Condições de venda e adaptação de lentes de contato nos estabelecimentos óticos do município de Florianópolis

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Curso de Medicina. Dapartamento de Clínica Cirúrgica

NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PRETREATMENT WITH MENTHA LONGIFOLIA L. EXTRACT ON BRAIN ISCHEMIA IN THE RAT STROKE MODEL

Recent studies have suggested that Mentha longifolia L. extracts (ME) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this paper, we attempted to determine the effect of ME in a rat stroke model. Five groups of experimental animals were used (n=14); the first and second groups (control and sham, respectively) received intraperitoneal injections of daily-distilled water; the other three groups received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day of ME for 21 days. Two hours after the last dose, each group was subdivided into a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group operated for neuropathological assessment (neurologic deficit scores, infarct volume, brain edema, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability), and an intact subgroup for the assessment of brain and serum antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation, respectively. Pretreatment with ME resulted in a significant reduction in total infarct volume, brain water content and Evans Blue extravasation in the ischemic hemisphere compared with the control. ME in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day increased brain antioxidant capability in comparison with the control. The antioxidant capacity of the serum in the 100 mg/kg/day group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain was significantly elevated in the control group in comparison with other pretreated groups. Moreover, ME in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day reduced the MDA level in the serum. This study showed that intraperitoneal injection of ME reduced infarct volume, brain edema, blood-brain barrier permeability, as well as lipid peroxidation, and improved antioxidant power

Identificação de parâmetros de qualidade de impressão para a garantia da detecção de estruturas presentes na mamografia digital

Objective To develop procedures to ensure consistency of printing quality of digital images, by means of hardcopy quantitative analysis based on a standard image. Materials and Methods Characteristics of mammography DI-ML and general purpose DI-HL films were studied through the QC-Test utilizing different processing techniques in a FujiFilm®-DryPix4000 printer. A software was developed for sensitometric evaluation, generating a digital image including a gray scale and a bar pattern to evaluate contrast and spatial resolution. Results Mammography films showed maximum optical density of 4.11 and general purpose films, 3.22. The digital image was developed with a 33-step wedge scale and a high-contrast bar pattern (1 to 30 lp/cm) for spatial resolution evaluation. Conclusion Mammographic films presented higher values for maximum optical density and contrast resolution as compared with general purpose films. The utilized digital processing technique could only change the image pixels matrix values and did not affect the printing standard. The proposed digital image standard allows greater control of the relationship between pixels values and optical density obtained in the analysis of films quality and printing systems.Objetivo Desenvolver procedimentos que garantam a constância e qualidade de impressão das imagens digitais, mediante análise quantitativa das imagens impressas utilizando um padrão de imagem. Materiais e Métodos Foram estudadas as características dos filmes mamográficos (DI-ML) e de uso geral (DI-HL) por meio do teste QC-Test sob diferentes processamentos utilizando a impressora FujiFilm®-DryPix4000. Foi criado um software para avaliação sensitométrica que gera uma imagem digital contendo uma escala de níveis de cinza e um padrão de barras para avaliação das resoluções de contraste e espacial. Resultados Filmes mamográficos apresentaram valores de densidade óptica máxima 4,11, enquanto os comuns apresentaram valores 3,22. A imagem digital foi desenvolvida com 33 passos de enegrecimento e um padrão de barras de alto contraste (1 a 30 pl/cm) para avaliação da resolução espacial. Conclusão Verificou-se que o filme mamográfico apresenta um maior valor de densidade máxima e maior índice de contraste, comparado ao filme de uso geral. O processamento digital utilizado apenas alterou os valores da matriz de pixels da imagem e não influenciou o padrão de impressão. O padrão de imagem digital proposto permite maior controle da relação entre os valores de pixel e densidade ótica obtida na verificação da qualidade dos filmes e do sistema de impressão.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Department of Diagnostic ImagingUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Department of Information Technology in HealthEspecialista em Física Médica, Mestre, Departamento de Diagnóstico por Imagem da Escola Paulista de Medicina – Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São PauloDoutor, Professor Adjunto do Departamento de Informática em Saúde da Escola Paulista de Medicina – Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São PauloDoutora, Professora Associada do Departamento de Diagnóstico por Imagem da Escola Paulista de Medicina – Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São PauloUNIFESP, EPM, Department of Diagnostic ImagingUNIFESP, EPM, Department of Information Technology in HealthEspecialista em Física Médica, Mestre, Depto. de Diagnóstico por Imagem da Escola Paulista de Medicina – Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São PauloDoutor, Professor Adjunto do Depto. de Informática em Saúde da Escola Paulista de Medicina – Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São PauloDoutora, Professora Associada do Depto. de Diagnóstico por Imagem da Escola Paulista de Medicina – Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São PauloSciEL

