Intercropping on Mars: A promising system to optimise fresh food production in future martian colonies.

Future colonists on Mars will need to produce fresh food locally to acquire key nutrients lost in food dehydration, the primary technique for sending food to space. In this study we aimed to test the viability and prospect of applying an intercropping system as a method for soil-based food production in Martian colonies. This novel approach to Martian agriculture adds valuable insight into how we can optimise resource use and enhance colony self-sustainability, since Martian colonies will operate under very limited space, energy, and Earth supplies. A likely early Martian agricultural setting was simulated using small pots, a controlled greenhouse environment, and species compliant with space mission requirements. Pea (Pisum sativum), carrot (Daucus carota) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were grown in three soil types ("MMS-1" Mars regolith simulant, potting soil and sand), planted either mixed (intercropping) or separate (monocropping). Rhizobia bacteria (Rhizobium leguminosarum) were added as the pea symbiont for Nitrogen-fixing. Plant performance was measured as above-ground biomass (g), yield (g), harvest index (%), and Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium content in yield (g/kg). The overall intercropping system performance was calculated as total relative yield (RYT). Intercropping had clear effects on plant performance in Mars regolith, being beneficial for tomato but mostly detrimental for pea and carrot, ultimately giving an overall yield disadvantage compared to monocropping (RYT = 0.93). This effect likely resulted from the observed absence of Rhizobia nodulation in Mars regolith, negating Nitrogen-fixation and preventing intercropped plants from leveraging their complementarity. Adverse regolith conditions-high pH, elevated compactness and nutrient deficiencies-presumably restricted Rhizobia survival/nodulation. In sand, where more favourable soil conditions promoted effective nodulation, intercropping significantly outperformed monocropping (RYT = 1.32). Given this, we suggest that with simple regolith improvements, enhancing conditions for nodulation, intercropping shows promise as a method for optimising food production in Martian colonies. Specific regolith ameliorations are proposed for future research.

REAC Neurobiological Modulation as a Precision Medicine Treatment for Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and psychopathological symptoms, often associated with central pain modulation failure and dysfunctional adaptive responses to environmental stress. The Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology is a neuromodulation technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of some REAC treatments on psychomotor responses and quality of life in 37 patients with FS. Tests were conducted before and after a single session of Neuro Postural Optimization and after a cycle of 18 sessions of Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (NPPO), using evaluation of the functional dysmetria (FD) phenomenon, Sitting and Standing (SS), Time Up and Go (TUG) tests for motor evaluation, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) for quality of life. The data were statistically analyzed, and the results showed a statistically significant improvement in motor response and quality of life parameters, including pain, as well as reduced FD measures in all participants. The study concludes that the neurobiological balance established by the REAC therapeutic protocols NPO and NPPO improved the dysfunctional adaptive state caused by environmental and exposomal stress in FS patients, leading to an improvement in psychomotor responses and quality of life. The findings suggest that REAC treatments could be an effective approach for FS patients, reducing the excessive use of analgesic drugs and improving daily activities.

Improving Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease Patients through REAC Neuromodulation Treatments for Mood and Behavioral Disorders.

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects both motor and non-motor functions, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Currently, it remains a challenge to distinguish the correlation between these aspects and their impact on one another. To try to clarify these reciprocal influences, in this study we have used specific radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology neuromodulation treatments for behavioral mood disorders and adjustment disorders. In particular, we employed the neuro-postural optimization (NPO) and neuro-psycho-physical optimization (NPPOs) treatments. The study enrolled randomly 50 subjects of both genders previously diagnosed with Parkinson's disease for at least six months. Prior to and following REAC NPO and NPPOs treatments, we assessed the subjects using functional dysmetria (FD) evaluation, five times sit to stand test (FTSST) for postural stability, and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) for quality of life (QLF) evaluation. The positive results produced by the REAC NPO and NPPOs neuromodulation treatments, specific for mood and adaptation disorders, on dysfunctional motor disorders, and quality of life confirm how the non-motor components can condition the symptomatology of Parkinsonian motor symptoms. These results also highlight the usefulness of REAC NPO and NPPOs treatments in improving the overall quality of life of these patients.

