Oral care practices for patients in intensive care unit: A systematic review.

Objectives: To critically analyse and discuss oral hygiene protocols in the hospital environment in patients admitted to the ICU, through a systematic review of the literature.

Methods: The electronic search was performed on Pubmed, Cochrane, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The indexing keywords according to the PRISMA protocol were: 'hospital dentistry', 'oral health', 'oral care' and 'intensive care unit'.

The Healthy and Diseased Retina Seen through Neuron-Glia Interactions.

The retina is the sensory tissue responsible for the first stages of visual processing, with a conserved anatomy and functional architecture among vertebrates. To date, retinal eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, and others, affect nearly 170 million people worldwide, resulting in vision loss and blindness. To tackle retinal disorders, the developing retina has been explored as a versatile model to study intercellular signaling, as it presents a broad neurochemical repertoire that has been approached in the last decades in terms of signaling and diseases.

Apoptosis in the neuroprotective effect of α7 nicotinic receptor in neurodegenerative models.

The α7 subtype of nicotinic receptors (α7 nAChRs) is one of the most abundant nicotinic receptor subtypes in the central nervous system (CNS) and both neurons and nonneuronal cells express α7 nAChRs. When activated, α7 nAChRs become permeable to cations and promote cellular responses such as anti-apoptotic signaling by modulating the caspases and proteins of the Bcl-2 family. Neuroprotection is an important function of these receptors, promoting neuronal survival under pathological conditions, including situations of stress and neuronal degeneration.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulates retinal cell proliferation via activation of multiple signaling pathways.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays critical roles in the development of the central nervous system (CNS), including the retina, regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Here, we investigated the role of IGF-1 on retinal cell proliferation using primary cultures from rat neural retina. Our data show that IGF-1 stimulates retinal cell proliferation and regulates the expression of neurotrophic factors, such as interleukin-4 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Comparative metabolomic profiling of women undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures reveals potential infertility-related biomarkers in follicular fluid.

Infertility is a worldwide concern, affecting one in six couples throughout their reproductive period. Therefore, enhancing the clinical tools available to identify the causes of infertility may save time, money, and emotional distress for the involved parties. This study aims to annotate potential biomarkers in follicular fluid that are negatively affecting pregnancy outcomes in women suffering infertility-related diseases such as endometriosis, tuboperitoneal factor, uterine factor, and unexplained infertility, using a metabolomics approach through high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Interleukin-4 activates divergent cell-intrinsic signals to regulate retinal cell proliferation induced by classical growth factors.

In the developing retina, precise coordination of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival is essential for proper retinal maturation and function. We have previously reported evidence that interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays critical roles in neuronal differentiation and survival during retinal development. However, little is known about the role of IL-4 on retinal cell proliferation.

Folate metabolism abnormalities in infertile patients with endometriosis.

Homocysteine levels can be impacted by enzymes variations. To correlate , and variants with homocysteine levels in the blood and follicular fluid and assisted reproduction results. (rs2274976, rs1801131, rs1801133), (rs1805087) and (rs1801394) genotyping was performed by TaqMan assays and compared with homocysteine levels, measured by ELISA, to oocytes retrieved and to the pregnancy status of women with endometriosis and controls.

Ouabain-Na/K-ATPase Signaling Regulates Retinal Neuroinflammation and ROS Production Preventing Neuronal Death by an Autophagy-Dependent Mechanism Following Optic Nerve Axotomy In Vitro.

Ouabain is a classic NaKATPase ligand and it has been described to have neuroprotective effects on neurons and glial cells at nanomolar concentrations. In the present work, the neuroprotective and immunomodulatory potential of ouabain was evaluated in neonatal rat retinal cells using an optic nerve axotomy model in vitro. After axotomy, cultured retinal cells were treated with ouabain (3 nM) at different periods.

PMA treatment fosters rat retinal ganglion cell survival via TNF signaling.

An insult can trigger a protective response or even cell death depending on different factors that include the duration and magnitude of the event and the ability of the cell to activate protective intracellular signals, including inflammatory cytokines. Our previous work showed that the treatment of Lister Hooded rat retinal cell cultures with 50 ng/mL phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C activator, increases the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) kept in culture for 48 h after axotomy. Here we aim to analyze how PMA modulates the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (both key inflammatory mediators) and the impact of this modulation on RGCs survival.

Increased Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival by Exogenous IL-2 Depends on IL-10, Dopamine D1 Receptors, and Classical IL-2/IL-2R Signaling Pathways.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a classical pro-inflammatory cytokine known to display neuroprotective roles in the central nervous system including the retina. In the present study, we investigate the molecular targets involved in the neurotrophic effect of IL-2 on retinal ganglion cells (RGC) after optic nerve axotomy. Analysis of retrograde labeling of RGC showed that common cell survival mediators, as Trk receptors, Src, PI3K, PKC, and intracellular calcium do not mediate the neurotrophic effect of IL-2 on RGC.

COVID-19 pandemic impact on children and adolescents' mental health: Biological, environmental, and social factors.

Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was announced, we had an unprecedented change in the way we organize ourselves socially and in our daily routine. Children and adolescents were also greatly impacted by the abrupt withdrawal from school, social life and outdoor activities. Some of them also experienced domestic violence growing.

PKC delta activation increases neonatal rat retinal cells survival in vitro: Involvement of neurotrophins and M1 muscarinic receptors.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases related to several phenomena as cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. Our previous data demonstrated that treatment of axotomized neonatal rat retinal cell cultures for 48 h with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, increases retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) survival. Moreover, this treatment decreases M1 receptors (M1R) and modulates BDNF levels.

