Speeding-up the Determination of Protein-Ligand Affinities by STD NMR: The Reduced Data Set STD NMR Approach (rd-STD NMR).

STD NMR spectroscopy is a powerful ligand-observed NMR tool for screening and characterizing the interactions of small molecules and low molecular weight fragments with a given macromolecule, identifying the main intermolecular contacts in the bound state. It is also a powerful analytical technique for the accurate determination of protein-ligand dissociation constants (KD) of medium-to-weak affinity, of interest in the pharmaceutical industry. However, accurate KD determination and epitope mapping requires a long series of experiments at increasing saturation times to carry out a full analysis using the so-called STD NMR build-up curve approach and apply the "initial slopes approximation". Here, we have developed a new protocol to bypass this important limitation, which allows us to obtain initial slopes by using just two saturation times and, hence, to very quickly determine precise protein-ligand dissociation constants by STD NMR.

The taxonomy of Sahelanthropus tchadensis from a craniometric perspective.

Sahelanthropus tchadensis has raised much debate since its initial discovery in Chad in 2001, given its controversial classification as the earliest representative of the hominin lineage. This debate extends beyond the phylogenetic position of the species, and includes several aspects of its habitual behavior, especially in what regards its locomotion. The combination of ancestral and derived traits observed in the fossils associated with the species has been used to defend different hypotheses related to its relationship to hominins. Here, the cranial morphology of Sahelanthropus tchadensis was assessed through 16 linear craniometric measurements, and compared to great apes and hominins through Principal Component Analysis based on size and shape and shape information alone. The results show that S. tchadensis share stronger morphological affinities with hominins than with apes for both the analysis that include size information and the one that evaluates shape alone. Since TM 266-01-060-1 shows a strong morphological affinity with the remaining hominins represented in the analysis, our results support the initial interpretations that S. tchadensis represents an early specimen of our lineage or a stem basal lineage more closely related to hominins than to Panini.

Theories of Relativistic Dissipative Fluid Dynamics.

Relativistic dissipative fluid dynamics finds widespread applications in high-energy nuclear physics and astrophysics. However, formulating a causal and stable theory of relativistic dissipative fluid dynamics is far from trivial; efforts to accomplish this reach back more than 50 years. In this review, we give an overview of the field and attempt a comparative assessment of (at least most of) the theories for relativistic dissipative fluid dynamics proposed until today and used in applications.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteria Isolated from Feces of Weaned Piglets.

Nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant enterobacteria have become a major challenge in global public health. Previous studies have indicated that use of antibiotics in livestock production chains is linked to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance in humans. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the distribution of genes encoding resistance to tetracycline, ß-lactams, and colistin in multidrug-resistant enterobacteria isolated from feces of weaned pigs. Ninety-four enterobacteria isolates were submitted to antibiotic susceptibility test by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In addition, we performed conjugation experiments to verify if plasmid-bearing isolates containing the mcr-1 gene could transfer their resistance determinant to a colistin-sensitive recipient strain. Our results demonstrated a positive association between the detection of antibiotic resistance genes in enterobacteria and the phenotypic resistance profiles of the bacterial isolates. At least one of the extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) genes (blaCTX-M, blaTEM, or bla SHV) and tetA was found among most bacterial genera analyzed. In addition, results revealed that the mcr-1 gene can be transferred from E. coli UFV-627 isolate to an F- recipient (Escherichia coli K12) by conjugation. Our findings support the hypothesis that swine represents an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes and suggest that horizontal transfer mechanisms (e.g., conjugation) may mediate the spread of these genes in the swine gastrointestinal tract.

Practical but Inaccurate? A-Mode Ultrasound and Bioelectrical Impedance Underestimate Body Fat Percentage Compared to Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in Male College Students.

Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and ultrasound (US) have become popular for estimating body fat percentage (BF%) due to their low cost and clinical convenience. However, the agreement of these devices with the gold-standard method still requires investigation. The aim was to analyze the agreement between a gold-standard %BF assessment method with BIA and US devices. Twenty-three men (aged 30.1 ± 7.7 years, weighing 82.5 ± 14.9 kg, 1.77 ± 0.05 m tall) underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), BIA (tetrapolar) and US (three-site method) %BF assessments. Pearson and concordance correlations were analyzed. A T-test was used to compare the means of the methods, and Bland-Altman plots analyzed agreement and proportional bias. Alpha was set at <0.05. The Pearson coefficients of BIA and US with DXA were high (BIA = 0.94; US = 0.89; both p < 0.001). The concordance coefficient was high for BIA (0.80) and moderate for US (0.49). The BF% measured by BIA (24.5 ± 7.5) and US (19.4 ± 7.0) was on average 4.4% and 9.6% lower than DXA (29.0 + 8.5%), respectively (p < 0.001). Lower and upper agreement limits between DXA and BIA were -1.45 and 10.31, while between DXA and US, they were 2.01 and 17.14, respectively. There was a tendency of both BIA (p = 0.09) and US (p = 0.057) to present proportional bias and underestimate BF%. Despite the correlation, the mean differences between the methods were significant, and the agreement limits were very wide. This indicates that BIA and US, as measured in this study, have limited potential to accurately measure %BF compared to DXA, especially in individuals with higher body fat.

