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Cetaceans are key sentinel species of marine ecosystems and ocean health, being a strategic taxonomic group that evaluates the well-being of aquatic habitats and detects harmful environmental trends. Respiratory diseases are amongst the main causes of death in these animals, so identifying the microbiome community in their exhaled breath condensates (EBC), i.e. blow, has been proposed as a key biomarker for assessing respiratory health. Yet, to characterise microbiomes related to these animals’ respiratory tract and use them as a proxy for health status, it is necessary to develop baseline data on the microorganisms associated with cetaceans. Here, the short-finned pilot whale (SFPW, Globicephala macrorhynchus) was used as a case study to validate the most suitable primer set to explore the prokaryotic diversity of the cetaceans’ respiratory tract. DNA extracted from blow samples (n = 12) of animals off Madeira Island was sequenced to amplify both V3-V4 and V4-V5 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene, using the same sequencing platform (Illumina MiSeq). Independently of the primer set used, all blows shared Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla in their composition. V3-V4 resulted in a higher diversity of taxa with relative abundance above 1%, whereas the V4-V5 primers captured a higher number of microbial Amplicon Sequence Variants, detecting the rare microbial biosphere with pathogen potential. Additionally, it captured the core microbiome more efficiently. Thus, this study provides a detailed characterisation of SFPW respiratory-associated microbial communities, strengthening the idea of sociality influencing microbiome composition in the respiratory tract. Moreover, it supports the use of blow as a relevant biomarker for the physiological state of the airways in free-ranging cetaceans.

ABSTRACT: This study determined the association between biosecurity practices and the status of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in dairy production systems. Approximately 280 herds were screened for BVDV virus detection. Following the screening, 68 herds were selected to identify individual BVDV PI animals using an ear notch biopsy and ELISA-antigen. All offspring of the last generation were tested, and the maternal lineage of positive cases was examined. A questionnaire on BVDV biological risk assessment was completed. A multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was conducted to determine the association between herds with or without BVDV circulation and biosecurity practices. The MCA revealed that farms with virus circulation lacked knowledge about the disease and wrongly perceived their herds as protected, while farms without virus circulation were aware of the disease but considered their herds unprotected. Vaccination practices differed between positive and negative herds, with positive herds using vaccines only for reproductive diseases and negative herds vaccinating for respiratory and reproductive issues. Biosecurity practices such as frequent visitation, contact between animals of different ages, and annual introduction of new animals were linked to viral circulation, while virus-free herds implemented measures like controlled visitation, no contact between different age groups, and quarantine. Lastly, herds with virus circulation acquired pregnant females without prior testing. This study emphasized the crucial role of biosecurity practices in controlling BVDV in dairy herds. It highlighted the sharper risk perception and better application of biosecurity practices in negative herds compared to BVDV-positive herds.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with lifestyle changes, reduced access to care and potential impacts on medication self-management. Our main objectives are to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on patient adherence and access to care and long-term medications and determine its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors. This study is part of the Specchio-COVID-19 longitudinal cohort study in Geneva, Switzerland, conducted through an online questionnaire. Among the 982 participants (median age: 56; 61% female), 827 took long-term medications. There were 76 reported changes in medication dosages, of which 24 (31%) were without a physician’s recommendation, and 51 delays in initiation or premature medication interruptions, of which 24 (47%) were without a physician’s recommendation. Only 1% (9/827) of participants faced medication access issues. Participants taking a respiratory medication had a four-times greater odds of reporting more regular medication (OR = 4.27; CI 95%: 2.11–8.63) intake, whereas each year increase in age was significantly associated with 6% fewer relative risks of discontinuation (OR = 0.94; CI 95%: 0.91–0.97) and 3% fewer relative risks of changes in medication dosage (OR = 0.97; CI 95%: 0.95–1.00). Despite the limited impact of the pandemic on adherence and access to medications, our results emphasize the need for understanding patient challenges when self-managing their long-term medication, notably during public health crises.

A triagem constitui uma função essencial nos serviços de urgência, baseada no pensamento crítico e tomada de decisão do enfermeiro. A sobrelotação destes serviços, apresenta implicações tanto na qualidade de vida dos profissionais, devido à sobrecarga dos mesmos, como na satisfação dos utentes e no tempo de permanência no mesmo. Assim, por forma a melhorar o atendimento nos serviços de urgência pediátrica, é crucial encontrar estratégias para fazer face a esta questão, tais como a implementação de medidas de Triagem Avançada. A presente Revisão Integrativa da Literatura tem como objetivos: analisar as medidas de implementação da triagem avançada no serviço de urgência pediátrica; enumerar medidas de Triagem Avançada implementadas por enfermeiros. A pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada através das bases de dados CINAHL Complete e Academic Search Complete, da Plataforma EBSCOhost, e da base de dados PUBMED. A seleção dos estudos foi realizada de acordo com critérios de inclusão e exclusão previamente delineados, tendo sido integrados estudos primários de acesso livre publicados entre 2012 e 2023, tendo sido incluídos no corpus documental sete artigos da investigação primária. Os artigos analisados incidiram sobre medidas de triagem avançada em seis motivos de admissão frequentes neste serviço, como: febre, dor, gastroenterite, crise de asma, suspeita de apendicite e suspeita de fratura. A aplicação destas medidas, está diretamente associada à promoção da qualidade dos cuidados prestados através da redução da frequência de procedimentos dolorosos, da diminuição do tempo de espera para início de analgesia e do tempo de permanência da criança/adolescente para atendimento no serviço e do aumento da satisfação dos parental. Os resultados sugerem que a implementação de triagem avançada em contexto de urgência permite uma maior autonomia do enfermeiro bem como reduz o tempo de permanência das crianças no serviço de urgência.

