No Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion (ACE I/D) Gene Polymorphism in the Susceptibility to Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complex and multifactorial pathology encompassing environmental, metabolic, and polygenic influences. Among the genes possibly involved in the development and progression of DR, the Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene stands out, which presents an insertion (I) or deletion (D) polymorphism of a 287 bp Alu repetitive sequence in intron 16. Thus, this study aimed to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to elucidate the relationship between the ACE gene (I/D) polymorphism (rs1799752) and the development and progression of DR in type 2 diabetic patients. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically searched to retrieve articles that investigated the association between ACE gene (I/D) polymorphism in DR patients. Sixteen articles were included in the systematic review. The results describe no significant association between the polymorphism and DR risk (OR = 1.12; CI = 0.96-1.31; and p = 0.1359) for genotypic analysis by the dominant model (II vs. ID+DD). Moreover, we also observed no significant association between the D allele on the allele frequency analysis (I vs. D) and the DR risk (OR = 1.10; CI = 0.98-1.23; and p = 0.1182). Forest plot analysis revealed that the discrepancy between previous studies most likely arose from variations in their sample sizes. In conclusion, I/D polymorphism appears to be not involved in the susceptibility to and progression of the DR in type 2 diabetic patients.

MicroRNAs Associated with the Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review for Building a Panel of miRNAs.

miRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs, play a role in post-transcriptional gene expression. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review of miRNAs associated with GDM to build a panel of miRNAs. A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed/Medline, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Science, and EMBASE databases, selecting observational studies in English without time restriction. The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO platform (number CRD42021291791). Fifty-five studies were included in this systematic review, and 82 altered miRNAs in GDM were identified. In addition, four miRNAs were most frequently dysregulated in GDM (mir-16-5p, mir-20a-5p, mir-222-3p, and mir-330-3p). The dysregulation of these miRNAs is associated with the mechanisms of cell cycle homeostasis, growth, and proliferation of pancreatic ß cells, glucose uptake and metabolism, insulin secretion, and resistance. On the other hand, identifying miRNAs associated with GDM and elucidating its main mechanisms can assist in the characterization and definition of potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of GDM.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in central Brazil

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the State of Goiás, Brazil. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study to assess medical records of patients with ALS followed-up at the State Rehabilitation and Readaptation Medical Center Dr. Henrique Santillo, Goiânia, GO, Brazil, between 2005 and 2018. In addition, we registered and created a photographic panel with the main clinical findings of ALS cases. Results: From 224 investigated patients, 51.8% were male, and 67.4% manifested the classic form of the disease. Initial symptoms were more frequent in the lower limbs (37.9%), and complications resulted in 45.5% of tracheostomy, 60.3% of gastrostomy, and 49.1% of deaths. Most patients had a five-year survival from the onset of symptoms, and no significant association between the use of non-invasive ventilation and increased survival were found. The analysis of the clinical-epidemiological characteristics showed a more extended time between the first symptoms and the diagnosis of the disease was observed. Conclusion: In this study, the time between the first symptoms and diagnosis was longer than in the literature, resulting in late treatments. In addition, there was no satisfactory result regarding survival with the use of non-invasive ventilation. Therefore, clinical-epidemiological studies of the disease in Brazil, as well as public awareness and training of professionals in recognition of ALS clinical signs will assist in early and more efficient interventions (AU)

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes com Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA) no Estado de Goiás, Brasil. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal descritivo para avaliação de prontuários de pacientes com ELA acompanhados no Centro Médico Estadual de Reabilitação e Readaptação Dr. Henrique Santillo, Goiânia, GO, Brasil, entre 2005 e 2018. Além disso, registramos e criamos um painel fotográfico com os principais achados clínicos dos casos de ELA. Resultados: Dos 224 pacientes investigados, 51,8% eram do sexo masculino e 67,4% manifestavam a forma clássica da doença. Os sintomas iniciais foram mais frequentes em membros inferiores (37,9%) e as complicações resultaram em 45,5% de traqueostomia, 60,3% de gastrostomia e 49,1% de óbitos. A maioria dos pacientes teve sobrevida de cinco anos desde o início dos sintomas, e nenhuma associação significativa entre o uso de ventilação não-invasiva e aumento da sobrevida foi encontrada. A análise das características clínico-epidemiológicas mostrou um tempo mais prolongado entre os primeiros sintomas e o diagnóstico da doença. Conclusão: Neste estudo, o tempo entre os primeiros sintomas e o diagnóstico foi maior quando comparado à literatura, resultando em tratamentos tardios. Além disso, não houve resultado satisfatório em termos de sobrevida com o uso da ventilação não-invasiva. Portanto, estudos clínico-epidemiológicos sobre a doença no Brasil, bem como a conscientização pública e o treinamento de profissionais para o reconhecimento dos sinais clínicos de ELA, auxiliarão em intervenções precoces e mais eficazes (AU)

