Hypothalamic Neuromodulation and Control of the Dermal Surface Temperature of Livestock during Hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia elicits several physiological and behavioral responses in livestock to restore thermal neutrality. Among these responses, vasodilation and sweating help to reduce core body temperature by increasing heat dissipation by radiation and evaporation. Thermoregulatory behaviors such as increasing standing time, reducing feed intake, shade-seeking, and limiting locomotor activity also increase heat loss. These mechanisms are elicited by the connection between peripheral thermoreceptors and cerebral centers, such as the preoptic area of the hypothalamus. Considering the importance of this thermoregulatory pathway, this review aims to discuss the hypothalamic control of hyperthermia in livestock, including the main physiological and behavioral changes that animals adopt to maintain their thermal stability.

Use of Infrared Thermography and Heart Rate Variability to Evaluate Autonomic Activity in Domestic Animals.

Most of the responses present in animals when exposed to stressors are mediated by the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system, known as the one responsible for the "fight or flight" reaction, triggers cardiovascular changes such as tachycardia or vasomotor alterations to restore homeostasis. Increase in body temperature in stressed animals also activates peripheral compensatory mechanisms such as cutaneous vasodilation to increase heat exchange. Since changes in skin blood flow influence the amount of heat dissipation, infrared thermography is suggested as a tool that can detect said changes. The present review aims to analyze the application of infrared thermography as a method to assess stress-related autonomic activity, and their association with the cardiovascular and heart rate variability in domestic animals.

Utilization of Infrared Thermography in Assessing Thermal Responses of Farm Animals under Heat Stress.

Heat stress is a condition that can affect the health, performance, and welfare of farm animals. The perception of thermal stress leads to the activation of the autonomic nervous system to start a series of physiological and behavioral mechanisms to restore thermostability. One of these mechanisms is vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels to increase heat loss through the skin. Due to this aspect, infrared thermography has been suggested as a method to assess the thermal state of animals and predict rectal temperature values noninvasively. However, it is important to consider that predicting rectal temperature is challenging, and its association with IRT is not always a direct linear relationship. The present review aims to analyze the neurobiological response associated with heat stress and how thermal imaging in different thermal windows can be used to recognize heat stress in farmed ungulates.

Hypothalamic Neuromodulation of Hypothermia in Domestic Animals.

When an organism detects decreases in their core body temperature, the hypothalamus, the main thermoregulatory center, triggers compensatory responses. These responses include vasomotor changes to prevent heat loss and physiological mechanisms (e.g., shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis) for heat production. Both types of changes require the participation of peripheral thermoreceptors, afferent signaling to the spinal cord and hypothalamus, and efferent pathways to motor and/or sympathetic neurons. The present review aims to analyze the scientific evidence of the hypothalamic control of hypothermia and the central and peripheral changes that are triggered in domestic animals.

Effect of heat stress on TNF-α, TNFRI and TNFRII expression in BLV infected dairy cattle.

High temperatures for extended periods, which do not allow animals to recover from heat stress, affect in particular those BLV-infected animals that carry a high proviral load. For this study, animals were discriminated between BLV (+) and BLV (-), and those belonging to the first group, were classified based on their proviral load. The expression of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and its receptors, which play an important role in disease progression, were quantified by qPCR in two different seasons. During the summer, average temperature was 19.8 °C, maximums higher than 30 °C were frequent. Instead, during the autumn, the average temperature was 12.63 °C, and temperatures never exceeded 27 °C. During this season, almost no periods of temperatures exceeded the comfort limit. Our results revealed that the expression levels of TNF-α and its receptors were downregulated in animals with high proviral load. This fact could affect their antiviral response and predispose to viral dissemination; over time, animals with a poorer immune system are prone to acquiring opportunistic diseases. Conversely, animals with LPL maintained their expression profile, with behavior comparable to non-infected animals. These findings should be considered by producers and researchers, given the problems that global warming is causing lately to the planet.

Hepatic hematopoiesis in the alpaca (Vicugna pacos), a species with development in hypoxic environments.