Leishmania amazonensis causes a clinical form called diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) with challenges to treatment, like low efficiency and drug toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate new therapies using less toxic leishmanicidal compounds, such as flavonoids like naringenin, and their combination with conventional drugs, such as miltefosine. Antileishmanial dose/response activity, isobologram, calculation of dose reduction index (DRI), and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) tests were performed on in vitro assays using reference promastigote forms of L. amazonensis (IFLA/BR/67/PH8) to assess the combinatorial effect between naringenin and miltefosine. The in vitro results of isobologram, DRI, and FICI calculations showed that the combination of the compounds had an additive effect and was able to reduce the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of miltefosine in the promastigote forms of the parasite compared to the treatment of the drug alone. This study demonstrated in vitro the viability of a combination action of the flavonoid with the treatment with miltefosine, opening space for further investigations on the association of natural compounds with the drugs used for the treatment of L. amazonensis.

Objetivo: Identificar os fatores associados ao ajuste de dose de antimicrobianos pela função renal em pacientes internados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Método: Estudo transversal, descritivo-analítico, com coleta de dados referente ao período de julho a dezembro de 2019 em três UTI. Foram incluídos pacientes internados nestas unidades, com prescrição de antimicrobianos e excluídos os sujeitos com permanência menor que 24 horas na UTI e idade inferior a 18 anos. A associação entre variáveis dependentes e as independentes foi realizada por meio de análise univariada, utilizando o modelo de regressão logística binária. A magnitude da associação foi calculada usando odds ratio (OR) com intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC) e p

Corpos estranhos são objetos ingeridos pelos animais que causam lesões na mucosa intestinal, e ao se tratar de corpo estranho linear pode agravar o quadro clínico acometer maior extensão e causar intussuscepção. Os sinais clínicos são amplos e inespecíficos, pode ocorrer apatia, anorexia, êmese, diarreia e sensibilidade abdominal. O diagnóstico deve incluir além da anamnese, exame físico, exames laboratoriais e exames de imagem. O objetivo do trabalho foi relatar o caso de corpo estranho linear em um cão, macho da raça Husky Siberiano, diagnosticado também com intussuscepção através do exame ultrassonográfico. A enterotomia foi realizada por se tratar de corpos estranhos que são considerados emergências cirúrgicas e os resultados e prognósticos observados no animal foram favoráveis, com uma recuperação no pós-operatório rápida.

Os Processos Oxidativos Avançados (POAs) são tecnologias promissoras para maior eficiência no tratamento de efluentes e de águas residuais. Entre eles, destaca-se o método Fenton, que se baseia na reação de peróxido de hidrogênio, em meio ácido, catalisada por íons ferro. O presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar a aplicabilidade do método Fenton homogêneo para tratamento de efluente da indústria de cosméticos e de estudar a possibilidade de utilizar resíduos siderúrgicos como catalisadores da reação. Os rejeitos usados foram lama da aciaria OG2, o pó vermelho, a carepa e a hematita impura. Todos são ricos em hematita (Fe2O3), cerca de 98%. O efluente utilizado foi proveniente da indústria de cosméticos e possuía DQO de 16.164mg/L. Para o tratá-lo, utilizou-se a proporção de 1:4:1 em massa de íons ferro por H2O2 por DQO em todas as amostras. Obteve-se, como resultados, uma redução média de 92% da DQO, 94% da turbidez e 98% da DBO mediante o Fenton homogêneo, catalisado por sulfato ferroso (FeSO4). A lama de aciaria apresentou uma redução da DQO de aproximadamente 34%, 96% da turbidez e 86% de DBO, sendo a mais eficiente dos resíduos estudados. Portanto, ressalta-se que é promissor para a comunidade científica o estudo sobre os processos oxidativos avançados, a fim de tratar o efluente gerado por indústrias a partir uma forma segura e sustentável.

The meiotic recombination checkpoint reinforces the order of events during meiotic prophase I, ensuring the accurate distribution of chromosomes to the gametes. The AAA+ ATPase Pch2 remodels the Hop1 axial protein enabling adequate levels of Hop1-T318 phosphorylation to support the ensuing checkpoint response. While these events are localized at chromosome axes, the checkpoint activating function of Pch2 relies on its cytoplasmic population. In contrast, forced nuclear accumulation of Pch2 leads to checkpoint inactivation. Here, we reveal the mechanism by which Pch2 travels from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm to maintain Pch2 cellular homeostasis. Leptomycin B treatment provokes the nuclear accumulation of Pch2, indicating that its nucleocytoplasmic transport is mediated by the Crm1 exportin recognizing proteins containing Nuclear Export Signals (NESs). Consistently, leptomycin B leads to checkpoint inactivation and impaired Hop1 axial localization. Pch2 nucleocytoplasmic traffic is independent of its association with Zip1 and Orc1. We also identify a functional NES in the non-catalytic N-terminal domain of Pch2 that is required for its nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and proper checkpoint activity. In sum, we unveil another layer of control of Pch2 function during meiosis involving nuclear export via the exportin pathway that is crucial to maintain the critical balance of Pch2 distribution among different cellular compartments.

