Evaluation of the Synthetic Multifunctional Peptide Hp-MAP3 Derivative of Temporin-PTa.

In recent years, antimicrobial peptides isolated from amphibian toxins have gained attention as new multifunctional drugs interacting with different molecular targets. We aimed to rationally design a new peptide from temporin-PTa. Hp-MAP3 (NH2-LLKKVLALLKKVL-COOH), net charge (+4), hydrophobicity (0.69), the content of hydrophobic residues (69%), and hydrophobic moment (0.73). For the construction of the analog peptide, the physicochemical characteristics were reorganized into hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues with the addition of lysines and leucines. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 2.7 to 43 µM against the growth of Gram-negative and positive bacteria, and the potential for biofilm eradication was 173.2 µM. Within 20 min, the peptide Hp-MAP3 (10.8 µM) prompted 100% of the damage to E. coli cells. At 43.3 µM, eliminated 100% of S. aureus within 5 min. The effects against yeast species of the Candida genus ranged from 5.4 to 86.6 µM. Hp-MAP3 presents cytotoxic activity against tumor HeLa at a concentration of 21.6 µM with an IC50 of 10.4 µM. Furthermore, the peptide showed hemolytic activity against murine erythrocytes. Structural studies carried out by circular dichroism showed that Hp-MAP3, while in the presence of 50% trifluoroethanol or SDS, an α-helix secondary structure. Finally, Amphipathic Hp-MAP3 building an important model for the design of new multifunctional molecules.

Synthetic peptides bioinspired in temporin-PTa with antibacterial and antibiofilm activity.

Several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been reported in amphibian toxins, as temporin-PTa from Hylarana picturata. The amino acid distribution within a helical structure of AMPs favors the design of new bioactive peptides. Therefore, this work reports the rational design of two new synthetic peptides denominated Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 derived from temporin-PTa. These peptides present an amphipathic helix with positive charges of +4 and +5, hydrophobic moment (<µH>) of 0.66 and 0.72 and hydrophobicity () of 0.49 and 0.41, respectively. Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 displayed in vitro activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria from 2.8 to 92 µM, without presenting hemolytic effects. Molecular dynamics simulation suggested that the parent and designed temporin-like peptides lack structural stability in an aqueous solution. By contrast, α-helical structures were predicted in hydrophobic and anionic environments. Additionally, the peptides were simulated on mimetic membranes composed of anionic and neutral phospholipids 1,2-dipalmitoylsn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG-anionic), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-lyco-3 phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE-neutral). When in contact with DPPG/DPPE (90:10) and DPPG/DPPE (50:50) temporin-PTa, Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 established interactions guided by hydrogen and saline bounds. Therefore, the findings described here reveal that the optimization of the amphipathic α-helical cationic peptides Hp-MAP1 and Hp-MAP2 enabled the generation of new synthetic antimicrobial agents to combat pathogenic microorganisms.

Cultivo Biodinâmico de Plantas Medicinais em Agroflorestas na Promoção de Territórios Saudáveis e Sustentáveis: uma proposta pedagógica de formação-ação / Biodynamic Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Agroforests to Promote Healthy and Sustainable Territories: a pedagogical proposal for training-action

RESUMO A formação-ação no contexto da saúde coletiva pode ser estratégica para a resistência a esse modelo de agronegócio deletério e excludente, pois engendra um conjunto de práticas que modificam a maneira de sentir, pensar e agir em relação aos usos da terra; e fortalecem o movimento agroecológico, as práticas integrativas complementares de cuidado e as formas solidárias, democráticas e inclusivas de se relacionar com a natureza. A formação-ação: Cultivo Biodinâmico de Plantas Medicinais em Agroflorestas na Promoção de Territórios Saudáveis e Sustentáveis no Distrito Federal, nasce da confluência de outras experiências associada à necessidade de construir estratégias para a formação de profissionais e comunidades relacionados com ações em saúde para a promoção de territórios saudáveis e sustentáveis, constituído de bases teórico-metodológicos que envolvem educandos, educadores e comunidades, e articula diferentes categorias de análise para a construção e ressignificação do conhecimento, contando com ferramentas pedagógico-metodológicas baseadas na Pedagogia da Alternância e organizadas em tempos distintos do processo ensino-aprendizagem. A matriz curricular organiza-se em dois módulos: Desenvolvimento, Ciência e Saúde; e Agrofloresta, Arranjos Produtivos e Saúde. A formação é um meio de transformar a realidade local, de promover a saúde, de dialogar com as comunidades e de reconhecer os territórios.

