Resurgence of human respiratory syncytial virus during COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Brazil.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an important cause of respiratory infection in humans. Severe cases are common in children ≤2 years old, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. In 2020, RSV infection reduced in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), southern Brazil; however, in 2021 resurgence of RSV was observed. This study analyzed epidemiological and genetic features of RSV infection cases reported in 2021 in RS. Nasopharyngeal samples collected from individuals with respiratory infection negative for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B viruses were assessed for the presence of RSV by real time RT-qPCR. RSV-A and RSV-B genomic sequencing and phylogenetic reconstructions were performed for genotyping and clade characterization. Among 21,035 respiratory samples analyzed, 2,947 were positive for RSV, 947 of which were hospitalized patients. Positive cases were detected year-round, with the highest number in June-July (winter). Children <1 year comprised 56.28% (n = 533) of the hospitalized patients infected with RSV, whereas 14.46% (n = 137) were individuals >60 years. Of a total of 361 deaths, 14.68% (n = 53) were RSV positive, mostly patients >60 years old (73.58%, n = 39). Chronic kidney disease, cardiopathy, Down syndrome and neurological diseases were associated with RSV infection. RSV-A was identified in 58.5% (n = 117/200) of the patients, and RSV-B in 41.5% (n = 83/200). Of 95 RSV genomes recovered from SARI cases, 66 were RSV-A GA.2.3.5 genotype, while 29 were RSV-B GB.5.0.5a genotype. This study provides epidemiological and molecular data on RSV cases in RS during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights that investigation of different respiratory viruses is essential for decision-making and disease prevention and control measures.

Wood volume is overestimated in the Brazilian Amazon: Why not use generic volume prediction methods in tropical forest management?

The Amazon has a range of species with high potential for sustainable timber harvesting, but for them to be utilized globally, the merchantable wood volume must be accurately quantified. However, since the 1950s, inadequate methods for estimating merchantable timber volumes have been employed in the Amazon, and Brazilian Government agencies still require some of them. The natural variability of the Amazon Forest provides an abundance of species of different sizes and shapes, conferring several peculiarities, which makes it necessary to use up-to-date and precise methods for timber quantification in Amazon Forest management. Given the employment of insufficient estimation methods for wood volume, this study scrutinizes the disparities between the actual harvested merchantable wood volume and the volume estimated by the forest inventory during the harvesting phase across five distinct public forest areas operating under sustainable forest management concessions. We used mixed-effect models to evaluate the relationships between inventory and harvested volume for genera and forest regions. We performed an equivalence test to assess the similarity between the volumes obtained during the pre-and post-harvest phases. We calculated root mean square error and percentage bias for merchantable volume as accuracy metrics. There was a strong tendency for the 100% forest inventory to overestimate merchantable wood volume, regardless of genus and managed area. There was a significant discrepancy between the volumes inventoried and harvested in different regions intended for sustainable forest management, in which only 22% of the groups evaluated were equivalent. The methods currently practiced by forest companies for determining pre-harvest merchantable volume are inaccurate enough to support sustainable forest management in the Amazon. They may even facilitate the region's illegal timber extraction and organized crime.

Evaluation of the management potential of timber resources in clearwater floodplain forests in the Amazon using growth models.

