Presenteeism and psychosocial aspects of work among civil servants in leadership positions at a Brazilian federal university.

Introduction: Presenteeism, defined as the physical presence of the worker in the work environment despite being sick, has been little investigated among public servants in leadership positions. Managers can suffer stress and even burnout, since the organizational environment is full of complex situations, which can generate strong tension. Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between work stress and burnout syndrome with presenteeism among civil servants in management positions at a Brazilian federal university. Methods: A total of 106 managers responded to an online questionnaire, including questions about the psychosocial aspects of work. Associations between presenteeism, sociodemographic aspects, dimensions of job stress (demand, control and social support) and Burnout syndrome (emotional exhaustion, dehumanization, emotional distancing and professional achievement) were performed using logistic regression methods. Results: In relation to presenteeism, 51.9% reported having worked in the presence of health problems, and 45.2% of presenteeist workers showed a drop in the performance of work activities due to presenteeism. Burnout syndrome was observed in 10.5% of the group. Regarding the stress at work, 42.9% showed high demand, 55.7% low control and 59.6% low social support. For presenteeists, associations were observed between decreased control, increased emotional exhaustion and dehumanization with greater chances of falling in work performance due to presenteeism. Conclusions: The characteristics of the management positions observed here are factors that can contribute to the greater occurrence of presenteeism and/or greater drop in work performance due to presenteeism.

Introdução: A presença física do trabalhador no ambiente de trabalho, mesmo quando doente, definida como presenteísmo, tem sido pouco investigada entre servidores públicos em cargos de chefia. Os gestores podem sofrer estresse e burnout, visto que o ambiente organizacional é repleto de situações complexas que podem gerar forte tensão. Objetivos: Avaliar as relações do estresse no trabalho e da síndrome de burnout com o presenteísmo entre servidores nos cargos de gestão de uma universidade federal brasileira. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 106 gestores que responderam a um questionário on-line, incluindo perguntas sobre os aspectos psicossociais do trabalho. As associações bivariadas entre o presenteísmo, os aspectos sociodemográficos, as dimensões do estresse no trabalho (demanda, controle e apoio social) e da síndrome de burnout (exaustão emocional, desumanização, distanciamento emocional e realização profissional) foram realizadas por meio de análises de regressão logística binomial. Resultados: Do total, 51,9% dos participantes referiram ser presenteístas, sendo que 45,2% dos presenteístas apresentaram queda no desempenho das atividades laborais devido ao presenteísmo. A síndrome de burnout foi observada em 10,5% do grupo. Em relação ao estresse, 42,9% apresentaram alta demanda, 55,7% baixo controle e 59,6% apoio social baixo. Entre os presenteístas, foram observadas associações entre a diminuição do controle, o aumento da exaustão emocional e da desumanização com as maiores chances de queda no desempenho laboral devido ao presenteísmo. Conclusões: As características dos cargos de gestão aqui observadas são fatores que podem contribuir para a maior ocorrência de presenteísmo e/ou maior queda do desempenho laboral devido ao presenteísmo.

[Evidence for Health Promotion in Brazil: report on a rapid response serviceEvidencia para la promoción de la salud en Brasil: informe sobre un servicio de respuesta rápida]. / Evidências para a Promoção da Saúde no Brasil: relato de um serviço de resposta rápida.

Objective: Present the experience of a rapid response service to support decision-making in health systems. Methodology: Description of the processes and results of a service that produces rapid reviews and evidence maps to support decision-making under the National Health Promotion Policy, as well as the authors' perception of the work process. Results: The rapid response service started in 2020. By December 2023, 54 rapid reviews and five evidence maps had been produced, covering nine health promotion topics. These products were developed in 14 stages by a team made up of a coordinator, supervisors, proofreaders, and a librarian. The development of rapid responses involved a knowledge translation process, with continuous interactions between the requesting teams and production teams. Establishing effective communication was a critical factor in delivering products on time and in line with the needs of decision-makers and their supporters. Conclusion: Rapid response services can help improve the use of evidence for decision-making in health policies and health systems.