ABSTRACT Training-action, in the context of collective health, can be strategic for resisting this harmful and exclusive agribusiness model, as it engenders a set of practices that modify not only the way of feeling, thinking and acting in relation to land uses, and they strengthen the agroecological movement, complementary integrative care practices and the solidary, democratic, and inclusive ways of relating to nature. Training-action: Biodynamic Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Agroforestry in the Promotion of Healthy and Sustainable Territories in the Federal District arises from the confluence of other experiences associated with the need to build strategies for the training of professionals and communities related to health actions to promote healthy and sustainable territories, constituted by theoretical-methodological bases that involve students, educators, and communities, and articulates different categories of analysis for the construction and reframing of knowledge, having pedagogical-methodological tools based on the Pedagogy of Alternation and organized at different times of the teaching-learning process. The curriculum matrix has 2 modules: Development, Science, and Health; and Agroforestry, Productive Arrangements, and Health. Training is a means to transform the local reality, to promote health, to dialogue with communities, and to recognize the territories.

Chácara Bindu, uma experiência de agroecologia, conservação produtiva, educação e saúde / Chácara Bindu, an experience in agroecology, productive conservation, education, and health

RESUMO A crise socioambiental é cada vez mais presente na realidade urbana e rural. A experiência agroecológica neorrural é uma inovação que pode transformar o paradigma produtivo predominante e propor novas formas de relacionamento entre as pessoas. Além disso, pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de sistemas alimentares que promovem justiça socioambiental, segurança alimentar e nutricional, criação de territórios saudáveis e sustentáveis. O objetivo deste relato de experiência foi apresentar a Comunidade que Sustenta a Agricultura, Educação e Saúde (CSAES) na Chácara Bindu, que desenvolve tecnologias sociais nas áreas de agricultura, educação e saúde no Distrito Federal. O relato da experiência foi desenvolvido em sete itens relacionados com criação, conservação produtiva, educação e saúde no organismo socioagrícola da Chácara Bindu. Destacam-se os vínculos com base na confiança e cooperação, o processo de expansão do modelo da CSAES Bindu a partir de uma Comunidade que Sustenta a Agricultura, a continuidade das entregas de produtos cultivados sem insumos sintéticos e sem agrotóxicos e o acesso das famílias coagricultoras a alimentos saudáveis no contexto de isolamento social imposto pela pandemia da Covid-19.

ABSTRACT The socio-environmental crisis is increasingly present in the urban and rural reality. A neorural agroecological experience is an innovation that can transform the predominant productive paradigm and propose new ways of relationship between people. Furthermore, it can contribute to the development of food systems that promote social and environmental justice, food and nutrition security, and the creation of healthy and sustainable territories. The objective of this experience report was to present the Community that Sustains Agriculture, Education, and Health (CSAES) at Chácara Bindu, which has social technologies in the fields of agriculture, education, and health in the Federal District. The experience report was developed in seven items related to creation, productive conservation, education, and health in the social-agricultural organization of Chácara Bindu. The linkages based on trust and cooperation, the expansion process of the CSAES from a Community that Sustains Agriculture, the continued delivery of products cultivated without synthetic inputs and without pesticides, and the access of co-agricultural families to healthy food stand out in the context of social isolation imposed by the Covid-19.

