pH-Sensitive Degradable Oxalic Acid Crosslinked Hyperbranched Polyglycerol Hydrogel for Controlled Drug Release.

pH-sensitive degradable hydrogels are smart materials that can cleave covalent bonds upon pH variation, leading to their degradation. Their development led to many applications for drug delivery, where drugs can be released in a pH-dependent manner. Crosslinking hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG), a biocompatible building block bearing high end-group functionality, using oxalic acid (OA), a diacid that can be synthesized from CO2 and form highly activated ester bonds, can generate this type of smart hydrogel. Aiming to understand the process of developing this novel material and its drug release for oral administration, its formation was studied by varying reactant stoichiometry, concentration and cure procedure and temperature; it was characterized regarding gel percent (%gel), swelling degree (%S), FTIR and thermal behavior; impregnated using ibuprofen, as a model drug, and a release study was carried out at pH 2 and 7. Hydrogel formation was evidenced by its insolubility, FTIR spectra and an increase in Td and Tg; a pre-cure step was shown to be crucial for its formation and an increase in the concentration of the reactants led to higher %gel and lower %S. The impregnation resulted in a matrix-encapsulated system; and the ibuprofen release was negligible at pH 2 but completed at pH 7 due to the hydrolysis of the matrix. A pH-sensitive degradable HPG-OA hydrogel was obtained and it can largely be beneficial in controlled drug release applications.

Revisão integrativa de ferramentas inovadoras para ensino-aprendizagem em anatomia em curso de Medicina / Integrative review of innovative tools for anatomy teaching-learning in medical school

Resumo: Introdução: A educação médica está se adaptando às metodologias e técnicas de aprendizagem com o objetivo de facilitar e melhorar a compreensão dos discentes. Os modelos de metodologia ativa, que podem ser aplicados na forma de Problematização e Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas, incentivam o pensamento crítico dos alunos, e o professor assume a função de mediador. Considerando os avanços tecnológicos e científicos, são necessárias atualizações nos recursos de ensino de anatomia, visando desenvolver uma aprendizagem mais flexível, criativa e interativa. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo apresentar ferramentas inovadoras no ensino-aprendizagem em anatomia no curso de Medicina. Método: Trata-se de revisão integrativa realizada por meio de levantamento bibliográfico, em que se adotaram as etapas metodológicas adequadas e se utilizaram as bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Cochrane. Resultado: Dos 23 artigos selecionados, seis abordaram o uso de modelos tridimensionais; sete trataram de imagens radiológicas; cinco referiram-se à dissecação; seis versaram sobre simuladores, jogos e ambientes computadorizados; e dois ocuparam-se de outras metodologias, sendo que alguns artigos abordam mais de uma metodologia. Os modelos tridimensionais destacam-se por não demandarem investimentos em conservação e procedimentos legais para sua obtenção, como ocorre com os cadáveres. Métodos de diagnóstico por imagem utilizados nas aulas ajudam a compreender a sua importância no diagnóstico e tratamento dos pacientes. Outras duas metodologias encontradas foram o Audience Response System (ARS) e Competency Based Medical Education (CBME). Por fim, a dissecação possui como desvantagem o estado de conservação e escassez das peças, mas é considerada o modo ativo de aprendizagem que contribui para os melhores resultados. Conclusão: As metodologias ativas - das quais as mais prevalentes são os modelos tridimensionais, as imagens radiológicas, a dissecação e os ambientes computadorizados - podem ser vistas como uma alternativa para utilização no ensino da anatomia para o curso de Medicina e permitem que o aluno escolha a melhor técnica de aprendizagem.

