Search

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is frequent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). HBV reactivation after kidney transplant (KT) is more common in patients with HBsAg+; however, it can also occur in previously infected individuals, particularly those with HBsAg negative and total antiHBc positive (HBsAg-/antiHBcT+). However, reactivation in this population has scarce and conflicting data. This study aimed to assess the reactivation risk in KT recipients with previous HBV infection (antiHBcT+). A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including patients with KT between January 1993 and December 2012 with HBsAg+ (G1) and with previous HBV infection (antiHBcT+) (G2). A total of 10,493 transplants were performed in this period. A total of 203 patients were included (122 HBsAg+ and 81 HBsAg-/anti-HBcT+). The reactivation of infection occurred in 24.6% (30/38) patients and 9.8% (8/30) in G1 and G2, respectively. Detectable HCV RNA, indicating HCV coinfection, was the only variable related to reactivation in patients with antiHBcT+, protecting its occurrence (p: 0.001). In conclusion, reactivation of HBV infection in KT recipients with the previous infection, occurring in approximately 10% of cases, should be considered. Complete HBV serology is recommended before KT, and patients with HBsAg-/anti-HBcT+ should be monitored after the procedure. Prophylaxis may be indicated when adequate follow-up is not feasible. HCV coinfection appears to be a protective factor for reactivation.

Background: Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most diagnosed subtype, with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) being one of the therapeutic drug types used in the clinic. However, endocrine resistance may develop after prolonged treatment, and different approaches, such as combining endocrine and targeted therapies, have been applied. Recently, we demonstrated that cannabidiol (CBD) induces anti-tumor actions in ER+ breast cancer cells by targeting aromatase and ERs. Considering this, we studied, in vitro, whether CBD when combined with AIs could improve their effectiveness. Methods: MCF-7aro cells were used and the effects on cell viability and on the modulation of specific targets were investigated. Results: CBD when combined with anastrozole (Ana) and letrozole (Let) caused no beneficial effect in comparison to the isolated AIs. In contrast, when combined with the AI exemestane (Exe), CBD potentiated its pro-cell death effects, abolished its estrogen-like effect, impaired ERα activation, and prevented its oncogenic role on the androgen receptor (AR). Moreover, this combination inhibited ERK1/2 activation, promoting apoptosis. The study of the hormonal microenvironment suggests that this combination should not be applied in early stages of ER+ breast tumors. Conclusions: Contrary to Ana and Let, this study highlights the potential benefits of combining CBD with Exe to improve breast cancer treatment and opens up the possibility of new therapeutic approaches comprising the use of cannabinoids.

Rapid tests (RT) have been widely used for screening of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in general population, but its performance in hemodialysis (HD) patients and mainly in kidney-transplant recipients (RTx) is less known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of RT for detection of anti-HCV in HD and RTx patients. Patients were prospectively included subdivided in four groups according to the positivity for anti-HCV detected by conventional serology: (1) HD patients anti-HCV +, (2) HD patients anti-HCV −, (3) RTx patients anti-HCV +, and (4) RTx patients anti-HCV −. All patients were retested for HCV using the commercial kit Alere HCV® Bioeasy Rapid Test (Bioeasy Diagnóstica LTDA—Minas Gerais, Brazil) in capillary whole blood samples. During the period of study were included 46 HD patients anti-HCV+, 62 HD patients anti-HCV −, 53 RTx patients anti-HCV + and 56 RTx patients anti-HCV −. In patients on HD, the RT showed sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of 100%. In RTx patients, S of 96%, SP of 100%, PPV of 100% and NPV of 97% were found (accuracy of 98%). In conclusion, in patients on HD there was 100% agreement between RT and the conventional immunoassay. In the RTx group, although the agreement was not 100%, the RT performed very well when compared to conventional serology. This study demonstrates that the RT can be an alternative to conventional serology in HCV screening of patients on HD and RTx.

