Induced Corneal Ulcers in Cats - Effects of 2% Dorzolamide on Epithelization Time and on the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9

Background: Topically administered 2% dorzolamide is among the most commonly used agents to lower IOP. As a complication of glaucoma, blind patients may develop corneal ulcers secondary to trauma. Nonetheless, in patients with a hypertensive or glaucomatous eye, in which the cornea has also been ulcerated, medical hypotensive therapy should not be discontinued. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether the instillation of a benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-preserved 2% dorzolamide alters corneal wound healing time and the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9) in the tears of cats with experimentally induced corneal ulcers. Materials, Methods & Results: Sixteen cats (8/group) were randomly assigned to receive 40 µL of 2% dorzolamide (TG) or saline (CG) 3 times daily until corneal re-epithelialization. Experimental keratectomies were performed under general and topical anesthesia using an operating microscope. For this purpose, a millimitred trephine was calibrated and used to create a temporal paraxial corneal ulcer with a diameter of 6 mm and a depth of 200 µm. After corneal wounding, the ulcerated area, the healing time, blepharospasm, conjunctival hyperemia, and aqueous flare were compared between groups. Tears were collected at baseline and 24 and 48 h after keratectomy, and the total MMP-9 was quantified by ELISA. Data were assessed statistically using unpaired Student’s t test, one-way, and two-way ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 for all analyses.  The average time to achieve corneal wound healing did not differ between groups (P = 0.36) and was 65.50 ± 3.62 h in the CG and 71.00 ± 4.58 h in the TG. Twenty-four h after keratectomy, the ulcerated area in the CG was 3.34 mm2 larger than that observed in the TG (P = 0.04); the rest of the comparisons did not reach statistical significance at any time point between groups (P > 0.05). Higher blepharospasm scores were observed in cats of TG (P = 0.04). When compared with baseline of both groups, the levels of MMP-9 increased significantly at 24 and 48 h post-keratectomy (P < 0.001), but differences between groups were not observed at 24 and 48 h post-keratectomy (P > 0.05). Discussion: In cats, 9 mm axial corneal ulcers created by superficial debridement re-epithelize approximately 48 h post-wounding. In the present study, re-epithelialization post keratectomy occurred within an average time of 68.25 h in most cats and in a delayed manner in one cat of the TG after 96 h. In the current study, the lesions in both groups healed without corneal scarring, pigmentation, or vascularization. Although BAC was present in all topical medications used in the present study, the authors attribute the higher scores of blepharospasm in the TG to the rheological characteristics and the pH of the dorzolamide ophthalmic solution. Indeed, the pH value of dorzolamide (5.58) may cause signs of irritation, as the tear film has an approximate pH of 7.6. Previous studies showed that ulcerated corneas presented significantly higher levels of MMP-9 in tears at the early stages (8 to 36 h) post-wounding. In the current study, the levels of this enzyme after wounding did not change significantly in the tears of cats treated with 2% dorzolamide when compared to the eyes in the control group. This study showed that the instillation of a BAC-preserved 2% dorzolamide ophthalmic solution did not impair the corneal wound healing time or the early expression of MMP-9 in the tears of cats with experimentally induced corneal ulcers. However, our results warrant further investigation in patients with ocular hypertension or glaucoma presenting concomitant naturally occurring corneal ulcers to certify our findings. Keywords: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, benzalkonium chloride, ulcerative keratitis, corneal healing, glaucoma

Gametophytic self-compatibility and its influence on the physical characteristics of plum fruit

