Assessing the effects of tDCS over a delayed response inhibition task by targeting the right inferior frontal gyrus and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Many situations in our everyday life call for a mechanism deputed to outright stop an ongoing course of action. This behavioral inhibition ability, known as response stopping, is often impaired in psychiatric conditions characterized by impulsivity and poor inhibitory control. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently been proposed as a tool for modulating response stopping in such clinical populations, and previous studies in healthy humans have already shown that this noninvasive brain stimulation technique is effectively able to improve response stopping, as measured in a stop-signal task (SST) administered immediately after the stimulation. So far, the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) has been the main focus of these attempts to modulate response stopping by the means of noninvasive brain stimulation. However, other cortical areas such as the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) have been implicated in inhibitory control with other paradigms. In order to provide new insight about the involvement of these areas in response stopping, in the present study, tDCS was delivered to 115 healthy subjects, using five stimulation setups that differed in terms of target area (rIFG or rDLPFC) and polarity of stimulation (anodal, cathodal, or sham). The SST was performed 15 min after the offset of the stimulation. Consistently with previous studies, only anodal stimulation over rIFG induced a reliable, although weak, improvement in the SST, which was specific for response stopping, as it was not mirrored in more general reaction time measures

Transcranial direct current stimulation and cognitive training in the rehabilitation of Alzheimer disease: A case study

In the present study we tested the cognitive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in a case of probable Alzheimer disease (AD). The patient (male, 60 years, mild AD) underwent two cycles of treatments, separated by 2 months. In the first cycle, active stimulation (10 sessions, 2 mA for 20 min; anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) was followed by computerised tasks (CTs) specifically chosen to engage the most impaired cognitive processes in the patient (tDCS+CT condition). In the second cycle, which was structured as the first, CTs were administered after placebo stimulation (sham+CT condition). Effects on cognitive performance were evaluated not only by the CTs, but also by neuropsychological tests assessing global cognitive functioning. Statistical analyses revealed that whereas the tDCS+CT condition had few effects on the CTs, it induced a stability of the patient\u2019s global cognitive functioning lasting approximately 3 months, which was not achieved when the patient underwent sham+CT condition. Therefore, the synergetic use of tDCS and CTs appeared to slow down the cognitive decline of our patient.This preliminary result, although in need of further confirmation, suggests the potentiality of tDCS as an adjuvant tool for cognitive rehabilitation in AD

Habitação Verticalizada no Brasil

Muitos fatores precisam ser considerados na hora de projetar qualquer tipo de construção, principalmente o lugar onde as pessoas irao passar boa parte do tempo, seus lares. Quando se contrata um arquiteto para construir uma habitação unifamilar, ele buscará encontrar a melhor solução para contemplar todos os desejos dos clientes na casa. Contudo, quando se projeta uma habitação multifamiliar, é preciso prever o que o cliente está procurando. Porem, nesse campo, o arquiteto não é o unico que decide sobre o projeto e isto acaba refletindo no produto final e consequentemente na adequação das pessoas as moradias

Multibody Computer Model of the Entire Equine Forelimb Simulates Forces Causing Catastrophic Fractures of the Carpus during a Traditional Race

Simple Summary Palios are traditional horseraces held in the main square of few Italian cities. Due to peculiar features of such circuits, adapted to the square architecture and thus characterized by tight curves and unconventional footing surface, horses involved are at particular risk of accidents. Prevention of catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries is a significant issue and matter of debate during these events. In particular, the negotiation of the curves in the city circuits is a significative concern. An experiment was set up to build a model of entire forelimb at the point of failure in the context of a turn comparable to that in a Palio circuit. The model was informed by live data and the output compared to post-mortem findings obtained from a horse that sustained a catastrophic fracture of the carpus during this competition. The objective of this study is to determine the magnitude and distribution of internal forces generated across the carpus under which the catastrophic injury has occurred and describe related post-mortem findings. A catastrophic fracture of the radial carpal bone experienced by a racehorse during a Palio race was analyzed. Computational modelling of the carpal joint at the point of failure informed by live data was generated using a multibody code for dynamics simulation. The circuit design in a turn, the speed of the animal and the surface characteristics were considered in the model. A macroscopic examination of the cartilage, micro-CT and histology were performed on the radio-carpal joint of the limb that sustained the fracture. The model predicted the points of contact forces generated at the level of the radio-carpal joint where the fracture occurred. Articular surfaces of the distal radius, together with the proximal articular surface of small carpal bones, exhibited diffuse wear lines, erosions of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone exposure. Even though the data in this study originated from a single fracture and further work will be required to validate this approach, this study highlights the potential correlation between elevated impact forces generated at the level of contact surfaces of the carpal joint during a turn and cartilage breakdown in the absence of pre-existing pathology. Computer modelling resulted in a useful tool to inversely calculate internal forces generated during specific conditions that cannot be reproduced in-vivo because of ethical concerns

