and the urethral mucosa, minimising the risks. DESIGN: A descriptive exploratory design was used. METHODS: Quantitative and descriptive study developed at a rehabilitation centre of a University Hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, at the Intermittent Urinary Catheterisation Outpatient Clinic, between June 2012-December 2014. After ethical approval, the data were collected through an interview with the support of a semistructured questionnaire, held during the nursing consultation. Among the users, patients using intermittent urinary catheterisation were interviewed, over 18 years of age and minors younger than eight years accompanied. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied. RESULTS: Most of 214 (100·0%) patients were interviewed were male, single, young adults and with a primary medical diagnosis of bone marrow injury and myelomeningocele. Most patients perform the urinary catheterisation between four and six times per day. For the procedure, the majority uses polyethylene (polyvinyl chloride) catheter and, as a lubricant, 2·0% lidocaine hydrochloride on the catheter itself. Many mention lack of sensitivity when passing the catheter. CONCLUSION: In the study sample, a risk of urethral traumas was evidenced, related to the inappropriate use of catheters and lubricants. For the patients' safety, the professionals need to acknowledge the importance of the appropriate use of lubricants and lubricated catheters to implement evidence-based practices that mobilise public policies. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The use of evidences demonstrates that the appropriate use of lubricants for intermittent urinary catheterisation is fundamental for patient safety and the performance of the best practices.

Traumas uretrais pela introdução do cateter uretral: conduta do enfermeiro / Urethral traumas by the introduction of urethral catheter: conduct of nurses

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a conduta do enfermeiro frente ao traumatismo de uretra ocasionado pela inserção do cateter uretral. Este estudo teve aprovação do Comitê de Ética em pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto - Parecer 466/12 e foi realizado em um Hospital Universitário em duas etapas: na primeira etapa, descritiva, foi efetuada consulta ao sistema eletrônico do hospital que trata de notificações sobre eventos adversos dos pacientes. Nessa etapa foi utilizado instrumento de perguntas objetivas elaborado pelo próprio pesquisador. Na segunda, quase-experimental pós teste, foram coletados os dados relacionados a autoconfiança de enfermeiros, que participaram de cenário simulado de baixa fidelidade. Nessa etapa para obtenção dos dados foi aplicado um questionário de caracterização dos sujeitos e instrumento já validado, de autoconfiança na Assistência de Enfermagem à Retenção Urinária (EAAERU), a qual encontra-se dividida em cinco fatores: 1) "Intervenções realizadas durante o cateterismo urinário e/ou em situações iatrogênicas", 2) "Intervenções prévias ao cateterismo urinário", 3) "Intervenções realizadas após o cateterismo urinário"; 4) "Comunicação, consentimento e preparo dos materiais para realização do cateterismo urinário", e 5) "Avaliação objetiva da RU" (retenção urinária). Os dados da primeira etapa foram analisados por estatística descritiva e os dados da segunda etapa foram codificados e digitados duplamente em planilhas do aplicativo Excel®, exportados e analisados no programa SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) ®, versão 22.0, como a escala original. Os resultados demonstram que na primeira fase do estudo entre as 5300 notificações do serviço, apenas 27 (1,96%) estavam relacionadas a problemas urinários. Entre essas, cinco diretamente ao cateterismo urinário. Na segunda fase do estudo, a amostra foi composta por 53 enfermeiros, entre os quais a maior parte era do sexo feminino, com idade média de 36 anos, menos de dez anos de formação. Entre eles a maioria cursava ou já haviam cursado pós-graduação. Segundo os entrevistados todos 53 (100,0%) já realizaram o cateterismo urinário e 46 (86,8%) já vivenciaram dificuldades no procedimento. A maioria já avaliou trauma uretral ocasionado pela passagem do cateter. A conduta tomada nessa circunstância foi comunicar o fato e solicitar avaliação de outro profissional (médico e/ou outro enfermeiro). Após atividade simulada de trauma uretral, na avaliação da autoconfiança, a EAAERU demonstrou boa confiabilidade na sua aplicação (? 0,966). Os menores escores encontrados na autoconfiança dos profissionais estiveram relacionados aos fatores 1) "Intervenções realizadas durante o cateterismo urinário e/ou em situações iatrogênicas" e 5) "Avaliação objetiva da RU". Observou-se ainda associação positiva entre a autoconfiança e a frequência de realização do cateterismo urinário. Conclui-se que os traumas de uretra são comuns na prática clínica, porém pouco notificados. Com relação à autoconfiança na introdução do cateterismo urinário em que ocorrem situações de trauma de uretra há dificuldade na tomada de decisão e na avaliação objetiva da RU. Uma vez que o cateterismo é de competência do enfermeiro, são necessários programas e instrumentos que capacitem os profissionais para tais situações

