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Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a solvent (eucalyptol) in improving filling material removal from canals connected by isthmuses, and the additional cleaning effect of a finishing instrument. Methodology: The mesial canals from 32 mandibular molars (Vertucci's type II morphology) were instrumented and filled with the single‐cone technique using Reciproc R25 gutta‐percha points (VDW, Munich, Germany) combined with Sealer 26 (Dentsply, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil). Each root was then subjected to retreatment using the Mtwo instrument system (VDW), with or without a solvent (n = 16 per group). The volume of filling material in the canals was assessed by micro‐computed tomographic (micro‐CT) scans taken before and after retreatment. Canals with remnants of filling material received a supplementary procedure with the XP‐endo Finisher R instrument (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux‐de‐Fonds, Switzerland), with or without eucalyptol, and another micro‐CT scan was taken. All retreatment procedures were performed inside a cabinet under a controlled temperature (37 °C). Filling material removal was evaluated in the 5‐mm apical canal system for the canal+isthmus space or the isthmus alone. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the removal of filling material with and without eucalyptol, and after a supplementary approach with XP‐endo Finisher R. The level of significance was set at 5% for all statistical tests (P < 0.05). Results: The amount of filling material removed from the canal+isthmus with Mtwo instruments was 83.2% when no solvent was used and 83.8% using the solvent (P > 0.05). When the isthmus area was evaluated separately, most specimens were associated with a reduction in the filling material, with no significant difference between the groups with or without using a solvent (P > 0.05). The supplementary step with XP‐endo Finisher R significantly improved removal of filling material from both canal and isthmus area (P < 0.05), regardless of the use of a solvent (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The use of eucalyptol did not improve filling material removal from Vertucci's type II molar mesial canals and isthmuses. XP‐endo Finisher R significantly enhanced removal of filling material from the canals and isthmuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed structural and magnetic measurements were performed on nanostructured composite thin films of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4-magnetostrictive) dispersed in a barium titanate (BaTiO3-piezoelectric) matrix, with different CoFe2O4 concentrations (ranging from x=20% to x=70%). The films were deposited by laser ablation on platinum covered Si(100). Their structure was studied by x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The magnetic properties were measured with a superconducting quantum inteference device magnetometer. The nanocomposite films were polycrystalline and composed by a mixture of tetragonal-BaTiO3 and CoFe2O4 with the cubic spinel structure. The lattice parameter of the CoFe2O4 phase varied from 8.26 Å (x=20%) to 8.35 Å (x=70%), and, compared with bulk CoFe2O4, it was under compressive stress that relaxed as its concentration progressively increased. In the tetragonal-BaTiO3 phase, the lattice parameter a was contracted relative to the bulk phase and decreases with x. The lattice parameter c increased from 4.088 Å (x=20%) to 4.376 Å (x=70%), so that the BaTiO3 c axes were increasingly expanded as the quantity of the barium titanate phase was reduced. This behavior was the opposite of that observed in CoFe2O4. The magnetic measurements showed that the coercive fields decreased from 6.6 kOe (x=20%) to 2.3 kOe (x=70%), which was attributed to the progressive relaxation of the stress in the films as well as to the increase of particle agglomeration in bigger polycrystalline clusters with increasing cobalt ferrite concentration. For higher temperatures T=300 K, the reduction of magnetocrystalline anisotropy induced a strong reduction of the coercive field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to induce and inhibit HO-1, ascertaining its effect on infection rate, parasite load and the levels of superoxide, reactive oxygen species ( ROS), nitric oxide ( NO), TNF-alpha and IL-10 in cultured macrophages from healthy dogs infected by Leishmania infantum. Macrophages obtained from 15 healthy dogs were cultured alone or infected with L. infantum, with or without association of HO-1 inducer and inhibitor. The infection rate and the parasite load were determined by the number of infected macrophages and number of promastigotes per macrophage, respectively. HO-1 levels and gene expression, as well as IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels were also measured in these cultures. Superoxide, ROS and NO levels in macrophages were measured through flow cytometry. Induction of HO-1 increased the infection rate and parasite load, while its inhibition decreased the infection rate and IL-10 production. There was a positive correlation between HO-1 and infection rate or parasite load. Increased infection rate was associated with decreased superoxide, ROS and NO levels. Induction of HO-1 metabolism in dogs infected by L. infantum is possibly one of the mechanisms responsible for increasing the infection of macrophages, mainly through reduction in the oxidative and nitrosative metabolisms of these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress and alteration of oxidative metabolism and apoptosis of neutrophils in dogs vary with the stage of leishmaniasis and to determine the contribution of uremia to such alterations. Dogs with leishmaniasis were classified into two stages: moderate (Leish II, n = 20) or very severe (i.e. with concurrent uremia; Leish IV, n = 20) according to the LeishVet Consensus. The two leishmaniasis groups were compared with uremic dogs without leishman-iasis (Uremic, n = 10) and to healthy dogs (Control, n = 30). To determine oxidative stress, total antioxi-dant/oxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, total glutathione and the plasma antioxidants albumin, uric acid and bilirubin were quantified. Superoxide production was determined using the hydroethidine probe and viability and apoptosis were measured using annexin V-PE by capillary flow cytometry. Oxidative stress was present in both uremia and leishmaniasis with reduced total antioxidant capacity and was associated with increased induced production of superoxide and apoptosis. The greatest amount of oxidants was observed in animals with moderate disease only. Neutrophils from uremic dogs with and without leishmaniasis had decreased viability and an increased apoptosis rate in addition to increased lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, oxidative stress occurs in both stages of leishmaniasis with differences in intensity and levels of plasma markers; however, uremia does contribute to the decreased spontaneous viability of neutrophils in dogs in the final stage of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Holiender and Hirsch defined hysterical psychosis in 1964 and, while hysteria has a contemporary equivalent