Sixfold Way of Traversable Wormholes in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev Model.

In the infrared limit, a nearly anti-de Sitter spacetime in two dimensions (AdS_{2}) perturbed by a weak double trace deformation and a two-site (q>2)-body Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model with N Majoranas and a weak 2r-body intersite coupling share the same near-conformal dynamics described by a traversable wormhole. We exploit this relation to propose a symmetry classification of traversable wormholes depending on N, q, and r, with q>2r, and confirm it by a level statistics analysis using exact diagonalization techniques. Intriguingly, a time-reversed state never results in a new state, so only six universality classes occur-A, AI, BDI, CI, C, and D-and different symmetry sectors of the model may belong to distinct universality classes.

Biotechnological production of omega-3 fatty acids: current status and future perspectives.

Omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acids (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have shown major health benefits, but the human body's inability to synthesize them has led to the necessity of dietary intake of the products. The omega-3 fatty acid market has grown significantly, with a global market from an estimated USD 2.10 billion in 2020 to a predicted nearly USD 3.61 billion in 2028. However, obtaining a sufficient supply of high-quality and stable omega-3 fatty acids can be challenging. Currently, fish oil serves as the primary source of omega-3 fatty acids in the market, but it has several drawbacks, including high cost, inconsistent product quality, and major uncertainties in its sustainability and ecological impact. Other significant sources of omega-3 fatty acids include plants and microalgae fermentation, but they face similar challenges in reducing manufacturing costs and improving product quality and sustainability. With the advances in synthetic biology, biotechnological production of omega-3 fatty acids via engineered microbial cell factories still offers the best solution to provide a more stable, sustainable, and affordable source of omega-3 fatty acids by overcoming the major issues associated with conventional sources. This review summarizes the current status, key challenges, and future perspectives for the biotechnological production of major omega-3 fatty acids.

Escala de estratégias de enfrentamento para pacientes oncológicos: desenvolvimento de uma medida / Coping strategies scale for cancer patients: development of a measurement / Escala de estrategias de enfrentamiento para pacientes oncológicos: desarrollo de una medida

O objetivo desse estudo foi desenvolver um instrumento capaz de avaliar o enfrentamento de pacientes oncológicos. Foram construídos 112 itens que passaram por análise teórica de juízes especialistas e pré-teste com o público-alvo. Os 42 que restaram após essas etapas foram respondidos por 392 pacientes oncológicos. A análise de validade de estrutura interna foi realizada por análise fatorial exploratória. Denominada como Escala de Estratégias de Enfrentamento para Pacientes Oncológicos (E3PO), os resultados indicaram uma estrutura de 20 itens divididos em dois fatores que explicam 36,05% da variância total. Engajamento no Tratamento, 14 itens (confiabilidade composta de 0,83), avalia compromisso orientado para mudança do estressor. Reações Emocionais, seis itens (confiabilidade composta de 0,75), avalia enfrentamento baseado na expressão de sentimentos negativos advindos do estressor. A E3PO pode futuramente auxiliar na elaboração de planos terapêuticos e avaliação de intervenções comportamentais que tenham como foco o desenvolvimento ou melhoramento do enfrentamento ao câncer.(AU)

This study aimed to develop a scale to evaluate coping strategies in cancer patients. Initially, 112 items were created and subjected to theoretical analysis by expert judges, followed by a trial with the target population. After these steps, 42 items remained and were answered by 392 cancer patients. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess the scale's Internal structure validity. The resulting Coping Strategies Scale for Cancer Patients (E3PO) consists of 20 items grouped into two factors, explaining 36.05% of the total variance. The first factor, Treatment Engagement, includes 14 items (with a composite reliability of .83), which measure commitment to addressing the stressor. The second factor, Emotional Reactions, includes six items (with a composite reliability of .75) that evaluate coping based on the expression of negative emotions coming from the stressor. In the future, E3PO may help in the development of therapeutic plans and the evaluation of behavioral interventions aimed at enhancing coping strategies among cancer patients.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar una herramienta para evaluar el afrontamiento de pacientes oncológicos. Se construyeron 112 ítems que fueron sometidos a análisis teórico por parte de jueces especialistas y prueba piloto con la población objetivo. Los 42 ítems restantes tras esta etapa fueron contestados por 392 pacientes oncológicos. El análisis de la validez de la estructura interna se hizo por análisis factorial exploratorio. Denominad Escala de Estrategias de Afrontamiento para Pacientes Oncológicos (E3PO), los resultados señalaron una estructura de 20 ítems divididos en dos factores que explican 36.05% de la varianza total. Compromiso con el Tratamiento con 14 ítems (fiabilidad compuesta .83) evalúa el compromiso orientado hacia el cambio del estresor. Reacciones Emocionales con seis ítems (fiabilidad compuesta .75) evalúa el afrontamiento basado en la expresión de sentimientos negativos derivados del estresor. En el futuro, E3PO puede ser útil en la elaboración de planes terapéuticos y en la evaluación de intervenciones conductuales que se centren en el desarrollo o la mejora del afrontamiento del cáncer.(AU)

