Position of the mandibular foramen in different facial shapes assessed by cone-beam computed tomography: a cross-sectional retrospective study

Purpose: The mandibular foramen, located on the internal surface of the mandibular ramus, is an important anatomical landmark for the success during the inferior alveolar nerve block. This cross-sectional retrospective study aimed to evaluate the location of the mandibular foramen through ConeBeam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in different facial shapes. Materials and Methods: The determination of the location of the mandibular foramen was performed using CBCT of mesocephalic, dolichocephalic and brachycephalic patients (n=40 each). The ramus width (W), the distance from the mandibular foramen to the deepest point of the anterior border of the mandibular ramus (D), the distance from the mandibular foramen to the lowest point of the mandibular notch (V) and the distance from the inferior border of the mandible to the lowest point in of the mandibular border (R), as well as the ratios W/D and V/R, were measured. ANCOVA, two-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the variation among the facial shapes. Results.: The ramus width (W) was greater (p 0.0001) in the brachycephalic (28.4 +/- 0.5 mm) than in both mesocephalic (26.8 +/- 0.36 mm) and dolichocephalic (25.5 +/- 0.39 mm) patients. D (p=0.0433) and R (p=0.0072) were also greater in the brachycephalic (17.7 +/- 0.36 mm; 43.4 +/- 0.75 mm, respectively) than dolichocephalic (16.5 +/- 03 mm; 40.3 +/- 0.63 mm, respectively), but both did not differ from mesocephalic (17.34.36 mm; 41.8 +/- 0.66 mm, respectively) patients. The other measurements (V, W/J and R/V) did not significantly differ among facial shapes. Conclusion: The localization of the mandibular foramen was. in the horizontal direction, more posterior in the brachycephalic patients and, in the vertical direction, higher in the dolichocephalic patients, when compared to the other groups analyzed. Thus, the anatomic data found in this study may help dentists to increase the success of the inferior alveolar nerve block and prevent surgical complications.1354455

Fruit quality of watermelon hybrids with seeds

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade pós-colheita de dois híbridos de melancia com sementes cultivadas sob manejo convencional. As características de qualidade analisadas foram: massa fresca; diâmetro longitudinal e transversal; índice de formato do fruto (IF: DL/DT); espessura da casca; firmeza da polpa; sólidos solúveis; acidez titulável; pH; SS/AT; açúcares solúveis totais e redutores; pectina solúvel; vitamina C; carotenoides totais; licopeno; flavonoides; antocianinas e polifenóis extraíveis totais. O ensaio em condições laboratoriais foi estabelecido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA). Os híbridos apresentaram massa fresca, DL/DT, cor, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e SS/AT satisfatórios para comercialização; com destaque para o híbrido ‘Boston’ que apresentou maior teor de sólidos solúveis (9.90 °Brix), açúcares solúveis totais (6.66 %) e SS/AT (86.24). Para compostos bioativos, o híbrido ‘Boston’ apresentou valores médios superiores para carotenoides totais (2.03 mg 100g-1) e flavonoides amarelos (3.21 mg 100g-1), entretanto, o híbrido ‘Quetzali’ obteve destaque para os polifenóis extraíveis totais (194.36 mg 100g-1), podendo, desta forma, ser usados na promoção da saúde humana. Embora os híbridos avaliados tenham se mostrado qualitativamente favoráveis ao consumo, tenham se mostrado qualitativamente favoráveis ao consumo, os resultados aqui encontrados indicam estreitamento da base genética, o que torna necessário a avaliação de outros híbridos.This investigation was aimed to evaluate the quality postharvest of two seeds watermelon hybrids grown under conventional management. The quality characteristics analyzed were: fresh mass; longitudinal and transverse diameter; fruit format index (IF: DL/DT); shell thickness; pulp firmness; soluble solids; titratable acidity; pH; SS/TA ratio; total soluble and reducing sugars; soluble pectin; vitamin C; total carotenoids; lycopene; yellow flavonoids; anthocyanins and total extractable polyphenols. A completely randomized design (CRD) was carried out. The results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Those hybrids showed fresh mass, DL/DT, color, soluble solids, titratable acidity and SS/TA satisfactory for commercialization; with emphasis on the 'Boston' hybrid which showed higher soluble solids content (9.90 ° Brix), total soluble sugars (6.66%) and SS/TA (86.24). For bioactive compounds, 'Boston' hybrid had higher mean values for total carotenoids (2.03 mg 100g-1) and yellow flavonoids (3.21 mg 100g-1), however, the 'Quetzali' hybrid was highlighted for extractable total polyphenols (194.36 mg 100g-1), and thus can be used to promote human health. Although the hybrids tested have shown to be qualitatively favorable to consumption, these results indicate a narrowing of the genetic base, which makes it necessary the evaluation of other watermelon seeds hybrids.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