Liming and biochar on sorghum growth and Arenosol chemical properties in the Semiarid environment / Efeito da calagem e do biochar no crescimento do sorgo e nas propriedades químicas do Neossolo Quartzarênico no ambiente Semiárido

This research evaluated the effect of liming (with and without) and biochar (with and without) on sorghum cv. BRS Ponta Negra growth and Arenosol chemical properties in the Semiarid environment. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with treatments in a 2x2 factorial scheme, corresponding to the application or not of lime (0 and 2.5 t ha-1) and biochar (0 and 12.5 t ha-1). Biochar was produced from cashew branches. The experiment was conducted in 16 m² plots where the forage sorghum cultivar BRS Ponta Negra was cultivated. The soil chemical characteristics, the production attributes, and the structural characteristics of the sorghum cultivar studied were evaluated. There was no interaction between factors. The use of biochar increased the pH and Ca and P contents in the soil and contributed to increasing the panicle mass (2.51 t ha-1 of DM). Lime application affected the soil Ca content as the dose of 2.5 t ha-1 resulted in higher values of culm diameter (15.25 mm), panicle mass, and culm mass (2.63 and 7.50 t ha-1 of DM, respectively). Therefore, these results allowed to outline strategies for the use of limestone and biochar for forage production in semiarid environments in sandy soils. Because, these materials improve some chemical attributes of the soil and the production of forage sorghum. It is noteworthy that edophoclimatic conditions can change the response patterns observed in this research. Therefore, research in other regions is essential.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da calagem (com e sem) e do biocarvão (com e sem) sobre o crescimento e a produção de forragem do sorgo forrageiro cv. BRS Ponta Negra e nas propriedades químicas do Neossolo Quartzarênico no ambiente Semiárido. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2x2, correspondendo a aplicação ou não do calcário (0 e 2,5 t ha-1) e do biocarvão (0 e 12,5 t ha-1). O biochar era produzido a partir de galhos de caju. O experimento foi conduzido em parcelas de 16 m² onde foi cultivada a cultivar de sorgo forrageiro BRS Ponta Negra. Foram avaliadas as características químicas do solo, os atributos de produção e as características estruturais da cultivar de sorgo estudada. Não houve interação entre os fatores. O uso do biochar aumentou o pH e os teores de Ca e P no solo e contribuiu para o aumento da massa da panícula (2,51 t ha-1 de MS). A aplicação de calcário afetou o teor de Ca no solo, assim a dose de 2,5 t ha-1 resultou em maiores valores de diâmetro do colmo (15,25 mm), massa da panícula e massa do colmo (2,63 e 7,50 t ha-1 de MS, respectivamente). Portanto, esses resultados permitem traçar estrategias de uso do calcário e biochar para produção forrageira em ambientes semiáridos com solos arenosos. Pois, esses materias melhoram alguns atributos quimicos do solo e a produção do sorgo forrageiro. Vale ressaltar que as condições edofoclimáticas podem alterar os padrões de resposta observados nesta pesquisa. Portanto, a pesquisa em outras regiões é essencial.

