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The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019) etiological agent, which has a high contagiousness and is to blame for the outbreak of acute viral pneumonia, is the cause of the respiratory disease COVID-19. The use of natural products grew as an alternative treatment for various diseases due to the abundance of organic molecules with pharmacological properties. Many pharmaceutical studies have focused on investigating compounds with therapeutic potential. Therefore, this study aimed to identify potential antiviral compounds from a popular medicinal plant called Moringa oleifera Lam. against the spike, Mpro, ACE2, and RBD targets of SARS-CoV-2. For this, we use molecular docking to identify the molecules with the greatest affinity for the targets through the orientation of the ligand with the receptor in complex. For the best results, ADME-TOX predictions were performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of the compounds using the online tool pkCSM. The results demonstrate that among the 61 molecules of M. oleifera, 22 molecules showed promising inhibition results, where the compound ellagic acid showed significant molecular affinity (−9.3 kcal.mol−1) in interaction with the spike protein. These results highlight the relevance of investigating natural compounds from M. oleifera as potential antivirals against SARS-CoV-2; however, additional studies are needed to confirm the antiviral activity of the compounds.

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2) is the causative agent for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It raises serious biosecurity questions due to its high contagious potential, thereby triggering rapid and efficient responses by the scientific community to take necessary actions against viral infections. Cumulative scientific evidence suggests that natural products remain one of the main sources for pharmaceutical consumption. It is due to their wide chemical diversity that they are able to fight against almost all kinds of diseases and disorders in humans and other animals. Knowing the overall facts, this study was carried out to investigate the chemical interactions between the active constituents of a promising medicinal plant, Myracrodruon urundeuva, and some specific proteins of SARS-CoV-2. For this, we used molecular docking to predict the most appropriate orientation by binding a molecule (a ligand) to its receptor (a protein). The best results were evaluated by screening their pharmacokinetic properties using the online tool pkCSM. Findings suggest that among 44 chemical compounds of M. urundeuva, agathisflavone, which is abundantly present in its leaf, exhibited excellent molecular affinity (−9.3 to −9.7 kcal.mol−1) with three functional proteins, namely, Spike, MPro, and RBD of SARS-CoV-2. In conclusion, M. urundeuva might be a good source of antiviral agents. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of the bioactive compounds of M. urundeuva acting against SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract Background Muscle stretching exercises preserve corporal flexibility and decrease the retraction and shortening of myofascial and articular structures. These exercises are recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). The purpose of the study was to verify and compare the effect of muscle stretching exercises on FM patients based on the global posture reeducation method against segmental muscle stretching exercises, both used in concert with an educational approach rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy. Methods Forty adults with FM were randomly allocated into two groups: global and segmental. The two kinds of therapies were performed in 10 individual sessions once a week. Two assessments were made: one at baseline and one at the end of therapy. The primary outcome variable was pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale). The secondary outcome variables were multidimensional pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire), the pain threshold at tender points (dolorimetry), attitudes toward chronic pain (Survey of Pain Attitudes-Brief Version), body posture (Postural Assessment Software Protocol), postural control (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), the impact of FM on quality of life (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, FIQ), and self-reported perceptions and body self-care. Results At the end of treatment, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the outcome variables. Furthermore, the groups presented lower pain intensity (baseline vs. final; global group: 6 ± 1.8 vs. 2.2 ± 1.6 cm, p

Abstract Individuals born preterm are at higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adulthood, through mechanisms not completely understood. White adipose tissue in humans and rodents is a dynamic endocrine organ and a critical player in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. However, the impact of preterm birth on white adipose tissue remains unknown. Using a well‐established rodent model of preterm birth‐related conditions in which newborn rats are exposed during postnatal days 3–10 to 80% of oxygen, we evaluated the impact of transient neonatal hyperoxia on adult perirenal white adipose tissue (pWAT) and liver. We further assessed the effect of a second hit with a high‐fat high‐fructose hypercaloric diet (HFFD). We evaluated 4‐month‐old adult male rats after 2 months of HFFD. Neonatal hyperoxia led to pWAT fibrosis and macrophage infiltration without modification in body weight, pWAT weight, or adipocyte size. In animals exposed to neonatal hyperoxia vs. room air control, HFFD resulted in adipocyte hypertrophy, lipid accumulation in the liver, and increased circulating triglycerides. Overall, preterm birth‐related conditions had long‐lasting effects on the composition and morphology of pWAT, along with a higher susceptibility to the deleterious impact of a hypercaloric diet. These changes suggest a developmental pathway to long‐term metabolic risk factors observed clinically in adults born preterm through programming of white adipose tissue.

