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Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an early childhood disorder, marked by the presence of multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic, which, sometimes, can be accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The objective was to carry out an analysis of studies that refer to the treatments currently available for TS, analyzing the priority of recommendation, its effectiveness, its possible harm and its contribution to improving the quality of life of patients. This is a literature review about the main treatments available for TS. The descriptors “tourette syndrome”, “treatments”, “drug therapy” and “obsessive compulsive disorder” were crossed in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), National Library of Medicine (PubMed), EbscoHost and Google Scholar. It has been found that initial treatment for Tourette's Syndrome should be based on Supportive Therapy along with the first line of treatment, with behavioral intervention. If there are no results in reducing tics, the second line of treatment, pharmacological intervention, should be implemented. On the other hand, the third line of treatment, is recommended in about 5% of cases of TS, cases in which previous treatments, like non-drug therapies and drugs, did not have the desired effect. Several lines of treatment act to alleviate the symptoms, thus, the treatment can be characterized as being multifaceted and individualized, as it needs to be developed taking into account the individual's specifications and the expressions of the disease on him. El Síndrome de Tourette (ST) es un trastorno de la primera infancia, caracterizado por la presencia de múltiples tics motores y al menos un tic vocal, que en ocasiones pueden vir acompañados de comorbilidades psiquiátricas, el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAH) y el Trastorno Obsesivo-Compulsivo (TOC). El objetivo fue realizar un análisis de estudios que hagan referencia a los tratamientos disponibles actualmente para el ST, analizando la prioridad de recomendación, su efectividad, sus posibles perjuicios y su contribución a la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Metodología: Esta es una revisión de la literatura sobre los principales tratamientos disponibles para el ST. Se cruzaron los descriptores “síndrome de tourette”, “tratamientos”, “terapia farmacológica” y “trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo” en la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (PubMed), EbscoHost y Google Académico. Se ha encontrado que el tratamiento inicial para el síndrome de Tourette debe basarse en la Terapia de Apoyo junto con la primera línea de tratamiento, con intervención conductual. Si no hay resultados en la reducción de los tics, se debe implementar la segunda línea de tratamiento, la intervención farmacológica. Por otro lado, la tercera línea de tratamiento, se recomienda en alrededor del 5% de los casos de ST, casos en los que tratamientos previos, como terapias no farmacológicas y fármacos, no surtieron el efecto deseado. Varias líneas de tratamiento actúan para paliar los síntomas, así, el tratamiento se puede caracterizar por ser multifacético e individualizado, ya que necesita ser desarrollado teniendo en cuenta las especificaciones del individuo y las manifestaciones de la enfermedad en él. Palabras clave: Síndrome de Tourette; Tratamiento; Terapia de drogas; Reducción de tics. A Síndrome de Tourette (ST) é um transtorno de primeira infância, marcada pela presença de múltiplos tiques motores e de pelo menos um tique vocal, sendo por vezes acompanhados de comorbidades psiquiátricas, o Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) e o Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo (TOC). Objetivou-se realizar uma análise de pesquisas que se referem aos tratamentos disponíveis para a ST na atualidade, analisando a prioridade de recomendação, sua efetividade, seus possíveis danos e sua contribuição na melhora da qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Trata-se de uma revisão de literatura acerca dos principais tratamentos disponíveis para ST. Realizou-se o cruzamento dos descritores “tourette syndrome”, “treatments”, “drug therapy” e “tics reduction”, nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO), National Library of Medicine (PubMed), EbscoHost and Google Scholar. Verificou-se que o tratamento inicial para Síndrome de Tourette deve-se pautar na Terapia de Suporte junto da primeira linha de tratamento, com intervenção comportamental. Se não houverem resultados na redução dos tiques, a segunda linha de tratamento, intervenção farmacológica, deve ser implementada. Já, a terceira linha de tratamento, é recomendada em cerca de 5% dos casos de ST, casos em que tratamentos anteriores, como as terapias não medicamentosas e como as medicamentosas não surtiram o efeito desejado. Diversas linhas de tratamento atuam na amenização dos sintomas, assim, o tratamento pode ser caracterizado como sendo multifacetado e individualizado, já que necessita ser desenvolvido levando em consideração as especificações do indivíduo e as expressões da doença sobre ele.

O Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) é caracterizado como transtorno do neurodesenvolvimento, correlacionado à fatores de risco temperamentais, ambientais e genético-fisiológicos. Objetivou-se analisar como o TDAH pode afetar as crianças, destacando suas consequências emocionais e psicossociais, além de ressaltar a relevância do diagnóstico precoce e como este auxilia no controle dos principais sintomas expressos pelos indivíduos. Trata-se de uma revisão de literatura acerca do TDAH em crianças que utilizou da estratégia PICO para a elaboração da pergunta norteadora, realizando o cruzamento dos descritores “impacto biopsicossocial”; “crianças”, “diagnosticadas com TDAH” e “diagnóstico precoce”, nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS); Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO) e Google Scholar. Verificou-se que o TDAH surge da somatória heterogênica de fatores causais, que abrangem alterações genéticas e disfunções neuroquímicas, em conjunto com fatores exógenos. Crianças com TDAH tem prejuízo nas funções cognitivas, no autocontrole e na memória de trabalho, que embasam comportamentos disfuncionais na vida adulta. Para minimizar os danos causados pelo TDAH ao longo do tempo, faz-se necessário um diagnóstico precoce e efetivo. As intervenções cabíveis abrangem múltiplas abordagens, que, idealmente, devem unir a terapia medicamentosa a outros métodos não farmacológicos. Conclui-se que o TDAH apesar de não ter cura, pode ser estabilizado a partir do diagnóstico precoce e intervenção multissetorial na vida da criança. É primordial que tanto a família quanto os professores apresentem um olhar mais empático sobre as crianças vistas como “inquietas” e “desatentas”, a fim de não negligenciar um possível diagnóstico de TDAH. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder, which correlates with temperamental, environmental and genetic-physiological. This study was proposed with the objective of carrying out an analysis of how ADHD can affect children, highlighting its emotional and psychosocial consequences, in addition to highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and how it helps to control the main symptoms expressed by individuals. This is a literature review about ADHD in children that used the PICO strategy for the elaboration of the guiding question, crossing the descriptors “biopsychosocial impact”; “children”, “diagnosed with ADHD” and “early diagnosis”, in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases; Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) and Google Scholar. It was found that ADHD arises from the heterogeneous sum of causal factors, which include genetic alterations and neurochemical dysfunctions, together with exogenous factors. Children with ADHD have impaired cognitive functions, self-control and working memory, which underlie dysfunctional behaviors in adult life. To minimize the damage caused by the disorder over time, an early and effective diagnosis is necessary. Appropriate interventions include multiple approaches, which ideally should combine drug therapy with other non-pharmacological methods. It is concluded that ADHD despite having no cure, can be stabilized through early diagnosis and multisectoral intervention in the child's life. It is essential that both the family and the teachers have a more empathetic view of children seen as “restless” and “inattentive”, in order not to neglect a possible diagnosis of ADHD. El trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) se caracteriza como un trastorno del neurodesarrollo, que se correlaciona con factores de riesgo temperamentales, ambientales, genéticos y fisiológicos. Este estudio se planteó con el objetivo de realizar un análisis de cómo el TDAH puede afectar a los niños, destacando sus consecuencias emocionales y psicosociales, además de resaltar la importancia del diagnóstico precoz y cómo ayuda a controlar los principales síntomas expresados. por indivíduos. Esta es una revisión de literatura sobre TDAH en niños que utilizó la estrategia PICO para la elaboración de la pregunta guía, cruzando los descriptores “impacto biopsicosocial”; “niños”, “diagnosticados con TDAH” y “diagnóstico precoz”, en las bases de datos de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS); Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) y Google Scholar. Se encontró que el TDAH surge de la suma heterogénea de factores causales, que incluyen alteraciones genéticas y disfunciones neuroquímicas, junto con factores exógenos. Los niños con TDAH tienen funciones cognitivas, autocontrol y memoria de trabajo deterioradas, que son la base de los comportamientos disfuncionales en la vida adulta. Para minimizar el daño causado por el trastorno a lo largo del tiempo, es necesario un diagnóstico temprano y eficaz. Las intervenciones apropiadas incluyen múltiples enfoques, que idealmente deberían combinar la terapia farmacológica con otros métodos no farmacológicos. Se concluye que el TDAH a pesar de no tener cura, puede estabilizarse mediante un diagnóstico precoz y una intervención multisectorial en la vida del niño. Es fundamental que tanto la familia como el profesorado tengan una visión más empática de los niños vistos como “inquietos” y “desatentos”, para no descuidar un posible diagnóstico de TDAH.