REAC Antalgic Neuro Modulation in Chronic Post Herpetic Neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic post-herpetic neuralgia (CPHN) is a symptomatic condition that afflicts adults and elderly individuals. The chronicity of this symptomatology can be conditioned by the epigenetic modifications induced by the virus on the processes of neurotransmission and sensitivity to pain. The aim of this study is to investigate whether manipulating endogenous bioelectrical activity (EBA), responsible for neurotransmission processes and contributing to the induction of epigenetic modifications, can alleviate pain symptoms. METHODS: This manipulation was carried out with the antalgic neuromodulation (ANM) treatment of radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology. Pain assessment before and after treatment was performed using a numerical analog scale (NAS) and a simple descriptive scale (SDS). RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed an over four-point decrease in NAS scale score and over one point decrease in SDS scale score, with a statistical significance for both tests of p < 0.005. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study demonstrate how REAC ANM manipulation of EBA can lead to improvement in epigenetically conditioned symptoms such as CPHN. These results should prompt further research to expand knowledge and ensure optimized therapeutic outcomes.

Neuro Postural Optimization Neuromodulation Treatment of Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer Technology on Stress and Quality of Life in Institutionalized Children in a Capital City of the Brazilian Amazon.

Background The deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry is defined as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and is a common phenomenon among living organisms. This deviation from perfection is thought to reflect the environmental pressures experienced during development and, therefore, the FA represents an epigenetic measure of the environmental stress, which affects all living beings from conception, progressively affecting all aspects of life. Rinaldi and Fontani hypothesized that the FA morpho-functional changes are originated by an adaptive motor behavior determined by functional alterations in the cerebellum and neural circuits, not caused by a lesion, but induced by the experienced environmental stress. They identified in the asymmetric activation of symmetrical muscle groups, detectable even in healthy subjects, the expression of the dysfunctional adaptation state of the subject and named this clinical semeiotic phenomenon functional dysmetria (FD). On these premises, they developed the radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, a neuromodulation technology aimed at optimizing the best neuro-psycho-motor strategies in relation to environmental interaction. Neuro postural optimization (NPO) is a neurobiological stimulation treatment administered with the REAC technology and it has been specifically studied to treat the state of dysfunctional adaptation that is revealed through the presence of FD. Aim The purpose of this study was to verify whether a single administration of the REAC NPO treatment can trigger the improvement of the capacity of stress management and the quality of life in a population of children housed in a group home in Macapá, Brazil. Materials and methods The sample of this study consisted of nine children (six boys and three girls) in the age group of 6-11 years, which represented the totality of the children present in the structure. The children was investigated for the assessment of the presence of functional dysmetria and with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM 4.0 (PedsQL) before and one week after the administration of the REAC NPO. Results The stable disappearance of FD was found in all children at follow-up. In addition, improvements were found in stress management and quality of life, in the physical, emotional, social, and scholastic aspects evaluated with PedsQL. Conclusions It was seen that the REAC NPO neurobiological modulation treatment induced the stable disappearance of FD and triggered the initial improvement of neurophysical aspects also in a population of children housed in a group home in the Amazon region of Macapá, Brazil.

REAC Neuromodulation Treatments in Depression, Anxiety and Stress. A Comparative Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the effects of two different modalities of administration of the neuro psycho physical optimization (NPPO) neuromodulation treatment, applied with radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) biotechnology devices. Both the modalities are aimed at improving the strategies to deal with and optimize the allostatic response to environmental stressors and exposome. This allows to reduce the dysfunctional adaptive behavior patterns, which underlie many neuropsychological symptoms and pathologies, and to improve the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a population of subjects experiencing at least two of the three symptoms depression, anxiety and stress, the selection of pre and post-treatment Depression, Anxiety, Stress 21 items scale (DASS 21) data was made proceeding with a reverse chronological recruitment mechanism, until reaching 150 subjects for each of the 2 groups. The first group was treated with the neuro psycho physical optimization treatment (NPPO), which is the punctiform modality of administration on the auricle pavilion, and the second group was treated with the neuro psycho physical optimization treatment, which is the area modality of administration applied by the planar probe on the cervicobrachial area (NPPO-CB). RESULTS: The Wilcoxon signs test confirmed the differences in scores in pre and post-treatment DASS-21. The comparison between the two groups data and the comparison across groups data showed that NPPO and NPPO-CB have the same efficacy in reducing the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, after a single treatment cycle. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. DISCUSSION: This is the first efficacy descriptive comparison between the two different modalities of administration of the NPPO treatment, as different options for the same clinical indication.

Prenatal exposure to alcohol impairs social play behavior in adolescent male mice.

