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The neglected Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Despite CD dispersion throughout the world, it prevails in tropical areas affecting mainly poor communities, causing devastating health, social and economic consequences. Clinically, CD is marked by a mildly symptomatic acute phase, and a chronic phase characterized by cardiac and/or digestive complications. Current treatment for CD relies on medications with strong side effects and reduced effectiveness. The complex interaction between the parasite and the host outlines the etiology and progression of CD. The unique characteristics and high adaptability of T. cruzi, its mechanisms of persistence, and evasion of the immune system seem to influence the course of the disease. Despite the efforts to uncover the pathology of CD, there are many gaps in understanding how it is established and reaches chronicity. Also, the lack of effective treatments and protective vaccines constitute challenges for public health. Here, we explain the background in which CD is established, from the peculiarities of T. cruzi molecular biology to the development of the host's immune response leading to the pathophysiology of CD. We also discuss the state of the art of treatments for CD and current challenges in basic and applied science.

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Land degradation by deforestation adversely impacts soil properties, and long-term restoration practices have been reported to potentially reverse these effects, particularly on soil microorganisms. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the short-term effects of restoration on the soil bacterial community in semiarid areas. This study evaluates the bacterial community in soils experiencing degradation (due to slash-and-burn deforestation) and restoration (utilizing stone cordons and revegetation), in comparison to a native soil in the Brazilian semiarid region. Three areas were selected: (a) under degradation; (b) undergoing short-term restoration; and (c) a native area, and the bacterial community was assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing on soil samples collected during both dry and rainy seasons. The dry and rainy seasons exhibited distinct bacterial patterns, and native sites differed from degraded and restoration sites. Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria phyla exhibited higher prevalence in degraded and restoration sites, respectively, while Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were more abundant in sites undergoing restoration compared to degraded sites. Microbial connections varied across sites and seasons, with an increase in nodes observed in the native site during the dry season, more edges and positive connections in the restoration site, and a higher occurrence of negative connections in the degradation site during the rainy season. Niche occupancy analysis revealed that degradation favored specialists over generalists, whereas restoration exhibited a higher prevalence of generalists compared to native sites. Specifically, degraded sites showed a higher abundance of specialists in contrast to restoration sites. This study reveals that land degradation impacts the soil bacterial community, leading to differences between native and degraded sites. Restoring the soil over a short period alters the status of the bacterial community in degraded soil, fostering an increase in generalist microbes that contribute to enhanced soil stability.

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O sono é um estado essencial para sobrevivência humana, ele exerce função biológica, restauradora e de conservação energética do organismo, promovendo equilíbrio físico e mental. Alta prevalência da má qualidade de sono e sonolência diurna excessiva (SDE) têm sido relatadas por estudantes universitários de diversos cursos, ocasionando prejuízos na concentração e queda dos rendimentos acadêmicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade de sono, a SDE e suas possíveis associações com sintomas depressivos em estudantes de odontologia. Foi realizado um estudo transversal e descritivo com 251 alunos do curso de odontologia da Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Ceará. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh (IQSP), Escala de Sonolência de Epworth (ESE) e Inventário de Depressão de Beck (IDB). Verificou-se uma alta prevalência de má qualidade de sono (53,4%) e SDE (35,1%) entre os estudantes, sem diferença significante em relação ao sexo para ambas. Foi encontrada correlação positiva entre IDB com IQSP e ESE (r = 0,478; p = 0,000 e r = 0,202; p = 0,000, respectivamente). Os resultados mostraram uma alta prevalência de má qualidade de sono e SDE e ambos os achados apresentaram associação com sintomas depressivos.

Sleep is an essential state for human survival. It has a biological, restorative and energy conservation function for the organism, promoting physical and mental balance. A high prevalence of poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) has been reported among university students from different courses, causing impaired concentration and a drop in academic performance. This study evaluates sleep quality, EDS and their possible associations with depressive symptoms in dentistry students. A cross-sectional descriptive research was conducted with 251 students from the Dentistry Course at the School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará. Variables of interest were assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results show a high prevalence of poor sleep quality (53.4%) and EDS (35.1%) among students, with no significant difference regarding gender. BDI had a positive correlation with PSQI and ESS (r= 0.478, p= 0.000; and r= 0.202, p =0.000, respectively). Both findings were associated with depressive symptoms.

