The Potential Modulatory Effects of Exercise on Skeletal Muscle Redox Status in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global health burden with high mortality and health costs. CKD patients exhibit lower cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, strongly associated with morbidity/mortality, which is exacerbated when they reach the need for renal replacement therapies (RRT). Muscle wasting in CKD has been associated with an inflammatory/oxidative status affecting the resident cells' microenvironment, decreasing repair capacity and leading to atrophy. Exercise may help counteracting such effects; however, the molecular mechanisms remain uncertain. Thus, trying to pinpoint and understand these mechanisms is of particular interest. This review will start with a general background about myogenesis, followed by an overview of the impact of redox imbalance as a mechanism of muscle wasting in CKD, with focus on the modulatory effect of exercise on the skeletal muscle microenvironment.

AGPs as molecular determinants of reproductive development.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Morphogenesis occurs through accurate interaction between essential players to generate highly specialized plant organs. Fruit structure and function are triggered by a neat transcriptional control involving distinct regulator genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) or signalling proteins, such as the C2H2/C2HC zinc-finger NO TRANSMITTING TRACT (NTT) or the MADS-box protein SEEDSTICK (STK), which are important in setting plant reproductive competence, feasibly by affecting cell wall polysaccharide and lipid distribution. Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are major components of the cell wall and are thought to be involved in the reproductive process as important players in specific stages of development. The detection of AGPs epitopes in reproductive tissues of NTT and other fruit development-related TFs, such as MADS-box proteins including SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1), SHP2 and STK, was the focus of this study. METHODS: We used fluorescence microscopy to perform immunolocalization analyses on stk and ntt single mutants, on the ntt stk double mutant and on the stk shp1 shp2 triple mutant using specific anti-AGP monoclonal antibodies. In these mutants, the expression levels of selected AGP genes were also measured by quantitative real-time PCR and compared with the respective expression in wild-type (WT) plants. KEY RESULTS: The present immunolocalization study collects information on the distribution patterns of specific AGPs in Arabidopsis female reproductive tissues, complemented by the quantification of AGP expression levels, comparing WT, stk and ntt single mutants, the ntt stk double mutant and the stk shp1 shp2 triple mutant. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal distinct AGP distribution patterns in different developmental mutants related to the female reproductive unit in Arabidopsis. The value of the immunofluorescence labelling technique is highlighted in this study as an invaluable tool to dissect the remodelling nature of the cell wall in developmental processes.

Validação de conteúdo do hemodialysis safety checklist para o português brasileiro: um estudo metodológico / Content validation of the hemodialysis safety checklist for brazilian portuguese: a methodological study

OBJETIVO: Realizar adaptação transcultural e validação do conteúdo do HemodialysisSafetyChecklist para uso no Brasil. MÉTODO: Este estudo metodológico foi dividido em seis etapas: i) tradução para o português; ii) comparação e síntese; iii) retrotradução cega; iv) comparação e análise das equivalências conceituais, semânticas e de conteúdo; v) teste piloto com a população-alvo; e vi) validação de conteúdo por meio do cálculo do índice de validade de conteúdo (IVC). RESULTADOS: O processo de adaptação transcultural realizado resultou em um instrumento considerado claro pela população-alvo após a realização do teste piloto. Após duas rodadas de avaliação pelos especialistas, o instrumento foi considerado válido, obtendo um IVC por item (I-IVC) ≥ 0,88 para cada item, e um IVC da escala (S-IVC/Ave) = 0,97. CONCLUSÃO: A versão em português do Hemodialysis Safety Checklist apresenta um conteúdo válido para utilização na realidade da hemodiálise brasileira.

OBJECTIVE: To perform cross-cultural adaptation and content validation of the Hemodialysis Safety Checklist for use in Brazil. METHODS: This methodological study was divided into six stages: i) translation into Portuguese; ii) comparison and synthesis; iii) blind back-translation; iv) comparison and analysis of conceptual, semantic, and content equivalence; v) pilot testing with the target population; and vi) content validation by calculating the Content Validity Index (CVI). RESULTS: The cross-cultural adaptation process resulted in an instrument that was considered precise by the target population after the pilot test. After two rounds of evaluation by experts, the instrument was considered valid, obtaining an Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) ≥ 0.88 for each item and a Scale-Level Content Validity Index (S-CVI/Ave) = 0.97. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the Hemodialysis Safety Checklist presents valid content for use in Brazilian hemodialysis.

