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This study considers a deliberate hypothetical release of radioactive material over an inhabited urban zone. The event is initiated by the activation of a radiological dispersion device. The main threat is the deposition of radioactive material onto the soil's surface. The radiation represents the threat-defining risks, which depend on the main variables, i.e. soil surface roughness, sex, age of the exposed individuals and the moment of the release (day or nighttime). This study aims to evaluate the effect of soil surface roughness on the radiological risk. The simulation was performed by an analytical method using the HotSpot Health Physics code within the first 100 h. The results found relevant elements that allow for differentiating consequences as a function of the time of release (whether daytime or nighttime), thus allowing decision-makers to be supported with a little more detail about the situation, although in a critical initial phase., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: During invasive procedures involving needles, there is a chance of damage to peripheral nerves. Therefore, a method for experimentally simulating these situations is needed., Objectives: In this study we aimed to evaluate peripheral nerve lesions caused by the entry and exit of an injection needle, nerve transfixion through a suture stitch, and the injection of saline solution and lidocaine into the nerve., Methods: After obtaining approval from the Animal Ethics Committee, we randomly divided 36 Wistar rats, weighing approximately 250 g each, into 6 groups (control, sham, suture, needle, saline, and lidocaine groups), with 6 animals in each group. All procedures were performed on the left paws of the rats. After the procedure, walking track analysis was performed to assess the walking function of rats for 8 weeks. Four months after the procedures, we performed bilateral electrophysiological studies (measuring the latency and amplitude of the electrical impulse in the peroneal nerve). Subsequently, the rats were euthanized, and bilateral tissue samples were collected from the peroneal nerve and tibialis cranialis muscle for morphometric histological analysis., Results: In the walking track analysis, all groups showed normalization of walking functionality after 13 days. There was little histological change between the groups, and no functional loss related to the procedures was observed., Conclusions: Procedures involving the infusion of local anesthetic or saline solution, or suture needles, are safe with regard to peripheral nerve function loss. Accidents tend not to cause nerve impairment., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Aesthetic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The development of the human nervous system makes up a series of fundamental and interdependent events involving birth, growth, and neuronal maturation, in addition to the positive or negative selection of synapses of these neurons that will participate in the composition of neural circuits essential to the activity of the nervous system. In this context, where environment and social relationships seem to be relevant markers for neurodevelopment, advanced neuroimaging techniques and behavioral assessment tools have demonstrated alterations in brain regions and cognitive functions among children developing in low or high socioeconomic status environments. Considering the aspects mentioned, this review aimed to identify the importance of socioeconomic status in children's brain development, seeking to identify what are the impacts of these factors on the morphological and physiological formation of the nervous system, allowing a greater understanding of the importance of environmental factors in neurodevelopmental processes., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

This systematic review aimed to analyze the development and functionality of microfluidic concentration gradient generators (CGGs) for toxicological evaluation of different biological organisms. We searched articles using the keywords: concentration gradient generator, toxicity, and microfluidic device. Only 33 of the 352 articles found were included and examined regarding the fabrication of the microdevices, the characteristics of the CGG, the biological model, and the desired results. The main fabrication method was soft lithography, using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material (91%) and SU-8 as the mold (58.3%). New technologies were applied to minimize shear and bubble problems, reduce costs, and accelerate prototyping. The Christmas tree CGG design and its variations were the most reported in the studies, as well as the convective method of generation (61%). Biological models included bacteria and nematodes for antibiotic screening, microalgae for pollutant toxicity, tumor and normal cells for, primarily, chemotherapy screening, and Zebrafish embryos for drug and metal developmental toxicity. The toxic effects of each concentration generated were evaluated mostly with imaging and microscopy techniques. This study showed an advantage of CGGs over other techniques and their applicability for several biological models. Even with soft lithography, PDMS, and Christmas tree being more popular in their respective categories, current studies aim to apply new technologies and intricate architectures to improve testing effectiveness and reduce common microfluidics problems, allowing for high applicability of toxicity tests in different medical and environmental models.