El sueño es un estado esencial para la supervivencia humana, tiene una función biológica, reparadora y de conservación de energía para el organismo, favoreciendo el equilibrio físico y mental. Se ha reportado una alta prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño y somnolencia diurna excesiva (SDE) en estudiantes universitarios de diferentes carreras que provoca alteración de la concentración y caída del rendimiento académico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la calidad del sueño, la SDE y sus posibles asociaciones con síntomas depresivos en estudiantes de odontología. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con 251 estudiantes de la carrera de Odontología de la Facultad de Farmacia, Odontología y Enfermería de la Universidad Federal de Ceará. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh (PSQI), la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth (ESS) y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI). Hubo una alta prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño (53,4%) y SDE (35,1%) entre los estudiantes, sin diferencia significativa en relación con el género para ambos. Se encontró una correlación positiva entre BDI con PSQI y ESS (r= 0,478; p= 0,000 y r= 0,202; p = 0,000, respectivamente). Los resultados mostraron una alta prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño y SDE, y ambos hallazgos se asociaron con síntomas depresivos.

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OBJECTIVE: To describe educational interventions that have been implemented in healthcare settings to increase the compliance of healthcare personnel (HCP) with cleaning and disinfection of noncritical portable medical equipment (PME) requiring low-level disinfection (LLD). DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Studies evaluating interventions for improving LLD practices in settings with HCP, including healthcare students and trainees, were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: In total, 1,493 abstracts were identified and 1,416 were excluded, resulting in 77 studies that underwent full text review. Among these, 68 were further excluded due to study design, setting, or intervention. Finally, 9 full-text studies were extracted; 1 study was excluded during the critical appraisal process, leaving 8 studies. Various forms of interventions were implemented in the studies, including luminescence, surveillance of contamination with feedback, visual signage, enhanced training, and improved accessibility of LLD supplies. Of the 8 included studies, 4 studies reported successes in improving LLD practices among HCP. CONCLUSIONS: The available literature was limited, indicating the need for additional research on pedagogical methods to improve LLD practices. Use of visual indicators of contamination and multifaceted interventions improved LLD practice by HCP.

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Resumo Introdução: Avaliação e manejo adequados da dor têm se tornado uma preocupação cada vez maior dos profissionais de saúde. Segundo a definição de cuidados paliativos da Organização Mundial da Saúde, são importantes a identificação precoce, a avaliação e o tratamento da dor. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivos desenvolver e avaliar um aplicativo para dispositivos móveis voltado para o ensino de abordagem da dor em cuidados paliativos. Método: Foi desenvolvido um aplicativo móvel, seguido de sua utilização por médicos residentes e de avaliação qualiquantitativa prospectiva. Aplicou-se o teste de conhecimento. Obtiveram-se a usabilidade do aplicativo, por meio da System Usability Scale (SUS), e a satisfação, por meio do Net Promoter Score (NPS). Os dados foram tabulados no Microsoft Office Excel® e exportados para o software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 20.0 (IBM): na realização das análises, adotou-se uma confiança de 95%. Para a análise qualitativa das avaliações, o conteúdo das respostas foi transcrito e organizado em nuvens de palavras para destacar as ideias centrais. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética do Centro Universitário Christus. Resultado: Desenvolveu-se o PaliPain App, aplicativo constituído de casos clínicos de pacientes em cuidados paliativos com manifestações de dor, além de questões, vídeos e imagens, disponibilizado nas plataformas Android e iOS. Utilizaram o aplicativo 13 médicos residentes. A média de acertos de questões no pré-teste sobre dor em cuidados paliativos aumentou de 6,08 para 7,54 após manuseio do aplicativo. Na avaliação sobre a usabilidade do aplicativo, obtivemos na SUS uma média de 89,2, acima do nível considerado adequado de 70,0. Na avaliação de satisfação, 54% dos médicos responderam com pontuação 10 à pergunta: "Em uma escala de 0 a 10, quanto você recomendaria o aplicativo PaliPain a um amigo ou colega?". Conclusão: O PaliPain App, desenvolvido e disponibilizado nas plataformas Android e iOS, foi bem avaliado pelos médicos residentes, apresentando ótimos escores de usabilidade e de satisfação. Identificamos que houve ganho de conhecimento, com pontuação média na resolução de questões aumentando de 6,08 para 7,54 após livre uso da aplicação. O PaliPain App pode ser uma ferramenta útil para ensino de abordagem de dor para médicos residentes.

