Relationship Between Maternal Age and Macronutrient Content of Colostrum.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship between maternal age and the macronutrient content of colostrum. RESEARCH AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal age and human milk macronutrient content by comparing the concentrations of lactose, proteins, and lipids in the colostrum of women with younger, moderate, and advanced maternal age. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was designed to compare the macronutrient concentrations in the colostrum of women aged < 20 years, 20 to 34 years, and > 34 years (younger, moderate, and advanced maternal age, respectively; n = 33 per group). For each participant, 3 ml of colostrum was collected by manual extraction from the right breast at 10 am, 39-48 hr after delivery, and analyzed using a Miris Human Milk Analyzer. Macronutrient concentrations were compared between the groups using analysis of variance. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mothers with moderate maternal age had a higher colostrum lipid concentration than those with younger or advanced maternal age (2.3 mg, SD = 1.4 mg vs. 1.5 mg, SD = 1.0 mg vs. 1.6 mg, SD = 0.9 mg, respectively; p = 0.007). Lactose and protein contents in the analyzed samples did not differ among the three study groups. CONCLUSION: This study lends support to the potential variation of lipids in colostrum by maternal age and suggests individual adaptation to the nutritional components of milk to the needs of the infant may be beneficial.

Synergistic Interaction of Hyperbranched Polyglycerols and Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide for Oil/Water Interfacial Tension Reduction: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

Applying surfactants to reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) on water/oil interfaces is a proven technique. The search for new surfactants and delivery strategies is an ongoing research area with applications in many fields such as drug delivery through nanoemulsions and enhanced oil recovery. Experimentally, the combination of hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) substantially reduced the observed IFT of oil/water interface, 0.9 mN/m, while HPG alone was 5.80 mN/m and CTAB alone IFT was 8.08 mN/m. Previous simulations in an aqueous solution showed that HPG is a surfactant carrier. Complementarily, in this work, we performed classical molecular dynamics simulations on combinations of CTAB and HPG with one aliphatic chain to investigate further the interaction of this pair in oil interfaces and propose the mechanism of IFT decrease. Basically, from our results, one can observe that the IFT reduction comes from a combination of effects that have not been observed for other dual systems: (i) Due to the CTAB-HPG strong interaction, a weakening of their specific and isolated interactions with the water and oil phases occurs. (ii) Aggregates enlarge the interfacial area, turning it into a less ordered interface. (iii) The spread of individual molecules charge profiles leads to the much lower interfacial tension observed with the CTAB+HPG systems.

Flame-Retarding Properties of Injected and 3D-Printed Intumescent Bio-Based PLA Composites: The Influence of Brønsted and Lewis Acidity of Montmorillonite.

The influence of processing intumescent bio-based poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites by injection and fused filament fabrication (FFF) was evaluated. A raw (ANa) and two acidic-activated (AH2 and AH5) montmorillonites were added to the intumescent formulation, composed by lignin and ammonium polyphosphate, in order to evaluate the influence of the strength and the nature (Brønsted or Lewis) of their acidic sites on the fire behavior of the composites. The thermal stability and the volatile thermal degradation products of the composites were assessed. The injected and 3D-printed composites were submitted to cone calorimeter (CC), limit oxygen index (LOI), and UL-94 flammability tests. A similar tendency was observed for the injected and 3D-printed samples. The high density of strong Lewis sites in AH2 showed to be detrimental to the fire-retarding properties. For the CC test, the addition of the intumescent composite reduced the peak of heat released (pHRR) in approximately 49% when compared to neat PLA, while the composites containing ANa and AH5 presented a reduction of at least 54%. However, the addition of AH2 caused a pHRR reduction of around 47%, close to the one of the composite without clay (49%). In the LOI tests, the composites containing ANa and AH5 achieved the best results: 39% and 35%, respectively, for the injected samples, and 35 and 38% for the 3D-printed samples. For the composite containing AH2 the LOI values were 34% and 32% for injected and 3D-printed samples, respectively. Overall, the best performance in the flammability tests was achieved by the composites containing clays with only weak and moderate strength acidic sites (ANa and AH5).

WSB1 and IL21R Genetic Variants Are Involved in Th2 Immune Responses to Ascaris lumbricoides.

Genetic and epigenetic factors are considered to be critical for host-parasite interactions. There are limited data on the role of such factors during human infections with Ascaris lumbricoides. Here, we describe the potential role of genetic factors as determinants of the Th2 immune response to A. lumbricoides in Brazilian children. Stool samples were collected from the children to detect A. lumbricoides by microscopy and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were cultured in whole blood cultures for detection of cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) in vitro. Levels of anti-A. lumbricoides IgE and IgG4 were measured in plasma. DNA was extracted from PBLs and genotyped using Illumina 2.5 Human Omni Beadchip. Candidate genes associated with A. lumbricoides responses were identified and SNVs in these selected genes associated with the Th2 immune response to A. lumbricoides. Haplotype, gene expression, and epigenetic analyses were done to identify potential associations with Th2 immune responses. GWAS on samples from 1,189 children identified WSB1 as a candidate gene, and IL-21R was selected as a biologically relevant linked gene for further analysis. Variants in WSB1 and IL21R were associated with markers of Th2 immune responses: increased A. lumbricoides-specific IgE and IL-5/IL-13 by PBLs from infected compared to uninfected individuals. In infected children, WSB1 but not IL21R gene expression was suppressed and increased methylation was observed in the WSB1 promoter region. This is the first study to show an association between genetic variants in WSB1 and IL21R and Th2 immune responses during A. lumbricoides infections in children. WSB1/IL21R pathways could provide a potential target for the treatment of Th2-mediated diseases.

