Correlação Inexistente entre o Ciclo Lunar no Trabalho de Parto e Ruptura Prematura de Membranas em uma Amostra de Parturientes do Sul de Santa Catarina / No Correlation between the Lunar Cycle in Labor and Premature Rupture of Membranes in a Sample of Parturients from Southern Santa Catarina

Introdução: De acordo com as culturas mais antigas, a luz da lua é responsável pela fertilidade da terra e concepção dos animais, estendendo esse entendimento ao organismo materno. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a ocorrência de trabalho de parto e ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares nas diferentes fases da lua e em suas mudanças. Métodos: Amostra composta por gestantes admitidas em um hospital do sul de Santa Catarina por trabalho de parto ou ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares, no ano de 2018, baseado em informações obtidas pela análise de prontuários. Resultados: Houve discreto aumento do número de partos na lua nova (19,2%) e mudança para lua nova (11,7%), porém sem significância estatística. Motivo de internação, via de parto e paridade não estiveram associados à lua e suas mudanças de fase. Não se observou relação entre meses do ano e motivo de internação. Conclusão: Verificou-se que a lua e suas mudanças de fase não denotaram um maior número de admissões hospitalares por trabalho de parto ou ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares, contrariando a crença popular.

Introduction: According to ancient cultures, the moonlight is responsible for the fertility of the earth and the conception of animals, extending this understanding to the maternal organism. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of labor and premature rupture of ovular membranes in different phases of the moon and its changes. Methods: The sample was composed of pregnant women admitted to a hospital in southern Santa Catarina for labor or premature rupture of ovular membranes in 2018, based on information obtained by analyzing medical records. Results: There was a slight increase in the number of deliveries during the new moon (19.2%) and a change to the new moon (11.7%) but without statistical significance. Reason for hospitalization, mode of delivery, and parity were not associated with the moon and its phase changes. No relationship was observed between the months of the year and the reason for hospitalization. Conclusion: It was verified that the moon and its phase changes did not denote a higher number of hospital admissions for labor or premature rupture of ovular membranes, contrary to popular belief.

Panorama of Bacterial Infections Caused by Epidemic Resistant Strains.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical obstacle to public health worldwide, due to the high incidence of strains resistant to available antibiotic therapies. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of resistant epidemic strains, associated with this, public health authorities have been alarmed about a possible scenario of uncontrolled dissemination of these microorganisms and the difficulty in interrupting their transmission, as nosocomial pathogens with resistance profiles previously considered sporadic. They become frequent bacteria in the community. In addition, therapy for infections caused by these pathogens is based on broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, which favors an increase in the tolerance of remaining bacterial cells and is commonly associated with a poor prognosis. In this review, we present the current status of epidemic strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis, extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL), Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), and-New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NDM).

The enzymes in COVID-19: A review.

COVID-19 brought a scientific revolution since its emergence in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Initially, the SARS-CoV-2 virus came to attention through its effects on the respiratory system. However, its actions in many other organs also have been discovered almost daily. As enzymes are indispensable to uncountable biochemical reactions in the human body, it is not surprising that some enzymes are of relevance to COVID-19 pathophysiology. Past evidence from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV outbreaks provided hints about the role of enzymes in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this setting, ACE-2 is an enzyme of great importance since it is the cell entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Clinical data elucidate patterns of enzymatic alterations in COVID-19, which could be associated with organ damage, prognosis, and clinical complications. Further, viral mutations can create new disease behaviors, and these effects are related to the activity of enzymes. This review will discuss the main enzymes related to COVID-19, summarizing the findings on their role in viral entry mechanism, the consequences of their dysregulation, and the effects of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on them.

Biological Potential of Products Obtained from Palm Trees of the Genus Syagrus.

