Effects of trimer repeats on Psidium guajava L. gene expression and prospection of functional microsatellite markers.

Most research on trinucleotide repeats (TRs) focuses on human diseases, with few on the impact of TR expansions on plant gene expression. This work investigates TRs' effect on global gene expression in Psidium guajava L., a plant species with widespread distribution and significant relevance in the food, pharmacology, and economics sectors. We analyzed TR-containing coding sequences in 1,107 transcripts from 2,256 genes across root, shoot, young leaf, old leaf, and flower bud tissues of the Brazilian guava cultivars Cortibel RM and Paluma. Structural analysis revealed TR sequences with small repeat numbers (5-9) starting with cytosine or guanine or containing these bases. Functional annotation indicated TR-containing genes' involvement in cellular structures and processes (especially cell membranes and signal recognition), stress response, and resistance. Gene expression analysis showed significant variation, with a subset of highly expressed genes in both cultivars. Differential expression highlighted numerous down-regulated genes in Cortibel RM tissues, but not in Paluma, suggesting interplay between tissues and cultivars. Among 72 differentially expressed genes with TRs, 24 form miRNAs, 13 encode transcription factors, and 11 are associated with transposable elements. In addition, a set of 20 SSR-annotated, transcribed, and differentially expressed genes with TRs was selected as phenotypic markers for Psidium guajava and, potentially for closely related species as well.

Beliefs and practices of the nursing team related to pressure injury preventive measures: A analysis of social representations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To analyse the process of elaborating social representations about pressure injury preventive measures by the nursing team (nurses and nurse technicians) and how this process relates to preventive practices for hospitalized patients. DESIGN: Qualitative study, with the application of the theory of social representations in its procedural methodological approach. METHODS: The study was carried out in an inpatient clinic of a public hospital in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. Totally, 28 nursing professionals in the medical clinic sectors who had worked directly with patient care for more than 6 months participated. The data were collected between July and September 2021 via in-depth interviews with the application of a semi-structured instrument. Analysis was carried out with the help of ALCESTE software, which performed a lexicographic analysis, and also via thematic analysis. The COREQ guided the presentation of the research report. RESULTS: The social representations were developed based on the professionals' symbolic beliefs about the visibility/invisibility of the results of applying preventive care. These symbolic constructions mobilized positive and negative feelings among the nursing team, which guided the classification of prevention practices as being of greater or lesser priority among other care activities. There were favourable attitudes among professionals, which included applying prevention measures in their daily routines, and unfavourable attitudes of non-adherence to the institution's protocol for preventing pressure injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The nursing team's perception of pressure injury prevention is influenced by symbolic, affective, values, and social dimensions. Non-adherence behaviours are attributed to the belief in the invisibility of prevention outcomes, resulting in a reluctance to implement preventive measures. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Understanding the subjective logic that explains the thinking and actions of the nursing team suggests the need to incorporate discussions on beliefs, values, sentiments, and attitudes of nursing professionals into educational programs on pressure injury prevention. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No public contribution.

Effects of plasma rich in growth factors on wound healing in patients with venous ulcers.

Introduction: Significant evidence suggests that plasma-rich in growth factors (PRGF) favor the repair of chronic wounds, enabling a rapid return to functionality. However, components of PRGF and their effects on persistent ulcers and epithelial tissues are not well characterized. The goals of this research were to analyze the biological properties of platelet-derived factors, to examine their effectiveness on healing of venous ulcers, and to establish a correlation with clinical and sociodemographic data. Methods: For the preparation of PRGF, the centrifugation technique was used, obtaining a 100 % autologous and biocompatible blood sample that was treated with sodium citrate and calcium chloride. The patients were attended weekly at the outpatient clinic for nursing consultation and wound dressing changes, with PRGF application every 15 days. The treatment protocols are described, and follow-up results are reported. Results: Initially, the patients' ulcers ranged in sizes from 4 to 84 cm2. After 12 weeks of treatment, there was a significant mean reduction of 46.2 % in ulcer area. At baseline, epithelial tissue was absent in all venous ulcers, but its presence grew significantly by the treatment period. However, the reduction of the area of the ulcers did not show significant correlation with the concentrations of the patient's growth factors. Conclusions: Using the established protocol for PRGF isolating, it was possible to obtain a product with the presence of the six growth factors related to tissue regeneration and observed a positive response on wound healing following treatment of venous ulcers, with capacity to accelerate re-epithelialization and restore the skin functional integrity.

