Possible association between lithium intoxication and Takotsubo syndrome.

More than 25 years after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and receiving continuous treatment with lithium, a woman develops Takotsubo syndrome.

Longitudinal bond strength of a universal adhesive and chemical dentin characterization under different acid etching protocols.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the longitudinal bond strength of a universal adhesive and chemically characterize the dentin substrate under different acid etching protocols. METHODOLOGY: Dentin samples were etched with polyacrylic acid 25% (PAA) for 10 seconds (n=3) and phosphoric acid 32% (PA) for 15 seconds (n=3) and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) before and after treatment. For collagen degradation, samples (n=12) were divided into 3 groups: PAA, PA, and Deionized water (control), and analyzed by the quantity of solubilized type I collagen C-terminal cross-linked telopeptides and solubilized C-terminal peptide in relation to total protein concentration (ICTPtp and CTXtp) and by their ultimate tensile strength (UTS). For the adhesive interface analysis, dentin samples (n=72) were divided into 3 groups: PAA, PA, and Self-etch (SE), and subdivided into 2 groups: 24 h (baseline) and 1 year. The following tests were performed: microtensile bond strength (µTBS) (n=48), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (n=12), and nanoleakage (n=12). RESULTS: The FTIR of PAA showed lower reduction of the peaks in the phosphate group when compared to PA. For ICTPtp, PA showed a significantly higher value. For CTXtp, PA and PAA groups failed to statically differ from each other. UTS was significantly lower for PA. For µTBS, storage time significantly affected bond strength. The results were unaffected by the etching protocol. For SEM, after 1 year, PA had little evidence of degradation in the upper third of the adhesive interface in comparison to the other groups. Nanoleakage showed no considerable silver impregnation after 1 year in the SE group. CONCLUSION: The use of PAA prior to a universal adhesive (when compared to PA) represents a less aggressive type of etching to dentin. However, self-etching still seems to be the best option for universal adhesive systems that have functional monomers in their composition.

X-ray imageable, drug-loaded hydrogel that forms at body temperature for image-guided, needle- based locoregional drug delivery.

Liver cancer ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Direct intratumoral injections of anti-cancer therapeutics may improve therapeutic efficacy and mitigate adverse effects compared to intravenous injections. Some challenges of intratumoral injections are that the liquid drug formulation may not remain localized and have unpredictable volumetric distribution. Thus, drug delivery varies widely, highly-dependent upon technique. An x-ray imageable poloxamer 407 (POL)-based drug delivery gel was developed and characterized, enabling real-time feedback. Utilizing three needle devices, POL or a control iodinated contrast solution were injected into an ex vivo bovine liver. The 3D distribution was assessed with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The 3D distribution of POL gels demonstrated localized spherical morphologies regardless of the injection rate. In addition, the gel 3D conformal distribution could be intentionally altered, depending on the injection technique. When doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into the POL and injected, DOX distribution on optical imaging matched iodine distribution on CBCT suggesting spatial alignment of DOX and iodine localization in tissue. The controllability and localized deposition of this formulation may ultimately reduce the dependence on operator technique, reduce systemic side effects, and facilitate reproducibility across treatments, through more predictable standardized delivery.

Neurofilament light-chain (NfL) and 18 kDa translocator protein in early psychosis and its putative high-risk.

Evidence of elevated peripheral Neurofilament light-chain (NfL) as a biomarker of neuronal injury can be utilized to reveal nonspecific axonal damage, which could reflect altered neuroimmune function. To date, only a few studies have investigated NfL as a fluid biomarker in schizophrenia primarily, though none in its putative prodrome (Clinical High-Risk, CHR) or in untreated first-episode psychosis (FEP). Further, it is unknown whether peripheral NfL is associated with 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a validated neuroimmune marker. In this secondary study, we investigated for the first time (1) serum NfL in early stages of psychosis including CHR and FEP as compared to healthy controls, and (2) examined its association with brain TSPO, using [18F]FEPPA positron emission tomography (PET). Further, in the exploratory analyses, we aimed to assess associations between serum NfL and symptom severity in patient group and cognitive impairment in the combined cohort. A large cohort of 84 participants including 27 FEP (24 antipsychotic-naive), 41 CHR (34 antipsychotic-naive) and 16 healthy controls underwent structural brain MRI and [18F]FEPPA PET scan and their blood samples were obtained and assessed for serum NfL concentrations. We found no significant differences in serum NfL levels across clinical groups, controlling for age. We also found no significant association between NfL levels and brain TSPO in the entire cohort. We observed a negative association between serum NfL and negative symptom severity in CHR. Our findings suggest that neither active neuroaxonal deterioration as measured with NfL nor associated neuroimmune activation (TSPO) is clearly identifiable in an early mostly untreated psychosis sample including its putative high-risk.