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries by communities worldwide, as they have diverse biological properties and are effective against numerous diseases. The genus Syagrus stands out for its versatility and for so many activities presented by these palm trees, mainly due to its rich chemical and fatty acid compositions. The genus has antibacterial potential, has antibiofilm, antiparasitic, antioxidant, prebiotic, antiulcerogenic, anticholinesterase, and hypoglycemic activities, and can produce biodiesel, amid others. Among all species, Syagrus coronata and Syagrus romanzoffiana stand out, presenting the greatest number of activities and applications. The secondary metabolites obtained from these palm trees present high activity even in low concentrations and can be used against infections and chronic diseases. Furthermore, these plants have been used in some communities for years and have presented healing properties, especially in inflammatory processes. Therefore, the Syagrus genus proves to be promising, which shows a lot of therapeutic potential.

Characterization of brain acetylcholinesterase of bentonic fish Hoplosternum littorale: Perspectives of application in pesticides and metal ions biomonitoring.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) is a serine hydrolase, whose main function is to modulate neurotransmission at cholinergic synapses. It is, therefore, the primary target of some pesticides and heavy metals. Its inhibition in aquatic organisms has been used as an indicator of the presence of these pollutants in water bodies. The present study aimed to characterize physicochemical and kinetic parameters of brain AChE in the benthic fish Hoplosternum littorale and to analyze the in vitro effects of pesticides (dichlorvos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, parathion-methyl, temephos, carbaryl, carbofuran, aldicarb, diflubenzuron, novaluron and pyriproxyfen) and metal ions (As3+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Mg2+, K+, Pb2+, Hg2+, Zn2+) investigating the potential of this enzyme as environmental biomarker based on current regulations. Specific substrates and inhibitors have indicated AChE to be the predominant cholinesterase (ChE) in the brain of H. littorale. Peak activity was observed at pH 8.0 and 30 °C. The enzymatic activity is otherwise moderately thermostable (≈ 50% activity at 45 °C). The enzyme can reduce the activation energy of acetylthiocholine hydrolysis reaction to 8.34 kcal mol-1 while reaching a rate enhancement of 106. Among the pesticides under study, dichlorvos presented an IC50 value below the maximum concentrations allowed by legislation. This study presents the first report on the inhibition of brain AChE activity from Siluriformes by the pesticides novaluron and pyriproxyfen. Mercury ion also exerted a strong inhibitory effect on its enzymatic activity. The H. littorale enzyme thus has the potential to function as an in vitro biomarker for the presence of the pesticide dichlorvos as well as mercury in areas of mining and industrial discharge.

Trypsin purification using magnetic particles of azocasein-iron composite.

This work presents an inexpensive, simple and fast procedure to purify trypsin based on affinity binding with ferromagnetic particles of azocasein composite (mAzo). Crude extract was obtained from intestines of fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) homogenized in buffer (01g tissue/ml). This extract was exposed to 100mg of mAzo and washed to remove unbound proteins by magnetic field. Trypsin was leached off under high ionic strength (3M NaCl). Preparation was achieved containing specific activity about 60 times higher than that of the crude extract. SDS-PAGE showed that the purified protein had molecular weight (24kDa) in concordance with the literature for the Nile tilapia trypsin. The mAzo composite can be reused and applied to purify trypsin from other sources.

Prevalência de maloclusões em escolares de baixo nível socioeconômico / Prevalence of malocclusion in schoolchildren with low socioeconomic status

