PNAISH: an analysis of its educative dimension from the gender perspective

This study stemmed from a documental research in the fields of Gender Studies and Cultural Studies, and discusses some of the ways that gender is regarded in the propositions of the PNAISH. To do so, it considers a discursive context in which words such as integrality and equality are repeatedly presented and used to launch educative and care proposals intended for adult men’s health and education. We argue that, at the same time that such amplitude puts certain ways of experiencing masculinity under suspicion, it does not deviates the focus on the healing processes and seems to contribute to impregnate the policy with a utilitarian view, thus individualizing men and blaming them for their detachment from health care services.O artigo desdobra-se de pesquisa documental inscrita nos campos dos estudos de gênero e culturais e discute alguns dos modos pelos quais o gênero atravessa as proposições da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral da Saúde do Homem (PNAISH). Para isso, toma como referência um contexto discursivo em que termos como integralidade e equidade são reiteradamente apresentados e acionados, na direção de instituir propostas educativas e de cuidado voltadas à saúde e à educação de homens adultos. Argumentamos que, ao mesmo tempo em que essa amplitude coloca sob suspeita determinadas formas de viver a masculinidade, ela não desloca a centralidade dos processos curativos e parece contribuir para impregnar a política com uma visão utilitária, individualizando e culpabilizando os homens por seu distanciamento dos serviços de saúde

Histomorphometric and micro-CT analyses of calvarial bone grafts used to reconstruct the extremely atrophied maxilla

Background Calvarial bone grafts are successful in the reconstruction of the severely atrophied maxilla as a pre-implant procedure. However, not much is known about graft incorporation at the microscopic level. Purpose This study aimed to assess calvarial bone conversion 4 months after being grafted in the edentulous maxillary bone. Materials and methods In 13 patients (age:65.3 +/- 8.7 years) the atrophic maxilla was reconstructed with autologous calvarial bone. Biopsies were taken from fresh calvarial bone grafts and from the reconstructed maxillae after 4 months of healing. Micro-CT, histomorphometric, and histological analysis were performed. From three patients biopsies were obtained after 9, 11, or 45 months. Results The micro-CT analysis revealed that in the maxilla the calvarial bone was well preserved even after 45 months. Histology showed progressive incorporation of grafted bone within a maxillary bone. Osteoid and osteocytes were present in all biopsies indicating new bone formation and vital bone. Histomorphometrically, the percentage of grafted bone volume over total volume decreased from 79.8% (IQR78.7-83.3) in fresh calvarial grafts to 59.3% (IQR44.8-64.6) in healed grafts. The biopsies were taken after 9, 11, and 45 months showed similar values. Conclusions Calvarial bone grafts result in stable and viable bone, good incorporation into native maxillary bone, and a minor decrease in bone volume after healing. Consequently, they provide a solid base for implant placement in severely atrophied edentulous maxillary bone

Incorporation of anterior iliac crest or calvarial bone grafts in reconstructed atrophied maxillae:A randomized clinical trial with histomorphometric and micro-CT analyses

BACKGROUND: Autologous bone grafts have been applied successfully to severely atrophied maxilla via a preimplant procedure. Differences in graft incorporation at the microscopic level can be the decisive factor in the choice between anterior iliac crest and calvarial bone. PURPOSE: To compare conversion of anterior iliac crest bone and calvarial bone 4 months after grafting of the edentulous maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients were randomly assigned to either anterior iliac crest (n = 10) or calvarial (n = 10) bone harvesting to reconstruct their atrophied maxillae. Biopsies were taken from both fresh bone grafts and reconstructed maxillae after 4 months healing, at time of implant placement. Micro-CT, histomorphometric and histological analyses were performed. RESULTS: Micro-CT analysis revealed that both the anterior iliac crest and calvarial bone grafts retained their volume and bone mass after being incorporated in the maxilla, but with a favor for calvarial bone grafts: calvarial bone grafts had a higher mineral density before and after incorporation. Both bone grafts types were well incorporated after 4 months of healing with preservation of bone volume and mineral density. Although the fresh bone biopsies were similar histomorphometrically, after 4 months of graft incorporation, the osteoid percentage and osteocyte count remained higher in the anterior iliac crest bone whereas the percentage of bone was higher in the calvarial bone grafts compared to the anterior iliac crest bone grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Both donor sites, that is, anterior iliac crest and calvarial bone, are well suited to provide a reliable and stable basis for implant placement 4 months after grafting with mineral density, porosity, and resorption rate in favor of calvarial bone grafts