Gametophytic self-incompatibility can be one of the obstacles to achieving high yields in plum orchards. Therefore, we sought to verify in the field, the occurrence of gametophytic self-compatibility and its influence on the physical characteristics of fruits in Japanese plum accessions. The work was installed at the Research Pole of IDR-Paraná in Ponta Grossa-PR, in 2021, selecting six accesses belonging to the BAG-Ameixa site. The experimental design was completely randomized (DIC) with a split plot (6 x 2), with the plot having six accessions and the subplot having two methods of pollination, induced self-pollination and free pollination, with five replications. For the variables related to the physical quality of the fruits, the DIC was delimited, with the six accessions as treatment and four replicates of five fruits. Data were analyzed using the Rstudio software, applying the Tukey test at the 5% level. The variables observed for self-compatibility were the percentage of apparent and effective fruiting. For the physical quality of fruits, the total mass, seed and pulp, vertical and horizontal diameter, volume, pulp yield and seed/fruit mass ratio were evaluated. Free pollination was higher in the percentage of apparent and effective fruiting, and the genotypes PR-1013 and PR-1095 were the materials that presented the highest percentages for these variables, as well as for the physical quality of the fruits. The evaluated accessions were considered self-incompatible for not having fruits that reached the final maturity, being free pollination the best method of pollination for the development of fruits.Gametophytic self-incompatibility can be one of the obstacles to achieving high yields in plum orchards. The objective of this work was to verify in the field the occurrence of gametophytic self-compatibility, and its influence on the physical characteristics of fruits in Japanese plum accessions.. The work was installed at the Research Pole of IDR-Paraná in Ponta Grossa-PR, in 2021, selecting six accesses belonging to the active Plum-GAB site. The experimental design was completely randomized (DIC) with a split plot (6 x 2), with the plot having six accessions and the subplot having two methods of pollination, induced self-pollination and free pollination, with five replications. For the variables related to the physical quality of the fruits, the DIC was delimited, with the six accessions as treatment and four replicates of five fruits. The variables observed for self-compatibility were the ercentagem of apparent and effective fruiting. For the physical quality of fruits, the total mass, seed and erc, vertical and horizontal diameter, volume, erc yield and seed/fruit mass ratio were evaluated. Free pollination was higher in the ercentagem of apparent and effective fruiting, and the genotypes PR-1013 and PR-1095 were the materials that presented the highest percentages for these variables, as well as for the physical quality of the fruits. The Japanese plum accessions evaluated were classified as self-incompatible, with free pollination as the best pollination method for the production and quality of fruits of this species

Acceptance and commitment therapy and drug use: a systematic review

O uso prejudicial de substâncias psicoativas tem sido considerado um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública. Diversas abordagens são utilizadas para o tratamento dos transtornos relacionados ao uso de substâncias diante dos desafios impostos. O presente estudo teve por objetivo  identificar os trabalhos empíricos que utilizaram a ACT para o tratamento do uso de substâncias e seus respectivos resultados no que diz respeito à aceitação, viabilidade e redução da gravidade da dependência, bem como dos resultados relacionados às  comorbidades e demais aspectos associados ao uso através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura acerca do tema, utilizando-se das recomendações do guia Preferred Report Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) e buscas nas bases Pubmed, APA PsycNET, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, BVS e LILACS. Foram analisados 17 estudos, permitindo observar aumento da flexibilidade psicológica, atenuação das taxas de abandono do tratamento e redução do consumo de substâncias nas intervenções analisadas.El uso nocivo de sustancias psicoactivas se ha considerado como uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública. Se utilizan varios enfoques para el tratamiento de los trastornos relacionados con el consumo de sustancias frente a los desafíos impuestos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar los trabajos empíricos que utilizaron ACT para el tratamiento del consumo de sustancias y sus respectivos resultados en cuanto a la aceptación, viabilidad y reducción de la gravedad de la dependencia, así como los resultados relacionados con las comorbilidades y otros aspectos asociados al uso, desde una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre el tema y utilizando las recomendaciones de la guía Preferred Report Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) y búsquedas en PubMed, APA PsycNET, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, VHL y LILACS. Se analizaron 17 estudios, lo que permitió observar un aumento de la flexibilidad psicológica, una atenuación de las tasas de abandono del tratamiento y una reducción del consumo de sustancias en las intervenciones analizadas.The harmful use of psychoactive substances has been considered one of the biggest public health issues. Several approaches are used for the treatment of disorders related to substance use in the face of the challenges imposed. This study aimed to identify the empirical works that used ACT for the treatment of substance use and their respective results regarding acceptance, feasibility, and reduction in the severity of dependence, as well as the results related to comorbidities and other aspects associated with drugs use by a systematic review of the literature on the subject, using the recommendations of the Preferred Report Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guide and searches in PubMed, APA PsycNET, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, VHL, and LILACS. In total, 17 studies were analyzed, allowing the observation of an increase in psychological flexibility, attenuation of treatment dropout rates, and a reduction in substance use in the analyzed interventions

Description of the use of integrative mixed method in neonatal nursing

To describe the application of the integrative mixed method and its steps. Descriptive methodological study. The integrative mixed method approach was exemplified in a study conducted in neonatal nursing on maternal stress throughout the experience of premature newborns’ care. Data on maternal stress level (quantitative approach) and maternal perception of care (qualitative approach) were grouped after analyzes made separately according to the analysis technique of each approach. Subsequently, quantitative and qualitative data were integrated, which originated a new set of data to be interpreted, and consequently enabled a greater understanding of the phenomenon under study and emphasized the importance of the integrative mixed method. The integration of the two approaches, qualitative and quantitative, is a denser theoretical framework with strong scientific evidence for a better understanding of the phenomenon under study than the use of a single approach, since, at the same time, it identifies the frequency of the phenomenon and the reason for its occurrence

