Effects of bi-hemispheric anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on soccer player performance: a triple-blinded, controlled, and randomized study.

The search for increased performance and physical performance are linked to the use of ergogenic resources. The vertical jump is one of the measures commonly used to evaluate the performance of lower limbs in athletes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, safe, economically viable technique that can modulate cortical excitability, which can influence the increase in the performance of athletes in general. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of tDCS on the primary motor cortex (M1) improves the performance of soccer players. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven players were randomized into three groups: Active tDCS group (n = 9), Sham group (n = 9), and control group (n = 9). Stimulation was applied at 2 mA for 15 min using a cephalic mount. Visual Pain Scale (VAS) and Subjective Recovery Scale (SRS) were monitored before and after tDCS. In addition, the participants performed the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) before and after the stimulation intercalated with Heart Rate (HR) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE CR-10). No differences were found in any of the performance variables analyzed (p > 0.05) nor in the responses of HR (p > 0.05), RPE (p > 0.05), VAS (p > 0.05), and SRS (p > 0.05) between groups. The tDCS in M1 did not change the performance of the vertical jump, and there was no improvement in the subjective scales. New studies should also be developed with different stimulus intensities in different cortical areas and sports modalities.

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus and low vaccine response in children and adolescents in Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Children have an increased likelihood of becoming carriers of the chronic hepatitis B virus. A total of 1,381 children and adolescents were assessed in five municipalities of Maranhao State, Brazil, for detection of anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HBs serologic markers and sociodemographic and behavioral features. Among those who were HBsAg negative and anti-HBc negative, the proportion of anti-HBs positives was calculated after the individuals had completed the vaccination schedule. The robust variance of the Poisson's regression model was used in order to have adjusted tables and calculate the prevalence ratio. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of anti-HBc with or without HBsAg and the vaccine response. It was observed that 163 children were anti-HBc positive and nine individuals were HBsAg positive. The factors associated with the infection were: municipality of residence (residing in Morros municipality or Humberto de Campos municipality), residence in a rural area, aged between 13 and 15 years old, and illicit drug use. The percentage of individuals who were anti-HBc negative and received all three doses of the vaccine was 48.5%. Among these, only 276 (38.9%) had antibodies at protective concentrations. In an adjusted analysis, Morros municipality presented an increased positivity of vaccine response (p < 0.001), and the age ranging between 6 and 10 years old presented a reduced frequency of response. This study reveals a high prevalence of current and past HBV infection within the targeted age group which, in addition to the low vaccination coverage and serological responses, raises concerns about the management of prevention measures, especially the quality of vaccination in these locations.

H2B.V demarcates divergent strand-switch regions, some tDNA loci, and genome compartments in Trypanosoma cruzi and affects parasite differentiation and host cell invasion

Histone variants play a crucial role in chromatin structure organization and gene expression. Trypanosomatids have an unusual H2B variant (H2B.V) that is known to dimerize with the variant H2A.Z generating unstable nucleosomes. Previously, we found that H2B.V protein is enriched in tissue-derived trypomastigote (TCT) life forms, a nonreplicative stage of Trypanosoma cruzi, suggesting that this variant may contribute to the differences in chromatin structure and global transcription rates observed among parasite life forms. Here, we performed the first genome-wide profiling of histone localization in T. cruzi using epimastigotes and TCT life forms, and we found that H2B.V was preferentially located at the edges of divergent transcriptional strand switch regions, which encompass putative transcriptional start regions; at some tDNA loci; and between the conserved and disrupted genome compartments, mainly at trans-sialidase, mucin and MASP genes. Remarkably, the chromatin of TCT forms was depleted of H2B.V-enriched peaks in comparison to epimastigote forms. Interactome assays indicated that H2B.V associated specifically with H2A.Z, bromodomain factor 2, nucleolar proteins and a histone chaperone, among others. Parasites expressing reduced H2B.V levels were associated with higher rates of parasite differentiation and mammalian cell infectivity. Taken together, H2B.V demarcates critical genomic regions and associates with regulatory chromatin proteins, suggesting a scenario wherein local chromatin structures associated with parasite differentiation and invasion are regulated during the parasite life cycle.

