Bixin Combined with Metformin Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and Antioxidant Defenses in Obese Mice.

Bixin (C25H30O4; 394.51 g/mol) is the main apocarotenoid found in annatto seeds. It has a 25-carbon open chain structure with a methyl ester group and carboxylic acid. Bixin increases the expression of antioxidant enzymes, which may be interesting for counteracting oxidative stress. This study investigated whether bixin-rich annatto extract combined with metformin was able to improve the disturbances observed in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice, with an emphasis on markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses. HFD-fed mice were treated for 8 weeks with metformin (50 mg/kg) plus bixin-rich annatto extract (5.5 and 11 mg/kg). This study assessed glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) activity in plasma, fluorescent AGEs (advanced glycation end products), TBARSs (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver and kidneys. Treatment with bixin plus metformin decreased body weight gain, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased AGEs and TBARSs in the plasma, liver, and kidneys. Bixin plus metformin increased the activities of PON-1, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px. Bixin combined with metformin improved the endogenous antioxidant defenses in the obese mice, showing that this combined therapy may have the potential to contrast the metabolic complications resulting from oxidative stress.

Oral Delivery of Liraglutide-Loaded Zein/Eudragit-Chitosan Nanoparticles Provides Pharmacokinetic and Glycemic Outcomes Comparable to Its Subcutaneous Injection in Rats.

Liraglutide (LIRA) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist renowned for its efficacy in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is typically administered via subcutaneous injections. Oral delivery, although more desirable for being painless and potentially enhancing patient adherence, is challenged by the peptide's low bioavailability and vulnerability to digestive enzymes. This study aimed to develop LIRA-containing zein-based nanoparticles stabilized with eudragit RS100 and chitosan for oral use (Z-ERS-CS/LIRA). These nanoparticles demonstrated a spherical shape, with a mean diameter of 238.6 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.099, a zeta potential of +40.9 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 41%. In vitro release studies indicated a prolonged release, with up to 61% of LIRA released over 24 h. Notably, the nanoparticles showed considerable resistance and stability in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, suggesting protection from pH and enzymatic degradation. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that orally administered Z-ERS-CS/LIRA paralleled the pharmacokinetic profile seen with subcutaneously delivered LIRA. Furthermore, in vivo tests on a diabetic rat model showed that Z-ERS-CS/LIRA significantly controlled glucose levels, comparable to the results observed with free LIRA. The findings underscore Z-ERS-CS/LIRA nanoparticles as a promising approach for oral LIRA delivery in T2DM management.

Cytomolecular trends in Chamaecrista Moench (Caesalpinioideae, Leguminosae) diversification.

Chamaecrista is a Pantropical legume genus of the tribe Cassieae, which includes six other genera. In contrast to most of the other Cassieae genera, Chamaecrista shows significant variability in chromosome number (from 2n = 14 to 2n = 56), with small and morphologically similar chromosomes. Here, we performed a new cytomolecular analysis on chromosome number, genome size, and rDNA site distribution in a molecular phylogenetic perspective to interpret the karyotype trends of Chamaecrista and other two genera of Cassieae, seeking to understand their systematics and evolution. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that Chamaecrista is monophyletic and can be divided into four major clades corresponding to the four sections of the genus. Chromosome numbers ranged from 2n = 14, 16 (section Chamaecrista) to 2n = 28 (sections Absus, Apoucouita, and Baseophyllum). The number of 5S and 35S rDNA sites varied between one and three pairs per karyotype, distributed on different chromosomes or in synteny, with no obvious phylogenetic significance. Our data allowed us to propose x = 7 as the basic chromosome number of Cassieae, which was changed by polyploidy generating x = 14 (sections Absus, Apoucouita, and Baseophyllum) and by ascending dysploidy to x = 8 (section Chamaecrista). The DNA content values supported this hypothesis, with the genomes of the putative tetraploids being larger than those of the putative diploids. We hypothesized that ascending dysploidy, polyploidy, and rDNA amplification/deamplification are the major events in the karyotypic diversification of Chamaecrista. The chromosomal marks characterized here may have cytotaxonomic potential in future studies.

NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome participates in macrophage responses to Trypanosoma cruzi by a mechanism that relies on cathepsin-dependent caspase-1 cleavage.

Inflammasomes are large protein complexes that, once activated, initiate inflammatory responses by activating the caspase-1 protease. They play pivotal roles in host defense against pathogens. The well-established role of NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome in bacterial infections involves NAIP proteins functioning as sensors for their ligands. However, recent reports have indicated the involvement of NLRC4 in non-bacterial infections and sterile inflammation, even though the role of NAIP proteins and the exact molecular mechanisms underlying inflammasome activation in these contexts remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the activation of the NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome in response to Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite responsible for causing Chagas disease. This parasite has been previously demonstrated to activate NLRP3 inflammasomes. Here we found that NAIP and NLRC4 proteins are also required for IL-1ß and Nitric Oxide (NO) release in response to T. cruzi infection, with their absence rendering macrophages permissive to parasite replication. Moreover, Nlrc4 -/- and Nlrp3 -/- macrophages presented similar impaired responses to T. cruzi, underscoring the non-redundant roles played by these inflammasomes during infection. Notably, it was the live trypomastigotes rather than soluble antigens or extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by them, that activated inflammasomes in a cathepsins-dependent manner. The inhibition of cathepsins effectively abrogated caspase-1 cleavage, IL-1ß and NO release, mirroring the phenotype observed in Nlrc4 -/-/Nlrp3 -/- double knockout macrophages. Collectively, our findings shed light on the pivotal role of the NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome in macrophage responses to T. cruzi infection, providing new insights into its broader functions that extend beyond bacterial infections.

Characterization of rumen microbiome and metabolome from oro-esophageal tubing and rumen cannula in Holstein dairy cows.

Less invasive rumen sampling methods, such as oro-esophageal tubing, became widely popular for exploring the rumen microbiome and metabolome. However, it remains unclear if such methods represent well the rumen contents from the rumen cannula technique. Herein, we characterized the microbiome and metabolome in the rumen content collected by an oro-esophageal tube and by rumen cannula in ten multiparous lactating Holstein cows. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Untargeted metabolome was characterized using gas chromatography of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the top three most abundant phyla representing ~ 90% of all samples. Although the pH of oro-esophageal samples was greater than rumen cannula, we found no difference in alpha and beta-diversity among their microbiomes. The overall metabolome of oro-esophageal samples was slightly different from rumen cannula samples yet more closely related to the rumen cannula content as a whole, including its fluid and particulate fractions. Enrichment pathway analysis revealed a few differences between sampling methods, such as when evaluating unsaturated fatty acid pathways in the rumen. The results of the current study suggest that oro-esophageal sampling can be a proxy to screen the 16S rRNA rumen microbiome compared to the rumen cannula technique. The variation introduced by the 16S rRNA methodology may be mitigated by oro-esophageal sampling and the possibility of increasing experimental units for a more consistent representation of the overall microbial population. Studies should consider an under or over-representation of metabolites and specific metabolic pathways depending on the sampling method.

In Vitro Antiglycation Potential of Erva-Baleeira (Varronia curassavica Jacq.).

BACKGROUND: Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of inflammatory processes. The ethanolic extract of its leaves (EEVc) showed anti-inflammatory properties and low toxicity. Medicinal plants have aroused interest for their antiglycation activities. The formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are associated with several chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiglycation potential of EEVc and two isolated compounds. METHODS: The compounds brickellin and cordialin A were obtained by chromatographic methods and identified by spectrometric techniques. Analysis of fluorescent AGEs, biomarkers of amino acid residue oxidation, protein carbonyl groups and crosslink formation were performed in samples obtained from an in vitro model system of protein glycation with methylglyoxal. RESULTS: EEVc, brickellin and cordialin A significantly reduced the in vitro formation of AGEs, and reduced the damage caused by oxidative damage to the protein. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, EEVc, brickellin and cordialin A are potential candidates against AGEs formation, which opens the way to expand the therapeutic arsenal for many pathologies resulting from glycoxidative stress.