Exploring the versatility of sesquiterpene biosynthesis in guava plants: a comparative genome-wide analysis of two cultivars.

Psidium guajava L., a fruit crop belonging to the Myrtaceae family, is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The family exhibits a diverse chemical profile of essential oils and serves as a valuable resource due to its ecological interactions, adaptability, and dispersal capacity. The Myrtaceae family has been extensively studied for its terpenoids. Genetic studies have focused on foliar terpene yield in species from the Eucalypteae and Melaleucaceae tribes. To understand the evolutionary trends in guava breeding, this study predicted terpene synthase genes (TPS) from different cultivars. Through this analysis, 43 full-length TPS genes were identified, and approximately 77% of them exhibited relative expression in at least one of the five investigated plant tissues (root, leaf, bud, flower, and fruit) of two guava cultivars. We identified intra-species variation in the terpene profile and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in twelve TPS genes, resulting in the clustering of 62 genotypes according to their essential oil chemotypes. The high concentration of sesquiterpenes is supported by the higher number of TPS-a genes and their expression. The expansion for TPS sub-families in P. guajava occurred after the expansion of other rosids species. Providing insight into the origin of structural diversification and expansion in each clade of the TPS gene family within Myrtaceae. This study can provide insights into the diversity of genes for specialized metabolites such as terpenes, and their regulation, which can lead to a diverse chemotype of essential oil in different tissues and genotypes. This suggests a mode of enzymatic evolution that could lead to high sesquiterpene production, act as a chemical defense and contribute to the adaptive capacity of this species to different habitats.

Organizations and stakeholders' roles and influence on implementing sustainability requirements in construction projects.

Construction projects significantly affect a country's development, consume many resources, and impact many stakeholders. Project sustainability requirements are essential to overcome the current social and environmental challenges, yet entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and technical professionals still ignore them. This research aims to reveal the leading players that can influence implementing sustainability requirements in construction project development, the barriers, and possible solutions. The results show that organizational strategies, maturity level in sustainability, and the ability to change corporate values and beliefs play a significant role in this pivotal movement. At the same time, a set of external stakeholders, such as investors, banks, communities, suppliers, regulatory agencies, and insurance companies, may push a specific behavior to the market and influence change. On top of this, organizations shall build their strategy toward sustainability and implement sustainable project management. This study employs the Complex Holographic Assessment of Paradoxical Problems (CHAP2) to investigate the current situation in Brazil related to the integration of construction project development and sustainability requirements.

Leishmanicidal activity and 4D quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies of vanillin-containing 1,2,3-triazole derivatives.

Aim: The assessment of the antileishmanial potential of 22 vanillin-containing 1,2,3-triazole derivatives against Leishmania braziliensis is reported. Materials & methods: Initial screening was performed against the parasite promastigote form. The most active compound, 4b, targeted parasites within amastigotes (IC50 = 4.2 ± 1.0 µmol l-1), presenting low cytotoxicity and a selective index value of 39. 4D quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies provided insights into structure-activity and biological effects. Conclusion: A vanillin derivative with significant antileishmanial activity was identified. Enhanced activity was linked to increased electrostatic and Van der Waals interactions near the benzyl ring of the derivatives. Molecular docking indicated the inhibition of the Leishmania amazonensis sterol 14α-demethylase, using Leishmania infantum sterol 14α-demethylase as a model, without affecting the human isoform. Inhibition was active site competition with lanosterol.

Measures of Health Care Providers' Knowledge, Clinical Skills, or Prejudice Toward Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Other Sexual and Gender Minority Populations: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: Assessing health care providers' knowledge, clinical skills, and prejudice toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minority populations (LGBTQIA+) can help identify areas for improvement in health care provider training. The aim of this study was to map the range of studies that report measures of health care providers' knowledge, clinical skills, or prejudice toward LGBTQIA+ populations. Methods: A scoping review adopting the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was conducted. Electronic database searches were conducted in CINAHL via EBSCO Host, Epistemonikos, LILACS via Virtual Health Library Regional Portal, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences. The samples of other reviews were screened. Studies that validated, translated, and/or cross-culturally adapted measures of the knowledge, clinical skills, and prejudice of health care providers and students toward LGBTQIA+ individuals were selected. Scholars were consulted to ensure that no relevant studies were missing. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers and presented in tabular form along with narrative summaries. Results: This scoping review identified 27 measures that have been validated, translated, and/or adapted with health care providers or students as the target population, distributed across 33 studies. Conclusions: Psychometric studies involving LGBTQIA+ patients and health care professionals have increased in recent years, with North American countries being the most frequent location. However, a growing number of studies are being conducted in Latin American countries such as Brazil and Colombia.