Inventory of tiger- and ground-beetles (Coleoptera, Caraboidea, Cicindelidae and Carabidae) in two sampling seasons of the Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique.

Background: The Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique) is one of the most emblematic protected areas in Africa, well known for its vertebrate biodiversity and restoration ecology efforts following the Mozambican civil war in 1992. The invertebrate biodiversity of Gorongosa National Park is still poorly studied, although the scarce information available indicates the existence of a rich number of species, namely in the case of tiger- and ground-beetles (Coleoptera, Caraboidea). Moreover, the study of arthropod assemblages is key for designing conservation practices since they are potentially accurate biodiversity and ecological indicators. Hence, the diversity assessment of Caraboidea beetles using standardised methodologies is likely to provide a new insight for future conservation planning and help to quantify the effects of climate change in areas identified as vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, such as the Gorongosa National Park. New information: We report the occurrence of five tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) and 93 ground-beetles (Carabidae) species/morphospecies in Gorongosa National Park from a field survey funded by the ECOASSESS project. Sampling was performed in the four main habitat types present in the Park (miombo tropical forest, mixed dry forest, transitional forest and grasslands) between 25 October and 25 November 2019. In this sampling window, the turnover of Caraboidea species from the dry season to the wet season was recorded for the first time. Twenty-eight species of ground-beetles are new records to Mozambique, including three new subgenera and three new genera. Additional information on species phenology and habitat preferences is also provided.

Adaptação e validação do Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool para o contexto brasileiro / Adaptación y validación del Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool para el contexto brasileño / Adaptation and validation of the Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool for the Brazilian context

Resumo Objetivo Realizar a adaptação transcultural e validar o conteúdo do instrumento Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool para o cenário brasileiro. Métodos Estudo metodológico realizado na capital pernambucana, que executou cinco etapas de um protocolo canadense de adaptação transcultural. A versão pré-final do instrumento foi avaliada por 36 participantes em terapia renal substitutiva e sete especialistas em Nefrologia. Resultados Para cada item, atingiu-se o I-IVC ≥ 0,85; e 0,99 para a escala S-IVC/Ave em equivalência conceitual e de conteúdo. O teste binomial apresentou o p-valor ≥ 0,05 para todos os itens; e o Coeficiente de Concordância de Kappa foi de 0,90. Conclusão O instrumento adaptado foi considerado claro pelos participantes e o conteúdo foi validado pelos especialistas. O Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool (K-TUT-Br) foi validado para utilização no contexto do transplante renal no Brasil. A sua aplicação poderá instrumentalizar a enfermagem na implementação de mudanças estratégicas nas estruturas técnico-assistenciais em uso de práticas baseadas em evidências ressaltando o conhecimento e o Letramento em Saúde.

Resumen Objetivo Realizar la adaptación transcultural y validar el contenido del instrumento Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool para el escenario brasileño. Métodos Estudio metodológico realizado en la capital del estado de Pernambuco, donde se ejecutaron cinco etapas de un protocolo canadiense de adaptación transcultural. La versión preliminar del instrumento fue evaluada por 36 participantes en terapia de reemplazo renal y siete especialistas en Nefrología. Resultados En cada ítem se alcanzó el I-IVC ≥ 0,85; y 0,99 en la escala S-IVC/Ave en equivalencia conceptual y de contenido. La prueba binominal presentó el p-valor ≥ 0,05 en todos los ítems; y el coeficiente de concordancia de Kappa fue de 0,90. Conclusión El instrumento adaptado fue considerado claro por los participantes y el contenido fue validado por los especialistas. El Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool (K-TUT-Br) fue validado para su utilización en el contexto del trasplante renal en Brasil. Su aplicación podrá servir de instrumento para enfermeros en la implementación de cambios estratégicos en las estructuras técnico-asistenciales en uso de prácticas basadas en evidencia, destacando el conocimiento y la alfabetización en salud.

