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Objective To describe mouth disorders in patients undergoing palliative care (PC); to identify predisposing factors for oral disorders and pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies.Methods Observational, exploratory, correlational, and descriptive study about mouth disorders of patients admitted to a hospital specializing in PC in Portugal, between November 6, 2019, and July 31, 2020. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire and the consultation of the patient's clinical file. It was obtained the previous authorization of the ethics committee and the patient's informed consent. Data were analyzed using the SPSS® software (V.26).Results The sample was 46, 56.52% were over 71 years old, and the male sex ratio of 63.04%. Most of the patients had an advanced oncological disease, were polymedicated, had missing teeth, and no regular hygiene habits. Xerostomia and oral candidiasis were the most identified problems. Patients with oncological diseases have more probability to suffer from mouth disorders (P= .047), compared to noncancer patients. Patients with frequent oral hygiene have fewer mouth disorders (rp = −0.304; P= .040). There is a considerable improvement in the tongue coating with an increase in oral hygiene (P= .005). Mouth care plays is important in patient comfort (n = 45; 97.83%) and nonpharmacological strategies are effective for the relief of xerostomia (n = 35; 94.59%).Conclusions Nonpharmacological strategies are effective in the treatment of xerostomia and tongue coating. More information to determine the effectiveness of the strategies in the treatment of mouth disorders is necessary.

Knowledge about growth rhythm and longevity of tropical trees is essential to understand life strategies of native species, and consequently, of forest remnants. This study aims to investigate the growth dynamics of Centrolobium robustum, a representative species from Atlantic Forest. For this purpose, radial growth was examined through tree rings and cambium analysis, from macroscopical, anatomical, and ultrastructural perspectives. The apical and radial stem growth was evaluated through leaf and cambium phenology, respectively. Leaf and cambium behaviors were associated with environmental seasonality. The results showed that the period of cell production and cambial development occurred in association with leaf expansion and during the wet, warm, and long-day season. Seasonality of cambial and leaf phenology in response to the environment determined the annual formation of tree rings, and it allowed to evaluate C. robustumgrowth rates and longevity. Species seasonality also responded to abnormal climatic events during the study period, which shows its sensitivity to environmental changes and represents a factor to be considered in the forest management programs.

Abstract:  Alchornea triplinervia trees occur in a montane Atlantic rainforest at the Maca de Cima State Ecological Reserve (Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil). They are found in two adjacent secondary forests at distinct successional stages: a late-secondary (shaded and humid) and an early-secondary forest (drier, higher light intensities reaching the understory). Leaf samples collected in these environments were compared in regard to various anatomic parameters. Histochemical tests, anatomic measurements and counting indicated no significant variation for the basic leaf anatomy. Nevertheless, as compared to the late-secondary forest, the leaves of the early-secondary forest individuals showed an increased bulk of sclerenchyma at the main nervation and petiole, gelatinous fibers with hygroscopic walls all along the central vascular system, thicker cuticle, a higher abaxial stomatal density, abundance of tannin in the mesophyll, a significantly thicker palisade and spongy parenchyma, and compactation of the spongy parenchyma. This anatomical variation indicates an increased xeromorphism of leaves under the drier conditions of the early-secondary forest. Leaf anatomy plasticity may contribute to the high ecological plasticity of this widespread neotropical species.