Identification of bacterial pathogens in sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood using 16S rRNA gene sequencing

Background Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) is the most common cause of post-neonatal death in the developed world. Following an extensive investigation, the cause of ~40% of deaths remains unknown. It is hypothesized that a proportion of deaths are due to an infection that remains undetected due to limitations in routine techniques. This study aimed to apply 16S rRNA gene sequencing to post-mortem (PM) tissues collected from cases of SUDI, as well as those from the childhood equivalent (collectively known as sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood or SUDIC), to investigate whether this molecular approach could help identify potential infection-causing bacteria to enhance the diagnosis of infection. Methods In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was applied to de-identified frozen post-mortem (PM) tissues from the diagnostic archive of Great Ormond Street Hospital. The cases were grouped depending on the cause of death: (i) explained non-infectious, (ii) infectious, and (iii) unknown. Results and conclusions In the cases of known bacterial infection, the likely causative pathogen was identified in 3/5 cases using bacterial culture at PM compared to 5/5 cases using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Where a bacterial infection was identified at routine investigation, the same organism was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Using these findings, we defined criteria based on sequencing reads and alpha diversity to identify PM tissues with likely infection. Using these criteria, 4/20 (20%) cases of unexplained SUDIC were identified which may be due to bacterial infection that was previously undetected. This study demonstrates the potential feasibility and effectiveness of 16S rRNA gene sequencing in PM tissue investigation to improve the diagnosis of infection, potentially reducing the number of unexplained deaths and improving the understanding of the mechanisms involved

Gênero, sexualidade e biopolítica: Processos de gestão da vida em políticas contemporâneas de inclusão social

This paper examines the relationship between gender, sexuality, and biopolitics in order to point out some of its outcomes and effects on the forms of life management and the conduct of women and men in the so-called “public policies for social inclusion”. The qualitative analysis articulates results from a series of studies carried out by a research group in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The theoretical support consists of post-structuralist gender studies, queer studies and Foucauldian studies. Through this analysis, it is possible to conclude that, in the name of social inclusion, the public policies end up intervening and regulating the lives of certain subjects/groups at minimum cost to guarantee both the reduction of social risks and higher levels of security for the population. It is argued that gender and sexuality have been mobilized to create and strengthen some forms of regulation that should enable women and men to act upon themselves and the others, thus continuing to be participative and searching for solutions for contemporary social problems.Este artículo examina la relación entre género, sexualidad y biopolítica para apuntar algunos de sus desdoblamientos y efectos en las formas de gestión de vida y de conducción de la conducta de mujeres y hombres en las llamadas “políticas públicas de inclusión social”. El análisis cualitativo articula resultados de un conjunto de estudios desarrollados por un grupo de investigación en Río Grande do Sul/ Brasil. El aporte teórico viene de los estudios de género pos-estructuralistas, estudios queery estudios foucaultianos. Con este análisis, se puede concluir que, en nombre de la inclusión social, las políticas públicas acaban interviniendo y regulando la vida de determinados sujetos/grupos con costos mínimos para garantizar la disminución de riesgos sociales y mayores niveles de seguridad para la población. Se argumenta que género y sexualidad han sido movilizados para crear y fortalecer algunas formas de regulación que deben convertir a mujeres y hombres capaces de actuar sobre sí mismos y sobre otros, manteniéndose participativos y buscando soluciones para problemas sociales contemporáneos.Este artigo examina a relação entre gênero, sexualidade e biopolítica para apontar alguns de seus desdobramentos e efeitos nas formas de gestão da vida e de condução da conduta de mulheres e de homens nas chamadas “políticas públicas de inclusão social”. A análise qualitativa articula resultados de um conjunto de estudos desenvolvidos por um grupo de pesquisa no Rio Grande do Sul/Brasil. O aporte teórico advém dos estudos de gênero pós-estruturalistas, dos estudos queere dos estudos foucaultianos. Com esta análise, pode-se concluir que, em nome da inclusão social, as políticas públicas acabam por intervir e regular a vida de determinados sujeitos/grupos a custos mínimos para garantir a diminuição dos riscos sociais e maiores níveis de segurança para a população. Argumenta-se que gênero e sexualidade têm sido mobilizados para criar e fortalecer algumas formas de regulação que devem tornar mulheres e homens capazes de agir sobre si e sobre os outros, mantendo-se participantes e buscando soluções para problemas sociais contemporâneos

