CASP4/11 Contributes to NLRP3 Activation and COVID-19 Exacerbation.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection triggers activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which promotes inflammation and aggravates severe COVID-19. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 induces upregulation and activation of human caspase-4/CASP4 (mouse caspase-11/CASP11), and this process contributes to NLRP3 activation. In vivo infections performed in transgenic hACE2 humanized mice, deficient or sufficient for Casp11, indicate that hACE2 Casp11-/- mice were protected from disease development, with the increased pulmonary parenchymal area, reduced clinical score of the disease, and reduced mortality. Assessing human samples from fatal cases of COVID-19, we found that CASP4 was expressed in patient lungs and correlated with the expression of inflammasome components and inflammatory mediators, including CASP1, IL1B, IL18, and IL6. Collectively, our data establish that CASP4/11 promotes NLRP3 activation and disease pathology, revealing a possible target for therapeutic interventions for COVID-19.

Spine Surgery and Ankylosing Spondylitis: Optimizing Perioperative Management.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common form of axial spondyloarthritis, characterized by inflammatory back pain, radiographic sacroiliitis, excess spinal bone formation, and a high prevalence of HLA-B27. Commonly, AS patients require spinal surgery for kyphotic deformities, spinal trauma, and spinal infections. For preoperative management, proper interruption considering each specific half-lives of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are necessary to avoid complications, such as infections. When feasible, bone quality assessment before surgery is mandatory. For intraoperative measurements, airway management should be carefully evaluated, especially in patients with severe cervical deformities. Cardiac, renal, and pulmonary assessment should be made considering specific pathologic characteristics involved in AS patients, such as pulmonary restrictive disease and chronic anti-inflammatory drugs use. Multimodal neurophysiological intraoperative monitoring is recommended once these patients had a high risk for neurological deterioration. At the postoperative period, early oral intake, early mobilization, and aggressive pain control may decrease complications and enhance recovery. AS presents several unique challenges that require specific attention around spine surgery. This includes handling preoperative and postoperative pharmacotherapeutics, intraoperative airway management, and the mitigation of postoperative complications. In this paper, we provide a literature review of optimal strategies for the perioperative management for patients with AS.

Inflammasome activation and CCR2-mediated monocyte-derived dendritic cell recruitment restrict Legionella pneumophila infection.

Flagellin-induced NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis are critical events restricting Legionella pneumophila infection. However, the cellular and molecular dynamics of the in vivo responses against this bacterium are still unclear. We have found temporal coordination of two independent innate immunity pathways in controlling Legionella infection, the inflammasome activation and the CCR2-mediated Mo-DC recruitment. Inflammasome activation was an important player at the early stage of infection by lowering the numbers of bacteria for an efficient bacterial clearance conferred by the Mo-DC at the late stage of the infection. Mo-DC emergence highly depended on CCR2-signaling and dispensed inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Also, Mo-DC compartment did not rely on the inflammasome machinery to deliver proper immune responses and was the most abundant cytokine-producing among the monocyte-derived cells in the infected lung. Importantly, when the CCR2- and NLRC4-dependent axes of response were simultaneously ablated, we observed an aggravated bacterial burden in the lung of infected mice. Taken together, we showed that inflammasome activation and CCR2-mediated immune response interplay in distinct pathways to restrict pulmonary bacterial infection. These findings extend our understanding of the in vivo integration and cooperation of different innate immunity arms in controlling infectious agents.

Efferocytosis of SARS-CoV-2-infected dying cells impairs macrophage anti-inflammatory functions and clearance of apoptotic cells.

COVID-19 is a disease of dysfunctional immune responses, but the mechanisms triggering immunopathogenesis are not established. The functional plasticity of macrophages allows this cell type to promote pathogen elimination and inflammation or suppress inflammation and promote tissue remodeling and injury repair. During an infection, the clearance of dead and dying cells, a process named efferocytosis, can modulate the interplay between these contrasting functions. Here, we show that engulfment of SARS-CoV-2-infected apoptotic cells exacerbates inflammatory cytokine production, inhibits the expression of efferocytic receptors, and impairs continual efferocytosis by macrophages. We also provide evidence supporting that lung monocytes and macrophages from severe COVID-19 patients have compromised efferocytic capacity. Our findings reveal that dysfunctional efferocytosis of SARS-CoV-2-infected cell corpses suppresses macrophage anti-inflammation and efficient tissue repair programs and provides mechanistic insights for the excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and accumulation of tissue damage associated with COVID-19 immunopathogenesis.

Intraparenchymal pericatheter cyst as an indicator of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction: A case-based update.

