Preeclampsia and transport of ions and small molecules: A literature review.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a prevalent obstetric complication affecting approximately 3-5% of pregnancies worldwide and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia is considered a disease of the endothelial system that can progress to eclampsia, characterized by seizures. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial to improving maternal and fetal outcomes, as preeclampsia can lead to severe complications such as placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and stroke. The pathophysiology of PE is complex, involving a combination of genetic, acquired, and immunological factors. A central feature of the condition is inadequate placentation and impaired uteroplacental perfusion, leading to local hypoxia, endothelial dysfunction, vasoconstriction, and immunological dysregulation. Recent evidence suggests that dysregulation of ion transporters may play a significant role in the adaptation of uterine circulation during placentation. These transporters are essential for maintaining maternal-fetal homeostasis, influencing processes such as nutrient exchange, hormone synthesis, trophoblast cell migration, and the function of smooth muscle cells in blood vessels. In preeclampsia, adverse conditions like hypoxia and oxidative stress result in the downregulation of ion, solute, and water transporters, impairing their function. This review focuses on membrane transporters involved in PE, discussing functional alterations and their physiological implications. The goal of this investigation is to enhance understanding of how dysregulation of ion and small molecule transporters contributes to the development and progression of preeclampsia, underscoring the importance of exploring these signaling pathways for potential therapeutic interventions.

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae versus pathogenic species: comparative evaluation of protease activity, glycoconjugates, resistance to complement and metabolome composition.

BACKGROUND: Leishmania tarentolae is a non-pathogenic species found in lizards representing an important model for Leishmania biology. However, several aspects of this Sauroleishmania remain unknown to explain its low level of virulence. OBJECTIVES: We reported several aspects of L. tarentolae biology including glycoconjugates, proteolytic activities and metabolome composition in comparison to pathogenic species (Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major). METHODS: Parasites were cultured for extraction and purification of lipophosphoglycan (LPG), immunofluorescence probing with anti-gp63 and resistance against complement. Parasite extracts were also tested for proteases activity and metabolome composition. FINDINGS: Leishmania tarentolae does not express LPG on its surface. It expresses gp63 at lower levels compared to pathogenic species and, is highly sensitive to complement-mediated lysis. This species also lacks intracellular/extracellular activities of proteolytic enzymes. It has metabolic differences with pathogenic species, exhibiting a lower abundance of metabolites including ABC transporters, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and steroids, TCA cycle, glycine/serine/threonine metabolism, glyoxylate/dicarboxylate metabolism and pentose-phosphate pathways. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The non-pathogenic phenotype of L. tarentolae is associated with alterations in several biochemical and molecular features. This reinforces the need of comparative studies between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of virulence during host-parasite interactions.

Evaluation of Bone Growth around Autotransplanted Teeth Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Images.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this observational study was to evaluate bone growth at the recipient site of autotransplanted teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to compare it to the control tooth. METHODS: Bone growth was measured on CBCT images obtained from the anterior region of the maxilla, which received a single transplant of immature premolars due to early loss of the central incisor. The results were compared to the bone growth of contralateral central incisor that served as control. The sample consisted of 13 autotransplanted teeth and 13 control teeth. It was determined the thickness of the buccal bone of the marginal ridge, the thickness of the palatal bone of the marginal ridge, the height of the maxillary bone, and the thickness of the maxillary bone at its mid-height. The measurements were analyzed statistically, adopting a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The mean interval between the dental autotransplantation surgery and the CBCT scan was 16.2 years. The mean thickness of the buccal bone of the marginal ridge, thickness of the palatal bone of the marginal ridge, height of the maxillary bone, and thickness of the maxillary bone at its mid-height were, respectively, 0.85, 0.94, 19.6, and 8.85 mm for autotransplanted teeth and 0.79, 1.09, 18.88, and 8.5 mm for control teeth. There were no significant differences in the bone measurements between autotransplanted and control teeth (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The growth of maxillary bone in the region that received the autotransplanted tooth was proportional to that of maxillary bone that supports the contralateral tooth. Thus, autogenous transplantation is efficient in maintaining the bone architecture at the recipient site.

