An Overview of the Conventional and Novel Methods Employed for SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Measurement.

SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and is responsible for the pandemic that started in 2020. The virus enters the host cell through the interaction of its spike glycoprotein with the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) on the host cell's surface. Antibodies present an important role during the infection and pathogenesis due to many reasons, including the neutralization of viruses by binding to different spike epitopes. Therefore, measuring the neutralizing antibody titers in the whole population is important for COVID-19's epidemiology. Different methods are described in the literature, and some have been used to validate the main vaccines used worldwide. In this review, we discuss the main methods used to quantify neutralizing antibody titers, their advantages and limitations, as well as new approaches to determineACE2/spike blockage by antibodies.

Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography and point-shear wave elastography for significant hepatic fibrosis screening: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The hepatic diseases are extremely common in clinical practice. The correct classification of liver fibrosis is extremely important, as it influences therapy and predicts disease outcomes. The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of point-shear wave elastography (pSWE) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in the hepatic fibrosis diagnostic. A meta-analysis was carried out based on articles published until October 2020. The articles are available at following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scientific Electronic Library Online, LILACS, Scopus, and CINAHL. Diagnostic performances were analyzed per METAVIR F2, using 3.5kPa as target fibrosis. Assessment of the methodological quality of the incorporated papers by the QUADAS-2 tool for pSWE and MRE. A total 2,153 studies articles were evaluated and 44 studies, comprising 6,081 patients with individual data, were included in the meta-analysis: 28 studies for pSWE and 16 studies for MRE. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 (95%CI 0.80-0.90) and 0.88 (95%CI 0.85-0.91), respectively, for pSWE, compared with 0.94 (95%CI 0.89-0.97) and 0.95 (95%CI 0.89-0.98) respectively, for MRE. The pooled SROC curve for pSWE shows in the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 (95%CI 0.90-0.95), whereas the AUC for MRE was 0.98 (95%CI 0.96-0.99). The diagnostic odds ratio for pSWE and MRE were 41 (95%CI 24-72) and 293 (95%CI 86-1000), respectively. There was statistically significant heterogeneity for pSWE sensitivity (I² = 85.26, P<0.001) and specificity (I² = 89.46, P<0.001). The heterogeneity for MRE also was significant for sensitivity (I² = 73.28, P<0.001) and specificity (I² = 87.24, P<0.001). Therefore, both pSWE and MRE are suitable modalities for assessing liver fibrosis. In addition, MRE is a more accurate imaging technique than pSWE and can be used as alternative to invasive biopsy.

Nanoconjugates based on a novel organic-inorganic hybrid silsesquioxane and gold nanoparticles as hemocompatible nanomaterials for promising biosensing applications.

A new hybrid organic-inorganic silsesquioxane material, 3-n-propyl(2-amino-4-methyl)pyridium chloride (SiAMPy+Cl-), was synthesized and successfully applied for the synthesis of stable nanoconjugates with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-SiAMPy+). SiAMPy+Cl- was obtained through a simple sol-gel procedure by using chloropropyltrimetoxysilane and tetraethylorthosilicate as precursors and 2-amino-4-methylpyridine as the functionalizing agent. The resulting material was characterized by employing FTIR, XRD, and 1H-, 13C-, and 29Si-NMR spectroscopy. The synthesis of AuNPs-SiAMPy+ nanoconjugates was optimized through a 23 full factorial design. UV-VIS, FTIR, TEM, DLS, and ζ-potential measurements were used to characterize the nanoconjugates, which presented a spherical morphology with an average diameter of 5.8 nm. To investigate the existence of toxic effects of AuNPs-SiAMPy+ on blood cells, which is essential for their future biomedical applications, toxicity assays on human erythrocytes and leukocytes were performed. Interestingly, no cytotoxic effects were observed for both types of cells. The nanoconjugates were further applied in the construction of electrochemical immunosensing devices, aiming the detection of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in serum as biomarkers of Chagas disease. The AuNPs-SiAMPy+ significantly enhanced the sensitivity of the biodevice, which was able to discriminate between anti-T. cruzi positive and negative serum samples. Thus, the AuNPs-SiAMPy+-based biosensor showed great potential to be used as a new tool to perform fast and accurate diagnosis of Chagas disease. The promising findings described herein strongly confirm the remarkable potential of SiAMPy+Cl- to obtain nanomaterials, which can present notable biomedical properties and applications.

