Temporal Diffusion Ratio (TDR) for imaging restricted diffusion: Optimisation and pre-clinical demonstration.

Temporal Diffusion Ratio (TDR) is a recently proposed dMRI technique (Dell'Acqua et al., proc. ISMRM 2019) which provides contrast between areas with restricted diffusion and areas either without restricted diffusion or with length scales too small for characterisation. Hence, it has a potential for informing on pore sizes, in particular the presence of large axon diameters or other cellular structures. TDR employs the signal from two dMRI acquisitions obtained with the same, large, b-value but with different diffusion gradient waveforms. TDR is advantageous as it employs standard acquisition sequences, does not make any assumptions on the underlying tissue structure and does not require any model fitting, avoiding issues related to model degeneracy. This work for the first time introduces and optimises the TDR method in simulation for a range of different tissues and scanner constraints and validates it in a pre-clinical demonstration. We consider both substrates containing cylinders and spherical structures, representing cell soma in tissue. Our results show that contrasting an acquisition with short gradient duration, short diffusion time and high gradient strength with an acquisition with long gradient duration, long diffusion time and low gradient strength, maximises the TDR contrast for a wide range of pore configurations. Additionally, in the presence of Rician noise, computing TDR from a subset (50% or fewer) of the acquired diffusion gradients rather than the entire shell as proposed originally further improves the contrast. In the last part of the work the results are demonstrated experimentally on rat spinal cord. In line with simulations, the experimental data shows that optimised TDR improves the contrast compared to non-optimised TDR. Furthermore, we find a strong correlation between TDR and histology measurements of axon diameter. In conclusion, we find that TDR has great potential and is a very promising alternative (or potentially complement) to model-based approaches for informing on pore sizes and restricted diffusion in general.

Allergy, asthma, and proteomics: opportunities with immediate impact.

Allergy is widely discussed by researchers due to its complex mechanism that leads to disorders and injuries, but the reason behind the allergic status remains unclear. Current treatments are insufficient to improve the patient's quality of life significantly. New technologies in scientific and technological development are emerging. For instance, the union between allergy and peptidomics and bioinformatics tools may help fill the gaps in this field, diagnosis, and treatment. In this review, we look at peptidomics and address some findings, such as target proteins or biomarkers that help better understand mechanisms that lead to inflammation, organ damage, and, consequently, poor quality of life or even death.

Soma and Neurite Density MRI (SANDI) of the in-vivo mouse brain and comparison with the Allen Brain Atlas.

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) provides unique insights into the neural tissue milieu by probing interactions between diffusing molecules and tissue microstructure. Most dMRI techniques focus on white matter (WM) tissues, nevertheless, interest in gray matter characterizations is growing. The Soma and Neurite Density MRI (SANDI) methodology harnesses a model incorporating water diffusion in spherical objects (assumed to be associated with cell bodies) and in impermeable "sticks" (assumed to represent neurites), which potentially enables the characterization of cellular and neurite densities. Recognising the importance of rodents in animal models of development, aging, plasticity, and disease, we here employ SANDI for in-vivo preclinical imaging and provide a first validation of the methodology by comparing SANDI metrics with cellular density reflected by the Allen mouse brain atlas. SANDI was implemented on a 9.4T scanner equipped with a cryogenic coil, and in-vivo experiments were carried out on N = 6 mice. Pixelwise, ROI-based, and atlas comparisons were performed, magnitude vs. real-valued analyses were compared, and shorter acquisitions with reduced the number of b-value shells were investigated. Our findings reveal good reproducibility of the SANDI parameters, including the sphere and stick fractions, as well as sphere size (CoV < 7%, 12% and 3%, respectively). Additionally, we find a very good rank correlation between SANDI-driven sphere fraction and Allen mouse brain atlas contrast that represents cellular density. We conclude that SANDI is a viable preclinical MRI technique that can greatly contribute to research on brain tissue microstructure.

Effects of Dermatan Sulfate from Marine Invertebrate Styela plicata in the Wound Healing Pathway: A Natural Resource Applied to Regenerative Therapy.