The Amazonian clearwater igapós are poorly studied floodplain ecosystems that are mainly covered by forests and are undergoing massive threats due to changes in land use and climate. Their hydrochemical characteristics and edaphic conditions fall between those of the eutrophic várzea floodplains on whitewater rivers and those of the oligotrophic igapós on blackwater rivers. Previous studies have indicated the management potential of timber species in the highly dynamic várzea floodplains due to the fast tree growth and high forest productivity. Timber resource management, however, is not recommended for the blackwater ecosystem because of its slow dynamics and high vulnerability to disturbances. For clearwater igapós, information on the potential for sustainable management of timber resources is lacking. In this study, we modeled the growth in diameter, height, and volume to derive species-specific minimum logging diameters (MLD) and felling cycles (FC) for eight merchantable species in the clearwater igapós of the Branco and Tapajós rivers in the northern and southern Amazon Basin, respectively. Diameter growth was modeled by analyzing the tree rings that are annually formed in the Amazonian floodplains as a consequence of the regular and predicable long-term flooding. Growth modeling followed the guidelines of the Growth-Oriented Logging (GOL) concept, with the adjustment of diameter growth improved by applying nonlinear mixed-effects regression. MLDs varied from 36 to 90 cm and FCs ranged from 6 to 21 years, which diverges from the standards of Brazilian logging regulations (MLD: 50 cm; FC: 25-35 years). This indicates the potential for timber resource management, which should be tested and introduced at small scales, integrated in protected areas to stepwise promote the sustainable management of these natural resources by traditional communities to increase their income and the conservation of this ecosystem.

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research.

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%-18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost.

Psychometric Properties and Cross-Cultural Invariance of the Beck Depression Inventory-II and Beck Anxiety Inventory among a Representative Sample of Spanish, Portuguese, and Brazilian Undergraduate Students.

Clinical psychologists often use the Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to aid in the diagnosis of mental health issues and verify the effectiveness of treatments. Despite this common practice, studies that implement a cross-cultural design to check psychometric properties and the invariance of these scales are still scarce in the literature, which can lead to biased results that prevent comparisons among different groups. The present study investigated the internal structure of both tools and their level of invariance. From a representative sample of undergraduate students from Spain (n = 1216), Portugal (n = 426), and Brazil (n = 315), Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed. The results revealed suitable fit indices for the two-factor structure of the BDI-II and BAI, assessed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis procedures. Additionally, the two-factor model of the BDI-II reached invariant properties at three levels, whereas the structural model of the BAI did not. Altogether, these results suggest using the BDI-II in this group in these three countries and imply that BAI scores should be interpreted cautiously.

UltraSound guided PEripheral Catheterization increases first-atTempt success RAte in hospitalized patients when compared with conventional technique: SPECTRA - Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is the most common invasive procedure in the hospital setting. Ultrasound guided PIVC insertion in specific populations and settings has shown patient care benefits. OBJECTIVE: To compare the success rate of first attempts of ultrasound guided PIVC insertion performed by nurse specialists with conventional PIVC insertion performed by nurse assistants. METHOD: Randomized, controlled, single-center clinical trial registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov platform under registration NTC04853264, conducted at a public university hospital from June to September 2021. Adult patients hospitalized in clinical inpatient units with an indication for intravenous therapy compatible with a peripheral venous network were included. Participants in the intervention group (IG) received ultrasound guided PIVC performed by nurse specialists from the vascular access team, while those in the control group (CG) received conventional PIVC by nurse assistants. RESULTS: The study included a total of 166 patients: IG (n = 82) and CG (n = 84), mean age 59.5 ± 16.5 years, mostly women (n = 104, 62.7%) and white (n = 136, 81.9%). Success rate on the first attempt of PIVC insertion in IG was 90.2% and in CG was 35.7% (p < 0.001), with a relative risk of 2.5 (95% CI 1.88-3.40) for success in IG versus CG. Overall assertiveness rate was 100% in IG and 71.4% in CG. Regarding procedure performance time, the medians in IG and CG were 5 (4-7) and 10 (6-27.5) min respectively (p < 0.001). As for the incidence of negative composite outcomes, IG had lower rates compared to CG, 39% versus 66.7% (p < 0.001), generating a 42% lower probability of negative outcomes in IG, 0.58 (95% CI: 0.43-0.80). CONCLUSION(S): Successful first-try insertion was higher in the group receiving ultrasound-guided PIVC. Moreover, there were no insertion failures and IG presented lower insertion time rates and incidence of unfavorable outcomes.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health, early childhood development, and parental practices: a global scoping review.

