Abstract Background Myocardial bridges (MB) are anatomical anomalies with possible clinical repercussions; hence, their understanding deserves attention. Objective To determinate the prevalence and characterize MB in human hearts from the state of Ceará. Methods: Fifty hearts of adult human cadavers from the Medicine School of Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. The hearts were dissected to identify MBs that pass over part of the coronary artery. The segment of the artery (proximal, middle, and distal) with a bridge was identified. The external diameter of the artery at the proximal and distal points of the MB was measured. The length and thickness of the MB were also measured with an electronic caliper. The muscle index (MMI) of the MB was calculated as the product of length and thickness expressed in millimeters. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. Results MB was confirmed in 40% of sample. Approximately one third of the sample had only 1 MB. MB was most frequently found over the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery (59.25%, p=0.02), and its prevalence in other branches was much lower (22.23%). The most affected segments of arteries were the superior (44.44%) and medium (40.74%). The mean diameter of arteries proximal to the MB was 2.38±0.97mm (range=0.78-5.15mm), and the diameter distal to the MB was 1.71±0.75mm (range=0.42-3.58mm). The length was measured as mean=8.55±5.27mm, while the mean thickness was 0.89±0.33mm. Conclusion A high prevalence of MB is more likely to affect the left coronary artery system with larger MMI than other affected branches.

Resumo Fundamento As pontes miocárdicas (PM) são anomalias anatômicas com possíveis repercussões clínicas, e, portanto, seu entendimento merece atenção. Objetivo Para determinar a prevalência e caracterizar a PM em corações humanos do estado do Ceará. Métodos: Foram usados cinquenta corações de cadáveres humanos adultos da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brasil. Os corações foram dissecados para identificar PMs que passam sobre parte da artéria coronária. O segmento da artéria (proximal, médio e distal) com a ponte foi identificado. O diâmetro externo da artéria nos pontos proximal e distal da PM foi medido. O comprimento e a espessura da PM também foram medidos com um calibre eletrônico. O índice de massa muscular (IMM) da PM foi calculado como o produto do comprimento pela espessura expresso em milímetros. O nível de significância adotado para a análise estatística foi 5%. Resultados A PM foi confirmada em 40% da amostra. Aproximadamente um terço da amostra tinha apenas 1 PM. A PM foi encontrada mais frequentemente sobre o ramo interventricular anterior da artéria coronária esquerda (59,25%, p = 0,02), e sua prevalência em outros ramos foi muito mais baixa (22,23%). Os segmentos das artérias mais afetados foram o superior (44,44%) e o médio (40,74%). O diâmetro médio das artérias proximais em relação à PM foi de 2,38 ± 0,97 mm (intervalo = 0,78 - 5,15 mm), e o diâmetro distal da PM foi de 1,71 ± 0,75 mm (intervalo = 0,42 - 3,58 mm). O comprimento foi medido como média = 8,55 ± 5,27 mm, e a espessura média foi de 0,89 ± 0,33 mm. Conclusão A alta prevalência de PM tem mais probabilidade de afetar o sistema da artéria coronária esquerda com IMM maior do que outros ramos afetados.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate in vitro the effect of a red propolis ethanolic extract (RPE) in the prevention of growth of a cariogenic biofilm and its cytotoxic potential. Material and Methods: Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) of RPE against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei were determined. The cytotoxic potential of 0.4% RPE in oral fibroblasts was observed after 1, 3 and 5 min of contact. Cellulose membrane disks (13 mm, N=12) were used for biofilm formation (24 h) of S. mutans and L. casei, which were treated (1 min) with 0.4% RPE or 0.12% Chlorhexidine (CHX). The control group of biofilm formation was not submitted to any treatment. Serial dilutions were then made to evaluate microbial viability. Descriptive data analysis and, for microbial viability, Mann Whitney test were performed (p≤0.05). Results: RPE showed similar MIC and MBC (4.46 mg/mL) against S. mutans and, for L. casei, they were 8.92 mg/mL (MIC) and 17.85 mg/mL (MBC). CHX presented MIC and MBC <0.00002 mg/mL for S. mutans and 0.00047 mg/mL for L. casei. After 1, 3 and 5 min, the RPE exhibited, respectively, 69.38%, 43.91% and 40.36% of viable cells. The RPE (6.55) and CHX (6.87) presented similar efficacy to reduce the total number of viable bacteria (p>0.05). Regarding the total number of viable bacteria (Log10 CFU/mL), the RPE (6.55) and CHX (6.87) presented similar efficacy (p>0.05). Conclusion: Red propolis extract showed antibacterial activity against the tested strains, exhibited acceptable cytotoxicity and reduced the colonization of S. mutans and L. casei in a biofilm membrane model.

RESUMO Sarcomas sinoviais são neoplasias raras e agressivas, localizadas na região da cabeça e pescoço e geralmente ocorrem em adultos jovens. Relato do caso: este relato apresenta um caso de sarcoma sinovial em um paciente de 15 anos que procurou tratamento médico para sintomas dolorosos e associados à disfagia. A lesão era nodular, extensa, localizada na região da parótida e estendida à região cervical esquerda. O paciente foi tratado em um hospital de referência com um protocolo de tratamento que inicialmente incluiu quimioterapia por seis meses e cirurgia para tentar excisar a lesão, mas a cirurgia foi ineficaz porque a total remoção do tumor poderia comprometer estruturas vitais importantes. A tomografia computadorizada mostrou uma área hipodensa com crescimento difuso, sem envolvimento dos ossos faciais, e a análise histopatológica revelou células fusiformes pleomórficas e ovais, com células epiteliais arredondadas formando ninhos rodeados por tecido fibroso. A análise imunohistoquímica foi conclusiva para o diagnóstico de um sarcoma sinovial de alto grau na região cervical parotídea esquerda. A equipe médica optou pelo tratamento paliativo com radioterapia cervical. O paciente permaneceu hospitalizado por quatro meses após a cirurgia e faleceu 15 meses após o diagnóstico, devido à obstrução das vias aéreas pelo rápido crescimento tumoral residual. O sarcoma sinovial, quando diagnosticado tardiamente pode reduzir a sobrevida dos pacientes por causa de complicações que o crescimento do tumor pode trazer para o prognóstico e qualidade de vida.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Synovial sarcomas are rare and aggressive neoplasms located in the head and neck region and usually occurs in young adults. Presentation of case: This report presents a case of synovial sarcoma in a 15-year-old male patient who sought medical treatment for painful symptoms and associated dysphagia. The lesion was nodular, extensive, localized in the parotid region, and extended to the left cervical region. The patient was treated in a referral hospital with a treatment protocol that initially included chemotherapy for six months and surgery to attempt to excise the lesion, but the surgery was ineffective because removal could have damaged important vital structures. The Computed Tomography scan showed a hypodense area with diffuse growth and no involvement of the facial bones and the histopathological analysis revealed pleomorphic and oval spindle cells with rounded epithelial cells that formed nests surrounded by fibrous tissue. The Immunohistochemistry analysis was conclusive for the diagnosis of a high-grade SS in the parotid and left cervical regions. The medical team opted for palliative treatment with cervical radiotherapy. The patient remained hospitalized for four months after the surgery and died after 15 months since the diagnosis for compromise of airway by fast tumor growth. Conclusion: The synovial sarcoma, when diagnosed late may reduce the survival of patients because of the complications that tumor growth can bring to the prognosis and quality of life.