Differences between Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment using brain networks from magnetic resonance texture analysis.

Several studies have aimed at identifying biomarkers in the initial phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Conversely, texture features, such as those from gray-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCMs), have highlighted important information from several types of medical images. More recently, texture-based brain networks have been shown to provide useful information in characterizing healthy individuals. However, no studies have yet explored the use of this type of network in the context of AD. This work aimed to employ texture brain networks to investigate the distinction between groups of patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and mild dementia due to AD, and a group of healthy subjects. Magnetic resonance (MR) images from the three groups acquired at two instances were used. Images were segmented and GLCM texture parameters were calculated for each region. Structural brain networks were generated using regions as nodes and the similarity among texture parameters as links, and graph theory was used to compute five network measures. An ANCOVA was performed for each network measure to assess statistical differences between groups. The thalamus showed significant differences between aMCI and AD patients for four network measures for the right hemisphere and one network measure for the left hemisphere. There were also significant differences between controls and AD patients for the left hippocampus, right superior parietal lobule, and right thalamus-one network measure each. These findings represent changes in the texture of these regions which can be associated with the cortical volume and thickness atrophies reported in the literature for AD. The texture networks showed potential to differentiate between aMCI and AD patients, as well as between controls and AD patients, offering a new tool to help understand these conditions and eventually aid early intervention and personalized treatment, thereby improving patient outcomes and advancing AD research.

In vivo efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review of animal models.

We report on a systematic review of the efficacy of turmeric derivatives for the in vivo treatment of peripheral neuropathies. Our review protocol followed the PRISMA Statement. The Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo databases were used. The search strategy was ("neuropathy" OR "neuropathies" OR "nerve injury" OR "nerve injuries") AND ("curcumin" OR "turmeric yellow" OR "yellow, turmeric" OR "diferuloylmethane"). Eligibility criteria were in vivo animal models, published in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French, evaluating the efficacy of turmeric derivatives in the treatment of peripheral neuropathies. We have included 30 papers, and all consisted of pre-clinical trials with good methodological quality. Animals treated with turmeric derivatives (i.e., curcumin, curcumin by-products and curcumin loaded delivery systems) demonstrated remarkable amelioration in the injuries caused by diabetic and sciatic neuropathy, as well as for vincristine, cisplatin, and alcohol-induced neuropathy, especially with regards to the functional recovery of the affected nerve. Turmeric has great potential for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies, including those associated with diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials still need to be performed to assess the feasibility of human treatment as an alternative or adjuvant to existing pharmacological therapy.

Experimental and Theoretical DFT Study of Cu(I)/N,N-Disubstituted-N'-acylthioureato Anticancer Complexes: Actin Cytoskeleton and Induction of Death by Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Tumor Cells.

Six complexes with the general formula [Cu(acylthioureato)(PPh3)2] were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/visible, and 1D and 2D NMR), mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Interpretation of the in vitro cytotoxicity data of Cu(I) complexes took into account their stability in cell culture medium. DFT calculations showed that NMR properties, such as the shielding of carbon atoms, are affected by relativistic effects, supported by the ZORA Hamiltonian in the theoretical calculations. Additionally, the calculation of the energies of the frontier molecular orbitals predicted that the structural changes of the acylthiourea ligands did not cause marked changes in the reactivity descriptors. All complexes were cytotoxic to the evaluated tumor cell lines [MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative breast cancer, TNBC), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and A549 (lung cancer)]. In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, complex 1 significantly altered the cytoskeleton of the cells, reducing the density and promoting the condensation of F-actin filaments. In addition, the compound caused an increase in the percentage of cells in the fragmented DNA region (sub-G0) and induced cell death via the apoptotic pathway starting at the IC50 concentration. Taken together, the results show that complex 1 has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on TNBC cells, which is a cell line originating from an aggressive, difficult-to-treat breast cancer.

Molecular Hybridization Strategy on the Design, Synthesis, and Structural Characterization of Ferrocene-N-acyl Hydrazones as Immunomodulatory Agents.

