The influence of light intensities and micropollutants on the removal of total coliforms and E. coli from wastewater in a flat-panel photobioreactor.

The presence of micropollutants and pathogens in sanitary wastewater and surface water is a growing concern that impacts public health, environmental balance and the maintenance of water supply services. To improve sanitary wastewater treatment, it is necessary to develop and improve sustainable technologies. Among the available options, microalgae-based systems stand out for their efficiency and generation of value-added byproducts. To study the impact of luminosity and the presence of micropollutants (13 selected) on the removal of E. coli and total coliforms from real anaerobically treated wastewater, a pilot flat-panel photobioreactor (50 L) was operated in batch mode in a tropical climate region. This is the first study to evaluate whether micropollutants interfere with coliform groups, considering a microalgae-based system and an experiment in a tropical climate region. E. coli had better removal (from 104 to 101 CFU 100 mL-1) than did total coliforms (from 104 to 103 CFU 100 mL-1). The removal of E. coli was more strongly linked to luminosity and temperature, while the removal of total coliforms was influenced by the presence of the selected micropollutants.

Thyroid abnormality in patients with psoriasis: prevalence and association with severity

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is associated with several comorbidities and its association with thyroid abnormality has been hypothesized. Objective: To assess the prevalence of thyroid abnormality in Brazilian patients with psoriasis and to analyze its association with severity, presence of psoriatic arthritis and immunobiological treatment. Additionally, to compare results with literature as a control. Methods: In this observational study, clinical and laboratory data of patients followed from January 2018 to December 2019 were analyzed. Thyroid abnormality was assessed through the current history of thyroid disease and laboratory tests - thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and antithyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies. Patients were classified according to psoriasis severity - Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), presence of psoriatic arthritis, and current treatment. Subsequently, the results were compared with a control group selected from the literature review. Results: Of the 250 included patients, 161 were eligible. The prevalence of thyroid abnormality was 28.57% and of hypothyroidism, 14.91%. The mean age was 55 years and the median PASI was 2.2. There was no association between thyroid abnormality and PASI (p = 0.8), presence of psoriatic arthritis (p = 0.87), or use of immunobiological therapy (p = 0.13). The literature control group included 6,227 patients and there was a statistically significant difference for the hypothyroidism variable (p < 0.0001).

Thyroid abnormality in patients with psoriasis: prevalence and association with severity.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with several comorbidities and its association with thyroid abnormality has been hypothesized. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of thyroid abnormality in Brazilian patients with psoriasis and to analyze its association with severity, presence of psoriatic arthritis and immunobiological treatment. Additionally, to compare results with literature as a control. METHODS: In this observational study, clinical and laboratory data of patients followed from January 2018 to December 2019 were analyzed. Thyroid abnormality was assessed through the current history of thyroid disease and laboratory tests - thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and antithyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies. Patients were classified according to psoriasis severity - Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), presence of psoriatic arthritis, and current treatment. Subsequently, the results were compared with a control group selected from the literature review. RESULTS: Of the 250 included patients, 161 were eligible. The prevalence of thyroid abnormality was 28.57% and of hypothyroidism, 14.91%. The mean age was 55 years and the median PASI was 2.2. There was no association between thyroid abnormality and PASI (p=0.8), presence of psoriatic arthritis (p=0.87), or use of immunobiological therapy (p=0.13). The literature control group included 6,227 patients and there was a statistically significant difference for the hypothyroidism variable (p<0.0001). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Absence of a control group from the same center. CONCLUSION: This was one of the first Brazilian studies on the prevalence of thyroid abnormality in patients with psoriasis.

Pediatric dentistry procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System in the state of Rio Grande do Sul before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: difference between the years 2018 and 2021.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the difference in the number of primary teeth dental procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: this was a descriptive ecological study, using secondary data from the SUS Outpatient Information System (SIA-SUS), from 2018 to 2021, in the state and in its seven health macro-regions; we calculated the relative and absolute frequencies and the percentage difference of the dental procedures performed. RESULTS: 94,443 and 36,151 dental procedures were recorded before and during the pandemic, respectively, corresponding to a 61.7% reduction; relevant percentage reductions were found in restorative procedures, which reached 20% in the southern region of the state; an increase in the percentage of exodontic and endodontic procedures was found. CONCLUSION: the results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the performance of primary teeth dental procedures in Ro Grande do Sul.

