OBJECTIVES:To investigate the effects of galactomannan extracted from Caesalpinia ferrea seeds on dentin permeability and its cytocompatibility with oral cells. DESIGN:Sixty dentin discs were treated with EDTA for 5 min and, after determining maximum permeability, randomly assigned to four groups (n = 12): distilled water (DW), potassium oxalate (PO), 1% juca seed galactomannan (JSG1), and 2% juca seed galactomannan (JSG2). Dentin permeability was measured again after treatment and after a 5-day erosive-abrasive cycle (four daily immersions in 0.3% citric acid for 5 min, followed by 60 min in artificial saliva, with brushing after the first and last challenges). Treatments were reapplied daily. The percentage of dentin permeability (%Lp) was calculated relative to maximum permeability. Surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cytotoxicity was tested in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSC). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni test (p < 0.05). RESULTS:After treatment, no significant differences in permeability were observed among groups (p > 0.05). Following cycling, JSG2 showed significantly lower permeability than DW (p < 0.05). Only DW exhibited a significant increase in permeability over time (p < 0.05). SEM images revealed that PO and JSG2 maintained partially obliterated tubules even after cycling. Cytotoxicity assays showed cell viability near 100% for HGF and 88% for DPSC at the highest juca seed galactomannan (JSG) concentration, confirming cytocompatibility. CONCLUSIONS:JSG at 2% concentration partially occluded dentinal tubules, preserved dentin permeability under erosive-abrasive conditions, and demonstrated cytocompatibility with HGF and DPSC.
Abstract Introduction Screening for erectile dysfunction (ED) in primary care requires simple tools, particularly where educational levels are low and multi-item instruments such as the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) may be impractical. Likert-type visual scales for erection hardness are widely and intuitively used, but few have been formally validated. The Erection Hardness Score (EHS; 1–4) is the most common visual scale, yet it provides only categorical, subjective grades of rigidity. The Eretometer is a 0–10 visual penile rigidity scale proposed as a continuous alternative to EHS Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, correlation, and reliability of the Eretometer as an index test, using the EHS as the reference standard. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study, designed and reported according to STARD recommendations, including 280 men aged 18–80 years from primary care and urology clinics. Erectile rigidity was self-assessed using the EHS (reference standard; moderate-to-severe ED = EHS ≤2) and the Eretometer (0–10 visual scale inspired by the Orgasmometer-F). Sociodemographic data and comorbidities were recorded. Spearman’s correlation and linear regression were used to evaluate the association and agreement. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis estimated area under the curve (AUC) and the optimal Eretometer cutoff for EHS ≤2. Test–retest reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) were examined in a subsample.in accordance with STARD recommendations, involving Results Median age was 54 years (interquartile range [IQR] 45–63); 62% had ≤8 years of schooling. Median EHS was 3 (IQR 2–4) and median Eretometer score 6.5 (IQR 5–8). The Eretometer correlated strongly with the EHS (ρ = 0.82; p < 0.001). For detecting EHS ≤2, the Eretometer showed an AUC of 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.91–0.97); a cutoff of ≤5 yielded 89% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Test–retest reliability was excellent (r = 0.91), and internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.88). Conclusions The Eretometer showed strong correlation and diagnostic agreement with the EHS and appears to be a valid, reliable visual tool for assessing penile rigidity. Its continuous 0–10 format offers finer discrimination of erectile function than categorical scales and may be particularly useful for ED screening and counseling in settings with low literacy, while remaining applicable to broader male populations. It demonstrated a strong correlation and diagnostic agreement with the EHS, indicating it to be a valid and Disclosure No
O envelhecimento feminino, particularmente durante a transição menopausal, está associado a alterações hormonais que intensificam processos inflamatórios e desfechos cardiometabólicos. Esta revisão objetiva analisar a relação entre a terapia hormonal, a menopausa, o estilo de vida e o risco cardiometabólico em ensaios comunitários controlados. Consiste em uma revisão integrativa da literatura, desenvolvida a partir de buscas realizadas em dezembro de 2025 nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE e PubMed.Os estudos mostram que a combinação entre terapia hormonal e mudanças no estilo de vida reduz o risco cardiometabólico em mulheres na menopausa. Os melhores resultados ocorrem com indicação adequada, início oportuno e abordagem multiprofissional, favorecendo adesão e melhores desfechos em saúde. Assim, a combinação entre a terapia de reposição hormonal e intervenções no estilo de vida promove benefícios consistentes na redução do risco cardiometabólico em mulheres na menopausa, sobretudo quando a terapia é indicada de forma adequada e iniciada precocemente. Essa estratégia integrada mostra-se viável em contextos comunitários e reforça a importância de abordagens individualizadas e multiprofissionais para a promoção do envelhecimento saudável.
BACKGROUND:Closed-loop systems for automated hypnotic delivery integrate continuous bispectral index (BIS) monitoring with controller algorithms to adjust infusion rates in real time. Unlike earlier syntheses that focused on aggregate control metrics, we frame anaesthetic depth as an asymmetric risk problem by separating exposure to potentially inadequate anaesthesia from exposure to excessive depth of anaesthesia. METHODS:This PROSPERO-registered systematic review (CRD420251208039) searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science through November 2025. Randomised trials comparing BIS-guided closed-loop systems with clinician-directed manual control in adult noncardiac surgery were included. The primary outcome was the proportion of time within 10 BIS units of the target. RESULTS:Seventeen trials encompassing 1898 patients were included. Closed-loop systems increased time within the target BIS range by 17.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.8-23.5; P<0.001), corresponding to approximately an additional 20 min of optimal anaesthetic depth during a 2 h procedure. Bilateral safety was shown: time with BIS <40 was significantly reduced (mean difference [MD] -17.2%; 95% CI -26.8 to -7.5; P<0.001), whereas time with BIS >60 was unchanged (MD -0.8%; 95% CI -2.6 to 1.0; P=0.38). Controller performance metrics favoured automation (wobble, MDAPE, global score; all P<0.001). Time to extubation was shorter (MD -1.68 min; P<0.001), with no differences in propofol consumption (P=0.13) or vasopressor use (risk ratio 1.04; P=0.62). CONCLUSIONS:BIS-guided closed-loop systems achieve a bilateral safety profile in anaesthetic depth control, reducing deep anaesthesia without increasing light anaesthesia, with modestly faster recovery and preserved haemodynamic stability. These findings support automated hypnotic control as a strategy to rebalance competing intraoperative risks while maintaining physiological stability. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL:PROSPERO CRD420251208039.
This study aimed to verify, through a systematic literature review, the effects of using artificial intelligence (AI) for sperm selection in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Searches were conducted in the PubMed, SciELO and MEDLINE (Academic) databases, including full-text cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and clinical trials published between 2015 and April 2025 in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Animal studies, review articles, letters to the editor, case reports, duplicate records, incomplete papers and unavailable articles were excluded. Extracted data comprised author, year of publication, AI type, assessed stage/section and classification. Overall, the available evidence indicates that AI-based approaches may be effective for selecting sperm for ICSI.
