Age and sex-dependent gut alterations in mice induced by neonatal immune activation with lipopolysaccharide.

Neonatal immune activation (NIA) through exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces adult behavioral changes in rodents that resemble symptoms of developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. The neonatal timing of LPS exposure appears to play a crucial role in determining the nature and extent of long-term changes. This study aims to explore whether a 3-day LPS-NIA triggers sex- and age-related changes in gut function, potentially linking LPS-NIA to gastrointestinal dysfunction. Male and female Swiss mice received intraperitoneal injections of LPS or saline on postnatal days (PN) 3, 5, and 7. At PN35 (juvenile) and PN70 (adult), gut inflammation and oxidative stress were evaluated in addition to assessments of working memory, depressive-like symptoms, sociability, and repetitive behavior. Gut examination showed elevated C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) in LPS-NIA mice, while MyD88 and Zonulin expressions were significantly higher only in adult LPS-NIA females. Interleukin (IL)-23 expression increased in juvenile and adult male and juvenile female LPS-NIA mice. Oxidative changes included decreased duodenal reduced glutathione (GSH) in juvenile females and ileal GSH in adult females exposed to LPS-NIA. Regarding behavioral alterations, adult LPS-NIA females exhibited depressive-like behavior. Working memory deficits were observed across all LPS-NIA groups. Only juvenile LPS-NIA females increased grooming, while rearing was higher in adult LPS-NIA mice of both sexes. The findings imply that LPS-NIA impacts intestinal barrier function and causes gut inflammatory alterations that are sex- and age-specific. These findings pave the way for exploring potential mechanisms that could contribute to LPS-induced gastrointestinal disturbances among individuals with ASD.

Anethole Prevents the Alterations Produced by Diabetes Mellitus in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats.

Anethole is a terpenoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuronal blockade effects, and the present work was undertaken to study the neuroprotective activity of anethole against diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced neuropathy. Streptozotocin-induced DM rats were used to investigate the effects of anethole treatment on morphological, electrophysiological, and biochemical alterations of the sciatic nerve (SN). Anethole partially prevented the mechanical hyposensitivity caused by DM and fully prevented the DM-induced decrease in the cross-sectional area of the SN. In relation to electrophysiological properties of SN fibers, DM reduced the frequency of occurrence of the 3rd component of the compound action potential (CAP) by 15%. It also significantly reduced the conduction velocity of the 1st and 2nd CAP components from 104.6 ± 3.47 and 39.8 ± 1.02 to 89.9 ± 3.03 and 35.4 ± 1.56 m/s, respectively, and increased the duration of the 2nd CAP component from 0.66 ± 0.04 to 0.82 ± 0.09 ms. DM also increases oxidative stress in the SN, altering values related to thiol, TBARS, SOD, and CAT activities. Anethole was capable of fully preventing all these DM electrophysiological and biochemical alterations in the nerve. Thus, the magnitude of the DM-induced neural effects seen in this work, and the prevention afforded by anethole treatment, place this compound in a very favorable position as a potential therapeutic agent for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Participação social, complexidade e formação em saúde: narrativas dos monitores da 17ª CNS sobre aprendizagens emancipatórias, democráticas e de fazeres profissionais diversos e plurais / Social participation, complexity and health training: narratives of the 17th CNS monitors on emancipatory, democratic learning and diverse and plural professional practices

Com muita alegria, apresentamos a vocês, leitoras e leitores, uma das primeiras produções oficiais da 17ª Conferência Nacional de Saúde (17ª CNS), realizada em Brasília (DF), em julho de 2023. Este livro é uma coletânea que reúne diversos capítulos das monitoras e monitores formados pelo curso "'Fazendo manhãs' para a saúde e a democracia: participação social e políticas de saúde" e que atuaram na etapa prática da 17ª CNS. Os capítulos são, na verdade, narrativas que discorrem sobre a vivência na conferência que, dentre muitas características, foi marcada pelo retorno da democracia. Nunca é excessivo ou tarde demais lembrar que superamos as tentativas nefastas que ameaçaram e colocaram em risco todas as vidas no período de 2019 a 2022. Superar a crise humanitária causada pela covid-19 e o governo fascista do período mencionado, responsável pela disseminação de "fake news", ódio e incitação à violência, são fatos lembrados pelos diversos autores do livro, desde a apresentação. Viver em sociedade implica necessariamente em viver politicamente, pois cada interação e decisão que tomamos contribui para a estruturação do ambiente social e para a busca contínua do bem-estar comum. Essa compreensão ampliada, apresentada de diversas formas nos capítulos, nos ajuda a reconhecer as esferas da vida e a assumir o nosso papel como agentes ativos na construção de comunidades mais justas e coesas e na defesa do SUS e da democracia.

