Color stability of a nanofill composite: effect of different immersion media

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color stability of a nanofill composite resin (Filtek Z350) in different immersion media. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve resin-based composite specimens were prepared using a silicon cylindrical mold measuring ≅1mm of thickness and ≅ 10mm of diameter. Specimens were light-cured for 40 s from both sides using a LED Radii at 1400 mW/cm² and were randomized into 4 groups (n= 3) according to immersion media: coffee, yerba mate, grape juice or water (control solution). A digital spectrophotometer was used to evaluate the color changes at baseline and at 1-week after immersion in each solution. Specimens were stored in the different staining media for 4 h/day during 1 week. The color differences (DE) were analyzed by paired t-test and one-way ANOVA with complementary Tukey test (p;0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that the tested nanofill resin-based composite was susceptible to staining by substances present in the grape juice

Microcurrent application as analgesic treatment in venous ulcers: a pilot study

Este estudio objetivó evaluar el efecto de la estimulación eléctrica por microcorriente sobre el dolor y el área de superficie de úlceras venosas. En un estudio piloto para un ensayo clínico controlado simple ciego, realizado en una clínica durante 4 semanas, se dividieron 14 individuos (62±9 años de edad) en dos grupos: grupo microcorriente (n=8) y grupo control (n=6). Se evaluaron el dolor (por medio de la Escala Visual Analógica) y el área de superficie de la úlcera por medio de la Planimetría. Hubo diferencia significativa entre los dos grupos con relación al dolor (grupo de microcorriente de 8,5 (6,5-9,75) para 3,5 (1-4,75) y grupo control de 7,5 (5,75-10) para 8,5 (5,5-10), pThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation on pain and area of venous ulcers. In a pilot study for a single-blind controlled clinical trial, carried out at an outpatient clinic during four weeks, 14 subjects with venous ulcers (mean age 62±9 years) were divided in two groups: microcurrent (n=8) and control group (n=6). Pain (by Visual Analogue Scale) and the ulcer area were measured by planimetry. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to pain (microcurrent group from 8.5 (6.5-9.75) to 3.5 (1-4.75) and control group from 7.5 (5.75-10) to 8.5 (5.5-10), pO objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da estimulação elétrica, por microcorrente, sobre a dor e a área de superfície de úlceras venosas. Em estudo-piloto para um ensaio clínico controlado simples-cego, realizado em uma clínica durante 4 semanas, dividiram-se 14 indivíduos (62±9 anos de idade) em dois grupos: grupo microcorrente (n=8) e grupo-controle (n=6). Avaliaram-se a dor (por meio da Escala Visual Analógica) e a área de superfície da úlcera por meio da Planimetria. Houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos em relação à dor (grupo de microcorrente de 8,5 (6,5-9,75) para 3,5 (1-4,75) e grupo-controle de 7,5 (5,75-10) para 8,5 (5,5-10),

INSTRUMENTOS ADMINISTRATIVOS: PERCEPCIÓN DE ENFERMEROS DE UN HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO

Instrumentos Administrativos son documentos que estructuran y normalizan una institución y/o servicio. Elpresente estudio, del tipo exploratorio-descriptivo, tuvo como objetivo investigar el conocimiento de enfermeros sobre losinstrumentos administrativos y la importancia por ellos atribuida. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de un cuestionariorespondido por 35 enfermeros de un hospital universitario público, en el período de noviembre de 2006 a enero de 2007. Lasexigencias éticas referentes a la investigación con seres humanos fueron cumplidas. Como resultado se obtuvo que losparticipantes, de manera general, desconocían la existencia de tales instrumentos o poseían informaciones desencontradasal respecto en los sectores en que actuaban. A pesar de eso, la mayoría consideró que esos documentos son importantesporque actúan en la organización y en la estandarización de los procedimientos y conductas. Se concluyó que en la institucióninvestigada, es necesario que los enfermeros creen y/o conozcan los instrumentos administrativos que organizan su práctica.Administrative Instruments (AIs) are documents that provide structure and rules to an institution or service.This exploratory-descriptive study aimed to investigate the knowledge and importance that nurses give to AIs. Data werecollected using a questionnaire answered by 35 nurses in a public school hospital, from November 2006 to January 2007.All the ethical requirements regarding research with humans were fulfilled. Results showed that, in general, nurses did notknow about the AIs or had inappropriate information about their existence in the hospital wards they work at. Regardless,most nurses considered these documents as “very important” because they provide organization and standardization ofprocedures and conducts. Therefore, it can be concluded that in this institution it is necessary for the nurses to create oracknowledge the AIs that organize their practice.Instrumentos administrativos são documentos que estruturam e normalizam uma instituição e/ou serviço. Opresente estudo, do tipo exploratório-descritivo, teve como objetivo investigar o conhecimento de enfermeiros sobre osinstrumentos administrativos e a importância por eles atribuída. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionáriorespondido por 35 enfermeiros de um hospital universitário público, no período de novembro de 2006 a janeiro de 2007. Asexigências éticas referentes a pesquisas com seres humanos foram cumpridas. Como resultado, obteve-se que os participantes,de maneira geral, desconheciam a existência de tais instrumentos ou possuíam informações desencontradas a seu respeitonos setores em que atuavam. Apesar disso, a maioria considerou que esses são importantes porque atuam na organizaçãoe na padronização dos procedimentos e condutas. Conclui-se que na instituição investigada é preciso que os enfermeiroscriem e/ou conheçam os instrumentos administrativos que organizam a sua prática

