Description of a new species of Thamnodynastes Wagler, 1830 (Serpentes, Colubridae) from northeastern Brazil, with comments on the genus

Thamnodynastes almae sp. nov. is described based on three specimens from Rodelas Municipality, state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed by its pale coloration and keeled dorsal scales arranged in 19 rows at midbody and 15 rows posteriorly. Characters for distinguishing T. almae from other Brazilian species of Thamnodynastes are provided

Exclusive use of absorbable suture threads in cleft lip and palate

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of orofacial clefts comprises steps that may result in considerable psychological trauma for patients and their caregivers. The use of absorbable sutures may help to eliminate these uncomfortable situations. However, the exclusive use of this synthetic material is still not preferred by surgeons, particularly in the muscle planes. METHODS: Data from patients who underwent surgery at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro from 2007 to 2014 were used. The patients underwent correction of cleft lip or palate, using only absorbable sutures (poliglecaprone 25 - Monocryl® or polyglactin 910 - Vicryl Rapide®) in all suture planes (mucosa, muscle, skin). RESULTS: We found 360 patients who met the inclusion criteria for this study. We did not observe differences in terms of the local appearance of the wounds during the suture absorption process. The incidence of dehiscence or fistula cases was below 1%, and there were no complications regarding the objectives of the study. In the long term, the scars did not differ from those obtained with non-absorbable sutures used in other types of surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: The exclusive use of absorbable sutures was shown to be an efficient and safe option. These resulted in good quality scars and adequate tensile strength (even in muscle planes), and we did not observe complications related to the absorption process of the material used

Foam mat drying of yacon juice: Experimental analysis and computer simulation

Abstract The foam mat drying of yacon juice (YJ) and concentrate yacon juice (CYJ) was conducted under various conditions of thickness of product (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 cm) and air temperature (50, 60 and 70 °C). After drying the resulted dry powder was removed from the metallic tray and pulverized. Layer thickness and air temperature influenced statistically ( p > 0.5) drying time, moisture content and water activity (Aw) of the product. The shortest drying time to reach the desired Aw (0.1–0.3) corresponds to the condition of 0.5 cm and 70 °C for both juices – 59 and 65 min for the YJ and CYJ, respectively. The process was modeled in terms of heat and mass transfer and then simulated by a finite element method software. The model was able to predict the process satisfactorily and the foam drying technique allowed to obtain yacon powder of good quality, which can be inserted in various food formulations

In vitro effects of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil on growth and production of volatile sulphur compounds by oral bacteria

Objective Halitosis can be caused by microorganisms that produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), which colonize the surface of the tongue and subgingival sites. Studies have reported that the use of natural products can reduce the bacterial load and, consequently, the development of halitosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia on the growth and volatile sulphur compound (VSC) production of oral bacteria compared with chlorhexidine. Material and Methods The effects of these substances were evaluated by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) in planktonic cultures of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas endodontalis. In addition, gas chromatography analyses were performed to measure the concentration of VSCs from bacterial cultures and to characterize M. alternifolia oil components. Results The MIC and MBC values were as follows: M. alternifolia - P. gingivalis (MIC and MBC=0.007%), P. endodontalis (MIC and MBC=0.007%=0.5%); chlorhexidine - P. gingivalis and P. endodontalis (MIC and MBC=1.5 mg/mL). M. alternifolia significantly reduced the growth and production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by P. gingivalis (

Oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors : a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 32 cases in a Brazilian population

Oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors (OPNSTs) are reactive or neoplastic diseases that develop from proliferation of the nerve itself or their limiting sheaths. Here we describe the clinicopathologic data of OPNSTs observed in a sample of the Brazilian population and evaluate the expression of molecules associated with neural biology to determine their usefulness in the diagnosis. Descriptive study of cases diagnosed as OPNSTs, from the Pathology Laboratory at the School of Dentistry/ Federal University of Uberlandia, followed by an immunohistochemical study of S-100, CD57, neurofilament protein (NFP) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). OPNSTs comprised 0.27% of all biopsies. There were eight patients with neurofibromas, eight with traumatic neuromas, seven with schwannomas, five with granular cell tumor (GCT), and four with palisaded encapsulated neuromas (PEN). Women were more frequently affected (60.6% of the cases). Tongue and lips prevailed as the most frequent sites. S-100 was reactive in 100% of the cases. Neural fibers evidenced by CD57 reactivity of their Schwann cells were always nested in bundles within neurofibromas and GCT, absent within schwannomas and dispersed within PEN. Reactivity for NFP was limited to axons and then followed the same pattern of CD57, though much less evident. Reactivity for EMA was observed in the capsular tissues and perineurium of nerve fascicles, and absent in parenchymal cells of GCT. This study showed that OPNSTs are rare, widely benign and often found in tongue and lips. OPNSTs evolve from a common origin to distinct histological patterns, with eventual overlapping in their clinical and morphologic features. The arrangement of reactive residual neural fibers for CD57 can be a useful staining in the differential diagnosis of OPNSTs

Development of Beef Volatile Flavor Compounds in Response to Varied Oven Temperature and Degree of Doneness