Pediatric dentistry procedures performed in the Unified Health System in the State of Rio Grande do Sul before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: difference between the years 2018 and 2021 / Procedimientos de odontopediatría realizados en el Sistema Único de Salud del Estado de Rio Grande do Sul antes y durante la pandemia de COVID19: diferencia entre los años 2018 y 2021 / Procedimentos odontopediátricos realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio Grande do Sul, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19: diferença entre os anos de 2018 e 2021

Objective: To analyze the difference in the number of dental procedures in the primary dentition performed in the Unified Health System in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Descriptive ecological study, using secondary data from the Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais (SIA-SUS), from 2018 to 2021, in the state and in the seven health macro-regions. The relative and absolute frequencies and the percentage difference of the dental procedures performed were calculated. Results: 94,443 and 36,151 dental procedures were registered before and during the pandemic, respectively, which corresponded to a reduction of 61.7%. Relevant percentage reductions were observed in restorative procedures, which reached 20 percentage points in the southern region of the state. An increase in the percentage of exodontic and endodontic procedures was observed. Conclusion: The results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the performance of dental procedures in the primary dentition in the state.

Objetivo: Analizar la diferencia en el número de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal realizados en el Sistema Único de Salud del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio ecológico descriptivo, utilizando datos secundarios del Sistema de Información Ambulatorio del SUS (SIA-SUS), de 2018 a 2021, en el estado y en las siete macrorregiones de salud. Se calcularon las frecuencias relativas, absolutas y la diferencia porcentual de los procedimientos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: se registraron 94.443 y 36.151 procedimientos odontológicos antes y durante la pandemia, respectivamente, lo que corresponde a una reducción del 61,7%. Se observaron reducciones porcentuales relevantes en los procedimientos restaurativos, que alcanzaron 20 puntos porcentuales en la región sur del estado. Se observó un aumento en el porcentaje de procedimientos de exodoncia y endodoncia. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que la pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo repercusiones negativas en la realización de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal en el estado.

Objetivo: analisar a diferença no número de procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19. Métodos: estudo ecológico descritivo, utilizando-se dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do SUS (SIA/SUS), de 2018 a 2021, no estado e em suas sete macrorregiões de saúde; foram calculadas as frequências relativas e absolutas, e a diferença percentual dos procedimentos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: foram registrados 94.443 e 36.151 procedimentos odontológicos antes e durante a pandemia, respectivamente, correspondendo a uma redução de 61,7%; reduções percentuais relevantes foram observadas nos procedimentos restauradores, atingindo 20 pontos percentuais na região Sul do estado; observou-se aumento no percentual de procedimentos exodônticos e endodônticos. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que a pandemia de covid-19 teve repercussões negativas sobre a realização dos procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, no estado gaúcho.

Infectious endocarditis due to Bacillus Cereus in a patient with a pacemaker: case report and literature review / Endocardite infecciosa por Bacillus Cereus em paciente portador de marcapasso: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infectious process of the cardiac endothelium, often related to the use of pacemakers and valve prostheses, which may facilitate microorganism" proliferation. Case Report: In this article, we describe the case of an 81-year-old man with infective endocarditis due to Bacillus Cereus related to the use of a pacemaker and perform a brief literature review. Discussion: Bacillus Cereus is a Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, large, and generally motile bacterium that constitutes a rare cause of endocarditis, but few cases like this are described in the literature. Conclusion: Determining the etiology of IE through culture-guided methods plays a pivotal role in selecting appropriate antibiotic treatment. Maintain a high clinical suspicion for IE is paramount, especially when fever arises in patients with cardiac devices after surgical or dental procedures.

Introdução: A endocardite infecciosa é um processo infeccioso do endotélio cardíaco, muitas vezes relacionado ao uso de marca-passos e próteses valvares, que pode facilitar a proliferação de microrganismos. Relato de Caso: Neste artigo descrevemos o caso de um homem de 81 anos com endocardite infecciosa por Bacillus Cereus relacionada ao uso de marca-passo e realizamos uma breve revisão da literatura. Discussão: Bacillus Cereus é uma bactéria Gram-positiva, aeróbia, formadora de esporos, grande e geralmente móvel, que constitui uma causa rara de endocardite, com poucos casos descritos na literatura. Conclusão: A determinação da etiologia da EI através de métodos guiados por cultura desempenha um papel fundamental na seleção do tratamento antibiótico apropriado. Manter alta suspeita clínica de EI é fundamental, principalmente quando surge febre em pacientes portadores de dispositivos cardíacos após procedimentos cirúrgicos ou odontológicos.