Percepção do ambiente educacional por alunos de uma universidade pública do Nordeste brasileiro / Perception of the educational environment by students from a public university in Northeastern Brazil

Resumo: Introdução: A qualidade do ambiente de ensino é fundamental para um aprendizado efetivo na formação profissional. Objetivo: Esta pesquisa buscou identificar e comparar a percepção dos estudantes de cinco cursos diferentes de ciências da saúde acerca do ambiente educacional. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, analítico, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 277 alunos dos cursos de Fisioterapia, Enfermagem, Medicina, Terapia Ocupacional e Fonoaudiologia, matriculados no ano de 2019, em uma universidade pública. Foi utilizado o instrumento Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) que possui 50 questões fechadas, pontuadas numa escala Likert, que, ao final, avaliarão cinco domínios do ambiente educacional (aprendizado, professores, acadêmico, atmosfera e social). Para a comparação das médias da pontuação geral, dos itens individuais e dos domínios entre os cursos, utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis (intervalo de confiança de 95%). O método de Dunn foi usado como análise pós-teste das comparações múltiplas. Resultado: A percepção geral dos estudantes sobre seu ambiente educacional demonstrou ser "mais positiva que negativa". As médias dos domínios aprendizado, professores, atmosfera e social apresentaram diferenças entre os cursos (p < 0,05). O suporte aos estudantes estressados foi o item com média mais baixa da pesquisa em todos os cursos (p < 0,05). A graduação em Medicina mostrou ter aspectos preocupantes quanto à percepção do aprendizado. Enfermagem foi o curso mais bem avaliado em relação à percepção geral do ambiente educacional. Os cursos de Fisioterapia e Fonoaudiologia mostraram áreas que merecem atenção no tocante à percepção das relações sociais acadêmicas. Por fim, o curso de Terapia Ocupacional evidenciou áreas preocupantes quanto à percepção dos estudantes sobre o ensino, os professores, o desempenho acadêmico e a atmosfera do curso. Conclusão: Demonstrou-se que há diferenças na percepção do ambiente de ensino pelos alunos entre os cursos avaliados. Entretanto, o ambiente educacional de todos os cursos foi avaliado de maneira mais positiva que negativa. A falta de suporte aos estudantes estressados é a área mais preocupante neste estudo. Assim, o conhecimento da percepção dos acadêmicos sobre o ambiente educacional pode oferecer maior direcionamento na busca pela qualidade da educação superior em saúde.

Abstract: Introduction: The quality of the educational environment is essential for effective learning in professional training. Objective: This research sought to identify and compare the educational environment perception of students from five different courses in health sciences graduation. Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study, quantitative approach, with 277 students from the courses of Physiotherapy, Nursing, Medicine, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, enrolled in 2019, at a public university. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) instrument was used. This inventory has 50 closed questions punctuated on a Likert scale, which at the end, will assess five domains of the educational environment (learning, teachers, academic, atmosphere and social). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used (confidence interval of 95%) to compare the averages of the general score, individual items and domains between courses. Dunn's method was used to multiply comparisons post hoc analyses. Result: The students' general perception of their educational environment proved to be "more positive than negative". The averages of learning, teachers, atmosphere and social domains presented differences between the courses (p < 0.05). The research lowest average item was support for stressed students (p < 0.05). The Medical Graduation showed worrying aspects regarding the perception of learning. Nursing was the best rated course in relation to the general perception of the educational environment. The Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy courses showed areas that deserve attention with regard to the perception of academic social relationships. Finally, the Occupational Therapy course highlighted areas of concern regarding the perception of students about teaching, teachers, academic performance and the atmosphere of the course. Conclusion: There are important differences in the perception of the educational environment by students between the courses evaluated. However, all the courses rated the educational environment more positively than negatively. The lack of support for stressed students is the most worrying area. Therefore, the knowledge of the students' perception of the educational environment can offer greater direction in the search for the quality of education in health sciences professions.

Efeito de um treinamento com realidade virtual não imersiva sobre a execução da tarefa motora real em idosos: relato de casos / Effect of training with non-imersive virtual reality on the performance of the real motor task in the elderly: case reports

