Amizade e deficiência: análise das redes de conhecimento / Friendship and disability: An analysis of knowledge networks

Resumo Introdução: A amizade influencia positivamente o desenvolvimento humano. Todavia, pessoas com deficiencia enfrentam dificuldades para construir e manter esse vínculo. Este estudo objetiva explorar e analisar as redes de conhecimento da literatura sobre amizade e deficiencia de 2017 a 2022. Método: Utilizando critérios Prisma, a busca foi realizada nas bases de dados Scopus e Web of Science. Os softwares VOSviewer e Pajek foram usados para construir e analisar as redes. Resultados: Foram analisados 68 artigos. Os Estados Unidos lideram em publicaçoes, entretanto o Reino Unido é mais influente na rede. As principais investigaçoes na área sao: transtorno do espectro autista, deficiencia intelectual, inclusao social, habilidades sociais e violencia contra a pessoa com deficiencia. Documentos influentes abordam análise temática em psicologia, amizade de pessoas com transtorno do espectro autista e deficiencia intelectual. Conclusões: Os mapas de conhecimento e análise de redes ajudam a explorar a literatura, o que permite compreender tendencias, estrutura intelectual base e correlações científicas.

Abstract Introduction: Friendship positively influences human development. However, people with disabilities face difficulties in building and maintaining this bond. This study aims to explore and analyze the knowledge networks in the literature on friendship and disabilities from 2017 to 2022. Method: Using PRISMA criteria, the search was conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. VOSviewer and Pajek software were used to construct and analyze the networks. Results: Sixty-eight articles were analyzed. The United States leads in publications, but the United Kingdom is more influential in the network. The main research areas are autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, social inclusion, social skills, and violence against people with disabilities. Influential documents address thematic analysis in psychology, and friendship among individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Conclusions: Knowledge maps and network analysis help explore the literature, allowing an understanding of trends, the foundational intellectual structure, and scientific correlations.

Negative life events and depression by gender in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil).

OBJECTIVE: Gender differences may interfere with the association between Negative Life Events (NLEs) and prevalent/incident depression. This study evaluated the effect of gender in this association using data from the ELSA-Brazil cohort. METHODS: The authors analyzed 15,088 participants (mean age, 52.1 (9.1), 54.4 % women). NLEs (robbery, hospitalization, death of a close relative, financial hardship, and rupture of a love relationship) were accessed at baseline. Depression was assessed at baseline and follow-ups. The authors built logistic (Odds Ratio [OR], 95 % Confidence Interval [95 % CI]) and Poisson regression models (Relative Risk [RR], [95 % CI]) to evaluate this association. RESULTS: Women reported more NLEs compared to men. The authors found associations between NLEs and prevalent depression: for men, hospitalization (OR = 1.83; 95 % CI 1.16‒2.91), financial hardship (OR = 2.42; 95 % CI 1.69‒3.49), rupture of a love relationship (OR = 2.54; 95 % CI 1.50‒4.29), and any NLE (OR = 2.30; 95 % CI 1.59‒3.35); and for women, robbery (OR = 1.81; 95 % CI 1.31‒2.49), hospitalization (OR = 1.46; 95 % CI 1.11‒1.92), financial hardship (OR = 1.76; 95 % CI 1.43‒2.17), rupture of a love relationship (OR = 1.66; 95 % CI 1.20‒2.32), and any NLE (OR = 1.65; 95 % CI 1.34‒2.04). For incident depression only financial hardship (RR = 2.09; 95 % CI 1.55‒2.83) was associated with depression in men, while, for women, robbery (RR = 1.54; 95 % CI 1.16‒2.04); hospitalization (RR = 1.36; 95 % CI 1.07‒1.74), financial hardship (RR = 1.37; 95 % CI 1.14‒1.65), and any NLE (RR = 1.25; 95 % CI 1.04‒1.49) were associated with incident depression. No association was found between the death of a close relative and prevalent/incident depression. CONCLUSION: NLEs were associated with depression in men and women, with a higher impact in the latter.