Hematopoiesis occurs in different anatomical niches throughout the life of the individual. The first hematopoietic extra-embryonic stage is replaced by a intra-embryonic stage that occurs in a region that is adjacent to the dorsal aorta. Then, the prenatal hematopoietic function is continued by the liver and spleen, and later by the bone marrow. The objective of the present work was to describe the morphological characteristics of hepatic hematopoiesis in the alpaca and to analyze the proportion of the hematopoietic compartment of the organ and the cell types, at different times of ontogeny. Sixty-two alpaca samples were collected from the municipal slaughterhouse of Huancavelica, Perú. They were processed by routine histological techniques. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, special dyes, immunohistochemical techniques and supplementary analyses by lectinhistochemistry, were performed. The prenatal liver is an important structure in the expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Their hematopoietic activity was characterized by four stages: initiation, expansion, peak, and involution. The liver started its hematopoietic function at 21 days EGA and it was maintained until shortly before birth. Differences were found in the proportion and morphology of the hematopoietic tissue in the different groups corresponding to each gestational stage.

Perfil Epidemiológico de Gatos com Esporotricose no Município de São Paulo (SP), 2011 a 2022 / Epidemiological Profile of Cats with Sporotrichosis in the City of São Paulo (SP), 2011 to 2022

Objetivo: este estudo se propôs a caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico da esporotricose felina no município de São Paulo (SP) no período de 2011 a 2022. Métodos: estudo descritivo dos casos de esporotricose felina registrados entre 2011 e 2022. Foram utilizados dados secundários, provenientes dos bancos de dados da vigilância do município. Resultados: o perfil predominante dos animais é composto por machos, 71,4% (n=2.644), com idade inferior a 4 anos 70,1% (n=1.137) e com livre acesso à rua 51,0% (n=1.348). Foram registrados 811 óbitos, entre os quais foi informado o sexo para 381, sendo estes 77,4% (n=295) machos e 22,6% (n=86) fêmeas. Conclusão: diante dos achados deste estudo, compreende-se que a situação epidemiológica da doença requer ações conjuntas das vigilâncias epidemiológica e ambiental para serem desenvolvidas medidas de prevenção e controle embasadas em uma perspectiva de saúde única.

Objective: this study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of feline sporotrichosis in the city of São Paulo (SP) from 2011 to 2022. Methods: this is a descriptive study of feline sporotrichosis cases reported between 2011 and 2022. The data were obtained from a secondary database of the São Paulo Health Surveillance System. Results: the predominant profile of the animals is composed of males 71.4% (n=2,644), under the age of four years old 70.1% (n=1,137), and with free access to streets 51.0% (n=1,348). Furthermore, of the 811 deaths registered, 381 had the gender identified, 77.4% (n=295) were males, and 22.6% (n=86) were females. Conclusion: given the findings of this study, it is understood that the epidemiological situation of the disease requires joint actions by epidemiological and environmental surveillance in order to develop prevention and control measures based on one health perspective.

Neurophysiology of Milk Ejection and Prestimulation in Dairy Buffaloes.

The present review aims to integrate the anatomical characteristics of the mammary gland and the neurophysiology of milk ejection to understand the milking capacity of the water buffalo. Since one of the main uses of this species is milk production, this article will analyze the controversies on the use of oxytocin as a stimulant during milking as well as the existing alternatives that farmers apply to promote correct stimulation during milk letdown. According to the available literature, the efficiency of the milking process, the quality of the milk, and the health of the animals are elements that require the consideration of species-specific characteristics to enhance the performance of buffaloes. The incorporation of technological innovations and competitive strategies could contribute to a better understanding of water buffalo in the milk industry.

Dental arch definition in computed tomographs using two semi-automatic methods.

Computed tomography is a widely used image examination in dental imaging that provides an accurate location of oral structures and features, including the dental arch, which is an important anatomical feature. This study proposes two new semi-automatic methods for arch definition in CTs, with minimal user effort. This study includes 25 CT examinations. The first method is based on the teeth pulps, and the second one is based on the whole mandible. The methods use thresholding and morphological operations to obtain the arches. The evaluation process includes two different metrics DTW and IoU. For both metrics, the initial results of M1 were very low, but the average performance of M2 can be considered high. The analysis showed that changing the input improves the M1 results substantially. The promising results presented here suggest that these methods can be used as auxiliary tools for the proposed task.

Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia in Patients with Special Needs Provided by Private and Public Healthcare Services-A Retrospective, Comparative Study.

