The start of the menopausal transition involves the introduction of various somatic, urogenital, and psychological symptoms; of the symptoms, irritability is one of the main complaints reported by women. The use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has become more prevalent in society, specifically treating the somatic and urogenital symptoms of the menopausal transition. This study aims to determine the effects of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) on irritability in menopausal women. To test the hypotheses, an online survey was distributed to women via social media and word-of-mouth. Participants were asked to respond to various questions, which were then analyzed based on BHRT use. An independent samples t-test was used to analyze the data. The results exemplified no significant relationship between BHRT and irritability; using BHRT does not significantly reduce irritability scores.

Background: At pH 5.5, a clear demineralization of the enamel is seen and is thus considered to be the criticalpH. Bovine milk has several different properties that protect against caries. Calcium and phosphate can prevent the progression of caries as well as some proteins in bovine milk. The replacement of bovine milk with plant-based alternatives has become increasingly common. The aim of this study is to analyze if different milk substitutes create a greater disturbance of the oral cavity’s neutral pH than bovine milk.  Methods: Twenty dental students participated to the study. Saliva samples were collected to analyze pH. Prior to sampling participants were asked to rinse mouth with one product at a time. There were five different products: bovine milk, oat milk, soy milk, almond milk and 10% sucrose solution. Baseline of saliva was taken prior to rinsing. After rinsing samples were taken at two different time points. Between products participants were asked to rinse with water. pH measurements were made after sampling of saliva. The results were analyzed with Microsoft® Excel and SPSS.  Results: Significant differences were found in saliva pH when bovine milk, almond milk and soy milk were compared to 10% sucrose solution at time 15, otherwise no significant differences were found.  Conclusions: No significant difference between bovine milk and milk substitutes was found when rinsing with the products in the pH of saliva.

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The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of external product attributes on consumers’ perceived acceptance of pea protein as a protein substitute in food products. The interest in pea protein as a possible protein source was investigated and the various advantages of consuming pea protein were highlighted. In previous studies, pea protein was identified as a possible substitute for red meat (Davies & Lightowler, 1998), but also as protein containing the amino acid profile which corresponds with the profile recommended for adults by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) (Swendseid, 1981). Additionally the nutritional and health benefits, the environmental benefits of growing pea protein as well as the non-allergen declaration accompanying pea protein were discussed. The various factors that will influence the consumer’s decision making process when introduced to a new and unfamiliar protein source such as pea protein were investigated in terms of the external product attributes as well as the factors indicated in the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). The external product attributes were identified as the influence of price, marketing of the product, packaging attributes of new food products, branding importance of a product and new product education and knowledge perceived necessary for acceptability of a new food product. The additional factors which were investigated, as indicated by the TRA, included the influence of the subjective norms or significant others, as well as the consumers’ personal attitude. attitude. Due to the limited insight and understanding of the influences that external product attributes have on a consumer’s perceived acceptance of pea protein as a protein substitute in food products, a qualitative exploratory research design was initiated. An exploratory research design was incorporated because this afforded the researcher the opportunity to gather thorough and comprehensive data or information and it also increased the richness and depth of explorations that could be researched (Key, 2002). The fact that an exploratory research design was incorporated, a non-probability sampling strategy was implemented. Additionally a convenient sampling strategy was also implemented because this type of sampling strategy represents sites or individuals from which data can easily be collected and where access is convenient (Cresswell, 2007). The unit of analysis for this research was female shoppers, being the main grocery and food shoppers in the household, who were living in suburban areas. The participants of the research, therefore, resided mainly in the Johannesburg and Pretoria suburban areas, within the Gauteng province and were chosen because these are two of the major suburban cities in South Africa. The data were collected through means of a multi-method approach whereby different data collection instruments were applied. In this regard focus group interviews, sentence completion exercise and a vignette were used which addressed the objectives set out in the study. From the findings of the study on the influence of external product attributes on consumers’ perceived acceptance of new products in general and new products containing pea protein, it was found that there were not any noticeable differences between a new food product and a new food product containing pea