The effect of age on the relationship between negative life events and current and new depressive episodes: results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: There is scarce data concerning the relationship between negative life events (NLEs)* and current and new depressive episodes by age. METHODS: Cross-sectional (baseline) and prospective analyses (4-year/8-year follow-ups) were performed in 15,105 civil servants in 6 cities in Brazil classified according to age strata at baseline: 1st(35-44), 2nd(45-54), 3rd(55-64), and 4th(65-74) years. The independent variable was NLEs in the last year (robbery, hospitalization, death of a relative, financial hardship, and rupture of a love relationship) collected at baseline. The dependent variable was depressive episodes assessed at baseline (current), and 4-year/8-year follow-ups (new). We built logistic (Odds Ratio[OR];95 % Confidence Interval[CI]) in the cross-sectional analysis and Poisson regression models (Relative Risk[RR], [CI]) in the prospective analysis. RESULTS: Robbery, hospitalization, financial hardship, rupture of a relationship were associated with current depressive episodes concentrated in the 35-44 age range, while for new depressive episodes, the association of hospitalization, death of a relative, and financial hardship were concentrated in the 45-54 age stratum. Financial hardship was associated with current depressive episodes in all age-strata: 1st: OR, 2.77(CI, 1.83-4.19); 2nd: OR, 1.71(CI, 1.26-2.34); 3rd: OR, 1.68(CI,1.15-2.46); 4th, OR, 4.07(CI, 1.24-13.34), and new depressive episodes: 1st: RR, 1.45(CI, 1.09-1.93); 2nd RR, 1.46(CI: 1.15-1.84); 3rd: RR, 1.97(CI, 1.38-2.82). Rupture of a relationship was associated only with current depressive episode, while death of a relative only with new depressive episode. LIMITATION: We cannot rule out the possibility of recall bias, since NLEs` information was self-reported. CONCLUSION: The association between NLEs with depressive episodes was concentrated in youngers.

The Landscape of Products for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Scientific and Patent Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a complication of diabetes that occurs in 40 - 60 million individuals worldwide and is associated with other chronic diseases. However, there are no review studies that present the state-of- the- art and technologies developed to circumvent this important health problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This review was conducted based on scientific papers and patents. The papers were retrieved from Lilacs, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, and the patents from INPI, ESPACENET, WIPO, and GOOGLE PATENTS. Thus, a sample consisting of 14 scientific articles and 667 patents was analyzed. RESULTS: From the analysis of the data, we drew an overview of the development of biomedical technologies for DPN and detected the pioneering spirit of China, the USA, and Japan in the area, with a focus on the treatment of DPN. Based on this, we carried out a SWOT analysis to help direct future efforts in the area, which should focus primarily on developing technologies for prevention, early diagnosis, and, above all, cure of the disease to reduce the important impact of this disease in various sectors of society. CONCLUSION: This study finds a concentration of diabetic peripheral neuropathy products, especially therapeutic drugs, in high-income countries. It highlights the need for global collaboration and strategic focus on therapeutic adherence and preventive strategies to effectively manage DPN.

Simplified Method for Kinetic and Thermodynamic Screening of Cardiotonic Steroids through the K+-Dependent Phosphatase Activity of Na+/K+-ATPase with Chromogenic pNPP Substrate.

The antitumor effect of cardiotonic steroids (CTS) has stimulated the search for new methods to evaluate both kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of their binding to Na+/K+-ATPase (IUBMB Enzyme Nomenclature). We propose a real-time assay based on a chromogenic substrate for phosphatase activity (pNPPase activity), using only two concentrations with an inhibitory progression curve, to obtain the association rate (kon ), dissociation rate (koff ), and equilibrium (Ki ) constants of CTS for the structure-kinetics relationship in drug screening. We show that changing conditions (from ATPase to pNPPase activity) resulted in an increase of Ki of the cardenolides digitoxigenin, essentially due to a reduction of kon In contrast, the Ki of the structurally related bufadienolide bufalin increased much less due to the reduction of its koff partially compensating the decrease of its kon When evaluating the kinetics of 15 natural and semisynthetic CTS, we observed that both kon and koff correlated with Ki (Spearman test), suggesting that differences in potency depend on variations of both kon and koff A rhamnose in C3 of the steroidal nucleus enhanced the inhibitory potency by a reduction of koff rather than an increase of kon Raising the temperature did not alter the koff of digitoxin, generating a ΔH‡ (koff ) of -10.4 ± 4.3 kJ/mol, suggesting a complex dissociation mechanism. Based on a simple and inexpensive methodology, we determined the values of kon , koff , and Ki of the CTS and provided original kinetics and thermodynamics differences between CTS that could help the design of new compounds. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study describes a fast, simple, and cost-effective method for the measurement of phosphatase pNPPase activity enabling structure-kinetics relationships of Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors, which are important compounds due to their antitumor effect and endogenous role. Using 15 compounds, some of them original, this study was able to delineate the kinetics and/or thermodynamics differences due to the type of sugar and lactone ring present in the steroid structure.