Influence of lifestyle characteristics and VDR polymorphisms as risk factors for intervertebral disc degeneration: a case-control study.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) is an important cause of low back pain and its precise aetiology is not fully understood, being attributed to cumulative environmental, biomechanical and genetic effects. The vitamin D plays a key role in regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization, exerting its biological activities by binding to a high-affinity receptor (VDR). Polymorphisms in VDR gene were previously associated with DD process, however with conflicting results.

A new approach to feed frequency studies and protein intake regulation in juvenile pirarucu.

This study aimed to investigate pirarucu's (Arapaima gigas) ability to trigger a self-feeding system to regulate protein intake between two standard diets that contained 39% and 49% of crude protein. The same system allowed the evaluation of daily feeding and locomotor activity rhythms. Eighteen fish (654.

Characteristics of sleep in socially vulnerable adolescents.

Importance: This study may help understand the effects of an unfavorable environment in sleep quality of adolescents.

Objective: To investigate sleep quality in socially vulnerable adolescents, correlating the results with cognitive problems and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and assessing the effectiveness of sleep hygiene and an educational intervention.

Design: Cross-sectional and interventional study.

Association Between the FokI and ApaI Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Evidence supporting an association of intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) with polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been controversial. We performed a meta-analysis of these studies to determine if there was substantial evidence to support such an association between the VDR polymorphisms and DD.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct databases were searched for studies that investigated associations of the FokI (rs2228570, rs10735810), and ApaI (rs7975253) polymorphisms of the VDR gene with DD.

Histological analysis of the repair of dural lesions with silicone mesh in rats subjected to experimental lesions.

Objective: To evaluate inflammatory reaction, fibrosis and neovascularization in dural repairs in Wistar rats using four techniques: simple suture, bovine collagen membrane, silicon mesh and silicon mesh with suture.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomized in five groups: the first was the control group, submitted to dural tear only. The others underwent durotomy and simple suture, bovine collagen membrane, silicon mesh and silicon mesh with suture.

Impaired Circulating Angiogenic Cells Mobilization and Metalloproteinase-9 Activity after Dynamic Exercise in Early Metabolic Syndrome.

Increased levels of adhesion molecules or metalloproteinases (MMPs) may indicate endothelial dysfunction. Exercise mobilizes circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) from bone marrow in healthy subjects, improving vascular function. However, it is unclear whether this mechanism is preserved in the early stages of metabolic syndrome (early MetS).

IL-4 Induces Cholinergic Differentiation of Retinal Cells In Vitro.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates several phenomena, among them survival and differentiation of neuronal and glial cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of IL-4 on the cholinergic differentiation of neonatal rat retinal cells in vitro, evaluating its effect on the levels of cholinergic markers (CHT1-high-affinity choline transporter; VAChT-vesicular acetylcholine transporter, ChAT-choline acetyltransferase, AChE-acetylcholinesterase), muscarinic receptors, and on the signaling pathways involved. Lister Hooded rat pups were used in postnatal days 0-2 (P0-P2).

Ouabain and BDNF Crosstalk on Ganglion Cell Survival in Mixed Retinal Cell Cultures.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known and well-studied neurotrophin. Most biological effects of BDNF are mediated by the activation of TrkB receptors. This neurotrophin regulates several neuronal functions as cell proliferation, viability, and differentiation.

Aerobic exercise modulation of mental stress-induced responses in cultured endothelial progenitor cells from healthy and metabolic syndrome subjects.

Aim: Numerous studies have demonstrated that exercise acutely prevents the reduction in flow-mediated dilation induced by mental stress in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, it is unknown whether a similar effect occurs in endothelial progenitors cells (EPCs). This study investigated whether exercise protects from the deleterious effect of mental stress on cultured EPCs in healthy subjects and those with MetS.

Behavior and EEG concordance of active and quiet sleep in preterm very low birth weight and full-term neonates at matched conceptional age.

Background: Sleep organization in neonates is an established predictor of neurological outcome and can be evaluated through the concordance between EEG and behavioral parameters.

Aims: To evaluate the correlation between sleep stages and behavioral states in neonates.

Study Design: Longitudinal study performed in a birth-cohort of preterm low birth weight neonates.

Analysis of FokI polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Aim: We have hypothesized a possible relationship between disc degeneration (DD) and VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism.

Methods: A case-control study was performed comprising 121 Brazilian patients with confirmed DD by nuclear magnetic resonance and a control group consisting of 131 healthy patients without a history of disc cysts of the lumbar spine. Detection of VDR FokI/T2C polymorphism was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction.

MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C and associations with IVF outcomes in Brazilian women.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and IVF outcomes in Brazilian women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment. A prospective study was conducted in the Human Reproduction Department at the ABC University School of Medicine and the Ideia Fertility Institute between December 2010 and April 2012. The patient population was 82 women undergoing assisted reproduction cycles.

PMA increases M3 muscarinic receptor levels and decreases retinal cells proliferation through a change in the levels of cell-cycle regulatory proteins.

Protein kinase C (PKC) pathway plays important roles in different phenomena in nervous system development. Our previous data demonstrated that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment, a PKC activator, for 48 h decreases retinal cells proliferation by a mechanism mediated by muscarinic receptor activation, involving a decrease in M1 receptors levels. The aim of this work was to analyze how PMA interferes in the levels of cell cycle control proteins p53, p21 and cyclin D1 and also to investigate its influence on M3 receptor levels.