White matter hyperintensities in bipolar disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: White matter hyperintensities are lesions of presumed vascular origin associated with Cerebral small vessel disease. WMH are common findings that and are associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. A higher prevalence of WMH has been also reported in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), although the evidence is conflicting. Objective: To compare the prevalence of WMH in adults with BD, with the prevalence found in healthy controls. Methods: We searched the Embase, Medline/PubMed, and references cited in articles retrieved on May 20, 2023. We included case-control studies that compared the prevalence of WMH in adult BD patients with the prevalence of WMH in healthy controls, using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects method based on the inverse-variance approach. Findings: We included 22 case-control studies reporting data of 1313 people. The overall rate of WMH was 46.5% in BD patients and 28% in controls (pooled Odds Ratio 2.89, 95% CI 1.76; 4.75). We found a moderate heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 0.49). Publication bias was not significant. Interpretation: We found evidence that BD patients have a higher burden of WMH than healthy controls. Main limitations were impossibility of analyzing gender differences and bipolar type, moderate heterogeneity between studies, non-representative samples, lack of control for major confounders and search in two electronic databases. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023428464.

Low Fat Yoghurts Produced with Different Protein Levels and Alternative Natural Sweeteners.

The food industry is looking for substitutes for sucrose in food items due to the excessive consumption of products with added sugar and the demand for healthier products. Alternative natural sweeteners can help achieve this goal. Different types of low-fat yoghurts (1% fat), with low-protein and high-protein levels (3% and 4.5-6.5% protein, respectively), were produced using alternative natural sweeteners. The low-protein yoghurts were made with stevia (0.03% w/w) or agave syrup (4.5% w/w). The high-protein yoghurts were made with stevia (0.04% w/w), xylitol (6% w/w) or honey (6% w/w). Sucrose (6% w/w) was used as a control in both trials. pH and titratable acidity, CIEL*a*b* color parameters, syneresis index, rheology and the texture profile of the low-fat yoghurts were evaluated over refrigerated storage. All products underwent sensory evaluation by an untrained panel. The high-protein yoghurts were found to be more acidic (>1% as lactic acid), had a lower syneresis index (between 2.1 and 16.2%) and a better consistency (stronger gel structure) than the low-protein yoghurts. In terms of rheological parameters, stevia-sweetened yoghurts scored higher than the other sweetened yoghurts, showing a better gel structure. The different sweeteners tested did not significantly affect the sensory properties of the yoghurts, although the high-protein yoghurts scored higher for most of the attributes evaluated. Overall, consumers preferred stevia-sweetened yoghurts to yoghurts sweetened with sucrose or agave for the low-protein yoghurts. Of the tested formulations, those containing high protein with the alternative natural sweetener xylitol received higher scores in all attributes. These results reveal the potential of the tested natural sweeteners as sucrose substitutes, while contributing to improving the nutritional value of yoghurts.

Longitudinal bond strength of a universal adhesive and chemical dentin characterization under different acid etching protocols

Abstract Objective This study aimed to analyze the longitudinal bond strength of a universal adhesive and chemically characterize the dentin substrate under different acid etching protocols. Methodology Dentin samples were etched with polyacrylic acid 25% (PAA) for 10 seconds (n=3) and phosphoric acid 32% (PA) for 15 seconds (n=3) and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) before and after treatment. For collagen degradation, samples (n=12) were divided into 3 groups: PAA, PA, and Deionized water (control), and analyzed by the quantity of solubilized type I collagen C-terminal cross-linked telopeptides and solubilized C-terminal peptide in relation to total protein concentration (ICTPtp and CTXtp) and by their ultimate tensile strength (UTS). For the adhesive interface analysis, dentin samples (n=72) were divided into 3 groups: PAA, PA, and Self-etch (SE), and subdivided into 2 groups: 24 h (baseline) and 1 year. The following tests were performed: microtensile bond strength (μTBS) (n=48), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (n=12), and nanoleakage (n=12). Results The FTIR of PAA showed lower reduction of the peaks in the phosphate group when compared to PA. For ICTPtp, PA showed a significantly higher value. For CTXtp, PA and PAA groups failed to statically differ from each other. UTS was significantly lower for PA. For μTBS, storage time significantly affected bond strength. The results were unaffected by the etching protocol. For SEM, after 1 year, PA had little evidence of degradation in the upper third of the adhesive interface in comparison to the other groups. Nanoleakage showed no considerable silver impregnation after 1 year in the SE group. Conclusion The use of PAA prior to a universal adhesive (when compared to PA) represents a less aggressive type of etching to dentin. However, self-etching still seems to be the best option for universal adhesive systems that have functional monomers in their composition.

