A systematic review of the effects of cold exposure on pathological cardiac remodeling in mice.

Exposure to cold promotes cardiac remodeling, characterized by deleterious effects on structure and function, contributing to increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The mechanisms associated with these changes are poorly understood. This review gathers the literature data on the main alterations and mechanisms associated with the adverse cardiac structural and functional remodeling induced by cold exposure in mice. Original studies were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases from January 1990 to June 2022. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the criteria established by PRISMA and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022350637). The risk of bias was evaluated by the SYRCLE. Eligible studies included original papers published in English that evaluated cardiac outcomes in mice submitted to short- or long-time cold exposure and had a control group at room temperature. Seventeen original articles were included in this review. Cold exposure induces pathological cardiac remodeling, characterized by detrimental structural and functional parameters, changes in metabolism and autophagy process, and increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. In addition, Nppa, AT1A, Fbp3, BECN, ETA, and MT, appear to play fundamental roles in regulating cardiac remodeling. We suggest that strategies that seek to minimize the CVD risk and adverse effects of cold exposure should target these agents.

Cardiac changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats: Modulation by aerobic exercise.

Systemic arterial hypertension is a multifactorial clinical condition characterized by high and sustained levels of blood pressure. For a better understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension, studies are conducted with spontaneously hypertensive animals, which allow the investigation of physiological changes that in most cases cannot be studied in humans. In these animals, myocardial remodeling, increased pro-inflammatory markers, redox imbalance and contractile dysfunctions that lead to changes in cardiac function can be observed. However, it can be inferring that aerobic training improves cardiac function and cardiomyocyte contractility, in addition to controlling inflammation and reducing oxidative stress in cardiac muscle, despite this, the precise mechanisms by which physical exercise improves cardiovascular control are not fully understood. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiological changes that affect the heart of spontaneously hypertensive animals and their modulation by aerobic exercise.

The Effect of Diet on the Cardiac Circadian Clock in Mice: A Systematic Review.

Circadian rhythms play important roles in regulating physiological and behavioral processes. These are adjusted by environmental cues, such as diet, which acts by synchronizing or attenuating the circadian rhythms of peripheral clocks, such as the liver, intestine, pancreas, white and brown adipose tissue, lungs, kidneys, as well as the heart. Some studies point to the influence of diet composition, feeding timing, and dietary restriction on metabolic homeostasis and circadian rhythms at various levels. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to discuss studies addressing the effect of diet on the heart clock in animal models and, additionally, the chronodisruption of the clock and its relation to the development of cardiovascular disorders in the last 15 years. A search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. The PRISMA guide was used to construct the article. Nineteen studies met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. In summary, these studies have linked the circadian clock to cardiovascular health and suggested that maintaining a robust circadian system may reduce the risks of cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The effect of time-of-day-dependent eating on the modulation of circadian rhythms of the cardiac clock and energy homeostasis is notable, among its deleterious effects predominantly in the sleep (light) phase and/or at the end of the active phase.

Development of nanoparticles coated with cassava bagasse pectin (Manihot esculenta Crantz) containing ß-carotene for mucoadhesive applications.

Pectin (PC) extracted from a solid residue from cassava roots (Manihot esculenta Crantz) was used to coat nanoparticles (NP) containing ß-carotene (BC) aiming at the gastrointestinal administration of this lipophilic nutraceutical. The NP were prepared by spontaneous emulsification method using food grade components. Pectin-coated NP have been successfully prepared as confirmed by the increased particle size and negative surface charges due to the pectin's anionic nature. NP showed spherical shape and monodisperse distribution, with a mean size of 21.3 nm (polydispersity index (PDI) 0.29) for BC PC T80-NP (nanoparticle with ß-carotene, pectin and Tween 80) and 261.4 nm (PDI 0.1) for BC PC T20-NP (nanoparticle with ß-carotene, pectin and Tween 20). BC was encapsulated at amounts of 530 and 324 µg/ml for BC PC T80-NP and BC PC T20-NP, respectively, with high encapsulation efficiency (> 95%), increasing its antioxidant capacity in vitro, besides no cytotoxic effect. However, only BC PC T20-NP was stable over a 90 days storage period (4°C) and revealed a strong interaction between pectin and mucin. These results suggest that pectin-coated BC PC T20-NP is a promising strategy to improve the bioavailability and permeation of BC for administration through mucosal surfaces.