Bidirectional effects of serum TNF alpha level and spinal P38MAPK phosphorylation on hyperalgesia variation during CFA-induced arthritis

Regarding the role of TNFα in the induction of hyperalgesia, the dual suggested roles of the Pp38 MAPK intracellular pathway in the emergence of symptomatic inflammation, we aimed to investigate the bidirectional effects of serum TNFα level and p38 MAPK phosphorylation on hyperalgesia variation during different stages of adjuvant-induced arthritis. Hyperalgesia and edema were assessed at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of study after arthritis induction by CFA. Anti-TNFα and Pp38 inhibitor were administered during the 21 days of study. Receptor and intra-cellular enzyme expression were detected by western blotting. Anti-TNFα administration in the AA group decreased paw volume and hyperalgesia until the 14th day of study; on the 21st day, those symptoms increased. Daily administration of anti-TNFα antibody caused significant decrease in spinal mOR protein and Pp38/p38 MAPK enzyme level expression on the 14th and 21st days compared to the AA control group. Our data suggested that phosphorylation of spinal p38 MAPK enzyme played an important role in bidirectional effects of serum TNFα on inflammatory symptoms via spinal mOR expression variation

Influencia del Subsistema de Integración del Talento Humano en el Desempeño Laboral, en el Instituto Nicaragüense de Seguridad Social (INSS), Delegación de Matagalpa, durante el periodo 2015

La Administración de Recursos Humanos es la encargada de prever a las empresas e instituciones al Talento Humano idóneo, aplicando el Subsistema de Integración de Recursos Humanos, el cual comprende una serie de proceso iniciando por la planificación, reclutamiento, selección, contratación e inducción. Por consiguiente la aplicación de cada uno de ellos generara al candidato idóneo que responda con las exigencias de la empresa para ocupar un cargo. Otro punto importante a abordar en la presente investigación es el Desempeño Laboral, ya que permite a los jefes superiores estar al pendiente de las habilidades y destreza de los trabajadores, además de facilitarles un mejor control de cada una de las actividades desarrolladas dentro de la institución. La investigación es de tipo cuali-cuantitativa y se trabajó con una población de 71 trabajadores y una muestra conformada por 42 empleados. Para la recolección de los datos se empleó una entrevista dirigida al Director del INSS, una entrevista a los jefes de cada área, encuestas dirigida a los trabajadores de las diferentes áreas y se aplicó una guía de observación. La importancia de este estudio radica en que se logró determinar que si se aplican los procesos básicos del subsistema de integración de Recursos Humanos en la Institución, a la vez se conocieron los factores que influyen en el desempeño laboral de los trabajadores del INSS. Logrando determinar que el Subsistema de Integración del Talento Humano influye en gran manera en el Desempeño Laboral del Talento Humano, ya que una adecuada aplicación de este Subsistema genera un buen desempeño labora

Hepatoprotective activity of cinnamon ethanolic extract against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats

The inner bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.) is commonly used as a spice and has also been widely employed in the treatment and prevention of disease. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the protective effect of cinnamon bark extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in male Wistar rats. Administration with cinnamon extracts (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 g/kg) for 28 days significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. In addition, treatment of cinnamon extract resulted in markedly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in rats. The histopathological studies in the liver of rats also supported that cinnamon extract markedly reduced the toxicity of CCl4 and preserved the histoarchitecture of the liver tissue to near normal. Thus, the results suggest that cinnamon extract acts as a potent hepatoprotective agent against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Hepatoprotective effects of pantothenic acid on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in rats

The present study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of pantothenic acid on CCl4-induced liver damage. Male Wistar rats were orally treated with pantothenic acid (0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 g/kg) daily, with administration of CCl4 (1 mL/kg, 50 % CCl4 in olive oil) twice a week for 28 days. The effect of pantothenic acid on serum markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase)was measured in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rat. Further, the effects on enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase) were estimated in the liver samples. CCl4 challenge not only elevated the serum marker enzyme activities but also suppressed hepatic antioxidative defense system including superoxide dismutase. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Histopathological examination of livers showed that pantothenic acid reduced fatty degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis in CCl4-treated rats. Therefore, pantothenic acid may be an effective hepatoprotective agent and viable candidate for treating hepatic disorders and other oxidative stress-related diseases