Does the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) Differ from the Comprehensive System (CS) on Variables Relevant to Interpretation?

We examined the impact of the changes in administration and coding introduced by the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) relative to the Comprehensive System (CS) on the Rorschach response process, as manifested in variables relevant to interpretation. We also examined the efficiency of each system to obtain protocols in an optimal range of responses (R) for interpretation. As hypothesized, when comparing 50 CS and 50 R-PAS nonpatient protocols, R-PAS produced many more protocols in the optimal R range (18-27) than the CS (78% vs. 24%) and it eliminated the need for re-administration, which was required for five CS protocols. As expected, R was less variable with R-PAS, as were two variables derived from it, R8910% and Complexity. In addition, as expected because of different Form Quality tables, R-PAS showed notably fewer and less variable perceptual distortions than the CS, and an increase in more conventional perceptions. The other 58 variables showed no reliable differences in means or standard deviations, though modest power precluded definitive inferences about equivalence. Overall, our results support previous findings about the benefit of R-PAS to obtain protocols in an optimal range for interpretation, while keeping the core manifestations of the response process unchanged.

Hereditary hemochromatosis associated with the development of liver cirrhosis / Hemocromatose hereditária associada ao desenvolvimento da cirrose hepática

ABSTRACT Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive disease, most often associated with mutations in the HFE gene, which result in continuous absorption of iron, causing its overload. Liver tissue is the main site of iron deposition; thus, high levels of iron, when interacting with oxygen, induce the formation of free radicals that will act on proteins, lipids, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which may trigger deleterious effects at cellular and tissue levels. In order to elucidate the development and progression of liver cirrhosis due to iron overload, the purpose of this study is to describe the pathophysiology of the hepatic system in patients diagnosed with HH. For this purpose, searches for scientific articles were carried out in the main academic databases. We found that patients diagnosed with HH are more likely to develop liver cirrhosis, since chronic iron deposition in liver tissue induces injury and consequent tissue regeneration, progressing to collagen fibers synthesis surrounding the hepatocytes, leading to loss of liver function and development of cirrhosis. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out tests such as iron, ferritin and transferrin measurements, to evaluate body's iron stores, aiming at an early diagnosis of iron overload, thus avoiding deleterious damage at cellular and tissue levels.

RESUMEN La hemocromatosis hereditária (HH) es uma enfermedad autosómica recesiva, asociada, la mayoría de las veces, a mutaciones del gen HFE, que producen absorción continua de hierro, con sobrecarga de esa sustancia. El tejido hepático es el principal sitio de almacenamiento de hierro; así, niveles elevados de hierro, al interactuar con oxígeno, inducen la formación de radicales libres que actuarán sobre proteínas, lípidos y ácido desoxirribonucléico (ADN), pudiendo acarrear efectos dañosos a nível celular y tisular. Para aclarar el mecanismo de desarrollo de la cirrosis hepática debido a sobrecarga de hierro, el objetivo de este estudio es describir la fisiopatologia del sistema hepático en pacientes diagnosticados con HH. Para eso, se efectuaron búsquedas por artículos científicos en los principales bancos de datos acadêmicos. Verificamos que pacientes diagnosticados con HH presentan mayor predisposición a desarrollar cirrosis hepática, porque el depósito crônico de hierro en el tejido hepático causa lesión y consecuente regeneración de tejido, progresando a la formación de fibras de colágeno que rodean los hepatocitos, llevando la pérdida de la función hepática y al desarrollo de la cirrosis. Ante esto, es necesario medir hierro, ferritina y transferrina para evaluación de las provisiones de hierro del cuerpo, buscando un diagnóstico temprano de la sobrecarga de hierro, para evitar efectos deletereos a nível celular y tisular.

RESUMO A hemocromatose hereditária (HH) é uma doença autossômica recessiva, associada, na maioria das vezes, a mutações do gene HFE, que resultam em absorção contínua de ferro, ocasionando a sobrecarga dessa substância. O tecido hepático é o principal sítio de depósito do ferro; dessa forma, níveis elevados de ferro, ao interagir com o oxigênio, induzem a formação de radicais livres que irão agir sobre proteínas, lipídios e ácido desoxirribonucleico (DNA), podendo desencadear efeitos deletérios a níveis celulares e teciduais. Visando elucidar o mecanismo de desenvolvimento da cirrose hepática decorrente da sobrecarga de ferro, o objetivo deste estudo é descrever a fisiopatologia do sistema hepático em pacientes diagnosticados com HH. Para isso, foram realizadas buscas por artigos científicos nos principais bancos de dados acadêmicos. Verificamos que pacientes diagnosticados com HH apresentam maior predisposição de desenvolver cirrose hepática, pois o depósito crônico de ferro no tecido hepático provoca lesão e consequente regeneração tecidual, progredindo para formação de fibras de colágeno que circundam os hepatócitos, levando à perda da função hepática e ao desenvolvimento da cirrose. Diante disso, faz-se necessária a realização de exames como dosagem de ferro, ferritina e transferrina para avaliação dos estoques de ferro do organismo, objetivando um diagnóstico precoce da sobrecarga de ferro, a fim de evitar danos deletérios a níveis celulares e teciduais.