Abstract Objective To perform a cross-cultural adaptation and content validation of the Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool for the Brazilian context. Methods A methodological study conducted in the city of Pernambuco, Brazil, which performed the five steps of a Canadian cross-cultural adaptation protocol. The pre-final version of the instrument was evaluated by 36 participants in renal replacement therapy and seven specialists in nephrology Results For each item, the Item Content Validity Index - I-CVI ≥ 0.85 was achieved; and 0.99 for the mean Scale Content Validity Index - S-CVI/Ave in conceptual and content equivalence. The binomial test showed a p-value ≥ 0.05 for all items; and the Kappa Coefficient of Agreement was 0.9. Conclusion The adapted instrument was found to be clear by the participants, and the content was validated by the experts. The Kidney Transplant Understanding Tool (K-TUT-Br) was validated for use in the context of kidney transplantation in Brazil. Its application may enable nurses to implement of strategic changes in technical and care structures using evidence-based practices focusing on knowledge and health literacy.

New insights on the expression patterns of specific Arabinogalactan proteins in reproductive tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins containing a high proportion of carbohydrates, widely distributed in the plant kingdom and ubiquitously present in land plants. AGPs have long been suggested to play important roles in plant reproduction and there is already evidence that specific glycoproteins are essential for male and female gametophyte development, pollen tube growth and guidance, and successful fertilization. However, the functions of many of these proteins have yet to be uncovered, mainly due to the difficulty to study individual AGPs. In this work, we generated molecular tools to analyze the expression patterns of a subgroup of individual AGPs in different Arabidopsis tissues, focusing on reproductive processes. This study focused on six AGPs: four classical AGPs (AGP7, AGP25, AGP26, AGP27), one AG peptide (AGP24) and one chimeric AGP (AGP31). These AGPs were first selected based on their predicted expression patterns along the reproductive tissues from available RNA-seq data. Promoter analysis using ß-glucuronidase fusions and qPCR in different Arabidopsis tissues allowed to confirm these predictions. AGP7 was mainly expressed in female reproductive tissues, more precisely in the style, funiculus, and integuments near the micropyle region. AGP25 was found to be expressed in the style, septum and ovules with higher expression in the chalaza and funiculus tissues. AGP26 was present in the ovules and pistil valves. AGP27 was expressed in the transmitting tissue, septum and funiculus during seed development. AGP24 was expressed in pollen grains, in mature embryo sacs, with highest expression at the chalazal pole and in the micropyle. AGP31 was expressed in the mature embryo sac with highest expression at the chalaza and, occasionally, in the micropyle. For all these AGPs a co-expression analysis was performed providing new hints on its possible functions. This work confirmed the detection in Arabidopsis male and female tissues of six AGPs never studied before regarding the reproductive process. These results provide novel evidence on the possible involvement of specific AGPs in plant reproduction, as strong candidates to participate in pollen-pistil interactions in an active way, which is significant for this field of study.

The Role of ROS as a Double-Edged Sword in (In)Fertility: The Impact of Cancer Treatment.

Tumor cells are highly resistant to oxidative stress resulting from the imbalance between high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and insufficient antioxidant defenses. However, when intracellular levels of ROS rise beyond a certain threshold, largely above cancer cells' capacity to reduce it, they may ultimately lead to apoptosis or necrosis. This is, in fact, one of the molecular mechanisms of anticancer drugs, as most chemotherapeutic treatments alter redox homeostasis by further elevation of intracellular ROS levels or inhibition of antioxidant pathways. In traditional chemotherapy, it is widely accepted that most therapeutic effects are due to ROS-mediated cell damage, but in targeted therapies, ROS-mediated effects are mostly unknown and data are still emerging. The increasing effectiveness of anticancer treatments has raised new challenges, especially in the field of reproduction. With cancer patients' life expectancy increasing, many aiming to become parents will be confronted with the adverse effects of treatments. Consequently, concerns about the impact of anticancer therapies on reproductive capacity are of particular interest. In this review, we begin with a short introduction on anticancer therapies, then address ROS physiological/pathophysiological roles in both male and female reproductive systems, and finish with ROS-mediated adverse effects of anticancer treatments in reproduction.

The impact of habitat loss on pollination services for a threatened dune endemic plant.

