A Preliminary Study on Hepatoprotective, Hypolipidemic and Aortic Morphometric Effects of Omega-3-Rich Fish Oil in Hypercholesterolemic Mice.

This study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and aortic morphometric effects of fish oil rich in omega-3 in hypercholesterolemic BALB/c mice. This is an experimental model that included 16 male BALB/c mice (Mus musculus) divided into three groups (G1 (standard commercial chow and 0.9% saline solution), G2 (hypercholesterolemic diet and 0.9% saline solution) and G3 (hypercholesterolemic diet and fish oil)) for 8 weeks. There was no significant difference in the treatment with omega-3-rich fish oil in the lipid profile (p > 0.05). In the histological analysis, group G2 detected the presence of hepatitis and liver tissue necrosis, but this was not observed in group G3. As for the morphometry in the light area of the vessel, the G1 group had a higher score (2.62 ± 0.36 mm2) when compared to G2 (2.10 ± 0.16 mm2) and G3 (2.26 ± 0.25 mm2) (p < 0.05). The vessel wall thickness did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05). It is concluded that supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3 carried out in this study may have a protective effect on liver tissue, but it has not yet improved the lipid and morphometric profile. Despite this research being preliminary, it is a relevant study with future prospects for improving the doses of EPA and DHA in order to better elucidate the benefits of fish oil in models of dyslipidemia.

Is the obesity paradox in outpatients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction real?

Background: The obesity occurrence has achieved epidemic levels worldwide and several studies indicate a paradoxical similarity among obesity and the prognosis in heart failure (HF). The primary objective was to understand the association between body mass index (BMI) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) of ischemic etiology in outpatients, using mortality as a parameter. The secondary objectives were to determine the differences in HF functional class, pharmacological therapy and evaluate the prognostic value of MAGGIC Score in this population. Methods: We analyzed 1,556 medical records from the HF outpatient clinic of a quaternary hospital and 242 were selected according to the criteria. Most were male, average age 62.6 (56-70), BMI 18.5-24.9 = 35.1%, 25-29.9 = 37.2%, 30-34.9 = 17.8%, 35-39.9 = 7%; BMI <18.5 and >40 groups were eliminated from the central analyzes because of scarce testing. Results: BMI 30-34.9 and BMI 18.5-24.9 had the best prognosis, BMI 25-29.9 had an average performance, and BMI -39.9 group provided the worst outcome (p = 0.123). In the subcategory analysis, BMI 30-34.9 group had a better prognosis compared to the BMI 35-39.9 group (p = 0.033). In the multivariate analysis The MAGGIC score was not able to foretell mortality in this population according to BMI. Conclusion: In not hospitalized patients with HFREF of ischemic etiology, obesity was not a protective factor.

Cryolipolysis on More than One Body Area Increases Lipid Peroxidation without Changing Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Markers.

In the present study, the effects of cryolipolysis on one and multiple body areas, assessing body composition, lipid profile and peroxidation and inflammatory markers were investigated. Twenty-four women aged between 20 and 59 years were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) control, (2) cryolipolysis on the abdomen and (3) cryolipolysis on the abdomen + flanks. Anthropometric measurements, bioimpedance and ultrasound were performed, as well serum lipid profile, lipid peroxidation markers (malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and Interleukin-1ß) were determined. In addition, food consumption and physical activity level were evaluated. Data were obtained at 0, 10 and 30 days (t0, t10 and t30) after cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis did not change anthropometric measurements, body composition or lipid profile. Interestingly, the abdomen + flanks group had significantly increased plasma myeloperoxidase activity at t0, t10 and t30, and increased malondialdehyde levels at t0 and t10 when compared to the other groups. Furthermore, there were no differences between macronutrient intake and total energy value, physical activity level, malondialdehyde and interleukin-1ß at t30. Cryolipolysis did not change body composition, lipid profile or inflammatory markers investigated. On the other hand, when used on the abdomen and flanks, it produced an increase in lipid peroxidation markers, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase.

Inhibition of E. coli RecQ Helicase Activity by Structurally Distinct DNA Lesions: Structure-Function Relationships.