Abstract Introduction: Pain evaluation has become an increasingly relevant concern for healthcare workers. According to the World Health Organization's definition of Palliative Care, early identification, evaluation, and treatment of pain are important. Objective: Developing and rating an app for mobile devices that focuses on teaching the subject of pain management in Palliative Care. Research Methodology: The app was developed as a learning tool and tested by resident physicians while undergoing a qualitative and quantitative prospective evaluation. Mock tests were taken. The usability of the app was rated through the System Usability Scale (SUS), and satisfaction with the app was rated through the Net Promoter Score (NPS). The data was charted by using Microsoft Office Excel ® and was exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 (IBM) software: an analysis was run with a 95% confidence interval. As for the qualitative analysis of the resident physicians' evaluations, all available content was transcribed and properly organized in word clouds in order to highlight the most important pieces of feedback that the physicians presented regarding the app. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. Main Results: The PaliPain App was developed as a database filled with clinical cases of patients undergoing palliative care who were experiencing varying levels of pain, and also presents analysis of test questions, videos and images. It was made available for the Android and iOS platforms. The average correct answers in a mock test about pain management during palliative care rose from 6.08 to 7.54. Thirteen resident physicians made use of the app. In the evaluation of the app's usability, the average SUS score was 89.2. In the evaluation of user satisfaction, 54% of the resident physicians answered the question "from a scale of 0 to 10, what is the likelihood of you recommending the PaliPan app to a friend or colleague?" with a score of 10. Conclusion: The PaliPain App, developed and available on Android and iOS platforms, was well evaluated by resident physicians, presenting excellent scores for both usability and satisfaction. We identified that there was a gain in knowledge, with an average score in the resolution of questions increasing from 6.08 to 7.54 after free use of the application. The PaliPan app could be a useful tool to teach the subject of pain to resident physicians.

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Introdução: Colite eosinofílica é uma doença crônica rara. Pode ser idiopática ou estar associada à alergias alimentares e à doenças atópicas. Assim, a incidência é, muitas vezes, indefinida devido ao seu subdiagnóstico. Objetivo: Relatar o caso de uma paciente com colite eosinofílica e dermatite atópica. Método: Trata-se de um estudo tipo Relato de Caso utilizando dados do prontuário clínico, de uma paciente jovem que evoluiu com quadro de dor abdominal e diarreia sanguinolenta e que, após investigação por meio de exames laboratoriais, diversos exames de imagem, o resultado anatomopatológico evidenciou Ileíte eosinofílica. Resultados: O tratamento consistiu em mudança alimentar e uso de budesonida por via oral, havendo regressão do quadro e melhora da dermatite atópica. Conclusão: É necessário excluir a Colite Eosinofílica secundária, pois pode ser uma manifestação à diversas patologias, já que tem apresentação clínica inespecífica

Introducion: Eosinophilic colitis is a rare chronic disease. It may be idiopathic or associated with food allergies and atopic diseases. Thus, the incidence is often undefined due to underdiagnosis. Objective: To report the case of a patient with eosinophilic colitis and atopic dermatitis. Method: This is a case report study using data from the clinical record, of a young patient who developed abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea and who, after investigation through laboratory tests, several imaging tests, the result pathology showed eosinophilic ileitis. Results: Treatment consisted of dietary changes and oral budesonide, resulting in regression of the condition and improvement in atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: It is necessary to exclude secondary Eosinophilic Colitis, as it can be a manifestation of several pathologies, as it has a nonspecific clinical presentation

Introducción: La colitis eosinofílica es una enfermedad crónica rara. Puede ser idiopática o estar asociada a alergias alimentarias y enfermedades atópicas. Por tanto, la incidencia suele estar indefinida debido a un infradiagnóstico. Objetivo: Reportar el caso de un paciente con colitis eosinofílica y dermatitis atópica. Método: Se trata de un estudio de reporte de caso, utilizando datos de la historia clínica, de un paciente joven que desarrolló dolor abdominal y diarrea sanguinolenta y quien, luego de la investigación mediante pruebas de laboratorio, varias pruebas de imagen, el resultado de la patología arrojó ileítis eosinofílica. Resultados: El tratamiento consistió en cambios dietéticos y budesonida oral, lo que resultó en regresión del cuadro y mejoría de la dermatitis atópica. Conclusión: Es necesario excluir la Colitis Eosinofílica secundaria, ya que puede ser manifestación de varias patologías, al tener una presentación clínica inespecífica