Immunomodulatory agents are widely used for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, but the range of side effects of the available drugs makes necessary the search for new immunomodulatory drugs. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of new ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones derivatives (SintMed(141−156). The evaluated N-acyl hydrazones did not show cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations, presenting CC50 values greater than 50 µM. In addition, all ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones modulated nitrite production in immortalized macrophages, showing inhibition values between 14.4% and 74.2%. By presenting a better activity profile, the ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazones SintMed149 and SintMed150 also had their cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effect evaluated in cultures of peritoneal macrophages. The molecules were not cytotoxic at any of the concentrations tested in peritoneal macrophages and were able to significantly reduce (p < 0.05) the production of nitrite, TNF-α, and IL-1ß. Interestingly, both molecules significantly reduced the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in cultured splenocytes activated with concanavalin A. Moreover, SintMed150 did not show signs of acute toxicity in animals treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg. Finally, we observed that ferrocenyl-N-acyl hydrazone SintMed150 at 100 mg/kg reduced the migration of neutrophils (44.6%) in an acute peritonitis model and increased animal survival by 20% in an LPS-induced endotoxic shock model. These findings suggest that such compounds have therapeutic potential to be used to treat diseases of inflammatory origin.

Selective Coordination Mode of Acylthiourea Ligands in Half-Sandwich Ru(II) Complexes and Their Cytotoxic Evaluation.

In this study, half-sandwich Ru(II) complexes containing acylthiourea ligands of the general type [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(PPh3)(S)Cl]PF6 (1m-6m) and [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(PPh3)(S-O)]PF6 (1b-6b) where S/S-O = N',N'-disubstituted acylthiourea were synthesized and characterized (via elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry), and their cytotoxic activity was evaluated. The different coordination modes of the acylthiourea ligands, monodentately via S (1m-6m) and bidentately via S,O (1b-6b), to ruthenium were modulated from different synthetic routes. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated in five human cell lines (DU-145, A549, MDA-MB-231, MRC-5, and MCF-10A) by MTT assay. The IC50 values for prostate cancer cells (2.89-7.47 µM) indicated that the complexes inhibited cell growth, but that they were less cytotoxic than cisplatin (2.00 µM). Unlike for breast cancer cells (IC50 = 0.28-0.74 µM) and lung cancer cells (IC50 = 0.51-1.83 µM), the complexes were notably more active than the reference drug, and a remarkable selectivity index (SI 4.66-19.34) was observed for breast cancer cells. Based on both the activity and selectivity, complexes 5b and 6b, as well as their respective analogous complexes in the monodentate coordination 5m and 6m, were chosen for further investigation in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. These complexes not only induced morphology changes but also were able to inhibit colony formation and migration. In addition, the complexes promoted cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1 phase inducing apoptosis. Interaction studies by viscosity measurements, gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the complexes interact with the DNA minor groove and exhibit an HSA binding affinity.

Magnetic-field-tuned phase transition of a molecular material from the isolated-spin to the coupled-spin regime.

We report the preparation, X-ray structure, chemical properties, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies at Q and X-bands and temperature (mainly) T = 293 K of powder and oriented single crystal samples of the new compound [Cu(N',N'-dimethyl-N'-benzoylthiourea)(2,2'-bipyridine)Cl], called CuBMB. The EPR spectra of single crystal samples at the Q-band display abrupt merging and narrowing of the peaks corresponding to two rotated copper sites as a function of magnetic field (B0) orientation. This behaviour indicates a quantum transition from an array of quasi-isolated spins to a quantum-entangled spin array associated with exchange narrowing processes and produced by weak intermolecular exchange interactions Ji between neighbour copper spins. This transition occurs when the magnitudes of the anisotropic contributions to the Zeeman couplings, tuned with the direction of B0, approach these |Ji| and produce level crossings. The exchange couplings between neighbour spins are estimated from the angular variation of the single crystal EPR results at the Q-band. We analyse the quantum behaviour and phase transitions of the spin system and discuss the magnitudes of the exchange couplings in terms of the structure of the chemical paths connecting Cu neighbours. The single crystal data at the Q-band indicates an uncommon ground electronic state of CuII which is discussed and compared with the results of DFT calculations. The spectrum of polycrystalline (powder) samples at the Q-band is a sum of contributions of microcrystals in each phase, and the fraction F of the entangled phase depends on the microwave frequency. The X-band spectrum is compatible with the Q-band results, but does not display a transition, and the spin system is in the quantum-entangled phase for all field orientations. This behaviour is further studied with a simple geometric model giving basic predictions. The crystal structure of CuBMB is monoclinic, space group P21/n, with a = 11.9790(3) Å, b = 14.0236(5) Å, c = 12.1193(3) Å, ß = 104.952(2)° and Z = 4, and the copper ions are equatorially bonded to the benzoylthiourea and bipyridine ligands in a heavily distorted square pyramidal structure.