Antioxidants and cardioprotective effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Canavalia rosea leaves in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Different degrees in the biological activities of Canavalia rosea had been previously reported . In this study, our group assessed the cardioprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction (EAcF) of the Canavalia rosea leaves. Firstly, it was confirmed, by in vitro approach, that the EAcF has high antioxidant properties due to the presence of important secondary metabolites, as flavonoids. In order to explore their potential protector against cardiovascular disorders, hearts were previously perfused with EAcF (300 µg.mL-1) and submitted to the global ischemia followed by reperfusion in Langendorff system. The present findings have demonstrated that EAcF restored the left ventricular developed pressure and decreased the arrhythmias severity index. Furthermore, EAcF significantly increased the glutathiones peroxidase activity with decreased malondialdehyde and creatine kinase levels. EAcF was effective upon neither the superoxide dismutase, glutationes reductase nor the catalase activities. In addition, the Western blot analysis revealed that ischemia-reperfusion injury significantly upregulates caspase 3 protein expression, while EAcF abolishes this effect. These results provide evidence that the EAcF reestablishes the cardiac contractility and prevents arrhythmias; it is suggested that EAcF could be used to reduce injury caused by cardiac reperfusion. However more clinical studies should be performed, before applying it in the clinic.

Avaliação psicológica no estado do Maranhão: cenário atual e direções futuras / Psychological assessment in the state of Maranhão: current scenario and future directions / Evaluación psicológica en el estado de Maranhão: escenario actual y direcciones futuras

As últimas duas décadas trouxeram mudanças para o campo da Avaliação Psicológica (AP) no Brasil. Considerando que historicamente o desenvolvimento da Psicologia foi desigual entre as regiões do país, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar as práticas, a formação e o conhecimento de psicólogos maranhenses sobre avaliação psicológica. Participaram 124 psicólogos com registro ativo no Conselho Regional de Psicologia do Maranhão, que responderam a um roteiro estruturado de entrevista elaborado para este estudo. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria afirma realizar AP na sua prática profissional, que entrevista é a técnica mais usada e considerada mais importante para o processo, que há indícios de avanço na formação em AP no estado do Maranhão, mas que permanecem dificuldades em relação à compreensão de conceitos psicométricos e na inserção das práticas de AP no dia a dia do trabalho dos psicólogos. (AU)

The field of Psychological Assessment (PA) in Brazil faced changes in the last two decades. Since the development of Psychology has been historically uneven between the regions of the country, this study aimed to assess the practices, academic training, and knowledge of psychologists from the state of Maranhão on psychological assessment. 124 psychologists with active registration in the Regional Council of Psychology of Maranhão participated responding to a structured interview script prepared for this study. The results show that most claim to perform PA in their professional practice; that interview is the most used technique and it is considered the most important for the process; that there are indications of progress in PA training in the state of Maranhão, but some difficulties remain regarding the comprehension of psychometric concepts and the insertion of PA practices in the daily work of psychologists. (AU)

Las ultimas dos décadas trajeron cambios para el campo de la Evaluación Psicológica (EP) en Brasil. Considerando que históricamente el desarrollo de la Psicología fue desigual entre las regiones del país, este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar las prácticas, la formación y el conocimiento de psicólogos del estado de Maranhão sobre evaluación psicológica. Participaron 124 psicólogos con matrícula activa en el Consejo Regional de Psicología de Maranhão, que respondieron a un guión estructurado de entrevista elaborado para este estudio. Los resultados mostraron que: la mayoría afirma realizar EP en su práctica professional; la entrevista es la técnica mas usada y considerada mas importante para el processo; hay indicios de avances en la formación en EP en el estado de Maranhão, pero permanecen dificultades en relación a la comprensión de conceptos psicométricos y en la inserción de las prácticas de EP en el día a día del trabajo de los psicólogos. (AU)

Distributed I/O as a service: A data acquisition solution to Industry 4.0.