Integrating morphological, biochemical, behavioural, and molecular approaches to investigate developmental toxicity triggered by tebuthiuron in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Tebuthiuron (TBU), a phenylurea herbicide, is widely applied in agricultural and non-agricultural soils. Because TBU resists degradation, it can contaminate water and reach the biota once it is released into the environment. However, the potential toxic effects of TBU on aquatic developing organisms have been poorly studied. By taking advantage of the early-life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio), we have combined morphological, biochemical, behavioural, and molecular approaches to investigate the developmental toxicity triggered by environmentally relevant concentrations (from 0.1 to 1000 µg/L) of TBU. Exposure to TBU did not elicit morphological abnormalities but it significantly delayed hatching. In addition, TBU altered the frequency of tail coils in one-day post-fertilization (dpf) old embryos. Moreover, TBU exposure during four days significantly inhibited the whole body AChE activity of larvae. At the molecular level, TBU did not significantly affect the mRNA levels of four genes (elavl3, gfap, gap43, and shha) that play key roles during the neurodevelopment of zebrafish. By assessing the motor responses to repeated light-dark stimuli, 6 dpf larvae exposed to TBU displayed hyperactivity, showing greater travelling distance during the dark periods. Our categorization of swimming speed revealed an interesting finding - after the light was turned off, the exposed larvae abandoned the freezing mode (<2 mm/s) and travelled mainly at cruising speed (2-20 mm/s), showing that the larval hyperactivity did not translate into higher swimming velocity. Overall, our results offer new insights into the TBU toxicity to developing organisms, namely effects in AChE activity and hyperactivity, providing support data for future studies considering environmental risk assessment of this herbicide.

Herbicide and Cytogenotoxic Activity of Inclusion Complexes of Psidium gaudichaudianum Leaf Essential Oil and ß-Caryophyllene on 2-Hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin.

The present investigation aimed to develop inclusion complexes (ICs) from Psidium gaudichaudianum (GAU) essential oil (EO) and its major compound ß-caryophyllene (ß-CAR), and to evaluate their herbicidal (against Lolium multiflorum and Bidens pilosa) and cytogenotoxic (on Lactuca sativa) activities. The ICs were obtained using 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPßCD) and they were prepared to avoid or reduce the volatility and degradation of GAU EO and ß-CAR. The ICs obtained showed a complexation efficiency of 91.5 and 83.9% for GAU EO and ß-CAR, respectively. The IC of GAU EO at a concentration of 3000 µg mL-1 displayed a significant effect against weed species B. pilosa and L. multiflorum. However, the ß-CAR IC at a concentration of 3000 µg mL-1 was effective only on L. multiflorum. In addition, the cytogenotoxic activity evaluation revealed that there was a reduction in the mitotic index and an increase in chromosomal abnormalities. The produced ICs were able to protect the EO and ß-CAR from volatility and degradation, with a high thermal stability, and they also enabled the solubilization of the EO and ß-CAR in water without the addition of an organic solvent. Therefore, it is possible to indicate the obtained products as potential candidates for commercial exploration since the ICs allow the complexed EO to exhibit a more stable chemical constitution than pure EO under storage conditions.

Genomic studies of the additive and dominant genetic control on production traits of Euterpe edulis fruits.

In forest genetic improvement programs for non-domesticated species, limited knowledge of kinship can compromise or make the estimation of variance components and genetic parameters of traits of interest unfeasible. We used mixed models and genomics (in the latter, considering additive and non-additive effects) to evaluate the genetic architecture of 12 traits in juçaizeiro for fruit production. A population of 275 genotypes without genetic relationship knowledge was phenotyped over three years and genotyped by whole genome SNP markers. We have verified superiority in the quality of the fits, the prediction accuracy for unbalanced data, and the possibility of unfolding the genetic effects into their additive and non-additive terms in the genomic models. Estimates of the variance components and genetic parameters obtained by the additive models may be overestimated since, when considering the dominance effect in the model, there are substantial reductions in them. The number of bunches, fresh fruit mass of bunch, rachis length, fresh mass of 25 fruits, and amount of pulp were strongly influenced by the dominance effect, showing that genomic models with such effect should be considered for these traits, which may result in selective improvements by being able to return more accurate genomic breeding values. The present study reveals the additive and non-additive genetic control of the evaluated traits and highlights the importance of genomic information-based approaches for populations without knowledge of kinship and experimental design. Our findings underscore the critical role of genomic data in elucidating the genetic control architecture of quantitative traits, thereby providing crucial insights for driving species' genetic improvement.

