Unveiling the anticancer potential of the ethanolic extract from Trichoderma asperelloides.

The discovery of new therapeutic alternatives for cancer treatment is essential for improving efficacy and specificity, overcoming resistance, and enabling a more personalized approach for each patient. We investigated the antitumor activity of the crude ethanolic extract of the fungus Trichoderma asperelloides (ExtTa) and its interaction with chemotherapeutic drugs. It was observed, by MTT cytotoxicity assay, that ExtTa significantly reduced cell viability in breast adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma, lung carcinoma, melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, and sarcomas cell lines. The highest efficacy and selectivity of ExtTa were found against glioblastoma T98G and colorectal HCT116 cell lines. ExtTa is approximately four times more cytotoxic to those tumor cells than to non-cancer cell lines. A synergistic effect between ExtTa and doxorubicin was found in the treatment of osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells, as well as with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells using CompuSyn software. Our data unravel the presence of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic effects against cancer cells present in T. asperelloides ethanolic crude extract, with the potential for developing novel anticancer agents.

Antibacterial Activity of Biodegradable Films Incorporated with Biologically-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and the Evaluation of Their Migration to Chicken Meat.

The food industry has been exploring the association of polymers with nanoparticles in packaging production, and active products are essential to increase the shelf life of food and avoid contamination. Our study developed starch-poly (adipate co-terephthalate butyl) films with silver nanoparticles produced with Fusarium oxysporum components (bio-AgNPs), intending to control foodborne pathogens. The bio-AgNPs showed activity against different Salmonella serotypes, including multidrug-resistant Salmonella Saint Paul and Salmonella Enteritidis, with minimum bactericidal concentrations ranging from 4.24 to 16.98 µg/mL. Biodegradable films with bio-AgNPs inhibited the growth of up to 106Salmonella isolates. Silver migration from the films to chicken was analyzed using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the results showed migration values (12.94 mg/kg and 3.79 mg/kg) above the limits allowed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (0.05 mg/kg). Thus, it is necessary to improve the technique to avoid the migration of silver to chicken meat, since these concentrations can be harmful.

Risco de quedas e a síndrome da fragilidade no idoso / Fall risk and the frailty syndrome in older adults / Fall risk and the frailty syndrome in older adults / Riesgo de caídas y el síndrome de fragilidad en adultos mayores

Resumo Objetivo Analisar o risco de quedas e sua relação com a síndrome da fragilidade e variáveis sociodemográficas em idosos. Métodos Estudo transversal, analítico e multicêntrico, desenvolvido em dois hospitais universitários, no período de agosto de 2019 a janeiro de 2020, com 323 idosos, utilizando o Brazil Old Age Schedule (BOAS) para caracterização sociodemográfica, a Morse Fall Scale (MFS) para definição do risco de quedas e a Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) para identificação da síndrome da fragilidade. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados Houve associação entre o risco de quedas e idosos com idade acima de 70 anos, com mais de quatro doenças preexistentes, sem atividade laboral, com déficit cognitivo, estado geral de saúde ruim, com dependência funcional em cinco a oito atividades, fazendo uso de cinco ou mais medicamentos, com perda de peso, baixo desempenho funcional, humor triste ou deprimido e com a síndrome da fragilidade instalada. Idosos que moram sozinhos, com idade acima de 70 anos, que têm quatro ou mais doenças prévias, com dependência funcional, humor deprimido, que realizam o teste Timed Up and Go (TUG) em um tempo maior que 20 segundos, que utilizam cinco ou mais medicamentos por dia e que esquecem de utilizar esses fármacos têm mais chances para o risco de quedas. Conclusão Fatores relacionados ao declínio de funções físicas, psicológicas e mentais nos idosos, e que se encontram exacerbados na síndrome da fragilidade, aumentam o risco para a ocorrência de quedas nessa população.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar el riesgo de caídas y su relación con el síndrome de fragilidad y variables sociodemográficas en adultos mayores. Métodos Estudio transversal, analítico y multicéntrico, llevado a cabo en dos hospitales universitarios, durante el período de agosto de 2019 a enero de 2020, con 323 adultos mayores, utilizando el Brazil Old Age Schedule (BOAS) para la caracterización sociodemográfica, la Morse Fall Scale (MFS) para la definición del riesgo de caídas y la Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) para la identificación del síndrome de fragilidad. Los datos fueron analizados por medio de estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados Hubo una relación entre el riesgo de caídas y adultos mayores con edad superior a los 70 años, con más de cuatro enfermedades preexistentes, sin actividad laboral, con déficit cognitivo, estado general de salud malo, con dependencia funcional de cinco a ocho actividades, tomando cinco o más medicamentos, con pérdida de peso, bajo desempeño funcional, humor triste o deprimido y con síndrome de fragilidad instalado. Adultos mayores que viven solos, con edad superior a los 70 años, con cuatro o más enfermedades previas, con dependencia funcional, humor deprimido, que realizan la prueba Timed Up and Go (TUG) en un tiempo superior a 20 segundos, que utilizan cinco o más medicamentos al día y que se olvidan de utilizar esos fármacos tienen más posibilidades de riesgo de caídas. Conclusión Factores relacionados con el deterioro de funciones físicas, psicológicas y mentales en adultos mayores y que están exacerbados en el síndrome de fragilidad, aumentan el riesgo de episodios de caídas en esa población.