Combined Effects of Lycopene and Metformin on Decreasing Oxidative Stress by Triggering Endogenous Antioxidant Defenses in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Since lycopene has antioxidant activity, its combination with metformin may be useful to contrast diabetic complications related to oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of metformin combined with lycopene on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Seventy-two C57BL-6J mice were divided into six groups: C (control diet-fed mice), H (HFD-fed mice for 17 weeks), H-V (HFD-fed mice treated with vehicle), H-M (HFD-fed mice treated with 50 mg/kg metformin), H-L (HFD-fed mice treated with 45 mg/kg lycopene), and H-ML (HFD-fed mice treated with 50 mg/kg metformin + 45 mg/kg lycopene). Treatments were administered for 8 weeks. Glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, fluorescent AGEs (advanced glycation end products), TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), and activities of antioxidant enzymes paraoxonase-1 (PON-1; plasma), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (liver and kidneys) were determined. Metformin plus lycopene reduced body weight; improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance; and decreased AGEs and TBARS in plasma, liver and kidneys. Combined therapy significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, mainly PON-1. Lycopene combined with metformin improved insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, and caused further increases in endogenous antioxidant defenses, arising as a promising therapeutic strategy for combating diabetic complications resulting from glycoxidative stress.

Symptom-based clusters of hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory illness by SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has shown a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic to mild, moderate, and severe infections. Many symptoms have already been identified as typical of COVID-19, but few studies show how they can be useful in identifying clusters of patients with different severity of illness. This interpretation may help to recognize the different profiles of symptoms of COVID-19 expressed in a population at certain time. The aim of this study was to identify symptom-based clusters of hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory illness by SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil. The clusters were evaluated based on sociodemographic characteristics, admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), use of respiratory support, and outcome. METHODS: The Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA)-based cluster analysis was applied to symptoms presented before admission. Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare the proportions of symptoms between the clusters and to examine differences in the calculated rates for the following variables: sex, age group, race, Brazilian region, use of respiratory support, admission to the ICU and outcome. RESULTS: Three COVID-19 clusters with distinct symptom profiles were identified by MCA-based cluster analysis. Cluster 1 had the mildest severity profile, with the lowest frequencies for most symptoms investigated. Cluster 2 had a severe respiratory profile, with the highest frequencies of patients with dyspnea, respiratory discomfort and O2 saturation< 95%. Cluster 2 was also the most prevalent in all Brazilian regions and had the highest percentages of patients who used invasive respiratory support (27.4%) (p-value<0.001), were admitted to the ICU (42.6%) (p -value<0.001) and died (39.0%) (p-value<0.001). Cluster 3 had a prominent profile of gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified three distinct COVID-19 clusters based on the symptoms presented by patients with severe acute respiratory illness by SARS-CoV-2, but without distinction in their prevalence in the Brazilian regions.

Concordance between two instruments for health literacy assessment. / Concordância entre dois instrumentos para avaliação do letramento em saúde.

OBJETIVO: To determine agreement between the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) and the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-speaking Adults (SAHLPA-18) measurement instruments as a strategy for estimating concurrent validity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with users of the Brazilian National Health System. An agreement approach using a weighted Kappa test for qualitative data was applied in order to test for concurrent validity. RESULTS: 372 individuals participated. It was found that 66% and 62% of them did not have an adequate level of literacy according to SAHLPA-18 and S-TOFHLA, respectively. There was strong correlation between the instruments (p<0.001; r=0.60), although the 65.3% agreement of correct answers found was considered weak (Kappa=0.35; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The SAHLPA-18 and S-TOFHLA instruments have different constructs and poor agreement. Use of different instruments is indicated in research intended to measure level of literacy, as is the development of instruments specific to health conditions that allow results close to the real context of individuals to be obtained.

