Beneficial Effects of Capybara Oil Supplementation on Steatosis and Liver Apoptosis in Obese Mice.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease characterized by excess body fat (adipose) that is harmful to health and has been a major global health problem. It may be associated with several diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are lipid mediators that have anti-inflammatory characteristics and can be found in animals and plants, with capybara oil (CO) being a promising source. So, we intend to evaluate the hepatic pathophysiological alterations in C57Bl/6 mice with NAFLD, caused by obesity, and the possible beneficial effects of OC in the treatment of this disease. Eighteen 3-month-old male C57Bl/6 mice received a control or high-fat diet for 18 weeks. From the 15th to the 18th week, the animals received treatment-through orogastric gavage-with placebo or free capybara oil (5 g/kg). Parameters inherent to body mass, glucose tolerance, evaluation of liver enzymes, percentage of hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, the process of cell death with the apoptotic biomarkers (Bax, Bcl2, and Cytochrome C), and the ultrastructure of hepatocytes were analyzed. Even though the treatment with CO was not able to disassemble the effects on the physiological parameters, it proved to be beneficial in reversing the morphological and ultrastructural damage present in the hepatocytes. Thus, demonstrating that CO has beneficial effects in reducing steatosis and the apoptotic pathway, it is a promising treatment for NAFLD.

Physicochemical and Nutritional Properties of Vegetable Oils from Brazil Diversity and Their Applications in the Food Industry.

In this study, the oils of açaí, passion fruit, pequi, and guava were submitted to physicochemical analysis to investigate their potential application in the food industry. Gas chromatography associated with mass spectroscopy showed that oleic and linoleic acids are mainly responsible for the nutritional quality of açaí, passion fruit, pequi, and guava oils, which exhibited 46.71%, 38.11%, 43.78%, and 35.69% of the former fatty acid, and 18.93%, 47.64%, 20.90%, and 44.72% of the latter, respectively. The atherogenicity index of the oils varied from 0.11 to 0.65, while the thrombogenicity index was 0.93 for açaí, 0.35 for guava, and 0.3 for passion fruit oils, but 1.39 for pequi oil, suggesting that the use of the first three oils may lead to a low incidence of coronary heart disease. Thermogravimetry showed that all tested oils were thermally stable above 180 °C; therefore, they can be considered resistant to cooking and frying temperatures. In general, the results of this study highlight possible applications of these oils in the food industry, either in natura or in typical food production processes.

Expanded specific T cells to hypomutated regions of the SARS-CoV-2 using mRNA electroporated antigen-presenting cells.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused about seven million deaths worldwide. Preventative vaccines have been developed including Spike gp mRNA-based vaccines that provide protection to immunocompetent patients. However, patients with primary immunodeficiencies, patients with cancer, or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients are not able to mount robust immune responses against current vaccine approaches. We propose to target structural SARS-CoV-2 antigens (i.e., Spike gp, Membrane, Nucleocapsid, and Envelope) using circulating human antigen-presenting cells electroporated with full length SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-encoding mRNAs to activate and expand specific T cells. Based on the Th1-type cytokine and cytolytic enzyme secretion upon antigen rechallenge, we were able to generate SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells in up to 70% of unexposed unvaccinated healthy donors (HDs) after 3 subsequent stimulations and in 100% of recovered patients (RPs) after 2 stimulations. By means of SARS-CoV-2 specific TCRß repertoire analysis, T cells specific to Spike gp-derived hypomutated regions were identified in HDs and RPs despite viral genomic evolution. Hence, we demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-loaded antigen-presenting cells are effective activating and expanding COVID19-specific T cells. This approach represents an alternative to patients who are not able to mount adaptive immune responses to current COVID-19 vaccines with potential protection across new variants that have conserved genetic regions.

Situación escolar y uso de sustancias psicoactivas en estudiantes con discapacidades / School situation and psychoactive substance use among students with disabilities

Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre situación escolar y uso de sustancias psicoactivas por parte de estudiantes con discapacidades. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en escuelas públicas. La población de estudio fueron estudiantes con discapacidades. Se utilizó el cuestionario Teen Addiction Severity Index. Los datos se analizaron mediante la prueba Chi-cuadrado, la prueba de tendencia lineal Chi-cuadrado (extensión de Mantel-Haenszel) y la prueba ANOVA. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación. Resultados: Participaron 110 estudiantes. La mayoría pertenecientes al grupo etario de entre 20 y 30 años, del sexo masculino, morenos, católicos y con discapacidades intelectuales. El 70% de los participantes refirió nunca consumir sustancias psicoactivas, mientras que el 30% afirmó haber usado estas sustancias alguna vez en la vida. Entre las sustancias consumidas, el 19,4% reportó uso de sedantes, el 4,6% consumo de alcohol, el 0,9% uso de opiáceos y el 0,9% de tabaco. Se registró una asociación entre edad y uso de sustancias psicoactivas. No hubo asociación significativa alguna entre situación escolar y consumo de estas sustancias. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos destacaron que existe mayor consumo de sustancias psicoactivas lícitas entre los estudiantes con discapacidades, lo que se asocia con la edad. Estos resultados son importantes para que los enfermeros desarrollen sus actividades de prevención del abuso de sustancias psicoactivas (AU)

Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a situação escolar e o uso de substâncias psicoativas por estudantes com deficiência. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em escolas públicas. A população do estudo foi composta por estudantes com deficiência. Utilizou-se o questionário Teen Addiction Severity Index. Os dados foram analisados por meio dos testes Qui quadrado, Qui-quadrado (extensão de Mantel-Haenszel) e ANOVA. Estudo aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: Participaram 110 estudantes. A maioria pertence a faixa etária entre 20 e 30 anos de idade, sexo masculino, pardos, católicos e com deficiência intelectual. 70% dos participantes referiu que nunca consumiu substâncias psicoativas, enquanto que 30% afirma ter consumido alguma substância pelo menos uma vez na vida. Dentre as substâncias consumidas, 19,4% relataram uso de sedativos, 4,6% uso de álcool, 0,9% uso de opiáceos e 0,9% de tabaco. Houve associação entre idade e o uso de substâncias psicoativas. Não houve associação significativa entre a situação escolar e o uso destas substâncias. Conclusões: Os resultados destacaram que existe um maior consumo de substâncias psicoativas lícitas entre os estudantes com deficiência, o que está associado com a idade. Estes resultados são importantes para que os enfermeiros desenvolvam suas atividades de prevenção ao abuso de substâncias psicoativas (AU)

Objective: To analyze the association between school situation and use of psychoactive substances by students with disabilities. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out in public schools. The study population was students with disabilities. The Teen Addiction Severity Index questionnaire was used. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, the linear trend Chi-square test (Mantel-Haenszel extension) and the ANOVA test. The study was approved by Research Ethics Committee. Results: The participants were 110 students, most of them belonging to the age group between 20 and 30 years old, male, brown-skinned, Catholics, and with intellectual disabilities. 70% of the participants reported never having used psychoactive substances; in turn, 30% asserted having used these substances at least once in their lifetime. Among the substances consumed, 19.4% reported sedatives, 4.6% alcohol, 0.9% opioids, and 0.9% tobacco. There was an association between age and use of psychoactive substances. There was no significant association between school situation and use of these substances. Conclusions: The findings highlighted that there is greater consumption of licit psychoactive substances among students with disabilities, which is associated with age. These results are important for nurses to develop their activities to prevent psychoactive substance abuse (AU)

Cholesterol Exacerbates the Pathophysiology of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis by Upregulating Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 and Modulating Microcirculatory Dysfunction.

Cholesterol is a pivotal lipotoxic molecule that contributes to the progression of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis NASH). Additionally, microcirculatory changes are critical components of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the role of cholesterol as an insult that modulates microcirculatory damage in NAFLD and the underlying mechanisms. The experimental model was established in male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet for 39 weeks. Between weeks 31-39, 2% cholesterol was added to the HFHC diet in a subgroup of mice. Leukocyte recruitment and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation in microcirculation were assessed using intravital microscopy. The hepatic microvascular blood flow (HMBF) was measured using laser speckle flowmetry. High cholesterol levels exacerbated hepatomegaly, hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and leukocyte recruitment compared to the HFHC group. In addition, cholesterol decreased the HMBF-cholesterol-induced activation of HSC and increased HIF1A expression in the liver. Furthermore, cholesterol promoted a pro-inflammatory cytokine profile with a Th1-type immune response (IFN-γ/IL-4). These findings suggest cholesterol exacerbates NAFLD progression through microcirculatory dysfunction and HIF1A upregulation through hypoxia and inflammation. This study highlights the importance of cholesterol-induced lipotoxicity, which causes microcirculatory dysfunction associated with NAFLD pathology, thus reinforcing the potential of lipotoxicity and microcirculation as therapeutic targets for NAFLD.