FGF2 antiproliferative stimulation induces proteomic dynamic changes and high expression of FOSB and JUNB in K-ras-driven mouse tumor cells

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a well-known cell proliferation promoter; however, it can also induce cell cycle arrest. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of this antiproliferative effect, for the first time, the early systemic proteomic differences induced by this growth factor in a K-Ras-driven mouse tumor cell line using a quantitative proteomics approach are investigated. More than 2900 proteins are quantified, indicating that terms associated with metabolism, RNA processing, replication, and transcription are enriched among proteins differentially expressed upon FGF2 stimulation. Proteomic trend dynamics indicate that, for proteins mainly associated with DNA replication and carbohydrate metabolism, an FGF2 stimulus delays their abundance changes, whereas FGF2 stimulation accelerates other metabolic programs. Transcription regulatory network analysis indicates master regulators of FGF2 stimulation, including two critical transcription factors, FOSB and JUNB. Their expression dynamics, both in the Y1 cell line (a murine model of adenocarcinoma cells) and in two other human cell lines (SK-N-MC and UM-UC-3) also susceptible to FGF2 antiproliferative effects, are investigated. Both protein expression levels depend on fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and src signaling. JUNB and FOSB knockdown do not rescue cells from the growth arrest induced by FGF2; however, FOSB knockdown rescue cells from DNA replication delay, indicating that FOSB expression underlies one of the FGF2 antiproliferative effects, namely, S-phase progression delay.

FGF2 antiproliferative stimulation induces proteomic dynamic changes and high expression of FOSB and JUNB in K-ras-driven mouse tumor cells

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a well-known cell proliferation promoter; however, it can also induce cell cycle arrest. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of this antiproliferative effect, for the first time, the early systemic proteomic differences induced by this growth factor in a K-Ras-driven mouse tumor cell line using a quantitative proteomics approach are investigated. More than 2900 proteins are quantified, indicating that terms associated with metabolism, RNA processing, replication, and transcription are enriched among proteins differentially expressed upon FGF2 stimulation. Proteomic trend dynamics indicate that, for proteins mainly associated with DNA replication and carbohydrate metabolism, an FGF2 stimulus delays their abundance changes, whereas FGF2 stimulation accelerates other metabolic programs. Transcription regulatory network analysis indicates master regulators of FGF2 stimulation, including two critical transcription factors, FOSB and JUNB. Their expression dynamics, both in the Y1 cell line (a murine model of adenocarcinoma cells) and in two other human cell lines (SK-N-MC and UM-UC-3) also susceptible to FGF2 antiproliferative effects, are investigated. Both protein expression levels depend on fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and src signaling. JUNB and FOSB knockdown do not rescue cells from the growth arrest induced by FGF2; however, FOSB knockdown rescue cells from DNA replication delay, indicating that FOSB expression underlies one of the FGF2 antiproliferative effects, namely, S-phase progression delay.

Concepções de acadêmicos de enfermagem sobre usuários de drogas / Concepciones de los estudiantes de enfermería sobre los usuarios de drogas / Nursing students' conceptions about the user of drugs

OBJETO DO ESTUDO: Concepções dos graduandos de enfermagem sobre a abordagem ao paciente usuário de drogas. OBJETIVOS: Descrever a concepção dos estudantes de enfermagem sobre os usuários de drogas. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo-exploratório desenvolvido com 321 estudantes de 15 Instituições privadas de Ensino Superior de Enfermagem, no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Utilizou-se a escala de atitudes e crenças NEADA, aplicada entre junho de 2006 e agosto de 2007. Os resultados evidenciam que as dificuldades em abordar um cliente que faz uso de drogas são reais, mas as limitações pessoais dos profissionais em atender essa clientela ainda permeiam a assistência, influenciando no cuidado.

STUDY'S OBJECT: Conceptions of nursing students on the approach to the drugs user. OBJECTIVES: To describe the conceptions of nursing students about the user of drugs. METHOD: Descriptive-exploratory study carried out with 321 students from 15 private nursing schools in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The scale of attitudes and beliefs NEADA was used to obtain the data between June 2006 and August 2007. The results demonstrate that the difficulties in dealing with the client who is a drug user are real, but the personal limitations of professionals in work with this kind of client still permeate the assistance, influencing care.