Discovery of ACH-000143: A Novel Potent and Peripherally Preferred Melatonin Receptor Agonist that Reduces Liver Triglycerides and Steatosis in Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

The modulation of melatonin signaling in peripheral tissues holds promise for treating metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Here, several benzimidazole derivatives have been identified as novel agonists of the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2. The lead compounds 10b, 15a, and 19a demonstrated subnanomolar potency at MT1/MT2 receptors, high oral bioavailability in rodents, peripherally preferred exposure, and excellent selectivity in a broad panel of targets. Two-month oral administration of 10b in high-fat diet rats led to a reduction in body weight gain similar to dapagliflozin with superior results on hepatic steatosis and triglyceride levels. An early toxicological assessment indicated that 10b (also codified as ACH-000143) was devoid of hERG binding, genotoxicity, and behavioral alterations at doses up to 100 mg/kg p.o., supporting further investigation of this compound as a drug candidate.

Safety of the patient in an emergency situation: perceptions of the nursing team.

OBJECTIVE: To know the perception of nursing professionals about the essential aspects to provide safe care to polytraumatized patients in emergency services. METHOD: Descriptive and mixed study, performed with a focus group and projective techniques. The sample was made of seven nursing professionals. Data analysis took place through the Interface de R pour Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionneires and SPSS 22.0 softwares. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of participants' speeches, three content partitions emerged in the Descending Hierarchical Classification. 1) Structure: need for changes; 2) The process: safe actions by the nursing team; and 3) Care free from damage as the sought result. CONCLUSION: Patient safety in emergency situations must rely on a proper environment and an organized sector, good conditions to transport patients, use of routines and protocols, identification and organization of the beds.

Red blood cell alloimmunization among hospitalized patients: transfusion reactions and low alloantibody identification rate.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected red blood cell alloantibodies can cause hemolytic transfusion reactions. In this study, the prevalence of alloimmunization, the rate of identification of alloantibodies and the rate of blood transfusion reactions among transfused patients were identified in a clinical emergency hospital in Brazil. METHODS: Transfusions and clinical records of patients who had a positive indirect antiglobulin test between January and December 2013 were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 1169 patients who received blood transfusions, 28 had positive indirect antiglobulin tests, with one patient having two positive tests at different times, resulting in 29 positive tests during the period of this study. Alloantibodies were identified in 58.6% (17/29) of the cases. In 27.5% (8/29), identification was inconclusive and it was not possible to confirm alloimmunization. The rate of red blood cell alloimmunization was 1.71% (21/1169). Of 21 cases of alloimmunization, four (19%) were unidentified due to an unusual agglutination profile. All identified alloantibodies were clinically significant (10/17 anti-Rh, 5/17 anti-Kell and 2/17 anti-MNS). In two patients who had positive indirect antiglobulin tests, one had an unidentified alloantibody, and the other had an inconclusive test and developed a hemolytic transfusion reaction. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of clinically important red blood cell alloantibodies and hemolytic transfusion reactions among patients with unidentified alloantibodies suggests that specific laboratory techniques should be performed to identify alloantibodies in cases of pan-reactivity or autoantibodies to improve transfusion safety.

Red blood cell alloimmunization among hospitalized patients: transfusion reactions and low alloantibody identification rate

ABSTRACT Background: Unexpected red blood cell alloantibodies can cause hemolytic transfusion reactions. In this study, the prevalence of alloimmunization, the rate of identification of alloantibodies and the rate of blood transfusion reactions among transfused patients were identified in a clinical emergency hospital in Brazil. Methods: Transfusions and clinical records of patients who had a positive indirect antiglobulin test between January and December 2013 were analyzed. Results: Of 1169 patients who received blood transfusions, 28 had positive indirect antiglobulin tests, with one patient having two positive tests at different times, resulting in 29 positive tests during the period of this study. Alloantibodies were identified in 58.6% (17/29) of the cases. In 27.5% (8/29), identification was inconclusive and it was not possible to confirm alloimmunization. The rate of red blood cell alloimmunization was 1.71% (21/1169). Of 21 cases of alloimmunization, four (19%) were unidentified due to an unusual agglutination profile. All identified alloantibodies were clinically significant (10/17 anti-Rh, 5/17 anti-Kell and 2/17 anti-MNS). In two patients who had positive indirect antiglobulin tests, one had an unidentified alloantibody, and the other had an inconclusive test and developed a hemolytic transfusion reaction. Conclusion: The prevalence of clinically important red blood cell alloantibodies and hemolytic transfusion reactions among patients with unidentified alloantibodies suggests that specific laboratory techniques should be performed to identify alloantibodies in cases of pan-reactivity or autoantibodies to improve transfusion safety.