Concepções e vivências da sexualidade e seus efeitos nas vidas de mulheres idosas / Conceptions and experiences of sexuality and the efects on the lives of elderly women / Concepciones y vivencias de la sexualidade y sus efectos em la vida de las mujeres mayores

Objetivo: desvelar os conceitos e percepções da sexualidade de mulheres idosas e os impactos em suas vidas. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo exploratório-descritivo, com onze entrevistadas, mulheres entre 60 e 80 anos de idade, usuárias de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde, localizada no noroeste do Paraná. Resultados: observou-se que as mulheres idosas, em sua maioria, relacionam a sexualidade ao ato sexual e, consequentemente, depende de seu parceiro e percebem o ato como algo exclusivo do casamento e que depende do marido para acontecer. Conclusão: conclui-se que a sexualidade, apesar do conceito ter relação direta com o ato sexual, podem produzir influência em sua autoestima, na dinâmica familiar e busca pela assistência de saúde.

Objective: to reveal the concepts and perceptions of elderly women's sexuality and the impacts on their lives. Method: this is an exploratory-descriptive qualitative study, with eleven interviewees, women between 60 and 80 years of age, users of a Basic Health Unit, located in the northwest of Paraná. Results: it was observed that the majority of elderly women relate sexuality to the sexual act and, consequently, depend on their partner and perceive the act as something exclusive to marriage and that it depends on the husband to happen. Conclusion: It is concluded that sexuality, despite the concept having a direct relationship with the sexual act, can influence self-esteem, family dynamics and the search for health care.

Objetivos: revelar los conceptos y percepciones sobre la sexualidad de las mujeres mayores y los impactos en sus vidas. Método: Se trata de un estudio cualitativo exploratorio-descriptivo, con once entrevistadas, mujeres entre 60 y 80 años, usuarias de una Unidad Básica de Salud, ubicada en el noroeste de Paraná. Resultados: se observó que la mayoría de las mujeres mayores relacionan la sexualidad con el acto sexual y, en consecuencia, dependen de su pareja y perciben el acto como algo exclusivo del matrimonio y que depende del marido para realizarse. Conclusión: se concluye que la sexualidad, apesar de que el concepto tiene relación directa con el acto sexual, puede influir en la autoestima, la dinámica familiar y la búsqueda de atención de salud.

Chemical Characterization and Biological Activities of Jandaíra Stingless Bee Products (Melipona subnitida, Ducke, 1911): A Brief Review.

Melipona subnitida (Ducke, 1911), a species of stingless bee, popularly known as Jandaíra, has a wide distribution in the Brazilian Northeast region, being an important pollinator of the Caatinga biome. This bee produces products such as honey, geopropolis, pollen (saburá) and wax that are traditionally used for therapeutic purposes and some studies report the biological properties, as well as its chemical composition. This review aimed to select, analyze and gather data published in the literature focusing on the chemical profile and bioactivities described for M. subnitida products. Data collection was carried out through the Capes Journal Portal platform, using the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Original articles published in English and Portuguese were included, with no time limitation. The chemical composition of M. subnitida products has been investigated through chromatographic analysis, demonstrating the presence of a variety of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and phenylpropanoids, among other classes of secondary metabolites. These products also have several biological activities, including antioxidant, healing, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antidyslipidemic, antiobesity, antifungal, antibacterial and prebiotic. Among the biological activities reported, the antioxidant activity was the most investigated. These data show that products derived from the stingless bee M. subnitida have promising bioactive compounds. This review provides useful information about the bioactivities and chemical profile of Melipona subnitida bee products, and a direction for future research, which should focus on understanding the mechanisms of action associated with the already elucidated pharmacological activities, as well as the bioactive properties of the main isolate's constituents identified in the chemical composition of these products.

Antiviral Activity of Flavonoids from Geopropolis of the Brazilian Jandaira Bee against Zika and Dengue Viruses.

