Research poster: Tree population dynamics at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: Influences of environmental stress and disturbance

Research poste

Gag proteins of the two Drosophila telomeric retrotransposons are targeted to chromosome ends

Drosophila telomeres are formed by two non-LTR retrotransposons, HeT-A and TART, which transpose only to chromosome ends. Successive transpositions of these telomeric elements yield arrays that are functionally equivalent to the arrays generated by telomerase in other organisms. In contrast, other Drosophila non-LTR retrotransposons transpose widely through gene-rich regions, but not to ends. The two telomeric elements encode very similar Gag proteins, suggesting that Gag may be involved in their unique targeting to chromosome ends. To test the intrinsic potential of these Gag proteins for targeting, we tagged the coding sequences with sequence of GFP and expressed the constructs in transiently transfected Drosophila-cultured cells. Gag proteins from both elements are efficiently transported into the nucleus where the protein from one element, HeT-A, forms structures associated with chromosome ends in interphase nuclei. Gag from the second element, TART, moves into telomere-associated structures only when coexpressed with HeT-A Gag. The results suggest that these Gag proteins are capable of delivering the retrotransposons to telomeres, although TART requires assistance from HeT-A. They also imply a symbiotic relationship between the two elements, with HeT-A Gag directing the telomere-specific targeting of the elements, whereas TART provides reverse transcriptase for transposition

Gag Proteins of the Two \u3cem\u3eDrosophila\u3c/em\u3e Telomeric Retrotransposons are Targeted to Chromosome Ends

Drosophila telomeres are formed by two non-LTR retrotransposons, HeT-A and TART, which transpose only to chromosome ends. Successive transpositions of these telomeric elements yield arrays that are functionally equivalent to the arrays generated by telomerase in other organisms. In contrast, other Drosophila non-LTR retrotransposons transpose widely through gene-rich regions, but not to ends. The two telomeric elements encode very similar Gag proteins, suggesting that Gag may be involved in their unique targeting to chromosome ends. To test the intrinsic potential of these Gag proteins for targeting, we tagged the coding sequences with sequence of GFP and expressed the constructs in transiently transfected Drosophila-cultured cells. Gag proteins from both elements are efficiently transported into the nucleus where the protein from one element, HeT-A, forms structures associated with chromosome ends in interphase nuclei. Gag from the second element, TART, moves into telomere-associated structures only when coexpressed with HeT-A Gag. The results suggest that these Gag proteins are capable of delivering the retrotransposons to telomeres, although TART requires assistance from HeT-A. They also imply a symbiotic relationship between the two elements, with HeT-A Gag directing the telomere-specific targeting of the elements, whereas TART provides reverse transcriptase for transposition

Uso de serviços odontológicos em adultos de uma coorte de nascimentos no sul do Brasil

OBJETIVO: Mensurar a prevalência de uso de serviços odontológicos no último ano e os fatores associados em adultos de 31 anos pertencentes à coorte de nascimentos de 1982. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, aninhado na coorte de nascimentos de Pelotas de 1982. Em 1997, uma amostra sistemática de 27% dos setores censitários da cidade foi realizada e todos os domicílios desses setores foram visitados, onde 1.076 adolescentes de 15 anos foram entrevistados. Para os estudos de saúde bucal foram sorteados aleatoriamente 900 desses indivíduos, que foram acompanhados também aos 24 e 31 anos. O estudo utilizou dados coletados de 523 indivíduos em 2013 (aos 31 anos). O desfecho foi a ida ao dentista (uso do serviço) no último ano. Fatores demográficos, (sexo), socioeconômicos (renda, escolaridade) e de saúde bucal (motivo e tipo de serviço da consulta, autopercepção de saúde bucal, dor e experiência de cárie - CPOD) foram utilizados como variáveis independentes. As razões de prevalência foram estimadas usando a regressão de Poisson. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de uso de serviços odontológicos no último ano foi de 55,3% (IC95%: 51,0 –59,5%). Na análise ajustada, o motivo e tipo de serviço da consulta, a autopercepção de saúde bucal e o CPOD foram associados ao desfecho. Foi encontrada maior associação com a utilização de serviços odontológicos em indivíduos que visitaram por prevenção e usaram o serviço privado, satisfeitos com a sua saúde bucal e que tinham maior experiência de cárie. CONCLUSÃO: 55,3% da amostra da coorte utilizaram os seviços odontológicos no último ano. Os indivíduos que visitaram o dentista por motivo preventivo, em consulta privada, que estavam muito satisfeitos ou satisfeitos com sua saúde bucal utilizaram em maior proporção esses serviços. Além disso, o maior índice de CPOD também levou ao maior uso.OBJECTIVE: Measure the prevalence of use of dental services in the previous year and associated factors among 31-year-old adults from a birth cohort of 1982. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed a birth cohort of 1982 from the city of Pelotas. In 1997, a systematic sample of 27% of the city’s census sectors was defined and all households in these sectors were visited, where 1,076 15-year-old adolescents were interviewed. For the oral health studies, 900 of these individuals were randomly selected and followed up at 24 and 31 years of age. The study used data collected from 523 individuals in 2013 (at 31 years old). The outcome was visit to the dentist (use of dental services) in the previous year. Demographic factors (sex), socioeconomic factors (income, education), and oral health factors (reason and type of service, self-perception of oral health, dental pain and caries experience - DMFT) were used as independent variables. Prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of use of dental services in the previous year was 55.3% (95%CI: 51.0–59.5%). In the adjusted analysis, the reason and type of service, self-perception of oral health, and DMFT were associated with the outcome. A stronger association was found with use of dental services in individuals who visited for prevention and used the private service, who were satisfied with their oral health, and who had more caries experiences. CONCLUSION: 55.3% of the cohort sample used dental services in the previous year. Individuals who visited the dentist of private service for preventive reasons, who were very satisfied with their oral health, used these services in a higher proportion. In addition, a higher DMFT index also led to higher use of services

