ABCB5+ mesenchymal stromal cells facilitate complete and durable wound closure in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a hereditary, rare, devastating and life-threatening skin fragility disorder with a high unmet medical need. In a recent international, single-arm clinical trial, treatment of 16 patients (aged 6-36 years) with three intravenous infusions of 2 × 106 immunomodulatory ABCB5+ dermal mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)/kg on days 0, 17 and 35 reduced disease activity, itch and pain. A post-hoc analysis was undertaken to assess the potential effects of treatment with ABCB5+ MSCs on the overall skin wound healing in patients suffering from RDEB. METHODS: Documentary photographs of the affected body regions taken on days 0, 17, 35 and at 12 weeks were evaluated regarding proportion, temporal course and durability of wound closure as well as development of new wounds. RESULTS: Of 168 baseline wounds in 14 patients, 109 (64.9%) wounds had closed at week 12, of which 63.3% (69 wounds) had closed already by day 35 or day 17. Conversely, 74.2% of the baseline wounds that had closed by day 17 or day 35 remained closed until week 12. First-closure ratio within 12 weeks was 75.6%. The median rate of newly developing wounds decreased significantly (P = 0.001) by 79.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the findings with published data from placebo arms and vehicle-treated wounds in controlled clinical trials suggests potential capability of ABCB5+ MSCs to facilitate wound closure, prolongate wound recurrence and decelerate formation of new wounds in RDEB. Beyond suggesting therapeutic efficacy for ABCB5+ MSCs, the analysis might stimulate researchers who develop therapies for RDEB and other skin fragility disorders to not only assess closure of preselected target wounds but pay attention to the patients' dynamic and diverse overall wound presentation as well as to the durability of achieved wound closure and the development of new wounds. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03529877; EudraCT 2018-001009-98.

Control Attitudes Scale-Revised-Brazilian Version.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure demands self-care skills and behaviors that can be negatively impacted by a low level of perceived control (PC), a belief about having the necessary resources to deal with negative events. Having valid and reliable instruments to measure PC is important to support interventions that improve self-care and related outcomes. The Control Attitudes Scale-Revised (CAS-R) was developed in the United States to measure PC in cardiac conditions. In Brazil, there are no instruments available to measure this construct. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to translate and adapt the CAS-R to the Brazilian population and to assess the content validity of the adapted version. METHODS: The CAS-R was translated, back-translated, and assessed by an expert committee for linguistic equivalences. An agreement > 80% was considered adequate. Content validity (clarity, theoretical relevance, and practical pertinence) was assessed by both an expert professional panel (n = 6-8) and a panel of patients with heart failure (n = 40). A content validity coefficient > 0.70 was considered acceptable. RESULTS: The translations to Brazilian Portuguese were considered consistent with the original CAS-R. In the third round of linguistic equivalence assessment, all items achieved acceptable agreement, except for 2 items. After modifications to the instrument to achieve adequate equivalences, the adapted version had a final content validity coefficient of 0.93. Most patients were able to understand the instrument. CONCLUSIONS: The CAS-R-Brazilian version is equivalent to the original CAS-R and has satisfactory evidence of content validity. Additional psychometric testing will be performed to allow for the assessment of PC in individuals with heart failure in Brazil.

Seaweeds and Corals from the Brazilian Coast: Review on Biotechnological Potential and Environmental Aspects.

Brazil has a megadiversity that includes marine species that are distributed along 800 km of shoreline. This biodiversity status holds promising biotechnological potential. Marine organisms are important sources of novel chemical species, with applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and nutraceutical fields. However, ecological pressures derived from anthropogenic actions, including the bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements and microplastics, impact promising species. This review describes the current status of the biotechnological and environmental aspects of seaweeds and corals from the Brazilian coast, including publications from the last 5 years (from January 2018 to December 2022). The search was conducted in the main public databases (PubChem, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) and in the Espacenet database (European Patent Office-EPO) and the Brazilian National Property Institute (INPI). Bioprospecting studies were reported for seventy-one seaweed species and fifteen corals, but few targeted the isolation of compounds. The antioxidant potential was the most investigated biological activity. Despite being potential sources of macro- and microelements, there is a literature gap regarding the presence of potentially toxic elements and other emergent contaminants, such as microplastics, in seaweeds and corals from the Brazilian coast.

Effect of humic compost on the adsorption of cadmium (II) in aqueous medium.

