The 1st Research Articles

Clinical superiority of 3D-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy in treating complex upper urinary tract calculi: a single-center study.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the treatment of complex upper urinary tract calculi. This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 127 patients with complex upper urinary tract stones admitted to Yongchuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University from January 2020 to January 2023. According to the treatment methods, the patients were divided into an observation group (3D visualization technology assisted PCNL, n = 69) and a control group (conventional PCNL, n = 58). The operation time, blood loss, postoperative ambulation time, hospitalization duration, surgical puncture (puncture needle number), stone clearance rate, postoperative complications, and levels of urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), and cysteine protease inhibitor C (Cys C) were compared between the two groups before operation (T0) and on the 1st (T1) and 7th (T2) day after operation. The levels of C-reactive protein (CPR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) were measured by ELISA before and after the operation. The clinical efficacy and quality of life of the two groups were observed. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative ambulation time and hospitalization duration in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2 and PGF2α at T1 and T2 in the two groups were significantly higher than those at T0, and the levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2 and PGF2α at T1 and T2 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of BUN, Cr and Cys C in the two groups at T1 and T2 were significantly higher than those at T0 (P < 0.05), and the above indexes at T2 were significantly lower than those at T1 (P < 0.05). At T1 and T2, the levels of serum BUN, Cr and Cys C in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group required fewer punctures and had a higher stone clearance rate, as well as a lower complication rate (all P < 0.05). The total clinical treatment effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). At T3, quality of life scores on the WHOQOL-BREF scale were higher in both groups compared to T0, with the observation group scoring higher than the control group (P < 0.05). PCNL assisted by 3D visualization technology offers significant clinical advantages in treating complex upper urinary tract calculi. It reduces intraoperative bleeding, shortens operation and hospitalization time, minimizes postoperative inflammation and renal function damage, improves stone clearance, reduces complications and improves patients' quality of life. Therefore it is worthy of clinical promotion.

Gratitude and psychological distress among first-year college students: The mediating roles of perceived social support and support provision.

Universities and colleges in the United States implemented remote learning and restrictions on in-person social events during the Fall 2020 academic semester. These changes and restrictions, in addition to the other numerous negative impacts of COVID-19, can exacerbate the already stressful transition from high school to college. This transition is a key developmental period during which the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the risk of internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression increase. As such, the present study examined dispositional gratitude as a protective factor against depressive symptoms and loneliness among a sample of first-year college students who began college during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examined whether perceived social support and support provision mediated these relationships. Participants were 364 first-year college students who completed three online surveys during the 1st (T1), 7th (T2), and 14th (T3) weeks of the Fall 2020 academic semester. T1 gratitude was associated with lower T3 depressive symptoms and feelings of loneliness over time. These relationships were mediated by T2 perceived social support but not by T2 support provision. Implications of our findings are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The effects of preconception and early gestation SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy outcomes and placental pathology

ObjectiveTo evaluate if peri-pregnancy timing of a PCR+ test for SARS-CoV-2 RNA affects pregnancy outcomes and placental pathology. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary center. Pregnancy outcomes and placental pathology were compiled for women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA from a nasopharyngeal swab assessed by RT-PCR. The population comprised four groups that were PCR+ preconception (T0) or in the 1st (T1), 2nd (T2), or 3rd (T3) trimester of pregnancy. A fifth, control group (TC) tested PCR- for SARS-CoV-2 before delivery. ResultsSeventy-one pregnancies were studied. The T0 group exhibited lower gestational ages at delivery, had infants with the lowest birth weights, the highest rate of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks. Features of maternal vascular malperfusion and accelerated villous maturation were prominent findings in the histopathology of placentas from women PCR+ for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, especially in the T0 and the T1 groups. ConclusionWomen at highest risk for pregnancy complications are those who test PCR+ for viral RNA preconception or during first trimester of pregnancy.

An investigation into wire arc additive manufacturing of Mg-Y-RE-Zr alloy

• Mg-Y-rE-Zr alloy without obvious defects is fabricated by WAAM . • Microstructural homogeneity occurs along the deposited direction. • The precipitates of Mg 3 (Nd, Y) and Mg 14 Nd 2 Y are found in the1 st layer. • The bottom part of the deposited wall exhibits a higher hardness. This work fabricates Mg-4Y-3RE-0.5Zr alloy by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The oxidation inclusion, as one of the main defects in the Y-containing Mg alloys prepared by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), has not been observed. However, microstructural inhomogeneity along the building height appears due to the combined effect of the different cooling rates of different deposited layers and the subsequent multiple thermal cycles (MTCs). The effect of the microstructural inhomogeneity on the hardness distribution of the deposited wall was also revealed. It is believed that this study provides some new findings to the additive manufacturing of high-performance magnesium rare-earth (Mg-RE) alloys.