A robust platform for integrative spatial multi-omics analysis to map immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung tissues.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus has caused a devastating global pandemic of respiratory illness. To understand viral pathogenesis, methods are available for studying dissociated cells in blood, nasal samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and similar, but a robust platform for deep tissue characterization of molecular and cellular responses to virus infection in the lungs is still lacking. We developed an innovative spatial multi-omics platform to investigate COVID-19-infected lung tissues. Five tissue-profiling technologies were combined by a novel computational mapping methodology to comprehensively characterize and compare the transcriptome and targeted proteome of virus infected and uninfected tissues. By integrating spatial transcriptomics data (Visium, GeoMx and RNAScope) and proteomics data (CODEX and PhenoImager HT) at different cellular resolutions across lung tissues, we found strong evidence for macrophage infiltration and defined the broader microenvironment surrounding these cells. By comparing infected and uninfected samples, we found an increase in cytokine signalling and interferon responses at different sites in the lung and showed spatial heterogeneity in the expression level of these pathways. These data demonstrate that integrative spatial multi-omics platforms can be broadly applied to gain a deeper understanding of viral effects on cellular environments at the site of infection and to increase our understanding of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the lungs.

Capybara Oil Improves Renal Pathophysiology and Inflammation in Obese Mice.

Obesity is an inflammatory disease associated with secondary diseases such as kidney disease, which can cause lipotoxicity, inflammation and loss of organ function. Polyunsaturated fatty acids act in the production of lipid mediators and have anti-inflammatory characteristics. In this work, the objective was to evaluate renal histopathology in obese mice and the effects of treatment with capybara oil (CO) (5000 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks). Parameters such as body mass, lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, urinary creatinine and protein excretion, structure and ultrastructure of the renal cortex, fibrosis, tissue inflammation and oxidative stress were analyzed. CO treatment in obese mice showed improvement in the lipid profile and reduction in systolic blood pressure levels, in addition to beneficial remodeling of the renal cortex. Our data demonstrated that CO decreased inflammation, oxidative stress and renal fibrosis, as evidenced by quantifying the expression of TNF-α, IL-10, CAT, SOD, α-SMA and TGF-ß. Although treatment with CO did not show improvement in renal function, ultrastructural analysis showed that the treatment was effective in restoring podocytes and pedicels, with restructuring of the glomerular filtration barrier. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that treatment with CO is effective in reducing kidney damage, being considered a promising treatment for obesity.

Gold nanoparticles reduce tubule-interstitial injury and proteinuria in a murine model of subclinical acute kidney injury.

Subclinical acute kidney injury (subAKI) is characterized by tubule-interstitial injury without significant changes in glomerular function. SubAKI is associated with the pathogenesis and progression of acute and chronic kidney diseases. Currently, therapeutic strategies to treat subAKI are limited. The use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has shown promising benefits in different models of diseases. However, their possible effects on subAKI are still unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of AuNPs on a mouse model of subAKI. Animals with subAKI showed increased functional and histopathologic markers of tubular injury. There were no changes in glomerular function and structure. The animals with subAKI also presented an inflammatory profile demonstrated by activation of Th1 and Th17 cells in the renal cortex. This phenotype was associated with decreased megalin-mediated albumin endocytosis and expression of proximal tubular megalin. AuNP treatment prevented tubule-interstitial injury induced by subAKI. This effect was associated with a shift to an anti-inflammatory Th2 response. Furthermore, AuNP treatment preserved megalin-mediated albumin endocytosis in vivo and in vitro. AuNPs were not nephrotoxic in healthy mice. These results suggest that AuNPs have a protective effect in the tubule-interstitial injury observed in subAKI, highlighting a promising strategy as a future antiproteinuric treatment.

Inventory of parenting systems and styles: a measure for early childhood / Inventário de sistemas e estilos parentais: uma medida para a primeira infância / Inventario de estilos y sistemas de crianza: una medida para la primera infância

The Component Model of Parenting (CMP), from an evolutionary perspective, proposes a phylogenetically evolved repertoire of six systems (body contact, body stimulation, face-to-face exchange, object stimulation, and primary care) and two parenting styles (distal and proximal) by combining some of these systems. We developed the Inventory of Parenting Systems and Styles (ISEP) and applied it to hospitals and schools to analyze its psychometric properties. The parenting measure analysis we propose evolved 70 primary caregivers of young children with a mean age of 22.44 months. ISEP consists of 26 daily situations and assesses the most common parenting practices caregivers adopted in each one of them. Besides, we created a Coding Guide to Parenting Practice. It enabled us to classify each response according to the CMP systems. We found a variance of 84.67% and 95.55% in codification agreement between expert judges and a significant intraclass correlation coefficient for all parenting systems, which discloses validity evidence on the response process of the inventory. Our analyses indicated the occurrence of all parental systems, with a prevalence of narrative envelope and body stimulation. Cluster analysis revealed two clusters, one formed by proximal style and another by distal style, in accordance with the interactions of the system, representing a validity of evidence based on the internal structure of the instrument. ISEP provides reasonable measures for research and professional practice in Psychology. Further research with more extensive and diverse samples is necessary to refine the instrument and, especially its guide.(AU)