Arthropod-borne viruses within the Flaviviridae family such as Zika (ZIKV) and dengue (DENV) are responsible for major outbreaks in tropical countries, and there are no specific treatments against them. Naringenin and 7-O-methyl naringenin are flavonoids that can be extracted from geopropolis, a natural material that the Brazilian Jandaira stingless bee (Melipona subnitida Ducke) produces to protect its nest. Here, these flavonoids were tested against ZIKV and DENV using Vero cells as a cellular model to perform a cytotoxicity assay and to define the effective concentrations of TCID50 as the readout method. The results demonstrated the antiviral activity of the compounds against both viruses upon the treatment of infected cells. The tested flavonoids had antiviral activity comparable with 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside (6-MMPr), used here as a positive control. In addition, to identify the possible action mechanism of the antiviral candidates, we carried out a docking analysis followed by a molecular dynamics simulation to elucidate naringenin and 7-O-methyl naringenin binding sites to each virus. Altogether, these results demonstrate that both flavonoids have potent antiviral effects against both viruses and warrant further in vivo trials.

National School Feeding Program (PNAE): A Public Policy That Promotes a Learning Framework and a More Sustainable Food System in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Food systems drive change, which can accelerate the process of ending hunger, improving diets and protecting the environment. This is the attribution given to the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar-PNAE), which was created to supply 15% of the food needs of millions of children in Brazilian schools. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to create a framework to analyze learnings in the PNAE that contribute to the development of a sustainable food system in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For this, a qualitative descriptive survey with abductive logic was chosen through a study of multiple cases and semistructured interviews as its strategy. It was noticed that individuals tended to group themselves in accordance with their learning level. A group in which instrumental learning was prevailing would tend to strictly follow the rules. Groups that already had communicative learning would be more proactive and look for improvements. However, when they would reach emancipatory learning, they would become more willing to disrupt initiatives to create new perspectives to solve problems. From that, decisions became political, and the more organized the groups became, the more power they had to allow their ideas to prevail.

Health-Related Predictive Factors of Brazilian Children With Early Onset Scoliosis Using the EOSQ-24 and CHQ-PF50 Questionnaires.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the quality of life (QOL) of children with early onset scoliosis (EOS) has been discussed recently. Therefore, the study aimed to apply and correlate the 24-item Early Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) with the 50-item Childhood Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) to find predictive factors impacting QOL. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving a population of caregivers of patients with EOS. The sample consisted of 72 patients. Two research assistants applied the Portuguese version of the EOSQ-24 and CHQ-PF50 in 3 treatment centers. The EOSQ-24 assesses the subjective response of children with EOS from the parent's point of view. The CHQ is a self-administered questionnaire or parental proxy assessment of the psychological and social status of children aged 5 to 18 years. RESULTS: Of 72 patients, 41 (56.9%) were females, mean age of 11.9 ± 4.2 years. The most common scoliosis was of neuromuscular origin (32%). The CHQ-PF50 showed that family-related items had significant scores. The most affected subcategory was physical function (45.5), and the least affected was mental health (90.8). Thus, the CHQ-PF50 PhS summary index was 27, and the CHQ-PF50 PsS was 71.7. Moreover, the critical categories for the EOSQ-24 questionnaire were daily life and physical function (45.1 and 47.8, respectively), and the least affected categories were transfer and pulmonary function (70.8 and 68.9, respectively). Four subcategories showed a strong correlation between both questionnaires: general health (r = 0.749, P < 0.001), physical function (r = 0.645, P < 0.001), bodily pain (r = 0.714, P < 0.001), and mental health (r = 0.424, P < 0.001). Using CHQ-PF50 as a dependent variable in multiple regression analysis (P = 0.028), the only variable affecting the scores was syndromic scoliosis (P = 0.019; 95% CI -27.4 to -2.5). CONCLUSION: A strong correlation between both questionnaires was seen for general health, physical function, bodily pain, and mental health. Syndromic scoliosis was a predictor of worse QOL according to the CHQ-PF50.

Avaliação da deglutição após extubação orotraqueal: contributos do enfermeiro especialista em enfermagem de reabilitação / Assessment of swallowing after orotracheal extubation: contributions from rehabilitation nurse specialists

