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Abstract The question of optimal timing for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) to achieve best outcomes remains a crucial clinical issue. As AF occurs less frequently in younger patients, data regarding Diagnosis-to-Ablation Time (DAT) is especially limited in patients under the age of 55 years with persistent AF. We therefore analyzed the temporal relationship between initial AF presentation and timing of catheter ablation in this cohort. We conducted a retrospective single-centre study of patients ≤ 55 years with persistent AF who underwent first-time catheter ablation at our center. The cohort was divided into patients that underwent catheter ablation after diagnosis of persistent AF within a DAT of ≤ 12 months and patients with a DAT of > 12 months. A total of 101 patients (median age 51 years; female n = 19 (18.8%)) with persistent AF were included. Ablation was performed within 12 months (“early DAT”) in 51 patients and > 12 months (“late DAT”) in 50 patients. Pulmonary vein isolation was performed using high-power short-duration (HPSD) radiofrequency ablation. Median DAT was 5 months (1–12 months) in the early ablation group and 36 months (13–240 months) in the late ablation group. The median follow-up was 11.3 months (0.03–37.1 months). The rate of any atrial arrhythmia recurrence after a 30-day blanking period was significantly lower in the early DAT group (13/51 patients; 25.5%) as compared to the late DAT group (26/50 patients; 52.0%) (log rank test; p = 0.003). Catheter ablation performed > 12 months after the initial AF diagnosis was an independent predictor for the occurrence of any atrial arrythmia (OR: 2.58; (95%-CI: 1.32–5.07). Early first-time catheter ablation (DAT ≤ 12 months) in patients ≤ 55 years with persistent AF is associated with a significantly lower rate of arrhythmia recurrence.

A partir de interrogações oriundas da clínica da recepção junto a sujeitos vulnerabilizados num ambulatório público de saúde mental, investigamos as articulações emergentes entre o referencial da psicanálise implicada, a incidência da dimensão da vulnerabilidade na escuta, e também a prática do testemunho. A metodologia do artigo consistiu num ensaio teórico interdisciplinar, baseado em articulações entre psicanálise, o conceito de vulnerabilidade da saúde coletiva e algumas contribuições de Judith Butler. A premissa ética e política que orientou o trabalho de investigação gira em torno da defesa de uma clínica que não redunde na prática da individualização e, portanto, da despolitização dos relatos endereçados. Uma clínica interrogada sobretudo por formas de silêncio que aparecem como formas de sobrevivência diante do horror. É desse paradoxo que a investigação atual extrai consequências, tensionando articulações para contribuir com uma psicanálise implicada, que seja capaz de diferenciar impossibilidades politicamente induzidas daquelas intrínsecas à subjetivação.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze social representations from the perspective of the silent zone of health professionals regarding HIV serodifference. Method: This is a qualitative study, based on the theoretical-methodological framework of Social Representations, with the Theory of the Central Nucleus and Mute Zone by Jean Claude Abric. 51 professionals from specialized services from the metropolitan region of a capital in the northeast of Brazil participated, from October to December 2020. Interviews were applied using the free word association replacement technique, with prototypical and similarity analyzes processed in the Iramuteq software. Results: The results showed that the central nucleus demonstrated the veiled presence of stigmas and lack of knowledge when dealing with HIV serodifference, represented by the expressions prejudice, lack of knowledge, fear, insanity, and love. Final considerations: The social representations attributed to the central core are anchored in prejudice, ignorance, fear, and insanity. Such meanings signal the need for improvements in the knowledge of health professionals involved in the health care network, in order to enable the praxis of care, and to confront the stigmas that permeate serodifference and cause distance between partners and health services.

PURPOSEGallbladder cancer (GBC) is a biliary tract malignancy characterized by its high lethality. Although the incidence of GBC is low in most countries, specific areas such as Chile display a high incidence. Our collaborative study sought to compare clinical and molecular features of GBC cohorts from Chile and the United States with a focus on ERBB2 alterations.METHODSPatients were accrued at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) or the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC). Clinical information was retrieved from medical records. Genomic analysis was performed by the next-generation sequencing platform MSK-Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets.RESULTSA total of 260 patients with GBC were included, 237 from MSK and 23 from PUC. There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics between the patients identified at MSK and at PUC except in terms of lithiasis prevalence which was significantly higher in the PUC cohort (85% v 44%; P = .0003). The prevalence of ERBB2 alterations was comparable between the two cohorts (15% v 9%; P = .42). Overall, ERBB2 alterations were present in 14% of patients (8% with ERBB2 amplification, 4% ERBB2 mutation, 1.5% concurrent amplification and mutation, and 0.4% ERBB2 fusion). Notably, patients with GBC that harbored ERBB2 alterations had better overall survival (OS) versus their ERBB2-wild type counterparts (22.3 months v 11.8 months; P = .024).CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of lithiasis seems to be higher in Chilean versus US patients with GBC. A similar prevalence of ERBB2 alterations of overall 14% and better OS suggests that a proportion of them could benefit from human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2–targeted therapies. The smaller cohort of Chile, where the disease prevalence is higher, is a reminder and invitation for the need of more robust next-generation sequencing analyses globally.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop and assess a deterministic mathematical model for predicting the impacts of varying sow replacement rates on the performance of farms producing weaned piglets. Initially, the influence of replacement rate on herd structure was examined using two equations, which accounted for the percentage of sows replaced (55, 45, and 35%), retention rates between parities (13, 9, and 5%), and number of last parities in the herd (6, 7, and 8). The model then estimated sow development throughout the reproductive cycle, starting with an initial weight of 140 kg at first mating and adjusting for weight gains during gestation and losses during lactation, influenced by the varying number of live-born piglets across parities. Energy requirements were calculated using the factorial method, which included maintenance, protein and fat gains, and milk production. The generated data formed various scenarios to derive productive values. These scenarios were analyzed using analysis of variance with the general linear model procedure, treating each scenario as a separate treatment. Early parities (up to P3) contributed 42% in SC-35, 51% in SC-45, and 60% in SC-55. Significant differences were noted in variables such as average parity, birth weight, feed intake during gestation, and average piglet weight gain. The developed model, incorporating replacement gilt modules, gestation, and lactation, can effectively predict herd structure by parity and assess the impact of annual sow replacement rates on the productivity of farms rearing weaned piglets.