Endometrial Cancer

This chapter in Cancer Concepts: A Guidebook for the Non-Oncologist is about cancers of the endometrium and uterus, including the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, genetic risk, histology, grading and type categorization, management, and prognosis.https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/cancer_concepts/1013/thumbnail.jp

Procedimentos odontopediátricos realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio Grande do Sul, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19: diferença entre os anos de 2018 e 2021

Objective: To analyze the difference in the number of dental procedures in the primary dentition performed in the Unified Health System in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Descriptive ecological study, using secondary data from the Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais (SIA-SUS), from 2018 to 2021, in the state and in the seven health macro-regions. The relative and absolute frequencies and the percentage difference of the dental procedures performed were calculated. Results: 94,443 and 36,151 dental procedures were registered before and during the pandemic, respectively, which corresponded to a reduction of 61.7%. Relevant percentage reductions were observed in restorative procedures, which reached 20 percentage points in the southern region of the state. An increase in the percentage of exodontic and endodontic procedures was observed. Conclusion: The results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the performance of dental procedures in the primary dentition in the state.Objetivo: Analizar la diferencia en el número de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal realizados en el Sistema Único de Salud del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio ecológico descriptivo, utilizando datos secundarios del Sistema de Información Ambulatorio del SUS (SIA-SUS), de 2018 a 2021, en el estado y en las siete macrorregiones de salud. Se calcularon las frecuencias relativas, absolutas y la diferencia porcentual de los procedimientos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: se registraron 94.443 y 36.151 procedimientos odontológicos antes y durante la pandemia, respectivamente, lo que corresponde a una reducción del 61,7%. Se observaron reducciones porcentuales relevantes en los procedimientos restaurativos, que alcanzaron 20 puntos porcentuales en la región sur del estado. Se observó un aumento en el porcentaje de procedimientos de exodoncia y endodoncia. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que la pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo repercusiones negativas en la realización de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal en el estado.Objetivo: analisar a diferença no número de procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19. Métodos: estudo ecológico descritivo, utilizando-se dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do SUS (SIA/SUS), de 2018 a 2021, no estado e em suas sete macrorregiões de saúde; foram calculadas as frequências relativas e absolutas, e a diferença percentual dos procedimentos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: foram registrados 94.443 e 36.151 procedimentos odontológicos antes e durante a pandemia, respectivamente, correspondendo a uma redução de 61,7%; reduções percentuais relevantes foram observadas nos procedimentos restauradores, atingindo 20 pontos percentuais na região Sul do estado; observou-se aumento no percentual de procedimentos exodônticos e endodônticos. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que a pandemia de covid-19 teve repercussões negativas sobre a realização dos procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, no estado gaúcho

Catatonia: Clinical overview of the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical challenges

