Compassion Fatigue: A Comprehensive Discussion on its Development and Repercussions Among Oncology Nurses.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to discuss how compassion fatigue (CF) develops and its repercussions on the personal and professional lives of oncology nurses. METHODS: A discursive article, with systematic searches were performed in seven databases to find publications on CF in oncology nurses. RESULTS: So as to better organize the findings, three categories were developed to present and discuss issues related to CF: (1) Characteristics of CF and its developments: describes the components related to CF and the manifestation of this phenomenon; (2) Repercussions of compassion fatigue: reports on the impact of CF on the personal and professional life of oncology nurses; and (3) Resources for dealing with compassion fatigue: lists interventions, sources of support, professional personal training, qualified nursing care in the face of adversity, and gratitude and recognition. CONCLUSION: the factors that trigger or protect CF are multifactorial, with the need for collective and individual interventions as a way of helping oncology nurses to protect themselves, to avoid or manage this phenomenon. CF has a direct clinical impact on the life of the oncology nurse, causing several changes. It also indirectly impacts the patient's life clinically, as it is a phenomenon that has repercussions on the provision of care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: CF affects the personal and professional lives of oncology nurses, so nurses need to seek resources to deal with it. Nursing staff employers and managers can use the evidence from this research to help nurses manage and protect themselves from compassion fatigue.

The tissue-specific nature of physiological zebrafish mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Zebrafish are a powerful tool to study a myriad of experimental conditions, including mitochondrial bioenergetics. Considering that mitochondria are different in many aspects depending on the tissue evaluated, in the zebrafish model there is still a lack of this investigation. Especially for juvenile zebrafish. In the present study, we examined whether different tissues from zebrafish juveniles show mitochondrial density- and tissue-specificity comparing brain, liver, heart, and skeletal muscle (SM). The liver and brain complex IV showed the highest O2 consumption of all ETC in all tissues (10x when compared to other respiratory complexes). The liver showed a higher potential for ROS generation. In this way, the brain and liver showed more susceptibility to O2- generation when compared to other tissues. Regarding Ca2+ transport, the brain showed greater capacity for Ca2+ uptake and the liver presented low Ca2+ uptake capacity. The liver and brain were more susceptible to producing NO. The enzymes SOD and Catalase showed high activity in the brain, whereas GPx showed higher activity in the liver and CS in the SM. TEM reveals, as expected, a physiological diverse mitochondrial morphology. The essential differences between zebrafish tissues investigated probably reflect how the mitochondria play a diverse role in systemic homeostasis. This feature may not be limited to normal metabolic functions but also to stress conditions. In summary, mitochondrial bioenergetics in zebrafish juvenile permeabilized tissues showed a tissue-specificity and a useful tool to investigate conditions of redox system imbalance, mainly in the liver and brain.