DNA helicase unwinding activity can be inhibited by small molecules and by covalently bound DNA lesions. Little is known about the relationships between the structural features of DNA lesions and their impact on unwinding rates and processivities. Employing E.coli RecQ helicase as a model system, and various conformationally defined DNA lesions, the unwinding rate constants kobs = kU + kD, and processivities P = (kU/(kU + kD) were determined (kU, unwinding rate constant; kD, helicase-DNA dissociation rate constant). The highest kobs values were observed in the case of intercalated benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-derived adenine adducts, while kobs values of guanine adducts with minor groove or base-displaced intercalated adduct conformations were ~10-20 times smaller. Full unwinding was observed in each case with the processivity P = 1.0 (100% unwinding). The kobs values of the non-bulky lesions T(6-4)T, CPD cyclobutane thymine dimers, and a guanine oxidation product, spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp), are up to 20 times greater than some of the bulky adduct values; their unwinding efficiencies are strongly inhibited with processivities P = 0.11 (CPD), 0.062 (T(6-4)T), and 0.63 (Sp). These latter observations can be accounted for by correlated decreases in unwinding rate constants and enhancements in the helicase DNA complex dissociation rate constants.

Fatores de risco para near miss materno: revisão integrativa / Risk factors for maternal near miss: an integrative review / Factores de riesgo para near miss materno: revisión integrativa

Objetivo: sumarizar os principais fatores de risco relacionados ao near miss materno. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura. A busca foi efetuada em 21 de março de 2021, nas bases de dados: NationalLibrary of Medicine - Medline via PubMed; Current Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Science Direct,Elservier's Scopus, Web of Science e no portal da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde. Os estudos foram avaliados com a Hierarchy of Evidence for Intervention Studies. Resultados: 12 artigos compuseram a revisão, todos de método quantitativo e idioma inglês. As evidências destacaram como risco para near miss materno: distúrbios hipertensivos, complicações hemorrágicas e a sepse puerperal. Demais achados relacionam-se à distância da moradia e dificuldade de acesso aos serviços de saúde além da baixa escolaridade. Conclusões: os fatores de risco para near miss materno se relacionam com pré-natal inadequado, decorrente de questões geográficas e falta de acesso aos serviços, questões econômicas, educacionais e sociais.

Treatment of Human HeLa Cells with Black Raspberry Extracts Enhances the Removal of DNA Lesions by the Nucleotide Excision Repair Mechanism.

As demonstrated by us earlier and by other researchers, a diet containing freeze-dried black raspberries (BRB) inhibits DNA damage and carcinogenesis in animal models. We tested the hypothesis that the inhibition of DNA damage by BRB is due, in part, to the enhancement of DNA repair capacity evaluated in the human HeLa cell extract system, an established in vitro system for the assessment of cellular DNA repair activity. The pre-treatment of intact HeLa cells with BRB extracts (BRBE) enhances the nucleotide excision repair (NER) of a bulky deoxyguanosine adduct derived from the polycyclic aromatic carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BP-dG) by ~24%. The NER activity of an oxidatively-derived non-bulky DNA lesion, guanidinohydantoin (Gh), is also enhanced by ~24%, while its base excision repair activity is enhanced by only ~6%. Western Blot experiments indicate that the expression of selected, NER factors is also increased by BRBE treatment by ~73% (XPA), ~55% (XPB), while its effects on XPD was modest (<14%). These results demonstrate that BRBE significantly enhances the NER yields of a bulky and a non-bulky DNA lesion, and that this effect is correlated with an enhancement of expression of the critically important NER factor XPA and the helicase XPB, but not the helicase XPD.

Pyrazinamide photodegradation on NiWO4-palygorskite nanocomposites under polychromatic irradiation.