in somatoform/dissociation disorder, hysterical psychosis remains set adrift in the nosological understanding of psychiatric disorders. Objectives: To present a case report of a hysterical psychosis and to review this nosological construct. Methods: Clinical interview, consultation of clinical records and review of literature using the Pubmed platform. Results: The authors present a case of a 38 year-old woman, admitted in a psychiatric emergency department for bizarre behavior, restlessness, auditory (pseudo)hallucinations and emotional lability, starting 1 week after a personal development retreat. This is the second episode of this nature, the first being a 15-day hospitalization 7 years ago, with rapid stabilization, extensive examination and restitium ad integrum. The patient initiated Olanzapine and was referred to an outpatient clinic, with rapid stabilization and restitium ad integrum throughout follow-up. Given the episode and patient characteristics, a hysterical psychosis diagnosis may be accurate, taking into account the acute onset and course, the pleomorphic nature of symptoms and the presence of a disturbing life event. The authors propose reviewing the concept of hysterical psychosis regarding its clinical implications and debating its therapeutic and prognostic utility. Conclusions: Hysterical psychosis may not be a mere historic footnote and encompasses an entity with distinctive diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic characteristics. While its etiology may not be understood, its clinical implications ensure the need for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A model describing ibuprofen and ketoprofen biodegradation by activated sludge from three different wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) was developed in this study. This model successfully described the biodegradation profiles observed at two different initial concentrations of each compound, where a lag-phase was observed prior to the biodegradation of each compound. Twelve ibuprofen and ketoprofen degrading isolates were identified in this study from the WWTP sludge showing the best removal performance. One of these isolates was characterised via another model, where biodegradation was dependent on biomass growth rate as well as the ibuprofen concentration. The fact that different models were needed to describe the biodegradation by activated sludge and a pure culture suggests that the biodegradation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) depends on the microbial community, thus pharmaceutical biodegradation models may require adaptation depending upon the system. This study provides an advance towards modelling pharmaceutical biodegradation in WWTPs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Yeast metacaspase (Yca1p) is required for the execution of apoptosis upon a wide range of stimuli. However, the specific degradome of this yeast protease has not been unraveled so far. By combining different methodologies described as requisites for a protein to be considered a protease substrate, such as digestome analysis, cleavage of recombinant GAPDH by metacaspase and evaluation of protein levels in vivo, we show that upon H2O2-induced apoptosis, the metabolic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a specific target of metacaspase. Nitric oxide (NO) signaling, which mediates H2O2-induced apoptosis, is required for metacaspase specific GAPDH cleavage. In conclusion, in this work we identified GAPDH as the first direct yeast metacaspase substrate described so far. Although mammalian caspases and yeast metacaspase apparently have distinct target cleavage sites, GAPDH arises as a common substrate for these proteases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary. Approximately 20% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals clear the virus. Host factors that influence the course of HCV infection are still under investigation, and the data on the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and HCV clearance are scarce and controversial. The aims of this study were to investigate whether HLA alleles are associated with clearance of HCV infection in a highly admixed Brazilian population and whether these associations could be influenced by ethnicity and route of infection. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genotyping were performed in 135 HCV-infected Brazilian patients among which 45 cleared HCV infection (cases) and 90 had persistent viral infection (controls). Controls were matched by sex, ethnicity (withes and non-whites) and route of infection (high infectious dose or low infectious dose). No significant association was identified between HLA alleles and the outcome of HCV infection when analyzing the sample as a single group. However, a new protective association of HLA-DQB1*04 ( P = 0.006; Pc = 0.030) and a rarely described association of HLA-DRB1*08 ( P = 0.004; Pc = 0.048) were found only among white patients. The DRB1*11 allele, previously reported in homogeneous population, was associated with HCV clearance ( P = 0.020) only among patients with expected high-dose exposure. These findings confirm the influence of ethnicity on the associations of HLA with spontaneous viral clearance of HCV infection and emphasize the possible influence of route of infection in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saran F-310 resin (Dow Chemical Co, Midland, MI) has been widely used to coat soil clods for density and size measurements; however, the manufacturer has recently stopped producing this resin and supplies are difficult to obtain. Hence, we evaluated the feasibility of using Lazzudur 7502 (Sherwin-Williams, Cleveland, OH) automotive varnish to coat soil clods for density measurement. Preliminary evaluations showed that immersion of clods in the varnish did not affect clod cohesion and that a single immersion in Lazzudur with 30 rain of post-immersion drying produced density results not significantly (P < 0.05) different to those obtained using saran. This technique was tested across seven soils and no significant (P < 0.05) difference was found in the density of the clods measured using the two coating methods. This work suggests that automotive varnish can be used as an alternative to saran resin for clod density measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to alter the impact of diseases on human society, drug development has been one of the most invested research fields. Nowadays, cancer and infectious diseases are leading targets for the design of effective drugs, in which the primary mechanism of action relies on the modulation of programmed cell death (PCD). Due to the high degree of conservation of basic cellular processes between yeast and higher eukaryotes, and to the existence of an ancestral PCD machinery in yeast, yeasts are an attractive tool for the study of affected pathways that give insights into the mode of action of both antitumour and antifungal drugs. Therefore, we covered some of the leading reports on drug-induced apoptosis in yeast, revealing that in common with mammalian cells, antitumour drugs induce apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and altered mitochondrial functions. The evidence presented suggests that yeasts may be a