Synergistic Action of Montmorillonite with an Intumescent Formulation: The Impact of the Nature and the Strength of Acidic Sites on the Flame-Retardant Properties of Polypropylene Composites.

A raw montmorillonite (Mt) was submitted to different acidic activation times in order to investigate the influence of the strength and the nature (Brønsted and Lewis) of acidic sites on the synergistic action with an intumescent formulation (IF) composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER) when incorporated into a polypropylene (PP) matrix. The acidity of the Mt samples was quantified by ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (TPD-NH3) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with pyridine adsorption. The mineral clays were also characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption analysis and particle size distribution. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limit oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 were performed to evaluate the flame-retardant properties and the thermal stability. The TGA results show that the final residue increased 2 to 3 fold in comparison to the values predicted theoretically. The flammability properties achieved a maximum for the system containing an excess of moderate-strength Brønsted sites relative to the Lewis ones, reaching 38% in the LOI test. This result suggests that the presence of these Brønsted acidic sites is important, as they take part in the esterification reaction between APP and PER which gives rise to the char formation. The FTIR-Pyr adsorption and flammability results indicate that both the nature and strength of the acidic sites influence the flame-retardant properties.

Microscopy as a tool to investigate the influence of ammonium polyphosphate particle size on the flame retardant properties of polymer composites.

The influence of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) particle size on the performance of an intumescent formulation and on the synergistic action of a series of montmorillonite samples with different d-spacings for the production of flame retardant composites was investigated. The polymer matrix employed was poly(ethylene-co-butyl acrylate), EBA 30, and the intumescent formulation consisted of APP and pentaerythritol (PER). After being processed, the composites were submitted to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, heating microscopy, and limiting oxygen index tests. The results indicate that the greater interaction between the APP and PER molecules, caused by the increase of the contact area promoted by the reduction of the APP particle size, could favor the esterification reaction between APP423 and PER, allowing the formation of a greater amount of char precursors in shorter period of time. In addition, the montmorillonite d-spacings had a more pronounced influence on the clays synergistic action with the intumescent formulation containing the APP with smaller particle size. Microscopy has shown to be an important tool to investigate APP particle size effect on the fire retardancy. AFM results enabled the detection of nanometric particles in the sample containing the smallest particle size of APP. SEM micrographs showed that those nanometric particles were better dispersed in the matrix, interacting more effectively with the other components, a factor probably responsible for the superior fire retardancy results. Heating microscopy revealed that the material with smaller APP particle size did show some remaining structure at the temperature of 850°C.

A Clínica Psicológica Ana Maria Poppovic e seu percurso histórico (1959-2019) / The Psychological Clinic Ana Maria Poppovic and its historical course / La Clínica Ana Maria Poppovic y su percurso histórico

O artigo descreve a história da Clínica Psicológica "Ana Maria Poppovic". Considerando que a sua criação acompanha a história da Psicologia em São Paulo. Primeiramente, elencamos as atividades iniciais da Psicologia Clínica na cidade de São Paulo no período de 1938 a 1959, destacando as clínicas de atendimento à infância e os cursos de especialização em Psicologia Clínica. Em seguida, relatamos as propostas e objetivos da clínica psicológica da PUC-SP, mostrando que os seus objetivos principais: formação do psicólogo, atendimento à população e estudos e pesquisas se mantiveram no decorrer da sua história de 1959 - 2019 e, ao mesmo tempo, a direção e a equipe da clínica reviu e reorganizou a estrutura, os atendimentos e os fluxos de atendimento da clínica, considerando as demandas da Universidade, do Curso de Psicologia, da população atendida e dos tipos de adoecimento e sofrimento dos pacientes de acordo com cada época histórica-social nesse longo período. Para situar as formas de sofrimento na atualidade e caracterizar o perfil da clientela da clínica foram descritos os resultados de uma pesquisa de Iniciação Científica, assim como foi elaborada uma breve reflexão da inter-relação dos modos de viver na contemporaneidade e as patologias emergentes na atualidade.

The article describes the history of The Clinic of Psychology "Ana Maria Poppovic". Considering that its upbringing followed the history of Psycho-logy in São Paulo, we will first list the initial activities of Clinical Psychology in The City of São Paulo from 1938 to 1959, highlighting the childcare clinics and the specialization courses in Clinical Psychology. Then, we will report the proposals and objectives of the psychological clinic of PUC-SP, showing that its main objectives: education of the psychologist, attending the population along with studies and research which it has maintained throughout its history from 1959 ­ 2019, while at the same time , the administration and staff of the clinic reviewed and reorganized the structure, the care and the flow of care in the clinic taking into consideration the demands of the University, the Psychology Course, the population served and the types of illness and suffering of patients according to each social-historical epoch in this long period. To situate the forms of affliction today and to characterize the profile of the clinic's patients, the results of a Scientific Initiation research are described, as well as a brief reflection on the interrelationship of contemporary ways of life and emerging pathologies today.

