Photobiomodulation in Sciatic Nerve Crush Injuries in Rodents: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Perspectives for Clinical Treatment

Introduction: The aim of the study was to perform a literature review to analyze the effect of photobiomodulation in experimental studies on peripheral nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents.Methods: A bibliographic search was performed in the electronic databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), SCOPUS, and SciELO, from 2008 to 2018.Results: A total of 1912 articles were identified in the search, and only 19 fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. Along with the parameters most found in the manuscripts, the most used wavelengths were 660 nm and 830 nm, power of 30 and 40 mW, and energy density of 4 and 10 J/cm2. For total energy throughout the intervention period, the lowest energy found with positive effects was 0.70 J, and the highest 1.141 J. Seventeen studies reported positive effects on nerve regeneration. The variables selected to analyze the effect were: Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), Static Sciatic Index (SSI), morphometric, morphological, histological, zymographic, electrophysiological, resistance mechanics and range of motion (ROM). The variety of parameters used in the studies demonstrated that there is yet no pre-determined protocol for treating peripheral nerve regeneration. Only two studies by different authors used the same power, energy density, beam area, and power density.Conclusion: It was concluded that the therapeutic window of the photobiomodulation presents a high variability of parameters with the wavelength (632.8 to 940 nm), power (5 to 170 mW) and energy density (3 to 280 J /cm2), promoting nerve regeneration through the expression of cytokines and growth factors that aid in modulating the inflammatory process, improving morphological aspects, restoring the functionality to the animals in a brief period.Keywords: Phototherapy; Nerve regeneration; Sciatic nerve; Experimental studies; Injury; Lasers and light sources

Fruit quality of feijoas in response to storage temperature and treatment with 1‑methylcyclopropene

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram caracterizar a fisiologia e avaliar os efeitos da temperatura e da aplicação de 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) na qualidade pós-colheita de frutos de goiaba-serrana (Acca selowiana), em acessos do banco ativo de germoplasma da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina. Os frutos foram colhidos na maturação comercial. Os genótipos Brasil (acesso 387) e Uruguai (acesso 454) foram avaliados quanto ao comportamento respiratório e de produção de etileno a 20ºC, e taxas respiratórias e alterações na cor da casca a 0, 5, 10, 20 e 30ºC. O genótipo Brasil (acesso 242) foi avaliado quanto ao amadurecimento a 4ºC, após tratamento com 1-MCP (0, 500 e 1.500 ppb). Os genótipos Brasil (acesso 387) e Uruguai (acesso 454) apresentaram comportamento climatérico, com picos de produção de etileno e de taxa respiratória aos 8 e 12 dias de armazenamento a 20oC, respectivamente. Não houve diferença significativa entre as taxas respiratórias e de produção de etileno entre os genótipos, nessa temperatura. Houve aumento substancial na taxa respiratória em ambos os genótipos, com o aumento de 0 para 30ºC, com coeficiente metabólico de 3,5 aproximadamente. Com o aumento na temperatura, houve maior alteração na cor verde da epiderme, em frutos do tipo Brasil, e maior escurecimento da epiderme, em frutos do tipo Uruguai. Frutos do genótipo Brasil (acesso 242), tratados com 1-MCP e armazenados a 4oC, apresentaram retardamento no amadurecimento.The objectives of this work were to characterize the postharvest physiology and to evaluate the effects of temperature and treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the postharvest quality of fruits of feijoa (Acca selowiana) accessions from the germplasm bank of Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina. Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity. The genotypes Brasil (accession no. 387) and Uruguai (accession no. 454) were evaluated for respiration and ethylene production at 20ºC, and respiration rates and skin color alterations at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30ºC. The genotype Brasil (accession no. 242) was evaluated for ripening at 4ºC, after treatment with 1-MCP (0, 500 and 1,500 ppb). Brasil (accession no. 387) and Uruguai (accession no. 454) exhibited a climacteric pattern, with a peak of ethylene evolution and respiration rate at the 8th and 12th days of storage at 20oC, respectively. There was no significant difference for respiration rates and ethylene evolution between these genotypes at this temperature. There was a substantial increase of respiration rate in both genotypes with the increase in temperature from 0 to 30ºC, with a metabolic coefficient of approximately 3.5. With the increase in temperature, fruits of the genotype Brasil showed the greatest change of skin green color, while fruits of the genotype Uruguai exhibited the greatest darkening of skin. Feijoa fruits of genotype Brasil (accession no. 242) had delayed ripening when treated with 1-MCP and stored at 4oC