Immediate effect of inspiratory exercise with exerciser and respiratory encourager in women without vocal complaints. / Efeito imediato de exercício inspiratório com exercitador e incentivador respiratório em mulheres sem queixas vocais.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate effect of the inspiratory exercise with a booster and a respiratory exerciser on the voice of women without vocal complaints. METHODS: 25 women with no vocal complaints, between 18 and 34 years old, with a score of 1 on the Vocal Disorder Screening Index (ITDV) participated. Data collection was performed before and after performing the inspiratory exercise and consisted of recording the sustained vowel /a/, connected speech and maximum phonatory times (MPT) of vowels, fricative phonemes and counting numbers. In the auditory-perceptual judgment, the Vocal Deviation Scale (VSD) was used to verify the general degree of vocal deviation. Acoustic evaluation was performed using the PRAAT software and the parameters fundamental frequency (f0), jitter, shimmer, harmonium-to-noise ratio (HNR), Cepstral Peak Prominence Smoothed (CPPS), Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) and Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI). To measure the aerodynamic measurements, the time of each emission was extracted in the Audacity program. Data were statistically analyzed using the Statistica for Windows software and normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. To compare the results, Student's and Wilcoxon's t tests were applied, adopting a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the results of the JPA and the acoustic measures, in the pre and post inspiratory exercise moments. As for the aerodynamic measures, it was possible to observe a significant increase in the value of the TMF /s/ (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: There was no change in vocal quality after the inspiratory exercise with stimulator and respiratory exerciser, but an increase in the MPT of the phoneme /s/ was observed after the exercise.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito imediato do exercício inspiratório com incentivador e exercitador respiratório na voz de mulheres sem queixas vocais. MÉTODO: Participaram 25 mulheres sem queixas vocais, entre 18 e 34 anos, com pontuação 1 no Índice de Triagem para Distúrbio Vocal (ITDV). A coleta de dados foi realizada nos momentos antes e após realização de exercício inspiratório e consistiu na gravação de vogal sustentada /a/, fala encadeada e tempos máximos fonatórios (TMF) de vogais, fonemas fricativos e contagem de números. No julgamento perceptivo-auditivo foi utilizada a Escala de Desvio Vocal (EDV) para verificar o grau geral do desvio vocal. Avaliação acústica foi feita no software PRAAT e foram extraídos os parâmetros frequência fundamental (f0), jitter, shimmer, proporção harmônico -ruído (HNR), Cepstral Peak Prominence Smoothed (CPPS), Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) e Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI). Para mensuração das medidas aerodinâmicas, o tempo de emissão foi extraído no programa Audacity. Para comparar os resultados utilizou-se o teste paramétrico t de Student para amostras dependentes na análise das variáveis com distribuição normal e o teste de Wilcoxon para variáveis com distribuição não normal. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças entre os resultados do JPA e das medidas acústicas, nos momentos pré e pós exercício inspiratório. Quanto às medidas aerodinâmicas foi possível observar aumento significativo no valor do TMF /s/ (p=0,008). CONCLUSÃO: Não houve modificação na qualidade vocal após o exercício inspiratório com incentivador e exercitador respiratório, porém foi observado aumento do TMF do fonema /s/ após a realização do exercício.

Crack cocaine inhalation increases seizure susceptibility by reducing acetylcholinesterase activity.

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and potent stimulant drug. Animal studies have shown that the cholinergic system plays a role in neurotoxicity induced by cocaine or its active metabolites inhalation. Behavioral alterations associated with crack cocaine use include hyperactivity, depressed mood, and decreased seizure threshold. Here we evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, behavioral profile, and the threshold for epileptic seizures in rats that received intrahippocampal pilocarpine (H-PILO) followed by exposure to crack cocaine (H-PILO + CRACK). Animals exposed to H-PILO + CRACK demonstrated increased severity and frequency of limbic seizures. The AChE activity was reduced in the groups exposed to crack cocaine alone (CRACK) and H-PILO + CRACK, whereas levels of ROS remained unchanged. In addition, crack cocaine exposure increased vertical locomotor activity, without changing water and sucrose intake. Short-term memory consolidation remained unchanged after H-PILO, H-PILO + CRACK, and CRACK administration. Overall, our data suggest that crack cocaine inhalation reduced the threshold for epileptic seizures in rats submitted to low doses of pilocarpine through the inhibition of AChE. Taken together, our findings can be useful in the development of effective strategies for preventing and treating the harmful effects of cocaine and crack cocaine on the central nervous system.

Latin American Consensus on the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is well known as a serious health problem worldwide, especially in low-income countries or those with limited resources, such as most countries in Latin America. International guidelines cannot always be applied to a population from a large region with specific conditions. This study established a Latin American guideline for care of patients with head and neck cancer and presented evidence of HNSCC management considering availability and oncologic benefit. A panel composed of 41 head and neck cancer experts systematically worked according to a modified Delphi process on (1) document compilation of evidence-based answers to different questions contextualized by resource availability and oncologic benefit regarding Latin America (region of limited resources and/or without access to all necessary health care system infrastructure), (2) revision of the answers and the classification of levels of evidence and degrees of recommendations of all recommendations, (3) validation of the consensus through two rounds of online surveys, and (4) manuscript composition. The consensus consists of 12 sections: Head and neck cancer staging, Histopathologic evaluation of head and neck cancer, Head and neck surgery-oral cavity, Clinical oncology-oral cavity, Head and neck surgery-oropharynx, Clinical oncology-oropharynx, Head and neck surgery-larynx, Head and neck surgery-larynx/hypopharynx, Clinical oncology-larynx/hypopharynx, Clinical oncology-recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer, Head and neck surgery-reconstruction and rehabilitation, and Radiation therapy. The present consensus established 48 recommendations on HNSCC patient care considering the availability of resources and focusing on oncologic benefit. These recommendations could also be used to formulate strategies in other regions like Latin America countries.