In Vitro additive effect on griseofulvin and terbinafine combinations against multidrug-resistant dermatophytes

Griseofulvin (GF) and terbinafine (TF) are commonly used drugs to treat dermatophytosis, a fungal infection of the skin. Today there is an increase in drug resistance to these antifungals which highlight the need for alternative synergistic therapies. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of GF and TF were determined against fungi clinical isolates from local hospitals with values ranging 0.03−2.0 µg mL-1 and 0.24−4.0 µg mL-1, respectively. A checkboard test was used to determine the combination of GF:TF which could induce an additive effect against the fungi isolates Multidrug-resistant isolates showed susceptibility after treatment with 16:2 µg mL-1 GF:TF. An MTT assay further verified that GF and TF combinations have greater additive effect against pathological and multidrug-resistant isolates than antifungals alone. Herein we disclose GF:TF combinations that could constitute as a possible new anti-dermatophyte therapy

Sexuality and Persons with Down Syndrome. A Study from Brazil

In recent years, important gains and changes have been observed in the life of teenagers with Down syndrome (DS) with increased inclusion into society. This review will discuss adolescence and sexuality in teenagers with DS from a descriptive study of 50 patients with DS between the ages of 10 and 20 years. The mean age was 13.5 years, 50% females; 86% went to school with 62.2% in school for over six years. Of the patients that attended school, 60% went to special education school and only 10% read and wrote correctly. In an evaluation of autonomy, 66% took showers, 78% performed their physiological needs, 77% intimate hygiene and 76% oral hygiene without help. 42% affirmed being able to do anything that is asked; 22% perform all tasks in the home; 10% felt they were incapable of doing anything and 4% used public transportation without help. 42% of the teenagers masturbated, 24% on a daily basis, 75% in private, and 25% in a public location. 42% had already kissed at a mean age of 12.9 years, mean age of the partner 16.1 years; 26.8% of these partners had DS. 82% found themselves attractive and 33% would not change anything in their appearance. We found that they presented normal development in the exercise of their sexuality, but with important difficulties in their autonomy and difficulties in school, needing careful interventions to make their social interaction the best possible. Their pubertal development was normal and they were satisfied with their body image with future perspectives of working, finding a partner, and living a normal life of getting married and having children

Aporte de sedimentos no rio Teles Pires: ambiente de confluência entre o rio Matrinxã no município de Nova Canaã do Norte/Mato Grosso

O rio Matrinxã está localizado 10° 59’31.4” sul e 55° 50’ 29.96” oeste no município de Nova Canaã do Norte/Mato Grosso. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar a composição granulométrica dos sedimentos de fundo no ambiente de confluência com o rio Teles Pires. A metodologia constituiu em levantamento bibliográfico; coleta de sedimentos e análise em laboratório. Foram utilizados para mensurar as variáveis hidrodinâmicas: ecobatímetro (profundidade), molinete fluviométrico (velocidade), trena (largura do afluente) e a ferramenta software do google earth para verificar a largura do rio Teles Pires. Para coleta de sedimentos de fundo foi utilizado a draga (van ven). Em laboratório foi usado o método de pipetagem e peneiramento para caracterizar porcentagens de areia, argila e silte das amostras coletadas. Nos pontos monitorados foram registradas as percentagens de areia (média e fina), argila e silte. O estudo mostrou a caracterização dos sedimentos e sua distribuição no ambiente fluvial.

Down Syndrome and Sexuality

In recent years important gains and changes have been observed in the life of teenagers with Down syndrome (DS) with increased inclusion into society. This chapter will discuss adolescence and sexuality in teenagers with DS from a descriptive study of 50 patients with DS between the ages of 10 and 20 years. The mean age was 13.5 years, 50% females. 86% went to school with 62.2% in school for over six years. Of the patients that attended school, 60% went to special education school and only 10% read and wrote correctly. In evaluation of autonomy, 66% took shower, 78% performed their physiological needs, 77% intimate hygiene and 76% oral hygiene without help. 42% affirmed being able to do anything that is asked; 22% perform all tasks in the home; 10% felt they were incapable of doing anything and 4% used public transportation without help. 42% of the teenagers masturbated, 24% on a daily basis, 75% in private, and 25% in a public location. 42% had already kissed at a mean age of 12.9 years, mean age of the partner 16.1 years; 26.8% of these partners had DS. 82% found themselves attractive and 33% would not change anything in their appearance. We found that they presented normal development in the exercise of their sexuality, but with important difficulties in their autonomy and difficulties in school, needing careful interventions in order to make their social interaction the best possible. Their pubertal development was normal and they were satisfied with their body image with future perspectives of working, finding a partner and living a normal life getting married and having children