Nanostructured gadolinium(III) micelles: Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxic activities, and MRI applications in vivo.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are used in around 40 % of MRI procedures. Despite initial perceptions of minimal risk, their long-term use has emphasized the need to reduce toxicity and develop more efficient GBCAs with extended blood retention. Advancements in nanomaterials have led to improved GBCAs, enhancing MRI diagnostics. This study synthesizes and characterizes nanostructured gadolinium(III) micelles as superior MRI contrast agents. The complexes, [Gd(L)2], where L is a ligand of the N-alkyl-N-methylglucamine surfactant series (L8, L10 or L12, L10), form nanostructured micelles in aqueous solution. Gd(L8)2 and Gd(L10)2 relaxivities remained stable across concentrations. Compared to Gd-DTPA, Gd(III) micelles showed enhanced T1-weighted MRI contrast. Gd(L12)2 micelles exhibited cytotoxicity against B16F10 melanoma cells (IC50 42.5 ± 2.2 µM) and L292L929 fibroblasts (IC50 52.0 ± 2.5 µM), with a selectivity index of 1.2. In vivo application in mice brain T2-weighted images suggests nanostructured Gd(III) micelles are promising MRI contrast agents for targeting healthy organs or tumors.

Evaluation of the analytical and clinical performance of the Abbott Alinity m instrument for the quantification of HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load in a reference laboratory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the analytical performance of the Alinity m system (Abbott Molecular) and to compare the clinical performance of HIV-1 assays on the Alinity m and m2000 RealTime platforms (Abbott Molecular). METHODS: The sensitivity, precision, and accuracy of the Alinity m instrument were determined using a panel of standard samples (n = 46). The carryover effect was assessed by analyzing HIV-negative clinical samples (n = 20). Clinical performance of the Alinity m and m2000 RealTime platforms was compared using surplus HIV-positive patient plasma samples (n = 39). RESULTS: The Alinity m HIV-1 assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity, a high precision (coefficient of variation (s/x̄) × 100 ≤1.5% [SD ≤ 0.05] logarithm to base 10 [log10] copies/mL), and partial accuracy over the quantification range. Analysis of clinical samples suggested that the Alinity m HIV-1 assay does not cause carryover effect and produced a mean bias of 0.209 log10 copies/mL (95% CI, 0.153-0.265) compared with the m2000 RealTime System. CONCLUSIONS: The Alinity m instrument's performance correlated to that of the m2000 RealTime platform and showed excellent sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, despite producing overquantification not clinically relevant for disease management. Furthermore, use of the Alinity m platform can reduce turnaround time.

Salt tolerance in a neotropical orchid in the absence of local adaptation to salt spray.

PREMISE: Salt tolerance has rarely been investigated regionally in the neotropics and even more rarely in Orchidaceae, one of the largest families. Therefore, investigating local adaptation to salt spray and its physiological basis in Epidendrum fulgens, a neotropical orchid species, brings important new insights. METHODS: We assessed the degree of salt tolerance in E. fulgens by testing whether coastal populations are more tolerant to salt, which could point to local adaptation. To understand the physiological basis of such salt tolerance, we exposed wild-collected individuals to salt spray for 60 days, then measured leaf expansion, osmotic potential, sodium leaf concentration, chlorophyll leaf index, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative growth rate, and pressure-volume curves. RESULTS: There is no local adaptation to salt spray since both inland and coastal plants have a high tolerance to salt stress. This tolerance is explained by the ability to tolerate high concentrations of salt in leaf tissues, which is related to the high succulence displayed by this species. CONCLUSIONS: We showed an unprecedented salt tolerance level for an orchid species, highlighting our limited knowledge of that trait beyond the traditional studied groups. Another interesting finding is that salt tolerance in E. fulgens is linked to succulence, is widespread, and is not the result of local adaptation. We suggest that E. fulgens and its allied species could be an interesting group to explore the evolution of important traits related to tolerance to salt stress, like succulence.