Considering there are several difficulties and limitations in labeling stem cells using multifunctional nanoparticles (MFNP), the purpose of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for labeling human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSC), aiming to monitor these cells in vivo. Thus, this study provides information on hBM-MSC direct labeling using multimodal nanoparticles in terms of concentration, magnetic field, and period of incubation while maintaining these cells' viability and the homing ability for in vivo experiments. The cell labeling process was assessed using 10, 30, and 50 µg Fe/mL of MFNP, with periods of incubation ranging from 4 to 24 h, with or without a magnetic field, using optical microscopy, near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). After the determination of optimal labeling conditions, these cells were applied in vivo 24 h after stroke induction, intending to evaluate cell homing and improve NIRF signal detection. In the presence of a magnetic field and utilizing the maximal concentration of MFNP during cell labeling, the iron load assessed by NIRF and ICP-MS was four times higher than what was achieved before. In addition, considering cell viability higher than 98%, the recommended incubation time was 9 h, which corresponded to a 25.4 p g Fe/cell iron load (86% of the iron load internalized in 24 h). The optimization of cellular labeling for application in the in vivo study promoted an increase in the NIRF signal by 215% at 1 h and 201% at 7 h due to the use of a magnetized field during the cellular labeling process. In the case of BLI, the signal does not depend on cell labeling showing no significant differences between unlabeled or labeled cells (with or without a magnetic field). Therefore, the in vitro cellular optimized labeling process using magnetic fields resulted in a shorter period of incubation with efficient iron load internalization using higher MFNP concentration (50 μgFe/mL), leading to significant improvement in cell detection by NIRF technique without compromising cellular viability in the stroke model.

Statistics plays a key role in many areas of modern society, including technology, social and behavior studies, economics, and the sciences. Statistics anxiety (SA) has a detrimental impact on academic experiences in university populations, although the mediating factors remain underexplored. We conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis focused on SA in university students in the context of statistical performance, individual differences in statistical learning, self-perceptions regarding the statistics course and instructor, and sociodemographic factors. Searches were carried out in the PsycINFO, PubMed, Scielo, and Web of Science databases according to our preregistration. Forty studies were selected for systematic review. Seventeen were included in a series of six meta-analyses concerning academic achievement, attitudes, self-perception, procrastination, and gender. The findings reveal learning strategies, procrastination, self-efficacy, and self-awareness as predictors of SA. However, the impact of sociodemographic data in these moderators is still uncharted. We conclude with a critical appraisal of the selected studies and present future directions for research in SA., (© 2022 New York Academy of Sciences.)

Introduction: This cross-sectional study evaluated the impact of socioeconomic status on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among dog owners from the municipality of Rondonópolis-a highly endemic area for the disease in Central-Western Brazil., Methodology: Data were collected between 2016 and 2017 during a household survey. A probabilistic sample of 404 dog owners were interviewed assessing sociodemographic characteristics, previous occurrence of VL cases, and KAP about human VL, vector, and canine VL. Responses regarding KAP were compared among social classes, which are indicators of socioeconomic status. Correct/appropriate answers were scored, and a multivariate Poisson regression analysis evaluated the impact of social class on scoring., Results: The overall KAP regarding VL was limited. Dog owners from higher social classes differed from those of the lower classes regarding the recognition of abdominal distension (p = 0.026) and skin lesions (p < 0.001) as clinical manifestations of human and canine VL, respectively, knowledge of VL transmission (p = 0.020), use of topical repellents (p < 0.001), use of insecticide-impregnated collars (p = 0.003), and previous attempts of treatment for canine VL (p = 0.005). Higher scores were associated with the upper social classes (IRR = 1.18; CI = 1.08-1.29) adjusted by the age (IRR = 1.13; CI = 1.04-1.24) and the previous occurrence of human (IRR = 1.21; CI = 1.07-1.36) and canine (IRR = 1.25; CI = 1.14-1.36) VL in the household/neighbourhood of the respondents., Conclusions: Improved KAP concerning VL was associated with better socioeconomic status of dog owners., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2021 Amanda Gabriela de Carvalho, Joao Gabriel Guimaraes Luz, Luane Dantas Rodrigues, Joao Victor Leite Dias, Cor Jesus Fernandes Fontes.)