Avaliou-se os níveis de ansiedade e o uso de medicamentos para tratar ansiedade entre acadêmicos do curso de medicina de uma universidade do sul de Minas Gerais, relacionando estas variáveis com dados sociodemográficos, prescrição e acompanhamento médico e melhoria dos sintomas. Este é um estudo transversal, no qual a amostra foi analisada por meio de um questionário semiestruturado. Entre 264 acadêmicos, 21% (n = 56) fazem uso de medicamentos para tratar ansiedade. Entre estes usuários, a maioria foi do sexo feminino, quase metade apresentavam de 21 a 25 anos, a maioria solteiros, residindo sozinhos, e com alta renda familiar. Esses acadêmicos optaram pelo curso de medicina principalmente, por realização profissional e pessoal, e o principal medicamento utilizado foi a fluoxetina. Ainda, 39% dos entrevistados se automedicam, apesar de 64,3% estarem sob acompanhamento médico, mais da metade apresentam efeitos colaterais e 87,5% apresentaram melhorias dos sintomas de ansiedade após o início do uso. O uso de medicamentos entre os estudantes de medicina é cada vez maior e em sua maioria o acompanhamento médico influencia diretamente na melhoria dos sintomas. Além disso, existem fatores considerados de risco que podem levar a ansiedade e/ou a automedicação e uso indiscriminado de medicamentos, assim as medidas preventivas em saúde devem levar em conta estes fatores para guiar ações mais efetivas.

Trace elements (TE) homeostasis is crucial in normal brain functioning. Although imbalances have the potential to exacerbate events leading neurodegenerative diseases, few studies have directly addressed the eventual relationships between TE levels in the human body and future cognitive status. The present study aimed to assess how different TE body-levels relate to cognitive decline. This exploratory research included a study-group (RES) of 20 elderly individuals living in two Portuguese geographical areas of interest (Estarreja, M&eacute, rtola), as well as a 20 subjects neuropsychological control-group (CTR). Participants were neuropsychologically assessed through the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the RES group was biomonitored for TE through fingernail analysis. After 5 years, the cognitive assessments were repeated. Analyses of the RES neuropsychological data showed an average decrease of 6.5 and 5.27 points in MMSE and MoCA, respectively, but TE contents in fingernails were generally within the referenced values for non-exposed individuals. Higher levels of Nickel and Selenium significantly predicted lesser cognitive decline within 5 years. Such preliminary results evidence an association between higher contents of these TE and higher cognitive scores at follow-up, suggesting their contribution to the maintenance of cognitive abilities. Future expansion of the present study is needed in order to comprehensively assess the potential benefits of these TE.

The Chapada Diamantina, located in the central region of the State of Bahia, is of important historical significance due to its diamond occurrences. Discovered in the nineteenth century, comprehensive research about the regional diamonds and their origins are still limited, demanding more investigation in the matter. Looking for insights about their genesis, mineral inclusions in 23 alluvial diamonds from 4 garimpos located in the Chapada Diamantina were analyzed through the use of Raman micro spectroscopy. Additionally, the characteristics of nitrogen aggregation of the host diamonds were measured using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The diamonds from Chapada Diamantina consist mainly of well-formed crystals, with dominant dodecahedral habits, characterized by faint to very light yellow body colors, typically with green and brown radiation spots on their surface. The main surface textures observed are related to processes that took place in the late stage resorption and during the residence of the diamonds in placer environments. The diamonds are predominantly type IaAB, with a significant occurrence of poorly aggregated nitrogen (Type IaA diamond). The main mineral assemblages of the studied peridotitic inclusions refer to a harzburgitic paragenesis.

