Initial damage produced by a single 15-Gy x-ray irradiation to the rat calvaria skin.

BACKGROUND: Calvaria skin has a reduced thickness, and its initial damage produced by irradiation was scarcely reported. We aimed to identify the initial effects of x-ray irradiation in the rat calvaria skin. METHODS: After approval by the Animal Ethical Committee, calvaria skin sections of five Wistar rats per time point were evaluated on days 4, 9, 14, and 25 following a single 15-Gy x-ray irradiation of the head. The control group was composed of five rats and evaluated on day 4. Sections were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining for morphology, inflammation, and fibrosis. Fibrosis was also evaluated by the collagen maturation index from Picrosirius red staining and by cell proliferation using the immunohistochemistry, after 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine intraperitoneal injection. RESULTS: In irradiated rats, we observed a reduction in epithelial cell proliferation (p = 0.004) and in matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression (p < 0.001), an increase in the maturation index, and with a predominance in the type I collagen fibers, on days 9 and 14 (1.19 and 1.17, respectively). A progressive disorganization in the morphology of the collagen fibers at all time points and changes in morphology of the sebaceous gland cells and hair follicle were present until day 14. CONCLUSIONS: The initial damage produced by a single 15-Gy x-ray irradiation to the rat calvaria skin was a change in the normal morphology of collagen fibers to an amorphous aspect, a temporary absence of the sebaceous gland and hair follicles, and without a visible inflammatory process, cell proliferation, or fibrosis process in the dermis.

The use of drugs and medical students: a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: The consumption and abuse of alcohol and other drugs are increasingly present in the lives of university students and may already be considered a public health problem because of the direct impacts on the physical and mental health of these individuals. The requirements of the medical program play a vital role in the increasing rate of drug users. OBJECTIVES: To carry out a systematic review of the literature on the use of drugs, licit or not, in Brazilian medical students. METHODS: A descriptive-exploratory study, in which the SciELO and MEDLINE databases were used. A total of 99 articles were found, of which 16 were selected for this review. RESULTS: Alcohol and tobacco were the most frequently used licit drugs among medical students. The most consumed illicit drugs were marijuana, solvents, "lança-perfume" (ether spray), and anxiolytics. The male genre presented a tendency of consuming more significant amounts of all kinds of drugs, with the exception of tranquilizers. It was found an increasing prevalence of drug consumption in medical students, as the program progressed, which may result from the intrinsic stress from medical school activities. Students who do not use psychoactive drugs are more likely to live with their parents, to disapprove drugs consumption, to practice religious beliefs and to be employed. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of licit and illicit drug use among medical students is high, even though they understand the injuries it may cause.

The use of drugs and medical students: a literature review

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION The consumption and abuse of alcohol and other drugs are increasingly present in the lives of university students and may already be considered a public health problem because of the direct impacts on the physical and mental health of these individuals. The requirements of the medical program play a vital role in the increasing rate of drug users. OBJECTIVES To carry out a systematic review of the literature on the use of drugs, licit or not, in Brazilian medical students. METHODS A descriptive-exploratory study, in which the SciELO and MEDLINE databases were used. A total of 99 articles were found, of which 16 were selected for this review. RESULTS Alcohol and tobacco were the most frequently used licit drugs among medical students. The most consumed illicit drugs were marijuana, solvents, "lança-perfume" (ether spray), and anxiolytics. The male genre presented a tendency of consuming more significant amounts of all kinds of drugs, with the exception of tranquilizers. It was found an increasing prevalence of drug consumption in medical students, as the program progressed, which may result from the intrinsic stress from medical school activities. Students who do not use psychoactive drugs are more likely to live with their parents, to disapprove drugs consumption, to practice religious beliefs and to be employed. Conclusion The prevalence of licit and illicit drug use among medical students is high, even though they understand the injuries it may cause.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO O consumo e o abuso de álcool e outras drogas estão cada vez mais presentes na vida dos estudantes universitários, e podem ser considerados problemas de saúde pública pelos potenciais prejuízos acarretados na saúde física e mental. No curso de medicina, as exigências acadêmicas e o estresse têm papel fundamental no aumento do uso de drogas entre os estudantes. OBJETIVO Realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre o uso de drogas, lícitas e ilícitas, em estudantes de medicina brasileiros. MÉTODOS Estudo de revisão de literatura, cuja fonte bibliográfica foram os portais de periódicos SciELO e Medline. No total, 99 artigos foram encontrados, dos quais 16 foram selecionados para esta revisão. RESULTADOS O álcool e o tabaco foram as drogas mais consumidas por estudantes de medicina. Dentre as drogas ilícitas, as mais frequentemente utilizadas incluem maconha, solventes, lança-perfume e ansiolíticos. O sexo masculino apresentou maior proporção de consumo de todos os tipos de drogas, com exceção de tranquilizantes. Foi encontrado um aumento da prevalência de consumo de drogas ao longo do curso de medicina, o que pode ser resultante do estresse próprio das atividades do curso. Estudantes que fazem menos uso de substâncias psicoativas tendem a viver com os pais, não possuir vínculos próximos com usuários de drogas, desaprovar o consumo de drogas, possuir e praticar crenças religiosas e trabalhar. CONCLUSÃO A prevalência de consumo de drogas lícitas e ilícitas entre estudantes de medicina é alta, mesmo eles tendo conhecimento sobre os malefícios que o uso pode causar.