RESUMO: O público surdo usuário de línguas de sinais, vivencia variados desafios ao visitar museus de ciências, o que impacta sua experiência. Neste estudo, foram convidados nove jovens surdos, usuários de língua de sinais e com familiaridade ao tema Acessibilidade, para visitar três espaços de ciências no Rio de Janeiro. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar opiniões e experiências de visitação de sujeitos surdos, em especial, sua percepção sobre a acessibilidade dos locais. As visitas foram registradas em vídeo pelo método da câmera subjetiva e analisadas quanto aos Indicadores de acessibilidade, tendo sido realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas para verificar as opiniões desses jovens sobre acessibilidade. Percebemos uma visão crítica dos participantes sobre as questões de acessibilidade, principalmente quanto às dimensões comunicacional e atitudinal. O estudo demonstra a necessidade da inclusão das pessoas surdas como visitantes e como participantes ativos no processo de concepção dos museus, visando tornar os museus de ciências mais inclusivos para públicos diversos.

Abstract In the present work, we evaluate the accuracy of the Solar Quiet Reference Field (SQRF) model for estimating and predicting the geomagnetic solar quiet (Sq) daily field variation in the South America Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) region. This model is based on the data set of fluxgate magnetometers from 12 magnetic stations of the Embrace Magnetometer Network (Embrace MagNet) from 2010 to 2018. The model predicts the monthly average horizontal field of the geomagnetic quiet (Sq-H) daily variation solving a set of equations for the specified geographic coordinates in terms of the solar cycle activity, the day of the year, and the universal time. We carried out two comparisons between the prediction and observational data of the Sq-H field. The first part attempts to evaluate the accuracy for estimating the Sq-H field over Medianeira (MED, 25.30° S, 54.11° W, dip angle: − 33.45°) by using linear interpolation on the SQRF coefficients and comparing it with the data collected from April to December in 2018. None of the datasets collected at MED is part of the dataset used to build the SQRF model. The second part of the analysis attempts to evaluate the accuracy for predicting the quiet daily field variation over Cachoeira Paulista (CXP, 22.70° S, 45.01° W, dip angle: − 38.48°). The dataset collected at CXP before the period analyzed in the present work is part of the dataset used to build the SQRF model. Thus, the prediction accuracy is tested using magnetic data outside the time interval considered in the model. The prediction results for both locations show that this empirical model’s outputs present a good agreement with the Sq-H field obtained from the ground-based magnetometer measurements. The accuracy of the SQRF model (high correlation, r > 0.9) indicates a high potential for estimating and predicting geomagnetic quiet daily field variation. Concerning space weather applications, the model improves the scientific insight and capability of space weather prediction centers to predict the variability of the regular solar quiet field variation as reference conditions, which may include areas with no measurements.

RESUMO A fibromialgia (FM) é uma condição de alta prevalência e que causa desconforto físico, sofrimento mental e comprometimento nas relações sociais. Assim, o autocuidado pode ser um aspecto determinante para melhorar a qualidade de vida de indivíduos com FM, pois está relacionado ao ato de se investir de poder. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o agenciamento do autocuidado de indivíduos com FM e verificar a associação do autocuidado com variáveis sociodemográficas, sintomas e qualidade de vida. Participaram do estudo 40 indivíduos com FM, que preencheram os critérios diagnósticos do Colégio Americano de Reumatologia de 2010. O autocuidado foi avaliado pela Escala de Avaliação de Agenciamento de Autocuidados Revisada (EAAA-R), a intensidade da dor dos pacientes foi verificada pela Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) e pelo Índice de Dor Generalizada (IDG), enquanto a severidade dos sintomas foi avaliado pela Escala de Severidade dos Sintomas (SS) e a qualidade de vida pelo Questionário de Impacto da Fibromialgia Revisado (QIF-R). Utilizamos o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (dados paramétricos) e coeficiente de correlação de Spearman (dados não paramétricos), com nível de significância α

Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) is the most frequent complaint in clinical practice. Electroacupuncture treatment may be effective; however, the supporting evidence is still limited, especially in older adults. Objective The current study is a randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in older adults with LBP. Methods A five-arm randomized controlled trial with patients and evaluators blinded to the group allocation. A total of 125 participants with non-specific LBP will be randomly assigned into one of five groups: three electroacupuncture groups (low, high, and alternating frequency); one control group; and one placebo group. The electroacupuncture will be applied twice a week (30 min per session) for five weeks. The primary clinical outcome measure will be pain intensity. The secondary outcomes include: quality of pain; physical functioning; perceived overall effect; emotional functionality; patient satisfaction; and psychosocial factors. Patients will be evaluated before the first session, immediately after the last, and followed up after six and 12 months to check the medium- and long-term effects. Discussion Although electroacupuncture is increasingly used to treat LBP, there is no guidance regarding the parameters used, which leads to inconsistent results. Thus, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on LBP remains controversial and requires more studies, especially in the older adult population. Conclusion This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of different frequencies of electroacupuncture for treating chronic LBP in older adults. This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture as an alternative treatment method for LBP and will entail wider debate about an appropriate acupuncture intervention in this population. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03802045. Registered on 14 January 2019.

Phthalates are reprotoxic pollutants that are omnipresent in the environment. Detectable in amniotic fluid, these compounds (with the most concentrated being mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP)) are in direct contact with fetal membranes (FMs). They can lead to the premature rupture of FMs by deregulating cellular and molecular pathways, such as, for example, the nuclear transcription factor peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) pathway. The objective was to study the impact of MEHP on the PPARγ pathway in FMs using amnion and choriodecidua across the three trimesters of pregnancy and the amniotic epithelial AV3 cell model by analyzing (i) PPARγ expression (mRNA and proteins) using RT-qPCR and Western blot assays; (ii) cytotoxicity and cell viability following MEHP treatment by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurement and using Cell-counting Kit 8; and (iii) modulation by MEHP of PPARγ transcriptional activity (using a reporter gene assay) and PPARγ anti-inflammatory properties (by measuring IL6 and IL8 levels). PPARγ is expressed in the human amnion and choriodecidua during the three trimesters of pregnancy and in amniotic cells. In the AV3 cell line, MEHP is not cytotoxic and does not reduce cell viability, but it reduces PPARγ activity, here induced by a classical agonist without influencing its expression. MEHP also reduces PPARγ’s anti-inflammatory properties. In conclusion, PPARγ signaling is dysregulated by MEHP; this paves the way for future explorations to highlight the hypothesis of phthalates as an amniotic PPARγ disruptor that can explain the premature rupture of FMs.

Preterm prelabor ruptures of fetal membranes (pPROM) are a pregnancy complication responsible for 30% of all preterm births. This pathology currently appears more as a consequence of early and uncontrolled process runaway activation, which is usually implicated in the physiologic rupture at term: inflammation. This phenomenon can be septic but also sterile. In this latter case, the inflammation depends on some specific molecules called “alarmins” or “damage-associated molecular patterns” (DAMPs) that are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), leading to a microbial-free inflammatory response. Recent data clarify how this activation works and which receptor translates this inflammatory signaling into fetal membranes (FM) to manage a successful rupture after 37 weeks of gestation. In this context, this review focused on two PRRs: the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and the NLRP7 inflammasome.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of low-back pain (LBP) and to identify the level of functional disability in elderly individuals in different populations. From January 1985 to October 2018, a search was performed using the following databases: Embase, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus, Medline, and the Web of Science. The descriptors were low-back pain, back pain, lower-back pain, prevalence, and elderly in Portuguese and English. Two independent reviewers conducted a search for studies and evaluated their methodological quality. The search strategy returned 2186 titles, and 35 were included in this review. The studies evaluated 135,059 elderly individuals aged between 60 and 102 years, and the prevalence of LBP ranged from 21% to 75%. The levels of functional disability, as well as functional difficulties, activities of daily living, and physical capacity, were identified in 60% of the studies. This review indicated a high prevalence of LBP in elderly individuals and functional disability that affects factors important for independence. However, the studies used different methodologies, suggesting that more studies be conducted with scientific accuracy, methodological quality, and low risk of bias to contribute to the proposal of preventive actions for elderly populations.

