Search

Resumen: Las cicatrices por quemadura suponen una elevada morbilidad en forma de contracturas, desfiguración corporal y prurito, así como un elevado impacto emocional que disminuye la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. Los dispositivos láser se han mostrado eficaces para su tratamiento, por encima de los tratamientos tópicos y complementarios a la cirugía, sin generar tanta morbilidad. Sin embargo, su uso en los departamentos de dermatología hospitalarios todavía está poco extendido. El láser más utilizado es el láser CO2 para tratar el grosor de la cicatriz, alteraciones texturales, y la posible contractura asociada, restaurando la movilidad de estos pacientes cuando se encuentra alterada. El láser de colorante pulsado es especialmente útil ante las cicatrices de quemaduras recientes con componente eritematoso y para prevenir el desarrollo de cicatrices hipertróficas posteriores. La hiperpigmentación puede mejorar con láseres de pigmento en modalidades de pulso corto (nano- y picosegundos). Revisamos la evidencia de estos dispositivos para el tratamiento de las cicatrices por quemaduras y aportamos una propuesta de algoritmo terapéutico. Abstract: Burn scars cause high morbidity in the form of contractures, body disfigurement, and itching, and they also have a high emotional impact that adversely affects patient quality of life. Laser therapy has proven effective in this setting. It is superior to topical treatments and can be used in conjunction with surgery, helping to reduce morbidity. The use of lasers in hospital dermatology departments, however, is still limited. Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is the most widely used modality for reducing scar thickness, improving textural abnormalities, and treating contractures. Treatments improve mobility for patients with constrictions. Pulsed dye laser treatments are particularly useful for reducing erythema in recent burn scars and preventing subsequent hypertrophy. Pigment laser treatments with short pulse durations (nanoseconds or picoseconds) can improve hyperpigmentation. In this article, we review the evidence for the use of laser therapy for burn scars and propose a treatment algorithm.

Muriel Spark’s The Driver’s Seat is a radical metafictional experiment, suggesting the inexorable connections between contingency and a predetermined plot which are so common to many Sparkian novels. Following Marina MacKay’s perception that Spark’s experimental narrative operates “in the conceptual space where the more abstract preoccupations of Roman Catholic theology overlap with the metafictional and fabulist concerns of postmodernism” (2008: 506), this essay will discuss how the notion of predestination reverberates in The Driver’s Seat, not only as a remnant of Spark’s Presbyterian education but also as a postmodern re-visitation of classical tragedy in a metafictional key. Spark’s preference for predetermined plots may echo a long philosophical and theological discussion spanning many centuries about free will and predestination, particularly intense in the times of the Protestant Reformation, but it also reflects the sense of predestination as a necessary ingredient of classical tragedy. In The Driver’s Seat Spark deliberately brought to the fore some conventions of Aristotelian tragedy, although she approached them through an experimental subversion ultimately resorting to comedy and ridicule, on Spark’s own admission her weapons for the only possible art form. Our contention is that the metafictional implications of The Driver’s Seat’s prolepses undermine a Calvinist-like certainty concerning predestined salvation or damnation. By using a partial narrator only capable of producing limited accounts, Spark may be playing with an experimental and essentially postmodern interpretive openness which is in tune with the ultimate uncertainty about each individual’s eternal salvation that is commonly accepted in Catholic thought.

Resumen: Antecedentes y objetivo: La psoriasis es una enfermedad con una gran implicación sistémica en la que se ha descrito una mayor prevalencia de alteraciones de la mucosa oral. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de alteraciones orales en pacientes con psoriasis y su asociación con las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la enfermedad. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal, incluyendo pacientes con psoriasis y voluntarios sanos entre diciembre de 2019 y febrero de 2020. Se recogieron datos biométricos, comorbilidades asociadas y alteraciones orales detectadas en la exploración física. Además, en los pacientes con psoriasis se registraron las características clínicas de la enfermedad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 100 pacientes con psoriasis y 100 controles. Los pacientes con psoriasis presentaron una mayor prevalencia de alteraciones de la mucosa oral respecto al grupo control (74% frente a 46%, p