Autolyzed yeast and sodium butyrate supplemented alone to diets promoted improvements in performance, intestinal health and nutrient transporter in weaned piglets.

This study investigated the effects of supplemental nucleotides, autolyzed yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and sodium butyrate in diets for nursery pigs on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, blood profile, intestinal morphology, mRNA expression of nutrient transporters, inflammatory markers, antioxidant profile, and tight junction proteins in the small intestine. One hundred eighty 21-day-old pigs (5.17 ± 0.57 kg) were assigned in a randomized block design to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: (1) CON: control, basal diet, (2) NUC: CON + nucleotides, (3) YSC: CON + lysed yeast S. cerevisiae, (4) ASB: CON + acidifier sodium butyrate. Pigs were fed for 24 days, phase 1 (21-32 days) and 2 (32-45 days). During phase 1, YSC and ASB improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (FC) compared with CON. At the overall period, ASB improved ADG and YSC improved FC compared with CON. The NUC diet did not affect growth performance. The ASB increased ileal villus height compared to CON. The YSC and ASB reduced the number of Peyer's patches in the ileum compared with CON. The YSC increased mRNA expression of nutrient transporters (SMCT2, MCT1, and PepT1), tight junction proteins (OCL and ZO-1), antioxidants (GPX), and IL1-ß in the jejunum compared with CON. The ASB increased mRNA expression of nutrient transporters (SGLT1 and MCT1), tight junction proteins (OCL and ZO-1), and antioxidants (GPX and SOD) compared with CON. In conclusion, autolyzed yeast and sodium butyrate promoted growth performance by improving the integrity of the intestinal barrier, the mRNA expression of nutrient transporters, and antioxidant enzymes in the jejunum of nursery pigs whereas supplementation of nucleotides did not show such effects.

Carbohydrases and Phytase in Poultry and Pig Nutrition: A Review beyond the Nutrients and Energy Matrix.

This review aimed to clarify the mechanisms through which exogenous enzymes (carbohydrases and phytase) influence intestinal health, as well as their effects on the nutrients and energy matrix in diets fed to poultry and pigs reared under sanitary challenging conditions. Enzyme supplementation can positively affect intestinal microbiota, immune system, and enhance antioxidant status. Although enzymes have been shown to save energy and nutrients, their responses under sanitary challenging conditions are poorly documented. Immune system activation alters nutrient partitioning, which can affect the matrix values for exogenous enzymes on commercial farms. Notably, the carbohydrases and phytase supplementation under sanitary challenging conditions align with energy and nutritional valorization matrices. Studies conducted under commercial conditions have shown that matrices containing carbohydrases and phytase can maintain growth performance and health in poultry and pigs. However, these studies have predominantly focused on assessing a single level of reduction in energy and/or available phosphorus and total calcium, limiting our ability to quantify potential energy and nutrient savings in the diet. Future research should delve deeper into determining the extent of energy and nutrient savings and understanding the effects of alone or blended enzymes supplementation to achieve more specific insights.

Fast Quantitative Validation of 3D Models of Low-Affinity Protein-Ligand Complexes by STD NMR Spectroscopy.

Low-affinity protein-ligand interactions are important for many biological processes, including cell communication, signal transduction, and immune responses. Structural characterization of these complexes is also critical for the development of new drugs through fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), but it is challenging due to the low affinity of fragments for the binding site. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy has revolutionized the study of low-affinity receptor-ligand interactions enabling binding detection and structural characterization. Comparison of relaxation and exchange matrix calculations with 1H STD NMR experimental data is essential for the validation of 3D structures of protein-ligand complexes. In this work, we present a new approach based on the calculation of a reduced relaxation matrix, in combination with funnel metadynamics MD simulations, that allows a very fast generation of experimentally STD-NMR-validated 3D structures of low-affinity protein-ligand complexes.