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Plants modulate the soil microbiota and select a specific microbial community in the rhizosphere. However, plant domestication reduces genetic diversity, changes plant physiology, and could have an impact on the associated microbiome assembly. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the microbial community in the bulk soil and rhizosphere of wild, semi-domesticated, and domesticated genotypes of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), to investigate the effect of plant domestication on microbial community assembly. In general, rhizosphere communities were more diverse than bulk soil, but no differences were found among genotypes. Our results showed that the microbial community's structure was different from wild and semi-domesticated as compared to domesticated genotypes. The community similarity decreased 57.67% from wild to domesticated genotypes. In general, the most abundant phyla were Actinobacteria (21.9%), Proteobacteria (20.7%), Acidobacteria (14%), and Firmicutes (9.7%). Comparing the different genotypes, the analysis showed that Firmicutes (Bacillus) was abundant in the rhizosphere of the wild genotypes, while Acidobacteria dominated semi-domesticated plants, and Proteobacteria (including rhizobia) was enriched in domesticated P. lunatus rhizosphere. The domestication process also affected the microbial community network, in which the complexity of connections decreased from wild to domesticated genotypes in the rhizosphere. Together, our work showed that the domestication of P. lunatus shaped rhizosphere microbial communities from taxonomic to a functional level, changing the abundance of specific microbial groups and decreasing the complexity of interactions among them.

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Plant breeding reduces the genetic diversity of plants and could influence the composition, structure, and diversity of the rhizosphere microbiome, selecting more homogeneous and specialized microbes. In this study, we used 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the bacterial community in the rhizosphere of different lines and modern cowpea cultivars, to investigate the effect of cowpea breeding on bacterial community assembly. Thus, two African lines (IT85F-2687 and IT82D-60) and two Brazilian cultivars (BRS-Guariba and BRS-Tumucumaque) of cowpea were assessed to verify if the generation advance and genetic breeding influence the bacterial community in the rhizosphere. No significant differences were found in the structure, richness, and diversity of bacterial community structure between the rhizosphere of the different cowpea genotypes, and only slight differences were found at the OTU level. The complexity of the co-occurrence network decreased from African lines to Brazilian cultivars. Regarding functional prediction, the core functions were significantly altered according to the genotypes. In general, African lines presented a more abundance of groups related to chemoheterotrophy, while the rhizosphere of the modern cultivars decreased functions related to cellulolysis. This study showed that the genetic breeding process affects the dynamics of the rhizosphere community, decreasing the complexity of interaction in one cultivar. As these cowpea genotypes are genetically related, it could suggest a new hypothesis of how genetic breeding of similar genotypes could influence the rhizosphere microbiome.

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The genus Coffea belongs to the Rubiaceae family and includes two species with optimum economic performances, Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. The state of São Paulo is one of the states that produce the species C. arabica in Brazil. Arabica coffee has been of great importance to São Paulo, providing relevant contributions to the historical, political, architectural, gastronomic, touristic, artistic, agricultural, industrial and social sectors since its introduction into the state in the nineteenth century. The agricultural sector includes crops produced by both small farmers and by highly technological agricultural groups. Coffea arabica plants present six phenological phases, all sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall. In the reproductive phases, the species requires short days, low temperatures and no rainfall, followed by the rainy season. However, the phenological phases of the coffee plants can be harmed or even inhibited by dry or rainy seasons that are too long or too short. In the state of São Paulo, the municipalities of Garça and Franca show optimal coffee productivity, whereas those of Adamantina and Registro are low, and the agricultural aptitudes of these four municipalities show strong relationships with their geographical distributions in the state. Garça and Franca are situated in areas where the predominant dry and rainy seasons favor the occurrence of the phenological phases of arabica coffee plants, whereas Adamantina and Registro are located in areas with long dry and rainy seasons, respectively, characteristics that harm the development of the reproductive phenological phases of this culture.