Resumo: O artigo tem como objetivo analisar as possibilidades de assistentes sociais atuarem em parceria e apoio a organizações camponesas, a partir da experiência na extensão universitária. A particularidade da fome no Brasil e o trabalho de base são debatidos, para, então, refletir sobre o trabalho no projeto de extensão “Assentados da reforma agrária e universidade” (QADE/UFRJ). A conclusão situa a experiência em relação à soberania alimentar e aos desafios da profissão.

Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2019, a diversity of viral genomic variants has emerged and spread globally due to increased transmissibility, pathogenicity, and immune evasion. By the first trimester of 2023 in Chile, as in most countries, BQ and XBB were the predominant circulating sub-lineages of Omicron. The molecular and antigenic characteristics of these variants have been mainly determined using non-authentic spike pseudoviruses, which is often described as a limitation. Additionally, few comparative studies using isolates from recent Omicron sub-lineages have been conducted. In this study, we isolated SARS-CoV-2 variants from clinical samples, including the ancestral B.1.1, Delta, Omicron BA.1, and sub-lineages of BA.2 and BA.5. We assessed their infectivity through cell culture infections and their antibody evasion using neutralization assays. We observed variations in viral plaque size, cell morphology, and cytotoxicity upon infection in Vero E6-TMPRSS2 cells for each variant compared to the ancestral B.1.1 virus. BA.2-derived sub-variants, such as XBB.1.5, showed attenuated viral replication, while BA.5-derived variants, such as BQ.1.1, exhibited replication rates similar to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus. Similar trends were observed in intestinal Caco-2 cells, except for Delta. Antibody neutralization experiments using sera from individuals infected during the first COVID-19 wave (FWI) showed a consistent but moderate reduction in neutralization against Omicron sub-lineages. Interestingly, despite being less prevalent, BQ.1.1 showed a 6.1-fold greater escape from neutralization than XBB.1.5. Neutralization patterns were similar when tested against sera from individuals vaccinated with 3xBNT162b2 (PPP) or Coronavac-Coronavac-BNT162b2 (CCP) schedules. However, CCP sera showed 2.3-fold higher neutralization against XBB.1.5 than FWI and PPP sera. This study provides new insights into the differences between BA.2 and BA.5-derived variants, leading to their eventual outcompetition. Our analysis offers important evidence regarding the balance between infectivity and antigenic escape that drives the evolution of second-generation SARS-CoV-2 variants in the population.

Resumo Objetivo refletir sobre a possibilidade de utilização dos pressupostos de Imogene King como fundamentação teórica para os cuidados de enfermagem a parceiros sexuais sorodiferentes ao HIV. Método estudo descritivo de caráter reflexivo, com o aporte teórico da Teoria do Alcance de Metas de Imogene King. Resultados as reflexões deram origem a dois eixos de análise: no primeiro, cumpre-se detalhar os pressupostos conceituais de Imogene King e o alcance de metas, e no segundo, explora-se a convergência da teoria de King no cuidado às relações sorodiferentes no que concerne aos seus limites, possibilidades e desdobramentos nos sistemas pessoal, interpessoal e social. Conceitos como percepção, interação e organização formam os eixos centrais dos sistemas e possibilitam a compreensão ampliada das demandas dos parceiros sorodiferentes com vistas ao equilíbrio dos fatores estressores à manutenção da saúde. Considerações finais e implicações para a prática o entendimento dos sistemas abertos aplicados à pessoa que vive com HIV individualmente e na díade com seu parceiro, ambos inseridos em grupos na sociedade, resulta em uma melhor compreensão de suas necessidades e, assim, contribuem com o planejamento de metas direcionadas.