Specific miRNAs Change After 3 Months of GH treatment and Contribute to Explain the Growth Response After 12 Months

Context: There is growing evidence of the role of epigenetic regulation of growth, and miRNAs potentially play a role. Objective: The aim of this study is to identify changes in circulating miRNAs following GH treatment in subjects with isolated idiopathic GH deficiency (IIGHD) after the first 3 months of treatment, and verify whether these early changes can predict growth response. Design and methods: The expression profiles of 384 miRNAs were analyzed in serum in 10 prepubertal patients with IIGHD (5 M, 5 F) at two time points before starting GH treatment (t-3, t0), and at 3 months on treatment (t+3). MiRNAs with a fold change (FC) >+1.5 or <-1.5 at t+3 were considered as differentially expressed. In silico analysis of target genes and pathways led to a validation step on 8 miRNAs in 25 patients. Clinical and biochemical parameters were collected at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months. Simple linear regression analysis and multiple stepwise linear regression models were used to explain the growth response. Results: Sixteen miRNAs were upregulated and 2 were downregulated at t+3 months. MiR-199a-5p (p = 0.020), miR-335-5p (p = 0.001), and miR-494-3p (p = 0.026) were confirmed to be upregulated at t+3. Changes were independent of GH peak values at testing, and levels stabilized after 12 months. The predicted growth response at 12 months was considerably improved compared with models using the common clinical and biochemical parameters. Conclusions: MiR-199a-5p, miR-335-5p, and miR-494-3p changed after 3 months of GH treatment and likely reflected both the degree of GH deficiency and the sensitivity to treatment. Furthermore, they were of considerable importance to predict growth response.Context: There is growing evidence of the role of epigenetic regulation of growth, and miRNAs potentially play a role. Objective: The aim of this study is to identify changes in circulating miRNAs following GH treatment in subjects with isolated idiopathic GH deficiency (IIGHD) after the first 3 months of treatment, and verify whether these early changes can predict growth response. Design and methods: The expression profiles of 384 miRNAs were analyzed in serum in 10 prepubertal patients with IIGHD (5 M, 5 F) at two time points before starting GH treatment (t-3, t0), and at 3 months on treatment (t+3). MiRNAs with a fold change (FC) >+1.5 or <-1.5 at t+3 were considered as differentially expressed. In silico analysis of target genes and pathways led to a validation step on 8 miRNAs in 25 patients. Clinical and biochemical parameters were collected at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months. Simple linear regression analysis and multiple stepwise linear regression models were used to explain the growth response. Results: Sixteen miRNAs were upregulated and 2 were downregulated at t+3 months. MiR-199a-5p (p = 0.020), miR-335-5p (p = 0.001), and miR-494-3p (p = 0.026) were confirmed to be upregulated at t+3. Changes were independent of GH peak values at testing, and levels stabilized after 12 months. The predicted growth response at 12 months was considerably improved compared with models using the common clinical and biochemical parameters. Conclusions: MiR-199a-5p, miR-335-5p, and miR-494-3p changed after 3 months of GH treatment and likely reflected both the degree of GH deficiency and the sensitivity to treatment. Furthermore, they were of considerable importance to predict growth response

Current Knowledge on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) from Animal Biology to Humans, from Pregnancy to Adulthood: Highlights from a National Italian Meeting

Wildlife has often presented and suggested the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Animal studies have given us an important opportunity to understand the mechanisms of action of many chemicals on the endocrine system and on neurodevelopment and behaviour, and to evaluate the effects of doses, time and duration of exposure. Although results are sometimes conflicting because of confounding factors, epidemiological studies in humans suggest effects of EDCs on prenatal growth, thyroid function, glucose metabolism and obesity, puberty, fertility, and on carcinogenesis mainly through epigenetic mechanisms. This manuscript reviews the reports of a multidisciplinary national meeting on this topic

Rivaroxaban for the treatment of noncirrhotic splanchnic vein thrombosis: an interventional prospective cohort study.

Heparins and vitamin K antagonists are the mainstay of treatment of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT). Rivaroxaban is a potential alternative, but data to support its use are limited. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban for the treatment of acute SVT. In an international, single-arm clinical trial, adult patients with a first episode of noncirrhotic, symptomatic, objectively diagnosed SVT received rivaroxaban 15 mg twice daily for 3 weeks, followed by 20 mg daily for an intended duration of 3 months. Patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome and those receiving full-dose anticoagulation for >7 days prior to enrollment were excluded. Primary outcome was major bleeding; secondary outcomes included death, recurrent SVT, and complete vein recanalization within 3 months. Patients were followed for a total of 6 months. A total of 103 patients were enrolled; 100 were eligible for the analysis. Mean age was 54.4 years; 64% were men. SVT risk factors included abdominal inflammation/infection (28%), solid cancer (9%), myeloproliferative neoplasms (9%), and hormonal therapy (9%); 43% of cases were unprovoked. JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 26% of 50 tested patients. At 3 months, 2 patients (2.1%; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-7.2) had major bleeding events (both gastrointestinal). One (1.0%) patient died due to a non-SVT-related cause, 2 had recurrent SVT (2.1%). Complete recanalization was documented in 47.3% of patients. One additional major bleeding event and 1 recurrent SVT occurred at 6 months. Rivaroxaban appears as a potential alternative to standard anticoagulation for the treatment of SVT in non-cirrhotic patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02627053 and at eudract.ema.europa.eu as #2014-005162-29-36