protein. The consumer did not indicate a greater willingness to accept general new products in comparison to a pea protein product. On the contrary, the fact that a new product contained pea protein did not make any difference. For consumers external product attributes in general played a major role in their purchasing decision making process. The most important requirement that the consumers had was that additional information regarding the pea protein should be provided. It was indicated by the participants that they would be interested in the pea protein product and consider purchasing it and incorporating it into their daily diet, providing they knew more about the product and had sufficient background information about the new product. Furthermore, the importance of marketing of a new product was highlighted and the fact that the packaging of the new product should be attractive and eye-catching. Price competiveness was mentioned, however, should a new and unfamiliar product be introduced by a well-known brand, this would lower the initial resistance to the new product. One of the main limitations of this study is the relatively small sample size from a particular area in South Africa and, therefore, resulting in a very selective sample. The sample, therefore, remains one of convenience which limits the ability to generalize or transfer findings to a bigger group of consumers. Furthermore the study location was within a limited area, namely Gauteng. For this reason no assumptions were made nor were findings considered to be transferable to other population groups or consumer groups. Another limitation is that the topic of this study is very new and unfamiliar; there are, therefore, no previous studies with which to compare the findings. This study was exploratory in nature and the instruments were chosen specifically to explore a new and unfamiliar topic. The transferability of this study might be limited, but care was taken to describe the research context in as much detail as possible. In doing so, an attempt was made to enhance the transferability, should another researcher wish to duplicate the study. From the findings of this study certain recommendation can be made as most participants were of the opinion that they would be interested in the pea protein product and consider purchasing it and incorporating it into their daily diet provided they knew more about the product and sufficient background information had been supplied. Furthermore, it was noted from the findings that these external attributes would influence the new product acceptability and, therefore, giving the research and developers as well as the marketing team of a manufacturing company the information necessary to understand the requirements from the consumers regarding the product containing pea protein better and how this product should be marketed as a healthy alternative to other vegetable protein sources. Further recommendations are that should a food manufacturing company wish to develop a pea protein product, they would need to promote the product beforehand and create an awareness of the advantages and benefits of pea proteins. This can be done by editorials in magazines as well as promotions in printed media. Additionally, the competition between products and brands is fierce and, therefore, manufacturing companies need to differentiate their products to keep consumers interested in their product or brand. Pea protein is a new and innovative product and can, therefore, add that differentiation and benefit to food products. Future research that can be considered is that of a sensory study, to determine the actual viability of the pea protein products based on sensory evaluation. One of the main criteria indicated for the acceptability of a food product containing pea protein has been the taste. The present research was theoretical and exploratory in nature and, therefore, there were no actual products which the participants could taste. Additionally, the inclusion criteria for this study was identified as female shoppers who are in charge of household grocery and food purchases and were, therefore, specifically recruited to participate in the research. However, based on a study done by Jensen (2011), it is recommended that further studies specifically include males because men are doing more of the household grocery shopping and they are not as brand loyal as females and would, therefore, be more willing to try and experiment with new food products. A study based on the gender differences of the acceptability of new products, could highlight different extrinsic attributes that would influence the purchasing decision. / Business Management / M. Consumer Sc.

The purpose of this qualitative research paper was to explore how companies who offer plant-based meat and dairy substitutes in the Swedish market, can influence flexitarians towards a more plant-based diet. This was based on the conflict between the need to substitute animal products with more plant-based alternatives and the current resistance among consumers to change from traditional eating patterns. A qualitative research approach was adopted, where seven semi-structured interviews were conducted in the empirical data collection process. The sample included six leading brands in the Swedish market, namely Oatly, Oumph!, Sproud, Violife, Fry and ICA, and one industry expert named Mattias from Vegomagasinet. The research identified seven themes where two of them were most significant; the need to direct the communication to flexitarians and the importance of creating a taste and texture that is similar to meat and dairy. The five remaining influential factors concerned collaborations with stakeholders, challenging packaging design, transformative marketing, earned media and premium prices.

