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Introdução: A realização de grupos é uma das possibilidades de atuação das equipes da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Esse tipo de intervenção possibilita o desenvolvimento de ações de cuidado que extrapolam as consultas individuais, propiciando educação em saúde, integração, troca de experiências e ampliação da rede de apoio. Ainda que não tenham necessariamente o propósito de serem terapêuticos em termos de saúde mental, apresentam-se como espaços de promoção de saúde e prevenção de agravos. O trabalho com grupos é capaz de gerar aprimoramento para todas as pessoas envolvidas usuários e profissionais na medida em que possibilita colocar em evidência os saberes da comunidade, abrindo a possibilidade de que as intervenções em saúde sejam criadas em coletivo. Objetivo: Analisar o processo de desenvolvimento da habilidade de facilitação de grupos e os impactos das habilidades adquiridas na sua dinâmica, bem como na sua efetividade como ferramenta de produção de saúde, considerando as habilidades e competências da Medicina de Família e Comunidade. Métodos: Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa desenvolvida na UBS Santa Cecília. Os encontros aconteceram semanalmente pelo período de uma hora durante seis meses. A ferramenta utilizada para acompanhamento do desenvolvimento da habilidade de facilitação se deu pela observação estruturada, baseada em cinco competências básicas para facilitação de grupos. A dinâmica estabelecida consistiu na determinação de uma profissional facilitadora e outra observadora, que registrou as intervenções realizadas, sendo esses papéis invertidos a cada encontro. Quinzenalmente os dados eram analisados, gerando reflexões e sugestões para melhoria das intervenções. Resultados: Cada competência descrita na ferramenta utilizada teve como resultado o desenvolvimento de habilidades primordiais para o funcionamento do grupo. Um dos maiores indicadores do êxito em alcançar as habilidades desejadas ocorreu pela observação de intervenções cada vez menos necessárias, tomando as participantes os papéis de protagonistas e responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento do grupo, questionando, produzindo e obtendo saúde. Conclusões: A utilização de um instrumento de observação e reflexão das competências do agente atuante como facilitador de um grupo permitiu que a dinâmica se estabelecesse de forma fluida com rápido entendimento das participantes sobre seus papéis no contexto geral do grupo. Observou-se também que a relação estabelecida entre elas resultou na formação de rede de apoio, melhoria do autocuidado e conhecimento, informação em saúde e apoio social às envolvidas.
Introduction: Running support groups is one of the actions of Primary Health Care teams. This type of intervention enables the development of actions that go beyond individual consultations as the only space of care, providing health education, integration, exchange of experiences, and an enlargement in the support network. Although these groups do not necessarily have the purpose of being therapeutic in terms of mental health, they are presented as spaces for building health promotion and disease prevention. The alternative of groups as care practice generates improvement for all involved individuals users and professionals as it makes it possible to highlight the community's knowledge, opening the possibility that health interventions are created collectively. Objective: To analyze the process of ability development in regards to the facilitation of support groups and the impacts of the acquired skills on its dynamics, as well as on its effectiveness as a health production tool, considering the skills and competencies in Family and Community Medicine. Methods: Qualitative study developed at Santa Cecilia BHU. The meetings took place for one hour weekly over a six months period and the tool used to monitor the development of the facilitation skill was the instrument "Structured Observation", based on five basic skills for facilitating groups. The dynamics consisted of the determination of a professional facilitator and an observer, who recorded the interventions that were carried out, with these roles being reversed at each meeting. The data were analyzed bi-weekly, with reflections and suggestions for improving interventions. Results: Each competence described in the tool resulted in the development of essential skills for the functioning of the group. One of the major indicators of the achievement of the desired skills occurred by observing interventions that were less and less necessary, with participants taking on the roles of protagonists and becoming responsible for the development of the group, questioning, producing, and acquiring health. Conclusions: The use of an instrument for observing and reflecting on the skills of the agent acting as a group facilitator allows the dynamics to be fluidly established, with a quick understanding of the participants about their roles in the general context of the group. It was also observed that the relationship established between them resulted in the formation of a support network, improvement of self-care and knowledge, health information and social support for those involved.