Abstract Objective To analyze fall risk and its relationship with the frailty syndrome and sociodemographic variables in older adults. Methods This is a cross-sectional, analytical and multicenter study, carried out in two university hospitals, from August 2019 to January 2020, with 323 older adults, using the Brazil Old Age Schedule (BOAS), for sociodemographic characterization, the Morse Fall Scale (MFS), to define fall risk, and the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), to identify the frailty syndrome. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results There was an association between fall risk and older adults aged over 70 years, with more than four preexisting diseases, without work activity, with cognitive impairment, poor general health status, with functional dependence in five to eight activities, using five or more medications, with weight loss, low functional performance, sad or depressed mood and with the installed frailty syndrome. Older adults who live alone, aged over 70 years, who have four or more previous illnesses, with functional dependence, depressed mood, who perform the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in a time longer than 20 seconds, who use five or more medications per day and who forget to use these medications are more likely to fall at risk. Conclusion Factors related to the decline of physical, psychological and mental functions in older adults, which are exacerbated in the frailty syndrome, increase fall risk in this population.

Comportamentos autoagressivos e sofrimento psíquico: retratos da adolescência contemporânea / Self-aggressive behavior and psychological suffering: portraits of contemporary adolescence / Comportements auto-agressifs et souffrance psychique: portraits de l'adolescence contemporaine / Comportamientos autoagresivos y sufrimiento psíquico: retratos de la adolescencia contemporánea

As lesões autoprovocadas são investigadas a partir da escuta psicanalítica de 15 adolescentes que chegaram a um ambulatório público. O sofrimento psíquico na adolescência contemporânea apresenta-se com crescente frequência sob a forma desse tipo de problema. A medicalização, que tem sido uma resposta dominante para esses jovens, é avaliada criticamente. Explora-se, com a ajuda do referencial psicanalítico, outros tipos de entendimento da questão, recorrendo-se às teorias freudianas sobre angústia, dor e formação de sintomas. Usando os aportes lacanianos, são destacados, também, os efeitos da palavra e da voz do Outro sobre o sujeito adolescente. Dois jovens transgêneros que apresentavam histórico de autoagressão conduziram a reflexões específicas sobre o tema.

Self-inflicted lesions are examined from the perspective of psychoanalytic listening to fifteen adolescents who sought help at a walk-in clinic. Psychological suffering among contemporary adolescents often presents in the guise of this problem. Medicalization is critically assessed as the predominant response to such youths. Aided by psychoanalytic references, other modes of understanding the problem are explored, and Freudian theories of anxiety, pain, and symptom formation are deployed. Additionally, Lacanian theory is called upon to highlight the effects of the word and voice of the Other upon the adolescent subject. Two transgender youths presenting with histories of self-aggression lead to specific reflections on the issue.

Les automutilations sont étudiées à partir de l'écoute psychanalytique de 15 adolescents arrivés en centre ambulatoire. La souffrance psychique de l'adolescence contemporaine se manifeste de plus en plus fréquemment sous cette forme. La médicalisation, qui a été la solution majoritairement adoptée pour ces jeunes, est considérée sous un jour critique. Sont explorées, à l'aide du référentiel psychanalytique, d'autres formes de compréhension de cette problématique, grâce aux théories freudiennes sur l'angoisse, la douleur et la formation des symptômes. Faisant usage des apports lacaniens, sont également mis en relief les effets de la parole et de la voix de l'Autre sur le sujet adolescent. Deux jeunes transgenres présentant un historique d'automutilations ont conduit à des réflexions spécifiques sur le sujet.

