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The aim was to investigate the feasibility of using a device to characterize permeability in porous substrates with low gas flux. Al2O3 supports were prepared by dry pressing using 1 to 3 wt% of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a pore-forming agent. The green body was partially sintered at 1300 °C. CO2 gas was used to measure both the pressure loss and the gas flux passing through the porous substrate. The permeability behavior was analyzed by the Darcy and Forchheimer models. The correlation between Darcy's and Forchheimer's permeabilities showed that the porous substrates may be used as membranes for micro, ultra, and nanofiltration. The mechanical resistance and the gas permeability exhibited antagonistic dependencies in relation to porosity, being identified as an optimized condition at 2 wt% PEG, in which the two properties presented high values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Portfolio Theory, by combining assets that show a correlation inferior to one (1) among their individual returns, it becomes possible to create portfolios that reduce risk without damaging expected return. Crop and livestock futures contracts and company stocks show such a characteristic, which signals potential benefits when forming portfolios combining these two types of assets. This investment strategy is not often utilized in Brazil. The purpose of our research was to assess whether such an asset combination is actually advantageous to those creating investment portfolios in the Brazilian market. Our evaluation used instruments of analysis developed by Markowitz in Portfolio Theory and data about the return from crop and livestock futures contracts and stocks. The data was gathered from the Brazilian Futures and Commodities Exchange (BM&F) and Brazil?s National Association of Open Market Institutions (ANDIMA) between July 1994 and December 1998. The results of this work showed that the combination of these two types of assets in investment portfolios can be an interesting portfolio management alternative.

In order to devise a new method and practical alternatives for programmes in public health, the present study had as its main objective to evaluate the antibacterial action of the essential oil and extract of a plant, Lippia sidoides Cham, against Streptococcus mutans and S. mitis. Intending to develop a new buccal preventive method based on natural substances extracted from plants, samples were obtained from patients in the odontopoediatric clinics of The Federal University of the Cear´ in Brazil by getting them to chew a piece of wax. The results indicated that those subjects in the alecrim-pimenta group had significantly decreased total number counts of S. mutans and S. mitis compared with the other group.

Obesity is a chronic disease resulting from multifactorial causes mainly related to lifestyle (sedentary lifestyle, inadequate eating habits) and to other conditions such as genetic, hereditary, psychological, cultural, and ethnic factors. The weight loss process is slow and complex, and involves lifestyle changes with an emphasis on nutritional therapy, physical activity practice, psychological interventions, and pharmacological or surgical treatment. Because the management of obesity is a long-term process, it is essential that the nutritional treatment contributes to the maintenance of the individual's global health. The main diet-related causes associated with excess weight are the high consumption of ultraprocessed foods, which are high in fats, sugars, and have high energy density; increased portion sizes; and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains. In addition, some situations negatively interfere with the weight loss process, such as fad diets that involve the belief in superfoods, the use of teas and phytotherapics, or even the avoidance of certain food groups, as has currently been the case for foods that are sources of carbohydrates. Individuals with obesity are often exposed to fad diets and, on a recurring basis, adhere to proposals with promises of quick solutions, which are not supported by the scientific literature. The adoption of a dietary pattern combining foods such as grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables, associated with an energy deficit, is the nutritional treatment recommended by the main international guidelines. Moreover, an emphasis on behavioral aspects including motivational interviewing and the encouragement for the individual to develop skills will contribute to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Therefore, this Position Statement was prepared based on the analysis of the main randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses that tested different nutrition interventions for weight loss. Topics in the frontier of knowledge such as gut microbiota, inflammation, and nutritional genomics, as well as the processes involved in weight regain, were included in this document. This Position Statement was prepared by the Nutrition Department of the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (ABESO), with the collaboration of dietitians from research and clinical fields with an emphasis on strategies for weight loss., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The management of patients with dyslipidemia (DLP) requires intensive medical follow-up as an essential part of treatment and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether adherence to medical treatment changed the prevalence of CV disease events in a retrospective 7-year follow-up analysis., Methods: This retrospective study involved 92 patients divided into two groups according to their adherence: the REG group with 64 patients who had medical appointments from 2012 to 2018, and the DROP group, with 28 patients who had medical appointments in 2012 but did not complete regular appointments until 2018. Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios associated with CV outcomes as primary endpoints., Results: We observed a total of 32 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the study population, 17 (338.41 pY) in the REG group and 15 (62.97 pY) in the DROP group. An increased hazard of AMIs was observed in the DROP group compared with the REG group by follow-up time (p < 0.001). We found that previous events of AMI and congestive heart failure (CHF) were associated with progression to treatment dropout (p < 0.05) and that two drugs were considered a risk factor for treatment dropout, diuretics and fibrates (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: A reduced hazard of AMI was observed in patients who complete a greater number of medical appointments and receive multidisciplinary treatment on a regular basis., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Gut microbiota (GM) after bariatric surgery (BS) has been considered as a factor associated with metabolic improvements and weight loss. In this systematic review, we evaluate changes in the GM, characterized by 16S rRNA and metagenomics techniques, in obese adults who received BS. The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS databases were searched. Two independent reviewers analyzed articles published in the last ten years, using Rayyan QCRI. The initial search resulted in 1275 documents, and 18 clinical trials were included after the exclusion criteria were applied. The predominance of intestinal bacteria phyla varied among studies; however, most of them reported a greater amount of Bacteroidetes (B), Proteobacteria (P), and diversity (D) after BS. Firmicutes (F), B, and the (F/B) ratio was inconsistent, increasing or decreasing after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were conducted, compared to before surgery. There was a reduction in the relative proportion of F. Moreover, a higher proportion of Actinobacteria (A) was observed after RYGB was conducted. However, the same was not identified when SG procedures were applied. Genera abundance and bacteria predominance varied according to the surgical procedure, with limited data regarding the impact on phyla. The present study was approved by PROSPERO, under registration number CRD42020209509.

