Publicatio UEPG: Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde

Pre-prosthetic surgery planning using model printed from computed tomography prototyping: Torus palatinus

2024-11-28T14:28:03+00:00

Palatal torus can interfere with rehabilitation with dental prosthetics. Planning the pre-prosthetic surgery to remove the palatine torus includes creating study models and surgical guides. Prototyping technology with three-dimensional printing has been used in Dentistry to obtain models, create guides and plan surgeries, replacing traditional methods with some advantages. We report a clinical case of palatal torus removal in which virtual planning techniques and prototyping of oral models were used using three-dimensional (3D) printing, which were used for planning the pre-prosthetic surgery. Computed tomography, the study and manipulation of images to create the model provide important information about the anatomy of the site and the simulation of surgery carried out on the printed model allows training in surgical technique, increasing predictability at the time of the patient's surgery. The use of 3D models allows training and adaptation of the generic technique to the specific clinical case with the preview of details and surgical difficulties, resulting in greater technical precision and a reduction in real surgical time.

Português

2025-05-22T11:17:53+00:00

Female sexual dysfunction is a disturbance in one or more phases of the female sexual response cycle, and is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a public health issue. During the postpartum period, women experience physical, emotional, and social changes, which directly affect their sexual needs and cause difficulties in returning to sexual activity. The objective of this study is to investigate the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions in puerperal women up to 12 months postpartum, as well as to characterize the sociodemographic, psychosocial, and obstetric factors associated with these dysfunctions. Data collection was conducted by approaching women waiting for child healthcare and vaccination services at UBS in the city of Cascavel-PR, in the year 2024, using a data collection questionnaire created by the researcher, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, adapted into Portuguese, along with the remote distribution of research questionnaires to a community health group of puerperal women in the city. The sample consisted of 30 puerperal women, sexually active in the last 4 weeks. 56.66% of the women in this study had sexual dysfunction, with sociodemographic and obstetric factors showing no influence on the occurrence of such dysfunctions. Decreased self-esteem, body shame, fear of sexual activity and lack of knowledge about sexual disfunctions were common among study participants.

COMPARISON OF THE ANTIOXIDANT AND BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF CANNABIDIOL WITH SYNTHETIC DRUGS IN AN ANIMAL MODEL FOR VALPROIC ACID-INDUCED AUTISM

2025-08-12T16:50:11+00:00

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent and complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social communication and interaction, sensory sensitivities, repetitive behaviors, and intellectual disability. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant effects of cannabidiol extract with synthetic drugs (Risperidone, Aripiprazole and Fluoxetine) in an animal model for autism induced by valproic acid and confirm its possible improvement in the behavioral symptoms arising from the disorder and its lesser side effect. Therefore, the animals received treatment with cannabidiol for 15 consecutive days orally (gavage) at doses of 60 mg/kg, with an interval of 24 hours between one treatment and another. Other groups received, respectively, Risperidone (0.1mg/kg), Aripiprazole (1.5mg/kg) and Fluoxetine (5mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days orally (gavage), following an interval of 24 hours between treatment and other. Twelve hours after the last treatment, the animals were subjected to behavioral tests of social interaction and repetitive behavior and subsequently sacrificed by decapitation with removal of the nervous tissue for analysis of oxidative stress. The behavioral variables (crossed squares; locomotion time; standing time) analyzed in the open field test did not present statistically significant differences as well the three chamber test. Comparing the results to the control group, both the autistic and the Risperidone and fluoxetine groups showed an increase in formation of substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid levels. Regarding superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the autistic group showed a decrease in enzyme activity compared to the control group, and none of the synthetic drugs and cannabidiol alone altered SOD activity. Fluoxetine and CBD demonstrated a reversal of the reduction caused by autistic behavior on enzyme activity. There were no behavioral changes when comparing animals treated with CBD with those treated with synthetic drugs. Data suggests that CBD has better antioxidant action when compared to synthetic drugs.

THE THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

2025-03-10T17:10:31+00:00

Hepatic encephalopathy is the most significant neurological consequence in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this review is to list the main methods used to manage hepatic encephalopathy, whether pharmacological or not. This integrative literature review was carried out using a bibliographic search. Using the PRISMA flowchart, 1214 articles were identified in the databases, 324 were screened and 890 were selected for analysis by abstract and title. The texts analyzed in their entirety totaled 127, of which 30 articles published between 2015 and 2021 were selected, these with quantitative approaches, literature reviews and cohort studies. This review showed that the drugs most commonly used in treatment currently include lactulose and rifaximin, while others such as albumin, ornithine phenylacetate, zinc, polyethylene glycol, flumazenil, etc. have also been used in management. In addition, treatments such as fecal microbiota transplantation, portosystemic shunt embolization, retrograde transvenous obliteration and liver transplantation are also used in clinical practice. It can be concluded, however, that therapies capable of curing this pathology are still lacking, and those available are only effective in improving symptoms and the patient's quality of life.