Habitat loss is currently a major threat to biodiversity, affecting species interactions, such as plant-pollinator interactions. This is particularly important in self-incompatible plants relying on pollinators to reproduce and sustain their populations. Here, we evaluated how habitat loss affects the pollination system, plant individual-pollinator species interaction network, and plant reproductive fitness of the self-incompatible Jasione maritima var. sabularia, a threatened taxon from dune systems. This plant is a pollinator generalist, visited by 108 species from distinct taxonomic groups. Results suggest that increasing habitat loss led to a significant decline in pollinator richness, increased pollen limitation, and a decrease in reproductive fitness of J. maritima var. sabularia. Visitation rate per individual did not significantly change with available area, indicating that the quality of pollen differed across populations. The topology of the network between J. maritima var. sabularia individuals and its pollinator species did not change, which may be attributed to the stability in the core of pollinator species. This suggests that the lower fitness of plants with increasing habitat degradation may be explained not only by the lower richness of peripheral pollinators but also by the genetic structure of the plant populations, as there is a possible higher transference of less quality pollen by pollinators, ultimately compromising the persistence of plant populations. Our study highlights the need of future studies to integrate the fine details provided by individual-level networks, which will increase our understanding of the pattern of species interactions and its consequences for the fitness of threatened plant populations.

Spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section. Bupivacaine associated with different doses of fentanyl: randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Assess patients submitted to elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, and the efficacy of different doses of fentanyl associated with bupivacaine. METHODS: The study included 124 pregnant women randomly distributed into 4 groups (n = 31) according to different doses of fentanyl (15 µg, 10 µg, 7.5 µg), Groups I, II, and III, respectively, and control group IV, associated with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (10 mg). An epidural catheter was inserted in case epidural top-up was required. We assessed the anesthetic blockage characteristics, negative maternal and neonatal outcomes, and maternal side effects. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher's exact and chi-square tests. The level of significance was 5% (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The quality of analgesia, time for the first complaint of pain and motor block recovery time were significantly better for groups that received fentanyl in comparison to controls (p < 0.001). None of the groups had negative maternal-fetal outcomes. Nausea was significantly more frequent in patients in Groups II (10 µg) and III (7.5 µg) when compared to Groups I (15 µg) and IV (no fentanyl). Vomiting was more frequent in Group III than in Group I (p = 0.006). The incidence of pruritus was significantly higher in the groups receiving fentanyl (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Among the solutions studied, the spinal anesthesia technique using 15 µg of fentanyl associated with 10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine provided satisfactory analgesia and very low incidence of adverse effects for patients submitted to cesarean section. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UTN U1111-1199-0285. REBEC: RBR-5XWT6T.

Treatment of dentin hypersensitivity with laser: systematic review / Tratamento da hipersensibilidade dentinária com laser: revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dentin hypersensitivity is an exacerbated response to a stimulus, causing acute and short-term pain. Over the years, several treatments for dentin hypersensitivity have emerged, including laser therapy. Thus, the objective of this work was to carry out a review about the available devices and the existing procedures of laser therapy in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. CONTENTS: A systematic review of studies published from 2016 to 2020 was carried out through bibliographic search in the electronic databases Pubmed and the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde - (Virtual Health Library), using the following descriptors: "Laser" And "Dentin Hypersensitivity". Of the total of 51 articles found in the search, 14 were eligible for a review. There was an evaluation of the possible risks of bias for each of the articles included. CONCLUSION: As a result, a variety of devices available on the market and different protocols that prove to be effective for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity when compared to the initial pain situation (baseline) were found. When laser treatment is compared with other existing therapies, it's not so clear which would be the most effective, due to the wide variety of study methodologies. However, an association of therapies that act in the two mechanisms of pain interception (neural and blocker) seems to be an appropriate conduct in the control of dentin hypersensitivity, and this combination can happen through physical methods (High and low intensity laser) and chemical (neural and blocker agents).