Body Composition and Its Interaction with Bone Mineral Density and Biochemical and Nutritional Parameters in Chilean Adults with Overweight/Obesity and Normal Weight.

This study aimed to compare and relate the body composition (obtained through anthropometry with the pentacompartmental model and the tricompartmental model by DXA) with bone mineral density and biochemical and nutritional parameters in Chilean adults with overweight/obesity and normal weight from La Araucanía region, Chile. A case-control study was conducted with 116 adults and volunteers from the PURE cohort, collecting sociodemographic data, BMI assessment, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body composition using the pentacompartmental model (5CM) and tricompartmental model (3CM) by DXA, as well as bone mineral density (BMD). Blood biochemical parameters (fasting glucose and lipid profile), physical activity (PA) measured by GPAQ, and average dietary habits (R24h) were measured. In the overweight/obesity group, the 5CM and 3CM adipose mass were indirectly and moderately correlated with PA (p < 0.05), except in the male 5CM group. In the overweight/obesity group, muscle and fat-free mass (FFM) of the 5CM and 3CM correlated directly and moderately with blood fasting glucose (BFG) and BMD (p < 0.05), except in females, where FFM was not related to BMD but was related to residual mass (p < 0.01). Independent of gender and BMI, bone mineral content was positively and highly correlated with BMD (p < 0.0000). In the male overweight/obesity group, bone, skin, and residual mass were correlated with BFG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, for the assessment of non-athletic adult populations, more routine use of the 5CM in clinical practice is recommended.

Sensitivity and antioxidant response of forest species seedlings to the atrazine under simulated conditions of subsurface water contamination.

Atrazine is an herbicide with a high soil leaching capacity, contaminating subsurface water sources. Once the water table is contaminated, riparian species can be exposed to atrazine. In this way, understanding the impacts of this exposure must be evaluated for planning strategies that minimize the effects of this herbicide on native forest species. We aimed to evaluate forest species' sensitivity and antioxidant response to exposure to subsurface waters contaminated with atrazine, as well the dissipation this herbicide. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design, with three replications and one plant per experimental unit. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 10 factorial. The first factor corresponded to the presence or absence (control) of the atrazine in the subsurface water. The second factor comprised 10 forest species: Amburana cearensis, Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Bauhinia cheilantha, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Hymenaea courbaril, Libidibia ferrea, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Mimosa tenuiflora, Myracrodruon urundeuva, and Tabebuia aurea. The forest species studied showed different sensitivity levels to atrazine in subsurface water. A. cearensis and B. cheilantha species do not have efficient antioxidant systems to prevent severe oxidative damage. The species A. macrocarpa, E. contortisiliquum, L. ferrea, and M. caesalpiniifolia are moderately affected by atrazine. H. courbaril, M. urundeuva, and T. aurea showed greater tolerance to atrazine due to the action of the antioxidant system of these species, avoiding membrane degradation events linked to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Among the forest species, H. courbaril has the most significant remedial potential due to its greater tolerance and reduced atrazine concentrations in the soil.

Bioguided Fractionation of Phyllanthus spp.: Unveiling Anticancer Potential through Metabolomic Correlation and ADMETox Insights.