ANALYSIS OF MORTALITY FROM ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN BRAZIL AND ITS REGIONS FROM 2012 TO 2022.

2025-02-10T15:39:51+00:00

This study aimed to analyze the trends in mortality from acute kidney injury (AKI) in Brazil between 2012 and 2022, based on data obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) of DATASUS. It is a descriptive and analytical ecological study that considered variables such as sex, age group, geographic region, and race/color. The results indicated a general trend of increasing mortality rates from AKI, particularly among older age groups, with a focus on the Southeast and Northeast regions. Mortality was higher among men and in more vulnerable populations, such as Indigenous and Black individuals, reflecting disparities in access to health services. The main causes of death associated with AKI included viral infections and pneumonia. It concludes that AKI represents a serious public health issue, highlighting the need for prevention policies, early diagnosis, and appropriate management, especially in higher-risk populations.

ESTUDO QUALITATIVO ACERCA DAS VIVÊNCIAS DO DISTANCIAMENTO SOCIAL DURANTE A PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 E SEU IMPACTO NA SAÚDE MENTAL DE PACIENTES EM UM PEQUENO MUNICÍPIO BRASILEIRO

2025-06-09T16:47:07+00:00

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread adoption of non-pharmacological interventions, with social distancing emerging as a cornerstone strategy endorsed by global health authorities. While effective in curbing viral transmission, prolonged social distancing has been linked to significant psychosocial and economic repercussions, including heightened anxiety, social isolation, and disruptions in healthcare access. In Brazil—where mitigation policies were decentralized and inconsistently implemented—regional disparities in pandemic experiences warrant further investigation.

Objective: This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of patients in a rural Basic Health Unit (UBS) in Paraná, focusing on the psychosocial, economic, and healthcare-related consequences of social distancing measures during the pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 UBS patients between May and December 2021. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis using line-by-line coding. Results: Nineteen patients took part in this study. The analysis revealed three major themes directly related to social isolation measures: I) Socioeconomic impact during the COVID-19 pandemic; II) Patients' experiences and perceptions of health services during COVID-19 and III) Impact of social distancing on patients' mental health. Social distancing in some cases intensified mental health problems due to isolation and lack of social interaction, especially with friends and family. Most patients claimed feelings of fear, anxiety, and concern for their own lives and those of their families. Besides the lack of social interaction and routine changes, economic insecurity was revealed as an underlying cause of this mental state. Several participants expressed concerns as they had to discontinue their activities leading to an income reduction. Participants reported that some healthcare interruptions were due to their own fear of contamination within healthcare settings and interruption of elective health services. There was approval regarding the pandemic information services provided by health professionals. However, it was noted that they should have been more prepared to deal with this situation. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that even rural communities with less stringent COVID-19 restrictions experienced significant mental health impacts and reduced healthcare access. While containment measures effectively limited viral transmission, they concurrently generated psychosocial consequences and disrupted essential care services. The findings highlight three critical needs: (1) integrating mental health services into primary care; (2) implementing active monitoring for vulnerable populations; and (3) developing protocols to maintain chronic care continuity during future health emergencies. These results underscore the necessity for balanced public health approaches that equally prioritize infection control and psychosocial wellbeing, particularly in rural settings.

Keywords: Pandemic; COVID-19; Social distancing; Mental health

Prevalence of Depression in Hospitalized Elderly People

2024-12-05T19:08:38+00:00

Introducción: La hospitalización emerge como un importante desencadenante de estrés, aumentando el riesgo de desarrollar o empeorar la depresión en personas mayores. El distanciamiento familiar, el malestar físico y los cambios de rutina durante el período de hospitalización intensifican los desafíos emocionales y los síntomas que enfrenta esta población. Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de depresión en ancianos hospitalizados. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, realizado con 24 personas de 60 años o más, internadas en el sector clínico de un hospital universitario del interior del estado de Paraná, en el período 2020-2021. Los datos se recogieron al lado de la cama, aplicando la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica para evaluar la aparición de depresión en estos individuos. Para el análisis se utilizaron criterios inferenciales. CAAE nº 21585019.3.0000.0105. Resultados: La prevalencia de depresión en la población adulta mayor fue del 27,9%, presentando el 28,7% depresión severa y el 71,43% depresión leve. Entonces, entre las condiciones que demostraron mayores sentimientos depresivos se encuentran aquellas asociadas con respuestas positivas a las variables “¿Prefieres quedarte en casa que salir a hacer cosas nuevas?” (66,67%), “¿Has abandonado muchos de tus intereses y actividades?” (66,67%), “¿Te aburres seguido?” (37,5%) y “¿Te sientes inútil en las circunstancias actuales?” (27,17%). Conclusión: El distanciamiento social, la pérdida de interés en las actividades y los sentimientos de inutilidad surgieron como principales indicadores de síntomas depresivos entre los ancianos analizados. Estos hallazgos resaltan la relevancia de implementar estrategias de intervención psicosocial específicas para esta población vulnerable durante el período de hospitalización, con el objetivo de reducir el riesgo y el empeoramiento de la depresión.