Development of a Database for the Estimation of Heme Iron and Nonheme Iron Content of Animal-Based Foods.

Background: Total iron (TI) intake and differentiation between heme iron (HI) and nonheme iron (NHI) are uncommon despite markedly different bioavailability. Objectives: To create a database compiling information from studies that directly assessed the HI content of animal products using the Hornsey method, and to explore differences in estimates of HI intake between the data compiled and the Monsen method. Methods: A literature search identified studies that chemically characterized the HI content of animal-based foods using the Hornsey method; HI, NHI, and TI contents (mg/100 g) were compiled. Information was grouped by animal type and cooking method, and mean (± SD) HI% was calculated. Using a 24-h dietary record, differences in HI and NHI intake using the compiled information and the Monsen approach were explored. Results: Actual HI% values ranged from 7% to 94%. Raw foods had the highest HI% [raw duck (94% ± 4%), raw blood curd (82% ± 4%), and raw beef (79% ± 9%)]. Boiled foods had the lowest HI% [boiled shrimp (11% ± 5%) and meatballs (15% ± 6%)]. Cooked foods with the highest HI% were beef (70% ± 10%) and lamb (70% ± 9%). In many instances, applying actual HI% from the complied database produced markedly different measures of the HI content of foods [cooked beef (Monsen: 1.3 mg/100 g); (Hornsey: 2.3 mg/100 g)]. Estimation of iron intake in a 24-h recall demonstrated that using animal-specific HI% results in different estimates of HI intake [Monsen: 1.2 mg HI (40%); Hornsey: 1.8 mg HI (59%)]. Conclusions: Animal-based foods have variable HI%. A fixed HI:NHI ratio does not reflect this variation and could give rise to inaccurate estimates of HI content in food and HI intake. Consideration of this variation in HI% may improve our ability to link dietary intake with iron status and important health outcomes.

Health-Related quality of life by 31-item Cervantes scale in breast cancer survivors undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Instruments to manage adverse effects of endocrine therapy with Aromatase inhibitors (AI) may improve adherence and persistence to treatment and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL). The 31-item Cervantes Scale (CS-31) is an HRQL questionnaire with particularities of the perimenopausal and postmenopausal period that could be an appropriate instrument to assess HRQL in Breast Cancer (BC) survivors. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to perform additional validation of the CS-31 for BC survivors undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy. METHODS: This prospective study was performed at three time points named T0, T1, and T2: initial, intermediate, and final follow-up period, respectively, totaling 24 months of follow-up. At each time point, the participants completed the CS-31, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The internal consistency, construct validity, responsiveness analyses, and known-group validity of CS-31 were evaluated. RESULTS: This study included 89 postmenopausal women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive early BC in adjuvant endocrine therapy with AI. The internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89). Construct validity received a positive rating, with 100% of results consistent with prior hypotheses. A prospective improvement in HRQL was identified for the CS-31 Global Score and FACIT-F Total Score and for most of their domains. Furthermore, women with anxiety and depression by HADS presented worse HRQL by CS-31. CONCLUSION: The authors identified that the CS-31 seems to be appropriate for use in oncology medical routine and may help to monitor adverse effects and HRQL of BC survivors during adjuvant endocrine therapy.

Comparison of Sepsis-1, 2 and 3 for Predicting Mortality in Septic Patients of a Middle-Income Country: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of sepsis is based on expert consensus and does not yet have a "gold standard." With the aim of improving and standardizing diagnostic methods, there have already been three major consensuses on the subject. However, there are still few studies in middle-income countries comparing the methods. This study describes the characteristics of patients diagnosed with sepsis and evaluates and compares the performance of Sepsis-1, 2, and 3 criteria in predicting 28 days, and in-hospital mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. All admissions between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, were reviewed. Patients diagnosed with sepsis were included. RESULTS: During the study period, 653 patients diagnosed with sepsis (by any of the studied criteria) were included in the study. The 28 days mortality rate was 45.8%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 59.7%. We observed that 72.1% of patients met the minimum criteria for diagnosing sepsis according to the three protocols, and this group also had the highest mortality rate. Age and comorbidities such as cancer and liver cirrhosis were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. The most common microorganisms were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that most patients met the diagnostic criteria for sepsis using the three methods. Sepsis-2 showed greater sensitivity to predict mortality, while Sequential Organ Failure Assessment showed low accuracy, but was the only significant one. Furthermore, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) had the highest specificity for mortality. Overall, these findings suggest that, although all three methods contribute to the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis, Sepsis-2 is particularly sensitive in predicting mortality. Sepsis-3 shows some accuracy but requires improvement, and qSOFA exhibits the highest specificity. More research is needed to improve predictive capabilities and patient outcomes.