Background: Intraparenchymal pericatheter cysts (IPCs) are a rare ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) complication, with only a few cases recorded in the literature. Case Description: We report a 22-year-old woman admitted with headache, papilledema, vision loss, and a history of leukemia. Lumbar puncture revealed idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Three months after VPS implantation, she was readmitted with headache and worsening of visual impairment. CT evidenced a IPC with perilesional edema. Intraoperatively, a shunt revision and cyst drainage were opted for. We present a discussion and literature review on this unique complication of VPS, with emphasis on management. Conclusion: It is important to understand and consider IPCs as complications of VPS surgery, including in adult patients and IIH cases.

Eco-Friendly Production of AuNPs and Their Impact on the Oil Oxidative Stability.

Vegetable oils have been used for different applications and, more recently, as an active host medium to obtain nanoparticles for employment in bionanotechnological applications. Nevertheless, oils are very susceptible to oxidation during production, storage, and transportation because of their chemical composition. Consequently, any modification in their production must be accompanied by an analysis of the oxidative stability. In this study, naked and biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were grown on sunflower oil during sputtering deposition using different deposition times. Size and morphology were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and their concentrations were found by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Rancimat® method was employed to evaluate the AuNPs influence on the oxidative stability of the vegetable oil. Well-dispersed quasi-spherical NPs were produced with a mean diameter in the 2.9-3.7 nm range and they were concentration-dependent on the deposition time. A concentration of about 11 mg/L, 38 mg/L, and 225 mg/L of AuNPs was obtained for a deposition time of 5 min, 15 min, and 30 min, respectively. The results also revealed that AuNPs negatively affected the oxidative stability of the sunflower oil and exponentially reduced the induction period (IP) with the increase in AuNPs content. IP reductions of 63%, 77%, and 81% were determined for the AuNPs containing samples at 11 mg/L, 38 mg/L, and 225 mg/L. For the first time, it is reported that naked AuNPs promote the rapid degradation of vegetable oil and this points out the need for attention relative to the quality of vegetable oils used to host metal nanoparticles.

Adaptação transcultural da versão original da Escala de Avaliação Sociofamiliar em Idosos para o contexto brasileiro / Cross-cultural adaptation of the original version of the Older Adults Socio-familial Evaluation Scale to the Brazilian context

Resumo Objetivo Traduzir e adaptar transculturalmente a escala espanhola de Avaliação Sociofamiliar em Idosos (Escala de Gijón) para o contexto brasileiro. Métodos Procedimento metodológico de adequação transcultural, com tradução (espanhol-português), retrotradução (português-espanhol), avaliação de equivalências semântica, idiomática, experimental e conceitual, e pré-teste da versão brasileira em uma amostra de 30 idosos. Para análise de concordância foram medidos proporcionalidade e índice Kappa Cohen-Fleiss (κ). Em adição, confirmou-se a consistência interna pelo alfa de Cronbach. Resultados A condução das traduções (T1 e T2), e retrotraduções (RT1 e RT2), e avaliações da versão síntese (T12) por comitê de especialistas e juiz neutro garantiram em T12 a essência avaliativa da versão original da escala. A avaliação dos 34 componentes de T12 mostrou adequação semântica (100%) e idiomática (94%), e adequação superior a 70% para equivalências experimental e conceitual. Houve concordância quase-perfeita entre os especialistas do comitê: semântica (κ=0,95), idiomática (κ=0,97), experimental (κ=0,98) e conceitual (κ=0,99). O pré-teste de T12 resultou confiabilidade substancial para o instrumento, com alpha de Cronbach de 0,77. Conclusão Este estudo garante a adaptação transcultural da escala de Avaliação Sociofamiliar em Idosos para o contexto da pessoa idosa que vive no Brasil. A avaliação das equivalências resultou em concordância quase-perfeita entre os especialistas. O público-alvo não reportou dificuldades para compreender as assertivas da escala. Demonstrou-se um instrumento confiável, considerando o alfa de Cronbach obtido. Após a validação da escala, estudo em andamento, será disponibilizado um instrumento confiável para o rastreio da situação sociofamiliar da pessoa idosa no contexto brasileiro.

Abstract Objective To cross-culturally translate and adapt the Spanish Older Adults Socio-familial Evaluation Scale (Gijón Scale) to the Brazilian context. Methods A methodological procedure of cross-cultural adaptation with translation (Spanish-Portuguese), back-translation (Portuguese-Spanish), evaluation of semantic, idiomatic, experimental, and conceptual equivalences, and pretest of the Brazilian version in a sample of 30 older adults. For the concordance analysis, proportionality and the Kappa Cohen-Fleiss index (κ) were measured. In addition, internal consistency was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha. Results Translations (T1 and T2), back-translations (RT1 and RT2), and evaluations of the synthesis version (T12) were carried out by a Committee of Experts, and a neutral judge ensured the evaluative essence of the original version of the scale in T12. The evaluation of the 34 components of T12 showed semantic (100%) and idiomatic (94%) adequacy, and adequacy greater than 70% for experimental and conceptual equivalences. There was almost perfect concordance among the experts of the Committee: semantics (κ=0.95), idiomatic (κ=0.97), experimental (κ=0.98), and conceptual (κ=0.99). The T12 pretest resulted in substantial reliability of the instrument with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77. Conclusion The present study ensures the cross-cultural adaptation of the Socio-familial Evaluation Scale to the context of the older person living in Brazil. The equivalence evaluation resulted in almost perfect concordance among experts. The target audience did not report difficulties in understanding the assertions of the scale. The instrument proved to be reliable considering the Cronbach's alpha obtained. After validating the scale, an ongoing study, a reliable instrument will be made available for tracking the socio-familial situation of older adults in the Brazilian context.

Phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles on Vicia faba: Evaluation of particle size effects on photosynthetic performance and leaf gas exchange.

Nanotechnology is an emerging field in science and engineering, which presents significant impacts on the economy, society and the environment. The nanomaterials' (NMs) production, use, and disposal is inevitably leading to their release into the environment where there are uncertainties about its fate, behaviour, and toxicity. Recent works have demonstrated that NMs can penetrate, translocate, and accumulate in plants. However, studies about the effects of the NMs on plants are still limited because most investigations are carried out in the initial stage of plant development. The present study aimed to evaluate and characterize the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) of broad bean (Vicia faba) leaves when subjected to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with diameters of 20, 51, and 73 nm as well as to micrometer-size Ag particles (AgBulk). The AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The analyses were performed by injecting the leaves with 100 mg L-1 aqueous solution of Ag and measuring the chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, gas exchange, thermal imaging, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, silver ion (Ag+) release from Ag particles was determined by dialysis. The results revealed that AgNPs induce a decrease in the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) and an increase in the non-photochemical quenching. The data also revealed that AgNPs affected the stomatal conductance (gs) and CO2 assimilation. Further, AgNPs induced an overproduction of ROS in Vicia faba leaves. Finally, all observed effects were particle diameter-dependent, increasing with the reduction of AgNPs diameter and revealing that AgBulk caused only a small or no changes on plants. In summary, the results point out that AgNPs may negatively affect the photosynthesis process when accumulated in the leaves, and that the NPs themselves were mainly responsible since negligible Ag+ release was detected.

Renal changes and acute kidney injury in covid-19: a systematic review

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE We aimed to present a review of renal changes in patients with COVID-19. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify original articles regarding clinical, laboratory, and anatomopathological kidney changes in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 published until May 7, 2020. The search was carried out across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase using the keywords "COVID-19", "coronavirus", "SARS-CoV-2", "kidney injury" and "kidney disease". Fifteen studies presented clinical and laboratory renal changes in patients with COVID-19, and three addressed anatomopathological changes. DISCUSSION Acute kidney injury (AKI) was a relevant finding in patients with COVID-19. There were also significant changes in laboratory tests that indicated kidney injury, such as increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), proteinuria, and hematuria. The presence of laboratory abnormalities and AKI were significant in severely ill patients. There was a considerable prevalence of AKI among groups of patients who died of COVID-19. Histopathological analysis of the kidney tissue of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 suggested that the virus may directly affect the kidneys. CONCLUSION Although COVID-19 affects mainly the lungs, it can also impact the kidneys. Increased serum creatinine and BUN, hematuria, proteinuria, and AKI were frequent findings in patients with severe COVID-19 and were related to an increased mortality rate. Further studies focusing on renal changes and their implications for the clinical condition of patients infected with the novel coronavirus are needed.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Apresentar uma revisão sobre as alterações renais nos pacientes com COVID-19. MÉTODOS Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de literatura para buscar estudos referentes a pacientes com alterações renais clínicas, laboratoriais e anatomopatológicas durante a infecção por SARS-CoV-2. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados eletrônicos PubMed, Scopus e Embase, com as palavras-chaves: "COVID-19", "coronavirus", "Sars-CoV-2", "kidney injury" e "kidney disease", para identificar artigos originais publicados na literatura até 07 de maio de 2020. Quinze estudos trouxeram alterações renais clínicas e laboratoriais dos pacientes com COVID-19, e três abordaram análises anatomopatológicas. DISCUSSÃO A Lesão renal aguda (LRA) foi um achado relevante nos pacientes com COVID-19. Houve também alterações significativas nos exames laboratoriais que indicam lesão renal, como o nível de creatinina e ureia séricas, proteinúria e hematúria. As alterações laboratoriais e a LRA foram importantes nos pacientes que desenvolveram o quadro grave da doença. Há considerável prevalência de LRA nos grupos de pacientes que vieram a óbito. Na análise histopatológica de pacientes com SARS-CoV-2 foram encontrados achados renais sugestivos que o vírus poderia ter efeitos diretos sobre o rim. CONCLUSÃO A COVID-19 é uma doença que, apesar de acometer principalmente os pulmões, também acomete os rins. Aumento das escórias nitrogenadas, hematúria, proteinúria e LRA foram achados frequentes em pacientes com quadros graves da COVID-19. Esses achados foram relacionados a maior mortalidade. É necessária a realização de mais estudos com enfoque nas alterações renais e suas implicações no quadro clínico causadas pelo novo coronavírus.