Effect of glutathione supplementation on swimmers’ performance

Background and Study Aim. Continuously increasing the volume and intensity of the training sessions often leads to overtraining. It has been demonstrated that glutathione supplementation might improve the aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle and reduce exercise-induced muscle fatigue. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of glutathione supplementation on fatigue, recovery processes, and competitive results of elite swimmers during a six-week training period.&#x0D; Material and Methods. Twenty-four elite swimmers (10 women and 14 men) from the Bulgarian national swimming team, with a mean age of 18.7±3.78 years, took part in this double-blind placebo control study. The swimmers from the experimental group were supplemented once a day with a capsule of 250mg glutathione, whilst the swimmers from the control group took a placebo once a day. The urine concentration levels of cortisol and cortisone, as well as the degree of overtraining, were evaluated on the 1st(T1), 14th(T2), 28th(T3), and 42nd(T4) days. Anthropometric measurements and a nutritional assessment were performed at T1 and T4.&#x0D; Results. The swimmers showed a gradual decrease of cortisol and cortisone during the study, with significantly lower concentrations in the experimental vs the control group at T4 (19.4 vs 42.5 ng/mL, p &lt; 0.05). At the end of the study, the swimmers from the experimental group showed improvements in their time in 41 out of the 43 swimming events, whilst those from the control group had significantly smaller improvements (-1.66 vs -0.97%, p &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions. In conclusion, glutathione supplementation at a dose of 250mg/day for six weeks improves the adaptation of elite swimmers towards training schedules, which is likely to lead to better sports results.

The effect of space maintainers on salivary pH, flow rate, and the oral microflora

Abstract Background Space maintainers are used to preserve created space caused by the premature loss of primary teeth but they may also upset the oral environment and play a role in caries formation. The current research aimed to assess the impact of removable and fixed space maintainers on salivary pH, flow rate, and the oral microflora. Methods Thirty-eight patients aged between 4 and 10 years, each of whom required a fixed (n = 19) or removable space maintainer (n = 19), were enrolled in this research. The salivary pH, saliva flow rate, salivary Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus counts were measured immediately prior to the placement of the space maintainers (baseline-T0) and during the follow-up period, at the 1st (T1), 3rd (T3), and 6th (T6) month. The Wilcoxon, Mann–Whitney U test and Friedman tests were applied for statistical analyses. Results Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts were significantly higher at the 6th month time period in comparison with the baseline scores for both groups (P &lt; 0.001). The salivary pH and flow rates did not change significantly at any measurement period (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions Space maintainers can favour caries formation by changing the oral microflora. It is advisable to warn patients and their parents of the risks and provide motivation to perform meticulous oral hygiene.

MO922CASUAL FACTORS AND CLINICAL IMPACT OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN RENAL TRANSPLANTED PATIENTS: AN OBSERVATIONAL RETROSPECTIVE STUDY*