Abstract: Introduction: Medical education is adapting, in terms of methodologies and learning techniques, to facilitate and enhance student comprehension. Active learning methodology models, that can be applied as critical analysis and problem-based learning, encourage critical thinking among the students, and the teacher assumes a mediator role. Considering recent technological and scientific advances, the teaching resources use for clinical anatomy training need to be updated, with a view to developing a more flexible, creative and interactive learning experience. Objective: To present innovative tools in the anatomy teaching-learning process at medical school. Methodology: Integrative review performed through bibliographic search in the databases PubMed, Scielo and Cochrane, following appropriate methodological steps. Results: Of the 23 selected articles, six addressed the use of three-dimensional models; seven were about radiology and imaging; five discussed dissection; six were directed at simulators, games and computerized environments; and two articles discussed other methodologies, even though some articles approach more than one methodology. Three-dimensional models are of particular interest since they are acquired free of investment in conservation or legal procedures, unlike cadavers. Image diagnoses methods used in class help students understand their importance in patient diagnosis and treatment. Two other methodologies found were the Audience Response System (ARS) and Competency Based Medical Education (CBME). Finally, dissection presents the disadvantage the state of conservation and scarcity of the pieces, but it is still considered an active learning method that contributes toward better results for students. Conclusion: Active learning methodologies, especially the most prevalent ones, such as three-dimensional models, radiology and imaging, dissection and computerized environments, can be seen as an alternative for use in clinical anatomy training at university and allow the student to choose the best learning technique.

Violence against women during pregnancy and postpartum period: a mixed methods study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Violence against women is a public health problem that poses serious consequences for victims and their environments. The healthcare system struggles to assess this phenomenon during prenatal and postpartum care because of pregnant and postpartum women's potential vulnerabilities. The research protocol presents the aims to evaluate the prevalence of violence, the period(s) in which it occurs, aggressors and forms it takes as well as to explore how violence against women is perceived among pregnant and postpartum women. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This mixed methods study protocol uses an explanatory sequential design and is based on the establishment of meta-inferences that result from the combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Probabilistic sampling will be used to select the study participants: 584 women attending prenatal and/or postpartum care outpatient services at the University of Campinas Women's Hospital, Brazil. The quantitative approach will consist of four validated questionnaires, and the qualitative approach will use focus groups that serve to deepen the understanding of participants' views about the study topic. To create the focus groups, 72 study participants will be invited and divided into 6 groups (3 adolescents and 3 adults) based on age and pregnancy/postpartum condition. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic characteristics and questionnaire results will be used to identify the prevalence and forms of violence experienced by women during the pregnancy-puerperal cycle, the relationships between women and their aggressors, and the existence of a history of violence. A bivariate and multivariate analysis will be performed to identify the association between sociodemographic factors and violence as an outcome. Qualitative data will be analysed through Grounded Theory to understand women's perceptions of the phenomenon studied. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Campinas, Brazil number CAAE: 13426819.1.0000.5404. The results will be disseminated to the health science community.

Different developmental environments reveal multitrait plastic responses in South American Anostomidae fish.

Complex phenotypes result from developmental processes integrating genetic, epigenetic, and environmental information. Although changing environments combine several signals that may induce multitrait plastic responses, literature often decodes developmental plasticity into single trait variation as a function of isolated environmental signals. To address the multivariate nature of developmental plasticity, we evaluated how different combinations of environmental signals influence the development of morphological and behavioral traits. We raised Megaleporinus macrocephalus (Anostomidae) in four different developmental environments, and found that foraging position and structural complexity during development induced different morphotypes, which overlapped with behavioral patterns. Foraging position induced distinct patterns of mouth and fin positioning and overall body shape, which were accentuated by structural complexity. Moreover, fish most often chose conditions similar to their developmental environments. Combined signals during development, therefore, revealed environment-specific phenotypic patterns associating morphology and behavior. Such results endorse the ability of developmental processes to influence the variation present in natural populations. Implications of addressing the multivariate essence of developmental plasticity transcend the evolutionary theory and inspire applications in several fields.

