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Dioecy is a rare sexual system among angiosperms whose occurrence and frequency depend on the kind and geographical location of the ecosystem. We evaluate the frequency of dioecy in the Caatinga, a special semi-arid vegetation type in Brazil. We compare the floral traits and other ecological characteristics usually related to dioecy between the Caatinga and other tropical ecosystems. Dioecious species of the Caatinga were compiled based on 24 published floristic lists including most of the Caatinga domain. These lists were compared with publications comprising data on sexual systems in different kinds of vegetation in the world. Sexual system confirmation and the database of the reproductive traits of the dioecious species were made by consulting herbaria, literature, and field observations. We registered 22 dioecious species occurring in the Caatinga. The overall dioecy frequency was 2.36 %, considering all Caatinga species, and 6.91 % within woody species. Most dioecious species exhibited traits related to this sexual system (e.g., woody habit, greenish inconspicuous flowers, generalistic pollination syndrome, and zoochory). The distribution of dioecy across the Caatinga plant community exhibited a very low level of phylogenetic signal ( D = −0.145), indicating a phylogenetic structure under Brownian evolution ( p = 0.671). The frequency of dioecy in the Caatinga (2.36 %) proved lower than reported for angiosperms in general (ca. 6 %) and for other tropical ecosystems. This low frequency can be related to particular ecological characteristics of the Caatinga, such as low percentage of trees >3-4 m tall (13-18.7 %), low rainfall (50 % of the Caatinga vegetation with annual rainfall lower than 750 mm), and strong seasonality (6-9 months of dry season). Dioecious species of the Caatinga exhibited typical reproductive traits for this sexual system, similar to what has been reported for dioecious species of other tropical ecosystems in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of various pulse widths with different energy parameters of erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser (2.94 mum) on the morphology and microleakage of cavities restored with composite resin. Identically sized class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of 54 bovine teeth by high-speed drill (n = 6, control, group 1) and prepared by Er:YAG laser (Fidelis 320A, Fotona, Slovenia) with irradiation parameters of 350 mJ/ 4 Hz or 400 mJ/2 Hz and pulse width: group 2, very short pulse (VSP); group 3, short pulse (SP); group 4, long pulse (LP); group 5, very long pulse (VLP). All cavities were filled with composite resin (Z-250-3 M), stored at 37 degrees C in distilled water, polished after 24 h, and thermally stressed (700 cycles/5-55 degrees C). The teeth were impermeabilized, immersed in 50% silver nitrate solution for 8 h, sectioned longitudinally, and exposed to Photoflood light for 10 min to reveal the stain. The leakage was evaluated under stereomicroscope by three different examiners, in a double-blind fashion, and scored (0-3). The results were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test (P > 0.05) and showed that there was no significant differences between the groups tested. Under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the morphology of the cavities prepared by laser showed irregular enamel margins and dentin internal walls, and a more conservative pattern than that of conventional cavities. The different power settings and pulse widths of Er:YAG laser in cavity preparation had no influence on microleakage of composite resin restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the urban green area of the São Raimundo Nonato city (PI), regarding the floristic composition and the pollination service, comparing it with the natural ecosystem (caatinga). We employed indices of functional diversity of the reproductive traits by means of the usual procedures of collect and identification of species, classification (the origin, floral attributes, and pollination syndromes), followed by data analysis. The results show that the urban area presents a greater functional diversity because of the richness of exotic species, but with specialized pollination systems and resources inaccessible to native pollinators. By removing them, the rates are higher in the caatinga, revealing the need for planning in afforestation with native species suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nursing Care Systematization is a methodology for organizing nursing care, based on the principles of the scientific method. Objectives: to identify and analyze nursing bibliographic references in the PUBMED, LILACS, BVS, SciELO, REBEN databases on the result of using an instrument for the Systematization of Perioperative Nursing Care (SAEP) in the post-anesthetic recovery room (PACU). Methodology: it is an exploratory, retrospective study and critical analysis of the literature that was developed through a search in electronic documents published in journals - scientific articles. 22 articles were analyzed that dealt with the subject addressed, where it was possible to obtain knowledge about it. Results: The systematization of perioperative care (SAEP) is an important measure formulated by nurses through preoperative visits. The preoperative nursing visit is one of the main activities that the nurse performs while the patient feels pain and worry. Deploying data collection instruments in a surgical center is not an easy task, as it requires knowledge of the area and the dynamics of the area to be implanted. It is important to use adaptive and systematic instruments in the operating room to help provide perioperative information and assist nursing staff and medical staff during all surgical procedures. Conclusion: It is concluded that the reflection on the results of this study can help in the understanding that nursing professionals should have about the mandatory and need for the development of SAEP in the care provided to surgical patients, contributing even more to the research that aims to demystify the applicability of the SAE as a private assignment of nurses in carrying out their professional duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood transfusion is the administration of blood components intravenously that is characterized by being a complex procedure, which requires a technical and practical knowledge and occupy a broad domain of the professionals involved in this process. The objective of this study is to investigate aspects related to incidence of transfusion reactions notified by the Transfusion Agency of the Regional Hospital of Cacoal-RO, from September 2011 to December 2015. This is a descriptive epidemiological study retrospective with quantitative and qualitative approach. Data collection was conducted through transfusion incident reporting forms (FIT's) in Notivisa Information System, and by the statistical records of the