Objetivo: Presentación de la experiencia de un servicio de respuesta rápida para brindar apoyo a la toma de decisiones en materia de salud. Método: Se describen los procesos y resultados de un servicio de elaboración de revisiones rápidas y mapas de evidencia para brindar apoyo a la toma de decisiones en el marco de la Política Nacional de Promoción de la Salud, así como la percepción de los autores sobre el proceso de trabajo. Resultados: El servicio de respuesta rápida se inició en el 2020. Hasta diciembre del 2023, se habían elaborado 54 revisiones rápidas y cinco mapas de evidencia, que abarcaban nueve temas de promoción de la salud. Estos productos fueron elaborados en 14 etapas por un equipo formado por un coordinador, varios supervisores y revisores y un bibliotecario. La elaboración de respuestas rápidas fue un proceso de traducción del conocimiento e implicó una interacción continua entre los equipos solicitantes y el equipo de elaboración. El establecimiento de una comunicación eficaz fue un factor decisivo para entregar los productos a tiempo y en consonancia con las necesidades de los responsables de la toma de decisiones y su personal de apoyo. Conclusión: Los servicios de respuesta rápida pueden ayudar a mejorar el uso de evidencia en la toma de decisiones relacionadas con las políticas y los sistemas de salud.

New Drugs and Promising Drug Combinations in the Treatment of Chagas Disease in Brazil: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae). Benznidazole (Bz) has a limited ability to interfere with the pathogenicity of the parasite, which manages to overcome host defenses. This study aimed to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to understand and describe the drugs and their combinations, as well as new promising compounds used in the treatment of CD in Brazil. This study was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) and the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed in the electronic scientific databases PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and BVS. Searches were conducted using descriptors cataloged in the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Of the 26 articles included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, 16 were related to drug combinations, and nine described new inhibitors of parasitic molecules. Despite high heterogeneity (I² = 92%), studies that evaluated the combination of Bz with other treatments for CD had an overall grouped cure rate of 74% (95% CI 54-94%). Only one study presented drug repositioning by monotherapy. Thus, drug combinations offer quick and accessible solutions for CD treatment, acting against resistant strains of T. cruzi. Certainly, the introduction of these promising compounds into the pharmaceutical market is distant, and the adoption of prophylactic measures is recommended as a barrier to the increasing number of CD cases.

A New Real-Time Simple Method to Measure the Endogenous Nitrate Reductase Activity (Nar) in Paracoccus denitrificans and Other Denitrifying Bacteria.

The transmembrane nitrate reductase (Nar) is the first enzyme in the dissimilatory alternate anaerobic nitrate respiratory chain in denitrifying bacteria. To date, there has been no real-time method to determine its specific activity embedded in its native membrane; here, we describe such a new method, which is useful with the inside-out membranes of Paracoccus denitrificans and other denitrifying bacteria. This new method takes advantage of the native coupling of the endogenous NADH dehydrogenase or Complex I with the reduction of nitrate by Nar through the quinone pool of the inner membranes of P. denitrificans. This is achieved under previously reached anaerobic conditions. Inner controls confirming the specific Nar activity determined by this new method were made by the total inhibition of the Nar enzyme by sodium azide and cyanide, well-known Nar inhibitors. The estimation of the Michaelis-Menten affinity of Nar for NO3- using this so-called Nar-JJ assay gave a Km of 70.4 µM, similar to previously determined values. This new Nar-JJ assay is a suitable, low-cost, and reproducible method to determine in real-time the endogenous Nar activity not only in P. denitrificans, but in other denitrifying bacteria such as Brucella canis, and potentially in other entero-pathogenic bacteria.

Retrieving biodiversity data from multiple sources: making secondary data standardised and accessible.

Biodiversity data, particularly species occurrence and abundance, are indispensable for testing empirical hypothesis in natural sciences. However, datasets built for research programmes do not often meet FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles, which raises questions about data quality, accuracy and availability. The 21st century has markedly been a new era for data science and analytics and every effort to aggregate, standardise, filter and share biodiversity data from multiple sources have become increasingly necessary. In this study, we propose a framework for refining and conforming secondary biodiversity data to FAIR standards to make them available for use such as macroecological modelling and other studies. We relied on a Darwin Core base model to standardise and further facilitate the curation and validation of data related including the occurrence and abundance of multiple taxa of a region that encompasses estuarine ecosystems in an ecotonal area bordering the easternmost Amazonia. We further discuss the significance of feeding standardised public data repositories to advance scientific progress and highlight their role in contributing to the biodiversity management and conservation.