ABC 2 -SPH risk score for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients: development, external validation and comparison with other available scores

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Hospitalitzacions; MortalitatCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Hospitalizaciones; MortalidadCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Hospitalizations; MortalityObjectives The majority of available scores to assess mortality risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the emergency department have high risk of bias. Therefore, this cohort aimed to develop and validate a score at hospital admission for predicting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients and to compare this score with other existing ones. Methods Consecutive patients (≥ 18 years) with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the participating hospitals were included. Logistic regression analysis was performed to develop a prediction model for in-hospital mortality, based on the 3978 patients admitted between March–July, 2020. The model was validated in the 1054 patients admitted during August–September, as well as in an external cohort of 474 Spanish patients. Results Median (25–75th percentile) age of the model-derivation cohort was 60 (48–72) years, and in-hospital mortality was 20.3%. The validation cohorts had similar age distribution and in-hospital mortality. Seven significant variables were included in the risk score: age, blood urea nitrogen, number of comorbidities, C-reactive protein, SpO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, platelet count, and heart rate. The model had high discriminatory value (AUROC 0.844, 95% CI 0.829–0.859), which was confirmed in the Brazilian (0.859 [95% CI 0.833–0.885]) and Spanish (0.894 [95% CI 0.870–0.919]) validation cohorts, and displayed better discrimination ability than other existing scores. It is implemented in a freely available online risk calculator (https://abc2sph.com/). Conclusions An easy-to-use rapid scoring system based on characteristics of COVID-19 patients commonly available at hospital presentation was designed and validated for early stratification of in-hospital mortality risk of patients with COVID-19.This study was supported in part by Minas Gerais State Agency for Research and Development ( Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais – FAPEMIG ) [grant number APQ-00208-20], National Institute of Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment ( Instituto de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde – IATS )/ National Council for Scientific and Technological Development ( Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq ) [grant number 465518/2014-1], and CAPES Foundation ( Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior ) [grant number 88887.507149/2020-00]. AS was supported by a postdoctoral grant “Juan Rodés” (JE18/00022) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain

Genetic comparison of sickle cell anaemia cohorts from Brazil and the United States reveals high levels of divergence

Genetic analysis of admixed populations raises special concerns with regard to study design and data processing, particularly to avoid population stratification biases. The point mutation responsible for sickle cell anaemia codes for a variant hemoglobin, sickle hemoglobin or HbS, whose presence drives the pathophysiology of disease. Here we propose to explore ancestry and population structure in a genome-wide study with particular emphasis on chromosome 11 in two SCA admixed cohorts obtained from urban populations of Brazil (Pernambuco and Sao Paulo) and the United States (Pennsylvania). Ancestry inference showed different proportions of European, African and American backgrounds in the composition of our samples. Brazilians were more admixed, had a lower African background (43% vs. 78% on the genomic level and 44% vs. 76% on chromosome 11) and presented a signature of positive selection and Iberian introgression in the HbS region, driving a high differentiation of this locus between the two cohorts. The genetic structures of the SCA cohorts from Brazil and US differ considerably on the genome-wide, chromosome 11 and HbS mutation locus levels9CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP8367/2011-1; 150398/2013-1; 304455/2012-1; 310938/2014-7; 305218/2017-48367/2011-1; 150398/2013-1; 304455/2012-1; 310938/2014-7; 305218/2017-42008/57441-0; 2014/00984-3; 2012/06438-5; 2015/13152-9; 2008/10596-