The humic compost obtained from the treatment of tobacco from smuggled cigarettes (SCT) and industrial sewage sludge (ISS) was evaluated as adsorbent for Cd (II) in aqueous solution, for possible decontamination of water resources. Optimum conditions were found at pH 5 and a 3 g/L adsorbent concentration, which presented 92% Cd (II) removal and maximum adsorption capacity of 28.546 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model presented the best fit, pointing 120 min as the time needed to attain a steady state. FTIR and EDX results suggest the formation of coordinated Cd (II) bonds by functional groups between the compost and the solution. The results obtained in real samples showed that, even under different environmental conditions, the Cd (II) adsorption varied between 80.05 and 91.61%. The results indicated that the compost evaluated can be used for remediation of Cd (II)-contaminated water resources.

Multielement determination (essential and potentially toxic elements) in eye shadows exposed to consumption in Brazil using ICP OES.

Worldwide, cosmetics (especially eye shadows) are widely consumed and have a great impact on the economy. The aim of this study was to determine the multielement composition, focusing on essential and potentially toxic elements, in cosmetics (eye shadow) exposed to consumption in Brazil. Concentrations of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were determined in samples (produced in China and Brazil) using a sequential optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) after acid digestion, assisted by a closed digester block (6 mL of HNO3 + 2 mL of H2O2 + 1 mL of Triton ×-100 + 1 mL of ultrapure water). The method was validated by linearity, precision, accuracy, limits of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ). The elements were quantified (in µg g-1): Al (852-21,900), Ba (3.47-104), Cd (1.70-6.93), Cr (< 8.53-66.6), Cu (< 0.480-14.5), Mn (92.20-1,190), Ni (< 4.23-40.7), Pb (< 2.16-5.06), Sb (1.10-10.5), Sr (0.760-46.0), Ti (32.0-440), V (< 0.85-1.7) and Zn (24.90-2,600). As, Co, Mo and Se in all the investigated samples were found to be below the LoQ values of ICP OES. In this study, regardless of sample compositions and origins (Brazilian or Chinese), high levels of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V and Zn were observed, exceeding the recommended maximum tolerable limits, according to Brazilian and global legislations, which may present potential risks to human health and the environment.

Changes in antiparasitical activity of gold nanorods according to the chosen synthesis.

Gold nanorods (GNRs) are increasingly being studied for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Green synthesis based methods with natural compounds as additives stand out as a hope in terms of better synthesis methodology, with advantages of producing potentially less toxic and, perhaps, biologically active GNRs due to influence of natural additives used during synthesis. Exploring green chemistry using different natural phenolic compounds, the present work reveals different in vitro activity of GNRs evaluated against different parasites that causes skin infectious diseases compared to GNRs produced by convencional seed mediated method. This approach brings advantages in producing active GNRs, with ease calling, less cytotoxic and with a better selectivity index (SI) than GNRs synthesized by conventional seed mediated synthesis, opening new possibilities for therapies. Natural compounds used in green syntheses were gallic acid (GA), resveratrol (RSV) and a purified fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of Stryphnodendron obovatum. GNRs exhibited great activity against Leishmania braziliensis, and the dermatophytes Tricophyton rubrum, T. interdigitale and Microsporum gypseum. The anti-Leishmania and antidermatophytic activity of GNRs reinforce the applicability of GNRs in biomedical field and the influence of synthesis method in biological activity, showing benefits related to the seedless synthesis with natural compounds. In addition, these preliminary results indicate the possibility of exploring at maximum the physical and chemical properties of GNRs in addition to the biological activity itself, such as the development of topical antiparasitic formulations for association with phototherapy.

Valorization of biowastes from sustainable viticulture with bioactive potential: application in functional yogurt.

Seed and peel flours of organic Bordeaux grapes (Vitis labrusca L.), containing phenolics and antioxidant capacity, influenced both the composition and properties of a yogurt. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the yogurts containing 3% of grape seed flour (GSFY) and 3% of the mixture of flours (MFY, containing 50% of seed and 50% of peel grape flours, w/w) were 18.800 ± 1.060 and 19.509 ± 1.216 mg/g of gallic acid equivalents (GAE), respectively, significantly higher than the content of the control formulation (CY, 3.199 ± 0.326 mg GAE/g). The GSFY, MFY and CY exhibited an antioxidant capacity (mean values), respectively, of 0.6100, 0.7833 and zero µmol TEAC/g by the FRAP method; and 3.6658, 2.9217 and 0.2468 µmol TEAC/g by the ABTS method. The yogurts presented typical coloration of each flour and the texture of the yogurts did not vary significantly compared to the CY. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results distinguished the yogurts containing the grape flours and the control sample, regarding their composition and properties. The grape bioresidues were valorized by obtaining a functional and clean label yogurt.