OBJECTO DEL ESTUDIO: Concepciones de los estudiantes de enfermería sobre el acercamiento a un paciente usuario de drogas. OBJECTIVOS: describir la concepción de los estudiantes de enfermería en los usuarios de drogas. METODO: estudio descriptivo-exploratorio lo cual se desarrolló con 321 estudiantes de 15 escuelas privadas de grado en enfermería en el estado de Rio de Janeiro. La escala de actitudes y creencia NEADA hay sido utlizada y aplicada el junio del 2006 hasta el Agosto del 2007. Los resultados revelan que las dificultades en abordar a un cliente que usa drogas són verdaderos, pero en la asistencia a estos clientes todavía las limitaciones personales de los profesionales impregnan en la asistencia, influyendo en el cuidado.

As questões macrossociais das drogas e o saberes dos estudantes de enfermagem / The macrosocial issues of the drugs and the knowledge of nursing students / Las Cuestiones Macrosociales de las Drogas y los Saberes de los Estudiantes de Enfermería

O objeto são as associações feitas entre o fenômeno das drogas e as questões macrossociais e profissionais na formação do estudante de graduação. Objetivos: descrever as associações feitas entre o fenômeno das drogas e as políticas de saúde internacionais, nacionais e locais e analisar a percepção dos estudantes sobre a atuação e o interesse em relação às drogas.Pesquisa quantitativa, apresenta resultados parciais de 16 faculdades de Enfermagem do Rio de Janeiro; a amostra é de 181 graduandos. Utilizou-se um questionário com escalas sobre este conhecimento, agregando três opções (concordo, indiferente e discordo). Os dados foram analisados com auxílio dos programas Epi-Info e Excell e apresentados em tabelas. Os resultados demonstraram que as políticas e programas nacionais e locais sobre o fenômeno das drogas foram abordados na graduação segundo a maioria dos estudantes, bem como tratar-se de um tema de interesse para a atuação do enfermeiro. Entretanto, emrelação à abordagem das questões internacionais, houve uma distribuição semelhante entre as alternativas propostas.

Conhecimento dos formandos em enfermagem sobre cetoacidose diabética / Knowledge of students of graduated in nursing about diabetic ketoacidosis

O estudo aborda a acetoacidose diabpética, uma descompensação metabólica do diabetes melittus, principalmente tipo 1. É fato que, para atuar no mercado de trabalho nos dias de hoje, o enfermeiro precisa estar preparado para lidar com o diabetes melittus - vista sua elevada prevalência mundial - e apto a prevenir, reconhecer e tratar suas complicações como a cetoacidose diabética. Para tanto, é essencial que adquira conhecimentos sobre o diabetes e as condições associadas no sentido de capacitar-se para prestar uma assistência integral e qualificada à clientela diabética que cresce a cada dia. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório que permitiu identificar o nivel de conhecimento dos alunos sobre a cetoacidose diabetica, através de dados coletados por meio de questionários e analisados, tendo como referência os planos de ensino ds disciplinas que abordam o tema em questão no curso de Enfermagem do UnilesteMG e as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem. .

The study deals with diabetic ketoacidosis, a metabolic decompensation of - diabetes, especially type 1. It is a fact that to work in the labour market today, the nurses must be prepared to deal with diabetes melittus - seen its high prevalence worldwide - and able to prevent, recognize and treat its complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. So it is essential that acquires knoeledge about diabetes and associated conditions in order to to empower themselves to ptoviding assistance to qualified full and diabetic clientele that grows every day.This in and exploratory study, which identified the level of knowledge of studentes on diabetic ketoacidosis through data collected through questionnaires and analysed by reference to the plans for teching the disciplines that address the topic in questionin the course of Nursinf of UnilesteMG Curriculum Guidelines and the National Graduate Course in Nursing.

