Cervical spine signs and symptoms: perpetuating rather than predisposing factors for temporomandibular disorders in women

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess in a sample of female community cases the relationship between the increase of percentage of cervical signs and symptoms and the severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and vice-versa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred women (aged 18-26 years) clinically diagnosed with TMD signs and symptoms and cervical spine disorders were randomly selected from a sample of college students. RESULTS: 43% of the volunteers demonstrated the same severity for TMD and cervical spine disorders (CSD). The increase in TMD signs and symptoms was accompanied by increase in CSD severity, except for pain during palpation of posterior temporal muscle, more frequently observed in the severe CSD group. However, increase in pain during cervical extension, sounds during cervical lateral flexion, and tenderness to palpation of upper fibers of trapezius and suboccipital muscles were observed in association with the progression of TMD severity. CONCLUSION: The increase in cervical symptomatology seems to accompany TMD severity; nonetheless, the inverse was not verified. Such results suggest that cervical spine signs and symptoms could be better recognized as perpetuating rather than predisposing factors for TMD

Developments on drug discovery and on new therapeutics: highly diluted tinctures act as biological response modifiers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the search for new therapies novel drugs and medications are being discovered, developed and tested in laboratories. Highly diluted substances are intended to enhance immune system responses resulting in reduced frequency of various diseases, and often present no risk of serious side-effects due to its low toxicity. Over the past years our research group has been investigating the action of highly diluted substances and tinctures on cells from the immune system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have developed and tested several highly diluted tinctures and here we describe the biological activity of M1, M2, and M8 both <it>in vitro </it>in immune cells from mice and human, and <it>in vivo </it>in mice. Cytotoxicity, cytokines released and NF-κB activation were determined after <it>in vitro </it>treatment. Cell viability, oxidative response, lipid peroxidation, bone marrow and lymph node cells immunophenotyping were accessed after mice <it>in vivo </it>treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>None of the highly diluted tinctures tested were cytotoxic to macrophages or K562. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages treated with all highly diluted tinctures decreased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release and M1, and M8 decreased IFN-<it>γ </it>production. M1 has decreased NF-κB activity on TNF-α stimulated reporter cell line. <it>In vivo </it>treatment lead to a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production was increased by M1, and M8, and lipid peroxidation was induced by M1, and M2. All compounds enhanced the innate immunity, but M1 also augmented acquired immunity and M2 diminished B lymphocytes, responsible to acquired immunity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the results presented here, these highly diluted tinctures were shown to modulate immune responses. Even though further investigation is needed there is an indication that these highly diluted tinctures could be used as therapeutic interventions in disorders where the immune system is compromised.</p

Postmortem Analyses Unveil the Poor Efficacy of Decontamination, Anti-Inflammatory and Immunosuppressive Therapies in Paraquat Human Intoxications

studies resulting from human PQ poisonings have assessed the relationship of these therapeutic measures with PQ toxicokinetics and related histopathological lesions, these being the aims of the present study.For that purpose, during 2008, we collected human fluids and tissues from five forensic autopsies following fatal PQ poisonings. PQ levels were measured by gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry. Structural inflammatory lesions were evaluated by histological and immunohistochemistry analysis. The samples of cardiac blood, urine, gastric and duodenal wall, liver, lung, kidney, heart and diaphragm, showed quantifiable levels of PQ even at 6 days post-intoxication. Structural analysis showed diffused necrotic areas, intense macrophage activation and leukocyte infiltration in all analyzed tissues. By immunohistochemistry it was possible to observe a strong nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation and excessive collagen deposition.Considering the observed PQ levels in all analyzed tissues and the expressive inflammatory reaction that ultimately leads to fibrosis, we conclude that the therapeutic protocol usually performed needs to be reviewed, in order to increase the efficacy of PQ elimination from the body as well as to diminish the inflammatory process

Forgetting of long-term memory requires activation of NMDA receptors, L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, and calcineurin

In the past decades, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying memory consolidation, reconsolidation, and extinction have been well characterized. However, the neurobiological underpinnings of forgetting processes remain to be elucidated. Here we used behavioral, pharmacological and electrophysiological approaches to explore mechanisms controlling forgetting. We found that post-acquisition chronic inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (LVDCC), and protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), maintains long-term object location memory that otherwise would have been forgotten. We further show that NMDAR activation is necessary to induce forgetting of object recognition memory. Studying the role of NMDAR activation in the decay of the early phase of long-term potentiation (E-LTP) in the hippocampus, we found that ifenprodil infused 30min after LTP induction in vivo blocks the decay of CA1-evoked postsynaptic plasticity, suggesting that GluN2B-containing NMDARs activation are critical to promote LTP decay. Taken together, these findings indicate that a well-regulated forgetting process, initiated by Ca2+ influx through LVDCCs and GluN2B-NMDARs followed by CaN activation, controls the maintenance of hippocampal LTP and long-term memories over time

Consórcio couve-coentro em cultivo orgânico e sua influência nas populações de joaninhas.