O Modelo de Componentes da Parentalidade (MCP) da perspectiva evolucionista propõe seis sistemas - contato corporal, estimulação corporal, contato face a face, estimulação por objeto, envelope narrativo e cuidado primário - universais e filogeneticamente evoluídos, e dois estilos parentais - distal e proximal - oriundos da combinação de alguns desses sistemas. Para analisar propriedades psicométricas de uma medida de parentalidade, o Inventário de Sistemas e Estilos Parentais (ISEP) foi aplicado em contexto escolar e hospitalar, em 70 cuidadores primários de crianças com idade média de 24,44 meses. O ISEP, construído para este estudo, apresenta 26 situações cotidianas e solicita que cuidadores indiquem a prática parental mais comumente adotada em cada uma delas, e cada resposta foi classificada em um dos sistemas do MCP por um Guia de Codificação de Práticas Parentais. A concordância entre juízes com a codificação variou entre 84,67% e 95,55%, e os coeficientes de correlação intraclasse foram significativos para todos os sistemas de parentalidade, representando uma evidência de validade por processo de resposta do inventário. As análises indicaram a ocorrência de todos os sistemas parentais, com predominância de envelope narrativo e estimulação corporal. Uma análise de cluster formou dois conglomerados, um derivando o estilo proximal e outro o estilo distal, de acordo com a interação entre os sistemas, constituindo uma evidência de validade baseada na estrutura interna do instrumento. O ISEP mostrou ser uma medida promissora para a pesquisa e a prática profissional em Psicologia. Outras pesquisas com amostras mais amplas e diversificadas são necessárias para refinamento do instrumento e do guia.(AU)

El Modelo Componencial del Parentaje (MCP), desde una perspectiva evolutiva, propone seis sistemas (contacto corporal, estimulación corporal, contacto cara a cara, estimulación con objetos, envoltura narrativa y atención primaria), universales y filogenéticamente evolucionados, así como dos estilos parentales (distal y proximal) que se originan combinando algunos de ellos. Para analizar las propiedades psicométricas de una medida parental, se aplicó el Inventario de Estilos y Sistemas de Crianza (ISEP), en el contexto escolar y hospitalario, a 70 cuidadores primarios de niños con una edad media de 24,44 meses. El ISEP fue construido para el presente estudio, presenta 26 situaciones cotidianas y crianza los cuidadores deben indicar la práctica parental más común adoptada en cada una de ellas. Una Guía de Codificación de Prácticas Parentales permite clasificar cada respuesta en uno de los sistemas del MCP. La concordancia entre los jueces con la codificación varió entre 84,67% y 95,55% y los coeficientes de inter-correlación en todos los sistemas parentales fueron significativos, evidenciando su validez por el proceso de respuesta al inventario. Los análisis indicaron la ocurrencia de todos los sistemas parentales, con predominio de envoltura narrativa y estimulación corporal. Un análisis de clusters formó dos conglomerados, derivando el estilo proximal y el estilo distal, según la interacción entre los sistemas, constituyendo evidencia de validez basada en la estructura interna del instrumento. El ISEP demostró ser una medida valida y fiable para la investigación y la práctica profesional en Psicología. Se necesita más investigación con muestras más grandes y diversificadas para perfeccionar el instrumento.(AU)

Perfil dos casos notificados de transtornos mentais relacionados ao trabalho em enfermeiros no Brasil / Profile of notified cases of work-related mental disorders in nurses in Brazil / Perfil de los casos notificados de trastornos mentales relacionados con el trabajo en enfermeros en Brasil

Objetivo: analisar os casos de transtornos mentais relacionados ao trabalho em enfermeiros no Brasil, nos anos de 2018 a 2022. Método: estudo ecológico, retrospectivo, realizado por meio da coleta de dados sobre os casos de enfermeiros notificados com Transtorno mental relacionado ao trabalho no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação do Ministério da Saúde. Resultados: Foram notificados 270 casos em enfermeiros nos cinco anos avaliados. Destes, 91,1% (n=246) foram no sexo feminino, 59,6% (n=161) na faixa etária de 30-49 anos, 40% (n=108) com anos de tempo de trabalho. O diagnóstico mais notificado foi o de transtornos neuróticos, relacionados com "stress" e transtornos somatoformes (46,3%; n=125). 48,15% (n=130) evoluíram para incapacidade temporária. Houve associação significativa entre os transtornos mentais relacionados ao trabalho e o uso de álcool, substâncias psicoativas e psicofármacos. Conclusão: Verificou-se um aumento no número das notificações dos Transtornos Mentais Relacionados ao Trabalho entre os anos analisados

