Apnea behavior in early- and late-stage mouse models of Parkinson's disease: Cineradiographic analysis of spontaneous breathing, acute stress, and swallowing

This study aimed to evaluate the timing and frequency of spontaneous apneas during breathing and swallowing by using cineradiography on mouse models of early/initial or late/advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). C57BL/6 J mice received either 6-OHDA or vehicle injections into their right striatum, followed by respiratory movement recordings during spontaneous breathing and swallowing, and a stress challenge, two weeks later. Experimental group animals showed a significantly lower respiratory rate (158.66 ± 32.88 breaths/minute in late PD, 173.16 ± 25.19 in early PD versus 185.27 ± 25.36 in controls; p<0.001) and a significantly higher frequency of apneas (median 1 apnea/minute in both groups versus 0 in controls; p<0.001). Other changes included reduced food intake and the absence of swallow apneas in experimental mice. 6-OHDA-induced nigrostriatal degeneration in mice disrupted respiratory control, swallowing, stress responsiveness, and feeding behaviors, potentially hindering airway protection and elevating the risk of aspiration.

Use of a Modelling Tool to Optimise the Organisation of the Demand for Primary Oral Health Care in the Brazilian Unified Health System

PURPOSE

To describe the use of work process modelling to optimise the organisation of the demand for oral health treatment in primary care units in Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The oral health care routine was at first described as the "AS IS" model, which was evaluated by the oral team professionals, rearranged, and further described as the "TO BE" model described using a business process management modelling tool. The significant increase in the demand of patients due to restrictions offered by the dental service in addition to non-urgent treatments being avoided by patients during COVID-19 pandemic was also considered.

RESULTS

Structuring the work processes in a visual way using modelling tools was useful to picture the entire treatment process and adjust when needed. The use of the managerial tool was useful to understand and reorganise the workflow of organising the demand and ultimately improve the efficiency of the resources. The use of such managerial tools helped oral health professionals to efficiently rearrange their tasks and set priorities to meet their needs.

CONCLUSIONS

With the use of management tools, each unit can readjust its structures and ways of working, aiming to improve the quality of public health care services provided to patients.

Estudo das variáveis cinemáticas da mastigação unilateral e habitual de indivíduos saudáveis

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever e comparar as variáveis cinemáticas temporoespaciais do movimento mandibular durante a mastigação unilateral deliberada e habitual de indivíduos saudáveis. Método Participaram do estudo 8 voluntários saudáveis, do gênero masculino, com faixa etária entre 19 e 24 anos. Os dados cinemáticos foram obtidos através do sistema de análise de movimento Qualysis (QTM - Qualisys Track Manager). Foram realizados registros de mastigação unilateral direita (MU) e habitual (MH) de bala de goma de gelatina de consistência firme. Foram analisadas variáveis relacionadas à (1) sequência mastigatória (duração, número de ciclos e frequência mastigatória); (2) ciclo mastigatório: duração do ciclo mastigatório, amplitude de movimento mandibular vertical e médio-lateral durante o ciclo mastigatório, velocidade máxima durante as fases de abertura e fechamento. A comparação das variáveis durante a MU e MH foi realizada por meio do teste t pareado (p<0,05) e os tamanhos de efeito (‘d’ de Cohen) foram calculados. Resultados Em relação à sequência mastigatória, observou-se menor frequência mastigatória durante MU comparada à MH (1,19±0,21 e 1,29±0,16Hz, respectivamente, p=0,004, d=0,53) e menores velocidades máximas de abertura (MU=67,4 mm/s e MH=80,02; p=0,053; d=0,80) e fechamento (MU=71,77±9,35mm/s e MH=83,51±17 mm/s, p=0,014, d=0,79) do ciclo mastigatório. Conclusão As variáveis cinemáticas relacionadas à sequência e ao ciclo mastigatório foram influenciadas pelo padrão mastigatório adotado – unilateral ou habitual.