Toward better understanding of postharvest deterioration: biochemical changes in stored cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots.

Food losses can occur during production, postharvest, and processing stages in the supply chain. With the onset of worldwide food shortages, interest in reducing postharvest losses in cassava has been increasing. In this research, the main goal was to evaluate biochemical changes and identify the metabolites involved in the deterioration of cassava roots. We found that high levels of ascorbic acid (AsA), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), dry matter, and proteins are correlated with overall lower rates of deterioration. On the other hand, soluble sugars such as glucose and fructose, as well as organic acids, mainly, succinic acid, seem to be upregulated during storage and may play a role in the deterioration of cassava roots. Cultivar Branco (BRA) was most resilient to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD), while Oriental (ORI) was the most susceptible. Our findings suggest that PPO, AsA, and proteins may play a distinct role in PPD delay.

Nanoradiopharmaceuticals for Bone Cancer Metastasis Imaging.

Drug delivery systems are under intense investigation all around the world, especially in oncology research. Indeed, in some cases, like bone metastasis, nanodrugs may represent the last and best choice for both treatment and imaging of early cancer foci. Nuclear medicine has been using MDP labelled with 99mTc as radiopharmaceuticals for many years; however, their use as nanoradiopharmaceuticals is very innovative and creates a new way to establish radiopharmacy in this new scenario offered by nanotechnology. In this study we developed and tested nano-MDP-labelled with 99mTc in rats induced with bone cancer metastasis and the results showed that it may work in patients. However, some further experiments are required in order to initiate protocols in humans.

Saúde mental no trabalho do Enfermeiro da Atenção Primária de um município no Brasil / Salud mental en trabajo de Enfermera de la Atención Primaria en un municipio en Brasil / Mental health in the work of Nurse the Primary Care of a municipality in Brazil

Introdução: de todos os males vividos pelo homem, a loucura, a doença mental e o sofrimento psíquico e emocional parecem atingir indistintamente pessoas de qualquer nacionalidade, raça, classe social e religião. Contudo, sabe-se que os mais pobres são os que mais padecem pela falta de atenção e cuidado. Objetivou: compreender como se desenvolve a preparação e qual o conhecimento que os enfermeiros que atuam na Estratégia Saúde da Família de Montes Claros - Minas Gerais apresentam sobre Saúde Mental para atendimento a pacientes com transtornos psíquicos. Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória, realizada com oito enfermeiros que atuavam na Atenção Primária à Saúde do meio urbano de Montes Claros. Os dados foram coletados no segundo semestre de 2011, por meio de entrevistas, que foram gravadas e, em seguida, transcritas. Para análise dos dados, foi utilizada a técnica de análise do conteúdo. Resultados: os entrevistados relataram que se sentiam preparados para lidar com seus pacientes e que conheciam os principais transtornos, mas poucos foram capazes de detalhar esse conhecimento. As capacitações e curso de residência foram citados como preparação, mas a insegurança e tempo disposto para lidar com esses pacientes foram impasses para um bom cuidado. Conclusões: é preciso maior preparação dos enfermeiros na área de saúde mental, a fim de proporcionar atendimento resolutivo aos pacientes que demandas tais cuidados(AU)