Anatomical features of ecological importance and taxonomic value revealed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy in Camonea umbellata (L.) A.R. Simões & Staples (Convolvulaceae).

This article describes detailed and novel data on the anatomy and histochemistry of leaves, stems, and roots of Camonea umbellata (L.) A.R.Simões & Staples in different environments for the identification of characters with taxonomical value and of ecological importance, with provision of light and scanning electron microscopy images. To analyze the characters, we collected samples of the vegetative organs of three individuals in each of three populations, which were in a grazing area, an urban environment, and a biological reserve. The main diagnostic anatomical markers for the identification of C. umbellata include amphistomatic leaves, tetracytic and brachyparatetracytic stomata, peltate trichomes, long simple trichomes, epidermis with striated cuticle ornamentation, mesophyll with acute borders, presence of druses, secretory channels, angular collenchyma, fibrous pericycle in the stem, intraxylary phloem in the vegetative organs, oil bodies throughout the midrib, petiole, stem and root, and epicuticular waxes of the crust and coiled rodlet types. Since the characters above did not show variation in the environments evaluated, we consider these characters taxonomically useful for the identification of C. umbellata. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The anatomy of the aerial vegetative organs of Camonnea umbellata retains common Convolvulaceae characters. The sinuosity of the epidermal cell walls and the density of trichomes in the epidermis of the petiole were visually variable characters among the analyzed individuals. Amphistomatic leaves, tetracytic and brachyparatetracytic stomata, peltate trichomes, epidermis with striated cuticle ornamentation, dorsiventral mesophyll with border acute, presence of druses, secretory structures, angular collenchyma, fibrous pericycle in the stem, intraxillary phloem, presence of oil bodies in all organs, and epicuticular waxes of the crust type and coiled rods were considered important anatomical markers for the recognition and correct identification of Camonea umbellata.

Trypanosoma cruzi killing and immune response boosting by novel phenoxyhydrazine-thiazole against Chagas disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) causes Chagas, which is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). WHO estimates that 6 to 7 million people are infected worldwide. Current treatment is done with benznidazole (BZN), which is very toxic and effective only in the acute phase of the disease. In this work, we designed, synthesized, and characterized thirteen new phenoxyhydrazine-thiazole compounds and applied molecular docking and in vitro methods to investigate cell cytotoxicity, trypanocide activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, cell death, and immunomodulation. We observed a higher predicted affinity of the compounds for the squalene synthase and 14-alpha demethylase enzymes of T. cruzi. Moreover, the compounds displayed a higher predicted affinity for human TLR2 and TLR4, were mildly toxic in vitro for most mammalian cell types tested, and LIZ531 (IC50 2.8 µM) was highly toxic for epimastigotes, LIZ311 (IC50 8.6 µM) for trypomastigotes, and LIZ331 (IC50 1.9 µM) for amastigotes. We observed that LIZ311 (IC50 2.5 µM), LIZ431 (IC50 4.1 µM) and LIZ531 (IC50 5 µM) induced 200 µg/mL of NO and JM14 induced NO production in three different concentrations tested. The compound LIZ331 induced the production of TNF and IL-6. LIZ311 induced the secretion of TNF, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17, cell death by apoptosis, decreased acidic compartment formation, and induced changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, LIZ311 is a promising anti-T. cruzi compound is not toxic to mammalian cells and has increased antiparasitic activity and immunomodulatory properties.

A standardized approach to measuring gender transparency in languages.