Structural design, synthesis and substituent effect of hydrazone-N-acylhydrazones reveal potent immunomodulatory agents.

4-(Nitrophenyl)hydrazone derivatives of N-acylhydrazone were synthesized and screened for suppress lymphocyte proliferation and nitrite inhibition in macrophages. Compared to an unsubstituted N-acylhydrazone, active compounds were identified within initial series when hydroxyl, chloride and nitro substituents were employed. Structure-activity relationship was further developed by varying the position of these substituents as well as attaching structurally-related substituents. Changing substituent position revealed a more promising compound series of anti-inflammatory agents. In contrast, an N-methyl group appended to the 4-(nitrophenyl)hydrazone moiety reduced activity. Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds is achieved by modulating IL-1ß secretion and prostaglandin E2 synthesis in macrophages and by inhibiting calcineurin phosphatase activity in lymphocytes. Compound SintMed65 was advanced into an acute model of peritonitis in mice, where it inhibited the neutrophil infiltration after being orally administered. In summary, we demonstrated in great details the structural requirements and the underlying mechanism for anti-inflammatory activity of a new family of hydrazone-N-acylhydrazone, which may represent a valuable medicinal chemistry direction for the anti-inflammatory drug development in general.

Ischemia-modified albumin and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer has become a public health problem in many countries and there is evidence which indicates that inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of new biomarkers of oxidative stress, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), as well as the inflammatory markers in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: CRP, IMA, FRAP, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, creatinine, albumin, AST, ALT, ADA, total PSA (tPSA), free PSA, and proportion of free PSA (fPSA%) were measured in 25 patients with prostate cancer and in 30 healthy subjects. RESULTS: tPSA, CRP, and IMA were significantly higher in patients with prostate cancer. In contrast, fPSA% and FRAP were significantly lower in these patients. However, no significant differences were observed when IMA values were adjusted for serum albumin. Significant correlations were also observed for tPSA and CRP (r = 0.5104, p < 0.001) and for fPSA% and CRP (r = -0.5059, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that both inflammatory and oxidative processes are increased during prostate cancer and also that there is a reduction of antioxidant defenses in this pathology.

Enhanced Diagnostic Precision: Assessing Tumor Differentiation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Multi-Slice Spiral CT Texture Analysis.

This study explores the efficacy of texture analysis by using preoperative multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) to non-invasively determine the grade of cellular differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In a retrospective study, MSCT scans of patients with HNSCC were analyzed and classified based on its histological grade as moderately differentiated, well-differentiated, or poorly differentiated. The location of the tumor was categorized as either in the bone or in soft tissues. Segmentation of the lesion areas was conducted, followed by texture analysis. Eleven GLCM parameters across five different distances were calculated. Median values and correlations of texture parameters were examined in relation to tumor differentiation grade by using Spearman's correlation coefficient and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. Forty-six patients were included, predominantly female (87%), with a mean age of 66.7 years. Texture analysis revealed significant parameter correlations with histopathological grades of tumor differentiation. The study identified no significant age correlation with tumor differentiation, which underscores the potential of texture analysis as an age-independent biomarker. The strong correlations between texture parameters and histopathological grades support the integration of this technique into the clinical decision-making process.

Texture-based brain networks for characterization of healthy subjects from MRI.