Objective Patients with multiple long-term conditions visit various healthcare professionals and are exposed to medication information from various sources causing an increased risk of patients perceiving contradictory medication information. The aims of this study are to: (1) characterise conflicting medication information perceived by patients with long-term conditions, (2) better understand the related impact on patients’ medication self-management and healthcare system navigation and (3) explore ways in which such events could be prevented.Design This study was conducted through qualitative semistructured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Setting Community pharmacies and medical centres in Geneva, Switzerland.Participants This study included outpatients from April 2019 to February 2020. Patients were included after participating in a quantitative survey of perceived conflicting information about medications for long-term diseases.Methods Semistructured audiotaped interviews of 20 to 60 min following a pre-established interview guide to explore participants’ perceptions of conflicting information. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted with inductive and deductive coding using MAXQDA (2018, Release 18.2.3).Results Twenty-two patients were interviewed, until data saturation, mentioning indication or need for a medication as the main topic of conflicting information between two healthcare professionals. Perceived conflicting information often resulted from insufficient information provided and poor communication leading to confusion, doubts and medication non-adherence. Patients expected more information and more interprofessional communication on their medications. As a result of conflicting information, most participants learnt or were learning to take an active role and become partners of the healthcare providers.Conclusion The need to strengthen and improve communication and interprofessional collaborative practice among healthcare professionals and with the patient is emerging to increase the quality and consistency of information about medications, and consequently, to ensure better use and experience of medications.

Summary: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of chronic autoimmune diseases mainly affecting proximal muscles. Absence of meaningful prognostic factors in IIM has hindered new therapies development. Glycans are essential molecules that regulate immunological tolerance and consequently the onset of autoreactive immune response.We showed that muscle biopsies from patients with IIM revealed a deficiency in the glycosylation pathway resulting in loss of branched N-glycans. At diagnosis, this glycosignature predicted disease relapse and treatment refractoriness. Peripheral CD4+ T cells from active-disease patients shown a deficiency in branched N-glycans, linked to increased IL-6 production. Glycan supplementation, restoring homeostatic glycosylation profile, led to a decrease in IL-6 levels.This study highlights the biological and clinical importance of glycosylation in IIM immunopathogenesis, providing a potential mechanism for IL-6 production. This pinpoints muscle glycome as promising biomarker for personalized follow-up and a potential target for new therapies in a patients’ subgroup with an ominous evolution.

Objetivo. Analisar em que medida a qualidade da vinculação amorosa, a presença de sintomatologia psicopatológica e os conflitos interparentais predizem os conflitos no namoro em jovens adultos. Método. A amostra foi constituída por 505 indivíduos, 366 (72.5%) do sexo feminino, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 25 anos (M = 20.59; DP = 1.78). Resultados. Os resultados apontam que conflitos interparentais, a sintomatologia psicopatológica e a ambivalência na vinculação amorosa predizem negativamente estratégias de resolução não abusivas no namoro. As estratégias de resolução abusivas e os comportamentos violentos no namoro são preditos positivamente pela sintomatologia psicopatológica, conflitos interparentais e a ambivalência na vinculação amorosa. O sexo feminino associou-se às resoluções não abusivas, enquanto o sexo masculino se associou à resolução de conflitos abusivos e comportamentos violentos.

Introdução: O Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) é a principal causa de incapacidade a longo prazo da população mundial. As alterações estruturais e funcionais consequentes da condição contribuem para a redução da mobilidade funcional (MF), tornando-se fundamental a sua avaliação com instrumentos de medida (IM) adequados e fundamentados, permitindo uma prática clínica mais objetiva e rigorosa. Objetivos: Investigar qual(is) o(s) instrumento(s) de medida mais completo(s), do ponto de vista das categorias da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade (CIF) abrangidas que, segundo a literatura, avalia(m) a MF no indivíduo adulto com sequelas de AVC, e rever na literatura as propriedades psicométricas desse(s) instrumento(s). Material e Métodos: Realizou-se duas pesquisas bibliográficas nas bases de dados PubMed, EBSCO, CENTRAL, PEDro, Web of Science, Science Direct e Wiley Online Library. O estudo foi dividido em duas partes principais, nomeadamente a elaboração de uma Scoping Review dos IM que avaliam a MF e uma Revisão Sistemática das propriedades psicométricas do IM com mais correspondências com a CIF. Resultados: Na Scoping Review foram incluídos 120 estudos, o Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) foi o IM que apresentou mais correspondências com as categorias CIF incluídas na definição de MF. Na Revisão Sistemática, dos 11 estudos encontrados, verificou-se bons resultados na validade, fidedignidade e sensibilidade do RMI. Conclusões: O RMI mostra ser o IM mais completo na correspondência com as categorias CIF incluídas na definição de MF. Recomenda-se a utilização do RMI como IM da MF em utentes com AVC, pelas boas propriedades psicométricas que apresentam.