Leucocyte-poor-platelet-rich plasma intra-operative injection in chondral knee injuries improve patients outcomes. A prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effects of intra-operative leucocyte-poor-platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (type P3-Bß with endogenous activation) injection in International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade III knee chondral injuries treated by chondroplasties, to increase and ameliorate the repair tissue. METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups. Group A (control) consisted of 31 patients and Group B (PRP) 33 patients, totaling 64 patients analyzed. Patients also could had associated injuries (meniscal and/or ACL) being equally divided between both groups to avoid bias. PRP was injected at the end of surgery in group B. The patient outcomes were assessed using subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Tegner activity forms, prior to the surgery and three, six, 12, and 24 months after surgery (medium-term follow up). RESULTS: IKDC and KOOS scores showed increase at each evaluation time points after surgery in both groups, but the treated Group (B) showed a higher increase with statistically significant difference. The Tegner activity scores were higher for the treated group only at six and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Based on the subjective IKDC, KOOS, and Tegner scores, those patients affected by ICRS grade III chondral injuries undergoing arthroscopic chondroplasty who were also treated with PRP showed better and faster outcomes than the control group. Independently from the associated injury (meniscal or ACL). This difference could be measured for up to two years.

Interactions between the nitrergic and the endocannabinoid system in rats exposed to the elevated T-maze.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and activation of CB1 receptors have opposite effects in a behavioural animal model of panic and anxiety. METHODS: To test the hypothesis, male Wistar rats were exposed to the elevated T-maze (ETM) model under the following treatments: L-Arginine (L-Arg) was administered before treatment with WIN55,212-2, a CB1 receptor agonist; AM251, a CB1 antagonist, was administered before treatment with L-Arg. All treatments were by intraperitoneal route. RESULTS: The CB1 receptor agonist, WIN55,212-2 (1 mg/kg), induced an anxiolytic-like effect, which was prevented by pretreatment with an ineffective dose of L-Arg (1 mg/kg). Administration of AM251 (1 mg/kg), a CB1 antagonist before treatment with L-Arg (1 mg/kg) did not produce anxiogenic-like responses. CONCLUSION: Altogether, this study suggests that the anxiolytic-like effect of cannabinoids may occur through modulation of NO signalling.

Telomere-associated genes and telomeric lncRNAs are biomarker candidates in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).

In the past decade, research efforts were made to identify molecular biomarkers useful as therapeutic targets in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), the most frequent type of lung carcinoma. NSCLC presents different histological subtypes being the most prevalent LUSC (Lung Squamous Cell Cancer) and LUAD (Lung Adenocarcinoma), and only a subset of LUAD patients' present tumors expressing known targetable genetic alterations. Telomeres and its components, including telomerase, the enzyme that replenishes telomeres, have been considered potential cancer biomarkers due to their crucial role in cell proliferation and genome stability. Our study aims to quantify expression changes affecting telomere-associated genes and ncRNAs associated with telomere regulation and maintenance in NSCLC. We first assessed the transcriptome (RNA-Seq) data of NSCLC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and then we tested the expression of telomere-associated genes and telomeric ncRNAs (TERC, telomerase RNA component, and TERRA, telomere repeat-containing RNA) in Brazilian NCSLC patient samples by quantitative RT-PCR, using matched normal adjacent tissue samples as the control. We also estimated the mean size of terminal restriction fragments (TRF) of some Brazilian NSCLC patients using telomeric Southern blot. The TCGA analysis identified alterations in the expression profile of TERT and telomere damage repair genes, mainly in the LUSC subtype. The study of Brazilian NSCLC samples by RT-qPCR showed that LUSC and LUAD express high amounts of TERT and that although the mean TRF size of tumor samples was shorter compared to normal cells, telomeres in NSCLC are probably maintained by telomerase. Also, the expression analysis of Brazilian NSCLC samples identified statistically significant alterations in the expression of genes involved with telomere damage repair, as well as in TERC and TERRA, mainly in the LUSC subtype. We, therefore, concluded that telomere maintenance genes are significantly deregulated in NSCLC, representing potential biomarkers in the LUSC subtype.

Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis reduce faecal protein catabolites concentration and odour in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Direct-fed microbials (DFM), such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, may improve gut functionality of the host by favouring non-pathogenic bacteria and reducing the formation of putrefactive compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the nutrient digestibility, faecal characteristics and intestinal-fermentation products in dogs fed diets with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. Sixteen dogs were randomly divided into two groups. Every eight dogs were fed with the control diet or the diet with the addition of 62.5 g of DFM (B. subtilis and B. licheniformis)/ton. Diets were provided throughout a 20-day adaptation period, followed by 5 days of total faecal collection. Nutrient digestibility and the metabolisable energy of the diets, plus the dogs' faecal characteristics and intestinal fermentation products were assessed. RESULTS: There were no differences in nutrient digestibility (P > 0.05). However, DFM supplementation improved faecal score and resulted in less fetid faeces (P < 0.001). DFM inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) the biogenic amines concentration: putrescine, spermidine and cadaverine, besides the concentration of phenols and quinoline. CONCLUSIONS: The use of B. subtillis and B. licheniformis as DFM reduce the concentration of nitrogen fermentation products in faeces and faecal odour, but the digestibility of nutrients is not altered in dogs.

Radiofrequency in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, via a systematic review, the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) for treatment of primary hyperhidrosis (PH). METHODS: Experimental or observational studies were included where RF treatment (ablation or microneedling) was performed, comparing the periods before and after treatment. RESULTS: Nine studies were considered eligible and included for analysis. In seven of nine studies, patients were subjected to RF only, and in two of nine studies RF was compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS). There was a reduction in the severity of PH in microneedling (three studies, mean difference -1.24, 95% CI -1.44 to -1.03). In a study that performed sympathetic RF ablation there was a greater reduction in PH severity compared to studies that performed microneedling (-2.42, 95% CI -2.55 to -2.29). There was improvement in the quality of life (QoL) after sympathetic RF ablation (two studies, mean difference -15.92, 95% CI -17.61 to -14.24). Regarding the microneedling procedure, there was a lower improvement in QoL, (two studies, -9.0, 95% CI -9.15 to -8.85). One study comparing sympathetic RF ablation with VATS applied the QoL questionnaire, and the VATS showed superior results. One of the two studies comparing compensatory sweating in RF ablation with VATS showed that compensatory hyperhidrosis was higher in VATS; however, the other study did not observe this difference. One study compared the recurrence of symptoms between VATS and RF ablation; symptom recurrence was shown to be higher in RF. CONCLUSIONS: RF is effective for PH treatment, with superior results obtained with sympathetic ablation compared to microneedling.

[Mapping the implementation characteristics of new Medicine programs in Brazilian federal universitiesMapeo de las características de implementación de los nuevos programas de medicina en universidades federales brasileñas]. / Mapeamento das características da implantação de novos cursos de Medicina em universidades federais brasileiras.

OBJECTIVE: To map the implementation characteristics of Medicine programs established in Brazilian federal universities from 2013 onwards. METHODS: A qualitative and quantitative exploratory study was performed. Newly created Medicine programs were identified in federal universities, with analysis of pedagogical frameworks and interviews with students, faculty, and health care professionals from associated health care services. Data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. RESULTS: Thirty new Medicine programs were identified, of which 24 were visited. All the new programs were located outside large urban centers and capitals, across the five Brazilian macro-regions, and adopted various formative configurations in an attempt to overcome fragmentation of content with active methodologies and formative evaluations. The healthcare network is used for training as a means to meet the challenge of academic-health service-community integration, with the aim of providing critical education focused on public health. The establishment of the Medicine programs facilitated to a limited extent the retention of faculty in remote areas and promoted the access of local students and the creation of residency programs, which are powerful strategies to enhance the retention of medical professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Variations were observed among the programs in the manner of implementation and adherence to the National Curriculum Guidelines for Medicine, published in 2014. The construction of medical training models that appropriately address local specificities and the requirements of the Unified Health System in its formative role for health care may contribute to reduce health inequalities.