Cancer remains a significant global health concern, with mortality rates steadily rising and prompting an urgent search for effective treatments. This study focuses on the medicinal properties of plants from the Phyllanthus genus, specifically Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus niruri, which have shown promise in traditional medicine. Through bioguided fractionation using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), bioactive compounds were isolated and identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MSE) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Chemometric analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA) aided in understanding metabolite distribution. Biological assays demonstrated cytotoxic activities of specific fractions against cancer cell lines, notably the PhyN 4n fraction from P. niruri, which induced S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HL60 cells. These findings underscore the anticancer potential of Phyllanthus species and lay the groundwork for future drug development efforts. The study's integration of advanced analytical techniques, chemometrics, and biological assays provides valuable insights for harnessing natural products in the fight against cancer.

Herbicide Leaching in Soil with Different Properties: Perspectives from Commercial Formulations and Analytical Standards.

The leaching of herbicides into the soil is essential to control germinating seeds and parts of vegetative weeds. However, herbicide transportation to deeper soil layers can result in groundwater contamination and, consequently, environmental issues. In this research, our objective was to investigate differences in herbicide leaching between commercial formulations and analytical standards using three different soils. Leaching experiments were carried out for diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl herbicides isolated and in binary and ternary mixtures. The herbicide residue quantification was performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Diuron had less mobility in soils and was retained in the most superficial layers. Hexazinone and sulfometuron-methyl were more mobile and leached into deeper layers. The leaching process was more intense for hexazinone and sulfometuron-methyl. The additives present in the commercial formulation favored the leaching in soils of diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl herbicides isolated and mixture compared to the analytical standard. This fact highlights the importance of considering these effects for the positioning of herbicides in the field to increase the efficiency of weed control and minimize the potential for environmental contamination.

A polyphenol-rich açaí seed extract protects against 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in mice through the TLR-4/MyD88/PI3K/mTOR/NF-κBp65 signaling pathway.

Açaí seed extract (ASE) is obtained from Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) plant (Amazon region) has high nutritional and functional value. ASE is rich in polyphenolic compounds, mainly proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins can modulate the immune system and oxidative stress by inhibiting the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. A great deal of evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of intestinal mucositis, and these events can lead to intestinal dysmotility. We hypothesized that ASE acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound in intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) through modulation of the TLR-4/MyD88/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase α/mechanistic target of rapamycin/NF-κBp65 pathway. The animals were divided into linear 5-FU (450 mg/kg) and 5-FU + ASE (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg) groups. The weight loss of the animals was evaluated daily. Samples from duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were obtained for histopathological, biochemical, and functional analyses. ASE reduced weight loss, inflammatory parameters (interleukin-1ß; tumor necrosis factor-α; myeloperoxidase activity) and the gene expression of mediators involved in the TLR-2/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. ASE prevented histopathological changes with beneficial effects on gastrointestinal transit delay, gastric emptying, and intestinal absorption/permeability. In conclusion, ASE protects the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier by inhibiting the TLR/MyD88/PI3K/mechanistic target of rapamycin/NF-κBp65 pathway.

Atuação do enfermeiro perfusionista na cirurgia cardíaca / Role of the perfusion nurse in cardiac surgery / La actuación del enfermero perfusionista en la cirugía cardíaca

Objetivo: Analisar a atuação do enfermeiro perfusionista na cirurgia cardíaca. Método: Estudo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvida em ambiente virtual no período de 1 a 30 de junho de 2022. Amostra intencional, não probabilística, constituída de 14 enfermeiros perfusionistas. Os dados foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Emergiram duas categorias temáticas: Atuação do enfermeiro perfusionista na circulação extracorpórea e A relevância da interação do enfermeiro com os membros da equipe durante a cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea. Os relatos identificaram que o enfermeiro perfusionista realiza inúmeras atribuições que vão desde o histórico de enfermagem, até o preparo e a escolha de materiais, circuitos, dispositivos e maquinários para a condução da circulação extracorpórea. Destaca-se a interação desse profissional com os demais membros da equipe no tocante à comunicação a fim de minimizar riscos e obter resultado cirúrgico positivo para o paciente. Conclusão: A atividade do enfermeiro perfusionista é complexa e necessita de um rigoroso preparo teórico-prático, especializações reconhecidas pelos órgãos competentes, bem como frequentes atualizações mesmo já sendo um profissional experiente. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the role of the perfusionist nurse in cardiac surgery. Method: Exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted in a virtual environment from June 1st to June 30th, 2022. The sample consisted of 14 perfusionist nurses, selected intentionally and non-probabilistically. Data were analyzed through Bardin's content analysis. Results: Two thematic categories emerged: the role of the perfusionist nurse in extracorporeal circulation and the relevance of the nurse's interaction with team members during cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. The reports identi-fied that the perfusionist nurse performs numerous tasks ranging from nursing history to the preparation and selection of materials, circuits, devices, and machinery for extracorporeal circulation. The interaction of this professional with other team members regarding communication stands out, aiming to minimize risks and achieve positive surgical outcomes for the patient. Conclusion: The activity of the perfusionist nurse is complex and requires rigo-rous theoretical-practical preparation, recognized specializations by competent bodies, as well as frequent updates even for experienced professionals

