Pro-environmental behavior, personality and emotional intelligence in adolescents: a systematic review.

Introduction: Human behavior significantly contributes to environmental problems, making the study of pro-environmental behavior an important task for psychology. In this context, it is crucial to understand the pro-environmental behavior of adolescents, as young people play a fundamental role in facilitating long-term changes in environmental consciousness and encouraging decision-makers to take action. However, little is currently known about the pro-environmental behavior of adolescents. Recently, there has been growing interest in examining the influence of personality traits and emotional intelligence on pro-environmental behavior. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to enhance our understanding of adolescent pro-environmental behavior. Thus, this systematic review was designed to enhance understanding of adolescent's pro-environmental behavior by summarizing existing evidence on how it relates to personality and emotional intelligence. Results: Our findings suggest associations between specific personality traits and dimensions of emotional intelligence with adolescent pro-environmental behavior, aligning with similar studies conducted on adults. Discussion: While our findings offer valuable insights, further research is needed to establish causality and deepen our understanding of the interplay between multiple variables influencing pro-environmental behavior among adolescents. Systematic review registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023387836], identifier [CRD42023387836].

Dark Personality Traits and Online Behaviors: Portuguese Versions of Cyberstalking, Online Harassment, Flaming and Trolling Scales.

The main objective of this study is to assess moderation effects of online behaviors between personality traits and addiction to Internet. To this end, four instruments were validated for Portuguese version through confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis (Study 1) Multiple regression analysis was applied to examine the personality predictors of specific online behaviors while controlling for gender and age; and moderation effects were assessed (Study 2). Results showed good psychometric properties for the four validated scales. Machiavellianism is positively associated with all the dimensions of this study. Psychopathy is positively associated with total Cyberstalking, Cyberstalking Control, Flaming and Trolling. Narcissism is positively associated with all the dimensions, except Online Harassment and Flaming. Machiavellianism is positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking, Flaming and Trolling. Psychopathy is positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking Control and Flaming. Narcissism is also positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking and Trolling. This study demonstrates that dimensions of the dark triad of personality play an important role in Internet addiction through online behaviors. The results of this study have theoretical and practical implications: on the one hand, they reinforces the findings of other studies showing that dimensions of the dark personality triad play an important role in Internet and social network addition, contributing to the literature; and, on the other hand, on a practical level, they allow to conduct awareness campaigns in communities, schools, and work to understand that one can be exposed to unpleasant situations due to behaviors that some people with personality traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism and/or psychopathy that may cause problems affecting the mental, emotional and psychological health of others.

DJ-1 Deficiency Protects against Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Depression.

Oxidative stress is considered one of the early underlying contributors of sepsis-induced myocardial depression. DJ-1, also known as PARK7, has a well-established role as an antioxidant. We have previously shown, in a clinically relevant model of polymicrobial sepsis, DJ-1 deficiency improved survival and bacterial clearance by decreasing ROS production. In the present study, we investigated the role of DJ-1 in sepsis-induced myocardial depression. Here we compared wildtype (WT) with DJ-1 deficient mice at 24 and 48 h after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In WT mice, DJ-1 was increased in the myocardium post-CLP. DJ-1 deficient mice, despite enhanced inflammatory and oxidative responses, had an attenuated hypertrophic phenotype, less apoptosis, improved mitochondrial function, and autophagy, that was associated with preservation of myocardial function and improved survival compared to WT mice post-CLP. Collectively, these results identify DJ-1 as a regulator of myocardial function and as such, makes it an attractive therapeutic target in the treatment of early sepsis-induced myocardial depression.

Increased platelet activation and platelet-inflammasome engagement during chikungunya infection.

