Abstract This meta-research aimed to provide an overview of the methodological quality and risk of bias of network meta-analyses (NMA) in dentistry. Searches for NMA of randomized clinical trials with clinical outcomes in dentistry were performed in databases up to January 2022. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts, selected full texts, and extracted the data. The adherence to PRISMA-NMA reporting guideline, the AMSTAR-2 methodological quality tool, and the ROBIS risk of bias tool were assessed in the studies. Correlation between the PRISMA-NMA adherence and the AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS results was also investigated. Sixty-two NMA studies were included and presented varied methodological quality. According to AMSTAR-2, half of the NMA presented moderate quality (n = 32; 51.6%). The adherence to PRISMA-NMA also varied. Only 36 studies (58.1%) prospectively registered the protocol. Other issues lacking of reporting were data related were data related to the NMA geometry and the assessment of results consistency, and the evaluation of risk of bias across the studies. ROBIS assessment showed a high risk of bias mainly for domains 1 (study eligibility criteria) and 2 (identification and selection of studies). Correlation coefficients between the PRISMA-NMA adherence and the AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS results showed moderate correlation (rho < 0.6). Overall, NMA studies in dentistry were of moderate quality and at high risk of bias in several domains, especially study selection. Future reviews should be better planned and conducted and have higher compliance with reporting and quality assessment tools.

ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to compare the maternal and perinatal characteristics and outcomes between women with and without diabetes in a Brazilian cohort of women with preterm births. Methods This was an ancillary analysis of the Brazilian Multicenter Study on Preterm Birth, which included 4,150 preterm births. This analysis divided preterm births into two groups according to the presence of diabetes; pregestational and gestational diabetes were clustered in the same Diabetes Group. Differences between both groups were assessed using χ 2 or Student’s t tests. Results Preterm births of 133 and 4,017 women with and without diabetes, respectively, were included. The prevalence of diabetes was 3.2%. Pregnant women aged ≥35 years were more common in the Diabetes Group (31.6% versus 14.0% non-diabetic women, respectively). The rate of cesarean section among patients with diabetes was 68.2% versus 52.3% in non-diabetic cases), with a gestational age at birth between 34 and 36 weeks in 78.9% of the cases and 62.1% of the controls. Large-for-gestational-age babies were 7 times more common in the Diabetes Group. Conclusion Preterm birth among Brazilian women with diabetes was more than twice as prevalent; these women were older and had regular late preterm deliveries, usually by cesarean section. They also had a greater frequency of fetal morbidities, such as malformations and polyhydramnios, and a higher proportion of large-for-gestational-age and macrosomic neonates.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that infection or inflammation is a major contributor to early spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the development and causes of maternal infection associated with maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with sPTB. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study with a nested case–control component, the Brazilian Multicentre Study on Preterm Birth (EMIP), conducted from April 2011 to July 2012 in 20 Brazilian referral obstetric hospitals. Women with preterm birth (PTB) and their neonates were enrolled. In this analysis, 2,682 women undergoing spontaneous preterm labor and premature pre-labor rupture of membranes were included. Two groups were identified based on self-reports or prenatal or hospital records: women with at least one infection factor and women without any maternal infection (vulvovaginitis, urinary tract infection, or dental infection). A bivariate analysis was performed to identify potential individual risk factors for PTB. The odds ratios (ORs) with their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: The majority of women with sPTB fulfilled at least one criterion for the identification of maternal infection (65.9%), and more than half reported having urinary tract infection during pregnancy. Approximately 9.6% of women with PTB and maternal infection were classified as having periodontal infection only. Apart from the presence of a partner, which was more common among women with infectious diseases (p=0.026; OR, 1.28 [1.03-1.59]), other variables did not show any significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Maternal infection was highly prevalent in all cases of sPTBs, although it was not clearly associated with the type of PTB, gestational age, or any adverse neonatal outcomes.