Catatonia is a syndrome that has been associated with several mental illness disorders but that has also presented as a result of other medical conditions. Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders such as mania and depression are known to be associated with catatonia; however, several case reports have been published of certain medical conditions inducing catatonia, including hypo-natremia, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and liver transplantation. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis are also prominent causes of catatonia. Patients taking benzodiazepines or clozapine are also at risk of developing catatonia following the withdrawal of these medications—it is speculated that the prolonged use of these medications increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity and that discontinuation may increase excitatory neurotrans-mission, leading to catatonia. The treatment of catatonia often involves the use of benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, that can be used in combination therapy with antipsychotics. Definitive treatment may be found with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Aberrant neuronal activity in different motor pathways, defective neurotransmitter regulation, and impaired oligodendrocyte function have all been proposed as the pathophysiology behind catatonia. There are many clinical challenges that come with catatonia and, as early treatment is associated with better outcomes, it becomes imperative to understand these challenges. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of these challenges and to look at clinical studies regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of as well as the complications and risk factors associated with catatonia

Associação entre dor dentária, uso de serviços odontológicos e absenteísmo escolar: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar 2015

Objective: To analyze the association between dental pain, use of dental services and school absenteeism in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from the National School Health Survey (PeNSE 2015). The dependent variable of the study was school absenteeism due to health reasons in the last 12 months. Socioeconomic characteristics, dental pain and the use of dental services were the independent variables evaluated. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Data of 102,072 schoolchildren were included. The prevalence of absenteeism due to health reasons was 53.7% (95%CI 53.2;54.3). In the adjusted analysis, there was an association between dental pain and school absenteeism (OR=1.35 – 95%CI 1.26;1.45), and an increase in the occurrence of absenteeism according to higher number of dental visits. Conclusion: The results suggest that dental pain and frequency of dental visits may be related to school absenteeism.Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre dor dentária, uso de serviços odontológicos e absenteísmo escolar em adolescentes brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo transversal, sobre dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2015). A variável dependente do estudo foi o absenteísmo escolar por motivo de saúde nos últimos 12 meses. Características socioeconômicas, dor dentária e utilização de serviços odontológicos foram as variáveis independentes avaliadas. Empregou-se regressão logística, para estimar odds ratio (OR) e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Resultados: Foram incluídos 102.072 escolares. A prevalência de absenteísmo por motivo de saúde foi de 53,7% (IC95% 53,2;54,3). Pela análise ajustada, houve associação entre dor dentária e absenteísmo (OR=1,35 – IC95% 1,26;1,45), e aumento na ocorrência de absenteísmo conforme o maior número de consultas odontológicas. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que a dor dentária e a frequência de consultas odontológicas podem estar relacionadas ao absenteísmo escolar

Socioeconomic inequities in the oral health of university students in southern Brazil

Objetivo: Identificar a magnitude da associação entre experiência de cárie dentária e autopercepção negativa de saúde bucal com determinantes socioeconômicos. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com dados de uma coorte prospectiva com os universitários ingressantes na Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) no ano de 2016. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário autoaplicável, incluindo características demográficas, socioeconômicas e psicossociais. Os desfechos do presente estudo foram a experiência de cárie autorrelatada (histórico de doença cárie) e autopercepção de saúde bucal (positiva versus negativa). Resultados: Um total de 3.237 alunos ingressou, dos quais 2.089 (64,5%) concordaram em participar do estudo. O modelo de regressão de Poisson mostrou que universitários com renda familiar de R$1001,00 a 5000,00 e R$5001,00 ou mais apresentaram, respectivamente, uma razão de prevalência (RP) 14% (RP=0,86; IC95% 0,80-0,92) e 18% (RP=0,82; IC95% 0,74 a 0,90) menor de experiência de cárie, assim como indivíduos cujas mães tinham ensino médio completo apresentaram uma prevalência 14% menor (RP= 0,86; IC95% 0,80 a 0,92) e ensino superior completo 19% (RP= 0,81; IC95% 0,75 a 0,87) menor de experiência de cárie, quando comparados aos grupos de referência. Na autopercepção de saúde bucal, os resultados para renda familiar de R$1001 a 5000,00 e R$ 5001 ou mais apresentaram, respectivamente, uma prevalência 23% (RP= 0,77; IC95% 0,64 a 0,91) e 43% (RP= 0,57; IC95% 0,45 a 0,72) menor de ter autopercepção de saúde bucal negativa e indivíduos cujas mães tinham ensino superior completo reportaram uma prevalência 21% menor de autopercepção de saúde bucal negativa quando comparados à referência (RP= 0,79; IC95% 0,66 a 0,97). Conclusões: Os achados do presente estudo confirmam que os indicadores socioeconômicos influenciam a experiência de cárie autorrelatada e a autopercepção de saúde bucal dos universitários.Objective: To identify the magnitude of the association between dental caries experience and negative self-perception of oral health with socioeconomic determinants. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with data from a prospective cohort with university students entering the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) in 2016. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, including demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics. The outcomes of the present study were experience of self-reported caries (history of caries disease) and self-perceived oral health (positive versus negative). Results: A total of 3,237 students joined, of which 2,089 (64.5%) agreed to participate in the study. The Poisson regression model known that university students with an income of R $1001 to 5000.00 and R$ 5001 or more primary, respectively, a prevalence ratio (PR) 14% (PR=0,86; 95%CI 0,80-0,92) and 18% (PR=0,82; 95%IC 0,74 a 0,90) lower of caries experience, as well as individualizing mothers had completed high school prevalence a 14% (PR= 0,86; 95%CI 0,80 a 0,92) lower prevalence and complete higher education 19% (PR= 0,81; 95%CI 0,75 a 0,87) less caries experience when compared to reference groups. In the self-perception of oral health, the results for income of R $1001 to 5000.00 and R$ 5001 or more dissipated, respectively, a 23% (PR= 0,77; 95%IC 0,64 a 0,91) and 43% (PR= 0,57; 95%IC 0,45 a 0,72) lower prevalence of having negative self-perception of oral health and qualified originating from complete higher education reported a 23% lower prevalence of negative self-perceived oral health when compared to the reference (PR= 0,79; 95%IC 0,66 a 0,97). Conclusions: The findings of the present study confirm that socioeconomic indicators influence the experience of caries and self-perceived oral health among university students