Theory of communicative action: a basis for the development of critical thinking.

Reflections on some assumptions of the theory of Communicative Action and the development of Critical Thinking in the context of training students in undergraduate nursing courses. The perspective is based on concepts of Jürgen Habermas, as a possibility for the development of critical thinking among the students of these courses. Communication is therefore understood as inherent in the training of nurses in a continuous, dynamic, dialogical process, with interventions that are related to the context of the students and that have meaning for them, in order to contribute to the promotion of Critical Thinking.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of cornea transplant patients of a reference hospital.

OBJECTIVE:: clinically characterizing cornea transplant patients and their distribution according to indicated and post-operative conditions of cornea transplantation, as well as estimating the average waiting time. METHOD:: a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study performed for all cornea transplants performed at a reference service (n=258). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20.0. RESULTS:: the main indicator for cornea transplant was keratoconus. The mean waiting time for the transplant was approximately 5 months and 3 weeks for elective transplants and 9 days for urgent cases. An association between the type of corneal disorder with gender, age, previous surgery, eye classification, glaucoma and anterior graft failure were found. CONCLUSION:: keratoconus was the main indicator for cornea transplant. Factors such as age, previous corneal graft failure (retransplantation), glaucoma, cases of surgeries prior to cornea transplant (especially cataract surgery) may be related to the onset corneal endothelium disorders. OBJETIVO:: caracterizar clínicamente los pacientes trasplantados y su distribución, con descripción de las condiciones indicadoras y posoperatorias de los trasplantes de córneas, así como estimar el tiempo promedio en la fila de espera. MÉTODO:: estudio epidemiológico, transversal, descriptivo y analítico, realizado con todos los trasplantes de córnea realizados en un servicio de referencia (n=258). Los datos fueron analizados con el software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versión 20.0. RESULTADOS:: la principal condición indicadora para el trasplante de córnea fue el queratocono. El tiempo promedio en fila de espera para realización del trasplante fue de aproximadamente 5 meses y tres semanas, para trasplantes electivos y de 9 días para los casos de urgencia. Existió asociación entre el tipo de disturbio de la córnea con: sexo, intervalo etario, cirugía previa, clasificación del ojo, glaucoma y rechazo del injerto anterior. CONCLUSIÓN:: el queratocono fue la principal condición indicadora para el trasplante de córnea. Factores como: edad; rechazo de injerto de córnea anterior (retrasplante); glaucoma; y casos de cirugías previas al trasplante de córnea, destacando la cirugía de catarata, pueden estar relacionados con el aparecimiento de disturbios de la córnea de tipo endotelial. OBJETIVO:: caracterizar clinicamente os pacientes transplantados e sua distribuição com descrição das condições indicadoras e pós-operatórias dos transplantes de córneas, bem como estimar o tempo médio em fila de espera. MÉTODO:: estudo epidemiológico, transversal, descritivo e analítico, realizado com todos os transplantes de córnea realizados em um serviço de referência (n= 258). Os dados foram analisados com uso do software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versão 20.0. RESULTADOS:: a principal condição indicadora para o transplante de córnea foi o ceratocone. O tempo médio em fila de espera para realização do transplante foi de aproximadamente 5 meses e três semanas para o transplantes eletivos e 9 dias para os casos de urgência. Existiu associação entre o tipo de distúrbio da córnea com sexo, faixa etária, cirurgia prévia, classificação do olho, glaucoma e falência do enxerto anterior. CONCLUSÃO:: o ceratocone foi a principal condição indicadora para o transplante de córnea. Fatores como idade, falência de enxerto corneano anterior (retransplante), glaucoma, casos de cirurgias prévias ao transplante de córnea, com destaque para a cirurgia de catarata, podem estar relacionados com o aparecimento de distúrbios da córnea do tipo endotelial.