Se investigan las autolesiones a partir de la escucha psicoanalítica de 15 jóvenes que fueron acudidos en ambulatorio público. El sufrimiento psíquico en la adolescencia contemporánea se presenta cada vez con mayor frecuencia en forma de este tipo de problemas. La medicalización, que ha sido una respuesta dominante para estos jóvenes, es evaluada críticamente. Con la ayuda del marco psicoanalítico, se exploran otras maneras de comprensión del problema, utilizando las teorías freudianas sobre la angustia, el dolor y la formación de síntomas. Con los aportes lacanianos, también se destacan los efectos de la palabra y la voz del Otro en el sujeto adolescente. Dos jóvenes transgénero que tenían un historial de autolesiones llevaron a reflexiones específicas sobre el tema.

Angiogenesis in patient-derived xenografts of odontogenic myxoma.

Previously, by employing 3D organotypic tissue culture and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, oral myxoma response to a MAPK/MEK inhibitor was observed. Gross examination of the tumour fragments obtained after 55 days of PDX grafting revealed increased capsule vascularization. Microscopic analyses showed blood capillaries intermixed with myxoma cells, but the origin of these capillaries, from mice or humans, was not established. This study aimed to investigate whether the endothelial cells observed in the myxoma PDX model are derived from the mouse or from the primary human tumour. Immunohistochemistry was performed on five tumour fragments from the PDX of myxoma after 55 days of implantation in mice. Immunopositivity for antibodies against human (HLA-ABC) and mouse (H2 Db/H2-D1) major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) was assessed in the endothelial cells. The endothelial cells in the PDX fragments revealed a membrane staining for the human MHCI protein in the PDX tumour and adjacent connective tissue capsule, indicating that capillaries were derived from the human tumour fragment. Considering the probable human origin of the endothelial cells from capillary blood vessels in the myxoma PDX, we conclude that this PDX model is an interesting model to study myxoma angiogenesis.

Prospecting of potentially probiotic lactic acid bacteria from bovine mammary ecosystem: imminent partners from bacteriotherapy against bovine mastitis.

Mastitis is one of the most important causes of loss of cattle production, burdening producers due to the increased cost of milk production and decreased herd productivity. The development of alternative methods for the treatment and prevention of mastitis other than traditional chemical antibiotic therapy needs to be implemented to meet international pressures to reduce the use of these drugs and promote the elimination of multiresistant microbial strains from the environment. Treatment with probiotic bacteria or yeast strains offers a possible strategy for the control of mastitis. The objective of this work was to isolate, identify, and characterize lactic bacteria from milk and the intramammary duct of Gyr, Guzerat, Girolando 1/2, and Holstein cattle breeds from Brazil. Samples of 115 cows were taken, a total of 192 bacteria isolates belonging to 30 species were obtained, and 81 were selected to evaluate their probiotic potential in in vitro characterization tests. In general, bacteria isolated from the mammary gland have low autoaggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, and co-aggregation with mastitis etiological bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Also, they have biofilm assembly capacity, inability to produce exopolysaccharides, high production of H2O2, and strong antagonism against mastitis pathogens. Ten lactic bacteria isolates were used in co-culture with human MDA-MB-231 breast epithelial cells to assess their adhesion capacity and impairment of the S. aureus invasion. Our results, therefore, contribute to the future production of new prevention and treatment tools for bovine mastitis.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Without SARS-CoV-2 Infection in an Internal Medicine Ward of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the emergence of a new worldwide cause of death related to COVID-19, several studies have hypothesized that the international mortality rate attributed to non-COVID-19 causes was significantly higher during the COVID pandemic, questioning whether this excess in mortality is related only to COVID-19 or to the difficulties that the healthcare systems faced during the pandemic. Therefore, understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prognosis of patients without severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major unmet need as this was overshadowed by the overwhelming number of patients with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study in the internal medicine non-COVID-19 wards of a tertiary care hospital in Portugal. A total of 2021 patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted between March and May of 2019 and 2020 were included. For each patient, we collected information regarding demographic characteristics, emergency department admission information, hospitalization information, date of discharge or death, health comorbidities, and current medication. RESULTS: Data from 1013 patients in 2019 and 1008 patients in 2020 was analyzed. The patients' demographic characteristics, health comorbidities, and current medications were distributed in similar patterns in the two studied periods. There was a statistically significant difference in the in-hospital mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection between 2019 and 2020 (12% vs 17%, p-value < 0.001) and in admission severity in hospitalized patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection between 2019 and 2020 (0.9 vs 0.6, p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our work showed a statistically significant increase in in-hospital mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was not apparently explained by differences in the characteristics of hospitalized patients. As this is one of the first works describing the silent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, we believe it holds an important value in the provision of bases for building up future health policies in case of new COVID-19 outbreaks or other medical emergencies.

Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of Recycled Coarse Aggregates: A Portuguese Case Study.

The incorporation of recycled aggregates in concrete not only reduces the extraction of natural resources, but also decreases landfill disposal of construction and demolition waste. Hence, environmental impacts and costs are reduced, promoting the use of recycled aggregates and circular economy. However, the impacts of transport depend on the distance between facilities and longer distances may result in recycled aggregates being more costly and having larger environmental impact than natural aggregates. This paper discusses this topic, presents a review on the use of life cycle assessment methodology on natural and recycled aggregates for concrete, and applies this methodology in a real context pertaining the procurement of coarse aggregates to ready-mix concrete plants. A case study of two Portuguese regions, Coimbra and Lisbon, is presented. For each region, a quarry, a construction and demolition waste plant, and a ready-mix concrete plant are chosen and a comparative life cycle assessment is made. Different scenarios for the supply of natural and recycled aggregates are studied and the scenarios for recycled aggregates procurement include different hypotheses for the installation (construction and demolition waste plant or quarry) processing the construction and demolition waste into recycled aggregates. For this case study and both regions, it was found that the supply of recycled aggregates produced at the construction and demolition waste plant has lower environmental impact and cost than all other scenarios, including the provision of natural aggregates, except when it is assumed that the quarry is licensed and equipped for receiving unsorted construction and demolition waste and processing it into recycled aggregates. The paper shows that transport distance is a determining factor in the comparison of the impacts of the procurement of natural and recycled aggregates. Moreover, in the Portuguese context, the environmental impacts of the procurement of recycled aggregates may be smaller than those of natural aggregates, but cost may be larger for recycled aggregates, preventing that the most sustainable option is chosen.

Proteogenomics Reveals Orthologous Alternatively Spliced Proteoforms in the Same Human and Mouse Brain Regions with Differential Abundance in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model.

Alternative splicing (AS) may increase the number of proteoforms produced by a gene. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with well-characterized AS proteoforms. In this study, we used a proteogenomics strategy to build a customized protein sequence database and identify orthologous AS proteoforms between humans and mice on publicly available shotgun proteomics (MS/MS) data of the corpus callosum (CC) and olfactory bulb (OB). Identical proteotypic peptides of six orthologous AS proteoforms were found in both species: PKM1 (gene PKM/Pkm), STXBP1a (gene STXBP1/Stxbp1), Isoform 3 (gene HNRNPK/Hnrnpk), LCRMP-1 (gene CRMP1/Crmp1), SP3 (gene CADM1/Cadm1), and PKCßII (gene PRKCB/Prkcb). These AS variants were also detected at the transcript level by publicly available RNA-Seq data and experimentally validated by RT-qPCR. Additionally, PKM1 and STXBP1a were detected at higher abundances in a publicly available MS/MS dataset of the AD mouse model APP/PS1 than its wild type. These data corroborate other reports, which suggest that PKM1 and STXBP1a AS proteoforms might play a role in amyloid-like aggregate formation. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to describe PKM1 and STXBP1a overexpression in the OB of an AD mouse model. We hope that our strategy may be of use in future human neurodegenerative studies using mouse models.

Processo formativo de enfermeiros: visão de egressos sobre prática e inserção no mundo do trabalho / Proceso de formación del enfermero: visión de los egresados sobre la práctica y la inserción en el mundo laboral / Nurses' training process: graduates' point of view on practice and insertion in the world of work