El artículo describe la historia de la Clínica Psicológica "Ana María Poppovic". Tomando en consideración que su creación acompaña la historia de la psicología en São Paulo, en primer lugar, incluimos las actividades iniciales de la Psicología Clínica en la ciudad de São Paulo en el período entre 1938 y 1959, destacando las clínicas de atendimiento a la infancia y los cursos de especialización en Psico-logía Clínica. A continuación, relatamos las propuestas y objetivos de la clínica psicológica de la PUC-SP, mostrando que sus objetivos principales: formación del psicólogo, atendimiento a la población y estudios e investigaciones, se mantu-vieron a lo largo de su historia entre 1959 y 2019 y, al mismo tiempo, la dirección y el equipo de la clínica revisó y reorganizó la estructura, el atendimiento y los flujos de atendimiento en la clínica, considerando las demandas de la Univer-sidad, del Curso de Psicología, de la población que recibe el atendimiento y de los tipos de padecimiento y sufrimiento de los pacientes según época histórica-social durante el largo período. Para situar las formas de sufrimiento de la actualidad y caracterizar el perfil de los clientes de la clínica, fueron descriptos los resultados de una investigación de Iniciación Científica, así como fue elaborada una breve reflexión de la interrelación de los modos de vida de la contemporaneidad y las patologías emergentes de la actualidad.

Reductions of Circulating Nitric Oxide are Followed by Hypertension during Pregnancy and Increased Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in Rats.

Hypertensive pregnancy has been associated with reduced nitric oxide (NO), bioavailability, and increased activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). However, it is unclear if MMPs activation is regulated by NO during pregnancy. To this end, we examined activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in plasma, placenta, uterus and aorta, NO bioavailability, oxidative stress, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fetal-placental development at the early, middle, and late pregnancy stages in normotensive and Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl-ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive pregnancy in rats. Reduced MMP-2 activity in uterus, placenta, and aorta and reduced MMP-9 activity in plasma and placenta with concomitant increased NO levels were found in normotensive pregnant rats. By contrast, increased MMP-2 activity in uterus, placenta, and aorta, and increased MMP-9 activity in plasma and placenta with concomitant reduced NO levels were observed in hypertensive pregnant rats. Also, elevated oxidative stress was displayed by hypertensive pregnant rats at the middle and late stages. These findings in the L-NAME-treated pregnant rats were also followed by increases in SBP and associated with fetal growth restrictions at the middle and late pregnancy stages. We concluded that NO bioavailability may regulate MMPs activation during normal and hypertensive pregnancy.

Sulfonated Polystyrene Nanoparticles as Oleic Acid Diethanolamide Surfactant Nanocarriers for Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes.

The aim of this study is the evaluation of partially sulfonated polystyrene nanoparticles (SPSNP) efficiency as nanocarriers for a non-ionic surfactant, oleic acid diethanolamide (OADA), in the reduction of the surfactant losses and the increase of oil recovery. The synthesized oleic acid diethanolamide was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, surface tension (γ = 36.6 mN·m-1, CMC = 3.13 × 10-4 M) and interfacial tension of mineral oil/OADA aqueous solutions (IFTeq = 0.07 mN·m-1). The nanoparticles (SPSNP) were obtained by emulsion polymerization of styrene, DVB and sodium 4-styrenesulfonate (St-S) in the presence of OADA aqueous solution and were characterized by FTIR and PCS. The results show that the presence of ionic groups in the polymer structure promoted a better nanoparticles suspensions' stability, smaller particles production and more pronounced IFT reduction. The SPSNP obtained with an OADA concentration twenty times its CMC and 0.012 mol % of St-S presented a particle size around 66 nm and can act as efficient nanocarriers decreasing the water/oil interfacial tension to low values (0.07 mN·m-1) along the time, when in contact with the oil. Transport and oil recovery tests of the nanocarriers systems in an unconsolidated sand porous medium test show that the SPSNP do inhibit surfactant adsorption onto sand particles surface and induced an increase of oil recovery of up to about 13% relative to the water flooding oil recovery, probably due to a synergistic effect between the nanoparticles and surfactant action at the water/oil interface.

Detection of efflux pump CmeABC in enrofloxacin resistant Campylobacter spp. strains isolated from broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Detecção da bomba de efluxo CmeABC em cepas de Campylobacter spp. resistentes à enrofloxacina isoladas de frangos de corte (Gallus gallus domesticus) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Fowls are the main reservoirs of the highly important food-originating pathogen called Campylobacter spp. and broilers' meat and byproducts are the main vehicles of this microorganism. Increasing of Campylobacter spp. resistant strains to fluorquinolones, an antimicrobial class often employed in poultry farming and in human medicine has become a great concern to poultry breeders. In fact, several studies evaluated increasing bacterial resistance against these antimicrobial agents. The role of CmeABC efflux system has been underscored among the resistance mechanisms in Campylobacter spp. to fluorquinolones. This study investigated the occurrence of CmeABC efflux pump in 81 and 78 enrofloxacin resistant strains of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli respectively, isolated from broilers collected from six abattoirs situated at São José do Vale do Rio Preto/RJ poultry center and from two commercial abattoirs situated at Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, from 2013 to 2016. The resistance to enrofloxacin was assessed by agar dilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The CmeABC efflux system was investigated through the detection of genes genes cmeA, cmeB and cmeC by PCR. The activity of CmeABC efflux pump was investigated in 20 strains by using the efflux pump inhibitor Phenylalanine-Arginine ß-Naphthylamide (PAßN). The three genes cmeA, cmeB and cmeC were detected in 94.3% of the strains (C. jejuni = 80 and C. coli = 70), whereas the system was absent or incomplete in 5.7% of strains (C. jejuni = 1 and C. coli = 8). MIC varied between 0.5µg/ml and 64µg/ml, and 88.7% of strains were enrofloxacin resistant and 11.3% featuring intermediate resistance. The inhibition of the efflux pump by PAßN reduced the MIC to enrofloxacin up to eight times in fifteen strains (75%). These results indicate that this system is frequent and active in Campylobacter spp. Resistant strains in the presence of enrofloxacin.(AU)