Circulating soluble EPCR levels are reduced in patients with ischemic peripheral artery disease and associated with markers of endothelial and vascular function

(1) Background: Endothelial dysfunction initiates cardiovascular pathologies, including peripheral artery disease (PAD). The pathophysiology of impaired new vessel formation in the presence of angiogenic stimuli, such as ischemia and inflammation, is unknown. We have recently shown in mice that reduced endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) expression results in defective angiogenesis following experimental hindlimb ischemia. (2) Purpose: To determine soluble (s)EPCR levels in the plasma of patients with PAD and to compare them with the protein C activity and biomarkers of endothelial function, inflammation, and angiogenesis. (3) Methods and Results: Clinical tests of vascular function and immunoassays of plasma from patients with PAD stage II were compared to age- and sex-matched individuals with and without cardiovascular risk factors or PAD stage III/IV patients. sEPCR levels were significantly lower in PAD stage II patients compared to subjects with risk factors, but no PAD, and further decreased in PAD stage III/IV patients. Plasma protein C activity or levels of ADAM17, a mediator of EPCR shedding, did not differ. Significant associations between sEPCR and the ankle-brachial index (p = 0.0359), age (p = 0.0488), body mass index (p = 0.0110), and plasma sE-selectin levels (p = 0.0327) were observed. High-sensitive CRP levels and white blood cell counts were significantly elevated in PAD patients and associated with serum glucose levels, but not sEPCR. In contrast, plasma TNFα or IL1β levels did not differ. Circulating levels of VEGF were significantly elevated in PAD stage II patients (p = 0.0198), but not associated with molecular (sE-selectin) or functional (ankle-brachial index) markers of vascular health. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that circulating sEPCR levels may be useful as biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, including angiogenesis, in persons older than 35 years and that progressive loss of endothelial protein C receptors might be involved in the development and progression of PAD

Test-Retest Reliability of a Questionnaire on Motives for Physical Activity among Adolescents

The aim of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of the motives for undertaking physical activity (PA) items from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study questionnaire among Slovak and Czech adolescents and to determine whether this reliability differs by gender, age group and country. We obtained data from 580 students aged 11 and 15 years old (51.2% boys) who participated in a test and retest study with a four-week interval in 2013 via the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children cross-sectional study in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We estimated the test-retest reliability of all 13 dichotomized motives by using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and Cohen's Kappa statistics, for continuous and dichotomized motives, respectively. Test-retest reliability showed moderate agreement for nine motives (ICC from 0.41 to 0.60) and fair agreement for four motives (ICC from 0.33 to 0.40). Kappa statistics were similarly moderate to large (0.33 to 0.61), except for three motives with small or trivial correlations. The motives "To improve my health" and "To enjoy the feeling of using my body" had consistently low Kappas and correlations. Overall, the results of this study suggest that most questions on motives for PA on the HBSC questionnaire have acceptable test-retest characteristics for use among adolescents