Objetivo: Analizar el papel del enfermero de perfusión en la cirugía cardíaca. Método: Estudio exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo, desarrol-lado en ambiente virtual durante el período del 1 al 30 de junio de 2022. Muestra intencional, no probabilística, compuesta por 14 enfermeros de perfu-sión. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: Surgieron dos categorías temáticas: El papel del enfermero perfusionista en circulación extracorporea y la relevancia de la interacción del enfermero con los miembros del equipo durante la cirugía cardíaca con circulación extracorporea. Los informes identificaron que el enfermero perfusionista desempeña numerosas atribuciones que van desde el historial de enfermería hasta la preparación y elección de materiales, circuitos, dispositivos y maquinaria para la conducción de la circulación extracorporea. Se des-taca la interacción de este profesional con los demás miembros del equipo en lo que respecta a la comunicación para minimizar riesgos y obtener resulta-dos quirúrgicos positivos para el paciente. Conclusión: La actividad del enfermero de perfusión es compleja y requiere una preparación teórico-práctica rigurosa, especializaciones reconocidas por los órganos competentes, así como actualizaciones frecuentes incluso siendo un profesional experimentado

Doxycycline reversal of amphetamine-induced mania-like behavior is related to adjusting brain monoamine abnormalities and antioxidant effects in primary hippocampal neurons.

Mania is associated with disturbed dopaminergic transmission in frontotemporal regions. D-amphetamine (AMPH) causes increased extracellular DA levels, considered an acknowledged mania model in rodents. Doxycycline (DOXY) is a second-generation tetracycline with promising neuroprotective properties. Here, we tested the hypothesis that DOXY alone or combined with Lithium (Li) could reverse AMPH-induced mania-like behavioral alterations in mice by the modulation of monoamine levels in brain areas related to mood regulation, as well as cytoprotective and antioxidant effects in hippocampal neurons. Male Swiss mice received AMPH or saline intraperitoneal (IP) injections for 14 days. Between days 8-14, mice receive further IP doses of DOXY, Li, or their combination. For in vitro studies, we exposed hippocampal neurons to DOXY in the presence or absence of AMPH. DOXY alone or combined with Li reversed AMPH-induced risk-taking behavior and hyperlocomotion. DOXY also reversed AMPH-induced hippocampal and striatal hyperdopaminergia. In AMPH-exposed hippocampal neurons, DOXY alone and combined with Li presented cytoprotective and antioxidant effects, while DOXY+Li also increased the expression of phospho-Ser133-CREB. Our results add novel evidence for DOXY's ability to reverse mania-like features while revealing that antidopaminergic activity in some brain areas, such as the hippocampus and striatum, as well as hippocampal cytoprotective effects may account for this drug's antimanic action. This study provides additional rationale for designing clinical trials investigating its potential as a mood stabilizer agent.

Polysaccharides from exudate gums of plants and interactions with the intestinal microbiota: A review of vegetal biopolymers and prediction of their prebiotic potential.