A oferta do café de rua nas capitais São Paulo e Vitória / The offer of coffee on the streets of the state capitals São Paulo and Vitória / La oferta de café en las calles de las capitales estatales São Paulo y Vitória

A pandemia gerou impactos sociais e econômicos, como o trabalho informal dos que se ocupam do serviço de café de rua, ampliado na retomada pós-isolamento. O artigo analisa as significações construídas pelas instalações do serviço nas ruas de São Paulo (SP) e Vitória (ES), enquanto manifestações do empreendedo-rismo por necessidade. O corpus foi coletado em dias úteis, no início das manhãs, em diversos pontos das capitais. A semiótica discursiva sustentou a análise, e o seu método permitiu traçar isotopias conectoras de figuras e temas. Os resultados apontam para comunicação dos sentidos da informalidade, casualidade e familiaridade, marcados pela presença feminina, pela autonomia imposta aos sujeitos produtor/vendedor e consumidor e pela conexão entre a energia proporcionada pela bebida e o trabalho. Esses significadosvêm embebidos no risco vivido por esses sujeitos, aconchegados entre si e alijados da proteção de políticas públicas de trabalho, condições sanitárias, serviços de transporte e saúde.

The pandemic has generated social and economic impacts, such as the informal work of those who sell coffee on the streets, expanded in the post-isolation resumption. The article analyzes the meanings constructed by the service facilities in São Paulo (SP) and Vitória (ES), as demonstrations of the entrepreneurship by necessity. The corpus was collected on weekdays, in places of the state capitals. Discursive semiotics underpins the analysis, suggesting connective isotopies of figures and themes. The results point to the communication of the senses of informality, casualness and familiarity, marked by the female presence, by the autonomy imposed on the subjects producer/seller and consumer and by the connection between the energy given by the drink and the work. These meanings are embedded in the risk experienced by these subjects, snuggled among themselves and excluded from the protection of public policies of work, sanitary conditions, transportation and health services.

La pandemia generó impactos sociales y económicos, como el trabajo informal de quienes se ocupan del servicio de café en las calles, ampliado en la reanudación post-aislamiento. El artículo analiza los signifi-cados construidos por las instalaciones de servicios en las calles de São Paulo (SP) y Vitória (ES), como manifestaciones de emprendimiento por necesidad. El corpus fue recolectado entresemana, en puntos de las capitales. La semiótica discursiva sustenta el análisis y permitió trazar isotopías conectoras de figuras y temas. Los resultados apuntan para la comunicación de los significados de informalidad, marcados por la presencia femenina, por la autonomía impuesta a los sujetos productor/vendedor y consumidor, y por la conexión entre la energía dada por la bebida y el trabajo. Estos significados están incrustados en el riesgo vivido por estos sujetos, y excluidos de la protección de las políticas públicas laborales, las condiciones sanitarias, los servicios de transporte y salud.

Violência contra mulheres: atuação dos enfermeiros em estratégias saúde da família / Violence against women: nurse's role in family health strategies / Violencia contra las mujeres: actuación de las enfermeras en las estrategias de salud familiar

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a assistência de enfermeiros que atuam nas estratégias saúde da família às mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica. Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, do tipo transversal, com dezoito enfermeiros responsáveis pela estratégia de saúde da família, em um município do Sul de Minas Gerais. Resultados: Os achados mostraram que na maioria das estratégias saúde da família (66,7%) tinham demanda de violência doméstica e utilizam da consulta de enfermagem e informações com os agentes comunitários de saúde para realizar a identificação. Contudo, a maior parte (66,7%) dos enfermeiros referiram não serem capacitados para atender essa mulher. Conclusão: É necessária a realização de educação permanente para os enfermeiros. Deve ser considerada também a revisão da grade curricular das escolas de enfermagem, a fim de abordar adequadamente essa temática. A capacitação dos enfermeiros irá possibilitar assistência de qualidade e ações com resultados eficazes contra a violência. (AU)

Objective: This study had the purpose of characterizing the nursery assistance of those who works at family health strategy for the women victim of domestic violence. Methods: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional research, with eighteen nurses responsible for the family health strategy, in a city in the South of Minas Gerais. Results: The findings obtained, show that in the most family health strategy (66,7%) were violence demand and used the nursery check, women report, information with community health agents, and others, to identify violence. However, most part (66,7%) of the interviewed nurses mentioned that do not feel competent to act in this kind of nursery attendance. Conclusion: It is necessary to provide permanent education for nurses. The revision of the curricula of nursing schools should also be considered, in order to adequately address this issue. The training of nurses will enable quality care and actions with effective results against violence. (AU)