O presente estudo trata das complicações que derivam de erros ligados ao produto ou/e à técnica de injeção da Toxina Botulínica Tipo A. Estas complicações vêm a sua probabilidade reduzida com o cumprimento correto dos protocolos, com a realização meticulosa de todos os procedimentos, com a experiência de técnicos especializados e com a honestidade médica, sendo estes aspectos cruciais para que todo o processo culmine num resultado positivo. Os objetivos vinculados ao estudo são: compreender os efeitos adversos associados à aplicação de Toxina Botulínica tipo A no terço superior face; identificar as tipologias da Toxina Botulínica, destacando o uso da toxina tipo A para fins estéticos; descrever o terço superior da face e analisar as intercorrências pelo uso da toxina botulínica tipo A na região do terço superior da face, bem como, elucidar os mitos relativos ao uso da TBA, explicitando que os procedimentos corretos, bem como, profissionais habilitados, garantem eficácia no procedimento. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura, por meio da pesquisa bibliográfica que reflete a investigação em material teórico sobre o assunto de interesse. A pesquisa bibliográfica descritiva foi orientada a partir de coleta em banco de dados como Scielo, Bireme, Google acadêmico, livros de dermatologia e em Revistas Cientificas online, compreendidos entre os anos de 2001 a 2016. Os resultados se dão no sentido de compreender que cabe ao profissional responsável pela aplicação seguir os parâmetros estabelecidos para cada marca e os procedimentos de armazenamento até a aplicação e orientação de cuidados pós procedimento aos pacientes, para minimizar tais problemáticas.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a hydroethanolic extract of Momordica charantia L. (“bitter melon”, Cucurbitaceae) leaves (MCHA) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. Balb/c mice were sensitized twice and challenged for 4 alternate days with OVA and then treated with MCHA (500 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. Methods: Control groups received treatment with normal saline or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) on the same day. We assessed in vivo bronchial hyperresponsiveness and ex-vivo inflammation and mucus production in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung homogenates, and lung tissue. Results: MCHA significantly improved airway hyperresponsiveness near baseline levels. MCHA administration significantly improved airway and lung inflammation, demonstrated by decreased total and inflammatory cells in BAL, lower levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in lung homogenate, and fewer inflammatory cells in lung tissue. Additionally, MCHA significantly diminished goblet cells in lung tissue. Conclusions: Administration of a hydroethanolic extract of M. charantia leaves was effective in treating OVA-induced asthma in an animal model.

Diversos tipos de abordagens cirúrgicas oncológicas são descritas como opções terapêuticas eficazes para o tratamento de diversos tipos de tumores primários, favorecendo a uma melhor chance de cura do paciente. A criocirurgia, compreendendo na utilização de nitrogênio líquido para para congelar e destruir o tecido tumoral, representa o tratamento padrão de tumores ósseos por obter uma menor taxa de recorrência local. Contudo, o impacto osteomuscular resulta em alterações funcionais pois a criocirurgia pode trazer comprometimentos vasculares e danos neurais à curto e longo prazo, podendo ocorrer uma grande incapacidade funcional, decorrente, por exemplo, de encurtamentos, rigidez articular, diminuição de força, fraturas, disfunções do sistema nervoso e possíveis quadros infecciosos. Nesta premissa, o objetivo deste estudo foi de avaliar a força muscular, a pisada, a funcionalidade e a qualidade de vida em um paciente submetido a cirurgia por criocongelamento para tumores ósseos malignos de fêmur distal e tíbia proximal.