In special care dentistry, general anesthesia (GA) is considered as an alternative option to facilitate treatment for uncooperative patients with special needs (PSN) who require invasive dental interventions. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the profile of dental treatment procedures performed and the characteristics of PSN who underwent dental treatment under GA, provided by private and public healthcare providers. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study involving a sample of 100 PSN treated in hospital and specialist secondary care settings. Demographic data and clinical information were collected. The analysis of data was performed using descriptive analysis and frequency statistical tests. RESULTS: out of 100 participants, 63% of the PSN who received care in the private sector and the remaining 37% of PSN registered with public-funded care providers, aged 6 to 80 years old, were treated under GA. Autistic spectrum disorder was the most common medical diagnosis recorded (33%). More than half (52%) of the PSN treated by private care providers sought specialist care in an outpatient setting prior to GA vs. 5% of the PSN treated by public-funded providers. The utilization of sedation prior to GA was more common in the private sector. A vast majority (86%) of all subjects underwent multiple dental extractions (86%) and restorations (62%). CONCLUSIONS: comprehensive dental care under GA, which composes an integral part of special care dentistry, can be safely provided in a hospital setting, in both private and public sectors. While early intervention using sedation and behavioral management partially mitigates the need for dental care under GA, the vast majority of PSN may require dental treatment under GA in future to facilitate complex dental care.

NAEP-UERJ: Um novo espaço da psicanálise na Saúde Pública do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Núcleo de Apoio e Estudo em Psicanálise (NAEP) do Núcleo Odontológico de Radiologia e Atendimento a Pacientes com Necessidades Especiais na Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) – Policlínica Piquet Carneiro - PPC / NAEP-UERJ: A new space for Psychoanalysis in Public Health in the State of Rio de Janeiro Nucleus of Support and Study in Psychoanalysis (NAEP) of the Dental Nucleus of Radiology and Care of Patients with Special Needs at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) Piquet Carneiro Polyclinic - PPC

Este trabalho aborda a implantação do Núcleo de Apoio e Estudo em Psicanálise (NAEP) tendo como fundamento o atendimento psicanalítico em ambiente ambulatorial. Apresenta a parceria institucional entre a pós-graduação em clínica psicanalítica do Instituto de Psicologia da Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) com o Círculo Brasileiro de Psicanálise – Seção Rio de Janeiro (CBP-RJ). Explora a escuta psicanalítica nas universidades públicas e sua importância nos atendimentos clínicos(AU)

The present work aims to approach the implementation of the Nucleus of Support and Study in Psychoanalysis (NAEP) based on psychoanalytic care in an outpatient setting. Also presenting the institutional partnership between the Postgraduate Program in Clinical Psychoanalysis of the Institute of Psychology of the State University of Rio de Janeiro with the Círculo Brasileiro de Psicanálise - Rio de Janeiro section (CBP-RJ). Aiming to explore psychoanalytic listening in public universities and its importance in clinical care(AU)

Harmonização orofacial e covid-19: a experiência estética e o desamparo psíquico na interlocução entre odontologia e psicanálise / Orofacial harmonization and covid-19: the aesthetic experience and psychic helplessness in the dialogue between Dentistry and Psychoanalysis

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo propor uma interlocução entre odontologia e psicanálise tendo como objeto de estudo o procedimento estético de harmonização orofacial e suas ressonâncias psíquicas. Diante do momento pandêmico atual e do aumento da procura pelo procedimento, fazemos uma reflexão sobre as situações em que a harmonização orofacial comparece como tentativa de "solução" frente a questões decorrentes de sofrimentos psíquicos e sintomas contemporâneos. Entre a indicação clínica e a busca pela imagem simétrica idealizada, percorremos um caminho teórico-clínico entre o olhar do cirurgião-dentista e a escuta do psicanalista, a fim de possibilitar ao sujeito que procura o procedimento estético uma vivência genuína de sua experiência(AU)

The present work aims to propose a dialogue between Dentistry and Psychoanalysis having as object of study the aesthetic procedure of orofacial harmonization and its psychic resonances. In view of the current pandemic moment and the increase in demand for the procedure, a reflection will be made in situations in which orofacial harmonization may appear as an attempt to "solution" in the face of issues arising from psychological suffering and contemporary symptoms. Between the clinical indication and the search for the idealized symmetrical image, a theoretical/clinical path will be covered, between the dentist's look and the psychoanalyst's listening in order to enable the subject who seeks the aesthetic procedure, a genuine experience of his experience(AU)