The environmental vulnerability diagnosis of a river basin depends on a holistic analysis of its environmental aspects and degradation factors. Based on this diagnosis, the definition of priority areas where interventions for environmental recovery should be carried out is fundamental, since financial and natural resources are limited. In this study, we developed a methodology to assess these fragilities using an environmental vulnerability index (EVI) that combines physical and environmental indicators related to the natural sensitivity of ecosystems and their exposure to anthropogenic factors. The developed EVI was applied to the headwater region of the São Francisco River Basin (SFRB), Brazil. The proposed index was based on the AHP multicriteria analysis and was adapted to include four variables representative of the study area: Land Use Adequacy, Burned Area, Erosion Susceptibility, and quantitative water balance. The EVI analysis highlighted that the presence of easily erodible soils, associated with sloping areas and land use above their capacity, generate the most vulnerable areas in the headwaters of the SFRB. The highest EVI values are primarily linked to regions with shallow, easily erodible soils like Leptosols and Cambisols, found in steep areas predominantly used for pasture. In the SFBR, the greatest vulnerability was observed within a 5 km buffer around conservation units, covering approximately 32.4% of the total area. The results of this study indicate where resources should be applied for environmental preservation in the basin under study, directing the allocation of efforts to areas with lower resilience to maintain ecosystem services.

The positive effects of meditation on human wellbeing are indisputable, ranging from emotion regulation improvement to stress reduction and present-moment awareness enhancement. Changes in brain activity regulate and support these phenomena. However, the heterogeneity of meditation practices and their cultural background, as well as their poor categorization limit the generalization of results to all types of meditation. Here, we took advantage of a collaboration with the very singular and precious community of the Monks and Geshes of the Tibetan University of Sera-Jey in India to study the neural correlates of the two main types of meditation recognized in Tibetan Buddhism, namely concentrative and analytical meditation. Twenty-three meditators with different levels of expertise underwent to an ecological (i.e., within the monastery) EEG acquisition consisting of an analytical and/or concentrative meditation session at “their best,” and with the only constraint of performing a 5-min-long baseline at the beginning of the session. Time-varying power-spectral-density estimates of each session were compared against the baseline (i.e., within session) and between conditions (i.e., analytical vs. concentrative). Our results showed that concentrative meditation elicited more numerous and marked changes in the EEG power compared to analytical meditation, and mainly in the form of an increase in the theta, alpha and beta frequency ranges. Moreover, the full immersion in the Monastery life allowed to share the results and discuss their interpretation with the best scholars of the Monastic University, ensuring the identification of the most expert meditators, as well as to highlight better the differences between the different types of meditation practiced by each of them.

Vibration measurements pose specific experimental challenges to be faced. In particular, optical methods can be used to obtain full-field vibration information. In this scenario, stereo-camera systems can be developed to obtain 3D displacement measurements. As vibration frequency increases, the common approach is to reduce camera exposure time to avoid blurred images, which can lead to under-exposed images and data loss, as well as issues with the synchronization of the stereo pair. Both of these problems can be solved by using high-intensity light pulses, which can produce high-quality images and guarantee camera synchronization since data is saved by both cameras only during the short-time light pulse. To this extent, high-power Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) can be used, but even if the LED itself can have a fast response time, specific electronic drivers are needed to ensure the desired timing of the light pulse. In this paper, a circuit is specifically designed to achieve high-intensity short-time light pulses in the range of 1 µs. A prototype of the designed board was assembled and tested to check its capability to respect the specification. Three different measurement methods are proposed and validated to achieve short-time light pulse measurements: shunt voltage measurement, direct photodiode measurement with a low-cost sensor, and indirect pulse measurement through a low-frame-rate digital camera.

Cancer, a pervasive global health challenge, necessitates chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments for many prevalent forms. However, traditional follow-up approaches encounter limitations, exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, telemonitoring has emerged as a promising solution, although its clinical implementation lacks comprehensive evidence. This report depicts the methodology of a randomized trial which aims to investigate whether leveraging a smartphone app called Contigo for disease monitoring enhances self-reported quality of life among patients with various solid cancers compared to standard care. Secondary objectives encompass evaluating the app’s impact on depressive symptoms and assessing adherence to in-person appointments. Randomization will be performed independently using an allocation sequence that will be kept concealed from clinical investigators. Contigo offers two primary functions: monitoring cancer patients’ progress and providing educational content to assist patients in managing common clinical situations related to their disease. The study will assess outcomes such as quality of life changes and depressive symptom development using validated scales, and adherence to in-person appointments. Specific scales include the EuroQol Group’s EQ-5D questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We hypothesize that the use of Contigo will assist and empower patients receiving cancer treatment, which will translate to better quality of life scores and a reduced incidence of depressive symptoms. All analyses will be undertaken with the intention-to-treat principle by a statistician unaware of treatment allocation. This trial is registered in ClinicalTrials under the registration number NCT06086990.

Chemotherapy requires careful monitoring, but traditional follow-up approaches face significant challenges that were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, exploration into telemonitoring as an alternative emerged. The objective is to assess the impact of a telemonitoring platform that provides clinical data to physicians overseeing solid tumor patients, aiming to enhance the care experience. The methodology outlines a parallel-group randomized clinical trial involving recently diagnosed patients with solid carcinomas preparing for curative intent chemotherapy. Eligible adult patients diagnosed with specific carcinoma types and proficient in Spanish, possessing smartphones, will be invited to participate. They will be randomized using concealed allocation sequences into two groups: one utilizing a specialized smartphone application called Contigo for monitoring chemotherapy toxicity symptoms and accessing educational content, while the other receives standard care. Primary outcome assessment involves patient experience during chemotherapy using a standardized questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include evaluating severe chemotherapy-associated toxicity, assessing quality of life, and determining user satisfaction with the application. The research will adhere to intention-to-treat principles. This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06077123).

