Physiological, transcriptomic and metabolomic insights of three extremophyte woody species living in the multi-stress environment of the Atacama Desert.

MAIN CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to Neltuma species, S. tamarugo exhibited higher stress tolerance, maintaining photosynthetic performance through enhanced gene expression and metabolites. Differentially accumulated metabolites include chlorophyll and carotenoids and accumulation of non-nitrogen osmoprotectants. Plant species have developed different adaptive strategies to live under extreme environmental conditions. Hypothetically, extremophyte species present a unique configuration of physiological functions that prioritize stress-tolerance mechanisms while carefully managing resource allocation for photosynthesis. This could be particularly challenging under a multi-stress environment, where the synthesis of multiple and sequential molecular mechanisms is induced. We explored this hypothesis in three phylogenetically related woody species co-occurring in the Atacama Desert, Strombocarpa tamarugo, Neltuma alba, and Neltuma chilensis, by analyzing their leaf dehydration and freezing tolerance and by characterizing their photosynthetic performance under natural growth conditions. Besides, the transcriptomic profiling, biochemical analyses of leaf pigments, and metabolite analysis by untargeted metabolomics were conducted to study gene expression and metabolomic landscape within this challenging multi-stress environment. S. tamarugo showed a higher photosynthetic capacity and leaf stress tolerance than the other species. In this species, a multifactorial response was observed, which involves high photochemical activity associated with a higher content of chlorophylls and ß-carotene. The oxidative damage of the photosynthetic apparatus is probably attenuated by the synthesis of complex antioxidant molecules in the three species, but S. tamarugo showed the highest antioxidant capacity. Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses among the species showed the differential expression of genes involved in the biosynthetic pathways of key stress-related metabolites. Moreover, the synthesis of non-nitrogen osmoprotectant molecules, such as ciceritol and mannitol in S. tamarugo, would allow the nitrogen allocation to support its high photosynthetic capacity without compromising leaf dehydration tolerance and freezing stress avoidance.

Hemiptera-induced galls of Sapium glandulosum have histological and cytological compartmentalization created with a large amount of carbohydrate.

Gall formation impacts the development of plant species by altering the structure and mobilization of reserves, and the functional and physiological patterns of the host organ. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact generated by the Neolithus fasciatus galling insect (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in Sapium glandulosum leaves (Euphorbiaceae) at the cytological, histological, histochemical, and biochemical levels. Non-galled leaves and galls in the young, mature, and senescent stages were evaluated. The non-galled leaf has a uniseriate epidermis, stomata only on the abaxial side, a dorsiventral mesophyll, and parenchyma cells with thin primary walls containing chloroplasts with plastoglobules. The gall has a parenchymatous compartmentalized cortex. The young and mature galls already have a dense cytoplasm, especially in the inner cells of the cortex, with chloroplasts, mitochondria, Golgi complex, and large and evident nuclei. In senescent galls, there are signs of organelle degradation and cell digestion. Carbohydrates occur in greater amounts in the mature gall, mainly in the starch grain form, while proteins and lipids predominate in non-galled leaves. Secondary metabolites occur mainly in the young gall and may be related to its protection and to the signaling of its development. Sapium glandulosum galls have histological and cytological compartmentalization of the cortex with a large amount of carbohydrates, which supply energy to maintain the development of the structure.

Liraglutide modulates morpho-functional and inflammatory gastrointestinal responses in rats.

BACKGROUND: Obesity impairs homeostatic control of energy and is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1, the target in the gastrointestinal tract for anti-obesity drugs such as Liraglutide, were not properly associated with inflammation markers. This study investigated the effects of Liraglutide on metabolic and gastrointestinal parameters in a rat model of obesity. METHODS: Twenty-six Wistar rats with obesity were randomly distributed to receive saline (n = 10), 400 µg (n = 8), or 1200 µg of Liraglutide/kg/day (n = 8), subcutaneously for 30 consecutive days, once a day. Weight gain, feeding efficiency, caloric consumption, gastric motility, adiposity, histomorphometric, murinometric, biochemical parameters and cytokines TNF-α and TGF-ß1 in duodenal tissue were measured. Data were analysed by ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni post hoc or Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Liraglutide-treated animals had better feeding efficiency and higher caloric intake in a dose-dependent manner. Higher doses slowed gastric emptying and diminished the amplitude of gastric contractions. These effects were accompanied by decreases in intestinal muscle layer thickness and crypt depth. Liraglutide significantly reduced retroperitoneal and visceral white adipose tissue depots. High-dose treatment decreased levels of TNF-α and enhanced levels of TGF-ß1 in duodenal tissue. Liraglutide treatment provided significant reductions in total cholesterol, triglyceride and hepatic transaminases. CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide reduced fat accumulation, improved metabolic parameters and downregulated levels of inflammatory signalling in duodenal tissue. Liraglutide at high doses controlled obesity-related outcomes, and such effects seemed to be driven by its action on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract slowing gastric motility.