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a prevalência de maloclusões em escolares de 5 a 7 anos, com baixo nível socioeconômico e contribuir para o planejamento de ações de intervenção em Uberaba, Minas Gerais. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas, aleatoriamente, três escolas públicas para participarem do estudo localizadas nos três distritos sanitários da cidade. As crianças foram examinadas em ambiente escolar por examinadora e auxiliares treinadas. Foi examinado o universo de crianças, cujos responsáveis consentiram a participação no estudo. O instrumento de coleta de dados utilizou itens que constam nas classificações de Fisk e Moyers e outros auxiliares no diagnóstico das maloclusões. Para verificar a relação entre as variáveis foi realizado o teste qui-quadrado. Os dados foram analisados no programa estatístico SPSS 14.0 e o nível de significância adotado foi α<0,05. RESULTADOS: Apresentaram algum tipo de maloclusão 87,7 por cento das crianças, sendo que 55,8 por cento de pele branca ou parda e oclusão tipo I (χ2 = 39,210 p<0,0001). Apresentaram fala normal 88,6 por cento, porém as crianças com 6 anos apresentaram um índice elevado de anormalidade na fala (49,2 por cento), quando comparadas às demais (χ2 = 18,455 p<0,05). A prevalência de mordida cruzada foi igual a 12,6 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência das maloclusões apresentou-se alta em escolares de 5 a 7 anos de baixo nível socioeconômico em Uberaba, Minas Gerais. Há necessidade de elaboração de propostas de orientação para as crianças e seus familiares, envolvendo o sistema de saúde pública municipal para a adoção de estratégias preventivas.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prevalence of malocclusion in children 5 to 7 years, with low socioeconomic status, and contribute to the planning of interventions in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: We randomly selected three schools to participate in the study, located in three health districts. Children were examined in the school environment by trained examiners and assistants. We examined the population of children whose parents consented for their children to participate in the study. The instrument used for data items contained in the classifications of Fisk and Moyers and other aid in the diagnosis of malocclusion. The relationship between malocclusion and collected variables was determined using chi-square test. The data were analyzed with SPSS 14.0 and the level of significance was set at α < 0.05. RESULTS: 87.7 percent of children had some type of malocclusion, and 55.8 percent had white skin or brown and occlusion type I (χ2 = 39.210 p<0.0001). 88.6 percent had normal speech, and children under 6 years showed a high rate of abnormality in speech (49.2 percent) compared with other children (χ2 = 18.455 p<0.05). The prevalence of crossbite was 12.6 percent. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of malocclusion was high in children 5 to 7 years with low socioeconomic status in Uberaba, MG. It is important to develop guidelines for children and their families and to involve the public health system to implement preventive strategies.

Defining chlorophyll-a reference conditions in European lakes.

The concept of "reference conditions" describes the benchmark against which current conditions are compared when assessing the status of water bodies. In this paper we focus on the establishment of reference conditions for European lakes according to a phytoplankton biomass indicator--the concentration of chlorophyll-a. A mostly spatial approach (selection of existing lakes with no or minor human impact) was used to set the reference conditions for chlorophyll-a values, supplemented by historical data, paleolimnological investigations and modelling. The work resulted in definition of reference conditions and the boundary between "high" and "good" status for 15 main lake types and five ecoregions of Europe: Alpine, Atlantic, Central/Baltic, Mediterranean, and Northern. Additionally, empirical models were developed for estimating site-specific reference chlorophyll-a concentrations from a set of potential predictor variables. The results were recently formulated into the EU legislation, marking the first attempt in international water policy to move from chemical quality standards to ecological quality targets.

[Alice Michaud--devotion and glory: the first nurse in Paraná]. / Alice Michaud--dedicação e glória: a primeira enfermeira do Paraná.

This study is about a part of Alice Michaud's biography, the first nurse in Parana and the first ABEn-PR's president, majored in 1948, being the third group of the Nursing School in São Paulo-USP The facts stated here were obtained from periodicals, recorded interviews with the honored nurse and after her death by documents given by the family. The data permitted to identify the source, the formation, the main work developed, the homages and the public acknowledgment of this nurse. This is the first, out of a series of registers, to be done standing out the life and work of Alice Michaud.

Alice Michaud: dedicação e glória: a primeira enfermeira do Paraná / Alice Michaud: devotion and glory: the first nurse in Paraná / Alice Michaud: dedicación y glória: la primera enfermera del Paraná

Trata-se de um recorte da biografia de Alice Michaud, a primeira enfermeira do Paraná e primeira presidente da ABEn-PR, formada em 1948, na terceira turma da Escola de Enfermagem de São Paulo-USP. Os fatos aqui relatados foram obtidos por meio de: periódicos, entrevistas gravadas com a própria homenageada, e após a sua morte, por documentos fornecidos pela família. Os dados permitiram identificar a origem, a formação, os principais trabalhos desenvolvidos, as homenagens e o reconhecimento público desta enfermeira. Este é um primeiro de uma série de registros a serem produzidos ressaltando vida e obra de Alice Michaud.