Introdução/objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico dos casos notificados de Leishmaniose Visceral (LV), na região de Guanambi-BA, de janeiro de 2018 a dezembro de 2022. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com dados estatísticos e epidemiológicos fornecidos pela Vigilância Epidemiológica Municipal através de fichas de notificação do Sistema de Informação local. Para as informações obtidas realizaram-se cálculos de frequências e médias utilizando-se os programas Microsoft Office Excel® 2019 e BioEstat® 5.0. Resultados: Foram notificados 85 casos suspeitos de LV, sendo 22 confirmados no período do estudo. O período de maior proporção de casos foi no ano de 2022 com 36% (8/22) dos casos. Em relação a faixa etária, observamos maior incidência na população com mais de 60 anos, que acumulou 27,2% (6/22) dos casos, com outro pico de incidência na população com idade entre 1 e 9 anos, com 22,7% (5/22) das ocorrências. O sexo masculino foi afetado em 72% (16/22) das vezes e 81% (18/22) do total de casos ocorreram na zona urbana. Todos os pacientes avaliados tiveram seu diagnóstico baseado em critérios laboratoriais, sendo o exame parasitológico positivo em 31,8% (7/22) das investigações e a reação de imunofluorescência indireta positiva em 77,2% (17/22). Com relação à classificação dos casos, 95,4% (21/22) foram casos novos e 4,5% (1/22) recidiva da doença. A coinfecção leishmaniose-HIV estava presente em 9% (2/22). A droga mais utilizada para tratamento foi a Anfotericina B lipossomal, prescrita em 75% (12/16) dos casos tratados no município, ficando Glucantime como tratamento para 25% (4/16). 70% (14/20) dos pacientes tratados no município evoluíram para a cura, sendo que 02 pacientes foram transferidos após diagnóstico para tratamento em Salvador-BA, e a taxa de letalidade foi de 30% (06/20). A autoctonia foi registrada em 100% dos casos notificados. Com relação ao quadro clínico, a febre foi a manifestação mais frequente em 90,9% (20/22) dos participantes, seguido pela esplenomegalia em 63% (14/22). Conclusão: O estudo demonstrou maior prevalência da doença em crianças e idosos, sexo masculino e nos residentes da zona urbana. Embora seja uma doença tratável, ainda apresenta alta taxa de letalidade na nossa região, o que pode ser por atraso no diagnóstico. Este estudo reforça a necessidade de políticas públicas para combate do vetor e treinamento das equipes de saúde para diagnóstico precoce da doença, o que pode melhorar o prognóstico da mesma.

Martensitic transformations enable various emerging applications like the shape memory effect and elastocaloric applications in NiTi. Increasing the speed of this transformation can shorten the response time for actuation and increase the power density of caloric cooling systems. Up to now, research on the speed and possible time limits of the martensitic transformation in NiTi has been limited to milli- and microsecond experiments. The dynamics of the transformation for shorter time scales are therefore unknown. Here, we report the fastest transformations in NiTi so far by heating an epitaxial NiTi film with a ns laser pulse and tracking the martensitic transition with in - situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction. We find that the martensite to austenite transition upon heating can proceed within the 7 ns pulse duration of the laser, but it requires substantial overheating as the rate of the transformation increases with the driving energy. The austenite to martensite transition is slower because cooling proceeds by conductive heat transfer, but with appropriate undercooling, the complete transformation from martensite to austenite and back only takes 200 ns. We compare our results to previous experiments on the Heusler alloy Ni–Mn–Ga and (K, Na)NbO _3 and find very similar trends, which reveal that fast martensitic transformations in general follow a universal scaling law.

Microalgae are recognized as a relevant source of bioactive compounds. Among these bioactive products, lipids, mainly glycolipids, have been shown to present immunomodulatory properties with the potential to mitigate chronic inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of polar lipids isolated from Nannochloropsis oceanica and Chlorococcum amblystomatis. Three fractions enriched in (1) digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), (2) monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), and (3) diacylglyceryl-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS) and phospholipids (PL) were obtained from the total lipid extracts (TE) of N. oceanica and C. amblystomatis, and their anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by analyzing their capacity to counteract nitric oxide (NO) production and transcription of pro-inflammatory genes Nos2, Ptgs2, Tnfa, and Il1b in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. For both microalgae, TE and Fractions 1 and 3 strongly inhibited NO production, although to different extents. A strong reduction in the LPS-induced transcription of Nos2, Ptgs2, Tnfa, and Il1b was observed for N. oceanica and C. amblystomatis lipids. The most active fractions were the DGTS-and-PL-enriched fraction from N. oceanica and the DGDG-and-SQDG-enriched fraction from C. amblystomatis. Our results reveal that microalgae lipids have strong anti-inflammatory capacity and may be explored as functional ingredients or nutraceuticals, offering a natural solution to tackle chronic inflammation-associated diseases.

Parabolic flights are one of the most important pillars for research, development, and applications in space. Accordingly, we developed the world’s first non-governmental parabolic flight program using Novespace’s Airbus A310 ZERO-G. Through the flexible combination of academic research with industrial experiments, as well as with the support of private persons and low administrative efforts, we achieved a highly cost-efficient small-scale campaign concept, which is located at the Air Base Dübendorf in Switzerland. The program was very successful, and it resulted in 31 experiments and tests conducted by Universities and organizations in the industry in microgravity, culminating in many scientific publications and in larger subsequent projects for all users. We describe here how we designed, developed, tested, and built up this program. We also discuss the difficulties, problems, and success factors of a project that—for the first time—was successfully built from the “bottom-up”, and which was a large-scale flight research platform by scientists for scientists on a voluntary, non-governmental, and non-commercial basis.