Gastric plication surgery changes gastrointestinal and metabolic parameters in an obesity-induced high-fat diet model.

BACKGROUND: Obesity treatment includes less invasive procedures such as gastric plication (GP) surgery; however, its effects on gastrointestinal (GI) motility parameters are underestimated. We aimed to verify the metabolic and gastrointestinal effects of GP surgery in the rat obesity model. METHODS: A high-fat diet-induced obesity was used. Animals were allocated to four experimental groups: control sham (n = 6); control GP (n = 10); obese sham (n = 6); and obese GP (n = 10). Nutritional and murinometric parameters, gastric motility, glucose tolerance, histopathology, fat depots, leptin, and lipoproteins levels were evaluated 30 days after surgery. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by post Tukey or Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's multiple comparisons test. KEY RESULTS: Gastric plication decreased leptin levels, feed efficiency, and body weight gain. GP does not improve lipid profile in obese animals and however, ameliorates glucose tolerance in control and obese rats. GP did not improve the gastric emptying time or normalize the frequency of contractions disturbed by obesity. Surgery provides a remodeling process in the mucosa and muscularis mucosa layers, evidenced by leukocyte infiltration mainly in the mucosa layer. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Our study revealed the influence of the gastrointestinal tract on obesity is underestimated with pieces of evidence pointing out its important role as a target for surgical treatment.

Hypoxia modulates the phenotype of mechanically stressed endothelial cells responding to CoCr-enriched medium.

Given the importance of the endothelial cell phenotype in dental peri-implant healing processes, the aim of this study was to better assess the involvement of endothelial cells responding to cobalt-chromium (CoCr)-enriched medium. Biologically, cobalt is widely used molecule to induce chemical experimental hypoxia because it stabilizes hypoxia inducible factors (HIF1α). The aplication of hypoxia models provides better experimental condition to allow its impact on cellular metabolism, by looking for biochemical and molecular issues. Thus, this study looks for understaing whether CoCr-based materials are able to modulate endothelial cells considering the hypoxic effect prmoted by cobalt. Firstly, our data shows there is a siginificant effect on endothelial phenotype by modulating the expression of VEGF and eNOS genes, whith low requirement of genes related with proteasome intracellular complex. Importantly, the data were validated using classical chemical modulators of hypoxia signaling [chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) and Dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG)] in functional assays. Altogether, these data validate the hypothesis that hipoxya is important to maintain the phenotype of endothelial cells, and it is properly interesting during the tissue regeneration surrounding implants and so compromising osseointegration process. Finally, it is important to mention that the cobalt released from CoCr devices might contribute with an sufficient microenvironment surrounding implanted devices and it paviments new roads looking for more bioactive surfaces of implantable materials in human health.

How diverse a genus can be: An integrated multi-layered analysis into Desmonostoc (Nostocaceae, Cyanobacteriota).

Cyanobacteria (Phylum Cyanobacteriota) are Gram-negative bacteria capable of performing oxygenic photosynthesis. Although the taxonomic classification of cyanobacteria was for a long time based primarily on morphological characters, the application of other techniques (e.g. molecular phylogeny), especially in recent decades, has contributed to a better resolution of cyanobacteria systematics, leading to a revision of the phylum. Although Desmonostoc occurs as a new genus/cluster and some species have been described recently, relatively few studies have been carried out to elucidate its diversity, which encompasses strains from different ecological origins, or examine the application of new characterization tools. In this context, the present study investigated the diversity within Desmonostoc, based on morphological, molecular, metabolic, and physiological characteristics. Although the usage of physiological parameters is unusual for a polyphasic approach, they were efficient in the characterization performed here. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences put all studied strains (25) into the D1 cluster and indicated the emergence of novel sub-clusters. It was also possible to observe that nifD and nifH exhibited different evolutionary histories within the Desmonostoc strains. Collectively, metabolic and physiological data, coupled with the morphometric data, were in general, in good agreement with the separation based on the phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, the study provided important information on the diversity of Desmonostoc strains collected from different Brazilian biomes by revealing that they were cosmopolitan strains, acclimatized to low luminous intensities, with a large metabolic diversity and great biotechnological potential.