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ObjectivesCurrently available COVID-19 prognostic models have focused on laboratory and radiological data obtained following admission. However, these tests are not available on initial assessment or in resource-limited settings. We aim to develop and validate a prediction model, based on clinical history and examination findings on initial diagnosis of COVID-19, to identify patients at risk of critical outcomes. MethodsWe used data from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a nationwide multicenter cohort of consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from 132 centers in Spain. Clinical signs and symptoms, demographic variables, and medical history ascertained at hospital admission were screened using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and logistic regression to construct a predictive model. We externally validated the final model in a separate cohort of patients admitted at less-complex hospitals (< 300 beds).We undertook decision curve analysis to assess the clinical usefulness of the predictive model. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital death, mechanical ventilation or admission to intensive care unit. ResultsThere were 10,433 patients, 7,850 (primary outcome 25.1%) in the development cohort and 2,583 (primary outcome 27.0%) in the validation cohort. Variables in the final model included: age, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, dyspnea, tachypnea, confusion, systolic blood pressure, and SpO2[≤]93% or oxygen requirement.The C-statistic in the development cohort was 0.823 (95% CI,0.813-0.834). On external validation, the C-statistic was 0.792 (95% CI,0.772-0.812). The model showed a positive net benefit for threshold probabilities between 3% and 79%. ConclusionsAmong patients presenting with COVID-19, the model based on easily-obtained clinical information had good discrimination and generalizability for identifying patients at risk of critical outcomes without the need of additional testing. The online calculator provided would facilitate triage of patients during the pandemic. This study could provide a useful tool for decision-making in health systems under pandemic pressure and resource-limited settings.

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IntroductionThe aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers of the Sanitary Region VIII, at province of Buenos Aires during June 2020. MethodsA cross-sectional design was used. A probabilistic sampling by two-stage conglomerates was carried out. Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire and a blood sample for antibody identification. The COVIDAR IgG and IgM test were used. RESULTS: 738 health workers were included; the overall response rate was 73.80%. 71.83% of that were women; age showed a normal distribution. Nurses and doctors accounted for more than half of the staff. 75.86% of people claimed to always use Personal Protective Equipment. 5.61% of people had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. 4.60% of people had previously had a nasopharyngeal swab with a negative result. Five workers had positive IgG for SARS-CoV-2 (four women and one man) with negative IgM. The mean age of the cases was 35 years old; two of them were asymptomatic; neither of them had a swab sample taken. The overall seroprevalence was 0.75%, with no significant differences between strata. DiscussionThe seroprevalence found was low; indicating a large proportion of workers was susceptible to infection. We stress the need to complement passive epidemiological surveillance strategies with serological monitoring in health workers.

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Introduction: the toxicity of pesticides on bacterial cell growth is still limited. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the in vitro growth rate of the C. violaceum wild type strain ATCC12472 exposed to the herbicide paraquat dichloride hydrate at different incubation times and final concentrations. Methodology: bacterial inocula were incubated in a nutrient broth medium containing the compound paraquat at final concentrations 100 and 1.000 µg mL-1 under aeration conditions. Spectrophotometric readings at different incubation times were carried out to estimate the in vitro bacterial growth rate. Moreover, the number of viable bacteria cells in the samples was also estimated in the presence of the paraquat at two concentrations tested based on colony-forming units grown on the nutrient broth agar. Results: significant decreases in the C. violaceum growth rate were detected, after one hour of paraquat exposure at a final concentration of 1,000 µg mL-1 (p<0.05) compared to all treatments tested. After two hours of paraquat exposure, significant decreases were progressively found at all final concentrations of 100 (p<0.01) and of 1,000 µg mL-1 (p<0.001). These data were also corroborated by counting the total number of colony-forming units at final concentrations tested. Conclusion: the findings described in current study suggest that the compound paraquat dichloride hydrate exerts significant effects on the in vitro growth rate of a C. violaceum wild type strain.