Introducción: Si bien se sabe que la muerte es parte del ciclo de vida, ante una enfermedad con muchos aspectos aún desconocidos, como lo es el COVID-19, es importante comprender cómo los trabajadores de enfermería representan este fenómeno, ya que son los únicos profesionales que continuan cuidando al individuo incluso después del final de la vida. Objetivo: analizar la estructura de las representaciones sociales sobre la muerte y el morir por COVID-19 elaboradas por profesionales de enfermería. Materiales y métodos: estudio cualitativo anclado en el aspecto estructural de la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales con énfasis en la Teoría del Núcleo Central, desarrollado con 32 profesionales de enfermería de la ciudad de Natal, estado de Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. La recolección de datos se realizó en línea utilizando la técnica de asociación libre de palabras. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizaron análisis prototípicos y de similitud. Resultados: el probable núcleo central de las representaciones estuvo constituido por los términos tristeza y miedo, y la composición del sistema periférico y la zona de contraste refuerzan este núcleo. Discusión: el núcleo de las representaciones de los profesionales de enfermería sobre la muerte y el morir por COVID-19 constituye un temade representación controvertido, y destaca el daño a la salud psicosocial de los trabajadores de enfermería de primera línea. Conclusiones: frente a las representaciones elaboradas sobre la muerte y el morir como consecuencia de la COVID-19, es necesario desarrollar estrategias de enfrentamiento que contribuyan a la salud psicosocial de los trabajadores de enfermería. Como citar esta artículo: da Silva, Bruno Neves; Fernandes da Silva, Valéria Gomes; Pinto, Erika Simone Galvão; Souza, Nilba Lima de; de Miranda, Francisco Arnoldo Nunes. Estrutura das representações sociais da enfermagem sobre a morte decorrente da COVID-19. Revista Cuidarte. 2023;14(1):e2588. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.2588

Abstract Addressing ongoing biodiversity loss requires collaboration between conservation scientists and practitioners. However, such collaboration has proved challenging. Despite the potential importance of tracking animal movements for conservation, reviews of the tracking literature have identified a gap between the academic discipline of movement ecology and its application to biodiversity conservation. Through structured conversations with movement ecologists and conservation practitioners, we aimed to understand whether the identified gap is also perceived in practice, and if so, what factors hamper collaboration and how these factors can be remediated. We found that both groups are motivated and willing to collaborate. However, because their motivations differ, there is potential for misunderstandings and miscommunications. In addition, external factors such as funder requirements, academic metrics, and journal scopes may limit the applicability of scientific results in a conservation setting. Potential solutions we identified included improved communication and better presentation of results, acknowledging each other's motivations and desired outputs, and adjustment of funder priorities. Addressing gaps between science and implementation can enhance collaboration and support conservation action to address the global biodiversity crisis more effectively.

Introdução: O ambiente prisional proporciona predisposição de diversas doenças, como é o caso da tuberculose, cujo risco de adoecimento aumenta em 28 vezes no interior das prisões. Objetivo: Integrar os fatores causadores de tuberculose em indivíduos privados de liberdade, mencionados na literatura nacional e internacional. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa realizada nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE e PUBMED nos meses de abril a junho de 2017. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída por 12 estudos. Os resultados permitiram constatar que o uso de drogas ilícitas injetáveis, o tempo de encarceramento, o compartilhamento de cela com outros detentos e a coinfecção HIV/TB foram os principais fatores relacionados ao adoecimento por tuberculose na população penitenciária. Ademais, a tuberculose pulmonar foi o principal achado dentro do ambiente prisional, seguida pela infecção latente por tuberculose. Conclusão: O controle da tuberculose é uma necessidade urgente na sociedade. O desenvolvimento de programas de controle desta, bem como a instalação de serviços de saúde efetivos, que promovam um cuidado integral e a prevenção e promoção, assim como a reabilitação da saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade constitui-se em uma necessidade imperiosa no contexto prisional.

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the stricto sensu scientific production of Brazilian nursing that resorts to phenomenological theoretical frameworks. Method: Descriptive, exploratory, and document study carried out using the CAPES catalog of theses and dissertations from January to April 2022. Result: The sample included 600 dissertations and theses, with a predominance of the Heideggerian framework, followed by Schütz and Merleau-Ponty. Topics discussed included nursing care in women's health, mental health, pediatric and adolescent nursing, oncology nursing, obstetric nursing, Primary Health Care, as well as family and nursing education. Conclusion: Phenomenology was found to be a powerful reference for the unveiling of the phenomena of interest to the field of nursing, contributing to the construction of knowledge about the being who cares, the being who is cared for, and the care itself.

