HBO treatment enhances motor function and modulates pain development after sciatic nerve injury via protection the mitochondrial function.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury can cause neuroinflammation and neuromodulation that lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord, contributing to neuropathic pain and motor dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been suggested as a potential therapeutic tool for neuropathic pain and nerve injury. However, the specific cellular and molecular mechanism by which HBOT modulates the development of neuropathic pain and motor dysfunction through mitochondrial protection is still unclear. METHODS: Mechanical and thermal allodynia and motor function were measured in rats following sciatic nerve crush (SNC). The HBO treatment (2.5 ATA) was performed 4 h after SNC and twice daily (12 h intervals) for seven consecutive days. To assess mitochondrial function in the spinal cord (L2-L6), high-resolution respirometry was measured on day 7 using the OROBOROS-O2k. In addition, RT-PCR and Immunohistochemistry were performed at the end of the experiment to assess neuroinflammation, neuromodulation, and apoptosis in the DRG (L3-L6) and spinal cord (L2-L6). RESULTS: HBOT during the early phase of the SNC alleviates mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity and motor dysfunction. Moreover, HBOT modulates neuroinflammation, neuromodulation, mitochondrial stress, and apoptosis in the DRG and spinal cord. Thus, we found a significant reduction in the presence of macrophages/microglia and MMP-9 expression, as well as the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFa, IL-6, IL-1b) in the DRG and (IL6) in the spinal cord of the SNC group that was treated with HBOT compared to the untreated group. Notable, the overexpression of the TRPV1 channel, which has a high Ca2+ permeability, was reduced along with the apoptosis marker (cleaved-Caspase3) and mitochondrial stress marker (TSPO) in the DRG and spinal cord of the HBOT group. Additionally, HBOT prevents the reduction in mitochondrial respiration, including non-phosphorylation state, ATP-linked respiration, and maximal mitochondrial respiration in the spinal cord after SNC. CONCLUSION: Mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral neuropathic pain was found to be mediated by neuroinflammation and neuromodulation. Strikingly, our findings indicate that HBOT during the critical period of the nerve injury modulates the transition from acute to chronic pain via reducing neuroinflammation and protecting mitochondrial function, consequently preventing neuronal apoptosis in the DRG and spinal cord.

Giant cell arteritis with adventitial pattern in a 51-year-old man: A case report.

Clinical presentation as well as histological or biological findings can sometimes make the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis difficult. Histopathological features of temporal artery biopsy from giant cell arteritis patients are also challenging because of the various described appearances or even finding of clinically normal temporal artery biopsy does not rule out the diagnosis. We here describe the case of a 51-year-old man with temporal artery biopsy showing lymphocytes infiltrates in the adventitia corresponding to the so-called adventitial pattern of giant cell arteritis according to Hernandez-Rodriguez et al.

Avaliação dos egressos do Programa de EducaçãoTutorial (PET) docurso de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas / Evaluation of graduates of the Tutorial Education Program (PET) of the Dentistry Course at the Federal University of Pelotas

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o perfil profissional dos egressos da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas,participantes do Programa de Educação Tutorial (PET). Foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva, de natureza qualitativa e quantitativa, utilizando um questionário eletrônico estruturado eautoaplicável como instrumento de coleta e enviado, via correspondência eletrônica, à todos os egressos que participaram efetivamente do grupo PET e aceitaram participar desta pesquisa. Atividade profissional, níveis de formação e objetivos propostos pelo programa foram avaliados. O total de egressos foi de 89, desde a criação do grupo, em 1992, até o ano de 2019. Com as respostas obtidas (n=59), verificou-se que maior parte dos egressos que aderiram a pesquisa concluíram o curso entre os anos de 2004 até 2018 (59.3%), e apenas 24 (40.6%) em período anterior a 2004. Verificou-se que 25% atuam no serviço público, 44% no setor privado e 22% atuam em ambos. Em relaçãoàtitulação, apenas 4(6,8%)não possuem nenhuma pós-graduação, e 53 (89.8%) atuam na regiãoSul do país, 36 (61%) sãodo sexo feminino e 23 (39%) do masculino. Ao final do questionário, foi perguntado arespeito da influência da participação no Programasobre a trajetória profissional, com uma escala de intensidade progressiva de 1 a 5, gerando 19 respostas com nível 4 e 39respostas com nível 5. Os resultados evidenciaram uma influência muito positiva da participação no Programa na vida profissional de seus ex-participantes, tanto no mercado de trabalho, quanto na vivência de pós-graduação (AU).

This study evaluated the professional profile of graduates of the School of Dentistry at the Federal University of Pelotas, participants of the Tutorial Education Program (PET). A descriptive research was conducted, of qualitative and quantitative nature, using a structured and self-administered electronic questionnaire as collection instrument, sent by email to all graduates who effectively participated in the PET group and agreed to participate in this study. The study assessed the professional activity, traininglevels and objectives proposed by the program. The total number of graduates was 89, since the group was created in 1992 until 2019. The answers obtained (n=59) revealed that most graduates who joined the survey completed the course between the years 2004to 2018 (59.3%), and only 24 (40.6%) in the period before 2004. It was found that 25% work in public services, 44% in the private sector and 22% work in both. Concerning the degree, only 4 (6.8%) did not attend postgraduation education, and 53 (89.8%) work in the Southern region of the country, 36 (61%) are females and 23 (39%) are males. At completion of the questionnaire, the participants were asked about the influence of participation in the Program on their professional career, with a scale of progressive intensity from 1 to 5, retrieving 19 responses with score 4 and 39 responses with score 5. The results evidenced a positive influence from participation in the Program in the professional lives of former participants, both in the job market and in the postgraduation experience (AU).

Familial cerebral cavernous malformation: Report of a novel KRIT1 mutation in a Portuguese family.

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations which may occur in familial forms which have autosomal dominant inheritance. Mutations have been identified in three genes: KRIT1, MGC4607 and PDCD10. We have documented a novel mutation on KRIT1 gene, and the second to be reported in a Portuguese family. This mutation consists in a two nucleotide insertion (c.947_948insAC) within the exon 10, resulting in premature protein termination (p.Leu317Argfs*2). These findings will hopefully contribute to a better clinical, imaging and genetic characterisation of this disease, particularly while trying to identify the factors that influence its treatment and prognosis.