Background: How the prefrontal cortex (PFC) recovers its functionality following lesions remains a conundrum. Recent work has uncovered the importance of transient low-frequency oscillatory activity (LFO; < 4 Hz) for the recovery of an injured brain. We aimed to determine whether persistent cortical oscillatory dynamics contribute to brain capability to support 'normal life' following injury., Methods: In this 9-year prospective longitudinal study (08/2012-2021), we collected data from the patient E.L., a modern-day Phineas Gage, who suffered from lesions, impacting 11% of his total brain mass, to his right PFC and supplementary motor area after his skull was transfixed by an iron rod. A systematic evaluation of clinical, electrophysiologic, brain imaging, neuropsychological and behavioural testing were used to clarify the clinical significance of relationship between LFO discharge and executive dysfunctions and compare E.L.´s disorders to that attributed to Gage (1848), a landmark in the history of neurology and neuroscience., Findings: Selective recruitment of the non-injured left hemisphere during execution of unimanual right-hand movements resulted in the emergence of robust LFO, an EEG-detected marker for disconnection of brain areas, in the damaged right hemisphere. In contrast, recruitment of the damaged right hemisphere during contralateral hand movement, resulted in the co-activation of the left hemisphere and decreased right hemisphere LFO to levels of controls enabling performance, suggesting a target for neuromodulation. Similarly, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), used to create a temporary virtual-lesion over E.L.'s healthy hemisphere, disrupted the modulation of contralateral LFO, disturbing behaviour and impairing executive function tasks. In contrast to Gage, reasoning, planning, working memory, social, sexual and family behaviours eluded clinical inspection by decreasing LFO in the delta frequency range during motor and executive functioning., Interpretation: Our study suggests that modulation of LFO dynamics is an important mechanism by which PFC accommodates neurological injuries, supporting the reports of Gage´s recovery, and represents an attractive target for therapeutic interventions., Funding: Fundação de Amparo Pesquisa Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (intramural), and Fiocruz/Ministery of Health (INOVA Fiocruz)., Competing Interests: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy and clinical safety of bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) in adults with body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 39.9 kg/m 2 and metabolic syndrome (MS)., Materials and Methods: Between March and August 2018, ten female participants between 21 and 48-years-old, median BMI of 36.37 ± 2.58 kg/m 2 and MS were enrolled in this prospective trial. We embolized the fundal branches from the left gastric and other artery sources, which resulted in embolization of at least two arteries in 9 out 10 participants. Six months after bariatric embolization, efficacy was assessed by changes in total body weight (TBW), ghrelin and Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and by changes in quality of life (QOL) and in binge eating scale (BES) scores. Safety was assessed by the identification of any related complications, including gastric ulcers, screened by gastrointestinal endoscopy, performed before and one week and one month after BAE., Results: Six months after embolization, TBW decreased by 6.8% (6.22 kg ± 3.6;p = .01), serum ghrelin dropped from 25.39 pg/ml ± 10.63 to 17.1 ± 8.07 (p = 0.01), and HOMA-IR decreased from 7.29 ± 5.66 to 3.73 ± 1.99 (p = 0.01). The QOL scores improved from 59.64 ± 5.59 to 69.02 ± 11.97 (p < 0.05) and in the BES from 21.50 ± 8.89 to 9.60 ± 4.40 (p = 0.01). Endoscopy revealed symptomatic gastric ulcers in two participants, which had healed without sequelae. In one participant, ultrasound revealed an asymptomatic focal arterial thrombus at the left distal radial artery puncture site., Conclusion: BAE is effective in reducing weight, insulin resistance and ghrelin levels and improving BES and QOL scores in patients with class I and II obesity and MS, with no major complications.