OBJETIVO: Mapear las características de implementación de los programas de Medicina establecidos en las universidades federales brasileñas a partir de 2013. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio exploratorio cualitativo y cuantitativo. Se identificaron los programas de medicina recién creados en las universidades federales, se anlizaron los marcos pedagógicos y se entrevistaron estudiantes, profesores y profesionales de la salud de los servicios de salud asociados. Los datos fueron analizados usando métodos cualitativos y cuantitativos. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 30 nuevos programas de medicina, de los cuales se visitaron 24. Todos los nuevos programas se ubicaron fuera de los grandes centros urbanos y capitales en las cinco macrorregiones brasileñas y adoptaron diversas configuraciones formativas en un intento de superar la fragmentación de contenido con metodologías activas y evaluaciones formativas. La red de salud se empleó para la formación como un medio para facilitar la integración entre los ámbitos académico, de servicios de salud y la comunidad, con el objetivo de proporcionar una educación crítica centrada en la salud pública. El establecimiento de los programas de medicina facilitó en cierta medida la retención del profesorado en zonas remotas y promovió el acceso de los estudiantes locales y la creación de programas de residencia, que son estrategias importantes para mejorar la retención de los profesionales médicos. CONCLUSIONES: Se observaron variaciones entre los programas en cuanto a la manera de aplicar y cumplir las Directrices Curriculares Nacionales de Medicina, publicadas en 2014. La construcción de modelos de formación médica que aborden adecuadamente las especificidades locales y los requisitos del Sistema Único de Salud en su función formativa para la atención de la salud puede contribuir a reducir las desigualdades en materia de salud.

A novel device for greater precision and safety in open-wedge high tibial osteotomy: cadaveric study.

INTRODUCTION: The complications of the open-wedge osteotomy technique (slope, hypo- and hypercorrection and fractures) are related to difficulties in the control of the open-wedge angle during surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cadaveric study, we evaluated the safety and precision of a novel system, the Realignment High Control System (RHC), in the correction of knee mechanical axis and slope. The RHC has a fixation plate coupled to a dynamic device that opens the osteotomy continuously, allowing plate fixation before osteotomy wedge opening. RESULTS: All procedures were easily performed, with no fractures. The openings equaled the indicated by the navigation system for 7.5° and 10°, and for 5°, there was a statistically, although not clinically significant, difference of 0.6°. The slope shown by the RHC setting and in the navigation system was significantly different for the 10° setting only, with a mean difference of 0.563°. CONCLUSIONS: RHC facilitates the surgical technique of high tibial osteotomy, with gradual wedge opening, precise correction of the mechanical axis, and appropriate control of the tibial slope, even with larger openings.

Use of chiral auxiliaries in the asymmetric synthesis of biologically active compounds: A review.

This review article describes the use of some of the most popular chiral auxiliaries in the asymmetric synthesis of biologically active compounds. Chiral auxiliaries derived from naturally occurring compounds, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, and terpenes, are considered essential tools for the construction of highly complex molecules. We highlight the auxiliaries of Evans, Corey, Yamada, Enders, Oppolzer, and Kunz, which led to remarkable progress in asymmetric synthesis in the last decades and continue to bring advances until the present day.

