The present study was undertaken to investigate the redox status in the retina of an experimental model that combines hypertension and diabetes. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their control Wystar Kyoto (WKY) rats were rendered diabetic and, after 20 days, the rats were sacrificed and the retinas collected. The superoxide production was higher in diabetic than in control WKY (p < 0.03) and SHR rats showed elevated superoxide production compared with WKY groups (p < 0.009). The glutathione antioxidant system was diminished only in diabetic SHR (p < 0.04). Tirosyne nitration was higher in diabetic WKY and control SHR compared with control WKY (p < 0.03), and further increment was observed in diabetic SHR (p < 0.02). The DNA damage estimated by immunohystochemistry for 8-OHdG was higher in control SHR than in WKY, mainly in diabetic SHR (p < 0.0001). Hypertension aggravates oxidative-induced cytotoxicity in diabetic retina due to increasing of superoxide production and impairment of antioxidative system.
Inflammation is pivotal to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Hypertension is the main secondary risk factor associated with DR. The mechanisms by which hypertension increases the risk for DR are poorly understood. The aim of the current study was to investigate the contribution of genetic hypertension to early retinal inflammation in experimental diabetes. Diabetes was induced in 4-week-old (developing hypertension) and 12-week-old (fully hypertensive) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched control normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats by administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v); after 20 days the rats were sacrificed and the retinas were collected. ED1 positive cells, ICAM-1 and VEGF levels were significantly higher in diabetic SHR in both prehypertensive and hypertensive ages (p < 0.005). NF-kappaB p65 levels were higher in prehypertensive SHR and in hypertensive diabetic SHR (p < 0.05). Induction of diabetes in normotensive WKY rats did not show any alteration in retinal expression of inflammatory parameters. Therefore, we conclude that the developing hypertension and also the fully developed hypertension lead to earlier development of inflammation in diabetic retina. Aggravation of the inflammatory process may be involved in the mechanism by which essential hypertension exacerbates retinopathy in the presence of diabetes.
Recent studies have assessed the impact of the COV-ID-19 pandemic and related control measures on the number of new cancer diagnoses. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of the lockdown on new cancer diagnoses. To compare the incidence of tumors in 2020 with that in 2019, we used the data from the pathology anatomy reports available until the 31 st of August 2020 and collected by the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry. Over 90% of all incident cancer cases have microscopic confirmation. We reported the variations (number of cases and % values) of all tumors and of the main sites by sex, age and period. From the 1 st of January to the 31 st August 2020, we recorded 3, 548 new cancer diagnoses, 14% fewer than in the corresponding months of 2019. For all cancers, the pre-lockdown period (January-February) had a similar number compared to the same months in 2019; the lockdown period (March-May) showed a decrease (-35%), but the post-lockdown
With the social distancing required by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the creation of a new pedagogical model became a sudden challenge for educational institutions. This study sought to assess health science professors’ experiences and perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. An epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional, observational, and quantitative approach was applied and included the application of a structured and self-administered virtual questionnaire containing objective and multiple-choice questions on demographic data, online teaching activities, continuing education, learning environments, and difficulties faced. Seven questions from the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screening Tool (GAD-7) were added to assess anxiety. One hundred and thirty-eight university professors in Brazil completed the questionnaire. Of these, 87 were employed by public institutions and 51 worked at private institutions. Geopolitical region in the country and university funding type were associated with universities’ ability or decision to offer courses online. Among the professors, being of female gender and a decrease in household income were the factors most closely associated with increased anxiety. Professors also reported difficulties in interacting with students online, the need to assume more childcare, and difficulty in concentrating at home to be the main barriers to successful online teaching.
This study aims to assess oral health before and after dental care to adult patients restricted to bed with trauma sequelae, admitted to the Instituto Doutor José Frota (IJF) hospital, located in the city of Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará. This is a longitudinal study with adult patients with motor and cognitive disabilities, diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord trauma, and exogenous intoxication. We evaluated 39 patients, using the World Health Organization (WHO) dental caries index and Bedside oral exam (BOE) before and after dental care. After two dental consultations, there was a reduction of 46% of decayed teeth, poor oral health decreased by 11% and 29.6% of the BOE index, and good oral health increased by 57%. Although dental care in bed is challenging, it has proved effective, improving the health of the oral mucosa, perioral and dental surfaces and, consequently, reducing the likelihood of changes in oral health.
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