Procedimentos odontopediátricos realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio Grande do Sul, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19: diferença entre os anos de 2018 e 2021 / Procedimientos de odontopediatría realizados en el Sistema Único de Salud del estado de Rio Grande do Sul antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19: diferencia entre los años 2018 y 2021 / Pediatric dentistry procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System in the state of Rio Grande do Sul before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: difference between the years 2018 and 2021

Objective: to analyze the difference in the number of primary teeth dental procedures performed within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: this was a descriptive ecological study, using secondary data from the SUS Outpatient Information System (SIA-SUS), from 2018 to 2021, in the state and in its seven health macro-regions; we calculated the relative and absolute frequencies and the percentage difference of the dental procedures performed. Results: 94,443 and 36,151 dental procedures were recorded before and during the pandemic, respectively, corresponding to a 61.7% reduction; relevant percentage reductions were found in restorative procedures, which reached 20% in the southern region of the state; an increase in the percentage of exodontic and endodontic procedures was found. Conclusion: the results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the performance of primary teeth dental procedures in Rio Grande do Sul.

Objetivo: analizar la diferencia en el número de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal realizados en el Sistema Único de Salud del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: estudio ecológico descriptivo, utilizando datos secundarios del Sistema de Información Ambulatorio del SUS (SIA-SUS), de 2018 a 2021, en el estado y en las siete macrorregiones de salud. Se calcularon las frecuencias relativas, absolutas y la diferencia porcentual de los procedimientos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: se registraron 94.443 y 36.151 procedimientos odontológicos antes y durante la pandemia, respectivamente, lo que corresponde a una reducción del 61,7%. Se observaron reducciones porcentuales relevantes en los procedimientos restaurativos, que alcanzaron 20 puntos porcentuales en la región sur del estado. Se observó un aumento en el porcentaje de procedimientos de exodoncia y endodoncia. Conclusión: los resultados sugieren que la pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo repercusiones negativas en la realización de procedimientos odontológicos en dentición temporal en el estado.

Objetivo: analisar a diferença no número de procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, antes e durante a pandemia de covid-19. Métodos: estudo ecológico descritivo, utilizando-se dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do SUS (SIA/SUS), de 2018 a 2021, no estado e em suas sete macrorregiões de saúde; foram calculadas as frequências relativas e absolutas, e a diferença percentual dos procedimentos odontológicos realizados. Resultados: foram registrados 94.443 e 36.151 procedimentos odontológicos antes e durante a pandemia, respectivamente, correspondendo a uma redução de 61,7%; reduções percentuais relevantes foram observadas nos procedimentos restauradores, atingindo 20 pontos percentuais na região Sul do estado; observou-se aumento no percentual de procedimentos exodônticos e endodônticos. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que a pandemia de covid-19 teve repercussões negativas sobre a realização dos procedimentos odontológicos na dentição decídua, no estado.

Rotary Jet Spinning (RJS): A Key Process to Produce Biopolymeric Wound Dressings.

Wounds result from different causes (e.g., trauma, surgeries, and diabetic ulcers), requiring even extended periods of intensive care for healing, according to the patient's organism and treatment. Currently, wound dressings generated by polymeric fibers at micro and nanometric scales are promising for healing the injured area. They offer great surface area and porosity, mimicking the fibrous extracellular matrix structure, facilitating cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation, and accelerating the wound healing process. Such properties resulted in countless applications of these materials in biomedical and tissue engineering, also as drug delivery systems for bioactive molecules to help tissue regeneration. The techniques used to engineer these fibers include spinning methods (electro-, rotary jet-), airbrushing, and 3D printing. These techniques have important advantages, such as easy-handle procedure and process parameters variability (type of polymer), but encounter some scalability problems. RJS is described as a simple and low-cost technique resulting in high efficiency and yield for fiber production, also capable of bioactive agents' incorporation to improve the healing potential of RJS wound dressings. This review addresses the use of RJS to produce polymeric fibers, describing the concept, type of configuration, comparison to other spinning techniques, most commonly used polymers, and the relevant parameters that influence the manufacture of the fibers, for the ultimate use in the development of wound dressings.