Este relatório engloba a descrição, análise e reflexão sobre as atividades desenvolvidas no estágio de natureza profissional que contribuíram para o aprimoramento e aquisição de competências como Enfermeira Especialista em Enfermagem de Reabilitação no cuidado do doente crítico nos cuidados intensivos e culmina com a apresentação do trabalho de investigação desenvolvido em contexto de estágio essencial para a aquisição do grau de Mestre. Introdução: A pessoa em situação crítica é aquela que experiencia ameaça da vida por falência ou eminência de falência de uma ou mais funções vitais. A disfagia concerne ao comprometimento da função de deglutição e traduz-se pela alteração do ato de comer, dificuldade ou incapacidade de preparação do bolo alimentar e/ou do seu transporte desde a boca até ao estômago. Na pessoa internada em cuidados intensivos, a disfagia pode ter uma etiologia multifatorial, sendo que a ventilação mecânica invasiva é um fator predispõe à sua ocorrência. Objetivo: Capacitar a equipa de enfermagem para o rastreio da disfagia após a extubação orotraqueal no doente em cuidados intensivos. Material e métodos: Utilizou-se a metodologia de trabalho de projeto. Na fase de diagnóstico de situação, foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e observacional, com abordagem quantitativa. O instrumento de recolha de dados incluiu um questionário de caracterização sociodemográfica, a avaliação dos conhecimentos acerca dos fatores de risco e das intervenções a executar na prestação de cuidados à pessoa com disfagia após-extubação e uma grelha de observação das práticas de enfermagem. Resultados: Participaram no estudo 35 enfermeiros de cuidados gerais, a maioria do sexo feminino e que, em média, exercem enfermagem em cuidados intensivos há 13,7 anos. A totalidade dos participantes identifica o comprometimento neurológico e a fraqueza neuromuscular como fatores de risco para a disfagia pós-extubação. Verificouse discrepância entre as práticas observadas e as intervenções de enfermagem que os enfermeiros identificam como necessárias na prestação de cuidados à pessoa em situação crítica com disfagia pós-extubação. Apenas três intervenções foram realizadas pela totalidade dos enfermeiros observados, e coincidiam com o que diziam executar, por outro lado, verificou-se que as intervenções com taxas superiores a 80% nos questionários não foram observadas na prática. Conclusão: O Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem de Reabilitação é determinante na avaliação e diagnóstico do comprometimento da deglutição após extubação e na capacitação dos pares. Na amostra em estudo, os enfermeiros apresentam conhecimentos sobre fatores de risco e intervenções de enfermagem, mas não o demonstram na prática clínica. A avaliação imediata das atividades revelou que o nível de satisfação dos participantes foi elevado, quer no que diz respeito aos aspetos estruturais e processuais da atividade, quer em relação à perceção da pertinência e adequação dos conhecimentos e práticas à realidade. Os níveis de avaliação seguintes, a avaliação dos conhecimentos, dos comportamentos e a avaliação dos resultados e impacto da formação foram propostas deixadas ao serviço pela investigadora. Em cuidados intensivos, considera-se fundamental a definição e implementação de um programa de intervenção que permita a abordagem efetiva à pessoa em situação crítica com disfagia.

This report includes the description, analysis and reflection of the activities developed during the internship, that contributed to the improvement and acquisition of skills as a rehabilitation specialist nurse in care of critically ill patients in intensive care units and culminates with the presentation of the work of research developed in the context of an internship essential for the acquisition of a master's degree. Introduction: The person in critical situation is one who experiences threat of life by failure or eminence of failure of one or more vital functions. Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder manifested by changes in the act of eating, difficulty, or inability to prepare the food bolus and/or transport it from the mouth to the stomach. In people hospitalized in intensive care, dysphagia may have a multifactorial etiology, with invasive mechanical ventilation being a predisposing factor to its occurrence. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of intensive care unit nurses about postextubation dysphagia; Characterize the interventions carried out by nurses in the evaluation of swallowing in patients in intensive care. Material and methods: The project methodology was used to identify needs and plan the intervention. In the situation diagnosis phase, a cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study was carried out, with a quantitative approach. The data collection instrument includes a sociodemographic characterization questionnaire, the assessment of knowledge about risk factors and interventions to be carried out in the care of people with post-extubation dysphagia and a grid for observing nursing practices. Two activities were implemented according to identified needs. Results: The study included 35 general care nurses, most of whom were female and who, on average, had been working in intensive care for 13.7 years. All participants identify respiratory impairment and neuromuscular weakness as risk factors for postextubation dysphagia. There was a discrepancy between the observed practices and the nursing interventions that the nurses identified as necessary in providing care to people in a critical situation with post-extubation dysphagia. Only three interventions were carried out by all the nurses observed, and they coincided with what they said they were doing. On the other hand, interventions with rates greater than 80% in compliance were not observed in practice. Conclusion: The Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse is crucial in the assessment and diagnosis of swallowing disorders after extubation and in peer training. In the study sample, nurses have knowledge about risk factors and nursing interventions for impaired swallowing, but do not demonstrate this in clinical practice. The immediate evaluation of the activities revealed that the level of satisfaction of the participants was high, both regarding the structural and procedural aspects of the activity, and in relation to the perception of the pertinence and adequacy of knowledge and practices to reality. The following evaluation levels, the evaluation of knowledge, of behavior and the evaluation of training results and impact were proposals from the researcher to the intensive care unit. In intensive care, it is essential to define and implement an intervention program that allows an effective approach to the person in a critical situation with dysphagia.