Data acquisition is a required step for any industrial application. Industrial automation traditionally relies on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and remote I/O is an important element of this infrastructure. The remote I/O is responsible for the data acquisition of sensors and actuators of industrial processes. The distributed I/O represents an evolution of the remote I/O to include processing and support network communication. With the adoption of recent technologies within the industry 4.0, automation solutions are facing servitization and being develop as a service. This paper describes the development of an open-source and low-cost distributed I/O as a service for industrial automation. The solution is based on a single board computer with I/O expansion modules, a microservice framework and a customized software to enable the I/O data acquisition to function in a networked, standardized, and scalable manner. Some application examples of the distributed I/O service are presented such as the I/O redundancy and historian, process control, and IIoT monitoring.

Quais são as relações entre esquemas iniciais desadaptativos, habilidades sociais e satisfação conjugal? / Which are the relationships between early maladaptive schemas, social skills and marital satisfaction?

Este estudo investigou as relações entre habilidades sociais, esquemas iniciais desadaptativos e satisfação conjugal. Trata-se de um estudo analítico, observacional, transversal e correlacional. A amostra foi composta por 375 participantes entre 19 e 55 anos (M = 26.45, SD = 5.92), a maioria do sexo feminino, com ensino superior, residentes no Nordeste do Brasil, namorando, sem filhos e em relacionamentos heterossexuais. Foram utilizados o Inventário de Habilidades Sociais Conjugais, a Escala de Satisfação Conjugal e o Questionário de Esquemas Iniciais Desadaptativos e realizadas análises de correlação e mediação. Os resultados indicaram que: (a) maior satisfação conjugal está relacionada a maior repertório de habilidades sociais e menos esquemas iniciais desadaptativos, (b) quanto menos esquemas iniciais desadaptativos, maior o repertório de habilidades sociais, e (c) a influência dos esquemas iniciais desadaptativos na satisfação conjugal é melhor explicada a partir da mediação das habilidades sociais. Conclui-se que o repertório de habilidades sociais tem papel central no estabelecimento de relações conjugais satisfatórias.

This study investigated the relationships between social skills, early maladaptive schemas, and marital satisfaction. This is an analytical, observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study. The sample consisted of 375 participants between 19 and 55 years (M = 26.45; SD = 5.92), majority were women, had higher education, lived in the northeast region of Brazil, were in courtship, with no children, and in heterosexual relationships. They completed The Inventory of Marital Social Skills, the Marital Satisfaction Scale, and the Young Schema Questionnaire. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed. The results indicated that: (a) greater marital satisfaction is related to a greater repertoire of social skills and fewer early maladaptive schemas, (b) the fewer early maladaptive schemas, the greater the repertoire of social skills, and (c) the influence of the early maladaptive schemas on marital satisfaction is better explained from the mediation of social skills. It is concluded that the repertoire of social skills plays a central role in establishing satisfactory conjugal relationships.

Questionário de Estratégias Específicas a Fissura (USSQ): adaptação e propriedades psicométricas iniciais para o Brasil / Cuestionario de Estrategias Específicas de Antojo (USSQ): adaptación y propiedades psicométricas iniciales para Brasil / Brazilian Adaptation of the Urge-Specific Strategies Questionnaire (USSQ): Adaptation and Initial Psychometric Properties for Brazil

Resumo Habilidades de enfrentamento são uma das variáveis mais importantes para a prevenção de recaída ao álcool e outras drogas. O Questionário de Estratégias Específicas à Fissura (USSQ) é um instrumento desenvolvido nos EE. UU. para a avaliação do repertório de enfrentamento de um indivíduo diante da fissura. Como não foram encontradas informações sobre suas qualidades psicométricas no Brasil, o objetivo deste estudo foi adaptar o instrumento para o país. Participaram do estudo 378 pessoas em tratamento por transtorno de uso de substâncias em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial - Álcool e outras Drogas (CAPS-AD), sendo a maioria homens, de baixa escolaridade e usuários de crack. Os instrumentos utilizados foram um questionário de caracterização geral, o USSQ e o Inventário de Depressão Maior. Foram realizados procedimentos de adaptação transcultural e investigações de evidências de validade e precisão. Os resultados da validade de conteúdo indicaram que os 20 itens representavam adequadamente a definição teórica de enfrentamento, eram adequados para a população brasileira e relevantes para a avaliação do enfrentamento imediato. Considerando aspectos teóricos e psicométricos, uma estrutura interna unifatorial de 12 itens foi considerada a melhor opção para a versão brasileira do USSQ, com índices de ajuste satisfatórios, invariância de medida para usuários de álcool e crack e para pessoas em desintoxicação e abstinentes, bem como relação significativa com as variáveis externas tempo de abstinência e nível de depressão. Conclui-se que a adaptação brasileira do USSQ possui qualidades psicométricas iniciais para mensurar o repertório de habilidades de enfrentamento de usuários de substâncias.