There are no clinical interventions to prevent post-injury epilepsy, a common and devastating outcome after brain insults. Epileptogenic events that run from brain injury to epilepsy are poorly understood. Previous studies in our laboratory suggested Proechimys, an exotic Amazonian rodent, as resistant to acquired epilepsy development in post-status epilepticus models. The present comparative study was conducted to assess (1) stroke-related brain responses 24-h and 30 days after cortical photothrombosis and (2) post-stroke epilepsy between Proechimys rodents and Wistar rats, a traditional animal used for laboratory research. Proechimys group showed smaller volume of ischemic infarction and lesser glial activation than Wistar group. In contrast to Wistar rats, post-stroke decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased levels of anti-inflammatory mediators and growth factors were found in Proechimys. Electrophysiological signaling changes assessed by cortical spreading depression, in vitro and in vivo, showed that Wistar's brain is most severely affected by stroke. Chronic electrocorticographic recordings showed that injury did not lead to epilepsy in Proechimys whereas 88% of the Wistar rats developed post-stroke epilepsy. Science gains insights from comparative studies on diverse species. Proechimys rodents proved to be a useful animal model to study antiepileptogenic mechanisms after brain insults and complement conventional animal models., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Considering the variety of mechanisms of Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) contamination and its broad invasive potential of the nervous system, a life-long latent infection is established. Infected adult individuals may be susceptible to viral reactivation when under the influence of multiple stressors, especially regarding immunocompromised patients. This guides a series of neuroinflammatory events on the cerebral cortex, culminating, rarely, in encephalitis and cytotoxic / vasogenic brain edema. A sum of studies of such processes provides an explanation, even though not yet completely clarified, on how the clinical evolution to cognitive impairment and dementia might be enabled. In addition, it is of extreme importance to recognize the current dementia and cognitive deficit worldwide panorama. The aim of this literature review is to elucidate the available data upon the pathophysiology of HSV-1 infection as well as to describe the clinical panorama of the referred afflictions., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments plays an important role in the exposure of humans to these toxicants. Among these pollutants, mercury (Hg) is one main concern due to its high neurotoxicity and environmental persistence. Even in low concentrations, Hg bioaccumulation is a major threat to human health, with higher impact on populations whose diet has fish as chief consumption. Mercury compounds have high affinity for neuronal receptors and proteins, which gives Hg its cumulative feature and have the ability to cross cell membranes and blood-brain barrier to show their neurotoxicity. Intoxication with Hg increases levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus depleting faster the resource of antioxidant proteins. To evaluate Hg-induced hippocampal ROS production, synaptic plasticity, anxiety, and memory, a total of 11 male Wistar rats were exposed to HgCl 2 (Hg 30 group) to produce a residual concentration of 8 ng/mL at the end of 30 days. Behavioral tests (plus-maze discriminative avoidance task), in vitro electrophysiology, and ROS assays were performed. Western blot assay showed decreased levels of antioxidant proteins GPx and SOD in Hg 30 group. Increased ROS production was observed in the CA1 and CA3 regions in the Hg-exposed group. Plus-maze task detected long-term memory impairment in Hg 30 group, linked to poorer in vitro long-term potentiation as compared to control group. Hg intoxication also promoted higher anxiety-like behavior in the exposed animals. In conclusion, our data suggests that low doses of HgCl 2 resulted in impaired long-term memory and unbalance between decreased antioxidant protein expression and increased ROS production in the hippocampus.

The factors associated with Leishmania spp. infection in dogs are still poorly understood. This study aimed to identify such factors among domestic dogs from the Brazilian municipality of Rondonópolis, which recently emerged as an endemic area with intense transmission of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL). It was a household-based cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2017. Interviews were conducted with 405 dog owners considering their socioeconomic characteristics, and environmental aspects of the household and its adjacent areas. In addition, 600 dogs were evaluated regarding physical characteristics, behavior, and care provided by the owner. Seropositive animals were those that showed reactivity in a rapid immunochromatographic test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which are currently recommended for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) diagnosis in Brazil. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the associated factors. Low social class [OR = 2.0; 95% CI = (1.2-3.2)], presence of acerola tree (Malpighia emarginata) in the yard [OR = 2.2; 95% CI = (1.2-4.1)], presence of more than one dog in the household [OR = 2.0; 95% CI = (1.3-3.3)], horse and/or cattle breeding [OR = 12.0; 95% CI = (1.9-73.6)], existence of houses with yard adjacent to the home [OR = 4.0; 95% CI = (1.3-12.2)], presence of apparent signs consistent with CVL [OR = 10.6; 95% CI = (5.8-19.4)], dog staying mostly in the yard during the day [(OR = 4.8; 95% CI = (1.1-21.4)], and lack of cleaning of the dog's shelter [(OR = 1.9; 95% CI = (1.1-3.2)] were identified as the factors associated with Leishmania spp. infection. These results support the importance of socioeconomic and environmental aspects in the occurrence of Leishmania spp. infection. In addition, they may be useful in guiding control strategies in areas where zoonotic VL is endemic., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