This study aimed to evaluate the conduct of the nurse to the urethral trauma caused by the insertion of urethral catheter. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee in research of the College of Nursing in Ribeirão Preto - Opinion 466/12 and was performed in University Hospital in two stages: in the first stage, descriptive, a question was made on the hospital's electronic system, which deals with notifications about adverse events of patients. In this stage, it was used an instrument of objective questions elaborated by the researcher herself. In the second stage, quasi-experimental posttest study, the data related to self-confidence of nurses who participated in simulated low-fidelity scenario was collected. In this stage, to obtain the data, it was applied a characterization questionnaire of subjects and already validated instrument of Self-Confidence Scale of Nursing Care in Urinary Retention (EAAERU), which is divided in five factors: 1) "Interventions performed during urinary catheterization and/or in iatrogenic situations", 2) "Prior interventions to performing urinary catheterization", 3) "Interventions performed for urinary catheters"; 4) "Communication, consent and preparation of materials for performing urinary catheterization", and 5) "Objective evaluation of the urinary retention". The first stage's data were analyzed by descriptive statistic and the second stage's data were codified and double typed in spreadsheets in the Excel® app, exported and analyzed in the SPSS program (Statistical Package for Social Science)®, version 22.0, like the original scale. The results demonstrate that in the first stage of the study, among the 5300 notifications of service, only 27 (1,96%) were related to urinary problems. Among these, five directly related to urinary catheterization. In the second stage of the study, the sample was made by 53 nurses, among which most were women, with an average age of 36 years, less than ten years of formation. Among them, most were attending or had already attended postgraduate. According to the interviewers, all 53 (100,0%) had performed urinary catheterization and 46 (86,8%) had gone through trouble during the process. Most of them had evaluated urethral trauma caused by the introduction of the catheter. The conduct taken in this circumstance was to communicate the fact and request the evaluation of another professional (Doctor and/or another nurse). After simulated activity of the urethral trauma, in the self-confidence evaluation, EAAERU showed good reliability on its application (?=0,966). The lowest scores found in the professionals' self-confidence were related to the factors 1) "Interventions performed during urinary catheterization and/or in iatrogenic situations" and 5) "Objective evaluation of the urinary retention". It was also observed positive association between the self-confidence and the performance of urethral catheterization. It is concluded that urethral traumas are common on clinical practice, however little notified. With regard to self-confidence to the introduction of urethral catheterization in which occur urethral trauma situations, there is difficulty in decision making and objective evaluation of the urinary retention. Once the catheterization is the nurse's responsibility, programs and tools are necessary to enable professionals in such situations

Practice-Based Research: Ex Post Facto Evaluation of Evidence-Based Police Practices Implemented in Residential Burglary Micro-Time Hot Spots.

BACKGROUND: Police agencies around the country are implementing various strategies to reduce crime in their communities that need to be evaluated. These strategies are often based on systematic crime analysis and are focused on crime occurring in hot spots, which are areas of disproportionate amounts of crime. OBJECTIVE: This article takes a practice-based research approach to evaluate whether evidence-based police strategies implemented by one police agency as its normal everyday crime reduction practice are effective in reducing residential burglary incidents in micro-time hot spots. RESEARCH DESIGN: A quasi-experimental ex post facto design is employed using 5 years of data from one police agency that has institutionalized the identification and response to micro-time hot spots into its day-to-day practices. Propensity score matching is used to match 54 pairs of micro-time hot spots using logistic regression to compute the propensity scores and greedy 1 to 1 matching with a caliper width of 0.5 of the standard deviation of the logit to match the cases. RESULTS: Independent t-tests show that tactical police response to micro-time hot spots can lead to significant reductions in residential burglary incidents without the spatial displacement of crime. CONCLUSION: Tactical police responses that seek to achieve short-term reductions in crime appear to be well suited for micro-time hot spots since they are, by nature, short term. Importantly, the conclusions are based on the evaluation of an agency's systematic implementation of the evidence-based practices as its normal practices and not for the sake of research.