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar as potencialidades do processo formativo de enfermeiros a partir da visão dos egressos sobre sua prática profissional e inserção no mundo do trabalho. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Participaram do estudo 198 (68,5%) egressos de um curso de Enfermagem do sul de Minas Gerais que responderam a um formulário eletrônico enviado por plataforma digital. Foram realizadas análise estatística descritiva e análise temática. Resultados: os egressos indicaram como potencialidades da sua formação a tradição institucional da universidade, a capacitação docente, a facilidade de relacionamento professor-aluno e a experiência com atividades extracurriculares. Referiram satisfação com a profissão, mas destacaram que a remuneração está a quém das responsabilidades assumidas no trabalho, com consequente desvalorização profissional. Indicaram temas que podem ser fortalecidos durante o percurso acadêmico para inserção profissional, como ampliar a carga horária prática, aperfeiçoar o entrosamento entre academia e preceptoria dos serviços de saúde, fortalecer o ensino de gestão/gerenciamento, autonomia, liderança e tomada de decisão, empoderamento profissional, entre outros. Demonstraram a importância de se prepararem para o trabalho na própria vivência laboral e por meio da educação permanente. Considerações Finais: pesquisas com egressos permitiram avaliar o processo de formação, sendo relevantes para o planejamento e readequação das políticas de educação. Manter políticas de acompanhamento e um canal de comunicação efetivo com os egressos para o seguimento de sua trajetória contribui para que o currículo seja continuamente revisto e reformulado na dinâmica do processo formativo, facilitando a transição entre a academia e o mundo do trabalho.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar las potencialidades del proceso de formación de los enfermeros a partir de la visión de los egresados sobre su práctica profesional e inserción en el mundo laboral. Método: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, con enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo. Participaron del estudio 198 (68,5%) egresados de un curso de Enfermería en el Sur de Minas Gerais, quienes respondieron un formulario electrónico enviado por plataforma digital. Se realizó análisis estadístico descriptivo y análisis temático. Resultados: los egresados señalaron como potencialidades formativas la tradición institucional de la Universidad, la capacitación docente, la facilidad de relación profesor-alumno y la experiencia con las actividades extracurriculares. Mencionaron satisfacción con la profesión, pero destacaron que la remuneración está por debajo de las responsabilidades asumidas en el trabajo, con la consiguiente devaluación profesional. Indicaron temas que pueden fortalecerse durante la trayectoria académica para la inserción profesional, como extender la carga práctica, mejorar la relación entre la academia y la preceptoría de los servicios de salud, fortalecer la enseñanza de la gestión, la autonomía, el liderazgo y la toma de decisiones, el empoderamiento profesional, entre otros. Demuestran la importancia de prepararse para el trabajo en su propria experiencia laboral y mediante la educación permanente. Consideraciones finales: la investigación con egresados permite evaluar el proceso de formación, siendo relevante para la planificación y reajuste de las políticas educativas. Mantener políticas de seguimiento y un canal de comunicación eficaz con los egresados para seguir su trayectoria contribuye a que el currículo sea continuamente revisado y reformulado en la dinámica del proceso formativo, facilitando la transición entre la academia y el mundo laboral

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the potentialities of the nurses' training process based on the graduates' point of view of their professional practice and insertion in the world of work. Method: a descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. One-hundred ninety-eight (68.5%) graduates of a Nursing course in the south of Minas Gerais participated in the study and answered an electronic form sent by digital platform. Descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis were performed. Results: the graduates indicated the university's institutional tradition, teacher training, ease of teacher-student relationship and experience with extracurricular activities as potential training opportunities. They mentioned satisfaction with the profession but highlighted that the remuneration is below the responsibilities assumed at work, with consequent professional devaluation. They indicated themes that can be strengthened during the academic path for professional insertion, such as extending the practical workload, improving the relationship between the academy and the preceptorship of healthcare services, strengthening management/management teaching, autonomy, leadership, and decision making, empowerment professional, among others. They demonstrated the importance of preparing for work in their own work experience and through permanent education. Final Considerations: research with graduates allowed to evaluate the training process, being relevant for the planning and readjustment of education policies. Maintaining follow-up policies and an effective communication channel with graduates to follow their trajectory contributes to the curriculum being continuously reviewed and reformulated in the dynamics of the training process, facilitating the transition between academia and the world of work.

Association of the functional capacity and violence in the elderly community.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the functional capacity of elderly community members and the sociodemographic and violence characteristics. METHODS: Cross-sectional, epidemiological, analytical study with 159 elderly people. For data collection, a questionnaire was used for sociodemographic characterization; the Katz, Lawton and Brody scale; a questionnaire adapted from the FIBRA network; and the Conflict Tactics Scales, analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: It was observed that the sociodemographic variables influence the prevalence of functional dependence for basic activities of daily living and reduction in advanced activities in elderly people with psychological and physical violence. CONCLUSION: The dependence of the elderly for basic and intermediate activities is related to characteristics such as advanced age, work exercise and knowing how to read and write. The participants' functional dependence can favor violent outcomes, whether physical or psychological.