Abstract Background Constrictive pericarditis remains a problematic diagnosis and a thorough investigation is critical. Among possible aetiologies, immunoglobulin-G4 (IgG4)-related pericardial disease is an unusual cause of pericardial constriction. We report a challenging diagnostic case of pericardial constriction due to IgG4-related disease. Case presentation A 68-year old male with a history of inferior myocardial infarction with right ventricle (RV) involvement was thrice-hospitalized due to marked ascites and peripheral oedema. Systemic congestion was initially attributed to RV dysfunction due to previous infarction. Yet, at the final admission, a re-assessment echocardiogram followed by cardiac computed tomography, magnetic resonance and right heart catheterization raised a possible diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis with a finding of abnormal pulmonary venous return. Patient therefore underwent pericardiectomy and surgical correction of pulmonary venous return. Pericardium histology revealed an IgG4-related pericardial constriction. Patient was later discharged on corticosteroids with marked symptomatic improvement. Conclusion IgG4-related disease remains a rare cause of pericardium constriction while also presenting a challenging diagnosis in everyday clinical practice. This case exemplifies the difficulties faced by clinicians when reviewing a possible case of constrictive pericarditis, while highlighting the importance of a multimodality assessment.

Abstract Hypertensive individuals taking anti‐hypertensive drugs from renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors may exhibit a more severe evolution of the disease when contracting the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus (COVID‐19 disease) due to potential increases in ACE2 expression. The study investigated ACE1 and ACE2 axes and hydroxychloroquine in the lungs and adipose tissue of male and female normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). SHRs were treated with losartan (10 mg/kg/day) or captopril (10 mg/kg/day) for 14 days or 7 days with hydroxychloroquine (200 mg/kg/day) in drinking water. WKY rats were also treated for 7 days with hydroxychloroquine. Blood pressure (BP), protein, and mRNA expression of ACE1 and ACE2 were analyzed in serum, adipose, and lung tissues. Losartan and captopril reduced BP in both sexes in SHR, whereas hydroxychloroquine increased BP in WKY rats. Losartan reduced ACE2 in serum and lungs in both sexes and in adipose tissue of male SHRs. Captopril decreased ACE2 protein in the lung of females and in adipose tissue in both sexes of SHRs. Hydroxychloroquine decreased ACE1 and ACE2 proteins in the lungs in both sexes and adipose tissue in male SHRs. In female WKY rats, ACE2 protein was lower only in the lungs and adipose tissue. Losartan effectively inhibited ACE2 in male and captopril in female SHRs. Hydroxychloroquine inhibited ACE2 in male SHRs and female WKY rats. These results further our understanding of the ACE2 mechanism in patients under renin‐angiotensin anti‐hypertensive therapy and in many trials using hydroxychloroquine for COVID‐19 treatment and potential sex differences in response to drug treatment.

Objective The number of patients with chronic diseases and subsequent visits to various healthcare professionals has been rising over the past decades, exposing patients to potential risks of receiving conflicting medication information. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of conflicting information on medications perceived by chronic patients in Switzerland and to understand its impact on patients’ medication self-management and navigation in the healthcare system.Participants This cross-sectional study included adult patients taking at least one prescribed medication for at least 6 months, who had visited at least two physicians in the past 3 months.Main outcome measures Data on patients’ perceptions of conflicting information were collected in person through a 17-item questionnaire available on paper and electronically with four domains: (1) whether the patient had perceived any conflicting information, (2) categories of conflicting information, (3) impact and (4) sources involved in the conflicting information.Results Of the 405 included patients, 47% perceived conflicting information related to one or more medication topics including indication, schedule, dosage, risk, severity or duration of side effects. Patients who perceived conflicting information were prescribed more drugs than those perceiving no conflicting information (p

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), challenged public health systems worldwide. Individuals in low-income countries/regions are still at individual and community risk concerning inequality, sanitation, and economic conditions. Besides, during the pandemic, the transmission in municipalities and communities in the countryside and less developed regions kept viral spread and required structured and strengthened clinical and laboratory surveillance. Here, we present an observational, analytic, cross-sectional study conducted using secondary data from the Laboratório de Farmacogenômica e Epidemiologia Molecular (LAFEM)-Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), to evaluate individual and community factors associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection in outpatients from different cities from Southern Region of Bahia State, in Brazil. The data were collected between June 2021 and May 2022. The SARS-CoV-2 positivity by RT-qPCR was correlated with low socio-economic indicators, including the Human development index (HDIc) and Average worker salary (AWSc). Besides, in general, females were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 (OR = 0.752; CI 95% 0.663–0.853; p < 0.0001), while brown individuals had more positivity for infection (p < 0.0001). In addition, those who had clinical symptoms were more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 (OR = 6.000; CI 95% 4.932–7.299; p < 0.0001). Although dry cough, headache, and fever were the most frequent, loss of taste (OR = 5.574; CI 95% 4.334–7.186) and loss of smell (OR = 6.327; CI 95% 4.899–8.144) presented higher odds ratio to be positive to SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. Nonetheless, the distribution of these characteristics was not homogenous among the different cities, especially for age and gender. The dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 positivity differed between cities and the total population and reinforces the hypothesis that control strategies for prevention needed to be developed based on both individual and community risk levels to mitigate harm to individuals and the health system.