Shear wave elastography and Doppler ultrasound in kidney transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between shear wave elastography parameters and arterial resistance in kidney transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study involving consecutive adult kidney transplant recipients. All patients underwent color Doppler to evaluate the resistive index (RI) and ultrasound shear wave elastography for the quantification of renal allograft stiffness. RESULTS: We evaluated 55 patients, of whom 9 (16.4%) had an RI defined as abnormal (≥ 0.79) and 46 (83.6%) had an RI defined as normal (< 0.79). The mean age was higher in the abnormal RI group than in the normal RI group (68.0 ± 8.6 years vs. 42.6 ± 14.1 years; p < 0.001), as was the mean shear wave velocity (2.6 ± 0.4 m/s vs. 2.2 ± 0.4 m/s; p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis identified two independent predictors of arterial resistance: age (OR = 1.169; 95% CI: 1.056 to 1.294; p = 0.003) and shear wave velocity (OR = 17.1; 95% CI: 1.137 to 257.83; p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: We observed an association between rigidity in the cortex of the transplanted kidney, as evaluated by shear wave elastography, and arterial resistance, as evaluated by color Doppler, in kidney transplant recipients.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre parâmetros de elastografia por onda de cisalhamento e resistência arterial em pacientes transplantados renais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal prospectivo. O estudo incluiu de forma consecutiva indivíduos adultos transplantados renais. Foram coletados dados demográficos e clínicos. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à técnica ultrassonográfica para avaliação do índice de resistência (IR) e à quantificação da elasticidade do tecido por ondas de cisalhamento para avaliar a rigidez do aloenxerto renal. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 55 pacientes. A média de idade e a velocidade da onda de cisalhamento foram maiores em pacientes com IR ≥ 0,79 (respectivamente, 68,0 ± 8,6 anos e 2,6 ± 0,4 m/s) quando comparados a pacientes com IR < 0,79 (respectivamente, 42,6 ± 14,1 anos, p < 0,001 e 2,2 ± 0,4 m/s, p = 0,013). A análise multivariada identificou a idade (OR = 1,169, IC 95%: 1,056 a 1,294; p = 0,003) e a velocidade da onda de cisalhamento (OR = 17,1, IC 95%: 1,137 a 257,83; p = 0,040) como fatores independentes associados a resistência arterial. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se associação entre a rigidez do córtex do transplante renal avaliada por elastografia por onda de cisalhamento e a resistência arterial em pacientes pós-transplantados renais avaliados por Doppler.

Shear wave elastography and Doppler ultrasound in kidney transplant recipients / Elastografia por onda de cisalhamento e ultrassom Doppler em pacientes renais pós-transplantados

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the association between shear wave elastography parameters and arterial resistance in kidney transplant recipients. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study involving consecutive adult kidney transplant recipients. All patients underwent color Doppler to evaluate the resistive index (RI) and ultrasound shear wave elastography for the quantification of renal allograft stiffness. Results: We evaluated 55 patients, of whom 9 (16.4%) had an RI defined as abnormal (≥ 0.79) and 46 (83.6%) had an RI defined as normal (< 0.79). The mean age was higher in the abnormal RI group than in the normal RI group (68.0 ± 8.6 years vs. 42.6 ± 14.1 years; p < 0.001), as was the mean shear wave velocity (2.6 ± 0.4 m/s vs. 2.2 ± 0.4 m/s; p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis identified two independent predictors of arterial resistance: age (OR = 1.169; 95% CI: 1.056 to 1.294; p = 0.003) and shear wave velocity (OR = 17.1; 95% CI: 1.137 to 257.83; p = 0.040). Conclusion: We observed an association between rigidity in the cortex of the transplanted kidney, as evaluated by shear wave elastography, and arterial resistance, as evaluated by color Doppler, in kidney transplant recipients.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre parâmetros de elastografia por onda de cisalhamento e resistência arterial em pacientes transplantados renais. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo transversal prospectivo. O estudo incluiu de forma consecutiva indivíduos adultos transplantados renais. Foram coletados dados demográficos e clínicos. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à técnica ultrassonográfica para avaliação do índice de resistência (IR) e à quantificação da elasticidade do tecido por ondas de cisalhamento para avaliar a rigidez do aloenxerto renal. Resultados: Foram avaliados 55 pacientes. A média de idade e a velocidade da onda de cisalhamento foram maiores em pacientes com IR ≥ 0,79 (respectivamente, 68,0 ± 8,6 anos e 2,6 ± 0,4 m/s) quando comparados a pacientes com IR < 0,79 (respectivamente, 42,6 ± 14,1 anos, p < 0,001 e 2,2 ± 0,4 m/s, p = 0,013). A análise multivariada identificou a idade (OR = 1,169, IC 95%: 1,056 a 1,294; p = 0,003) e a velocidade da onda de cisalhamento (OR = 17,1, IC 95%: 1,137 a 257,83; p = 0,040) como fatores independentes associados a resistência arterial. Conclusão: Observou-se associação entre a rigidez do córtex do transplante renal avaliada por elastografia por onda de cisalhamento e a resistência arterial em pacientes pós-transplantados renais avaliados por Doppler.

