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Obesity has a complex multifactorial etiology and is characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. Visceral adipose tissue has deleterious effects on health because it secretes large amounts of inflammatory cytokines. Nutritional calorie restriction associated with strength training may be useful in managing chronic systemic inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a single strength-training session on plasma adipokine levels in sedentary, overweight, and obese young men. This study included twelve men (Age: [34.95 ​± ​9.77] years; Height: [174.16 ​± ​3.66] centimeter [cm]; Weight: [97.83 ​± ​12.87] kilogram (kg); body mass index [BMI]: [32.30 ​± ​4.51] kg/m2), who performed a single strength training session. The strength training protocol consisted of 4 sets of 12 repetitions in the following six exercises, 45° leg press, bench press, leg extension, machine row, leg curl, and shoulder press. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 1-h subsequent after strength training. The plasma levels of resistin and leptin were measured. A significant decrease in resistin levels were found 1 ​h after the strength training session if compared to levels before the training session (pre-[before] [2 390 ​± ​1 199] picograms per milliliter [pg/mL] vs post-1 h [1-h subsequent] [1 523 ​± ​798],6 ​pg/mL, p ​= ​0.002 8). The plasma leptin levels did not differ at any time point. In conclusion, a very well controlled single session of strength training significantly decreased the plasma levels of resistin without altering the concentration of leptin in overweight and obese individuals. This effect, at least in part, supports the benefits of exercise by reducing the low grade inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity.

Este artigo aborda a temática das relações étnico-raciais no ciberespaço e suas possibilidades como ambiente não formal de educação. O objetivo é discutir a interface entre educação, comunicação e tecnologia em uma perspectiva intercultural. Por meio de uma etnografia digital, a pesquisa acompanhou quatro influenciadores(as) negros(as) nas plataformas Twitter (atual “X”) e Instagram, a partir da viralização da hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, em maio de 2020, até a ascendência da hashtag #WakandaForever, em agosto do mesmo ano. Os dados sistematizados revelam uma intensificação dos debates sobre racismo e identidade negra e apontam potencial das redes como ambientes educativos promissores na luta antirracista. Ao mesmo tempo, deve-se levar em consideração os limites dessas plataformas, como a efemeridade e superficialidade das discussões e seu próprio caráter neoliberal que mantém a reprodução de padrões hegemônicos e facilita a disseminação de desinformação, o que pode ser negativo em termos de aprendizagem, urgindo a necessidade de uma alfabetização midiática.

Objectives: The objective was to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in autumn 2019 (before case zero was identified in Italy) and 2021 among residual sera samples from health care users in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Methods: Two serosurveys were conducted. Using a semiquantitative method, samples were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the S1 domain of the spike protein. Samples with positive test results from the 2019 survey were independently retested using a multiplex panel to detect IgG antibodies against the receptor binding domain, S1 and S2 domains, and nucleocapsid. Samples with positive test results from the 2021 survey underwent repeat testing with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies. Prevalence rates according to gender and age groups, together with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated. Results: Overall, the proportion of samples with positive test results was 2/353 in 2019 and 22/363 in 2021, with an estimated seroprevalence of 0.27% (95% CI 0-1.86) and 6.21% (95% CI 3.9-9.31) in 2019 and 2021 respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study support the hypothesis that the virus was circulating in Italy as early as autumn 2019. The role of these early cases in broader transmission dynamics remains to be determined.

Objetivo: Identificar competências de liderança que estimulem práticas inovadoras em uma Instituição de Ensino Superior Federal. Metodologia/Abordagem: A pesquisa adotou revisão bibliográfica para subsidiar a formação de um conjunto de competências de liderança voltadas ao desenvolvimento de ações inovadoras em organizações públicas. Posteriormente, foi realizada entrevistas com gestores vinculados à unidade de pesquisa (experts) com o propósito de avaliar a aderência das competências ao contexto universitário. Finalmente, os elementos de análise foram categorizados em dimensões - participação, relacionamento, e reconhecimento – e compuseram os formulários eletrônicos (survey) aplicados a amostra aleatória (N) de 96 servidores públicos: docentes e técnicos-administrativos em educação (TAE). Principais resultados: Sob o enfoque teórico, o estudo possibilitou evidenciar que o estilo de liderança transformacional é o que mais se aproxima das competências necessárias para propiciar uma cultura inovativa em instituições públicas. Sob o enfoque empírico, a opinião dos participantes evidenciou que há nítida dissonância entre a percepção de docentes e TAE no tocante às dimensões “participação” e “reconhecimento”. Em contrapartida, observou-se equidade na dimensão “relacionamento”, algo que se mostra positivo aos líderes para instituir ações inovadoras que envolvam a coletividade. Contribuições acadêmicas: O potencial de inovação em organizações públicas está diretamente associado ao fortalecimento da participação coletiva de equipes na formulação de estratégias e nas tomadas de decisões e, nesse sentido, o estudo se mostra sugestivo para pesquisas em instituições que ensejam fortalecer a cultura inovativa. Contribuições práticas: O estudo suscita reflexões sobre a gestão de pessoas e oportuniza o planejamento de ações voltadas ao desenvolvimento de lideranças na unidade de pesquisa.