Objectives: to analyze cases of work-related mental disorders in nurses in Brazil, from 2018 to 2022. Method: ecological, retrospective study, carried out by collecting data on cases of nurses notified with work-related mental disorder in the Information System for Notification of Diseases of the Ministry of Health. Results: 270 cases were reported in nurses in the five years evaluated. Of these, 91.1% (n=246) were female, 59.6% (n=161) aged 30-49 years, 40% (n=108) had worked for years. The most reported diagnosis was neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (46.3%; n=125). 48.15% (n=130) progressed to temporary disability. There was a significant association between work-related mental disorders and the use of alcohol, psychoactive substances and psychotropic drugs. Conclusion: There was an increase in the number of notifications of Work-Related Mental Disorders between the analyzed years

Objetivos: analizar casos de trastornos mentales relacionados con el trabajo en enfermeros de Brasil, de 2018 a 2022. Método: estudio ecológico, retrospectivo, realizado mediante la recolección de datos sobre casos de enfermeros notificados con trastorno mental relacionado con el trabajo en el Sistema de Información para la Notificación de Enfermedades del Ministerio de Salud. Resultados: Se reportaron 270 casos en enfermeros en los cinco años evaluados. De estos, el 91,1% (n=246) eran del sexo femenino, el 59,6% (n=161) tenían entre 30 y 49 años, el 40% (n=108) trabajaba desde hacía años. El diagnóstico más informado fue el de trastornos neuróticos, relacionados con el estrés y somatomorfos (46,3%; n=125). El 48,15% (n=130) progresó a incapacidad temporal. Hubo una asociación significativa entre los trastornos mentales relacionados con el trabajo y el uso de alcohol, sustancias psicoactivas y drogas psicotrópicas. Conclusión: Hubo aumento en el número de notificaciones de Trastornos Mentales Laborales entre los años analizados

A Review of Pickering Emulsions: Perspectives and Applications.

Pickering emulsions are systems composed of two immiscible fluids stabilized by organic or inorganic solid particles. These solid particles of certain dimensions (micro- or nano-particles), and desired wettability, have been shown to be an alternative to conventional emulsifiers. The use of biodegradable and biocompatible stabilizers of natural origin, such as clay minerals, presents a promising future for the development of Pickering emulsions and, with this, they deliver some advantages, especially in the area of biomedicine. In this review, the effects and characteristics of microparticles in the preparation and properties of Pickering emulsions are presented. The objective of this review is to provide a theoretical basis for a broader type of emulsion, in addition to reviewing the main aspects related to the mechanisms and applications to promote its stability. Through this review, we highlight the use of this type of emulsion and its excellent properties as permeability promoters of solid particles, providing ideal results for local drug delivery and use in Pickering emulsions.

Instagram como ferramenta informativa do projeto ciência news / Instagram as an informative tool for the news science project / Instagram como herramienta informativa para el proyecto ciência news

O presente trabalho traz o relato de experiência da criação de um perfil no Instagram, realizado pela Câmara de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão (CENPEX) da Faculdade Ciências da Vida (FCV) de Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, como meio de disseminar informações científicas ao público interno e externo à FCV. Diante da impossibilidade de se realizar atividades extensionistas no formato presencial, devido à pandemia da Covid-19, o ensino da FCV foi interrompido de modo presencial em março de 2020 e passou a ser remoto. Desta forma, foi criado, pela CENPEX, um projeto de extensão e pesquisa voltado para divulgação científica nas redes sociais envolvendo temáticas na área de saúde, meio ambiente, sustentabilidade e direitos humanos. O grupo de extensão e pesquisa, composto por professores e pesquisadores da FCV, selecionou alunos de diferentes cursos da faculdade e os direcionou à criação de um perfil no Instagram denominado @cenpexfcv que passou a ter o papel principal de difundir informações científicas confiáveis. O objetivo foi de conscientizar a população em geral no entendimento de diferentes temáticas relacionadas especialmente à Covid- 19, em virtude da pandemia, de modo a combater fake news. O perfil disponibiliza posts, animações, informativos, folders, enquetes e lives com profissionais especialistas, que buscam sanar as dúvidas dos seguidores. Ao longo dos oito meses de projetos, já foram montadas 94 formas interativas de divulgação, que, quantitativamente, tem mostrado o crescimento no engajamento, considerado como um aspecto positivo do projeto. Dessa forma, pode-se inferir que o uso de mídias sociais, como o Instagram, quando utilizada de forma direcionada e com informações fidedignas, podem contribuir efetivamente para o desenvolvimento da divulgação científica.