Educação em Saúde na Sala de Espera: espaço de produção de cuidado e trabalho interprofissional / Health education in the waiting room: production space for care and interprofessional work

A Atenção Primária à Saúde apresenta-se como um setor de destaque para ações de Educação em Saúde, sobretudo nos momentos de sala de espera. O presente escrito trata-se de um relato de experiência que objetiva problematizar os momentos de Educação em Saúde nas salas de espera como espaços de produção de cuidado e trabalho interprofissional. As ações ocorreram em duas Unidades de Saúde da Família da cidade de Barreira, Bahia, no período de 1 ano com os acadêmicos dos cursos da saúde vinculados ao Programa de Educação para o Trabalho em Saúde Interprofissionalidade da Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia. A partir do diálogo dos discentes do programa com a equipe das unidades participantes, definiram-se temas que abordaram saúde da mulher e do homem, doenças crônicas, saúde mental, hábitos de vida, planejamento familiar, entre outros. Foram utilizadas metodologias como encenações teatrais, dinâmicas e rodas de conversa. Essas atividades não só possibilitaram encontros de saberes como também transformações na maneira de pensar a formação e o aprendizado. Percebeu-se que as atividades de extensão passaram a cumprir seu papel político em interface com o ensino e a pesquisa. Um dos grandes desafios enfrentados nas ações foi o compromisso com uma abordagem integral do sujeito. A Educação em Saúde, nas salas de espera, pode ser consolidada como uma prática de produção de cuidado em saúde. Por intermédio dela, é possível fornecer um cuidado territorializado, estimulando o trabalho interprofissional e a participação social.

HIV Infections and Food Insecurity Among Pregnant Women from Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

There are few studies on the occurrence of food insecurity (FI) in pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS (PrWLWHA). Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity among PrWLWHA and to analyse the association between HIV and FI. For this we searched eight databases. We used the prevalence and prevalence ratio (PR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) as the summary measurements for the meta-analysis. We identified 300 studies, 13 of which were eligible. The prevalence of FI was 64%, ranging between 26% (mild), 33% (moderate) and 27% (severe). People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) had a 23% greater chance of facing FI (PR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.16-1.38) compared to those not living with HIV. The results revealed a high prevalence and positive association with FI among PLWHA, which suggests the need for food security assessments in HIV/AIDS clinical care.

RESUMEN: Existen pocos estudios sobre la ocurrencia de inseguridad alimentaria (IF) en mujeres embarazadas que viven con el VIH (PrWLWHA). Nuestro objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia de IF entre las personas que viven con el VIH/SIDA y analizar la asociación entre el VIH y la IF. Se realizaron búsquedas en ocho bases de datos. La prevalencia y la razón de prevalencia (RP) con un intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95% se utilizaron como medidas de resumen para el metanálisis. Se identificaron 300 estudios y 13 fueron seleccionados. La prevalencia de la IF fue del 64%, oscilando entre el 26% (leve), el 33% (moderada) y el 27% (grave). PrWLWHA tenían un 23% más de posibilidades de afrontar la IF (RP = 1,23, IC del 95% = 1,16­1,38) en comparación con las que no viven con el VIH. Los resultados revelaron una alta prevalencia y una asociación positiva entre la IF entre las PVVS, lo que sugiere la necesidad de una evaluación de la seguridad alimentaria en la atención clínica del VIH/SIDA.

