The incidence of asthma is a global health problem and requires studies aimed for the development of new treatments to improve its clinical management, reducing personal and economic burdens on the ...health system. Therefore, the discovery of mediators that promote anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolutive effects are highly desirable to improve lung function and quality of life of asthmatic patients. In that regard, experimental studies have shown that the angiotensin‐(1‐7)/Mas receptor (MAS1) of the renin‐angiotensin system is a potential candidate for the treatment of asthma. Therefore, we have reviewed findings related to the function of the angiotensin‐(1‐7)/Mas pathway in regulating the processes associated with inflammation, including leukocyte influx, fibrogenesis, pulmonary dysfunction and the resolution of inflammation in asthma. Thus, a knowledge of the role of the angiotensin‐(1‐7)/Mas can help pave the way for the development of new treatments for this disease, which has high morbidity and mortality, through new types of experiments and clinical trials.
Hyper-inflammatory responses induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are a major cause of disease severity and death. Predictive prognosis biomarkers to guide ...therapeutics are critically lacking. Several studies have indicated a "cytokine storm" with the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and IL-8, along with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and other inflammatory mediators. Here, we proposed to assess the relationship between IL-6 and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our cohort consisted of 46 adult patients with PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted in a COVID-19 ward of the Hospital de Braga (HB) from April 7 to May 7, 2020, whose IL-6 levels were followed over time. We found that IL-6 levels were significantly different between the disease stages. Also, we found a significant negative correlation between IL-6 levels during stages IIb and III, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO
), and partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO
), showing that IL-6 correlates with respiratory failure. Compared to the inflammatory markers available in the clinic routine, we found a positive correlation between IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). However, when we assessed the predictive value of these two markers, IL-6 behaves as a better predictor of disease progression. In a binary logistic regression, IL-6 level was the most significant predictor of the non-survivors group, when compared to age and CRP. Herein, we present IL-6 as a relevant tool for prognostic evaluation, mainly as a predictor of outcome.
Quercetin (QUE) is the most widely used flavonoid for therapeutic purposes. To improve the available knowledge about the properties of some natural products, determining the amount of QUE is crucial. ...The main objective of this systematic review is to identify the analytical methods validated for detecting and quantifying QUE in different matrices and characterize their sensitivity. A search was conducted until 30 June 2023 in the PubMed database for experimental studies that addressed the validation of chromatographic analytical methods to detect and quantify QUE from consumable natural products. Only studies published between 2018 and 2022, written in English, were included. The risk of bias was assessed by emphasizing methods of comparison according to previously published studies. Descriptive statistics were used to depict the obtained results. The studies were analyzed based on the type of QUE source, chromatographic method, and validation parameters. A total of 17 studies were included in this review. Plants were the most commonly analyzed source of QUE. Among the detection methods, spectrophotometry proved to be the most widely used, surpassing mass spectrometry (MS). After analyzing the bias, all the included studies mentioned/presented, totally or partially, at least four of the eight parameters.
Gestational weight gain (GWG) is an important indicator for monitoring maternal and fetal health.
To evaluate the effect of GWG outside the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on fetal ...and neonatal outcomes.
A prospective cohort study with 1642 pregnant women selected from 2017 to 2023, with gestational age ≤ 18 weeks and followed until delivery in the city of Araraquara, Southeast Brazil. The relationship between IOM-recommended GWG and fetal outcomes (abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness, arm and thigh subcutaneous tissue area and intrauterine growth restriction) and neonatal outcomes (percentage of fat mass, fat-free mass, birth weight and length, ponderal index, weight adequateness for gestational age by the Intergrowth curve, prematurity, and Apgar score) were investigated. Generalized Estimating Equations were used.
GWG below the IOM recommendations was associated with increased risks of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (aOR 1.61; 95% CI: 1.14-2.27), low birth weight (aOR 2.44; 95% CI: 1.85-3.21), and prematurity (aOR 2.35; 95% CI: 1.81-3.05), and lower chance of being Large for Gestational Age (LGA) (aOR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28-0.54), with smaller arm subcutaneous tissue area (AST) (-7.99 g; 95% CI: -8.97 to -7.02), birth length (-0.76 cm; 95% CI: -1.03 to -0.49), and neonatal fat mass percentage (-0.85%; 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.58). Conversely, exceeding GWG guidelines increased the likelihood of LGA (aOR 1.53; 95% CI: 1.20-1.96), with lower 5th-minute Apgar score (aOR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20-0.87), and increased birth weight (90.14 g; 95% CI: 53.30 to 126.99).