Abstract Coping skills are one of the most important variables of alcohol and drug relapse prevention. The Urge-Specific Strategies Questionnaire (USSQ) is an instrument developed in the USA that aims to evaluate the coping skills repertoire of an individual who is facing craving. As no information about its psychometric properties was found in Brazil, the aim of this study was to adapt the USSQ to the Brazilian context. Participants were 378 addicts in treatment for substance use disorder at Psychosocial Care Centers-Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAPS-AD). Most were men with low education and crack cocaine addicts. The instruments applied were a questionnaire of general characterization, the USSQ, and the Major Depression Inventory. Procedures performed were cross-cultural adaptation and validity and reliability assessments. Results of the content validity indicated that all 20 items adequately represented the theoretical definition and were suitable to assess the immediate coping skills in Brazilian culture. Considering theoretical and psychometric issues, a single-factor internal structure with 12 items was the best choice for the Brazilian version of the USSQ. It showed satisfactory fit indexes, measurement invariance for alcohol and crack cocaine users, and for people in detoxing and abstinence, as well as a significant correlation with external variables such as length of abstinence and depression level. The conclusion of the study is that the Brazilian USSQ has initial psychometric qualities to assess the coping skills repertoire of substance addicts.

Resumen Las habilidades de afrontamiento son una de las variables más importantes para prevenir la recaída en el alcohol y otras drogas. El Cuestionario de Estrategias Específicas de Antojo (USSQ) es un instrumento desarrollado en los EE. UU. para la evaluación del repertorio de afrontamiento de un individuo frente a un antojo de droga. Como no se encontró información sobre sus cualidades psicométricas en Brasil, el objetivo de este estudio fue adaptar el instrumento para el país. Participaron 378 personas en el tratamiento por trastorno de uso de sustancias en los Centros de Atención Psico-social-Alcohol y otras Drogas (CAPS-AD), la mayoría hombres, con bajo nivel educativo y consumidores de crack. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron un cuestionario de caracterización general, el USSQ y el Inventario de Depresión Mayor. Se llevaron a cabo procedimientos de adaptación transcultural y evaluaciones de la validez y fiabilidad. Los resultados de la validez de contenido indicaron que los 20 ítems representaban adecuadamente la definición teórica de afrontamiento, eran adecuados para la población brasileña y relevantes, para la evaluación del afrontamiento inmediato. Considerando aspectos teóricos y psicométricos, una estructura interna unifactorial de 12 ítems fue considerada la mejor opción para la versión brasileña del USSQ, con tasas de ajuste satisfactorias, invariancia de medición para consumidores de alcohol y crack y para personas en desintoxicación y abstinentes, así como relación significativa con las variables externas tiempo de abstinencia y nivel de depresión. Se concluye que la adaptación brasileña del USSQ tiene cualidades psicométricas iniciales para medir el repertorio de habilidades de afrontamiento de los consumidores de sustancias.

Inclusion complex with ß-cyclodextrin is a key determining factor for the cardioprotection induced by usnic acid.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury causes oxidative stress, leading to severe cardiac dysfunction. Thus, biologically active compounds with antioxidant properties may be viewed as a promising therapeutic strategy against oxidative-related cardiac disorders. Usnic acid (UA), a natural antioxidant, was complexed with ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD) to improve its bioavailability. Wistar male rats were orally treated with the free form of UA (50 mg/kg) or the inclusion complex UA/ßCD (50 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. Afterward, hearts were subjected to I/R injury, and the cardiac contractility, rhythmicity, infarct size, and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated. Here, we show that neither UA nor UA/ßCD treatments developed signs of toxicity. After I/R injury, animals treated with UA/ßCD showed improved post-ischemic cardiac functional recovery while the release of cell injury biomarkers decreased. Following reduced cardiac damage, a lower incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and smaller myocardial infarct size were associated with reduced lipid peroxidation, along with preserved activity of antioxidant enzymes compared to untreated rats. Surprisingly, uncomplexed UA did not protect hearts against IR injury. Altogether, our results indicate that the inclusion complex UA/ßCD is a critical determining factor responsible for the cardioprotection action of UA, suggesting the involvement of an antioxidant-dependent mechanisms. Moreover, our findings support that UA/ßCD is a structurally engineered compound with active cardioprotective properties.