O uso de objetos e filmagem no tratamento psicanalítico em grupo de crianças autistas / El uso de objetos y filmación en el tratamiento psicoanalítico en grupo de niños autistas / L'usage d'objets et du film dans le traitement psychanalytique de groupe d'enfants autistes / The use of objects and footage in psychoanalytic treatment in a group of autistic children

Resumo Este artigo visa apresentar os resultados de uma pesquisa sobre o uso de objetos no tratamento psicanalítico do autismo, que envolveu a realização de um atendimento em grupo de crianças com diagnóstico de Transtorno do Espectro Autista em uma instituição pública de saúde mental. O registro audiovisual dos atendimentos mostrou-se um componente indispensável desta abordagem, em especial nas reuniões com os pais e nas supervisões, convidando a uma reflexão acerca de seu estatuto. A questão da constituição subjetiva e o problema do diagnóstico na infância permearam as discussões aqui propostas.

Resumen Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar los resultados de una investigación sobre el uso de objetos en el tratamiento psicoanalítico del autismo, que se realizó en una atención grupal a niños con trastorno del espectro autista en una institución pública de salud mental. El registro audiovisual demostró ser un componente indispensable de este enfoque -especialmente en reuniones con los padres y en las supervisiones- invitando a la reflexión sobre su status. El tema de la constitución subjetiva y el problema del diagnóstico en la infancia permearon las discusiones aquí propuestas.

Résumé Cet article présente les résultats d'une recherche sur l'usage d'objets dans le traitement psychanalytique de l'autisme. La recherche a compris un groupe d'enfants autistiques dans une institution publique de santé mentale. L'enregistrement audiovisuel des séances s'est avéré crucial dans cette approche - notamment dans les réunions avec les parents et dans les séances de contrôle -, invitant à une réflexion sur son statut. Les enjeux de la constitution subjective et du diagnostic pendant l'enfance se sont fait présentes tout au long de l'argumentation.

Abstract This article seeks to present the results of a research concerning the use of objects in the psychoanalytic treatment of autism, which involved attending a group of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a public mental health institution. The audiovisual record of attendances proved to be an indispensable component of this approach, especially in meetings with parents and supervisors, inviting them to a reflection on their status. The issue of subjective constitution and the problem of diagnosis in childhood permeated the discussions proposed here.

Participação infantil no cuidado em saúde mental: um grupo GAM no CAPSi / Child participation in mental health care: a GAM group at a CAPSi / Participación infantil en el cuidado en salud mental: un grupo GAM en el centro de atención psicosocial(CAPSi)

Este artigo visa apresentar algumas contribuições de uma pesquisa-intervenção situada no campo saúde mental infanto-juvenil brasileira baseada na estratégia da Gestão Autônoma da Medicação (GAM). Apesar dos avanços obtidos na Reforma Psiquiátrica, a gestão da medicação é ainda um ponto nevrálgico em nosso país. As experiências vividas pelos usuários de psicotrópicos e seus familiares raramente são consideradas um saber legítimo em relação ao tratamento, e, quando esses usuários são crianças, a problemática se torna ainda mais complexa. Além dos engessamentos e barreiras impostas pela produção do diagnóstico de transtorno mental, lidamos com uma delimitação da concepção de infância na modernidade que, por um lado, produz relações de atenção e proteção consideradas necessárias para o desenvolvimento das crianças, e, por outro, acabaram gerando impossibilidades e limites à participação infantil em seus processos de cuidado. Esta pesquisa, portanto, objetivou exercitar a participação infantil no contexto da saúde mental infanto-juvenil brasileira por meio da proposição de um grupo GAM no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial de Vitória-ES. O grupo ocorreu semanalmente, durando cerca de uma hora e meia. Participaram, além dos pesquisadores, 21 familiares de crianças e profissionais do serviço. Para delimitação deste artigo, optou-se por narrar de forma mais aprofundada a experiência de uma das mães do grupo e seu filho, de modo a acessar os paradoxos e ambiguidades vividos em torno do uso do medicamento e os efeitos da abertura à experiência de participação infantil neste processo.(AU)