Synthesis of multi-layer graphene oxide from HCl-treated coke and Brazilian coals by sulfuric acid thermal exfoliation and ozone oxidation.

This study involved the synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide (GO) from mineral coke and bituminous coal. HCl treated and non-HCl treated ultrafine powder obtained from both precursors were treated with H2SO4, followed by thermal treatment, and oxidation with ozone and ultra-sonication for GO production. The synthesized materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential (ZP), particle size distribution (PSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results confirmed the exfoliation of the material primarily at the edges of its structure and the formation of multilayer graphene oxide (GO) from mineral coke and bituminous coal. Furthermore, it was found that carbonaceous materials with graphitic morphology are easier to exfoliate and oxidize, leading to the production of higher quality graphene oxide. Therefore, the GO synthesized from mineral coke exhibited the best quality in this study. The methodology used proposes an innovative approach, offering a faster, more economical, and environmentally friendly synthesis compared to the traditional Hummers' method, thereby adding value to other raw materials that can be utilized in this process, such as Brazilian coke and coal.

New avenues for the treatment of immunotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by its extremely aggressive nature and ranks 14th in the number of new cancer cases worldwide. However, due to its complexity, it ranks 7th in the list of the most lethal cancers worldwide. The pathogenesis of PC involves several complex processes, including familial genetic factors associated with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, and smoking. Mutations in genes such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 are linked to the appearance of malignant cells that generate pancreatic lesions and, consequently, cancer. In this context, some therapies are used for PC, one of which is immunotherapy, which is extremely promising in various other types of cancer but has shown little response in the treatment of PC due to various resistance mechanisms that contribute to a drop in immunotherapy efficiency. It is therefore clear that the tumor microenvironment (TME) has a huge impact on the resistance process, since cellular and non-cellular elements create an immunosuppressive environment, characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma with cancer-associated fibroblasts, pancreatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix, and immunosuppressive cells. Linked to this are genetic mutations in TP53 and immunosuppressive factors that act on T cells, resulting in a shortage of CD8+ T cells and limited expression of activation markers such as interferon-gamma. In this way, finding new strategies that make it possible to manipulate resistance mechanisms is necessary. Thus, techniques such as the use of TME modulators that block receptors and stromal molecules that generate resistance, the use of genetic manipulation in specific regions, such as microRNAs, the modulation of extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with T cells, and, above all, therapeutic models that combine these modulation techniques constitute the promising future of PC therapy. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the main mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in PC and new ways of manipulating this process, resulting in a more efficient therapy for cancer patients and, consequently, a reduction in the lethality of this aggressive cancer.

Immune pathway through endometriosis to ovarian cancer.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease, defined by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. This disease is one of the main gynecological diseases, affecting around 10%-15% women and girls of reproductive age, being a common gynecologic disorder. Although endometriosis is a benign disease, it shares several characteristics with invasive cancer. Studies support that it has been linked with an increased chance of developing endometrial ovarian cancer, representing an earlier stage of neoplastic processes. This is particularly true for women with clear cell carcinoma, low-grade serous carcinoma and endometrioid. However, the carcinogenic pathways between both pathologies remain poorly understood. Current studies suggest a connection between endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers (EAOCs) via pathways associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and hyperestrogenism. This article aims to review current data on the molecular events linked to the development of EAOCs from endometriosis, specifically focusing on the complex relationship between the immune response to endometriosis and cancer, including the molecular mechanisms and their ramifications. Examining recent developments in immunotherapy and their potential to boost the effectiveness of future treatments.

The neurobiological effects of senescence on dopaminergic system: A comprehensive review.

Over time, the body undergoes a natural, multifactorial, and ongoing process named senescence, which induces changes at the molecular, cellular, and micro-anatomical levels in many body systems. The brain, being a highly complex organ, is particularly affected by this process, potentially impairing its numerous functions. The brain relies on chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters to function properly, with dopamine being one of the most crucial. This catecholamine is responsible for a broad range of critical roles in the central nervous system, including movement, learning, cognition, motivation, emotion, reward, hormonal release, memory consolidation, visual performance, sexual drive, modulation of circadian rhythms, and brain development. In the present review, we thoroughly examine the impact of senescence on the dopaminergic system, with a primary focus on the classic delimitations of the dopaminergic nuclei from A8 to A17. We provide in-depth information about their anatomy and function, particularly addressing how senescence affects each of these nuclei.

Intestinal microbial diversity of swines fed with different sources of lithium.