Single and multi-trait genomic prediction for agronomic traits in Euterpe edulis.

Popularly known as juçaizeiro, Euterpe edulis has been gaining prominence in the fruit growing sector and has demanded the development of superior genetic materials. Since it is a native species and still little studied, the application of more sophisticated techniques can result in higher gains with less time. Until now, there are no studies that apply genomic prediction for this crop, especially in multi-trait analysis. In this sense, this study aimed to apply new methods and breeding techniques for the juçaizeiro, to optimize this breeding program through the application of genomic prediction. This data consisted of 275 juçaizeiro genotypes from a population of Rio Novo do Sul-ES, Brazil. The genomic prediction was performed using the multi-trait (G-BLUP MT) and single-trait (G-BLUP ST) models and the selection of superior genotypes was based on a selection index. Similar results for predictive ability were observed for both models. However, the G-BLUP ST model provided greater selection gains when compared to the G-BLUP MT. For this reason, the genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) from the G-BLUP ST, were used to select the six superior genotypes (UFES.A.RN.390, UFES.A.RN.386, UFES.A.RN.080, UFES.A.RN.383, UFES.S.RN.098, and UFES.S.RN.093). This was intended to provide superior genetic materials for the development of seedlings and implantation of productive orchards, which will meet the demands of the productive, industrial and consumer market.

Outline of a project for nursing health education on the Instagram social network.

OBJECTIVES: to characterize the outline of a project for health education and its contributions to the propagation of information on the Instagram social network. METHODS: exploratory and descriptive research on an Instagram profile called "@resenhadasaude";. Data collection: from July 23, 2020, to April 21, 2021. Interaction metrics were generated on 36 posts. Simple and percentage statistical analysis were applied. RESULTS: there are 1,016 followers in Brazil, with a 206.02% growth. The largest audience is teenagers, young people, and women, with a gender difference of 41.8%. The greatest interest was about covid-19, sexual health, and drugs. Followers' misconceptions reinforce the need for the dissemination of quality information. CONCLUSIONS: Instagram metrics point to the project's validation in terms of audience interest, mostly adolescents and youth. Instagram proved to be powerful for educational purposes and information dissemination, as well as an autonomous field for nursing.

Lower Concentrations of Amphotericin B Combined with Ent-Hardwickiic Acid Are Effective against Candida Strains.

Life-threatening Candida infections have increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the already limited arsenal of antifungal drugs has become even more restricted due to its side effects associated with complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Drug combination strategies have the potential to reduce the risk of side effects without loss of therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of ent-hardwickiic acid with low concentrations of amphotericin B against Candida strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for amphotericin B and ent-hardwickiic acid as isolated compounds and for 77 combinations of amphotericin B and ent-hardwickiic acid concentrations that were assessed by using the checkerboard microdilution method. Time-kill assays were performed in order to assess the fungistatic or fungicidal nature of the different combinations. The strategy of combining both compounds markedly reduced the MIC values from 16 µg/mL to 1 µg/mL of amphotericin B and from 12.5 µg/mL to 6.25 µg/mL of ent-hardwickiic acid, from isolated to combined, against C. albicans resistant to azoles. The combination of 1 µg/mL of amphotericin B with 6.25 µg/mL of ent-hardwickiic acid killed all the cells of the same strain within four hours of incubation.

Genome-wide identification, expression profile and evolutionary relationships of TPS genes in the neotropical fruit tree species Psidium cattleyanum.