Avaliação da complexidade da assistência de enfermagem em unidade de internação clínica / Evaluation of complexity of nursing care in a clinical inpatient unite / Valiación de la complejidad de los cuidados de enfermería en una unidad clínica de hospitalización

Objetivo:avaliar a complexidade do cuidado de enfermagem a partir do Sistema de Classificação de Pacientes de Fugulin.Método: pesquisa descritiva, documental e retrospectivacom abordagem quantitativa. O instrumento "Sistema de Classificação de Pacientes" foi aplicadoem todos os pacientes internadosnaunidade de clínica médicaentre maio a julho de 2021. A amostrade conveniênciaincluiu1000avaliações, sendo 998 incluidas no estudo. A análise dos dados ocorreupor meio de estatística descritivacom apoio do software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Aclassificação da complexidade assistencialfundamentou-se no escore obtido.Resultados: a maioria dos pacientes demandou cuidados mínimos (34,7%), seguido dos cuidados de alta dependência (21%), cuidados intermediários (18,2%), cuidados semi-intensivo (18%) e intensivo (8%).Conclusões: apesar da predominância de pacientes de cuidados mínimos, verificou-se que 47% dos pacientes demandam cuidados de alta dependência, semi-intensivo ou intensivo o que caracteriza elevada complexidade de cuidados de enfermagem no cenário investigado.

Objective: to evaluate the complexity of nursing care based on Fugulin's PatientClassification System. Method:descriptive, documental and retrospective research with a quantitative approach. The instrument "Patient Classification System" was applied to all patients admitted to the medical clinic unit between May and July 2021. The convenience sample included 1000 assessments, 998 of which were included in the study. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics with support from the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The classification of care complexity was based on the score obtained. Results:most patients required minimal care (34.7%), followed by high dependency care (21%), intermediate care (18.2%), semi-intensive care (18%) and intensive care (8%). Conclusions:despite the predominance of minimal care patients, it was found that 47% of patients demanded high dependency, semi-intensive or intensive care which characterizes high complexity of nursing care in the investigated scenario.

Objetivo: evaluar la complejidad de los cuidados de enfermería a partir del Sistema de Clasificación de Pacientes de Fugulin. Método:investigación descriptiva, documental y retrospectiva con enfoque cuantitativo. El instrumento "Sistema de clasificación de pacientes" se aplicó a todos los pacientes ingresados en la unidad de clínica médica entre mayo y julio de 2021. La muestra de conveniencia incluyó 1000 evaluaciones, siendo 998 las incluidas en el estudio. El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante estadísticas descriptivas con el apoyo del programa informático Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). La clasificación de la complejidad asistencial se basó en la puntuación obtenida. Resultados:la mayoría de los pacientes requirieron cuidados mínimos (34,7%), seguidos de cuidados de alta dependencia (21%), cuidados intermedios (18,2%), cuidados semi-intensivos (18%) y cuidados intensivos (8%). Conclusiones:a pesar del predominio de los pacientes de cuidados mínimos, se encontró que el 47% de los pacientes demandaron cuidados de alta dependencia, semi-intensivos o intensivos, lo que caracteriza la alta complejidad de los cuidados de enfermería en el escenario investigado.

Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-Gallate in Amyloid Aggregation and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The accumulation of protein aggregates in human tissues is a hallmark of more than 40 diseases called amyloidoses. In seven of these disorders, the aggregation is associated with neurodegenerative processes in the central nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). The aggregation occurs when certain soluble proteins lose their physiological function and become toxic amyloid species. The amyloid assembly consists of protein filament interactions, which can form fibrillar structures rich in ß-sheets. Despite the frequent incidence of these diseases among the elderly, the available treatments are limited and at best palliative, and new therapeutic approaches are needed. Among the many natural compounds that have been evaluated for their ability to prevent or delay the amyloidogenic process is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an abundant and potent polyphenolic molecule present in green tea that has extensive biological activity. There is evidence for EGCG's ability to inhibit the aggregation of α-synuclein, amyloid-ß, and huntingtin proteins, respectively associated with PD, AD, and HD. It prevents fibrillogenesis (in vitro and in vivo), reduces amyloid cytotoxicity, and remodels fibrils to form non-toxic amorphous species that lack seed propagation. Although it is an antioxidant, EGCG in an oxidized state can promote fibrils' remodeling through formation of Schiff bases and crosslinking the fibrils. Moreover, microparticles to drug delivery were synthesized from oxidized EGCG and loaded with a second anti-amyloidogenic molecule, obtaining a synergistic therapeutic effect. Here, we describe several pre-clinical and clinical studies involving EGCG and neurodegenerative diseases and their related mechanisms.