| INTRODUÇÃO: No contexto de reabilitação em gerontologia surge como destaque a melhoria da capacidade de execução de tarefas motoras a fim de promover a autonomia, dessa maneira, é preciso investigar ferramentas para viabilizar esse objetivo clinico. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito de um treino com realidade virtual não imersiva sobre a execução da tarefa motora real em idosos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODO: Trata-se de um relato de casos, com intervenção única, utilizando o Nintendo® Wii com sujeitos de idade superior a 60 anos submetidos à intervenção com treinamento de arremesso no jogo wii sports resort, e avaliados com analise cinemática angular de vídeo com o software Kinovea®, antes e depois da intervenção, protocolo composto por uma bateria de dez arremessos, antes e após a intervenção, além da avaliação subjetiva da melhora pós-treino. RESULTADOS: Participaram da pesquisa 4 sujeitos, sendo 3 do sexo feminino, com média de idade 70,7 anos ± 7,13 e escolaridade 8 anos ± 6,16. Para as variáveis angulares verificou-se que, após o treino com Wii, houve acentuação na flexão de ombro e decréscimo no cotovelo para na postura inicial do arremesso; já na posição final do arremesso, ocorreu decréscimo na extensão de cotovelo e aumento da flexão de punho. Também foi verificado aumento do salto e diminuição no tempo de execução da tarefa. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Diante disso é possível concluir que o Nintendo® Wii se mostra um recurso potencial para melhoria de gestos no âmbito real para idosos.

INTRODUCTION: In the context of rehabilitation in gerontology, the improvement of the ability to perform motor tasks is highlighted to promote autonomy, so it is necessary to investigate tools to achieve this clinical objective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of training with non-immersive virtual reality on the execution of the real motor task in the elderly. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This is a case report, with a single intervention using the Nintendo® Wii, with subjects over 60 years old who underwent intervention with throw training in the game Wii sports resort and evaluated with video angular kinematic analysis with the Kinovea® software before and after the intervention, a protocol consisting of a battery of ten shots before and after the intervention, in addition to the subjective assessment of posttraining improvement. RESULTS: Four subjects participated in the research, 3 females, with a mean age of 70.7 years ± 7.13 and schooling 8 years ± 6.16. For the angular variables, it was found that, after training with the Wii, in the initial throwing posture, there was an accentuation in the shoulder flexion and a decrease in the elbow for the same movement in the final position. There was a decrease in the elbow extension and an increase in the wrist flexion. It was also verified an increase in the jump and a decrease in the task execution time. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Given this, it is possible to conclude that the Nintendo® Wii is a potential resource for improving gestures in real life for the elderly

No association of GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A case-control study in the Brazilian population.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons and promotes progressive muscle atrophy. It has a multifactorial etiology, where environmental conditions playing a remarkable role through the increase of oxidative stress. Genetic polymorphisms in cell detoxification genes, such as Glutathione S-Transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) can contribute to excessive oxidative stress, and therefore may be a risk factor to ALS. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of the GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism in ALS susceptibility in different genetic inheritance models and evaluate the association of the genotypes with risk factors, clinical and demographic characteristics of ALS patients from the Brazilian central population. This case-control study was conducted with 101 patients with ALS and 101 healthy controls. GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism genotyping was performed with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS statistical package and SNPStats software. Analysis of genetic inheritance models was performed by logistic regression, which was used to determine the Odds Ratio. The results of this first study in the Brazilian population demonstrated that there was no risk association between the development of ALS and the GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism in any genetic inheritance model (codominant, dominant, recessive, overdominant, and logarithmic); and that the polymorphic variants were not associated with the clinical and demographic characteristics of ALS patients. No association of the GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism and ALS development in the Brazilian central population was found. These findings may be justified by the multifactorial character of the disease.

The direct and indirect effects of the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine on carriage rates in children aged younger than 5 years in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage status in children younger than 5 years in Latin America and the Caribbean. METHODS: A systematic literature review was carried out on the direct and indirect effects of pneumococcal vaccine in the carriage status, after implementation in childhood immunization programs. Studies carried out in children younger than 5 years were selected from the PubMed® and Virtual Health Library databases, and data collected after implementation of pneumococcal vaccine in Latin America and the Caribbean, between 2008 and 2018. RESULTS: From 1,396 articles identified, 738 were selected based on titles and abstracts. After duplicate removal, 31 studies were eligible for full-text reading, resulting in 6 publications for analysis. All selected publications were observational studies and indicated a decrease in the carriage and vaccine types, and an increase in the circulation of non-vaccine serotypes, such as 6A, 19A, 35B, 21 and 38. We did not identify changes in the antimicrobial resistance after vaccine implementation. CONCLUSION: A decrease in the carriage status of vaccine types and non-vaccine types was detected. The continuous monitoring of pneumococcal vaccine effect is fundamental to demonstrate the impact of the carriage status and, consequently, of invasive pneumococcal disease, allowing better targeting approaches in countries that included pneumococcal vaccine in their immunization programs. Our study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) under number CRD42018096719.