This article presents some contributions of an intervention research on the mental health of children and adolescents based on the Autonomous Medication Management (GAM) strategy. Medication management is a critical issue in the Brazilian country despite the advances spurred by the Psychiatric Reform. Rarely do treatments consider the experiences lived by psychotropic users and their relatives as legitimate knowledge, and such issue becomes even more complex when these users are children. Besides the difficulties and barriers imposed by the diagnosis of mental disorder, the conception of childhood has been delimitated in the modern era, which produces relations of attention and protection considered necessary for children development, but end up creating impossibilities and limits to child participation in their care processes. Considering that, through the proposition of an Autonomous Medication Management (GAM) group at the Child and Youth Psychosocial Care Center (CAPSi) in Vitória/ES, this research aims to stimulate children's participation in the context of mental health for children and adolescents in Brazil. The group included researchers, twenty-one family members of the children, and professionals, and consisted of weekly meetings of about one hour and a half. This article thoroughly describes the experience of one mother from the group and her son, discussing the paradoxes and ambiguities regarding the medication use, as well as the effects of the openness to the experience of infant participation in this process.(AU)

Este artículo pretende presentar las contribuciones de una investigación-acción en el ámbito de salud mental infantojuvenil brasileña desde la estrategia de la Gestión Autónoma de la Medicación (GAM). A pesar de los avances obtenidos con la Reforma Psiquiátrica brasileña, la gestión de la medicación todavía es muy importante en este país. Las experiencias vividas por los usuarios de psicotrópicos y sus familias raramente se consideran un saber legítimo en relación al tratamiento, y el tema se vuelve aún más complejo cuando los usuarios son niños. Además de las barreras impuestas por la producción del diagnóstico de trastorno mental, la concepción de infancia en la modernidad produce, por un lado, relaciones de atención y protección consideradas necesarias para el desarrollo de los niños y, por otro, genera imposibilidades y límites a la participación infantil en sus procesos de cuidado. En esta investigación se propone abordar la participación infantil en el contexto de la salud mental infantojuvenil brasileña, por medio de la proposición de un grupo GAM en el Centro de Atención Psicosocial de Vitória (Brasil). Las reuniones del grupo se llevaron a cabo semanalmente con aproximadamente una hora y media de duración. Participaron, además de los investigadores, 21 familiares de niños y profesionales del centro. Para delimitar este artículo, se optó por narrar de forma más profundizada la experiencia de una de las madres y su hijo para que se comprendan las paradojas y ambigüedades acerca del uso del medicamento y los efectos de la apertura a la experiencia de participación infantil en este proceso.(AU)

Beloved Whiskers: Management Type, Care Practices and Connections to Welfare in Domestic Cats.

The quality of cat care practices depends in part on the type of management applied, which either positively or negatively impacts cat welfare. This study investigated whether the type of cat management (indoor vs. outdoor) was related to other cat care practices adopted by cat owners, associated with the quality of human-cat relationships and cat welfare. An online survey was distributed via social networks. Descriptive statistics, categorical Principal Component Analysis, Fisher's Exact test and Chi-square test in contingency table were applied. A total of 16,302 cat owners returned the survey. Most Brazilian owners reported indoor management of their cats; this was related to owners living in apartments, more frequent use of cat care practices, and more interactions with their pets. Outdoor management was related to cats living in houses or farms, sleeping outdoors or around the neighborhood, and owners had fewer interaction with their pets. In conclusion, owners practicing indoor management seemed to be closer to their cats than owners reporting outdoor management. However, obesity and owner-reported behavioral problems were associated with indoor management.

Temperament in Domestic Cats: A Review of Proximate Mechanisms, Methods of Assessment, Its Effects on Human-Cat Relationships, and One Welfare.

Temperament can be defined as interindividual differences in behavior that are stable over time and in different contexts. The terms 'personality', 'coping styles', and 'behavioral syndromes' have also been used to describe these interindividual differences. In this review, the main aspects of cat temperament research are summarized and discussed, based on 43 original research papers published between 1986 and 2020. We aimed to present current advances in cat temperament research and identify potential gaps in knowledge, as well as opportunities for future research. Proximate mechanisms, such as genetic bases of temperament, ontogenesis and developmental factors, physiological mechanisms, and relationships with morphology, were reviewed. Methods traditionally used to assess the temperament of cats might be classified based on the duration of procedures (short- vs. long-term measures) and the nature of data recordings (coding vs. rating methods). The structure of cat temperament is frequently described using a set of behavioral dimensions, primarily based on interindividual variations in cats' responses toward humans and conspecifics (e.g., friendliness, sociability, boldness, and aggressiveness). Finally, cats' temperaments have implications for human-animal interactions and the one welfare concept. Temperament assessment can also contribute to practical aspects, for example, the adoption of shelter cats.