Psychometric properties of the hospital birth satisfaction scale: Birth in Brazil survey.

The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the hospital birth satisfaction scale with data from the first follow-up interview of the Birth in Brazil survey. The 11 questions of the scale were asked by telephone up to six months after discharge in a stratified random sample of 16,109 women residing in all five regions of the country. The sample was randomly divided into two halves. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to the first half in order to identify the scale's factorial structure. The scree plot suggested the scale to be one-dimensional. The EFA demonstrated a good fit of the one-dimensional model. Factor loadings were greater than 0.5 for all items, except for the mean time transpired between leaving the home and arriving at the maternity hospital, which was excluded from the next analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis applied to the sample's second half with the remaining ten items had a good fit and the factor loadings were > 0.50 with p-values < 0.001. The associations between birth satisfaction and the external variables, the mother's education level (standardized coefficient = 0.073; p = 0.035), private insurance (SC = 0.183; p < 0.001) and having a companion at some point during the hospitalization for labor (SC = 0.193; p = 0.001) were all as expected. There was evidence of configural and metric invariance according to type of hospital (private or public) and type of delivery (cesarean or vaginal). These results showed that the hospital birth satisfaction scale in Brazil is a one-dimensional instrument composed of ten items.

Psychometric properties of the hospital birth satisfaction scale: Birth in Brazil survey / Propriedades psicométricas da escala de satisfação com a assistência hospitalar no parto: estudo Nascer no Brasil / Propiedades psicométricas de la escala de satisfacción sobre cuidados hospitalarios durante el parto: encuesta Nacer en Brasil

The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the hospital birth satisfaction scale with data from the first follow-up interview of the Birth in Brazil survey. The 11 questions of the scale were asked by telephone up to six months after discharge in a stratified random sample of 16,109 women residing in all five regions of the country. The sample was randomly divided into two halves. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to the first half in order to identify the scale's factorial structure. The scree plot suggested the scale to be one-dimensional. The EFA demonstrated a good fit of the one-dimensional model. Factor loadings were greater than 0.5 for all items, except for the mean time transpired between leaving the home and arriving at the maternity hospital, which was excluded from the next analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis applied to the sample's second half with the remaining ten items had a good fit and the factor loadings were > 0.50 with p-values < 0.001. The associations between birth satisfaction and the external variables, the mother's education level (standardized coefficient = 0.073; p = 0.035), private insurance (SC = 0.183; p < 0.001) and having a companion at some point during the hospitalization for labor (SC = 0.193; p = 0.001) were all as expected. There was evidence of configural and metric invariance according to type of hospital (private or public) and type of delivery (cesarean or vaginal). These results showed that the hospital birth satisfaction scale in Brazil is a one-dimensional instrument composed of ten items.