Introdução: a toxicidade de pesticidas sobre o crescimento de células bacterianas ainda é limitada. Objetivos: o presente estudo objetivou avaliar a taxa de crescimento in vitro de uma cepa selvagem de C. vilaceum ATCC12472 exposta ao herbicida hidratodicloreto de paraquat em diferentes tempos de incubação e concentrações finais. Metodologia: inóculos bacterianos foram incubados em um caldo nutritivo contendo o composto paraquat nas concentrações 100 e 1.000 µg mL-1 sob condições de aeração. Leituras espectrofotométricas em diferentes tempos de incubação foram realizadas para estimar a taxa de crescimento in vitro bacteriano. Além disso, o número de células bacterianas viáveis nas amostras foi também estimado na presença do paraquat nas duas concentrações testadas, baseado no número de unidades formadoras de colônias crescidas em meio nutritivo ágar. Resultados: diminuições significativas na taxa de crescimento da C. violaceum foram detectadas, após uma hora de exposição ao paraquat na concentração final de 1.000 µg mL-1 (p<0,05) em comparação aos demais tratamentos testados. Com duas horas de exposição ao paraquat, diminuições significativas foram progressivamente encontradas em todas as concentrações finais de 100 (p<0,01) e de 1.000 µg mL-1 (p<0,001). Tais dados foram corroborados pela contagem do número total de unidades formadoras de colônias nas concentrações analisadas. Conclusão: as descobertas descritas aqui sugerem que o composto hidrato-dicloreto de paraquat exerce efeitos significativos sobre a taxa de crescimento in vitro de uma cepa selvagem da bactéria C. violaceum

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Effective interventions are mandatory to control the transmission and spread of SARS-CoV-2, a highly contagious virus causing devastating effects worldwide. Cost-effective approaches are pivotal tools required to increase the detection rates and escalate further in massive surveillance programs, especially in countries with limited resources that most of the efforts have focused on symptomatic cases only. Here, we compared the performance of the RT-qPCR using an intercalating dye with the probe-based assay. Then, we tested and compared these two RT-qPCR chemistries in different pooling systems: after RNA extraction (post-RNA extraction) and before RNA extraction (pre-RNA extraction) optimizing by pool size and template volume. We evaluated these approaches in 610 clinical samples. Our results show that the dye-based technique has a high analytical sensitivity similar to the probe-based detection assay used worldwide. Further, this assay may also be applicable in testing by pool systems post-RNA extraction up to 20 samples. However, the most efficient system for massive surveillance, the pre-RNA extraction pooling approach, was obtained with the probe-based assay in test up to 10 samples adding 13.5 {micro}L of RNA template. The low cost and the potential use in pre-RNA extraction pool systems, place of this assays as a valuable resource for scalable sampling to larger populations. Implementing a pool system for population sampling results in an important savings of laboratory resources and time, which are two key factors during an epidemic outbreak. Using the pooling approaches evaluated here, we are confident that it can be used as a valid alternative assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human samples.

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The pursuit of cholesterol lowering natural products with less side effects is needed for controlling dyslipidemia and reducing the increasing toll of cardiovascular diseases that are associated with morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study aimed at the examining effects of p-methoxycinnamic acid diesters (PCO-C) from carnauba (Copernicia prunifera)-derived wax on cytotoxic, genotoxic responses in vitro and on dyslipidemia and liver oxidative stress in vivo, utilizing high-fat diet (HFD) chronically fed Swiss mice. In addition, we evaluated the effect of PCO-C on the expression of key cholesterol metabolism-related genes, as well as the structural interactions between PCO-C and lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) in silico. Oral treatment with PCO-C was able to reduce total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels following HFD. In addition, PCO-C reduced excessive weight gain and lipid peroxidation, and increased the gene expression of LCAT following HFD. Furthermore, the high affinity of the studied compound (ΔG: -8.78 Kcal/mol) towards the active sites of mutant LCAT owing to hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions was confirmed using bioinformatics. PCO-C showed no evidence of renal and hepatic toxicity, unlike simvastatin, that elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, a marker of liver dysfunction. Finally, PCO-C showed no cytotoxicity or genotoxicity towards human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. Our results suggest that PCO-C exerts hypocholesterolemic effects. The safety of PCO-C in the toxicological tests performed and the reports of its beneficial biological effects render this a promising compound for the development of new cholesterol-lowering therapeutics to control dyslipidemia. More work is needed for further elucidating PCO-C role on lipid metabolism to support future clinical studies.