BackgroundDespite being a new entity, there is a large amount of information on the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the symptoms of the acute phase; however, there are still many unknowns about the clinical features and pathophysiology of post-COVID syndrome. Refractory chronic cough is one of the most prevalent symptoms and carries both a medical problem and a social stigma. Many recent studies have highlighted the role of SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism, but no studies have demonstrated vagus nerve neuropathy as a cause of persistent chronic cough or other COVID-19 long-term effects.ObjectiveThe main objective was to assess the involvement of the vagus nerve neuropathy as a cause of chronic cough and other post-COVID syndrome symptoms.Material and methodsThis was a single-center observational study with prospective clinical data collected from 38 patients with chronic cough and post-COVID-19 syndrome. Clinical characteristics and laryngeal electromyographic findings were analyzed.ResultsClinical data from 38 patients with chronic cough after 12 weeks of the acute phase of COVID-19 infection were analyzed. Of these patients, 81.6% suffered from other post-COVID conditions and, 73.6% reported fluctuating evolution of symptoms. Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) of the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles and cricothyroid (CT) muscles was pathological in 76.3% of the patients. Of the patients with abnormal LEMG, chronic denervation was the most frequent finding (82.8%), 10.3% presented acute denervation signs, and 6.9% presented myopathic pattern in LEMG.ConclusionsLEMG studies suggest the existence of postviral vagus nerve neuropathy after SARS-CoV-2 infection that could explain chronic cough in post-COVID syndrome.

Burn scars cause high morbidity in the form of contractures, body disfigurement, and itching, as well as a high emotional impact that adversely affects patient quality of life. Laser therapy has proven effective in this setting. It is superior to topical treatments and can be used in conjunction with surgery, helping to reduce morbidity. The use of lasers in hospital dermatology departments, however, is still limited. Carbon dioxide laser is the most widely used device for reducing scar thickness, improving textural abnormalities, and treating associated contractures, which may restore the mobility of these patients when it is altered. Pulsed dye laser treatments are particularly useful for reducing erythema in recent burn scars and preventing subsequent hypertrophy. Pigment laser treatments with short pulse durations (nanoseconds or picoseconds) can improve hyperpigmentation. In this article, we review the evidence for the use of laser therapy for burn scars and propose a treatment algorithm. Resumen: Las cicatrices por quemadura suponen una elevada morbilidad en forma de contracturas, desfiguración corporal y prurito, así como un elevado impacto emocional que disminuye la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. Los dispositivos láser se han mostrado eficaces para su tratamiento, por encima de los tratamientos tópicos y complementarios a la cirugía, sin generar tanta morbilidad. Sin embargo, su uso en los departamentos de dermatología hospitalarios todavía está poco extendido. El láser más utilizado es el láser CO2 para tratar el grosor de la cicatriz, alteraciones texturales, y la posible contractura asociada, restaurando la movilidad de estos pacientes cuando se encuentra alterada. El láser de colorante pulsado es especialmente útil ante las cicatrices de quemaduras recientes con componente eritematoso y para prevenir el desarrollo de cicatrices hipertróficas posteriores. La hiperpigmentación puede mejorar con láseres de pigmento en modalidades de pulso corto (nano- y picosegundos). Revisamos la evidencia de estos dispositivos para el tratamiento de las cicatrices por quemaduras y aportamos una propuesta de algoritmo terapéutico.

Efficient Microorganisms (EM) are commonly used in organic crops; however, there are no studies on their effects on the production of citrus seedlings. The work aimed to evaluate the impact of applying the inoculants Native Efficient Microorganisms (NEM) and the commercial product EM1® in forming the seedling of the rootstock Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf and in the development of young plants of Sweet Orange “Valência” (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) and Murcott tangor (Citrus sinensis x Citrus reticulata Blanco). The inoculant based on efficient microorganisms from the homemade technology of capture and multiplication, native efficient microorganisms (NEM), showed greater microbial diversity when compared to the commercial product EM1®. The results obtained from the dry mass analysis of the Valência orange and Murcott tangor plants indicate that positive effects resulting from the use of EM1® and NEM inoculums can be obtained by cultivating the respective crops in a system with oat straw cover. It was observed that the use of efficient microorganisms, as microbial natural bioactive formulation, has potential use in citrus and that farmers with fewer resources will be able to produce the microorganisms on their properties.