Languages can express grammatical gender through different ortho-phonological regularities present in nouns (e.g., the cues "-o" and "-a" for the masculine and the feminine respectively in Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish). The term "gender transparency" was coined to describe these regularities (Bates et al., 1995). In gendered languages, we can hence distinguish between transparent nouns, i.e., those displaying form regularities; opaque nouns, i.e., those with ambiguous endings; and irregular nouns, i.e., those that display the typical form regularities but are associated with the opposite gender. Following a descriptive analysis of such regularities, languages have been recently classified according to their degree of gender transparency, which seems relevant in regard to gender acquisition and processing. Yet, there are certain inconsistencies in determining which languages are overall transparent and which are opaque. In particular, it is not clear whether some other complex regularities such as derivational suffixes are also "transparent" cues for gender, what really constitutes an "opaque" noun, or which role orthography and morphology have in transparency. Given the existing inconsistencies in classifying languages as transparent or opaque, this work introduces a proposal to assess gender transparency systematically. Our methodology adapts the standardized factors proposed by Audring (2019) to analyse the relative complexity of gender systems. Such factors are adapted to gender transparency on the basis of the literature on gender acquisition and processing. To support the feasibility of such a proposal, the concepts have been instantiated in a quantitative model to obtain for the first time an objective measure of gender transparency using European Portuguese and Dutch as instances of target languages. Our results coincide with the theoretically expected outcome: European Portuguese obtains a high value of gender transparency while Dutch obtains a moderately low one. Future adaptations of this model to the gender systems of other languages could allow the continuum of gender transparency to sustain robust predictions in studies on gender processing and acquisition.

Instructional videos for parents/guardians of children with lip and palate clefts: integrative literature review.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review literature from the past five years, focusing on the use of educational videos as a guidance tool for parents and guardians of children with lip and palate clefts. SOURCE OF DATA: Conducted between April and July 2022, this integrative literature review was framed around the question: 'What is the evidence regarding the use of videos in health education for parents/guardians of children with cleft lip and palate? PICO strategy was used to develop the research. A literature search was undertaken across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library databases. Of the eight articles included in this review, four were sourced from the PubMed database, with three published in 2021. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: The findings indicated that YouTube videos were moderately satisfactory and met the needs of parents or legal guardians to a partial extent. The majority of the videos analyzed in this review were characterized by a moderate level of informational content. One study particularly underscored that the content of these videos only partially satisfies the requirements of the parents or legal guardians of the children. CONCLUSIONS: Nevertheless, such videos are considered viable alternatives for health education, offering numerous benefits yet facing challenges, primarily due to the scarcity of information on orofacial malformations.

Thiazolyl-isatin derivatives: Synthesis, in silico studies, in vitro biological profile against breast cancer cells, mRNA expression, P-gp modulation, and interactions of Akt2 and VIM proteins.

The literature reports that thiazole and isatin nuclei present a range of biological activities, with an emphasis on anticancer activity. Therefore, our proposal was to make a series of compounds using the molecular hybridization strategy, which has been used by our research group, producing hybrid molecules containing the thiazole and isatin nuclei. After structural planning and synthesis, the compounds were characterized and evaluated in vitro against breast cancer cell lines (T-47D, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and against normal cells (PBMC). The activity profile on membrane proteins involved in chemoresistance and tumorigenic signaling proteins was also evaluated. Among the compounds tested, the compounds 4c and 4a stood out with IC50 values of 1.23 and 1.39 µM, respectively, against the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Both compounds exhibited IC50 values of 0.45 µM for the MCF-7 cell line. Compounds 4a and 4c significantly decreased P-gp mRNA expression levels in MCF-7, 4 and 2 folds respectively. Regarding the impact on tumorigenic signaling proteins, compound 4a inhibited Akt2 in MDA-MB-231 and compound 4c inhibited the mRNA expression of VIM in MCF-7.

In vivo chronic exposure to inorganic mercury worsens hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in the LDL receptor knockout mice.