Introducción: de todos los males vividos por el hombre, la enfermedad mental y el sufrimento psíquico y emocional parecen alcanzar indistintamente a personas de cualquier nacionalidad, raza, clase social y religión. Se sabe que los más pobres son los que más la padecen por la falta de atención y cuidado. Objetivo: entender cómo se desarrolla la preparación y el conocimiento de las enfermeras de Montes Claros-Minas Gerais, que trabajan en función de la estrategia de salud de la familia sobre la Salud Mental, para atender a los pacientes con trastornos psiquiátricos. Métodos: investigación cualitativa y exploratoria con ocho enfermeras de atención primaria de salud de Montes Claros. Los datos fueron recolectados en la segunda mitad del 2011, a través de entrevistas que fueron grabadas y luego transcritas. Para el análisis de datos fue utilizada la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: los encuestados informaron que se sentían preparados para lidiar con sus pacientes y que sabían los principales trastornos, pero pocos fueron capaces de refinar este conocimiento. Los cursos de capacitación y de residencia fueron citados como preparación, pero la inseguridad y el tiempo disponible para tratar con estos pacientes son elementos que atentan contra un buen cuidado. Conclusiones: se necesita más preparación de enfermeras en el área de salud mental, con el fin de brindar la atención que exigen este tipo de pacientes(AU)

Introduction : mental disease and emocional suffering seem to reach indiscriminately people from any nationality, race, social class and religion. The most poor people are who bear it more, because of attention and care absence. Objective: aimed to understand how develops the preparation and the knowledge that nurses working in family health Strategy of Montes Claros-Minas Gerais show on Mental Health for the patients with psychic disorders. Methods: it is exploratory and qualitative research conducted with eight nurses working in primary health care in the urban environment of Montes Claros. The data were collected in the second half of 2011, through interviews, which were taped and then transcribed. For data analysis, was used the technique of content analysis. Results: respondents reported that they felt prepared to deal with their patients and who knew the main disorders, but few were able to drill through this knowledge. The courses and course of residence were cited as preparation, but insecurity and time willing to deal with these patients were dead ends for good care. Conclusions: we need greater preparation of nurses in the mental health area, in order to provide care to patients who resolutive demands such care(AU)

Metabolomics combined with chemometric tools (PCA, HCA, PLS-DA and SVM) for screening cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots during postharvest physiological deterioration.

Cassava roots are an important source of dietary and industrial carbohydrates and suffer markedly from postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD). This paper deals with metabolomics combined with chemometric tools for screening the chemical and enzymatic composition in several genotypes of cassava roots during PPD. Metabolome analyses showed increases in carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolics, reactive scavenging species, and enzymes (superoxide dismutase family, hydrogen peroxide, and catalase) until 3-5days postharvest. PPD correlated negatively with phenolics and carotenoids and positively with anthocyanins and flavonoids. Chemometric tools such as principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and support vector machines discriminated well cassava samples and enabled a good prediction of samples. Hierarchical clustering analyses grouped samples according to their levels of PPD and chemical compositions.

Ato infracional e medida socioeducativa: representações de adolescentes em L. A. / Infraction and socio-educational measures: representations for adolescents in probation

A pesquisa analisou as representações sociais de ato infracional e medida socioeducativa em adolescentes em conflito com a lei. Utilizou-se, como aporte teórico e metodológico, a Teoria das Representações Sociais. Participaram da pesquisa quarenta e seis adolescentes que cumpriam, há mais de três meses, a medida de Liberdade Assistida. Os dados foram coletados, por meio de entrevistas, com um roteiro semiestruturado e consistiram na técnica das evocações livres por meio dos termos ato infracional e medida socioeducativa. Utilizou-se o software EVOC para análise das evocações emitidas. Os resultados apontaram como caracterização socioeconômica dos adolescentes: renda familiar baixa, baixo nível de escolaridade, local de residência precário, etnias afro-descendentes predominantes e distanciamento da religião. As representações sociais de ato infracional relacionaram-se aos tipos de atos infracionais e às suas causas e consequências. As representações sociais de medida socioeducativa relacionaram-se a ações positivas em que, além da aprendizagem, houve a possibilidade de mudança.

