TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE AND BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT OF SUICIDE VICTIMS IN THE FAR WEST OF SANTA CATARINA

Suicide has been a subject of increasing concern and the toxicological and blood alcohol investigate in these victims is little studied. This study investigated the toxicological and blood alcohol profile of suicide victims in 27 municipalities in the extreme west of Santa Catarina. Aggregate time series study, with a survey of epidemiological data and analysis of expert reports by the Medical Legal Institute of all fatal victims of suicide, registered in the period between 2012 to 2016. Results: Males, aged 50-59 years, were the main victims and the hanging the main suicide method. The months of February and November, Sundays and the time of 08:00 to 11:59 were the moments of greater occurrences. Elevated levels of alcohol were observed in 23.97% of the victims and the main drugs found were benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants. The results obtained in this study reinforce the concern regarding cases of suicide and an association between alcohol/drug use and suicidal practices. The data provide subsidies for elaboration and implementation of preventive actions. Professionals should be alert to signs of suicide, so that specialized help becomes a possible option, and is instrumental in reducing the number of suicides.

A NEW METHODOLOGY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF FANCONI ANEMIA BASED ON BIOLOGICAL DOSIMETRY

Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a syndrome associated with chromosomal fragility. Current laboratory tests to diagnose this disease are based on the scoring of chromosomal aberrations induced in peripheral blood lymphocytes by clastogenic chemical agents, mainly: diepoxybutane (DEB) or mitomycin C (MMC). This study evaluated an alternative test for the diagnosis of FA, in which ionizing radiation replaces DEB/MMC. Two groups were studied: normal and DEB-sensitive individuals. From each individual, samples of peripheral blood were irradiated using an electron linear accelerator. Following lymphocyte cultures, and slide preparation, metaphases were scored based on the same methodology for biological dosimetry, according to recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Our results emphasized a pattern of distribution of dicentrics, fragments, as well as abnormal chromosomal arrangements. The methodology of analysis here proposed permitted to distinguish normal from DEB-sensitive subjects.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ALLOY FREQUENCY OF THE T102C POLYMORPHISM OF THE 5HT2A GENE WITH ANTHROPOMETRIC AND CARDIOMETABOLIC MEASURES

Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive body fat. Among the neurobiological factors associated with obesity, the serotonergic system stands out. The neurotransmitter of these circuits is serotonin (5-HT). Decreased levels of 5-HT have been linked to increased desire to ingest sweets and carbohydrates. This study aims to verify the relationship of the 5HT2A T102C gene polymorphism with obesity and anthropometric parameters. Blood samples and anthropometric data were collected from 150 volunteers, divided between the control and obese groups. The results showed that for individuals with diastolic pressure (p = 0.3681), Estimated Mean Glycemia (GMe) (p = 0.0228) and Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR-IR) (p = 0.001) all altered, a higher frequency of C alleles was observed. For normal GMe (p = 0.0270), a higher frequency of the T allele was observed. There was no difference for the allele distribution between the normal and altered groups for the parameters of Triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin and Insulin. The distribution of the alleles between the groups, normal diastolic pressure (p = 0.3681) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.9203) groups presented no difference. From the genotypic analyzes of the T102C polymorphism of the 5HT2A gene, it was possible to demonstrate a relationship between the presence of the C allele with biochemical and anthropometric markers related to obesity and hypertension.

DEPRESSION IN MASTECTOMIZED WOMEM: A BRIEF REPORT

Only in the year 2018, over two million cases of breast cancer worldwide have been reported, often treated through mastectomy, showing the importance of the study of this procedure, in relation to the physical, psychological and spiritual sequelae of the patients. The objective was to evaluate how these sequels favor the development of post-surgery depression. A bibliometric research was developed in the Portal of Periodicals of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, using the following key words ["mastectomized women" and "depression"] 32 articles found. The results were submitted to the "peer-reviewed journals" filter and “Articles in English and Portuguese”, resulting in 10 selected articles that were then merged compiled with information collected from the official WHO and INCA websites to compose this work. Mastectomy aesthetically affects an important component of assertion of womanliness, sexuality and womanhood, post-surgical depression is a common reaction in these patients. Part of these consequences are of a sexual, affective, social and even altered bodily perception. The importance of family, social and professional support in the rehabilitation of these women is also emphasized. The review of these articles allowed us to verify the need to analyze the reconstruction of the breast in mastectomized women as a matter of mental health, and not only as an aesthetic desire for them.