Há quase um século uma prática cultural e religiosa ocorre na localidade chamada Tauerá de Beja, zona rural do município de Abaetetuba, Pará, Brasil. Trata-se da ladainha em homenagem a São Miguel, o anjo guerreiro. Uma característica marcante e bem peculiar dessa festa religiosa é a prática de cantar ladainhas de maneira tradicional com vozes bem divididas e utilizando-se de palavras em latim vulgar, algo que se mantém há gerações e que acabou se tornando uma das essências dessa tradição religiosa, misturando devoção e memórias....

Este vídeo apresenta um recorte de uma prática cultural e religiosa de quase 100 anos, presente em uma comunidade da zona rural do município de Abaetetuba, Pará, Brasil. Durante o terceiro sábado do mês de julho é realizada na comunidade do ramal Tauerá de Beja uma procissão em homenagem a São Miguel, onde a comunidade vivencia momentos dedicados a essa divindade. Uma característica marcante e bem peculiar desse momento é a prática de cantar ladainhas de maneira tradicional com vozes bem divididas e se utilizando de palavras em latim vulgar, algo que se mantém há gerações e que acabou se tornando uma das essências dessa tradição religiosa, misturando memórias e devoção. Na captura das imagens foi usada uma máquina Nikon Coolpix P520. Assistia aqui.

O presente trabalho traz um estudo acerca da obra Descubrimiento del río de las Amazonas, escrita pelo frei espanhol Gaspar de Carvajal que apresenta a expedição de Francisco de Orellana e Gonzalo Pizarro em 1541/1542 quando cruzaram o Rio Amazonas em busca de novas riquezas e novos territórios. O objetivo é compreender a colonização do território amazônico por meio da cronística do frei e que está inserida no discurso do colonizador, visto que as primeiras impressões do homem europeu sobre as novas terras estão presentes na obra, por isso foi escolhida diante de muitas narrativas que apresentam a Amazônia para o mundo, pois possui pontos muito importantes que revelam o olhar europeu sobre a América, também por servir de marco histórico no que diz respeito à colonização da Amazônia. Para isso, desenvolveram-se estudos bibliográficos sobre os temas, utilizando-se autores como Pizarro (2005), Heufemann-Barría (2014), Mignolo (1982) e Almeida (2013) entre outros.

O vídeo apresenta registro imagético de um projeto pedagógico realizado em 2016, com os alunos das turmas multisseriadas da Escola M.ª Lucimar de Castro Castelo Branco, Comunidade do Cocal, município de Tracuateua-PA. No intuito de contextualizar o currículo e pesquisar o patrimônio material e imaterial da comunidade, as professoras trouxeram os moradores mais antigos para conversar com as crianças e contar a história das famílias pioneiras da localidade. Assim, através de saberes partilhados via oralidade e memória, o alunado pôde cultivar o sentido de pertença, a partir do reconhecimento das diferenças e com isso valorizar a diversidade étnica e cultural de sua própria Comunidade, ao mesmo tempo em que estudava os conteúdos programáticos desenvolvidos na Escola. Assista aqui.

El presente trabajo se ocupa de la expedición conquistadora de Francisco de Orellana y Gonzalo Pizarro que cruzaron el Río Amazonas en 1541/1542 en busca del mítico reino de El Dorado como del País de la Canela. El artículo objetiva identificar la realidad y el imaginario presentes en la relación escrita por Gaspar de Carvajal, fray de la orden de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, que fue designado a acompañar los expedicionarios y registrar todos los acontecimientos y hechos importantes en el viaje sobre el descubrimiento de la Amazonía, como la presencia del mito de las mujeres guerreras, las Amazonas, que acompañaba a los conquistadores desde los primeros viajes en busca de nuevos mundos.