powerful model for the screening/development of PCD-directed drugs, overcoming the problem of cellular specificity in the design of antitumour drugs, but also enabling the design of efficient antifungal drugs, targeted to fungal-specific apoptotic regulators that do not have major consequences for human cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two-phase ceramic composites of cobalt ferrite dispersed in a barium titanate matrix were prepared and their dielectric permittivity was characterized. A rounding of their dielectric constant near the ferroelectric transition temperature of the BaTiO3 phase was observed. A generalized brick-wall model, taking into account the BaTiO3 contribution, fitted with the Landau-Devonshire theory, and the CoFe2O4 permittivity, experimentally determined, was used in order to obtain their effective dielectric constant. The effective model was applied to the discussion and fitting of the temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity of the composites. The Landau-Devonshire coefficients for the BaTiO3 phase were also obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite psychosis and anorexia nervosa are distinct disorders, they have complex relationships that carry clinical challenges. Objectives: To present a case report and review the literature about the relationship between anorexia nervosa and psychosis. Methods: Clinical interviews and records were used to build the case report. A review of the literature was performed in Pubmed, using the query "anorexia nervosa AND (psychosis OR schizophrenia)". Results: A female patient with 18 years old was evaluated in the emergency department due to frank weight loss, and was admitted into our inpatient unit for further diagnostic investigation. At the initial assessment she was inattentive, with anxious mood, presented disorganized speech with loose associations, insomnia and food restriction;her body mass index was 15 and she'd amenorrhea. Because of the disorganized speech and possible though disorder we couldn't initially evaluate body image and fears about gaining weight. We started risperidone and in few days the patient presented normal speech and behaviour and started eating normally, gaining four kilograms;she denied any concerns about weight or body image. In the view of the clinical evolution, the diagnosis of psychotic episode was made. We interpreted the months before hospitalization as a prodromal phase with anorexic-like symptoms, with the food restriction contributing to the clinical picture. The published literature highlights the complex relationship between anorexia nervosa and psychosis, the difficulty in recognizing which one is primary and which is comorbid and the factors that link both. Conclusions: The relationship between anorexia nervosa and psychosis is complex. Further studies on their shared and differential phenomenology are needed to improve diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead niobate thin films have been prepared by laser ablation, at different substrate temperatures (T dep ) and with different oxygen pressures (pO 2 ). For low deposition temperatures the films presented a rhombohedric-PbNb 2 O 6 structural phase, with hysteresis cycles characteristic of a paraelectric. As T dep increased the films started to develop an orthorhombic-PbNb 2 O 6 structure that appeared at 400°C and remained up to 600°C. For low pO 2 , a mixture of this phase and a lead deficient phase was present in the films. Increasing the oxygen pressure the lead deficient phase was strongly reduced and the films presented only the ferroelectric orthorhombic-PbNb 2 O 6 structural phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total fluoride (TF) and HCl 0.01 M ('gastric juice')-soluble fluoride (SF) were analysed in infant foods, beverages and calcium-rich biscuits. Samples were divided into seven categories: children cereals (A), chocolate-flavoured milk (B), soy beverages (C), filled biscuits (D), non-filled biscuits (E), wafer biscuits (F) and corn starch biscuits (G). Mean TF concentrations ± SD (amplitude, unit µg F ml -1 or µg F g -1 ) were: (A) 4.25 ± 3.04 (0.20 - 7.84, n = 6); (B) 0.34 ± 0.47 (0.05-1.27, n = 6); (C) 0.15 ± 0.07 (0.09-0.29, n = 8); (D) 8.44 ± 1.76 (7.65-10.47, n = 4); (E) 12.41 ± 1.15 (10.69-13.68, n = 4); (F) 0.35 ± 0 (0.34-0.36, n = 4) and (G) 7.77 ± 1.12 (6.86-8.68, n = 2). Five samples of cereals, one sample of chocolate-flavoured milk and 10 samples of biscuits were analysed for SF. In cereals analysed for SF, all fluoride was soluble, while for the chocolate-flavoured milk, approximately 50% of TF was soluble. Regarding the biscuits analysed for SF approximately 20% of TF was soluble. It was observed that some of the cereals and beverages, and most of the biscuits analysed, might be important contributors to total daily fluoride intake. When consumed just once per day, cereals and beverages might supply up to 25% of the maximum recommended daily fluoride intake (0.07 mg F kg -1 body weight) for a 2-year-old child (12 kg). For the filled, non-filled and corn starch biscuits, when 3, 32 or 20 units of them, respectively, are consumed just once per day, they may supply up to 16% of the maximum recommended daily fluoride intake. However, only approximately 25% of fluoride absorption occurs from the stomach and 75% from the small intestine. Therefore, a higher fluoride bioavailability is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Background: b In 2015, Brazil has experienced an unprecedented Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak and later that year, an unexpected outbreak of newborns with microcephaly occurred in major cities in northeastern Brazil, associated with Congenital Zika Infection (CZI). Most descriptions and publications regarding CZI focus on the clinical presentation of newborns and infants with microcephaly. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: The influence of stress on the magnetic properties of BaTiO3–CoFe2O4 nanocomposites deposited by laser ablation on platinum covered Si(001) substrates, was characterized. The cobalt ferrite phase was under compressive strain in the growth direction that progressively relaxed as its concentration increased. A stress induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy was observed, that decreased with increasing CoFe2O4 content, due to the relaxation of stress in the films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a chronic disorder characterized by tics. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists the most used criteria, and focuses on these motor and vocal phenomena. However, patients may have other associated features or comorbidities: impulsivity, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, among others. We present the case of a patient who was hospitalised for two weeks and explore his psychopathology. Objectives: Discuss the psychopathology and comorbidities of TS through the analysis of a clinical case. Methods: Description of the case and literature review using Pubmed. Results: We present the case of a 34-year-old male who was admitted at our Acute Inpatient Ward due to depressive symptoms along with anxiety, suicidal ideation and hetero-aggressive outbursts. He had been diagnosed in infancy with Tourette syndrome, but in adulthood had poor treatment and follow-up adherence. Exploration of the history led to an understanding of the development of depressive symptoms, and other problems were gradually unearthed as well. His tics were predominantly motor, and was impulsive is his actions, being unable to keep up a regular job. He also had a fetishistic disorder: he had no sexual encounters with women, deriving sexual excitement and pleasure from the observation, recording (through photographs) and cataloguing of women's nails. This was a growing encumbrance in the family and in the patient's life, leading to discordance. Conclusions: Tourette is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that encompasses more than just tics. Being able to understand the various shades of this disorder is useful to adequately help these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transgenerational Family Therapy (TFT) is a type of family therapy were the interactions across generations are used to understand and treat current problems within the family. Objectives: In the light of TFT, we present a case report of Gratification Disorder, in a monoparental family. Methods: We conducted both individual and family psychotherapeutic sessions. Results: The child, a girl with six years old, was referred to our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, because of masturbatory behaviours since she was three years old. The features, frequency and the disability associated, fulfilled the diagnosis of Gratification Disorder. Her mother was very preoccupied, overprotective and hypervigilant to the child behaviours and speech; it seemed to the mother that her daughter had seductive and sexual manners towards male adults. Exploring the mother personal history, she revealed she was sexually abused by her stepfather between her 10 and 15 years old. It was a secret until three years ago, when, in the middle of a family quarrel, she revealed the sexual assault to her mother and half-brothers. However, surprisingly for her, they didn't believe and blamed her for the abuses. Around this time, the child started the masturbatory behaviours. Through individual sessions (with the child and the mother), the mechanisms of introjection, the splitting of good and bad objects, the projection of the mother and the projective identification of the child, were explored. The child masturbatory behaviours significantly diminished. Conclusions: The family system and its transgenerational aspects were valuable tools in the conceptualization and treatment of our case report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interest, and activities. Several large-scale studies found that individuals with ASD comprised 7.3-15% of suicidal populations, a substantial subgroup. Objectives: The aims of this study are: to examine the prevalence of suicidality(ideation, attempts and complete suicide) among adults with ASD, related demographic and clinical characteristics, and associated risk and protective factors. Methods: A literature search was performed using Pubmed and Cochrane Library databases. An initial search was performed using the following terms: "autism" and "suicide" or "suicidal". This search yielded a list of 136 articles. We selected 35 articles according to our aims. Results: The only large-scale epidemiologic study of suicide attempts in ASD reported that 3.9% of the ASD group made a suicide attempt after an average of 3.6 years after enrollment, whereas only 0.7% of controls made an attempt after an average of 6 years. In samples of emerging adults and adults, suicidal ideation in ASD was reported to be between 31-50%. ASC diagnosis is an independent risk marker for suicide attempts, others risk factors included: camouflaging, unmet support needs, non-suicidal self-injury, unemployment, and mental health problems. There are a lack of studies about protective factors in this clinical population. Conclusions: Considering elevated rates of suicide in ASD adults compared with their peers, this is an obvious area for further research to try to recognize protective factors and implement preventive programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Suicide is a major health problem worldwide. The identification of modifiable risk factors is paramount for reducing its prevalence. Emerging studies have shown that sleep disturbances may confer an elevated risk for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and death by suicide. It is possible that this association can be explained by factors independent of sleep. Another hypothesis is that being awake at night, when not biologically disposed to, may be the mediator or an additional risk factor as well. Objectives: To explore the association between sleep disturbance and suicidality and the possible validity of sleep disturbance as a transdiagnostic risk factor for suicide. Methods: An extensive search on Pubmed was conducted, using the keywords "sleep disturbance", "insomnia" or "nocturnal wakefulness", each associated with "suicide" or "suicidality". Abstracts with available full text were considered. Results: Overall, sleep disturbance is associated with an increased risk for suicidality. Possible hypotheses explaining this association have been proposed, including nocturnal hypofrontality with compromise in cognitive function, and nocturnal decrease in mood. Conclusions: Studies point towards sleep disturbance being a transdiagnostic risk factor for suicidality, which means that screening and treating these problems may be an important preventive measure. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between sleep and suicidality, exploring the mechanisms of this association and possible confounding factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is high, with values above 50%. Psychiatrists have often been shown to underestimate low adherence, and this finding, along with the belief that injectables should be reserved for nonadherent patients, may contribute to underutilization of Longacting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) in the first-episode psychosis (FEP). On the other hand, the current guidelines are not unanimous regarding the use of LAI prescription in FEP. Objectives: Our study aims to assess the prescription attitudes towards the use of LAI antipsychotics in FEP, taking into account several clinical and sociodemographic variables. The study will also evaluate any significant discrepancies between psychiatry trainees and psychiatry consultants. Methods: For this purpose, we did a literature review on this topic, and we created an anonymous questionnaire. In the first part of this questionnaire, data about psychiatric training, years of clinical practice and the average number of patients with FEP treated per year were collected. In the second part, several statements associated to negative and positive attitude towards LAI were presented in a Likert scale. In the third part, many clinical and sociodemographic variables known to influence the prescription of LAI in "non FEP" patients were also assessed. We distributed the questionnaire in a Psychiatric hospital(Hospital Magalhães Lemos, Porto, Portugal), where are currently working eighteen psychiatrist consultants and twenty-five psychiatry