Natural naphthoquinones such as lapachol (Lp) have demonstrated promising biological activities. However, these quinones present low systemic biodisponibility due to its poor aqueous solubility. To overcome this problem, nanoemulsions (NE) formed by oily core are able to incorporate hydrophobic molecules thus enabling them to be dispersed into an aqueous phase. The present study reports the development, characterization, and physical stability of NE containing lapachol. NE formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4, and F2-Lp) were prepared using emulsion phase inversion (EPI) method and characterized in relation to droplet size, size distribution (PDI), zeta potential, and physical stability. The formulation chosen to incorporate lapachol (F2-Lp) showed droplet size in nanometric scale with homogeneous size distribution (PDI < 0.2) and negative zeta potential (about −30 mV). In addition, good physical stability of F2 and F2-Lp was demonstrated using analytical centrifugation with photometric detection where the light transmission profiles did not change throughout the dispersions. Nanoemulsion containing lapachol presented a strong reddish aspect; however, the incorporation of this naphthoquinone did not alter the main physicochemical parameters of NE formulation. The in vitro release study demonstrated a sustained release profile from NE with about 60% of lapachol released within 54 h.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o uso da tocólise em partos prematuros decorrentes de trabalho de parto espontâneo numa amostra brasileira. Métodos Um total de 1.491 mulheres com parto prematuro decorrente de trabalho de parto espontâneo foram avaliadas, considerando a realização de tocólise ou conduta expectante, de acordo com a idade gestacional ao nascimento (< 34 semanas e 34 a 36 þ 6 semanas) e com as drogas prescritas. O estudo ocorreu em 20 hospitais brasileiros, de abril de 2011a julho de 2012. Análises bivariadas foram realizadas para avaliar associações com características sociodemográficas e obstétricas. Foram calculadas as relações de probabilidade comseus respectivos intervalos de confiança (95%) para os desfechos neonatais e maternos. Resultados Um total de 1.491 casos de partos prematuros foram considerados, e a tocólise foi realizada em 342 (23%) casos, dos quais 233 (68,1%) tiveram partos antes das 34 semanas. No grupo da conduta expectante, 73% forampré-termos tardios e com trabalho de parto mais avançado à admissão. As drogas mais utilizadas foram os bloqueadores do canal de cálcio (62.3%), seguidos pelos betamiméticos (33%). No grupo da tocólise houvemais complicações neonatais ematernas (maioria não grave) e um uso de corticosteroides 29 vezes mais frequente que nos casos de conduta expectante. Conclusão A tocólise foi mais favorável nos casos de trabalho de parto inicial e nos partos realizados antes de 34 semanas de gestação, usando preferencialmente bloqueadores do canal de cálcio, comsucesso em realizar altas taxas de corticoterapia. A tocólise esteve associada a maiores taxas de complicações maternas e neonatais, o que pode ser explicado pela diferença basal dos casos à admissão. Entretanto, esses resultados devem acender um alerta em relação ao uso de tocolíticos.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the use of tocolysis in cases of preterm birth due to spontaneous preterm labor in a Brazilian sample. Methods A sample of 1,491 women with preterm birth due to spontaneous preterm labor were assessed, considering treatment with tocolysis or expectant management, according to gestational age at birth (< 34 weeks and 34 to 36 þ 6 weeks) and drugs prescribed. The study took place in 20 Brazilian hospitals from April 2011 to July 2012. Bivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate associations with sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics and odds ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated for maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results A total of 1,491 cases of preterm birth were considered. Tocolysis was performed in 342 cases (23%), 233 of which (68.1%) were delivered before 34 weeks. Within the expectant management group, 73% was late preterm and with more advanced labor at the time of admission. The most used drugs were calcium channel blockers (62.3%), followed by betamimetics (33%). Among the subjects in the tocolysis group, there were more neonatal and maternal complications (majority non-severe) and an occurrence of corticosteroid use that was 29 higher than in the expectant management group. Conclusion Tocolysis is favored in cases of earlier labor and also among thosewith less than 34 weeks of gestation, using preferably calcium channel blockers, with success in achieving increased corticosteroid use. Tocolysis, in general, was related to higher maternal and neonatal complication rates, which may be due to the baseline difference between cases at admission. However, these results should raise awareness to tocolysis use.