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. The infection is usually symptomatic and most common symptoms are fever accompanied by joint pain and swelling. In most cases symptoms subside within a week. However, severe prolonged and disabling joint pain, that may persist for several months, even years, are reported. Although the pathogenesis of Chikungunya infection is not fully understood, the evolution to severe disease seems to be associated with the activation of immune mechanisms and the action of inflammatory mediators. Platelets are recognized as inflammatory cells with fundamental activities in the immune response, maintenance of vascular stability and pathogenicity of several inflammatory and infectious diseases. Although the involvement of platelets in the pathogenesis of viral diseases has gained attention in recent years, their activation in Chikungunya has not been explored. The aim of this study was to analyze platelet activation and the possible role of platelets in the amplification of the inflammatory response during Chikungunya infection. We prospectively included 132 patients attended at the Quinta D'Or hospital and 25 healthy volunteers during the 2016 epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We observed increased expression of CD62P on the surface of platelets, as well as increased plasma levels of CD62P and platelet-derived inflammatory mediators indicating that the Chikungunya infection leads to platelet activation. In addition, platelets from chikungunya patients exhibit increased expression of NLRP3, caspase 4, and cleaved IL-1ß, suggestive of platelet-inflammasome engagement during chikungunya infection. In vitro experiments confirmed that the Chikungunya virus directly activates platelets. Moreover, we observed that platelet activation and soluble p-selectin at the onset of symptoms were associated with development of chronic forms of the disease. Collectively, our data suggest platelet involvement in the immune processes and inflammatory amplification triggered by the infection.

DJ-1 binds to Rubicon to Impair LC-3 Associated Phagocytosis.

The ability to effectively clear infection is fundamental to host survival. Sepsis, defined as dysregulated host response to infection, is a heterogenous clinical syndrome that does not uniformly clear intact bacterial or sterile infection (i.e., lipopolysaccharide). These findings were further associated with increased survival in DJ-1 deficient animals exposed to intact bacteria relative to DJ-1 deficient challenged with lipopolysaccharide. We analyzed bacterial and lipopolysaccharide clearance in bone marrow macrophages (BMM) cultured ex vivo from wild-type and DJ-1 deficient mice. Importantly, we demonstrated that DJ-1 deficiency in BMM promotes Rubicon-dependent increase in L3C-associated phagocytosis, non-canonical autophagy pathway used for xenophagy, during bacterial but not lipopolysaccharide infection. In contrast to DJ-1 deficient BMM challenged with lipopolysaccharide, DJ-1 deficient BMM exposed to intact bacteria showed enhanced Rubicon complexing with Beclin-1 and UVRAG and consistently facilitated the assembly of complete autophagolysosomes that were decorated with LC3 molecules. Our data shows DJ-1 impairs or/and delays bacterial clearance and late autophagolysosome formation by binding to Rubicon resulting in Rubicon degradation, decreased L3C-associated phagocytosis, and decreased bacterial clearance in vitro and in vivo - implicating Rubicon and DJ-1 as critical regulators of bacterial clearance in experimental sepsis.

Multicultural competencies training programs for health care staff and health students in academic and professional settings: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the proposed scoping review is to identify training programs in multicultural competencies for health care staff and health students in professional and academic settings. INTRODUCTION: Cultural competence training for health care professionals is an imperative challenge in today's culturally diverse societies to ensure that all people receive equitable and effective health care, particularly those from culturally diverse backgrounds. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This scoping review will consider literature with adult participants aged ≥ 18 years, health care staff, and health students who may have received or are receiving multicultural competencies training. Literature published since 1960 in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French will be considered for inclusion. Literature will be excluded if it reports on multicultural competencies training programs for students outside the health domain or for non-professional high school programs. METHODS: The search strategy, designed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, will aim to find both published and unpublished literature. The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Web of Science, Open Access Scientific Repository of Portugal (RCAAP), and Open Grey. Other sites to be searched include ClinicalTrials.gov; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); International Organization for Migration (IOM); and International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion in Europe (IMISCOE). The screening process will consist of two steps carried out by two independent reviewers: firstly, screening by title and abstract; and secondly, by full text. Data will be charted to describe the body of literature according to the review research questions, which were defined following the Population, Concept, Context (PCC) mnemonic. Data will be presented graphically when possible, and accompanied by a narrative that describes the characteristics of the training programs.

Mesenchymal stromal (stem) cell therapy modulates miR-193b-5p expression to attenuate sepsis-induced acute lung injury.