Polypharmacy, socioeconomic indicators and number of diseases: results from ELSA-Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy, describe the pharmacotherapeutic classes used, and investigate whether polypharmacy is associated with demographic and socioeconomic indicators, regardless of the number of diseases, among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline (2008-2010). METHOD: In this analysis, 14,523 adults and elderly (35-74 years) participated. Polypharmacy was characterized as regular use of five or more medicines. The demographic and socioeconomic indicators analyzed were: gender, age, education level, per capita family income, and access to private health insurance. The independent association between demographic and economic indicators and polypharmacy was estimated by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of polypharmacy was 11.7%. The most used drugs were those with action on the cardiovascular system. After adjustments, including by number of diseases, the chances of being on polypharmacy treatment were significantly higher among women, older participants and those with greatest number of diseases. Individuals without health insurance had lower chance to be under polypharmacy, as well as those with lower income. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of polypharmacy among ELSA-Brasil baseline participants was mainly due to drugs for the treatment of chronic diseases. The relation between polypharmacy and the female gender, as well as its association with old age, are in consonance with the results obtained in other studies. Despite the absence of an association between polypharmacy and education level, the income and health insurance results reinforce the existence of social inequalities regarding drug use.

The association between the neighbourhood social environment and obesity in Brazil: a cross-sectional analysis of the ELSA-Brasil study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the neighbourhood social environment, including social cohesion, perceived neighbourhood safety, perceived neighbourhood violence, and obesity in Brazil. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 6 state capitals in Brazil (Salvador, Vitoria, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) PARTICIPANTS: Current or former employees of five federal universities and one research centre in each of the six Brazilian state capitals who were participants of the baseline wave (2008-2010) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (n=11 456; 56% women; 56% White, 28% Brown, and 16% Black). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Obesity, based on measured weight and height, and defined as having a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. RESULTS: No associations were found between the neighbourhood social environment and obesity among men. In multilevel logistic regression models adjusted for age, education, skin colour, state of residence, and individual-level social cohesion and perceived violence scores, respectively, women living in the least socially cohesive neighbourhoods and in those perceived as most violent had higher odds of obesity compared with their counterparts (OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.02-1.53; OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.04-1.56, respectively). When stratified by neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES)-defined based on number of people per household, proportion of children 0-4 years, median income and per cent of white residents at the neighbourhood level-results for social cohesion and for violence remained only for women residing in high SES and low SES neighbourhoods, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this civil-servant sample in six large cities in Brazil, the neighbourhood social environment was associated with obesity among women, but not men. Neighbourhood-level interventions to increase social cohesion and reduce violence may help in the prevention of obesity among women in Brazil.

Oficina da palavra: literatura, infância e cultivo da atenção / Atelier of words: literature, childhood and cultivating attention / Taller de la palabra: literatura, infancia y cultivo de la atención

Este artigo apresenta uma pesquisa-intervenção participativa, realizada no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenil (Capsi), de Vitória/ES, Brasil. Durante mais de dois anos, realizamos uma oficina literária com crianças desse serviço: a "Oficina da Palavra". Sustentando-nos pela estratégia da Gestão Autônoma da Medicação (GAM), construímos um espaço de expressão e cogestão com crianças, no qual pudéssemos conversar sobre diagnóstico, medicação e tratamento, entendendo cada um desses vetores em constante diálogo com aquilo que compõe a vida e o dia a dia infantil: a escola, a família, as brincadeiras, o corpo. Assim, refletimos sobre a importância da literatura no acesso e reinvenção da experiência infantil. Trazemos cenas e pistas de nosso trabalho com as crianças que demonstram que o cultivo atencional assumiu uma função relevante na construção de um espaço potente de expressão e das transformações das relações tutelares estabelecidas com a criança, construindo outras possibilidades de relação consigo e com o mundo.