Concordância entre dois instrumentos para avaliação do letramento em saúde / Concordancia entre dos instrumentos para evaluación de la alfabetización en salud / Concordance between two instruments for health literacy assessment

Objetivo: Determinar a concordância entre os instrumentos de mensuração short test of functional health literacy in adults (S-TOFHLA) e short assessment of health literacy for Portuguese-speaking adults (SAHLPA-18) como estratégia para estimar a validade concorrente. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde. Para testar a validade concorrente, aplicou-se abordagem de concordância com teste de Kappa ponderado para dados qualitativos. Resultados: Participaram 372 indivíduos, dos quais 66% e 62% não apresentaram nível de letramento adequado, segundo o SAHLPA-18 e o S-TOFHLA, respectivamente. Observou-se correlação forte entre os instrumentos (p<0,001; r=0,60); e a concordância de acertos encontrada, 65,3% (Kappa=0,35; p<0,001), foi considerada fraca. Conclusão: Os instrumentos SAHLPA-18 e S-TOFHLA apresentam constructos diferentes e fraca concordância. É indicado o uso de diferentes instrumentos em pesquisas de mensuração do nível de letramento; e desenvolvimento de instrumentos específicos às condições de saúde que permitam obter resultado próximo ao real contexto dos indivíduos.

Objetivo: Determinar la concordancia entre instrumentos de medición psicométrica short test of functional health literacy in adults (S-TOFHLA) y short assessment of health literacy for portuguese-speaking adults (SAHLPA-18) como estrategia para estimar la validez concurrente. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado con usuarios del Sistema Único de Salud. Para testear la validez concurrente se aplicó un enfoque de concordancia con una prueba ponderada de Kappa para datos cualitativos. Resultados: participaron 372 individuos. Se encontró que 66% y 62% de estos no tenía un nivel adecuado de letramiento según SAHLPA-18 y S-TOFHLA, respectivamente. Hubo una fuerte correlación entre los instrumentos (p<0.001; r=0.60), sin embargo 65.3% de concordancia, se consideró débil (Kappa=0.35; p<0.001). Conclusión: Los instrumentos SAHLPA-18 y S-TOFHLA tienen diferentes construcciones y escasa concordancia. En la investigación se indica el uso de diferentes instrumentos para medir el nivel de letramiento y el desarrollo de instrumentos específicos a las condiciones de salud que permitan obtener resultados cercanos al contexto real de los individuos.

Objetivo: To determine agreement between the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) and the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-speaking Adults (SAHLPA-18) measurement instruments as a strategy for estimating concurrent validity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with users of the Brazilian National Health System. An agreement approach using a weighted Kappa test for qualitative data was applied in order to test for concurrent validity. Results: 372 individuals participated. It was found that 66% and 62% of them did not have an adequate level of literacy according to SAHLPA-18 and S-TOFHLA, respectively. There was strong correlation between the instruments (p<0.001; r=0.60), although the 65.3% agreement of correct answers found was considered weak (Kappa=0.35; p<0.001). Conclusion: The SAHLPA-18 and S-TOFHLA instruments have different constructs and poor agreement. Use of different instruments is indicated in research intended to measure level of literacy, as is the development of instruments specific to health conditions that allow results close to the real context of individuals to be obtained.

Endophytic bacteria of garlic roots promote growth of micropropagated meristems.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the crops whose economic importance has increased considerably in recent years in Brazil. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is a useful alternative for reducing the cost of agricultural inputs and, consequently, for increasing productivity. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to isolate and evaluate potential growth promoters in plants and plant pathogenic fungi growth inhibitors using endophytic bacteria from garlic roots and bacteria from the Agricultural Microbiology Culture Collection at the Federal University of Lavras. Besides verifying improvements in the growth and physiology of garlic meristems grown in vitro under the action of PGPB. Forty-eight endophytic bacteria were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry based on the protein profile of each isolate. Four isolates were chosen according to their ability to fix nitrogen, to produce auxin and solubilize phosphate. The cultivation of garlic meristems in tissue culture with these bacteria was established at a population level of 106 CFU/mL. The evaluated criteria were: (1) the colonization capacity of the bacteria inside the garlic plants determined through scanning electron microscopy; (2) the chlorophyll content; and (3) the growth of garlic plants in vitro post-PGPB inoculation. Volatiles emitted by those isolates inhibited fungi growth. The inoculation of garlic meristems with Enterobacter cloacae and Burkholderia cepacia promoted an improvement in the growth and physiological attributes of garlic, indicating the feasibility of their application as plant growth promoters for commercial cultivation.