Prenatal ethanol exposure affects brain development and causes neural impairment, leading to both cognitive and behavioral consequences in the offspring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to small amounts of alcohol on social play behavior in adolescent male offspring. Swiss mice were prenatally exposed to ethanol by feeding pregnant dams with a liquid diet containing 25% alcohol-derived calories during gestation (alcohol group). They were then compared to both pair-fed dams that received an isocaloric liquid diet containing 0% alcohol-derived calories (pair-fed group) and dams with ad libitum access to a liquid control diet (control group). Additionally, maternal behavior was evaluated in terms of neural activation indexed via c-fos expression in the prefrontal cortex. Although dams exposed to alcohol during pregnancy did not alter their maternal behavior, the offspring presented a decrease in their social play behavior compared with both control and pair-fed offspring. The decrease in social play behavior may be associated with a decrease in number of c-fos-positive cells in the prefrontal cortex. The exposure to small amounts of alcohol during intrauterine development causes both a deficit in social play behavior and a reduction in the neuronal activity seen in the prefrontal cortex.

Intervenções cardíacas fetais / Fetal cardiac interventions

As anomalias cardíacas são as malformações congênitas mais fraquentes, sendo importantes causas de mortalidade no primeiro ano de vida e tendo impacto significativo nos índices de mortalidade infantil. Nas últimas décadas. a cardiologia pediátrica experimentou significativo desenvolvimento sendo impulsionada por avanços tecnológicos e científicos, melhorias das técnicas de ecocardiografia, novas técnicas cirúrgicas e intervencionistas, dispositivos intracardíacos e aparelhos de assistência circulatória...

[Systemic lupus erythematosus and allergy: an integrative review of the literature]. / Lupus eritematoso sistêmico e alergias: uma revisão integrativa da literatura.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate, in the literature, the existence of studies that relate the occurrence of allergic diseases in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: For the study, we used the model of integrative literature review. This was developed in stages: selection of hypotheses or questions for review, selection of research to write the review sample, defining the characteristics of primary research that comprise the review sample, interpretation and reporting the results of the review. For the electronic search of the literature it was used databases of health sciences in general (LILACS, MEDLINE / PubMed and SciELO). We included original full articles, published between 1982 and 2012 in English, Portuguese or Spanish, to evaluate clinical and laboratory aspects of the association between SLE and allergy. RESULTS: The literature review found twenty-four articles that met the inclusion criteria previously established. Most of the studies demonstrated higher allergic diseases prevalence in SLE patients and/or their family members when compared to a control group without the disease, that suggests a possible genetic similarity between the two diseases. There was also an increase in serum IgE levels in SLE patients, which correlated with the presence of allergic reactions and disease activity in some studies. However, were observed in some studies results contrary to these. In addition, some articles have evaluated the association between sex hormones, SLE and allergies, and suggests the ability of estrogen to be related to hyperresponsiveness to endogenous or exogenous antigens. CONCLUSION: The association between allergic diseases, adverse drug reactions and increasing of serum levels of IgE and the presence of SLE remains controversial. Most of the articles analyzed in this review demonstrated an association between allergic diseases and SLE. In Addition, they showed that the increase of serum levels of IgE in patients with SLE is correlated with disease activity. After this integrative review, we conclude that there is need to expand the studies on the relation between these two diseases, for to clarify all doubts of the subject.

Implicações clínicas da exposição pré-natal à cocaína a curto e longo prazo: uma revisão da literatura / Short-term and long-term clinical implications of prenatal cocaine exposure: a literature review

O uso de drogas de abuso, lícitas e ilícitas, como álcool, tabaco, maconha e cocaína é grande, inclusive entre mulheres gestantes, especialmente em grandes centros urbanos, representando um problema de saúde pública. A exposição pré-natal à cocaína e ao crack, um subproduto da cocaína, tem sido amplamente estudado nas últimas décadas. Embora os primeiros estudos, iniciados na década de 1980, quando houve o surgimento do crack e um grande aumento do uso da droga, previssem catástrofes relacionadas a toxicidade, teratogenicidade e síndrome de abstinência, muitos trabalhos ao longo desse período trouxeram novas perspectivas, sugerindo efeitos mais sutis na prole dessas mulheres. Através de revisão da literatura o presente estudo analisa os diversos aspectos relacionados à exposição pré-natal à cocaína no período neonatal e infância.