A new oligolectic bee species of the genus Rhophitulus Ducke (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae) from South Brazil

ABSTRACT The genus RhophitulusDucke, 1907 is a large and complex group of bees of the tribe Protandrenini comprising small, slender, mostly black ground-nesting species that are restricted to South America. We describe a new species of Rhophitulus from Parque Nacional São Joaquim, Urubici, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Rophitulus ater sp. nov. is distinctive and easily distinguished from other species of the genus by a unique combination of morphological characters in both sexes, but especially by the following: dull black body, coarsely and densely punctate integument, basal area of metapostnotum depressed and areolate rugose, posterior margin of hind tibia and pygidial fimbria of female with blackish pilosity, and characters of the male genitalia with hidden sterna. The new species is closely associated with Blumenbachia catharinensis (Loasaceae), which is restricted to cloud forest of the southeastern rim of Serra Geral. Flowers of B. catharinensis are pollen and nectar resources and mating sites for the new species.

A Comissão Nacional de Bem-estar Social: planejamento estatal e política social, 1951-1954 / The National Commission of Social Welfare: State planning and social policy, 1951-1954

Resumo O artigo analisa a criação da Comissão Nacional de Bem-estar Social no segundo governo Vargas (1951-1954). A partir das mensagens presidenciais e do acervo privado de Alzira Vargas do Amaral Peixoto, contextualiza o momento de fundação do órgão e suas conexões com órgãos internacionais de planejamento da política de assistência social.

Abstract The article analyzes the creation of the National Commission of Social Welfare (Comissão Nacional de Bem-Estar Social) during the second Vargas administration (1951-1954). Presidential communiqués and the private archive of Alzira do Amaral Peixoto Vargas are used to characterize the context of the founding of the commission and its liaison with international entities involved in the planning of social welfare policies.

Validade psicométrica da versão adaptada para o Brasil do Work Limitations Questionnaire para avaliação do presenteísmo em uma amostra de trabalhadores de enfermagem / Psychometric validity of the adapted version for Brazil of the Work Limitations Questionnaire for evaluation of presenteeism in a sample of nursing workers

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão adaptada para o Brasil do Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) em uma amostra de trabalhadores de enfermagem. Trata-se de estudo observacional do tipo transversal, com amostragem não probabilística. Para avaliar as propriedades psicométricas do WLQ, foi realizada análise da sensibilidade psicométrica dos itens; análise da validade de construto fatorial, por meio da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória e do método de Máxima Verossimilhança e utilizando-se índices de qualidade de ajustamento ?2/gl, CFI, TLI e RMSEA; análise da validade de construto convergente, estimada pela Variância Extraída Média dos itens de cada fator; análise da validade de construto discriminante, considerando o quadrado da correlação de Pearson entre os fatores; análise da confiabilidade do instrumento, avaliada pela consistência interna dos fatores (alfa de Cronbach e Confiabilidade Composta). O processo de validação foi realizado com 304 trabalhadores de enfermagem de dois hospitais de ensino, um do interior do Estado de São Paulo e outro do interior do Estado do Paraná. Observou-se predominância de mulheres (88,5%); a média de idade foi de 40,88 anos; o tempo médio de atuação na enfermagem foi de 15,9 anos e o tempo médio de trabalho nas instituições foi de 10,5 anos; 57,9% dos participantes trabalhavam até 36 horas/semana e 78,6% dos trabalhadores eram técnicos ou auxiliares de enfermagem. Os resultados obtidos no processo de validação do WLQ mostraram que a sensibilidade psicométrica dos itens foi considerada adequada; a análise da validade de construto fatorial do modelo ajustado para a amostra revelou adequados índices de qualidade de ajustamento (?2/gl=2,788; CFI=0,919; TLI=0,909; RMSEA=0,077); a validade de construto convergente se mostrou adequada em todos os fatores, bem como a validade discriminante do WLQ; a análise da confiabilidade do instrumento comprovou a consistência interna do WLQ para a amostra. Em relação à contribuição de variáveis demográficas e ocupacionais na ocorrência do presenteísmo, não foram verificadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre sexo e categoria profissional dos participantes e os fatores do WLQ. Verificou-se correlação negativa e estatisticamente significativa entre a dimensão Demandas físicas e a carga horária de trabalho e entre o tempo de trabalho na instituição e a carga horária de trabalho; correlação significativa entre a dimensão Gerência do tempo e carga horária semanal. Para o cálculo dos escores do WLQ, foram utilizadas as médias aritméticas e ponderadas dos fatores do instrumento. O índice global do WLQ foi de 0,20 e o índice de perda de produtividade no trabalho foi de 19,75%. Além disso, a estimação dos índices relacionados aos domínios do WLQ mostrou que o domínio Demandas de produção apresentou o valor mais elevado, seguido pelos domínios Gerência do tempo e Demandas mentais-interpessoais. Estes resultados mostraram que as exigências relacionadas à produtividade foram as cargas de trabalho que mais colaboraram para a ocorrência do presenteísmo na amostra, seguida pelas demandas relacionadas às exigências de tempo para realizar as tarefas e pelas cargas psicológicas e mentais exigidas pelo trabalho em instituições hospitalares. Embora as cargas físicas sejam relevantes no processo de adoecimento dos trabalhadores de enfermagem, a dimensão relacionada a estas exigências apresentou índice bastante inferior aos demais. Este resultado foi explicado pela inversão da escala de resposta deste fator do WLQ. Deste modo, os resultados deste estudo comprovaram que o WLQ representa um instrumento válido e confiável para a avaliação do presenteísmo na amostra estudada. Porém, considera-se fundamental que outras pesquisas sejam realizadas a fim de analisar a validade psicométrica do WLQ em diferentes categorias profissionais para que este instrumento sirva de ferramenta para o diagnóstico de problemas e para a implementação de estratégias de promoção da qualidade de vida no trabalho