Effect of light and sucrose on photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic micropropagation of Physalis angulata / Efeito da luz e sacarose na micropropagação fotoautotrófica e fotomixotrófica de Physalis angulata

The biotechnological interest in genus Physalis has increased in the last decades, however, there are still few micropropagation studies of this genus. The objective of this study was to evaluate P. angulata photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic micropropagation with gas exchange under seven light spectra and five concentrations of sucrose. Lighting were yellow, blue, white, red, green, red + blue LEDs and natural light filtered by mesh. Sucrose concentrations were 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g.L-1. Phytotechnical, anatomical features and photopigment contents were evaluated through stem and root segment length, leaf number, leaf area, chlorophyll a and b contents, carotenoids, adaxial epidermis, palisadic and spongy parenchyma and abaxial epidermis. The data were compared by Scott-Knott's mean test and principal components analysis using the R software. Comparing the variables within lighting types, it was observed that only the screen treatment, screen-filtered natural illumination, obtained assessment in all variables. Comparing the levels of sucrose, it was observed that the treatment 15 g.L-1 sucrose obtained the highest number of averages with maximum evaluation. It was concluded that the natural light filtered by screen with 50% of shading allowed the photoautotrophic micropropagation of P. angulata. Better development results were observed in photomixotrophic micropropagation with 15 g.L-1 of sucrose.

O interesse biotecnológico em Physalis aumentou nas últimas décadas, porém, ainda existem poucos trabalhos de micropropagação desse gênero. Objetivou-se avaliar sua micropropagação fotoautotrófica e fotomixotrófica com troca gasosa sob sete tipos de iluminação e cinco concentrações de sacarose. Foram utilizados LEDs amarelo, azul, branco, vermelho, verde, vermelho + azul e luz natural filtrada por malha. As concentrações de sacarose foram 0, 7,5, 15, 22,5 e 30 g.L-1. Características fitotécnicas, anatômicas e teor de fotopigmentos foram avaliados através de comprimento de segmento de caule e raíz, número de folhas, área foliar, teores de clorofilas a e b, carotenoides, epiderme adaxial, parênquimas paliçádico e esponjoso e epiderme abaxial. Os dados foram comparados por teste de média Scott-Knott e análise de componentes principais utilizando-se o software R. Comparando-se as variáveis dentro de tipos de iluminação, observou-se que apenas o tratamento screen, iluminação natural filtrada por malha, obteve avaliação máxima em todas as variáveis. Comparando-se os níveis de sucrose, observou-se que o tratamento 15 g.L-1 sacarose obteve o maior número de médias com avaliação máxima. Concluiu-se que a luz natural filtrada por tela com 50% de sombreamento permitiu a micropropagação fotoautotrófica de P. angulata. Observou-se melhores resultados de desenvolvimento na micropropagação fotomixotrófica com 15 g.L-1 de sacarose.

Polyploidy induction in Physalis alkekengi / Indução de poliploidia em Physalis alkekengi

Physalis alkekengi is an ornamental plant that can also be used as a medicinal plant due to its anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antitumor and fungicidal properties. Polyploidization can be an important tool in the genetic improvement of this species. The objective this work was to obtain tetraploids in vitro and to evaluate the phytotechnical traits of P. alkekengi. For this, nodal segments of P. alkekengi var. Franchettii were inoculated into petri dishes containing 100 ml of MS medium supplemented with colchicine at concentrations 0; 0.04; 0.08; 0.12; and 0.16% and kept in the dark for 24 and 48h. After the respective treatment periods with colchicine the segments were inoculated into test tubes. The tetraploids were identified by flow cytometry and classical cytogenetics. In vitro seedlings were measured: root length, nodal segment length, leaflet number and total leaf area. In the acclimatization phase, the area of the second leaf and total leaf, petiole radius, stem length, fruit weight with calyx, without calyx, fruit diameter, number of seeds and brix of the pulp were evaluated. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, total carotenoid, total chlorophyll / total carotenoid ratio and chlorophyll a / b ratio were also estimated. The treatment that most produced tetraploid seedlings was with 0.08% colchicine per 24h. No significant difference was observed in 7 (seven) variables, these being all variables of photopigments, stem diameter (steam) and brix. In general, diploid (2x) plants were better in 9 (nine) while tetraploid seedlings were better in 6 (six) of the phytotechnical variables. It was concluded that the MS medium supplemented with 0.08% colchicine for 24 h allowed P. alkekengi tetraploides to be obtained with better phytotechnical qualities.