Acute and chronic dermatological injuries need rapid tissue repair due to the susceptibility to infections. To effectively promote cutaneous wound recovery, it is essential to develop safe, low-cost, and affordable regenerative tools. Therefore, we aimed to identify the biological mechanisms involved in the wound healing properties of the glycosaminoglycan dermatan sulfate (DS), obtained from ascidian Styela plicata, a marine invertebrate, which in preliminary work from our group showed no toxicity and promoted a remarkable fibroblast proliferation and migration. In this study, 2,4-DS (50 µg/mL)-treated and control groups had the relative gene expression of 84 genes participating in the healing pathway evaluated. The results showed that 57% of the genes were overexpressed during treatment, 16% were underexpressed, and 9.52% were not detected. In silico analysis of metabolic interactions exhibited overexpression of genes related to: extracellular matrix organization, hemostasis, secretion of inflammatory mediators, and regulation of insulin-like growth factor transport and uptake. Furthermore, in C57BL/6 mice subjected to experimental wounds treated with 0.25% 2,4-DS, the histological parameters demonstrated a great capacity for vascular recovery. Additionally, this study confirmed that DS is a potent inducer of wound-healing cellular pathways and a promoter of neovascularization, being a natural ally in the tissue regeneration strategy.

Spermine reduces the harmful effects of salt stress in Tropaeolum majus.

Flowers, leaves, fruits and buds of Tropaeolum majus are used for ornamental, medicinal and food purposes. However, salt stress limits the development and productivity of T. majus due to biochemical, physiological and anatomical disturbances. Polyamine application is an alternative for mitigating the harmful effects of salt stress. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of spermine application in T. majus grown under salt stress. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, with 0, 40 mM (moderate salt stress) and 80 mM (severe salt stress) NaCl, and 0 and 1 mM spermine, and with five replicates. Growth (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of flowers, number of buds, leaf dry mass, stem dry mass and flower dry mass), gas exchange (gs, A, E, Ci and WUE), relative water content, contents of free amino acids, phenolic compounds, reducing and non-reducing sugars, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic activities (CAT, POD and APX) were evaluated. Spermine application decreased the harmful effects of salt stress on the growth and gas exchange and increased flowering in T. majus. Furthermore, the relative water content of T. majus increased under severe salt stress conditions. Spermine application reduced the contents of total phenolic compounds, free amino acids, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars on leaves of T. majus. Spermine application increased CAT and POD activities in plants under severe salt stress and POD and APX in plants under moderate salt stress.

Phylogenomic analysis of Anabaenopsis elenkinii (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria).

The saline-alkaline lakes (soda lakes) are the habitat of the haloalkaliphilic cyanobacterium Anabaenopsis elenkinii, the type species of this genus. To obtain robust phylogeny of this type species, we have generated whole-genome sequencing of the bloom-forming Anabaenopsis elenkinii strain CCIBt3563 isolated from a Brazilian soda lake. This strain presents the typical morphology of A. elenkinii with short and curved trichomes with apical heterocytes established after separation of paired intercalary heterocytes and also regarding to cell dimensions. Its genome size is 4 495 068 bp, with a G+C content of 41.98 %, a total of 3932 potential protein coding genes and four 16S rRNA genes. Phylogenomic tree inferred by RAxML based on the alignment of 120 conserved proteins using GTDB-Tk grouped A. elenkinii CCIBt3563 together with other genera of the family Aphanizomenonaceae. However, the only previous available genome of Anabaenopsis circularis NIES-21 was distantly positioned within a clade of Desikacharya strains, a genus from the family Nostocaceae. Furthermore, average nucleotide identity values from 86-98 % were obtained among NIES-21 and Desikacharya genomes, while this value was 76.04 % between NIES-21 and the CCIBt3563 genome. These findings were also corroborated by the phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA gene sequences, which also showed a strongly supported subcluster of A. elenkinii strains from Brazilian, Mexican and Kenyan soda lakes. This study presents the phylogenomics and genome-scale analyses of an Anabaenopsis elenkinii strain, improving molecular basis for demarcation of this species and framework for the classification of cyanobacteria based on the polyphasic approach.

Amazonocrinis nigriterrae gen. nov., sp. nov., Atlanticothrix silvestris gen. nov., sp. nov. and Dendronalium phyllosphericum gen. nov., sp. nov., nostocacean cyanobacteria from Brazilian environments.