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), generating stark economic and social repercussions that directly or indirectly affected families' wellbeing and health status. AIMS: This review aims at mapping the existing evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health, early childhood development, and parental practices, worldwide, to identify evidence gaps and better inform future delivery of care and health policy measures. METHODS: Following the protocol defined by PRISMA-ScR, this scoping review has searched for relevant studies published between January 2020 and June 2021, selecting evidence sources based on pre-established criteria. From a total of 2,308 articles, data were extracted from 537 publications from 35 countries on all three health domains. RESULTS: The combined stressors brought forth by the pandemic have exerted a heavy burden on the mental health of mothers and the development of young children, partly mediated by its impact on parental practices. CONCLUSIONS: Despite remaining gaps, we have identified sufficient evidence pointing to an urgent need for more concerted global research efforts and rapid policy responses to timely address severe and pervasive negative impacts to the mental health of mothers and children at a key developmental stage.

Multidisciplinary action in a patient with cleft lip and palate: esthetic-functional dentofacial treatment for more than two decades / Atuação multidisciplinar em paciente com fissura lábio palatina: tratamento estético-funcional dento-facial de mais de duas décadas

Cleft lip and palate is a very common congenital defect in which embryonic facial processes do not achieve the ideal facial formation during their development which can cause malformation. Multiple dentistry specializations, especially oral and maxillofacial, orthodontics, oral rehabilitation and dental aesthetics are required in order to correct lip and oral cavity malformations by this congenital defect with the objective of functional and aesthetics improvement. The clinical case reported show the multidisciplinary approach in a patient with cleft lip and palate implementing an aesthetic and functional dentofacial rehabilitation. The case involves a 27-year-old female patient LCLG, Caucasian, with the presence of unilateral congenital cleft lip and palate on the left side, who started rehabilitative and reparative treatment at 3 months of age. She then started pediatric orthodontic treatment for angle class 3 crossbite correction at 7 years of age. After complete replacement of deciduous to permanent dentition at the age of 11, the patient started orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance for several years and restorative treatment with composite resin reanatomize the anterior teeth due to agenesis of elements 22 and 25. After a few years when the resin restorations were no longer biologically favorable, an aesthetic rehabilitation treatment with ceramic laminates was planned through smile digital planning soon after completing the orthodontic treatment. This case report demonstrates that high aesthetic, functional and psychological expectations of a patient with congenital defect compromise throughout her life were met through a multidisciplinary dental treatment based on correct diagnosis and digital planning (AU)

A fissura labiopalatal é um defeito congênito muito comum, no qual os processos faciais embrionários não atingem a formação facial ideal durante o seu desenvolvimento, podendo causar malformações. Múltiplas especializações da odontologia, principalmente buco-maxilo-facial, ortodontia, reabilitação oral e estética dental são necessárias para corrigir as malformações labiais e da cavidade oral por esse defeito congênito com o objetivo de melhoria funcional e estética. O caso clínico relatado mostra a abordagem multidisciplinar em um paciente com fissura labiopalatal implementando uma reabilitação dentofacial estética e funcional. O caso envolve uma paciente do sexo feminino, 27 anos, LCLG, branca, com presença de fissura labiopalatal congênita unilateral à esquerda, que iniciou tratamento reabilitador e reparador aos 3 meses de idade. Após a substituição completa da dentição decídua pela permanente aos 11 anos de idade, a paciente iniciou tratamento ortodôntico com aparelho fixo por vários anos, e tratamento restaurador com resina composta para reanatomizar os dentes anteriores devido à agenesia dos elementos 22 e 25. Após alguns anos em que as restaurações em resina não eram mais favoráveis biologicamente, foi planejado um tratamento reabilitador estético com laminados cerâmicos através do planejamento digital do sorriso logo após a finalização do tratamento ortodôntico. Este relato de caso demonstra que as altas expectativas estéticas, funcionais e psicológicas de uma paciente com comprometimento de defeito congênito ao longo de sua vida foram atendidas por meio de um tratamento odontológico multidisciplinar baseado em diagnóstico correto e planejamento digital (AU)

Corn Cob as a Green Support for Laccase Immobilization-Application on Decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R.