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A hipersensibilidade dentinária é uma resposta exacerbada a um estímulo, causando dor aguda e de curta duração. Ao longo dos anos, diversos tratamentos para a hipersensibilidade dentinária têm surgido, incluindo a laserterapia. O objetivo foi realizar uma revisão acerca dos aparelhos disponíveis e dos protocolos do tratamento da hipersensibilidade dentinária com laser. CONTEÚDO: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de estudos publicados de 2016 a 2020, por meio da busca bibliográfica nas bases de dados eletrônicos Pubmed e da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, utilizando os seguintes descritores: "Laser" e "Dentin Hypersensitivity". Do total de 51 artigos encontrados na busca, 14 foram elegíveis para a revisão. Foram analisados os possíveis riscos de viés para cada um dos artigos incluídos. CONCLUSÃO: Diante da variedade de protocolos existentes quanto ao uso do laser, tanto alta (LAP) quanto de baixa potência (LBP), nadiminuição do desconforto causado pela HD, pode-se concluir de maneira geral que o emprego do laser tem se mostrado efetivo na grande maioria dos protocolos utilizados nos estudos, porém, ainda não é claro qual seria a estratégia mais efetiva a longo prazo. A associação de intervenções que atuem nos dois mecanismos de interceptação da dor (neural e obliterador) parece ser uma conduta apropriada no controle da HD, podendo essa combinação acontecer por meio de métodos físicos (laser de alta e baixa intensidade) e químicos (agentes neurais e obliteradores). A terapia mais adequada para HD depende de criteriosa anamnese e exame físico, enquanto o sucesso do tratamento dependerá da remoção dos fatores causais e de um plano de tratamento feito individualmente para cada paciente.

Land-Use Effect on Olive Groves Pest Prays oleae and on Its Potential Biocontrol Agent Chrysoperla carnea.

Olive growing has been intensified through the simplification of agricultural landscapes. In order to rethink the environmental drawbacks of these practices, conservation biological control techniques have been examined. In this work, Prays oleae and its natural enemy Chrysoperla carnea were monitored to account for the effects of the amount and diversity of different land-uses. We found that C. carnea showed an attraction to areas with high abundances of P. oleae but this predator did not display any affection by the different land-uses. Inversely, P. oleae abundance was lower in diverse landscapes and higher in simplified ones. Importantly, higher abundances of C. carnea were related to lower infestation levels of P. oleae in the late part of the season. These results corroborate the attraction of C. carnea to the olive moth, highlighting the potential of C. carnea as a biological control agent of this pest, assert that the promotion of land-use diversity can reduce P. oleae and confirm that landscapes dominated by olive groves can promote this pest. The present study aims at contributing to the discussion about the management of agricultural ecosystems by providing farmers with sustainable alternatives that do not have harmful effects on the environment and public health.

Strategies to Promote Patient Safety in Hemodialysis: An Integrative Review.

A way to promote patient safety is to create strategies that can contain the latent failures present in health organizations, especially in highly complexity services, such as hemodialysis units, which, by the characteristics of the treatment, offer potential risks for the occurrence of adverse events to their patients. The aim of this study was to identify strategies in the literature that contribute to the promotion of patient safety in hemodialysis. Eleven articles were identified, comprising 17 strategies to promote patient safety in hemodialysis, divided into three dimensions of care: teaching, assistance, and management. The category with the most strategies listed was management, with audit the most cited strategy in this category. All strategies found are interrelated and can be used together to optimize patient safety.

Correction: Testosterone deficiency reduces the effects of late cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213351.].

New Insights into the Process of Placentation and the Role of Oxidative Uterine Microenvironment.

For a successful pregnancy to occur, a predecidualized receptive endometrium must be invaded by placental differentiated cells (extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs)) and, at the same time, continue decidualization. EVT invasion is aimed at anchoring the placenta to the maternal uterus and ensuring local blood supply increase necessary to provide normal placental and foetal development. The first is achieved by migrating through the maternal endometrium and deeper into the myometrium, while the second by transforming uterine spiral arteries into large vessels. This process is a tightly regulated battle comprising interests of both the mother and the foetus. Invading EVTs are required to perform a scope of functions: move, adhere, proliferate, differentiate, interact, and digest the extracellular matrix (ECM); tolerate hypoxia; transform the maternal spiral arteries; and die by apoptosis. All these functions are modulated by their surrounding microenvironment: oxygen, soluble factors (e.g., cytokines, growth factors, and hormones), ECM proteins, and reactive oxygen species. A deeper comprehension of oxidative uterine microenvironment contribution to trophoblast function will be addressed in this review.

Factors associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding. / Fatores relacionados com uma menor duração total do aleitamento materno.