Abstract Background and Aims Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infectious disease in kidney transplanted patients (KTxps), especially during the first year of kidney transplantation (KTx). This study aims to examine the etiology of UTIs in a large cohort of KTxps, trying to identify their potential predisposing factors both during the first year and in the global follow-up (FU) of KTx. The impact of UTIs on KTx and patient’s survival in the long term will also be analyzed. Method In our study 585 KTxps (M 343; median age 49 years), out of the 616 KTxps transplanted in our Department between 2004 and 2016, were studied and followed up for a median time of 8 years. Clinical and biochemical data about the 1st (T1) and the 12th month (T12) of KTx were collected. Parameters related to UTIs, defined by a positive urine culture associated with urinary sediment suggestive of UTI, regardless of clinical symptoms, were considered in the global FU. A number of UTIs ≥3 was considered significant during the 1st year of KTx and in the overall FU. The reduction of the eGFR/year of FU, the loss of graft and the death of KTxps with a functioning graft were evaluated as outcome. Results The cohort had a slight prevalence of males (59%) and a median age of 49 years. At the time of KTx, JJ ureteral stent (JJ) was placed in 38% of KTxps, with a median stay time of 47 days. During the FU, 1700 UTIs were found in 458 KTxp, 550 UTIs during the first year of KTx. The pathogens most responsible for UTIs in the global FU were Escherichia coli (61%), Enterococcus (12%) and Klebsiella (8%). According to the number of UTIs found during the 1st year of KTx, KTxp were categorized in: UTI1≥3 (N=139) and UTI1&amp;lt;3 (N=446). UTI1≥3 were more frequently female and older than UTI1&amp;lt;3, had more prevalence of JJ and ATG induction therapy, and had lower hemoglobin and serum albumin at both T1 and T12. The presence of JJ, belonging to the female gender and induction therapy with ATG were the factors most correlated with IVU1≥3 (OR 1.9, 5.3 and 2.1). The studied cohort was also categorized according to the number of UTIs during the global FU in UTItot ≥3 (N=168) and UTItot&amp;lt;3 (N=417). UTI tot ≥3 were more frequently females, older, had a longer dialysis vintage and higher prevalence of JJ placement than UTI tot&amp;lt;3. Furthermore, they had significantly lower hemoglobin and serum albumin values, both at T1 and T12. The presence of JJ, the female gender and age at KTx were the factors most related to UTItot ≥3 (OR 1.8, 5.9 and 1.0). During the FU, the median absolute reduction in eGFR was found to be -0.6[-2.0; +0.9](mL/min)/years. Despite a greater reduction in glomerular filtrate rate in UTI tot≥3 group, the graft loss and the death with functioning graft had no correlation with either UTI1≥3 (7 and 5 patients, respectively) or UTItot≥3 (12 and 8 patients, respectively). Graft loss was observed in 51 KTxps. The number of infections/follow-up time of these KTxps was comparable to that found in those who had a still functioning transplant at the end of observation, and no statistical differences were found in survival analysis according to IVU tot≥3 category. During the global FU, 40 KTxp died with functioning graft. Also with regard to this outcome, no significant correlations were observed with the number of UTIs/follow-up time and in the survival analysis. Conclusion Our data confirm that UTIs are frequent in KTxps. Some factors, such as induction therapy and JJ use, certainly have a favoring effect in UTIs development. Despite the relation observed between UTIs and eGFR reduction, UTIs had no significant impact on graft loss. Beyond prevention through the improvement of lifestyles and various behavioral aspects, the implementation of personalized immunosuppressive protocols associated with a careful management of JJ are desirable interventions in order to prevent the development of UTIs in KTxps.

Effects of stellate ganglion block on early brain injury in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a randomised control trial

BackgroundSubarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common neurosurgical emergency, and early brain injury (EBI) plays an important role in acute brain injury of SAH. Our objective is to investigate the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on the clinical prognosis of patients with SAH (registration number ChiCTR2000030910).MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted with 102 participants. Patients with SAH were assigned to the SGB or nSGB group. Patients in the SGB group received SGB four times (once every other day starting on the day of the surgery). In contrast, patients in the nSGB group only received standard care. Data were collected on the day before surgery (T0) and on the 1st (T1), 3rd (T2) and 7th day (T3) after surgery. The primary outcomes included EBI markers (including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ET-1, NPY, NSE and S100β), the mean cerebral blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (Vm-MCA) and the basilar artery (Vm-BA). All cases were followed up for 6 months after surgery.ResultsThe levels of the EBI markers in both groups were higher at T1–T3 than at T0 (P<0.05), and the Vm-MCA and Vm-BA were also increased at the same times. However, the levels of the EBI markers were lower in the SGB group than in the nSGB group (P<0.05), and the increases of Vm-MCA and Vm-BA were also lower (P<0.05). The prognosis score and neurological deficit were better in the SGB group than in the nSGB group (P<0.05).ConclusionsSGB can improve the prognosis of SAH patients by inhibiting the inflammatory response during EBI and by reducing endothelial dysfunction and relieving CVS.Trial registrationClinical trial number: ChiCTR2000030910; Registry URL: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; Principal investigator's name: Ying Nie; Date of Trial registration: March, 2020 (retrospectively registered).