Dosimetry and Calorimetry Performance of a Scientific CMOS Camera for Environmental Monitoring.

This paper explores the prospect of CMOS devices to assay lead in drinking water, using calorimetry. Lead occurs together with traces of radioisotopes, e.g., 210Pb, producing g-emissions with energies ranging from 10 keV to several 100 keV when they decay; this range is detectable in silicon sensors. In this paper we test a CMOS camera (OXFORD INSTRUMENTS Neo 5.5) for its general performance as a detector of X-rays and low energy g-rays and assess its sensitivity relative to the World Health Organization upper limit on lead in drinking water. Energies from 6 keV to 60 keV are examined. The CMOS camera has a linear energy response over this range and its energy resolution is for the most part slightly better than 2%. The Neo sCMOS is not sensitive to X-rays with energies below ~10 keV. The smallest detectable rate is 40 ± 3 mHz, corresponding to an incident activity on the chip of 7 ± 4 Bq. The estimation of the incident activity sensitivity from the detected activity relies on geometric acceptance and the measured efficiency vs. energy. We report the efficiency measurement, which is 0.08(2)% (0.0011(2)%) at 26.3 keV (59.5 keV). Taking calorimetric information into account we measure a minimal detectable rate of 4 ± 1 mHz (1.5 ± 0.1 mHz) for 26.3 keV (59.5 keV) g-rays, which corresponds to an incident activity of 1.0 ± 0.6 Bq (57 ± 33 Bq). Toy Monte Carlo and Geant4 simulations agree with these results. These results show this CMOS sensor is well-suited as a g- and X-ray detector with sensitivity at the few to 100 ppb level for 210Pb in a sample.

Exposition to Biological Control Agent Trichoderma stromaticum Increases the Development of Cancer in Mice Injected With Murine Melanoma.

Biological control agents (BCA) are an alternative to chemical pesticides and an emerging strategy to safely eliminate plant pathogens. Trichoderma spp. are the most common fungi used as BCAs. They produce spores that are released into the air and can potentially interact with immune system of mammals. We previously showed that Trichoderma affects expression of genes encoding pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and cytokines in mice. PRRs are involved in the recognition of microorganisms and can lead to pro-tumoral signaling. Here, we evaluated if mice injected with low doses of murine melanoma exhibited increased development of lung tumor when treated with conidia of T. stromaticum. Mice treated with T. stromaticum and inoculated with B16-F10 melanoma cells exhibited significant increase in tumor uptake (p = 0.006) and increased number of visible nodules in the lungs (p = 0.015). We also analyzed mRNA expression levels of genes encoding PRRs in lung of mice exposed to T. stromaticum and demonstrated that mice treated with T. stromaticum conidia exhibited lower expression levels of Clec7a and increased expression of Tlr4 (toll like receptor 4) compared to non-treated controls. The expression levels of Clec7a and Tlr2 were increased in mice treated with T. stromaticum and inoculated with murine melanoma compared to controls only inoculated with melanoma. Our results demonstrate that intranasal exposition to T. stromaticum increases tumor in the B16-F10 model, which may raise concerns regarding the safety of its use in agriculture.

First insights for targeted therapies in odontogenic myxoma.

OBJECTIVE: Odontogenic myxoma (OM) occasionally responds poorly to surgical treatment. The MAPK pathway is constitutively activated in several neoplasms and we aimed to test if the MAPK pathway is activated in OM, in order to pave the way for an alternative therapy for aggressive and recurrent cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immunoexpression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) was assessed in OM. We established a 3D organotypic culture model for the in vitro study and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in mice for the in vivo study. The MEK inhibitor U0126 was used to inhibit phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in the in vitro and in vivo models. RESULTS: All OM showed strong pERK1/2 immunoexpression, consistent with MAPK pathway activation. Treatment of the 3D culture with U0126 resulted in a reduced pERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio. Consistent with the in vitro results, all PDX of animals treated with U0126 showed a decreased volume fold change compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The MAPK pathway is activated in OM and its inhibition leads to tumor shrinkage in PDX and cell culture models. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results offer a pre-clinical frame for OM-targeted therapy. Further work is needed to determine if this initial finding holds clinical promise.

