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Objective: This study used participatory methods and concept-mapping techniques to develop a greater understanding of the construct of citizenship and an instrument to assess the degree to which individuals, particularly those with psychiatric disorders, perceive themselves to be citizens in a multifaceted sense (that is, not in a simply legal sense).Methods: Participants were persons with recent experience of receiving public mental health services, having criminal justice charges, having a serious general medical illness, or having more than one of these "life disruptions," along with persons who had not experienced any of these disruptions. Community-based participatory methods, including a co-researcher team of persons with experiences of mental illness and other life disruptions, were employed. Procedures included conducting focus groups with each life disruption (or no disruption) group to generate statements about the meaning of citizenship (N = 75 participants); reducing the generated statements to 100 items and holding concept-mapping sessions with participants from the five stakeholder groups (N = 66 participants) to categorize and rate each item in terms of importance and access; analyzing concept-mapping data to produce citizenship domains; and developing a pilot instrument of citizenship.Results: Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed seven primary domains of citizenship: personal responsibilities, government and infrastructure, caring for self and others, civil rights, legal rights, choices, and world stewardship. Forty-six items were identified for inclusion in the citizenship measure.Conclusions: Citizenship is a multidimensional construct encompassing the degree to which individuals with different life experiences perceive inclusion or involvement across a variety of activities and concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research about patterns of aboveground carbon stock (AGC) across different tropical forest types is central to climate change mitigation efforts. However, the aboveground carbon stock (AGC) quantification for Brazilian cloud forest ecosystems along the altitudinal gradient is still scarce. We aimed to evaluate the effects of abiotic and biotic on AGC and the AGC distribution between species and families of tree communities along an altitudinal Brazilian Atlantic cloud forest gradient of the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, Southeastern Brazil. We analyzed the relationships between AGC and biotic (taxonomic and functional diversity based on structural attributes) and abiotic factors (altitude and soil properties) across seventy plots (10 × 20 m) distributed in seven cloud forest sites at different elevations (from 1.100 to 2.330 m a.s.l.) using linear mixed models and machine learning approaches. We found significant variations in AGC stock along the altitudinal gradient, which was explained mainly by altitude and large-sized trees. We observed that approximately 5 % of the total sampled individuals were responsible for >50 % of the AGC stock of the tree community in the different sites. This result demonstrates how carbon-dominant tree species' have a higher relative contribution to the AGC at community level than species richness and abundance. The Myrtaceae was the most species-rich and carbon-dominant family, which holds four of the total hyperdominant species in the study region. This study reveals new and important ecological patterns of AGC stock in Southeastern Brazil's cloud forest tree communities, where large-sized trees and altitude are the main biotic and abiotic factors, respectively. These insights enhance our understanding of AGC stock in these unique forest ecosystems and emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies that protect dominant species and their habitats., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: FABRICIO ALVIM CARVALHO reports financial support was provided by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development. FABRICIO ALVIM CARVALHO reports financial support was provided by Minas Gerais State Foundation of Support to the Research. No conflict of interest. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The experiment evaluated the effect of adding cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) to Prochilodus lineatus fish (Curimata) semen on post-thaw sperm quality. Twelve adult fish were used for sperm collection after induced spermiation with carp pituitary gland. The semen was diluted and treated with CLC in concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mg for 120 × 10 6 spermatozoa/ml, loaded in 0.5 ml straws, packaged and placed in dry vapor vessel cylinders for 24 h before being submerged in liquid nitrogen for storage. The samples were thawed in a water bath at 60 °C for 8 s, and the sperm parameters evaluated were motility, activation duration, longevity, plasma membrane integrity, and morphology. Data were tested for normal distribution and ANOVA, followed by Friedman test (P < 0.05). Spermatozoa treated with CLC displayed higher motility than the control (P < 0.05). The duration of sperm activation was longer in sperm treated with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg of CLC than in control (P < 0.05). The membrane integrity was higher in sperm treated with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg of CLC than in control and four mg-treated samples (P < 0.05). The sperm longevity and morphology alterations did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Adding 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg of CLC in Prochilodus lineatus semen before cryopreservation improves sperm motility and membrane integrity., (Copyright © 2024 Society for Cryobiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Parenteral nutrition (PN) prevents starvation and supports metabolic requirements intravenously when patients are unable to be fed enterally. Clinically, infants are frequently provided PN in intensive care settings along with exposure to antibiotics (ABX) to minimize infection during care. Unfortunately, neonates experience extremely high rates of hepatic complications. Adult rodent and piglet models of PN are well-established but neonatal models capable of leveraging the considerable transgenic potential of the mouse remain underdeveloped. Utilizing our newly established neonatal murine PN mouse model, we administered ABX or controlled drinking water to timed pregnant dams to disrupt the maternal microbiome. We randomized mouse pups to PN or sham surgery controls +/- ABX exposure. ABX or short-term PN decreased liver and brain organ weights, intestinal length, and mucosal architecture (vs. controls). PN significantly elevated evidence of hepatic proinflammatory markers, neutrophils and macrophage counts, bacterial colony-forming units, and evidence of cholestasis risk, which was blocked by ABX. However, ABX uniquely elevated metabolic regulatory genes resulting in accumulation of hepatocyte lipids, triglycerides, and elevated tauro-chenoxycholic acid (TCDCA) in serum. Within the gut, PN elevated the relative abundance of Akkermansia, Enterococcus , and Suterella with decreased Anaerostipes and Lactobacillus compared with controls, whereas ABX enriched Proteobacteria. We conclude that short-term PN elevates hepatic inflammatory stress and risk of cholestasis in early life. Although concurrent ABX exposure protects against hepatic immune activation during PN, the dual exposure modulates metabolism and may contribute toward early steatosis phenotype, sometimes observed in infants unable to wean from PN. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study successfully established a translationally relevant, murine neonatal parenteral nutrition (PN) model. Short-term PN is sufficient to induce hepatitis-associated cholestasis in a neonatal murine model that can be used to understand disease in early life. The administration of antibiotics during PN protects animals from bacterial translocation and proinflammatory responses but induces unique metabolic shifts that may predispose the liver toward early steatosis.

Background: Patient safety culture is influenced by factors such as professional category, experience, and age. Understanding these factors can inform initiatives to improve safety., Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic and occupational characteristics on health professionals' perception of patient safety culture., Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 514 health care professionals from Brazilian neonatal intensive care units was conducted using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture., Results: Several sociodemographic and occupational characteristics were associated with higher perceptions of safety culture, including older age and having a higher level of education., Conclusion: Sociodemographic and occupational factors may influence the safety culture in neonatal intensive care units and should be considered when developing and implementing strategies to improve safety., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Innovative digital technology systems that support and monitor real-time medication intake are now available commercially; however, there is limited knowledge of the use of such technology in patients' homes. One such smart medication dispenser, spencer, provides alerts to patients to take their medications and allows for tracking and reporting real-time medication adherence data., Objective: The objectives of this study were to examine the use of a smart medication dispenser as a medication adherence and self-management support tool for community dwelling adults over a 6-month period, in addition to usability, usefulness, satisfaction, and impact on caregiver support., Methods: This prospective, observational study invited community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older taking at least one chronic medication and their caregivers to use this smart medication dispenser for their medication administration for 6 months. Adherence was defined as a dose intake within 2 hours post scheduled time. Real-time adherence data were collected using the smart medication dispenser and the AdhereNet platform. Usability, usefulness, and satisfaction were measured using the System Usability Scale and the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use questionnaire, respectively. Caregiver burden was measured on a visual analog scale at baseline and at the end of the 6-month study period., Results: A total of 58 participants were recruited, of which 55% (32/58) were female with a mean age of 66.36 (SD 11.28; range 48-90) years. Eleven caregiver participants were recruited, of whom 91% (10/11) were female. The average monthly adherence over 6 months was 98% (SD 3.1%; range 76.5%-100%). The average System Usability score was 85.74 (n=47; SD 12.7; range 47.5-100). Of the 46 participants who provided data, 44 (96%) rated the product as easy, 43 (93%) as simple to use, and 43 (93%) were satisfied with the product. Caregiver burden prior to and following smart medication dispenser use for 6 months was found to be statistically significantly different (P<.001; CI 2.11-5.98)., Conclusions: Smart medication adherence products such as spencer, when connected and clinically monitored, can be a useful solution for medication management and have the potential to improve caregiver burden., (©Tejal Patel, Jessica Ivo, Teresa Pitre, Sadaf Faisal, Kristen Antunes, Kasumi Oda. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 19.05.2022.)

