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Introdução: O aumento da prevalência global de distúrbios cognitivos, incluindo o comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) e a demência, exige intervenções eficazes. Esta revisão da literatura examina o impacto da atividade física e do exercício em indivíduos com CCL e demência. Objetivo e método: Foi realizada uma pesquisa abrangente da literatura e uma revisão narrativa para explorar a influência da atividade física na saúde cognitiva, enfatizando mecanismos como o aumento do fluxo sanguíneo cerebral e fatores neurotróficos. Resultados e discussão: Os estudos revisados sugerem que a atividade física regular pode afetar positivamente a função cognitiva e pode servir como um componente valioso em estratégias abrangentes para a prevenção e o gerenciamento de distúrbios cognitivos. As evidências destacam o papel potencial da atividade física na redução do risco de demência e na diminuição do declínio cognitivo. Conclusão: A integração da atividade física e do exercício nas rotinas diárias e nas estratégias de saúde é fundamental para enfrentar o desafio crescente dos distúrbios cognitivos, potencialmente melhorando a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos afetados e reduzindo a carga social associada a eles.

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the association of anxiety, headache, and insomnia on the QoL of patients with long COVID-19.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey between August 2020 and March 2023. A total of 200 participants were eligible, 53 were excluded and 147 patients with long COVID were included. QoL was evaluated across eight domains using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Standardized protocols including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (n = 103), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (n = 73), and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) (n = 67) were also used.ResultsParticipants with sleep disorders had significantly lower Vitality (p

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a variety of persistent sequelae, collectively known as long COVID-19. Deficits in postural balance have been reported in patients several months after COVID-19 infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the static balance and balance of individuals with long COVID-19 using inertial sensors in smartphones.MethodsA total of 73 participants were included in this study, of which 41 had long COVID-19 and 32 served as controls. All participants in the long COVID-19 group reported physical complaints for at least 7 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were evaluated using a built-in inertial sensor of a smartphone attached to the low back, which recorded inertial signals during a static balance and mobility task (timed up and go test). The parameters of static balance and mobility obtained from both groups were compared.ResultsThe groups were matched for age and BMI. Of the 41 participants in the long COVID-19 group, 22 reported balance impairment and 33 had impaired balance in the Sharpened Romberg test. Static balance assessment revealed that the long COVID-19 group had greater postural instability with both eyes open and closed than the control group. In the TUG test, the long COVID-19 group showed greater acceleration during the sit-to-stand transition compared to the control group.ConclusionThe smartphone was feasible to identify losses in the balance motor control and mobility of patients with long-lasting symptomatic COVID-19 even after several months or years. Attention to the balance impairment experienced by these patients could help prevent falls and improve their quality of life, and the use of the smartphone can expand this monitoring for a broader population.

Background and purposeSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can exacerbate previous headache disorders or change the type of pain experienced from headaches. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of Long COVID headaches.MethodThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical observational study that included 102 patients (with previous headache, n = 50; without previous headache, n = 52) with long COVID and headache complaints. The Migraine Disability Assessment Test and Visual Analog Pain Scale were used to collect participants' headache data according to a standardized protocol.ResultsThe patients in this study who reported experiencing headaches before COVID-19 had longer headache duration in the long COVID phase than that in the pre-long COVID phase (p = 0.031), exhibited partial improvement in headache symptoms with analgesics (p = 0.045), and had a duration of long COVID of

A persistent state of inflammation has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess short-term heart rate variability (HRV), peripheral body temperature, and serum cytokine levels in patients with long COVID. We evaluated 202 patients with long COVID symptoms categorized them according to the duration of their COVID symptoms (≤120 days, n = 81; >120 days, n = 121), in addition to 95 healthy individuals selected as controls. All HRV variables differed significantly between the control group and patients with long COVID in the ≤120 days group (p < 0.05), and participants in the long COVID ≤120 days group had higher temperatures than those in the long COVID >120 days group in all regions analysed (p < 0.05). Cytokine analysis showed higher levels of interleukin 17 (IL-17) and interleukin 2 (IL-2), and lower levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4) (p < 0.05). Our results suggest a reduction in parasympathetic activation during long COVID and an increase in body temperature due to possible endothelial damage caused by the maintenance of elevated levels of inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, high serum levels of IL-17 and IL-2 and low levels of IL-4 appear to constitute a long-term profile of COVID-19 cytokines, and these markers are potential targets for long COVID-treatment and prevention strategies.