Brain networks have been widely used to study the relationships between brain regions based on their dynamics using, e.g. fMRI or EEG, and to characterize their real physical connections using DTI. However, few studies have investigated brain networks derived from structural properties; and those have been based on cortical thickness or gray matter volume. The main objective of this work was to investigate the feasibility of obtaining useful information from brain networks derived from structural MRI, using texture features. We also wanted to verify if texture brain networks had any relation with established functional networks. T1-MR images were segmented using AAL and texture parameters from the gray-level co-occurrence matrix were computed for each region, for 760 subjects. Individual texture networks were used to evaluate the structural connections between regions of well-established functional networks; assess possible gender differences; investigate the dependence of texture network measures with age; and single out brain regions with different texture-network characteristics. Although around 70% of texture connections between regions belonging to the default mode, attention, and visual network were greater than the mean connection value, this effect was small (only between 7 and 15% of these connections were larger than one standard deviation), implying that texture-based morphology does not seem to subside function. This differs from cortical thickness-based morphology, which has been shown to relate to functional networks. Seventy-five out of 86 evaluated regions showed significant (ANCOVA, p < 0.05) differences between genders. Forty-four out of 86 regions showed significant (ANCOVA, p < 0.05) dependence with age; however, the R2 indicates that this is not a linear relation. Thalamus and putamen showed a very unique texture-wise structure compared to other analyzed regions. Texture networks were able to provide useful information regarding gender and age-related differences, as well as for singling out specific brain regions. We did not find a morphological texture-based subsidy for the evaluated functional brain networks. In the future, this approach will be extended to neurological patients to investigate the possibility of extracting biomarkers to help monitor disease evolution or treatment effectiveness.

Phospholipase-D activity and inflammatory response induced by brown spider dermonecrotic toxin: endothelial cell membrane phospholipids as targets for toxicity.

Brown spider dermonecrotic toxins (phospholipases-D) are the most well-characterized biochemical constituents of Loxosceles spp. venom. Recombinant forms are capable of reproducing most cutaneous and systemic manifestations such as dermonecrotic lesions, hematological disorders, and renal failure. There is currently no direct confirmation for a relationship between dermonecrosis and inflammation induced by dermonecrotic toxins and their enzymatic activity. We modified a toxin isoform by site-directed mutagenesis to determine if phospholipase-D activity is directly related to these biological effects. The mutated toxin contains an alanine substitution for a histidine residue at position 12 (in the conserved catalytic domain of Loxosceles intermedia Recombinant Dermonecrotic Toxin - LiRecDT1). LiRecDT1H12A sphingomyelinase activity was drastically reduced, despite the fact that circular dichroism analysis demonstrated similar spectra for both toxin isoforms, confirming that the mutation did not change general secondary structures of the molecule or its stability. Antisera against whole venom and LiRecDT1 showed cross-reactivity to both recombinant toxins by ELISA and immunoblotting. Dermonecrosis was abolished by the mutation, and rabbit skin revealed a decreased inflammatory response to LiRecDT1H12A compared to LiRecDT1. Residual phospholipase activity was observed with increasing concentrations of LiRecDT1H12A by dermonecrosis and fluorometric measurement in vitro. Lipid arrays showed that the mutated toxin has an affinity for the same lipids LiRecDT1, and both toxins were detected on RAEC cell surfaces. Data from in vitro choline release and HPTLC analyses of LiRecDT1-treated purified phospholipids and RAEC membrane detergent-extracts corroborate with the morphological changes. These data suggest a phospholipase-D dependent mechanism of toxicity, which has no substrate specificity and thus utilizes a broad range of bioactive lipids.

Magnetic resonance imaging texture analysis to differentiate ameloblastoma from odontogenic keratocyst.

The differentiation between ameloblastoma (AB) and odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is essential for the formulation of the surgical plan, especially considering the biological behavior of these two pathological entities. Therefore, developing means to increase the accuracy of the diagnostic process is extremely important for a safe treatment. The aim of this study was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on texture analysis (TA) as an aid in differentiating AB from OKC. This study comprised 18 patients; eight patients with AB and ten with OKC. All diagnoses were determined through incisional biopsy and later through histological examination of the surgical specimen. MRI was performed using a 3 T scanner with a neurovascular coil according to a specific protocol. All images were exported to segmentation software in which the volume of interest (VOI) was determined by a radiologist, who was blind to the histopathological results. Next, the textural parameters were computed by using the MATLAB software. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between texture parameters and the selected variables. Differences in TA parameters were compared between AB and OKC by using the Mann-Whitney test. Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant difference between AB and OKC for the parameters entropy (P = 0.033) and sum average (P = 0.033). MRI texture analysis has the potential to discriminate between AB and OKC as a noninvasive method. MRI texture analysis can be an additional tool to differentiate ameloblastoma from odontogenic keratocyst.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a class II phospholipase D from Loxosceles intermedia venom.