The direct and indirect effects of the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine on carriage rates in children aged younger than 5 years in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review / Efeitos diretos e indiretos da vacina pneumocócica conjugada no estado de portador em crianças menores de 5 anos, na América Latina e no Caribe: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT Objective To demonstrate the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage status in children younger than 5 years in Latin America and the Caribbean. Methods A systematic literature review was carried out on the direct and indirect effects of pneumococcal vaccine in the carriage status, after implementation in childhood immunization programs. Studies carried out in children younger than 5 years were selected from the PubMed® and Virtual Health Library databases, and data collected after implementation of pneumococcal vaccine in Latin America and the Caribbean, between 2008 and 2018. Results From 1,396 articles identified, 738 were selected based on titles and abstracts. After duplicate removal, 31 studies were eligible for full-text reading, resulting in 6 publications for analysis. All selected publications were observational studies and indicated a decrease in the carriage and vaccine types, and an increase in the circulation of non-vaccine serotypes, such as 6A, 19A, 35B, 21 and 38. We did not identify changes in the antimicrobial resistance after vaccine implementation. Conclusion A decrease in the carriage status of vaccine types and non-vaccine types was detected. The continuous monitoring of pneumococcal vaccine effect is fundamental to demonstrate the impact of the carriage status and, consequently, of invasive pneumococcal disease, allowing better targeting approaches in countries that included pneumococcal vaccine in their immunization programs. Our study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) under number CRD42018096719.

RESUMO Objetivo Demonstrar o impacto das vacinas pneumocócicas conjugadas no estado de portador de Streptococcus pneumoniae em crianças menores de 5 anos na América Latina e no Caribe. Métodos Foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura sobre os efeitos diretos e indiretos da vacina pneumocócica no estado de portador em crianças menores de 5 anos, após a implantação da vacina nos calendários de imunização infantil. A partir de dados da PubMed®e da Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde, foram selecionados estudos de portador em crianças menores de 5 anos, com dados coletados após implementação da vacina de 2008 a 2018, na América Latina e no Caribe. Resultados Dos 1.396 artigos identificados, 738 foram selecionados mediante leitura de títulos e resumos. Após a extração dos duplicados, 31 foram elegíveis para leitura do texto completo, restando 6 artigos para análise. Todos os estudos selecionados eram observacionais e indicavam diminuição do portador e tipos vacinais, e aumento da circulação de sorotipos não vacinais, como 6A, 19A, 35B, 21 e 38. Não foi observada alteração na resistência antimicrobiana após a introdução da vacina. Conclusão Detectou-se redução no estado de portador, dos tipos vacinais e não vacinais. O monitoramento contínuo do efeito das vacinas pneumocócicas é fundamental, para demonstrar o impacto do estado de portador e, consequentemente, da doença pneumocócica invasiva, permitindo o melhor direcionamento nas ações em saúde para os países que incluíram a vacina no calendário de imunização. Nosso protocolo de estudo foi registrado no PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) sob o número CRD42018096719.

Structural and productive features of panicum cultivars submitted to different rest periods in the irrigated semiarid region of Brazil / Características estruturais e produtivas em cultivares de Panicum submetidas a intervalos de corte sob irrigação no semiárido

The objective of this study was to evaluate the structural and productive features of Panicum maximum cultivars (Tanzânia, Mombaça, Massai, and Zuri) in three rest periods (30, 45 and 60 days), in the semiarid region of Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The length of the leaf blade and the diameter of the stem increased as a function of the cut intervals. Leaf blade width and number of live leaves (3.86 leaves tiller-1) were not affected by cut intervals. The height of the canopy increased with the ages, with effect in the mass of forage, being the cv. Zuri the most productive with 148,75 cm e 18.297,49 kg ha-1 DM at 60 days. The highest masses of leaves and stems were obtained in the longest rest period, while the leaf/stem ratio decreased. In the cut-off interval of 45 days, the cultivars of Panicummaximum have shown satisfactory yield, and the smaller cut interval provides a reduction in canopy height and stem thickness.