O estudo teve como objetivo analisar as propriedades psicométricas da escala de satisfação com a assistência hospitalar no parto, a partir dos dados da primeira entrevista de seguimento do estudo Nascer no Brasil. As 11 perguntas da escala foram endereçadas via telefone dentro de seis meses depois da alta hospitalar em uma amostra aleatória estratificada de 16.109 mulheres residentes nas cinco macrorregiões brasileiras. A amostra foi dividida aleatoriamente em duas metades. Na primeira metade, foi realizada análise fatorial exploratória (AFE) para identificar a estrutura fatorial da escala. O gráfico de declividade sugeriu que a escala era unidimensional. A AFE demonstrou bom ajuste do modelo unidimensional. As cargas fatoriais foram maiores de 0,50 para todos os itens, exceto para o tempo médio de viagem da residência da parturiente até a maternidade, que foi excluído da análise subsequente. A análise fatorial confirmatória realizada com os dez itens remanescentes na segunda metade da amostra mostrou bom ajuste, com cargas fatoriais > 0,50 e valores de p < 0,001. As associações entre a satisfação com a assistência hospitalar no parto e as variáveis externas de escolaridade materna (coeficiente padronizado = 0,073; p = 0,035), plano de saúde privado (CP = 0,183; p < 0,001) e ter acompanhante em algum momento durante a internação para o parto (CP = 0,193; p = 0,001) foram na direção esperada. Houve evidências de invariância configural e métrica de acordo com o tipo de hospital (privado vs. público) e tipo de parto (cesáreo vs. vaginal). Os resultados mostram que a escala de satisfação com a assistência hospitalar no parto no Brasil é um instrumento unidimensional constituído de dez itens.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala de satisfacción sobre cuidados hospitalarios durante el parto, con datos procedentes de la primera entrevista de seguimiento, pertenecientes a la encuesta Nacer en Brasil. Se hicieron 11 preguntas de esta escala por teléfono hasta seis meses después del parto, mediante un muestreo aleatorio estratificado a 16.109 mujeres, residentes en las cinco regiones del país. Se dividió el mismo aleatoriamente en dos mitades. En la primera, se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) para identificar la estructura factorial de la escala. El gráfico de sedimentación indicó que la escala era unidimensional. El AFE demostró un buen ajuste al modelo unidimensional. Las cargas factoriales fueron superiores al 0,5 en todos los ítems, excepto en el tiempo empleado en ir de casa al hospital materno-infantil, que se excluyó del siguiente análisis. En la segunda mitad de la muestra se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio con los diez ítems restantes que tuvo un buen ajuste y cuyas cargas factoriales fueron > 0,50 con p-valor < 0,001. Las asociaciones entre la satisfacción con los cuidados hospitalarios recibidos para el parto, las variables externas, escolaridad maternal (coeficiente estandarizado = 0,073; p = 0,035), seguro privado (CE = 0,183; p < 0,001) y contar con pareja en algún momento durante la hospitalización para el parto (CE = 0,193; p = 0,001), estuvieron en línea con lo esperado. Hubo evidencia de invarianza métrica y de configuración, según el tipo de hospital (privado o público), y tipo de parto (cesárea o vaginal). Estos resultados mostraron que la escala de satisfacción sobre cuidados hospitalarios durante el parto en Brasil es un instrumento unidimensional compuesto de diez ítems.

Myrtenol protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic dependent mechanisms.

Myrtenol is a monoterpene with multiple pharmacological activities. However, although monoterpenes have been proposed to play beneficial roles in a variety of cardiac disorders, pharmacological actions of myrtenol in the heart are not yet reported. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether myrtenol promotes cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, and the mechanisms involved in these effects. Male Wistar rats were orally treated for seven consecutive days with myrtenol (50 mg/kg) or N-acetyl cysteine (1.200 mg/kg, NAC). Afterward, hearts were subjected to myocardial IR injury. Here, we show that the severe impairment of contractile performance induced by IR was significantly prevented by myrtenol or NAC. Moreover, myrtenol abolished aberrant electrocardiographic waveform (ST-segment elevation), as well as reduced life-threatening arrhythmias and infarct size induced by IR injury. Importantly, myrtenol fully prevented the massive increase of cardiac reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress damage. Accordingly, myrtenol restored the impairment of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase) activities and balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways (Bax and Bcl-2), associated with decreased apoptotic cells. Taken together, our data show that myrtenol promotes cardioprotection against IR injury through attenuation of oxidative stress and inhibition of pro-apoptotic pathway.

Initial psychometric properties of the Inventory of Anticipatory Coping Skills for Abstinence from Alcohol and Other Drugs / Propriedades Psicométricas iniciais do Inventário de Habilidades de Enfrentamento Antecipatório para a Abstinência de Álcool e Outras Drogas / Propiedades psicométricas iniciales del Inventario de Habilidades de Afrontamiento Anticipatorio para la Abstinencia de Alcohol y otras Drogas