Although mesenchymal stromal (stem) cell (MSC) administration attenuates sepsis-induced lung injury in pre-clinical models, the mechanism(s) of action and host immune system contributions to its therapeutic effects remain elusive. We show that treatment with MSCs decreased expression of host-derived microRNA (miR)-193b-5p and increased expression of its target gene, the tight junctional protein occludin (Ocln), in lungs from septic mice. Mutating the Ocln 3' untranslated region miR-193b-5p binding sequence impaired binding to Ocln mRNA. Inhibition of miR-193b-5p in human primary pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells prevents tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-induced decrease in Ocln gene and protein expression and loss of barrier function. MSC-conditioned media mitigated TNF-induced miR-193b-5p upregulation and Ocln downregulation in vitro When administered in vivo, MSC-conditioned media recapitulated the effects of MSC administration on pulmonary miR-193b-5p and Ocln expression. MiR-193b-deficient mice were resistant to pulmonary inflammation and injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation. Silencing of Ocln in miR-193b-deficient mice partially recovered the susceptibility to LPS-induced lung injury. In vivo inhibition of miR-193b-5p protected mice from endotoxin-induced lung injury. Finally, the clinical significance of these results was supported by the finding of increased miR-193b-5p expression levels in lung autopsy samples from acute respiratory distress syndrome patients who died with diffuse alveolar damage.

Immunophenotypic characterization and therapeutics effects of human bone marrow- and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in an experimental model of sepsis.

Sepsis is a complicated multi-system disorder characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection. Despite substantial progress in the understanding of mechanisms of sepsis, translation of these advances into clinically effective therapies remains challenging. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties that have shown therapeutic promise in preclinical models of sepsis. The therapeutic effects of MSCs may vary depending on the source and type of these cells. In this comparative study, the gene expression pattern and surface markers of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) and umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) as well as their therapeutic effects in a clinically relevant mouse model of polymicrobial sepsis, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), were investigated. The results showed remarkable differences in gene expression profile, surface markers and therapeutic potency in terms of enhancing survival and pro/anti-inflammatory responses between the two MSC types. BM-MSCs improved survival concomitant with an enhanced systemic bacterial clearance and improved inflammatory profile post CLP surgery. Despite some improvement in the inflammatory profile of the septic animals, treatment with UC-MSCs did not enhance survival or bacterial clearance. Overall, the beneficial therapeutic effects of BM-MSCs over UC-MSCs may likely be attributed to their pro-inflammatory function, and to some extent anti-inflammatory features, reflected in their gene expression pattern enhancing macrophage polarization to M1/M2 phenotypes resulting in a balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory response against polymicrobial sepsis.

Protective function of DJ-1/PARK7 in lipopolysaccharide and ventilator-induced acute lung injury.

Oxidative stress is considered one of the early underlying contributors of acute lung injury (ALI) and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). DJ-1, also known as PARK7, has a well-established role as an antioxidant. We have previously shown maintaining oxidative balance via the ATF3-Nrf2 axis was important in protection from ALI. Here, we exclusively characterize the role of DJ-1 in sterile LPS-induced ALI and VILI. DJ-1 protein expression was increased after LPS treatment in human epithelial and endothelial cell lines and lungs of wild-type mice. DJ-1 deficient mice exhibited greater susceptibility to LPS-induced acute lung injury as demonstrated by increased cellular infiltration, augmented levels of pulmonary cytokines, enhanced ROS levels and oxidized by-products, increased pulmonary edema and cell death. In a two-hit model of LPS and mechanical ventilation (MV), DJ-1 deficient mice displayed enhanced susceptibility to inflammation and lung injury. Collectively, these results identify DJ-1 as a negative regulator of ROS and inflammation, and suggest its expression protects from sterile lung injury driven by high oxidative stress.