As aves são os principais reservatórios de Campylobacter spp., importante patógeno de origem alimentar e a carne de frango e produtos derivados são os principais veículos desse microrganismo. O aumento de cepas de Campylobacter spp. resistentes às fluorquinolonas, uma classe antimicrobiana frequentemente empregada na avicultura e na medicina humana, tornou-se uma grande preocupação para os produtores de aves e vários estudos avaliaram o aumento da resistência bacteriana a esses antimicrobianos. O papel do sistema de efluxo CmeABC tem sido enfatizado entre os mecanismos de resistência em Campylobacter spp. à fluorquinolonas. O presente estudo investigou a ocorrência da bomba de efluxo CmeABC em 81 cepas de Campylobacter jejuni e 78 cepas de Campylobacter coli resistentes à enrofloxacina, isoladas de frangos de corte coletados em seis abatedouros situados no polo avícola de São José do Rio Preto/RJ e de dois abatedouros comerciais situados na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, de 2013 a 2016. A resistência à enrofloxacina foi avaliada pelo método de diluição em ágar para determinar a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM). O sistema de efluxo CmeABC foi investigado através da detecção dos genes cmeA, cmeB e cmeC por PCR. A atividade da bomba de efluxo CmeABC foi investigada em 20 cepas utilizando o inibidor da bomba de efluxo Phenylalanine-Arginine ß-Naftilamida (PAßN). Os três genes cmeA, cmeB e cmeC foram detectados em 94,3% das cepas (C. jejuni = 80 e C. coli = 70), enquanto o sistema estava ausente ou incompleto em 5,7% das cepas (C. jejuni = 1 e C coli = 8). A CIM variou entre 0,5µg/ml e 64µg/ml e 88,7% das cepas foram resistentes à enrofloxacina, enquanto 11,3% apresentaram resistência intermediária. A inibição da bomba de efluxo pelo PAßN reduziu a CIM da enrofloxacina até oito vezes em quinze cepas (75%). Estes resultados indicam que este sistema é frequente e ativo em cepas resistentes de Campylobacter spp. na presença de enrofloxacina.(AU)

Synthesis and Application of H-ZSM-5 Zeolites with Different Levels of Acidity as Synergistic Agents in Flame Retardant Polymeric Materials.

Several studies show a synergistic effect between intumescent formulations and aluminosilicates, such as zeolites and clays, but little is known about the effect of acidity of these additives on the synergistic action. In this work, H-ZSM-5 zeolite was submitted to desilication treatments for 30 min and for 2 h, and silicalite-1 was synthesized. The objective was to obtain samples of equivalent crystalline structure, but with different amounts of acid sites, in order to evaluate the effect of acid concentration of H-ZSM-5 zeolites on the synergistic action with an intumescent formulation composed by ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol in polypropylene. H-ZSM-5 zeolites and silicalite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption analysis and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia. The desilication produced H-ZSM-5 zeolites with similar volumes of mesopores in both treatments, but the zeolite resulting from 2 h of desilication presented a higher concentration of acid sites than the zeolite from 30 min. The flame-retardant properties were evaluated by UL-94 classification, limiting oxygen index, glow-wire, thermogravimetric analysis and heating microscopy. The results showed that increasing the concentration and accessibility of the acid sites of H-ZSM-5 zeolites the flame-retardant properties of the studied composites improved. It is suggested that the increase of acid site concentration positively influences the catalysis of the reaction between ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol, favoring the production of the precursors of the intumescent layer.

Latife Yazigi: Abertura para o Mundo e para a Profissão / Latife Yazigi: an Opening to the World and to the Profession / Latife Yazigi: Apertura para el Mundo y para la Profesión