Mapa de evidências - Efetividade de estratégias de promoção da saúde em escolas / Effectiveness of health promotion strategies in schools

DESTAQUES ● Este mapa de evidências apresenta resultados de efetividade de intervenções realizadas em escolas, recuperadas da literatura científica global. ● Foram incluídos 217 revisões sistemáticas (RS) e 3 estudos primários que avaliaram os efeitos de treze ações relativas à Promoção da Saúde em Escolas. ● Quanto à qualidade metodológica, as RS foram assim classificadas: 9 de confiança alta, 14 moderada, 16 baixa e 178 criticamente baixas. ● As intervenções foram categorizadas segundo as ações previstas no Programa Saúde na Escola (PSE): 1) Combate ao Aedes aegypti; 2) Promoção da atividade física; 3) Promoção da cidadania ; 4) Prevenção da Covid-19; 5) Promoção de direitos sexuais e reprodutivos; 6) Controle de doenças negligenciadas; 7) Ações de saúde auditiva; 8) Ações de saúde bucal; 9) Ações de saúde ocular; 10) Promoção da alimentação saudável; 11) Monitoramento da situação vacinal; 12) Prevenção e uso de substâncias e 13) Prevenção de violências e acidentes.

HIGHLIGHTS ● This evidence map presents results on the effectiveness of interventions carried out in schools, retrieved from the global scientific literature. ● A total of 217 systematic reviews (SRs) and 3 primary studies that evaluated the effects of thirteen actions related to Health Promotion in Schools were included. ● Regarding methodological quality, the SRs were classified as follows: 9 with high confidence, 14 moderate, 16 low and 178 critically low. ● The interventions were categorized according to the actions provided for in the Brazilian School Health Program (PSE): 1) Combating Aedes aegypti; 2) Promoting physical activity; 3) Promoting citizenship; 4) Preventing Covid-19; 5) Promoting sexual and reproductive rights; 6) Controlling neglected diseases; 7) Hearing health actions; 8) Oral health actions; 9) Eye health actions; 10) Promoting healthy eating; 11) Monitoring vaccination status; 12) Prevention and use of substances and 13) Prevention of violence and accidents.

Research evidence communication for policy-makers: a rapid scoping review on frameworks, guidance and tools, and barriers and facilitators.

BACKGROUND: Communication is a multifaceted process, ranging from linear, one-way approaches, such as transmitting a simple message, to continuous exchanges and feedback loops among stakeholders. In particular the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical need for timely, effective and credible evidence communication to increase awareness, levels of trust, and evidence uptake in policy and practice. However, whether to improve policy responses in crises or address more commonplace societal challenges, comprehensive guidance on evidence communication to decision-makers in health policies and systems remains limited. Our objective was to identify and systematize the global evidence on frameworks, guidance and tools supporting effective communication of research evidence to facilitate knowledge translation and evidence-informed policy-making processes, while also addressing barriers and facilitators. METHODS: We conducted a rapid scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Manual. Literature searches were performed across eight indexed databases and two sources of grey literature, without language or time restrictions. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed, and a narrative-interpretative synthesis was applied to present the findings. RESULTS: We identified 16 documents presenting either complete frameworks or framework components, including guidance and tools, aimed at supporting evidence communication for policy development. These frameworks outlined strategies, theoretical models, barriers and facilitators, as well as insights into policy-makers' perspectives, communication needs, and preferences. Three primary evidence communication strategies, comprising eleven sub-strategies, emerged: "Health information packaging", "Targeting and tailoring messages to the audience", and "Combined communication strategies". Based on the documented barriers and facilitators at micro, meso and macro levels, critical factors for successful communication of evidence to policy-makers were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Effective communication is indispensable for facilitating knowledge translation and evidence-informed policy-making. Nonetheless gaps persist in frameworks designed to enhance research communication to policy-makers, particularly regarding the effectiveness of multiple communication strategies. To advance in this field, the development of comprehensive frameworks incorporating implementation strategies is warranted. Additionally, barriers and facilitators to implementing effective communication must be recognized and addressed taking diverse contexts into consideration. Registration https://zenodo.org/record/5578550.