The high demand for food and energy imposed by the increased life expectancy of the population has driven agricultural activity, which is reflected in the larger quantities of agro-industrial waste generated, and requires new forms of use. Brazil has the greatest biodiversity in the world, where corn is one of the main agricultural genres, and where over 40% of the waste generated is from cobs without an efficient destination. With the aim of the valorization of these residues, we proposed to study the immobilization of laccase from Aspergillus spp. (LAsp) in residual corn cob and its application in the degradation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye. The highest yields in immobilized protein (75%) and residual activity (40%) were obtained at pH 7.0 and an enzyme concentration of 0.1 g.mL-1, whose expressed enzyme activity was 1854 U.kg-1. At a temperature of 60 °C, more than 90% of the initial activity present in the immobilized biocatalyst was maintained. The immobilized enzyme showed higher efficiency in the degradation (64%) of RBBR dye in 48 h, with improvement in the process in 72 h (75%). The new biocatalyst showed operational efficiency during three cycles, and a higher degradation rate than the free enzyme, making it a competitive biocatalyst and amenable to industrial applications.

The industrial versatility of Gluconobacter oxydans: current applications and future perspectives.

Gluconobacter oxydans is a well-known acetic acid bacterium that has long been applied in the biotechnological industry. Its extraordinary capacity to oxidize a variety of sugars, polyols, and alcohols into acids, aldehydes, and ketones is advantageous for the production of valuable compounds. Relevant G. oxydans industrial applications are in the manufacture of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), miglitol, gluconic acid and its derivatives, and dihydroxyacetone. Increasing efforts on improving these processes have been made in the last few years, especially by applying metabolic engineering. Thereby, a series of genes have been targeted to construct powerful recombinant strains to be used in optimized fermentation. Furthermore, low-cost feedstocks, mostly agro-industrial wastes or byproducts, have been investigated, to reduce processing costs and improve the sustainability of G. oxydans bioprocess. Nonetheless, further research is required mainly to make these raw materials feasible at the industrial scale. The current shortage of suitable genetic tools for metabolic engineering modifications in G. oxydans is another challenge to be overcome. This paper aims to give an overview of the most relevant industrial G. oxydans processes and the current strategies developed for their improvement.

Is There Any Association between the Severity of Disc Degeneration and Low Back Pain?

Objective To access the possibility that higher degrees of disc degeneration lead to higher levels of pain and dysfunction. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 85 patients with low back pain lasting for more than 12 weeks were evaluated, and the degree of disc degeneration was quantified according to the Pfirrmann grading system. The Pfirrmann degree in each disc space from L1-L2 to L5-S1, the maximum degree of Pfirrmann (Pfirrmann-max) between the lumbar discs, and the sum of Pfirrmann (Pfirrmann-sum) degrees were correlated (through the Spearman test) with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) for pain. Results In total, 87% of the patients had moderate to severe lumbar disc degeneration measured by Pfirrmann-max, and the most degenerated discs were L4-L5 and L5-S1. There was a week to moderate correlation regarding the Pfirrmann-max (r = 0,330; p = 0.002) and the Pfirrmann-sum (r = 0,266; p = 0,037) and the ODI, and the Pfirrmann scores in L1-L2 were correlated with the ODI and the VAS. Conclusion Patients with chronic idiopathic low back pain frequently have moderate to severe lumbar disc degeneration, which has a negative impact on the quality of life of the patients. Low degrees of degeneration in L1-L2 might be related with higher degrees of pain and of functional disability.

Is There Any Association between the Severity of Disc Degeneration and Low Back Pain? / Existe alguma associação entre gravidade de degeneração discal e dor lombar?