Consumption, nicotine dependence and motivation for smoke cessation during early stages of COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed smoking habits. For the smoking population, information regarding smoking habits and the pandemic could potentially aid COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Our study aimed to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tobacco consumption, nicotine dependence levels, and motivation for smoking cessation. We also collected information from smokers regarding their awareness of the consequences of tobacco use and the increased risks smokers have for severe complications from COVID-19. Methods: In the survey for this observational cross-sectional study, 122 smokers responded to an online form. The participants provided general data about their smoking history, their smoking habits in the months of April and May 2020, and the effect of the pandemic on their smoking habits. They also completed a Fagerström test and were measured by the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale. Results:When compared to pre-pandemic levels, the majority of smokers reported increased tobacco consumption of between 1 and 10 cigarettes per day (37.7%). Their motivation to quit smoking (59.8%) and desire to smoke (53.2%) were unchanged by the pandemic. Most participants demonstrated an awareness of the increased risks smokers have for severe COVID-19-related complications (p Conclusions: Most smokers are well aware of their increased risks for severe COVID- 19-related complications. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, most smokers reported increased cigarette consumption. In addition, motivation to quit and desire to smoke were unchanged for the majority of smokers

Brown fat triglyceride content is associated with cardiovascular risk markers in adults from a tropical region

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is regarded as an interesting potential target for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and the detailed characterization of its structural and functional phenotype could enable an advance in these fields. Most studies evaluating BAT structure and function were performed in temperate climate regions, and we are yet to know how these findings apply to the 40% of the world’s population living in tropical areas. Here, we used 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography – magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate BAT in 45 lean, overweight, and obese volunteers living in a tropical area in Southeast Brazil. We aimed at investigating the associations between BAT activity, volume, metabolic activity, and BAT content of triglycerides with adiposity and cardiovascular risk markers in a sample of adults living in a tropical area and we showed that BAT glucose uptake is not correlated with leanness; instead, BAT triglyceride content is correlated with visceral adiposity and markers of cardiovascular risk. This study expands knowledge regarding the structure and function of BAT in people living in tropical areas. In addition, we provide evidence that BAT triglyceride content could be an interesting marker of cardiovascular risk

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor-Overexpressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Enhanced Immunomodulatory Actions Through the Recruitment of Suppressor Cells in Experimental Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy

Genetic modification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising strategy to improve their therapeutic effects. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a growth factor widely used in the clinical practice with known regenerative and immunomodulatory actions, including the mobilization of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Here we evaluated the therapeutic potential of MSCs overexpressing G-CSF (MSC_G-CSF) in a model of inflammatory cardiomyopathy due to chronic Chagas disease. C57BL/6 mice were treated with wild-type MSCs, MSC_G-CSF, or vehicle (saline) 6 months after infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Transplantation of MSC_G-CSF caused an increase in the number of circulating leukocytes compared to wild-type MSCs. Moreover, G-CSF overexpression caused an increase in migration capacity of MSCs to the hearts of infected mice. Transplantation of either MSCs or MSC_G-CSF improved exercise capacity, when compared to saline-treated chagasic mice. MSC_G-CSF mice, however, were more potent than MSCs in reducing the number of infiltrating leukocytes and fibrosis in the heart. Similarly, MSC_G-CSF-treated mice presented significantly lower levels of inflammatory mediators, such as IFNγ, TNFα, and Tbet, with increased IL-10 production. A marked increase in the percentage of Tregs and MDSCs in the hearts of infected mice was seen after administration of MSC_G-CSF, but not MSCs. Moreover, Tregs were positive for IL-10 in the hearts of T. cruzi-infected mice. In vitro analysis showed that recombinant hG-CSF and conditioned medium of MSC_G-CSF, but not wild-type MSCs, induce chemoattraction of MDSCs in a transwell assay. Finally, MDSCs purified from hearts of MSC_G-CSF transplanted mice inhibited the proliferation of activated splenocytes in a co-culture assay. Our results demonstrate that G-CSF overexpression by MSCs potentiates their immunomodulatory effects in our model of Chagas disease and suggest that mobilization of suppressor cell populations such as Tregs and MDSCs as a promising strategy for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease. Finally, our results reinforce the therapeutic potential of genetic modification of MSCs, aiming at increasing their paracrine actions