Comparison of speech changes caused by four different orthodontic retainers: a crossover randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the influence of four different maxillary removable orthodontic retainers on speech. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eligibility criteria for sample selection were: 20-40-year subjects with acceptable occlusion, native speakers of Portuguese. The volunteers (n=21) were divided in four groups randomized with a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio. The four groups used, in random order, the four types of retainers full-time for 21 days each, with a washout period of 7-days. The removable maxillary retainers were: conventional wraparound, wraparound with an anterior hole, U-shaped wraparound, and thermoplastic retainer. Three volunteers were excluded. The final sample comprised 18 subjects (11 male; 7 female) with mean age of 27.08 years (SD=4.65). The speech evaluation was performed in vocal excerpts recordings made before, immediately after, and 21 days after the installation of each retainer, with auditory-perceptual and acoustic analysis of formant frequencies F1 and F2 of the vowels. Repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman with Tukey tests were used for statistical comparison. RESULTS: Speech changes increased immediately after conventional wraparound and thermoplastic retainer installation, and reduced after 21 days, but not to normal levels. However, this increase was statistically significant only for the wraparound with anterior hole and the thermoplastic retainer. Formant frequencies of vowels were altered at initial time, and the changes remained in conventional, U-shaped and thermoplastic appliances after three weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The thermoplastic retainer was more harmful to the speech than wraparound appliances. The conventional and U-shaped retainers interfered less in speech. The three-week period was not sufficient for speech adaptation.

Identification of SNP Markers and Candidate Genes Associated with Major Agronomic Traits in Coffea arabica.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) allow for inferences about the relationships between genomic variants and phenotypic traits in natural or breeding populations. However, few have used this methodology in Coffea arabica. We aimed to identify chromosomal regions with significant associations between SNP markers and agronomic traits in C. arabica. We used a coffee panel consisting of 195 plants derived from 13 families in F2 generations and backcrosses of crosses between leaf rust-susceptible and -resistant genotypes. The plants were phenotyped for 18 agronomic markers and genotyped for 21,211 SNP markers. A GWAS enabled the identification of 110 SNPs with significant associations (p < 0.05) for several agronomic traits in C. arabica: plant height, plagiotropic branch length, number of vegetative nodes, canopy diameter, fruit size, cercosporiosis incidence, and rust incidence. The effects of each SNP marker associated with the traits were analyzed, such that they can be used for molecular marker-assisted selection. For the first time, a GWAS was used for these important agronomic traits in C. arabica, enabling applications in accelerated coffee breeding through marker-assisted selection and ensuring greater efficiency and time reduction. Furthermore, our findings provide preliminary knowledge to further confirm the genomic loci and potential candidate genes contributing to various structural and disease-related traits of C. arabica.

Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil in a natural product-based formulation: Antimicrobial and healing effects in Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds.

Owing to its exposed nature, the skin can be injured by various factors, including by Staphylococcus aureus, which inhabits its innate microbiota. Treatment of infected wounds presents an important challenge, making it imperative to develop new treatment options. Plant-derived formulations, such as those containing Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (MaEO), are used for wound treatment because of their healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This study presents a cream containing 2% MaEO (2% CMa) and evaluates its effects in an S. aureus-infected wound murine model. The 2% CMa was subjected to quality control testing and pH and analysis of density, organoleptic characteristics, and microbiological effects. The quality control parameters all revealed the good stability of the 2% CMa. The formulation strongly reduced the S. aureus ATCC 6538 colony-forming unit (CFU) count in an ex vivo porcine skin model. In the murine model, daily topical application of 2% CMa reduced the severity and size of S. aureus-infected wounds and the bacterial load. These effects may be due to the presence of terpinen-4-ol, which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. Based on these findings, the formulation exhibits good quality and safety. We suggest the topical application of this formulation, which exhibited an antimicrobial effect, as an interesting treatment strategy for wound healing.

Evaluation of in vivo and in vitro efficacy of solasonine/solamargine-loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles against bladder cancer.