The objective of this study was to investigate the initial psychometric properties of the Inventory of Anticipatory Coping Skills for Abstinence from Alcohol and Other Drugs (Inventário de Habilidades de Enfrentamento Antecipatório para a Abstinência de Álcool e Outras Drogas ­ IDHEA­AD). The total sample included 457 individuals in treatment for problems related to alcohol or crack use. An Exploratory Factor Analysis, Maximum Likelihood Extraction and Promax rotation were used, which produced a structure of 30 items distributed across three factors: "assertiveness and planning for high­risk substance use situations", "expression of positive feelings towards abstinence" and "emotional self­control in adverse situations". After analyzing validity evidence based on the internal structure and reliability based on internal consistency, it was possible to conclude that this structure included important behaviors for the relapse prevention.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as propriedades psicométricas iniciais do Inventário de Habilidades de Enfrentamento Antecipatório para a Abstinência de Álcool e Outras Drogas (IDHEA­AD). A amostra foi de 457 pessoas em tratamento por problemas relacionados ao uso de álcool ou crack. Foi realizada uma Análise Fatorial Exploratória, método de extração Máxima Verossimilhança e rotação Promax, que produziu uma estrutura de 30 itens, distribuídos em três fatores, nomeados como "assertividade e planejamento para situações de alto risco de consumo de substâncias", "expressão de sentimentos positivos para a abstinência" e "autocontrole emocional em situações adversas". Analisadas evidências de validade de estrutura interna e fidedignidade por consistência interna, concluiu­se que a estrutura é adequada para a avaliação de comportamentos direcionados à prevenção de recaídas.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las propiedades psicométricas iniciales del Inventario de Habilidades de Afrontamiento Anticipatorio para la Abstinencia de Alcohol y otras Drogas (IDHEA-AD). La muestra fue de 457 personas en tratamiento por problemas relacionados al uso de alcohol o crack. Se realizó un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio, con método de extracción de Máxima Verosimilitud y rotación Promax, que dio como resultado una estructura de 30 ítems, distribuidos en tres factores, nombrados como "asertividad e planeamiento para situaciones de alto riesgo de consumo de sustancias", "expresión de sentimientos positivos para la abstinencia" y "autocontrol emocional en situaciones adversas". Se concluye que el IDHEA-AD es un instrumento considerable para la prevención de recaídas, en base a la evidencia de validez de estructura interna obtenida y a estudios de confiabilidad por consistencia interna realizados.(AU)

Bullying, vitimização por funcionários e depressão: relações com o engajamento emocional escolar / Bullying, staff victimization and depression: relationship with emotional school engagement / Bullying, victimización por funcionarios y depresión: relaciones con el envolvimiento emocional escolar

A violência escolar e a depressão parecem interferir no engajamento emocional escolar (EEE). O presente estudo analisou as relações de impacto de um conjunto de variáveis no EEE, a partir de testes de um modelo teórico. Para isso, 634 alunos, com idade média de 13,6 anos, de duas escolas públicas do interior de São Paulo responderam à Escala de Violência Escolar - Versão Estudantes, Inventário de Depressão Infantil e Escala de Engajamento Escolar. Os resultados indicaram que há um impacto negativo direto de depressão e autoria debullying no EEE, enquanto há um impacto negativo indireto de gravidade e frequência de vitimização por bullying, sendo mediado por autoria de bullying, depressão e/ou vitimização por funcionários. O modelo teórico proposto explicou 9% da variância no EEE, indicando a necessidade da inclusão de outras variáveis em estudos futuros. Ainda assim, é demonstrado que um ambiente não saudável pode prejudicar o engajamento escolar dos alunos.

School violence and depression seem to interfere with emotional school engagement (ESE). This study examined the impact of relationships of a set of variables in the ESE, from testing a theoretical model. For this, 634 students with an average age of 13.6 years, from two public schools in São Paulo responded to the School Violence Scale - Version students, Inventory Child and School Engagement Scale Depression. The results indicated that no direct negative impact of depression and bullying authorship in the ESE, while there are indirect negative impact severity and frequency of victimization by bullying, being mediated by bullying authorship, depression and / or victimization by employees. The proposed theoretical model explained 9% of the variance in the ESE, indicating the need to include other variables in future studies. Still, it is shown that an unhealthy environment can harm school student engagement.

La violencia escolar y la depresión parecen interferir en el envolvimiento emocional escolar (EEE). El presente estudio analizó las relaciones de impacto de un conjunto de variables en el EEE, a partir de testes de un modelo teórico. Para eso, 634 alumnos, con edad media de 13,6 años, de dos escuelas públicas del interior de São Paulo respondieron a la Escala de Violencia Escolar - Versión Estudiantes, Inventario de Depresión Infantil y Escala de Envolvimiento Escolar. Los resultados indicaron que hay un impacto negativo directo de depresión y autoría de bullying en el EEE, mientras hay un impacto negativo indirecto de gravedad y frecuencia de victimización porbullying, siendo mediado por autoría debullying, depresión y/o victimización por funcionarios. El modelo teórico propuesto explicó el 9% de la variancia en el EEE, indicando la necesidad de la inclusión de otras variables en estudios futuros. Aun así, es demostrado que un ambiente no saludable puede perjudicar el envolvimiento escolar de los alumnos.