Abstract The Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (PEC) is one of Brazil's largest southwest Atlantic estuarine systems, possessing a rich microalgae diversity that remains to be fully explored. Therefore, due to the increasing interest in the microalgae biotechnological potential, this study isolated and identified diatoms found in the PEC. The diatoms were purified and analyzed with light and scanning electron microscopy for morphological identification, while DNA sequences were used for molecular identification. Although a diatoms rich diversity was obtained, only a few were viable after the cultivation period. The two best-selected strains were identified as belonging to two genera, Nitzschia and Navicula. The rbcL region was found to be the most informative for species identification. Morphological and molecular analyses allowed for the identification of species Nitzschia inconspicua and Navicula pseudoantonii, which was understood as the first report of N. pseudoantonii in the American continent.

O carcinoma renal (CR) é uma neoplasia maligna originária do epitélio tubular renal. Este tipo de neoplasia é rara e acomete geralmente cães machos de meia idade. Os sinais clínicos são inespecíficos, podendo se assemelhar a outras doenças e isso acaba dificultando o diagnóstico que é realizado através dos exames de imagem (ultrassonografia e raio-X), da laparotomia exploratória e histopatológico para confirmação. Para o tratamento sugere-se a nefrectomia em casos de carcinoma renal unilateral e quimioterapia, porém não demonstram um aumento na sobrevida dos pacientes. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar o caso de um cão de 8 anos, que foi atendido devido a sinais de cardiopatia e ao retorno apresentou sinais como êmese, anorexia e dor abdominal. Realizou-se exame de ultrassom, onde identificou-se uma estrutura de 7cm do lado esquerdo, realizou-se também exame de raio-X e posterior laparotomia exploratória, seguida de nefrectomia. O material coletado e enviado para histopatológico confirmou carcinoma renal bem diferenciado, padrão papilar. Após diagnóstico, o paciente foi encaminhado para um especialista em oncologia veterinária, que de acordo com os resultados dos exames realizados novamente, optou-se por não entrar com o tratamento quimioterápico.

Tratamentos atuais como a rádio e a quimioterapia podem causar prejuízos às células saudáveis e, consequentemente, acarretar efeitos prejudiciais ao organismo. Neste sentido, buscou-se revisar os efeitos de diversos produtos naturais contra células cancerígenas, visando amenizar a proliferação desordenada e avaliar o potencial farmacológico para a capacidade de produção de fármacos derivados desses produtos. Embora se saiba que existem vários tratamentos para o câncer, o uso de produtos naturais possibilita o retardo do desenvolvimento carcinogênico. Além disso, seu uso combinado a medicamentos já desenvolvidos também aponta para uma alternativa promissora e complementar no tratamento de diferentes tipos de câncer. Este estudo tem como objetivo apresentar algumas das últimas pesquisas publicadas entre os anos de 2016 e 2019 que avaliam efeitos de diferentes compostos naturais no tratamento do câncer. Os resultados mostraram que os produtos naturais possuem um grande potencial farmacológico para serem utilizados na produção de fármacos anticancerígenos, auxiliando diretamente na redução das atividades tumorais, com efeito proapoptótico, aumento de caspase-8, caspase-3 e Fas, aumento da expressão das proteínas Bax ou p21 e inibição da expressão de NF-kB e topoisomerase II, por exemplo.

This study estimated the nitrate and potassium concentration in the soil solution of drainage lysimeter using the mathematical models developed by Vogeler et al. (1996) and Muñoz-Carpena et al. (2005) and the computational model Hydrus-2D, while comparing the simulated and observed data using statistical parameters. The cultivar used for the study was ‘Prata Gorutuba’. The experimental plots were six lysimeters of drainage. Fertigation was performed weekly. The mathematical models developed by Vogeler et al. (1996) and Muñoz-Carpena et al. (2005) were used to determine the specific concentration of a given ion (Ci). The Hydrus software was used to simulate the dynamics of nutrients. The concentrations of nitrate and potassium in the soil solution were estimated by the model of Vogeler et al. (1996), adapted to the linear type CEw-Ci ratio and simulated by the Hydrus model, resulting in an acceptable characterization of the distribution of these nutrients.

Objective To analyse the cost-effectiveness of multicomponent interventions designed to improve outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary care in the Canary Islands, Spain, within the INDICA randomised clinical trial, from the public health system perspective.Design An economic evaluation was conducted for the within-trial period (2 years) comparing the four arms of the INDICA study.Setting Primary care in the Canary Islands, Spain.Participants 2334 patients with T2DM without complications were included.Interventions Interventions for patients (PTI), for primary care professionals (PFI), for both (combined intervention arm for patients and professionals, CBI) and usual care (UC) as a control group.Outcomes The main outcome was the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Only the intervention and the healthcare costs were included.Analysis Multilevel models were used to estimate results, and to measure the size and significance of incremental changes. Missed values were treated by means of multiple imputations procedure.Results There were no differences between arms in terms of costs (p=0.093), while some differences were observed in terms of QALYs after 2 years of follow-up (p=0.028). PFI and CBI arms were dominated by the other two arms, PTI and UC. The differences between the PTI and the UC arms were very small in terms of QALYs, but significant in terms of healthcare costs (p=0.045). The total cost of the PTI arm (€2571, 95% CI €2317 to €2826) was lower than the cost in the UC arm (€2750, 95% CI €2506 to €2995), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Base case estimates of the incremental cost per QALY indicate that the PTI strategy was the cost-effective option.Conclusions The INDICA intervention designed for patients with T2DM and families is likely to be cost-effective from the public healthcare perspective. A cost-effectiveness model should explore this in the long term.Trial registration number NCT01657227.