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OBJECTIVE: To examine whether free (3-PD-5free) and/or liposomal (3-PD-5lipo) 6,7-dihydroxy-3-[3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl]-coumarin (3-PD-5) (1) modulate the effector functions of neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis under remission (i-RA) and with active disease (a-RA), in vitro; and (2) exert anti-inflammatory effect in a rat model of zymosan-induced acute joint inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Incorporation of 3-PD-5 into unilamellar liposomes of soya phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol was efficient (57.5 ± 7.9%) and yielded vesicles with low diameter (133.7 ± 18.4 nm), polydispersity index (0.39 ± 0.06), and zeta potential (- 1.22 ± 0.34 mV). 3-PD-5free (1 µM) and 3-PD-5lipo (3 µM) equally suppressed elastase release and reactive oxygen species generation in neutrophils from healthy subjects and i-RA and a-RA patients, stimulated with immune complexes. 3-PD-5free (20 µM) suppressed the release of neutrophil extracellular traps and chemotaxis in vitro, without clear signs of cytotoxicity. 3-PD-5lipo (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) diminished joint edema and synovial infiltration of total leukocytes and neutrophils, without changing the synovial levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6. CONCLUSION: Altogether, the results reported herein indicate that 3-PD-5 is a promising modulator of the early stages of acute joint inflammation that can help to diminish not only excessive neutrophil infiltration in the synovia but also neutrophil activation and its outcomes in RA patients.

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Carnauba wax is widely used in food, due to its physico-chemical characteristics with a predominance of esters and inert and stable components. Even with so many possibilities for the use of carnauba wax in food, there are still a large number of researchers around the world searching for new applications and a demand for new products with new technologies to improve existing ones. Recently, many parts of research which focus on the use of this wax in conservation and food processing have been carried out, some of which highlight the role of this wax in the microencapsulation of flavours, in preparing edible films and super hydrophobic and biodegradable packaging. This paper discusses the use of carnauba wax in food, including the extraction process of the wax, its chemical and physical characteristics, safety aspects, national and international law and permitted uses, along with the presentation of the main scientific research conducted.

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The aerial parts of Baccharis dracunculifolia (BdE) is used in the Brazilian folk medicine to treat inflammatory conditions. Here we examined the ability of free and liposomal BdE to modulate reactive oxygen species generation in human neutrophils in vitro and zymosan-induced acute joint inflammation in Wistar rats. We prepared biocompatible liposomes of soya phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol with low diameter, homogeneous size distribution, and neutral surface charge. Free BdE decreased joint swelling, total leucocyte and neutrophil infiltration, and the synovial levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukins 6 and 1ß. Incorporation of BdE into liposomes preserved its capacity to inhibit the neutrophil superoxide anion and total reactive oxygen species generation, and improved its anti-inflammatory effect in vivo by decreasing the effective BdE dose by nearly sixfold. The same liposome type lowered the effective dose of caffeic acid by nearly sixteenfold. Therefore, incorporation of BdE into phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol liposomes improves its anti-inflammatory effect.

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CONTEXTO: O mobbing é um fenómeno mundial caraterístico de ambientes de trabalho inseguros, competitivos e individualistas. Constitui um grave problema psicossocial na gestão das organizações de saúde. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a existência de condutas de mobbing nos enfermeiros e identificar as variáveis preditoras do mobbing nos enfermeiros num Hospital da Cova da Beira, em Portugal. METODOLOGIA: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo, correlacional e transversal. A amostra não probabilística acidental de 218 enfermeiros. Utilizou-se uma Escala de Avaliação de Condutas de Mobbing (EACM). RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que 92,2% dos enfermeiros inquiridos experimentaram pelo menos uma conduta de mobbing, sendo que em média os enfermeiros sofrem 12 condutas de mobbing, com um efeito quase nulo e uma intensidade fraca. CONCLUSÕES: As variáveis preditoras do mobbing são a satisfação profissional e os superiores valorizam o desempenho. Pode-se afirmar que quanto maior a satisfação profissional e quanto mais os superiores valorizam o desempenho menor a presença de mobbing no local de trabalho.