This work presents an experience report of the creation of a profile on Instagram, carried out by the Chamber of Teaching, Research and Extension (CENPEX) of the Faculdade Ciências da Vida (FCV) at Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, as a means of disseminating scientific information to the internal and external public to FCV. Faced with the impossibility of carrying out extension activities in in-campus format, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the face-to-face teaching of FCV was interrupted in March 2020 and became remote. In this way, CENPEX created an extension and research project aimed at scientific dissemination on social networks involving themes in the area of health, environment, sustainability and human rights. The extension and research group, made up of FCV professors and researchers, selected students from different courses at the faculty and directed them to create an Instagram profile called @cenpexfcv, which took on the main role of disseminating reliable scientific information. The objective was to raise the awareness of the general population in understanding different issues related especially to Covid-19, due to the pandemic, in order to combat fake news. The profile provides posts, animations, newsletters, folders, polls and lives with specialist professionals, who seek to resolve the doubts of the followers. Over the eight months of the project, 94 interactive forms of dissemination have already been set up, which, quantitatively, have shown the growth in engagement, considered as a positive aspect of the project. Thus, it can be inferred that the use of social media, such as Instagram, when used in a targeted way and with reliable information, can effectively contribute to the development of scientific dissemination.

Este trabajo trae el informe de la experiencia de la creación de un perfil en Instagram, realizado por la Cámara de Enseñanza, Investigación y Extensión (CENPEX) de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida (FCV) de Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, como medio de difusión de información científica al público interno y externo a la FCV. Ante la imposibilidad de realizar actividades de extensión en formato presencial, debido a la pandemia del Covid-19, la enseñanza en la FCV se interrumpió en modalidad presencial en marzo de 2020 y pasó a ser a distancia. Así, se creó, por parte del CENPEX, un proyecto de extensión e investigación enfocado a la divulgación científica en redes sociales que involucra temas en el área de salud, medio ambiente, sostenibilidad y derechos humanos. El grupo de extensión e investigación, compuesto por profesores e investigadores de la FCV, seleccionó a estudiantes de diferentes cursos de la facultad y los orientó a la creación de un perfil en Instagram llamado @cenpexfcv que comenzó a tener como función principal la difusión de información científica confiable. El objetivo era sensibilizar a la población en general en la comprensión de diferentes temas relacionados especialmente con Covid-19, debido a la pandemia, para combatir las fake news. El perfil ofrece posts, animaciones, boletines, carpetas, encuestas y vidas con expertos profesionales, que buscan responder a las preguntas de los seguidores. A lo largo de los ocho meses de proyecto, ya se han reunido 94 formas interactivas de difusión, lo que, cuantitativamente, ha demostrado el crecimiento del compromiso, considerado como un aspecto positivo del proyecto. Por lo tanto, se puede deducir que el uso de las redes sociales, como Instagram, cuando se utiliza de forma selectiva y con información fiable, puede contribuir eficazmente al desarrollo de la divulgación científica.

Microencapsulation by Spray Drying and Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds from Tucuma Coproduct (Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.) Almonds.

The industrial processing of fruits in the Amazon region, such as tucuma, generates a large amount of coproducts with great nutritional potential. In this work, phenolic compounds from tucuma coproduct almonds were extracted and microencapsulated by spray drying using maltodextrin as the encapsulating agent and verified its antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds were determined by UV spectroscopy and identified by Ultraefficiency Liquid Chromatography. Antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS and DPPH assay. Thermogravimetric techniques, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, moisture content and water activity were applied to characterize the microparticle. The crude extract and microparticle had total polyphenols of 135.1 mg/g ± 0.078 and 130.5 mg/g ± 0.024, respectively. Caffeic and gallic acids were identified. The crude extract and the microparticle showed good antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH assay, justified by the presence of the phenolic compounds found. The microparticle showed spherical and heterogeneous structures and good encapsulation efficiency from the spray drying process using maltodextrin. The results show that the extract of the tucuma almond coproduct can be used as a phenolic compound-rich source and microencapsulated with possible application for functional food production.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Flavonoids in Allergies: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of flavonoid supplements on allergic diseases. Design: Systematic review. Data Sources. MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched from inception to September 2021. Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies. Eligible study designs were randomized controlled trials that investigated the effect of flavonoids applied to allergic diseases. Results: This review included 15 randomized controlled trials, including allergic rhinitis/cedar pollinosis (n = 10), asthma (n = 3), and atopic dermatitis (n = 2). A total of 990 participants aged 6 to 69 years were included in these studies. Globally, 12 studies (80%) revealed some benefits of flavonoids (isolate or combined with other compounds) in allergic patients, while three studies (20%) reported no statistically significant impact on symptom scores and/or lung function. No severe adverse events related to treatment were reported. According to the GRADE system, the outcomes evaluated were of low to moderate quality of evidence. Conclusions: Overall, this review suggests that the administration of flavonoids may provide a viable strategy for mitigating allergic symptoms. Future trials with high methodological quality are needed to establish definitive conclusions. This trial is registered with PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021237403.