Summary: Background: Solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients have worse COVID-19 outcomes than general population and effective immunisation in these patients is essential but more difficult to reach. We aimed to determine the immunogenicity of an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster in SOT recipients previously immunised with either inactivated or homologous SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. Methods: Prospective cohort study of SOT recipients under medical care at Red de Salud UC-CHRISTUS, Chile, previously vaccinated with either CoronaVac or BNT162b2. All participants received a BNT162b2 vaccine booster. The primary study end point was anti-SARS-CoV-2 total IgG antibodies (TAb) seropositivity at 8-12 weeks (56-84 days) post booster. Secondary end points included neutralising antibodies (NAb) and specific T-cell responses. Findings: A total of 140 (50% kidney, 38% liver, 6% heart) SOT recipients (mean age 54 [13.6] years; 64 [46%] women) were included. Of them, 62 had homologous (three doses of BNT162b2) and 78 heterologous vaccine schedules (two doses of CoronaVac followed by BNT162b2 booster). Boosters were received at a median of 21.3 weeks after primary vaccination. The proportion achieving TAb seropositivity (82.3% vs 65.4%, P = 0.035) and NAb positivity (77.4% vs 55.1%, P = 0.007) were higher for the homologous versus the heterologous group. On the other hand, the number of IFN-γ and IL-2 secreting SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells did not differ significantly between groups. Interpretation: This cohort study shows that homologous mRNA vaccine priming plus boosting in SOT recipients, reaches a significantly higher humoral immune response than inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine priming followed by heterologous mRNA booster. Funding: School of Medicine, UC-Chile and ANID.ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05124509

Cancer patients on chemotherapy have a lower immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Therefore, through a prospective cohort study of patients with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy, we aimed to determine the immunogenicity of an mRNA vaccine booster (BNT162b2) among patients previously immunized with an inactivated (CoronaVac) or homologous (BNT162b2) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody (NAb) seropositivity at 8–12 weeks post-booster. The secondary end points included IgG antibody (TAb) seropositivity and specific T-cell responses. A total of 109 patients were included. Eighty-four (77%) had heterologous vaccine schedules (two doses of CoronaVac followed by the BNT162b2 booster) and twenty-five had (23%) homologous vaccine schedules (three doses of BNT162b2). IgG antibody positivity for the homologous and heterologous regimen were 100% and 96% (p = 0.338), whereas NAb positivity reached 100% and 92% (p = 0.13), respectively. Absolute NAb positivity and Tab levels were associated with the homologous schedule (with a beta coefficient of 0.26 with p = 0.027 and a geometric mean ratio 1.41 with p = 0.044, respectively). Both the homologous and heterologous vaccine regimens elicited a strong humoral and cellular response after the BNT162b2 booster. The homologous regimen was associated with higher NAb positivity and Tab levels after adjusting for relevant covariates.

Abstract New petrographic, lithogeochemical and structural analyses were performed on the Upper Cretaceous lamprophyres emplaced in the Proterozoic basement rocks of the Resende sedimentary basin in SE Brazil. Field characteristics and petrographic data confirm their identification as alkaline lamprophyres. Geochemical variations were mainly controlled by fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene and olivine. Liquid immiscibility, rapid cooling and crustal assimilation may have occurred subordinately during the evolution of the Resende lamprophyres. Mantle and chondrite-normalized diagrams point to an enriched mantle as the lamprophyre’s magma source. Th/Yb and Ta/Yb ratios confirm a within-plate enriched mantle source with residual carbonate and phlogopite/amphibole as suggested by LILE enrichment and the presence of carbonate and phlogopite/amphibole as primary phases. The predominance of an ENE-trend of the dykes is related to a prevalent NNW-SSW orientation of the minimum principal stress (σ3) orientation in an extensional regime during the emplacement of the Resende lamprophyres’ dyke swarm. Frequent offsets produced by local dilation direction are parallel to the NNW-oriented extension of the main segments. WNW to NW secondary sets are controlled by previous discontinuities that were favored as pathways for the highly volatile lamprophyre magma. An NNW-SSE distension related to the Resende lamprophyre dyke swarm emplacement is consistent with the early stages of evolution of the Resende basin and uplift of its basement during the Late Cretaceous to the Paleocene.

Objetivo: refletir sobre as relações sorodiferentes ao vírus HIV e seus desafios a partir da filosofia da vontade de Arthur Schopenhauer. Método: trata-se de um estudo teórico-reflexivo realizado a partir da busca por artigos e livros, nos meses de outubro e novembro de 2021. Resultados: Observa-se que os pressupostos conceituais e a filosofia da vontade de Artur Schopenhaouer têm relação com o contexto atual referente aos desafios que os parceiros sorodiferentes vivenciam em suas relações, como a invisibilidade dessas relações na condição da diferença sorológica perante a sociedade e nos serviços de saúde, o preconceito e a falta de informação acerca das possibilidades que se sobrepõem ao conceito de sofrimento e dor, constantemente associados a essas parcerias. Considerações finais: as reflexões realizadas sinalizam que a vontade dos parceiros sexuais de permanecer no relacionamento em condição de sorodiferença ao vírus HIV é a força matriz para vencer os desafios e riscos peculiares a essa forma de convivência. Acredita-se que a compreensão das relações sorodiferentes ao vírus HIV a partir de uma fundamentação filosófica é relevante no processo ressignificação da infecção na sociedade, pelos profissionais de saúde e nos diferentes âmbitos dos serviços responsáveis por acompanhar e acolher esses parceiros.