Phospholipases D are the major dermonecrotic component of Loxosceles venom and catalyze the hydrolysis of phospholipids, resulting in the formation of lipid mediators such as ceramide-1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid which can induce pathological and biological responses. Phospholipases D can be classified into two classes depending on their catalytic efficiency and the presence of an additional disulfide bridge. In this work, both wild-type and H12A-mutant forms of the class II phospholipase D from L. intermedia venom were crystallized. Wild-type and H12A-mutant crystals were grown under very similar conditions using PEG 200 as a precipitant and belonged to space group P12(1)1, with unit-cell parameters a = 50.1, b = 49.5, c = 56.5 Å, ß = 105.9°. Wild-type and H12A-mutant crystals diffracted to maximum resolutions of 1.95 and 1.60 Å, respectively.

Unusual high prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus in South Brazil.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is worldwide distributed and might cause acute or chronic hepatitis mainly in immunocompromised individuals. In previous studies we found a high prevalence of antibodies to HEV within blood donors in south Brazil and also within backyard-raised pigs. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of anti-HEV antibody and HEV RNA within the general population from three major municipalities (Caxias do Sul, Passo Fundo and Santa Maria) in south Brazil. A total of 3000 blood samples were randomly obtained from clinical laboratories at each of the three municipality (n = 1000 each) to determine the presence of anti-HEV antibodies and HEV RNA. Overall, anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 574/1000 (57,4%) samples in Caxias do Sul, 655/1000 (65.5%) samples in Passo Fundo and 554/1000 (55.4%) samples in Santa Maria. The prevalence of HEV-positive samples increased steadily and significantly (P < 0,001) with age and was unusually higher within individual over 40 years. Despite of this, none of the pooled serum samples had detectable levels of HEV RNA. The high anti-HEV antibody prevalence suggests that the virus might be present on the environment and/or foodstuff and poses a permanent threat to immune-compromised individuals.

Identification, cloning and functional characterization of a novel dermonecrotic toxin (phospholipase D) from brown spider (Loxosceles intermedia) venom.

Brown spider bites are associated with lesions including dermonecrosis, gravitational spreading and a massive inflammatory response, along with systemic problems that may include hematological disturbances and renal failure. The mechanisms by which the venom exerts its noxious effects are currently under investigation. It is known that the venom contains a major toxin (dermonecrotic toxin, biochemically a phospholipase D) that can experimentally induce dermonecrosis, inflammatory response, animal mortality and platelet aggregation. Herein, we describe cloning, heterologous expression, purification and functionality of a novel isoform of the 33 kDa dermonecrotic toxin. Circular dichroism analysis evidenced correct folding for the toxin. The recombinant toxin was recognized by whole venom serum antibodies and by a specific antibody to a previously described dermonecrotic toxin. The identified toxin was found to display phospholipase activity and dermonecrotic properties. Additionally, the toxin caused a massive inflammatory response in rabbit skin dermis, evoked platelet aggregation, increased vascular permeability, caused edema and death in mice. These characteristics in combination with functional studies for other dermonecrotic toxins illustrate that a family of dermonecrotic toxins exists, and includes a novel member with high activity that may be useful for future structural and functional studies.

Identification of a direct hemolytic effect dependent on the catalytic activity induced by phospholipase-D (dermonecrotic toxin) from brown spider venom.

Brown spiders have world-wide distribution and are the cause of health problems known as loxoscelism. Necrotic cutaneous lesions surrounding the bites and less intense systemic signs like renal failure, DIC, and hemolysis were observed. We studied molecular mechanism by which recombinant toxin, biochemically characterized as phospholipase-D, causes direct hemolysis (complement independent). Human erythrocytes treated with toxin showed direct hemolysis in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, as well as morphological changes in cell size and shape. Erythrocytes from human, rabbit, and sheep were more susceptible than those from horse. Hemolysis was not dependent on ABO group or Rhesus system. Confocal and FACS analyses using antibodies or GFP-phospholipase-D protein showed direct toxin binding to erythrocytes membrane. Moreover, toxin-treated erythrocytes reacted with annexin-V and showed alterations in their lipid raft profile. Divalent ion chelators significantly inhibited hemolysis evoked by phospholipase-D, which has magnesium at the catalytic domain. Chelators were more effective than PMSF (serine-protease inhibitor) that had no effect on hemolysis. By site-directed mutation at catalytic domain (histidine 12 by alanine), hemolysis and morphologic changes of erythrocytes (but not the toxin's ability of membrane binding) were inhibited, supporting that catalytic activity is involved in hemolysis and cellular alterations but not toxin cell binding. The results provide evidence that L. intermedia venom phospholipase-D triggers direct human blood cell hemolysis in a catalytic-dependent manner.