Objetivou-se avaliar as características estruturais e produtivas de cultivares de Panicum maximum (Tanzânia, Mombaça, Massai e Zuri) em periodos de descanso (30, 45 e 60 dias) no semiárido brasileiro, sob irrigação. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com trêsrepetições. O comprimento da lâmina foliar e o diâmetro do colmo aumentaram em função dos intervalos de corte. A largura da lâmina foliar e o número de folhas vivas (3,86 folhas/perfilho) não foram afetados pelos intervalos de corte. A altura do dossel aumentou com as idades, com efeito na massa de forragem, sendo a cv. Zuri superior com 148,75 cm e 18.297,49 kg/ha de MS, aos 60 dias. As maiores massas de lâminas e colmos foram obtidas no maior período de rebrotação, enquanto que a relação folha/colmo diminuiu. No intervalo de corte de 45 dias, as cultivares de Panicum maximum apresentaram produção satisfatória, sendo que o menor intervalo de corte proporciona redução na altura do dossel e na espessura do colmo

The influence of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Some factors have been associated with the etiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), among them the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in CLL. A case-control study was conducted with 219 individuals from Brazilian central population. MTHFR C677T polymorphism was determined through PCR-RFLP followed by PAGE. The T allele frequence was higher in patients diagnosed with CLL than healthy subjects. However, when stratified by gender, the TT genotype was exclusively found in men diagnosed with CLL (p < 0.05). Adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age was significantly linked to CLL predisposition (odds ratio = 1.08; p < 0.001). Studies evaluating the influence of genetic factors may provide insights on susceptibility for CLL.

Aging-Induced Biological Changes and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Aging is characterized by functional decline in homeostatic regulation and vital cellular events. This process can be linked with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this review, we discussed aging-induced biological alterations that are associated with CVDs through the following aspects: (i) structural, biochemical, and functional modifications; (ii) autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation; (iii) epigenetic alterations; and (iv) atherosclerosis and stroke development. Aging-mediated structural and biochemical modifications coupled with gradual loss of ANS regulation, vascular stiffening, and deposition of collagen and calcium often disrupt cardiovascular system homeostasis. The structural and biochemical adjustments have been consistently implicated in the progressive increase in mechanical burden and functional breakdown of the heart and vessels. In addition, cardiomyocyte loss in this process often reduces adaptive capacity and cardiovascular function. The accumulation of epigenetic changes also plays important roles in the development of CVDs. In summary, the understanding of the aging-mediated changes remains promising towards effective diagnosis, discovery of new drug targets, and development of new therapies for the treatment of CVDs.

Emotional intelligence as a competence for the animal science professional / A inteligência emocional como competência para o profissional de ciência animal

ABSTRACT: Corporations started to invest in human capital to employ professionals that presented a holistic view of the commercial area and that were able to utilize the available resources in each demanded situation consciously. Moreover, professionals should also be emotionally centered regarding emotional intelligence (EI) and should have personal and vocational skills. In addition, the labor market demands zootechnicians to be competent at having satisfactory work performance together with the EI abilities. The EI contributes to the presence of a precise particularity in the zootechnician, which will act in different contexts, including the organizational area to promote the training, management of human capital and the physical resources of the agroindustrial organizations.

RESUMO: As corporações começaram a investir no capital humano, buscando profissionais que possuíssem uma visão holística no âmbito comercial, e que fossem capazes de utilizar de forma consciente os recursos disponíveis em cada situação. Estes sendo centrados emocionalmente, no que tange a inteligência emocional (IE), e que possuam habilidades e competências de caráter pessoal e profissional. Adicionalmente, o mercado de trabalho visa zootecnistas que possuam competências para o desempenho satisfatório no trabalho, ressaltando a necessidade de outras habilidades e competências, incluindo a IE. De modo suplementar, a IE contribui para que esse diferencial seja nítido no zootecnista, em que atuará em todas as esferas, incluindo o âmbito organizacional promovendo o treinamento, a gestão do capital humano e dos recursos físicos das organizações agroindustriais.