Abstract Objective To access the possibility that higher degrees of disc degeneration lead to higher levels of pain and dysfunction. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 85 patients with low back pain lasting for more than 12 weeks were evaluated, and the degree of disc degeneration was quantified according to the Pfirrmann grading system. The Pfirrmann degree in each disc space from L1-L2 to L5-S1, the maximum degree of Pfirrmann (Pfirrmannmax) between the lumbar discs, and the sum of Pfirrmann (Pfirrmann-sum) degrees were correlated (through the Spearman test) with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) for pain. Results In total, 87% of the patients had moderate to severe lumbar disc degeneration measured by Pfirrmann-max, and the most degenerated discs were L4-L5 and L5S1. There was a week to moderate correlation regarding the Pfirrmann-max (r » 0,330; p» 0.002) and the Pfirrmann-sum (r » 0,266; p» 0,037) and the ODI, and the Pfirrmann scores in L1-L2 were correlated with the ODI and the VAS. Conclusion Patients with chronic idiopathic low back pain frequently have moderate to severe lumbar disc degeneration, which has a negative impact on the quality of life of the patients. Low degrees of degeneration in L1-L2 might be related with higher degrees of pain and of functional disability.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a possibilidade de maiores graus de degeneração discal levarem a maiores dor e disfunção. Métodos Exames de imagem por ressonância magnética (IRM) de 85 pacientes com lombalgia idiopática por mais de 12 semanas foram avaliados, sendo quantificado o grau de degeneração discal de acordo com a escala de Pfirrmann. O grau de Pfirrmann em cada espaço discal de L1-L2 a L5-S1, o grau máximo de Pfirrmann (Pfirrmann-max) entre os discos lombares, e a soma dos graus de Pfirrmann (Pfirrmann-soma) foram correlacionados (por meio do teste de Spearman) com o Índice de Incapacidade de Oswestry (IIO) e a escala visual analógica (EVA) de dor. Resultados No total, 87% dos pacientes tinha degeneração discal moderada ou acentuada medida pelo Pfirrmann-max, sendo L4-L5 e L5-S1 os discos mais degenerados. Houve uma correlação de fraca a moderada entre o Pfirrmann-max (r » 0,330; p» 0.002) e a Pfirrmann-soma (r » 0,266; p» 0,037) e o IIO, e entre o grau de Pfirrmann em L1-L2 e o IIO e a EVA. Conclusão A degeneração discal lombar moderada ou acentuada é frequente em indivíduos com lombalgia crônica idiopática, e tem um impacto negativo na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Pequenos graus de degeneração discal em L1-L2 podem determinar maior grau de dor e maior incapacidade funcional.

Transtorno de personalidade borderline em homens: uma revisão integrativa / Borderline personality disorder in men: an integrative review

OBJETIVO: Apresentar e sistematizar as principais evidências científicas a respeito do transtorno de personalidade borderline em homens (TPB). MÉTODO: Durante o período de abril de 2021, realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura científica acerca da temática em questão, sendo utilizados os descritores indexados no DeCS: Transtorno da Personalidade Borderline; Transtorno da Personalidade Limítrofe; Masculino; Fatores Desencadeantes; Cognição; Neurobiologia; Comportamento Social. Para realizar a pesquisa, os descritores foram combinados nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs e EBCS nos sites de Busca Pubmed e na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde ­ BVS. RESULTADOS: Foi possível identificar algumas alterações comportamentais, de humor e neuropsicológicas em homens com TPB. Dentre as alterações comportamentais, a mais prevalente foi a agressão (37,5% dos artigos). Do mesmo modo, a alteração de humor mais encontrada foi a desregulação emocional (12,5% dos artigos), muito comum em pacientes com TPB; igualmente, as alterações a nível neuropsicológico com maior quantidade de achados envolvem alterações na região da amígdala (20,83% dos artigos), córtex (16,66% dos artigos), bem como o hipocampo (16,66% dos artigos), regiões essenciais para o controle do humor e tomada de decisão. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível concluir que existem algumas alterações comportamentais, de humor e neuropsicológicas que são mais prevalentes no gênero masculino, sobretudo aquelas que envolvem agressão, raiva e seus fatores neuropsicológicos associados. Dito isso, considera-se que a sistematização dessas informações contribui na identificação e controle dos casos de TPB em homens, assim como colabora para o desenvolvimento científico do campo da psicopatologia em relação aos processos que envolvem tal patologia.

