Improvement and Neuroplasticity after Combined Rehabilitation to Forced Grasping

The grasp reflex is a distressing symptom but the need to treat or suppress it has rarely been discussed in the literature. We report the case of a 17-year-old man who had suffered cerebral infarction of the right putamen and temporal lobe 10 years previously. Forced grasping of the hemiparetic left upper limb was improved after a unique combined treatment. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) was first injected into the left biceps, wrist flexor muscles, and finger flexor muscles. Forced grasping was reduced along with spasticity of the upper limb. In addition, repetitive facilitative exercise and object-related training were performed under low-amplitude continuous neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Since this 2-week treatment improved upper limb function, we compared brain activities, as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy during finger pinching, before and after the combined treatment. Brain activities in the ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and medial frontal cortex (MFC) during pinching under electrical stimulation after treatment were greater than those before. The results suggest that training under electrical stimulation after BTX-A treatment may modulate the activities of the ipsilesional SMC and MFC and lead to functional improvement of the affected upper limb with forced grasping

O papel da engenharia nos estudos relacionados à prevenção de doenças infectocontagiosas no ambiente odontológico

A formação de respingos e aerossóis por meio da utilização de instrumentos de alta rotação e sprays durante procedimentos odontológicos é um fator de risco de contaminação para o médico dentista, pacientes, recepcionistas e acompanhantes. Métodos e equipamentos que visam a diminuição da exposição às partículas em suspensão no ar já são utilizados pelos profissionais da área, mas devido ao cenário pandêmico atual da doença COVID-19, estudos mais aprofundados sobre o tema são necessários. Neste trabalho, reuniu-se informações referentes a meios de contaminação no ambiente odontológico via formação de respingos e aerossóis, buscando-se um maior entendimento do problema enfrentado pelos dentistas. Além disso, foi realizado um levantamento de dados na plataforma Scopus com o objetivo de analisar os números de pesquisas científicas que envolvessem temas relacionados às áreas da odontologia e engenharia, bem como o impacto da COVID-19 nos estudos. Com esta análise foi possível entender os impactos causados pela pandemia nos trabalhos nas áreas apontadas. Em virtude dos riscos e perigos enfrentados durante as consultas odontológicas, uma solução mais eficiente para a contenção dos respingos e aerossóis se faz necessária, além da utilização dos equipamentos de proteção individual (EPI) de costume. Uma possível alternativa é o desenvolvimento de sugadores de aerossol que permitam o trabalho do profissional e utilização dos equipamentos de sucção de maneira mais confortável e eficiente. Assim, a impressão 3D em conjunto com a simulação fluidodinâmica computacional destaca-se como um caminho favorável para a confecção dos aspiradores, visto o crescente aumento em sua acessibilidade e praticidade na criação de protótipos, evidenciando a importância da engenharia no combate a doenças infectocontagiosas. Das pesquisas disponibilizadas na plataforma Scopus no ano de 2020, 49254 referiam-se ao SARSCoV-2. Entretanto, deste total, apenas 196 pesquisas envolviam o termo dentistry e 41 trabalhos com relação ao termo 3D Printing, abrindo oportunidades para estudos relacionados à enfermidade na área e de trabalhos interdisciplinares.The formation of splatters and aerosols due to the use of highspeed instruments, i.e. drills and sprays during dental procedures is a risk factor of contamination for the dentist, patients, receptionists and companions. Methods and equipment that aimed at risk avoidance caused by particles suspended in the air have already been used by professionals in the field, but due to the current COVID19 pandemic scenario, further studies on the subject are needed. In this work, data about contamination means in the dental environment owing to formation of splatters and aerosols were assembled, seeking a better understanding of the problem faced by dentists. In addition, was performed a data survey at Scopus source seeking for analyze the number of scientific researches involving themes that correlate the dentistry and engineering area as well as the impact of COVID19 in the studies. With that analysis it’s possible to understand the impact caused by the pandemic in the appointed works. In view of the risks and dangers faced during dental consultations, a more efficient solution is needed to contain splatters and aerosols, in addition to the use of the usual personal protective equipment (PPE). A possible alternative is the development of an aerosol suction device that allow the professional to work and use it more comfortably and efficiently. Thus, 3D printing along the computational fluid dynamic stands out as a favorable path for making aerosol suctions, given the growing increase in its accessibility and practicality in creating prototypes, evidencing the importance of engineering at controlling infectious contagious disease. From the research available at Scopus source at 2020, 49254 references to SARSCoV2. Therefore, among that total, only 196 searches involved dentistry as term and about 3D printing, only 41, opening opportunities for studies related to that disease in multidisciplinary areas. Keywords: COVID19.Não recebi financiament

A new non-human primate model of photochemically induced cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rat models of photochemically induced cerebral infarction have been readily studied, but to date there are no reports of transcranial photochemically induced infarctions in the marmoset. In this report, we used this non-human primate as a model of cerebral thrombosis and observed the recovery process. METHODS: Five common marmosets were used. Cerebral ischemia was produced via intravascular thrombosis induced by an intravenous injection of Rose Bengal and irradiation with green light. After inducing cerebral infarction, we observed the behavior of marmosets via a continuous video recording. We evaluated maximum speed, mean speed, and distance traveled in 1 min. In addition, we evaluated scores for feeding behavior, upper limb grip, and lower limb grip. We confirmed the infarct area after cerebral infarction using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining in a separate marmoset. RESULTS: We found functional decreases 2 days after creating the cerebral infarction in all measurements. Total distance traveled, average speed, upper limb score, and feeding behavior score did not recover to pre-infarction levels within 28 days. Maximum speed in 1 min and lower limb score recovered 28 days after infarction as compared to pre-infarction levels. We confirmed the infarct area of 11.4 mm × 6.8 mm as stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. CONCLUSION: We were able to create a primate photothrombosis-induced cerebral infarction model using marmosets and observe functional recovery. We suggest that this is a useful model for basic research of cerebral infarction

Behavior score.

<p>a) Hind limb score. The mean and standard error of lower limb scores pre-surgery to postoperative day 28. b) Feeding behavior score. The mean and standard error of feeding behavior scores pre-surgery to postoperative day 28. c) Total behavior score. The mean and standard error of the total score of feeding behavior, upper limb grip, and lower limb. * P<0.05 in comparison with preoperative values indicating presence of deficit. † P<0.05 in comparison with the lowest value (2 days after operation) indicating recovery.</p