The cyanobacterial genus Nostoc is an important contributor to carbon and nitrogen bioavailability in terrestrial ecosystems and a frequent partner in symbiotic relationships with non-diazotrophic organisms. However, since this currently is a polyphyletic genus, the diversity of Nostoc-like cyanobacteria is considerably underestimated at this moment. While reviewing the phylogenetic placement of previously isolated Nostoc-like cyanobacteria originating from Brazilian Amazon, Caatinga and Atlantic forest samples, we detected 17 strains isolated from soil, freshwater, rock and tree surfaces presenting patterns that diverged significantly from related strains when ecological, morphological, molecular and genomic traits were also considered. These observations led to the identification of the evaluated strains as representative of three novel nostocacean genera and species: Amazonocrinis nigriterrae gen. nov., sp. nov.; Atlanticothrix silvestris gen. nov., sp. nov.; and Dendronalium phyllosphericum gen. nov., sp. nov., which are herein described according to the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants. This finding highlights the great importance of tropical and equatorial South American ecosystems for harbouring an unknown microbial diversity in the face of the anthropogenic threats with which they increasingly struggle.

Antibodies to Der p 1 and Der p 2 in allergic patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Atopic individuals are characterized by increased IgE production and Th2 response if exposed to certain antigens. It is known that the mother transfers anti-mite antibodies to the fetus and newborn, IgG thru the placenta, and IgA thru breastfeeding, but it is not clear whether there is a protective mechanism mediated by them concerning the development of future allergies. This study aimed to compare the levels of IgA, IgG, and IgE antibodies specific to Der p 1 and Der p 2 between atopic and healthy individuals. METHODS: Serum samples of 98 patients and 44 healthy controls were subjected to quantification for specific IgE, IgG, and IgA antibodies against Der p 1 and Der p 2 by ImmunoCap® and ELISA, and subjected to statistical analysis as indicated. RESULTS: Atopic patients had higher serum levels of IgE, IgG, and IgA specific to Der p 1 and Der p 2. The correlation was more robust between IgE and IgG antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic patients produce higher levels of antibodies against Der p 1 and Der p 2 compared with healthy individuals. The mechanisms involved still require detailed studies.

Deep RNAseq indicates protective mechanisms of cold-tolerant indica rice plants during early vegetative stage.

KEY MESSAGE: Cold-tolerance in rice may be related to increased cellulose deposition in the cell wall, membrane fatty acids unsaturation and differential expression of several newly identified genes. Low temperature exposure during early vegetative stages limits rice plant's growth and development. Most genes previously related to cold tolerance in rice are from the japonica subspecies. To help clarify the mechanisms that regulate cold tolerance in young indica rice plants, comparative transcriptome analysis of 6 h cold-treated (10 °C) leaves from two genotypes, cold-tolerant (CT) and cold-sensitive (CS), was performed. Differentially expressed genes were identified: 831 and 357 sequences more expressed in the tolerant and in the sensitive genotype, respectively. The genes with higher expression in the CT genotype were used in systems biology analyses to identify protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and nodes (proteins) that are hubs and bottlenecks in the PPI. From the genes more expressed in the tolerant plants, 60% were reported as affected by cold in previous transcriptome experiments and 27% are located within QTLs related to cold tolerance during the vegetative stage. Novel cold-responsive genes were identified. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the high-quality of RNAseq libraries. Several genes related to cell wall assembly or reinforcement are cold-induced or constitutively highly expressed in the tolerant genotype. Cold-tolerant plants have increased cellulose deposition under cold. Genes related to lipid metabolism are more expressed in the tolerant genotype, which has higher membrane fatty acids unsaturation, with increasing levels of linoleic acid under cold. The CT genotype seems to have higher photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant capacity, as well as more effective ethylene, Ca2+ and hormone signaling than the CS. These genes could be useful in future biotechnological approaches aiming to increase cold tolerance in rice.

Response of two cyanobacterial strains to non-biodegradable glitter particles.

Microplastic pollution is a growing concern mainly in aquatic environments due to its deleterious effects. Some types of microplastics, such as glitter, remain overlooked. Glitter particles are artificial reflective microplastics used by different consumers within arts and handcraft products. In nature, glitter can physically affect phytoplankton by causing shade or acting as a sunlight-reflective surface, influencing primary production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of five concentrations of non-biodegradable glitter particles in two bloom-forming cyanobacterial strains, Microcystis aeruginosa CENA508 (unicellular) and Nodularia spumigena CENA596 (filamentous). Cellular growth rate, estimated by optical density (OD), demonstrated that the applied highest glitter dosage decreases cyanobacterial growth rate with a more evident effect on M. aeruginosa CENA508. The cellular biovolume of N. spumigena CENA596 increased following the application of high concentrations of glitter. Still, no significant difference was detected in chlorophyll-a and carotenoids' contents for both strains. These results suggest that environmental concentrations of glitter, similar to the highest dosage tested (>200 mg glitter L-1), may negatively influence susceptible organisms of the aquatic ecosystems, as observed with M. aeruginosa CENA508 and N. spumigena CENA596.