trainees. Results: Data are currently being processed and analyzed. Conclusions: Despite good clinical evidence, LAI are only seldom prescribed to patients with FEP. This study intends to further clarify the reasons for this scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is usually treated by our colleagues in Rheumatology or specialists in Pain Management from Internal Medicine or Anesthesiology, but as psychiatrists we also encounter many patients with the syndrome. Besides suffering from pain, these patients frequently report fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties, depressed mood and anxiety. Considering the frequency and intensity of these symptoms, as well as the role of affect on neurobiological pain modulation, psychiatrists working with these patients should be able to understand and provide adequate treatment. Objectives: To elucidate a psychiatrist's contribution to the treatment of fibromyalgia. Methods: An extensive search on Pubmed was conducted, using the terms "fibromyalgia", "psychiatrist", "psychiatry", "depression" and "anxiety". Relevant articles with available full text were consulted, as well as other references from reputable sources. Results: Psychiatrists should be a part of multidisciplinary teams for the treatment of patients with chronic pain, including those with fibromyalgia, as psychiatric symptoms are a common feature. Improvement of psychiatric symptoms may ameliorate pain as well, and possible interventions may range from psychopharmacology to psychotherapy. Conclusions: Fibromyalgia requires a multidisciplinary approach. Psychiatrists should be integrated in Pain Management groups and be familiar about how they can contribute to these patients' wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hormonal fluctuations are associated with an increased risk of affective dysregulation and mood episodes in women with bipolar disorder. Examples of this are the high rate of depression during the postpartum period and the increase in mood instability during the menopausal transition, particularly an increase in depression. Objectives: The aims of this work are to review the published studies concerning the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on BD, specifically, possible indications for its use, the potential adverse effects and the role of HRT in the prevention of mood episodes. Methods: A search was made on databases Pubmed and Cochrane Library with the mesh terms: bipolar disorder or mania or bipolar depression and hormone replacement therapy, selecting the articles published between 1994 and 2019. A total of 39 articles were found and of these 15 selected for this work. Results: Evidence for the role of HRT per se in the treatment of women with BD is limited. Exogenous estrogen has been linked with the induction of mania and rapid cycling, and conversely an estrogen-progesterone combination showed success for treatmentrefractory post-partum mania. The use of HRT in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with BD shows controversial results in the prevention of depression. On the other hand, the diagnosis of BD is not a contraindication to the use of HRT for the relief of menopause symptoms. Conclusions: Throughout the reproductive cycle of bipolar women, HRT can be considered for the prevention or treatment of mood episodes, although there is a lack of systematic reviews in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mental illness-related stigma creates serious barriers to access employment, education, housing, health and social care. There are different types of stigma, one of them is self or internalized stigma. Drug addiction is one of the most discriminated diseases in psychiatry, in many levels - structural, interpersonal and intrapersonal. Objectives: With this work we aim to study the internalized stigma and quality of life in the context of Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) in a Portuguese sample. Methods: We conduct a survey at Centro de Resposta Integrada Porto Ocidental (Porto, Portugal); it consisted in three parts: 1) sociodemographics; 2) the Interalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI); 3) the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments - Bref. We ask all the patients on MMT (low and high-risk programmes) to answer the questionnaire. For statistical analysis we use the Excel software and use a regression analysis. Results: 53 patients participated in our study; the average age was 43 years old and 92% were male. The majority was in a weekly MMT, 74% for more than five years. All the dimensions of the ISMI (social withdrawal, stereotype endorsement, alienation, discrimination experience, stigma resistance) scored low self-stigma (< 2.5 points). The quality of life was on average bad and it was associated with unemployment, without association with internalized stigma. Conclusions: In contrast to earlier findings, we found that MMT patients show low self-stigma. There are several possible explanations for these results, such as the Self-Selection bias. Our data thus need to be interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the structural and electron band effects of giant thermopower in 3D-magnetic multilayers. Experimental procedures used.

Local ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of triglycine sulfate (TGS) nanocrystals embedded into poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) electrospun fibers were examined by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Piezoresponse contrast was found to be strongly dependent on the position being much stronger at the fiber periphery. A model of the distribution of TGS crystals inside the core-shell PEO-TGS fiber structure was proposed. TGS nanocrystals were unevenly distributed along the fiber axis and tend to grow near the surface of the fiber. The volume fraction distribution of the TGS crystals extracted from PFM measurements is in a good agreement with the data obtained from the dielectric constant measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As afecções de pele possuem grande importância na clínica de pequenos animais, correspondendo a um grande percentual dos casos atendidos na rotina clínica. As dermatopatias mais frequentes são dermatite alérgica à picada de ectoparasita, neoplasias cutâneas, piodermite bacteriana, seborréia, dermatites alérgicas, dermatites parasitárias e dermatoses imunomediadas. Entretanto, as dermatites alérgicas são as mais comumente tratadas com corticosteroides. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar os efeitos colaterais pelo método de avaliação clínica e laboratorial em cães com dermatopatias tratados com prednisona em dose anti-inflamatória. Para isso, foram utilizados 11 cães que apresentassem alguma dermatopatia alérgica. Todos esses foram submetidos à terapia com prednisona durante 20 dias, nas doses de 0,25 mg/kg/BID/5 dias, 0,25 mg/kg/Sid/5 dias e 0,25 mg/kg/EDA/10 dias. Exames laboratoriais (hemograma, bioquímicos da função renal, função e lesão hepática, glicemia, colesterol, triglicérides, urinálise, UPC e pressão arterial sistêmica) foram realizados em dois momentos (antes e após o tratamento). Após análise dos resultados não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas relacionadas à utilização do corticoide entre os dois momentos estudados. Conclui-se que a ausência de efeitos adversos sugere que a dose e o tempo de tratamento de prednisolona são seguros, porém mais estudos com a utilização de prednisona em doses mais altas, com períodos maiores e com um maior número de animais, devem ser realizados a fim de demonstrar a relação da corticoidoterapia com efeitos colaterais. The skin affections are of great importance in the small animal clinic, corresponding to a large percentage of the cases attended in the clinical routine. The most frequent dermatopathies are allergic dermatitis to ectoparasite bite, cutaneous neoplasm, bacterial pyoderma, seborrhea, allergic dermatitis, parasitic dermatitis and immune mediated dermatoses. However, allergic dermatitis is the most commonly treated with corticosteroids. The objective of the study was to verify the presence of side effects evaluated by the clinical and laboratory evaluation method in dogs with dermatopathies treated with prednisone in an anti-inflammatory dose. For this, 11 dogs were used that had some allergic dermatopathy. All of these patients underwent prednisone therapy for 20 days at doses of0,25 mg/kg/BID/5 dias, 0,25 mg/kg/Sid/5 dias e 0,25 mg/kg/EDA/10 dias. Laboratory tests (hemogram, biochemicals of renal function, liver function and lesion, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urinalysis, UPC and systemic arterial pressure) were done at two moments (before and after treatment). After analyzing the results, no statistical changes related to the use of corticosteroids were observed between the two moments studied. Therefore, it is concluded that the absence of alterations may suggest that the dose and the time of treatment were safe, but studies with the use of prednisone at higher doses, with longer periods and with a greater number of animals, should be performed in order to demonstrate the relationship of corticoid therapy with side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technological process of clinkerization is responsible for a high consumption of energy and the release of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to the environment. It is estimated that the cement industry generates, for every tonne of cement produced, around 0.7–1 tonne of CO 2 , in order to be responsible for 5% of CO 2 global emission, while in Brazil, this corresponds to 1.4%. This study reused the basic oxygen furnace slag, submitted to different cooling processes, for the partial replacement of clinker. Formulations of CPIII portland cement were prepared with substitution of 5.4% by weight of clinker by basic oxygen slag with 53 and 71% amorphous phase. The compressive strength was evaluated at ages 3, 7, 28 and 91 days, determined setting times, hot and cold expansibility. The addition of basic oxygen furnace slag, regardless of the crystallinity degree, provided the cement gains in the initial and final mechanical strength. By adding slag with 71% amorphous phase, the cement presented 29 and 40.4 MPa of compressive strength after 7 and 28 days, respectively; while with the addition of slag with 53% amorphous phase, the cement strength exhibited 31.9 MPa after 7 days and 41.4 MPa after 28 days. The use of BOF slag, as a partial clinker substitute, allows it to reduce pollutant emissions and to achieve a higher energy efficiency without affecting the cement physical-chemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the magnetothermopower of antiferromagnetically coupled cobalt-rhenium superlattices. Experimental procedure; Results; Discussion.

The eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) infects domestic animals, wildlife and human beings, and is considered an emerging pathogen in Europe. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors of T. callipaeda infection in dogs and cats from east-central Portugal, a region where the parasite was previously detected in two red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes). Thelazia callipaeda was found in 22 (3.8%) of 586 dogs and in four (23.5%) of 17 cats. A total of 178 adult worms (71.9% of females and 28.1% of males) were collected from the conjunctiva of the infected dogs. The number of worms collected per dog ranged from 1 to 35 (average ± standard deviation: 8.08 ± 9.49), with four dogs (18.2%) harbouring only a single parasite. Worms were gathered from dogs throughout all months of the year. A total of 17 adult worms (64.7% of females and 35.3% of males) were obtained from cats. The number of worms per cat ranged from 1 to 14 (4.3 ± 6.5), with three cats (75.0%) having a single parasite. Eyeworm infection was statistically more prevalent in pastoral and farm dogs, in those dogs with contact with other animals and in dogs with ocular manifestations. T. callipaeda is endemic in the east-central part of Portugal, reportedly infecting domestic (dogs and cats) and wild carnivores (red foxes) and evidencing a southerly dissemination. Future investigations should be focused on determining the local distribution and density of the insect vector ( Phortica variegata) in this geographical area. This emergent zoonosis should be included by veterinarians, physicians and ophthalmologists in the differential diagnosis of ocular manifestations in their patients, particularly in areas where T. callipaeda is endemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in patients attending an outpatient clinic at a general hospital in Huambo, South Angola. METHODS: A total of 265 subjects aged 18 years and older were included. Evaluation included complete interview and blood pressure measurement using a validated automatic device. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of hypertension and prehypertension were 38.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.83%-44.90%) and 30.20% (95% CI: 24.52%-36.22%), respectively. Hypertension was associated with age (>35 years; odds ratio [OR] = 10.09, 95% CI: 5.46-18.66, P< 0.01) and female gender (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.08-3.05, P = 0.02). Among total hypertensive patients, 54.9% were aware of their diagnosis, 28.43% were in treatment, and 7.84% had controlled blood pressure. Lack of awareness was significantly higher in younger (age ≤ 37 years; OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.13-9.49, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high prevalence of hypertension, with low awareness, treatment, and control rates. Greater efforts are necessary to overcome these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report excellent piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of electrospun nanofibers based on the hybrid ferroelectric 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane perrhenate (dabcoHReO4). Ferroelectric nanoparticles are embedded into the fibers being naturally aligned with the major polarization component along the fiber axis. A flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator consisting of an aligned array of dabcoHReO4 fibers provides a voltage above 100mV under a moderate strain level. The pyroelectric coefficient in as-electrospun dabcoHReO4 fiber mat is similar to that in poled polyvinylidene difluoride nanofibers. The results show that the