Beef volatile flavor compound (VFC) development at the center, mid, and surface layers of cooked steaks was evaluated through 18 cookery treatment combinations consisting of oven cooking temperature (OT; 177°C, 246°C, and 343°C) and final internal steak temperature (IT; 57°C, 63°C, 68°C, 74°C, 79°C, and 85°C). In total, 72 VFC were measured representing the Maillard reaction and lipid degradation. Five VFC were impacted by a three-way interaction of OT × IT × layer (P ≤ 0.030). Two VFC were impacted by a two-way interaction of OT × IT (P ≤ 0.010). Sixteen VFC were impacted by a two-way interaction of OT × layer (P ≤ 0.050). Sixteen VFC were impacted by a two-way interaction of IT × layer (P ≤ 0.050). Twenty VFC were impacted by the main effect of layer (P ≤ 0.010). Eight VFC were impacted by the main effect of IT (P ≤ 0.050). Maillard compounds were formed primarily at steak surfaces, with a general increase in content with greater final IT, and OT to a lesser extent. Lipid-derived compounds were diverse. Methyl esters and aldehydes had lower contents at steak surfaces and were primarily found within the inner portions of steaks. Conversely, certain alcohols and ketones were more prominent at steak surfaces. Development of compounds among layers was also consistently influenced by IT and OT. It may be concluded that flavor-contributing compounds vary among cooked beef steaks at different depths and cookery temperatures. As a result, OT and final IT may be utilized to mediate the final volatile compound composition

Os efeitos do uso da cetamina em pacientes com depressão resistente ao tratamento / The ketamine effects in pacients with resistant-treatment depression

Cerca de um terço das pessoas acometidas com depressão não respondem aos tratamentos até então conhecidos e aprovados. Estudos demonstraram que a cetamina, um antagonista de receptores glutamatergicos, em doses subanestésicas, apresenta ação antidepressiva em poucas horas, principalmente nos pacientes que são resistentes ao tratamento, além de exibir um bom perfil de segurança. Diante disso, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo descrever o uso da cetamina e seus efeitos em pacientes com depressão resistente a tratamentos convencionais através da comparação dos escores na Escala de Avaliação de Depressão de Hamilton (HAM-D), avaliando-os no início e no decorrer do tratamento. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, quantitativo, do tipo transversal, realizado na Pax Clínica Psiquiátrica – Instituto de Neurociências, situada em Goiânia – Goiás em pacientes com diagnóstico de Episódio Depressivo e resistentes ao tratamento. Dentre os sintomas presentes na HAM-D, houve melhora significativa em 83,3% dos pacientes no sintoma de ideação suicida (p-valor= 0,038); 66,7% nos sintomas somáticos em geral (p-valor=0,046); 83,3% na variação diurna do humor (p-valor=0,038); 66,7% nos sintomas de despersonalização e desrealização (p-valor=0,046) e 83,3% dos pacientes relataram redução do escore total da escala (p-valor=0,046). Concluiu-se que a cetamina proporcionou benefício em importantes sintomas e ofereceu uma melhora clínica da depressão nos pacientes participantes. A realização de novas pesquisas é de expressiva importância a fim de possibilitar maiores evidências estatísticas e subsídios para oferecer uma opção concreta à biologia da depressão

Análise do perfil epidemiológico do infarto agudo do miocárdio no Rio Grande do Sul entre 2015 e 2019: estudo ecológico / Analysis of the epidemiological profile of acute myocardial infarction in Rio Grande do Sul between 2015 and 2019: ecological study

Infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) é um quadro de elevada prevalência, exige internação hospitalar e intervenção imediata, sendo considerado uma das principais causas de morbimortalidade em todo o mundo. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o perfil epidemiológico do IAM no Rio Grande do Sul entre os anos de 2015 e 2019 através do cálculo da prevalência de internações hospitalares, taxas de mortalidade específica e proporcional. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico retrospectivo cuja busca de informações foi realizada em bases de dados disponíveis no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. Evidenciou-se um aumento da prevalência de internações hospitalares simultâneo à redução das taxas de mortalidade por IAM. Com isso, supõe-se que o estado realizou um manejo eficiente dos pacientes que chegaram aos serviços de emergência, porém, provavelmente não investiu o suficiente em medidas preventivas visando evitar a ocorrência de IAM e a consequente necessidade de internação.