Differential Quercus spp. pollen-particulate matter interaction is dependent on geographical areas.

Particulate matter (PM) and pollen interaction, either airborne or at the respiratory mucosa needs further clarification, as allergic reaction intensification can be related to the PM physical characteristics and toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the physical-chemical properties of PM that can adhere to the pollen wall during its transport or inhalation, using Quercus spp. as a model, in three Portuguese cities with different geographical locations, meteorological influence and urbanization levels. Possible sources were evaluated through air masses trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model and correlation with meteorological factors. The sampling was performed using a 7-days Hirst-type volumetric sampler, and the pollen grains were observed using a Field Emission Electron Probe Microanalyser for PM analysis. A secondary electron image of each pollen grain was taken, to determine the adhered particles characteristics and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) spectra were obtained for individual particles. A total of 484 pollen grains was observed, with 7683 particles counted and 1914 EDS spectra analyzed. The particle's equivalent diameter ranged from 0.3-16 µm, with most having a diameter < 3 µm. For the three cities, there were significant differences in the number of particles per pollen and the % area occupied by the particles. Particles adhered were mainly Si-rich, but variations in other dominant groups were observed. For Évora and Guarda, Ca-rich, SO-rich were second and third more representative, while Porto were Organic and Cl-rich. Metals&Oxides were found in all cities with the highest number in Porto. P-rich particles were only found in Évora. Sea salt particles were observed in Évora, coincide with air mass trajectories possible carrying them from the Mediterranean Sea. In conclusion, the PM physical characteristics are similar between the studied cities, however, the dominant chemical composition is different, certainly impacting the exposome influence and pollen-allergy intensification towards the same pollen type and concentration.

Annexin-A1-Derived Peptide Ac2-26 Suppresses Allergic Airway Inflammation and Remodelling in Mice.

Annexin-A1 (AnxA1) and its N-terminal derived peptide Ac2-26 regulate the inflammatory response in several experimental models of disorders. This study evaluated the effect of endogenous AnxA1 and its N-terminal peptide Acetyl 2-26 (Ac2-26) on allergic asthma triggered by house dust mite (HDM) extract in mice. ANXA1-/- and wildtype (WT) mice were exposed to intranasal instillation of HDM every other day for 3 weeks, with analyses performed 24 h following the last exposure. Intranasal administration of peptide Ac2-26 was performed 1 h before HDM, beginning 1 week after the initial antigen application. ANXA1-/- mice stimulated with HDM showed marked exacerbations of airway hyperreactivity (AHR), eosinophil accumulation, subepithelial fibrosis, and mucus hypersecretion, all parameters correlating with overexpression of cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, TNF-α, and TGF-ß) and chemokines (CCL11/eotaxin-1 and CCL2/MCP-1). Intranasal treatment with peptide Ac2-26 decreased eosinophil infiltration, peribronchiolar fibrosis, and mucus exacerbation caused by the allergen challenge. Ac2-26 also inhibited AHR and mediator production. Collectively, our findings show that the AnxA1-derived peptide Ac2-26 protects against several pathological changes associated with HDM allergic reaction, suggesting that this peptide or related AnxA1-mimetic Ac2-26 may represent promising therapeutic candidates for the treatment of allergic asthma.

Avaliação da síndrome de burnout em profissionais de enfermagem em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal / Evaluación del síndrome de quemadura en profesionales de enfermería de la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales / Assessment of burnout syndrome in nursing professionals in a neonatal intensive care unit

Objetivo: Descrever a avaliação preliminar da Síndrome de Burnout nos profissionais de Enfermagem, atuantes em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal. Método: Estudo descritivo, transversal, quantitativo realizado com 60 profissionais de Enfermagem atuantes em uma maternidade-escola na cidade de Fortaleza-CE-Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu mediante a aplicação de um questionário com características sociodemográficas e do questionário preliminar de Burnout proposto por Jbeili. Resultados: Os resultados foram apresentados em tabela e figura, com análise estatística descritiva fundamentada na literatura. Evidenciou-se que 63,3% dos participantes encontravam-se na fase inicial da síndrome; 35,0% tiveram possibilidade de desenvolver e um deles sendo diagnosticado. Dentre as dimensões, 50,0% apresentaram baixa realização e motivação profissional. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o nível mais evidente da síndrome foi em sua fase inicial e a dimensão predominante foi a baixa realização profissional.(AU)