This article presents a participative intervention and research that took place in the Center for Child and Youth Psychosocial Care (Capsi), in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. For more than two years, we ran a literature workshop, called the "Atelier of Words", with children that were cared for by this service. Taking the GAM strategy for support, we built a space of expression and co-management with children, in which we could talk about their diagnosis, medications and healthcare, but also about everything that can be part of a child's life: their school, their family, their body, games, sports and leisure activities. Thus, we reflect upon the importance of literature in accessing and reinventing children's experience. We bring about scenes and clues of our work to demonstrate that cultivating attention became a relevant exercise, not only to create a potent space for expression, but also to help transform established, hierarchical relationships with children, in order to build new possibilities of connection with ourselves and the world.

Este artículo presenta una investigación-intervención participativa realizada en el Centro de Atención Psicosocial Infantojuvenil (Capsi) de Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Durante más de dos años, realizamos un taller literario con niños de este servicio: la "Oficina da Palavra". Sustentándonos por la estrategia de la Gestión Autónoma de Medicación (GAM), construimos un espacio de expresión y cogestión con niños, en el cual pudiéramos conversar sobre diagnóstico, medicación y tratamiento, entendiendo cada uno de esos vectores en constante diálogo con aquello que compone la vida y el día-a-día infantil: la escuela, la familia, los juegos, el cuerpo. Así, reflexionamos acerca de la importancia de la literatura en el acceso y reinvención de la experiencia infantil. Traemos escenas y pistas de nuestro trabajo con los niños que demuestran que el cultivo atencional asumió una función relevante en la construcción de un espacio potente de expresión y de las transformaciones de las relaciones tutelares establecidas con el niño, construyendo otras posibilidades de relación consigo y con el mundo.

Rootstock-induced molecular responses associated with drought tolerance in sweet orange as revealed by RNA-Seq.

BACKGROUND: Citrus plants are commercially propagated by grafting, with the rootstock variety influencing a number of horticultural traits, including drought tolerance. Among the different rootstock varieties available for citrus propagation, 'Rangpur' lime is known to confer enhanced tolerance to drought as compared to other citrus rootstocks. The objective of this study was to investigate the poorly understood molecular responses underlying the rootstock-induced drought tolerance in sweet orange. RESULTS: RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis was carried out in leaves of sweet orange grafted on 'Rangpur' lime subjected to control and drought-stress treatments, under greenhouse conditions, using the Illumina HiSeq platform. A total of 41,827 unique transcripts were identified, among which 1764 transcripts showed significant variation (P ≤ 0.001) between the treatments, with 1081 genes induced and 683 repressed by drought-stress treatment. The transcripts were distributed in 44 different categories of cellular component, molecular function and biological process. Several genes related to cell metabolism, including those involved in the metabolisms of cell wall, carbohydrates and antioxidants, light reactions, biotic and abiotic stress responses, as well as genes coding for transcription factors (TFs), protein kinases (PKs) and proteins involved in the abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene signaling pathways, were differentially regulated by drought stress. RNA-Seq data were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis and comparative analysis of expression of the selected genes between sweet orange grafted on drought-tolerant and -sensitive rootstocks revealed new candidate genes for drought tolerance in citrus. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results showed that only a relatively small but functionally diverse fraction of the sweet orange transcriptome, with functions in metabolism, cellular responses and regulation, was differentially regulated by drought stress. The data suggest that the rootstock-induced drought tolerance in sweet orange includes the transcriptional activation of genes related to the cell wall, soluble carbohydrate and antioxidant metabolisms, biotic and abiotic stress responses, TFs, PKs and ABA signaling pathway, and the downregulation of genes involved in the starch metabolism, light reactions and ethylene signaling. Future efforts to elucidate their functional roles and explore their potential in the citrus genetic improvement should benefit from this data.

Incidence of aflatoxin M1 in fresh milk from small farms

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine aflatoxin M1 in fresh milk from fifty-two small farms in the city of Concórdia - SC, Brazil. Samples from the cooling tanks of each property were collected from November 2014 to January 2015. The QuEChERS method was used for the extraction of aflatoxin M1, and quantification was performed in UHPLC-FL. 40.4% of the analyzed samples (eg, 21 samples) showed contamination levels by aflatoxin M1 above the maximum limit allowed by the Brazilian regulation, which is 0.5 μg L-1. These results suggest the importance of implementing Good Practices in obtaining feed for dairy cows, since the contamination of milk by aflatoxin M1 occurs through the biotransformation of aflatoxin B1, after the ingestion of feed or silage contaminated by the animals, posing risk to the animals themselves, as well as to consumers of milk and dairy products.