As histéricas de Freud, a dor orofacial e a histeria na clínica psicanalítica atual / Freud’s hysterics, orofacial pain and hysteria in current psychoanalytic clinic

O artigo tem por objetivo estimular os leitores a uma reflexão sobre a interlocução de casos clínicos de histeria relatados por Sigmund Freud com a dor orofacial crônica na odontologia. Inicialmente revisou-se na literatura alguns conceitos preliminares que percorrem a odontologia, a psiquiatria e a psicanálise. Nosso trabalho faz uma correlação dos casos clínicos relatados por Freud em seus Estudos sobre a histeria (1893-1895), em coautoria com Josef Breuer, com os casos clínicos do Núcleo de Radiologia e Atendimento a pacientes com necessidades especiais da Policlínica Piquet Carneiro da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), com sintomatologia de dor crônica orofacial. Posteriormente, relatou-se os casos clínicos atuais encaminhados pelo Centro de Apoio Psicanalitico (CAP) do Círculo Brasileiro de Psicanálise (CBP – Seção RJ) para o consultório e que apresentaram em sua estrutura psíquica traços histéricos com conversão. Finalmente, uma conclusão de como os casos clínicos relatados por Freud, bem como os casos tratados pela clínica odontológica e os relatados pelos analisandos de nossa clínica psicanalítica podem nos falar dessa relação da histeria de conversão com a clínica odontológica. Nos casos de ausência de qualquer sinais clínicos orgânicos, o cirurgião-dentista deve pensar em encaminhar seus pacientes para um espaço psicanalítico, para a escuta de uma dor que se origina no psíquico e é convertida em uma linguagem corporal, que só o sujeito que sente pode relatar no processo de análise, ter o reconhecimento e a ressignificação dessa dor, que é singular e pertence ao sujeito que a sente(AU)

This conclusion work aimed to encourage readers to reflect on the interlocution of clinical cases of Hysteria reported by Sigmund Freud with Chronic Orofacial Pain in Dentistry. Initially, some preliminary concepts that run through Dentistry, Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis were reviewed in the literature. Our work reported the relationship of the founder of Psychoanalysis with Dentistry, and made a correlation with the clinical cases reported by Freud in his studies on Hysteria from 1893-1895 coauthored with Josef Breuer with clinical cases from the Radiology and Patient Care Center with special needs at the Piquet Carneiro Polyclinic, Faculty of Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro UERJ, with symptoms of chronic orofacial pain. Subsequently, current clinical cases were reported, referred by the Psychoanalytical Support Center (CAP) of the CBP - Section RJ to the Brazilian Psychoanalysis Circle, which presented in their psychic structure hysterical traits with conversion. Finally, a conclusion of how these clinical cases reported by Freud, the cases treated by the Dental clinic and those reported by the analysands of our Psychoanalytical clinic can tell us about this relationship of Conversion Hysteria with the Dental clinic, owing to the dentist in cases of absence of any organic clinical signs, think about referring their patients to a psychoanalytic space, to listen to a Pain that originates in the psychic and is converted into a body language, which only the subject who feels can report in the analysis process, have the recognition and the resignification of this Pain, which is unique and belongs to the person who feels(AU)

Alterations in TNF-α and its receptors expression in cows undergoing heat stress.

Heat stress is one of the environmental factors that most severely affects milk industry, as it has impact on production, immune responses and reproductive performance. The present study was conducted with high-performance Holando-Argentino cows. Our objective was to study TNF-α and its receptors pattern expression in cows from a region characterized by extreme climatic seasonality. Animals were evaluated in three periods: spring (n = 15), summer (n = 14) and autumn (n = 11). Meteorological records from a local station were used to estimate the temperature and humidity index (THI) by means of an equation previously defined. A THI higher than 68 is indicative of stressing conditions. During the summer period, the animals were exposed to 8.5 ±â€¯1.09 h of heat stress, or THI > 68. In spring, stress hours were reduced to 1.4 ±â€¯0.5 every day, while during the autumn, there were no recorded heat stress events. Expression of TNF-α, and its receptors was determined by qPCR. During the summer, TNF-α and its receptors expression diminished drastically compared to the rest of the year, when stressful conditions were infrequent. We conclude that animals that are not physiologically prepared to resist high temperatures might have a less efficient immune response, reinforcing the need to develop new strategies to improve animal welfare.