DYNAMICS OF TRAINING DISTRESS, PERFORMANCE, AND EXCRETION OF CORTISOL AND CORTISONE IN URINE DURING SIX WEEKS OF TRAINING IN ELITE SWIMMERS

Aim. Optimal balance between training intensity and recovery is of particular importance for elite swimmers in order to improve their results. The aim of this study was to record the dyna­mics of training distress, performance, and excretion of cortisol and cortisone in urine during six weeks of training in elite swimmers. Materials and Methods. Twenty-four participants (10 women and 14 men) from the national swimming team of Bulgaria took part in this study, with an average age of 18.7 ± 3.78 years. Training distress (TDS) and urine concentration of cortisol and cortisone were evaluated every two weeks. In total, the measurements were taken on the 1-st (T1), 14-th (T2), 28-th (T3) and 42-nd days (T4). Anthropometric measurements were also taken at T1 and T4, and body fat percentage and muscle mass percentage were calculated by skinfold methods. Results. The TDS score at T4 (6.92 ±7.15) was significantly lower than this at T1 (14.96 ± 10.63) and T2 (15.21 ± 12.44). The concentrations of cortisol at T3 (35.9 ± 47.7) and T4 (35.0 ± 24.2) were also significantly lower than that registered at T1 (82.7 ± 62.8). The concentration of cortisone did not show any significant differences across T1 to T4, but the sum of cortisol and cortisone urine concentration was significantly lower in T3 and T4 vs T1. Conclusion. The significantly reduced cortisol concentration in urine in T4, as well as the sum of the concentrations of cortisol and cortisone, were in line with the reduction of the TDS score in T4.

Fragile And Feminine? The Effects Of Benevolent Sexism On College Women’s Physical Activity

Women are generally less active than men but the reasons for this gender disparity are not well understood. Benevolent sexism is a seemingly positive, covert form of sexism based on the idea that women are fragile and feminine to compliment the masculinity of men. Endorsement of benevolent sexism has been shown to have a negative impact on work and academic performance in women. Benevolent sexism may inform underlying reasons for the PA gender disparity. PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between PA and endorsement of benevolent sexism in young women. METHODS: Nineteen women (20.7±1.1 yrs.) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). The IPAQ was scored for total weekly; minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-PA (MVPA), MET-mins., and Sitting time (ST). The ASI is a 22-item questionnaire with two subscales measuring an individual’s endorsement of benevolent and hostile sexism; the mean score (range 0-5) on the benevolent sexism items was used for analyses. Spearman correlations assessed the associations between PA outcomes and endorsement of benevolent sexism. Participants were split into tertiles for each PA outcome. Wilcoxson Rank-Sum tests and Cohen’s d assessed the differences in ASI scores between the 1st (T1) and 3rd (T3) tertile. RESULTS: MVPA and MET-mins were both negatively associated with benevolent sexism (r=-0.32, r=-0.35, respectively) but there was no association with ST (r=-0.06). There was no significant difference between endorsement of benevolent sexism between participants in T1 and T3 for MVPA (x͂ and Interquartile Range) [T1;x͂=40,IQR=55), T3;x͂=685,IQR=150, p=0.84, d=-0.1] and MET-mins [T1;x͂=300,IQR=960), T3;x͂=2680,IQR=5040), p=0.44, d=0.72]. CONCLUSION: There was a small, inverse relationship between benevolent sexism and both MVPA and MET-mins, in the hypothesized direction. Additional work needs to further explore these relationships in larger, more diverse samples.

Toxicological effects of propofol abuse on the dopaminergic neurons in ventral tegmental area and corpus striatum and its potential mechanisms.

This study was aimed at examining propofol- (a known anesthetic) induced emotion-related behavioral disorders in mice, and exploring the possible molecular mechanisms. A total of 60 mice were divided into two groups: control and propofol group. Mice were injected with propofol (150 mg/kg, ip) at 8:00 a.m. (once a day, lasting for 30 days). During the 30 days, loss of righting reflex (LORR) and return of righting reflex (RORR) of mice were recorded every day. At the 1st (T1) and 30th (T2) day of drug discontinuance (T2), 15 mice of each group were selected to perform the open field test; then the mice underwent perfusion fixation, and the midbrain and corpus striatum were separated for immunofluorescence assay with anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and anti- dopamine transporter (DAT) antibodies. Results showed that after propofol injection, LORR and RORR increased and decreased, respectively. Long-term use of propofol resulted in decreased activities of mice (activity trajectory, line crossing, rearing time, scratching times and defecating frequency). Immunofluorescence assay showed long-term use of propofol induced decrease of Th and DAT. Collectively, our present work suggested long-term abuse of propofol induces neuropsychiatric function impairments, and the possible mechanisms are related to dopamine dyssynthesis via down-regulating tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) and His Teeth