Although several clinical manifestations of persistent long coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been documented, their effects on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system over the long term remain unclear. Thus, we examined the presence of alterations in cardiac autonomic functioning in individuals with long-term manifestations. The study was conducted from October 2020 to May 2021, and an autonomic assessment was performed to collect heart rate data for the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The study participants were divided into the long COVID clinical group, the intragroup, which included patients who were hospitalized, and those who were not hospitalized and were symptomatic for different periods (≤3, >3, ≤6, and >6 months), with and without dyspnoea. The control group, the intergroup, comprised of COVID-free individuals. Our results demonstrated that the long COVID clinical group showed reduced HRV compared with the COVID-19-uninfected control group. Patients aged 23–59 years developed COVID symptoms within 30 days after infection, whose diagnosis was confirmed by serologic or reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (swab) tests, were included in the study. A total of 155 patients with long COVID [95 women (61.29%), mean age 43.88 ± 10.88 years and 60 men (38.71%), mean age 43.93 ± 10.11 years] and 94 controls [61 women (64.89%), mean age 40.83 ± 6.31 and 33 men (35.11%), mean age 40.69 ± 6.35 years] were included. The intragroup and intergroup comparisons revealed a reduction in global HRV, increased sympathetic modulation influence, and a decrease in parasympathetic modulation in long COVID. The intragroup showed normal sympathovagal balance, while the intergroup showed reduced sympathovagal balance. Our findings indicate that long COVID leads to sympathetic excitation influence and parasympathetic reduction. The excitation can increase the heart rate and blood pressure and predispose to cardiovascular complications. Short-term HRV analysis showed good reproducibility to verify the cardiac autonomic involvement.

Yellow fever (YF) may cause lesions in different organs. There are no studies regarding the in situ immune response in the human lung and investigating immunopathological aspects in fatal cases can help to better understand the evolution of the infection. Lung tissue samples were collected from 10 fatal cases of human yellow fever and three flavivirus-negative controls who died of other causes and whose lung parenchymal architecture was preserved. In YFV-positive fatal cases, the main histopathological changes included the massive presence of diffuse alveolar inflammatory infiltrate, in addition to congestion and severe hemorrhage. The immunohistochemical analysis of tissues in the lung parenchyma showed significantly higher expression of E-selectin, P-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 in addition to cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, TNF- α, IFN-γ and TGF-β compared to the negative control. The increase in immunoglobulins ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 results in strengthening of tissue transmigration signaling. E-selectin and P-selectin actively participate in this process of cell migration and formation of the inflammatory infiltrate. IFN-γ and TNF-α participate in the process of cell injury and viral clearance. The cytokines IL-4 and TGF-β, acting in synergism, participate in the process of tissue regeneration and breakdown. The anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 also act in the reduction of inflammation and tissue repair. Our study indicates that the activation of the endothelium aggravates the inflammatory response by inducing the expression of adhesion molecules and cytokines that contribute to the rolling, recruitment, migration and eliciting of the inflammatory process in the lung parenchyma, contributing to the fatal outcome of the disease.

Macrophages in the kidney play a pathogenic role in inflammation and fibrosis. Our study aimed to understand the polarisation of the M1 and M2 phenotypic profiles of macrophages in injured kidney tissue retrieved from fatal cases of yellow fever virus (YFV). A total of 11 renal tissue biopsies obtained from patients who died of yellow fever (YF) were analysed. To detect antibodies that promote the classical and alternative pathways of macrophage activation, immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect CD163, CD68, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase 1, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, IFN-β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-13, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. There was a difference in the marker expression between fatal cases of YFV and control samples, with increased expression in the cortical region of the renal parenchyma. The immunoexpression of CD68 and CD163 receptors suggests the presence of activated macrophages migrating to infectious foci. The rise in IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13 indicated their potential role in the inactivation of the inflammatory macrophage response and phenotypic modulation of M2 macrophages. The altered expression of IFN-γ and IFN-β demonstrates the importance of the innate immune response in combating microorganisms. Our findings indicate that the polarisation of M1 and M2 macrophages plays a vital role in the renal immune response to YFV.

Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs) must have good electrical conductivity and a great hydrophobicity to prevent the pore flooding. These properties can be enhanced by adding a Micro Porous Layer (MPL) based on carbon composites. In this work several MPLs were prepared using carbon-based fillers, such as exfoliated graphite, carbon black and nanotubes, incorporated at very low loadings (

Water reclamation is becoming a growing need, in particular in developing countries where harvesting the required energy can be a challenging problem. In this context, exploiting solar energy in a specifically tailored membrane distillation (MD) process can be a viable solution. Traditional MD guarantees a complete retention of non-volatile compounds and does not require high feed water temperatures. In this work, a suitable amount of carbon black (CB) was incorporated into the whole matrix of a polymeric porous membrane in order to absorb light and directly heat the feed. The mixed matrix membranes were prepared forming a uniform CB dispersion in the PVDF dope solution and then using a non-solvent induced phase separation process, which is a well-established technique for membrane manufacturing. CB addition was found to be beneficial on both the membrane structure, as it increased the pore size and porosity, and on the photothermal properties of the matrix. In fact, temperatures as high as 60 °C were reached on the irradiated membrane surface. These improvements led to satisfactory distillate flux (up to 2.3 L/m2h) during the direct solar membrane distillation tests performed with artificial light sources and make this membrane type a promising candidate for practical applications in the field of water purification.

Membrane distillation is a growing technology that can address the growing problem of water shortage. The implementation of renewable energy and a reduction in the environmental impact of membrane production could improve the sustainability of this process. With this perspective, porous hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were prepared using triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a green solvent, using the non-solvent induced phase separation technique. Different amounts of carbon black were added to dope solutions to improve the photothermal properties of the membranes and to enable direct heating by solar energy. By optimizing the preparation conditions, membranes with porosity values as high as 87% were manufactured. Vacuum membrane distillation tests carried out using a concentrated NaCl solution at 50 °C showed distillate fluxes of up to 36 L/m2 h and a complete salt rejection. Some preliminary studies on the photothermal performance were also conducted and highlighted the possibility of using such membranes in a direct solar membrane distillation configuration.

Objetivo: reflexionar sobre el itinerario de investigación de Paulo Freire como referencial teórico-metodológico desarrollado en el interior de los Círculos de Cultura y sus contribuciones a la salud. Método: el texto fue construido con soporte de la praxis freireana, buscando reflexionar sobre su método de trabajo, que ocurre en tres fases dialécticas e interdisciplinares: investigación temática; codificación y descodificación; y desvelamiento crítico. El itinerario de investigación valora las fuentes culturales e históricas de los participantes, que pueden ser desveladas en los Círculos de Cultura. Resultados: este referencial está fundamentado en una pedagogía crítico-social, que tiene un compromiso ético de emancipación y liberación de la sociedad para promover calidad de vida. Para que esto ocurra hay dos elementos que son fundamentales en su filosofía: la concientización y el diálogo. Estos reflejan un verdadero ejercicio de transdisciplinariedad, especialmente en el área de la salud, que tiene sus prácticas orientadas al ser humano. Paulo Freire es un educador que se fundamenta en una visión político-humanista, cuyos principales conceptos son: diálogo, cultura, praxis, opresor/oprimido, emancipación y Círculo de Cultura. Conclusión: la praxis freireana refleja la realidad e interviene sobre ella, teorizándola no pedagógicamente, sino en su dimensión política. Se articula con la investigación cualitativa, buscando el desvelamiento de la realidad social.

Introdução: O Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) é uma das maiores causas de morte e incapacidade adquirida em todo o mundo. Além da alta mortalidade, o AVC é um importante causador de déficits neurológicos irreversíveis que necessitam de reabilitação, sendo que aproximadamente 70% dos pacientes não retomarão ao seu trabalho e 30% necessitarão de auxílio para caminhar. Entender o perfil epidemiológico e a contribuição de cada fator de risco é essencial para estabelecer políticas locais específicas para diminuir a incidência da doença e prevalência de complicações que ocorrem devido ao AVC, tanto para o bem-estar a curto e a longo prazo da população. A prevenção pode ser feita em até 90% dos casos de AVC, visto que estes podem ser atribuídos a fatores de risco modificáveis. Objetivo: Conscientizar e orientar a população da cidade de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais acerca dos fatores de risco modificáveis do AVC e, consequentemente, sobre sua prevenção. Relato de experiência: No mês de outubro de 2018 foram realizadas palestras educativas e orientações a respeito do AVC e seus fatores de risco. Além disso, os pacientes do serviço de Neurologia, seus acompanhantes e transeuntes locais tiveram dois dos fatores de risco modificáveis associados ao AVC avaliados: a pressão arterial sistêmica e a circunferência abdominal. Aqueles com alterações foram orientados e encaminhados a procurar um serviço específico. Conclusão: A educação da população sobre as formas de prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares, em especial o acidente vascular cerebral, que é uma doença conhecida por apresentar tantos fatores causais modificáveis, é essencial para evitar o aumento da incidência dessas patologias tão prevalentes no país.