This study is about a part of Alice Michaud's biography, the first nurse in Paraná and the first ABEn-PR's president, majored in 1948, being the third group of the Nursing School in São Paulo-USP. The facts stated here were obtained from periodicals, recorded interviews with the honored nurse and after her death by documents given by the family. The data permitted to identify the source, the formation, the main work developed, the homages and the public acknowledgment of this nurse. This is the first, out of a series of registers, to be done standing out the life and work of Alice Michaud.

Se trata de un recorte de la biografía de Alice Michaud, la primera enfermera del Paraná y primera presidente de la ABEn-Pr, graduada en 1948, en la tercera turma de la Escuela de Enfermería de São Paulo-USP. Los hechos aqui relatados fueron adquiridos por medio de: periódicos, encuestas grabadas con la propia homenajeada y después de su muerte, por documentos ofrecidos por la família. Los dados permitieron identificar el origen, la formación, los principales trabajos desarrollados, los homenajes y el reconocimiento público de esta enfermera. Este es uno primero de una serie de registros de los cuales seran produzidos, resaltando vida e obra de Alice Michaud.

Educação em saúde para o cuidado de si com pacientes diabéticos / Education in health for the cre of itself with diabetic patients

Trata-se de um estudo desenvolvido com o intuito de desenvolver técnica de educação em saúde para pacientes diabéticos, da área de abrangência da Unidade de Saúde Lotiguaçu. Realizamos visitas domiciliares a pacientes diabéticos, observando sua inserção social bem como hábitos de vida. Verificamos que os profissionais são capazes através da educação em saúde, de conscientizar os pacientes diabéticos sobre sua condição, hábitos e cuidado de si, porém devemos criar formas de adequar nossa linguagem profissional à realidade do paciente, de modo a traduzir as informações técnicas para o diabético.

[Detection of extracellular protease in Mucor species]. / Mucormicosis cutánea primaria en un paciente con virus de la immunodeficiencia humana.

The fungi are characterized by their abilities to produce and secrete enzymes to the external environment. The species of genus Mucor are a group of fungal microbes with important biotechnological potential, which are responsible for production of industrial enzymes. This work evaluated the ability of protease production in twelve species of genus Mucor. The strains were kept for 120 h under the incubation temperature of 28 degrees C on a shaker at 120 rpm. The detection of proteolytic activity was evaluated in all species, the higher activity was detected in Mucor racemosus Fres. f. chibinensis (Neophytova) Schipper.

Screening of Mucor spp. for the production of amylase, lipase, polygalacturonase and protease

Fungi are well known by their ability to excrete enzymes into the environment. Among them, representatives of Mucor Fresen. Have important biotechonological potential and some of them produce industrial enzymes. This work studied amylase, lipase, polygalacturonase and protease production by fifty-six isolates of Mucor belonging to 11 different taxa, selected from herbivores dung using solid media. The results showed that the majority of the isolates presented several enzymatic activities with predominance of polygalacturonase (96 percent), followed by amylase (84 percent), protease (82 percent) and lipase (66 percent).

Coprinaceae en el campus de la Universidad Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pe., Brasil / Coprinaceae at Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE., Brazil

En este trabajo se determinan los hongos superiores (Coprinaceae), que habitan en el Campus de la Universidad Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE., Brasil. Se estudiaron nueve especies comprendidas en las subfamilias coprinoideae y panaeoloideae, con los géneros coprinus y panaeolus respectivamente. Coprinus está representado por las especies c. auricomus, c. brunneo-fibrillosus, c.fimetarius, c. jamaicensis, c. lagopus, c. niveus, c. plicatilis y c. subimpatiens. Del género panaeolus sólo fue identificada una especie: panaeolus antillarium. C.auricomus, c. brunneo-fibrillosus, c. jamaicensis y c., subimpatiens, son aparentemente las primeras citas para Brasil