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Abstract Background Under the adverse remodeling of the right ventricle and interventricular septum in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) the left ventricle (LV) dynamics is impaired. Despite the benefits of combined aerobic and resistance physical trainings to individuals with PAH, its impact on the LV is not fully understood. Objective To test whether moderate-intensity combined physical training performed during the development of PAH induced by MCT in rats is beneficial to the LV’s structure and function. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Sedentary Hypertensive Survival (SHS, n = 7); and Exercise Hypertensive Survival (EHS, n = 7) to test survival. To investigate the effects of combined physical training, another group of rats were divided into three groups: Sedentary Control (SC, n = 7); Sedentary Hypertensive (SH, n = 7); and Exercise Hypertensive (EH, n = 7). PAH was induced through an intraperitoneal injection of MCT (60 mg/kg). Echocardiographic evaluations were conducted on the 22nd day after MCT administration. Animals in the EHS and EH groups participated in a combined physical training program, alternating aerobic (treadmill running: 50 min, 60% maximum running speed) and resistance (ladder climbing: 15 climbs with 1 min interval, 60% maximum carrying load) exercises, one session/day, 5 days/week for approximately 4 weeks. Results The physical training increased survival and tolerance to aerobic (i.e., maximum running speed) and resistance (i.e., maximum carrying load) exertions and prevented reductions in ejection fraction and fractional shortening. In addition, the physical training mitigated oxidative stress (i.e., CAT, SOD and MDA) and inhibited adverse LV remodeling (i.e., Collagen, extracellular matrix, and cell dimensions). Moreover, the physical training preserved the amplitude and velocity of contraction and hindered the reductions in the amplitude and velocity of the intracellular Ca2+ transient in LV single myocytes. Conclusion Moderate-intensity combined physical training performed during the development of MCT-induced PAH in rats protects their LV from damages to its structure and function and hence increases their tolerance to physical exertion and prolongs their survival.

Introdução e Objetivo: Apesar do amplo conhecimento acerca dos alimentos e suas contribuições para a saúde e o estado nutricional, entre muitos estudantes de nutrição ainda são observados comportamentos alimentares inadequados que podem impactar na autopercepção da imagem corporal desses indivíduos. Diante dessas questões, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a autopercepção da imagem corporal e as atitudes alimentares de estudantes do curso de nutrição em uma instituição de ensino da zona da mata mineira. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo, com discentes maiores de 18 anos, de ambos os sexos. Para avaliação do comportamento alimentar foi utilizado o Questionário Holandês do Comportamento Alimentar; para avaliar o consumo, o questionário de Marcadores do Consumo do Alimentar do SISVAN; e para a imagem corporal, a Escala de Satisfação Corporal. Os dados foram analisados no programa estatístico GraphPad Prism 8.0. Resultados e Conclusão: Foram avaliados 86 discentes do 1º, 3º e 5º períodos, dos quais 2/3 ou mais de cada período consumiam bebidas alcoólicas; e a ausência da prática de atividade física foi de 41,2%, 33,3% e de 50%, respectivamente. Quanto ao consumo de hamburgueres e embutidos, 2/3 ou mais consumiam e quanto às bebidas açucaradas, 1/3 ou mais, em todos os períodos. Quanto à imagem corporal, a maioria tinha o desejo de silhuetas mais magras, mas não houve diferença entre os períodos. A pressão sobre as escolhas e sobre os corpos desses discentes são fatores que podem explicar a alta prevalência de insatisfação com a sua autoimagem.

During the last decades, non-destructive investigation approaches have played an essential role in preserving structural integrity, capacity, and finding early defects in reinforced concrete (RC) heritage affected by time-dependent degradation. One of the most widespread structural RC damages belongs to corrosion phenomena. Electro-chemical approaches stand out among the non-destructive techniques presently available for identifying corrosive problems in-situ. The latter gives some knowledge in terms of physical quantities aiming to evaluate structural conditions by collecting indirect measures. Nevertheless, results are correlated to strong interpretative scale codes, which may not always provide appropriate interpretation of the defect's identity. In the paper a probabilistic degradation model, based on a statistical interpretation of the in situ electro-chemical measurements, has been proposed with the aim to give a contribution for structural diagnosis. Finally, results are validated through structural visual inspection.