Objetivo: El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la atención de enfermeras que laboran en las estrategias de salud de la familia a mujeres víctimas de violencia intrafamiliar. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio cuantitativo, transversal, con dieciocho enfermeros responsables de la estrategia salud de la familia, en una ciudad del sur de Minas Gerais. Resultados: Los hallazgos mostraron que en la mayoría de las estrategias de salud de la familia (66,7%) hubo demanda por violencia intrafamiliar y se utilizó la consulta de enfermería, y la información con los agentes comunitarios de salud para realizar la identificación. Sin embargo, la mayoría (66,7%) de las enfermeras informaron que no estaban capacitadas para atender a esta mujer. Conclusión: Es necesario realizar educación permanente para enfermeras. También se debe considerar una revisión del plan de estudios de las escuelas de enfermería, con el fin de abordar adecuadamente este tema. La formación de enfermeras permitirá una atención de calidad y acciones con resultados efectivos contra la violência. (AU)

Rootstocks affect the vulnerability to embolism and pit membrane thickness in Citrus scions.

Embolism resistance of xylem tissue varies among species and is an important trait related to drought resistance, with anatomical attributes like pit membrane thickness playing an important role in avoiding embolism spread. Grafted Citrus trees are commonly grown in orchards, with the rootstock being able to affect the drought resistance of the whole plant. Here, we evaluated how rootstocks affect the vulnerability to embolism resistance of the scion using several rootstock/scion combinations. Scions of 'Tahiti' acid lime, 'Hamlin', 'Pera' and 'Valencia' oranges grafted on a 'Rangpur' lime rootstock exhibit similar vulnerability to embolism. In field-grown trees, measurements of leaf water potential did not suggest significant embolism formation during the dry season, while stomata of Citrus trees presented an isohydric response to declining water availability. When 'Valencia' orange scions were grafted on 'Rangpur' lime, 'IAC 1710' citrandarin, 'Sunki Tropical' mandarin or 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstocks, variation in intervessel pit membrane thickness of the scion was found. The 'Rangpur' lime rootstock, which is known for its drought resistance, induced thicker pit membranes in the scion, resulting in higher embolism resistance than the other rootstocks. Similarly, the rootstock 'IAC 1710' citrandarin generated increased embolism resistance of the scion, which is highly relevant for citriculture.

Reduced expressions of apoptosis-related proteins TRAIL, Bcl-2, and TNFR1 in NK cells of juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients: relations with disease activity, nephritis, and neuropsychiatric involvement.

Background: Lupus pathogenesis is mainly ascribed to increased production and/or impaired clearance of dead cell debris. Although self-reactive T and B lymphocytes are critically linked to lupus development, neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells have also been implicated. This study assessed apoptosis-related protein expressions in NK cells of patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) and relations to disease activity parameters, nephritis, and neuropsychiatric involvement. Methods: Thirty-six patients with jSLE, 13 juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) inflammatory controls, and nine healthy controls had Fas, FasL, TRAIL, TNFR1, Bcl-2, Bax, Bim, and caspase-3 expressions in NK cells (CD3-CD16+CD56+) simultaneously determined by flow cytometry. Disease activity parameters included Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, anti-double strain DNA antibody level, complement fractions C3 and C4 levels. Results: Patients with jSLE had a profile of significantly reduced expression of TRAIL, Bcl-2, and TNFR1 proteins in NK cells when compared to healthy controls. Similar profile was observed in patients with jSLE with active disease, positive anti-dsDNA, nephritis, and without neuropsychiatric involvement. Patients with jSLE with positive anti-dsDNA also had reduced expression of Bax in NK cells when compared healthy controls and to those with negative anti-dsDNA. Yet, patients with jSLE with negative anti-dsDNA had reduced mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of Bim in NK cells compared to healthy controls. Patients with jSLE with nephritis also had reduced MFI of Fas in NK cells when compared to those without nephritis. In addition, in patients with jSLE, the proportion of FasL-expressing NK cells directly correlated with the SLEDAI-2K score (rs = 0.6, p = 0.002) and inversely correlated with the C3 levels (rs = -0.5, p = 0.007). Moreover, patients with jSLE had increased NK cell percentage and caspase-3 protein expression in NK cells when compared to JDM controls. Conclusion: This study extends to NK cells an altered profile of TRAIL, Bcl-2, TNFR1, Fas, FasL, Bax, Bim, and caspase-3 proteins in patients with jSLE, particularly in those with active disease, positive anti-dsDNA, nephritis, and without neuropsychiatric involvement. This change in apoptosis-related protein expressions may contribute to the defective functions of NK cells and, consequently, to lupus development. The full clarification of the role of NK cells in jSLE pathogenesis may pave the way for new therapies like those of NK cell-based.