OBJECTIVE: To present and systematize the main scientific evidence regarding borderline personality disorder (BPD) in men. METHOD: During April 2021, there was an integrative review of the scientific literature on the subject in question, using the descriptors indexed in the DeCS: Borderline Personality Disorder; Male; Precipitating Factors; Cognition; Neurobiology; Social Behavior. To perform a search, the descriptors were combined in the Medline, Lilacs, and EBCS databases on the search site Pubmed and the Virtual Health Library ­ VHL. RESULTS: It was possible to identify some behavioral, mood, and neuropsychological changes in men with BPD. Among behavioral changes, the most prevalent is aggression (37.5% of articles). Likewise, the mood alteration most commonly found was emotional dysregulation (12.5% of the articles), very common in patients with BPD; similarly, the neuropsychological alterations with the highest number of findings involve alterations in the amygdala region (20.83% of the articles), cortex (16.66% of the articles), and the hippocampus (16.66% of the articles), essential regions for mood control and decision making. CONCLUSION: It was possible to conclude that there are some behavioral, mood, and neuropsychological changes that are more prevalent in males, especially those that involve aggression, anger, and their associated neuropsychological factors. That said, it is considered that the systematization of this information contributes to the identification and control of cases of BPD in men and contributes to the scientific development of the field of psychopathology concerning the processes involving such pathology.

Meridional changes in the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre during Heinrich Stadials.

Subtropical ocean gyres play a key role in modulating the global climate system redistributing energy between low and high latitudes. A poleward displacement of the subtropical gyres has been observed over the last decades, but the lack of long-term monitoring data hinders an in-depth understanding of their dynamics. Paleoceanographic records offer the opportunity to identify meridional changes in the subtropical gyres and investigate their consequences to the climate system. Here we use the abundance of planktonic foraminiferal species Globorotalia truncatulinodes from a sediment core collected at the northernmost boundary of the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre (SASG) together with a previously published record of the same species from the southernmost boundary of the SASG to reconstruct meridional fluctuations of the SASG over last ca. 70 kyr. Our findings indicate southward displacements of the SASG during Heinrich Stadials (HS) 6-4 and HS1, and a contraction of the SASG during HS3 and HS2. During HS6-4 and HS1, the SASG southward displacements likely boosted the transfer of heat to the Southern Ocean, ultimately strengthening deep-water upwelling and CO2 release to the atmosphere. We hypothesize that the ongoing SASG poleward displacement may further increase oceanic CO2 release.

Autobiographical Memory and Episodic Specificity Across Different Affective States in Bipolar Disorder.

Autobiographical memory is essential to ground a sense of self-identity, contributing to social functioning and the development of future plans, and being an essential source for the psychiatric interview. Previous studies have suggested loss of autobiographical episodic specificity in unipolar depression, but relatively fewer investigations have been conducted in bipolar disorder (BD) patients, particularly across different mood states. Similarly, there is a scarcity of systematic investigations about mood-congruent and mood-dependent memory in relation to autobiographical memory in BD. Considering this, a total of 74 patients with BD (24 in euthymia, 26 in mania, and 24 in depression) responded with autobiographical memories to cue words belonging to four categories: mania, depression, BD, and neutral. Episodic specificity was scored according to the Autobiographical Interview, with high intra- and inter-rater reliability. Results indicated that patients in mania generally re-experience more episodic details than those in depression. Depressed bipolar patients reported fewer details of perception and less time integration of memories than those in euthymia or mania. Words linked to depression and BD induced greater episodic re-experiencing than neutral words, just as words about BD provided greater episodic re-experiencing and more details of emotion/thoughts than words about mania. Words linked to depression provoked more time details about the recalled episodes than words on BD or neutral themes. No mood-congruent or mood-dependent effects were observed. Current findings may improve the ability of clinicians to conduct psychiatric interviews and the diagnosis of BD, with special attention to how memory details are generated across different mood states of the condition. Additionally, interventions to foster autobiographical recollection in BD may be developed, similar to what has already been done in the context of schizophrenia.