Polysaccharides in plant-exuded gums are complex biopolymers consisting of a wide range of structural variability (linkages, monosaccharide composition, substituents, conformation, chain length and branching). The structural features of polysaccharides confer the ability to be exploited in different industrial sectors and applications involving biological systems. Moreover, these characteristics are attributed to a direct relationship in the process of polysaccharide enzymatic degradation by the fermentative action in the gut microbiota, through intrinsic interactions connecting bacterial metabolism and the production of various metabolites that are associated with regulatory effects on the host homeostasis system. Molecular docking analysis between bacterial target proteins and arabinogalactan-type polysaccharide obtained from gum arabic allowed the identification of intermolecular interactions provided bacterial enzymatic mechanism for the degradation of several arabinogalactan monosaccharide chains, as a model for the study and prediction of potential fermentable polysaccharide. This review discusses the main structural characteristics of polysaccharides from exudate gums of plants and their interactions with the intestinal microbiota.

Anxiolytic effects of N-(4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1,2-dithiolo-[4,3,b]-pyrrole-6-yl)-N-methylformamide, a pyrroloformamide isolated from a marine Streptomyces sp., in adult zebrafish by the 5-HT system.

General anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health problems worldwide. The emergence and development of anxiety disorders can be due to genetic (30-50%) or non-genetic (50-70%) factors. Despite medical progress, available pharmacotherapies are sometimes ineffective or can cause undesirable side effects. Thus, it becomes necessary to discover new safe and effective drugs against anxiety. This study evaluated the anxiolytic effect in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) of a natural pyrroloformamide (PFD), N-(4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1,2-dithiolo-[4,3,b]-pyrrole-6-yl)-N-methylformamide, isolated from a Streptomyces sp. bacterium strain recovered from the ascidian Eudistoma vannamei. The complete structure of PFD was determined by a detailed NMR analysis, including 1H-13C and 1H-15N-HBMC data. In addition, conformational and DFT computational studies also were performed. A group of fishes (n = 6) was treated orally with PFD (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL; 20 µL) and subjected to locomotor activity and light/dark tests, as well as, acute toxicity 96 h. The involvement of the GABAergic and serotonergic (5-HT) systems was investigated using flumazenil (a silent modulator of GABA receptor) and 5-HT1, 5-HT2A/2C and 5-HTR3A/3B receptors antagonists, known as pizotifen, granisetron and cyproheptadine, respectively. PFD was nontoxic, reduced locomotor activity and promoted the anxiolytic effect in zebrafish. Flumazenil did not inhibit the anxiolytic effect of the PFD via the GABAergic system. This effect was reduced by a pretreatment with pizotifen and granisetron, and was not reversed after treatment with cyproheptadine. Molecular docking and dynamics studies confirmed the interaction of PFD with the 5-HT receptor.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Pyrroloformamide (PFD), isolated from the marine Streptomyces sp. associated ascidian Eudistoma vannamei, showed no toxicity in adult zebrafish but reduced its locomotor activity.The structural elucidation of PFD was determined by the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS data.The density functional theory (DFT) study confirmed the existence of two conformers as determined by NMR spectra.The serotonergic system modulated the anxiolytic effect of PFD via the 5-HT receptor in adult zebrafish.Molecular docking and dynamics studies confirmed the interaction of PFD with the 5-HT receptor.

Latin America consensus statement inflammatory bowel disease: importance of timely access to diagnosis and treatment.

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic conditions that negatively interferes with the quality of life of the patients, on a physical, emotional, and social level. Its symptoms can vary including diarrhea, bleeding, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss, depending on the type and location and severity of the disease. Despite evolving treatment, they do not always achieve control of the symptoms, so between 23% and 45% of people with idiopathic chronic ulcerative colitis, and up to 75% of those with Crohn's disease, eventually, will need surgery. Objective: The increase in its incidence in Latin America has promoted a renewed interest on the part of the medical and scientific community in standardizing and unifying criteria for the proper diagnosis and management of the disease, which is part of the current discussions of various events; however, this interest has not yet been reflected in policies and initiatives by governments to address the disease. We decided to develop a consensus meeting in order to elucidate the actual situation of IBD care in our region. Design: The methodology employed to build the consensus document derived from a review of literature, evidence, and policies on IBD, followed by a process of validation and feedback with a group of 10 experts in the field. Methods: Nine experts from different countries in Latin America were reunited in web meetings on 2 days and voted on topics derived from the consensus document. A full agreement with 100% approval was needed, so topics were discussed to reach the consensus otherwise were removed. Results: There is still a lack of information about IBD in Latin America, therefore IBD continues to be an 'invisible' disease and is little recognized by decision-makers. Conclusion: This document describes the current situation of IBDs in the Latin American region, highlighting the main barriers and challenges in timely access to diagnosis and treatment, in order to demonstrate the need to promote the development and implementation of policies, in order to improve the quality of care of patients with IBD.