After Alzheimer, Parkinson disease (PD) is the most frequently occurring progressive, degenerative neurological disease. It affects both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in a variable fashion. Cardiovascular symptoms are present in almost all stages of PD and narrower heart rate variability is the earliest sign. Administration of Levodopa to PD patients has proven to provide some degree of neurological protection. This drug, however, causes side effects including nausea and vomiting, lessened by the administration of domperidone. Autopsies in PD patients led some researchers to suggest the involvement of the ventricular arrhythmia induced by domperidone. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of the adjusted human maximal dose of domperidone, on cardiological features of Wistar rats. domperidone was administered to both 6-hydroxydopamine Parkinsonism models and regular Wistar rats. Quantitative analysis of ranges of heart beat variation showed significant abnormal distribution in both groups receiving domperidone as compared with respective sham counterparts. However, qualitative analysis of Poincaré plots showed that 6-hydroxydopamine Parkinsonism models receiving domperidone had the narrowest full range of heart beat and the worst distribution heart beat ranges as compared with all study groups corroborating with previous suggestion that domperidone administration to PD patients is likely to play a role in sudden unexpected death in this group of patients.

Cyclopia is a severe form of holoprosencephaly which results in children being born with just one eye, absence of nose and presence of a proboscis above the median eye. Incidence of cyclopia is around 1.05 in 1, 00,000 births, including stillbirths. The association of anencephaly with spinal rachichisis varies from 17-50%. However, the existence of cyclopia with anencephaly and spinal rachischisis has been reported only in 9 cases till date. We report one more case of cyclopia with anencephaly and spinal rachischisis. Awareness of this spectrum of association with cyclopia, albeit rare, will help in early antenatal diagnosis by fetal ultrasonography. Public education and strict adherence to folic acid supplementation can prevent this unfortunate anomaly., Competing Interests: None

Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects approximately 2 to 8% of pregnant women, causing blood pressure above 140 × 90 mmHg and proteinuria, normally after the 20th gestation week. If unsuccessfully treated, PE can lead to self-limited seizures (Eclampsia) that could eventually result in death of the mother and her fetus. The present study reports an experimental model of preeclampsia hypertension in pregnant (HP) and non-pregnant (H) Wistar rats by partially clamping one of their renal arteries. Pregnant (P) and non-pregnant (C) controls were provided. Differently from controls (C and P), H and HP animals presented a steady rise in BP two weeks after renal artery clamping. Injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced behavioral and electroencephalographic seizures in all groups, which were increased in number, duration, amplitude and power accompanied by decreased latency in HP animals (p < 0.05). Consistent results were obtained in in vitro experimentation. Immunohistochemistry of hippocampus tissue in HP animals showed decreased density of neurons nuclei in CA1, CA3 and Hilus and increased density of astrocytes in CA1, CA3 and gyrus (p < 0.05). The present findings show that the clamping of one renal arteries to 0.15 mm and PTZ administration were able to induce signs similar to human PE in pregnant Wistar rats.

The Brazilian municipality of Rondonópolis is an emerging urban focus of intense transmission of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), where few investigations have addressed canine reservoirs. This study assessed the seroprevalence and spatial distribution of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in the urban area of Rondonópolis. A CVL serosurvey was conducted between October 2016 and February 2017 using an immunochromatographic rapid test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Domestic dogs were sampled from 25 heterogeneous regions previously defined by the Spatial 'K'luster Analysis by Tree Edge Removal algorithm, which considered the socioeconomic and environmental features from the last demographic census. The CVL spatial distribution was analyzed by kernel density estimation (KDE) and spatial scan statistic. All the  autochthonous human VL cases reported between 2014 and 2016 were georeferenced. Of the 600 dogs tested, 115 were seropositive in both tests. The overall CVL prevalence was 19.2% (95%CI: 16.1-22.3%), which varied widely among the evaluated regions (0.0-35.1%). Almost 25% of the sampled households (n = 405) had at least one infected dog. KDE demonstrated that positive CVL households were concentrated in the peripheral areas of the city. Spatial scan statistics detected a spatial cluster with significantly low CVL prevalence in the central region (relative risk = 0.37; p = 0.04), where only one human VL case was reported. Thus, we demonstrated a high prevalence of CVL in domestic dogs from diverse socioeconomic and environmental urban contexts in Rondonópolis. The CVL cases were peripherally distributed and occurred more frequently in areas that had reported human VL.