Assistência à saúde nos transtornos mentais no período de puerpério: revisão integrativa / Health care in mental disorders in the period of puerperium: Integrative Review / Atención sanitaria en los trastornos mentales en el puerpério: Revisión integradora

No puerpério, a mulher passa por intensas mudanças de ordem familiar e social, como também de adaptações psicológicas e biológicas, que são marcadas por alterações metabólicas e hormonais complexas, sendo a fase de maior risco para o desenvolvimento de algum transtorno mental. Objetivo:Realizar uma revisão da literatura paraidentificar a assistência à saúde nos transtornos mentais no período de puerpério. Metodologia:Estudo descritivo na modalidade revisão integrativa, realizado com artigos originais disponíveis nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola, publicados nas bases de dados Scientific Electronic LibraryOnline (SCIELO) e Literatura Latino-Americana em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), no período de 2015 a 2021 com os seguintes descritores: assistência de enfermagem, transtornos mentais e períodopós-parto. Resultados:Foram encontrados 58artigos, dos quais 17foram selecionados ao final do processo. 10 trabalhos evidenciaram fatores associados com transtorno mental, 4 trabalhos descreveram medidas de proteção e 3 abordaram ações assistenciais de saúde na intervenção dos transtornos mentais no puerpério. Conclusões:Após análise da literatura, observa-seque o baixo suporte social e familiar se mostraram como principais fatores de risco associados aos transtornos mentais para a puérpera. Já os fatores de proteção foram relacionados com aumento do apoio familiar e assistencial por meio dos serviços de saúde, bem como a importância da enfermagem na implementação de estratégias preventivas para os transtornos mentais no puerpério (AU).

In the puerperium, women undergoes intense changes of family and social order, as well as psychological and biological adaptations, which are marked by complex metabolic and hormonal alterations, being the phase of greatest risk for the development of somemental disorder. Objective: Conduct a review of the literature to identify health care in mental disorders in the postpartum period.Methodology:Descriptive study in the integrative review modality, carried out with original articles available in Portuguese, English and Spanish, published in the scientific electronic library online (SCIELO) and Latin American literature in health sciences (LILACS) databases, from 2015 to 2021 with the following descriptors: nursing care, mental disorders and postpartum period.Results:Fifty-eight articles were found, of which 17 were selected at the end of the process. 10 studies showed factors associated with mental disorder, 4 studies described protective measures and 3 addressed health care actions in the intervention of mental disorders in the puerperium.Conclusions:After analyzing the literature, we observed that low social and family support were shown to be the main risk factors associated with mental disorders for the puerperal. On the other hand, the protective factors were related to increased family and care support through health services, as well as the importance of nursing in the implementation of preventive strategies for mental disorders in the puerperium (AU).

En el puerperio, la mujer sufre intensos cambios de orden familiar y social, así como adaptaciones psicológicas y biológicas, que se caracterizan por complejas alteraciones metabólicas y hormonales, siendo la fase de mayor riesgo para el desarrollo de algún trastorno mental.Objetivo:Realizar una revisión de la literatura para identificar la atención médica en los trastornos mentales en el período posparto. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo en la modalidad de revisión integradora, realizado con artículos originales disponibles en portugués, inglés y español, publicados en las bases de datos de la biblioteca científica electrónica en línea (SCIELO) y de la literatura latinoamericana en ciencias de la salud (LILACS), de 2015 a 2021 con los siguientes descriptores: cuidados de enfermería, trastornos mentales y puerperio.Resultados: Se encontraron cincuenta y ocho artículos, de los cuales 17 fueron seleccionados al final del proceso. 10 estudios mostraron factores asociadosal trastorno mental, 4 estudios describieron medidas de protección y 3 abordaron acciones de atención sanitaria en la intervención de los trastornos mentales en el puerperio.Conclusiones: Después de analizar la literatura, observamos que el bajo apoyo social y familiar demostró ser el principal factor de riesgo asociado a los trastornos mentales para el puerperal. Por otro lado, los factores protectores se relacionaron con el aumento del apoyo familiar y asistencial a través de los servicios de salud, asícomo la importancia de la enfermería en la implementación de estrategias preventivas para los trastornos mentales en el puerperio (AU).