Impacto da COVID-19 nas dinâmicas sociofamiliares e académicas dos estudantes de enfermagem em Portugal / Impact of COVID-19 on the family, social, and academic dynamics of nursing students in Portugal / Impacto de la COVID-19 en las dinámicas sociofamiliares y académicas de los estudiantes de enfermería en Portugal

Enquadramento: Devido à pandemia COVID-19 encerraram-se estabelecimentos de ensino e confinaram-se os estudantes. Objetivos: Conhecer as mudanças sociofamiliares, académicas e comportamentais dos estudantes de enfermagem, provocadas pela pandemia COVID-19; caracterizar perceções de saúde, informação e adesão às medidas veiculadas. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo descritivo-correlacional com 425 estudantes de enfermagem. Utilizou-se o COVID-19 International Student Well-Being Study (C19 ISWS). Cumpriram-se pressupostos éticos. Resultados: Suspensas aulas presenciais, os estudantes regressaram ao domicílio familiar, reduziram contactos com amigos e privilegiaram comunicações online. Manifestaram stress face às mudanças no ensino e à possibilidade de não concluírem o ano letivo. Reportaram aumento de materiais online, mas não identificaram acréscimo de trabalho académico. Referiram menos recursos financeiros. Consideraram informações da Direção-Geral da Saúde atempadas e compreensíveis e aderiram fortemente às medidas implementadas. Os consumidores, diminuíram significativamente consumos de tabaco, álcool e outros. Conclusão: A pandemia COVID-19 trouxe alterações à vida dos estudantes de enfermagem, marcadas por retorno à casa da família, preocupações com sucesso escolar e afastamento das sociabilidades académicas, aderindo massivamente às medidas sanitárias recomendadas.

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, education institutions were closed, and students were confined to their homes. Objectives: To identify the social, family, academic, and behavioral changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing students; to characterize their perceptions of health, information, and compliance with the measures. Methodology: Quantitative descriptive-correlational study with 425 nursing students. The COVID-19 International Student Well-Being Study (C19 ISWS) was used. All ethical requirements were met. Results: With the suspension of presential classes, students returned to their family homes, reduced their contacts with friends, and gave priority to online forms of communication. They experienced stress due to the changes in the teaching methods and about the possibility of not successfully completing the academic year. Students reported an increase in online materials but did report an increase in academic workload. They reported fewer financial resources and considered that the information from the Directorate-General of Health was clear and provided in due time. They also reported having complied with the measures. Students significantly decreased their consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and others. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nursing students' lives, due to their return to their family homes, the concerns about their academic success, the distancing from social activities, with strict compliance with the recommended sanitary measures.

Marco contextual: Debido a la pandemia de COVID-19, se cerraron los establecimientos educativos y se confinó a los estudiantes. Objetivos: Conocer los cambios sociofamiliares, académicos y de comportamiento de los estudiantes de enfermería causados por la pandemia de COVID-19; caracterizar las percepciones de la salud, la información y el cumplimiento de las medidas comunicadas. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo descriptivo-correlacional con 425 estudiantes de enfermería. Se utilizó el COVID-19 International Student Well-Being Study (C19 ISWS). Se cumplieron los supuestos éticos. Resultados: Con la suspensión de las clases presenciales, los estudiantes volvieron al domicilio familiar, redujeron el contacto con sus amigos y dieron prioridad a la comunicación en línea. Manifestaron estrés ante los cambios en la enseñanza y la posibilidad de no completar el año académico. Informaron de un aumento de los materiales en línea, pero no identificaron ningún aumento en el trabajo académico. Indicaron que disponían de menos recursos financieros. Consideraron que la información de la Dirección General de Salud era adecuada y comprensible, y se comprometieron firmemente con las medidas aplicadas. Los consumidores disminuyeron significativamente el consumo de tabaco, alcohol y otros productos. Conclusión: La pandemia de COVID-19 trajo consigo cambios en la vida de los estudiantes de enfermería, marcados por el regreso a la vivienda familiar, la preocupación por el éxito académico y el distanciamiento de la sociabilidad académica, cumpliendo así ampliamente con las medidas sanitarias recomendadas.

Genetically Modified Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells: Application in Critical Illness.