Purpose: To evaluate different diagnostic methods for high risk chloroquine retinopathy due to prolonged use of chloroquine (more than 5 years) by systemic lupus erythematosus patients., Methods: Seventy-two eyes of 36 consecutive patients, followed in the Division of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, were analyzed from July 2007 to April 2008. Demographic and clinical data were evaluated in order to study risk factors and to compare the following different ophthalmological methods: visual acuity, biomicroscopy, fundus examination, retinography, fluorescein angiogram, visual field test and, color vision tests., Results: From 36 patients, 34 (94.4%) were female. The mean age was 39.9 +/- 9.8 years and the disease duration was 13.9 +/- 6.6 years. Besides chronic use of chloroquine, patients also showed high daily and cumulative doses. These high risk factors were not related to a higher retinopathy prevalence. Visual field showed 38.9% of retinopathy prevalence. Other ophthalmological methods failed in detecting most cases., Conclusion: High prevalence of retinopathy in high risk patients was observed by visual field test, but other ophthalmological methods failed in detecting alterations. Ophthalmological assessment of these patients should include visual field, even in the absence of clinical alterations.

The case of a 35 year-old male patient is reported. The patient had a clinical history of craniocerebral trauma and premacular hemorrhage of Terson syndrome in the left eye. After waiting for 45 days, without hemorrhage resolution, the patient received an intravitreal injection of sulfur hexafluoride gas and tPA; an almost complete hemorrhage absorption occurred after a week as well as a considerable improvement of visual acuity. In the report, relevant aspects of Terson syndrome and of intravitreal injection of gas and tPA are also described through a literature review.

To describe a case of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma with extensive retinal detachment treated with vitrectomy and endolaser photocoagulation. Interventional case report. A 41-year-old female patient was examined with a 7-day history of blurred vision and progression of visual loss in the right eye in the last 2 days. Ophthalmologic examination showed 20/400 visual acuity in the right eye and an extensive retinal detachment with an elevated red lesion on the posterior pole. Ocular ultrasound showed high a reflective membranes in the vitreous cavity (retinal detachment) and an homogeneous hiperecogenic solid lesion suggestive of choroidal hemangioma. Systemic investigation showed no abnormalities. Posterior pars plana vitrectomy with endophotocoagulation and injection of C3F8 gas was performed. After 15 days, an inferior retinal detachment was observed and the patient was submitted to a second vitrectomy with endophotocoagulation and silicon oil implant. After six months, the retina remains attached and the hemangioma shows no signs of exudation. Visual acuity remains 20/400. Posterior vitrectomy appears as an option for the treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas with extensive retinal detachment.

Purpose: To describe a case of vasoproliferative tumor associated with presumed ocular tuberculosis treated with cryotherapy and intravitreal triamcinolone injection., Study Design/patient and Methods: Interventional case report. A 42-year-old female patient reported inflammation of the right eye 1 year ago, treated with oral prednisone for 30 days. She referred blurred vision in the right eye since childhood. Ophthalmologic examination showed 20/400 visual acuity in the right eye. Biomicroscopy and intraocular pressure were normal. Fundus examination showed vascularized elevated lesion, associated with serous retinal detachment and hard exudates at the inferior periphery. The lesion was surrounded by extensive area of hyperplastic retinal pigment epithelium. The macula showed attenuation of the foveal reflex. Ocular ultrasound showed a 2.25 mm height vascularized lesion. Serologic examination, hemogram and thorax RX were normal. PPD was considered strong reactor and tuberculosis was diagnosed after positive BK research. Considering the clinical aspects, the ocular diagnosis was vasoproliferative tumor associated with presumed ocular tuberculosis. Treatment with rifampicin, isoniazide and pyridoxine was started. We decided to treat the ocular tumor with cryotherapy and intravitreal triamcinolone injection (4 mg/ml). After 30 days, serous detachment was smaller and the tumor showed atrophic areas. Fluorescein angiography showed areas of vascular hyperfluorescence with slight extravasation and areas of blocked fluorescence due to RPE hyperplasia. Secondary vasoproliferative tumors are retinal glial proliferations and are associated with many ocular conditions that affect retina and choroid. Because of the great number of associated complications, with important visual loss, vasoproliferative tumors should be treated at the moment of diagnosis. Treatment of choice is cryotherapy. Intravitreal triamcinolone can be used as adjuvant treatment because of its angiogenic properties. Until the present moment, no ocular tuberculosis and vasoproliferative tumor association were reported in the literature. Treatment of secondary vasoproliferative tumors with cryoterapy and intravitreal triamcinolone appears as a new therapeutic choice. Further studies are necessary to prove the efficacy of this association.

The authors describe a case of endogenous Candida albicans endophthalmitis in one extremely low birth-weight newborn refractory to endovenous amphotericin B treatment that presented resolution with the use of endovenous fluconazole. Clinical aspects of endogenous Candida albicans endophthalmitis are also pointed out by a review of the literature.