Pentameric Thiophene as a Probe to Monitor EGCG's Remodeling Activity of Mature Amyloid Fibrils: Overcoming Signal Artifacts of Thioflavin T.

Thioflavin T fluorescence is a gold standard probe for the detection of amyloid fibrils. Herein, we showed that mature amyloid fibrils incubated with polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) present a fast reduction of the thioflavin T fluorescence, which is not related to remodeling activity. We propose the use of the pentameric thiophene fluorescence for monitoring the polyphenol remodeling activity.

Green Tea Polyphenol Microparticles Based on the Oxidative Coupling of EGCG Inhibit Amyloid Aggregation/Cytotoxicity and Serve as a Platform for Drug Delivery.

The accumulation of cross-ß-sheet amyloid fibrils is a hallmark of all human amyloid diseases. The compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenol present in green tea, has been described to have beneficial effects in several pathologies, including amyloidogenic diseases. This polyphenol blocks amyloidogenesis and disaggregates a broad range of amyloidogenic peptides comprising amyloid fibrils in vitro. The mechanism by which EGCG acts in the context of amyloid aggregation is not clear. Most of the biological effects of EGCG are attributable to its antioxidant activity. However, EGCG-oxidized products appear to be sufficient for the majority of EGCG amyloid remodeling observed against some polypeptides. If controlled, EGCG oxidation can afford homogenous microparticles (MPs) and can serve as drug delivery agents. Herein, we produced EGCG MPs by oxidative coupling and analyzed their activity during the aggregation of the protein α-synuclein (α-syn), the main protein related to Parkinson's disease. The MPs modestly remodeled mature amyloid fibrils and efficiently inhibited the amyloidogenic aggregation of α-syn. The MPs showed low cytotoxicity against both dopaminergic cells and microglial cells. The MPs reduced the cytotoxic effects of α-syn oligomers. Interestingly, the MPs were loaded with another antiamyloidogenic compound, increasing their activity against amyloid aggregation. We propose the use of EGCG MPs as a bifunctional strategy, blocking amyloid aggregation directly and carrying a molecule that can act synergistically to alleviate the symptoms caused by the amyloidogenic pathway.

Selective and Sensitive Pull Down of Amyloid Fibrils Produced in Vitro and in Vivo by the Use of Pentameric-Thiophene-Coupled Resins.

Protein aggregation is a hallmark of several degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and familial amyloidosis (Finnish type) (FAF). A method to isolate and detect amyloids is desired for the diagnosis of amyloid diseases. Here, we report the synthesis of pentameric thiophene amyloid ligand (p-FTAA) linked to agarose resin for selective purification of amyloid aggregates produced in vitro and in vivo. Using amyloid fibrils produced in vitro from α-synuclein, gelsolin, and Aß1-40 and gelsolin amyloid aggregates extracted from tissue homogenates of a mouse model of FAF, we observed that p-FTAA resin was able to pull down amyloid aggregates. The functionalized resin was also able to pull down oligomers produced in vitro from the A30P variant of α-synuclein. The methodology described here can be useful for the diagnosis of amyloidogenic disease and also can be used to purify amyloid fibrils from biological samples, rendering the fibrils available for more accurate structural and biochemical characterization.

Protein charge distribution in proteomes and its impact on translation.