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) in a sample of nursing workers. It is an observational cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the WLQ, it was performed the analysis of the psychometric sensitivity of the items; analysis of the validity of the factorial construct, using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Maximum Likelihood method, and the quality of adjustment indexes ?2/gl, IFC, TLI and RMSEA; analysis of the validity of the convergent construct, estimated by the Average Extracted Variance of the items of each factor; analysis of the validity of the discriminant construct, considering the square of Pearson correlation between the factors; analysis of the reliability of the instrument, evaluated by the internal consistency of the factors (Cronbach's alpha and Composite Reliability). The validation process was performed with 304 nursing workers from two teaching hospitals, one located in the interior of São Paulo State and another in the interior of the State of Paraná, Brazil. It was observed a predominance of women (88,5%) in the sample; the mean age was 40.88 years; the average time of nursing work was 15.9 years and the average working time in the institutions was 10.5 years; 57.9% of the participants worked up to 36 hours/week and 78.6% of the workers were technicians or nursing assistants. The results obtained in the WLQ validation process showed that the psychometric sensitivity of the items was adequate; (?2/gl = 2,788, CFI = 0,919, TLI = 0,909, RMSEA = 0,077), the analysis of the validity of factorial construct of the refined model for the sample revealed adequate quality of the fit indexes. The validity of the convergent construct was adequate for the instrument's factors, as well as the discriminant validity of the WLQ; the analysis of the reliability of the instrument showed the internal consistency of the WLQ for the sample. Regarding the contribution of demographic and occupational variables in the occurrence of presenteeism, there were no statistically significant differences between the sex and the professional category of the participants and the WLQ factors. There was a negative and statistically significant correlation between the dimension Physical Demands and the workload and between the working time in the institution and the workload; significant correlation between the dimension Time Management and the weekly workload. For the estimation of the WLQ scores, it was used the arithmetic and weighted means of the factors. The overall WLQ index was 0.20 and the at-work productivity loss index was 19.75%. In addition, the estimation of the indexes related to the WLQ domains showed the Production Demand domain presented the highest value, followed by the domains Time Management and Mental-Interpersonal Demands. These results showed the requirements related to productivity were the workloads that most contributed to the occurrence of presenteeism in the sample, followed by the demands related to the time work-related demands to perform tasks and by the psychological and mental demands required by the work in the hospitals. Although the physical demands are relevant in the process of sickness of nursing workers, the dimension related to these demands presented a lower index comparing to the others. This result was explained by the inversion of the response scale of this WLQ factor. Thus, the results of this study showed the WLQ represents a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of presenteeism in the sample. However, it is considered essential that other studies are carried out in order to analyze the validity of the WLQ in different professional categories in order to provide this instrument as a tool for the diagnosis of problems and for the implementation of strategies to promote quality of life at work

Cyclic lipopeptide signature as fingerprinting for the screening of halotolerant Bacillus strains towards microbial enhanced oil recovery.

Cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) are non-ribosomal biosurfactants produced by Bacillus species that exhibit outstanding interfacial activity. The synthesis of CLPs is under genetic and environmental influence, and representatives from different families are generally co-produced, generating isoforms that differ in chemical structure and biological activities. This study to evaluate the effect of low and high NaCl concentrations on the composition and surface activity of CLPs produced by Bacillus strains TIM27, TIM49, TIM68, and ICA13 towards microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). The strains were evaluated in mineral medium containing NaCl 2.7, 66, or 100 g L-1 and growth, surface tension and emulsification activity were monitored. Based on the analysis of 16S rDNA, gyrB and rpoB sequences TIM27 and TIM49 were assigned to Bacillus subtilis, TIM68 to Bacillus vallismortis, and ICA13 to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. All strains tolerated up to 100-g L-1 NaCl, but only TIM49 and TIM68 were able to reduce surface tension at this concentration. TIM49 also showed emulsification activity at concentrations up to 66-g L-1 NaCl. ESI-MS analysis showed that the strains produced a mixture of CLPs, which presented distinct CLP profiles at low and high NaCl concentrations. High NaCl concentration favored the synthesis of surfactins and/or fengycins that correlated with the surface activities of TIM49 and TIM68, whereas low concentration favored the synthesis of iturins. Taken together, these findings suggest that the determination of CLP signatures under the expected condition of oil reservoirs can be useful in the guidance for choosing well-suited strains to MEOR.