A performance musical exige um alto nível técnico e artístico que, sem a preparação adequada, pode gerar sintomas de adoecimento. Os sintomas físicos, em geral, são mais discutidos do que os emocionais. Esta pesquisa, de metodologia mista, objetivou investigar as possíveis relações entre autoestima e improvisação musical de um grupo de músicos, antes e após o processo musicoterapêutico. Os critérios de inclusão foram: ter mais de 18 anos de idade; ser aluno da Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG); cursar Graduação em Música e praticar improvisação em música popular. Os instrumentos utilizados para coleta e análise dos dados foram: a Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (EAR) e a Improvisation Assessment Profiles (IAPs), ambas aplicadas antes e após o processo musicoterapêutico. O grupo teve três músicos, que participaram de seis sessões de musicoterapia. A análise deu-se por meio da comparação dos dados iniciais e finais das duas escalas em relação aos relatos dos participantes no final do processo musicoterapêutico. Os resultados evidenciaram que o nível de autoestima pode impactar no perfil de improvisação musical do músico, mas são necessários estudos que aprofundem as investigações acerca da relação entre estes dois elementos analisados. Concluiu-se que a musicoterapia trouxe benefícios aos músicos participantes, impactando na autoestima e no fazer musical dos mesmos.

Resumen El artículo explora nuevos métodos de participación que aprovechan las posibilidades de las herramientas web para implicar a la ciudadanía en los procesos de planificación urbana utilizando la metodología del estudio de caso a través de la revisión del Master Plan de Helsinki (Helsinki City Plan 2050). Las distintas herramientas utilizadas en cada fase, especialmente las basadas en Sistemas de Información Geográfica (PPGIS), han sido revisadas para evaluar su contribución al resultado del proceso e identificar las ventajas e inconvenientes que han planteado. Destaca el uso del cuestionario on-line con base cartográfica, una aplicación fácil de usar que presenta muchas posibilidades de análisis y visualización de datos y resultados, pero, sin embargo, los profesionales encuentran dificultades para incorporar los resultados en el documento final. Aspectos como la elección de la herramienta participativa, la preparación del cuestionario, la colaboración de los distintos agentes implicados y la devolución de resultados a la ciudadanía resultan claves para lograr el éxito del proceso. Abstract The research explores new participation methods that use the potential of web tools to engage citizens in urban planning processes using the case study methodology through the Helsinki’s Master Plan Review (Helsinki City Plan 2050). Different participation tools used at every stage, particularly Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS), have been analyzed in order to assess its contribution towards the outcome of the process and identify the advantages and disadvantages raised. The main tool is an on-line map-based survey, an easy-to-use application that offers many possibilities of data analysis and visualization but, however, planners find it difficult to incorporate the results into the final document. The choice of the participatory tool, the preparation of the survey, the collaboration of all stakeholders and reporting sessions to citizens are key issues to achieving the success of the process.

Este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a percepção ambiental e dos resíduos de alunos do ensino Técnico Agroindústria e Técnico Agropecuária 1° e 3° ano, do Instituto Federal Campus Confresa que fica no Município de Confresa, localizada na região Centro Oeste de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Foi aplicado um questionário individual a 182 indivíduos, no mês de outubro de 2018, que responderam sobre questões que abordavam indivíduo/ambiente; contaminação ambiental pelos resíduos; percepção dos alunos com resíduos, coleta seletiva, preservação ambiental, educação ambiental; hábitos pessoas com meio ambiente. Os resultados obtidos revelam que os alunos compreendem suas responsabilidades com a contaminação e preservação ambiental, no entanto muitas ações não dependem somente deles, mas também das instituições públicas e privadas que muitas vezes suas ações não se transformam em práticas, e todos são responsáveis por cuidar não só do ambiente onde se vive, assim como em qualquer lugar que estiver.