Myo-Inositol Levels in the Dorsal Hippocampus Serve as Glial Prognostic Marker of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Mice.

Dementia is a devastating age-related disorder. Its therapy would largely benefit from the identification of susceptible subjects at early, prodromal stages of the disease. To search for such prognostic markers of cognitive impairment, we studied spatial navigation in male BALBc vs. B6N mice in combination with in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). BALBc mice consistently showed higher escape latencies than B6N mice, both in the Water Cross Maze (WCM) and the Morris water maze (MWM). These performance deficits coincided with higher levels of myo-inositol (mIns) in the dorsal hippocampus before and after training. Subsequent biochemical analyses of hippocampal specimens by capillary immunodetection and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based (LC/MS) metabolomics revealed a higher abundance of glial markers (IBA-1, S100B, and GFAP) as well as distinct alterations in metabolites including a decrease in vitamins (pantothenic acid and nicotinamide), neurotransmitters (acetylcholine), their metabolites (glutamine), and acetyl-L-carnitine. Supplementation of low abundant acetyl-L-carnitine via the drinking water, however, failed to revert the behavioral deficits shown by BALBc mice. Based on our data we suggest (i) BALBc mice as an animal model and (ii) hippocampal mIns levels as a prognostic marker of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), due to (iii) local changes in microglia and astrocyte activity, which may (iv) result in decreased concentrations of promnesic molecules.

Predictors of Unfavourable Outcomes in Children and Adolescents Submitted to Surgical Mitral Valvuloplasty Secondary to Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair in paediatric patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease is superior to valve replacement and has been used with good results. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of unfavourable outcomes in children and adolescents submitted to surgical mitral valvuloplasty secondary to rheumatic heart disease. METHODS: Retrospective study of 54 patients under the age of 16 operated at a tertiary paediatric hospital between March 2011 and January 2017. The predictors of risk for unfavourable outcomes were: age, ejection fraction, degree of mitral insufficiency, degree of pulmonary hypertension, presence of tricuspid insufficiency, left chamber dilation, preoperative functional classification, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, duration of anoxia, presence of atrial fibrillation, and duration of vasoactive drug use. The outcomes evaluated were: death, congestive heart failure, reoperation, residual mitral regurgitation, residual mitral stenosis, stroke, bleeding and valve replacement. For all analyzes a value of p < 0.05 was established as significant. RESULTS: Of the patients evaluated, 29 (53.7%) were female, with an average of 10.5 ± 3.2 years. The functional classification of 13 patients (25%) was 4. There was no death in the sample studied. The average duration of extracorporeal circulation was 62.7±17.8 min, and anoxia 50 ± 15.7 min. The duration of use of vasoactive drug in the immediate postoperative period has an average of 1 day (interquartile interval 1-2 days). The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the predictive variables for each unfavourable outcome. The duration of use of vasoactive drug was the only independent predictor for the outcomes studied (p = 0.007). Residual mitral insufficiency was associated with reoperation (p = 0.044), whereas tricuspid insufficiency (p = 0.012) and pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.012) were associated with the presence of unfavourable outcomes. CONCLUSION: The duration of vasoactive drug use is an independent predictor for unfavourable outcomes in the immediate and late postoperative period, while residual mitral regurgitation was associated with reoperation, and both tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension were associated with unfavourable outcomes.

Healing of Gladioulus grandiflora corms and Fusarium oxysporum infection.