O consórcio de culturas é comumente praticado na produção de hortaliças devido a diversos benefícios econômicos. Em alguns casos, podem reduzir infestações de pragas por favorecer a conservação dos inimigos naturais nos agroecossistemas. Avaliou-se a viabilidade agronômica do consórcio de couve e coentro, sob manejo orgânico, com base em parâmetros fitotécnicos, além de sua influência sobre populações de joaninhas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), na comparação com os respectivos cultivos solteiros. O coentro, representando a cultura secundária, foi utilizado com a finalidade de fornecer recursos para as joaninhas. O estudo foi realizado em área do Sistema Integrado de Produção Agroecológica em Seropédica-RJ. O experimento consistiu dos consórcios: 1) couve consorciada com coentro, cujas quatro linhas de plantas foram colhidas na fase vegetativa (consórcio I), e 2) couve consorciada com coentro, cujas plantas das duas linhas internas (próximas à linha da couve) foram colhidas na fase vegetativa e as duas linhas externas foram cortadas após floração (consórcio II). Em ambos consórcios foram avaliados os parâmetros fitotécnicos da couve e do coentro na fase vegetativa (padrão comercial), enquanto que no consórcio II, também se avaliou as populações de joaninhas, por meio de coletas semanais de adultos, em comparação com a couve em cultivo solteiro. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. O coentro não interferiu na produtividade da couve consorciada e sua introdução contribuiu positivamente para a abundância e diversidade de espécies de joaninhas. O índice de equivalência de área para o consórcio I, com referência aos rendimentos de biomassa aérea fresca, foi superior em 92% em relação ao cultivo solteiro. Este resultado demonstra a viabilidade do consórcio I, no manejo orgânico adotado, para plantios de outono nas condições edafoclimáticas da Baixada Fluminense

An analysis of risk factors for arterial hypertension in adolescent students

The objective of the study was to evaluate some risk factors for increases in systemic arterial blood pressure. This transversal study was carried out with 145 individuals from 12 to18 years of age at two state schools in the city of Pico in the state of Piauí in Brazil. The majority were female (62.8%). The median age was 14.8 years (±3.19). It was ascertained that 13 of the subjects (9.0%) were overweight [CI% 73.0-86.0]. Elevations in waist circumference were found in 31 (21.4%) and 76 (52.4%) had elevated arterial blood levels. There was no statistically-significant association between the above-cited risk factors and gender (p=0.088; 0.999; 0.204, respectively). However, 44.8% of the adolescents had at least one risk factor associated with arterial hypertension; 15.9% had two, and 2.1% had three. The study confirms the influence of the risk factors on arterial pressure values among adolescents. Being aware of these factors means that nurses can intervene with health education measures.El objetivo fue evaluar de los algunos factores de riesgo para aumento de los niveles de presión arterial sistémica. Estudio transversal con 145 personas de 12 a 18 años de dos escuelas públicas de la ciudad de Picos-PI. La mayoría eran mujeres (62,8%). La edad media fue de 14,8 años (±3.19). Se encontró 13 (9,0%) tenían exceso de peso [IC% 73,0 a 86,0]. Elevaciones de la circunferencia de cintura se encontraron en 31 (21,4%) y 76 (52,4%) con niveles elevados de presión arterial. No hubo asociación estadísticamente significativa de los factores de riesgo mencionados anteriormente investigado con el sexo (p=0,088, 0,999, 0,204, respectivamente). Sin embargo, 44,8% de los jóvenes tenían al menos un factor; 15,9% dos y 2,1% tres factores relacionados con la hipertensión. Confirma la influencia de factores de riesgo en los valores de presión arterial en la juventud. Delante del conocimiento de estos factores, la enfermería podrá intervenir con medidas de educación en salud.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar alguns fatores de risco para aumento dos níveis de pressão arterial sistêmica. Trata-se de estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 145 indivíduos de 12 a 18 anos, de duas escolas públicas da cidade de Picos, PI. A maioria era composta por mulheres (62,8%). A média de idade foi de 14,8 anos (±3,19). Verificou-se que 13 (9,0%) apresentavam excesso de peso [IC% 73,0-86,0]. Elevações da circunferência abdominal foram encontradas em 31 (21,4%), e 76 (52,4%) tinham elevação nos níveis de pressão arterial. Não houve associação estatisticamente significante dos fatores de risco investigados citados anteriormente com o sexo (p=0,088; 0,999; 0,204, respectivamente). No entanto, 44,8% dos adolescentes tinham pelo menos um fator, 15,9% dois e 2,1%, três fatores associados indicativos de hipertensão arterial. Confirma-se a influência de fatores de risco sobre os valores da pressão arterial em adolescentes. Diante do conhecimento desses fatores, a enfermagem poderá intervir com medidas de educação em saúde

Comparte la felicidad, educando sobre sexualidad con ciudadanos y ciudadanas habitantes de calle

Curso de Especial InterésLos habitantes de calle (en adelante CHC) se han convertido en una problemática social debido a la desarticulación, violencia y pobreza de la sociedad colombiana. A partir de esta situación se diseñó y elaboró la cartilla “Comparte la felicidad, educando sobre sexualidad con Ciudadanos y Ciudadanas Habitantes de calle” que aborda los cuatro holones de la sexualidad: Vinculación afectiva, erotismo, género y reproductividad, con el objetivo de promover la salud sexual y reproductiva, y la prevención de Infecciones de transmisión sexual, incluido el VIH/SIDA. Para identificar el contenido de la cartilla se realizó una entrevista estructurada de la cual se obtuvo la información a incluir en la cartilla, posteriormente validada en la unidad OASIS.Curso de Especial Interés1. Resumen 2. Justificación 3. Marco teórico 4. Objetivos de la investigación 5. Métodología 6. Estudio de mercado 7. Resultados 8. Discusión 9. Conclusiones 10. Recomendaciones 11. Referencias 12. ApéndicesPregradoPsicólog