Caffeine Supplementation and muscle damage in soccer players

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of caffeine supplementation and intermittent exercise on the muscle injury markers in soccer players. 15 male professional soccer players completed a placebo controlled double blind test protocol. 45 minutes before exercise, participants ingested 5.5 mg.kg-1 body mass of caffeine (EXP, n=8) or placebo (CONT, n=7). The exercise was 12 sets of 10 sprints (20 m each) with 10 sec recovery time between sprints and 2 min between sets. Blood samples were collected before (PRE) and 48h after exercise (POST). Serum activity of CK, LDH, AST, and ALT were quantified. Serum enzyme activity was enhanced by exercise in both groups, without a synergistic effect of caffeine. The findings suggest muscle injury markers concentration increases after physical activities, but caffeine supplementation (as used in this study) has no influence upon muscle cellular integrity.O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da cafeína e do exercício intermitente nos marcadores de lesão muscular em jogadores de futebol. 15 jogadores de futebol profissional completaram um estudo duplo-cego placebo controlado. 45 minutos antes do exercício, os participantes ingeriram 5.5 mg.kg-1 do peso corporal de cafeína (EXP, n=8) ou placebo (CONT, n=7). O exercício consistiu em 12 séries de 10 sprints (com 20 m cada) com 10 segundos de recuperação entre os sprints e 2 min entre as séries. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas antes (PRE) e 48h depois do exercício (POST). As atividades séricas de CK, LDH, AST e ALT foram quantificadas. A atividade sérica de todas as enzimas aumentou em ambos os grupos, sem efeito sinérgico da suplementação de cafeína. Os achados confirmam que o exercício aumenta a atividade sérica das enzimas, mas a cafeína (como a usada neste estudo) não interfere na integridade da fibra muscular

Detection of mcr-1 Gene in undefined Vibrio species isolated from clams

The increase of antimicrobial resistant strains is leading to an emerging threat to public health. Pathogenic Vibrio are responsible for human and animal illness. The Enterobacteriaceae family includes microorganisms that affect humans, causing several infections. One of the main causes of human infection is related to the ingestion of undercooked seafood. Due to their filterfeeding habit, marine invertebrates, such as clams, are known to be a natural reservoir of specific microbial communities. In the present study, Vibrionaceae and coliforms microorganisms were isolated from clams. A microbial susceptibility test was performed using the disk diffusion method. From 43 presumptive Vibrio spp. and 17 coliforms, three Vibrio spp. with MICs to colistin > 512 mg L−1 were found. From the 23 antimicrobial resistance genes investigated, only the three isolates that showed phenotypic resistance to colistin contained the mcr‐1 gene. Genotypic analysis for virulence genes in EB07V indicated chiA gene presence. The results from the plasmid cure and transformation showed that the resistance is chromosomally mediated. Biochemical analysis and MLSA, on the basis of four protein‐coding gene sequences (recA, rpoB, groEL and dnaJ), grouped the isolates into the genus Vibrio but distinguished them as different from any known Vibrio spp.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Novel Protocol to Characterize Virtual Nickel–Titanium Endodontic Instruments

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.The nickel–titanium (NiTi) instruments’ geometry plays an important role in their performance and behavior. The present assessment intends to validate and test the applicability of a 3D surface scanning method using a high-resolution laboratory-based optical scanner to create reliable virtual models of NiTi instruments. Sixteen instruments were scanned using a 12-megapixel optical 3D scanner, and methodological validation was performed by comparing quantitative and qualitative measurements of specific dimensions and identifying some geometric features of the 3D models with images obtained through scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the reproducibility of the method was assessed by calculating 2D and 3D parameters of three different instruments twice. The quality of the 3D models created by two different optical scanners and a micro-CT device was compared. The 3D surface scanning method using the high-resolution laboratory-based optical scanner allowed for the creation of reliable and precise virtual models of different NiTi instruments with discrepancies varying from 0.0002 to 0.0182 mm. The reproducibility of measurements performed with this method was high, and the acquired virtual models were adequate for use in in silico experiments, as well as for commercial or educational purposes. The quality of the 3D model obtained using the high-resolution optical scanner was superior to that acquired by micro-CT technology. The ability to superimpose virtual models of scanned instruments and apply them in Finite Element Analysis and educational purposes was also demonstrated.publishersversionpublishe