Characterization of two group III potato CDPKs, StCDPK22 and StCDPK24, that contain three EF-Hand motifs in their CLDs.

Four members of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) family StCDPK22/23/24 and StCDPK27, present three functional EF-hands motifs in their calmodulin-like domain (CLD). StCDPK22/23/24 are clustered in clade III-b1 with tomato and Arabidopsis CDPKs that lack the first EF-hand motif, while StCDPK27 is clustered in clade III-b3 with CDPKs that lack EF-hand 2. Members of each clade share similar intron-exon structures and acylation profiles. 3D model predictions suggested that StCDPK22 and StCDPK24 are active kinases that undergo a conformational switch in the presence of Ca2+ even when lacking one functional EF-hand motif; however, assays performed with recombinant proteins indicated that StCDPK24:6xHis was active in all the conditions tested, and its activity was enhanced in the presence of Ca2+, but StCDPK22:6xHis had scarce or null activity. Both kinases share with AtCPK8 the same autophosphorylation pattern in the autoinhibitory (AD) and C-terminal variable (CTV) domains, suggesting that it could be a characteristic of clade III-b1. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that StCDPK22 is mainly expressed in early stages of tuberization, but not limited to, while StCDPK24 expression is more ubiquitous. In silico analysis predicted several abiotic stress-responsive elements in its promoters. Accordingly, StCDPK24 expression peaked at 10 h in in vitro plants exposed to salt shock and then declined. Moreover, a significant increase was observed at 2 h in stems of salt-treated greenhouse plants, suggesting that this CDPK could participate in the early events of the signaling cascade triggered in response to salt.

Pain at the Slaughterhouse in Ruminants with a Focus on the Neurobiology of Sensitisation.

We pose, based on a neurobiological examination, that events that occur around the time of slaughter have the potential to intensify the pain response, through the processes of sensitisation and enhanced transmission. Sensitisation, or an enhanced response to painful stimuli, is a well-discussed phenomenon in the human medical literature, which can arise from previous injury to an area, inflammatory reactions, or previous overstimulation of the stress axes. A number of events that occur prior to arrival at, or in the slaughterhouse, may lead to presence of these factors. This includes previous on-farm pathology, injuries arising from transport and handling and lack of habituation to humans. Whilst there is limited evidence of a direct effect of these on the processes of sensitisation in animals at slaughter, by analogy with the human neurobiology literature the connection seems plausible. In this review a neurobiological approach is taken to discuss this hypothesis in the light of basic science, and extrapolations from existing literature on the slaughter of ruminants. To confirm the postulated link between events at slaughter, and processes of hypersensitisation, further dedicated study is required.

How does α1Histidine102 affect the binding of modulators to α1ß2γ2 GABAA receptors? molecular insights from in silico experiments.

The activation of GABAA receptors by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid mediates the rapid inhibition response in the central nervous system of mammals. Many neurological and mental health disorders arise from alterations in the structure or function of these pentameric ion channels. GABAA receptors are targets for numerous drugs, including benzodiazepines, which bind to α1ß2γ2 GABAA receptors with high affinity to a site in the extracellular domain, between subunits α1 and γ2. It has been established experimentally that the binding of these drugs depends on the presence of one particular amino acid in the α1 subunit: histidine 102. However, the specific role it plays in the intermolecular interaction has not been elucidated. In this work, we applied in silico methods to understand whether certain protonation and rotamer states of α1His102 facilitate the binding of modulators. We analysed diazepam binding, a benzodiazepine, and the antagonist flumazenil to the GABAA receptor using molecular dynamics simulations and adaptive biasing force simulations. The binding free energy follows changes in the protonation state for both ligands, and rotameric states of α1His102 were specific for the different compounds, suggesting distinct preferences for positive allosteric modulators and antagonists. Moreover, in the presence of diazepam and favoured by a neutral tautomer, we identified a water molecule that links loops A, B, and C and may be relevant to the modulation mechanism.