Inserção do homem na enfermagem universitária piauiense / Inserting man in nursing academic level in the State of Piauí, Brazil / Inserción de hombres en la enfermería universitaria en el Estado de Piauí, Brasil

Objetivo: analisar a inserção do homem, por meio do registro profissional, na enfermagem piauiense. Método: estudo de natureza sócio-histórica fundamentado por pressupostos de Aróstegui, conduzido a partir do número de inscrições no Conselho Regional de Enfermagem do Piauí do período de 1975 a 2021. Os dados foram organizados por ordem cronológica e de acordo com o gênero do inscrito, com análise pautada nos conceitos de Edward Palmer Thompson. Resultados: apesar da primeira inscrição masculina ocorrer apenas em 1979, percebe-se que, desde então, ocorreu um aumento progressivo de homens na enfermagem. Tal progressão é justificada pela reforma universitária, que deu origem a Universidade Federal do Piauí; além da criação do Sistema COFEN/COREN. Considerações finais: a inserção do homem na enfermagem piauiense ocorreu de forma lenta e desigual, quando comparada ao sexo feminino. Fatores sócio-políticos, econômicos e sociais foram essenciais para justificar o crescimento(AU)

Objective: analyze the insertion of men, through professional registration, in nursing in Piauí, Brazil. Method: socio-historical study based on Aróstegui's assumptions, conducted from the number of registrations in the Regional Council of Nursing of Piauí from 1975 to 2021. The data were organized in chronological order and according to the gender of the participant, with analysis based on the concepts of Edward Palmer Thompson. Results: despite the fact that the first male enrollment occurred only in 1979, it is clear that, since then, there has been a progressive increase in the number of men in nursing. Such progression is justified by the university reform, which gave rise to the Federal University of Piauí; in addition to the creation of the COFEN/COREN System. Final considerations: the insertion of men in nursing in Piauí occurred slowly and unevenly, when compared to women. Socio-political, economic and social factors were essential to justify the growth(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la inserción de los hombres, a través del registro profesional, en la enfermería en Piauí, Brasil. Método: estudio de naturaleza sociohistórica basado en los supuestos de Aróstegui, realizado a partir del número de registros en el Consejo Regional de Enfermería de Piauí de 1975 a 2021. Los datos fueron organizados en orden cronológico y según el género del participante, con análisis basado en los conceptos de Edward Palmer Thompson. Resultados: a pesar de que la primera incorporación masculina se produjo recién en 1979, es evidente que, desde entonces, se ha producido un aumento progresivo del número de hombres en enfermería. Tal progresión está justificada por la reforma universitaria, que dio origen a la Universidad Federal de Piauí; además de la creación del Sistema COFEN/COREN. Consideraciones finales: la inserción de los hombres en la enfermería de Piauí ocurrió de manera lenta y desigual, en comparación con la de las mujeres. Los factores sociopolíticos, económicos y sociales fueron esenciales para justificar el crecimiento(AU)

Long-term female bias in sex ratios across life stages of Harpy Eagle, a large raptor exhibiting reverse sexual size dimorphism.