Properties of chitosan matrix composites with hydroxyapatite and carbon nanotubes, and their use in bone tissue engineering

There is a growing demand for bone grafts by various clinical sectors, such as aesthetic procedures, treatment of injuries and dentistry, the use of synthetic materials is shown to be good due to the availability and the reduction of risks that their use brings, among the materials that are used in the clinic can be cited the chitosan matrix composites (CHI) with hydroxyapatite (HA) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which uses materials that are already used in the clinic HA and CHI with an innovative material in the sector the CNTs. The aim was to analyze and compare data from the current state of the art of CHI matrix composites with HA and CNTs applied in bone tissue engineering. This study is based on a review of the specialized literature on articles in online scientific journals, with thematic issues related to the properties of the biocomposite on board. The influence of the use on the composite properties generated by the use of CNTs together with the HA in the CHI matrix, for biomedical applications, more specifically in bone tissue engineering, was observed. It was observed that with subtle increases of CNTs in the CH composite Ha composites, the bioactivity, osteoconduction, antibacterial activity, mechanical properties of the composites, changes in the nanotexturas, and a homogeneous distribution of the materials occur, potentiality of its use in more than one application within bone tissue engineering. In the present study it was possible to observe that CHI matrix composites with HA and CNTs present a combination of properties highlighting the potential for application in bone tissue engineering.

Human adipose-derived stem cells obtained from lipoaspirates are highly susceptible to hydrogen peroxide mediated cytogenotoxicity

There is evidence that H2O2 can induce the proliferation, migration, and regeneration of stem cells, as well as that of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). This could be useful to expand the possible uses of ASCs in therapeutic applications. However, the safety profile of H2O2 use in stem cells is not clear yet. Therefore, the present study evaluated the acute cytotoxic, oxidative and genotoxic effects of different concentrations of H2O2 on ASCs obtained from human lipoaspirates. The ASCs were treated with 1–1000 μM H2O2 for two hours. Cell viability was evaluated by double-strand DNA determination. Apoptosis induction was analyzed measuring active levels of caspases 1, 3 and 8. Biochemical oxidative stress markers were analyzed and genotoxic effects were assessed by DNA comet assay. All H2O2 concentrations increased ASC mortality rates with approximately 100% mortality achieved at ≥ 200 μM. Active caspases 1, 3 and 8, oxidative stress, as well as oxidative damage as assessed by lipid peroxidation increased dose‐dependently. There was also an approximate 50% increase in catalase levels in cells exposed to all H2O2 tested concentrations. H2O2 concentrations of ≥ 10 μM were genotoxic. These results suggest that ASCs are highly sensitive to H2O2 exposition. In addition, DNA damage in the surviving cells may affect their proliferative and differentiation capacity, as well as their safety profile for therapeutic use.

Evaluation in vitro of antimicrobial activity of tucumã oil (Astrocaryum Vulgare)

Hospital Infection is a major health problem and affects around 1.5 million people annually around the world. The Amazon region has a wide diversity of native palm trees that have fruits and oilseeds. Astrocaryum vulgare, commonly known as Tucumã in Brazil, belongs to the family Arecaceae. This palm has orange, fleshy, single-egg-shaped fruits that are used for therapeutic purposes in diseases of the eyes and skin due to the high content of carotenoids, oil is used in cooking, health treatment and massage. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the Tucumã oil against 18 microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of Tucumã was measured through the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as the determination of the Minimum Microbicidal Concentration (CMM) aiming to contribute to the discovery of new antimicrobials against pathogenic microorganisms’ human health and may contribute to the treatment of nosocomial infections. The results showed that the oil of Tucumã presented antimicrobial activity against five important bacteria, four Gram - positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus agalactiae) and one Gram - negative (Acinetobacter baumannii).

The effects of the watsu method on functional capacity, anxiety and depression in patients with parkinson disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive pathology that results from the degeneration of the black substance responsible for the voluntary control of movements. The reduction of dopamine generates motor and non-motor symptoms that hinder the mobility of the patient and the execution of their activities of daily living. The Watsu method relieves pain, tension and releases the muscles, fascias and spine leading to the gain of flexibility and range of motion, and can be a facilitator in reducing the symptoms of PD. The aim was to evaluate the effects of the Watsu method on motor and non-motor symptoms and their relation with the functional capacity of these individuals. This is an experimental study applied to 4 male patients diagnosed with PD. The analyzed variables were: anxiety, depression, quality of life, basic and instrumental activities of daily living and balance. 9 Watsu sessions was applied. Student's t-test (paired sample) was carried out to compare the variables studied. There was no significant improvement in the variables analyzed, but there was a tendency for improvement in quality of life variables (before 38.75 and later 36.50), depression (before 23 and after 21.25) and instrumental activities of daily living (before 19.50 and later 20.75). For the variables anxiety, basic activities of daily living and balance there was no improvement of these variables. It was observed that the Watsu method trends to improve motor and no-motor symptoms that affect the PD patients. In addition, there is still a lack in the literature in studies that use the Watsu method as a treatment for both PD and other diseases.