Introdução: A mastoidectomia cavidade aberta é considerada por muitos autores o procedimento cirúrgico de escolha para o tratamento da otite média colesteatomatosa, devido à alta incidência de recidiva da doença. Porém, a formação desta cavidade única pode gerar algumas complicações e a obliteração da cavidade mastóidea é uma técnica descrita e estudada para a eliminação desta cavidade. Materiais aloplásticos têm sido estudados em cirurgias de obliteração da cavidade mastóidea, porém estes materiais podem apresentar problemas de biocompatibilidade e de rejeição O cimento de osso alfa -tricálcio-fosfato é um material composto por cálcio e fosfato e apresenta composição bioquímica semelhante à fase mineral do osso. Embora já utilizado em cirurgias há mais de 10 anos, não existem estudos sobre a sua aplicação nas cirurgias de obliteração de cavidade mastóidea na literatura. Objetivo: Estudar a biocompatibilidade do cimento de osso alfatricálcio- fosfato na obliteração da cavidade mastóidea em guinea pigs. Casuística e Métodos: Vinte Cavia porcellus (guinea pig) fêmeas foram submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico na bula timpânica esquerda. Em 10 cobaias (grupo cimento) a bula timpânica foi obliterada com o cimento de osso alfa-tricálcio-fosfato e em 10 cobaias (grupo controle) a cavidade foi deixada sem preenchimento. 60 dias após o procedimento os animais foram sacrificados e avaliados quanto à presença de sinais clínicos de rejeição ao material e outras complicações. Os ossos temporais foram removidos e submetidos à análise histopatológica. Foram avaliados o tipo e o grau de resposta inflamatória e o grau de ossificação. Resultados: A taxa de mortalidade foi igual em ambos os grupos. As mortes foram atribuídas a complicações anestésicas. Entre as cobaias que completaram o estudo não foram observados sinais de complicações em nenhum caso. Oito animais (100%) do grupo cimento em e cinco animais (62,5%) apresentaram resposta inflamatório graus I e II que correspondem histopatologicamente a alterações cicatriciais normais ao procedimento cirúrgico. Não foi observado presença de reação inflamatória crônica tipo corpo estranho em nenhuma amostra de ambos os grupos. Quanto ao grau de ossificação, a média dos escores de ossificação no grupo controle (3,5) foi maior que o observado no grupo cimento (1,0). O grupo controle (3,5 ± 5) apresentou grau de ossificação estatisticamente maior quando comparado com o grupo cimento (1,0 ± 0,0) (p < 0,01). Conclusões: 1) O cimento de osso alfa-tricálciofosfato é biocompatível em osso temporal de cobaia. 2) O cimento de osso alfa-tricálcio-fosfato sofre remodelação óssea, porém não apresenta propriedade de osteocondução / Introduction: Many authors consider open cavity mastoidectomy the surgical procedure of choice for the treatment of otitis media with cholesteatoma, due to the high incidence of recurrence of the disease. However, the formation of this open cavity can generate some complications and mastoid cavity obliteration is one type of technique for the elimination of this cavity. Alloplastic materials have been testes in mastoid cavity obliteration, however such materials can present problems of biocompatibility and rejection. Alphatricalcium phosphate bone cement is a material compose of calcium and phosphate and presents physicochemical characteristics similar to the bone mineral fase. Although it has been used for more than 10 years, there are no studies in the literature on its application in mastoid cavity obliteration. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility of alphatricalcium phosphate bone cement in the obliteration of the mastoid cavity in guinea pigs. Methods: We studied 20 Cavia porcellus (guinea pig) submitted to surgical manipulation of the left dorsal tympanic bulla. In the study group animals (n = 10), mastoid cavity obliteration was conducted with alphatricalcium phosphate bone cement. In the control group animals (n = 10), the cavity was left unfilled. On postoperative day 60, the animals were sacrificed and studied for signs of rejection of the material and other complications. Temporal bones were removed for histopathological study, in which the type and degree of inflammatory response, as well as the degree of ossification, were analyzed. Results: The mortality rate was the same in both groups. Deaths were attributed to anesthetic complications in the initial postoperative period. In the animals that survived, there were no complications. The histological analysis of the degree and type of inflammatory response shown no signs of foreign body in both groups, 8 (100%) of the samples in cement group and 5 (62,5%) of the samples in control group presenting category I or II inflammatory responses that corresponds histopathologically to an inflammatory response that normally occurs in tissues submitted to surgical trauma. There were no histopathological signs of foreign body reaction in none samples of both groups. As for the study of the degree of ossification, the mean ossification in the control group (3.5) was greater than that shown by the cement group (1.0). The control group showed statistically significant (p < 0.01) higher degrees of ossification (mean 3.5 ± 0.5) when compared to the cement group (1.0 ± 0.0). Conclusion: 1) Alpha-tricalcium phosphate bone cement is biocompatible in the mastoid cavity of guinea pigs 2) Alphatricalcium fosfato bone cement undergoes bone remodeling but it doesn´t present osteoconductive properties

