Flowers and thorns in pregnancy: experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the repercussions of COVID-19 on the path of pregnancy. METHOD: Qualitative, participatory action research (PAR) study, based on Paulo Freire's Research Itinerary. A virtual culture circle was held in October 2020, with the participation of 12 pregnant women, living in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. RESULTS: In the virtual culture circle, pregnant women talked and critically reflected on two generating themes: flowers and thorns in the course of pregnancy. They meant living in the virtual culture circle as spaces for sharing experiences, welcoming and learning, among others. CONCLUSIONS: For the participants, pregnancy during the pandemic brought difficulties such as social isolation, absence from work and the university, fears, anxieties, loneliness and insecurities. However, it also improved health care, intensifying self-care and investment in family relationships.

Targeting the purinergic pathway in breast cancer and its therapeutic applications.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cause of death among women, representing a global public health problem. Here, we aimed to discuss the correlation between the purinergic system and BC, recognizing therapeutic targets. For this, we analyzed the interaction of extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides with the purinergic receptors P1 and P2, as well as the influence of ectonucleotidase enzymes (CD39 and CD73) on tumor progression. A comprehensive bibliographic search was carried out. The relevant articles for this review were found in the PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs, and ScienceDirect databases. It was observed that among the P1 receptors, the A1, A2A, and A2B receptors are involved in the proliferation and invasion of BC, while the A3 receptor is related to the inhibition of tumor growth. Among the P2 receptors, the P2X7 has a dual function. When activated for a short time, it promotes metastasis, but when activated for long periods, it is related to BC cell death. P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors are related to BC proliferation and invasiveness. Also, the high expression of CD39 and CD73 in BC is strongly related to a worse prognosis. The receptors and ectonucleotidases involved with BC become possible therapeutic targets. Several purinergic pathways have been found to be involved in BC cell survival and progression. In this review, in addition to analyzing the pathways involved, we reviewed the therapeutic interventions already studied for BC related to the purinergic system, as well as to other possible therapeutic targets.

Flowers and thorns in pregnancy: experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic / Flores y espinas en el embarazo: experiencias durante la pandemia del COVID-19 / Flores e espinhos na gestação: experiências durante a pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand the repercussions of COVID-19 on the path of pregnancy. Method: Qualitative, participatory action research (PAR) study, based on Paulo Freire's Research Itinerary. A virtual culture circle was held in October 2020, with the participation of 12 pregnant women, living in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. Results: In the virtual culture circle, pregnant women talked and critically reflected on two generating themes: flowers and thorns in the course of pregnancy. They meant living in the virtual culture circle as spaces for sharing experiences, welcoming and learning, among others. Conclusions: For the participants, pregnancy during the pandemic brought difficulties such as social isolation, absence from work and the university, fears, anxieties, loneliness and insecurities. However, it also improved health care, intensifying self-care and investment in family relationships.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comprender las repercusiones del COVID-19 en la trayectoria del embarazo. Método: Estudio cualitativo, acción-participante, basado en el Itinerario de Investigación de Paulo Freire. En octubre de 2020 se realizó un círculo de cultura virtual, con la participación de 12 mujeres embarazadas, residentes en las regiones Sur y Sudeste de Brasil. Resultados: En el círculo de cultura virtual, las gestantes dialogaron y reflexionaron críticamente sobre dos temas generadores: flores y espinas en el transcurso del embarazo. Significaron vivir en el círculo de cultura virtual como espacios para compartir experiencias, acoger y aprender, entre otros. Conclusiones: Para las participantes, el embarazo durante la pandemia trajo dificultades como aislamiento social, ausencia del trabajo y de la universidad, miedos, ansiedades, soledad e inseguridades. Pero también mejoró la atención médica, intensificando el autocuidado e invirtiendo en las relaciones familiares.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender as repercussões da COVID- 19 no caminho da gestação. Método: Estudo qualitativo, do tipo ação-participante, com fundamentação no Itinerário de Pesquisa de Paulo Freire. Realizou-se um círculo de cultura virtual em outubro de 2020, com a participação de 12 gestantes, residentes nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Resultados: No círculo de cultura virtual, as gestantes dialogaram e refletiram criticamente sobre dois temas geradores: flores e espinhos no caminhar da gestação. Significaram a vivência no círculo de cultura virtual como espaços para compartilhar experiências, acolhimento e aprendizado, dentre outros. Conclusões: Para as participantes, a gestação durante a pandemia trouxe dificuldades como isolamento social, afastamento do trabalho e da universidade, medos, angústias, solidão e inseguranças. Mas, também, melhorou os cuidados com a saúde, intensificando o autocuidado e o investimento nas relações familiares.