Biochemical and phylogenetic characterization of the wastewater tolerant Chlamydomonas biconvexa Embrapa|LBA40 strain cultivated in palm oil mill effluent.

The increasing demand for water, food and energy poses challenges for the world´s sustainability. Tropical palm oil is currently the major source of vegetable oil worldwide with a production that exceeds 55 million tons per year, while generating over 200 million tons of palm oil mill effluent (POME). It could potentially be used as a substrate for production of microalgal biomass though. In this study, the microalgal strain Chlamydomonas biconvexa Embrapa|LBA40, originally isolated from a sugarcane vinasse stabilization pond, was selected among 17 strains tested for growth in POME retrieved from anaerobic ponds of a palm oil industrial plant located within the Amazon rainforest region. During cultivation in POME, C. biconvexa Embrapa|LBA40 biomass productivity reached 190.60 mgDW • L-1 • d-1 using 15L airlift flat plate photobioreactors. Carbohydrates comprised the major fraction of algal biomass (31.96%), while the lipidic fraction reached up to 11.3% of dry mass. Reductions of 99% in ammonium and nitrite, as well as 98% reduction in phosphate present in POME were detected after 5 days of algal cultivation. This suggests that the aerobic pond stage, usually used in palm oil industrial plants to reduce POME inorganic load, could be substituted by high rate photobioreactors, significantly reducing the time and area requirements for wastewater treatment. In addition, the complete mitochondrial genome of C. biconvexa Embrapa|LBA40 strain was sequenced, revealing a compact mitogenome, with 15.98 kb in size, a total of 14 genes, of which 9 are protein coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the strain taxonomic status within the Chlamydomonas genus, opening up opportunities for future genetic modification and molecular breeding programs in these species.

Decolorization and detoxification of different azo dyes by Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME-446 under submerged fermentation.

Azo dyes are widely used in the textile industry due to their resistance to light, moisture, and oxidants. They are also an important class of environmental contaminant because of the amount of dye that reaches natural water resources and because they can be toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic. Different technologies are used for the decolorization of wastewater containing dyes; among them, the biological processes are the most promising environmentally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain ME-446 to safely decolorize three azo dyes: Direct Yellow 27 (DY27), Reactive Black 5 (RB5), and Reactive Red 120 (RR120). Decolorization efficiency was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and the phytotoxicity of the solutions before and after the fungal treatment was analyzed using Lactuca sativa seeds. P. chrysosporium ME-446 was highly efficient in decolorizing DY27, RB5, and RR120 at 50 mg L-1, decreasing their colors by 82%, 89%, and 94% within 10 days. Removal of dyes was achieved through adsorption on the fungal mycelium as well as biodegradation, inferred by the changes in the dyes' spectral peaks. The intensive decolorization of DY27 and RB5 corresponded to a decrease in phytotoxicity. However, phytotoxicity increased during the removal of color for the dye RR120. The ecotoxicity tests showed that the absence of color does not necessarily translate to an absence of toxicity.

