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Background: Propolis is a natural product produced by bees, which has garnered attention due to its harmlessness and numerous beneficial biological properties. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of toothpastes containing different concentrations of propolis (10% and 15%) on the control of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Methods: Sixty-six teeth with DH were randomly divided into three treatment groups (n= 22): placebo (toothpaste without active ingredient), 10% propolis (toothpaste with 10% propolis), and 15% propolis (toothpaste with 15% propolis). DH was assessed at three distinct time points (baseline, 15 and 30 days after treatment) by tactile and evaporative stimuli, using the visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests. A significance level of 5% was used in all analyses. Results: All the groups showed reduction in DH during the study period (p < 0.05). The experimental groups (10% and 15% propolis) showed significantly greater reduction in DH compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05) after 30 days of treatment; however, the findings of experimental groups were similar to each other (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Toothpastes containing propolis at concentrations of 10% and 15% were equally effective in controlling DH, regardless of their concentration. Trial registration: Registered on NCT05083052. Date of Registration: 19/10/2021

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to assess optic disc structural, vascular and functional parameters in patients with primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (PRP). METHODS: This study enrolled patients with PRP and healthy age-matched controls. Subjects underwent evaluation of intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber angle, optic disc structural and vascular parameters (measured by optical coherence tomography) and visual field. RESULTS: Twenty-four eyes were included in the control group, with a mean age of 44.20 ± 4.67 years, and 20 eyes in the PRP group, with a mean age of 43.00 ± 6.08 years (p=0.20). Inferior and nasal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was lower in PRP group (104.05 ± 17.64 vs 118.67 ± 12.60μm, p=0.01; 70.05 ± 12.21 vs 79.50 ± 12.70 μm, p=0.04, respectively). Vascular density was lower in PRP group, mostly in the inner ring (15.90 ± 2.10 vs 14.20 ± 0.43 mm-1, p=0.02). No difference was found in functional parameters (p>0.05). No correlation was found between optic disc vascular density and RNFL thickness on multivariate regression analysis (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that PRP may possibly negatively affect the optic nerve, with a reduced vascular density and RNFL thickness., INTRODUÇÃO: O nosso objetivo foi avaliar os parâmetros estruturais, vasculares e funcio- nais do disco ótico em doentes com fenómeno de Raynaud primário (FRP). MÉTODOS: Este estudo incluiu pacientes com FRP e controlos saudáveis de idade equi- valente. Avaliou-se a pressão intraocular (PIO), ângulo iridocorneano, parâmetros estruturais e vasculares do disco ótico (determinados por tomografia de coerência ótica) e os campos visuais. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 24 olhos no grupo de Controlo, com uma idade média de 44,20 ± 4,67 anos, e 20 olhos no grupo de FRP, com uma média de idade de 43,00 ± 6,08 anos (p=0,20). A espessura nasal e inferior da camada de fibras nervosas (CFN) foi inferior no grupo de FRP (104,05 ± 17,64 vs 118,67 ± 12,60 μm, p=0,01; 7,.05 ± 12,21 vs 79,50 ± 12,70 μm, p=0,04, respetivamente). A densidade vascular foi igualmente inferior no grupo de FRP group, particularmente no anel interno (15,90 ± 2,10 vs 14,20 ± 0,43 mm-1, p=0,02). Não foram encontradas diferenças nos parâmetros funcionais (p0,05). Não se verificou uma correlação entre a densidade vascular do disco óticos e a espessura da CFN na análise de regressão multivariada (p0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Os nossos achados sugerem que a FRP pode afetar negativamente o nervo ótico, com uma menor densidade vascular e espessura da CFN face a uma população normal.

Amblyomma sculptum is a common human-biting tick in Brazil, where it plays an important role as a vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent of the Brazilian spotted fever. Herein, we studied the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum in an urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil, where human rickettsiosis is endemic. Ticks were collected in two sites located within the campus of Federal University of Goiás. The collections were done by dragging, flagging and visual search. In total, 117,685 ticks were collected, including 100,627 Amblyomma spp. larvae, 10,055 nymphs and 6977 adults of A. sculptum, and one nymph and 25 adults of Amblyomma dubitatum. The highest peak of larvae occurred in June 2018 and in July 2019, whereas nymphs peaked in July 2018 and September 2019. Adults reached their highest numbers in March 2018 and November 2019. These data suggest that A. sculptum develops one generation per year in this urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil. Interestingly, the peak of nymphs occurred during the same period of all confirmed cases of rickettsiosis in Goiás, suggesting a possible relationship between the seasonal dynamics of this tick stage and rickettsiosis transmission in this state.

The Covid-19 pandemic is having a great impact on people’s mental health all over the world. Adolescents have been facing several potential stressors. The aim of this study was to explore how Portuguese adolescents were perceiving the Covid-19 outbreak and the relationship between the perceived impact of the pandemic and mental health. Participants were 130 adolescents (97 girls) who completed online questionnaires about the Covid-19 pandemic and the DASS-21. Around 73% of the adolescents agreed that the Covid-19 pandemic affected their lives and 45% felt emotionally affected. Feeling uncomfortable around family during quarantine was correlated with depression (r = .39), anxiety (r = .44), and stress symptoms (r = .37), and feeling capable to deal with the pandemic was negatively correlated with psychopathological symptoms. Girls seemed to be more emotionally affected. Results revealed the negative effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on Portuguese adolescents’ mental health. La pandemia de Covid-19 está teniendo un gran impacto en la salud mental de las personas. Los adolescentes se han enfrentado a varios posibles estresores. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar cómo los adolescentes portugueses percibieron el brote de Covid-19 y la relación entre el impacto percibido de la pandemia y la salud mental. Los participantes fueron 130 adolescentes (97 mujeres) que respondieron cuestionarios online sobre la pandemia Covid-19 y DASS-21. 73% de los adolescentes estuvo de acuerdo en que la pandemia de Covid-19 afectó sus vidas y el 45% se sintió emocionalmente afectado. Sentirse incómodo con la familia durante la cuarentena se correlacionó con síntomas de depresión (r = .39), ansiedad (r = .44) y estrés (r = .37), y sentirse capaz de lidiar con la pandemia se correlacionó negativamente con los síntomas psicopatológicos. Las adolescentes parecían estar más emocionalmente afectadas. Estos resultados apuntan al efecto negativo de la pandemia Covid-19 en la salud mental de los adolescentes portugueses. A pandemia de Covid-19 está a ter um grande impacto na saúde mental das pessoas em todo o mundo. Os adolescentes têm enfrentado diversos potenciais stressores. O objectivo deste estudo foi explorar como os adolescentes portugueses percecionaram o surto do Covid-19 e a relação entre o impacto percebido da pandemia e a saúde mental. Os participantes foram 130 adolescentes (97 do sexo feminino) que responderam a questionários online sobre a pandemia de Covid-19 e DASS-21. Cerca de 73% dos adolescentes concordaram que a pandemia afectou as suas vidas e 45% sentiu-se emocionalmente afectado. Sentir-se desconfortável perto da família durante a quarentena mostrou-se correlacionado com sintomas de depressão (r = .39), ansiedade (r = .44) e stress (r = .37) e sentir-se capaz de lidar com a pandemia esteve negativamente correlacionado com sintomas psicopatológicos. Adolescentes do sexo feminino pareceram ficar mais emocionalmente afectadas. Esses resultados apontam para o efeito negativo da pandemia de Covid-19 na saúde mental dos adolescentes portugueses.