Role of IL-18 in adipose tissue remodeling and metabolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Proinflammatory cytokines are increased in obese adipose tissue, including inflammasome key masters. Conversely, IL-18 protects against obesity and metabolic dysfunction. We focused on the IL-18 effect in controlling adipose tissue remodeling and metabolism. MATERIALS/SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We used C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and interleukine-18 deficient (IL-18-/-) male mice fed a chow diet and samples from bariatric surgery patients. RESULTS: IL-18-/- mice showed increased adiposity and proinflammatory cytokine levels in adipose tissue, leading to glucose intolerance. IL-18 was widely secreted by stromal vascular fraction but not adipocytes from mice's fatty tissue. Chimeric model experiments indicated that IL-18 controls adipose tissue expansion through its presence in tissues other than bone marrow. However, IL-18 maintains glucose homeostasis when present in bone marrow cells. In humans with obesity, IL-18 expression in omental tissue was not correlated with BMI or body fat mass but negatively correlated with IRS1, GLUT-4, adiponectin, and PPARy expression. Also, the IL-18RAP receptor was negatively correlated with IL-18 expression. CONCLUSIONS: IL-18 signaling may control adipose tissue expansion and glucose metabolism, as its absence leads to spontaneous obesity and glucose intolerance in mice. We suggest that resistance to IL-18 signaling may be linked with worse glucose metabolism in humans with obesity.

Chitosan/Virgin Coconut Oil-Based Emulsions Doped with Photosensitive Curcumin Loaded Capsules: A Functional Carrier to Topical Treatment.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing smart drug delivery systems based on natural resources combined with stimulus-sensitive elements. This trend aims to formulate innovative and sustainable delivery platforms tailored for topical applications. This work proposed the use of layer-by-layer (LbL) methodology to fabricate biocompatible photo-responsive multilayer systems. These systems are composed of a polyoxometalate inorganic salt (POM) ([NaP5W30O110]14-) and a natural origin polymer, chitosan (CHT). Curcumin (CUR), a natural bioactive compound, was incorporated to enhance the functionality of these systems during the formation of hollow capsules. The capsules produced, with sizes between 2-5µm (SEM), were further dispersed into CHT/VCO (virgin coconut oil) emulsion solutions that were casted into molds and dried at 37 °C for 48 h. The system presented a higher water uptake in PBS than in acidic conditions, still significantly lower than that earlier reported to other CHT/VCO-based systems. The drug release profile is not significantly influenced by the medium pH reaching a maximum of 37% ± 1% after 48 h. The antioxidant performance of the designed structures was further studied, suggesting a synergistic beneficial effect resulting from CUR, POM, and VCO individual bioactivities. The increased amount of those excipients released to the media over time promoted an increase in the antioxidant activity of the system, reaching a maximum of 38.1% ± 0.1% after 48 h. This work represents a promising step towards developing advanced, sustainable drug delivery systems for topical applications.

Epigenetic changes in shear-stressed endothelial cells.

Epigenetic changes, particularly histone compaction modifications, have emerged as critical regulators in the epigenetic pathway driving endothelial cell phenotype under constant exposure to laminar forces induced by blood flow. However, the underlying epigenetic mechanisms governing endothelial cell behavior in this context remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted in vitro experiments using human umbilical vein endothelial cells subjected to various tensional forces simulating pathophysiological blood flow shear stress conditions, ranging from normotensive to hypertensive forces. Our study uncovers a noteworthy observation wherein endothelial cells exposed to high shear stress demonstrate a decrease in the epigenetic marks H3K4ac and H3K27ac, accompanied by significant alterations in the levels of HDAC (histone deacetylase) proteins. Moreover, we demonstrate a negative regulatory effect of increased shear stress on HOXA13 gene expression and a concomitant increase in the expression of the long noncoding RNA, HOTTIP, suggesting a direct association with the suppression of HOXA13. Collectively, these findings represent the first evidence of the role of histone-related epigenetic modifications in modulating chromatin compaction during mechanosignaling of endothelial cells in response to elevated shear stress forces. Additionally, our results highlight the importance of understanding the physiological role of HOXA13 in vascular biology and hypertensive patients, emphasizing the potential for developing small molecules to modulate its activity. These findings warrant further preclinical investigations and open new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting epigenetic mechanisms in hypertensive conditions.