In this work, antibiotic pyrazinamide (PZA) photodegradation on palygorskite (Pal), NiWO4 crystals, and NiWO4-Pal (2, 6, and 10%) nanocomposites was evaluated under polychromatic irradiation. In the characterization of the samples, XRD patterns displayed good crystallinity for NiWO4 crystals and nanocomposites. In addition, the diffractograms were used in the Rietveld refinement for phase indexing, revealing a wolframite-type monoclinic structure with the space group P2/c. The active vibrational modes related to the characteristic groups of the samples were identified using Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra revealed that NiWO4 and NiWO4-Pal (2%) nanocomposite have the highest electron-hole pair recombination rate, and the contribution of the green component in the NiWO4-Pal (2%) nanocomposite indicates a greater contribution of deep energy levels to the PL profile. DRS in the UV-visible region indicated that NiWO4 crystals have indirect band-gap energy (Egap) 2.64 eV; NiWO4-Pal (2, 6, and 10%) nanocomposites have 2.62, 2.58, and 2.59 eV, respectively; and Pal has 2.83 eV. The catalytic tests showed that the NiWO4-Pal (2%) nanocomposite samples, under polychromatic radiation, exhibit greater efficiency in photodegradation at 110 min, with yield of 98.5%. The ROS tests indicated that the studied reactive species play a similar role in PZA photodegradation.

Association between being underweight and excess body weight before SARS coronavirus type 2 infection and clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019: Multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to identify associations between extremes in body weight status (underweight and excess body weight) before a COVID-19 diagnosis and clinical outcomes in patients infected with SARS coronavirus type 2. METHODS: A multicenter cohort study was conducted in eight different states in northeastern Brazil. Demographic, clinical (previous diagnosis of comorbidities), and anthropometric (self-reported weight and height) data about individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 were collected. Outcomes included hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and death. Multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted based on age, sex and previous comorbidities, were used to assess the effects of extremes in body weight status on clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1308 individuals were assessed (33.6% were elderly individuals). The univariable analyses showed that only hospitalization was more often observed among underweight (3.2% versus 1.2%) and overweight (68.1% versus 63.3%) individuals. In turn, cardiovascular diseases were more often observed in all clinical outcomes (hospitalization: 19.7% versus 4.8%; mechanical ventilation: 19.9% versus 13.5%; death: 21.8% versus 14.1%). Based on the multivariable analysis, body weight status was not associated with risk of hospitalization (underweight: odds ratio [OR]: 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 95%, 0.50-2.41 and excess body weight: OR: 0.81; 95 CI, 0.57-1.14), mechanical ventilation (underweight: OR: 0.92; 95% CI, 0.52-1.62 and excess weight: OR: 0.90; 95% CI, 0.67-1.19), and death (underweight: OR: 0.61; 95% CI, 0.31-1.20 and excess body weight: OR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.63-1.23). CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight and excess body weight were not independently associated with clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in the herein analyzed cohort. This finding indicates that the association between these variables may be confounded by both age and comorbidities.

Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Liver Damage in Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

Metabolic syndrome, especially its component related to dyslipidemia, is related to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a disease with a significant global prevalence. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids emerged as a complementary therapeutic possibility for dyslipidemia, but its benefits are questioned. This paper aims at evaluating the effects of fish oil supplementation in rats with hypercholesterolemia induced by hypercholesterolemic diet (HD). The study design is based on an experimental model in which the animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: G1 (standard commercial feed + saline solution); G2 (hypercholesterolemic diet + saline solution) and G3 (hypercholesterolemic diet + fish oil) over a period of 16 weeks. Metabolic control parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated according to standardized methodologies. The G3 group showed significantly lower values of plasma concentrations of TG, and hepatic myeloperoxidase as well as higher erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.05). Regarding histopathological analysis, there was lipid accumulation in the liver of animals from group G2; meanwhile, hepatocytes reorganization and expressive reduction of lipid vacuoles and hepatic TG content was observed in group G3. This study demonstrated how fish oil supplementation reduced the plasma concentration and hepatic content of triglycerides, as well as liver tissue damage in histopathological analysis.

Effects of ω-3 PUFA-Rich Oil Supplementation on Cardiovascular Morphology and Aortic Vascular Reactivity of Adult Male Rats Submitted to an Hypercholesterolemic Diet.

Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease associated with abnormalities of vascular functions. The consumption of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids can be considered a strategy to reduce clinical events related to atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with 310 mg of ω-3 PUFAs (2:1 eicosapentaenoic/docosahexaenoic acids) for 56 days on rats with hypercholesterolemia induced by a diet containing cholesterol (0.1%), cholic acid (0.5%), and egg yolk. Serum biochemical parameters were determined by the enzymatic colorimetric method. Assessment of vascular effects was performed by analysis of histological sections of the heart and aortic arch stained with hematoxylin and eosin and vascular reactivity of the aorta artery. We observed that treatment with ω-3 PUFAs did not promote alterations in lipid profile. On the other hand, we documented a favorable reduction in liver biomarkers, as well as contributions to the preservation of heart and aortic arch morphologies. Interestingly, the vascular reactivity of rat thoracic aortic preparations was improved after treatment with ω-3 PUFAs, with a decrease in hyperreactivity to phenylephrine and increased vasorelaxation promoted by acetylcholine. Our findings suggest that the supplementation of hypercholesterolemic rats with ω-3 PUFAs promoted improvement in liver and vascular endothelial function as well as preserving heart and aortic tissue, reinforcing the early health benefits of ω-3 PUFAs in the development of atherosclerotic plaque and further related events.

Functional performance, nutritional status and level of physical activity of elderly

The elderly is a risk group for changes in health conditions and as well as in functional performance related to the decline in grip strength and reduced walking speed, which can compromise the performance of activities of daily living. Based on this, the objective was to analyze the factors associated with functional performance in the elderly. For that, a cross-sectional study was developed involving a group of 179 elderly people who received medical care at an outpatient clinic of the public health network. Muscle strength and gait speed were measured. Nutritional status was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Level of physical activity was measured by the adapted version of the Minnesota Leisure Activities Questionnaire. Low muscle strength was found in 20.7% of the elderly and slow gait in 20.1%. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease was found in 40.8% considering WC, and 35.2% by WHR. Most of the elderly had low weight and no loss of muscle mass. Loss of muscle strength was associated with sex and CC and gait speed were associated with sex, age, and presence of a partner (p < 0.05). The chance of loss of muscle strength and lower gait speed was higher in elderly women. Loss of muscle mass due to CC was associated with the chance of loss of strength, and the chance of reduced walking speed was greater among the elderly individuals aged 75 years and over.

Latex proteins from Plumeria pudica reduce ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that latex proteins from Plumeria pudica (LPPp) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects in rats of LPPp on ligature-induced periodontitis, an inflammatory disease. METHODS: The animals were divided into groups: saline (animals without induction of periodontitis), periodontitis (induced periodontitis and untreated) and LPPp (induced periodontitis and treated with 40 mg/kg). The following parameters were evaluated after 20 consecutive days of treatment: gingival bleeding index (GBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), alveolar bone height (ABH) and gingival myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In the hepatic tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and histopathological alterations were evaluated. Blood levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. RESULTS: Significant reduction in GBI, PPD and gingival MPO activity and ABH was seen in animals treated with LPPp compared with periodontitis. Values of GSH, MDA, ALT and histopathological evaluation were preserved in animals treated with LPPp. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with LPPp improved clinical aspects of periodontitis, reduced the blood and hepatic alterations and prevented alveolar bone loss. Data suggest that LPPp have potential for treatment of periodontitis.

Mapa conceitual: representação social na graduação de enfermagem / Conceptual map: social representation in nursing graduation / Mapa conceptual: representación social en graduación de enfermería

Objetivo: Compreender as representações sociais do uso de mapas conceituais em grupo tutorial de estudantes de enfermagem. Método: Pesquisa qualitativa, feita a partir da análise do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo de 26 estudantes de uma universidade pública no Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Resultados: Emergiram duas categorias provenientes da análise do discurso: 1) Mapa Conceitual: ferramenta facilitadora de organização da aprendizagem e 2) Mapa Conceitual: ferramenta que provoca tensão e desfavorece o aprendizado. Conclusões: O mapa conceitual facilita o auto estudo e a aprendizagem, pois possibilita a sintetização do conhecimento e a organização do raciocínio. Quanto à sua utilização coletiva, observou-se falhas em relação ao tempo gasto na elaboração e na necessidade de encontrar palavras de ligação. (AU)

Objective: To understand the social representations of the use of concept maps in a tutorial group of nursing students. Methods: Qualitative research, based on the Collective Subject Discourse analysis of 26 students from a public university in the Midwest of Brazil. Results: Two categories emerged from the discourse analysis: 1) Concept Map: a facilitating tool for learning organization and 2) Concept Map: a tool that causes tension and disadvantages learning. Conclusion: The concept map facilitates self-study and learning, as it enables the synthesis of knowledge and the organization of reasoning. Regarding their collective use, there were flaws in the time spent in elaboration and in the need to find linking words. (AU)