Terpenoids are essential for plant growth, development, defense, and adaptation mechanisms. Psidium cattleyanum (Myrtaceae) is a fleshy fruit tree species endemics from Atlantic Forest, known for its pleasant fragrance and sweet taste, attributed to terpenoids in its leaves and fruits. In this study, we conducted genome-wide identification, evolutionary and expression analyses of the terpene synthase gene (TPS) family in P. cattleyanum red guava (var. cattleyanum), and yellow guava (var. lucidum Hort.) morphotypes. We identified 32 full-length TPS in red guava (RedTPS) and 30 in yellow guava (YlwTPS). We showed different expression patterns of TPS paralogous in the two morphotypes, suggesting the existence of distinct gene regulation mechanisms and their influence on the final essential oil content in both morphotypes. Moreover, the oil profile of red guava was dominated by 1,8-cineole and linalool and yellow guava was enriched in α-pinene, coincident in proportion to TPS-b1 genes, which encode enzymes that produce cyclic monoterpenes, suggesting a lineage-specific subfamily expansion of this family. Finally, we identified amino acid residues near the catalytic center and functional areas under positive selection. Our findings provide valuable insights into the terpene biosynthesis in a Neotropical Myrtaceae species and their potential involvement in adaptation mechanisms.

Synthesis of vanillin derivatives with 1,2,3-triazole fragments and evaluation of their fungicide and fungistatic activities.

Vanillin is the main component of natural vanilla extract and is responsible for its flavoring properties. Besides its well-known applications as an additive in food and cosmetics, it has also been reported that vanillin can inhibit fungi of clinical interest, such as Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Aspergillus spp., as well as dermatophytes. Thus, the present work approaches the synthesis of a series of vanillin derivatives with 1,2,3-triazole fragments and the evaluation of their antifungal activities against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton interdigitale strains. Twenty-two vanillin derivatives were obtained, with yields in the range of 60%-91%, from copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction between two terminal alkynes prepared from vanillin and different benzyl azides. In general, the evaluated compounds showed moderate activity against the microorganisms tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 32 to >512 µg mL-1 . Except for compound 3b against the C. gattii R265 strain, all vanillin derivatives showed fungicidal activity for the yeasts tested. The predicted physicochemical and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties for the compounds indicated favorable profiles for drug development. In addition, a four-dimensional structure-activity relationship (4D-SAR) analysis was carried out and provided useful insights concerning the structures of the compounds and their biological profile. Finally, molecular docking calculations showed that all compounds bind favorably at the lanosterol 14α-demethylase enzyme active site with binding energies ranging from -9.1 to -12.2 kcal/mol.

Effect of the dietary inflammatory potential on the trajectory of body adiposity in a Brazilian cohort of university students.

OBJECTIVES: University students are vulnerable to unhealthy eating habits that characterize a proinflammatory diet. This study aimed to estimate the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and its association with the trajectory of body adiposity markers in university students. METHODS: The study analyzed data from 685 students entering a Brazilian public university in 2016 and 2017 and followed until 2018. DII was estimated from 39 dietary parameters obtained by 24-h dietary recall. Body adiposity was assessed by anthropometric markers and the percentage of body fat. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the trajectory of adiposity markers according to DII tertiles. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding variables, at baseline, DII showed a positive association with increased percentage of body fat among men (ß = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.01; 1.03) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR; ß = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.12; 0.18) and among women with all body adiposity markers: BMI (ß = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.30; 1.05), percentage of body fat (ß = 1.43; 95% CI: 0.74; 2.11), WC (ß = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.41; 1.89) and WHtR (ß = 0.13; 95% CI:0,10; 0.16). The rate of change of the outcome variables over time was not associated with DII at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The diet of university students in this Brazilian cohort study was characterized as proinflammatory and it was associated with body adiposity markers.

Genomic and epigenomic variation in Psidium species and their outcome under the yield and composition of essential oils.

Diploid and polyploid species derived from the euploid series x = 11 occur in the genus Psidium, as well as intraspecific cytotypes. Euploidy in the genus can alter the gene copy number, resulting in several "omics" variations. We revisited the euploidy, reported genomic (nuclear 2C value, GC%, and copy number of secondary metabolism genes) and epigenomic (5-mC%) differences in Psidium, and related them to essential oil yield and composition. Mean 2C values ranged from 0.90 pg (P. guajava) to 7.40 pg (P. gaudichaudianum). 2C value is intraspecifically varied in P. cattleyanum and P. gaudichaudianum, evidencing cytotypes that can be formed from euploid (non-reduced) and/or aneuploid reproductive cells. GC% ranged from 34.33% (P. guineense) to 48.95% (P. myrtoides), and intraspecific variations occurred even for species without 2C value intraspecific variation. Essential oil yield increased in relation to 2C value and to GC%. We showed that P. guajava (diploid) possesses two and P. guineense (tetraploid) four copies of the one specific TPS gene, as well as eight and sixteen copies respectively of the conserved regions that occur in eight TPS genes. We provide a wide "omics'' characterization of Psidium and show the outcome of the genome and epigenome variation in secondary metabolism.