Trata-se de um texto para homenagear a Profa, Dra. Latife Yazigi, professora e psicóloga de renomada importância para a área de Avaliação Psicológica. Possui uma notável carreira, com contribuição expressiva para o respeito pelos instrumentos de avaliação psicológica, para o reconhecimento da qualidade que os testes podem proporcionar ao trabalho na clínica e para profissionais de outras áreas da saúde, especialmente para médicos.Formada e doutorada pela USP, percorreu grandes distâncias para a formação complementar. Iniciou sua carreira no Brasil no Instituto de Psiquiatria da Faculdade de Medicina da USP e depois entrou para o Departamento de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica da Unifesp, no qual veio a se tornar Livre-docente e Professora Titular. Fez diversos cursos fora do país e fez um grande intercâmbio com grandes profissionais de outros países, convidando-os para ministrar cursos para psicólogos brasileiros. Coordenou cursos variados de graduação, especialização e pós-graduação, sempre com distinção e muita dedicação. Orientou inúmeras teses de mestrado e de doutorado, formando muitos profissionais na área da avaliação psicológica. No curso de especialização para psicólogos no Departamento de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica preparou diversos psicólogos para a atuação profissional, psicólogos estes que multiplicaram os conhecimentos recebidos e cujas carreiras testemunham sua formação. Proferiu muitas conferências. É autora de vários textos, tendo sido sua dedicação maior à produção de artigos científicos, nacionais e internacionais, especialmente na área da avaliação psicológica, com destaque ao método de Rorschach....(AU)

This text seeks to honor Latife Yazigi a Professor and Psychologist of renowned importance in psychological assessment. Dr. Latife has enjoyed an outstanding career with an expressive contribution to the fortification of the respect for the instruments of psychological evaluation. She recognized the quality the tests can provide to clinical work and to professionals from other areas of health, especially Medical Doctors. She walked great distances striving for complete qualification after receiving solid academic formation and a Doctorate from USP. She started her career in Brazil at the Institute of Psychiatry at the Medical University of USP, and then entered the Department of Medical Psychiatry and Psychology at UNIFESP where she became Full Tenured Professor and earned the title of Full Professor. She has participated in various courses outside of Brazil as well as administered an extensive exchange program with foreign professionals who were invited to come to Brazil to instruct psychologists of the country. She has coordinated postgraduate courses with distinction and devoted dedication while orientating numerous Masters and Doctorate theses, training many professionals in the area of psychological evaluation. In the graduate course for Psychologists at the Medical Psychiatry and Phycology Department, she prepared legions of professionals who have multiplied the knowledge they received and whose careers testify their training. She has lectured at a myriad of conferences. She is the author of numerous papers and national and international scientific articles on Psychological evaluation, especially the Rorschach test....(AU)

Se trata de un texto para homenajear a la Profesora, Dra. Latife Yazigi, profesora y psicóloga de renombrada importancia para el área de la Evaluación Psicológica. Posee una notable carrera, habiendo contribuido significativamente al respeto por los instrumentos de evaluación psicológica, al reconocimiento de la calidad que los tests pueden proporcionarle al trabajo en la clínica y a profesionales de otras áreas de la salud, particularmente a los médicos. Con título y doctorado de la USP, recorrió grandes distancias para complementar su formación. Inició su carrera en el Brasil, en el Instituto de Psiquiatría de la Facultad de Medicina de la USP y luego entró al Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicología Médica de la Unifesp, en el cual se tornó Docente Libre y Profesora Titular. Hizo diversos cursos fuera del país y realizó un gran intercambio con importantes profesionales de otros países, invitándolos a dar cursos a psicólogos brasileños. Coordinó diversos cursos de graduación, especialización y posgrado, siempre con distinción y mucha dedicación. Orientó innumerables tesis de maestría e doctorado, formando muchos profesionales en el área de la evaluación psicológica. En el curso de especialización para psicólogos en el Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicología Médica, preparó a diversos psicólogos, quienes multiplicaron los conocimientos recibidos y cuyas carreras son testimonio de su formación. Fue oradora en muchas conferencias. Es autora de varios textos, habiendo sido la producción de artículos científicos, nacional e internacionalmente, su dedicación más importante, especialmente en el área de la evaluación psicológica, especialmente el método de Rorschach....(AU)

Hypertension, augmented activity of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 and angiogenic imbalance in hypertensive pregnancy are attenuated by doxycycline.

Preeclampsia is manifested as maternal hypertension and fetal growth restriction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in hypertension and doxycycline reduces blood pressure by inhibition of MMPs. Moreover, excessive levels of MMPs and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability have been related to preeclampsia. We investigated the involvement of MMPs in hypertension in pregnancy induced by Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in rats. To this end, zimography was performed to evaluate the activity of MMPs -2 and -9 in placenta, uterus and thoracic aorta, and systolic blood pressure, feto-placental development and metabolites of NO were evaluated. Also, plasma antioxidant capacity, plasma levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PLGF) were examined. Doxycycline prevented hypertensive pregnancy and significant reductions in number of pups induced by L-NAME. Low NO bioavailability was found in hypertensive pregnant rats treated (or not) with doxycycline. Increased activity of placental MMP-2 and MMP-9 and uterine MMP-2 were attenuated by doxycycline. MMP-2 activity of thoracic aorta showed no change after hypertension. Increases in PLGF with concomitant decreases in sFlt-1 levels were found with doxycycline treatment. Also, plasma antioxidant capacity was improved with doxycycline. Also, elevations of plasma antioxidant capacity were observed in hypertensive rats treated with doxycycline. Therefore, we suggest that L-NAME reduced NO and this triggered the increases in MMP-2 and -9 activities during hypertensive pregnancy. Importantly, increases in MMPs activation and angiogenic imbalance were attenuated by doxycycline and these effects were associated with decreases in systolic blood pressure.

Polymorphisms in the DAD1 and OXA1L genes are associated with asthma and atopy in a South American population.