Phoneutria nigriventer spider toxin Tx2-6 induces priapism in mice even after cavernosal denervation.

The Phoneutria nigriventer spider toxin Tx2-6 causes priapism in humans and mice. This toxin produces a delay in Sodium channel inactivation, generalized vascular congestion and death by respiratory failure. NO-Synthase inhibitors seem to abolish toxin-induced priapism. The understanding of the ultimate molecular mechanism involved in toxin-induced priapism may shed light on aspects of erectile function/dysfunction. This study investigates if cavernosal denervation can abolish the toxin-induced priapism. Surgical cavernosal nerve excision/denervation was performed in mice and confirmed by infertility, histological assessment of fibrosis and immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin. Denervated mice showed intense fibrosis of the cavernosal tissue as well as absence of synaptophysin IHC staining; surprisingly mice showed toxin-induced priapism when tested 15, 30 or 60 days after denervation. While sham-operated mice presented full priapism, denervated animals showed only partial priapism possibly due to the fibrosis. These results reveal that erection caused by Tx2-6 toxin may not depend on cavernosal nerves integrity. The effect of this toxin on sodium channels seem not directly involved in priapism as many toxins have identical effects but do not induce priapism. Discussion approaches the many different potential sites of intervention listed in the signaling cascades of NO/cGMP, RhoA/Rho-Kinase, as well as the emerging new gasotransmitter H2S. The pharmacological inhibition of Rho-kinase and toxin Tx2-6 have similar effects in vivo.

Náuseas e vômitos no pós-operatório

Náuseas e vômitos no pós-operatório continuam sendo uma preocupação constante em pacientes cirúrgicos, embora a gestão deste problema ainda seja confusa. Se não for tratada, NVPO ocorre entre 20% e 30% da população geral cirúrgica e em até 80% de pacientes cirúrgicos de alto risco.

Os efeitos adversos na NVPO aumentam a morbidade, o tempo de permanência hospitalar e consequentemente o custo. Deste modo, torna-se de extrema relevância o estudo de estratégias para prevenir e trata NVPO.

O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar uma visão sobre náuseas e vômitos no pós-operatório, enfatizando a fisiopatologia e neuroquímica envolvidas no processo, o custo hospitalar, a insatisfação do paciente, os tipos de anestesias e cirurgias mais relacionadas, profilaxia a ser ralizada e quais são as estratégias anestésicas possíveis a fim de reduzir, no pós-operatório, a ocorrência dos mesmos. isso se justifica pelo enorme custo hospitalar relacionado ao aumento do tempo de permanência e pela maior morbidade relacionada. Palavras-chave: Náuseas. Vômitos. Anestesia. Pós-operatório.

Phoneutria nigriventer spider toxin Tx2-6 induces priapism in mice even after cavernosal denervation

The Phoneutria nigriventer spider toxin Tx2-6 causes priapism in humans and mice. This toxin produces a delay in Sodium channel inactivation, generalized vascular congestion and death by respiratory failure. NO-Synthase inhibitors seem to abolish toxin-induced priapism. The understanding of the ultimate molecular mechanism involved in toxin-induced priapism may shed light on aspects of erectile function/dysfunction. This study investigates if cavernosal denervation can abolish the toxin-induced priapism. Surgical cavernosal nerve excision/denervation was performed in mice and confirmed by infertility, histological assessment of fibrosis and immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin. Denervated mice showed intense fibrosis of the cavernosal tissue as well as absence of synaptophysin IHC staining; surprisingly mice showed toxin induced priapism when tested 15, 30 or 60 days after denervation. While sham-operated mice presented full priapism, denervated animals showed only partial priapism possibly due to the fibrosis. These results reveal that erection caused by Tx2-6 toxin may not depend on cavernosal nerves integrity. The effect of this toxin on sodium channels seem not directly involved in priapism as many toxins have identical effects but do not induce priapism. Discussion approaches the many different potential sites of intervention listed in the signaling cascades of NO/cCMP, RhoA/Rho-Kinase, as well as the emerging new gasotransmitter H2S. The pharmacological inhibition of Rho-kinase and toxin Tx2-6 have similar effects in vivo.