Degeneration rate of goat primordial follicles maintained in TCM 199 or PBS at different temperatures and incubation times

The present work has investigated the degeneration rate of goat primordial follicles in situ after preservation in PBS or TCM 199 at different temperatures and incubation times. For each animal the ovarian pair was divided into 19 fragments. One ovarian fragment was taken randomly and immediately fixed (control). The other 18 ovarian fragments were randomly distributed in tubes containing PBS or TCM 199 and stored at 4º, 20º or 39ºC for 4, 12 or 24h. The storage of ovarian fragments in PBS or TCM 199 at 20ºC for 12h and 24h or at 39ºC, in all incubation times tested, increased significantly the percentage of degenerated primordial follicles (P<0.05). In contrast, for both media tested the degeneration rate of primordial follicles preserved at 4ºC for up to 24h and at 20ºC for 4h was similar to control values (P>0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that PBS was as efficient as TCM 199 in the preservation of goat primordial follicles in situ, being the best results observed at 4ºC

Estudo histopatológico da retina de coelhos após injeção intravítrea de lidocaína / Histopathologic study of the retina in rabbits after intravitreous injection of lidocaine

Objetivo: Estudar em olhos de coelhos as alterações retinianas após injeção intravítrea de lidocaína nas concentrações 0,5, 1,0 e 2,0 por cento por meio de análise histopatológica com microscopias de luz e eletrônica de transmissão. Métodos: Foram utilizados 40 olhos de 20 coelhos albinos da raça Nova Zelândia, submetidos à injeção intravítrea de lidocaína a 0,5 por cento (grupo II),1,0 por cento (grupo 111) e 2,0 por cento (grupo IV) nos olhos direitos e solução salina nos olhos esquerdos (grupo I-controle) após anestesia geral. Foi realizada oftalmoscopia binocular indireta, antes, durante, imediatamente e uma hora após a injeção intravítrea e nos dias primeiro , terceiro, sétimo e décimo quinto de evolução. Nos mesmos períodos um olho do grupo II, dois olhos do grupo III, um olho do grupo IV e todos olhos contralaterais (grupo I), foram enucleados e examinados sob microscopia de luz e eletrônica de transmissão. Resultados: A observação por oftalmoscopia binocular indireta antes e durante a injeção intravítrea não apresentou alteração em todos os olhos examinados. Após a injeção intravítrea observou-se a retina com aspecto esbranquiçado difuso, elevação da interface vítreo-retiniana, focal e próximo ao local de injeção, edema de retina e anel de condensação vítrea tanto no grupo controle quanto nos olhos com injeção de lidocaína. A análise histológica por microscopia de luz e eletrônica de transmissão não evidenciou alterações em nenhum dos olhos examinados. Conclusões: A injeção intravítrea de lidocaína nas concentrações de 0,5, 1,0 e 2,0 por cento demonstrou ser atóxica para a retina, considerando os estudos de microscopia de luz e eletrônica de transmissão.

Preservation of goat preantral follicles in saline or coconut water solution

The present study investigated the efficiency of saline solution and coconut water solution in the preservation of goat preantral follicles enclosed in ovarian tissue, at different temperatures and for different incubation periods. At the slaughterhouse, the ovarian pair was divided into 19 fragments; one ovarian fragment was immediately fixed for histology (control-time zero). The other 18 ovarian fragments were preserved in both solutions at 4ºC, 20ºC or 39ºC for 4 h, 12 h or 24 h. The histological analysis showed that the storage of ovarian fragments in both solutions at 4ºC for up to 24 h kept the percentage of normal preantral follicles similar to the control values. In contrast, preservation at 20°C or 39ºC, in either solution, reduced significantly the percentage of normal preantral follicles compared to the control values, except in saline solution at 20ºC for 4 h or in coconut water solution at 20ºC for 4 h and 12 h. In conclusion, this study shows that both solutions can be used with the same efficiency to preserve goat preantral follicles at 4°C, irrespective of the incubation time. However, to preserve goat preantral follicles at higher temperatures, coconut water solution is recommended