RESUMO O objetivo deste artigo foi delimitar o conceito de presença social e apontar suas implicações para a Educação a Distância (EAD). Presença social é um termo da Psicologia relacionado à percepção do indivíduo sobre a maneira como ele se sente na interação com os outros, na comunicação mediada por tecnologia. São apresentados estudos acerca dos desafios para promover a aprendizagem colaborativa e a interação em ambientes virtuais e, então, discutidos o papel da tecnologia e dos comportamentos das pessoas nesse processo. As reflexões indicam que estudar o nível de presença social nos ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem (AVA) é fundamental para compreender a interação entre os aprendizes e promover a aprendizagem colaborativa na EAD.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper was to establish the concept of social presence and to point out its implications for Distance Education. Social presence is a term originated from Psychology, and refers to the individual’s perception about the way he or she feels when interacting with others using computer-mediated technology. We present studies that discuss the challenges of promoting collaborative learning and interaction in virtual environments; moreover, we analyze the role of technology and the learners’ behavior in this process. Our findings indicate that studying the level of social presence in virtual learning environments (VLE) is crucial for understanding the interaction between learners, as well as for promoting collaborative learning in Distance Education.

RESUMEN El propósito de este artículo es definir el concepto de presencia social y señalar sus repercusiones para Educación a Distancia. La presencia social es un término de la Psicología que se relaciona con la percepción del individuo de cómo se siente en la interacción con los demás en la comunicación mediada por la tecnología. Estaremos presentando estudios que discutirán los desafíos para promover el aprendizaje colaborativo y la interacción en entornos virtuales y entonces, aprendizaje colaborativo. Los resultados del estudio indican que estudiar el nivel de presencia social en los entornos virtuales de aprendizaje (EVA) se vuelve crítico para comprender la interacción entre los aprendices y fomentar el aprendizaje colaborativo en la Educación a Distancia.

Composites of styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBS) matrix with curauá fiber and/or a nanoparticulate mineral (montmorillonite clay - MMT) used as reinforcing agents were prepared by melt-mixing. The influence of clay addition on properties like tensile and tear strength, rebound resilience, flex fatigue life, abrasion loss, hardness and water absorption of composites with 5, 10 and 20 wt% of curauá fiber was evaluated in presence of maleic anhydride grafted styrene-(ethylene-co-butylene)-styrene triblock copolymer (MA-g-SEBS) coupling agent. Furthermore, the effect of mineral plasticizer loading on tensile strength of selected composites was investigated. The hybrid SBS composite that showed the best overall mechanical performance was composed by 2 wt% of MMT and 5 wt% of curauá fiber. Increasing fiber content up to 20 wt% resulted in a general decrease in all mechanical properties as well as incorporation of 5 wt% MMT caused a decrease in the tensile strength in all fiber contents. The hybrid composites showed clay agglomerates (tactoids) poorly dispersed that could explain the poor mechanical performance of composites at higher concentrations of curauá fiber and MMT nanoparticles. The addition of plasticizer further decreased the tensile strength while the addition of MMT nanoparticles decreased water absorption for all SBS composites.

Para avaliar fatores relacionados ao seguimento oncológico dos carcinomas basocelulares da face, foi realizada a análise de série de casos. Avaliaram-se 465 pacientes, com 834 carcinomas basocelulares de face; 3,1% apresentaram recidivas. Nos tumores incompletamente excisados, a recidiva foi 14,7% contra 2,3% dos tumores, com margens livres. Ocorreram mais na região nasal. As taxas de recorrência evidenciaram risco cumulativo. Estes achados reforçam a importância do seguimento oncológico após a cirurgia do carcinoma basocelular.