Heavy metal exposure leads to multiple system dysfunctions. The mechanisms are likely multifactorial and involve inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate markers and risk factors for atherosclerosis in the LDL receptor knockout mouse model chronically exposed to inorganic mercury (Hg) in the drinking water. Results revealed that Hg exposed mice present increased plasma levels of cholesterol, without alterations in glucose. As a major source and target of oxidants, we evaluated mitochondrial function. We found that liver mitochondria from Hg treated mice show worse respiratory control, lower oxidative phosphorylation efficiency and increased H2O2 release. In addition, Hg induced mitochondrial membrane permeability transition. Erythrocytes from Hg treated mice showed a 50% reduction in their ability to take up oxygen, lower levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase and GPx). The Hg treatment disturbed immune system cells counting and function. While lymphocytes were reduced, monocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils were increased. Peritoneal macrophages from Hg treated mice showed increased phagocytic activity. Hg exposed mice tissues present metal impregnation and parenchymal architecture alterations. In agreement, increased systemic markers of liver and kidney dysfunction were observed. Plasma, liver and kidney oxidative damage indicators (MDA and carbonyl) were increased while GSH and thiol groups were diminished by Hg exposure. Importantly, atherosclerotic lesion size in the aorta root of Hg exposed mice were larger than in controls. In conclusion, in vivo chronic exposure to Hg worsens the hypercholesterolemia, impairs mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox function, alters immune cells profile and function, causes several tissues oxidative damage and accelerates atherosclerosis development.

"God gives me hope!": Hospitalized children's perception of the influence of religion in coping with chronic illness.

PURPOSE: The mechanism of the impact of religion on health is still unclear, especially in children and adolescents with chronic illness who live in religious contexts. This study aimed to understand the influence of religion on coping with chronic diseases from the perspective of hospitalized children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis. DESIGN AND METHODS: Qualitative descriptive research used photo-elicitation interviews with 35 Brazilian children and adolescents with cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis, aged between 7 and 17 years old. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: Participants were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (14.3%), cancer (57.1%), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (28.6%) and 82.9% had a religious affiliation. Three themes were constructed: finding strength and support in the relationship with the divine, religion as an important source of meaning, and religious practice as a promoter of well-being. These themes demonstrate that children and adolescents themselves perceived their illness as a journey through which their faith grew. CONCLUSIONS: This research shows the influence of religion on the positive coping of chronic illness, being a source of strength and support from the relationship with the divine, as well as offering a source of meaning, purpose and well-being based on religious practices. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study supports clinical practice, based on the recognition of the patient as a religious and spiritualized person who has spiritual beliefs and needs that are capable of influencing treatment.

"Opportunistic Care": A Focus Group Study of Nurses' Perspective on Caring for Long-term Cancer Survivors and Their Families.

BACKGROUND: The global population of long-term cancer survivors is increasing, thanks to advances in treatments and care. Healthcare systems are working to address the unique needs of these individuals. However, there remains a knowledge gap concerning nurses' view on cancer survivorship care. OBJECTIVE: To identify nurses' perspective of care for long-term cancer survivors and their families. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study used 5 focus groups comprising 33 nurses from primary healthcare and specialized oncology care. Data analysis was conducted through thematic analysis, and the study received ethical approval. RESULTS: Long-term cancer survivors and their families often remained unrecognized as a distinct group within the healthcare system. Consequently, nurses provide what can be termed as "opportunistic care" during nurse-survivor encounters, addressing health needs beyond the purpose of the initial healthcare visit. This absence of a systematic or structured approach for this patient group has prompted nurses to seek the establishment of a comprehensive framework through survivorship care plans, thus ensuring a continuum of care for this specific population. CONCLUSION: The lack of a structured approach to caring for long-term cancer survivors and their families, often invisible as a distinct population group, results in nurses providing care on an opportunistic basis. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is crucial to develop and implement survivorship care plans tailored to this population's needs. Simultaneously, it is important to advance research in this area and establish an educational framework for nurses, enabling them to effectively address the care of long-term cancer survivors and their families.

A Preliminary Evaluation of Sex and Dietary Field Pea Effects on Sensory Characteristics of Dry-Cured Loins.