Gladiolus grandiflorus L. is highly susceptible to Fusarium and losses caused by this disease varies from 60% to 100%. Injuries caused during harvest, transport and inadequate storage, facilitate infection. The dynamics of wound healing can reduce infection by Fusarium. The objective was to characterize the wound healing in corms of G. grandiflora stored under refrigeration and how it affects the entry and establishment of F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli infection. Corms were wounded and stored at 12 ± 4°C and relative humidity of 90 ± 5%. Cell damage, fresh weight loss, respiration, phenolic compounds, tissue darkening, suberization, lignification and resistance to infection were evaluated. Wounds on corms caused transepidermal damage with collapse and cell death. Physiological (increased loss of mass and respiration) and biochemical changes (deposition of lignin and suberin, enzymatic activity) occurred in the cells neighboring those death by the injury. The injury caused gradual darkening of the tissue, injured and neighbor. Fusarium oxysporum infection decreased with wound healing. The healing of injured G. grandiflora corms stored at 12ºC occurs from the 3rd day after injury by the accumulation of suberin, lignin, and melanin, inhibiting F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli infection.

Perfil epidemiológico, clínico e microbiológico de infecções por bactérias do grupo eskape em pacientes internados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital de ensino de Minas Gerais / Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological profile of eskape group bacteria infections in patients admitted to an intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in Minas Gerais / Perfil epidemiológico, clínico y microbiológico de las infecciones por bacterias del grupo eskape en pacientes ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de un hospital escuela de Minas Gerais

Objetivo: descrever o perfil epidemiológico de infecções por bactérias do grupo ESKAPE em pacientes internados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital de ensino da cidade de Juiz de Fora - MG. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico observacional, descritivo de caráter retrospectivo, com participantes que adquiriram IRAS entre 2017 e 2018, dos quais foram isoladas e identificadas linhagens bacterianas pertencentes ao grupo ESKAPE no serviço de rotina bacteriológica do laboratório de microbiologia clínica. Resultados: Considerando o fenótipo de multirresistência entre as bactérias do grupo ESKAPE avaliadas, foi observada a ocorrência de 122 (88,4%) para Acinetobacter baumanii resistente aos carbapenêmicos, 87 (60,8%) para Klebsiella pneumoniae resistente aos carbapenêmicos, 57 (53,3%) para Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente aos carbapenêmicos, 36 (55,4%) para MRSA e 19 (48,7%) para Enterobacter sp. resistente aos carbapenêmicos. Conclusões: A análise do perfil epidemiológico, clínico e microbiológico de infecções por bactérias do grupo ESKAPE em pacientes internados em uma UTI é de majorada importância para protocolos de terapia com o correto manejo de antibioticoterapia e redução da prevalência de resistência antimicrobiana.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of ESKAPE group bacteria infections in patients admitted to an intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive epidemiological study of retrospective nature, with participants who acquired IRAS between 2017 and 2018, from which bacterial strains belonging to the ESKAPE group were isolated and identified in the bacteriological routine service of the clinical microbiology laboratory. Results: Considering the multidrug resistance phenotype among the ESKAPE group bacteria evaluated, the occurrence of 122 (88.4%) for carbapenem- resistant Acinetobacter baumanii, 87 (60.8%) for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, 57 (53.3%) for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 36 (55.4%) for MRSA, and 19 (48.7%) for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter sp. was observed. Conclusions: The analysis of the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological profile of infections caused by bacteria of the ESKAPE group in patients in an ICU is of major importance for therapy protocols with the correct management of antibiotic therapy and reduction of the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance.

Objetivo: Describir el perfil epidemiológico de las infecciones por bacterias del grupo ESKAPE en pacientes internados en la unidad de terapia intensiva de un hospital escuela de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. Método: Se trata de un estudio epidemiológico observacional, descriptivo, de carácter retrospectivo, con participantes que adquirieron IRAS entre 2017 y 2018, de los cuales se aislaron e identificaron cepas bacterianas pertenecientes al grupo ESKAPE en el servicio de rutina bacteriológica del laboratorio de microbiología clínica. Resultados: Considerando el fenotipo de resistencia a múltiples fármacos entre las bacterias del grupo ESKAPE evaluadas, se observó la ocurrencia de 122 (88,4%) para Acinetobacter baumanii resistente a carbapenemes, 87 (60,8%) para Klebsiella pneumoniae resistente a carbapenemes, 57 (53,3%) para Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenemes, 36 (55,4%) para MRSA y 19 (48,7%) para Enterobacter sp. resistente a carbapenemes. Conclusiones: El análisis del perfil epidemiológico, clínico y microbiológico de las infecciones causadas por bacterias del grupo ESKAPE en pacientes ingresados en una UCI es de gran importancia para los protocolos terapéuticos con el correcto manejo de la antibioticoterapia y la reducción de la prevalencia de resistencias antimicrobianas.