Background and objective: Psoriasis is a multisystem disease associated with an increased prevalence of oral lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral lesions in patients with psoriasis and examine associations with clinical and patient characteristics. Material and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with psoriasis and healthy controls seen between December 2019 and February 2020. We recorded biometric data, comorbidities associated with psoriasis, oral examination findings, and clinical characteristics of psoriasis. Results: We studied 100 patients with psoriasis and 100 controls. Oral lesions were more common in the psoriasis group (74% vs 46%, P

Abstract Pretreatment of keratinous residues using an ultrasonic reaction system provides greater enzymatic production in less time. This is a promising technology for measuring enzyme activity and microwave processes. In the present work, an ultrasonic probe reaction system was used to evaluate the potential of swine hair pretreatment. The pretreated material was submerged with non-pretreated residues for 9 days to obtain the enzyme. Enzyme activity was measured in the extracts obtained using the ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic bath, and microwave. We also used the enzymatic concentration technique with NaCl and acetone. Homemade enzymatic extracts were evaluated for their ability to degrade swine hair and chicken feathers by comparing them with the activities commercial enzymes. Macrobeads gave greater energy dissipation in less time, providing greater enzyme activity (50.8 U/mL over 3 days). In terms of waste degradation, non-pretreated swine hair was more promising. The ultrasonic probe reaction system had the potential to evaluate increased enzyme activity (38.4% relative activity) and the enzyme concentration increased activity by 53.5%. The homemade enzymatic extract showed promise for degradation of keratinous residues.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze an intervention on Strengths Based Character Education for the Elderly (Educafi) and its effects on the variables character strengths, psychological well-being, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Forty-one elderly people participated in the research, divided into three groups: experimental, active control and control. Participants answered the same questionnaires in three moments: pretest, post-test and follow up. Statistically significant results were obtained for depressive symptoms, but not for the positive constructs assessed. Elderly people who participated in Educafi decreased the levels of these symptoms from the pretest to the post-test. However, in the follow up they returned to the initial levels. The results are discussed and suggestions for Educafi and other positive interventions for the elderly are presented.

Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar dois tipos de medidas (Teste de Raciocínio e Nomeação por Pais) utilizadas na avaliação de dotação intelectual. Para tanto, aplicaram-se a Bateria de Provas de Raciocínio (BPR-5) e a versão para pais das Escalas de Sobre-Excitabilidade, mais especificamente a escala de Sobre-Excitabilidade Intelectual (SEI), em alunos do ensino fundamental (n = 67) e em seus pais ou responsáveis (n = 67), respectivamente. Ao comparar as duas medidas, observou-se que os estudantes que apresentaram melhor desempenho no escore geral da BPR-5 também tenderam a apresentar médias mais altas na SEI. Foram obtidas correlações positivas, significativas, que variaram de fracas a moderadas, entre a SEI, a capacidade cognitiva geral e alguns tipos de raciocínio (verbal, abstrato e numérico). A comparação e as associações positivas entre os dois instrumentos permitem sugerir que ambos investigam construtos correlatos. Entretanto, as medidas devem ser consideradas como complementares e não substitutivas.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivos estabelecer normas preliminares e verificar a estrutura e invariância fatorial das Escalas de Sobre-Excitabilidade (ESE) de acordo com o sexo. Trata-se de uma medida destinada à avaliação de sobre-excitabilidade - tendência para reagir intensa e sensivelmente a estímulos nas áreas sensorial, psicomotora, imaginativa, emocional e intelectual. Participaram 1500 estudantes do ensino fundamental de cinco estados brasileiros. Análises fatoriais confirmatórias demonstraram bons índices de ajustes para os modelos testados, revelando a existência de 11 escalas. Apesar de haver diferenças quanto ao sexo nos escores médios de algumas escalas, análises fatoriais confirmatórias multigrupos indicaram a invariância fatorial da medida nos grupos masculino e feminino. A normatização preliminar foi estabelecida a partir do cálculo do percentil acumulado para os escores totais e por sexo. Esses resultados evidenciam propriedades psicométricas adequadas e constituem um avanço para a normatização das ESE.