Colonização bacteriana e resistência antimicrobiana em trabalhadores de saúde: revisão integrativa / Bacterial colonization and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare workers: an integrative review

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar as evidências científicas disponíveis na literatura sobre os microrganismos que colonizam os trabalhadores de saúde e sua associação com a resistência a antimicrobianos. Métodos: Revisão integrativa de literatura. A busca dos estudos primários foi realizada nas bases de informação: National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Scopus e Biblioteca virtual em saúde. Os descritores utilizados foram aplicados de acordo com particularidades de cada base de dados e obtidos por consulta nos Descritores de Ciências em Saúde e Medical Subject Headings. Resultados: A revisão foi composta de 14 estudos primários. Na análise das amostras as pesquisas encontraram principalmente Staphylococcus aureus e Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina colonizando os trabalhadores de saúde. A resistência das bactérias à clindamicina e oxacilina apresentaram maior destaque nas amostras. Conclusão: O Staphylococcus aureus foi evidenciado nos estudos como principal bactéria colonizadora dos trabalhadores de saúde. A preocupação é que essas bactérias apresentam grande capacidade de resistência aos antibióticos beta-lactâmicos.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence in the literature on microorganisms that colonize in healthcare workers and the association with antimicrobial resistance. Methods: Integrative review. The search for primary studies was conducted in the following information databases: National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library. The descriptors used were applied according to the particularities of each database and obtained through consulting the Health Sciences Descriptors and Medical Subject Headings. Results: The review was made up of 14 primary studies. In the analysis of the samples, the searches mainly found Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonizing in healthcare workers. Bacterial resistance to clindamycin and oxacillin was more predominant in the samples. Conclusion: In the studies, Staphylococcus aureus was the main colonizing bacteria in healthcare workers. The concern is that these bacteria have a strong resistance capacity to beta-lactam antibiotics.

Photoinactivation effect of eosin methylene blue and chlorophyllin sodium-copper against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

The use of eosin methylene blue according to Giemsa as photosensitizer is presented for the first time in this paper. The present study evaluated the potential application of chlorophyllin sodium copper salt (CuChlNa) and eosin methylene blue according to Giemsa (EMB) as antimicrobial photosensitizers (aPS) for photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (gram-negative) bacteria. The experiments were performed using S. aureus stain ATCC 25923 and E. coli ATCC 25922 in which five aPS concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 µM for S. aureus and 0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 40.0, and 50.0 µM for E. coli) were prepared and added in 2 mL of a saline solution containing the bacterial inoculum. After aPS incubation, the samples were divided into two groups, one kept in the dark and another submitted to the illumination. Then, the bacterial inactivation was determined 18 h after the incubation at 37 °C by counting the colony-forming units (CFU). The results revealed that both EMB and CuChlNa can be used as aPS for the photoinactivation of S. aureus, while only EMB was able to photoinactivate E. coli. Nevertheless, a more complex experimental setup was needed for photoinactivation of E. coli. The data showed that EMB and CuChlNa presented similar photoinactivation effects on S. aureus, in which bacterial growth was completely inhibited at photosensitizer (PS) concentrations over 5 µM, when samples were previously incubated for 30 min and irradiated by a light dose of 30 J cm-2 as a result of an illumination of 1 h at 8.3 mW cm-2 by using a red light at 625 nm with a 1 cm beam diameter and output power of 6.5 mW. In the case of E. coli, bacterial growth was completely inhibited only when combining a PS incubation period of 120 min with concentrations over 20 µM.

Acidentes de trabalho com material biológico em trabalhadores de serviços de saúde / Accidentes de trabajo con material biológico en trabajadores de servicios de salud / Occupational accidents with biological material among healthcare workers

Objetivou-se caracterizar os acidentes de trabalho com material biológico em trabalhadores de serviços de saúde. Estudo retrospectivo, quantitativo, realizado em um hospital secundário referência para o atendimento de acidentes com material biológico, localizado no norte do Paraná. Os dados foram coletados de dezembro de 2013 a junho de 2014, em 1.061 prontuários de trabalhadores da saúde e nas fichas de registro no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. Dentre os 1.061 acidentes de trabalho com material biológico, 58,1% ocorreram com auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem, dos quais 82,7% eram do sexo feminino. O principal material orgânico presente em 86,1% dos acidentes foi o sangue, 88,2% ocorreram por meio de exposição percutânea, 66,1% envolveram a utilização de agulhas com lúmen e 21,9% foram decorrentes do descarte inadequado de material perfurocortante. Faz-se necessário implementar medidas preventivas, direcionadas à equipe de enfermagem (AU).

