The jugular foramen (JF) is located between the temporal and occipital bones. The JF is a primary pathway for venous outflow from the skull and passage of nerves. Variations are common in this region and may have clinical and surgical implications. To analyze the sexual dimorphism and JF morphology in skulls from Northeastern Brazil. 128 human skulls from the Anatomy Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraíba, 64 male and 64 female, were selected and the JFs analyzed for bone septation and the presence of a dome. Data analysis considered P<0.05 as significant. On at least one side, complete septation was observed in 26 skulls (20.3%), incomplete septation in 93 skulls (72.6%) and 61 skulls (47.6%) did not present septation. In 114 skulls (89%), 47.6% female and 41.4% male, have a unilateral presence of the dome and 71 (55.4%) have it bilaterally. Posterolateral compartment diameters and JF area had higher values on the right side in the total sample and separated by sex (P<0.05). Most morphometric variables of the anteromedial compartment were higher in male than in female (P<0.05), fact that was not observed in the posterolateral compartment (P>0.05). This study showed a higher prevalence of complete septation in males compared to females. Morphometric analysis presented a peculiar morphology of the JF in this study. These results suggests that the surgical approach to diseases that affect the JF may be peculiar to the studied population, confirming the importance of morphological analysis of the skull base.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is considered a public health problem with high worldwide prevalence. One approach to prevention is through the promotion of physical activity, especially exercise, during adolescence. METHODS: This study compared bone variables in different body segments in adolescents according to participation in track and field. The study included 34 adolescents (22 boys), of whom 17 were track and field athletes and 17 were control subjects. Bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) and bone mineral content (BMC, g) were analyzed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (total body stratified by body segments). Peak height velocity was used to estimate somatic maturation. RESULTS: Athletes had higher BMD (P=0.003) and BMC (P=0.011) values in the lower limbs and higher whole body BMD (P=0.025) than the control group. However, when adjusted for confounding factors, the difference was not maintained. The groups had similar lean soft tissue values (P=0.094). Training overload was positively correlated with BMD in the upper limbs (r=0.504; 95% confidence interval, 0.031-0.793). Although track and field athletes had higher BMD and BMC values in the lower limbs, these differences were not significant when adjusted for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Track and field participation in adolescence appears to influence BMD and BMC in lower limbs, and fat-free mass seems to mediate this effect. Also, higher training loads were found to be positive for bone health in upper limbs.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Athletes ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Density ; Child ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Motor Activity ; Osteoporosis ; Pilot Projects ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Sports ; Track and Field ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: To compare bone density accrual and markers of bone geometry and formation between female adolescents engaged and not engaged in artistic gymnastics (AGs). METHODS: This was a 12-month longitudinal study involving 20 female adolescents, including 10 controls and 10 gymnasts (AGs) aged 11 to 16 years. At baseline, the gymnasts had a minimum of 12 months of practice, and the controls reported no participation in any organized sport. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the lower limbs, upper limbs, spine, and whole body. In addition, BMD and geometrical properties of the femur were assessed. As a bone formation marker, osteocalcin level was measured. RESULTS: Femoral aspects were increased in the gymnasts by 19% (P=0.009), 14% (P=0.047), and 10% (P=0.046) in the Ward's triangle, trochanter, and the overall bone, respectively, than in the control girls. Geometrical parameters, bone accrual, and osteocalcin levels were similar in both groups. The weekly training load explained 30.8% of all bone gains on the lower limbs and affected the density on parts of the femur. CONCLUSIONS: The gymnasts, after a 12-month follow-up, demonstrated a higher BMD in the Ward's triangle and whole femur than the controls, as well as an improvement in femur density. These changes were mainly due to the weekly training load. Lastly, the gymnasts had significant bone accrual (after 12 months) in the upper limbs, lower limbs, and whole body.