Abraham Lincoln was the 16 th president of the United States of America, the winner of the American Civil War, but also the1 st assassinated President. Personal records about the former president report four visits to the dentist. It’s rumored that Lincoln had a phobia of going to the dentist. One of them was mentioned in a letter to Mary Speed, one of his sister’s friends on September 27 th 1841. Do you remember when I went to this city to get a tooth extracted and it totally failed? This tooth made me suffer once again so badly that a week ago, I had to have it removed, which cost me a piece of the maxilla which came out with it. My mouth is so sore that I can neither talk, nor eat. I only survive with the memory of flavours which is inadequate in terms of nutritious diet 2 visits to the dentist were needed to extract that tooth. At that time, Lincoln was staying in Louisville in Kentucky . He developed a real apprehension towards dentistry and in particular dentists. In 1856, when he was in Milton Station (Humbolt) in Illinois, he stopped at Dr Wesley Wampler’s dental office . There, the dentist extracted a tooth. In 1862, suffering atrociously from a toothache, he saw Dr G. Wolf whose dental office was near the church in Washington. When the dentist was about to extract a tooth, Lincoln asked him to stop. He brought out a bottle of chloroform, inhaled it several times, and before falling asleep, gave the practitioner the green light to perform his surgery. The tooth extraction occured without pain . A letter written by J. Littlefield to W. Herndon on December 11th 1886, revealed that: One night of 1862, at the White House, M. Lincoln suffered from a tooth which had been extracted. Despite the atrocious pain, he chatted with humour with, here and there, a stroke of logic which was revealing that he had understood the situation .

Early- and later-phases satellite cell responses and myonuclear content with resistance training in young men.

Satellite cells (SC) are associated with skeletal muscle remodelling after muscle damage and/or extensive hypertrophy resulting from resistance training (RT). We recently reported that early increases in muscle protein synthesis (MPS) during RT appear to be directed toward muscle damage repair, but MPS contributes to hypertrophy with progressive muscle damage attenuation. However, modulations in acute-chronic SC content with RT during the initial (1st-wk: high damage), early (3rd-wk: attenuated damage), and later (10th-wk: no damage) stages is not well characterized. Ten young men (27 ± 1 y, 23.6 ± 1.0 kg·m-2) underwent 10-wks of RT and muscle biopsies (vastus-lateralis) were taken before (Pre) and post (48h) the 1st (T1), 5th (T2) and final (T3) RT sessions to evaluate fibre type specific SC content, cross-sectional area (fCSA) and myonuclear number by immunohistochemistry. We observed RT-induced hypertrophy after 10-wks of RT (fCSA increased ~16% in type II, P < 0.04; ~8% in type I [ns]). SC content increased 48h post-exercise at T1 (~69% in type I [P = 0.014]; ~42% in type II [ns]), and this increase was sustained throughout RT (pre T2: ~65%, ~92%; pre T3: ~30% [ns], ~87%, for the increase in type I and II, respectively, vs. pre T1 [P < 0.05]). Increased SC content was not coupled with changes in myonuclear number. SC have a more pronounced role in muscle repair during the initial phase of RT than muscle hypertrophy resulted from 10-wks RT in young men. Chronic elevated SC pool size with RT is important providing proper environment for future stresses or larger fCSA increases.

Accelerometric assessment of different dimensions of natural walking during the first year after stroke: Recovery of amount, distribution, quality and speed of walking.

To describe the course of walking behaviour over a period of 1 year after stroke, using accelerometry, and to compare 1-year data with those from a healthy group. One-year follow-up cohort study. Twenty-three stroke patients and 20 age-matched healthy subjects. Accelerometer assessments were made in the participants' daily environment for 8 h/day during the 1st (T1), 12th (T2) and 48th (T3) weeks after stroke, and at one time-point in healthy subjects. Primary outcomes were: percentage of time walking and upright (amount); mean duration and number of walking periods (distribution); step regularity and gait symmetry (quality); and walking speed. Time walking, time upright, and number of walking bouts increased during T1 and T2 (p < 0.01) and then levelled off (p > 0.30). Mean duration of walking periods showed no significant improvements (p > 0.30) during all phases. Step regularity, gait symmetry and gait speed showed a tendency to increase consistently from T1 to T3. At T3, amount and distribution variables reached the level of the healthy group, but significant differences remained (p < 0.02) in step regularity and gait speed. In this cohort, different outcomes of walking behaviour showed different patterns and levels of recovery, which supports the multi-dimensional character of gait.