Critical illnesses including sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndromes, ischemic cardiovascular disorders and acute organ injuries are associated with high mortality, morbidity as well as significant health care system expenses. While these diverse conditions require different specific therapeutic approaches, mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal, tri-lineage differentiation with a broad range regenerative and immunomodulatory activities, making them attractive for the treatment of critical illness. The therapeutic effects of MSCs have been extensively investigated in several pre-clinical models of critical illness as well as in phase I and II clinical cell therapy trials with mixed results. Whilst these studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential for MSC therapy in critical illness, optimization for clinical use is an ongoing challenge. MSCs can be readily genetically modified by application of different techniques and tools leading to overexpress or inhibit genes related to their immunomodulatory or regenerative functions. Here we will review recent approaches designed to enhance the therapeutic potential of MSCs with an emphasis on the technology used to generate genetically modified cells, target genes, target diseases and the implication of genetically modified MSCs in cell therapy for critical illness.

Cathelicidins Mitigate Staphylococcus aureus Mastitis and Reduce Bacterial Invasion in Murine Mammary Epithelium.

Staphylococcus aureus, an important cause of mastitis in mammals, is becoming increasingly problematic due to the development of resistance to conventional antibiotics. The ability of S. aureus to invade host cells is key to its propensity to evade immune defense and antibiotics. This study focuses on the functions of cathelicidins, small cationic peptides secreted by epithelial cells and leukocytes, in the pathogenesis of S. aureus mastitis in mice. We determined that endogenous murine cathelicidin (CRAMP; Camp) was important in controlling S. aureus infection, as cathelicidin knockout mice (Camp-/- ) intramammarily challenged with S. aureus had higher bacterial burdens and more severe mastitis than did wild-type mice. The exogenous administration of both a synthetic human cathelicidin (LL-37) and a synthetic murine cathelicidin (CRAMP) (8 µM) reduced the invasion of S. aureus into the murine mammary epithelium. Additionally, this exogenous LL-37 was internalized into cultured mammary epithelial cells and impaired S. aureus growth in vitro We conclude that cathelicidins may be potential therapeutic agents against mastitis; both endogenous and exogenous cathelicidins conferred protection against S. aureus infection by reducing bacterial internalization and potentially by directly killing this pathogen.

Polycaprolactone nanofibers loaded oxytetracycline hydrochloride and zinc oxide for treatment of periodontal disease.

Periodontal diseases (PD) are mixed bacterial infections caused by microorganisms that colonize the tooth surface, leading to destructions at tooth-supporting tissues. Several local delivery systems, as nanofibers, have been developed for the treatment of PD. The purpose of the present study was developing polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers incorporating two antibacterial agents, OTC and ZnO, for use in the treatment of PD. Nanofibers were produced by electrospinning method: PCL loaded with ZnO (PCL-Z), PCL loaded with OTC (PCL-OTC), PCL loaded with OTC and ZnO (PCL-OTCz) and pristine PCL (PCL-P). The nanofibers were characterized physicochemically using different techniques. In addition, in vitro study of the OTC release from the nanofibers was performed. The PCL-OCT showed sustained release of the drug up to 10 h, releasing 100% of OTC. However, the PCL-OTCz nanofiber showed a slow release of OTC up to 120 h (5th day) with 54% of drug retention. The cytotoxicity assay showed that PCL-OTC nanofiber was slightly cytotoxic after 48 h and the other nanofibers were non-cytotoxic. The antibacterial activity of the nanofibers was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative analysis and against mixed bacterial culture, composed of four Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria involved in periodontal diseases. The disk diffusion method showed that the PCL-OTC displayed higher inhibition zone than PCL-OTCz (p < 0.001). The quantitative analysis, evaluated by broth culture, showed that the PCL-OTC and PCL-OTCz exhibited excellent activity against a mixed bacterial culture with growth inhibition of 98.0% and 97.5%, respectively. Based on these results, the PCL-OTCz nanofibers developed have great potential as a drug delivery system for the PD treatment.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) controls cytokine release during respiratory syncytial virus infection in macrophages.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of infection in children up to 2 years old and reinfection is very common among patients. Tissue damage in the lung caused by RSV leads to an immune response and infected cells activate multiple signaling pathways and massive production of inflammatory mediators like macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Therefore, we sought to investigate the role of MIF during RSV infection in macrophages. METHODS: We evaluated MIF expression in BALB/c mice-derived macrophages stimulated with different concentrations of RSV by Western blot and real-time PCR. Additionally, different inhibitors of signaling pathways and ROS were used to evaluate their importance for MIF expression. Furthermore, we used a specific MIF inhibitor, ISO-1, to evaluate the role of MIF in viral clearance and in RSV-induced TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-10 release from macrophages. RESULTS: We showed that RSV induces MIF expression dependently of ROS, 5-LOX, COX and PI3K activation. Moreover, viral replication is necessary for RSV-triggered MIF expression. Differently, p38 MAPK in only partially needed for RSV-induced MIF expression. In addition, MIF is important for the release of TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-10 triggered by RSV in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we demonstrate that MIF is expressed during RSV infection and controls the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from macrophages in an in vitro model.