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las posibilidades y los límites de la gobernanza pública en el Sistema de Garantía de Derechos de los Niños y Adolescentes de la ciudad brasileña de Capanema por medio de cinco dimensiones: actores, corresponsabilidad, participación social, espacios deliberativos y articulación en red. El enfoque del trabajo es cualitativo y la recogida de datos se realizó mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los resultados muestran que la estructura de gobernanza pública está formada principalmentepor actores públicos, corresponsables de articularse en red con la sociedad para garantizar esos derechos. Fueron identificadas dos redes: La Red de Protección a Niños y Adolescentes y la Red Socio-asistencial. Al mismo tiempo, se observó ausencia de diálogo y de espacios de participación social lo que limita la gobernanza pública.

Este vídeo mostra momentos da brincadeira tradicional de bumba meu boi realizada por moradores da comunidade “Vila Cuéra”, no município de Bragança-Pará, que recebe o nome carinhoso de “Boi Pretinho” e que durante sua apresentação são narradas histórias da comunidade por meio de músicas que envolvem o rio, a floresta, lendas e os saberes que fazem parte do cotidiano dos moradores. Os registros foram realizados em 2016 durante o II Seminário de Questões Socioambientais e Etnobiodiversidade na Amazônia, realizado pela UFPA, IFPA e VILA “QUE ERA”. Na captura das imagens foi usada uma máquina Nikon, modelo PC 1431. Assista aqui.

Este vídeo apresenta o amanhecer na feira livre bragantina, mostrando as diversidades de saberes, fazeres e sabores que se encontram neste ambiente, em um dia do mês de março de 2017, a partir da lógica da feira livre. Utilizam-se no vídeo vários espaços da feira livre, no município de Bragança/Pará, entre eles, da farinha e seus derivados, de pescados e mariscos, de frutas e legumes, de produtos artesanais e medicinais oriundos das florestas e dos rios. Na captura das imagens, foi usada uma máquina Nikon Coolpix P520. Assista aqui.

Studies of balance and risk factors for falling typically focus on the elderly population or on individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Although fibromyalgia is associated with intrinsic factors that predispose to falls (pain, depression, fatigue), few studies have researched balance and falls in this syndrome. The aim of this study was to verify the association between balance, balance self-efficacy and pain in women with and without fibromyalgia, and verify the association between Berg Balance Scale and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale). The sample consisted of 48 women aged between 40 and 59 years, divided into two groups: Fibromyalgia group (n=22) and Control group (n=26) with asymptomatic people. Balance was assessed by Berg Balance Scale, balance self-efficacy by the ABC Scale and pain by the visual analog scale. Mean scores for pain, Berg and ABC Scale were 5.4 cm (SD 2.6), 55 (interquartile range 54-56), and 54.6 (SD 26.6) respectively for Fibromyalgia group, and 0 cm, 56 (interquartile range 55-56), and 89.4 (SD 14.4) respectively for Control group. Statistically significant differences were found in balance on comparing both groups (p=0.000 for Berg Balance Scale and 0.009 for ABC Scale) with lower values for Fibromyalgia group. In Fibromyalgia group, pain was negatively correlated with balance (r=-0.48, p=0.020) and balance self-efficacy (rs=-0.56, p=0.006). Correlation between Berg Balance Scale and ABC Scale was found only in the Fibromyalgia group (rs =0.55, p=0.007). There are associations between poor balance and pain, and poor balance and decreased balance self-efficacy in women with fibromyalgia. There is an association between scales in the Fibromyalgia group.

Quantitative descriptive research, aiming to evaluate cavities and oral hygiene among elderly residents in a Long-Term Care Facility for the Elderly, in the municipality of Ponta Grossa in the state of Paraná, in 2011. The results indicate predominance of: age range between 71-75 years old (n=13; 33%), single (n=29;72%) and illiterate (n=31;77%). Regarding the evaluation, 55% of the elderly use dentures, 75% have few teeth, and of these, 60% have periodontitis; referent to oral hygiene, 73% have bad conditions. It is concluded that in spite of technological advances, studies referring to the oral problems among the elderly are few, making it necessary to elaborate preventive, educational programs so that adults and the elderly may plan their old age with more satisfactory oral health conditions.