Adherence to GWG recommendations is crucial, with deviations negatively impacting fetal health. Effective weight control strategies are imperative.
Several millions of individuals are estimated to develop post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 condition (PASC) that persists for months after infection. Here we evaluate the immune response in convalescent ...individuals with PASC compared to convalescent asymptomatic and uninfected participants, six months following their COVID-19 diagnosis. Both convalescent asymptomatic and PASC cases are characterised by higher CD8
T cell percentages, however, the proportion of blood CD8
T cells expressing the mucosal homing receptor β7 is low in PASC patients. CD8 T cells show increased expression of PD-1, perforin and granzyme B in PASC, and the plasma levels of type I and type III (mucosal) interferons are elevated. The humoral response is characterized by higher levels of IgA against the N and S viral proteins, particularly in those individuals who had severe acute disease. Our results also show that consistently elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8/CXCL8 and IP-10/CXCL10 during acute disease increase the risk to develop PASC. In summary, our study indicates that PASC is defined by persisting immunological dysfunction as late as six months following SARS-CoV-2 infection, including alterations in mucosal immune parameters, redistribution of mucosal CD8
β7Integrin
T cells and IgA, indicative of potential viral persistence and mucosal involvement in the etiopathology of PASC.
Tributyltin (TBT) is a biocide introduced in the 1960s in antifouling paints. Despite legislation banning its use, its persistence in the environment still causes significant harm to organisms. ...Tributyltin is a ligand of retinoid X receptors (RXR) and ecdysteroid receptors (EcRs), which in arthropods act as homologs of RXR. Focusing on Metazoan species, this study used genomic and proteomic information from different sources to compare their three-dimensional structure, phylogenetic distribution, and amino acid sequence alterations. The objective was to identify possible patterns that relate organisms’ sensitivity to TBT using the species Triops longicaudatus as the basis for the comparisons. The results showed great conservation of this protein across several species when comparing the interaction amino acids described to RXR (an EcR analog) in Homo sapiens. The three-dimensional comparison of RXR showed little conformational variation between different sequences by maintaining the interaction pocket. As for the Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) curve, an HC05 = 0.2649 0.0789–0.7082 µg/L was obtained with no specific distribution between the different taxa. Protein-ligand docking analysis was then used to confirm the SSD curve ranking of species. Still, the results showed an opposite trend that may be related, for example, to differences in the LC50 values used in the calculations. This study serves as the first step for applying bioinformatics techniques to produce information that can be used as an alternative to animal or cellular experimentation. These techniques could be adapted to various chemicals and proteins, allowing for observations in a shorter timeframe and providing information on a broader spectrum.
The evaluation of the efficacy of incorporation of quercetin in nanoparticles is crucial, both for the development and quality control of pharmaceutical formulations. The validation of analytical ...methods for the precise quantification of quercetin is useful for the evaluation of various potential quercetin delivery systems and quercetin pharmacokinetics. This work aimed to validate a high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for quercetin detection and quantification in nanoparticles. Different mobile phase conditions and detection wavelengths (254 and 368 nm) were tested, and the major validation parameters were assessed (precision, accuracy, linearity, sensitivity, stability, and selectivity). The best peak resolution was obtained when quercetin was analyzed at 368 nm with a mobile phase of 1.5% acetic acid and a water/acetonitrile/methanol ratio of 55:40:5. Under these conditions, quercetin also eluted rapidly (retention time of 3.6 min). The method proved to be linear (R
> 0.995), specific, and repeatable (variation coefficient between 2.4% and 6.7%) and presented intermediate precision (variation coefficient between 7.2% and 9.4%). The accuracy of the analysis ranged between 88.6% and 110.7%, and detection and quantification limits were 0.046 and 0.14 µg/mL, respectively. Quercetin solutions were more stable when stored at 4 °C than at room temperature or -20 °C. This validated method satisfied more parameters of bias assessment than most recent methods for quercetin determination and presented itself as more sensitive and efficient than general spectrophotometric methods. The method was successfully used for the analysis of quercetin incorporation in nanoparticles and will be evaluated in the future for its adequacy for the determination of quercetin in more complex matrices.