Objective: To describe the preliminary assessment of Burnout Syndrome in Nursing professionals working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study carried out with 60 nursing professionals working in a teaching maternity hospital in the city of Fortaleza-CE-Brazil. Data collection occurred through the application of a questionnaire with sociodemographic characteristics and the preliminary Burnout questionnaire proposed by Jbeili. Results: The results were presented in table and figure, with descriptive statistical analysis based on the literature. It was evident that 63.3% of the participants were in the initial phase of the syndrome; 35.0% were able to develop and one of them was diagnosed. Among the dimensions, 50.0% had low achievement and professional motivation. Conclusion: It is concluded that the most evident level of the syndrome was in its initial phase and the predominant dimension was low professional achievement.(AU)

Objetivo: Describir la evaluación preliminar del Síndrome de Burnout en profesionales de enfermería, que trabajan en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales. Método: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, cuantitativo realizado con 60 profesionales de enfermería que trabajan en una maternidad-escuela en la ciudad de Fortaleza-CE-Brasil. La recolección de datos se produjo en 2017, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario con características sociodemográficas y el cuestionario preliminar Burnout propuesto por Jbeili. Resultados: Los resultados fueron presentados en tabla y figura, con análisis estadístico descriptivo basado en la literatura. Se evidenció que el 63,3% de los participantes se encontraban en la fase inicial del síndrome; el 35,0% fueron capaces de desarrollarse y uno de ellos fue diagnosticado. Entre las dimensiones, el 50,0% presentó bajo rendimiento y motivación profesional. Conclusión: Se concluyó que el nivel más evidente del síndrome se encontraba en su fase inicial y la dimensión predominante era el bajo rendimiento profesional(AU)

Cannabinoid receptor gene polymorphisms and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and controls

Objective: To test the hypothesis that genetic variations of cannabinoid receptors contribute to the pathophysiology of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Methods: In this genetic association case-control study, cannabinoid receptor polymorphisms CNR1 rs12720071 and CNR2 rs2229579 were tested for association with neurocognitive performance in 69 patients with schizophrenia and 45 healthy controls. Neurocognition was assessed by the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Results: We found a consistent association between CNR1 rs12720071 polymorphism and the cognitive performance of patients in several cognitive domains. Patients with C/C polymorphism presented significantly worse performance in motor speed, verbal fluency, attention/processing speed and reasoning/problem solving. Conclusion: Although limited, our data support the hypothesis that CNR1 variations may be associated with the pathogenesis of cognitive deficits of schizophrenia.

Adiponectin and Stnfr2 peripheral levels are associated with cardiovascular risk in patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between cytokine peripheral levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with schizophrenia and controls. METHODS: A sample of 40 patients and 40 control subjects participated in the study. Psychiatric diagnosis was established following structured clinical assessment. The Framingham Score was used to assess cardiovascular risk (CVR). Serum levels of the cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α were determined by cytometric bead array (CBA) technique, and the serum levels of IL-33, sST2, sTNFR1, sTNFR2, Leptin and Adiponectin by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia showed greater frequency of moderate CVR when compared with controls (p = 0.14). In addition, patients showed higher levels of sTNFR2 and Adiponectin compared to controls (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adiponectin and sTNFR2 were associated with CVR only in patients (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.033, respectively). In multivariate analysis controlling for socio-demographic and clinical confounders, illness duration (r = 0.492; p < 0.002) and sTNFR2 (r = 0.665; p < 0.004) were independent predictors of CVR. CONCLUSION: Our results reinforce the concept that patients with schizophrenia are at greater risk to develop cardiovascular diseases, and suggest that the associated chronic low-grade inflammation might play a role in this process.

Cannabinoid receptor gene polymorphisms and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and controls.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that genetic variations of cannabinoid receptors contribute to the pathophysiology of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. METHODS: In this genetic association case-control study, cannabinoid receptor polymorphisms CNR1 rs12720071 and CNR2 rs2229579 were tested for association with neurocognitive performance in 69 patients with schizophrenia and 45 healthy controls. Neurocognition was assessed by the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). RESULTS: We found a consistent association between CNR1 rs12720071 polymorphism and the cognitive performance of patients in several cognitive domains. Patients with C/C polymorphism presented significantly worse performance in motor speed, verbal fluency, attention/processing speed and reasoning/problem solving. CONCLUSION: Although limited, our data support the hypothesis that CNR1 variations may be associated with the pathogenesis of cognitive deficits of schizophrenia.