Emergence of the East-Central-South-African genotype of Chikungunya virus in Brazil and the city of Rio de Janeiro may have occurred years before surveillance detection.

Brazil, which is hyperendemic for dengue virus (DENV), has had recent Zika (ZIKV) and (CHIKV) Chikungunya virus outbreaks. Since March 2016, CHIKV is the arbovirus infection most frequently diagnosed in Rio de Janeiro. In the analysis of 1835 syndromic patients, screened by real time RT-PCR, 56.4% of the cases were attributed to CHIKV, 29.6% to ZIKV, and 14.1% to DENV-4. Sequence analyses of CHIKV from sixteen samples revealed that the East-Central-South-African (ECSA) genotype of CHIKV has been circulating in Brazil since 2013 [95% bayesian credible interval (BCI): 03/2012-10/2013], almost a year before it was detected by arbovirus surveillance program. Brazilian cases are related to Central African Republic sequences from 1980's. To the best of our knowledge, given the available sequence published here and elsewhere, the ECSA genotype was likely introduced to Rio de Janeiro early on 2014 (02/2014; BCI: 07/2013-08/2014) through a single event, after primary circulation in the Bahia state at the Northestern Brazil in the previous year. The observation that the ECSA genotype of CHIKV was circulating undetected underscores the need for improvements in molecular methods for viral surveillance.

Conflitos em contexto de saúde: Um instrumento de avaliação de estilos de gestão de conflito / Conflicts in health context: An instrument to evaluate conflict management styles / Conflictos en contexto de salud: Un instrumento de evaluación de estilos de gestión de conflicto

INTRODUÇÃO: O conflito encontra-se subjacente a qualquer organização humana, não sendo as instituições de saúde exceção. OBJETIVO: Adaptar e validar um instrumento de avaliação de estilos de gestão do conflito, o Dutch Test for Conflict Handling (DUTCH; De Dreu et al., 2001), para o contexto da saúde. MÉTODOS: Depois da tradução para português, a escala foi aplicada a 364 sujeitos de ambos os sexos, estudantes e profissionais da saúde. Recolheu-se informação sobre dados sociodemográficos. Na administração dos questionários explicou-se aos participantes o objetivo do estudo e foi dada a garantia de anonimato. RESULTADOS: A analise fatorial exploratória indicou, como na estrutura original, a existência de 5 fatores que apresentaram boa consistência interna (0,74 < α < 0,85). O DUTCH apresenta uma consistência interna robusta para a escala total (α = 0,82). Recorrendo a modelos de equações estruturais, o modelo apresentou coeficientes de ajustamento adequados [χ(160) = 298,9; p < 0,001; χ/gl = 1,87; GFI = 0,927; AGFI = 0,904; CFI = 0,942; TLI = 0,931; RMSEA = 0,049) e vai ao encontro dos pressupostos de base do inventario. CONCLUSÕES: A versão portuguesa de DUTCH revela características psicométricas que o caracterizam como fiável para avaliar estilos de gestão de conflito. Pode ser um bom apoio à investigação, relacionando os resultados nele obtidos com outras variáveis da gestão de conflitos. O instrumento é composto por um pequeno número de itens e é de fácil aplicação na área da saúde.