Streptococcus constellatus causing concomitant extra and intracranial abscesses complicated with sagittal sinus thrombosis

Streptococcus constellatus is a gram-positive coccus member of the Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG). It can be found in the oral flora, and may cause abscess more commonly in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and heart. Brain abscesses are severe neurological infections with high mortality rates. Streptococcus species other than S. pneumoniae are rare causes of brain abscesses. This case report highlights a severe case of extra and intracranial abscesses due to S. constellatus in an immunocompetent host

Genotoxic potential generated by biomass burning in the Brazilian Legal Amazon by Tradescantia micronucleus bioassay: a toxicity assessment study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Brazilian Amazon has suffered impacts from non-sustainable economic development, especially owing to the expansion of agricultural commodities into forest areas. The Tangará da Serra region, located in the southern of the Legal Amazon, is characterized by non-mechanized sugar cane production. In addition, it lies on the dispersion path of the pollution plume generated by biomass burning. The aim of this study was to assess the genotoxic potential of the atmosphere in the Tangará da Serra region, using <it>Tradescantia pallida </it>as <it>in situ </it>bioindicator.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted during the dry and rainy seasons, where the plants were exposed to two types of exposure, active and passive.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that in all the sampling seasons, irrespective of exposure type, there was an increase in micronucleus frequency, compared to control and that it was statistically significant in the dry season. A strong and significant relationship was also observed between the increase in micronucleus incidence and the rise in fine particulate matter, and hospital morbidity from respiratory diseases in children.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the results, we demonstrated that pollutants generated by biomass burning in the Brazilian Amazon can induce genetic damage in test plants that was more prominent during dry season, and correlated with the level of particulates and elevated respiratory morbidity.</p

Strategy for the management of diabetic macular edema: the European Vitreo-Retinal Society macular edema study

Objective. To compare the efficacy of different therapies in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). Design. Nonrandomized, multicenter clinical study. Participants. 86 retina specialists from 29 countries provided clinical information on 2,603 patients with macular edema including 870 patients with DME. Methods. Reported data included the type and number of treatment(s) performed, the pre-and posttreatment visual acuities, and other clinical findings.The results were analyzed by the French INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). Main Outcome Measures. Mean change of visual acuity and mean number of treatments performed. Results.The change in visual acuity over time in response to each treatment was plotted in second order polynomial regression trend lines. Intravitreal triamcinolone monotherapy resulted in some improvement in vision. Treatmentwith threshold or subthreshold grid laser also resulted in minimal vision gain. Anti-VEGF therapy resulted in more significant visual improvement. Treatment with pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling alone resulted in an improvement in vision greater than that observed with anti-VEGF injection alone. In our DME study, treatment with vitrectomy and ILM peeling alone resulted in the better visual improvement compared to other therapies

Association Between Preexisting Versus Newly Identified Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) may exist before or occur early in the course of pulmonary embolism (PE). We determined the PE outcomes based on the presence and timing of AF. Methods and Results Using the data from a multicenter PE registry, we identified 3 groups: (1) those with preexisting AF, (2) patients with new AF within 2 days from acute PE (incident AF), and (3) patients without AF. We assessed the 90-day and 1-year risk of mortality and stroke in patients with AF, compared with those without AF (reference group). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 792 had preexisting AF. These patients had increased odds of 90-day all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% CI, 2.33-3.38) and PE-related mortality (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.37-4.14) and increased 1-year hazard for ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 5.48; 95% CI, 3.10-9.69) compared with those without AF. After multivariable adjustment, preexisting AF was associated with significantly increased odds of all-cause mortality (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.57-2.32) but not PE-related mortality (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.85-2.66). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 445 developed new incident AF within 2 days of acute PE. Incident AF was associated with increased odds of 90-day all-cause (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.75-2.97) and PE-related (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.01-6.59) mortality but not stroke. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Conclusions In patients with acute symptomatic PE, both preexisting AF and incident AF predict adverse clinical outcomes. The type of adverse outcomes may differ depending on the timing of AF onset.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of yoga practice heart rate variability and respiratory rate