Innovative methodology for point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen with rapid urine concentration for use in the field for detecting low Schistosoma mansoni infection and for control of cure with high accuracy.

Background: Prior to eliminating schistosomiasis, efforts must address accurate and fast individual diagnosis. Diagnosis is still inaccurate by parasitological and point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) in areas of low endemicity. Methods: Our group has optimized POC-CCA with a 30 min urine concentration step with no need for specialized technicians or equipment and with high accuracy. We evaluated this new method, called POC-CCA filter (FLT), in two Brazilian endemic areas with distinct profiles. Results: At baseline, POC-CCA had a poor performance with several false results and undefined trace readings, revealing a prevalence rate of 10% against a rate of 23% for POC-CCA FLT, which was similar to the parasitological rates. Accuracy increased from as low as 0.36 to 0.96 after urine concentration in one area. POC-CCA properly diagnosed only half of the cases at three post-treatment time points, while POC-CCA FLT was able to diagnose 96, 83 and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: The improvement of conventional POC methodology by a fast and simple urine concentration step provided not only an increase in its accuracy before and after praziquantel treatment, but also preserved its applicability in low-prevalence endemic areas, allowing the definition of trace readings as negative cases.

Oral corticosteroids for asthma exacerbations might be associated with adrenal suppression: Are physicians aware of that?

INTRODUCTION: Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are a mainstay of treatment for asthma exacerbations, and short-term OCS courses were generally considered to be safe. Nevertheless, frequent short-term OCS courses could lead to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. Our study aimed at investigating the integrity of the HPA axis in children with persistent asthma or recurrent wheezing at the beginning of an inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) trial. METHOD: Morning basal cortisol was assessed just before the beginning of ICS, and 30, 60, and 90 days later, using Immulite® Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostic chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (Los Angeles, USA; 2006). RESULTS: In all, 140 children (0.3-15 years old) with persistent asthma or recurrent wheezing have been evaluated and 40% of them reported short-term OCS courses for up to 30 days before evaluation. Out of these, 12.5% had biochemical adrenal suppression but showed adrenal recovery during a three-month ICS trial treatment. No significant differences were observed among children with or without adrenal suppression, neither in the number of days free of OCS treatment before cortisol evaluation (p=0.29) nor in the last OCS course duration (p=0.20). The number of short-term OCS courses reported in the year preceding the cortisol evaluation was also not different (p=0.89). CONCLUSION: Short-term systemic courses of corticosteroids at conventional doses can put children at risk of HPA axis dysfunction. ICS treatment does not impair adrenal recovery from occurring. Health practitioners should be aware of the risk of a blunted cortisol response upon exposure to stress during the follow-up of patients with persistent asthma or recurrent wheezing.

Evaluation of cervical mucus and reproductive efficiency of seasonally anovular dairy goats after short-term progestagen-based estrous induction protocols with different gonadotropins.

The use of three different gonadotropins was tested for estrous induction in dairy goats during the non-breeding season. All does received an injection of 30 µg of d-cloprostenol and intravaginal sponges containing 60mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for 6 d plus 20 IU of porcine FSH (pFSH), 200 IU of eCG or 250 IU of hCG 24h before sponge removal. In Experiment 1 (n=24), ovarian ultrasound parameters were recorded and cervical mucus was evaluated daily for 5 d after sponge removal or until ovulation. In Experiment 2 (n=80), reproductive efficiency of artificially inseminated or naturally mated does was assessed. The mean interval from sponge removal to ovulation (73.5±23.7 h), number of ovulations (1.6±0.7) and ovulatory follicle diameter (7.2±0.8 mm) did not vary (P >0.05) among the three groups. At ovulation, cervical mucus had crystalline-striated to striated (22.2%), striated to striated-caseous (72.2%) and striated-caseous to caseous (5.6%) appearance. The largest follicle diameter was greater (P <0.05) in does with crystalline (6.7±1.4 mm), crystalline-striated (7.2±1.1 mm) or striated (7.3±1.3 mm) mucus than in those with striated-caseous (5.3±1.4 mm) or caseous (4.5±1.1 mm) mucus. Percentage of animals exhibiting estrus (92.5%) and conception rate (60.8%) were similar (P >0.05) among the three gonadotropins groups. Results of this study support the use of eCG (200 IU), hCG (250 IU) and pFSH (20 IU) for the estrous induction protocols in dairy goats during the non-breeding season. Cervical mucus evaluation can be used as an additional method to determine the optimal time for artificial insemination in goats.