Lavandulaviridis L´Hér. is an endemic Iberian species with a high essential oil yield and a pleasant lemon scent. Despite these interesting features, this species remains unrecognized and poorly explored by the food and pharmaceutical industries. Nevertheless, it has been valued in traditional medicine being used against flu, circulatory problems and to relieve headaches. Since these disorders trigger inflammatory responses, it is relevant to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of L. viridis L´Hér. essential oil in an attempt to validate its traditional use and concomitantly to increment its industrial exploitation. Therefore, in the present study the chemical composition of this volatile extract as well as the effect on ROS production, inflammatory response and proteasome activity on LPS-stimulated macrophages were disclosed. Also, its safety profile on keratinocytes, hepatocytes and alveolar epithelial cells was depicted, envisioning a future human administration. The essential oil was characterized by high quantities of 1,8-cineole, camphor and α-pinene. From a pharmacological point of view, the essential oil showed a potent antioxidant effect and inhibited nitric oxide production through down-modulation of nuclear factor kappa B-dependent Nos2 transcription and consequently iNOS protein expression as well as a decrease in proteasomal activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was also evidenced by a strong inhibition of LPS-induced Il1b and Il6 transcriptions and downregulation of COX-2 levels. Overall, bioactive safe concentrations of L. viridis L´Hér. essential oil were disclosed, thus corroborating the traditional usage of this species and paving the way for the development of plant-based therapies.

Resumo O presente estudo objetivou documentar a produção stricto sensu da enfermagem brasileira que utilizou o referencial fenomenológico de Merleau-Ponty. Método: estudo documental, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado mediante análise dos relatórios de pesquisa indexados no Catálogo de Dissertações e Teses da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. Foram utilizadas estatísticas descritivas, análise de similitude e nuvens de palavras para análise dos dados. Resultados: 98 relatórios de pesquisa compuseram a amostra. Os termos enfermagem, fenomenologia, cuidados de enfermagem, percepção, existencialismo, espiritualidade, família, adolescente e saúde da mulher representaram temáticas relevantes relacionadas aos estudos. Discussão: A fenomenologia reforça a condição indissociável entre a pessoa em suas diversas dimensões e a singularidade de suas inter-relações diante de cada fenômeno. Considerações finais: A fenomenologia de Merleau-Ponty reitera a horizontalidade desta base teórica e sua inter-relação com a integralidade do ser. Palavras-chave: Enfermagem. Filosofia em Enfermagem. Educação de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem. Merleau-Ponty phenomenology in the stricto sensu production of brazilian nursing: documental study Abstract This study aimed to document the stricto sensu production of Brazilian nursing that used the phenomenological framework of Merleau-Ponty. Method: documentary study, with a quantitative approach, carried out through analysis of research reports indexed in the Catalog of Dissertations and Theses of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel. Descriptive statistics, similarity analysis and word clouds were used for data analysis. Results: 98 research reports comprised the sample. The terms nursing, phenomenology, nursing care, perception, existentialism, spirituality, family, adolescent and women's health represented relevant themes related to the studies. Discussion: Phenomenology reinforces the inseparable condition between people in their different dimensions and the uniqueness of their interrelationships in face of each phenomenon. Considerations: Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology reiterates the horizontality of this theoretical basis and its interrelationship with the integrality of being. Keywords: Nursing. Philosophy in Nursing. Graduate Nursing Education. Fenomenología de Merleau-Ponty en la producción stricto sensu de enfermería brasileña: estudio documental Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo documentar la producción stricto sensu de la enfermería brasileña que utilizó el marco fenomenológico de Merleau-Ponty. Método: estudio documental, con enfoque cuantitativo, realizado a través del análisis de informes de investigación indexados en el Catálogo de Disertaciones y Tesis de la Coordinación para la Perfeccionamiento del Personal de Educación Superior. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva, análisis de similitud y nubes de palabras para el análisis de datos. Resultados: 98 informes de investigación componen la muestra. Los términos enfermería, fenomenología, cuidados de enfermería, percepción, existencialismo, espiritualidad, familia, salud del adolescente y de la mujer representaron temas relevantes relacionados con los estudios. Discusión: La fenomenología refuerza la condición inseparable de las personas en sus diferentes dimensiones y la singularidad de sus interrelaciones frente a cada fenómeno. Consideraciones finales: La fenomenología de Merleau-Ponty reitera la horizontalidad de esta base teórica y su interrelación con la integralidad del ser. Palabras clave: Enfermería. Filosofía en Enfermería. Educación de Posgrado en Enfermería.

É num cenário de abertura crescente da ciência, mais amplo e complexo, que se impõem novas competências aos gestores de repositórios. Este estudo visa identificar os papéis e as competências necessárias à gestão e organização de um repositório institucional. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com observação participante, suportado pela revisão da literatura, que permitiu refletir sobre o papel dos gestores de repositórios e as competências que devem reunir no âmbito da ciência aberta, tendo como estudo de caso o Estudo Geral, o repositório institucional da Universidade de Coimbra. Embora as funções de um gestor de repositório tenham origem no campo da Ciência da Informação, o conjunto de competências a reunir é amplo e interdisciplinar, destacando-se aquelas ao nível da comunicação científica, das tecnologias digitais, da gestão e da comunicação, da técnica e da gestão de conteúdos.