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os efeitos da prática da ioga na freqüência cardíaca, na variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca e na freqüência respiratória. Foram estudados praticantes de ioga (IOGA, n = 8) e não praticantes controles (CT, n = 8) com idade entre 30 e 45 anos. Dois sub-grupos de quatro indivíduos cada, com atividade física regular foram também comparados (IOGAativ e CTativ). Os participantes realizaram prática de asanas (IOGA) ou simulação (CT) precedidos e sucedidos por relaxamento, sendo registrados (20 min) o eletrocardiograma e respirograma antes e após os asanas ou simulação. A freqüência cardíaca foi menor no grupo IOGA comparado ao CT (58,9 ± 6,6 e 64,3 ± 5,6 bpm) e no grupo IOGAativ comparado ao CTativ (55,0 ± 3,6 e 63,2 ± 5,5 bpm). Não foram encontradas diferenças na freqüência respiratória. O intervalo de pulso (IP) foi maior no grupo IOGA (1036,0 ± 111,2 ms) comparado ao CT (943,9 ± 85,3 ms) e IOGAativ (1101,6 ± 72,6 ms) comparado ao CTativ (957,8 ± 92,6 ms). Também o desvio padrão do IP foi maior no grupo IOGA (68,8 ± 22,8 ms) comparado ao CT (51,1 ± 21,7 ms) e grupo IOGAativ (77,8 ± 14,1 ms) comparado ao CTativ (41,5 ± 17,8 ms). A potência espectral do IP foi maior no grupo IOGAativ comparada ao CTativ na faixa de muito baixa freqüência (2157,3 ± 1159,4 vs. 876,0 ± 989,4 ms2) e maior nas faixas de baixa (1523,7 ± 964,6 vs. 494,7 ± 417,1 ms2) e alta freqüências (1684,4 ± 847,9 vs. 462,6 ± 375,1 ms2) comparando-se os valores obtidos após os asanas ou simulação. Os resultados sugerem que a combinação de exercícios físicos e ioga pode aumentar os benefícios destes à saúde.The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of yoga practice in heart rate (HR), HR variability and respiratory rate using spectral analysis. We compared yoga students (IOGA, n = 8) with non-practicing controls (CT, n = 8), between 30 and 45 years of age. These groups were subdivided in two subgroups (n = 4) having regular practice of physical activities besides yoga (IOGAactiv and CTactiv). The participants practiced the yoga asanas (IOGA) or physical simulation (CT) preceded and succeeded by relaxation, after which the electrocardiogram and respirogram was recorded for 20 min. Heart rate was lower in IOGA when compared to CT (58,9 ± 6,6 vs. 64,3 ± 5,6 bpm) and in IOGAactiv compared to CTactiv (55,0 ± 3,6 vs. 63,2 ± 5,5 bpm). No diferences in respiratory rate were found between groups. Pulse interval (PI) was higher in IOGA when compared to CT (1036,0 ± 111,2 vs. 943,9 ± 85,3 ms) and IOGAactiv compared to CTactiv (1101,6 ± 72,6 vs. 957,8 ± 92,6 ms). Standard deviation of pulse interval was greater in IOGA when compared to CT (68,8 ± 22,8 vs. 51,1 ± xix 21,7 ms) and IOGAactiv compared to CTactiv (77,8 ± 14,1 vs. 41,5 ± 17,8 ms). The spectral power of the PI was higher in the IOGAactiv group in relation to the CTactiv in the bands of very low (2157,3 ± 1159,4 vs. 876,0 ± 989,4 ms2) and in the band of low (1523,7 ± 964,6 vs. 494,7 ± 417,1 ms2) and high frequency (1684,4 ± 847,9 vs. 462,6 ± 375,1 ms2) after the practice of yoga asanas. These results suggest that combination of physical exercises and yoga may increase their healthy benefits

Effectiveness of different carbamide peroxide concentrations used for tooth bleaching: an in vitro study

OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study evaluated the effectiveness of three carbamide peroxide concentrations used for tooth bleaching treatments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty bovine dental slabs (6x6x3 mm) were obtained, sequentially polished, submitted to artificial staining (baseline) and randomized into four groups (n=15), according to the bleaching agent concentration: distilled water (control), 10% (CP10), 16% (CP16) or 37% (CP37) carbamide peroxide. CP10 and CP16 were covered with 0.2 mL of the respective bleaching gels, which were applied on enamel surface for 4 h/day during two weeks. Samples of CP37 were covered with 0.2 mL of the bleaching gel for 20 min. The gel was light activated by two 40-s applications spaced by 10-min intervals. The gel was renewed and applied 3 times per clinical session. This cycle was repeated at 3 sessions with 5 days of interval between them. Tooth shade evaluations were done with a digital spectrophotometer at T0 (baseline), T1 (after 1-week of treatment) and T2 (1-week post-bleaching). Tooth shade means were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman's tests and color parameters were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). RESULTS: At T1 and T2 evaluations, tooth shade was significantly lighter than at baseline for all treatment groups, considering the color parameters &#916;L*, &#916;a*, &#916;b*, &#916;E* (p<0.001) or tooth shade means (p<0.001). CP37 group showed lower shade mean change than CP10 and CP16 at T1 (p<0.01), but this difference was not statistically significant at T2 (p&gt;0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One week after the end of the treatment, all carbamide peroxide concentrations tested produced similar tooth color improvement