nanofibers based on dabcoHReO4 have a great potential for pyroelectric and piezoelectric autonomous energy harvesting with natural advantages such as biocompatibility, flexibility, low cost, and easy fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ZnO:Al films grown by PLD with a target from a nano-powder synthetized by Sol Gel. • Deposition time greatly affects the structure and microstructure of the films. • The microstructural evolution depends on a certain accumulative effect of temperature. • Grain characteristics depend on their growing orientation respect to the substrate. • Optical characteristics follow the (micro)structural evolution of the films. Aluminium-doped (3%) zinc oxide thin films (AZO) were prepared, using pulsed laser deposition, with varying deposition times. The target was fabricated from compacted aluminium-doped zinc oxide nano-powder produced by sol–gel. The films had a growth consisting of nanostructures in the form of columns with sharp ends which, for certain deposition times, resemble nano-flowers or nano-leaves. The small spheroid-like particles created during columnar growth act as a seed for other AZO needles, resulting in the appearance of lotus-like flowers and even smaller needles growing from the petals. The deposition time was found to have a significant effect on the properties of the ZnO films. Specifically, the thickness of the films increased monotonically with deposition time until it reached a maximum value at 30 min. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the films were composed of polycrystalline ZnO with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The preferred orientation and crystallite size also exhibited a similar trend with deposition time; thus, grain size shows a maximum at 30 min of deposition, where the preferred orientation changes from 103 to 002. Regarding optical properties, the bandgap energy of the ZnO films displayed a non-monotonic trend with deposition time, increasing for the sample deposited for 20 min but above this deposition time, although the obtained value exhibits a slight tendency to decrease, taking into account the confidence interval, the bandgap remains similar. This study demonstrates that careful control of deposition time is critical for achieving desirable properties of Al doped ZnO films. These observations have important implications for potential applications of the ZnO films in solar cells, antibacterial, and photocatalytic activities. The findings of this work pave the way for the design and optimization of ZnO-based materials for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alves FRF, Rôças IN, Almeida BM, Neves MAS, Zoffoli J, Siqueira JF Jr. Quantitative molecular and culture analyses of bacterial elimination in oval-shaped root canals by a single-file instrumentation technique. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 871-877, 2012. Abstract Aim Bacterial reduction in oval-shaped root canals by a single-instrument technique was compared ex vivo with a conventional nickel-titanium rotary technique. Data obtained from two quantification methods, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and culture, were also compared. Methodology Oval-shaped canals of extracted teeth contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis were instrumented using either a single Reciproc instrument or the BioRaCe instrument series. Bacteriological samples were taken before (S1) and after instrumentation (S2). Bacterial quantification was performed using qPCR and culture. Results Intragroup analysis showed that both protocols promoted a highly significant bacterial reduction ( P < 0.001). Intergroup analysis (S2 samples) showed no significant differences between the two instrumentation systems ( P > 0.05). As for the quantification methods, qPCR revealed significantly higher counts of E. faecalis in S1 than culture ( P < 0.05), but no significant differences occurred for S2 ( P > 0.05). Conclusion The single-file technique was comparable with the conventional technique in oval-shaped canals provided the width of apical preparation, volume of irrigants and duration of irrigation are kept similar. No significant difference was observed for qPCR and culture in post-instrumentation samples, indicating that both methods can be reliably used for studies of antibacterial effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate vascular and metabolic effects of chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMS) and hypercaloric diet (HD) without carbohydrate supplementation in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, HD, CMS, and HD plus CMS. CMS consisted of the application of different stressors for 3 weeks. The rats were killed 15 days after CMS exposure. The HD group presented higher plasma lipid concentrations, without changes in fasting glucose concentration, glucose tolerance test, and vascular function and morphology, in comparison with the control group. Stressed rats presented higher fasting blood concentration of insulin, higher homeostasis model assessment index values and area under the curve in an oral glucose tolerance test, in comparison with non-stressed rats. CMS increased the plasma concentrations of corticosterone and lipids, and the atherogenic index values, without change in high-density lipoprotein level. CMS increased intima-media thickness and induced endothelium-dependent supersensitivity to phenylephrine, and lowered the relaxation response to acetylcholine in the thoracic aorta isolated from rats fed with control or HD, in comparison with non-stressed groups. CMS effects were independent of diet. In non-stressed rats, the HD induced dyslipidemia, but did not change glucose metabolism, vascular function, or morphology. The data from this study indicate that CMS promotes a set of events which together can contribute to impair function of the thoracic aorta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous nanofibers of barium titanate (BaTiO3) with average diameter of 150–300 nm have been produced by means of mutual sol-gel and electrospinning routines with subsequent calcination step. The structural characterization of the obtained nanofibers has been performed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Their individual grain and domain structures were studied by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). The results show that the fibers consist of stacked tetragonal ferroelectric BaTiO3 grains with average size of about 50–100 nm and random initial orientations. The piezoelectric response is similar to that obtained for domain model in ferroelectric tetragonal perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin film nanocomposites with mixed connectivity, composed by CoFe2O4 grains, deposited by electrophoresis on Si∣Pt substrates, and subsequently covered by a laser ablation deposited BaTiO3 layer were prepared with different cobalt ferrite concentrations. Their structure presented a combination of BaTiO3, with its tetragonal and the orthorhombic phases coexisting at room temperature, and CoFe2O4 with the cubic spinel structure. The cobalt ferrite nanograins were under in-plane tensile stress, while the BaTiO3 phase was under in-plane compressive stress. The dielectric measurements showed