INTRODUCTION: The conflict is underlain by any human organization, and health institutions are not an exception. AIM: Adapt and validate an instrument of evaluation of conflict management styles, the Dutch Test for Conflict Handling (DUTCH; De Dreu et al., 2001), for the health context. METHODS: After the translation to Portuguese, the scale was applied to 364 male and female individuals, students and health professionals. It was collected information about socio demographical data. In the administration of the questionnaires it was explained to the participants the objective of the study and it was given guarantee of anonymity. RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis has indicated, such as in the original structure, the existence of 5 factors that presented a good internal consistency (0,74 < α < 0,85). DUTCH presents a robust internal consistency to the total scale (α = 0,82). Using structural equation models, the model presented adequate adjustment coefficients [χ(160) = 298,9; p < 0,001; χ/gl = 1,87; GFI = 0,927; AGFI = 0,904; CFI = 0,942; TLI = 0,931; RMSEA = 0,049) and meets the basic assumptions of the inventory. CONCLUSIONS: The Portuguese version of DUTCH reveals psychometric characteristics that characterize it as reliable to evaluate conflict management styles. It can be a good support to investigation, relating the results obtained in it with other variables of conflict management. The instrument is composed by a small number of items and is of easy application in health area.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El conflicto se encuentra subyacente a cualquier organización humana, no siendo las instituciones de salud excepción. OBJETIVO: La presente investigación tuve como objetivo adaptar y validar un instrumento de evaluación de estilos de gestión de conflicto, el Dutch Test for Conflict Handling (DUTCH; De Dreu et al., 2001), para lo contexto de la salud. METODOLOGÍA: Después de la traducción para portugués, la escala ha sido aplicada a 364 sujetos de ambos sexos, estudiantes y profesionales de la salud. Se ha también recogido información sobre datos sociodemográficos. En la administración de los cuestionarios se ha explicado a los participantes el objetivo de lo estudio y les fue dada garantiera de anonimato. RESULTADOS: La análisis factorial exploratoria ha indicado, cómo en la estructura original, la existencia de 5 factores que presentaran buena consistencia interna (0,74 < α < 0,85). El DUTCH presenta una consistencia interna robusta para la escala total (α = 0,82). Recurriendo a modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, el modelo ha presentado coeficientes de ajuste adecuados [χ(160) = 298,9; p < 0,001; χ/gl = 1,87; GFI = 0,927; AGFI = 0,904; CFI = 0,942; TLI = 0,931; RMSEA = 0,049) e va al encuentro de los presupuestos de bases del inventario. CONCLUSIONES: La versión portuguesa del DUTCH revela características psicométricas que lo caracterizan como fiable para evaluar estilos de gestión de conflicto. Puede ser un buen apoyo a la investigación, relacionando los resultados obtenidos en él con otras variables de la gestión de conflictos. El instrumento es compuesto por un pequeño número de ítems y es de fácil aplicación en el área de la salud.

The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins.

Fire ants are widely studied, invasive and venomous arthropod pests. There is significant biomedical interest in immunotherapy against fire ant stings. However, mainly due to practical reasons, the physiological effects of envenomation has remained poorly characterized. The present study takes advantage of a recently-described venom protein extract to delineate the immunological pathways underlying the allergic reaction to fire ant venom toxins. Mice were injected with controlled doses of venom protein extract. Following sensitization and a second exposure, a marked footpad swelling was observed. Based on eosinophil recruitment and production of Th2 cytokines, we hereby establish that fire ant proteins per se can lead to an allergic response, which casts a new light into the mechanism of action of these toxins.

Nano Silver Vanadate AgVO3 : Synthesis, New Functionalities and Applications.

Silver vanadates have been widely investigated because of their many interesting properties and their potential use in several applications. In addition to this, a large number of groups have investigated silver vanadates in the form of nanostructures. Here, we address first the synthesis and properties of nanosilver vanadate. Different techniques, such as precipitation, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal treatment, and sol-gel, are among the methods that have been employed for the controlled synthesis of silver vanadate. The use of nanosilver vanadate for the development of novel electronic devices, catalysts, and antibacterial agents for industry and biomedical applications will then be discussed. In this sense, the present review highlights the major advances regarding the synthesis, properties and applications of nanostructured silver vanadates.