Objetivo: Comprender las representaciones sociales del uso de mapas conceptuales en un grupo tutorial de estudiantes de enfermería. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa, basada en el análisis del discurso del sujeto colectivo de 26 estudiantes de una universidad pública en el medio oeste de Brasil. Resultados: Del análisis del discurso surgieron dos categorías: 1) Mapa conceptual: una herramienta facilitadora para la organización del aprendizaje y 2) Mapa conceptual: una herramienta que causa tensión y desventajas del aprendizaje. Conclusion: El mapa conceptual facilita el autoaprendizaje y el aprendizaje, ya que permite la síntesis del conocimiento y la organización del razonamiento. Con respecto a su uso colectivo, hubo fallas en el tiempo dedicado a la elaboración y en la necesidad de encontrar palabras de enlace. (AU)

Silicon mitigates nutritional stress in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.).

Nutritional deficiency is common in several regions of quinoa cultivation. Silicon (Si) can attenuate the stress caused by nutritional deficiency, but studies on the effects of Si supply on quinoa plants are still scarce. Given this scenario, our objective was to evaluate the symptoms in terms of tissue, physiological and nutritional effects of quinoa plants submitted to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) deficiencies under Si presence. The experiment consisted of a factorial scheme 6 × 2, using a complete solution (CS), -N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg combined with absence and presence of Si (1.5 mmol L-1). Symptomatic, physiological, nutritional and evaluation vegetative were performed in quinoa crop. The deficiencies of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in quinoa cultivation caused visual symptoms characteristic of the deficiency caused by respective nutrients, hence decreasing the plant dry mass. However, Si supply attenuated the deficiency effects by preserving the photosynthetic apparatus, increasing the chlorophyll production, increasing the membrane integrity, and decreasing the electrolyte leakage. Thus, the Si supply attenuated the visual effects provided by deficiency of all nutrients, but stood out for N and Ca, because it reflected in a higher dry mass production. This occurred because, the Si promoted higher synthesis and protection of chlorophylls, and lower electrolyte leakage under Ca restriction, as well as decreased electrolyte leakage under N restriction.

Recognition and repair of oxidatively generated DNA lesions in plasmid DNA by a facilitated diffusion mechanism.

The oxidatively generated genotoxic spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) lesions are well-known substrates of the base excision repair (BER) pathway initiated by the bifunctional DNA glycosylase NEIL1. In this work, we reported that the excision kinetics of the single Sp lesions site-specifically embedded in the covalently closed circular DNA plasmids (contour length 2686 base pairs) by NEIL1 are biphasic under single-turnover conditions ([NEIL1] ≫ [SpDNApl]) in contrast with monophasic excision kinetics of the same lesions embedded in147-mer Sp-modified DNA duplexes. Under conditions of a large excess of plasmid DNA base pairs over NEIL1 molecules, the kinetics of excision of Sp lesions are biphasic in nature, exhibiting an initial burst phase, followed by a slower rate of formation of excision products The burst phase is associated with NEIL1-DNA plasmid complexes, while the slow kinetic phase is attributed to the dissociation of non-specific NEIL1-DNA complexes. The amplitude of the burst phase is limited because of the competing non-specific binding of NEIL1 to unmodified DNA sequences flanking the lesion. A numerical analysis of the incision kinetics yielded a value of φ ≍ 0.03 for the fraction of NEIL1 encounters with plasmid molecules that result in the excision of the Sp lesion, and a characteristic dissociation time of non-specific NEIL1-DNA complexes (τ-ns ≍ 8 s). The estimated average DNA translocation distance of NEIL1 is ∼80 base pairs. This estimate suggests that facilitated diffusion enhances the probability that NEIL1 can locate its substrate embedded in an excess of unmodified plasmid DNA nucleotides by a factor of ∼10.

Perspectives for the use of latex peptidases from Calotropis procera for control of inflammation derived from Salmonella infections.