Abstract Background and Aims Long‐term care facilities (LTCFs) have been severely impacted by COVID‐19, with a disproportionate amount of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and related deaths occurring among residents. Methods This study is part of an ongoing multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) and residents of 13 LTCFs in Northern Italy designed to evaluate SARS‐CoV‐2 specific immunoglobulin class G (IgG) titers before and following vaccination with Pfizer/BNT162b2 SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccine (two doses of vaccine, 21 days apart). Serum samples were obtained from participants (t0) before vaccination, and (t1) 2 weeks after and analyzed to determine anti‐S1 IgG antibodies. Results Five hundred and thirty‐four participants were enrolled (404 subjects participated in both blood draws). Seropositivity was 50.19% at t0 and 99% at t1, with a significant difference in IgG titers. A higher proportion of residents were seropositive at t0 compared with HCWs, with significantly higher IgG titers among residents at both t0 and t1. Pre‐existing immunity also had a significant effect on postvaccination IgG titers. However, a significant difference in titers at t1 between HCWs and residents considering only participants seropositive at t0 was found, with higher median titers among previously seropositive residents. Conclusion Findings of this study provide scientific evidence endorsing the policy of universal vaccination in LTCFs.

Obesity has a complex multifactorial etiology and is characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. Visceral adipose tissue has deleterious effects on health because it secretes large amounts of inflammatory cytokines. Nutritional calorie restriction associated with strength training may be useful in managing chronic systemic inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a single strength-training session on plasma adipokine levels in sedentary, overweight, and obese young men. This study included twelve men (Age: [34.95 ± 9.77] years; Height: [174.16 ± 3.66] centimeter [cm]; Weight: [97.83 ± 12.87] kilogram (kg); body mass index [BMI]: [32.30 ± 4.51] kg/m²), who performed a single strength training session. The strength training protocol consisted of 4 sets of 12 repetitions in the following six exercises, 45° leg press, bench press, leg extension, machine row, leg curl, and shoulder press. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 1-h subsequent after strength training. The plasma levels of resistin and leptin were measured. A significant decrease in resistin levels were found 1 h after the strength training session if compared to levels before the training session (pre-[before] [2 390 ± 1 199] picograms per milliliter [pg/mL] vs post-1 h [1-h subsequent] [1 523 ± 798],6 pg/mL, p = 0.002 8). The plasma leptin levels did not differ at any time point. In conclusion, a very well controlled single session of strength training significantly decreased the plasma levels of resistin without altering the concentration of leptin in overweight and obese individuals. This effect, at least in part, supports the benefits of exercise by reducing the low grade inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Real-world evidence supporting a safe and effective transition from rituximab originator (RTX-O) to its biosimilars (RTX-B) in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) is still limited. Objectives: The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term persistence of RTX-B after the non-medical switch (NMS) from RTX-O in ARD patients, and to explore the RTX-B safety profile. The secondary aims were to evaluate the impact of different factors on RTX-B drug retention rate (DRR) and to identify any factors associated with RTX-B discontinuation. Design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: We included consecutive ARD patients undergoing NMS from RTX-O to GP2013 or CT-P10 from January 2018 to December 2020. RTX-B DRR was estimated by Kaplan–Meier plot analysis and compared according to different factors by the Log-rank test; the Cox proportional hazard model was used to detect factors associated with RTX-B discontinuation in the first 36 months. Results: We enrolled 181 patients switching to RTX-B: GP2013 in 143 (79.0%) cases and CT-P10 in 38 (21.0%). The estimated DRR for RTX-B was 81.5% at 12 months, 80.6% at 24 months, and 77.4% at 36 months. The incidence of adverse events with RTX-B was 12.6/100 patients/year. In the Log-rank test, no statistically significant differences were observed in the RTX-B DRR according to sex (p = 0.171), ARD diagnosis (p = 0.281), and concomitant immunosuppressive therapy (p = 0.054); on the contrary, patients on GP2013 showed a higher DRR than those on CT-P10 (p < 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazard analysis, the switch to CT-P10 was associated with a higher probability of stopping treatment (hazard ratio, 1.83 (confidence interval, 1.10–3.04), p = 0.02). Conclusion: NMS to RTX-B is associated with a high chance of retaining the drug for up to 36 months, irrespective of the diagnosis. GP2013 showed a higher retention rate than CT-P10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aims of the study were to perform an ultrasound assessment of the dorsal portion of the scapholunate interosseous ligament and scapholunate joint space in patients with wrist complaints in a rheumatologic setting, to describe ultrasound abnormalities about scapholunate interosseous ligament region, and to correlate them with clinical data, presence of dorsal ganglion cysts and diagnoses of rheumatic diseases. Material and methods: Seventy-four consecutive patients with wrist pain and/or swelling were evaluated by routine power Doppler ultrasound. Forty normal wrists were studied to confirm the normality values of the scapholunate joint. Results: The mean width of the normal scapholunate joint was 2.49 mm (±0.49 SD), with a coefficient of variation on repeated measurements of 3.662%. The best predictors of scapholunate interosseous ligament degeneration were: older age (p