Hybrid nanofibers based on poly-caprolactone/gelatin/hydroxyapatite nanoparticles-loaded Doxycycline: Effective anti-tumoral and antibacterial activity.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality Worldwide, 19.3 million new cancer cases are expected to be identified in 2025. Among the therapeutic arsenal to cancer control one could find the Doxycycline and the nano hydroxyapatite. The Doxycycline (Dox) not only shown antibiotic effect but also exhibits a wide range of pleiotropic therapeutic properties as the control of the invasive and metastatic cancer cells characteristics. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate both cytotoxicity in vitro and antibacterial activity of electrospun Dox-loaded hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds composed by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA), poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (Gel) polymers. Both nHA and Dox were dispersed into different PCL/Gel ratios (70:30, 60:40, 50:50wt%) solutions to form electrospun nanofibers. The nHA and Dox/nHA/PCL-Gel hybrid nanofibers were characterized by TEM microscopy. In vitro Dox release behavior from all of these Dox-loaded nHA/PCL-Gel nanofibers showed the same burst release profile due to the high solubility of Gel in the release medium. Antibacterial properties of nanofiber composites were evaluated using Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) bacteria. The co-delivery of nHA particles and Dox simultaneously exhibited inhibition of bacterial growth more efficiently than the delivery of either Dox or nHA at the same concentrations, indicating a synergistic effect. The results showed that cancer cell tested had different sensibility to co-delivery system. On the whole, A-431 cells were found exhibited the most pronounced synergistic effect compared to CACO-2 and 4T1 cancer cells. Based on the anticancer as well as the antimicrobial results in this study, the developed Dox/nHA/PCL-Gel composite nanofibers are suitable as a drug delivery system with potential applications in the biomedical fields.

Educação em enfermagem de saúde mental e psiquiatria no curso de licenciatura em enfermagem / Education in mental health and psychiatric nursing at the undergraduate nursing course / Educación en enfermería salud mental y psiquiatría en la licenciatura en enfermería

Incluir conhecimentos de saúde mental no cuidado integral ao ser humano e conseguir identificar quando a pessoa-alvo dos seus cuidados necessita de apoio de Enfermagem especializada em Saúde Mental e Psiquiatria são competências essenciais de qualquer enfermeiro de cuidados gerais, sendo importante perceber como integrar esse conhecimento nos planos de estudo dos enfermeiros de cuidados gerais. Este artigo tem como objetivos descrever a concepção e o planejamento da aprendizagem da Enfermagem de Saúde Mental e Psiquiatria dos estudantes do Curso de Licenciatura em Enfermagem, em Coimbra, Portugal, caracterizar as unidades curriculares de Enfermagem de Saúde Mental e Psiquiatria que integram o plano de estudos e analisar os seus contributos para a formação de competências dos enfermeiros de cuidados gerais.

Generalist nurses should be able to apply mental health knowledge to the comprehensive care of the human being and to understand when patients need specialized support from mental health and psychiatric nurses. Therefore, it is important to understand how this knowledge can be integrated into the curricula of generalist nurses. This article aims to describe the process of designing and planning how BSN students learn about Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing in Coimbra, Portugal, to characterize the course units on mental health and psychiatric nursing in this BSN curriculum, and to analyze their contribution to the acquisition of generalist nurses’ skills.

Incluir el conocimiento de la salud mental en la atención integral de los seres humanos y ser capaz de identificar cuando la persona cuidada necesita apoyo de enfermería especializada en salud mental y psiquiatría son habilidades esenciales para cualquier enfermera general, así es importante entender cómo integrar este conocimiento en los planes de estudio de las enfermeras de cuidados generales. Este artículo objetiva describir el diseño y planificación del aprendizaje de Enfermería de Salud Mental y Psiquiatría de los estudiantes de Licenciatura en Enfermería de Coimbra, Portugal, caracterizar las disciplinas de enfermería en salud mental y psiquiatría que incluye el plan de estudio y analizar su contribución a la formación de las habilidades de las enfermeras de cuidados generales.