Alternate-day fasting induces metabolic and morphofunctional changes in the gastrointestinal tract of male rats.

Alternate-day fasting (ADF) is a nutritional intervention with modulatory and overall protective effects, but its role in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ADF on the metabolic patterns and morphofunctional motility of the GI tract in rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were allocated into groups: control for 15 days (CON 15, n = 8), control for 30 days (CON 30, n = 8), ADF for 15 days (ADF 15, n = 8), and ADF for 30 days (ADF 30, n = 8). Blood glucose, body weight, and food and water consumption were measured. Frequency and amplitude of gastric contractions as well as gastric emptying time, small intestinal transit time, and cecum arrival time were measured. Intestinal histomorphometric, relative weight of organs, lipidogram, and leptin levels were also evaluated. ADF decreased water consumption and food consumption. The weight gain decreased; however, the relative kidney weight increased. ADF triggered an increase in the amplitude of gastric contractions and accelerated gastric emptying. However, small intestinal transit time was delayed in both ADF groups. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased, whereas villus height, depth of the crypts and thickness of the circular, and longitudinal muscular layers of intestine increased after ADF. In conclusion, our results showed ADF exert an effect on both metabolism and GI motility and impacts on overall digestive functions.

Urea as a source of nitrogen and carbon leads to increased photosynthesis rates in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under mixotrophy.

Microalgae is a potential source of bioproducts, including feedstock to biofuels. Urea has been pointed as potential N source for microalgae growth. Considering that urea metabolism releases HCO3- to the medium, we tested the hypothesis that this carbon source could improve photosynthesis and consequently growth rates of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In this sense, the metabolic responses of C. reinhardtii grown with ammonium and urea as nitrogen sources under mixotrophic and autotrophic conditions were investigated. Overall, the mixotrophy led to increased cell growth as well as to a higher accumulation of lipids independent of N source, followed by a decrease in photosynthesis over the growth phases. In mixotrophy, urea stimulates growth in terms of cell number and dry weight. Furthermore, higher photosynthesis was verified in late logarithmic phase compared to ammonium. Under autotrophy conditions, although cell number and biomass were reduced, there was higher production of starch independent of N source. Nonetheless, urea-based autotrophic treatments stimulated biomass production compared to ammonium-based treatment. Under mixotrophy higher input of carbon into the cell from acetate and urea optimized photosynthesis and consequently promoted cell growth. Together, these results suggest urea as alternative source of carbon, improving photosynthesis and cell growth in C. reinhardtii.

BALB/c and C57BL/6 mouse strains influence gastric function outcomes with administration of cisplatin and dexamethasone

Abstract Our aim was to evaluate the effects of cisplatin and dexamethasone alone and combined on gastric contractility and histomorphometry of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. BALB/c and C57BL/6 male mice (8-week-old) were randomly separated into: Control; Cisplatin (7.5 mg/Kg); Dexamethasone (2.0 mg/Kg); and Dexamethasone plus Cisplatin (2.0 mg/Kg of dexamethasone 1-hour prior to 7.5 mg/Kg of cisplatin). Drugs were administered intraperitoneally for three days. Body weight and food intake were evaluated on 2nd day. Alternating Current Biosusceptometry technique was employed to measure gastric contractions on 3rd day. Afterward, mice were killed for gastric histomorphometric analysis. Cisplatin decreased food intake and caused bradygastria in BALB/c mice; however, the amplitude of gastric contractions decreased in both BALB/c and C57BL/6. Dexamethasone and cisplatin combined restored the gastric frequency and food intake only in BALB/c, but drug combination reduced the gastric amplitude of contractions in both strains. Dexamethasone alone increased gastric mucosa thickness in C57BL/6 and decreased muscular thickness in BALB/c. In conclusion, the mouse strains presented differences in acute effects of cisplatin and dexamethasone alone and combined on gastric function. This reinforces the importance of choosing the appropriate mouse strain for studying the acute effects of drugs on the gastrointestinal tract.

The Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale: Evidence of Validity in Brazil / The Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale: Evidências de validade no Brasil / Escala de Seguridad en el Subsistema Interparental: Pruebas de validez en Brasil

Abstract emotional regulation in adolescents is an aspect little observed, especially by researchers and health professionals in Brazil. This study aimed to translate, adapt and examine the psychometric properties, internal consistency and construct validity of The Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale (SIS) in a sample of 345 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (M = 16.06 years, SD = 1.22). The results, obtained by Structural Equation Modeling, showed a six-factor version, namely: emotional reactivity, behavioral dysregulation, avoidance, involvement, destructive representations of the family, and representations of conflict overflow. The models showed good adjustment with invariance between the analyzed groups. The reliability of the scale showed adequate values. The tests performed suggest that the SIS presents satisfactory psychometric properties in the population of adolescents in the sample, therefore, a reliable measuring instrument for use in Brazil by clinicians and researchers.

Resumo a regulação emocional em adolescentes é um aspecto pouco observado, sobretudo, por pesquisadores e profissionais de saúde no Brasil. Este estudo teve como objetivo traduzir, adaptar e examinar as propriedades psicométricas, consistência interna e validade de constructo da The Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale (SIS) em uma amostra de 345 adolescentes com idades entre com idades entre 14 e 18 anos (M = 16,06 anos, DP = 1,22). Os resultados, obtidos pela Modelagem de Equações Estruturais, evidenciaram uma versão de seis fatores, são eles: reatividade emocional, desregulação comportamental, evasão, envolvimento, representações destrutivas da família, representações do transbordamento do conflito. Os modelos apresentaram bom ajuste com invariância entre os grupos analisados. A confiabilidade da escala apresentou valores adequados. Os testes realizados sugerem que a SIS apresenta propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias na população de adolescentes da amostra, portanto, um instrumento de medida confiável para uso no Brasil por clínicos e pesquisadores.

Resumen la regulación emocional en los adolescentes es un aspecto poco observado, especialmente por los investigadores y los profesionales de la salud en Brasil. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo traducir, adaptar y examinar las propiedades psicométricas, la consistencia interna y la validez de constructo de La Escala de Seguridad en el Subsistema Interparental (SIS) en una muestra de 345 adolescentes de 14 a 18 años (M = 16.06 años, DT = 1.22). Los resultados, obtenidos mediante Modelización de Ecuaciones Estructurales, mostraron una versión de seis factores: reactividad emocional, desregulación conductual, evitación, implicación, representaciones destructivas de la familia, representaciones del desbordamiento del conflicto. Los modelos mostraron un buen ajuste con invarianza entre los grupos analizados. La confiabilidad de la escala mostró valores adecuados. Las pruebas realizadas sugieren que el SIS tiene propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias en la muestra de adolescentes, por lo tanto, un instrumento de medición fiable para su uso en Brasil por clínicos e investigadores.

Lung inflammation induced by silica particles triggers hippocampal inflammation, synapse damage and memory impairment in mice.

BACKGROUND: Considerable evidence indicates that a signaling crosstalk between the brain and periphery plays important roles in neurological disorders, and that both acute and chronic peripheral inflammation can produce brain changes leading to cognitive impairments. Recent clinical and epidemiological studies have revealed an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in individuals with impaired pulmonary function. However, the mechanistic underpinnings of this association remain unknown. Exposure to SiO2 (silica) particles triggers lung inflammation, including infiltration by peripheral immune cells and upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We here utilized a mouse model of lung silicosis to investigate the crosstalk between lung inflammation and memory. METHODS: Silicosis was induced by intratracheal administration of a single dose of 2.5 mg SiO2/kg in mice. Molecular and behavioral measurements were conducted 24 h and 15 days after silica administration. Lung and hippocampal inflammation were investigated by histological analysis and by determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Hippocampal synapse damage, amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide content and phosphorylation of Akt, a proxy of hippocampal insulin signaling, were investigated by Western blotting and ELISA. Memory was assessed using the open field and novel object recognition tests. RESULTS: Administration of silica induced alveolar collapse, lung infiltration by polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, and increased lung pro-inflammatory cytokines. Lung inflammation was followed by upregulation of hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines, synapse damage, accumulation of the Aß peptide, and memory impairment in mice. CONCLUSION: The current study identified a crosstalk between lung and brain inflammatory responses leading to hippocampal synapse damage and memory impairment after exposure to a single low dose of silica in mice.