BACKGROUND: Anti-inflammatory properties have been attributed to latex proteins of the medicinal plant Calotropis procera. PURPOSE: A mixture of cysteine peptidases (LPp2) from C. procera latex was investigated for control of inflammatory mediators and inflammation in a mouse model of Salmonella infection. METHODS: LPp2 peptidase activity was confirmed by the BANA assay. Cytotoxicity assays were conducted with immortalized macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages (pMØ) from Swiss mice were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 96-well plates and then cultured with nontoxic concentrations of LPp2. Swiss mice intravenously received LPp2 (10 mg/kg) and then were challenged intraperitoneally with virulent Salmonella enterica Ser. Typhimurium. RESULTS: LPp2 was not toxic at dosages lower than 62.2 µg/mL. LPp2 treatments of pMØ stimulated with LPS impaired mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10. LPp2 increased the intracellular bacterial killing in infected pMØ. Mice given LPp2 had a lower number of leukocytes in the peritoneal cavity in comparison to control groups 6 h after infection. The bacterial burden and histological damage were widespread in target organs of mice receiving LPp2. CONCLUSION: We conclude that LPp2 contains peptidases with strong anti-inflammatory properties, which may render mice more susceptible to early disseminated infection caused by Salmonella.

Base and Nucleotide Excision Repair Pathways in DNA Plasmids Harboring Oxidatively Generated Guanine Lesions.

The base and nucleotide excision repair pathways (BER and NER, respectively) are two major mechanisms that remove DNA lesions formed by the reactions of genotoxic intermediates with cellular DNA. We have demonstrated earlier that the oxidatively generated guanine lesions spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) and 5-guanidinohydantoin (Gh) are excised from double-stranded DNA by competing BER and NER in whole-cell extracts [Shafirovich, V., et al. (2016) J. Biol. Chem. 321, 5309-5319]. In this work we compared the NER and BER yields with single Gh or Sp lesions embedded at the same sites in covalently closed circular pUC19NN plasmid DNA (cccDNA) and in the same but linearized form (linDNA) of this plasmid. The kinetics of the Sp and Gh BER and NER incisions were monitored in HeLa cell extracts. The yield of NER products is ∼5 times greater in covalently closed circular DNA than in the linearized form, while the BER yield is smaller by ∼20-30% depending on the guanine lesion. Control BER experiments with 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) show that the BER yield is increased by a factor of only 1.4 ± 0.2 in cccDNA relative to linDNA. These surprising differences in BER and NER activities are discussed in terms of the lack of termini in covalently closed circular DNA and the DNA lesion search dynamics of the NER DNA damage sensor XPC-RAD23B and the BER enzyme OGG1 that recognizes and excises 8-oxoG.

Knowledge of Oral Cancer by a Brazilian Population.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the knowledge about oral cancer in a Brazilian population, including initial clinical signs, causal factors, and the health professional of first choice when suspected of the disease. A total of 2261 participants were interviewed in a cross-sectional study, to investigate associations between sociodemographic descriptive variables and knowledge of oral cancer, risk factors, disease precursor lesions, and health professional of choice for diagnosis. The variables were descriptively analyzed and possible associations investigated considering p values < 0.05. A total of 83.4% of participants reported knowing about oral cancer, and 59.5% reported knowing about potentially malignant lesions; both variables were associated (p < 0.0001). Tobacco was identified as the main risk factor (83.6%), followed by family history (66.2%), and poor oral hygiene (54.5%). Interviewees with higher education level had greater knowledge about cancer (p < 0.0001), and the dentist was the health professional of choice for 43.1% of those who knew about the disease (p = 0.007), with the generalist being the most sought specialist. The population evaluated had a low knowledge of oral cancer given the lack of specific clarifications on etiological factors and risk situations. Health education initiatives are necessary to increase population awareness of potentially malignant oral lesions and improve early diagnosis and recognition of the dentist as a qualified professional for diagnosis of the disease.