This article seeks to identify the factors associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. A nested case-control study was carried out with a cohort of mothers for about two years after they gave birth to their children in the two largest public maternity hospitals in João Pessoa - PB. Mothers who breastfed up to 15 months were considered as cases (n = 55) and those who breastfed for more than 15 months (n = 48) were considered controls. The exposure variables were maternal socioeconomic characteristics, gestational characteristics, birth characteristics and early introduction of food. The Chi-Square test was applied to select the independent variables (p-value <= 0.20) to be entered into a multiple logistic regression model, with only those with a p-value <= 0.05 being kept in the final model. The early introduction of infant formula (OR = 4.71, CI95%: 1.76 - 12.63), other milks (OR = 3.25, CI95%: 1.27 - 8.31) and having less than six prenatal consultations (OR = 2.73, CI95%: 1.04 - 7.07) were risk factors for a shorter breastfeeding duration. The early introduction of infant formulas or other milks may be an important indicator for the adoption of appropriate breastfeeding promotion and support actions to achieve the WHO target of breastfeeding for two years or longer.

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar fatores relacionados com uma maior duração do aleitamento materno. Realizou-se um estudo caso-controle aninhado em uma coorte de mães que tiveram seus filhos nas duas maiores maternidades públicas de João Pessoa ­ PB quando eles tinham em torno de dois anos de idade. Os casos foram aquelas que amamentaram até o 15 mês (n = 55) e os controles as que amamentaram por mais de 15 meses (n = 48). As variáveis de exposição foram características socioeconômicas maternas, da gestação e parto e a introdução precoce de alimentação complementar. Aplicou-se o teste Qui-Quadrado para selecionar as variáveis independentes (p-valor <= 0,20) para ingressar em um modelo de regressão logística múltipla, permanecendo no modelo final somente aquelas com p-valor <= 0,05. A introdução precoce de fórmula infantil (OR = 4,71, IC95%: 1,76 ­ 12,63), de outros leites (OR = 3,25, IC95%: 1,27 ­ 8,31) e realizar menos de seis consultas pré-natal (OR = 2,73, IC95%: 1,04 ­ 7,07) foram fatores de risco para a menor duração do aleitamento materno. A introdução precoce de fórmulas infantis ou outros leites pode ser um indicador importante para a adoção de ações de promoção e apoio oportunas para o prolongamento da amamentação para atingir a meta da OMS de aleitamento materno por dois anos ou mais.

Fatores relacionados com uma menor duração total do aleitamento materno / Factors associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é identificar fatores relacionados com uma maior duração do aleitamento materno. Realizou-se um estudo caso-controle aninhado em uma coorte de mães que tiveram seus filhos nas duas maiores maternidades públicas de João Pessoa - PB quando eles tinham em torno de dois anos de idade. Os casos foram aquelas que amamentaram até o 15 mês (n = 55) e os controles as que amamentaram por mais de 15 meses (n = 48). As variáveis de exposição foram características socioeconômicas maternas, da gestação e parto e a introdução precoce de alimentação complementar. Aplicou-se o teste Qui-Quadrado para selecionar as variáveis independentes (p-valor <= 0,20) para ingressar em um modelo de regressão logística múltipla, permanecendo no modelo final somente aquelas com p-valor <= 0,05. A introdução precoce de fórmula infantil (OR = 4,71, IC95%: 1,76 - 12,63), de outros leites (OR = 3,25, IC95%: 1,27 - 8,31) e realizar menos de seis consultas pré-natal (OR = 2,73, IC95%: 1,04 - 7,07) foram fatores de risco para a menor duração do aleitamento materno. A introdução precoce de fórmulas infantis ou outros leites pode ser um indicador importante para a adoção de ações de promoção e apoio oportunas para o prolongamento da amamentação para atingir a meta da OMS de aleitamento materno por dois anos ou mais.

Abstract This article seeks to identify the factors associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. A nested case-control study was carried out with a cohort of mothers for about two years after they gave birth to their children in the two largest public maternity hospitals in João Pessoa - PB. Mothers who breastfed up to 15 months were considered as cases (n = 55) and those who breastfed for more than 15 months (n = 48) were considered controls. The exposure variables were maternal socioeconomic characteristics, gestational characteristics, birth characteristics and early introduction of food. The Chi-Square test was applied to select the independent variables (p-value <= 0.20) to be entered into a multiple logistic regression model, with only those with a p-value <= 0.05 being kept in the final model. The early introduction of infant formula (OR = 4.71, CI95%: 1.76 - 12.63), other milks (OR = 3.25, CI95%: 1.27 - 8.31) and having less than six prenatal consultations (OR = 2.73, CI95%: 1.04 - 7.07) were risk factors for a shorter breastfeeding duration. The early introduction of infant formulas or other milks may be an important indicator for the adoption of appropriate breastfeeding promotion and support actions to achieve the WHO target of breastfeeding for two years or longer.