Background: The study evaluated the effects of resistance exercise training and açaí supplementation on cardiac parameters in hypertensive animals. Methods: For this study, rats from the Wistar and SHR lines (spontaneously hypertensive rats) were used. The animals were divided into 5 groups: Wistar Control (C); Control Hypertensive (H); Trained Hypertensive (HT); Hypertensive and Supplemented with Açaí (HA); and Hypertensive Trained and Supplemented with Açaí (HAT). Resistance exercise training was carried out through climbing. The supplemented groups received 3 g of açaí/kg of body mass. The animals’ systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass, and physical test were measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. At the end, an echocardiographic analysis was performed. Histological analysis and oxidative stress of the LV were performed. Results: It was found that hypertensive animals showed an increase in SBP, and the treatments reduced this parameter. The trained groups achieved higher values of maximum carrying load. Hypertension increased the dimension of the left ventricular free wall in diastole and reduced ejection and shortening fractions. The trained groups showed improvement in ejection and shortening fractions. The H group increased the proportion of extracellular matrix and reduced the proportion of cells, with the HAT group attenuating this change. Cell diameter was greater in group H, and all treatments reduced this parameter. Hypertension increased the concentration of malondialdehyde and decreased catalase activity in LV. The treatments managed to mitigate this damage. Conclusions: It is concluded that the treatments managed to generate positive cardiovascular adaptations, and their combination enhanced these effects.

Resumo Fundamento A obesidade está associada ao desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares e constitui um grave problema de saúde pública. Em modelos animais, a alimentação com uma dieta hiperlipídica (DH) compromete a estrutura e a função cardíaca e promove estresse oxidativo e apoptose. O treinamento resistido (TR), entretanto, tem sido recomendado como coadjuvante no tratamento de doenças cardiometabólicas, incluindo a obesidade, porque aumenta o gasto energético e estimula a lipólise. Objetivo Na presente revisão sistemática, nosso objetivo foi avaliar os benefícios do TR no coração de ratos e camundongos alimentados com DH. Métodos Foram identificados estudos originais por meio de busca nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus e Embase de dezembro de 2007 a dezembro de 2022. O presente estudo foi conduzido de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos pelo PRISMA e registrado no PROSPERO (CRD42022369217). O risco de viés e a qualidade metodológica foram avaliados pelo SYRCLE e CAMARADES, respectivamente. Os estudos elegíveis incluíram artigos originais publicados em inglês que avaliaram desfechos cardíacos em roedores submetidos a mais de 4 semanas de TR e controlados por um grupo controle sedentário alimentado com DH (n = 5). Resultados Os resultados mostraram que o TR atenua o estresse oxidativo cardíaco, a inflamação e o estresse do retículo endoplasmático. Também modifica a atividade de marcadores de remodelamento estrutural, apesar de não alterar parâmetros biométricos, parâmetros histomorfométricos ou a função contrátil dos cardiomiócitos. Conclusão Nossos resultados indicam que o TR parcialmente neutraliza o remodelamento cardíaco adverso induzido pela DH, aumentando a atividade dos marcadores de remodelamento estrutural; elevando a biogênese mitocondrial; reduzindo o estresse oxidativo, marcadores inflamatórios e estresse do retículo endoplasmático; e melhorando os parâmetros hemodinâmicos, antropométricos e metabólicos.

Two different hybrid nanosystems are prepared by loading highly crystalline, monodisperse magnetite nanocubes (MNCs) with phosphorescent Pt(II) complexes (PtCxs). One involves the encapsulation of the hydrophobic PtCx1 within an amphiphilic comb polymer (MNC@poly(maleic anhydride‐alt‐1‐octadecene) [PMAO]–PtCx1), whereas the other involves the direct binding of the hydrophilic PtCx2 to the surface of the MNC mediated by a ligand‐exchange procedure (MNC@OH–PtCx2). Both systems are evaluated as potential candidates for multimodal imaging in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photoluminescence lifetime imaging micro(spectro)scopy (PLIM). PLIM measurements on agarose phantoms demonstrate significantly longer excited‐state lifetimes compared to the short‐lived autofluorescence of biological background. Additionally, both nanosystems perform as effective MRI contrast agents (CAs): the r2* values are 3–4 times higher than for the commercial CA ferucarbotran. MNC@PMAO–PtCx1 particles also cause significant increases in r2. While the ligand exchange procedure efficiently anchors PtCxs to the MNC surface, the polymeric encapsulation ensures higher colloidal stability, contributing to differences in PLIM and MRI outcomes. In these results, the successful integration of two complementary noninvasive imaging modalities within a single nanosystem is confirmed, serving as the impetus for further investigation of such systems as advanced multimodal–multiscale imaging agents with dual orthogonal readouts.