Este trabalho é uma revisão de escopo realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, BIREME, SciELO e Web of Science, que incluiu publicações de dezembro de 2019 a maio de 2020, com o objetivo de identificar e sistematizar a literatura sobre a situação das pessoas com deficiência nos primeiros meses da pandemia da COVID-19. A revisão foi orientada para a busca de artigos originais, publicados em revistas indexadas e revisados por pares, além de literatura cinzenta especializada. Foram revisados 386 textos e incluídos no estudo 33 artigos e documentos. O resultado da revisão apontou três categorias temáticas que refletem as principais discussões apresentadas na literatura sobre o tema: vulnerabilidades das pessoas com deficiência diante da pandemia; direitos das pessoas com deficiência nesse contexto; e medidas de proteção e acesso à informação sobre COVID-19 voltadas para pessoas com deficiência. No contexto de emergência em saúde pública, comunidades historicamente marginalizadas, como as pessoas com deficiência, correm o risco de se sentirem mais vulneráveis, bem como sofrerem privações e discriminação nos planos de triagem de atendimento, além de preconceitos e estigmas que influenciam nas tomadas de decisão na assistência em saúde e intensificam desigualdades preexistentes, tornando esse grupo mais suscetível ao adoecimento e à desproteção social. Embora as pessoas com deficiência tenham sido reconhecidas como grupo de risco para COVID-19, houve um atraso, por parte dos governos, na construção de planos de enfrentamento à doença para essa população. São escassos estudos para a compreensão dos efeitos da pandemia da COVID-19 nas pessoas com deficiência, especialmente no sentido da efetivação de medidas de prevenção, controle e proteção que garantam a equidade no cuidado.

During meiosis, defects in critical events trigger checkpoint activation and restrict cell cycle progression. The budding yeast Pch2 AAA+ ATPase orchestrates the checkpoint response launched by synapsis deficiency; deletion of PCH2 or mutation of the ATPase catalytic sites suppress the meiotic block of the zip1Δ mutant lacking the central region of the synaptonemal complex. Pch2 action enables adequate levels of phosphorylation of the Hop1 axial component at threonine 318, which in turn promotes activation of the Mek1 effector kinase and the ensuing checkpoint response. In zip1Δ chromosomes, Pch2 is exclusively associated to the rDNA region, but this nucleolar fraction is not required for checkpoint activation, implying that another yet uncharacterized Pch2 population must be responsible for this function. Here, we have artificially redirected Pch2 to different subcellular compartments by adding ectopic Nuclear Export (NES) or Nuclear Localization (NLS) sequences, or by trapping Pch2 in an immobile extranuclear domain, and we have evaluated the effect on Hop1 chromosomal distribution and checkpoint activity. We have also deciphered the spatial and functional impact of Pch2 regulators including Orc1, Dot1 and Nup2. We conclude that the cytoplasmic pool of Pch2 is sufficient to support the meiotic recombination checkpoint involving the subsequent Hop1-Mek1 activation on chromosomes, whereas the nuclear accumulation of Pch2 has pathological consequences. We propose that cytoplasmic Pch2 provokes a conformational change in Hop1 that poises it for its chromosomal incorporation and phosphorylation. Our discoveries shed light into the intricate regulatory network controlling the accurate balance of Pch2 distribution among different cellular compartments, which is essential for proper meiotic outcomes.

Abstract This study aims to evaluate tissue healing efficacy in burn patients treated with 1% silver sulfadiazine versus other treatments. This is a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) and PICO strategy, registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number CRD42017081057. The review found 71 studies in MEDLINE/Pubmed, 1 in Clinical Trials, 19 in the Cochrane Library, and 4 in LILACS in five manual searches. Of these, 81 studies were pre-selected. After independent analysis by two reviewers, only 11 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. All studies (n = 11) using alternative treatments to silver sulfadiazine were shown to be superior in the mean time for complete wound healing, with statistically significant differences between experimental and control groups (p

The study of biological systems is complex and of great importance. There exist numerous approaches to signal transduction processes, including symbolic modeling of cellular adaptation. The use of formal methods for computational biological systems eases the analysis of cellular models and the establishment of the causes and consequences of certain cellular situations associated with diseases. In this paper, we define an application of logic modeling with rewriting logic and soft set theory. Our approach to decision-making with soft sets offers a novel strategy that complements the standard strategies. We implement a metalevel strategy to control and guide the rewriting process of the Maude rewriting engine. In particular, we adopt the mathematical methods to capture imprecision, vagueness, and uncertainty in the available data. Using this new strategy, we propose an extension in the biological symbolic models of pathway logic. Our ultimate aim is to automatically determine the rules that are most appropriate and adjusted to reality in dynamic systems using decision-making with incomplete soft sets.

The H2A.Z histone variant is deposited into the chromatin by the SWR1 complex, affecting multiple aspects of meiosis. We describe here a SWR1-independent localization of H2A.Z at meiotic telomeres and the centrosome. We demonstrate that H2A.Z colocalizes and interacts with Mps3, the SUN component of the linker of nucleoskeleton, and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex that spans the nuclear envelope and links meiotic telomeres to the cytoskeleton, promoting meiotic chromosome movement. H2A.Z also interacts with the meiosis-specific Ndj1 protein that anchors telomeres to the nuclear periphery via Mps3. Telomeric localization of H2A.Z depends on Ndj1 and the N-terminal domain of Mps3. Although telomeric attachment to the nuclear envelope is maintained in the absence of H2A.Z, the distribution of Mps3 is altered. The velocity of chromosome movement during the meiotic prophase is reduced in the htz1Δ mutant lacking H2A.Z, but it is unaffected in swr1Δ cells. We reveal that H2A.Z is an additional LINC-associated factor that contributes to promote telomere-driven chromosome motion critical for error-free gametogenesis.