sector in question. It is expected that the results of this research may subsidize the development of further studies on the proposed topic, to contribute to the safety and quality of care in institutions for transfusion therapy and add new knowledge to health professionals working in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spasticity is a motor disorder frequently present in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the spasticity of the masseter and anterior temporal muscle fibers in children with CP over three weeks of intermittent laser exposures. The bite force (BF) of the masticatory muscles and the amplitude of mouth opening were evaluated before and after laser irradiation in 30 children with CP. Both sides of the masseter and temporalis muscles were irradiated with low-intensity diode laser pulses of 808-nm wavelength six times over three consecutive weeks. During the subsequent three weeks of postlaser exposures, although no laser treatment was applied, the evaluation parameters were measured and recorded. A significant improvement in the amplitude of mouth opening and a decrease in the BF were observed in the weeks following LLLT (P < 0.05). However, by the sixth week post-LLLT, the BF and the amplitude of mouth opening reverted to values equivalent to those obtained before the first application of LLLT. Our investigation revealed low-level energy exposures from a 808-nm diode laser to be an effective short-term therapeutic tool. This method increased the amplitude of mouth opening and decreased the muscle tonus of children with spastic CP over a time course of three weeks of intermittent laser applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and background: The correct selections of the cementing agent, the endodontic post material and placement protocol are critical to provide an increased longevity of the teeth that went through endodontic treatment. The irradiation with diode laser before post cementation, can promote an antimicrobial effect. However, there is a lack of information about the effect of 830 nm diode laser on the post bond strength. This study analyzed the effect of dentin root canal irradiation with high-intensity diode laser, at 830 nm, operating in continuous or pulsed mode, on the retention of metal or fiber posts, cemented with self-etching resinous composite (Panavia F) and zinc phosphate cement (ZnPO4). Materials and methods: Human roots were irradiated with diode laser (continuous and pulsed mode). The fiber posts were luted with Panavia F and the metal posts with Panavia F or ZnPO4 cement. Specimens were sectioned into three sections (cervical, middle, and apical). The bond strength was measured by a push-out mechanical analysis. For the statistical analysis, a three-way ANOVA test was applied following a Tukey's pairwise comparison with a significance level of p = 0.05. Results: The irradiated groups presented higher bond strength compared with nonirradiated group (p < 0.05), and the cervical and middle thirds presented higher on bond strength than the apical. The association of metal post and Panavia F presented higher bond strength when irradiated on continuous mode (p < 0.05). Fiber post and Panavia F presented higher bond strength associated to pulsed mode. The mode seems not to make a significant difference. Conclusions: These results corroborate the importance of the post bond to dentin and root canal debris removal to increase the tooth longevity. It was shown that the dentin to post bond strength were enhanced by the diode laser irradiation either on continuous or pulsed modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irradiation of blood components with ionizing radiation generated by a specific device is recommended to prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease. However, a linear accelerator can also be used in the absence of such a device, which is the case of the blood bank facility studied herein. In order to evaluate the quality of the irradiated packed red blood cells, this study aimed to determine whether the procedure currently employed in the facility is effective in inhibiting the proliferation of T lymphocytes without damaging blood components. The proliferation of T lymphocytes, plasma potassium levels, and the degree of hemolysis were evaluated and compared to blood bags that received no irradiation. Packed red blood cell bags were irradiated at a dose of 25 Gy in a linear accelerator. For this purpose, a container was designed to hold the bags and to ensure even distribution of irradiation as evaluated by computed tomography and dose-volume histogram. Irradiation was observed to inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes. The percentage of hemolysis in irradiated bags was slightly higher than in non-irradiated bags (p-value >0.05), but it was always less than 0.4% of the red cell mass. Although potassium increased in both groups, it was more pronounced in irradiated red blood cells, especially after seven days of storage, with a linear increase over storage time. The findings showed that, at an appropriate dosage and under validated conditions, the irradiation of packed red blood cells in a linear accelerator is effective, inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation but without compromising the viability of the red cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of malachite green (MG) combined with a low-power red laser to kill Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and to investigate MG photodegradation after photodynamic therapy (PDT) by optical absorption spectroscopy. The etiology of periodontal disease is that microorganisms form a bacterial biofilm on the surface of the teeth. It is an infectious disease and A. actinomycetemcomitans is considered an important agent in biofilm ecology. Instead of using antibiotics, PDT is an alternative approach to eradicate bacteria. Cultures of A. actinomycetemcomitans were exposed to a 30mW diode red laser, in the presence or absence of MG. A group of cultures was treated in dark conditions in the presence of MG (0.01% w/v) for 5min. In the presence of MG, two exposure times for laser irradiation were used: t =3min (energy dose=5.4J/cm2), and t =5min (energy dose=9J/cm2). The samples were diluted and bacterial colonies were counted and converted into colony forming units. Absorption spectra of the bacterial suspensions, MG, MG-stained bacterial suspensions, and photosensitized bacterial suspensions were obtained. A. actinomycetemcomitans can be photoinactivated by a red laser in the presence of MG. Significant differences were observed between the two energy doses used (p <0.05). Red laser alone and MG alone were not able to kill bacteria. Optical absorption showed that MG is photobleached after irradiation. These results indicate that A. actinomycetemcomitans can be photosensitized by red laser combined with MG and that the dye is photodegraded following irradiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]