Byline: Nuria. Setó-Torrent, Maribel. Iglesias-Sancho, Arcadi. Altemir-Vidal, Mònica. Quintana-Codina, María. Fernández-Figueras, Montserrat. Salleras-Redonnet Sir, A 19-year-old otherwise healthy man presented with seven erythematous brownish macules with geographic borders, from 1 [...]

O presente artigo integra uma investigação teórica ampla que visa a uma revisão do conceito de formação em bases filosóficas contemporâneas. Nesta etapa pontual da pesquisa, a investigação volta-se a algumas contribuições do existencialismo sartreano, em especial à concepção de liberdade e suas implicações na formação para a autonomia. Assim, o texto aborda a formação do sujeito autônomo no contexto escolar, considerando a condição relacional em que acontece a educação, bem como o que implica a existência do conflito nessas relações. Propõe-se, com a análise de aspectos da obra de Jean-Paul Sartre, uma análise do conflito como propulsor da constituição da liberdade e da autonomia. Tanto a perspectiva do aluno, quanto a do professor nas relações interpessoais na escola são objeto desta análise conceitual. Destacam-se os desafios ao aluno e ao professor em suas responsabilidades frente à constituição da autonomia. Nesse percurso argumentativo, o texto propõe a presença do professor como sujeito de referência para o desenvolvimento da autonomia dos educandos. Justifica-se, assim, a posição de afastamento das perspectivas idealistas de viés unitário, e a decorrente exigência formativa de que se assuma a pluralidade como condição original da educação.

A disposição final de Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos (RSU) em aterros corresponde a técnica de tratamento de resíduos mais difundida no mundo, porém, estes locais apresentam fontes potenciais de poluição, necessitando do constante monitoramento ambiental. Assim, este estudo avaliou a relação entre qualidade do lixiviado gerado no aterro sanitário de Palmeira das Missões e da água subterrânea local. Para tanto, realizou-se uma avaliação histórica da qualidade da água subterrânea e de informações do efluente bruto e tratado. Os dados dos parâmetros da qualidade da água subterrânea foram submetidos à estatística descritiva e ao Teste t de Student. A avaliação da qualidade do lixiviado tratado revelou que, dos 40 parâmetros avaliados, 9 apresentaram concentrações acima do valor máximo permitido (VMP) estabelecidos nas resoluções brasileiras. Para a água subterrânea, dentre os 30 parâmetros avaliados, 10 estão presentes em concentrações superiores ao VMP. O teste estatístico revelou que a alcalinidade total, Pb, OD, DBO5 SDT e ST apresentaram um aumento significativo em pelo menos uma das análises dos poços à jusante em relação ao poço à montante, porém, somente o Pb e a DBO5 estão presentes em concentração superior ao VMP. Tais resultados demonstraram que o lixiviado gerado no aterro está afetando a qualidade da água subterrânea local e, também, espera-se que contribuam para a melhor gestão dos RSU e dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos.