Interaction between peripheral and central immune markers in clinical high risk for psychosis.

Neuroinflammatory events prior to the diagnosis of schizophrenia may play a role in transition to illness. To date only one in-vivo study has investigated this association between peripheral proinflammatory cytokines and brain markers of inflammation (e.g., mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein, TSPO) in schizophrenia, but none in its putative prodrome. In this study, we primarily aimed to (Barron et al., 2017) test study group (clinical high-risk (CHR) and healthy controls) differences in peripheral inflammatory markers and test for any associations with symptom measures, (Hafizi et al., 2017a) investigate the interaction between brain TSPO levels (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus) and peripheral inflammatory clusters (entire cohort and (CHR) group independently) within a relatively large group of individuals at CHR for psychosis (N = 38) and healthy controls (N = 20). Participants underwent structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TSPO [18F]FEPPA positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Serum samples were assessed for peripheral inflammatory markers (i.e., CRP and interleukins). For exploratory analysis, we aimed to examine cluster differences for symptom measures and identify independent peripheral predictors of brain TSPO expression. Here, we report increased IL-8 levels that are positively correlated with prodromal general symptom severity and showed trend-level association with apathy in CHR. We identified distinct inflammatory clusters characterized by inflammatory markers (IL-1 ß, IL-2, IFN-γ) that were comparable between entire cohort and CHR. TSPO levels did not differ between inflammatory clusters (entire cohort or CHR). Finally, we show that CRP, IL-1 ß, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were the independent peripheral predictors of brain TSPO expression. Thus, alterations in brain TSPO expression in response to inflammatory processes are not evident in CHR. Taken together, clustering by inflammatory status is a promising strategy to characterize the interaction between brain TSPO and peripheral markers of inflammation.

Serum amyloid A proteins reduce bone mass during mycobacterial infections.

Introduction: Osteopenia has been associated to several inflammatory conditions, including mycobacterial infections. How mycobacteria cause bone loss remains elusive, but direct bone infection may not be required. Methods: Genetically engineered mice and morphometric, transcriptomic, and functional analyses were used. Additionally, inflammatory mediators and bone turnover markers were measured in the serum of healthy controls, individuals with latent tuberculosis and patients with active tuberculosis. Results and discussion: We found that infection with Mycobacterium avium impacts bone turnover by decreasing bone formation and increasing bone resorption, in an IFNγ- and TNFα-dependent manner. IFNγ produced during infection enhanced macrophage TNFα secretion, which in turn increased the production of serum amyloid A (SAA) 3. Saa3 expression was upregulated in the bone of both M. avium- and M. tuberculosis-infected mice and SAA1 and 2 proteins (that share a high homology with murine SAA3 protein) were increased in the serum of patients with active tuberculosis. Furthermore, the increased SAA levels seen in active tuberculosis patients correlated with altered serum bone turnover markers. Additionally, human SAA proteins impaired bone matrix deposition and increased osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Overall, we report a novel crosstalk between the cytokine-SAA network operating in macrophages and bone homeostasis. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of bone loss during infection and open the way to pharmacological intervention. Additionally, our data and disclose SAA proteins as potential biomarkers of bone loss during infection by mycobacteria.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Prescribing of Antiasthmatic Treatments in Portugal: A Nationwide Study.

PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on everyday life, the environment, and health care services. A shift from in-person medical appointments to telemedicine was a main adjustment. Such changes can have repercussions on the control and management of chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma. The available data suggest that there was an overall decrease in asthma-related morbidities during the first year of the pandemic. Therefore, the goal of this study was to quantify the effects of the pandemic on the prescribing of antiasthmatic treatments in outpatient care (public and private health care). METHODS: This before-after study used a time series approach based on data from monthly prescriptions of antiasthmatic drugs (anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators) dated between April 2018 and March 2021. An interrupted time series (ITS) design was used for assessing changes in antiasthmatic prescribing patterns in the short and long terms after COVID-19 was recognized as a pandemic. The results are complemented with seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (sARIMA) models. FINDINGS: The ITS analysis showed a non-significant increase in antiasthmatic prescribing in the short term. In the long term, after the pandemic was declared, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the prescribing of antiasthmatics (in anti-inflammatory drugs and, more pronounced, in bronchodilators). In the sARIMA model, the mean monthly volume of antiasthmatic prescriptions was 18.1% lower than predicted. The numbers of months outside of the 95% CIs were different between anti-inflammatory drugs (1 month) and bronchodilators (7 months). IMPLICATIONS: The prescribing of antiasthmatic drugs in the long term was significantly decreased with the COVID-19 pandemic, with a greater effect in the case of bronchodilators.