Crenças manifestadas pelos estudantes de enfermagem acerca do uso/abuso de alcool / Beliefs revealed for the students of nursing about concerning the use/abuse of alcohol (IC consumption)

Objeto do estudo: Crenças de estudantes de enfermagem em relação ao uso/abuso de álcool reveladas na graduação. Objetivos: Descrever as crenças dos estudantes da graduação em enfermagem no que se refere ao usuário de álcool; analisar as crenças que os estudantes da graduação em enfermagem expressam em relação ao alcoolismo. Estudo descritivo quantitativo realizado com 181 estudantes com 16 escolas de enfermagem. Utilizou-se escala de atitudes e crenças - NEADA - aplicada entre abril a dezembro de 2006. O projeto foi submetido ao comitê de ética do HUPE/UERJ. Utilizou-se do programa Epiinfo para análise. Os resultados mostram a formação dos estudantes como adequada. Entretanto, foram constatadas algumas contradições entre suas crenças e a aplicação prática do conhecimento.

Purpose of the study: Beliefs of students of nursing in relation to the use/abuse of alcohol unveiled at the graduation. Objectives: Describe the beliefs of students in the graduate nursing regarding the user of alcohol; to examine the beliefs that students in the graduate nursing express in relation to quantitative descriptive alcoholism. Study conducted with 181 students with 16 schools in nursing. It was used scales of attitudes and beliefs - NEADA applied between April and December 2006. The project wassubmitted to the ethics committee of HUPE/UERJ. It was used the program Epiinfo for analysis. The results show the training of students s appropriate. However it was some contradictions between their beliefs and the practical application of knowledge.

Fenômeno das drogas: crenças e atitudes dos graduandos de enfermagem / Drugs: beliefs and attitudes of nursing undergraduates

Estudo descritivo cujo objeto é as atitudes e crenças dos estudantes de enfermagem referente às drogas. Objetivos: identificar as crenças dos estudantes em relação ao fenômeno das drogas; analisar as atitudes manifestadas pelos graduandos diante do uso/abuso de substâncias psicoativas. Investigou-se 181 alunos de 16 universidades privadas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, entre julho e dezembro de 2006. Utilizou-se a escala sobre atitudes e crenças do Project Nursing Education in Alcool and Drug Education. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto. Utilizou-se o programa estatístico Epi-Info e Excel para análise dos dados. A maioria dos estudantes acredita ter conhecimento e formação adequada sobre drogas, entretanto expressou divergências em relação à forma de abordagem do paciente. Revelam atitude de assumir a responsabilidade de intervir com o usuário, apesar de considerar o encaminhamento para assistência a melhor forma de intervenção, reforçando o distanciamento entre o saber e o fazer.

Estudio descriptivo cuyo objeto es actitudes y creencias de estudiantes de enfermería referentes a las drogas. Objetivos: identificar las creencias de los estudiantes en lo referente al fenómeno de las drogas; analizar las actitudes reveladas por los estudiantes delante del uso/abuso de la sustancias psicoactivas. Se investigó 181 alumnos de 16 universidades privadas del Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, entre julio y diciembre de 2006. Se uso la escala sobre actitudes y creencias del Project Nursing Education in Alcool and Drug. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética del Hospital Universitario Pedro Ernesto. Se utilizó el programa estadístico Epi-Info y Excel para analizar los datos. La mayoría de los estudiantes cree tener conocimiento y formación adecuada sobre drogas, sin embargo había expresado divergencias en lo referente a la forma de se acercar del paciente. Revelan actitud para tomar para sí mismo la responsabilidad de intervenir con el usuario, aunque considere encaminar para asistencia la mejor forma de intervención, consolidando el distanciamiento entre el saber y el hacer.

Descriptive study aiming at attitudes and beliefs of nursing students toward drugs. Objectives: to identify the students’ beliefs regarding drugs; to analyze students’ attitudes toward the use/abuse of psychoactive substances. 181 students out of 16 private universities of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were investigated between July and December, 2006. The scale on attitudes and beliefs of the Nursing Education in Alcohol and Drug Education Project was used, a project approved by the Committee of Ethics of Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto. Data analysis was made with the Epi-Info and Excel statistics program. Most students believe to have considerable background to deal with cases of drugs. However, they expressed divergences as for the approach of the patient. They believe they should take on the responsibility to deal with the user, despite considering forwarding the patient to assistance the best intervention. That ambivalence widens the gap between knowing about the problem and going about it.