A Novel Biomarker of Compensatory Recruitment of Face Emotional Imagery Networks in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Imagery of facial expressions in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is likely impaired but has been very difficult to capture at a neurophysiological level. We developed an approach that allowed to directly link observation of emotional expressions and imagery in ASD, and to derive biomarkers that are able to classify abnormal imagery in ASD. To provide a handle between perception and action imagery cycles it is important to use visual stimuli exploring the dynamical nature of emotion representation. We conducted a case-control study providing a link between both visualization and mental imagery of dynamic facial expressions and investigated source responses to pure face-expression contrasts. We were able to replicate the same highly group discriminative neural signatures during action observation (dynamical face expressions) and imagery, in the precuneus. Larger activation in regions involved in imagery for the ASD group suggests that this effect is compensatory. We conducted a machine learning procedure to automatically identify these group differences, based on the EEG activity during mental imagery of facial expressions. We compared two classifiers and achieved an accuracy of 81% using 15 features (both linear and non-linear) of the signal from theta, high-beta and gamma bands extracted from right-parietal locations (matching the precuneus region), further confirming the findings regarding standard statistical analysis. This robust classification of signals resulting from imagery of dynamical expressions in ASD is surprising because it far and significantly exceeds the good classification already achieved with observation of neutral face expressions (74%). This novel neural correlate of emotional imagery in autism could potentially serve as a clinical interventional target for studies designed to improve facial expression recognition, or at least as an intervention biomarker

BCIAUT-P300: A Multi-Session and Multi-Subject Benchmark Dataset on Autism for P300-Based Brain-Computer-Interfaces

There is a lack of multi-session P300 datasets for Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). Publicly available datasets are usually limited by small number of participants with few BCI sessions. In this sense, the lack of large, comprehensive datasets with various individuals and multiple sessions has limited advances in the development of more effective data processing and analysis methods for BCI systems. This is particularly evident to explore the feasibility of deep learning methods that require large datasets. Here we present the BCIAUT-P300 dataset, containing 15 autism spectrum disorder individuals undergoing 7 sessions of P300-based BCI joint-attention training, for a total of 105 sessions. The dataset was used for the 2019 IFMBE Scientific Challenge organized during MEDICON 2019 where, in two phases, teams from all over the world tried to achieve the best possible object-detection accuracy based on the P300 signals. This paper presents the characteristics of the dataset and the approaches followed by the 9 finalist teams during the competition. The winner obtained an average accuracy of 92.3% with a convolutional neural network based on EEGNet. The dataset is now publicly released and stands as a benchmark for future P300-based BCI algorithms based on multiple session data

Changes in infant and neonatal mortality and associated factors in eight cohorts from three Brazilian cities

Stillbirth (SBR), perinatal (PMR), neonatal (NMR) and infant mortality rates (IMR) are declining in Brazil and the factors associated with these falls are still being investigated. The objective of the present study was to assess changes in SBR, PMR, NMR and IMR over time and to determine the factors associated with changes in NMR and IMR in eight Brazilian cohorts. All cohorts are population-based (Ribeirão Preto in 1978/79, 1994 and 2010; Pelotas in 1982, 1993 and 2004; and São Luís in 1997/98 and 2010). Were included data on 41440 children. All indicators were decreased, except in the city of Pelotas, from 1993 to 2004, and except SBR in São Luís. Sociodemographic variables seem to be able to explain reductions of NMR and IMR in Ribeirão Preto, from 1978/79 to 1994, and in São Luís. In Ribeirão Preto, from 1994 to 2010 declines in NMR and IMR seem to be explained by reductions in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Newborn’s gestational age had diminished in all cohorts, preventing even greater reductions of NMR and IMR. Improved sociodemographic variables and reduction of IUGR, seem to be able to explain part of the decrease observed. NMR and IMR could have been reduced even more, were it not for the worsening in gestational age distribution

Influence of bioceramic intracanal medication on the bond strength of bioceramic root canal sealer

Abstract To investigate the influence of the remaining volume of a new intracanal medication based on bioceramic compounds on the bond strength (BS) and formation of an adhesive interface between calcium silicate-based and epoxy resin-based root canal sealers. For this purpose, the specimens were distributed according to the intracanal medication (n = 26): Bio-C Temp (BCT) and Ultracal XS (UXS). The roots were scanned in microCT, and after 7 days, the medication was removed. Then a new scan was performed to evaluate the volume of medication remaining. Subsequently, 40 specimens were redistributed into 2 subgroups (n = 10) and filled according to the sealer used: AH Plus (AHP) and Bio-C Sealer (BCS), to assess the bond strength by using the push-out test, and the adhesive interface by confocal laser fluorescence microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The t test showed a smaller remainder of BCT (1.77 ± 0.86) compared with UXS (10.47 ± 5.78), irrespective of the root third evaluated. The BS showed that teeth with BCT + BCS had higher bond strength values (3.70 ± 1.22) when compared to the other groups: BCT + AHP (2.15 ± 1.07), UXS + BCS (3.18 ± 1.09) and UXS + AHP (2.11 ± 1.02) (p<0.001). The cervical third had higher BS when compared with the middle and apical thirds (p < 0.001), and higher number of adhesive failures. The adhesive interface in SEM and CLSM images showed better adaptation for the association between BCT + BCS. Intracanal medication and silicate-based endodontic sealer appeared to interact chemically by forming a biomineralizing layer, allowing for an increase in the bond strength and forming an adhesive interface between the materials, with no or less gap formation