The present study aimed at characterizing occupational accidents with biological material among healthcare workers. A retrospective, quantitative study of accidents involving biological material, conducted in a secondary reference hospital located in the northeastern region of the state of Paraná. Data were collected between December 2013 and June 2014 from 1,061 medical records of health professionals and registration sheets for the Notifiable Diseases Information System, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Among 1,061 occupational accidents with biological material, 58.1% occurred among nursing aides and technicians, of whom 82.7% were women. The main organic material present in 86.1% of the accidents was blood; 88.2% occurred through percutaneous exposure, 66.1% involved the use of needles with lumen, and 21.9% resulted from inappropriate disposal of sharps. It is necessary to implement preventive measures directed to the nursing team (AU).

Se objetivó caracterizar los accidentes laborales con material biológico en trabajadores de servicios de salud. Estudio retrospectivo, cuantitativo, realizado en hospital de referencia secundaria para atención de accidentes con material biológico, en el norte de Paraná. Datos recolectados de diciembre de 2013 a junio de 2014, de 1.061 historia clínicas de trabajadores de salud y en fichas de registro del Sistema de Información de Afecciones de Notificación, analizados por estadística descriptiva. De los 1.061 accidentes de trabajo con material biológico, 58,1% del sucedieron a auxiliares y técnicos de enfermería, 82,7% de los cuales era de sexo femenino. El material orgánico más presente en 86,1% de los accidentes fue la sangre, 88,2% sucedieron por exposición percutánea, 66,1% involucró utilización de agujas con lumen, y 21.9% derivó del descarte inadecuado de material punzocortante. Resulta necesario implementar medidas de prevención, orientadas al equipo de enfermeria (AU).

A forja identitária de lutadores veteranos: além do último "round" / Old fighters: shaping identities beyond the last round

Resumo Discute aspectos relacionados com a forja (bio)identitária de praticantes veteranos de esportes de combate na região metropolitana de Vitória, Espírito Santo/ES. A pesquisa se desenvolveu por meio de trabalho empírico, realizando entrevistas semiestruturadas com cinco lutadores com idades entre 38 e 74 anos. Problematiza aspectos recorrentes nos estudos que se dedicaram a mapear os referenciais que participam da construção (bio)identitária de lutadores, assim como aquelas pesquisas que se dedicaram às análises sobre o término da carreira esportiva. Conclui que os lutadores desenvolvem maneiras (alternativas) de manutenção (bio)identitária diante a diminuição do rendimento esportivo.(AU)

Abstract This paper discusses some aspects related to identity shaping of old fighters in combat sports in the metropolitan area of Vitoria (Espírito Santo, Brazil). The empirical data were collected with semi-structured interviews with five fighters between 38 and 74 years old. The paper discusses recurring aspects in studies devoted to mapping the frames of reference that take part in the construction of identities of fighters, as well as works that have researched fighters´ retirement. It concludes that fighters develop manners (alternatives) of maintaining their identity when they face their own decline in sport performance.(AU)

Manuseio da dor: avaliação das práticas utilizadas por profissionais assistenciais de hospital público secundário / Pain management: evaluation of practices adopted by health professionals of a secondary public hospital

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor é o principal motivo de procura por atendimento nos serviços de saúde. Dessa forma, este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer as práticas utilizadas por profissionais de saúde em relação ao manuseio da dor em um hospital público de nível secundário do norte do Paraná. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa descritiva e exploratória com enfoque quantitativo, realizada no período de março a maio de 2015, por meio de um questionário semiestruturado. Participaram do estudo 112 profissionais da área da saúde (enfermeiros, médicos, fisioterapeutas e técnicos de enfermagem). Os dados foram analisados utilizando estatísticas descritivas básicas. RESULTADOS: A dor foi considerada um sinal vital para 88,4% dos profissionais, entretanto apenas 18,8% relataram possuir alguma escala de avaliação da dor como material de trabalho. O registro referente à dor no prontuário sempre é anotado segundo 49,1% dos profissionais. A presença de dificuldades em avaliar a dor foi relatada por 46,4%. Quanto à administração de fármacos, 27 (24,2%) profissionais relataram possuir alguma dificuldade em administrar analgésicos ao paciente. Para 48,2% dos profissionais o paciente deve estar com dor de intensidade moderada para administrar analgésicos. Metade dos profissionais nunca participou de treinamentos específicos em relação à dor e 73,2% responderam que o paciente mente ao informar a presença e intensidade da dor. CONCLUSÃO: Foram observadas deficiências que podem comprometer o manuseio adequado da dor. A falta de capacitação específica relacionada à dor pode fazer com que o profissional apresente condutas ineficazes, muitas vezes prolongando o sofrimento do paciente.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain is the primary reason for looking for healthcare services. So, this study aimed at knowing healthcare professionals practices with regard to managing pain in a secondary public hospital of the Northern region of Paraná. METHODS: This is a descriptive and exploratory study with quantitative approach, carried out from March to May 2015 by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. Participated in the study 112 healthcare professionals (nurses, physicians, physiotherapists and nursing technicians). Data were analyzed by basic descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Pain was a vital sign for 88.4% of professionals; however only 18.8% have reported having some pain evaluation scale as working material. Pain is always recorded on medical charts by 49.1% of professionals. Difficulties to evaluate pain were reported by 46.4%. With regard to drug administration, 27 (24.2%) professionals have reported having some difficulty to administer drugs to patients. For 48.2%, patients must have moderate pain to receive analgesics. Half professionals have never participated in specific pain training courses and 73.2% have answered that patients lie when reporting pain presence and intensity. CONCLUSION: Deficiencies which may impair adequate pain management were observed. The lack of specific qualification regarding pain may lead professionals to ineffective approaches, often prolonging patients' distress.