Effects of Fixed and Removable Space Maintainers on Plaque Accumulation, Periodontal Health, Candidal and Enterococcus Faecalis Carriage

Objective: To evaluate the effects of space maintainers on plaque accumulation, periodontal health and oral microflora. Subjects and Methods: The study participants comprised 38 patients aged 4-10 years requiring either fixed or removable space maintainers. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing index, candidal colonization and Enterococcus faecalis were recorded just before the application of space maintainers (T0) and during treatment at the 1st (T1), 3rd (T2) and 6th (T3) month. Results: The gingival and bleeding on probing index scores increased significantly (gingival index from 0.20 ± 0254 to 0.54 ± 0417 and bleeding on probing index from 7.18 ± 9.946 to 18.07 ± 14.074) in the regions with fixed space maintainers at T3 (p < 0.01). The mean Candida counts also increased (for removable appliances from 1.90 ± 3.638 to 1.98 ± 3.318, p < 0.05, and for fixed appliances from 4.25 ± 4.587 to 4.52 ± 4.431, p < 0.001). The salivary E. faecalis counts at T3 also increased significantly with the use of fixed and removable appliances (for removable appliances from 5.93 ± 2.65 to 85.53 ± 34.1 and for fixed appliances from 4.95 ± 2.94 to 123.59 ± 29.51, p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the plaque (r = 0.67), gingival (r = 0.76) and bleeding on probing index scores (r = 0.76) and the candidal colonization for the fixed space maintainers (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, both fixed and removable space maintainers led to an increase in the number of microorganisms in the oral cavity as well as to increases in the periodontal index scores. Patients should be informed that space maintainers may serve as a source of infection and that special attention must be given to their oral hygiene.

Menstrual Cycle Recovery in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa: The Importance of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1

Background: Follow-up visits of patients recovering from anorexia nervosa (AN) have shown that some patients do not resume menstrual cycles despite returning to the normal weight for their age and height. Aim: To verify whether leptin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) or another hormonal marker could be a good predictor of the return of menses. Patients and Methods: This prospective study included female adolescents diagnosed with AN or eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and who were being treated in an ambulatory care unit during nutritional recovery. Body mass index and leptin, luteinizing hormone, estradiol and IGF-1 levels of these patients were evaluated. Blood samples were collected in the 1st (T1), 5th (T2), 10th (T3), 15th (T4) and 20th (T5) weeks of treatment. The hormone levels during nutritional recovery and at the time of the resumption of menses were analyzed. Results: The hormonal profiles improved after nutritional recovery, with IGF-1 correlating the most with the resumption of menses and nutritional recovery (p = 0.0001). At the resumption of menstruation, the patients showed IGF-1 levels >342.8 ng/ml. Conclusion: IGF-1 was the best predictor of the return of menses in female adolescents with AN or EDNOS.

Abusadores sexuais adultos e adolescentes no sul do Brasil: Pesquisa em denúncias e sentenças judiciais

This study investigated sexual abuse perpetrated by adults and teenagers in the criminal proceedings referred to the1 st and 2 nd Childhood and Youth’s Courts of Porto Alegre between 2003 and 2007. The information collected for abusers, victims, types of abuse and the outcomes of processes aiming to characterize and compare the profi le of abusers and victims and the type of abuse (intrafamilial or extrafamilial). After being collected, the data were tabulated and categorized, and of the 241 cases, 229 were eligible for the study. The results indicated that among adult abusers there was a predominance of intrafamilial sexual abuse against female victims and that the main abusers were fathers and stepfathers. Among adolescents abusers, extrafamilial sexual abuse against male victims predominated, especially against neighbors. These results suggest that there may be differences in the profi le of the victims and the type of abuse perpetrated by adults and adolescents, a hypothesis that should be tested in future studies.