Enquadramento: a violência doméstica é um problema de saúde pública. O enfermeiro de família, enquanto contacto privilegiado com mulheres e famílias, pode desempenhar um papel relevante na abordagem ...à mulher vítima de violência. Objetivo: identificar os conhecimentos, atitudes e barreiras dos enfermeiros de família na abordagem às mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica. Metodologia: desenho quantitativo, exploratório, descritivo e transversal, numa amostra não probabilística por conveniência, constituída por cinquenta enfermeiros de família. O instrumento de recolha de dados foi um questionário de autopreenchimento. No tratamento recorreu-se aos aplicativos QDA Miner 4 Lite e IBM SPSS Statistic, versão 21.0. Resultados: dos participantes, 78% refere não ter tido formação sobre violência doméstica. Evidenciam falta de conhecimento, reconhecendo, no entanto, que a identificação e encaminhamento das vítimas é responsabilidade dos profissionais de saúde. Apontam como principais barreiras a falta de protocolos de atuação e de regulamentação que legitime a sua intervenção e, em menor percentagem, a falta de conhecimento/formação para a abordagem à vítima. Conclusão: torna-se assim necessário dimensionar as necessidades ao nível da formação pré e pós-graduada, infundindo nos currículos esta temática e capacitando assim atuais e futuros profissionais na abordagem à mulher vítima de violência doméstica.
Resumo Este artigo analisa a participação da criança em ações coletivas, em diálogo com a produção acadêmica acerca do Movimento Nacional de Meninos e Meninas de Rua (MNMMR) e os Sem Terrinha, ...coletivo infantil vinculado ao Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST). O texto busca desvelar a participação das crianças em cada movimento, na tensão entre os marcos legais sobre os direitos da criança e suas experiências concretas. Ao buscar compreender o significado de fazer os direitos das crianças em sua vida cotidiana, destaca-se, em cada movimento, a perspectiva da governança de direitos, da relação com o Estado e a dimensão política. Procurou-se discutir as concepções de participação e protagonismo tensionadas pelas relações hierárquicas de poder entre adultos e crianças, tanto na organização e gestão dos movimentos quanto na legitimação dos discursos. Assim, o trabalho contribui para as teorizações dos estudos dos movimentos sociais e de ações coletivas demonstrando que os conceitos de agência e participação não podem ser tomados como pressupostos apriorísticos, mas que demandam análise das condições e contradições para sua efetivação. Nessa direção, a compreensão da criança como ator social revela-se, em ambos os movimentos, como forma de superação do lugar de vítima para o lugar de sujeito que luta coletivamente por seus direitos.
Abstract In this paper, the child participation in collective actions in dialog with the academic production about the Movimento Nacional de Meninos e Meninas de Rua (MNMMR) - National Movement of Street Boys and Girls - and the Sem Terrinha - Little Landless -, a collective of children linked to the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST) - Landless Workers’ Movement is analyzed. The text seeks to reveal the participation of children in each movement, in the tension between the legal provisions on the rights of the child and their concrete experiences. When seeking to understand the meaning of fulfilling children’s rights in their daily lives, the perspective of rights governance, the relationship with the State and the political dimension stand out in each movement. The intent was to discuss the conceptions of participation and “protagonismo” faced by the hierarchical relations of power between adults and children, both in the organization and management of movements and in the legitimation of discourses. Thus, the work contributes to the theories of the studies of social movements and collective actions, since it demonstrates that the concepts of agency and participation cannot be taken as a priori assumptions, as they demand analysis of the conditions and contradictions for their effectiveness. In this direction, the understanding of the child as a social actor is revealed, in both movements, as a way of overcoming the victim mentality in order to occupy the place of a subject who collectively fights for his/her rights.
Enquadramento: a qualidade em saúde é uma tarefa multiprofissional, na qual a enfermagem de reabilitação acrescenta valor pelo que, a compreensão a sua a representação social, poderá proporcionar ...contributos relevantes para aumentar a visibilidade da profissão e promover mudanças nas práticas e nos contextos de prática clínica. Objetivo: descrever a representação social da enfermagem de reabilitação para os enfermeiros. Metodologia: estudo qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, numa amostra não probabilística acidental com 110 participantes, tendo como população alvo enfermeiros. A recolha de dados foi efetuada através de um teste de associação livre de palavras, por meio eletrónico, aos enfermeiros da rede de contatos de uma instituição de ensino superior. O tratamento de dados foi realizado através do software informático IRAMUTEQ. Resultados: O núcleo central da representação social evidenciou as expressões autonomia, recuperação e cinesiterapia, reforçado pela primeira periferia – independência, treino de marcha e cuidar. Domínios emergentes ou competências comuns, como o exercício físico e a gestão, foram menos relevantes para a estrutura da representação social. Conclusão: Não se conseguindo construir dentro da profissão um pensamento social que traduza o mandato social da enfermagem de reabilitação, a população poderá igualmente não o alcançar, o que poderá ter implicações na procura em cuidados.
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