Testosterone deficiency reduces the effects of late cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Testosterone is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. This study evaluated cardiac remodeling 60 days after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats with testosterone deficiency. One week after castration, the animals underwent myocardial infarction. Rats were divided into four groups: orchidectomized (OCT); orchidectomized and infarcted (OCT+MI), MI and control (Sham). The myocyte cross-sectional area and the papillary muscle contractility were evaluated 8 weeks after MI. The coronary bed was perfused with Biodur E20 resin to evaluate the neovascularization after MI. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM followed by ANOVA. Castration reduced myocyte hypertrophy when compared to Sham and myocardial infarction alone as well as preserved the contraction force and activation time after myocardial infarction. After beta-adrenergic stimulation, activation and relaxation kinetics were less impaired in the OCT+MI group than in the MI group. Contraction force was preserved in the OCT+MI group after beta-adrenergic stimulation. Multiple scanning electronic microscope images were obtained to characterize changes in the coronary arteries. Capillary density index was increased in the MI and OCT+MI groups compared with control. The MI and OCT+MI groups were characterized by irregular vessel arrangements with distorted shape, abrupt changes in vessel direction, as well as abrupt changes in diameter after bifurcations when compared to Sham and OCT. The results indicated that testosterone deficiency attenuates adverse cardiac remodeling after MI. Novel findings in this study were that testosterone deficiency in rats, induced by castration, changes the later remodeling after MI, when compared with non castrated rats. The absence of this androgenous hormone seems to be benefic against pathological hypertrophy.

Neural circuitry of a polycystin-mediated hydrodynamic startle response for predator avoidance.

Startle responses triggered by aversive stimuli including predators are widespread across animals. These coordinated whole-body actions require the rapid and simultaneous activation of a large number of muscles. Here we study a startle response in a planktonic larva to understand the whole-body circuit implementation of the behaviour. Upon encountering water vibrations, larvae of the annelid Platynereis close their locomotor cilia and simultaneously raise the parapodia. The response is mediated by collar receptor neurons expressing the polycystins PKD1-1 and PKD2-1. CRISPR-generated PKD1-1 and PKD2-1 mutant larvae do not startle and fall prey to a copepod predator at a higher rate. Reconstruction of the whole-body connectome of the collar-receptor-cell circuitry revealed converging feedforward circuits to the ciliary bands and muscles. The wiring diagram suggests circuit mechanisms for the intersegmental and left-right coordination of the response. Our results reveal how polycystin-mediated mechanosensation can trigger a coordinated whole-body effector response involved in predator avoidance.

Evidências de validade da escala de ansiedade em estatística em alunos da psicologia / Validity of the statistics anxiety scale in psychology students / Evidencia de validez de la escala de ansiedad en estadística en estudiantes de psicología

Os alunos da Psicologia, com frequência, percebem o estudo da estatística e os dados quantitativos como obstáculos intransponíveis que mobilizam considerável ansiedade. Esta investigação teve como objetivo adaptar e gerar evidências de validade e fidedignidade para uma versão brasileira da Escala de Ansiedade em Estatística. Foram coletados dados com 397 estudantes de Psicologia, de ambos os sexos, nos campi de quatro universidades públicas e privadas do Rio de Janeiro/RJ. Os escores dos participantes foram submetidos à análise fatorial exploratória e confirmatória. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram evidências de validade fatorial e de consistência interna ao instrumento. Também foram apuradas diferenças estatísticas significativas nas medidas de ansiedade entre os sexos dos estudantes, entre as instituições e entre aqueles alunos que cursaram ou não a disciplina de estatística. Estes achados foram comparados com estudos realizados anteriormente com o instrumento. Concluiu-se que esta medida de ansiedade estatística poderá ser útil para a pesquisa psicológica fornecendo subsídios para o ensino e aprendizagem da estatística nos cursos de Psicologia.(AU)