Habilidades sociais como preditoras do envolvimento com álcool e outras drogas: um estudo exploratório / Social skills as predictors of alcohol and other drugs involvement; an exploratory study

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar relações entre habilidades sociais e envolvimento com álcool, crack, maconha e nicotina em uma amostra composta por 47 pessoas admitidas em tratamento ambulatorial por abuso ou dependência dessas drogas.Foram utilizados o Inventário de Habilidades Sociais e o Teste de Triagem do Envolvimento com Álcool, Cigarro e Outras Substâncias. Os resultados mostraram correlações significativas entre as variáveis, com a variância do envolvimento com substâncias sendo explicada entre 10% e 44% pelas habilidades sociais. Os resultados apoiam a hipótese de que déficits no repertório geral de habilidades sociais não são necessariamente uma característica do abuso ou dependência de álcool e outras drogas, mas que classes e contextos específicos podem predizer o envolvimento com as substâncias

The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between social skills and involvement with alcohol, crack cocaine, marijuana and nicotine in a sample composed by 47 people admitted to outpatient treatment for abuse or dependence on these drugs. Social Skills Inventory and Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test were used. The results showed significant correlations between variables, with the substances involvement variance being explained between 10% and 44% by social skills. The results support the hypothesis that deficits in the general repertoire of social skills are not necessarily a characteristic of abuse or dependence on alcohol and other drugs, but specific classes and contexts can predict the involvement with substances

Aptamer-based nanoparticles for cancer targeting.

BACKGROUND: The use of mesoporous silica for cancer targeting is increasing rapidly. The association between rigid model of nanoparticles such as mesoporous silica and biological compounds with affinity for oncological diseases is a very promising drug targeting system nowadays. METHODS: In this study, we used the mesoporous silica (SBA-15) associated with aptamer (functionalized for the tumor marker MUC-1). RESULTS: The results obtained in the characterization were quite interesting and demonstrated that the silica produced were very uniform and with a size range of 50-100 nm. Thus, the results of cytotoxicity demonstrated that there is no cytotoxicity related to the nanoparticle. CONCLUSION: We conclude that although further studies are required, the nanoparticle mesoporous silica model loaded with aptamer is very functional and its use can be widespread for other application especially in nuclear medicine.

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.

Development of nanoaptamers using a mesoporous silica model labeled with (99m)tc for cancer targeting.

The use of mesoporous silica in targeted cancer therapy is increasing daily. The combination of a rigid model of nanoparticles like mesoporous silica and biological compounds with an affinity for oncological diseases is the most promising drug-targeting system nowadays. In this study, we used the mesoporous silica SBA-15 combined with aptamer (functionalized for tumor with MUC1). The results obtained were of interest and showed the formation of the silica mesoporous structure. The impregnation methodology of mesoporous silica with the aptamer was also confirmed. Cytotoxicity results demonstrated that the particle associated with the aptamer has no cytotoxicity. We conclude that although further studies are required, the mesoporous silica nanoparticle model loaded with aptamer is very functional and can be used for other applications, especially in nuclear medicine.

Competência percebida e atribuição de causalidade em jogadores juniores de futebol / Perceived competence and causal attribution of junior football players

O modelo motivacional da atribuição de causalidade prevê que sentimentos e expectativas gerados pelo tipo de causa utilizada pelo indivíduo, para explicar o que acontece com ele mesmo, podem influenciar sua motivação. Assim, pretendeu-se investigar as causas atribuídas por 111 jogadores juniores de futebol ao próprio nível de competência e sua influência nos sentimentos, expectativas e disposição para agir. Os resultados indicaram que aqueles que avaliaram ter alto nível de competência utilizaram causas mais internas, mais estáveis e igualmente controláveis, em comparação àqueles que avaliaram ter um nível menor de competência. Isso pode explicar a ausência de diferenças significativas nas emoções negativas, expectativas e disposições para a ação dos atletas.

The motivational model of causal attribution predicts that emotions and expectations generated by the type of cause utilized by a person, to explain what happens to himself, can influence his motivation. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the causes attributed by 111 junior football players to their competence level and its influence on their emotions, expectations and disposition for the action. The results showed that those who evaluated having a high competence level utilized more internal, more stable and equally controllable causes comparing to those who evaluated having a lower competence level. This may explain the absence of significant differences in negative emotions, expectations, and dispositions for the action of athletes.