Relationships between coparental triangulation, parent-adolescent conflicts and adolescent adjustment: Differences between fathers and mothers / Relações entre triangulação coparental, conflitos pais-filhos e ajustamento de adolescentes: Diferenças entre pais e mães / Relaciones entre la triangulación coparental, los conflictos padre/madre-hijos y el ajuste del adolescente: Diferencias entre padres y madres

The involvement of the adolescent in coparental conflict through triangulation impacts the development of emotional and behavioral symptoms. This article researched direct and indirect impacts of coparental triangulation relations and conflicts between parents and their adolescent children on internalizing and externalizing problems, controlling gender and age variables. As a quantitative, cross-sectional and explanatory study, it included 238 adolescents, aged 14 to 18 years old, and used structural equation modeling analysis. As a result, internalizing and externalizing problems were associated with father, mother, and coparental dyad triangulation, mediated by conflicts between father-adolescent conflict and mother-adolescent conflict. Father triangulation had direct and indirect connections with adolescents' externalizing problems. Mother triangulation was associated with adolescents' anxiety and depression, mediated by father-adolescent conflicts. There were no distinctions for gender and age regarding the level of impact between variables. The data provide greater depth and precision in understanding these relationships for practical applications looking for a healthy development of the offspring and their families

O envolvimento de adolescentes nos conflitos coparentais por meio da triangulação impacta no desenvolvimento de sintomas emocionais e comportamentais. Este artigo investigou os impactos diretos e indiretos das relações de triangulação coparental e conflitos entre pais e filhos em problemas internalizantes e externalizantes dos adolescentes, controlando variáveis de gênero e idade. De caráter quantitativo, transversal e explicativo, incluiu 238 adolescentes de 14 a 18 anos e foi utilizada análise de modelagem de equações estruturais. Problemas internalizantes e externalizantes associaram-se à triangulação do pai, da mãe e da díade coparental, mediados por conflitos entre pai e filho e conflitos entre mãe e filho. Triangulação paterna teve relação direta e indireta com problemas externalizantes dos adolescentes. Triangulação materna associou-se à ansiedade e depressão dos adolescentes, mediada por conflitos entre pai e filho. Não houve distinções no modelo para gênero e idade quanto ao nível de impacto entre as variáveis. Os dados possibilitam maior precisão na compreensão dessas relações para aplicações práticas visando o desenvolvimento saudável da prole e suas famílias.

La participación de adolescentes en conflictos coparentales a través de la triangulación impacta en el desarrollo de síntomas emocionales y conductuales. Este artículo investigó los impactos directos e indirectos de las relaciones de triangulación coparental, y los conflictos entre padres e hijos, en los problemas de internalización y externalización de adolescentes, controlando las variables de género y edad. Siendo de carácter cuantitativo, transversal y explicativo, incluyó 238 adolescentes de 14 a 18 años y utilizó análisis de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. Los problemas de internalización y externalización se asociaron con la triangulación de padre, madre y díada coparental, mediada por conflictos entre padre e hijo y madre e hijo. La triangulación paterna se relacionó directa e indirectamente con problemas de externalización de los adolescentes. La triangulación materna se asoció con ansiedad y depresión de los adolescentes, mediada por conflictos entre padre e hijo. No hubo distinciones en el modelo por género y edad en cuanto al nivel de impacto entre las variables. Los datos permiten una mayor precisión en la comprensión de estas relaciones para aplicaciones prácticas dirigidas al desarrollo saludable de la prole y sus familias.

Soil-chronosequence and Quaternary landscape evolution at the marine terraces of Harmony Point, Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctica.