Situação atual de saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes no Brasil

Objetivo: Buscar na literatura, publicações de artigos sobre a situação atual da Saúde Mental de Crianças e Adolescentes no Brasil no período de 2015 a 2020. Métodos: Estudo de revisão bibliográfica, realizado nos meses de outubro de 2021 a março de 2022, nas bases de dados Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Scientific Eletrônic Library Online (SCIELO) e Pubmed, sendo utilizado os seguintes descritores: “Saúde Mental”, “Crianças”, “Adolescentes”, “Enfermagem” e o operador booleano “and”. Resultados: A partir das buscas realizadas foram identificados 38 artigos, sendo que apenas oito se adequaram aos critérios de inclusão e versaram sobre temas como: bulling, suicídio, uso de drogas psicoativas e outras doenças associadas a saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes. Conclusão: A partir desta revisão bibliográfica foi possível identificar os problemas psicoafetivos, biológicos e sociais que afetam a saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes, além de ser possível uma compreensão da realidade da situação da saúde mental dos mesmos, bem como identificar potenciais fatores de risco e proteção relacionados à saúde mental infantil, os resultados encontrados indicam a importância das questões relacionadas à saúde mental desta população, as quais devem ser consideradas pelas políticas públicas de saúde, educação, assistência social, devendo lidar de forma mais efetiva e responsável com essa realidade

#Clareamentoalaser: características das postagens em português no Instagram®

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and assess the content of publications made using the hashtag #claramentoalaser on the social network Instagram®. Materials and methods: A total of 622 posts related to the tooth whitening procedure with the use of light/laser, published in the first quarter of 2021 (January to March) were evaluated. The characteristics analyzed were the type of profile, gender, opinion exposed in the content of the publication, content exposed in the publication, profile nomenclature and number of likes. The analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square test, with a significance level considering p-value <0.05. Results: Among the 497 publications included, 77.26% had a positive opinion about the use of light/laser for dental bleaching. The values found in the variable number of likes range from 0 to 3,361, with an average of 42.56 per publication. Regarding the type of profile, 60.16% were dentists, 37.83% companies or dental clinics, with commercial content exposed in most publications (75.65%). Still, 53.12% of the profiles were identified as female, 9.05% male and 37.83% others, such as companies or dental clinics. More than 70% of publications made by dentists, lay profiles, and companies or dental clinics had a positive opinion about light/laser use in bleaching (p<0.0001). Discussion: This study expresses the need to adopt an evidence-based practice, health education and continuing education in dentistry. Conclusions: In the Instagram® social network, was identified predominance of publications with a positive opinion about the use of light/laser in tooth whitening in 2021, first quarter.Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever e avaliar o conteúdo das publicações realizadas usando a hashtag #clareamentoalaser na rede social Instagram®. Materiais e métodos: Foram avaliadas 622 postagens relacionadas ao procedimento de clareamento dentário com uso de luz/laser, publicadas no primeiro trimestre do ano de 2021 (janeiro a março). As características analisadas foram o tipo de perfil, gênero, opinião exposta no conteúdo da publicação, tipo de conteúdo exposto na publicação, nomenclatura do perfil e número de curtidas. A análise foi realizada através do teste qui-quadrado de Pearson, sendo estipulado um nível de significância considerando p-valor <0,05. Resultados: Dentre as 497 publicações incluídas, 77,26% mostraram-se favoráveis ao uso de luz/laser no clareamento. Os valores apurados na variável número de curtidas variam de 0 a 3.361, com média de 42,56 por publicação. Em relação ao tipo de perfil, 60,16% eram cirurgiões-dentistas e 37,83% empresas ou clínicas odontológicas, sendo o conteúdo da publicação majoritariamente comercial (75,65%). Ainda, 53,12% dos perfis foram identificados como do gênero feminino, 9,05% do gênero masculino e 37,83% outros, como empresas ou clínicas odontológicas. Mais de 70% das publicações feitas por profissionais, perfis leigos e empresas ou clínicas odontológicas foram favoráveis ao uso da luz/laser no clareamento dental (p< 0,0001). Discussão: Este estudo expressa a necessidade de educação em saúde, educação continuada e da prática odontológica baseada em evidências. Conclusão: Na rede social do Instagram®, houve predominância na divulgação de publicações favoráveis quanto a utilização da luz/laser no clareamento dentário, considerando o período do primeiro trimestre de 2021