Health-Related quality of life by 31-item Cervantes scale in breast cancer survivors undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy

ABSTRACT Introduction Instruments to manage adverse effects of endocrine therapy with Aromatase inhibitors (AI) may improve adherence and persistence to treatment and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL). The 31-item Cervantes Scale (CS-31) is an HRQL questionnaire with particularities of the perimenopausal and postmenopausal period that could be an appropriate instrument to assess HRQL in Breast Cancer (BC) survivors. Objective This study aimed to perform additional validation of the CS-31 for BC survivors undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy. Methods This prospective study was performed at three time points named T0, T1, and T2: initial, intermediate, and final follow-up period, respectively, totaling 24 months of follow-up. At each time point, the participants completed the CS-31, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The internal consistency, construct validity, responsiveness analyses, and known-group validity of CS-31 were evaluated. Results This study included 89 postmenopausal women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive early BC in adjuvant endocrine therapy with AI. The internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89). Construct validity received a positive rating, with 100% of results consistent with prior hypotheses. A prospective improvement in HRQL was identified for the CS-31 Global Score and FACIT-F Total Score and for most of their domains. Furthermore, women with anxiety and depression by HADS presented worse HRQL by CS-31. Conclusion The authors identified that the CS-31 seems to be appropriate for use in oncology medical routine and may help to monitor adverse effects and HRQL of BC survivors during adjuvant endocrine therapy.

X-ray induced ultrafast charge transfer in thiophene-based conjugated polymers controlled by core-hole clock spectroscopy.

We explore ultrafast charge transfer (CT) resonantly induced by hard X-ray radiation in organic thiophene-based polymers at the sulfur K-edge. A combination of core-hole clock spectroscopy with real-time propagation time-dependent density functional theory simulations gives an insight into the electron dynamics underlying the CT process. Our method provides control over CT by a selective excitation of a specific resonance in the sulfur atom with monochromatic X-ray radiation. Our combined experimental and theoretical investigation establishes that the dominant mechanism of CT in polymer powders and films consists of electron delocalisation along the polymer chain occurring on the low-femtosecond time scale.

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae versus pathogenic species: comparative evaluation of protease activity, glycoconjugates, resistance to complement and metabolome composition

BACKGROUND Leishmania tarentolae is a non-pathogenic species found in lizards representing an important model for Leishmania biology. However, several aspects of this Sauroleishmania remain unknown to explain its low level of virulence. OBJECTIVES We reported several aspects of L. tarentolae biology including glycoconjugates, proteolytic activities and metabolome composition in comparison to pathogenic species (Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major). METHODS Parasites were cultured for extraction and purification of lipophosphoglycan (LPG), immunofluorescence probing with anti-gp63 and resistance against complement. Parasite extracts were also tested for proteases activity and metabolome composition. FINDINGS Leishmania tarentolae does not express LPG on its surface. It expresses gp63 at lower levels compared to pathogenic species and, is highly sensitive to complement-mediated lysis. This species also lacks intracellular/extracellular activities of proteolytic enzymes. It has metabolic differences with pathogenic species, exhibiting a lower abundance of metabolites including ABC transporters, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and steroids, TCA cycle, glycine/serine/threonine metabolism, glyoxylate/dicarboxylate metabolism and pentose-phosphate pathways. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The non-pathogenic phenotype of L. tarentolae is associated with alterations in several biochemical and molecular features. This reinforces the need of comparative studies between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of virulence during host-parasite interactions.