Pesquisa qualitativa, exploratório-descritiva que objetiva desvelar a atuação dos profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde acerca dos Determinantes Sociais de Saúde das práticas de promoção da saúde. A coleta de dados foi realizada de julho a outubro de 2015, com entrevistas semiestruturadas. Participaram 25 profissionais que atuavam na rede de Atenção Primária em Saúde do Município de Florianópolis, SC. Os dados foram analisados a partir da análise temática de Minayo e discutidos à luz da Promoção da Saúde e dos Determinantes Sociais. Os resultados indicaram que, tanto a academia quanto os gestores estão investindo na formação para a promoção da saúde, porém, ainda muito focada nos estilos de vida e pouco articulada com os Determinantes Sociais de Saúde. Os profissionais relataram atuar muito pouco sobre os dados determinantes e alguns não sabem o conceito de Determinação Social da Saúde. Observa-se que há carência de métodos que auxiliem a avaliação e efetividade da atuação sobre a promoção da saúde, porém, os profissionais já conseguem visualizar mudanças positivas na saúde da população. Conclui-se que os trabalhadores da Atenção Primária à Saúde têm consciência da necessidade de realizar e manter as práticas de promoção em sua rotina diária, a partir da interdisciplinaridade e intersetorialidade, considerando os Determinantes Sociais de Saúde da população. Palavras-chave: Promoção da Saúde; Determinantes Sociais da Saúde; Atenção Primária à Saúde; Estratégia Saúde da Família. Abstract Exploratory-descriptive qualitative research, which aims to reveal the performance of Primary Health Care professionals about the Social Determinants of Health promotion practices. Data collection was carried out from July to October 2015, with semi-structured interviews. Participated 25 professionals who acted on the network of Primary Health Care in the city of Florianópolis, SC. Data were analyzed from the thematic analysis of Minayo and discussed in the light of the health promotion and social determinants. The results indicated that both the Academy and managers, are investing in training for the health promotion, however, still very focused on lifestyles and little coordinated with the Social Determinants of Health. The professionals have reported too little acting on determinants data and some do not know the Social Determination of Health concept. It is observed that there is a lack of methods to aid the evaluation and effectiveness of action on health promotion, however, professionals can show positive changes in the population’s health. It is concluded that the Primary Health Care workers are aware of the need to achieve and maintain promotional practices in your daily routine, from the interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach, considering the Social Determinants of Health of the population. Keywords: Health Promotion; Social Determinants of Health; Primary Health Care; Family Health Strategy

The disposal of wastewater resulting from olive oil production (olive mill wastewater, OMW) is a major issue for olive oil producers. This wastewater is among the most polluting due to the very high concentration of organic substances and the presence of hardly degradable phenolic compounds. The systems proposed for OMW treatment are essentially based either on conventional chemical-physical, biological and thermal processes, or on membrane processes. With respect to conventional methods, membrane processes allow to separate different species without the use of chemicals or heat. This work deals with the use of the integrated pressure-driven membrane processes for the treatment of OMW. They consist of a first stage (microfiltration, MF) in which a porous multichannel ceramic membrane retains suspended materials and produces a clarified permeate for a second stage (reverse osmosis, RO), in order to separate (and concentrate) dissolved substances from water. Laboratory scale experiments with different small flat sheet RO membranes were first carried out in order to select the most appropriate one for the successive bench scale tests with a spiral wound module having a large membrane surface. The aim of this test was to concentrate the dissolved substances and to produce water with low salinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and reduced phytotoxicity due to a low content of phenolic compounds. The trend of the permeate flux and membrane retention as a function of the volume concentration ratio was investigated. The influence of OMW origin and its aging on the membrane performance was also studied.

An experimental study of hydrogen sulfide adsorption on a fixed bed for biogas purification is proposed. The adsorbent investigated was powdered hematite, synthesized by a wet-chemical precipitation method and further activated with copper (II) oxide, used both as produced and after pelletization with polyvinyl alcohol as a binder. The pelletization procedure aims at optimizing the mechanical properties of the pellet without reducing the specific surface area. The active substrate has been characterized in its chemical composition and physical properties by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and N2 physisorption/desorption for the determination of surface area. Both powders and pellets have been tested as sorbents for biogas purification in a fixed bed of a steady-state adsorption column and the relevant breakthrough curves were determined for different operating conditions. The performance was critically analyzed and compared with that typical of other commercial sorbents based on zinc oxide or relying upon specific compounds supported on a chemically inert matrix (SulfaTreat®). The technique proposed may represent a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to commercial sorbents in conventional desulphurization processes.