This study characterized the physical, chemical, macro- and micromorphological soil properties from three successive marine terrace levels from Harmony Point (Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctica) in order to understand the pedological signatures of Quaternary coastal landscape evolution of Maritime Antarctica. Soils were sampled on the Late Holocene beach (current beach) and Mid Holocene marine terraces higher up, at 3, 8, and 12 m a.s.l. At the lower levels, the predominant soils were Gelorthents, whereas Haplogelepts dominate the higher terraces. Soil properties are mostly influenced by parent material and faunal activity, in which cryoclastic (thermal weathering) and phosphatization are the main soil-forming processes. Soils from the upper levels are more developed, deeper with reddish colors, granular structures and incipient formation B horizon. These horizonation features highlight that soils vary according with age of glacier-isostatic terrace uplift, representing a Quaternary soil chronosequence. All marine terrace levels are Ornithogenic soils, at varying degrees. However, the presence of old bird nesting sites for long periods led to formation of phosphatic horizons, stable Fe-phosphate minerals and abundant vegetation in the highest terraces of this part of Maritime Antarctica.

Soil pockets phosphatization and chemical weathering of sites affected by flying birds of Maritime Antarctica.

The majority of ornithogenic soils studied in Antarctica focus on the influence of penguins, wherever little reports evaluated the influence of flying birds on soil genesis. This study aimed to characterize the morphologic, chemic, physic, mineralogic, and micromorphologic ornithogenic soil pockets influenced by flying birds in Snow Island, Maritime Antarctica. Fifteen soil pockets were selected, described, sampled and analyzed, these sites constitute the main areas with intense long-term terrestrial biological activity in Snow Island. In order to investigate the impact of phosphatization, we compared the soil pockets with the surrounding soils and soils affected by penguins. Zone of phosphatization have a high concentration of P, K, and Ca. The XRD patterns for the clay fraction of ornithogenic soils show that phosphate minerals are the main crystalline phases (leucophosphite, minyulite, fluorapatite, and apatite). We show that even under typical periglacial conditions, sites influenced by flying birds present active chemical weathering processes. The phosphatization release exchangeable bases and accelerate mineralogical and micromorphological transformations in soils. Under the current global warming trend and expected sea-level rise, the ornithogenic environments are susceptible to accelerated erosion rates and a great part of these hotspots may be lost for the open sea.

Prevalence of hypertension and obesity in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Faced with the increase of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM2) and the failure in treatment, questions have been raised about the clinical situation of these patients. The present study analyzes the prevalence of hypertension and obesity in DM2 patients. Data were collected through interviews and anamnesis of 16 participants. After the meetings, in which capillary glycemia and blood pressure were measured, the participants received guidance about glycemic monitoring, blood pressure control and changes in lifestyle. Approximately 75% of the participants were women with average age of 65 years, 87.5% were sedentary, 18.75% smoked and/or used alcoholic beverages and none performed regular blood glucose monitoring. The initial blood glucose average was 148 mg/ dL and finally decreased to 133 mg/dL. There was no significant difference in blood pressure levels. Regarding the body mass index, 89.4% of the patients were above normal standards and 100% had altered waist circumference values. There is a need for studies like this in order to promote educational practices for health and disease control, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary teams and the pharmaceutical professional, since non-adherence to blood glucose monitoring, also associated with hypertension and obesity, can interfere with the individual's clinical condition.

Prenatal disorders and congenital Zika syndrome in squirrel monkeys.

During the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil (2015-2016), the clinical manifestations associated with its infection were complex and included miscarriage and congenital malformations, not previously described. In this study, we evaluated the prenatal conditions of pregnant female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi) infected during different gestational thirds (GTs) and assessed all clinical aspects, diagnostic imaging, viremia and the immune response. In our study, 75% of the infected animals in the 1st GT group had significant clinical manifestations, such as miscarriage and prolonged viremia associated with a late immune response. Consequently, their neonates showed fetal neuropathology, such as cerebral hemorrhage, lissencephaly or malformations of the brain grooves, ventriculomegaly, and craniofacial malformations. Thus, our study demonstrated the relevance of pregnant squirrel monkeys as a model for the study of ZIKV infection in neonates due to the broad clinical manifestations presented, including the typical congenital Zika syndrome manifestations described in humans.

Eugenol mitigated acute lung but not spermatic toxicity of C60 fullerene emulsion in mice.