Solasonine (SS) and solamargine (SM) are alkaloids known for their antioxidant and anticancer properties, which can be further enhanced by encapsulating them in nanoparticles. This led to a study on the potential therapeutic benefits of SS and SM against bladder cancer when encapsulated in lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNP). The LPHNP loaded with SS/SM were prepared using the emulsion and sonication method and their physical-chemical properties characterized. The biological effects of these nanoparticles were then tested in both 2D and 3D bladder cancer cell culture models, as well as in a syngeneic orthotopic mouse model based on the MB49 cell line and ethanol epithelial injury. The LPHNP-SS/SM had an average size of 130 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.22 and a positive zeta potential, indicating the presence of chitosan coating on the nanoparticle surface. The dispersion of LPHNP-SS/SM was found to be monodispersed with a span index of 0.539, as measured by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The recrystallization index, calculated from DSC data, was higher for the LPHNP-SS/SM compared to LPHNPs alone, confirming the presence of alkaloids within the lipid matrix. The encapsulation efficiency (EE%) was also high, with 91.08 % for SS and 88.35 % for SM. Morphological analysis by AFM and Cryo-TEM revealed that the nanoparticles had a spherical shape and core-shell structure. The study showed that the LPHNP-SS/SM exhibited mucoadhesive properties by physically interacting with mucin, suggesting a potential improvement in interaction with mucous membrane. Both the free and nanoencapsulated SS/SM demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity against bladder cancer cell lines after 24 and 72 h of treatment. In 3D bladder cell culture, the nanoencapsulated SS/SM showed an IC50 two-fold lower than free SS/SM. In vivo studies, the LPHNP-SS/SM displayed an antitumoral effect at high doses, leading to a significant reduction in bladder volume compared to the positive control. However, there were observed instances of systemic toxicity and liver damage, indicated by elevated levels of transaminases (TGO and TGP). Overall, these results indicate that the LPHNPs effectively encapsulated SS/SM, showing high encapsulation efficiency and stability, along with promising in vitro and in vivo antitumoral effects against bladder cancer. Further evaluation of its systemic toxicity effects is necessary to ensure its safety and efficacy for potential clinical application.

Galactose-1-phosphate inhibits cytochrome c oxidase and causes mitochondrial dysfunction in classic galactosemia.

Classic galactosemia is an inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in the GALT gene resulting in the diminished activity of the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase enzyme. This reduced GALT activity leads to the buildup of the toxic intermediate galactose-1-phosphate and a decrease in ATP levels upon exposure to galactose. In this work, we focused our attention on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the context of this metabolic disorder. We observed that galactose-1-phosphate accumulation reduced respiratory rates in vivo and changed mitochondrial function and morphology in yeast models of galactosemia. These alterations are harmful to yeast cells since the mitochondrial retrograde response is activated as part of the cellular adaptation to galactose toxicity. In addition, we found that galactose-1-phosphate directly impairs cytochrome c oxidase activity of mitochondrial preparations derived from yeast, rat liver, and human cell lines. These results highlight the evolutionary conservation of this biochemical effect. Finally, we discovered that two compounds - oleic acid and dihydrolipoic acid - that can improve the growth of cell models of mitochondrial diseases, were also able to improve galactose tolerance in this model of galactosemia. These results reveal a new molecular mechanism relevant to the pathophysiology of classic galactosemia - galactose-1-phosphate-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction - and suggest that therapies designed to treat mitochondrial diseases may be repurposed to treat galactosemia.

Excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic and its spatial distribution in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil: an ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic and its spatial distribution in Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: This was an ecological, descriptive and analytical study of deaths, by municipality, recorded on the Mortality Information System, in 2020 and 2021. Excess mortality was measured by comparing observed and expected deaths, the latter estimated by calculating standardized mortality ratio (SMR). SMR and respective confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Spatial analysis was performed by calculating the Global and Local Moran Index. RESULTS: Excess mortality was 20.6% and 27.5%, respectively, in 2020 and 2021, with positive spatial correlation (p-value < 0.05). More populous municipalities (2020: SMR = 1.26; 95%CI 1.24;1.27 and 2021: SMR = 1.34; 95%CI 1.32;1.34), more developed municipalities (2020: SMR = 1.43; 95%CI 1.41;1.44 and 2021: SMR = 1.51;95%CI 1.50;1.53) and municipalities in the Sertão region (2020:SMR = 1.31;95%CI 1.30;1.33 and 2021: SMR = 1.44; 95%CI 1.42;1.46) showed greater excess deaths. CONCLUSION: Excess mortality coincided with peak periods of COVID-19 transmission.

