Temporomandibular disorders among Brazilian adolescents: reliability and validity of a screening questionnaire

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A perspective on the proposal for neurocognitive disorder criteria in DSM-5 as applied to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders remain common in the current era of effective antiretroviral therapy. However, the severity at presentation of these disorders has been reduced, and the typical manifestations have changed. A revision of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) criteria has been made on this basis, and a revision of the analogous criteria by the American Psychiatric Association will be forthcoming in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5. This article compares the relevant sets of diagnostic criteria that will be employed. It is concluded that a greater degree of integration of the revised, HIV-specific AAN criteria for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders with the criteria proposed for the DSM-5 would prove advantageous for research, clinical, educational and administrative purposes.

Influence of sleep disorders on the behavior of individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of NAMPT polymorphisms and haplotypes on circulating visfatin/NAMPT levels in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Androgen therapy reverses injuries caused by ethanol consumption in the prostate: testosterone as a possible target to ethanol-related disorders

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pyridinic analog of the natural product (-)-spectaline as potential adjuvant for the treatment of central nervous system disorders

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Growth and nutritional disorders of eggplant cultivated in nutrients solutions with suppressed macronutrients

The objective was to evaluate the effects of omitting macronutrients in the nutrients solution on growth characteristics and nutritional status of eggplants. The treatments were complete nutrients solution and solutions with nutrient omission: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions with three replicates in a completely random design. Plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, relative chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, dry matter, concentration levels of macronutrients in plant aerial part and root system, and nutritional disorders were evaluated. Omitting elements interfered in the concentration of elements in the various plant tissues and this had as consequences limited vegetative growth, reduced dry matter and led to the development of the typical deficiency symptoms of each element. Although potassium was the most demanded of all elements, nitrogen and calcium were the most growth limiting ones.

Correlations among antiangiogenic factors and trace elements in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Structural characterization and in vitro antioxidant activity of kojic dipalmitate loaded W/O/W multiple emulsions intended for skin disorders

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sociocognitive performance in autism spectrum disorders and interference of the therapeutic environment

To analyze the sociocognitive performance of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in two environments of language therapy, which differ as to the physical structure. Ten children and adolescents with ages between 4 and 13 years, of both genders, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders took part in the study. For data collection, eight filming sessions were performed during individual language therapy lasting 30 minutes, being four in a room with conventional environmental organization (common room) and four in a room with specific ambiance [children's interaction core (CIC) room], interspersed during a month. For the analysis of filmed situations, the Sociocognitive Performance Protocol was used and obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. No statistical significance was found in sociocognitive performance of 10 subjects in the common and CIC rooms, although specific differences were observed in some cases. The creation of preestablished physical environments or specific materials is not and should not be considered essential for language therapy. It is noteworthy, however, that the absence of a large volume of statistically significant data does not indicate that the results are not expressive, reiterating the need for further research in the area.

Variability in obstacle clearance may (not) indicate cognitive disorders in alzheimer disease

The aim of this study was to investigate obstacle clearance and its variability in individuals with Alzheimer dementia (AD) as well as healthy elderly individuals while they approached and crossed an obstacle in their path. Fifteen people with AD and 15 age-matched/sex-matched healthy individuals (control group) participated in this study. Clinical assessment of both groups was performed by a neuropsychiatrist. Spatial-temporal parameters of 5 trials of unobstructed walking and 5 trials of obstacle crossing during walking (approach and crossing phases) were measured using a 3-dimensional optoelectronic system. The results indicated that individuals with AD showed higher variability in the approach phase for stride length and the horizontal distance from their trailing limb foot to the obstacle. However, their gait variability in the crossing phase was similar to the control group. In addition, the individuals with AD were found to walk slowly and with a short stride length in both conditions. In conclusion, individuals with AD had increased gait variability while approaching an obstacle during walking, indicating a deficit in planning to avoid obstacles that could be related to cognitive disorders. However, gait variability during the crossing phase may not be indicative of cognitive disorders in AD.

Voice disorders in teachers: clinical, videolaryngoscopical, and vocal aspects

Dysphonia is more prevalent in teachers than among the general population. The objective of this study was to analyze clinical, vocal, and videolaryngoscopical aspects in dysphonic teachers. Ninety dysphonic teachers were inquired about their voice, comorbidities, and work conditions. They underwent vocal auditory-perceptual evaluation (maximum phonation time and GRBASI scale), acoustic voice analysis, and videolaryngoscopy. The results were compared with a control group consisting of 90 dysphonic nonteachers, of similar gender and ages, and with professional activities excluding teaching and singing. In both groups, there were 85 women and five men (age range 31-50 years). In the controls, the majority of subjects worked in domestic activities, whereas the majority of teachers worked in primary (42.8%) and secondary school (37.7%). Teachers and controls reported, respectively: vocal abuse (76.7%; 37.8%), weekly hours of work between 21 and 40 years (72.2%; 80%), under 10 years of practice (36%; 23%), absenteeism (23%; 0%), sinonasal (66%; 20%) and gastroesophageal symptoms (44%; 22%), hoarseness (82%; 78%), throat clearing (70%; 62%), and phonatory effort (72%; 52%). In both groups, there were decreased values of maximum phonation time, impairment of the G parameter in the GRBASI scale (82%), decrease of F0 and increase of the rest of acoustic parameters. Nodules and laryngopharyngeal reflux were predominant in teachers; laryngopharyngeal reflux, polyps, and sulcus vocalis predominated in the controls. Vocal symptoms, comorbidities, and absenteeism were predominant among teachers. The vocal analyses were similar in both groups. Nodules and laryngopharyngeal reflux were predominant among teachers, whereas polyps, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and sulcus were predominant among controls.

Association between concurrent genital bleeding and cervical cancer: a cross-sectional study

Genital bleeding may be a common symptom among women with cervical cancer. Cross-sectional study evaluating whether the prevalence of cervical smear results is different in women with and without clinical information about concurrent genital bleeding. The sample consisted of 2 324 836 smears; of these, 0.4% had clinical information on genital bleeding. When stratified by age group, women with genital bleeding had a higher chance of a cytological result of a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [30-49 years odds ratio (OR) 2.38; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60-3.53 and ≥50 years OR 6.30; 95%CI 3.72-10.67), of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (30-49 years OR 24.70; 95%CI 11.96-51.03 and ≥50 years OR 48.91; 95%CI 31.28-76.47) and of atypical glandular cells (30-49 years OR 5.72; 95%CI 3.30-9.93 and ≥50 years OR 11.56; 95%CI 5.96-22.45); there was also a higher chance of adenocarcinoma for women ≥50 years (OR 53.13; 95%CI 28.08-100.51). The sensitivity of genital bleeding for women aged 18-29 years was 0.4% for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL); for women 30-49 years old the rate was 0.9% for HSIL, 8.6% for SCC and 2.1% for atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS), while for women aged from 50 years or more the rates were 2.0% for HSIL, 13.7% for SCC, 3.6% for AGUS and 14.7% for adenocarcinoma. Women ≥30 years old with genital bleeding should be referred for colposcopy to rule out the possibility of cervical cancer.