Characterization and reliability of internet resources on pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals with chronic lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with lung disease commonly use the internet as a source of health information on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The objective of this study was to characterize internet resources on PR, and to assess the content, readability, and quality of patient-directed PR resources. METHODS: The first 200 websites for the search term 'pulmonary rehabilitation resources and exercise' were analyzed on Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Website content was assessed based on 30 key components of PR from the 2013 and 2021 international consensus statements. Website quality was determined using DISCERN, JAMA benchmarks, and Global Quality Scale (GQS). RESULTS: 66 unique PR websites were identified with the two most common categories being scientific resources (39%) and foundation/advocacy organizations (33%). The average reading level of websites was 11 ± 3. PR content varied significantly across websites (mean range 13.4-21.5). Median DISCERN total score and GQS score were 4 (IQR 3-4) and 3.5 (IQR 2-4), respectively, representing moderate-good quality. Foundation/advocacy websites had higher DISCERN and GQS scores compared to other websites. CONCLUSION: Foundation/advocacy websites had the highest quality and reliability metrics; however, the higher-than-recommended reading levels may compromise patient comprehension and utilization. This study provides critical insight on the current state of online PR health-related information.

Sheep's Butter and Correspondent Buttermilk Produced with Sweet Cream and Cream Fermented by Aromatic Starter, Kefir and Probiotic Culture.

Small ruminant dairy products are common in some Mediterranean countries, in the Middle East and Africa, and can play a particular role in the development of rural areas. Butter has been the object of few research studies aimed at evaluating its potential as a vehicle for probiotic microorganisms. Moreover, the recovery of fermented buttermilk with functional properties can be considered an excellent opportunity to value this dairy byproduct. Therefore, the purpose of the present work was to develop different sheep butters and respective buttermilks after cream fermentation by: (1) a mesophilic aromatic starter (A); (2) a kefir culture (K); and (3) a mixture of probiotic bacteria (P). The butters and buttermilk produced with fermented cream were compared with non-fermented sweet cream (S) butter or buttermilk, respectively, regarding their physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics. The adjusted production (%, w/v) obtained for butter were: S (44.48%), A (36.82%), K (41.23%) and P (43.36%). S, A and K butters had higher solids, fat and ashes contents than P butter. The probiotic butter had a total fat of ca. 75% (w/w), below the legal limits, while all others had fat levels above 81.5%. In all samples, the pH decreased and the acidity increased over 90 days of refrigerated storage. These variations were more evident in the P butter, which agrees with the highest lactic acid bacteria counts found in this sample. Differences in color between samples and due to storage time were also observed. In general, the butter samples tended to become darker and yellower after the 60th day of storage. Texture analysis showed comparable results between samples and greater hardness was observed for the P butter, most probably due to its higher relative saturated fatty acids content (66.46% compared to 62−64% in S, A and K butters). Regarding rheological properties, all butters showed pseudoplastic behavior, but butter P had the lowest consistency index (249 kPa.sn−1). The probiotic butter and the corresponding buttermilk had viable cell counts greater than 7 Log CFU/g, indicating their suitability as probiotic carriers. All products were well accepted by consumers and small, but non-significant, differences (p > 0.05) were observed in relation to the sensory parameters evaluated. In general, it can be concluded that the use of adequate starter cultures can allow the production of innovative and potentially healthier products, alongside the valorization of dairy byproducts, improving the income of small-scale producers.

Improving the Antimycobacterial Drug Clofazimine through Formation of Organic Salts by Combination with Fluoroquinolones.

This work reports the synthesis, structural and thermal analysis, and in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of two new organic salts (OSs) derived from the antimycobacterial drug clofazimine and the fluoroquinolones ofloxacin or norfloxacin. Organic salts derived from active pharmaceutical ingredients (API-OSs), as those herein disclosed, hold promise as cost-effective formulations with improved features over their parent drugs, thus enabling the mitigation of some of their shortcomings. For instance, in the specific case of clofazimine, its poor solubility severely limits its bioavailability. As compared to clofazimine, the clofazimine-derived OSs now reported have improved solubility and thermostability, without any major deleterious effects on the drug's bioactivity profile.