In recent years, synthetic herbicides' intense and disordered use has triggered severe contamination of soils and water bodies, causing damage to living organisms, including vegetal herbicide-resistance. In-part, biological herbicides, offer promise in addressing these problems, especially for sustainable weed management in both agricultural and natural resource management contexts. The search for culture media to serve as alternatives to the existing conventional synthetic media has focused on microalgae biomass. The natural properties of these organisms make them ideal raw materials for fermentative processes. Therefore, this study aimed to integrate bioprocesses producing bioherbicidal extract using a submerged fermentation process. For this, a substrate of microalgae recycled biomass to replace commercially used media for fungal growth for relatively cheap biomass obtained from wastewater phycoremediation after anaerobic treatment (UASB). We also verified its potential for weed control. Preliminary tests of microalgae fermentation were conducted in the raw and lyophilized form, using the fungus Trichoderma koningiopsis. To evaluate their phytotoxic potential, the biocompounds were applied to Bidens pilosa, Conyza bonariensis, Urochloa plantaginea, and Euphorbia heterophylla weeds. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to evaluate the influence of temperature (20–45°C), agitation (0–200 RPM), and pH (3–14) on the improvement of enzyme activities, fungal growth and the effects on Cucumis sativus germination tests. We found that microalgae could be used as a substrate for obtaining bioherbicides. The biocompounds produced in this study were relevant for pre- and post-emergence control of model plants (Cucumis sativus), with vigor indexes of up to 8.05% and herbicide-resistant plants (Conyza bonariensis) with phytotoxic damage of up to 100% after 15 days. From the experiments' design, we found that agitation was the variable that had the most significant effect on enzyme and biomass production, followed by pH and temperature. The enzymes also showed synergistic action when acting together with microalgae and fungi, potentiating the control effect on weeds. Finally, the system integrated bioprocesses through agro-industrial effluent recovery and reuse, considered one of the essential economic viability mechanisms by enhancing the development of more sustainable technologies that embrace the principles of a circular economy.

Introdução: Em tempos de pandemia de COVID-19, a telepsicologia é uma opção apropriada que permite manter e expandir a oferta de serviços psicológicos. Telepsicologia é o uso de tecnologias de informação e comunicação (videochamada, e-mail etc.) para prover serviços psicológicos (telepsicoterapia, teleaconselhamento etc.) e se tornou fundamental devido ao aumento e/ou agravamento dos problemas de saúde mental durante a pandemia. Objetivo: Relatar uma experiência em andamento de telepsicologia para famílias que envolve o uso de telepsicoterapia e telepsicoeducação. Relato de Experiência: O relato foi organizado com base em 10 diretrizes desenvolvidas a partir de princípios norteadores propostos por instituições de referência nacionais e internacionais. Dois tipos de atividades são oferecidos: telepsicoeducação preventiva e telepsicoterapia familiar. A telepsicoterapia está sendo disponibilizada em formato breve e as famílias atendidas são principalmente da cidade da instituição responsável pelo projeto. A telepsicoeducação tem sido feita principalmente por cartilhas e podcasts com temas relacionados ao foco do projeto (família) e aspectos que contribuem para um coping funcional com as consequências da pandemia de COVID-19. Resultados: Embora não se trate de um ensaio clínico randomizado e ainda tenham sido atendidas poucas famílias, parece que o processo telepsicoterapêutico tem sido eficaz. Os atendidos têm participado ativamente, o vínculo tem se estabelecido e relações de ajuda estão sendo construídas. Feedbacks positivos por parte dos atendidos já foram obtidos no que se refere ao alcance das metas terapêuticas definidas. Conclusão: A telepsicologia é especialmente relevante neste momento histórico em que o distanciamento social é imprescindível para mitigar a pandemia e continuará a ser vantajosa após esta crise de saúde por ser particularmente útil, por exemplo, para pessoas residentes em áreas remotas ou com dificuldades de locomoção. Ademais, é provável que a humanidade enfrentará outras pandemias e uma crise climática que, novamente, exigirão distanciamento social e/ou impossibilitarão deslocamentos usuais.