BACKGROUND: Mobbing is a worldwide phenomenon, characteristic of insecure, competitive and individualistic work environments. It is a serious psychosocial problem in the management of healthcare organizations. AIM: Evaluate the existence of mobbing behaviors on nurses and identify the variables which allow us to predict mobbing on nurses in the Cova da Beira hospital, in Portugal. METHODS: A quantitative research, descriptive, correlational and cross-section in nature. The sample was not probabilistic and accidental, consisting of 218 nurses. A questionnaire was used containing the Mobbing Ducts Rating Scale (EACM), validated for the Portuguese population. RESULTS: It was found that 92.2% of nurses surveyed experienced at least one mobbing behavior, and on average nurses suffer 12 mobbing behaviors, with almost no effect and a low intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The predictor variables of mobbing are professional satisfaction and performance valuation by superiors. We can say that the higher job satisfaction and the more superiors value performance, the lower the presence of mobbing in the workplace.

CONTEXTO: El mobbing es un fenómeno mundial característico de ambientes de trabajos inseguros, competitivos e individualistas. Es un grave problema psicosocial en la gestión de las organizaciones de salud. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar la existencia de conductas de mobbing en los enfermeros e identificar las variables predictoras del mobbing en los enfermeros en el Hospital de Cova da Beira, en Portugal. METODOLOGÍA: studio cuantitativo, descriptivo, correlacional y transversal. La muestra es no probabilística accidental de 218 enfermeros. Se utilizó una escala de evaluación de conductos de Mobbing (EACM). RESULTADOS: Se verificó que el 92,2% de los enfermeros encuestados experimentaron al menos una conducta de mobbing, siendo que en promedio los enfermeros sufren 12 conductas de mobbing, con un efecto casi nulo y una intensidad débil. CONCLUSIONES: Las variables predictoras del mobbing son la satisfacción profesional y los superiores valoran el rendimiento. Se puede afirmar que cuanto mayor sea la satisfacción profesional y cuanto más los superiores valoran el desempeño menor la presencia de mobbing en el lugar de trabajo.

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BACKGROUND: Sheehan's syndrome (SS) is one of the leading causes of hypopituitarism in developing countries. It occurs after postpartum necrosis of the pituitary gland, and it is considered a significant public health problem. This paper, apparently unpublished, aimed to perform an analysis on oral aspects in patients with SS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 23 women diagnosed with SS at the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes (Walter Cantídio University Hospital, Fortaleza, Brazil). RESULTS: Data on sociodemographic, dental and salivary flow aspects were collected through a clinical approach and a panoramic radiograph request. The mean age was 64 ± 11.5 years old, with the sample consisting mainly of married women (56.5%), socioeconomic class C2 or D / E (78.2%) and years of education up to 8 years (69.5%). The presence of horizontal bone loss (p < 0.001) and bilateral pneumatization of the maxillary sinus (p = 0.015) were significant data. The mean number of absent teeth considering all subjects was 23.17±9.7, being statistically significant (p < 0.001). In relation to age, the mean number of missing teeth was higher in individuals over 65 years old (p = 0.048). Reduced salivary flow was observed in 78.3% of the patients. In a bivariate analysis, considering the outcome variables "missing teeth" and "reduced salivary flow", it was observed that economic class (p < 0.001), family income (0.037) and maxillary sinus pneumatization (0.032) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, patients with SS showed severe teeth loss, reduced salivary flow, and low educational status. This study addressed important aspects regarding oral findings in SS and highlighted the importance of researches in oral medicine

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Myosins are motor proteins that comprise a large and diversified family important for a broad range of functions. Two myosin classes, I and XIII, were previously assigned in Trypanosomatids, based mainly on the studies of Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei and Leishmania major, and important human pathogenic species; seven orphan myosins were identified in T. cruzi. Our results show that the great variety of T. cruzi myosins is also present in some closely related species and in Bodo saltans, a member of an early divergent branch of Kinetoplastida. Therefore, these myosins should no longer be considered "orphans". We proposed the classification of a kinetoplastid-specific myosin group into a new class, XXXVI. Moreover, our phylogenetic data suggest that a great repertoire of myosin genes was present in the last common ancestor of trypanosomatids and B. saltans, mainly resulting from several gene duplications. These genes have since been predominantly maintained in synteny in some species, and secondary losses explain the current distribution. We also found two interesting genes that were clearly derived from myosin genes, demonstrating that possible redundant or useless genes, instead of simply being lost, can serve as raw material for the evolution of new genes and functions.

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