Water-based exercises are recommended for people with osteoarthritis (OA), due to the beneficial effects on physical function, quality of life and symptom reduction. However, the effects on muscle strength are still controversial. The aim of this review was to assess and compare the effects of aquatic exercise programs on muscle strength and physical function in people with OA. A systematic search was performed at Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Clinical trials with interventions involving aquatic exercises for individuals with OA were included. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. 296 studies were found and twelve were selected: six studies comparing water-based exercises with land-based exercise, and six comparing water-based exercise groups with the control group. Exercise programs included muscle strengthening, aerobic, balance, flexibility and stretching exercises. Duration of the program, weekly frequency, intensity and progression varied between studies. Beneficial effects of aquatic exercise were found on physical function. However, only two of five studies that assessed muscle strength observed positive effect of aquatic exercise. Although it is difficult to compare studies and establish guidelines for the standardized protocol formulation, it was observed that water-based exercises can be effective on improving physical function and increasing muscle strength, since they are well-structured, with exercise intensity and overload controlled., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency can occur after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) because of impaired absorption, resulting in secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased risk of reduced bone mineral density (BMD)., Objective: The objective of this study is to assess nutritional status, body composition, and bone health in women after RYGBP., Method: Twenty-five premenopausal women who had undergone RYGBP (test group) and 33 women matched for age and body mass index who had not undergone surgery (control group) participated. Test group received 250 mg of calcium for day. Anthropometric, dietary, laboratory, body composition, and BMD (X-ray absorptiometry) analyses were performed., Results: No differences were found between the groups in waist circumference, fat or lean mass, BMD, or dietary calcium intake, although calcium intake was low in both groups. The test group had better results for complete blood count, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. The mean parathyroid hormone was higher (p = 0.005) in the test group, although still within normal limits. Plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were low in groups but did not differ between them (p = 0.075). Vitamin D concentrations were lower in women with longer time since surgery. The test group had lower intake of energy, protein, lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, phosphorus, and iron than the control group., Conclusion: Elevation of parathyroid hormone, low dietary calcium intake, and vitamin D plasma insufficiency without BMD reduction occurred after RYGBP. Patients who underwent RYGBP had adequate lipid profiles but inadequate intake protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, and iron. Vitamin D deficiency may occur in the late postoperative period.

Postoperative endophthalmitis often progresses to significant visual impairment. This paper describes an outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, and propose a new sterilization protocol to minimize the risk of further cases. Medical records of patients with O. anthropi endophthalmitis or with suggestive clinical findings during the outbreak were reviewed. Seven cases of O. anthropi pseudophakic endophthalmitis were confirmed between 24 July and 10 November 2010. The most probable cause of the outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis was contamination of the tubing of the phaco-emulsification machine. Following introduction of a new sterilization protocol, no further cases occurred in over 1000 subsequent procedures., (Copyright © 2013 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Satiety decline is one of the factors that are involved in weight regain in the postoperative period of bariatric surgery. Nutrients such as long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and fibers could assist in food intake control by increasing satiety. Flaxseed is a source of these nutrients, and its consumption could help with possible glycemic control and increased satiety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of whole flaxseed and defatted flaxseed on satiety, postprandial blood glucose, and leptin in post-bariatric women., Methods: A single-blind crossover and randomized study was performed with 18 women in the late postoperative of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). All women received three test meals containing whole flaxseed, defatted flaxseed, and placebo with 1 week of washout. Satiety was evaluated by a Visual Analog Scale during the fasting period; immediately after ingestion; and 60, 120, and 180 min after meals., Results: There was no difference between test meals for the variables of hunger, satisfaction, fullness, and desire to eat. The basal and postprandial glucose and leptin levels did not differ between the test meals. The intake of defatted flaxseed and placebo muffins resulted in reduced postprandial blood glucose. Postprandial leptin was higher than the baseline (p = 0.02); however, only defatted flaxseed showed increased postprandial leptin levels (p = 0.044)., Conclusions: Whole flaxseed and defatted flaxseed did not promote satiety in women in the late postoperative of RYGBP. However, the test meals with a lower fat content increased the serum leptin levels.

The applicability of endosseous implants is directly related to the topography and quality of the patient's residual bone. Several techniques have tried to expand the applicability through implant design alterations and surgical techniques for bone augmentation. This article describes an implant-induced bone expansion procedure that facilitates the placement of implants in atrophic alveolar ridges. This procedure expands the cortical plates of the alveolar ridges with or without fracture using wedge-shaped implants and the principles of guided tissue regeneration. The use of implants of larger diameters and the remodeling of the ridge external contour can be achieved with this procedure.