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Aims: We aimed to determine whether resistance training (RT) regulates renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components and inflammatory mediators in diabetic rats., Main Methods: Male Wistar rats (3 months old) were randomly assigned into four groups: non-trained (NT), trained (T), non-trained + diabetes (NTD) and trained +diabetes (TD). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, USA), before RT protocol. Trained rats performed RT protocol on a 110-cm ladder (8 ladder climbs, once/day, 5 days/week, 8 weeks), carrying a load corresponding to 50-80% of maximum carrying capacity. Blood glucose, albuminuria and urinary volume were measured. Renal levels of angiotensin peptides (angiotensin I, II and 1-7), inflammatory markers, and also the activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 were determined., Key Findings: Blood glucose and urinary volume were elevated in diabetic animals, and RT decreased albuminuria, renal Ang I and Ang II levels in diabetic rats. RT shifted the balance of renal RAS toward ACE2/Ang 1-7 axis in TD group, and mitigated the high levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC) in the context of diabetes. Strong positive correlations were found between albuminuria and Ang II, IL-10 and IL-1β. On the other hand, intrarenal Ang 1-7 levels were negatively correlated with IL-10 and IL-1β levels., Significance: RT improved kidney function by modulating intrarenal RAS toward ACE2/Ang 1-7 axis and inflammatory cytokines. RT represents a reasonable strategy to improve the renal complications induced by diabetes, counteracting nephropathy-associated maladaptive responses., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Renin cells are crucial for survival - they control fluid-electrolyte and blood pressure homeostasis, vascular development, regeneration, and oxygen delivery to tissues. During embryonic development, renin cells are progenitors for multiple cell types that retain the memory of the renin phenotype. When there is a threat to survival, those descendants are transformed and reenact the renin phenotype to restore homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that the molecular memory of the renin phenotype resides in unique regions and states of these cells' chromatin. Using renin cells at various stages of stimulation, we identified regions in the genome where the chromatin is open for transcription, mapped histone modifications characteristic of active enhancers such as H3K27ac, and tracked deposition of transcriptional activators such as Med1, whose deletion results in ablation of renin expression and low blood pressure. Using the rank ordering of super-enhancers, epigenetic rewriting, and enhancer deletion analysis, we found that renin cells harbor a unique set of super-enhancers that determine their identity. The most prominent renin super-enhancer may act as a chromatin sensor of signals that convey the physiologic status of the organism, and is responsible for the transformation of renin cell descendants to the renin phenotype, a fundamental process to ensure homeostasis.

Population studies have shown an association between diabetic nephropathy (DN) and insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene (ACE in humans, Ace in mice). The aim was to evaluate the modulation of Ace copies number and diabetes mellitus (DM) on renal RAS and correlate it with indicators of kidney function. Increased number of copies of the Ace gene, associated with DM, induces renal dysfunction. The susceptibility to the development of DN in 3 copies of animals is associated with an imbalance in activity of RAS enzymes leading to increased synthesis of Ang II and Ang-(1-7). Increased concentration of renal Ang-(1-7) appears to potentiate the deleterious effects triggered by Ang II on kidney structure and function. Results also show increased bradykinin concentration in 3 copies diabetic group. Taken together, results indicate that the deleterious effects described in 3 copies diabetic group are, at least in part, due to a combination of factors not usually described in the literature. Thus, the data presented here show up innovative and contribute to understanding the complex mechanisms involved in the development of DN, in order to optimize the treatment of patients with this complication.

Paternal participation in adolescents' pregnancy is little discussed. Although the absence of the partner is pointed out as one of the problems due to it. This research had the aim to ascertain, under the perspective of mothers who gave birth at an early age, the participation of a father during gestation, birth, and raising of his child in the first months of life. In order to record data, two categories have been devised: experiencing pregnancy and valuing a partner/father's presence and participation.

Aiming at studying the mental health nurse's management activity as an instrument in the work process, a bibliographic study on nursing publications from 1988 to 1997 which concerned that topic was carried out. By reading and critically analyzing 8 articles and 19 selected theses and dissertations, the major characteristics of such practice were identified, namely: mental health nurses are responsible for the nursing team and care according to the logic determined by the institution; their actions are not planned, coordinated or evaluated; management activities take most of their time and direct nursing care is given by the auxiliary nursing team whilst in extra-hospital services, direct and group care are more frequent.

Adolescence is the age of crises, changes, adaptation to the new body and new attitudes towards life. If we add to this the meaning of pregnancy from personal, social and family points of view, we will understand how difficult it can be for the adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify where the pregnant teenagers look for support. Results showed that they had family support, mainly from parents, and less frequently from the baby's father. It also showed the pregnancy acceptance, its relation to school abandonment, the girls' idealized vision of pregnancy and future expectations, the concern about biological aspects and the lack of concern about real problems.