Glycosaminoglycan chains from alpha5beta1 integrin are involved in fibronectin-dependent cell migration.

Alpha5beta1 integrin from both wild-type CHO cells (CHO-K1) and deficient in proteoglycan biosynthesis (CHO-745) is post-translationally modified by glycosaminoglycan chains. We demonstrated this using [35S]sulfate metabolic labeling of the cells, enzymatic degradation, immunoprecipitation reaction with monoclonal antibody, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry. The alpha5beta1 integrin heterodimer is a hybrid proteoglycan containing both chondroitin and heparan sulfate chains. Xyloside inhibition of sulfate incorporation into alpha5beta1 integrin also supports that integrin is a proteoglycan. Also, cells grown with xyloside adhered on fibronectin with no alteration in alpha5beta1 integrin expression. However, haptotactic motility on fibronectin declined in cells grown with xyloside or chlorate as compared with controls. Thus, alpha5beta1 integrin is a proteoglycan and the glycosaminoglycan chains of the integrin influence cell motility on fibronectin. Similar glycosylation of alpha5beta1 integrin was observed in other normal and malignant cells, suggesting that this modification is conserved and important in the function of this integrin. Therefore, these glycosaminoglycan chains of alpha5beta1 integrin are involved in cellular migration on fibronectin.

Prática profissional em saúde mental em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial durante a pandemia da COVID-19 / Práctica profesional en salud mental en Centros de Atención Psicosocial durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Professional Practice In Mental Health In Psychosocial Care Centers During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Objetivo: compreender a prática profissional de cuidado em saúde mental realizada em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método: pesquisa qualitativa descritiva-exploratória, realizada em quatro Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) do interior do Rio Grande do Sul, entre agosto e novembro de 2021, com 18 profissionais que atuaram durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Como técnica para a coleta dos dados, utilizou-se a entrevista semiestruturada com representação por meio da nuvem de palavras. Os dados foram analisados por meio da Análise Temática. Resultados: na primeira categoria "Impactos da pandemia da COVID-19 nas práticas profissionais em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial" constatou-se como principais impactos a mudança no cotidiano do CAPS e demandas de atividades de cuidado em saúde mental que tiveram que ser adaptadas conforme a pandemia exigiu. Na segunda categoria "Práticas de cuidado em saúde mental durante a pandemia da COVID-19" identificaram-se práticas de cuidado em saúde mental de atendimentos não presenciais com uso de dispositivos digitais que surgem, aliadas as demandas presenciais, para o seguimento da assistência em saúde mental respeitando cuidados para evitar contaminação de profissionais e usuários dos CAPS. Conclusão: Durante a pandemia da covid-19 as práticas profissionais de cuidado em saúde mental sofreram alterações devido a precauções para evitar contaminação pela Covid-19, desta forma as práticas do CAPS foram adaptadas com uso de dispositivos tecnológicos, expondo dificuldades da incorporação dessas práticas tanto pela realidade da estrutura dos serviços quanto questões sociais dos usuários atendidos nos CAPS.(AU)