As proteins are synthesized, the nascent polypeptide must pass through a negatively charged exit tunnel. During this stage, positively charged stretches can interact with the ribosome walls and slow the translation. Therefore, charged polypeptides may be important factors that affect protein expression. To determine the frequency and distribution of positively and negatively charged stretches in different proteomes, the net charge was calculated for every 30 consecutive amino acid residues, which corresponds to the length of the ribosome exit tunnel. The following annotated and reviewed proteins in the UniProt database (Swiss-Prot) were analyzed: 551,705 proteins from different organisms and a total of 180 million protein segments. We observed that there were more negative than positive stretches and that super-charged positive sequences (i.e., net charges ≥ 14) were underrepresented in the proteomes. Overall, the proteins were more positively charged at their N-termini and C-termini, and this feature was present in most organisms and subcellular localizations. To investigate whether the N-terminal charges affect the elongation rates, previously published ribosomal profiling data obtained from S. cerevisiae, without translation-interfering drugs, were analyzed. We observed a nonlinear effect of the charge on the ribosome occupancy in which values ≥ +5 and ≤ -6 showed increased and reduced ribosome densities, respectively. These groups also showed different distributions across 80S monosomes and polysomes. Basic polypeptides are more common within short proteins that are translated by monosomes, whereas negative stretches are more abundant in polysome-translated proteins. These findings suggest that the nascent peptide charge impacts translation and can be one of the factors that regulate translation efficiency and protein expression.

An ortho-Iminoquinone Compound Reacts with Lysine Inhibiting Aggregation while Remodeling Mature Amyloid Fibrils.

Protein aggregation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It has been shown that lysine residues play a key role in the formation of these aggregates. Thus, the ability to disrupt aggregate formation by covalently modifying lysine residues could lead to the discovery of therapeutically relevant antiamyloidogenesis compounds. Herein, we demonstrate that an ortho-iminoquinone (IQ) can be utilized to inhibit amyloid aggregation. Using alpha-synuclein and Aß1-40 as model amyloidogenic proteins, we observed that IQ was able to react with lysine residues and reduce amyloid aggregation. We also observed that IQ reacted with free amines within the amyloid fibrils preventing their dissociation and seeding capacity.

Imagem do enfermeiro sob a ótica do acadêmico de enfermagem / Image of nurse under the perspective of the nursing academic

Objetivo: conhecer a imagem do enfermeiro frente ao acadêmico de enfermagem. Metodologia: estudo de caso qualitativo fundamentado na Sociologia Compreensiva do Cotidiano, realizado com 26 participantes do 9º período de uma instituição de ensino superior. Os dados foram coletados por meio da entrevista individual e analisados segundo Análise de Conteúdo Temática. Resultados: a imagem se postula em um profissional essencial na área da saúde, que organiza o setor, gerencia ações, lidera a equipe, presta assistência aos pacientes e é referência para outros profissionais. Conclusão: a (des)valorização do profissional foi um dos aspectos na construção dessa imagem e na percepção positiva/negativa do acadêmico frente ao futuro na profissão.

Objective: to know the image of the nurse in front of the nursing academic. Methodology: a qualitative case study based on the Comprehensive Sociology of Daily Life, carried out with 26 participants from the 9th period of an institution of higher education. The datas were collected through the individual interview and analyzed according to the Thematic Content Analysis. Results: The image postulates itself in a essencial professional in the health area, which organizes the sector, manages actions, leads the team, provides assistance to patients and is a reference for other professionals. Conclusion: The (de) valuation of the professional was one of the aspects in the construction of this image and in the positive / negative perception of the academic towards the future in the profession.

Objetivo: conocer la imagen de la enfermera en el estudiante de enfermería. Metodología: estudio de caso cualitativo basado en la sociología comprensiva de la vida cotidiana, que se celebró con 26 participantes del noveno período de una institución de educación superior. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas individuales y se analizaron mediante análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: La imagen se postula un profesional esencial en el campo de la salud, que organiza el sector, gestiona las acciones, dirige el equipo, ayuda a los pacientes y es un punto de referencia para otros profesionales. Conclusión: La (des) valoración profesional fue uno de los aspectos de la construcción de la imagen y la percepción positiva / negativa frente académico del futuro en la profesión.