Recessive SERPING1 Variant Leads to Kinin-Kallikrein System Control Failure in a Consanguineous Brazilian Family with Hereditary Angioedema.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a severe and potentially life-threatening disease. The most common forms are caused by variants in SERPING1, resulting in C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency (HAE-C1-INH). C1-INH is a serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) that regulates multiple proteases pathways, including the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) and its complement. In HAE-C1-INH patients, C1-INH deficiencies affect KKS control, resulting in the development of kallikrein activity in plasma and the subsequent release of bradykinin (BK). While the overwhelming majority of disease-causing SERPING1 variants are dominant, very few recessive variants have been described. We present a large Brazilian HAE-C1-INH family with a recessive form of HAE-C1-INH. Methods: Blood samples of family members were investigated for protein levels of C1-INH, C4, C1q, and C1-INH function. The SERPING1 gene was sequenced. Results: In two severely affected sisters, we identified a homozygous missense variant in SERPING1 (NM_000062.3:c.964G>A;p.Val322Met). Fourteen family members were asymptomatic heterozygous carriers of the variant. Data regarding C1-INH function in the plasma showed that homozygous p.Val322Met strongly impacts C1-INH function to inhibit C1s and kallikrein (PKa). When heterozygously expressed, it affects the C1-INH control of C1s more than that of PKa. Conclusions: These studies of the variant's effects on the structure-function relationship reinforce prior observations suggesting that C1-INH deficiency is a conformational disease.

Increased hippocampal CREB phosphorylation after retrieval of remote contextual fear memories in Carioca high-conditioned freezing rats.

The participation of the hippocampal formation in consolidation and reconsolidation of contextual fear memories has been widely recognized and known to be dependent on the activation of the cAMP response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) pathway. Recent findings have challenged the prevailing view that over time contextual fear memories migrate to neocortical circuits and no longer require the hippocampus for retrieval of remote fearful memories. It has also recently been found that this brain structure is important for the maintenance and recall of remote fear memories associated with aversive events, a common trait in stress-related disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In view of these findings, here we examined the putative role of CREB in the hippocampus of an animal model of GAD during the retrieval of remote contextual fear memories. Specifically, we evaluated CREB phosphorylation in the hippocampus of male Carioca High- and Low-conditioned Freezing rats (CHF and CLF, respectively) upon re-exposure of animals to contextual cues associated to footshocks weeks after fear conditioning. Age-matched male rats from a randomized crossbreeding population served as controls (CTL). Adrenal catecholamine levels were also measured as a biological marker of stress response. Seven weeks after contextual fear conditioning, half of the sample of CHF (n = 9), CLF (n = 10) and CTL (n = 10) rats were randomly assigned to return to the same context chamber where footshocks were previously administrated (Context condition), while the remaining animals were individually placed in standard housing cages (Control condition). Western blot results indicated that pCREB levels were significantly increased in the hippocampus of CHF rats for both Context and Control conditions when compared to the other experimental groups. CHF rats in the Context condition also exhibited significant more freezing than that observed for both CLF and CTL rats. Lastly, CHF animals in the Context condition displayed significantly higher adrenal catecholamine levels than those in the Control condition, whereas no differences in catecholamine levels were observed between Context and Control conditions for CLF and CTL rats. These findings are discussed from a perspective in which the hippocampus plays a role in the maintenance and recall of remote contextual fear memories via the CREB pathway.

A scoping review on hyposalivation associated with systemic conditions: the role of physical stimulation in the treatment approaches.

BACKGROUND: Several systemic conditions can result in distinct degrees of salivary gland damage and consequent hypofunction. The development of successful management schemes is highly challenging due to the complexity of saliva. This study aimed to systematically map the literature on the physical stimulation of salivary glands for hyposalivation management and the response of individuals according to different systemic conditions causing salivary impairment. METHODS: A systematic search in the literature was performed. Two reviewers independently selected clinical trials, randomized or not, that used physical stimulation to treat hyposalivation caused by systemic conditions. Studies evaluating healthy subjects without hyposalivation were included as controls. Single-arm clinical studies or case series were also included for protocol mapping (PRISMA extension for scoping reviews). RESULTS: Out of 24 included studies, 10 evaluated healthy subjects, from which 9 tested transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and 1 tested acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Fourteen studies evaluated individuals with hyposalivation: 6 applied TENS, 6 applied low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and 2 applied acupuncture, carried out in post-chemotherapy, medication use, postmenopausal women, hemodialysis patients, smokers, diabetics, Sjögren's syndrome (SS). All showed increased salivation after treatment, except for two LLLT studies in individuals with SS. CONCLUSIONS: Among the different patient groups, individuals with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) exhibited the poorest responses, while those with medication-induced hyposalivation demonstrated the most favorable treatment outcomes, independently of the management strategy for saliva stimulation. It means that physical stimulation of salivary glands holds promise as an alternative for managing hyposalivation in cases of reversible gland damage. However, to make informed decisions in current practice, it is necessary to conduct new well-designed randomized clinical trials with appropriate methodologies.