Controle glicêmico de idosos com diabetes: caracterização e fatores associados / Glycemic control of elderly people with diabetes: characterization and associated factors

Objetivos: avaliar o controle glicêmico de idosos com diabetes mellitus (DM) atendidos num Centro Estadual de Atenção Especializada (CEAE) e conhecer seus fatores associados. Métodos: estudo investigativo e retrospectivo realizado com idosos que possuem DM, atendidos no referido centro. As variáveis estudadas foram condições socioe-conômica, marital, dietética e bioquímica. Teste qui-quadrado e regressão logística foram utilizados para análise dos fatores associados ao controle glicêmico. Resultados: a maioria dos idosos eram do gênero feminino (75,4%), estavam com excesso de peso (74,0%), viviam sem companheiro/a (50,9%), tinham idade inferior a 70 anos (68,4%) e faziam acompanhamento no CEAE há menos de dois anos (58,7%). Observou-se maiores frequências de consumo de alimentos indicadores de alimentação saudável, no entanto, percentual considerável relatou consumo de açúcar (21,1%), banha de porco (36,8%) e preparações doces (21,0%). Aproximadamente 31,6% apresentavam mau controle glicêmico de DM, e o estado marital e consumir manteiga foram as variáveis associada a ele, indicando que os idosos que viviam sem companheiro apresentaram quase 4 vezes mais chances de estarem com mau controle glicêmico e os que consomem manteiga quase 3,5 vezes mais chance quando comparado com os que não consomem. Conclusão: grande parte dos idosos estava com mau controle glicêmico e perfil alimentar considerado não saudável, isto os coloca em risco já que um dos pilares do tratamento do diabetes é a alimentação.(AU)

Objectives: To evaluate the glycemic control of elderly people with diabetes mellitus (DM) treated at a State Center of Specialized Care (SCSC) and to know its associated factors. Methods: Investigative and retrospective study with elderly people with DM attended at that center. The variables studied were socioeconomic, marital, dietary and biochemical conditions. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze factors associated with glycemic control. Results: Most of the elderly were female (75.4%), were obese (74.0%), lived without a partner (50.9%), were younger than 70 years old (68.4%) and had been followed up at the SCSC for less than two years (59.6%). Higher frequencies of consumption of healthy eating indicators were observed. However, a considerable percentage reported consumption of sucrose (23.8%), lard (34.9%), sweets and desserts (20.6%). Approximately 31.6% have poor glycemic control. Marital status and consuming butter were the variables associated with it, indicating that elderly people, who lived without a partner, were almost four times more likely to have poor glycemic control, while those who consume butter were almost 3.5 times more chance when compared to those who did not. Conclusion: A large part of the elderly people had poor glycemic control and an unhealthy diet profile; this puts them at risk since one of the pillars of diabetes treatment is food.(AU)

Ideal temperature and storage period for commercial potato cultivars selected for frying / Temperatura e período de armazenamento ideais para cultivares comerciais de batata selecionadas para fritura

ABSTRACT: Potatoes for industrial processing must have high dry matter, low sugar and free from damage or disease. The objective was to determine the ideal temperature and storage period of commercial cultivars for frying. Tubers of Asterix and Cronos cultivars were stored in a cold chamber (Gallant CMC4 Premium) inside plastic boxes at 6 and 8 °C with 85 to 95% humidity for 180 days. Accumulated mass loss (PMA), alcohol insoluble solids (SIA), total soluble sugars (AST), non-reducing sugars (ANR), reducing sugars (AR), polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO) and enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning were analyzed. The PMA of Asterix at 6 and 8 ºC and Cronos at 6 °C was higher. The SIA of both cultivars stored at 6 ºC were lower and AST, AR and ANR higher. Those parameters of Cronos and Asterix did not differ between temperature or storage period. The browning was greater in the fried sticks of Asterix and Cronos stored at 6 ºC (4 to 5) for 60 and 90 days and at 8 °C (2 to 3) for 180 days, respectively. The ideal temperature and storage period for Asterix and Cronos cultivars is 8 ºC for a maximum of 120 days due to non-enzymatic browning.