Perfil das participantes do projeto de extensão "Viver Melhor - Assistência Integral às Mulheres no Climatério" / Profile of the participants of the "Living Better – Integral Care of Menopausal Women" extension project

O climatério, transição entre o período reprodutivo e o não-reprodutivo, é marcado por mudanças hormonais, físicas e psíquicas, que muitas vezes são acompanhadas de sintomas desagradáveis às mulheres. O projeto Viver Melhor - Assistência Integral às Mulheres no Climatério do HU/CAS-UFJF tem como função prestar educação em saúde a essa população. A fim de aperfeiçoar o trabalho do grupo e auxiliar na promoção da saúde dessas mulheres, o perfil delas foi analisado. Para isso utilizamos o Questionário de Saúde da Mulher, composto por 37 questões, aplicado a 36 participantes do projeto, selecionadas em amostra acidental. Como resultados, observou-se pontuação baixa (sintomas mais graves) no questionário para sintomas somáticos, vasomotores e de memória e concentração; e pontuação alta (sintomas mais leves) para depressão, atratividade e sintomas menstruais. Conclui-se, portanto, que a alta prevalência e a relativa gravidade de alguns desses sintomas podem ter influências negativas na qualidade de vida das mulheres climatéricas. Desta forma, iniciativas de educação em saúde devem ser incentivadas, estimulando o esclarecimento e o acesso ao serviço de saúde para a população em período de climatério.

Menopause, the transition period between childbearing age and non-reproductive age, is characterized by hormonal, physical and psychic changes, which frequently lead to unpleasant symptoms. The "Living Better - Integral Care of Menopausal Women", an extension project developed at the University Hospital / Health Care Center of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, aims to provide menopausal women with health education. The participants' profile was assessed, in order to improve the work developed and help with health education initiatives. The Women's Health Questionnaire, composed of 37 questions, was applied to 36 participants randomly selected. Lower scores (more severe symptoms) were observed for somatic, vasomotor, memory and concentration symptoms, while higher scores (milder symptoms) were observed for depression, attractiveness and menstrual symptoms. The high prevalence and relative severity of some of these symptoms may adversely affect the quality of life of menopausal women. Health education initiatives must be supported so as to increase the menopausal population's knowledge about and access to health care services.

PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the North Island brown kiwi, Apteryx mantelli.

We report the isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic and five monomorphic microsatellites in North Island brown kiwi (NIBK, Apteryx mantelli), using two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques employing either short-tandem repeat primers (STR method) or random PCR-based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA method). Microsatellite polymorphism was subsequently determined using 65 individuals. There were two to seven alleles for each polymorphic locus with heterozygozity ranging between 0.04 and 0.86. These primers will be used in future studies to determine the level of extra-pair copulation, dispersal patterns, and genetic diversity within and between wild populations of NIBK.

Choroidal mass as the presenting sign of small cell lung carcinoma.

CASE REPORT: To report the case of a 58-year-old man with blurred vision and metamorphopsia who had an amelanotic choroidal mass in the right eye as the presenting sign of a small cell lung carcinoma. Systemic screening failed to reveal a tumor elsewhere, and the lesion was initially treated as a primary ocular tumor. Discovery of the primary site was made 10 months after the ocular diagnosis, and the patient was then treated with systemic chemotherapy and local radiation therapy. COMMENTS: The ophthalmologist has a crucial role not only in the management of ocular metastases but also in the diagnosis of the primary nonocular malignancies that present as a choroidal mass. The possibility of ocular metastases in patients with choroidal masses should always be considered whether or not there is a diagnosis of cancer elsewhere.

Relationship between histopathological features of chemotherapy treated retinoblastoma and P-glycoprotein expression.

BACKGROUND: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been identified as a possible mediator of chemoresistance in retinoblastoma. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of P-gp in retinoblastoma treated with chemotherapy prior to enucleation. METHODS: Seventeen enucleated specimens of retinoblastoma from 16 patients were studied. Nine had been treated with chemotherapy alone, and eight had been treated with chemotherapy and other forms of local treatment. Tumour differentiation as well as choroidal and optic nerve invasion were assessed. P-gp immunohistochemical staining was performed and evaluated as negative, low or high. RESULTS: Histopathological assessment of the cases showed that 14 of 17 eyes (82.3%) had viable retinoblastoma cells. Nine retinoblastomas were considered regressed with a well-differentiated component, five regressed retinoblastomas had viable cells with poor differentiation and three retinoblastomas had regressed leaving no viable cells. Sixteen of 17 retinoblastomas were P-gp positive. In the one case with optic nerve invasion and the three cases with massive choroidal invasion, P-gp expression was found in invading retinoblastoma cells. CONCLUSION: Almost all retinoblastomas expressed P-gp. High levels of P-gp expression might play a role in chemotherapy resistance of retinoblastoma or, conversely, chemotherapy might induce P-gp expression. These results might have an impact on management of bilateral retinoblastoma.