Psychology students often perceive the study of statistics and quantitative data as insurmountable obstacles that mobilize considerable anxiety. This research aimed to adapt and generate evidence regarding the validity of the Brazilian version of the Statistics Anxiety Scale with 397 psychology students from public and private universities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The participants' scores were submitted for the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The results demonstrated evidence of factorial validity and internal consistency for the instrument. There were also statistically significant differences in the measures of anxiety between genders of students, between institutions, and between those students who did or did not participate in the discipline of statistics. After comparing these findings with those of previous studies, it was concluded that the scale might be useful for psychological research since it provides insights into the teaching and learning of statistics in psychology.(AU)

Estudiantes de Psicología perciben a menudo el estudio de las estadísticas y los datos cuantitativos como obstáculos insuperables que movilizan ansiedad considerable. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo adaptar y generar evidencia de validez para una versión brasileña de la Escala de Ansiedad en Estadística en 397 estudiantes de psicología de las universidades públicas y privadas en Rio de Janeiro / RJ. Las puntuaciones de los participantes se sometieron a análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio. Los resultados mostraron evidencia de la validez factorial y la consistencia interna del instrumento. También se determinaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las medidas de ansiedad entre los sexos de los estudiantes, entre las instituciones y, entre los estudiantes que cursan o no la asignatura estadística. Estos resultados se compararon con estudios realizados previamente con el instrumento. Se concluyó que la escala puede ser útil para la investigación psicológica y proporciona información sobre la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de la estadística en Psicología.(AU)

Evidências de validade da escala de ansiedade em estatística em alunos da psicologia / Validity of the statistics anxiety scale in psychology students / Evidencia de validez de la escala de ansiedad en estadística en estudiantes de psicología

Os alunos da Psicologia, com frequência, percebem o estudo da estatística e os dados quantitativos como obstáculos intransponíveis que mobilizam considerável ansiedade. Esta investigação teve como objetivo adaptar e gerar evidências de validade e fidedignidade para uma versão brasileira da Escala de Ansiedade em Estatística. Foram coletados dados com 397 estudantes de Psicologia, de ambos os sexos, nos campi de quatro universidades públicas e privadas do Rio de Janeiro/RJ. Os escores dos participantes foram submetidos à análise fatorial exploratória e confirmatória. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram evidências de validade fatorial e de consistência interna ao instrumento. Também foram apuradas diferenças estatísticas significativas nas medidas de ansiedade entre os sexos dos estudantes, entre as instituições e entre aqueles alunos que cursaram ou não a disciplina de estatística. Estes achados foram comparados com estudos realizados anteriormente com o instrumento. Concluiu-se que esta medida de ansiedade estatística poderá ser útil para a pesquisa psicológica fornecendo subsídios para o ensino e aprendizagem da estatística nos cursos de Psicologia.

Psychology students often perceive the study of statistics and quantitative data as insurmountable obstacles that mobilize considerable anxiety. This research aimed to adapt and generate evidence regarding the validity of the Brazilian version of the Statistics Anxiety Scale with 397 psychology students from public and private universities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The participants' scores were submitted for the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The results demonstrated evidence of factorial validity and internal consistency for the instrument. There were also statistically significant differences in the measures of anxiety between genders of students, between institutions, and between those students who did or did not participate in the discipline of statistics. After comparing these findings with those of previous studies, it was concluded that the scale might be useful for psychological research since it provides insights into the teaching and learning of statistics in psychology.

Estudiantes de Psicología perciben a menudo el estudio de las estadísticas y los datos cuantitativos como obstáculos insuperables que movilizan ansiedad considerable. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo adaptar y generar evidencia de validez para una versión brasileña de la Escala de Ansiedad en Estadística en 397 estudiantes de psicología de las universidades públicas y privadas en Rio de Janeiro / RJ. Las puntuaciones de los participantes se sometieron a análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio. Los resultados mostraron evidencia de la validez factorial y la consistencia interna del instrumento. También se determinaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las medidas de ansiedad entre los sexos de los estudiantes, entre las instituciones y, entre los estudiantes que cursan o no la asignatura estadística. Estos resultados se compararon con estudios realizados previamente con el instrumento. Se concluyó que la escala puede ser útil para la investigación psicológica y proporciona información sobre la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de la estadística en Psicología.