A phlorotannin extract was obtained from Himanthalia elongata, revealing a profile rich in fucophlorethol-type and carmalol-type compounds. When subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion, its levels of total phlorotannins and antioxidant activity, measured in vitro via NO● and O2●− scavenging assays, were reduced, thus suggesting that these compounds’ integrity and bioactivity are negatively affected by the digestive process. Nevertheless, when undigested vs. digested extracts were used on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages, both showed a strong inhibitory effect on the cellular NO● production. In fact, although not statistically significant, the digested extract revealed a tendentially stronger effect compared to its undigested counterpart, suggesting that even though there is a decrease in the phlorotannins’ concentration after digestion, with a consequent loss of their scavenging properties, the possible degradation products being formed may exert their effects through the modulation of the intracellular signaling mechanisms. Overall, this study not only contributes to a better understanding of the phlorotannins’ composition of the species H. elongata, but also shows that, although the digestive process may affect the integrity and concentration of these compounds, this does not necessarily translate into loss of bioactivity, in particular the anti-inflammatory activity, probably owing to the bioactive effects that the degradation products of these phenolics may have at an intracellular level.

This study aimed at evaluating volumetrically gaps and voids of calcium-silicate based materials of different generations and handling properties (BC—Endosequence BC RRM-Fast Set Condensable Putty, MTA—ProRoot MTA, and BIO—Biodentine) in simulated furcal perforations in an ex vivo setup by microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis. Thirty-six extracted human mandibular molars with sound furcation areas were selected. Standardized perforations were created in the furcation area of the pulp chamber using #4 diamond burs. The specimens were randomly assigned to three groups (BC, MTA and BIO; n = 12). Samples were then scanned (SkyScan 1172; Bruker-microCT, Kontich, Belgium), and three-dimensional (3D) images reconstructed. The relative volume of gaps (VG%) and voids (VV%) present on each material was calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s HSD test (p < 0.05). Mean VG% for BC, MTA, and BIO groups were, respectively, 0.513%, 1.128%, 1.460%, with BC presenting statistically (p < 0.05) fewer gaps formation than the other groups. Mean VV% were, respectively, 0.018%, 0.037%, and 0.065%. The was no statistical difference regarding VV%. There were no gap-free and void-free samples. BC group had the lowest VG% among the groups with a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05).

Bisphenol A (BPA) and some of its analogues are well known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), i.e., compounds that can affect the physiological hormonal pathways in both animals and humans, causing adverse health effects. The intake of these substances through diet represents a public concern, compounded by the scarce data in the literature about contamination levels in food. In the framework of a research project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, we determined the contamination levels of BPA and 19 EDCs in the production chain of buffalo milk, analysing feed, drinking water, buffalo milk, and blood sera. Overall, 201 feed, 9 feed additive, 62 drinking water, 46 milk, and 190 blood serum samples were collected from 10 buffalo farms in the Campania region, Southern Italy, between 2019 and 2020, and analysed. Moreover, 15 retail bovine milk samples packaged both in Tetra Pak and in PET were analysed to further evaluate consumers’ exposure to EDCs. The results of our work showed no contamination by EDCs in drinking water samples, whereas in 43% of all of the other samples from the farms at least one bisphenol was detected. The most abundant bisphenol detected was BPA (32% of the samples from the farms and 80% of the retail milk samples), thus proving that this compound is still widely used for plastic production.

The prevalence of inflammatory skin diseases continues to increase with a high incidence in children and adults. These diseases are triggered by environmental factors, such as UV radiation, certain chemical compounds, infectious agents, and in some cases, people with a genetic predisposition. The pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, but also of skin cancers, is the result of the activation of inflammation-related metabolic pathways and the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Inflammatory skin diseases are also associated with oxidative stress, overproduction of ROS, and impaired antioxidant defense, which affects the metabolism of immune cells and skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) in systemic and skin disorders. Lipids from algae have been scarcely applied to modulate skin diseases, but they are well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. They have shown scavenging activities and can modulate redox homeostasis enzymes. They can also downmodulate key inflammatory signaling pathways and transcription factors such as NF-κB, decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Thus, the exploitation of algae lipids as therapeutical agents for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is highly attractive, being critically reviewed in the present work.

The Creb-Regulated Transcriptional Coactivator (Crtc) family of transcriptional coregulators drive Creb1-mediated transcription effects on metabolism in many tissues, but the in vivo effects of Crtc2/Creb1 transcription on skeletal muscle metabolism are not known. Skeletal muscle-specific overexpression of Crtc2 (Crtc2 mice) induced greater mitochondrial activity, metabolic flux capacity for both carbohydrates and fats, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and increased oxidative capacity, supported by upregulation of key metabolic genes. Crtc2 overexpression led to greater weight loss during alternate day fasting (ADF), selective loss of fat rather than lean mass, maintenance of higher energy expenditure during the fast and reduced binge-eating during the feeding period. ADF downregulated most of the mitochondrial electron transport genes, and other regulators of mitochondrial function, that were substantially reversed by Crtc2-driven transcription. Glucocorticoids acted with AMPK to drive atrophy and mitophagy, which was reversed by Crtc2/Creb1 signaling. Crtc2/Creb1-mediated signaling coordinates metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle that explain how Crtc2/Creb1 regulates metabolism and weight loss., (© 2021 The Authors. The FASEB Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)