Curso de atualização em emergências médicas: aula 18: insuficiência hepatica aguda / Course of updating in medical emergencies: class 18: acute hepatic failure

A insuficiência hepática aguda (IHA) é uma síndrome clínica extremamente grave, de diagnóstico precoce difícil, evolução rápida e alta mortalidade. Nesta revisão buscamos reunir as informações mais atuais sobre classificação, etiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento, discutindo as diversas controvérsias sobre o tema. O diagnóstico da IHA é difícil e engloba o quadro clínico e laboratorial de hepatite aguda (grave), tempo de protrombina alargado, com qualquer alteração do sensório, além de pesquisa cuidadosa na história do paciente, incluindo o uso de medicações ou ervas e presença de diagnóstico prévio de hepatopatia. O diagnóstico etiólogico inclui infecções virais, medicamentos e toxinas, causas cardíacas e vasculares, metabólicas, além da hepatite autoimune, doenças de Wilson e neoplasias. O tratamento da IHA é dado em duas etapas, sendo a primeira constituída pelas medidas de suporte, prevenção e tratamento das complicações, que devem ser oferecidas a todos os pacientes, e a segunda pelas medidas específicas, que serão direcionadas dependendo da etiologia. O transplante hepático é a única terapia definitiva para os pacientes que não conseguem o restabelimento da função hepática.

Acute hepatic failure (AHF) is one extremely serious clinical syndrome of difficult pre-emptive diagnosis, rapid evolution and high mortality. In this review we summarized the current information regarding its classification, etiology, diagnosis and treatment, and discussed the controversies about the issue. The diagnosis of the AHF is difficult and includes laboratorial and clinical findings of severe acute hepatitis, increased prothrombin time and presence of hepatic encephalopathy. It is necessary that a careful history of the patient be obtained especially with respect to utilization of medications, herbs as well as the presence of previous diagnosis of liver disease. The possible etiologies include viral infections, cardiac and vascular affections, medications and toxins, metabolic causes, auto-immune hepatitis, Wilson's disease and neoplasm. The treatment of AHF requires support measures, prevention and treatment of complications that must be offered all patients and specific measures which should be offered according to the etiology of AHF. Liver transplant is the only definitive therapy for patients who do not recover the hepatic function.

Ser médico no PSF: formação acadêmica, perspectivas e trabalho cotidiano / Physicians in the Family Health Program: academic training, perspectives, and routine clinical work

Este trabalho investiga a formação acadêmica e a motivação de médicos do Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF) para atuarem na área e as vivências adquiridas. Trata-se de estudo exploratório, descritivo e qualitativo. As categorias de análise foram: carência de formação em atenção básica na escola médica e início da carreira; trabalho cotidiano do médico; visita domiciliar; relação multiprofissional na equipe; trabalho médico - realização profissional, rotatividade e falta de perspectivas; compreensão da população acerca do PSF. Os profissionais optaram pelo PSF por motivações pessoais, havendo pouco destaque e preparação para a atividade na graduação. Foi mencionada a importância dos agentes comunitários, do trabalho em grupos e das visitas domiciliares, apesar de alguns referirem impossibilidade de efetuar os dois últimos itens. Há insatisfação profissional devido a sobrecarga de trabalho, dificuldades no relacionamento multiprofissional, falta de retorno financeiro e de reconhecimento de outros profissionais e da população. Foram apontados falta de apoio e vontade política necessários ao êxito do programa. A pesquisa permitiu identificar falta de articulação entre escola médica e gestão municipal na formação de profissionais para atuação no PSF.

This study focuses on the academic training, motivations, and experiences of physicians participating in Brazil's Family Health Program (FHP). This was a descriptive and exploratory study, and the categories under analysis were: lack of training in primary care during medical school and in the early medical career; the physician's routine work; home visits; multidisciplinary teamwork; medical work - professional fulfillment, staff turnover, and lack of perspectives; the population's knowledge of the FHP. Professionals chose to work in the FHP as a result of their personal motivation, and there was little specific emphasis or preparation during their undergraduate medical training. They highlighted the importance of community health agents, group activities, and home visits in the FHP, although some reported difficulty in performing the latter two. Professional dissatisfaction exists as a result of work overload, difficulties in multidisciplinary relations, and insufficient financial compensation and acknowledgment by other professionals and the population. Interviewees emphasized the lack of support and political will that are necessary for the program's success. The study allowed identifying a lack of collaboration between medical schools and municipal health system management in training professionals to work in the FHP.