Knowledge and practices of community health agents in mental health demands - Conhecimentos e práticas de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde frentes às demandas de saúde mental

Objective: to identify knowledge and practices by Community Health Agents in the face of mental health demands in Primary Care. Method: qualitative exploratory study, carried out in a municipality on the West Frontier of Rio Grande do Sul. Data collection took place between October and November 2022, through semi-structured interviews,  content analysis. The study included 12 Community Health Agents working in three Family Health Strategies. Results: the biomedical paradigm is present in the daily practices of the interviewed professionals. The care provided to people in psychological distress and their families is limited due to the Agents' lack of knowledge. Final Considerations: the importance of Continuing and Continuous Education activities with Community Agents is highlighted, in order to improve the quality of care, increase the scope of mental health actions in the territory and reduce exclusionary and stigmatizing practices.Objetivo: identificar saberes y prácticas de Agentes Comunitarios de Salud frente a las demandas de salud mental en la Atención Primaria. Método: estudio exploratorio cualitativo, realizado en un municipio de la Frontera Oeste de Rio Grande do Sul. La recolección de datos ocurrió entre octubre y noviembre de 2022, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, tratadas por Análisis de contenido. El estudio contó con 12 Agentes Comunitarios de Salud actuando en tres Estrategias de Salud de la Familia. Resultados: el paradigma biomédico está presente en las prácticas cotidianas de los profesionales entrevistados. La atención que se brinda a las personas con malestar psíquico y sus familias es limitada debido al desconocimiento de los Agentes. Consideraciones finales: se destaca la importancia de las actividades de Educación Continua y Continua con Agentes Comunitarios, con el fin de mejorar la calidad de la atención, ampliar el alcance de las acciones de salud mental en el territorio y reducir las prácticas excluyentes y estigmatizantes.Objetivo: identificar conhecimentos e práticas de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde frente às demandas de saúde mental na Atenção Básica. Método: estudo qualitativo de caráter exploratório, realizado em um município da Fronteira Oeste do Rio Grande do Sul. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre outubro e novembro de 2022, através de entrevistas semiestruturadas, tratadas por Análise de Conteúdo. Participaram do estudo 12 Agentes Comunitários de Saúde atuantes em três Estratégias Saúde da Família. Resultados: o paradigma biomédico está presente no cotidiano das práticas dos profissionais entrevistados. O cuidado prestado às pessoas em sofrimento psíquico e suas famílias é limitado devido a falta de conhecimento dos Agentes. Considerações Finais: destaca-se a importância de atividades de Educação Permanente e continuada junto aos Agentes Comunitários, a fim de melhorar a qualidade do cuidado, aumentar a abrangência das ações de saúde mental no território e reduzir práticas excludentes e estigmatizantes.

Online courses on breastfeeding as a strategy to improve the quality of care: a scoping review / Cursos online sobre aleitamento materno como estratégia para melhoria da qualidade assistencial: revisão de escopo

Objective: to analyze the scientific production on online courses on breastfeeding as a strategy to improve the quality of care. Methods: a scoping review, based on the method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The electronic databases used were: PubMed; LILACS; CINAHL; SCOPUS; Web of Science; BDENF and EMBASE, published from 2015 to 2020. Results: 961 abstracts were read, 15 articles in full for the final inclusion of 9 articles. The publications occurred between 2011 and 2020, their samples ranged from 54 to 26009 participants. In only 5 studies (55.6%) some method of learning assessment was used and the most used strategy was the application of pre and post test. Conclusion: the scarcity of studies on online courses on breastfeeding as a strategy to improve the quality of care shows a gap in knowledge on the subject. It was also found the need to improve the methodological description of the published studies.Objetivo: analizar la producción científica sobre cursos online en aleatoriedad materna como estrategia para mejorar la calidad asistencial. Métodos: Revisión de escopo, basada en el método propuesto por el Instituto Joanna Briggs. Las bases de datos electrónicas utilizadas fueron: PubMed; LILACS; CINAHL; SCOPUS; Web of Science; BDENF y EMBASE, publicadas desde 2015 hasta 2020. Resultados: Se leyeron 961 resúmenes, 15 artículos completos para la inclusión final de 9 artículos. Las publicaciones se produjeron entre 2011 y 2020, sus muestras oscilaron entre 54 y 26009 participantes. Sólo en 5 estudios (55,6%) se utilizó algún método de evaluación del aprendizaje y la estrategia más utilizada fue la aplicación de pre y postest. Conclusión: La escasez de estudios a propósito de los cursos online sobre el aleitamento materno como estrategia para la mejora de la calidad asistencial evidencia una laguna de conocimiento sobre el tema. También se constató la necesidad de mejorar la descripción metodológica de los estudios publicados.Objetivo: analisar a produção científica sobre cursos online sobre aleitamento materno como estratégia para melhoria da qualidade assistencial. Métodos: Revisão de escopo, baseada no método proposto pelo Joanna Briggs Institute. As bases eletrônicas de dados utilizadas foram: PubMed; LILACS; CINAHL; SCOPUS; Web of Science; BDENF e EMBASE, publicados de 2015 a 2020. Resultados: De um total de 961 resumos, 15 artigos foram selecionados e lidos na íntegra, com inclusão de 9. As publicações ocorreram entre 2011 e 2020, com amostras entre 54 a 26.009 participantes. Em apenas 5 estudos (55,6%) utilizou-se algum método de avaliação da aprendizagem e a estratégia mais usada foi a aplicação de pré e pós teste. Conclusão: A escassez de estudos a respeito de cursos online sobre aleitamento materno para melhoria da qualidade assistencial evidencia uma lacuna de conhecimento sobre o tema. Também se constatou a necessidade de melhorar a descrição metodológica dos estudos publicados.