O seguinte artigo analisa a necessidade de reunião dos conceitos de cidade e lugar, a saber de Argan e Santos respectivamente, partindo das mudanças na concepção da arte contemporânea, quando proposto que é na relação entre o sujeito e a obra que brota o objeto artístico. Para tanto utiliza três objetos de arte, e suas relações com o espaço vivido, lançando mão de metodologias típicas da antropologia, e construindo reflexões dialéticas que surgem a partir da exploração conceitual. Conclui, afirmando que a cidade enquanto obra de arte se mantém em estado de latência, até que a relação entre o sujeito e o espaço à determina de fato como objeto desta natureza portanto, é a medida em que a cidade se torna um lugar que esta passa a ser percebida como arte, tendo assim a técnica e forma, elementos necessários, mas não suficientes.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1), also known as heat shock protein 75 (HSP75), is a member of the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) chaperone family that resides mainly in the mitochondria. As a mitochondrial molecular chaperone, TRAP1 supports protein folding and contributes to the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity even under cellular stress. TRAP1 is a cellular regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox homeostasis, oxidative stress-induced cell death, apoptosis, and unfolded protein response (UPR) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). TRAP1 has attracted increasing interest as a therapeutical target, with a special focus on the design of TRAP1 specific inhibitors. Although TRAP1 was extensively studied in the oncology field, its role in central nervous system cells, under physiological and pathological conditions, remains largely unknown. In this review, we will start by summarizing the biology of TRAP1, including its structure and related pathways. Thereafter, we will continue by debating the role of TRAP1 in the maintenance of redox homeostasis and protection against oxidative stress and apoptosis. The role of TRAP1 in neurodegenerative disorders will also be discussed. Finally, we will review the potential of TRAP1 inhibitors as neuroprotective drugs.

During meiosis, the budding yeast polo-like kinase Cdc5 is a crucial driver of the prophase I to meiosis I (G2/M) transition. The meiotic recombination checkpoint restrains cell cycle progression in response to defective recombination to ensure proper distribution of intact chromosomes to the gametes. This checkpoint detects unrepaired DSBs and initiates a signaling cascade that ultimately inhibits Ndt80, a transcription factor required for CDC5 gene expression. Previous work revealed that overexpression of CDC5 partially alleviates the checkpoint-imposed meiotic delay in the synaptonemal complex-defective zip1Δ mutant. Here, we show that overproduction of a Cdc5 version (Cdc5-ΔN70), lacking the N-terminal region required for targeted degradation of the protein by the APC/C complex, fails to relieve the zip1Δ-induced meiotic delay, despite being more stable and reaching increased protein levels. However, precise mutation of the consensus motifs for APC/C recognition (D-boxes and KEN) has no effect on Cdc5 stability or function during meiosis. Compared to the zip1Δ single mutant, the zip1Δ cdc5-ΔN70 double mutant exhibits an exacerbated meiotic block and reduced levels of Ndt80 consistent with persistent checkpoint activity. Finally, using a CDC5-inducible system, we demonstrate that the N-terminal region of Cdc5 is essential for its checkpoint erasing function. Thus, our results unveil an additional layer of regulation of polo-like kinase function in meiotic cell cycle control.

ObjectiveLung cancer is the most common type of cancer around the world, and it represents the main cause of death in the USA. Surgical treatment is the optimal therapeutic strategy for resectable non-small cell lung cancer. The principal factor for long-term survival after complete resection is the anatomic extension of the neoplasm. However, other factors also have adverse effects on operative mortality, and influence long-term outcome. In this paper we propose an algorithmic solution for the estimation of 5-years survival rate in lung cancer patients undertaking pulmonary resection.Materials and methodsWe address the issue of survival analysis through decision-making techniques based on fuzzy and soft set theories. We develop an expert system based on clinical and functional data of lung cancer resections in patients with cancer that can be used to predict the survival of patients.ResultsThe evaluation of surgical risk in patients undertaking pulmonary resection is a primary target for thoracic surgeons. Lung cancer survival is influenced by many factors. The computational performance of our algorithm is critically analyzed by an experimental study. The correct survival classification is achieved with an accuracy of 79.0%. Our novel soft-set based criterion is an effective and precise diagnosis application for the determination of the survival rate.

The chemical modification of porphyran hydrocolloid is attempted, with the objective of enhancing its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Sulfated galactan porphyran is obtained from commercial samples of the red algae Porphyra dioica using Soxhlet extraction with water at 100 °C and precipitation with isopropyl alcohol. The extracted porphyran is then treated with modified L-tyrosines in aqueous medium in the presence of NaOH, at ca. 70 °C. The modified tyrosines L1 and L2 are prepared through a Mannich reaction with either thymol or 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, respectively. While the reaction with 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol yields the expected tyrosine derivative, a mixture of products is obtained with thymol. The resulting polysaccharides are structurally characterized and the respective antioxidant and antimicrobial activities are determined. Porphyran treated with the N-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-benzyl)-L-tyrosine derivative, POR-L2, presents a noticeable superior radical scavenging and antioxidant activity compared to native porphyran, POR. Furthermore, it exhibited some antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. The surface morphology of films prepared by casting with native and modified porphyrans is studied by SEM/EDS. Both POR and POR-L2 present potential applicability in the production of films and washable coatings for food packaging with improved protecting characteristics.