JP Group (Brazil)

Background:In Brazil, where approximately 48.7 million women are of reproductive age, understanding contraceptive practices is essential for addressing public health challenges. This study evaluated into the knowledge, usage, and perceptions of contraceptive methods among Brazilian women, highlighting the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on their choices.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of 2000 Brazilian women aged 18–49 years. The questionnaire collected detailed information on their awareness, preferences, and utilization of various contraceptive methods, alongside demographic and socioeconomic data.Results:Oral contraceptives, condoms, injectables, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) were the most recognized methods. Younger women demonstrated greater awareness of modern methods. Socioeconomic disparities were evident, with lower-income women displaying limited knowledge about condoms and IUDs but a higher usage for injectable contraceptives. Oral contraceptives were the most used method, with higher use in the South, and lower in the Central-West and Northeast regions. Satisfaction with current contraceptive methods was high (87.5%), closely associated with personal responsibility in method choice. Although the majority self-financed their contraceptives (63.1%), a significant portion of lower-income women (27.7%) relied on public health care. Physicians’ recommendations predominantly influenced contraceptive choice (53.9%), with younger women also guided by other influences.Conclusions:Persistent disparities in contraceptive awareness and access highlight the need for educational initiatives and policy interventions. Health care providers play a vital role in facilitating informed contraceptive choices, enhancing the chances of satisfaction with the method.

Vascular compromise is a rare but serious complication of dermal filler injection. Vessel occlusion tends to have a more immediate onset of symptoms. We report a case of skin necrosis that started with pain, erythema and edema two days after hyaluronic acid filler on the forehead of a 57-year-old woman. The patient was treated with less than 24hours the onset of symptoms, leaving discreet scar. The current theories that explain skin necrosis caused by HA fillers include angiospasm and embolization. The frontal region has many anastomoses, the embolized proximal vessel initially did not lead to symptoms. However, the HA inside the artery may have traveled over time and reached a terminal distal branch, which generated localized skin damage and pain. The urgent treatment of arterial occlusion and thromboembolism caused by HA injection is intralesional high-dose hyaluronidase.

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit and the flexural resistance of nickel-chromium frameworks welded by different techniques, gas-torch, laser, and tungsten inert gas (TIG), compared with that of frameworks made via one-piece casting. Methods To evaluate the marginal fit, a master model was fabricated simulating four implants. Transfers and replicas were used to transfer the positions of the implants to the model, using a silicone matrix. The bars were waxed up and casted. Three assessments of misfit were performed for each implant using a stereomicroscope before and after welding in two predetermined regions, totaling six readings for each implant. To evaluate the flexural resistance, one group was made casting the specimens in one piece. Other 3 groups using gas-torch, laser, and TIG welding techniques were made after sectioned transversally. The data showed normal distribution and two-way ANOVA for marginal fit and one-way ANOVA for flexural resistance, and Tukey's posttest (α=0.05) was performed. Results For the marginal fit, the three welding methods presented similar results and were different from one-piece casting. For the flexural resistance, significant differences were observed among the studied groups (p < 0.001), and the one-piece group presented higher resistance compared to the three welding techniques. Conclusions Within the limits of this study, the three welding techniques yielded similar misfit results, and the laser and TIG techniques presented similar flexural resistance but lower than gas-torch and one-piece casting.

The aim of this study was to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for select diagnostic tests in red-footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria). A total of 52 animals, approximately 20-30years old, were studied. Ophthalmic diagnostic tests included culturing of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora in summer and winter, evaluation of tear production using Schirmer tear test (STT) and endodontic absorbent paper point tear test in two different environmental temperatures (EAPPTT-1 at 32°C and EAPPTT-2 at 18°C), cytology of conjunctival cells, B-mode ultrasonography, measurement of palpebral fissure length (PFL), and applanation tonometry (in two different positions). In both seasons, Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Median (± IQR/2) STT was 12.0±3.5mm/min, EAPPTT-1 was 15.9±0.7mm/15s, and EAPPTT-2 was 15.4±0.4mm/min (OD) and 17.8±1.0mm/min (OS). Anterior chamber depth was 1.0±0.1mm, lens axial length was 2.3±0.1mm, vitreous chamber depth was 4.3±0.2mm, and axial globe length was 7.7±0.3mm. PFL was 11.7±1.7mm. Intraocular pressure was 11.5±2.8mmHg for males and 14.0±3.5mmHg for females (dorsoventral position) and 18.0±3.2mmHg for males and 24.1±3.0mmHg for females (ventrodorsal position with inclination of 45°). The ophthalmic parameters reported here can aid in the diagnosis of eye diseases in red-footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria).

Pruritus is a symptom that may be associated with a wide array of diseases - skin diseases, systemic diseases or even those without a defined cause. According to its severity and evolution, it may compromise the patients' quality of life in a significant way. New therapeutic approaches, in which histamine release is not the main event, are being described for pruritus control. Therefore, taking into account the origin of the mediators of pruritus, we conducted a review of the available resources emphasizing that, although very important, anti-histamines are not the answer for every kind of pruritus.

Bone xanthomas are rare and are usually are associated with endocrine or metabolic diseases, mainly lipid disorders. In the absence of systemic diseases, the lesion is called a primary xanthoma. Primary mandibular xanthomas are extremely rare. The aim of this report is to describe the clinical and radiographic findings of a primary mandibular xanthoma, discussing the epidemiological features, pathogenesis and differential diagnosis. A 25-year-old man was referred for evaluation of a left mandibular lesion detected in a routine radiographic exam. Radiographically, there was a diffuse, unilocular and radiolucent lesion, with irregular margins located adjacent to the surface from the distal root of the left mandibular third molar. The lesion was excised under local anaesthesia. Microscopically, there were several cells with a foamy and granular cytoplasm and central small, round nuclei, similar to xanthomatous macrophages. No lipid disorders were diagnosed. According to these features, the diagnosis of primary mandibular xanthoma was established. In conclusion, xanthomas of the jaws are rare and all seem to be primary and occur exclusively in the mandible.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of electronic apex locators Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and ProPex, for root canal length determination in primary teeth. Fifteen primary molars (a total of 34 root canals) were divided into two groups: Group I - without physiological resorption (n = 16); and Group II - with physiological resorption (n = 18). The length of each canal was measured by introducing a file until its tip was visible and then it was retracted 1 mm. For electronic measurement, the devices were set to 1 mm short of the apical resorption. The data were analysed statistically using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results showed that the ICC was high for both electronic apex locators in all situations - with (ICC: DSP = 0.82 and Propex = 0.89) or without resorption (ICC: DSP = 0.92 and Propex = 0.90). Both apex locators were extremely accurate in determining the working length in primary teeth, both with or without physiological resorption.