Mental health problems are hard to talk about, especially when the questions asked do not allow the individual to answer freely. That is the case for most inquiries, where questions usually request very restricted answers like yes or no. This thesis proposes a chatbot that tries to avoid the problem of restricting users to small answers. The chatbot will focus on people feeling burned out due to stress related to their studies. The chatbot tries to replicate two forms with questions about burnout that are used as guidelines. Both these forms are developed based on questions done by psychologists. Because rule-based chatbots have a limited vocabulary, natural language understand- ing and neural-based techniques are tested and validated to see if the chatbot performs well using these techniques. The techniques tested are word2vec and spacy components. The evaluation results show that it is feasible to implement a chatbot that uses rules and also techniques for natural language processing. Additionally, the tests did indicate that both spacy and word2vec are great resources for NLU. Word2vec proves to perform slightly better at specific times related to identifying intents that are domain-specific. Finally, the results from the users experience show that this is a promising work that could help students dealing with burnout. Problemas de saúde mental são um tema difícil de abordar, especialmente quando as perguntas feitas não permitem ao indivíduo responder livremente. Este é o caso da maio- ria dos inquéritos, onde as perguntas geralmente exigem respostas muito restritas, como sim ou não. Esta tese propõe um chatbot que tenta evitar o problema de restringir os utilizadores a pequenas respostas. O chatbot concentrar-se-á em utilizadores que se sen- tem esgotados devido ao stress relacionado com os estudos. O chatbot tenta replicar dois formulários com perguntas sobre burnout, isto é, estes formulários são utilizados como diretrizes. Ambos os formulários são desenvolvidos com base em perguntas feitas por psicólogos. Como os chatbots baseados em regras têm um vocabulário limitado, a compreensão da linguagem natural e as técnicas baseadas em redes neuronais são testadas e validadas para ver se o chatbot tem um bom funcionamento utilizando essas técnicas. As técnicas baseadas em redes neuronais que são testadas são o word2vec e componentes spacy. Os resultados da avaliação mostram que é viável implementar um chatbot que uti- lize regras e também técnicas de processamento de linguagem natural. Além disso, os testes indicam que tanto os componentes spacy quanto o word2vec são ótimos recursos para processamento de linguagem natural. O Word2vec tem um desempenho um pouco melhor em momentos específicos relacionados à identificação de intenções do domínio de estudo. Por fim, os resultados da experiência dos utilizadores mostram que este é um trabalho promissor que pode ajudar os utilizadores a lidar com o burnout.

Primary Study Objective: the aim of this review was to filter current research written in English from 2010 to 2020 to elucidate the following question: what are the psychological and neurophysiological effects of inhaled aromatherapy on human health? Papers were selected based on PRISMA recommendations from Pubmed, Science Direct and Virtual Health Library databases. PICO technique and PROSPERO registration were also considered during the elaboration of this Systematic Review. Setting: schools, hospitals, clinics and dental offices. Participants: children, adults and elderly. Intervention: Essential oil inhalation. Primary Outcome Measures: Psychological approaches (eg. psychometric scales and cognitive tasks) and neurophysiological approaches (eg. heart rate variability/HRV and salivary cortisol). Results: From 1.458 papers, 14 were selected for final analysis and displayed in a table containing the following information: Score based on credibility criteria, authors, country, group, sex, age, objective, procedure and outcome. Conclusion: Aromatherapy mainly modulates the autonomic nervous system, with a predominance of parasympathetic activation and contributes to reduce cortisol and to increase melatonin levels. In addition, it can alleviate anxiety, depression and insomnia. Objetivo principal del estudio: el objetivo de esta revisión fue filtrar la investigación actual escrita en inglés de 2010 a 2020 para aclarar la siguiente pregunta: ¿cuáles son los efectos psicológicos y neurofisiológicos de la aromaterapia inhalada en la salud humana? Los artículos se seleccionaron en base a las recomendaciones PRISMA de las bases de datos Pubmed, Science Direct y Virtual Health Library. Esta Revisión Sistemática fue registrada con PROSPERO y basada en la pregunta PICO. Lugar: escuelas, hospitales, clínicas y consultorios dentales. Participantes: niños, adultos y ancianos. Intervención: Inhalación de aceites esenciales. Medidas de resultado primarias: enfoques psicológicos (p. ej., escalas psicométricas y tareas cognitivas) y enfoques neurofisiológicos (p. ej., variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca/VFC y cortisol salival). Resultados: De 1.458 trabajos, 14 fueron seleccionados para el análisis final y presentados en una tabla que contiene la siguiente información: Puntuación basada en criterios de credibilidad, autores, país, grupo, sexo, edad, objetivo, procedimiento y resultado. Conclusión: La aromaterapia modula principalmente el sistema nervioso autónomo, con predominio de la activación parasimpática y contribuye a reducir el cortisol y aumentar los niveles de melatonina. Además, puede aliviar la ansiedad, la depresión y el insomnio. Objetivo principal do estudo: o objetivo desta revisão foi filtrar pesquisas atuais escritas em inglês de 2010 a 2020 para elucidar a seguinte questão: quais são os efeitos psicológicos e neurofisiológicos da aromaterapia inalatória na saúde humana? Os artigos foram selecionados com base nas recomendações PRISMA das bases de dados Pubmed, Science Direct e Virtual Health Library. Esta Revisão Sistemática foi registrada na PROSPERO e baseada na pergunta PICO. Ambiente: escolas, hospitais, clínicas e consultórios odontológicos. Participantes: crianças, adultos e idosos. Intervenção: Inalação de óleo essencial. Medidas de desfecho primário: Abordagens psicológicas (como escalas psicométricas e tarefas cognitivas) e abordagens neurofisiológicas (como variabilidade da frequência cardíaca/VFC e cortisol salivar). Resultados: Dos 1.458 artigos, 14 foram selecionados para análise final e apresentados em uma tabela contendo as seguintes informações: Escore baseado em critérios de credibilidade, autores, país, grupo, sexo, idade, objetivo, procedimento e desfecho. Conclusão: A aromaterapia modula principalmente o sistema nervoso autônomo, com predomínio da ativação parassimpática e contribui para a redução do cortisol e aumento dos níveis de melatonina. Além disso, pode aliviar a ansiedade, depressão e insônia.