The research has analised social representations of infraction and socio-educational measures in adolescents in conflict with the law. It has been used, as theoretical and methodological contribution, the Theory of Social Representations. Forty-six adolescents, who were serving for more than three months the measure of probation, have participated in the survey. Data were collected through interviews with a semi-structured screenplay and have consisted of the technique of free evocation, using the terms infraction and socio-educational measure. It has used the software EVOC for analysis of evocations issued. The results suggest the socio-economic status of adolescents: low family income, low educational level, place of residence precarious, African ethnicity predominant and distance from the religion. Social representations of infraction were related to the types of infractions and theirs causes and consequences. The social representations of socio-educational measures were related to the positive actions that, besides learning, there was the possibility of change.

Biodistribution of nanoparticles: initial considerations.

Nanotechnology is attracting increasing attention worldwide. This study was made use of modern technology to decipher most of the intriguing biological aspects of nanoparticles. Labeling with technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) of six nanoparticles using different compositions and formulations, as well as complete biodistribution studies in mice was done. The results showed that the behaviors of nanoparticles were very different from each other. Mesoporous silica showed a high affinity for lung tissue, whereas polymeric nanoparticles were rapidly recognized and metabolized by the liver. The six nanoparticles showed different renal clearance times, suggesting that their area mechanisms of action were related to interaction and solubility. The labeling process in all samples showed similar results (all >99%). Biodistribution was demonstrated to be important for the study of nanoparticles, and could be used to predict the possible mechanism of action of nanoparticles.

Violência urbana, insegurança e medo: da necessidade de estratégias coletivas / Urban violence, insecurity and fear: the need for collective strategies / Violencia urbana, inseguridad y miedo: de la necesidad de estrategias colectivas

A pesquisa objetivou conhecer as estratégias de combate à violência urbana propostas por moradores de um bairro situado em uma região metropolitana brasileira. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas realizadas com nove moradores que residiam no bairro, por pelo menos dez anos, orientadas por um roteiro semiestruturado e também por meio de um seminário promovido pelos pesquisadores com a participação de catorze moradores. As informações obtidas foram sistematizadas através de análise de conteúdo e revelaram a existência de sentimentos de medo e insegurança bem como a predominância de estratégias individuais para o combate à violência no bairro. Além disso, verificou-se que a participação coletiva mobilizada pelos problemas enfrentados pelos moradores é frágil e necessita ser estimulada visando à construção de soluções mais duradouras, preservando-se a utilização dos espaços públicos por todos e o estado de direito...

The research aimed to know the strategies to combat urban violence proposed by the residents of a neighborhood located in a Brazilian metropolitan area. Data were collected through interviews with nine residents who have been living in the neighborhood for at least ten years, driven by a semi-structured script. Data were also collected by a seminar promoted by researchers with the participation of fourteen residents. The data obtained were systematized through content analysis and revealed the existence of feelings of fear and insecurity, as well as the dominance of individual strategies to combat violence in the neighborhood. Furthermore, it was found that the collective participation in view of the problems faced by the residents is fragile and the construction of more durable solutions needs to be stimulated in order to preserve the use of public spaces by all and the rule of law...

La investigación ha objetivado conocer las estrategias de combate a la violencia urbana propuestas por residentes de un barrio ubicado en una región metropolitana brasileña. Los datos han sido recolectados a través de entrevistas llevadas a cabo con nueve residentes que vivían en el barrio por, al menos, diez años, orientadas por un guión semiestructurado y también a través de un seminario promovido por los investigadores con la participación de catorce residentes. Las informaciones obtenidas han sido sistematizadas a través de análisis de contenido y han revelado la existencia de sentimientos de miedo e inseguridad, así como la predominancia de estrategias individuales para el combate a la violencia en el barrio. Más allá de ello, se ha verificado que la participación colectiva movilizada por los problemas enfrentados por los residentes es frágil y necesita ser estimulada objetivándose la construcción de soluciones más duraderas, preservándose la utilización de los espacios públicos por todos y el estado de derecho...