Ferns and lycophytes from the Cerro do Tigre and Cerro Palomas, Pampa biogeographic province, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil / Samambaias e licófitas dos Cerros do Tigre e Palomas, província biogeográfica do Pampa, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The Pampa represents one of the domains of highest floristic richness in South America, however, especially in relation to the ferns and lycophytes, it still poorly known. This study aims to list the ferns and lycophytes associated with the Tigre and Palomas hills and discuss the floristic aspects that shape the fern and lycophyte flora at the isolated formations (Cerros) of the Pampa domain. The samples were collected and herborized using standard techniques and identified through specific literature. Herbarium specimens were also analyzed in order to complement the floristic list. Species were classified according to their geographical distribution pattern and also considering their life and growth forms. The inventory resulted in 36 species, representing four lycophytes and 32 ferns, distributed in 11 families and 19 genera. Overall, 18 species were exclusive to Cerro do Tigre, five to Cerro Palomas and 13 shared between both areas. Most of the species are widely distributed in South America (41,02%) and Tropical America (35,89%), and no endemic species to the pampean domain were identified. The predominant life form was hemicryptophyte, and rosulate was the most represented growth form. In general, the species occurring in the areas presented adaptations to xerophytic conditions. The results showed a high species richness in the studied areas in relation to cited for the whole domain, indicating that the Cerros serve as refuges for the maintenance of ferns and lycophytes in the Pampa region.

O Pampa representa um dos domínios fitogeográficos de maior riqueza florística da América do Sul; no entanto, principalmente ao que refere às samambaias e licófitas, ainda é muito pouco conhecido. O presente estudo tem como objetivos listar as espécies de samambaias e licófitas associadas aos cerros do Tigre e Palomas e discutir os aspectos florísticos que modelam a flora de samambaias e licófitas nas formações isoladas (Cerros) do domínio do Pampa. As amostras foram coletadas e herborizadas por meio das técnicas usuais, e identificadas com auxílio de literatura específica. Espécimes de herbários também foram analisados a fim de complementar a lista florística. As espécies foram classificadas quanto seu padrão de distribuição geográfica e quanto sua forma de vida e crescimento. O inventário resultou em 36 espécies, sendo quatro licófitas e 32 samambaias, distribuídas em 11 famílias e 19 gêneros. Ao todo, 18 espécies foram exclusivas ao Cerro do Tigre, cinco ao Cerro Palomas e 13 ocorreram em ambas as áreas. A maior parte das espécies tem ampla distribuição na América do Sul (41,02%) e América Tropical (35,89%), e não foram identificadas espécies endêmicas ao domínio pampeano. A forma de vida predominante foi hemicriptófito e a forma de crescimento, o rosulado foi a mais frequente. De forma geral as espécies ocorrentes na área de estudo apresentaram adaptações às condições xerofíticas. Nossos resultados mostraram haver alta riqueza de espécies nas áreas estudadas em relação ao citado para o domínio, e que os Cerros servem como refúgios para manutenção da flora de samambaias e licófitas na região.

Contribution of benzodiazepines in dental care of patients with special needs.

BACKGROUND: Conscious sedation in dental treatment of patients with special needs (PNEs) has the purpose of controlling events such as anxiety and fear, as well as promoting muscle relaxation and mastery of uncoordinated movements. Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are among the most used drugs due to their anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative properties. The objective of this investigation is to demonstrate a study on the contribution of conscious sedation with BZD in PNEs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 40 PNEs, non-collaborators, submitted to conscious oral sedation with Midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) for dental treatment, receiving vital signs monitoring in the pre, trans and postoperative periods. RESULTS: Male patients were more frequent with 70% of the cases, with a mean age of 18 years. As for medical diagnosis, autism and mental deficiency were the most prevalent. The most performed procedures were restoration (32%) and exodontia (30%). There was a statistically significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure parameters (p<0.05) in the transoperative and postoperative periods when compared to the preoperative period. Conscious sedation with BZDs resulted in 83% positive responses. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that this technique is safe and effective, and can be used in outpatient care for PNEs. However, the risk/benefit ratio should be correctly evaluated. Key words:Special patients, oral sedation, benzodiazepines, midazolam, dental care.

GABAA receptor family: overview on structural characterization.

The pentameric γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors are ion channels activated by ligands, which intervene in the rapid inhibitory transmission in the mammalian CNS. Due to their rich pharmacology and therapeutic potential, it is essential to understand their structure and function thoroughly. This deep characterization was hampered by the lack of experimental structural information for many years. Thus, computational techniques have been extensively combined with experimental data, in order to undertake the study of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors and their interaction with drugs. Here, we review the exciting journey made to assess the structures of these receptors and outline major outcomes. Finally, we discuss the brand new structure of the α1ß2γ2 subtype and the amazing advances it brings to the field.