Micronutrientes em pó: efetividade das estratégias de fortificação da alimentação de crianças menores de cinco anos / Powdered micronutrients: effectiveness of food fortification strategies for children under five years of age

Contexto - A alimentação inadequada nos primeiros anos de vida está associada à morbimortalidade de crianças, representada por doenças infecciosas, afecções respiratórias, cárie dental, desnutrição, excesso de peso e carências específicas de micronutrientes como de ferro, zinco e vitamina A. O Estudo Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição Infantil (ENANI), realizado em 2019 com crianças brasileiras de até 5 anos, mostrou uma redução na prevalência de anemia de 20,9%, em 2006, para 10,1%, em 2019, com diferenças entre as regiões brasileiras. Evidências indicam que o fornecimento de alimentos complementares fortificados a crianças dos 6 aos 23 meses podem reduzir a anemia em 43% e aumentar as concentrações de hemoglobina de forma significativa. Pergunta - Qual é a efetividade das estratégias de fortificação de micronutrientes em pó (MNP) implementadas na alimentação de crianças de 6 meses até 59 meses? Métodos - As buscas por revisões sistemáticas (RS) foram realizadas em abril de 2024 nas bases de dados Lilacs - Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Pubmed, Embase e Epistemonikos. Nesta revisão rápida, apenas a seleção de estudos foi realizada em duplicidade e de modo independente. Resultados - As buscas resultaram em 109 registros recuperados. Após seleção por leitura de títulos e resumos, 17 RS elegíveis foram lidas na íntegra, das quais quatro foram incluídas. Os achados foram organizados de acordo com grupos de desfechos avaliados nos estudos: anemia e seus indicadores, estado nutricional, níveis séricos de micronutrientes, eventos adversos.

Context - Inadequate nutrition in the first years of life is associated with morbidity and mortality in children, represented by infectious diseases, respiratory conditions, dental caries, malnutrition, overweight and specific deficiencies of micronutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin A. The National Study of Child Feeding and Nutrition (ENANI), carried out in 2019 with Brazilian children up to 5 years old, showed a reduction in the prevalence of anemia from 20.9%, in 2006, to 10.1%, in 2019, with differences between Brazilian regions. Evidence indicates that providing fortified complementary foods to children aged 6 to 23 months can reduce anemia by 43% and significantly increase hemoglobin concentrations. Question - How effective are the strategies for fortifying powdered micronutrients (MNP) implemented in the diets of children aged 6 months to 59 months? Methods - Searches for systematic reviews (SRs) were conducted in April 2024 in the databases Lilacs - Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Pubmed, Embase and Epistemonikos. In this rapid review, only the selection of studies was performed in duplicate and independently. Results - The searches resulted in 109 retrieved records. After selection by reading titles and abstracts, 17 eligible SRs were read in full, of which four were included. The findings were organized according to groups of outcomes evaluated in the studies: anemia and its indicators, nutritional status, serum micronutrient levels, adverse events.

Evaluation of the testicular artery Doppler velocimetry and its correlation with sperm defects in domestic cats.