The primary (PSR), secondary (SSR) and adult (ASR) sex ratios of sexually reproducing organisms influence their life histories. Species exhibiting reversed sexual size dimorphism (RSD) may imply a higher cost of female production or lower female survival, thus generating biases in PSR, SSR and/or ASR towards males. The Harpy Eagle is the world's largest eagle exhibiting RSD. This species is found in the Neotropical region and is currently threatened with extinction. We used molecular markers to determine the sex of 309 Harpy Eagles spanning different life stages-eaglets, subadults and adults-from 1904 to 2021 within the Amazon Rainforest and Atlantic Forest. Sex ratios for all life stages revealed a female-biased deviation across all periods and regions. Our results suggest that the population bias towards females is an evolutionary ecological pattern of this species, and SSR and ASR likely emerged from the PSR. This natural bias towards females may be compensated by an earlier sexual maturation age of males, implying a longer reproductive lifespan and a higher proportion of sexually active males. A better understanding of the Harpy Eagle's life history can contribute to understanding sex-role evolution and enable more appropriate conservation strategies for the species.

Caracterização e relação entre variáveis sociodemográficas e prática de atividade física entre adultos / Characterization and relationship between sociodemographic variables and physical activity among adults

Introdução: A realização de atividade física está associada a benefícios à saúde, incluindo bem-estar físico, psicológico e social. A modernidade com sua forma de organização e avanços tem se caracterizado pela diminuição da prática por vários motivos, implicando em consequências aos indivíduos. Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre variáveis sociodemográficas, prática de atividade física e Questionário de Atividade Física (IPAQ). Método: Este estudo transversal de base populacional foi realizado com 526 adultos em um município do Piauí de 2018 a 2021. Foram coletadas variáveis sociodemográficas, prática de atividade física e variáveis referentes ao IPAQ. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas usando os testes Exato de Fisher e U de Mann Whitney. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes eram do sexo feminino, autodeclarados pardos, casados ou em união estável, católicos, com ensino médio completo, trabalho e idade média de 38,57 (38,6) anos. A maioria dos participantes (54,2%) foi classificada como sendo "ativos" quanto às práticas de atividade física, estando essa variável associada ao sexo feminino. As demais variáveis não mostraram associação significativa. Conclusão: As variáveis sociodemográficas e de prática de atividade física estão relacionadas principalmente com o sexo.

Introduction: Physical activity is associated with health benefits, including physical, psychological, and social well-being. Modernity, with its form of organization and advances, has been characterized by a decrease in the practice of physical activity for various reasons, resulting in consequences for individuals. Objective: To analyze the association between sociodemographic variables, practice of physical activity, and the Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Method: This population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 526 adults in a municipality of Piauí from 2018 to 2021. Sociodemographic variables, physical activity practice, and variables related to IPAQ were collected. Statistical analyzes were performed using the Fisher's Exact and Mann Whitney U tests. Results: Most participants were female, self-declared brown skin, married or in a stable union, Catholic, with high school education, job, and a mean age of 38.57 (38.6) years. Most participants (54.2%) were classified as "active" in terms of physical activity, and this variable was associated with the female gender. Other variables showed a non-significant association. Conclusion: Sociodemographic variables and the practice of physical activity are related especially when gender is considered.

The prey of the Harpy Eagle in its last reproductive refuges in the Atlantic Forest.

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is threatened with extinction throughout its distribution in the neotropical forests. In the Atlantic Forest, deforestation has reduced the number of suitable habitats, with only a few remnant forest fragments hosting active nests; currently, the only known nests in this region are in the Central Atlantic Forest Ecological Corridor (CAFEC), in Brazil. Little is known about Harpy Eagle diets in this region, despite this information being essential for developing effective conservation strategies. We classified the composition, frequency, richness, ecological attributes, and conservation status of the species that make up the Harpy Eagle's diet in its last refuges in the CAFEC. Between 2017 and 2021, we collected and analyzed 152 prey remains and 285 camera trap photographs from seven active nests. We identified at least 16 mammal species (96.7%), one parrot and other bird remains (3.3%). The Harpy Eagle's diet consisted mainly of medium-sized arboreal, folivorous, frugivorous, and diurnal mammals. Five prey species are currently threatened with extinction at global, six at national and seven at regional levels. The majority of the diet consists of Sapajus robustus, which is threatened, and Bradypus variegatus, which is not threatened. In addition to the effects of habitat loss and hunting, the Harpy Eagle may also suffer from the decline in the populations of their prey in the Atlantic Forest.

Influence of the acaricide emulsion pH on the effectiveness of spray products to control the cattle tick: laboratory and field investigations.