In this review, our analyses of the metabolic routes of limonoids and quassinoids—with respect to their occurrence in the families Rutaceae, Meliaceae, and Simaroubaceae—suggest a disjunction between the Simaroubaceae (characterized by quassinoids) and the Rutaceae and Meliaceae (distinguished by limonoids). However, even with the latter two families, clear-cut chemical differences could be discerned. Meliaceae exploit different biogenetic pathways, which lead to more diverse limonoids than in Rutaceae. The complex limonoids and prenylated chromones isolated from Spathelia, Sohnreyia, Dictyoloma, Harrisonia, Cneorum, and Cedrelopsis provided firm support for including them into the Cneoroideae. Ptaeroxylon produces several types of chromones, justifying to include it near the allied taxa, also into Cneoroideae. However, considering the complex limonoids found in Flindersia and Hortia, their connections to the Rutoideae subfamily were thus rather difficult to envisage; they suggest a closer relationship with the Cneoroideae genera. Until recently, there was no chemical evidence to support the placement of Picramnia into Simaroubaceae or near the allied taxa Rutaceae and Meliaceae. However, our investigations revealed several nortriterpenes involving expansion of the A-ring to a 4,4-dimethyl-tetrahydro-2H-furo[1,10]pyran-3(6H)-one as in limonin-type limonoids, whose derivatives have been isolated from Rutaceae genera. In addition, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-(MS/MS)-based molecular networking showed profiling of quassinoids from P. glazioviana. These data convincingly point to affinities between Picramnia species and Cneoroideae genera, suggesting Picramniaceae is sister to Rutaceae, Simaroubaceae, and Meliaceae.

A pesquisa em tela, fazendo uso de uma metodologia de análise qualitativa, empregando os métodos de abordagem hipotético-dedutivos de caráter descritivo e analítico, em face de técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica, onde se visita a legislação, a doutrina e a jurisprudência, tem por fim analisar a viabilidade e pertinência do uso de técnicas de mediação como forma de pacificação dos conflitos na sociedade de informação, em especial, em razão da chamada online dispute resolution (ODR), tendo por atenção a presente realidade de decretação de calamidade pública, em decorrência da pandemia do COVID-19, que impossibilitou a presença física dos sujeitos da lide para as tratativas conciliatórias.