Time since death: The histological chronotanatognostic.

The time since death is an important aspect of forensic medicine; however, there is not an accurate single method to determine this data. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate parameters and procedures based on the morphological analysis of cells and tissues to determine the time since death, using animal models. Pigs were chosen in this research because of their similarities with human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. We identified the cells and tissue alterations in the viscera of pig cadavers according to the time since death, also describing the changes in the temperature of the organs and the bodies. The environmental temperature during the sample collection was also registered. The viscera analysis was performed for 24 h, with a 2-h variation period. After the sample collection, microscope slides were prepared for optical microscopy analysis. Through this 24-h analysis, we observed that the pancreas, small intestine, and large intestine presented more cellular alterations than the other organs. The alterations observed in the other viscera have significance when analyzed in combination. The meninges presented higher stability and few changes in 24 h, which could be relevant in an investigation of the time since death in a period greater than 24 h. Our results showed that histological evaluation is an excellent method to determine the time since death.

Clinical management of salivary gland hypofunction in patients with head and neck cancer: a scoping review of physical salivary stimulation methods.

OBJECTIVE(S): This scoping review aims to map the scientific literature on the therapies currently available for physical salivary stimulation in individuals with hyposalivation caused by radiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: Studies were included when they comprised the target population of adult individuals receiving radiotherapy of the head and neck region and who developed or were at risk of developing hyposalivation. Two reviewers selected the studies and extracted data on the type of physical salivary stimulation therapy used, the degree of glandular tissue involvement, and the percentage of salivary flow alteration. Therapies were classified according to either prophylactic application (before/during radiotherapy) or therapeutic application (post-radiotherapy). RESULTS: Sixteen articles were included: 4 tested transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), 3 studied low-level lasers, 7 researched acupunctures, and 2 investigated acupuncture-like TENS. The outcomes of the prophylactic studies indicated beneficial effects (similar salivary flow or reduced salivary flow loss), although most studies did not include a comparable control group. Therapeutic studies presented conflicting results. CONCLUSION(S): Prophylactic therapies of physical salivary stimulation may produce better effects than therapeutic applications. However, the protocols best indicated could not be defined. Well-designed, controlled clinical trials should be researched in the future to support the clinical recommendation of any of these treatments.

Maternal protein restriction during the lactation period disrupts the ontogenetic development of behavioral traits in male Wistar rat offspring.

Neonatal undernutrition in rats results in short- and long-term behavioral and hormonal alterations in the offspring. It is not clear, however, whether these effects are present since the original insult or if they develop at some specific age later in life. Here, we assessed the ontogenetic profile of behavioral parameters associated with anxiety, exploration and memory/learning of Wistar rat offspring that were subjected to protein malnutrition during lactation. Dams and respective litters were separated into two groups: (1) protein-restricted (PR), which received a hypoproteic chow (8% protein) from birth to weaning [postnatal day (PN) 21]; (2) control (C), which received normoproteic chow. Offspring's behaviors, corticosterone, catecholamines, T3 and T4 levels were assessed at PN21 (weaning), PN45 (adolescence), PN90 (young adulthood) or PN180 (adulthood). PR offspring showed an age-independent reduction in the levels of anxiety-like behaviors in the Elevated Plus Maze and better memory performance in the Radial Arm Water Maze. PR offspring showed peak exploratory activity in the Open Field earlier in life, at PN45, than C, which showed theirs at PN90. Corticosterone was reduced in PR offspring, particularly at young adulthood, while catecholamines were increased at weaning and adulthood. The current study shows that considerable age-dependent variations in the expression of the observed behaviors and hormonal levels exist from weaning to adulthood in rats, and that protein restriction during lactation has complex variable-dependent effects on the ontogenesis of the assessed parameters.