Several studies have demonstrated the correlation between Doppler velocimetric parameters of testicular artery and semen quality in domestic species, but in felines data are scarce. This study aimed to correlate the Doppler velocimetry of the testicular artery with sperm kinetics and sperm defects, in sedated and non-sedated cats. Forty tomcats were divided into two groups: sedated (SG; n=20) with dexmedetomidine (10 µm/kg) and ketamine (12 mg/kg), and non-sedated (NSG; n=20). The animals were subjected to ultrasound Doppler velocimetry of the distal supratesticular and marginal region of the testicular artery and subsequently orchiectomized. Epididymal tail spermatozoa were recovered and analyzed using a CASA system for motility, and morphology took place. Animals of SG presented a significantly higher velocity in the marginal region of the cat's testicular artery [peak systolic velocity (PSV) 11.51 cm/s; end-diastolic velocity (EDV) 7.72 cm/s] compared to NSG (PSV 7.72 cm/s, P < 0.001; EDV 4.93 cm/s, P < 0.001). Sedated cats presented higher pulsatility and resistivity indexes than non-sedated cats. The supratesticular PSV of NSG was moderately correlated with major (rs = 0621; P < 0.001) and total sperm defects (rs = 0614; P < 0001). Doppler velocimetry was fairly correlated with minor, major, and total sperm defects. In conclusion, Doppler velocimetric evaluation emerges as an important possibility in the reproductive evaluation of tomcats, once the testicular artery hemodynamics were associated with sperm defects. However, it is advisable to carry out this evaluation in non-sedated animals. If sedation is necessary, peripheral vasoconstriction should be considered.

Remediation of soils contaminated with methomyl using electrochemically produced gaseous oxidants.

This prospective work focuses on the use of two different gaseous oxidants (chlorine dioxide and ozone) to remediate soil polluted with methomyl in two different applications: ex-situ and in-situ. In the first, the soil washing is integrated with the bubbling of the oxidant, while in the second, the gas was introduced by a perforated pipe located sub-superficially. Regarding the soil washing treatment, results demonstrate that direct use of ozone is not very efficient, although an important improvement is obtained following activation with hydrogen peroxide or UV light. In contrast, chlorine dioxide exhibited complete methomyl depletion from the soil, although with higher energy consumption and technical complexity compared to ozone. The direct dosing of the gaseous oxidants in perforated pipes is effective, achieving methomyl removals of 7.8 % and 9.2 % using ozone and chlorine dioxide, respectively. In these cases, soil conditions are not significantly modified, which becomes an important advantage of the technology as compared with other electrochemically assisted soil remediation process, in which large regions of the treated soil are affected by important changes in the pH or by depletion of ions. This lower impact makes these novel technologies more promising for further evaluations.

Bioisosteric analogs of MDMA: Improving the pharmacological profile?

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is re-emerging in clinical settings as a candidate for the treatment of specific neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder) in combination with psychotherapy. MDMA is a psychoactive drug, typically regarded as an empathogen or entactogen, which leads to transporter-mediated monoamine release. Despite its therapeutic potential, MDMA can induce dose-, individual-, and context-dependent untoward effects outside safe settings. In this study, we investigated whether three new methylenedioxy bioisosteres of MDMA improve its off-target profile. In vitro methods included radiotracer assays, transporter electrophysiology, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and fluorescence-based assays, pooled human liver microsome/S9 fraction incubations, metabolic stability studies, isozyme mapping, and liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. In silico methods included molecular docking. Compared with MDMA, all three MDMA bioisosteres (ODMA, TDMA, and SeDMA) showed similar pharmacological activity at human serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine transporters (hSERT, hDAT, and hNET, respectively) but decreased agonist activity at 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptors. Regarding their hepatic metabolism, they differed from MDMA, with N-demethylation being the only metabolic route shared, and without forming phase II metabolites. In addition, TDMA showed an enhanced intrinsic clearance in comparison to its congeners. Additional screening for their interaction with human organic cation transporters (hOCTs) and plasma membrane monoamine transporter (hPMAT) revealed a weaker interaction of the MDMA analogs with hOCT1, hOCT2, and hPMAT. Our findings suggest that these new MDMA bioisosteres might constitute appealing therapeutic alternatives to MDMA, sparing the primary pharmacological activity at hSERT, hDAT, and hNET, but displaying a reduced activity at 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptors and alternative hepatic metabolism. Whether these MDMA bioisosteres may pose lower risk alternatives to the clinically re-emerging MDMA warrants further studies.