Cuidado em saúde das mulheres grávidas privadas de liberdade: revisão integrativa / Atención médica para las mujeres embarazadas privadas de libertad: revisión integradora / Health care of pregnant women deprived of their liberty: integrative review

Objetivo analisar as publicações nacionais e internacionais acerca da assistência ao pré-natal oferecida às mulheres privadas de liberdade. Método revisão integrativa da literatura. As buscas foram realizadas em bases de dados, usando descritores e palavras-chave separadas por operadores boleanos. A busca resultou em 548 estudos. Após análise dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão com leitura analítica, foram selecionados 11 estudos primários, que foram organizados nas categorias estudos nacionais e internacionais. Resultados são necessárias adequações e melhorias na assistência à saúde dessas mulheres que, mesmo tendo direitos vigentes, sofrem negligência na assistência oferecida. Conclusão a vivência do pré-natal no cárcere está repleta de dificuldades e peculiaridades a depender da penitenciária, exigindo dos gestores e dos profissionais de saúde um olhar atento às necessidades da mulher, da criança e de seus familiares, na tentativa de minimizar os impactos do contexto prisional na qualidade de vida das pessoas envolvidas.

Objetivo analizar las publicaciones nacionales e internacionales sobre la atención prenatal ofrecida a las mujeres privadas de libertad. Método revisión integradora de la literatura. Las búsquedas se realizaron en bases de datos, utilizando descriptores y palabras clave separadas por operadores boleanos. La búsqueda dio como resultado 548 estudios. Tras analizar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión con lectura analítica, se seleccionaron 11 estudios primarios, que se organizaron en las categorías de estudios nacionales e internacionales. Resultados se necesitan ajustes y mejoras en el cuidado de la salud de estas mujeres que, a pesar de tener derechos existentes, son negligentes en el cuidado ofrecido. Conclusión la experiencia prenatal en la cárcel está llena de dificultades y peculiaridades según el centro penitenciario, lo que exige que los gestores y los profesionales de la salud examinen detenidamente las necesidades de las mujeres, los niños y sus familias, en un intento por reducir al mínimo los efectos del contexto carcelario en la calidad de vida de las personas implicadas.

Objective to analyze national and international publications on prenatal care offered to women deprived of their liberty. Method integrative literature review. Searches were conducted in databases, using descriptors and keywords separated by Boolean operators. Tthe search resulted in 548 studies. After analysis of inclusion and exclusion criteria with analytical reading, 11 primary studies were selected, which were organized in the categories national and international studies. Results adjustments and improvements in health care are needed for these women who, even though they have existing rights, are negligent in the care offered. Conclusion the prenatal experience in prison is full of difficulties and peculiarities depending on the penitentiary, requiring managers and health professionals an attentive look at the needs of women, children and their family members, in an attempt to minimize the impacts of the prison context on the quality of life of the people involved.

Improving five-year survival prediction via multitask learning across HPV-related cancers.

Oncology is a highly siloed field of research in which sub-disciplinary specialization has limited the amount of information shared between researchers of distinct cancer types. This can be attributed to legitimate differences in the physiology and carcinogenesis of cancers affecting distinct anatomical sites. However, underlying processes that are shared across seemingly disparate cancers probably affect prognosis. The objective of the current study is to investigate whether multitask learning improves 5-year survival cancer patient survival prediction by leveraging information across anatomically distinct HPV related cancers. Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program database. The study cohort consisted of 29,768 primary cancer cases diagnosed in the United States between 2004 and 2015. Ten different cancer diagnoses were selected, all with a known association with HPV risk. In the analysis, the cancer diagnoses were categorized into three distinct topography groups of varying specificity. The most specific topography grouping consisted of 10 original cancer diagnoses differentiated by the first two digits of the ICD-O-3 topography code. The second topography grouping consisted of cancer diagnoses categorized into six distinct organ groups. Finally, the third topography grouping consisted of just two groups, head-neck cancers and ano-genital cancers. The tasks were to predict 5-year survival for patients within the different topography groups using 14 predictive features which were selected among descriptive variables available in the SEER database. The information from the predictive features was shared between tasks in three different ways, resulting in three distinct predictive models: 1) Information was not shared between patients assigned to different tasks (single task learning); 2) Information was shared between all patients, regardless of task (pooled model); 3) Only relevant information was shared between patients grouped to different tasks (multitask learning). Prediction performance was evaluated with Brier scores. All three models were evaluated against one another on each of the three distinct topography-defined tasks. The results showed that multitask classifiers achieved relative improvement for the majority of the scenarios studied compared to single task learning and pooled baseline methods. In this study, we have demonstrated that sharing information among anatomically distinct cancer types can lead to improved predictive survival models.