To evaluate factors related to oncological follow-up of basal cell face carcinomas it was carried out the analysis of a series of cases. Four hundred sixty-five patients with 834 basal cell face carcinomas were evaluated; 3,1% presented recurrences. There was 14.7% of recurrence in incompletely excised tumors against 2.3% of the tumors with clear margins. Recurrences were more prevalent on the nose. Relapse rates showed a cumulative risk. These findings reinforce the importance of oncological follow-up after surgery of basal cell carcinoma.

The Vinchina Basin, in the northwest of the La Rioja Province, conforms one of the Cenozoic depocenters of the broken-foreland in the Andean Sierras Pampeanas- Famatina-Precordillera-Cordillera Frontal segment. The beginning of the basin fill corresponds to a thin sequence of ephemeral fluvial to lacustrine systems assigned to Puesto La Flecha Formation (Paleocene-Early Eocene). This unit is covered by aeolian deposits of the Vallecito Formation (Eocene). The Vinchina Formation (Oligocene- Early Miocene) rests on the Vallecito Formation by means of an erosional unconformity and is dominated by sandy-shale and sandy-gravel fluvial system deposits of semiarid climate conditions. The Vinchina Formation. is composed of two members; the lower one is made up of sandstones and shales while the upper one is dominated by sandstones and conglomerates. The upper member rests on a low angle erosional surface draped by several conglomeratic levels (progressive unconformities). The Toro Negro Formation (Miocene- Early Pliocene) covers by means of an erosional unconformity the Vinchina Formation. The lower member of the Toro Negro Formation is dominated by sandy-shales deposits with low proportion of conglomerates corresponding to the sedimentation in anastomosed fluvial systems. The upper member that rests on the lower member through an erosional surface is composed of conglomeratic deposits corresponding to braided fluvial systems and stream-flow dominated piedmont. Finally, alluvial fan deposits of the El Corral Formation (Pliocene) appear. This new stratigraphic chart for the Vinchina Basin permits the correlation with the Tertiary outcrops of the La Troya Basin and to propose an initial stage of common evolution and a latter stage of independent sedimentation (broken foreland).

La cuenca de Vinchina, en el noroeste de la provincia de La Rioja, conforma uno de los depocentros cenozoicos del antepaís fracturado (broken foreland) en el segmento de Sierras Pampeanas-Famatina-Precordillera-Cordillera Frontal de los Andes. Las fases iniciales del relleno de la cuenca están representadas por delgados depósitos de sistemas fluviales y lacustres efímeros asignados a la Formación Puesto La Flecha (Paleoceno-Eoceno Temprano), la cual es cubierta en forma neta por sedimentitas eólicas de la Formación Vallecito (Eoceno). Por encima, mediante una leve discordancia erosiva, se encuentra la Formación Vinchina (Oligoceno-Mioceno Temprano?) dominada por secuencias generadas en sistemas fluviales areno-pelíticos y arenoconglomerádicos depositados bajo condiciones de clima semiárido. Dentro de esta unidad se ha diferenciado el miembro inferior, dominado por depósitos areno-pelíticos, y el superior que cubre al anterior mediante una superficie erosiva de bajo ángulo tapizada por niveles de ortoconglomerados polimícticos (discordancias progresivas). La Formación Toro Negro (Mioceno-Plioceno Temprano) cubre mediante una discordancia erosiva a la Formación Vinchina. El miembro inferior de la Formación Toro Negro está dominado por depósitos areno-pelíticos sedimentados en sistemas fluviales anastomosados con baja proporción de conglomerados. Por su parte, el miembro superior, que cubre mediante una leve discordancia erosiva a la unidad infrayacente, está constituido por depósitos conglomerádicos correspondientes a sistemas fluviales entrelazados y a bajadas dominadas por flujos canalizados. Finalmente, se encuentran los depósitos de abanicos aluviales de la Formación El Corral (Plioceno). Este nuevo cuadro estratigráfico para la cuenca de Vinchina permite establecer la conexión en su estadio inicial con la cuenca de La Troya, para luego evolucionar en forma independiente (antepaís fracturado).