Atopic asthma, which is characterized by the chronic inflammation and morbidity of airways, is a disease of great complexity, and multiple genetic and environmental factors are involved in its etiology. In the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in Brazil for asthma, a positive association was found between atopic asthma and a variant (rs1999071), which is located between the DAD1 and OXA1L genes, although neither gene has previously been reported to be associated with asthma or allergies. The DAD1 gene is involved in the regulation of programmed cell death, and OXA1L is involved in biogenesis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This study aimed to evaluate how polymorphisms in DAD1 and OXA1L are associated with asthma and markers of atopy in individuals from the Salvador cohort of the SCAALA (Social Change Asthma and Allergy in Latin America) program. The DNA of 1220 individuals was genotyped using the Illumina 2.5 Human Omni Bead chip. Logistic regression analyses were performed with PLINK 1.9 software to verify the association between DAD1 and OXA1L polymorphisms and asthma and atopic markers, adjusted for sex, age, helminth infections and ancestry markers, using an additive model. The DAD1 and OXA1L genes were associated with some of the evaluated phenotypes, such as asthma, skin prick test (SPT), specific IgE for aeroallergens, and Th1/Th2-type cytokine production. Using qPCR, as well as in silico gene expression analysis, we have demonstrated that some of the polymorphisms in both genes are able to affect their respective gene expression levels. In addition, DAD1 was over-expressed in asthmatic patients when compared with controls. Thus, our findings demonstrate that variants in both the DAD1 and OXA1L genes may affect atopy and asthma in a Latin American population with a high prevalence of asthma.

Educação em saúde e estratégias utilizadas para prevenção e controle da hipertensão arterial com idosos / Health education and strategies used to prevent and control hypertension in older adults / Educación en salud y estrategias utilizadas para la prevención y el control de la hipertensión arterial en ancianos

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é um problema de saúde pública devido à sua elevada prevalência entre idosos e às graves complicações que pode acarretar à saúde do indivíduo. Este relato de experiência teve como objetivo identificar o perfil de pressão arterial e descrever as estratégias utilizadas para rastreio e prevenção da HAS em idosos através de campanha educativa realizada em serviço público ambulatorial especializado em geriatria e gerontologia. A campanha, pautada na gerontologia educacional, foi realizada entre 24 e 30 de abril de 2015. A equipe de enfermagem convidou os usuários à aferição da pressão arterial (PA) e os questionou sobre uso de medicamentos, existência de acompanhamento médico e incidência de quedas no último ano. Foi produzido um vídeo e entregue material educativo, valorizando adesão ao tratamento e enfatizando prática regular de atividade física, redução da ingesta de sal e manutenção do peso corpóreo adequado. Participaram 421 idosos, sendo 322 mulheres (76%) e 99 homens (24%), com média de idade de 72,5 anos. A PA média dos participantes foi 130×74 mmHg (maior PA encontrada de 195×98 mmHg e menor de 90×60 mmHg), sendo que 29,9% apresentaram valores acima do limite, e 19% referiram estar sem acompanhamento médico. Verificou-se que 13,3% dos idosos utilizam cinco ou mais medicamentos, e 17% apresentaram uma queda ou mais. É imprescindível, portanto, diagnóstico precoce e intervenção da equipe interdisciplinar. As campanhas educativas complementam e apoiam o tratamento clínico, e é fundamental que os serviços de saúde façam programas de prevenção, busca ativa e rastreio, bem como sistematizem estudos para avaliar o impacto das ações.

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a public health problem due to the high prevalence among older adults and to the serious complications that can lead to the individual's health. This report of experience aimed to identify the blood pressure profile and describe strategies used for screening and prevention of SAH in older adults by educational campaign on a public health service specialized in geriatrics and gerontology. The campaign, based on the educational gerontology, was held between April 24 and 30, 2015. The nursing staff invited users to measure blood pressure (BP) and inquired about the use of medications, existence of medical follow-up and incidence of falls in the last year. A video was produced, and educational material was delivered, enhancing treatment adherence and emphasizing regular physical activity, reduction of salt intake and maintenance of proper body weight. A total of 421 older adults participated, being 322 women (76%) and 99 men (24%) with an average age of 72.5 years. The participants' average BP was 130×74 mmHg (the highest BP found being 195×98 mmHg and the lowest, 90×60 mmHg), and 29,9% had values above the limit and 19% reported having no medical follow-up. Notably, 13.3% of individuals make use of five or more drugs and 17% had one fall or more. Therefore, early diagnosis and intervention of the interdisciplinary staff are essential. Educational campaigns complement and support clinical treatment, so health care services must have prevention programs, do active search and screening, as well as systematize studies to assess the impact of actions.