Luteoma da gravidez: um pseudotumor ovariano / Luteoma of pregnancy: an ovarian pseudotumor

Contexto: Luteoma é neoplasia rara e benigna do ovário, específica da gravidez. Considera-se que seja causada por efeitos hormonais, principalmente da gonadotrofina coriônica. Objetivo: Analisar artigos selecionados sobre luteoma da gravidez e realizar revisão bibliográfica a partir dessas publicações. Desenho: A busca dos artigos foi realizada por meio da plataforma PubMed. Procedeu-se uma busca aos descritores da doença e seu correspondente em inglês (luteoma) no portal da BVSalud. Métodos: Consistiu em revisão bibliográfica, onde foram utilizados artigos publicados de 1972 até 2022. Resultados: A origem celular dos luteomas ainda é desconhecida, mas considera-se que tal processo ocorra devido a uma reação hiperplásica à gravidez, visto que o efeito de virilização regride após o parto. Discussão: Sendo pouco diagnosticado, tendo menos de 200 casos reportados, são geralmente achados durante parto cesáreo ou durante ligadura tubária no pós-parto. Seu aparecimento está relacionado a fatores hormonais da gravidez e hiperplasia ocasionada pela luteinização das células estromais. Os efeitos do luteoma gravídico no organismo estão relacionados, além da virilização da paciente e do feto, com o surgimento da síndrome do ovário policístico e diabetes. Conclusões: Tendo baixa incidência, o luteoma gravídico pode se apresentar como desafio para seu diagnóstico adequado. O diagnóstico precoce permitirá o tratamento adequado, evitando-se efeitos indesejáveis, virilizantes, para a gestante e para o nascituro. É fundamental o preparo dos profissionais de saúde para o diagnóstico e tratamento do luteoma gravídico.

Oral Delivery of Liraglutide-Loaded Zein/Eudragit-Chitosan Nanoparticles Provides Pharmacokinetic and Glycemic Outcomes Comparable to Its Subcutaneous Injection in Rats.

Liraglutide (LIRA) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist renowned for its efficacy in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is typically administered via subcutaneous injections. Oral delivery, although more desirable for being painless and potentially enhancing patient adherence, is challenged by the peptide's low bioavailability and vulnerability to digestive enzymes. This study aimed to develop LIRA-containing zein-based nanoparticles stabilized with eudragit RS100 and chitosan for oral use (Z-ERS-CS/LIRA). These nanoparticles demonstrated a spherical shape, with a mean diameter of 238.6 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.099, a zeta potential of +40.9 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 41%. In vitro release studies indicated a prolonged release, with up to 61% of LIRA released over 24 h. Notably, the nanoparticles showed considerable resistance and stability in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, suggesting protection from pH and enzymatic degradation. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that orally administered Z-ERS-CS/LIRA paralleled the pharmacokinetic profile seen with subcutaneously delivered LIRA. Furthermore, in vivo tests on a diabetic rat model showed that Z-ERS-CS/LIRA significantly controlled glucose levels, comparable to the results observed with free LIRA. The findings underscore Z-ERS-CS/LIRA nanoparticles as a promising approach for oral LIRA delivery in T2DM management.

Microplastics and 17α Ethinylestradiol: How Do Different Aquatic Invertebrates Respond to This Combination of Contaminants?

The synthetic hormone 17α ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is a molecule widely used in female contraceptives and recognized as a contaminant of attention (Watch List) in the European Union due to its high consumption, endocrine effects and occurrence in aquatic environments. Its main source of introduction is domestic sewage where it can be associated with other contaminants such as microplastics (MPs). Due to their characteristics, they can combine with each other and exacerbate their isolated effects on biota. This study evaluated the combined effects of microplastics (MPs) and 17α ethinylestradiol (EE2) on two tropical estuarine invertebrate species: Crassostrea gasar and Ucides cordatus. Polyethylene particles were spiked with EE2 and organisms were exposed to three treatments, categorized into three groups: control group (C), virgin microplastics (MPs), and spiked microplastics with EE2 (MPEs). All treatments were evaluated after 3 and 7 days of exposure. Oysters exhibited changes in phase 2 enzymes and the antioxidant system, oxidative stress in the gills, and reduced lysosomal membrane stability after exposure to MPs and MPEs. Crabs exposed to MPs and MPEs after seven days showed changes in phase 1 enzymes in the gills and changes in phases 1 and 2 enzymes in the hepatopancreas, such as disturbed cellular health. The combined effects of microplastics and EE2 increased the toxicity experienced by organisms, which may trigger effects at higher levels of biological organization, leading to ecological disturbances in tropical coastal ecosystems.