In vitro and ex vivo infection models help assess the molecular aspects of the interaction of Trichophyton rubrum with the host milieu.

Dermatophytes are fungal pathogens that cause cutaneous infections such as onychomycosis and athlete's foot in both healthy and immunocompromised patients.Trichophyton rubrum is the most prevalent dermatophyte causing human nail and skin infections worldwide, and because of its anthropophilic nature, animal infection models are limited. The purpose of this work was to compare the expression profile of T. rubrum genes encoding putative virulence factors during growth in ex vivo and in vitro infection models. The efficiency of the ex vivo skin infection model was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that the conidia had produced hyphae that penetrated into the epidermis. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the expression of some genes is modulated in response to the infection model used, as compared to that observed in cells grown in glucose-containing media. We concluded that ex vivo infection models help assess the molecular aspects of the interaction of T. rubrum with the host milieu, and thus provide insights into the modulation of genes during infection.

[Human papillomavirus and public health: cervical cancer prevention]. / Papilomavírus humano e saúde pública: prevenção ao carcinoma de cérvice uterina.

The present study aimed to evaluate the applicability of an educational booklet that contained information for the general population about promotion and prevention of infections and neoplasic process caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The study was arranged in two phases. First, the booklet was given to 200 volunteers in the city of Goiânia, Goiás State. The applicability of the booklet was evaluated without the necessity of proving former knowledge. In the second phase, a detailed analysis of the data was made and the booklet revealed applicable. Then, the educational material was published and 2000 copies were distributed in a social event held by the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Góias in the city of Goiânia. In the event, the booklet raised the interest of the general public and gave the volunteers a chance to participate in a study that investigated the presence of the HPV in the genital microbiote. The booklet proved to be applicable and reached its objective to inform and prevent. However, it's necessary to promote and improve campaigns to the population about the HPV and its relations with the neoplasic process.

Papilomavírus humano e saúde pública: prevenção ao carcinoma de cérvice uterina / Human papillomavirus and public health: cervical cancer prevention

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a aplicabilidade de uma cartilha educativa, que abordou informações de interesse da população para a promoção e prevenção de infecções e neoplasias ocasionadas pelo papilomavírus humano (HPV). O estudo foi realizado em duas etapas. Na primeira, a cartilha educativa foi aplicada a duzentos voluntários, na cidade de Goiânia (GO), de ambos os sexos, com nível de escolaridade variando do ensino médio ao superior. A aplicabilidade da cartilha foi avaliada sem a necessidade de conhecimento prévio dos participantes sobre o HPV. Os participantes responderam a um questionário para a avaliação da cartilha. Na segunda etapa, foi feita uma análise detalhada dos dados, e a cartilha mostrou-se aplicável. Posteriormente, o material didático foi publicado e 2.000 exemplares foram distribuídos gratuitamente em um evento de ação social realizado pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, na cidade de Goiânia. No evento, a cartilha despertou o interesse dos participantes por informações adicionais e propiciou aos voluntários a oportunidade de participar de um estudo para a investigação da presença de HPV como microbiota genital. A cartilha demonstrou-se aplicável e atingiu o seu objetivo de informação e prevenção. É necessário promover campanhas de conscientização da população sobre o HPV e sua relação com as neoplasias malignas.

The present study aimed to evaluate the applicability of an educational booklet that contained information for the general population about promotion and prevention of infections and neoplasic process caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The study was arranged in two phases. First, the booklet was given to 200 volunteers in the city of Goiânia, Goiás State. The applicability of the booklet was evaluated without the necessity of proving former knowledge. In the second phase, a detailed analysis of the data was made and the booklet revealed applicable. Then, the educational material was published and 2000 copies were distributed in a social event held by the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Góias in the city of Goiânia. In the event, the booklet raised the interest of the general public and gave the volunteers a chance to participate in a study that investigated the presence of the HPV in the genital microbiote. The booklet proved to be applicable and reached its objective to inform and prevent. However, it's necessary to promote and improve campaigns to the population about the HPV and its relations with the neoplasic process.