O método computadorizado de anestesia odontológica é mais efetivo que o método convencional em crianças e adolescentes? Uma revisão sistemática da literatura

Aim: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of the computerized method of dental anesthesia in relation to pain, non-collaborative behavior and fear/anxiety in children and adolescents compared to the conventional method. Materials and methods: An electronic search was performed in five databases (Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Embase, Pubmed and Web of Science) that included randomized clinical trials. The search was performed in October 2020 and updated in May 2021. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the RoB 2 and a qualitative analysis was also performed. Results: A total of 3,518 studies were found, and after removing duplicates, analyzing the title and abstract, and complete reading, 26 studies remained included. Of these, five assessed anxiety/fear, twelve assessed behavior during anesthesia, and twenty-two assessed pain perception. No significant difference was observed in most studies between the use of the computerized method compared to the traditional method for all outcomes analyzed. Discussion: Although there does not seem to be a significant difference in pain perception, fear/anxiety reports and behavior between the use of the computerized method and the traditional method, it is fundamental to evaluate the child's behavior during dental care, as their expressions may indicate some discomfort and pain. These findings should be interpreted with caution, considering that nearly three-quarters of the included studies were at high risk of bias. Conclusion: Even with the absence of difference, electronic devices are promising, as they promote slow and controlled administration and result in safe and effective anesthesia, which is an alternative to clinical practice.Objetivo: Revisar sistematicamente a literatura sobre a efetividade do método computadorizado de anestesia odontológica em relação à dor, comportamento não colaborador e o medo/ansiedade em crianças e adolescentes em comparação com o método convencional. Materiais e métodos: Uma busca eletrônica foi realizada em cinco base de dados (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Scopus, Embase, Pubmed e Web of Science) e que incluiu ensaios clínicos randomizados. A busca foi realizada em outubro de 2020 e atualizada em maio de 2021 e, não houve restrição de data ou idioma. A avaliação de risco de viés foi realizada usando a RoB 2 e, também foi realizada uma análise qualitativa. Resultados: Foram encontrados 3.518 estudos, e após a remoção das duplicatas, análise do título e resumo e, leitura completa, restaram 26 estudos incluídos. Destes, cinco avaliaram ansiedade/medo, doze avaliaram o comportamento durante a anestesia, e vinte e dois avaliaram a percepção de dor. Não foi observado diferença significativa na maioria dos estudos entre o uso do método computadorizado em comparação ao método tradicional para todos os desfechos analisados. Discussão: Apesar de não parecer haver diferença significativa na percepção de dor, no relato de medo/ansiedade e no comportamento entre o uso do método computadorizado em comparação ao método tradicional, é fundamental avaliar o comportamento da criança durante o atendimento odontológico pois suas expressões podem indicar algum desconforto e dor. Esses achados devem ser interpretados com cautela, considerando que quase três quartos dos estudos incluídos apresentaram alto risco de viés. Conclusão: Mesmo com a ausência de diferença, os dispositivos eletrônicos são promissores, visto que promovem uma administração lenta e controlada e resultam em uma anestesia segura e eficaz que coloca-se como alternativa a prática clínica