Cerclagem uterina: técnica, eficácia, indicações - Revisão narrativa / Cerclage uterine: technique, effectiveness, indications - Narrative review

INTRODUÇÃO: A cerclagem uterina é uma técnica que visa prolongar a gestação e evitar partos prematuros e abortos em mulheres no segundo trimestre de gravidez e com insuficiência cervical. METODOLOGIA: Estudo do tipo revisão narrativa de literatura, com busca de estudos nas bases de dados PUBMED, SciELO e LILACS. A busca foi realizada em janeiro de 2021, utilizando os seguintes descritores: “Cerclage”, “Cervical”, "Insufficiency", "Incompetence", “Indications”, “Uterine”, “Surgery”. Foram escolhidos artigos entre 2014 e 2020, em inglês, português e espanhol e disponíveis em texto completo. RESULTADOS: Os artigos analisados convergem em definições, técnica e seguimento sobre a cerclagem uterina. DISCUSSÃO: As indicações de cerclagem incluem fatores como história de insuficiência cervical, exame físico e achados ultrassonográficos associados ao histórico de parto prematuro. A técnica de McDonald é a mais utilizada, embora avanços nas técnicas minimamente invasivas sejam promissores. As complicações do procedimento não são frequentes. CONCLUSÃO: A cerclagem uterina é uma opção viável para evitar partos pré-termos, sendo indicada a partir do segundo trimestre da gestação. Ambas as técnicas são eficientes e resultam em benefícios maternos e neonatais

Substituição transcateter da valva aórtica: uma revisão integrativa

Introdução: A estenose da válvula aórtica (EA) é a cardiopatia valvar mais comum em países desenvolvidos, o que representa um forte impacto na saúde pública. As três causas principais de EA são: valvopatia reumática, esclerose e anomalia congênita. Ao diagnóstico precoce por ecocardiografia, usualmente os pacientes relatam dispnéia e angina aos esforços e pré-síncope. Classicamente, em casos avançados, as manifestações incluem angina, síncope e insuficiência cardíaca (IC). A substituição valvar é a primeira linha de tratamento da EA grave sintomática. Nesse sentido, considerando a crescente evolução técnica e melhoria dos dispositivos implantáveis, destaca-se o implante transcateter de valva aórtica (TAVR) como alternativa à substituição cirúrgica da valva aórtica (SAVR).&nbsp; Objetivo: Analisar as evidências atuais acerca da TAVR e comparar os desfechos clínicos dos pacientes submetidos a esse procedimento e à SAVR. Métodos: Revisão integrativa de 20 estudos encontrados na base de dados PubMed, a partir dos descritores “aortic stenosis” e “transcatheter aortic valve replacement”, utilizando os filtros idioma inglês, publicação nos últimos 10 anos e estudos dos tipos ensaio clínico, meta-análise e revisão sistemática. Resultados:&nbsp; Os estudos mostraram, em geral, maior necessidade de implante de marcapasso permanente em pacientes submetidos à TAVR, bem como maior regurgitação paravalvar em comparação com aqueles que passaram pela SAVR. Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora similar na classe funcional NYHA. Além disso, os dados não mostraram diferença significativa de deterioração estrutural valvar (SVD) a médio prazo nos dois grupos, tampouco de mortalidade e de acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) incapacitante em até 8 anos. Conclusão: Foi possível compreender que, para pacientes de alto e médio risco cirúrgico, as evidências suportam a TAVR como alternativa à SAVR devido ao perfil de segurança e aos desfechos clínicos semelhantes. Contudo, ainda faltam estudos para indicar assertivamente o procedimento aos pacientes de baixo risco. Vale salientar a necessidade de mais pesquisas envolvendo as novas gerações das biopróteses valvares e o seguimento de pacientes a longo prazo a fim de determinar precisamente a SVD