Meliponinae eusocial bees are among the most important pollinators in the Neotropics and their beekeeping has been growing as both recreational and economic activity. Information on the pollen preferences and niche overlap among species coexisting in the same location is still scarce. This study focused on the use of pollen resources by three native species of Meliponinae in the Atlantic Forest, Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata (Lepeletier 1836), Scaptotrigona depilis (Moure 1942), and Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille 1811), at two different sites. The use of pollen resources was evaluated from reserves inside hives collected monthly between February 2015 and January 2016. It was also estimated the Mean Minimal Distance (Dm) traveled by the bees to obtain pollen. The bees differed regarding the diversity of pollen types, Dm, and proportion of pollen from different plant life-form. Local factor promoted differences only for Dm. M. q. quadrifasciata foraged a low diversity of pollen species and traveled greater distances with a higher proportion of trees plus palm species. Tetragonisca angustula foraged a higher diversity of pollen and flew shorter distances with a lower proportion of trees and palms. The species factor predominates over the local factor in the clustering pattern, based on pollen profile similarity.

Background: To quantify development of gaze stability throughout life during short and long fixational tasks using eye tracking technology. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-nine participants aged between 5 months and 77 years were recruited along the study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmological assessment. Fixational behavior during long and short fixational tasks was analyzed using a DIVE (Device for an Integral Visual Examination), a digital test assisted with eye tracking technology. The participants were divided into ten groups according to their age. Group 1, 0–2 years; group 2, 2–5 years; group 3, 5–10 years; group 4, 10–20 years; group 5, 20–30 years; group 6, 30–40 years; group 7, 40–50 years; group 8, 50–60 years; group 9, 60–70 years; and group 10, over 70 years. Results: Gaze stability, assessed by logBCEA (log-transformed bivariate contour ellipse area), improved with age from 5 months to 30 years (1.27 vs. 0.57 deg2 for long fixational task, 0.73 vs. −0.04 deg2 for short fixational task), while fixations tend to be longer (1.95 vs. 2.80 msec for long fixational tasks and 0.80 vs. 1.71 msec for short fixational tasks). All fixational outcomes worsened progressively from the fifth decade of life. Log-transformed bivariate contour ellipse area (0.79, 0.83, 0.91, 1.42 deg2 for long fixational task and 0.01, 0.18, 0.28, 0.44 deg2 for short fixational task, for group 7, 8, 9, and 10 respectively). Stimuli features may influence oculomotor performance, with smaller stimuli providing prolonged fixations. Conclusions: Fixational behavior can be accurately assessed from 5 months of age using a DIVE. We report normative data of gaze stability and duration of fixations for every age group. Currently available technology may increase the accuracy of our visual assessments at any age.

Resumo Para obter evidências de validade e fidedignidade, a Escala de Atitudes em Relação à Leitura (ERAS-Br) foi aplicada em 335 estudantes do Ensino Fundamental. Identificou-se que estruturas muldimensionais com dois (Leitura Acadêmica e Leitura Recreativa) ou três (Leitura Recreativa, Leitura Acadêmica Geral e Leitura Acadêmica Avaliação) fatores e um fator de segunda ordem são adequadas para a ERAS-Br. Tanto a medida como um todo quanto seus fatores apresentaram consistência interna satisfatória. Um procedimento de teste-reteste com um intervalo de dois anos e parte da amostra obteve coeficientes de estabilidade suficientes ou bons. De modo geral, as atitudes em relação à leitura tenderam a ser ligeiramente positivas, mas declinaram no intervalo de dois anos. Embora a ERAS-Br possua boas evidências de validade baseadas na estrutura interna e fidedignidade, o fato de as atitudes em relação à leitura se tornarem menos positivas ao longo dos anos é preocupante. Pesquisas adicionais são recomendadas.

This review aimed to show that bioherbicides are possible in organic agriculture as natural compounds from fungi and metabolites produced by them. It is discussed that new formulations must be developed to improve field stability and enable the commercialization of microbial herbicides. Due to these bottlenecks, it is crucial to advance the bioprocesses behind the formulation and fermentation of bio-based herbicides, scaling up, strategies for field application, and the potential of bioherbicides in the global market. In this sense, it proposed insights for modern agriculture based on sustainable development and circular economy, precisely the formulation, scale-up, and field application of microbial bioherbicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]