A drug that is widely used in the treatment of psychiatric disorder is lithium (Li) salts. The people who make therapeutic use of this drug develop a series of side effects. Through metataxonomic data, this study assessed the impacts of lithium, as Li carbonate or Li-enriched mushrooms, on the microbial composition of the ileum, colon, and feces of piglets. Employing Bray-Curtis metric, no differences were observed among the treatments evaluated. Nevertheless, the alpha diversity indices showed differences in the Simpson, Shannon, and Chao-1 indices in the colon and Chao-1 in the feces in the diets with Li compared with the diets without Li. The taxa with the highest relative abundance varied among the ileum, colon, and feces, with a predominance of the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria in diets with Li. Many groups of microorganisms that are important for the health of the host (e.g., Lactobacillus, Ruminococcaceae, Enterorhabdus, Muribaculaceae, and Coprococcus) had their relative abundance increased in animals that received diets with the recommended dose of lithium. Furthermore, there was an increase in the abundance of Prevotellaceae and Bacteroidales (in the diet with Li-enriched mushroom) and Clostridia, Ruminococcus, Burkholderia, and Bacteroidales (diets with Li carbonate) at the recommended dosages. This is the first study to show the effects of Li carbonate and Li-enriched mushrooms on the intestinal microbiota of piglets. Thus, the effects of lithium on the body may be related to its ability to change the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03938-3.

Urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori infection in adult dyspeptic patients: A meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been well-established as a significant risk factor for several gastrointestinal disorders. The urea breath test (UBT) has emerged as a leading non-invasive method for detecting H. pylori. Despite numerous studies confirming its substantial accuracy, the reliability of UBT results is often compromised by inherent limitations. These findings underscore the need for a rigorous statistical synthesis to clarify and reconcile the diagnostic accuracy of the UBT for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. AIM: To determine and compare the diagnostic accuracy of 13C-UBT and 14C-UBT for H. pylori infection in adult patients with dyspepsia. METHODS: We conducted an independent search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central databases until April 2022. Our search included diagnostic accuracy studies that evaluated at least one of the index tests (13C-UBT or 14C-UBT) against a reference standard. We used the QUADAS-2 tool to assess the methodological quality of the studies. We utilized the bivariate random-effects model to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative test likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-), as well as the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and their 95% confidence intervals. We conducted subgroup analyses based on urea dosing, time after urea administration, and assessment technique. To investigate a possible threshold effect, we conducted Spearman correlation analysis, and we generated summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves to assess heterogeneity. Finally, we visually inspected a funnel plot and used Egger's test to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS: The titles and abstracts of 4621 studies were screened; 79 articles were retrieved and selected for full-text reading. Finally, 60 studies were included in the diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis. Our analysis demonstrates superior diagnostic accuracy of 13C-UBT over 14C-UBT, indicated by higher sensitivity (96.60% vs 96.15%), specificity (96.93% vs 89.84%), likelihood ratios (LR+ 22.00 vs 10.10; LR- 0.05 vs 0.06), and area under the curve (AUC; 0.979 vs 0.968). Notably, 13C-UBT's DOR (586.47) significantly outperforms 14C-UBT (DOR 226.50), making it the preferred diagnostic tool for dyspeptic individuals with H. pylori infection. Correlation analysis revealed no threshold effect (13C-UBT: r = 0.48; 14C-UBT: r = -0.01), and SROC curves showed consistent accuracy. Both 13C-UBT and 14C-UBT showed high AUC values (13C-UBT 0.979; 14C-UBT 0.968) near 1.00, reinforcing their excellent accuracy and endorsing both as reliable diagnostic tools in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: In summary, our study has demonstrated that 13C-UBT has been found to outperform the 14C-UBT, making it the preferred diagnostic approach. Additionally, our results emphasize the significance of carefully considering urea dosage, assessment timing, and measurement techniques for both tests to enhance diagnostic precision. Nevertheless, it is crucial for researchers and clinicians to evaluate the strengths and limitations of our findings before implementing them in practice.