CinBalada is a system for automatic creation of polyphonic rhythmic performances by mixing elements from different musical styles. This system is based on agents that act as musicians playing percussion instruments in a drum circle. Each agent has to choose from a database the rhythm pattern of its instrument that satisfies the "rhythmic role" assigned to him in order to produce a collectively-consistent rhythmic performance. A rhythmic role is a concept that we proposed here with the objective of representing culture-specific rules for creation of polyphonic performances.

A caracterização citogenética das plantas medicinais de um país amplia as perspectivas da conservação da diversidade vegetal de espécies comumente utilizadas na medicina popular. Das espécies utilizadas medicinalmente no Brasil, algumas são nativas, dentre as quais se destaca, Achyrocline satureioides Lam. (marcela) da Família Asteraceae. Neste estudo, pela primeira vez, foi realizada a contagem do número cromossômico de populações de marcela, nativas do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram coletadas sementes de cinco populações de marcela em seus locais de origem, as quais foram colocadas para germinar em ambiente controlado. Após a germinação, as pontas de raízes foram coletadas e pré-tratadas com paradiclorobenzeno durante cinco horas, fixadas em álcool absoluto:ácido acético glacial (3:1) por 24h a temperatura ambiente e, posteriormente, conservadas em álcool 70%, até o seu uso. A análise do número cromossômico foi feita a partir da confecção de lâminas das pontas das raízes, sendo que para o preparo das lâminas utilizou-se a técnica do esmagamento, hidrólise em HCl 5N por 10min, aplicação de ácido acético 45% durante 1min, esmagamento das pontas das raízes e coloração com orceína acética a 2%. Todas as populações estudadas apresentaram 2n=24 cromossomos, o que sugere ser esse o número diplóide da espécie.

The cytogenetics of medicinal plants in a country enlarges the perspectives of conservation of the vegetal diversity of species generally used in popular medicine. Some of the species used medicinally in Brazil are native, and Achyrocline satureioides Lam. (marcela), from Asteraceae Family, is highlighted among them. In this study the first counting of the chromosomal number in marcela populations, which are native from Rio Grande do Sul State, was performed. Seeds of five populations of marcela were collected in their native local. Such seeds were put at room temperature to germinate. After germinating, the root-tips were collected and pre-treated with saturated solution of paradichlorobenzene for five hours, fixed in absolute ethanol glacial acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours at room temperature and, after that, maintained in alcohol 70% until they were used. The analysis of the chromosomal number was performed with slides of root-tips by using the squashing technique, hydrolysis in HCI 5N for 10min, acetic acid application 45% for 1min, squashing of the root-tips and staining in orcein acetic 2%. All populations presented 2n=24 chromosomes, suggesting it as the probable diploid number of the species.