Traditional herbal compounds as candidates to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease: an in silico study.

COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is responsible for a pandemic since March 2020 and it has no cure. Therefore, herein, different theoretical methods were used to obtain potential candidates from herbal compounds to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). Initially, the 16 best-scored compounds were selected from a library containing 4066 ligands using virtual screening by molecular docking. Among them, six molecules (physalin B 5,6-epoxide (PHY), methyl amentoflavone (MAM), withaphysalin C (WPC), daphnoline or trilobamine (TRI), cepharanoline (CEP) and tetrandrine (TET)) were selected based on Lipinski's rule and ADMET analysis as criteria. These compounds complexed with the Mpro were submitted to triplicate 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations. RMSD, RMSF, and radius of gyration results show that the overall protein structure is preserved along the simulation time. The average ΔGbinding values, calculated by the MM/PBSA method, were -41.7, -55.8, -45.2, -38.7, -49.3, and -57.9 kcal/mol for the PHY-Mpro, MAM-Mpro, WPC-Mpro, CEP-Mpro, TRI-Mpro, and TET-Mpro complexes, respectively. Pairwise decomposition analyses revealed that the binding pocket is formed by His41-Val42, Met165-Glu166-Leu167, Asp187, and Gln189. The PLS regression model generated by QSPR analysis indicated that non-polar and polar groups with the presence of hydrogen bond acceptors play an important role in the herbal compounds-Mpro interactions. Overall, we found six potential candidates to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and highlighted key residues from the binding pocket that can be used for future drug design. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Quality of information provided by Brazilian Fertility Clinic websites: Compliance with Brazilian Medical Council (CFM) and American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the websites of Brazilian fertility clinics included in the 11th Report of the National Embryo Production System (SisEmbrio, 2017) for compliance with the 2004 American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Brazilian Medical Council (Conselho Federal de Medicina, CFM) guidelines for advertising. METHODS: We performed an online evaluation of the websites of clinics listed in the 11th SisEmbrio report based on criteria from the 2004 ASRM guidelines (publication of success rates, live birth rates (LBR), method of LBR calculation, success rates by age range and diagnosis, experimental/investigational nature of procedures and the practice of comparison marketing) and CFM guidelines (clinic director name and register visible on the website; no prices displayed, no photos of patients nor success stories with patient identification). RESULTS: A total of 161 SiSEmbrio-registered clinics were evaluated: 153 (95.0%) had functional websites, and only seven were public clinics. Social media presence was as follows: 87 (54.03%) were on WhatsApp; 128 (79.5%) were on Facebook; and 122 (75.8%) were on Instagram. Seventy-five (46.6%) were on other social media platforms (YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter). Regarding CFM recommendations, 49 (30.4%) showed information of a registered director, 85 (52.8%) showed patient photos on their websites and/or social media accounts. Fifty-four clinics published success rates (33.5%) and 19 (11.8%) used their own data, whereas seven (4.3%) showed pregnancy rates by age. None reported LBR or advertised prices. CONCLUSIONS: The information published online by Brazilian fertility clinics is heterogeneous in nature. A significant portion of the websites does not follow some of the ASRM and CFM guidelines for advertising.

Development of inclusion complexes of 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin with Psidium guajava L. essential oil by freeze-drying and kneading methods for application as Aedes aegypti L. larvicide.

Inclusion complexes (ICs) of 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin with the essential oil (EO) from Seculo XXI cultivar of Psidium guajava were prepared using kneading (KN) and freeze-drying (FD) methods. The resulting ICs clusters have a nanometric size, with a diameter of approximately 80 and 40 nm for KN and FD, respectively. Complexation efficiency was 80.3% and 50.8% for KN and FD methods, respectively. The larvicidal activity of the EO in DMSO on A. aegypti had LC50 and LC90 values of 51.49 and 64.51 µg mL-1, respectively. For the KN method, the toxicity corresponded to 77.54 and 107.29 µg mL-1 for LC50 and LC90, respectively. FD method demonstrated toxicity at concentrations above 600 µg mL-1. Thus, ICs enable the use of EO in breeding sites for A. aegypti, thus being potential products to be commercially exploited.