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) were severely affected by COVID-19, in particular in Northern Italy. We aimed to assess antibody responses among residents and healthcare workers (HCWs) of 13 LTCFs through serum samples collected at three time points: prior to, two weeks, and 9 months after receiving Pfizer/BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (respectively t0, t1, and t2). IgG antibodies targeted towards the S1 domain of the spike protein were measured, and results were expressed in binding antibody units (BAU/mL). Friedman’s average rank test was performed to compare antibody titres between the three time points. Two logistic regression models were built to identify independent predictors of (1) developing and (2) maintaining a significant antibody response to vaccination, using a previously identified threshold. In total, 534 subjects were enrolled (371 HCWs and 163 residents). The antibody titres at t1 were the highest; at t2, the IgG titres significantly decreased, remaining however 10 times higher compared to titres at t0. Previous infection was the only significant predictor of developing and maintaining a response over threshold in both models. Results of this study provided further insights on the humoral response elicited by vaccination, and on host factors determining variations in its magnitude and kinetics.

Mudanças e transformações decorrentes da era tecnológica vêm delineando um cenário dinâmico repercutindo progressivo desenvolvimento organizacional na iniciativa privada. No âmbito das instituições públicas, contudo, ainda há nuances de modelos de gestão típicos do século passado. Neste contexto, o papel dos líderes nas organizações públicas mostra-se preponderante no processo de ruptura com paradigmas obsoletos. Assim, a proposta deste estudo é explorar o campo sobre os estilos de liderança adotados por gestores no âmbito da iniciativa pública. Para a sua viabilização foi utilizado o Analytic Hierarchy Process – AHP que permitiu realizar comparações paritárias, a partir da hierarquização dos fatores relevantes, identificados por especialistas. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de survey aplicada aos chefes de departamentos acadêmicos, em uma instituição federal de ensino superior, a qual compreende a unidade de pesquisa. Achados revelam que o estilo de liderança apresenta correlação com o resultado do trabalho e com reposicionamento organizacional.