Two of the main issues related to cured meat products are castration to avoid boar taint and the hefty reliance on soybean meal to feed pigs. However, data on the effects of immunocastration in pigs and alternative crop protein feeds on the sensory traits and consumers' acceptance of dry-cured loin are still limited. A preliminary study was conducted on the effect of sex type (surgical castrated male pigs and immunocastrated male and female pigs, at approximately 140 kg in weight and 7 months of age) and animal diet (pea vs. soya) on dry-cured loins. The study involved a sensory evaluation of six treatments, with a 3 × 2 factorial design, conducted by trained panellists and untrained consumers in Spain (n = 126) and Portugal (n = 80). The consumers were also checked for their skatole sensitivity using a pure substance. The results showed that the pea-based diet was significantly different (p < 0.001) from the soy-based diet, as determined by a trained panel of surgically castrated male pigs, although the immunocastration treatments were not split. Dry-cured loin from immunocastrated male pigs fed with peas was considered tenderer and juicier (p < 0.05) than those fed soya-based diets. The untrained consumer panel scored higher on the sensory traits (flavour, juiciness, and overall liking) from the loin samples of surgically castrated male pigs fed a pea diet. All consumers scored similarly in boar taint detection. This study demonstrates the applicability of the pea-based diet for the feeding of pigs destined for cured meat and highlights immunocastration as a tool that does not compromise the skatole detection score.

Discovery of 2,9-diaryl-6-carbamoylpurines as a novel class of antitubercular agents.

A series of novel 9-alkyl/aryl-2-aryl-6-carbamoylpurines were synthesized, and their activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv was assessed. The SAR analysis on the first set of derivatives, with an alkyl or aryl unit at N-9 and a phenolic unit at C-2, showed that the activity depends on the purine ring substituents at N-9 and C-2. A phenyl group at N-9 combined with a 3-hydroxyphenyl or 4-hydroxyphenyl at C-2 improve the activity. The most active compound of this set has a phenyl group at N-9 and a 4-hydroxyphenyl group at C-2, displaying an IC90 = 1.2 µg/mL and a selectivity index higher than 25.5. This compound served as a Hit to design the second set of derivatives. A phenyl group at N-9 was maintained, and the group at C-2 was diversified. The SAR analysis showed that the aryl unit at C-2 must have an oxygen or nitrogen atom bonded in the para position. A proton, a small alkyl or a substituted aryl group may also be bonded to the oxygen. The compound with the 4-methoxyphenyl group at C-2, 1Bd, exhibits the highest activity with an IC90 < 0.19 µg/mL. This compound is highly potent against M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv and non-toxic for VERO mammalian cells with an SI > 153.8. Compound 1Bd was also non-cytotoxic against primary macrophage cultures at IC90, 2xIC90, and 10xIC90 and significantly reduced the bacterial load in M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages at the same concentrations. Compound 1Bd showed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile when administered orally, with major lung and liver accumulation. In vivo antimycobacterial efficacy of 1Bd was tested at 25 mg/kg. At the tested regimen, a decrease in bacterial burden was observed in the liver. Optimization of the treatment regimen should be performed to fully potentiate the in vivo efficacy of our lead molecule, particularly in the lung, the main target organ of M. tuberculosis.

The 5-HT2A, 5-HT5A, and 5-HT6 serotonergic receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex behave differently in extinction learning: Does social support play a role?

Studies on the social modulation of fear have revealed that in social species, individuals in a distressed state show better recovery from aversive experiences when accompanied - referred to as social buffering. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown, hindering the understanding of such an approach. Our previous data showed that the presence of a conspecific during the extinction task inhibited the retrieval of fear memory without affecting the extinction memory in the retention test. Here, we investigate the role of serotonergic receptors (5-HTRs), specifically 5-HT2A, 5-HT5A, and 5-HT6 in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), In the retention of extinction after the extinction task, in the absence or presence of social support. Extinction training was conducted on 60-day-old male Wistar rats either alone or with a conspecific (a familiar cagemate, non-fearful). The antagonists for these receptors were administered directly into the mPFC immediately after the extinction training. The results indicate that blocking 5-HT5A (SB-699551-10 µg/side) and 5-HT6 (SB-271046A - 10 µg/side) receptors in the mPFC impairs the consolidation of CFC in the social support group. Interestingly, blocking 5-HT2A receptors (R65777 - 4 µg/side) in the mPFC led to impaired CFC specifically in the group undergoing extinction training alone. These findings contribute to a better understanding of brain mechanisms and neuromodulation associated with social support during an extinction protocol. They are consistent with previously published research, suggesting that the extinction of contextual fear conditioning with social support involves distinct neuromodulatory processes compared to when extinction training is conducted alone.

Electrical Fields in the Processing of Protein-Based Foods.