SISTEMA DOPAMINÉRGICO NO ABUSO DE ÁLCOOL: REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

O consumo do álcool em excesso é considerado um grave problema de saúde, causando danos não somente ao usuário, mas também ao seu ciclo social, familiar e profissional. O álcool é classificado como uma droga lícita com relevante aceitação social, no entanto, estima-se que o consumo excessivo gerou 3,3 milhões de mortes (5,9%) no mundo. O transtorno por uso de álcool possui uma prevalência de 8,5% em adultos nos Estados Unidos. As vias mesolímbica e mesocortical, funcionam paralelamente entre si e com as demais estruturas cerebrais e configuram o sistema de recompensa cerebral, sendo que a dopamina é o principal neurotransmissor presente neste sistema. À vista disso, as drogas psicoativas produzem um aumento da descarga de dopamina no sistema de recompensa, assim sendo, a via de recompensa dopaminérgica é a principal do sistema de recompensa cerebral, porém não é a única. A estimulação contínua de dopamina dessensibiliza os sistemas de recompensa, fazendo com este que deixe de responder aos estímulos cotidianos e a única coisa que se torna gratificante é a droga. Com o uso prolongado, a droga perde sua capacidade de recompensa, causando a necessidade do aumento de dose. Visto isso, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática para avaliar o sistema dopaminérgico no abuso de álcool em humanos. Desta forma foi desenvolvida uma estratégia de busca utilizando os seguintes termos: “dopamine”, “ethanol”, “alcohol” e “positron-emission tomography", pesquisados nas bases de dados: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Insight e Literatura cinzenta (Google Scholar e British Library), para estudos publicados até agosto de 2018. A qualidade dos estudos foi avaliada Newcastle-Ottawa (NOS). A população do estudo foi restrita para humanos. Foram encontrados 293 estudos. Após leitura de títulos e resumos, 235 estudos foram considerados irrelevantes, pois não atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. 50 estudos foram para a leitura na íntegra. Destes, 41 foram excluídos pelas seguintes razões: desenho do estudo, população de pacientes, intervenção e resultados. Nove estudos foram incluídos na síntese qualitativa. Quatro estudos relataram redução na disponibilidade apenas no receptor D2 em diferentes regiões do cérebro. Em relação ao receptor D3, apenas um estudo relatou esse achado e quatro estudos relataram uma diminuição em ambos os receptores D2 e D3. Assim, pode-se concluir que nesta revisão sistemática foram encontradas alterações nos receptores D2 em várias regiões do cérebro em humanos alcoolistas.Palavras-Chave: Sistema Dopaminérgico, Revisão Sistemática, Álcool

Towards harmonization of image velocimetry techniques for river surface velocity observations

Since the turn of the 21st Century, image based velocimetry techniques have become an increasingly popular approach for determining open-channel flow in a range of hydrological settings across Europe, and beyond. Simultaneously, a range of large-scale image velocimetry algorithms have been developed, equipped with differing image pre-processing, and analytical capabilities. Yet in operational hydrometry, these techniques are utilised by few competent authorities. Therefore, imagery collected for image velocimetry analysis, along with validation data is required both to enable inter-comparisons between these differing approaches and to test their overall efficacy. Through benchmarking exercises, it will be possible to assess which approaches are best suited for a range of fluvial settings, and to focus future software developments. Here we collate, and describe datasets acquired from six countries across Europe and Asia, consisting of videos that have been subjected to a range of pre-processing, and image velocimetry analysis (Perks et al., 2019, https://doi.org/10.4121/uuid:34764be1-31f9-4626-8b11-705b4f66b95a). Validation data is available for 12 of the 13 case studies presented enabling these data to be used for validation and accuracy assessment