RESUMO: As batatas destinadas ao processamento industrial devem ter alto teor de matéria seca, baixo teor de açúcar e estar livre de danos ou doenças. O objetivo foi determinar a temperatura e o período de armazenamento ideais para cultivares comerciais para fritura. Os tubérculos das cultivares Asterix e Cronos foram armazenados em caixas de plástico a 6 e 8 °C com umidade de 85 a 95% por 180 dias. As perdas de massa acumulada (PMA), sólidos insolúveis em álcool (SIA), açúcares solúveis totais (AST), açúcares não redutores (ANR), açúcares redutores (AR), atividade de polifenoloxidase (PPO) e escurecimento enzimático e não enzimático foram analisadas. A PMA de tubérculos da cultivar Asterix a 6 e 8 ºC e a da cultivar Cronos, armazenadas a 6 °C foram maiores. Os teores de SIA foram menores e os de AST, AR e ANR maiores nos tubérculos de ambas as cultivares armazenadas a 6 ºC. A temperatura e o período de armazenamento não afetaram as cultivares Cronos e Asterix. O escurecimento foi maior nos palitos fritos das cultivares Asterix e Cronos armazenados a 6 ºC (4 a 5) por 60 e 90 dias e a 8 °C (2 a 3) por 180 dias, respectivamente. O período ideal de temperatura e armazenamento para as cultivares Asterix e Cronos é de 8 ºC por, no máximo, 120 dias devido ao escurecimento não enzimático.

Redução de danos: o papel da família do usuário de crack / Reducción de daños: el papel de la familia de usuarios de crack / Damage reduction: the role of the crack user family

Objetivo: Verificar na literatura científica o papel da família de usuários de crack na redução de danos como rede de apoio. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa. Realizou-se a busca por artigos; com delimitação nos últimos 5 anos (2015-2020); nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol; disponíveis na íntegra. Nas seguintes plataformas de dados: BDENF, DOAJ, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, SCOPUS e Web of Science. Resultados: Os dados foram organizados e apresentados em figuras e tabelas. Dos 611 estudos encontrados, 7 estavam disponíveis na BDENF, 33 na DOAJ, 20 na LILACS, 160 na MEDLINE, 2 na SciELO, 154 na SCOPUS e 235 na Web of Science. Contudo, após a leitura permaneceram apenas os que atendiam aos critérios para inclusão e exclusão descritos na metodologia, 6 estudos. Conclusão: Pode-se evidenciar neste estudo a importância da família, como elemento-chave imprescindível no auxílio na rede social de apoio frente a redução de danos.(AU)

Objective: To check the scientific literature the role of the Crack users family in harm reduction as a support network. Method: This is an integrative review. The search for articles was carried out; with delimitation in the last 5 years (2015- 2020); in Portuguese, English and Spanish; available in full. On the following data platforms: BDENF, DOAJ, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, SCOPUS and Web of Science. Results: Data were organized and presented in figures and tables. Of the 611 studies found, 7 were available from BDENF, 33 from DOAJ, 20 from LILACS, 160 from MEDLINE, 2 from SciELO, 154 from SCOPUS and 235 from the Web of Science. However, after reading, only those who met the criteria for inclusion and exclusion described in the methodology remained, 6 studies. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of the family as an essential key element in helping the social support network in the face of harm reduction(AU)

Objetivo: Verificar la literatura científica sobre el papel de la familia de usuarios de Crack en la reducción de daños como red de apoyo. Método: esta es una revisión integradora. Se realizó la búsqueda de artículos; con delimitación en los últimos 5 años (2015-2020); en portugués, inglés y español; disponible en su totalidad. En las siguientes plataformas de datos: BDENF, DOAJ, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, SCOPUS y Web of Science. Resultados: Los datos se organizaron y presentaron en figuras y tablas. De los 611 estudios encontrados, 7 estaban disponibles en BDENF, 33 en DOAJ, 20 en LILACS, 160 en MEDLINE, 2 en SciELO, 154 en SCOPUS y 235 en Web of Science. Sin embargo, después de la lectura, solo quedaron los que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión descritos en la metodología, 6 estudios. Conclusión: Este estudio destaca la importancia de la familia como elemento clave fundamental para ayudar a la red de apoyo social ante la reducción de daños.(AU)