The pH dependence of the cathodic peak potential of the active sites in bilirubin oxidase

This is the first study showing pH dependence of three distinct redox sites within bilirubin oxidase (BOD) adsorbed on a nanocomposite modified electrode. The 1st redox centre with the highest redox potential Ec(1st)=404mV vs. Ag/AgCl (614mV vs. NHE at pH7.0) exhibited pH dependence with a slope -dEc(1st)/dpH=66(±3) mV under a non-turnover process. The 2nd redox centre with a potential Ec(2nd)=228mV vs. Ag/AgCl (438mV vs. NHE at pH7.0) was not dependent on pH in the absence and presence of O2. Finally, the 3rd redox site with a redox potential Ec(3rd)=92mV vs. Ag/AgCl (302mV vs. NHE at pH7.0) exhibited pH dependence for a cathodic process with -dEc(3rd)/dpH=70(±6) mV and for anodic process with -dEa(3rd)/dpH=73(±2) mV, respectively. Moreover, two break points for dependence of Ec(1st) or Ec(3rd) on pH were observed for the 1st (T1) site and the 3rd site assigned to involvement of two acidic amino acids (Asp105 and Glu463). A diagram of a potential difference between cathodic peaks of BOD as a dependence on pH is shown. The results obtained can be of interest for construction of biofuel cells based on BOD such as for generation of a low level of electricity from body fluids.

Meat and carcass characteristics of growing pigs fed microbially enhanced cassava peel diets

The proximate composition of meat and carcass characteristics of twenty-four (24) growing pigs fed graded levels of a microbially enhanced cassava peel diets were assessed in a trial that lasted three months. The cassava peels were fermented with a consortium of Aspergillus fumigatus (a fungus) and two lactic acid bacteria namely, Lactobacillus coryneformis and Lacto- bacillus delbrueckii, thus the fermented product was designated Microbially Enhanced Cassava Peel (MECP). The MECP was included in the ration formulation of the pigs at 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% levels. At slaughter, meat samples were collected from the M. biceps femoris to determine their proximate composition and the weights of the head, viscera and back fat thickness at the 1 st and 10 th ribs and 1 st lumbar vertebra were taken. The results obtained revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in proximate meat composition and carcass characteristics between animals fed on the control diet and those fed on varying levels of MECP diets. The treatment effect showed that animals raised on MECP with 60% level of inclusion had the highest (15.09%) muscle protein. The female animals had significantly (p<0.05) higher dry matter, ash, protein and fat content while the males had a higher moisture content in their M. biceps femoris muscle. The sex versus treatment effect revealed the female animals on 60% MECP had the least (69.21%) moisture content while the male animals on 40% MECP had the highest (75.42%). Muscle protein was highest in animals fed 20% MECP while the female animals on 60% MECP had the highest (13.86%) level of muscular fat. The female animals had thicker back fat at the 1 st and 10 th ribs and at the 1 st lumbar vertebra. Ash content of the muscle increased as the level of inclusion of MECP in the diets increased also animals fed MECP diets had the leanest carcasses. It can be concluded that feeding pigs with 40% dietary level of MECP would ensure carcass leanness and improve protein and dry matter content of pig's meat.

Study of the two-step tuberculin tests and gamma-interferon assays in elderly persons

Recently, an outbreak of lung tuberculosis among elderly residents happened in the home for aged, and it has become a social problem. To analyze the problem of tuberculosis in the elderly persons, we performed two-step tuberculin tests at two weeks interval and gamma-interferon assays for diagnosis of human tuberculosis to residents in the home for aged. 45 males (age; 77.3 +/- 8.9 SD) and 118 females (age; 81.9 +/- 8.6 SD) elderly persons (> or = 60) were examined. Standard dose of PPD was injected intracutaneously, and read at 48 hours. Erythema of 10 mm diameter or more was considered positive. The results were as follows. (1) The percentages of positive reactors in the 1st (T1) and the 2nd (T2) tuberculin tests were 50.3% and 68.1%, respectively. (2) The diameters of erythema and percentage of positive reactors (T1) did not very with age, but the size of erythema increased from 13.5 mm (T1) to 21.2 mm (T2) among those below 80 years, and from 13.0 mm (T1) to 16.4 mm (T2) among those 80 years or higher (p < 0.01). (3) The percentage of positive reactors (T1) varied by sex, namely males react stronger than females. (4) A dose of interferon-gamma released specifically in response to PPD stimulation of whole blood cultures showed no close relation with the diameters of erythema. In conclusion, tuberculin reactivity waned among elderly persons, and the fact suggests that they would have lower resistance against new infections, and as a result, they might have higher risk of developing tuberculosis. Elderly residents should be performed two-step tuberculin tests at the time of their entrance to the home for aged, and negative reactors should carefully be followed up.