INTRODUÇÃO: Hoje em dia a carga horária de trabalho dos professores exige muito de sua qualidade de vida e condição física, para exercer as tarefas do dia a dia em sua docência, podendo gerar desgastes à sua saúde. Pois, a mesma envolve aspectos físicos e psicológicos durante a realização sua jornada de trabalho, o qual pode impactar na sua qualidade de vida. OBJETIVO: Associar o nível de atividade física e a qualidade de vida dos docentes da rede pública de ensino da cidade de Ubá-MG. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo análitico de corte transversal, com 56 professores. A coleta de dados ocorreu em 3 escolas da rede pública, com professores de 25 a 55 anos e experiência mínima de 2 anos. Foram utilizados dois instrumentos, o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física - Versão Curta (IPAQ) e o Questionário World Health Organization Quality of Life/brief (WHOQOL/breve). RESULTADOS: Os participantes foram compostos por mulheres (91,1%) e homens (8,9%), com idade média de 39,57±8,19 anos. Dos professores avaliados, 76,8% foram classificados como Ativos (Muito Ativo e Ativo) e 23,2% como Inativos (Irregularmente Ativo e Sedentário), sendo que indivíduos considerados ativos (70,52±8,88) tiveram uma melhor qualidade de vida, em comparação aos inativos (61,78±10,95). Além disso, o grupo ativo apresentou qualidade de vida estatisticamente superior nos domínios psicológico e meio ambiente. CONCLUSÃO: Os docentes com maior nível de atividade física apresentam melhor qualidade de vida que os inativos.

Molecular diagnostic methods to detect and quantify viral RNA in clinical samples rely on the purification of the genetic material prior to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Due to the large number of samples processed in clinical laboratories, automation has become a necessity in order to increase method processivity and maximize throughput per unit of time. An attractive option for isolating viral RNA is based on the magnetic solid phase separation procedure (MSPS) using magnetic microparticles. This method offers the advantage over other alternative methods of making it possible to automate the process. In this study, we report the results of the MSPS method based on magnetic microparticles obtained by a simple synthesis process, to purify RNA from oro- and nasopharyngeal swab samples of patients suspected of COVID-19 provided by three diagnostic laboratories located in the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Magnetite nanoparticles of Fe3O4 (MNPs) were synthesized by the coprecipitation method and then coated with silica (SiO2) produced by hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). After preliminary tests on samples from the A549 human lung cell line and swabs, an extraction protocol was developed. The quantity and purity of the RNA obtained were determined by gel electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and qRT-PCR. Tests on samples from naso- and oropharyngeal swabs were performed in order to validate the method for RNA purification in high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis by qRT-PCR. The method was compared to the spin columns method and the automated method using commercial magnetic particles. The results show that the method developed is efficient for RNA extraction from nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples, and also comparable to other extraction methods in terms of sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Of note, this procedure and reagents developed locally were intended to overcome the shortage of imported diagnostic supplies as the sudden spread of COVID-19 required unexpected quantities of nucleic acid isolation and diagnostic kits worldwide.