Estratégias de enfrentamento para manutenção da saúde mental do trabalhador em tempos de Covid-19: Uma Revisão Integrativa / Strategies for worker's mental health maintenance in Covid-19 times: An Integrative Review

OBJETIVO: Apresentar evidências científicas de possíveis estratégias que podem ser empregadas em trabalhadores para minimização de sofrimento psíquico decorrente do contexto pandêmico. MÉTODO: Durante o mês de maio e junho de 2020 realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura científica acerca da temática em questão, sendo utilizados os descritores indexados no DeCS: estratégias de enfrentamento; infecções por coronavírus; saúde mental e trabalhadores. Para realizar a pesquisa, os descritores foram combinados nas bases de dados Pepsic, Pubmed e Scielo. RESULTADOS: Foi possível identificar as seguintes estratégias de enfrentamento de caráter preventivo: medidas de identificação precoce dos sintomas mentais, medidas regulares de descanso e treinamento de pessoal. Assim como, foi possível evidenciar medidas de promoção em saúde mental aos trabalhadores, tais como: utilização de primeiros socorros psicológicos; participação de grupos terapêuticos; gerenciamento de crises. E, na área da reabilitação em saúde mental: utilização de técnicas de meditação e mindfulness, tanto para serem executadas por profissionais de saúde, no âmbito organizacional, quanto por ações governamentais. CONCLUSÃO: Considera-se que a informação de técnicas e práticas psicológicas voltadas a saúde psíquica do trabalhador possa contribuir na identificação e controle dos riscos psicossociais e colaborar para o desenvolvimento no campo da Saúde Pública em relação aos processos de saúde-doença dos trabalhadores, em especial, dos agravos a saúde mental derivados da pandemia.

OBJECTIVE: To present scientific evidence of possible strategies that can be used in workers to minimize psychological distress resulting from the pandemic context. METHOD: During the month of May and June 2020, an integrative review of the scientific literature was carried out on the subject in question, using the descriptors indexed in the DeCS: coping strategies; coronavirus infections; mental health and workers. To carry out the research, the descriptors were combined in the Pepsic, Pubmed and Scielo databases. RESULTS: It was possible to identify the following preventive coping strategies: measures for early identification of mental symptoms, regular measures of rest and training of personnel. As well, it was possible to highlight measures to promote mental health to workers, such as: use of psychological first aid; participation of therapeutic groups; crisis management. And, in the area of mental health rehabilitation: use of meditation and mindfulness techniques, both to be performed by health professionals, at the organizational level, as well as by government actions. CONCLUSION: It is considered that the information on psychological techniques and practices aimed at the worker's psychological health can contribute to the identification and control of psychosocial risks and collaborate for the development in the field of Public Health in relation to the workers' health-illness processes, in particular, of the mental health problems resulting from the pandemic.

Sodium dichloroacetate attenuates the growth of B16-F10 melanoma in vitro and in vivo: an opportunity for drug repurposing.

Sodium dichloroacetate (DCA) is a metabolic regulator used to treat diabetes. Since DCA inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, decreasing lactic acid formation, it can reverse the Warburg effect in cancer cells, promoting apoptosis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential of DCA as a drug repurposing candidate for the treatment of melanoma. For the in-vitro assay, murine B16-F10 melanoma cells were treated with 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 20 or 50 mM DCA for 3 days, analyzed with the crystal violet method. The in-vivo effect of DCA was evaluated in B16-F10 tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice treated with different doses of DCA (0, 25, 75 or 150 mg/kg) by gavage for 10 days, followed by measurement of tumor volume. Upon necropsy, representative slices of lung, liver, kidney, spleen and intestine were collected, processed and submitted for histopathological examination. The DCA concentrations of 10, 20 and 50 mM reduced B16-F10 cell viability after 48 and 72 h of treatment, whereas 20 and 50 mM were effective after 24 h of treatment. A significant reduction in tumor growth was observed in B16-F10 melanoma bearing mice at all doses, with no change in body weight or histology. DCA attenuates the growth of B16-F10 melanoma in vitro and in vivo, without systemic toxic effects. Therefore, DCA is a candidate for drug repurposing against melanomas.