Physalis alkekengi é uma planta ornamental que também pode ser usada como planta medicinal devido às suas propriedades anti-inflamatórias, bactericidas, antitumorais e fungicidas. A poliploidização pode ser uma ferramenta importante para o melhoramento genético dessa espécie. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter tetraplóides in vitro e avaliar as características fitotécnicas de P. alkekengi. Para isso, segmentos nodais de P. alkekengi var. Franchettii foram inoculados em placas de Petri contendo 100 ml de meio MS suplementado com colchicina nas concentrações 0; 0,04; 0,08; 0,12; e 0,16% e mantido no escuro por 24 e 48h. Após os respectivos períodos de tratamento com colchicina, os segmentos foram inoculados em tubos de ensaio. Os tetraplóides foram identificados por citometria de fluxo e citogenética clássica. As plântulas in vitro foram medidas: comprimento da raiz, comprimento do segmento nodal, número de folhetos e área foliar total. Na fase de aclimatação foram avaliadas a área da segunda folha e área foliar total, raio do pecíolo, comprimento do caule, peso do fruto com cálice, sem cálice, diâmetro do fruto, número de sementes e brix da polpa. Também foram estimadas clorofila a, clorofila b, clorofila total, carotenóides totais, razão clorofila total / carotenóide total e razão clorofila a / b. O tratamento que mais produziu mudas tetraplóides foi com colchicina a 0,08% por 24 horas. Não foi observada diferença significativa em 7 (sete) variáveis, sendo todas variáveis de fotopigmentos, diâmetro do caule (vapor) e brix. Em geral, as plantas diplóides (2x) foram melhores em 9 (nove) variáveis fitotécnicas, enquanto as mudas tetraplóides foram melhores em 6 (seis). Concluiu-se que o meio MS suplementado com colchicina a 0,08% por 24 h permitiu obter tetraploides de P. alkekengi com melhores qualidades fitotécnicas.

Learning the clinic of social suffering: narratives of Internship in Primary Health Care. / Aprendendo a clínica do sofrimento social: narrativas do internato na Atenção Primária à Saúde.

In Brazil, the mismatch between medical education and care needs in primary health care, especially for the most vulnerable populations, required changes in the National Curriculum Guidelines of the Medical School, with an increased workload of the internship in PHC. This work is exploratory, qualitative research, which investigated documents of the formative evaluation of the Integrated Internship in Family and Community Medicine and Mental Health of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, which serves vulnerable populations in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The documents produced by 55 students were analyzed, and dialectical hermeneutics was used as a method of analysis. The investigation showed different levels of sensitivity to social distress experienced by users of Family Clinics during the 22 weeks of internship. The narratives were grouped into five axes: highlighting the Medicine-society split; extreme vulnerability and health; daily structural violence and health; health service as a resource or intruder; territory as the power of life. The internship contributed to improve clinical views focused on users' needs, and further studies are required to evaluate the effective incorporation of these competencies into professional practice.

No Brasil, o descompasso entre a formação médica e as necessidades assistenciais na atenção primária à saúde, em especial para as populações mais vulneráveis, demandou mudanças nas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do curso de Medicina, com ampliação da carga horária do Internato na APS. Este trabalho é uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória, que investigou documentos da avaliação formativa do Internato Integrado em Medicina de Família e Comunidade e Saúde Mental da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, que atendem populações vulneráveis no município do Rio de Janeiro. Ao todo, foram analisados documentos produzidos por 55 estudantes e utilizou-se a hermenêutica dialética como método de análise. A investigação apontou distintos graus de sensibilidade ao sofrimento social experimentado por usuários de Clínicas da Família, ao longo das 22 semanas de estágio. As narrativas foram agrupadas em 5 eixos: tensionando a cisão medicina/sociedade; vulnerabilidade extrema e saúde; violência estrutural cotidiana e saúde; serviço de saúde como recurso ou intruso; território como potência de vida. O internato contribuiu para aprimorar visões clínicas centradas nas necessidades dos usuários, sendo necessários estudos adicionais para avaliar a incorporação efetiva destas competências à prática profissional.