Intervenções fisioterapêuticas direcionadas à pessoa idosa em situação de violência: uma revisão de escopo / Physiotherapeutic interventions aimed at old people in situations of violence: a scope review

Resumo Objetivo Identificar as intervenções fisioterapêuticas direcionadas à pessoa idosa em situação de violência. Método Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo, em que foram acessadas as seguintes bases de dados/bibliotecas/buscadores e literatura cinzenta: BVS, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, PEDro, BDTD, OpenGrey, OpenThesis, RCAAP, Portal de Teses e Dissertações da CAPES, DART-Europe E-theses Portal e Theses Canada Portal. As buscas utilizaram os descritores e palavras-chave, que foram combinados por meio dos operadores booleanos OR e AND: Fisioterapeutas, Fisioterapia, "Physical Therapists", Physiotherapy, "Physical Therapy", "Physical Therapy Specialty", "Physical Therapy Modalities", Rehabilitation, Reabilitação, "Elder Abuse", "Maus-tratos ao Idoso", "Physical Abuse", "Elder Neglect", "Aged Abuse" e "Elder Mistreatment". Resultados Dos 601 registros encontrados, 46 foram excluídos por serem duplicados, sendo selecionados 555 para leitura dos respectivos títulos e resumos. Foram excluídas 548 publicações por não se adequarem aos critérios de inclusão, sendo pré-selecionados 7 trabalhos. Pela estratégia Snowballing um foi identificado, originando um resultado final de 8 estudos. Conclusão As intervenções fisioterapêuticas direcionadas à pessoa idosa em situação de violência compreendem: educação em saúde, medidas no estresse do cuidador, recursos comunitários, rastreamento/triagem, avaliação, identificação, plano terapêutico/reabilitação e denúncia. Diante dos achados, observa-se que, apesar da lacuna no conhecimento dessa temática, o fisioterapeuta desempenha um papel imprescindível na condução de casos de violência contra a pessoa idosa.

Abstract Objective Identify physical therapy interventions aimed at old people in situations of violence. Method This is a scope review, in which the following databases/libraries/search engines and gray literature were accessed: VHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, PEDro, BDTD, OpenGrey, OpenThesis, RCAAP, CAPES Thesis and Dissertation Portal, DART-Europe E-theses Portal and Theses Canada Portal. The searches used the descriptors and keywords, which were combined using the Boolean operators OR and AND: Fisioterapeutas, Fisioterapia, "Physical Therapists", Physiotherapy, "Physical Therapy", "Physical Therapy Specialty", "Physical Therapy Modalities", Rehabilitation, Reabilitação, "Elder Abuse", "Maus-tratos ao Idoso", "Physical Abuse", "Elder Neglect", "Aged Abuse" e "Elder Mistreatment". Results Of the 601 records found, 46 were excluded because they were duplicated, and 555 were selected to read the respective titles and abstracts. 548 publications were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria, and 7 papers were pre-selected. Through the Snowballing strategy, one was identified, resulting in a final result of 8 studies. Conclusion Physical therapy interventions aimed at old people in situations of violence include: health education, measures of caregiver stress, community resources, screening/triage, evaluation, identification, therapeutic/rehabilitation plan and reporting. In view of the findings, it is observed that, despite the lack of knowledge on this topic, the physiotherapist plays an essential role in the conduct of cases of violence against old people.

Association of the functional capacity and violence in the elderly community / Relación de la capacidad funcional y violencia en ancianos comunitarios / Associação da capacidade funcional e violência em idosos comunitários