Herpes genital / Genital herpes

O herpes genital é uma doença infectocontagiosa sujeita a recidivas, tendo como agente etiológico duas cepas diferentes do vírus herpes simples (HSV), o tipo 1 (HSV-1) e o tipo 2 (HSV-2). A grande maioria dos casos de herpes genital é causada pelo HSV-2, embora a prevalência do HSV-1 esteja em ascensão, principalmente na população jovem e devido à prática de sexo oral. A manifestação clínica pode ser primária ou recorrente, esta última acontecendo por reativação viral. O diagnóstico é feito pelas características clínicas associadas às confirmações laboratoriais da infecção. Diversos estudos clínicos e epidemiológicos demonstram a sinergia entre herpes genital e aids. Na gravidez, a grande preocupação acerca da infecção pelo HSV refere-se à morbidadee à mortalidade associadas à infecção neonatal. Atualmente não existe nenhum tratamento eficaz na cura do herpes genital, mas alguns medicamentos antivirais são capazes de diminuir o tempo da doença e prevenir as erupções. A maioria dos esforços para combater a infecção herpética genital concentrase no desenvolvimento de vacinas.

Genital herpes is an infectious disease subject to recurrent crises, with the etiologic agent of two different strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV), the type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). The vast majority of genital herpes cases is caused by HSV-2, although the prevalence of HSV-1 is on the rise, especially in young population and due to oral sex. The clinical manifestations may be primary or recurrent, the latter going on viral reactivation. The diagnosis is made by the clinical characteristics associated with laboratory confirmation of infection. Several epidemiological and clinical studies demonstrate the synergybetween genital herpes and aids. In pregnancy, the major concern about HSV infection refers to the morbidity and mortality associated with neonatal infection. Currently, there is no treatment capable of curing genital herpes, but some antiviral drugs are able to decrease the duration of the disease and prevent flares. Most efforts to combat genital herpes infection are focused on vaccine development.

Padrão de atividade de onças pintadas (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) mantidas em cativeiro: manejo e comportamento / Activity pattern of jaguars (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) in captytity: handle and behavior

O estudo do comportamento e do bem estar de onças pintadas (Panthera onca) mantidas em cativeiro é vital para o seu manejo e reprodução. Avaliamos as condições dos recintos e o manejo de 9 animais em 5 zoológicos (SP), correlacionando-os com as observações obtidas pelo etograma que foi estabelecido visando avaliar a duração dos comportamentos destes animais. Os resultados corroboram a visão de que os tratadores dos zoológicos apresentaram uma percepção consonante com nossos achados. No entanto, as diferenças comportamentais observadas entre zoológicos, com distintos regimes de manejo, indicam que estudos futuros serão necessários. Este estudo propõe-se a contribuir para o desenvolvimento de um modelo para aplicação das técnicas de quantificação comportamental na avaliação dos diferentes efeitos das condições de manutenção sobre o padrão de atividade das espécies de felídeos mantidas em cativeiro

Padrão de atividade de onças pintadas (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) mantidas em cativeiro: manejo e comportamento / Activity pattern of jaguars (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) in captytity: handle and behavior

O estudo do comportamento e do bem estar de onças pintadas (Panthera onca) mantidas em cativeiro é vital para o seu manejo e reprodução. Avaliamos as condições dos recintos e o manejo de 9 animais em 5 zoológicos (SP), correlacionando-os com as observações obtidas pelo etograma que foi estabelecido visando avaliar a duração dos comportamentos destes animais. Os resultados corroboram a visão de que os tratadores dos zoológicos apresentaram uma percepção consonante com nossos achados. No entanto, as diferenças comportamentais observadas entre zoológicos, com distintos regimes de manejo, indicam que estudos futuros serão necessários. Este estudo propõe-se a contribuir para o desenvolvimento de um modelo para aplicação das técnicas de quantificação comportamental na avaliação dos diferentes efeitos das condições de manutenção sobre o padrão de atividade das espécies de felídeos mantidas em cativeiro (AU)