In the midwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil, kimberlite intrusions, particularly kamafugite and alkaline complexes, occur along the NW-SE-oriented Alto Paranaiba structural high. Diamonds in this region were discovered in the Bagagem River and later in the alluvial deposits of the Santo Antonio do Bonito, Santo Inacio and Douradinho rivers. Diamond-bearing kimberlites observed in the region are the primary sources of diamond deposits, as in the case of the Vargem Bonita diggings-in the upper Sao Francisco River. However, the primary sources of the alluvial diamonds that occur in the Santo Antonio do Bonito, Santo Inacio, and Douradinho rivers have not been clarified. These diamond populations have characteristics common to all three drainage area, where large stones are frequently recovered. Diamond accumulation in the alluvium is due to the erosion and re-concentration of material from basal conglomerate of the Capacete Formation. There is evidence that the sources that fed the conglomerate are local diamond-bearing kimberlites of approximately 90–120 Ma underlying the Capacete Formation, which in an upper unit of the Mata da Corda Group. Recent fieldwork led to the location of a kimberlite intrusion in the Santo Inacio River Basin, southeast of Coromandel. The intrusion fulfills the requirements constituting a primary source of diamonds in the area.

Today is the era of nanoscience and nanotechnology, which find applications in the field of medicine, electronics, and environmental remediation. Even though nanotechnology is in its emerging phase, it continues to provide solutions to numerous challenges. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles are found to be very effective because of their unique chemical and physical properties and high surface area, but their high cost is one of the major hurdles to its wider application. So, the synthesis of nanomaterials, especially 2D nanomaterials from industrial, agricultural, and other biological activities, could provide a cost-effective technique. The nanomaterials synthesized from such waste not only minimize pollution, but also provide an eco-friendly approach towards the utilization of the waste. In the present review work, emphasis has been given to the types of nanomaterials, different methods for the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials from the waste generated from industries, agriculture, and their application in electronics, medicine, and catalysis.

The aim of this study was to identify links between potential long-term environmental exposure to mixed contamination and the neuropsychological performance of a group of adults (> 55 years old) living near an industrial facility. Fifty-eight permanent residents were evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) tests. Human biomonitoring involved the measurement of trace elements in fingernails to determine exposure. Only fingernail Hg contents of the Estarreja group are above the mean content found for non-exposed and healthy centenaries populations, although several outlier values were observed for the majority of the elements. From the total of individuals recruited for the study, 29% obtained a 0 score on CDR indicating a normal status, 34% scored 0.5 which is suggestive of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 22% had a cognitive performance indicative of mild dementia, and 14% fall under the categories of moderate and severe dementia. Principal component analysis and multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) were combined to identify groups of correlated variables discriminating well the cognitive functions examined by the different neuropsychological tests. The results obtained show that fingernails’ data discriminate well between CDR scores for normal and altered cognitive statuses, and further suggest that elevated levels of Mn and Zn in fingernails of the elderly residents of Estarreja are associated to a condition of severe dementia. The poor discriminating ability of the MDA model for intermediate categories of the cognitive tests (MCI, mild dementia) may be attributed either to a lack of sensitivity of the cognitive tests for the screening of these intermediate conditions or to the similar Zn and Mn contents in fingernail observed in participants falling under such categories.

New lines of evidence suggest that less than 10% of neurodegenerative diseases have a strict genetic aetiology and other factors may be prevalent. Environmental exposures to potentially toxic elements appear to be a risk factor for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and sclerosis diseases. This study proposes a multidisciplinary approach combining neurosciences, psychology and environmental sciences while integrating socio-economic, neuropsychological, environmental and health data. We present the preliminary results of a neuropsychological assessment carried out in elderly residents of the industrial city of Estarreja. A battery of cognitive tests and a personal questionnaire were administered to the participants. Multivariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify potential relationships between the cognitive status of the participants and environmental exposure to potentially toxic elements. The results suggest a relationship between urinary PTEs levels and the incidence of cognitive disorders. They also point towards water consumption habits and profession as relevant factors of exposure. Linear regression models show that aluminium (R2 = 38%), cadmium (R2 = 11%) and zinc (R2 = 6%) are good predictors of the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination cognitive test. Median contents (µg/l) in groundwater are above admissible levels for drinking water for aluminium (371), iron (860), manganese (250), and zinc (305). While the World Health Organization does not provide health-based reference values for aluminium, results obtained from this study suggest that it may have an important role in the cognitive status of the elderly. Urine proved to be a suitable biomarker of exposure both to elements with low and high excretion rates.