The current work evaluated the efficacy of 10 commercial acaricides in different pHs (4.5, 5.5, and 6.5) in laboratory (adult immersion tests (AIT), pH evaluation over time) and field assays (tick counts and efficacy). In the AIT (n=70), higher efficacies were obtained when the acaricide emulsion had a more acidic pH (4.5), mainly for two combinations of pyrethroids + organophosphate (acaricide 3 and acaricide 9). For amidine, a higher pH (6.5) showed a higher efficacy. Over time, there was a trend in the pH of these emulsions increasing. When the efficacy of chlorpyrifos + cypermethrin + piperonyl butoxide (acaricide 3) at different pHs was evaluated over time (0, 6, 12, and 24h) by AIT, the less acidic pH (6.5) showed a strongly variation in the acaricide efficacy range. The mean pH of the water samples from different regions of Brazil was 6.5. In the field, the association of pyrethroid + organophosphates (acaricide 9) with pH of 4.5 and 5.5 were more effective in tick control than the emulsion prepared with this same spray formulation at pH 6.5. The pH of the acaricide emulsions is an important point of attention and is recommended that the veterinary industry start to develop/share information regarding how the pH can affect the acaricide efficacy.

Accessing the biotechnological potential of a novel isolated microalga from a semi-arid region of Brazil.

The use of microalgae as a source of food and pharmaceutical ingredients has garnered growing interest in recent years. Despite the rapid growth of the nutraceutical market, knowledge about the potential of bioactive molecules from microalgae remains insufficient. The present study aimed to investigate the biotechnological potential of the green microalga Desmodesmus armatus isolated from a semi-arid region of Brazil. The algal biomass was characterized in terms of gross biochemical composition, exopolysaccharide content, enzymatic inhibition capacity, and antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemolytic activities from solvents of different polarities (water, ethanol, acetone, and hexane). D armatus biomass had 40% of crude protein content, 25.94% of lipids, and 25.03% of carbohydrates. The prebiotic potential of exopolysaccharides from D armatus was demonstrated, which stimulated the growth of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum bacteria strains. Moreover, the enzyme inhibition capacity for the proteases chymotrypsin (34.78%-45.8%) and pepsin (16.64%-27.27%), in addition to α-amylase (24.79%) and lipase (31.05%) was confirmed. The antioxidant potential varied between the different extracts, with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl sequestration values varying between 17.51% and 63.12%, and those of the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method between 6.82% and 22.89%. In the antibacterial activity test, only the ethanolic extract showed inhibition against Listeria sp. (at minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 256 µg mL-1). This fraction also presented the highest significant levels of hemolysis (31.88%-52.45%). In summary, the data presented in the study suggest the presence of biocompounds with biotechnological and nutraceutical potential in the D armatus biomass. Future studies may evaluate the inclusion of this biomass in foods in order to increase their biological value.

Structural study and antimicrobial and wound healing effects of lectin from Solieria filiformis (Kützing) P.W.Gabrielson.

The SfL-1 isoform from the marine red algae Solieria filiformis was produced in recombinant form (rSfL-1) and showed hemagglutinating activity and inhibition similar to native SfL. The analysis of circular dichroism revealed the predominance of ß-strands structures with spectra of ßI-proteins for both lectins, which had Melting Temperature (Tm) between 41 °C and 53 °C. The three-dimensional structure of the rSfL-1 was determined by X-ray crystallography, revealing that it is composed of two ß-barrel domains formed by five antiparallel ß chains linked by a short peptide between the ß-barrels. SfL and rSfL-1 were able to agglutinate strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and did not show antibacterial activity. However, SfL induced a reduction in E. coli biomass at concentrations from 250 to 125 µg mL-1, whereas rSfL-1 induced reduction in all concentrations tested. Additionally, rSfL-1 at concentrations from 250 to 62.5 µg mL-1, showed a statistically significant reduction in the number of colony-forming units, which was not noticed for SfL. Wound healing assay showed that the treatments with SfL and rSfL-1 act in reducing the inflammatory response and in the activation and proliferation of fibroblasts by a larger and fast deposition of collagen.