Análise da força de preensão manual e risco cardiovascular de adolescentes com Diabetes Melitos tipo 1 / Analysis of handgrip muscle strength and cardiovascular risk in adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1

Comparar a força de preensão manual de adolescentes com e sem diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) e correlacionar as variáveis hemodinâmicas com o controle da glicemia pela hemoglobina glicada (HbA1c) nos adolescentes diabéticos. Método: Foram avaliados 49 adolescentes com DM1 (12,73 ± 1,23 anos; índice de massa corporal 19,52 ± 2,62 kg/m2 ) e 75 adolescentes sem DM1 (13,31 ± 1,16 anos; índice de massa corporal 20,79 ± 3,64 kg/m2 ). A HbA1c foi determinada por cromatografia líquida de alta ficiência (HPLC) e a força de preensão foi obtida com o dinamômetro Jamar®. As variáveis hemodinâmicas registradas foram à frequência cardíaca e a pressão arterial (PA) na posição sentada. Resultados: Os adolescentes do gênero masculino com DM1 apresentaram menores valores de força de preensão manual absoluta da mão direita (26,48 ± 6,24 vs 32,59 ± 9,59 kg; p = 0,004), da mão esquerda (25,45 ± 6,52 vs 30,76 ± 8,19 kg; p = 0,006) e maior PA diastólica (66,43 ± 8,62 vs 72,40 ± 10,01 mmHg; p = 0,019) do que os adolescentes sem DM1. As adolescentes do gênero feminino com DM1 apresentaram menores valores de força de preensão manual absoluta da mão direita (26,20 ± 4,09 vs 29,53 ± 5,27 kg; p = 0,017) e da mão esquerda (24,50 ± 4,29 vs 27,79 ± 5,11 kg; p = 0,017). Houve correlação positiva da frequência cardíaca (0,44; p = 0,01) e da PA diastólica (0,37; p = 0,01) com a HbA1c. Conclusão: Adolescentes com DM1 devem receber atenção quanto a menor força muscular e risco cardiovascular com o aumento da HbA1c...(AU)

To compare the handgrip muscle strength of adolescents with and without diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) and to correlate the hemodynamic variables with the glycemic control by glycated hemoglobin (A1c) in the diabetic adolescents. Method: 49 adolescents with DM1 (12.73 ± 1.23 years; body mass index 19.52 ± 2.62 kg/m2 ) and 75 adolescents without DM1 (13.31 ± 1.16 years; body mass index 20.79 ± 3.64 kg/m2 ) were evaluated. The A1c was determined by high performance liquide chromatography (HPLC) and handgrip muscle strength was obtained by the Jamar® dynamometer. The hemodynamic variable measured were heart rate and blood pressure (BP) in the seated position. Results: The male adolescents with DM1 presented lower values of handgrip muscle strength in the right hand (26.48 ± 6.24 vs 32.59 ± 9.59 kg; p = 0.004), and left hand (25.45 ± 6.52 vs 30.76 ± 8.19 kg; p = 0.006) and higher diastolic BP (66.43 ± 8.62 vs 72.40 ± 10.01 mmHg; p = 0.019) as compared with the male adolescents without DM1. The female adolescents with DM1 presented lower values of handgrip strength in the right hand (26.20 ± 4.09 vs 29.53 ± 5.27 kg; p = 0.017), and left hand (24.50 ± 4.29 vs 27.79 ± 5.11 kg; p = 0.017). There was a positive correlation of heart rate (0.44; p = 0.01) and diastolic BP (0.37; p = 0.01) with A1c. Conclusion: Adolescents with DM1 should receive attention regarding their reduced muscle strength and cardiovascular risk with the increase in A1c...(AU)