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the relationship between the functional capacity of elderly community members and the sociodemographic and violence characteristics. Methods: Cross-sectional, epidemiological, analytical study with 159 elderly people. For data collection, a questionnaire was used for sociodemographic characterization; the Katz, Lawton and Brody scale; a questionnaire adapted from the FIBRA network; and the Conflict Tactics Scales, analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression models. Results: It was observed that the sociodemographic variables influence the prevalence of functional dependence for basic activities of daily living and reduction in advanced activities in elderly people with psychological and physical violence. Conclusion: The dependence of the elderly for basic and intermediate activities is related to characteristics such as advanced age, work exercise and knowing how to read and write. The participants' functional dependence can favor violent outcomes, whether physical or psychological.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la relación de la capacidad funcional de ancianos comunitarios con las características sociodemográficas y de violencia. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico transversal, del tipo analítico, con 159 ancianos. Para recogida de los datos, se utilizaron un cuestionario para caracterización sociodemográfica; la escala de Katz, de Lawton y Brody; un cuestionario adaptado de la red FIBRA; y la Conflict Tactics Scales, analizados mediante estadística descriptiva y inferencial por medio del test chi cuadrado de Pearson, test exacto de Fisher y modelos de regresión logística múltipla. Resultados: Se observó que las variables sociodemográficas influencian la prevalencia de la dependencia funcional para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria y reducción en las actividades avanzadas en ancianos con violencia psicológica y física. Conclusión: La dependencia de ancianos para actividades básicas y intermediarias se relaciona con características como edad avanzada, ejercicio laboral y saber leer y escribir. La dependencia funcional de los participantes puede favorecer desfechos violentos, sean ellos físicos, sean psicológicos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a relação da capacidade funcional de idosos comunitários com as características sociodemográficas e de violência. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal, do tipo analítico, com 159 idosos. Para coleta dos dados, utilizaram-se um questionário para caracterização sociodemográfica; a escala de Katz, de Lawton e Brody; um questionário adaptado da rede FIBRA; e a Conflict Tactics Scales, analisados mediante estatística descritiva e inferencial por meio do teste qui-quadrado de Pearson, teste exato de Fisher e modelos de regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: Observou-se que as variáveis sociodemográficas influenciam a prevalência da dependência funcional para as atividades básicas da vida diária e redução nas atividades avançadas em idosos com violência psicológica e física. Conclusão: A dependência de idosos para atividades básicas e intermediárias relaciona-se com características como idade avançada, exercício laboral e saber ler e escrever. A dependência funcional dos participantes pode favorecer desfechos violentos, sejam eles físicos, sejam psicológicos.

Simplex-Centroid mixture design applied to arsenic (V) removal from waters using synthetic minerals.

Arsenic (As) is a toxic and carcinogenic element. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out research on As-contaminated water management in order to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for drinking water (0.010 mg L-1). A Simplex-Centroid mixture design (SCMD) was used to determine the best mineral composition for both maximum adsorption capacity of As(V) (MAC-As) and residual concentration of As(V) (RC-As), using synthetic poorly crystallized aluminum hydroxide (pAlHyd), calcined layered double hydroxide (cLDH), and two-line ferrihydrite (2ℓFh). The analysis of variance results and the predicted values of models showed a good agreement with the experimental data, indicating that SCMD is a reliable method to optimize As removal through determination of the best mineral composition. The ability of pure synthetic minerals to remove As from water was different among those mixtures thereof, which indicate that the mineral components interacted with each other. Results showed that cLDH was the best As adsorbent. However, it showed a RC-As higher than the WHO standard. The pAlHyd and 2ℓFh exhibited smaller MAC-As, but they lowered RC-As to below 0.010 mg L-1, showing no direct relationship between high MAC-As and low RC-As. Therefore, mineral compositions which combine high adsorption capacity with low residual concentration should work better for removing As from drinking water, ensuring it meets the WHO potability standard. Ternary diagrams for MAC-As and RC-As showed that the best combination for maximizing MAC-As and reducing RC-As should be a mixture of 75-90% of cLDH, 10-20% of pAlHyd, and 0-5% of 2ℓFh.

Patient-derived xenografts of a case of ameloblastic fibrodentinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The establishment of animal models of xenotransplantation can contribute to the elucidation of the molecular pathogenesis of ameloblastic fibrodentinomas (AFD) and it also provides an opportunity for drug tests. We aimed to evaluate the possibility of AFD tumour growth in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. In addition, we characterized the human tumour and the PDXs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of a recurrent AFD was obtained and two fragments were contralaterally implanted subcutaneously in an 8-week old female NUDE mouse. After 250 days, the PDXs were removed and submitted to histopathological and molecular analysis. Immunohistochemical reactions for Ki67 and the phosphorylated form of ERK1/2 were carried out in both, PDXs and human tumour, and the presence of BRAFV600E was assessed. RESULTS: From day 135 onwards, the PDXs presented a growth peak and remained stable until day 250. Histopathologically, the PDXs presented the same features of the patient's tumour. Tumour cells exhibited Ki67 and pERK1/2 immunoexpression in the patient's tumour and PDX. The AFD was wild-type for BRAFV600E. CONCLUSION: The PDX model recapitulated well the human tumour after a long implantation time, representing a possible model to study the AFD and other odontogenic tumours pathobiology.