Abstract Background Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) include several conditions in which one or more peripheral nerves are damaged. Trauma is one of the most common causes of PNIs and young people are particularly affected. They have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and on the healthcare system, while timing and type of surgical treatment are of the utmost importance to guarantee the most favorable functional recovery. To date, several different classifications of PNIs have been proposed, most of them focusing on just one or few aspects of these complex conditions, such as type of injury, anatomic situation, or prognostic factors. Current classifications do not enable us to have a complete view of this pathology, which includes diagnosis, treatment choice, and possible outcomes. This fragmentation sometimes leads to an ambiguous definition of PNIs and the impossibility of exchanging crucial information between different physicians and healthcare structures, which can create confusion in the choice of therapeutic strategies and timing of surgery. Materials The authors retrospectively analyzed a group of 24 patients treated in their center and applied a new classification for PNI injuries. They chose (a) five injury-related factors, namely nerve involved, lesion site, nerve type (whether motor, sensory or mixed), surrounding tissues (whether soft tissues were involved or not), and lesion type—whether partial/in continuity or complete. An alphanumeric code was applied to each of these classes, and (b) four prognostic codes, related to age, timing, techniques, and comorbidities. Results An alphanumeric code was produced, similar to that used in the AO classification of fractures. Conclusions The authors propose this novel classification for PNIs, with the main advantage to allow physicians to easily understand the characteristics of nerve lesions, severity, possibility of spontaneous recovery, onset of early complications, need for surgical treatment, and the best surgical approach. Level of evidence: according to the Oxford 2011 level of evidence, level 2.

Introdução/objetivos: Leveduras do gênero Candida estão entre as principais causas de Infecção da Corrente Sanguínea (ICS) em todo o mundo, sendo associadas à piora do prognóstico, aumento do tempo de internação e altas taxas de mortalidade. As principais espécies que causam a candidemia no Brasil são Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis e Candida tropicalis, sendo a C. albicans a mais prevalente. Todavia, nas últimas décadas tem aumentado a prevalência de espécies de Candida Não-Albicans (CNA) e principalmente a emergência de Candida auris, que possui mecanismos de resistência aos antifúngicos mais prescritos na prática médica, caracterizando um cenário de preocupação mundial. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de Candida spp. nas hemoculturas de pacientes hospitalizados, bem como a prevalência das espécies mais isoladas e sua distribuição por setores do hospital. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional e retrospectivo, em que foram analisados, através de bancos de dados, os resultados de hemoculturas de pacientes hospitalizados em um hospital de ensino da cidade de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, no período de janeiro de 2021 a dezembro de 2022. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa com Seres Humanos. Resultados: No período do estudo, foram realizadas 3262 hemoculturas, sendo 1059 (32,46%) positivas. Destas, 1008 (95,18%) tiveram crescimento bacteriano e 51 (4,82%) tiveram crescimento de Candida spp. Foram isoladas 20 (39,22%) linhagens de C. albicans e 31 (60,78%) linhagens de CNA. Das hemoculturas com CNA isolados, 14 foram C. tropicalis (45,16%), 10 C. parapsilosis (32,26%), 3 C. glabrata (9,68%), 2 Candida kefyr (6,45%) e 2 Candida lusitaniae (6,45%). Em relação a distribuição das linhagens de Candida isoladas das hemoculturas por setores do hospital, 51 isolados de Candida spp., 25 (49,02%) foram do Centro de Tratamento Intensivo (CTI), 11 (21,57%) do bloco cirúrgico e 15 (29,41%) foram das enfermarias. Conclusão: Candida albicans é a principal espécie relacionada a candidemia em pacientes hospitalizados, porém espécies do grupo CNA têm apresentado elevada prevalência em isolados de hemocultura, principalmente em pacientes de CTI.

This qualitative research aimed to understand the experiences of a fourth-year medical class during two clinical simulation scenarios of type 2 diabetes management in Primary Care. Ten simulated students were interviewed. The results describe the symbolic conception of diabetes and its treatment as anguish, damage, condemnation and an unpleasant sentence that affects the appropriation and performance of the medical role by students. Considering Medical Psychology, we suggest that such subjective factors should be addressed in teaching-learning in addition to commonly cognitive aspects mentioned in the medical education literature in order for students to develop the work profile to cope with diabetes in Primary Care. Clinical simulation facilitates the subjective approach through its group support component to promote reflection, insights and self-awareness.

In this work, a Binary Quantized Convolution neural network for image classification is trained and evaluated. Binarized neural networks reduce the amount of memory, and it is possible to implement them with less hardware than those that use real value variables (Floating Point 32 bits). This type of network can be implemented in embedded systems, such as FPGA. A quantization-aware training was performed, to compensate for the errors caused by the loss of precision of the parameters. The model obtained an evaluation accuracy of 88% with the CIFAR-10 evaluation set.