Objetivo: comprender la práctica profesional de cuidados en salud mental realizada en los Centros de Atención Psicosocial durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Método:se llevó a cabo una investigación cualitativa descriptiva-exploratoria en cuatro Centros de Atención Psicosocial (CAPS) en el interior de Rio Grande do Sul, entre agosto y noviembre de 2021, con la participación de 18 profesionales que actuaron durante la pandemia de COVID-19. La técnica utilizada para la recolección de datos fue la entrevista semiestructurada, con representación visual mediante nube de palabras. Los datos fueron analizados a través del Análisis Temático. Resultados:en la primera categoría, "Impactos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en las prácticas profesionales en los Centros de Atención Psicosocial", se identificaron como principales impactos la modificación en la rutina de los CAPS y la necesidad de adaptar las actividades de cuidados en salud mental de acuerdo con las demandas impuestas por la pandemia. En la segunda categoría, "Prácticas de cuidados en salud mental durante la pandemia de COVID-19", se identificaron prácticas de atención no presencial en salud mental utilizando dispositivos digitales, además de las demandas presenciales, para garantizar la continuidad de la asistencia en salud mental, con cuidados adicionales para evitar la contaminación de los profesionales y usuarios de los CAPS. Conclusión:durante la pandemia de COVID-19, las prácticas profesionales de cuidados en salud mental experimentaron cambios debido a las precauciones adoptadas para evitar la contaminación por el virus. De esta forma, las prácticas en los CAPS se adaptaron con el uso de dispositivos tecnológicos, revelando dificultades tanto en la estructura de los servicios como en las cuestiones sociales de losusuarios atendidos en los CAPS.(AU)

Objective: to understand the professional practice of mental health care carried out in Psychosocial Care Centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: qualitative descriptive-exploratory research was carried out in four Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, between August and November 2021, with the participation of 18 professionals who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technique used for data collection was the semi-structured interview, with visual representation through a word cloud. The data was analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Results: in the first category, "Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional practices in Psychosocial Care Centers", the main impacts were identified as changes in the CAPS routine and the need to adapt mental health care activities accordingly with the demands imposed by the pandemic. In the second category, "Mental health care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic", non-face-to-face mental health care practices were identified, using digital devices, in addition to face-to-face demands, to ensure the continuity of mental health care, with additional care to avoid contamination of CAPS professionals and users. Conclusion: during the COVID-19 pandemic, professional mental health care practices underwent changes due to the precautions adopted to avoid contamination by the virus. In this way, practices in CAPS were adapted with the use of technological devices, revealing difficulties both in the structure of services and in the social issues of users served in CAPS.(AU)

Biotechnological applications of brown spider (Loxosceles genus) venom toxins.

Loxoscelism (the term used to define accidents by the bite of brown spiders) has been reported worldwide. Clinical manifestations following brown spider bites are frequently associated with skin degeneration, a massive inflammatory response at the injured region, intravascular hemolysis, platelet aggregation causing thrombocytopenia and renal disturbances. The mechanisms by which the venom exerts its noxious effects are currently under investigation. The whole venom is a complex mixture of toxins enriched with low molecular mass proteins in the range of 5-40 kDa. Toxins including alkaline phosphatase, hyaluronidase, metalloproteases (astacin-like proteases), low molecular mass (5.6-7.9 kDa) insecticidal peptides and phospholipases-D (dermonecrotic toxins) have been identified in the venom. The purpose of the present review is to describe biotechnological applications of whole venom or some toxins, with especial emphasis upon molecular biology findings obtained in the last years.

Adult bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells expressing chondroitinase AC transplanted into CNS injury sites promote local brain chondroitin sulphate degradation.

Injury to the CNS of vertebrates leads to the formation of a glial scar and production of inhibitory molecules, including chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans. Various studies suggest that the sugar component of the proteoglycan is responsible for the inhibitory role of these compounds in axonal regeneration. By degrading chondroitin sulphate chains with specific enzymes, denominated chondroitinases, the inhibitory capacity of these proteoglycans is decreased. Chondroitinase administration involves frequent injections of the enzyme at the lesion site which constitutes a rather invasive method. We have produced a vector containing the gene for Flavobacterium heparinum chondroitinase AC for expression in adult bone marrow-derived cells which were then transplanted into an injury site in the CNS. The expression and secretion of active chondroitinase AC was observed in vitro using transfected Chinese hamster ovarian and gliosarcoma cells and in vivo by immunohistochemistry analysis which showed degraded chondroitin sulphate coinciding with the location of transfected bone marrow-derived cells. Immunolabelling of the axonal growth-associated protein GAP-43 was observed in vivo and coincided with the location of degraded chondroitin sulphate. We propose that bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells, transfected with our construct and transplanted into CNS, could be a potential tool for studying an alternative chondroitinase AC delivery method.