Electric field-based technologies offer interesting perspectives which include controlled heat dissipation (via the ohmic heating effect) and the influence of electrical variables (e.g., electroporation). These factors collectively provide an opportunity to modify the functional and technological properties of numerous food proteins, including ones from emergent plant- and microbial-based sources. Currently, numerous scientific studies are underway, contributing to the emerging body of knowledge about the effects on protein properties. In this review, "Electric Field Processing" acknowledges the broader range of technologies that fall under the umbrella of using the direct passage of electrical current in food material, giving particular focus to the ones that are industrially implemented. The structural and biological effects of electric field processing (thermal and non-thermal) on protein fractions from various sources will be addressed. For a more comprehensive contextualization of the significance of these effects, both conventional and alternative protein sources, along with their respective ingredients, will be introduced initially.

Antifungal Susceptibility and Candida sp. Biofilm Production in Clinical Isolates of HIV-Positive Brazilian Patients under HAART Therapy.

The aim of the present study was to characterize biofilms formed by Candida spp. clinical isolates (n = 19), isolated from the oral mucosa of HIV-positive patients. For characterizing the biofilms formed by several Candida sp. strains, isolated from HIV-positive patients, in terms of formed biomass, matrix composition and antifungal susceptibility profile, clinical isolates (n = 19) were collected from oral mucosa and identified. The biofilm of the samples was cultured with fluconazole (1250 mg/L), voriconazole (800 mg/L), anidulafungin (2 mg/L) or amphotericin B (2 mg/L). Afterwards, the quantification of the total biomass was performed using crystal violet assay, while the proteins and carbohydrates levels were quantified in the matrix. The results showed a predominance of C. albicans, followed by C. krusei. Around 58% of the Candida spp. biofilm had susceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole (800 mg/L), 53% to anidulafungin and 74% to amphotericin B. C. krusei presented both the lowest and the highest biofilm matrix contents in polysaccharides and proteins. The low resistance to antifungal agents reported here was probably due to the fact that none of the participants had a prolonged exposure to these antifungals. A predominance of less virulent Candida spp. strains with low or no resistance to antifungals was observed. This can be attributed to a low fungal selective pressure. This most probably happened due to a low fungal selective pressure but also due to a good adherence to HAART therapy, which guarantees a stable and stronger immune patient response.

Does acute exposure to thimerosal, an organic mercury compound, affect the mitochondrial function of an infant model?

BACKGROUND: Thimerosal (TM) is a toxic, organometallic mercury compound (which releases ethyl-mercury-containing compounds in aqueous solutions) used as a preservative in vaccines. Mitochondria are organelle which are highly vulnerable to many chemical compounds, including mercury (Hg) and its derivatives. METHOD: Wistar rats (at 21 days of age) were used to model a child's TM exposure following childhood vaccination, divided in two groups: TM exposed (20 µg/kg/day) and unexposed controls (saline solution), both for 24 h. Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry was used to quantify the amounts of mercury in tissues. The electron transport chain (ETC) from isolated mitochondria was evaluated using an oxygen electrode. The mitochondrial membrane potential and H2O2 production were analyzed using selective fluorescence probes. The activity of some enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, and AChE) and secondary markers of oxidative stress (GSH, GSSG, total free thiol) were also examined in tissues. RESULTS: Hg accumulation in the brain and liver was higher in exposed animals when compared to the control. Liver-isolated mitochondria showed that TM improved respiratory control by 23%; however, states 3 and 4 of the ETC presented a decrease of 16% and 37%, respectively. Furthermore, brain-isolated mitochondria presented an improvement of 61% in respiratory control. Brain enzyme activities were significantly impacted in TM-exposed rats compared to unexposed rats as follows: decreases in SOD (32%) and AChE (42%) and increases in GPx (79%) and CAT (100%). GPx enzyme activity in the liver was significantly increased (37%). Among secondary oxidative stress markers, the brain's total reduced thiol (SH) concentration was significantly increased (41%). CONCLUSION: Acute TM treatment exposure in a Wistar rat model mimicking TM exposure in an infant following childhood vaccination significantly damaged brain bioenergetic pathways. This study supports the ability of TM exposure to preferentially damage the nervous system.