Lifetime caffeine and adolescent nicotine exposure in mice: effects on anxiety-like behavior and reward.

Caffeine consumption occurs throughout life, while nicotine use typically begins during adolescence, the period when caffeine-nicotine epidemiological association begins in earnest. Despite that, few studies in animal models parallel the pattern of coexposure that occurs in humans. Therefore, the neurobehavioral consequences of the association between these drugs remain unclear. Here, we exposed Swiss mice to lifetime caffeine. Caffeine solutions of 0.1 g/L (CAF0.1), 0.3 g/L (CAF0.3), or water (CTRL) were used as the sole liquid source, being offered to progenitors until weaning and, after that, directly to the offspring until the last day of adolescent behavioral evaluation. The open field test was used to evaluate acute effects of nicotine, of lifetime caffeine and of their interaction on locomotion and anxiety-like behavior, while the conditioned place preference test was used to assess the impact of caffeine on nicotine (0.5 mg/Kg, i.p.) reward. Frontal cerebral cortex dopamine content, dopamine turnover, and norepinephrine levels, as well as hippocampal serotonin 1A receptor expression were assessed. CAF0.3 mice exhibited an increase in anxiety-like behavior when compared to CAF0.1 and CTRL ones, but nicotine coexposure mitigated the anxiogenic-like caffeine-induced effect. Distinctively, caffeine had no effect on locomotion and failed to interfere with both nicotine-induced hyperactivity and place preference. There were no significant effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic markers. In conclusion, although caffeine did not affect nicotine reward, considering the strong association between anxiety disorders and tobacco consumption, caffeine-induced anxiety-like behavior advises limiting its consumption during development, including adolescence, as caffeine could be a risk factor to nicotine use.

Bartter Syndrome-Related Variants Distribution: Brazilian Data and Its Comparison with Worldwide Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Genetic testing is recommended for accurate diagnosis of Bartter syndrome (BS) and serves as a basis for implementing specific target therapies. However, populations other than Europeans and North Americans are underrepresented in most databases and there are uncertainties in the genotype-phenotype correlation. We studied Brazilian BS patients, an admixed population with diverse ancestry. METHODS: We evaluated the clinical and mutational profile of this cohort and performed a systematic review of BS mutations from worldwide cohorts. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included; Gitelman syndrome was diagnosed in 2 siblings with antenatal BS and congenital chloride diarrhea in 1 girl. BS was confirmed in 19 patients: BS type 1 in 1 boy (antenatal BS); BS type 4a in 1 girl and BS type 4b in 1 girl, both of them with antenatal BS and neurosensorial deafness; BS type 3 (CLCNKB mutations): 16 cases. The deletion of the entire CLCNKB (1-20 del) was the most frequent variant. Patients carrying the 1-20 del presented earlier manifestations than those with other CLCNKB-mutations and the presence of homozygous 1-20 del was correlated with progressive chronic kidney disease. The prevalence of the 1-20 del in this BS Brazilian cohort was similar to that of Chinese cohorts and individuals of African and Middle Eastern descent from other cohorts. CONCLUSION: This study expands the genetic spectrum of BS patients with different ethnics, reveals some genotype/phenotype correlations, compares the findings with other cohorts, and provides a systematic review of the literature on the distribution of BS-related variants worldwide.

Dynamic Equilibrium at the HCOOH-Saturated TiO2(110)-Water Interface.

Carboxylic acids bind to titanium dioxide (TiO2) dissociatively, forming surface superstructures that give rise to a (2 × 1) pattern detected by low-energy electron diffraction. Exposing this system to water, however, leads to a loss of the highly ordered surface structure. The formate-covered surface was investigated by a combination of diffraction and spectroscopy techniques, together with static and dynamic ab initio simulations, with the conclusion that a dynamic equilibrium exists between adsorbed formic acid and water molecules. This equilibrium process is an important factor for obtaining a better understanding of controlling the self-cleaning properties of TiO2, because the formic acid monolayer is responsible for the amphiphilic character of the surface.