3D bioactive ionic liquid-based architectures: An anti-inflammatory approach for early-stage osteoarthritis.

3D bioprinting enables the fabrication of biomimetic cell-laden constructs for cartilage regeneration, offering exclusive strategies for precise pharmacological screenings in osteoarthritis (OA). Synovial inflammation plays a crucial role in OA's early stage and progression, characterized by the increased of the synovial pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines and chondrocyte apoptosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop solutions for effectively managing the primary events associated with OA. To address these issues, a phenolic-based biocompatible ionic liquid approach, combining alginate (ALG), acemannan (ACE), and cholinium caffeate (Ch[Caffeate]), was used to produce easily printable bioinks. Through the use of this strategy 3D constructs with good printing resolution and high structural integrity were obtained. The encapsulation of chondrocytes like ATDC5 cells provided structures with good cell distribution, viability, and growth, for up to 14 days. The co-culture of the constructs with THP-1 macrophages proved their ability to block pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and mediators (GM-CSF), released by the cultured cells. Moreover, incorporating the biocompatible ionic liquid into the system significantly improved its bioactive performance without compromising its physicochemical features. These findings demonstrate that ALG/ACE/Ch[Caffeate] bioinks have great potential for bioengineering cartilage tissue analogs. Besides, the developed ALG/ACE/Ch[Caffeate] bioinks protected encapsulated chondrocyte-like cells from the effect of the inflammation, assessed by a co-culture system with THP-1 macrophages. These results support the increasing use of Bio-ILs in the biomedical field, particularly for developing 3D bioprinting-based constructs to manage inflammatory-based changes in OA. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Combining natural resources with active biocompatible ionic liquids (Bio-IL) for 3D printing is herein presented as an approach for the development of tools to manage inflammatory osteoarthritis (OA). We propose combining alginate (ALG), acemannan (ACE), and cholinium caffeate (Ch[Caffeate]), a phenolic-based Bio-IL with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features, to produce bioinks that allow to obtain 3D constructs with good printing resolution, structural integrity, and that provide encapsulated chondrocyte-like cells good viability. The establishment of a co-culture system using the printed constructs and THP-1-activated macrophages allowed us to study the encapsulated chondrocyte-like cells behaviour within an inflammatory scenario, a typical event in early-stage OA. The obtained outcomes support the beneficial use of Bio-ILs in the biomedical field, particularly for the development of 3D bioprinting-based models that allow the monitoring of inflammatory-based events in OA.

Cytotoxic and molecular evaluation of spilanthol obtained from Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen (jambu) in human gastric cancer cells.

Acmella oleracea (L.) is a plant popularly known as jambu in the Brazilian Amazon. This species has several biological properties, such as anaesthetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, among others. However, there is limited information on its anticancer activity. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the effects of the hydroethanolic extract of jambu and its active compound (spilanthol) on gastric cancer cells. Hydroethanolic jambu inflorescence extract was obtained, and spilanthol was isolated by HPLC. Biological cytotoxicity assays were determined using MTT tests. In addition, an in silico study using molecular docking evaluated the inhibitory properties of spilanthol against JAK1 and JAK2 proteins. The results showed that the hydroethanolic extract and the isolated compound spilanthol exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Molecular docking revealed that spilanthol has inhibitory potential for JAK1 and JAK2 proteins. Thus, extract of jambu and spilanthol can be a possible candidate for the treatment of gastric carcinoma.

História da educação de surdos: uma decolonialidade possível contra a colonialidade de poder linguístico / History of education for the deaf: a possible decoloniality against the coloniality of the linguistic power

RESUMO Faz-se importante discutir a história da Educação de Surdos a partir de narrativas questionadoras da colonialidade de poder linguístico imposta a esses sujeitos. Como hipótese, tem-se que o ouvintismo impactou negativamente a historicidade do povo surdo, subjulgando seu processo educacional. Nesse viés, o presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar caminhos decoloniais para refletir a colonialidade de poder que afeta o povo surdo em sua forma de narrar sua história educacional e seu direito linguístico. Como viés metodológico, fez-se uso da abordagem qualitativa, norteada por investigação bibliográfica com revisão de literatura sobre a história da Educação de Surdos, partindo de uma práxis decolonial. Assim, ratificou-se a suspeita da imposição dos ouvintes, como maioria linguística, que domina, via colonialidade do poder linguístico, a história e o presente da educação do povo surdo, por meio da desvalorização de sua cultura, identidade e língua. Concluiu-se que há necessidade de busca ativa de processos decoloniais.