Models and data analysis tools for the Solar Orbiter mission

Context. The Solar Orbiter spacecraft will be equipped with a wide range of remote-sensing (RS) and in situ (IS) instruments to record novel and unprecedented measurements of the solar atmosphere and the inner heliosphere. To take full advantage of these new datasets, tools and techniques must be developed to ease multi-instrument and multi-spacecraft studies. In particular the currently inaccessible low solar corona below two solar radii can only be observed remotely. Furthermore techniques must be used to retrieve coronal plasma properties in time and in three dimensional (3D) space. Solar Orbiter will run complex observation campaigns that provide interesting opportunities to maximise the likelihood of linking IS data to their source region near the Sun. Several RS instruments can be directed to specific targets situated on the solar disk just days before data acquisition. To compare IS and RS, data we must improve our understanding of how heliospheric probes magnetically connect to the solar disk.Aims. The aim of the present paper is to briefly review how the current modelling of the Sun and its atmosphere can support Solar Orbiter science. We describe the results of a community-led effort by European Space Agency's Modelling and Data Analysis Working Group (MADAWG) to develop different models, tools, and techniques deemed necessary to test different theories for the physical processes that may occur in the solar plasma. The focus here is on the large scales and little is described with regards to kinetic processes. To exploit future IS and RS data fully, many techniques have been adapted to model the evolving 3D solar magneto-plasma from the solar interior to the solar wind. A particular focus in the paper is placed on techniques that can estimate how Solar Orbiter will connect magnetically through the complex coronal magnetic fields to various photospheric and coronal features in support of spacecraft operations and future scientific studies.Methods. Recent missions such as STEREO, provided great opportunities for RS, IS, and multi-spacecraft studies. We summarise the achievements and highlight the challenges faced during these investigations, many of which motivated the Solar Orbiter mission. We present the new tools and techniques developed by the MADAWG to support the science operations and the analysis of the data from the many instruments on Solar Orbiter.Results. This article reviews current modelling and tool developments that ease the comparison of model results with RS and IS data made available by current and upcoming missions. It also describes the modelling strategy to support the science operations and subsequent exploitation of Solar Orbiter data in order to maximise the scientific output of the mission.Conclusions. The on-going community effort presented in this paper has provided new models and tools necessary to support mission operations as well as the science exploitation of the Solar Orbiter data. The tools and techniques will no doubt evolve significantly as we refine our procedure and methodology during the first year of operations of this highly promising mission.Peer reviewe

Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention Groups

Background: Canagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, but effects on specific cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain, as are effects in people without previous cardiovascular disease (primary prevention). Methods: In CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned to canagliflozin or placebo on a background of optimized standard of care. Results: Primary prevention participants (n=2181, 49.6%) were younger (61 versus 65 years), were more often female (37% versus 31%), and had shorter duration of diabetes mellitus (15 years versus 16 years) compared with secondary prevention participants (n=2220, 50.4%). Canagliflozin reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.95]; P=0.01), with consistent reductions in both the primary (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.49-0.94]) and secondary (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.69-1.06]) prevention groups (P for interaction=0.25). Effects were also similar for the components of the composite including cardiovascular death (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.61-1.00]), nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.59-1.10]), and nonfatal stroke (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.56-1.15]). The risk of the primary composite renal outcome and the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure were also consistently reduced in both the primary and secondary prevention groups (P for interaction >0.5 for each outcome). Conclusions: Canagliflozin significantly reduced major cardiovascular events and kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including in participants who did not have previous cardiovascular disease