Germany is one of the several countries in Europe that have opened its borders to immigrants for many years. The admission of immigrants into Germany has contributed to the country being the second largest immigration destination in the world, and this has resulted in both negative and positive outcomes for the natives. In this essay, the effect of immigration on natives’ hourly wages and employment was examined, by using microdata for Germany. Native workers’ educational level attainments and 16 different regions in Germany were taken into account to obtain regional variation. Cross-sectional data was used for the years 2005, 2009 and 2015 in order to measure the effect of the share of immigrants on natives’ hourly wages and employment. The findings showed that the share of immigrants, had a positive effect on natives’ wages and employment in 2005 and 2009. In 2015, however, a negative relationship was found, with the share of immigrants impacting negatively on natives’ wages but not on employment. Thus, the study highlights the importance of immigrants on natives’ hourly wages and employment.

Atualmente a implantodontia tem evoluído muito na intenção de substituir perdas dentárias, porém infelizmente nem sempre isto é capaz, uma vez que após a perda dentária, na grande maioria das vezes, o osso remanescente também é reabsorvido, dificultando ou impossibilitando a instalação de implantes osseointegrados. Esse tipo de perda óssea nos maxilares ou as perdas ósseas resultantes de ressecções cirúrgicas, constituem uma preocupação importante na atualidade, uma vez que os cirurgiões dentistas pesquisam um substituto ósseo que devolva a forma e o contorno dos ossos da face e dos maxilares, e/ou que permita a instalação de implantes osseointegrados. Dentre os biomateriais, a utilização do osso bovino liofilizado tem se popularizado e vem ganhando mercado uma vez que reduz a morbidade do paciente evitando a retirada de enxertos autógenos e tem apresentado uma boa previsibilidade de resultados. No presente estudo, foram criados defeitos ósseos na base da mandíbula de coelhos, onde foram enxertados blocos de osso bovino liofilizado com colágeno suíno nos grupos experimentais e deixados vazios nos grupos controle. Os animais foram sacrificados nos tempos 0 (imediatamente após a cirurgia), 3 e 6 meses após o procedimento cirúrgico. As mandíbulas foram coletadas e analisadas através de tomografias computadorizadas de feixe cônico, em que se analisou a capacidade do enxerto de auxiliar no reparo ósseo de defeitos de tamanho crítico criados na mandíbula de coelhos, bem como sua capacidade de manter o contorno e forma do osso. Através da análise tomográfica das áreas enxertadas foi possível concluir que de acordo com a metodologia proposta o enxerto de osso bovino com 10% de colágeno suíno não foi capaz de auxiliar em 100% no reparo ósseo dos defeitos de tamanho crítico criados na mandíbula dos coelhos, mostrando uma camada fina de tecido mole entre o enxerto e o leito Tendo sido eficiente no preenchimento do espaço do defeito e manutenção do contorno ósseo. / Currently implant dentistry has evolved tremendously in the intention of replacing missing teeth, but unfortunately this is not always able, since after tooth loss, in most cases, also the remaining bone is reabsorbed, making it difficult or impossible to install dental implants. This type of bone loss in the jaw or bone loss resulting from surgical resections, are a major concern at present, since the dentists researching bone substitute that restores the shape and contour of the bones of the face and jaws, and/or enabling installation of dental implants. Among the biomaterials, the use of lyophilized bovine bone has become popular and has been gaining ground as it reduces the morbidity of the patient avoiding the removal of autogenous grafts has shown a good and predictable results. In the present study, bone defects were created on the basis of mandible in rabbits, which were grafted blocks lyophilized bovine bone with swines collagen in the experimental groups and control groups left empty. The animals were sacrificed at 0 (immediately after surgery), 3 and 6 months after surgery. The jaws were collected and analyzed using cone beam computed tomography, which analyzed the ability of the graft to aid in bone repair of critical-size defects created in the mandible of rabbits as well as its ability to maintain the contour and shape of the bone. Through the analysis of the tomographic grafted areas was concluded that according to the methodology proposed bovine bone graft with 10% swines collagen was not able to assist in 100% of the bone repair critical size defects created in rabbit jaw, showing a thin layer of soft tissue between the graft and the bed having been efficient space filling of the defect and maintain the bone contour.