Mecanismes d'acció dels antifúngics i resistència en llevats

Si bé s'ha avançat en la síntesi de nous antifúngics i se'n coneix el mode d'acció, els mecanismes moleculars de resistència encara són insuficientment coneguts, i afecten principalment els llevats i els azoles. El fluconazole ha estat un dels antifúngics en els quals més s'ha aprofundit l'estudi de les resistències, i s'ha comprovat que aquestes poden ser degudes a mecanismes múltiples, entre els quals la major activitat dels transportadors o bombes d'efflux tenen un paper important, ja que expulsen a l'exterior l'antifúngic que ha penetrat a la cèl·lula. Les alteracions de la diana cèl·lular i l'alteració de la via de síntesi de l'ergosterol present a la membrana també tenen un paper important. Els gens CDR1 i BEN-R estan implicats en aquests mecanismes de resistència. En altres antifúngics com l'amfotericina B i les equinocandines les resistències no semblen ser problemes clínics importants. Candida albicans pot presentar resistències secundàries a la 5- fluorocitosina per pèrdua d'activitat enzimàtica i disminució de l'efecte del metabòlit actiu. La relació entre resistències i manca de resposta terapèutica ha estat demostrada en models animals i estudis clínics, tot i que la resposta al tractament antifúngic depèn en molts casos d'altres factors com l'estat immunitari del malalt, l'espècie fúngica causal, la farmacocinètica i la biodisponibilitat del fàrmac, entre d'altres.Most of our knowledge on antifungal resistance mechanisms is related to yeasts and azoles. Fluconazole is the most studied antifungal and several resistance mechanisms have been demonstrated. Efflux pump seems to be the most important, but cell-target changes and modifi- cations in the ergosterol metabolic way are also relevant. CDR1 and BEN-R are two genes involved in those resistance mechanisms. Resistance is not a major clinical problem with amphotericin B and echinocandins, but Candida albicans can have secondary resistances to 5-fluorocitosyne when enzymatic activity is lost and the active metabolite is lacking. Relationship among antifungal resistance and therapeutic response has been shown in experimental animal models and in clinical studies, but response to the treatment is also related to immunological status of the patient as well to the fungal species, and pharmacological aspects of the drug

The role of glutamatergic pathway between septum and hippocampus in the memory formation

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a subtype of glutamate receptor that is presented in highest density in the hippocampus and septum. NMDA receptors of the septum and the hippocampus are involved in cognitive performance, especially in learning and memory processes. The septum nucleus and hippocampal formation are two regions of the limbic system. The septum and the hippocampus are anatomically and functionally connected to each other. These areas made the septo-hippocampal and hippocampo-septal pathways, which are implicated in the cognitive processes. The activity of septal and hippocampal neurons is modulated by several neurotransmitters such as glutamate. Thus, changes in the glutamatergic transmission in the septum and hippocampus may influence learning and memory processes in these pathways

Topological and Geometric Methods with a View Towards Data Analysis

In geometry, various tools have been developed to explore the topology and other features of a manifold from its geometrical structure. Among the two most powerful ones are the analysis of the critical points of a function, or more generally, the closed orbits of a dynamical system defined on the manifold, and the evaluation of curvature inequalities. When any (nondegenerate) function has to have many critical points and with different indices, then the topology must be rich, and when certain curvature inequalities hold throughout the manifold, that constrains the topology. It has been observed that these principles also hold for metric spaces more general than Riemannian manifolds, and for instance also for graphs. This thesis represents a contribution to this program. We study the relation between the closed orbits of a dynamical system and the topology of a manifold or a simplicial complex via the approach of Floer. And we develop notions of Ricci curvature not only for graphs, but more generally for, possibly directed, hypergraphs, and we draw structural consequences from curvature inequalities. It includes methods that besides their theoretical importance can be used as powerful tools for data analysis. This thesis has two main parts; in the first part we have developed topological methods based on the dynamic of vector fields defined on smooth as well as discrete structures. In the second part, we concentrate on some curvature notions which already proved themselves as powerful measures for determining the local (and global) structures of smooth objects. Our main motivation here is to develop methods that are helpful for the analysis of complex networks. Many empirical networks incorporate higher-order relations between elements and therefore are naturally modeled as, possibly directed and/or weighted, hypergraphs, rather than merely as graphs. In order to develop a systematic tool for the statistical analysis of such hypergraphs, we propose a general definition of Ricci curvature on directed hypergraphs and explore the consequences of that definition. The definition generalizes Ollivier’s definition for graphs. It involves a carefully designed optimal transport problem between sets of vertices. We can then characterize various classes of hypergraphs by their curvature. In the last chapter, we show that our curvature notion is a powerful tool for determining complex local structures in a variety of real and random networks modeled as (directed) hypergraphs. Furthermore, it can nicely detect hyperloop structures; hyperloops are fundamental in some real networks such as chemical reactions as catalysts in such reactions are faithfully modeled as vertices of directed hyperloops. We see that the distribution of our curvature notion in real networks deviates from random models