A terapia fotodinâmica (TFD) está baseada na administração e no acúmulo de fotossensibilizador, por exemplo, de tipo porfirina ou clorina, em tecidos doentes. As clorinas apresentam propriedades fotofísicas semelhantes àquelas das porfirinas, mas com intensificação e deslocamento das bandas Q, o que faz com que sejam bons candidatos para TFD. Neste trabalho relata-se a síntese da 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorofenil)-20-(4-piridil)porfirina, (2), e das clorinas isômeras 4, (5,10,20-tris(pentafluorofenil)-15-(4-piridil)-tetra-hidro-1H- N-metil-pirrolo[3,4-b]porfirina e 5, (5,10,15-tris(pentafluorofenil)-20-(4-piridil)-tetra-hidro-1H- N-metil-pirrolo[3,4-b]porfirina, obtidas a partir de 2, por reação de cicloadição 1,3-dipolar com um ileto azometínico, e respectivas caracterizações estruturais por UV-Vis, RMN e EM-FAB. Foram avaliadas as propriedades fotofísicas, fotoquímicas e fotodegradativas para a nova clorina 4, obtida com melhor rendimento que o seu isômero 5. O rendimento quântico de fotodegradação (fiFd, mol Einstein-1) foi de 0,047±0,014. Foram ainda realizados testes com ácido úrico para demonstrar a capacidade do fotossensibilizador na produção de ¹O2. Os resultados mostraram que a nova clorina 4 pode ser considerada como um bom fotossensibilizador para TFD.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the accumulation of a photosensitizer, such as a porphyrin or a chlorin, in a malignant tissue after its administration. Chlorins exhibit photophysical properties similar to those of the porphyrin macrocycles, but with intensified and red-shifted Q bands, making chlorin-containing systems even better candidates for PDT. In this contribution, we report the synthesis of 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)-20-(4-pyridyl)porphyrin, (2) and its transformation to the novel chlorin derivatives 4, (5,10,20-tris(pentafluorophenyl)-15-(4-pyridyl)-tetrahydro-1H- N-methyl-pyrrolo [3,4-b]porphyrin and 5, (5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)-20-(4-pyridyl)-tetrahydro-1H- N-methyl-pyrrolo[3,4-b]porphyrin) by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with an azomethine ylide. The new products have been characterized by UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and FAB-MS. The photophysics, photochemical and photobleaching properties of chlorin 4 have been evaluated. Its quantum yield of photobleaching (phiPb, mol Einstein-1) was 0.047±0.014. In order to demonstrate the production of ¹O2 when 4 is used as a photosensitizer, uric acid tests have been carried out. The results indicate that chlorin 4 can be considered a promising photosensitizer in PDT.

Diagnosticou-se o perfil dos consumidores de supermercados em Pato Branco (PR), com relação às suas preferências pelas plantas medicinais e condimentares, como subsídio à produção por pequenos produtores rurais. Os consumidores preferem produtos orgânicos, observam a aparência e o preço do produto, e vão ao mercado uma vez por semana, preferencialmente aos sábados. As dez plantas medicinais preferidas, em ordem decrescente, são camomila, anis, boldo, carqueja, guaco, malva, poejo, espinheira-santa, menta e sálvia. As dez plantas condimentares preferidas, em ordem decrescente, são cebola, cravo, canela, orégano, alho, nóz-moscada, pimentão, cebolinha, endro e salsinha.

The profile of supermarket users in Pato Branco city, Paraná State, Brazil, was obtained, related to their preference for medicinal and spice plants, as a subsidy to production by small farmers. The consumers prefer organic products observing the appearance and price of the product, and they go once a week to the market, preferably on Saturdays. The ten favorite medicinal plants are Chamomilla recutita, Pimpinella anisum, Vernonia condensata, Baccharis sp., Mikania sp., Malva sp., Cunilla sp., Maytenus sp., Mentha sp. and Salvia officinalis. The ten favorite spices are: Allium cepa, Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Origanum vulgaris, Allium sativum, Myristicia fragans, Capsicum annuum, Allium schoenoprasum, Anethum graveolens and Petroselinum crispum.

Neotectonic features to the north of Guandacol (Precordillera of La Rioja) include a variety of fault traces, developed within Quaternary deposits, resulting from the interaction of two morphostructural fronts with opposite vergence. The west-verging crystalline basement blocks of Sierras Pampeanas would have produced NNW-SSE reverse faults with the lower block toward the west, whereas the Precordillera thrust belt would have generated NNE-SSW reverse faults with a downthrow to the east.

En este trabajo se dan a conocer y se describen rasgos neotectónicos observados al norte de la localidad de Guandacol (Precordillera de La Rioja). En el área estudiada, se reconocieron distintas trazas de falla desarrolladas sobre depósitos cuaternarios que estarían controladas por la interacción de dos frentes morfoestructurales de vergencia opuesta. Por un lado, los bloques de basamento cristalino pertenecientes a la provincia geológica de Sierras Pampeanas de vergencia oeste, producirían fallamientos inversos de rumbo NNO con bloque hundido hacia el oeste y, por el otro, la faja plegada y corrida de la Precordillera, generaría fallamientos inversos de rumbo NNE con bloques hundidos hacia el este.