Resumo: Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a interação do copolímero de ácido polilático e poliglicólico (PLGA) associado ou não ao vidro bioativo no processo de regeneração óssea em defeitos criados cirurgicamente. Materiais e método: Foram utilizados quarenta ratos (rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar) machos, nos quais foram confeccionados dois defeitos cirúrgicos críticos de 5 mm com broca trefina na região da calota craniana. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos de acordo com o preenchimento do defeito experimental: Grupo C preenchido por coágulo, grupo VB por vidro bioativo (Biogran 3 i) ®, grupo POLI pelo copolímero de PLGA e grupo POLIVB pela associação do copolímero de PLGA ao vidro bioativo. Nos períodos de 7 e 30 dias pós-operatório os animais foram sacrificados por meio de sobredose anestésica, obtendo-se as peças que receberam o processamento laboratorial de rotina, com cortes de 6μm de espessura, que foram corados em hematoxilina e eosina (H.E.), Tricrômico de Masson e processamento para análise imunoistoquímica, através da expressão das proteínas VEGF, BMP2, Cbfa1 e osteocalcina (OC), as quais estão envolvidas nos processos de vascularização, osteoindução e mineralização óssea. Resultados: O grupo C apresentou imunomarcações positivas mais expressivas para as proteínas Cbfa1, BMP2 e OC, apresentando o melhor comportamento, seguido pelos Grupos VB, POLIVB e POLI. Aos 7 dias em todos os grupos estudados observou-se a presença de tecido conjuntivo e discreta neoformação óssea restrita às bordas do defeito, estatisticamente insignificante (p=0,106). Aos 30 dias os grupo C e VB apresentaram maior neoformação óssea, estatisticamente significativa em relação ao POLI e POLIVB (p=0,002), visualizando-se no VB a permanência de grande quantidade de partículas do material, envoltas por... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between polylactic polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) associated or not to the bioactive glass in bone regeneration process of surgically created defects. Material and methods: Were used 40 male rats (rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar), in which were made two critical-size defects of 5 mm by trephine drill in rat calvaria. Animals were divided in 4 groups according to the experimental defect filled: Group C defect filled with blood clot, group VB defect filled with bioactive glass (Biogran 3 I ®), group POLI defect filled with PLGA copolymer and group POLIVB defect filled with the association of PLGA copolymer and bioactive glass. Rats were euthanized at 7 and 30 post-operative days by anesthetic's overdose. After that, were obtained the pieces that received laboratorial processing routine, sections of 6 μm thickness were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H.E.), Masson's Trichrome and processed to immunoistochemistry analysis, by means of the expression of proteins VEGF, BMP2, Cbfa1 and osteocalcin, that are involved in vascularization, osteoinduction and bone mineralization process. Results: The Group C presented more expressive positive imunostained to proteins Cbfa1, BMP2 and OC, presenting better behavior, followed by groups VB, POLIVB and POLI. At 7 days in all groups were observed the presence of connective tissue and discreet and restricted new bone formation only in the edge of the defect, no statistically significant (p=0,106). At 30 days, groups C and VB presented significantly more new bone formation than POLI and POLIVB, statistically significant (p=0,002), was observed in group VB the permanence of great amount of materials' particles, involved with not well differentiated bone tissue. Conclusions: It was concluded that group C showed better behavior during... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Eduardo Hochuli Vieira / Coorientador: Roberta Okamoto / Banca: Idelmo Rangel Garcia Júnior / Banca: Natasha Magro Érnica / Mestre