Context Despite being one of the major drivers of diabetes incidence, the degree of insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is not usually evaluated in clinical practice or in large epidemiologic studies. Objective To identify a model of insulin sensitivity using widely available clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with T2D and evaluate its association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Methods One hundred forty patients with T2D underwent a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to measure total body glucose disposal rate (mg kg−1 minute−1). We used demographic, clinical, and common laboratory parameters to estimate insulin sensitivity (IS) via stepwise linear regression on 85 patients (training cohort) and validated it in the remaining 55 (validation cohort). The identified equation was then applied to 3553 patients with T2D from the 1999-2010 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to evaluate its association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality up to December 2015. Results The best model included triglycerides, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, albumin excretion rate, and body mass index. The identified IS score correlated well with the clamp-derived glucose disposal rate in both the training (r = 0.77, P <.001) and the validation (r = 0.74, P <.001) cohorts. In the NHANES cohort, after a median follow-up of 8.3 years, 1054 patients died, 265 of cardiovascular causes. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age, sex, race-ethnicity, education, cigarette smoke, total cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, blood pressure, prevalent cardiovascular disease, and alcohol consumption, a higher estimated IS was associated with a lower risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Conclusion We propose a new model of IS in patients with T2D based on readily available clinical and laboratory data. Its potential applications are in both diagnosis as well as prognostication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Os povos indígenas Macuxi e Wapichana que vivem nas regiões de campos e serras no Estado de Roraima, no Brasil, estão discutindo os desafios ecológicos de viver, segundo seus “modelos culturais de vida”, nas terras indígenas demarcadas e projetando o futuro. Este artigo examina os esforços recentemente colocados em curso por uma organização indígena regional no sentido de construir coletivamente Planos de Gestão Territorial e Ambiental (PGTAs) para as terras indígenas no Estado. Estes “planos” são documentos que refletem processos participativos de planejamento e estabelecimento de acordos sobre temas como a proteção territorial e o manejo de recursos naturais. Como parte das dinâmicas do processo de elaboração destes documentos, as comunidades locais colocaram no papel como imaginam e desejam que deva ser a vida comunitária em suas terras através de desenhos que revelam diferentes pontos de vista sobre o futuro. Meu foco de análise é um desses desenhos, a partir do qual abordo os impasses, desafios e contradições que estas ilustrações suscitaram no diálogo interétnico. Argumento que para além do aspecto técnico e burocrático dos documentos, os “planos” são expressões de projetos de vida que guardam uma dimensão sociocultural mais profunda, que se traduz em desejos, expectativas e luta política em defesa de seus modos habitar o mundo e viver a vida.

Experiências de representação de conhecimentos e práticas tradicionais estão cada vez mais presentes nas estratégias indígenas de comunicação intercultural. Este artigo aborda a experiência de produção de um livro-documento que conectou diversos atores em uma rede de apoiadores, técnicos e um grupo de Agentes Territoriais e Ambientais Indígenas (ATAIs) que vivem na região Serra da Lua, no Estado de Roraima. Através da contextualização do processo de pesquisas colaborativas realizadas por estes agentes visando à confecção desse produto, meu interesse é inscrever o fluxo dessa produção para identificar alguns aspectos epistemológicos e efeitos sociopolíticos desta movimentação “dentro” e “fora” das comunidades participantes. O objetivo, de um lado, é reafirmar as diferenças entre os modos indígenas de conhecer e formas de representação destes saberes. De outro, considerar a dimensão política das relações que são criadas para a geração destes materiais e por meio destes.

Complement activation has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications. It is unknown whether complement factor H (CFH) genetic variants, which have been previously associated with complement-mediated organ damage likely due to inefficient complement modulation, influence the risk of renal and cardiovascular events and response to therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) in type 2 diabetic patients. Here, we have analyzed the c.2808G>T, (p.Glu936Asp) CFH polymorphism, which tags the H3 CFH haplotype associated to low plasma factor H levels and predisposing to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, in 1,158 type 2 diabetics prospectively followed in the Bergamo nephrologic complications of type 2 diabetes randomized, controlled clinical trial (BENEDICT) that evaluated the effect of the ACEi trandolapril on new onset microalbuminuria. At multivariable Cox analysis, the p.Glu936Asp polymorphism (Asp/Asp homozygotes, recessive model) was associated with increased risk of microalbuminuria [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 3.25 (95% CI 1.46–7.24), P = 0.0038] and cardiovascular events [adjusted HR 2.68 (95% CI 1.23–5.87), P = 0.013]. The p.Glu936Asp genotype significantly interacted with ACEi therapy in predicting microalbuminuria. ACEi therapy was not nephroprotective in Asp/Asp homozygotes [adjusted HR 1.54 (0.18–13.07), P = 0.691 vs. non-ACEi-treated Asp/Asp patients], whereas it significantly reduced microalbuminuria events in Glu/Asp or Glu/Glu patients [adjusted HR 0.38 (0.24–0.60), P < 0.0001 vs. non-ACEi-treated Glu/Asp or Glu/Glu patients]. Among ACEi-treated patients, the risk of developing cardiovascular events was higher in Asp/Asp homozygotes than in Glu/Asp or Glu/Glu patients [adjusted HR 3.26 (1.29–8.28), P = 0.013]. Our results indicate that type 2 diabetic patients Asp/Asp homozygotes in the p.Glu936Asp CFH polymorphism are at increased risk of microalbuminuria and cardiovascular complications and may be less likely to benefit from ACEi therapy. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.