that as the barium titanate grain size decreased, its ferroelectric Curie temperature shifted to lower temperatures relative to the bulk. This grain size dependent TC shift was associated and modeled by a core-shell structure of BaTiO3 grains in the films, with a tetragonal core and cubic shell. Additionally, a diffuse tetragonal-orthorhombic phase transition was observed and, in agreement with Raman spectroscopy results, associated to the coexistence of barium titanate orthorhombic and tetragonal phases in the room temperature region. This led to the formation of polar nanoclusters with random polarization orientations, which induced a frustrated phase transition between the tetragonal and orthorhombic phases of barium titanate in the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in 2014 and Zika virus (ZIKV) in 2015 has raised new concerns raised about the prevalence of these arboviruses. B Background: b The Dengue virus (DENV) has been in circulation in Brazil for decades, resulting in the occurrence of several outbreaks. Concurrent outbreaks of DENV, CHIKV and ZIKV have taken place in Brazil since 2015, notably in major cities throughout the country's northeastern region. [Extracted from the article]

Although lipemia is known to interfere with spectrophotometric analyses in dogs and other species, the postprandial profile of dogs fed with industrialized pet food is yet to be determined. Analytical errors, especially during postprandial peak lipemia, are likely to occur due to an increase in blood serum turbidity caused by lipoproteins. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the time to postprandial peak triglyceride and glucose levels in healthy dogs fed with commercial feed, their return to baseline levels, and whether feeding could alter lipid and glycemic profiles in dogs. Twenty healthy dogs fasted for 12 h were fed with commercial feed. Blood samples obtained hourly and biochemical analyses were performed through spectrophotometry. VLDL and LDL were calculated using Friedewald's equation. Variables were tested for normality and compared through repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman's test. Peak hypertriglyceridemia and glucose happened 2-5 and 1-3 h following feeding, respectively. Baseline levels were again found at 6 h for triglycerides and 4 for glucose. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were not changed by commercial feed. In conclusion, the commercial feed used in this study alters glycemic and lipid profiles of some analytes of healthy dogs. Fasting can be reduced for biochemical determination of glucose, while no fasting period is necessary for total and HDL cholesterol determination in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work presents a study on the influence of the Al/Si atomic ratio in dc magnetron sputtered Al 1-x Si x O y amorphous and transparent films upon their chemical composition, films' structure, optical and electrical properties. Increasing silicon in Al 1-x Si x O y films, from 0 at.% up to 31.1 at.%, caused an increment of deposition rate and an increment in Al-O-Si energy bonds as confirmed by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. On other hand, the optical constants (refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k)), dielectric constant, loss tangent (tan δ) and ac conductivity (σ ac) decrease when the amount of silicon in films increased. The results show that the refractive index shows small variations from linearity with vol% of Al 2 O 3 (or SiO 2). Dielectric constant and dielectric loss evidenced two dipolar contributions, attributed to defects located one at or near the substrate/oxide interface, and the other in the bulk of the oxide. Highlights • The influence of Al/Si atomic ratio on properties of Al 1-x Si x O y coatings were studied. • The vol% of Al 2 O 3 calculated from dielectric function and composition are different. • The variation of dielectric constant at 1 kHz depends on the vol% of Al 2 O 3 phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine visceral leishmaniasis ( CVL) is caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania infantum. Increased levels of arginase, nitric oxide ( NO2) and prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) can play a regulatory role regarding the immune response in CVL cases. This study aimed to evaluate the arginase activity in adherent macrophages cultured from the lymph nodes of healthy and naturally infected dogs and to examine the NO2 and PGE2 levels in the supernatant of these cultures. In addition, the regulatory effect of PGE2 on the production of tumour necrosis factor ( TNF-α) and interleukin-10 ( IL-10) in supernatants from the total lymph node was observed in leucocyte cultures. The arginase activity was lower in the adherent macrophages cultured from the lymph nodes of naturally infected dogs and there were higher concentrations of NO2 and PGE2 in the supernatants of these cultures. Higher TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations were observed in supernatants from total lymph node leucocytes cultures, from infected dogs, and the presence of indomethacin only decreased TNF-α in the supernatant of these cultures. We conclude that the low arginase activity in macrophages suggested that M1 polarization and PGE2 were participating in the immune response and were increasing TNF-α in CVL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that causes coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) in young children. Previous studies have emphasised poor long-term outcomes for those with severe CAA. Little is known about the fate of those without CAA or patients with regressed CAA. We aimed to study long-term cardiovascular status after KD by examining the relationship between coronary artery (CA) status, endothelial injury, systemic inflammatory markers, cardiovascular risk factors (CRF), pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) after KD.Methods: Circulating endothelial cells (CECs), endothelial microparticles (EMPs), soluble cell-adhesion molecules cytokines, CRF, PWV and cIMT were compared between patients with KD and healthy controls (HC). CA status of the patients with KD was classified as CAA present (CAA+) or absent (CAA-) according to their worst-ever CA status. Data are median (range).Results: Ninety-two KD subjects were studied, aged 11.9 years (4.3-32.2), 8.3 years (1.0-30.7) from KD diagnosis. 54 (59%) were CAA-, and 38 (41%) were CAA+. There were 51 demographically similar HC. Patients with KD had higher CECs than HC (p=0.00003), most evident in the CAA+ group (p=0.00009), but also higher in the CAA- group than HC (p=0.0010). Patients with persistent CAA had the highest CECs, but even those with regressed CAA had higher CECs than HC (p=0.011). CD105 EMPs were also higher in the KD group versus HC (p=0.04), particularly in the CAA+ group (p=0.02), with similar findings for soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1. There was no difference in PWV, cIMT, CRF or in markers of systemic inflammation in the patients with KD (CAA+ or CAA-) compared with HC.Conclusions: Markers of endothelial injury persist for years after KD, including in a subset of patients without CAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]