Prática do acolhimento na atenção psicossocial para o cuidado centrado na pessoa* / Welcoming practice in psychosocial care for the person-centered care* / Prácticas de acogimiento en atención psicosocial para la atención centrada en la persona*

RESUMO: Objetivo: analisar a prática do acolhimento na atenção psicossocial para o cuidado centrado na pessoa. Método: pesquisa social, modalidade estratégica, de abordagem qualitativa, fundamentada no referencial do Método Clínico Centrado na Pessoa, realizada com 17 profissionais de dois Centros de Atenção Psicossocial da Região Central do Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de questionário de caracterização profissiográfica e entrevistas individuais, online, entre junho e agosto de 2021. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: a categoria temática "Prática do acolhimento na atenção psicossocial" contemplou três categorias que evidenciaram o que é praticado pelos profissionais no acolhimento: 1. questões familiares; 2. questões de saúde; 3. questões psicossociais. Considerações finais: há avanços na prática de acolher de alguns profissionais que se aproxima do modelo de atenção psicossocial, porém, há a necessidade de educação permanente para que o acolhimento centrado na pessoa seja uma ação corriqueira nos serviços.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the practice of welcoming people into psychosocial care for personcentered care. Method: A qualitative, strategic social research study based on the PersonCentered Clinical Method, conducted with 17 professionals from two Psychosocial Care Centers in the Central Region of Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire to characterize the profession and individual online interviews between June and August 2021. The data was subjected to thematic content analysis. Results: the thematic category "Practice of welcoming in psychosocial care" included three categories that showed what is practiced by professionals in welcoming: 1. Family issues; 2. Health issues; 3. Psychosocial issues. Final considerations: there has been progress in the welcoming practices of some professionals, which is closer to the psychosocial care model, but there is a need for ongoing education so that person-centered welcoming becomes a common action in the services.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la práctica de la acogida en la atención psicosocial para una atención centrada en la persona. Método: Estudio cualitativo de investigación social estratégica basado en el Método Clínico Centrado en la Persona, realizado con 17 profesionales de dos Centros de Atención Psicosocial de la Región Centro de Brasil. Los datos se recogieron mediante un cuestionario de caracterización profesional y entrevistas individuales online entre junio y agosto de 2021. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: la categoría temática "Práctica del acogimiento en la atención psicosocia" incluía tres categorías que mostraban lo que practican los profesionales en la acogida: 1. cuestiones familiares; 2. cuestiones sanitarias; 3. cuestiones psicosociales. Consideraciones finales: se ha avanzado en la práctica acogedora de algunos profesionales, más cercana al modelo de atención psicosocial, pero es necesaria una formación continuada para que el acogimiento centrado en la persona se convierta en una acción rutinaria en los servicios.

Canine squamous cell carcinoma: Electrochemotherapy association with surgery and correlation with overall survival.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an important malignancy in dogs, due to its incidence and clinical presentation, which can be of locally aggressive single or multiple lesions with a metastatic potential. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate SCC response to treatment, anatomopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics, disease-free interval and overall survival time. 54 dogs with histopathologically diagnosed SCC were included in this study. Their mean age was 9.16 years with a range of 1-14 years. Of the 54 animals in the study, 34 (65.4%) had white skin and white fur coats. There was a significant correlation between fur coat colour and the development of tumours in areas of sun exposure (p = .001). Animals with tumours in areas of the body exposed to the sun had longer overall survival time than animals with tumours in areas not associated with sun exposure (p = .001). Surgery combined with electrochemotherapy (ECT) yielded a survival rate 32% higher than using a surgical approach alone (HR = 0.32, p = .038, IC = 0.11-0.94). ECT, with or without surgery, had an objective response rate of 90.9%. Local lymph node and/or distant site metastasis at diagnosis, or at some point during follow-up, occurred in 34.6% (18/52) of animals. Animals with tumours in sun exposed locations had more aggressive histopathological characteristics but had longer overall survival time. This is probably due to individualised therapeutic treatment with both surgery and ECT.