Diagnosis and classification of chondral knee injuries: comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: To compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of patients undergoing knee arthroscopy for chondral lesions. The hypothesis was that MRI displays low sensitivity in the diagnosis and classification of chondral injuries. METHODS: A total of 83 knees were evaluated. The MRIs were performed using the same machine (GE SIGNA HDX 1.45 T). The MRI results were compared with the arthroscopy findings, and an agreement analysis was performed. Thirty-eight of the 83 MRI exams were evaluated by another radiologist for inter-observer agreement analysis. These analyses were performed using the kappa (κ) coefficient. RESULTS: The highest incidence of chondral injury was in the patella (14.4 %). The κ coefficient was 0.31 for the patellar surface; 0.38 for the trochlea; 0.46 for the medial femoral condyle; 0.51 for the lateral femoral condyle; and 0.19 for the lateral plateau. After dividing the injuries into two groups (ICRS Grades 0-II and Grades III and IV), the following κ coefficients were obtained as follows: 0.49 (patella); 0.53 (trochlea); 0.46 (medial femoral condyle); 0.43 (medial plateau); 0.67 (lateral femoral condyle); and 0.51 (lateral plateau). The MRI sensitivity was 76.4 % (patella), 88.2 % (trochlea), 69.7 % (medial femoral condyle), 85.7 % (medial plateau), 81.8 % (lateral femoral condyle) and 75 % (lateral plateau). Comparing the radiologists' evaluations, the following κ coefficients were obtained as follows: 0.73 (patella); 0.63 (trochlea); 0.84 (medial femoral condyle); 0.72 (medial plateau); 0.77 (lateral femoral condyle); and 0.91 (lateral plateau). CONCLUSION: Compared with arthroscopy, MRI displays moderate sensitivity for detecting and classifying chondral knee injuries. It is an important image method, but we must be careful in the assessment of patients with suspected chondral lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Effects of nitric oxide-related compounds in the acute ketamine animal model of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Better treatments for schizophrenia are urgently needed. The therapeutic use of the nitric oxide (NO)-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in patients with schizophrenia has shown promising results. The role of NO in schizophrenia is still unclear, and NO modulation is unexplored in ketamine (KET) animal models to date. In the present study, we compared the behavioral effects of pre- and post-treatment with SNP, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), and methylene blue (MB) in the acute KET animal model of schizophrenia. The present study was designed to test whether acute SNP, GTN, and MB treatment taken after (therapeutic effect) or before (preventive effect) a single KET injection would influence the behavior of rats in the sucrose preference test, object recognition task and open field. RESULTS: The results showed that KET induced cognitive deficits and hyperlocomotion. Long- term memory improvement was seen with the therapeutic GTN and SNP treatment, but not with the preventive one. MB pretreatment resulted in long-term memory recovery. GTN pre-, but not post-treatment, tended to increase vertical and horizontal activity in the KET model. Therapeutic and preventive SNP treatment consistently decreased KET-induced hyperlocomotion. CONCLUSION: NO donors - especially SNP - are promising new pharmacological candidates in the treatment of schizophrenia. In addition, we showed that the potential impact of NO-related compounds on KET-induced behavioral changes may depend on the temporal window of drug administration.

Digital Health Literacy Instrument: Brazilian Version-Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Content Validity for Individuals With Heart Failure.

Background and purpose: Assessment of digital health literacy should be a major concern for healthcare providers. We aimed to translate and adapt the Digital Health Literacy (DHL) Instrument into Brazilian Portuguese and examine the content validity for individuals with heart failure (HF). Methods: The instrument was translated, back translated, and evaluated by a panel of six experts regarding linguistic equivalences. An agreement analysis was performed, with values ≥80% considered acceptable. The experts then evaluated clarity, theoretical relevance, and practical pertinence. The content validity index (CVI) was calculated for each item. A CVI ≥.83 was considered acceptable. The expert's opinions were also evaluated through the modified kappa coefficient for content validity studies. Values >.74 were considered excellent. The content validity ratio (CVR) was also calculated. A critical value of CVR of 1.00 was determined. Cognitive testing (understanding the meaning of each item and their respective answers) was performed with 33 individuals with HF. Results: The adapted version obtained an agreement of ≥83.3% for each item on linguistic equivalences. Total CVI was ≥0.83, kappa values for each item were >.74, and the CVR values were 1.00 for all items. After two rounds of evaluation, all patients were able to understand the items and response scale. Conclusions: The Brazilian version has satisfactory evidence of linguistic and content validity to measure DHL in patients with HF. Additional psychometric properties will be tested in the country.

Development and content validity of educational videos on self-management of fluid restriction and thirst for individuals with heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To create and evaluate the content validity of educational videos on self-management of fluid restriction and thirst for individuals with heart failure (HF). METHOD: A psychometric study was conducted in three stages: (1) an integrative literature review to identify strategies for self-management of fluid restriction and thirst by individuals with HF; (2) creation of animated videos about strategies for self-management of fluid restriction and thirst; and (3) analysis of the content validity of the educational videos by 11 experts. For each criterion, the content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated; it was considered adequate when <0.636. Suggestions were evaluated by the researchers, and the videos were modified. RESULTS: Ten scripts and videos were created, averaging 30 s each. The videos' contents were based on 11 studies retrieved from the review and one specialized website. The videos were evaluated by experts, and adjustments were made when CVR < 0.636 and when allowed by the video production platform. CONCLUSIONS: Educational videos were developed and have satisfactory content validity evidence according to expert opinions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: These videos are expected to be used as educational strategies in clinical practice to prevent episodes of decompensation due to excessive fluid volume.