ABSTRACT It is important to discuss the history of Education for the Deaf based on questioning narratives of the coloniality of the linguistic power imposed on these subjects. As a hypothesis, it is assumed that listening has negatively impacted the historicity of the deaf people, subjugating their educational process. In this bias, the present study aimed to investigate decolonial ways to reflect the coloniality of power that affects the deaf people in their way of narrating their educational history and their linguistic right. As a methodological perspective, a qualitative approach was used, guided by bibliographical investigation with a literature review on the history of Education for the Deaf, starting from a decolonial praxis. Thus, it was ratified the suspicion of the imposition of listeners, as a linguistic majority, which dominates, via the coloniality of linguistic power, the history and present of the education of the deaf people, through the devaluation of their culture, identity and language. It was concluded that there is a need for an active search for decolonial processes.

Impactos do TDAH à Adolescência: Revisão Sistemática de Literatura / Impacts of ADHD on Adolescence: Systematic Literature Review

RESUMO: Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade (TDAH) é um transtorno do neurodesenvolvimento caracterizado por níveis prejudiciais de desatenção e/ou hiperatividade-impulsividade. Foram investigados resultados obtidos em pesquisas sobre impactos do TDAH ao adolescente e foi utilizada a recomendação PRISMA 2020. As bases de dados consultadas foram: APA PsycNet, Lilacs, Medline, PubMed Central, Scorpus, SciELO, a partir dos seguintes descritores: Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade, TDAH, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD e Adolescente, Adolescentes, Adolescência, Adolescent, Teenager e Adolescence. Os critérios de inclusão foram: artigos publicados em periódicos entre janeiro de 2001 e janeiro de 2021, em português e inglês, completos e disponíveis online, estudos empíricos, revisados por pares, terem adolescentes como participantes e apresentarem no título, resumo ou corpo do texto os descritores referidos. Os dados foram tratados e organizados conforme check list (recomendação PRISMA 2020). Análises estatísticas descritivas foram realizadas com o Excel 2019. Para apresentar os resultados, utilizaram-se o fluxograma PRISMA, quadro e figuras. Incluíram-se 68 artigos que apontaram variedade de impactos negativos ao desenvolvimento do adolescente nas áreas sociais/relacionais, comportamentais, biológicas, neurológicas, cognitivas, psicológicas e psicopatológicas. Possível limitação desta revisão pode ser a não inclusão de artigos em outros idiomas, além do inglês e português. Os resultados sugerem multidimensionalidade dos impactos do TDAH ao adolescente, requerendo abordagem pluridimensional para evitar cronicidade, reduzindo seus efeitos ao desenvolvimento.

ABSTRACT: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by harmful levels of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Results obtained from research on the impact of ADHD on adolescents were investigated and the PRISMA 2020 recommendation was used. The databases consulted: were APA PsycNet, Lilacs, Medline, PubMed Central, Scorpus, SciELO, from the following descriptors: Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade, TDAH, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD and Adolescente, Adolescentes, Adolescência, Adolescent, Teenager and Adolescence. The inclusion criteria were: articles published in journals between January 2001 and January 2021, in Portuguese and English, complete and available online, empirical studies, peer reviewed, with adolescents as participants and presenting in the title, abstract or body of the text the referred descriptors. The data were processed and organized according to the check list (PRISMA 2020 recommendation). Descriptive statistical analyzes were performed using Excel 2019. The PRISMA flowchart, table and figures were used to present the results. Sixty-eight articles were included that pointed to a variety of negative impacts on adolescent development in the social/relational, behavioral, biological, neurological, cognitive, psychological and psychopathological areas. A possible limitation of this review may be the non-inclusion of articles in languages other than English and Portuguese. The results suggest the multidimensionality of the impacts of ADHD on adolescents, requiring a multidimensional approach to avoid chronicity, reducing its effects on development.