Organizational culture is one of the resources used by companies to obtain competitive advantage and organizational sustainability, whether by financial, social or environmental efficiency (Chatman & O’Reilly, 2016; Dyck et al., 2019). Another resource that is being encouraged to try and achieve sustainability is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which can be facilitated or inhibited by organizational culture (Leandro & Rebelo, 2011; Shanak et al., 2020). Therefore, this study aims to analyze the relationship of organizational culture and CSR practices on environmental performance in companies listed on [B]³ (Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão), São Paulo’s stock exchange. The results indicated that there are no direct relations between organizational culture, environmental performance and the mediating effect; however, at the significance level of 10%, companies with high polluting potential become more harmful to the environment when there is a predominance of market and hierarchical culture.

Despite intense research, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide, being estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) the most common subtype. Nowadays, aromatase inhibitors (AIs), the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) tamoxifen and the selective estrogen receptor down-regulator (SERD) fulvestrant are used as therapeutic options for ER+ breast cancer, since they interfere directly with the production of estrogens and with the activation of estrogen-dependent signaling pathways. Despite the success of these treatments, the occurrence of resistance limits their clinical efficacy, demanding the development of novel therapies. Recently, multi-target compounds emerged as promising therapeutic strategies for ER+ breast cancer, as they can potentially modulate several important targets simultaneously. In line with this, in this work, the anti-cancer properties and multi-target action of 1,1-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylbut-1-ene, tamoxifen bisphenol (1,1-BHPE), were evaluated in an ER+ breast cancer cell model (MCF-7aro cells). Molecular docking analysis predicted that 1,1-BHPE was able to bind to aromatase, ERα and ERβ. In vitro studies showed that, although it did not present anti-aromatase activity, 1,1-BHPE reduced aromatase protein levels and interfered with ERα and ERβ signaling pathways, acting as an ERα antagonist and inducing ERβ up-regulation. Through these mechanisms, 1,1-BHPE was able to impair breast cancer growth and induce apoptosis. This represents an important therapeutic advantage because the main players responsible for estrogen production and signaling are modulated by a single compound. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing the anti-cancer properties of 1,1-BHPE as a multi-target compound specific for ER+ breast cancer.

Objective: Analysis and compare data between two induction protocols (long agonist and flexible antagonist) in patients submitted an assisted reproduction technique in Porto Alegre. Methods: Cross-sectional study comparing the intermediate results with the use of two different ovarian stimulation protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist versus antagonist to assisted reproductive techniques. The statistical analysis of the retrieved data (age, body mass index, number of oocytes recovered, number of fertilized oocytes, number of oocytes cleaved, total dose of FSH used and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) was performed by Student’s t-test for parametric data and analysis of covariance for the dependent variables. Results: A total of 50 patients, 25 in each group, met the criteria for inclusion in the study between January and March in the year 2010. There was statistically significant difference only in the middle ages between the groups (P = 0.031). There was no statistical difference for the remaining data analyzed (body mass index, number of oocytes recovered, number of fertilized oocytes, number of oocytes cleaved and dose of FSH utilized). There were no cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Conclusion: Both protocols are equal in terms of results. The agonist has advantages about scheduling of the procedure, but it takes too long to start the stimulation and have possibility to start medication in a pregnant patient. Added to this, we have the possibility of getting the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome as complication. In the antagonist group, is clear the ease-of-use of the medication and the fastest start of stimulation.

A pesquisa em tela, fazendo uso de uma metodologia de análise qualitativa, usando-se os métodos de abordagem hipotético-dedutivos de caráter descritivo e analítico, adotando-se técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica, onde se visita a legislação, a doutrina e a jurisprudência, tem por desiderato traçar um desenho dos principais pontos de um microssistema jurídico emergencial trabalhista, alicerçado no bojo da sistemática brasileira, em decorrência da pandemia do COVID-19, o qual se deu em face de uma hiper produção de documentos jurídicos, nessa temática, em específico, bem como vem por exigir uma análise quanto a sua adequação aos regramentos e principiologias constitucionais.

Citrus sinensis and Citrus limonia were obtained by germination from seeds, and isotopic-labeling experiments using d-[1-13C]glucose were performed with the seedlings. After 60 days, the seedlings ...