Aprendendo a clínica do sofrimento social: narrativas do internato na Atenção Primária à Saúde / Learning the clinic of social suffering: narratives of Internship in Primary Health Care

Resumo No Brasil, o descompasso entre a formação médica e as necessidades assistenciais na atenção primária à saúde, em especial para as populações mais vulneráveis, demandou mudanças nas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do curso de Medicina, com ampliação da carga horária do Internato na APS. Este trabalho é uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória, que investigou documentos da avaliação formativa do Internato Integrado em Medicina de Família e Comunidade e Saúde Mental da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, que atendem populações vulneráveis no município do Rio de Janeiro. Ao todo, foram analisados documentos produzidos por 55 estudantes e utilizou-se a hermenêutica dialética como método de análise. A investigação apontou distintos graus de sensibilidade ao sofrimento social experimentado por usuários de Clínicas da Família, ao longo das 22 semanas de estágio. As narrativas foram agrupadas em 5 eixos: tensionando a cisão medicina/sociedade; vulnerabilidade extrema e saúde; violência estrutural cotidiana e saúde; serviço de saúde como recurso ou intruso; território como potência de vida. O internato contribuiu para aprimorar visões clínicas centradas nas necessidades dos usuários, sendo necessários estudos adicionais para avaliar a incorporação efetiva destas competências à prática profissional.

Abstract In Brazil, the mismatch between medical education and care needs in primary health care, especially for the most vulnerable populations, required changes in the National Curriculum Guidelines of the Medical School, with an increased workload of the internship in PHC. This work is exploratory, qualitative research, which investigated documents of the formative evaluation of the Integrated Internship in Family and Community Medicine and Mental Health of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, which serves vulnerable populations in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The documents produced by 55 students were analyzed, and dialectical hermeneutics was used as a method of analysis. The investigation showed different levels of sensitivity to social distress experienced by users of Family Clinics during the 22 weeks of internship. The narratives were grouped into five axes: highlighting the Medicine-society split; extreme vulnerability and health; daily structural violence and health; health service as a resource or intruder; territory as the power of life. The internship contributed to improve clinical views focused on users' needs, and further studies are required to evaluate the effective incorporation of these competencies into professional practice.

Time evolution of the behaviour of Brazilian legislative Representatives using a complex network approach.

The follow up of Representative behavior after elections is imperative for a democratic Representative system, at the very least to punish betrayal with no re-election. Our goal was to show how to follow Representatives' and how to show behavior in real situations and observe trends in political crises including the onset of game changing political instabilities. We used correlation and correlation distance matrices of Brazilian Representative votes during four presidential terms. Re-ordering these matrices with Minimal Spanning Trees displays the dynamical formation of clusters for the sixteen year period, which includes one Presidential impeachment. The reordered matrices, colored by correlation strength and by the parties clearly show the origin of observed clusters and their evolution over time. When large clusters provide government support cluster breaks, political instability arises, which could lead to an impeachment, a trend we observed three years before the Brazilian President was impeached. We believe this method could be applied to foresee other political storms.

Supplementation with vitamin D and its analogs for treatment of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxycolecalciferol) is a prohormone that has attracted the interest of researchers since studies have shown that its effects are not restricted to bone metabolism. Thus, the present review summarizes the most recent findings and discusses the usefulness of prescribing vitamin D and its analogues for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disorders and endothelial dysfunction. The paper constitutes a narrative review of the literature, selecting articles published from 2012 to 2019. Studies have shown that vitamin D3 and its analogues have beneficial effects on endothelial function, but these results are controversial, since research with larger samples and of longer duration found no reduction in morbidity and mortality or cardiovascular risk factors after use of these substances. Given the current state of the art, there is no clear scientific basis for supplementation with vitamin D or its analogues for treatment of endothelial dysfunction or cardiovascular disease.