C60 fullerene (C60) is a nano-pollutant that can damage the respiratory system. Eugenol exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We aimed to investigate the time course of C60 emulsion-induced pulmonary and spermatic harms, as well as the effect of eugenol on C60 emulsion toxicity. The first group of mice (protocol 1) received intratracheally C60 emulsion (1.0 mg/kg BW) or vehicle and were tested at 12, 24, 72 and 96 h (F groups) thereafter. The second group of mice (protocol 2) received intratracheally C60 emulsion or vehicle, 1 h later were gavaged with eugenol (150 mg/kg) or vehicle, and experiments were done 24 h after instillation. Lung mechanics, morphology, redox markers, cytokines and epididymal spermatozoa were analyzed. Protocol 1: Tissue damping (G) and elastance (H) were significantly higher in F24 than in others groups, except for H in F72. Morphological and inflammatory parameters were worst at 24 h and subsequently declined until 96 h, whereas redox and spermatic parameters worsened over the whole period. Eugenol eliminated the increase in G, H, cellularity, and cytokines, attenuated oxidative stress induced by C60 exposure, but had no effect on sperm. Hence, exposure to C60 emulsion deteriorated lung morphofunctional, redox and inflammatory characteristics and increased the risk of infertility. Furthermore, eugenol avoided those changes, but did not prevent sperm damage.

Integração com a Atenção Primária à Saúde: Experiência de uma Unidade de Referência em Cuidados Paliativos Oncológicos / Integration with Primary Health Care: Experience of a Referral Unit in Palliative Oncology Care / Integración con Atención Primaria de Salud: Experiencia de una Unidad de Derivación en Atención Oncológica Paliativa

O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro se baseia na universalidade, equidade e integralidade, com foco na participação popular, na regionalização e hierarquização, bem como na descentralização, como seus princípios. Visa dessa forma a garantir o acesso da população à saúde em todos os níveis de atenção. O Hospital do Câncer IV (HC IV), unidade de Cuidados Paliativos do Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA), tem como perfil assistencial os pacientes com câncer avançado sem possibilidade de tratamento modificador da doença oriundos das outras unidades do INCA. O HC IV/INCA tem como missão "promover e prover cuidados paliativos oncológicos da mais alta qualidade, com habilidade técnica e humanitária". Dessa maneira, pretende-se minimizar o sofrimento humano proveniente das esferas física, psíquica, social e espiritual e promover qualidade de vida

The principles of the National Health System (SUS) are based in the universality, equity, and integrality, targeted to the participation of the individuals, regionalization and hierarchy and decentralization. It attempts to ensure the population the access to health across all levels of attention . The "Hospital do Câncer IV (HC IV)" Palliative Care Unit of the National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA), provides care to patients with advanced cancer without possibility of disease modifying treatment referred from other INCA units. HC IV/ INCA's mission is to "promote and provide high quality palliative oncologic care with technical and humanitarian proficiency" . Following this logic, it endeavors to minimize the human suffering of physical, psychic, social and spiritual nature, and improve the quality of life

Recent Research and Development of Microgrids in Parana

Abstract Microgrids (MGs) have increasingly attracted the attention of researchers, government officials, and electricity companies for the values and services they can add to the grid. They can operate independently as a single controllable unit in a coordinated way while connected or islanded, which make them suitable to integrate the growing amount of distributed energy resources (DERs) into the distribution network (DN). An active distribution network with high penetration of DERs could be redefined into a collection of microgrids in different layers, pooling their resources together to enhance the grid's performance in the sense of electricity as a service. However, enabling a microgrid-based power system infrastructure poses challenges concerning operation and control. In this paper, a comprehensive overview of research topics regarding microgrid operation are shown in a hierarchical or stratified manner, looking for a holistic vision of a microgrid-based distribution system. First, multi-objective optimization within one microgrid is formulated aiming to minimize costs and maximize battery life is presented. Second, the interaction among MGs, DERs and the DN was modeled using the OPF technique to represent the operation of the grid as a whole. Following, a methodology for collaborative optimization of multiple MGs operating together is presented and at last a theoretical framework for MG operation through decentralized energy markets is discussed. As a result, this paper aims to contribute to a broad vision of the distribution system based on microgrid operation in all its levels.