Adolescent ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gymnastics ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Lower Extremity ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Spine ; Sports ; Upper Extremity

Purpose: This investigation was conducted to elucidate the effects of eugenol on bladder contractility through experimental and in silico approaches. Methods: To assess the impact of eugenol on muscular contractility, longitudinal strips of bladder tissue, measuring 2 mm by 6 mm, were mounted in perfusion chambers connected to an isometric force transducer. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were conducted to explore the potential of eugenol to target the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) and voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) in muscle cells, utilizing in silico techniques. Results: Eugenol exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on both the phasic and tonic components of the contraction induced by 60mM K+ and carbachol, completely suppressing this contraction at a concentration of 3mM. Additionally, eugenol inhibited the concentration-contraction curve elicited by Ba2+. Conclusions The in vitro and in silico results suggest that the mechanism of eugenol likely involves blockade of VOCCs and/or M3R, implicating eugenol as a promising molecule for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Purpose: This investigation was conducted to elucidate the effects of eugenol on bladder contractility through experimental and in silico approaches. Methods: To assess the impact of eugenol on muscular contractility, longitudinal strips of bladder tissue, measuring 2 mm by 6 mm, were mounted in perfusion chambers connected to an isometric force transducer. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were conducted to explore the potential of eugenol to target the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) and voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) in muscle cells, utilizing in silico techniques. Results: Eugenol exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on both the phasic and tonic components of the contraction induced by 60mM K+ and carbachol, completely suppressing this contraction at a concentration of 3mM. Additionally, eugenol inhibited the concentration-contraction curve elicited by Ba2+. Conclusions The in vitro and in silico results suggest that the mechanism of eugenol likely involves blockade of VOCCs and/or M3R, implicating eugenol as a promising molecule for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Purpose: This investigation was conducted to elucidate the effects of eugenol on bladder contractility through experimental and in silico approaches. Methods: To assess the impact of eugenol on muscular contractility, longitudinal strips of bladder tissue, measuring 2 mm by 6 mm, were mounted in perfusion chambers connected to an isometric force transducer. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were conducted to explore the potential of eugenol to target the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) and voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) in muscle cells, utilizing in silico techniques. Results: Eugenol exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on both the phasic and tonic components of the contraction induced by 60mM K+ and carbachol, completely suppressing this contraction at a concentration of 3mM. Additionally, eugenol inhibited the concentration-contraction curve elicited by Ba2+. Conclusions The in vitro and in silico results suggest that the mechanism of eugenol likely involves blockade of VOCCs and/or M3R, implicating eugenol as a promising molecule for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Objective: To investigate the isolation of enterobacteria associated with Macrobrachium amazonicum (M. amazonicum) farming and evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Vibrio strains. Methods: Strains were isolated from female M. amazonicum prawns and environmental and hatchery water. Biochemical assays were used to identify bacterial genera and those belonging to the genus Vibrio were submitted to further analyses for species identification, through Vitek 2 automated system and serotyping. Susceptibility test was performed according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Results: The following genera of enterobacteria were recovered: Enterobacter (n = 11), Citrobacter (n = 10), Proteus (n = 2), Serratia (n = 2), Kluyvera (n = 2), Providencia (n = 2), Cedecea (n = 1), Escherichia (n = 1), Edwardsiella (n = 1) and Buttiauxella (n = 1). As for Vibrio, three species were identified: Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139 (n = 4), Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) (n = 1) and Vibrio mimicus (n = 1). Vibrio spp. showed minimum inhibitory concentrations values within the susceptibility range established by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute for almost all antibiotics, except for V. vulnificus, which presented intermediate profile to ampicillin. Conclusions: Enterobacteria do not seem to be the most important pathogens associated with M. amazonicum farming, whereas the recovery of Vibrio spp. from larviculture, with emphasis on Vibrio cholerae and V. vulnificus, deserves special attention due to their role as potentially zoonotic aquaculture-associated pathogens. Furthermore, the intermediate susceptibility of V. vulnificus to ampicillin reflects the importance of monitoring drug use in prawn farming.