La hipertensión arterial sistémica (HAS) es un problema de salud pública debido a la alta prevalencia entre ancianos y a las complicaciones graves que pueden acarrear a la salud del individuo. El presente relato de experiencia tuvo como objetivo identificar el perfil de presión arterial y describir las estrategias utilizadas para la detección y prevención de la HAS en las personas mayores por medio de una campaña de educación hecha por un servicio de salud pública de atención ambulatoria en geriatría y gerontología. La campaña, basada en la gerontología educativa, se llevó a cabo entre el 24 y el 30 de abril de 2015. El personal de enfermería invitó a los usuarios para medir la presión arterial (PA) y les interrogaron sobre el uso de fármacos, la existencia de seguimiento médico y la incidencia de caídas en el último año. Se produjo un vídeo y se les entregó un material educativo que valoraba la adherencia al tratamiento, haciendo énfasis en la actividad física regular, la reducción de la ingesta de sal y el mantenimiento de un peso corporal adecuado. De los 421 ancianos participantes, 322 eran mujeres (76%) y 99 hombres (24%), con una edad promedio de 72,5 años. La PA promedio de los participantes fue de 130×74 mmHg (se encontró PA más alta de 195×98 mmHg y menor de 90×60 mmHg), y el 29,9% estaban por encima de los valores límite y el 19% reportó estar sin seguimiento médico. Se encontró que el 13,3% de las personas de edad avanzada utilizan 5 o más fármacos y el 17% tuvieron una caída o más. Se concluye que es esencial el diagnóstico temprano y la intervención del equipo interdisciplinario. Las campañas educativas se complementan y apoyan el tratamiento clínico, y es esencial que los servicios de salud hagan programas de prevención, detección y búsqueda activa, así como sistematicen los estudios para evaluar el impacto de las acciones.

Clinical and Experimental Evidences of Hydrogen Sulfide Involvement in Lead-Induced Hypertension.

Lead- (Pb-) induced hypertension has been shown in humans and experimental animals and cardiovascular effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have been reported previously. However, no studies examined involvement of H2S in Pb-induced hypertension. We found increases in diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure in Pb-intoxicated humans followed by diminished H2S plasmatic levels. In order to expand our findings, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Saline, Pb, NaHS, and Pb + NaHS. Pb-intoxicated animals received intraperitoneally (i.p.) 1st dose of 8 µg/100 g of Pb acetate and subsequent doses of 0.1 µg/100 g for seven days and sodium hydrosulfide- (NaHS-) treated animals received i.p. NaHS injections (50 µmol/kg/twice daily) for seven days. NaHS treatment blunted increases in systolic blood pressure, increased H2S plasmatic levels, and diminished whole-blood lead levels. Treatment with NaHS in Pb-induced hypertension seems to induce a protective role in rat aorta which is dependent on endothelium and seems to promote non-NO-mediated relaxation. Pb-intoxication increased oxidative stress in rats, while treatment with NaHS blunted increases in plasmatic MDA levels and increased antioxidant status of plasma. Therefore, H2S pathway may be involved in Pb-induced hypertension and treatment with NaHS exerts antihypertensive effect, promotes non-NO-mediated relaxation, and decreases oxidative stress in rats with Pb-induced hypertension.

Maternal hypertension and feto-placental growth restriction is reversed by sildenafil: Evidence of independent effects of circulating nitric oxide levels.

Sildenafil has shown nitric oxide (NO)-independent pleiotropic effects, however the mechanisms involved are unclear. We investigated the protective effects of sildenafil against hypertension in pregnancy and feto-placental growth restriction induced by NO inhibition, and if sodium nitrite-derived NO formation influences sildenafil effects. We evaluated the plasmatic levels of NO metabolites, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), oxidative stress and myeloperoxidase, which are involved in endothelial dysfunction during hypertension in pregnancy. Also, we performed in vitro experiments to examine cell viability and NO synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultures incubated with plasma from healthy or hypertensive pregnant rats treated (or not) with both drugs, either alone or in association. Sildenafil blunted hypertension in pregnancy and protected against feto-placental growth restriction induced by NO inhibition and these effects of sildenafil alone were similar to those presented by its association with sodium nitrite. Protective effects of sildenafil were observed even with low plasmatic NO levels and were not followed by increases in cGMP levels. Also, sildenafil, but not sodium nitrite, blunted the increases in myeloperoxidase activity. Both drugs (isolated or in association) presented antioxidant effects. Plasma from hypertensive pregnant rats treated with sildenafil, but not sodium nitrite alone, increased the viability of HUVECs. NO synthesis in HUVECs cultures was increased with plasma from rats treated with both drugs. We conclude that sildenafil effects are not dependent of circulating NO levels in hypertension and feto-placental growth restriction. These findings may reflect a protection against myeloperoxidase and pro-oxidant activation in hypertension in pregnancy.

Cardiac myeloperoxidase activity is elevated in hypertensive pregnant rats.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is released from activated neutrophils. The inflammation in preeclampsia was found to be associated with endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that cardiac and circulating MPO levels are elevated in hypertensive pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured on pregnancy days 14, 16, 18 and 20 in normal pregnant and hypertensive pregnant rats. Left and right ventricle weights, the number of viable fetuses, litter size, fetal and placenta weights were recorded on gestational day 21. Circulating and cardiac MPO activities, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO) were detected. The results showed increases in cardiac (left, but not right ventricle) and circulating MPO activities, and concomitantly lower number of viable fetuses, litter size, and fetal and placenta weights, and decreases in NO in hypertensive pregnant rats. Also, the increases in circulating sFlt-1 and VEGF were found in hypertensive pregnant group. In conclusion, maternal and fetal detrimental changes along with increases in circulating sFlt-1 and VEGF in hypertensive pregnancy may be associated with increases in cardiac and circulating MPO activities, confirming the causative role of inflammatory response in preeclampsia.