The Role of Vitamin D in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical and Electroneuromyographic Responses.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common cause of peripheral compressive neuropathy and consists of compression of the median nerve in the wrist. Although there are several etiologies, idiopathic is the most prevalent origin, and among the forms of treatment for CTS, conservative is the most indicated. However, despite the high prevalence in and impact of this syndrome on the healthcare system, there are still controversies regarding the best therapeutic approach for patients. Therefore, noting that some studies point to vitamin D deficiency as an independent risk factor, which increases the symptoms of the syndrome, this study evaluated the role of vitamin D supplementation and its influence on pain control, physical examination and response electroneuromyography to conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. For this, the sample consisted of 14 patients diagnosed with CTS and hypovitaminosis D, who were allocated into two groups. The control group received corticosteroid treatment, while the experimental group received corticosteroid treatment associated with vitamin D. Thus, from this study, it can be concluded that patients who received vitamin D, when compared to those who did not receive it, showed improvement in the degree of pain intensity, a reduction in symptom severity and an improvement in some electroneuromyographic parameters.

Bacterial genomes recovered from litter's metagenomes in Amazonian Dark Earths.

Here, we report 27 metagenome-assembled bacterial genomes (MAGs) from litter samples of a secondary forest located in Brazil over an Amazonian Dark Earth pool. The data set includes members from the phyla Pseudomonadata (14 MAGs), Actinomycetota (7 MAGs), Bacteroidota (4 MAGs), Bacillota (1 MAG), and Bdellovibrionota (1 MAG).

Volumetric alterations in the basal ganglia in autism Spectrum disorder: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Recent research indicates that some brain structures show alterations in conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Among them, are the basal ganglia that are involved in motor, cognitive and behavioral neural circuits. OBJECTIVE: Review the literature that describes possible volumetric alterations in the basal ganglia of individuals with ASD and the impacts that these changes have on the severity of the condition. METHODOLOGY: This systematic review was registered in the design and reported according to the PRISMA Items and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023394787). The study analyzed data from published clinical, case-contemplate, and cohort trials. The following databases were consulted: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, using the Medical Subject Titles (MeSH) "Autism Spectrum Disorder" and "Basal Ganglia". The last search was carried out on February 28, 2023. RESULTS: Thirty-five eligible articles were collected, analyzed, and grouped according to the levels of alterations. CONCLUSION: The present study showed important volumetric alterations in the basal ganglia in ASD. However, the examined studies have methodological weaknesses that do not allow generalization and correlation with ASD manifestations.

Comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance and virulence traits in ESBL-producing-Klebsiella pneumoniae ST307 strains colonizing the gastrointestinal tract and causing a fatal bloodstream infection in a leukemia patient.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen that can colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans. The mechanisms underlying the successful translocation of this pathogen to cause extra-intestinal infections remain unknown, although virulence and antimicrobial resistance traits likely play significant roles in the establishment of infections. We investigated K. pneumoniae strains isolated from GIT colonization (strains Kp_FZcol-1, Kp_FZcol-2 and Kp_FZcro-1) and from a fatal bloodstream infection (strain Kp_HM-1) in a leukemia patient. All strains belonged to ST307, carried a transferable IncF plasmid containing the blaCTX-M-15 gene (pKPN3-307 TypeA-like plasmid) and showed a multidrug-resistance phenotype. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Kp_HM-1 was more closely related to Kp_FZcro-1 than to the other colonizing strains. The Kp_FZcol-2 genome showed 81 % coverage with the Kp_HM-1 246,730 bp plasmid (pKp_HM-1), lacking most of its putative virulence genes. Searching public genomes with similar coverage, we observed the occurrence of this deletion in K. pneumoniae ST307 strains recovered from human colonization and infection in different countries. Our findings suggest that strains lacking the putative virulence genes found in the pKPN3-307 TypeA plasmid are still able to colonize and infect humans, highlighting the need to further investigate the role of these genes for the adaptation of K. pneumoniae ST307 in distinct human body sites.

Effects of crude protein and non-essential amino acids on growth performance, blood profile, and intestinal health of weaned piglets.