Suplementação de vitamina D e seus análogos para tratamento de disfunção endotelial e doenças cardiovasculares / Supplementation with vitamin D and its analogs for treatment of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease

Resumo A vitamina D (1,25-dihidroxicolecalciferol) é um pró-hormônio que tem despertado a atenção de pesquisadores após estudos demonstrarem que seus efeitos não estão restritos ao metabolismo ósseo. Assim, a presente revisão sintetiza os achados mais recentes e discute a utilidade da prescrição de vitamina D e seus análogos no tratamento e prevenção de afecções cardiovasculares e disfunção endotelial. Este trabalho consiste em uma revisão narrativa da literatura feita a partir da seleção de artigos publicados no período de 2012 a 2019. Estudos demonstraram efeitos benéficos da vitamina D3 e seus análogos sobre a função endotelial; no entanto, tais resultados mostram-se controversos, visto que pesquisas com maior amostragem e duração não encontraram redução na morbimortalidade ou nos fatores de risco cardiovascular após o uso de tais substâncias. Frente ao estado atual da arte, não existe embasamento científico claro para suplementação de vitamina D ou seus análogos para tratamento de disfunção endotelial ou doenças cardiovasculares.

Abstract Vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxycolecalciferol) is a prohormone that has attracted the interest of researchers since studies have shown that its effects are not restricted to bone metabolism. Thus, the present review summarizes the most recent findings and discusses the usefulness of prescribing vitamin D and its analogues for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disorders and endothelial dysfunction. The paper constitutes a narrative review of the literature, selecting articles published from 2012 to 2019. Studies have shown that vitamin D3 and its analogues have beneficial effects on endothelial function, but these results are controversial, since research with larger samples and of longer duration found no reduction in morbidity and mortality or cardiovascular risk factors after use of these substances. Given the current state of the art, there is no clear scientific basis for supplementation with vitamin D or its analogues for treatment of endothelial dysfunction or cardiovascular disease.

Circulation of Chikungunya virus East-Central-South Africa genotype during an outbreak in 2016-17 in Piaui State, Northeast Brazil.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus that emerged in the Americas in 2013. Infection with CHIKV is symptomatic in most of the cases and patients can develop chronic arthralgia that lasts from months to years in over 40% of the cases. The East-Central-South Africa (ECSA) genotype was introduced in Brazil in 2014, in Bahia State. Here we report the circulation of the CHIKV ECSA genotype in Piaui State, Northeast Brazil, during the years 2016-2017. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a single introduction of this lineage probably in 2015 and its maintenance at least until 2017. This analysis has also demonstrated the proximity of this genotype with isolates from neighboring States, and its partial nucleotide sequence of the viral E1 gene revealed a synapomorphy synonyms. This finding highlights the spread of the ECSA genotype in Brazil and supports its circulation in the Brazilian Northeast.

Physicochemical Characterization and Skin Permeation of Cationic Transfersomes Containing the Synthetic Peptide PnPP-19.

BACKGROUND: PnPP-19 is a 19-amino-acid synthetic peptide previously described as a novel drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of cationic transfersomes containing PnPP-19 and the skin permeation of free PnPP-19 and PnPP-19-loaded transfersomes. METHODS: Three different liposomal preparation methods were evaluated. Cationic transfersomes contained egg phosphatidyl choline: stearylamine (9:1 w/w) and Tween 20 (84.6:15.4 lipid:Tween, w/w). Lipid concentration varied from 20 to 40 mM. We evaluated the entrapment percentage, mean diameter, zeta potential and stability at 4 °C of the formulations. The skin permeation assays were performed with abdominal human skin using Franz diffusion cell with 3 cm2 diffusion area at 32 °C and a fluorescent derivative of the peptide, containing 5-TAMRA, bound to PnPP-19 C-terminal region, where an extra lysine was inserted. RESULTS: Our results showed variable entrapment efficiencies, from 6% to 30%, depending on the preparation method and the lipid concentration used. The reverse phase evaporation method using a total lipid concentration equal to 40 mM led to the best entrapment percentage (30.2 + 4.5%). Free PnPP-19 was able to permeate skin at a rate of 10.8 ng/cm2/h. However, PnPP-19 was specifically hydrolyzed by skin proteases, generating a fragment of 15 amino acid residues. Encapsulated PnPP-19 permeated the skin at a rate of 19.8 ng/cm2/h. CONCLUSION: The encapsulation of PnPP-19 in cationic transfersomes protected the peptide from degradation, favoring its topical administration.