Quem "liga" para o psiquismo na escola médica? A experiência da Liga de Saúde Mental da FMB - Unesp / Who "cares" about the psyche in medical school? The experience with the Mental Health League at the school of medicine, State University of São Paulo, Brazil

A importância da saúde mental nas práticas em saúde fez surgir nas escolas médicas a demanda por uma capacitação aprimorada dos graduandos nessa área. Este artigo tem como principal objetivo descrever a experiência da Liga Acadêmica de Saúde Mental (LISM) da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Unesp como atividade de ensino extracurricular. Relatam-se sua formação, objetivos, dificuldades iniciais, composição, modo de funcionamento e principais atividades desenvolvidas desde 2004. Acredita-se que a LISM tem tido êxito em complementar a formação médica nessa área, pois atua na prevenção e promoção da saúde, incluindo atividades voltadas à saúde mental dos estudantes. Discute-se também criticamente a atuação das Ligas de Saúde Mental nas escolas médicas, incluindo alguns riscos, como o de favorecer a especialização precoce em Psiquiatria, de aumentar a falsa dicotomia entre saúde física e mental ou simplesmente reproduzir atividades acadêmicas oficiais. Tais atividades extracurriculares não devem desmobilizar a comunidade acadêmica na luta pela valorização, integração e inserção sistemática e longitudinal de temas de saúde mental no currículo oficial dos cursos de graduação, indispensáveis à adequada formação dos médicos generalistas.

Considering the importance of mental health for general health practice, there has been an increasing demand by medical students for better training in this area. The main aim of the present article is to describe the experience of the Students' League on Mental Health (LISM) at the Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), in teaching mental health contents as extracurricular activities. The article describes the initial difficulties in the league's organization, as well as its structure and functioning and the main activities developed by the students since it was founded in 2004. The LISM has been successful in complementing medical training in this area, since it encompasses preventive and health promotion activities, including those targeting the students' own mental health. Some concerns regarding the role of students' leagues in mental health in medical schools are also discussed, including the risks of favoring early specialization in psychiatry, fueling the false dichotomy between physical and mental health, and simply reproducing regular curricular activities. These leagues should not discourage the academic community from struggling to value, integrate, and systematically include mental health themes in the official curriculum, which are indispensable to proper training of general practitioners.

Formando grupos no internato: critérios de escolha, satisfação e sofrimento psíquico / Formation of groups during internship: selection criteria, satisfaction, and psychological distress

OBJETIVO: Descrever os critérios para formação de grupos no internato e a avaliação que os alunos fazem do relacionamento grupal, analisando as variáveis associadas. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, que utilizou questionário autopreenchido, com perguntas sobre dados sociodemográficos, autoavaliação do desempenho escolar, critérios para formação e satisfação com grupo de internato. Sofrimento psíquico foi avaliado a partir do Self Report Questionnaire. Utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado e regressão logística para análise multivariada. RESULTADOS:A taxa de resposta no internato foi de mais de 90 por cento. A maioria dos alunos utilizou critérios ligados à rede social (82,6 por cento) e predominaram sujeitos satisfeitos com seu grupo (81,2 por cento). Após análise multivariada, apenas autoavaliação do desempenho escolar "boa ou ótima" e critérios de escolha relacionados à rede de apoio se mantiveram associados à satisfação com o grupo. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de ser um estágio da formação profissional, os alunos se escolheram por questões ligadas à rede social. Sendo uma profissão na qual o trabalho em equipe é inerente, deveriam ser criadas estratégias durante o curso médico para elaborar as dificuldades de relacionamento grupal entre alunos de Medicina.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the criteria used in forming groups during medical internship and the students' evaluation of group relations, including analysis of the associated variables. METHOD: Cross-sectional study using self-completed questionnaires consisting of questions on socio-demographic data, self-rating of academic performance, selection criteria, and satisfaction with the group of interns. Psychological distress was assessed based on the Self-Report Questionnaire. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Response rate among interns was over 90 percent. The majority of the students used criteria related to the social network (82.6 percent) and reported satisfaction with their groups (81.2 percent). After multivariate analysis, only "good or excellent" self-evaluated academic performance and selection criteria related to the support network remained associated with group satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Although internship is a stage of professional training, in this study students chose each other based on reasons related to social networking. Given that teamwork is inherent to the medical profession, strategies should be created during the course to help students overcome their difficulties with group relations in order to reduce stress and improve training.