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Background: Ureteric injury (UI) is an infrequent but serious complication of colorectal surgery. Prophylactic ureteric stenting is employed to avoid UI, yet its efficacy remains debated. Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (ICG-FI) has been used to facilitate ureter detection. This study aimed to investigate the role of ICG-FI in identification of ureters during colorectal surgery and its impact on the incidence of UI. Methods: A retrospective cohort study involving 556 consecutive patients who underwent colorectal surgery between 2018 and 2023 assessed the utility of routine prophylactic ureteric stenting with adjunctive ICG-FI. Patients with ICG-FI were compared to those without ICG-FI. Demographic data, operative details, and postoperative morbidity were analyzed. Statistical analysis included univariable regression. Results: Ureteric ICG-FI was used in 312 (56.1%) patients, whereas 43.9% were controls. Both groups were comparable in terms of demographics except for a higher prevalence of prior abdominal surgeries in the ICG-FI group. Although intraoperative visualization was significantly higher in the ICG-FI group (95.3% vs 89.1%; p = 0.011), the incidence of UI was similar between groups (0.3% vs 0.8%; p = 0.585). Postoperative complications were similar between the two groups. Median stent insertion time was longer in the ICG-FI group (32 vs 25 min; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Ureteric ICG-FI improved intraoperative visualization of the ureters but was not associated with a reduced UI rate. Median stent insertion time increased with use of ureteric ICG-FI, but total operative time did not. Despite its limitations, this study is the largest of its kind suggesting that ureteric ICG-FI may be a valuable adjunct to facilitate ureteric visualization during colorectal surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Chemistry of Natural Compounds journal, explores the chemical composition and larvicidal activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Eugenia catharinae, a plant species in the Eugenia genus. The essential oil was found to contain mostly sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, with γ-muurolene, β-muurolol, and α-muurolol being the major constituents. The essential oil also exhibited promising larvicidal activity against the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. The study provides valuable information on the potential uses of Eugenia catharinae and its essential oil. [Extracted from the article]

SUMMARY The continental margin and shelf of most stable intraplate regions tend to be relatively more seismically active than the continental interior. In the southeast continental margin of Brazil, a seismic zone extends from Rio Grande do Sul to Espírito Santo, with seismic activity occurring mainly along the continental slope and suggesting a close relationship with flexural stresses caused by the weight of the sediments. In this region, earthquakes with magnitudes larger than 5 mb occur every 20-25 yr, on average. The focal mechanism solutions of previous earthquakes in this zone indicated reverse faulting on planes dipping approximately 45° with horizontal P-axes. The recent 5.2 mb earthquake of 2008 April 23 occurred 125 km south of São Vicente and was well recorded by many stations in SE Brazil, as well as at teleseismic distances in North America and Africa. Its focal depth was 17 km, locating the hypocentre in the lower crust. A well-determined focal mechanism solution shows one vertical nodal plane and one subhorizontal nodal plane. The P- and T-axes exhibit large dips, which were confirmed by a regional moment tensor inversion. This unusual orientation of the fault mechanism can be attributed to a rotation of the principal stress directions in the lower crust caused by flexural effects due to the load of recent sedimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Personality is an internal factor, that is always present, independently of the particularly circumstances of the driver and the road context. Exploring the relationships between personality traits and the different driver behaviour dimensions is important to better understand who is more prone to risky driving behaviours. Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the role of gender and personality traits on driver behaviour in a vast sample of Portuguese drivers, focusing on the mediation effects of certain variables. Methods: Participants answered an online survey including sociodemographic questions and the Portuguese validated version of the following questionnaires: Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (evaluates Infractions and aggressive driving/IAD, Non intentional errors/NIE, and Lapses), Impulsive Sensation Seeking Scale and NEO-FFI-20. The sample is composed of 747 participants [417 (55.8%) women; mean age=42.13±12.349 years; mean years of regular driving=20.33±11.328]. Hayes' PROCESS Macro for SPSS was used. Results: IAD significantly correlated with age (-.239), gender (.254), Agreeableness (-.142), Extraversion (.138), Impulsivity (.259) and Sensation seeking (.301); NIE with Neuroticism (.188), Consciousness (-.188) and Impulsivity (.212); Lapses with age (-.092), gender (-.133), Neuroticism (.166), Openness to experience (.113), Conscientiousness (-.157) and Impulsivity (.227) (p<.05). Sensation seeking was a mediator between gender and IAD; Impulsivity was a mediator between Consciousness/Neuroticism and NIE; even controlling the effect of gender and age, Impulsivity mediates the relationship between Neuroticism/Openness to experience/Conscientiousness and Lapses. Conclusions: Results emphasise that personality traits should be considered when developing profiles and models of driver behaviour to better understand and prevent risky behaviours on the road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First described by Parks and Nicholls in 1978, the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has revolutionized the treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). IPAA is fraught with complications, one of which is pouch-vaginal fistulas (PVF), a rare but challenging complication noted in 3.9–15% of female patients. Surgical treatment success approximates 50%. Gracilis muscle interposition (GMI) is a promising technique that has shown good results with other types of perineal fistulas. We present the results from our institution and a comprehensive literature review. Methods: A retrospective observational study including all patients with a PVF treated with GMI at our institution from December 2018–January 2000. Primary outcome was complete healing after ileostomy closure. Results: Nine patients were included. Eight of nine IPAAs (88.9%) were performed for MUC, and one for FAP. A subsequent diagnosis of Crohn’s disease was made in five patients. Initial success occurred in two patients (22.2%), one patient was lost to follow-up and seven patients, after further procedures, ultimately achieved healing (77.8%). Four of five patients with Crohn’s achieved complete healing (80%). Conclusion: Surgical healing rates quoted in the literature for PVFs are approximately 50%. The initial healing rate was 22.2% and increased to 77.8% after subsequent surgeries, while it was 80% in patients with Crohn’s disease. Given this, gracilis muscle interposition may have a role in the treatment of pouch-vaginal fistulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First described by Parks and Nicholls in 1978, the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has revolutionized the treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). IPAA is fraught with complications, one of which is pouch-vaginal fistulas (PVF), a rare but challenging complication noted in 3.9–15% of female patients. Surgical treatment success approximates 50%. Gracilis muscle interposition (GMI) is a promising technique that has shown good results with other types of perineal fistulas. We present the results from our institution and a comprehensive literature review. Methods: A retrospective observational study including all patients with a PVF treated with GMI at our institution from December 2018–January 2000. Primary outcome was complete healing after ileostomy closure. Results: Nine patients were included. Eight of nine IPAAs (88.9%) were performed for MUC, and one for FAP. A subsequent diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made in five patients. Initial success occurred in two patients (22.2%), one patient was lost to follow-up and seven patients, after further procedures, ultimately achieved healing (77.8%). Four of five patients with Crohn's achieved complete healing (80%). Conclusion: Surgical healing rates quoted in the literature for PVFs are approximately 50%. The initial healing rate was 22.2% and increased to 77.8% after subsequent surgeries, while it was 80% in patients with Crohn's disease. Given this, gracilis muscle interposition may have a role in the treatment of pouch-vaginal fistulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo relacionar o uso do terceiro ponto na insensibilização por eletrocussão com a ocorrência de fratura de coluna e lesão de lombo. Os dados de 169 suínos foram coletados em visitas feitas a um frigorífico no município de Uberlândia - MG. Foram observados o posicionamento do terceiro ponto, o aparecimento e altura da fratura de vértebra, o aparecimento e o grau de lesão no lombo. Dos animais analisados, 8% apresentaram fratura de coluna, e desses somente 1 (7%) apresentou uma lesão leve no lombo. Além disso, dos animais com lesão de coluna, 78% foram insensibilizados na região entre o terceiro e quarto espaço intercostal. Com o trabalho podemos concluir que aparentemente não houve relação entre a fratura de coluna e o aparecimento de lesão no lombo e entre a altura do terceiro ponto com o aparecimento de fratura de coluna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]