This study investigated the effect of crude protein (CP) and non-essential amino acid (NEAA) supplementation on the growth performance, blood profile, intestinal morphology, mRNA relative abundance of inflammatory and antioxidant markers, and tight junction proteins in piglets over the first 2 weeks after weaning. Ninety 21-day-old piglets (7.55 ± 0.72 kg) were assigned in a randomized block design to one of three dietary treatments: (1) high CP, a diet with 24% CP; (2) low CP, a diet with 18% CP; and (3) low CP + NEAA, a diet with 18% CP supplemented with 5 g/kg Arg (L-arginine; purity >99%) and 10 g/kg Glu + Gln (minimum 10% L-glutamine and minimum 10% L-glutamate). Piglets were fed with corn-soybean meal basal diets in a 14-day trial. There was an improvement (p < 0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of piglets fed the high-CP diet compared to treatments with low CP or low CP + NEAA. Serum urea nitrogen was higher (p < 0.05) in piglets fed high CP compared to other dietary treatments. In the duodenum, the villus height of animals fed the low-CP + NEAA diets was greater (p < 0.05) than those fed with the high- and low-CP diets. The goblet cell proportion of piglets fed low CP + NEAA or high CP was higher (p < 0.05) compared to low CP. In the jejunum, the crypt depth of the piglets with the high-CP dietary treatment was greater (p < 0.05) in comparison with low CP + NEAA. In the jejunum, IFN-γ mRNA expression was higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed the high-CP diets compared to other dietary treatments. However, superoxide dismutase and occludin mRNA expression were higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed low CP + NEAA than in piglets on the high-CP diets. In the ileum, the number of Peyer's patches in piglets fed high CP was higher (p < 0.05) compared to other dietary treatments. In conclusion, the high-CP diet (24% CP) improves the feed conversion of piglets in the first 2 weeks after weaning compared to the low-CP diet (18% CP) supplemented or not with NEAA. However, the low-CP diet supplemented with NEAA (Arg, Gln, and Glu) improves intestinal health in piglets by promoting greater villus height and proportion of goblet cells in the duodenum, reducing jejunal crypt depth, and reducing Peyer's number patches in the ileum. In addition, piglets that received the low-CP + NEAA diet showed an increase in superoxide dismutase and occludin and a lower expression of IFN-γ mRNA.

Fatores de risco para a Síndrome de burnout em enfermeiros de um hospital público de Mossoró/RN, Brasil / Risk factors for burnout syndrome in nurses at a public hospital in Mossoró/RN, Brazil

Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco para o aparecimento da Síndrome de burnout em enfermeiros trabalhadores do Hospital Regional Tarcísio de Vasconcelos Maia em Mossoró/RN. Métodos: Estudo exploratório, descritivo, quantitativo e transversal com 119 enfermeiros de março a setembro de 2022. Os dados foram coletados a partir da aplicação de um formulário com informações sócio-organizacionais e do Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, contendo 19 itens que refletem o burnout profissional em uma escala categorizada como burnout baixo, intermediário e alto. Resultados: A maioria dos entrevistados era do sexo feminino (81%), com média de 36,4 anos de idade, casada (70%), com especialização na área (74%) e dois empregos (59%). Identificou-se maior prevalência de níveis elevados de burnout pessoal (44%) e níveis intermediários de burnoutrelacionado ao trabalho (52%) e relacionado ao cliente (50%). Houve forte correlação positiva entre número de vínculos empregatícios para as dimensões burnout pessoal (r = 0,74; p = 0,03) e relacionado ao trabalho (r = 0,81; p = 0,02), forte correlação positiva entre carga horária de trabalho e burnout pessoal (r = 0,68; p = 0,04) e moderada correlação positiva entre carga horária de trabalho e burnout relacionado ao trabalho (r = 0,53; p = 0,04). Conclusões: A exposição a jornadas de trabalho prolongadas resultou em aumento dos níveis de exaustão física e psíquica nos enfermeiros, interferindo negativamente nos aspectos profissionais e pessoais. Estudos futuros focando em estratégias para garantir uma melhor condição de trabalho ao enfermeiro são necessários, visando proporcionar uma melhor saúde ocupacional aos trabalhadores

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for the onset of burnout syndrome in nursing workers at the Hospital Regional Tarcísio de Vasconcelos Maia in Mossoró/RN. Methods: Exploratory, descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study with 119 nurses from March to September 2022. Data were collected from the application of a form with socio-organizational information and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, containing 19 items that reflect the professional burnout on a scale categorized as low, intermediate and high burnout. Results: Most respondents were female (81%), with an average age of 36.4 years, married (70%), with specialization in the area (74%) and two jobs (59%). A higher prevalence of high levels of personal burnout (44%) and intermediate levels of work-related (52%) and client-related burnout (50%) were identified. There was a strong positive correlation between the number of employment relationships for the personal burnout (r = 0.74; p = 0.03) and work-related (r = 0.81; p = 0.02) dimensions, a strong positive correlation between load hours of work and personal burnout (r = 0.68; p = 0.04) and a moderate positive correlation between workload and work-related burnout (r = 0.53; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Exposure to long working hours resulted in increased levels of physical and mental exhaustion in nurses, negatively interfering with professional and personal aspects. Future studies focusing on strategies to ensure a better working condition for nurses are needed, aiming to provide better occupational health for workers. Keywords: Burnout syndrome; Occupational stress; Nursing