Oxidative stress is involved in the metabolic dysregulation of type 2 diabetes (DM2). Acrocomia aculeata (Aa) fruit pulp has been described for the treatment of several diseases, and recently we have proved that its leaves have phenolic compounds with a marked antioxidant effect. We aimed to assess whether they can improve metabolic, redox and vascular functions in DM2. Control Wistar (W-Ctrl) and non-obese type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK-Ctrl) rats were treated for 30 days with 200 mg.kg -1 aqueous extract of Aa (EA-Aa) (Wistar, W-EA-Aa/GK, GK-EA-Aa). EA-Aa was able to reduce fasting glycaemia and triglycerides of GK-EA-Aa by improving proteins related to glucose and lipid metabolism, such as GLUT-4, PPARγ, AMPK, and IR, when compared to GK-Ctrl. It also improved viability of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes exposed by H 2 O 2. EA-Aa also increased the levels of catalase in the aorta and kidney, reduced oxidative stress and increased relaxation of the aorta in GK-treated rats in relation to GK-Ctrl, in addition to the protective effect against oxidative stress in HMVec-D cells. We proved the direct antioxidant potential of the chemical compounds of EA-Aa, the increase in antioxidant defences in a tissue-specific manner and hypoglycaemic properties, improving vascular function in type 2 diabetes. EA-Aa and its constituents may have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of DM2 complications.

Background: Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of "Parque Nacional do Caparaó" (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states., New Information: "Parque Nacional do Caparaó" houses 8% of the land plant species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including 6% of its angiosperms, 31% of its lycophytes and ferns and 14% of its avascular plants. Twelve percent of the threatened species listed for the State of Espírito Santo and 7% listed for the State of Minas Gerais are also protected by PNC. Surprisingly, 79% of the collections analysed here were carried out in Minas Gerais, which represents just 21% of the total extension of the Park. The compiled data uncover a huge botanical collection gap in this federally-protected area., (Marina M Moreira, Tatiana T Carrijo, Anderson G Alves-Araújo, Alessandro Rapini, Alexandre Salino, Aline D Firmino, Aline P Chagas, Ana F A Versiane, André M A Amorim, Andrews V S da Silva, Amélia C Tuler, Ariane L Peixoto, Bethina S Soares, Braz A P Cosenza, Camila N Delgado, Claudia R Lopes, Christian Silva, Daniel E F Barbosa, Daniele Monteiro, Danilo Marques, Dayvid R Couto, Diego R Gonzaga, Eduardo Dalcin, Elton John de Lirio, Fabrício S Meyer, Fátima R G Salimena, Felipe A. Oliveira, Filipe S Souza, Fernando B Matos, Gabriel Depiantti, Guilherme M Antar, Gustavo Heiden, Henrique M Dias, Hian C F Sousa, Isabel T F V Lopes, Isis M Rollim, Jaquelini Luber, Jefferson Prado, Jimi N Nakajima, João Lanna, João Paulo F Zorzanelli, Joelcio Freitas, José F A Baumgratz, Jovani B S Pereira, Juliana R P M Oliveira, Kelly Antunes, Lana S Sylvestre, Leandro C Pederneiras, Leandro Freitas, Leandro L Giacomin, Leonardo D Meireles, Leonardo N Silva, Luciana C Pereira, Luís Alexandre E Silva, Luiz Menini Neto, Marcelo Monge, Marcelo L O Trovó, Marcelo Reginato, Marcos E G Sobral, Mario Gomes, Mário L Garbin, Marli P Morim, Nayara D Soares, Paulo H E Labiak, Pedro L Viana, Pedro H Cardoso, Pedro L R Moraes, Pedro B Schwartsburd, Quélita S Moraes, Raquel F Zorzanelli, Renara Nichio-Amaral, Renato Goldenberg, Samyra G Furtado, Thamara Feletti, Valquíria F Dutra, Vinícius R Bueno, Vinícius A O Dittrich, Rafaela C Forzza.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of mindfulness meditation offered in a community pharmacy on patients with current anxiety or a history of anxiety, depression, or both., Setting: Community pharmacy clinical space located in a grocery store., Practice Description: An 8-week, once-per-week mindfulness meditation program for patients with anxiety or depression., Practice Innovation: A pharmacist provided mindfulness meditation within the clinical space in a community pharmacy., Evaluation: PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used to assess prestudy and poststudy depression and anxiety severity, respectively. Items pertaining to participant demographics and experience in the program were also included., Results: Twelve participants completed the study requirements. Three-quarters of participants experienced a reduction in the severity of their depression or anxiety, and no participant experienced an increase in the severity of his or her condition., Conclusion: Findings from this study indicated that a mindfulness meditation program delivered in a community pharmacy and provided by a pharmacist for patients with depression or anxiety, or both, can result in a reduction in severity of their conditions for participants., (Copyright © 2019 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Understanding barriers and facilitators of healthcare for people with mental illness is essential for healthcare and mental healthcare organizations moving towards patient centered care. This paper presents findings of a measure on barriers and facilitators of healthcare completed by 204 patients being served at a co-located wellness center (primary healthcare clinic) located in an urban mental health center. The top 10 results show important findings for planning healthcare services that are responsive to the needs of people with mental illness. Basic structural issues as a result of poverty are extremely important (transportation, housing, payment) as well as difficulty with public healthcare that often involves long wait-times for appointments and at the doctor's office and hours that might not be convenient. Healthcare services that want to meet the needs of people with mental illness need to address these issues. What facilitates healthcare is not just removing the barriers to receiving healthcare services but instead involves more interpersonal aspects of healthcare such as liking your provider, being able to talk with your provider, feeling your provider cares about you and listens to you. Structural supports such as also being in mental health services, having systems for remembering appointments, and/or having appointment times that are convenient also facilitate seeking healthcare. Facilitating healthcare seeking also seems to involve a sense of agency-looking forward to taking charge of your health and feeling capable of following healthcare provider instructions. Healthcare systems for people with mental illness need to support these facilitators to give care-seekers the support they need. Key points are provided on how organizations and staff can work more effectively in implementing patient centered care.

Two sequential extraction procedures were carried out on six soils with different chemical properties and contamination history to estimate the partitioning of uranium (U) between different soil fractions. The first standard method (method of Schultz) was specifically developed for actinides, while the second one (method of Rauret) was initially created for heavy metals. Reproducibility of both methods was compared by means of the coefficient of variation (CV). A soil-to-plant transfer experiment was also carried out with ryegrass to verify if one of the extracted fractions efficiently predicted plant uptake. In artificially contaminated soils, most of the U was retrieved from the exchangeable and the carbonates fractions. In soils with high natural levels of U or contaminated by industrial activity, most of the U was found in the less available fractions. Different U concentrations were found in the fractions which were supposed to be comparable in the two methods. Extracted fractions following Schultz differentiated more strongly between the tested soils but no relationships with soil parameters could be established. As expected, the highest U transfer factors (TF) were observed for ryegrass grown on artificially contaminated soils and the lowest on soils with high natural concentrations or industrial contamination, in agreement with the extraction procedures. No good relation was found between the soil-to-shoot TF and the extracted U concentrations. On the other hand, the U concentration in the roots, the U concentration in the shoots and the soil-to-root TF are well correlated to the U concentration determined in the first extracted fractions (so called exchangeable fractions) from the method of Schultz. We conclude that the extraction method according to Schultz should be preferably used for U, and that the exchangeable fraction can be proposed as a potential indicator to evaluate plant uptake in soils., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)