Introducción: La realización de grupos es una de las acciones de los equipos de la Atención Primaria a la Salud. Este tipo de intervención hace posible el desarrollo de acciones que extrapolan las consultas individuales como único espacio de cuidado, ofreciendo educación en salud, integración, intercambio de experiencias y ampliación de la red de apoyo. Aunque estos grupos no tengan necesariamente el propósito de ser terapéutico en términos de salud mental, se presentan como sitios de construcción de promoción de salud y prevención de agravios. La alternativa de los grupos como una práctica asistencial crea una mejora para todas las personas involucradas usuarios y profesionales ya que habilita colocar en evidencia los saberes de la comunidad, abriendo la posibilidad de que las intervenciones en salud sean creadas en colectivo. Objetivo: Analizar el proceso de desarrollo de la habilidad de facilitación de grupos y los impactos de las habilidades adquiridas en la dinámica de este, así como en la efectividad como herramienta de producción de salud, considerando las habilidades y competencias de la Medicina de Familia y Comunidad. Métodos: Se trata de estudio cualitativo llevado a cabo en la UBS Santa Cecília. Los encuentros ocurrieron semanalmente durante una hora por seis meses y la herramienta utilizada para seguimiento del desarrollo de la habilidad de facilitación fue el instrumento Observación Estructurada, basado en cinco competencias básicas para facilitación de grupos. La dinámica establecida consistió en la determinación de una profesional facilitadora y otra observadora, que registró las intervenciones realizadas, siendo esos papeles cambiados a cada encuentro. A cada quince días los datos eran analizados, haciendo reflexiones y sugestiones para mejorar las intervenciones. Resultados: Cada competencia descrita en la herramienta utilizada tuvo como resultado el desarrollo de habilidades primordiales para el funcionamiento del grupo. Uno de los grandes indicadores del éxito en alcanzar las habilidades deseadas ocurrió por la observación de intervenciones cada vez menos necesarias, tomando las participantes los papeles de protagonistas y responsables por el desarrollo del grupo, cuestionando, produciendo y obteniendo salud. Conclusiones: La utilización de un instrumento de observación y reflexión de las competencias del agente actuante como facilitador de un grupo permiten que la dinámica se establezca de forma fluida con rápido entendimiento de las participantes sobre sus papeles en el contexto general del grupo. Se pudo observar también que la relación establecida entre ellas resultó en la formación de red de apoyo, mejora del autocuidado y conocimiento, información en salud y apoyo social a las involucradas.
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Humanos , Feminino , Atenção Primária à Saúde , Mulheres , Educação em Saúde , Participação da Comunidade , Prática de GrupoRESUMO
This study sought to explore the perspective of medical faculty on the mental health of their students. This qualitative study based on a focus group is part of a longitudinal research that studied the mental health of Brazilian students. One group was conducted with faculty employed at a medical school. Topics discussed covered the concept of mental health and medical education. Six professors participated in one group. The mental health of medical students is a construct that encompasses emotional aspects, ability to solve problems and multiple facets of a human being, according to the participants. Artistic practices, moments of socialization and leisure were perceived as stimulating students' good mental health. Excessive demands generate competitiveness and the teacher's expectation of the student's good performance based on their own experience can harm the student's mental health. Participants also highlighted that a pedagogical reformulation that makes sense for the student's learning process is necessary to update traditional curricula. Medical students' mental health is influenced by experiences and exchanges during the medical school, mainly between professor and student, understood as necessary and inherent to the process of becoming physician. The findings of this study show the need for curriculum changes in the medical education process and updating teacher training for good practices that reinforce good mental health.
Este estudio buscó explorar la perspectiva de los profesores de medicina sobre la salud mental de sus estudiantes. Este estudio cualitativo basado en un grupo focal es parte de una investigación longitudinal que estudió la salud mental de estudiantes brasileños. Un grupo se llevó a cabo con profesores empleados en una escuela de medicina. Los temas tratados abarcaron el concepto de salud mental y educación médica. Seis docentes participaron en un grupo. La salud mental de los estudiantes de medicina es un constructo que abarca aspectos emocionales, capacidad de resolución de problemas y múltiples facetas del ser humano, según los participantes. Las prácticas artísticas, los momentos de socialización y el ocio fueron percibidos como estimulantes de la buena salud mental de los estudiantes. Las exigencias excesivas generan competitividad y la expectativa del docente sobre el buen desempeño del estudiante basándose en su propia experiencia puede perjudicar la salud mental del estudiante. Los participantes también resaltaron que es necesaria una reformulación pedagógica que tenga sentido para el proceso de aprendizaje del estudiante para actualizar los currículos tradicionales. La salud mental de los estudiantes de medicina está influenciada por las experiencias y los intercambios durante la carrera de medicina, principalmente entre profesor y estudiante, entendidos como necesarios e inherentes al proceso de convertirse en médico. Los hallazgos de este estudio muestran la necesidad de cambios curriculares en el proceso de formación médica y de actualización de la formación docente hacia buenas prácticas que refuercen la buena salud mental.
Este estudo buscou explorar a perspectiva dos docentes de medicina sobre a saúde mental de seus alunos. Este estudo qualitativo baseado em grupo focal faz parte de uma pesquisa longitudinal que estudou a saúde mental de estudantes brasileiros. Um grupo foi conduzido com professores empregados em uma faculdade de medicina. Os temas discutidos abrangeram o conceito de saúde mental e educação médica. Seis professores participaram de um grupo. A saúde mental dos estudantes de medicina é um construto que engloba aspectos emocionais, capacidade de resolução de problemas e múltiplas facetas do ser humano, segundo os participantes. As práticas artísticas, os momentos de socialização e de lazer foram percebidos como estimuladores da boa saúde mental dos estudantes. Exigências excessivas geram competitividade e a expectativa do professor pelo bom desempenho do aluno com base na própria experiência pode prejudicar a saúde mental do aluno. Os participantes destacaram também que é necessária uma reformulação pedagógica que faça sentido para o processo de aprendizagem do aluno para atualizar os currículos tradicionais. A saúde mental dos estudantes de medicina é influenciada pelas experiências e trocas durante o curso de medicina, principalmente entre professor e aluno, entendidas como necessárias e inerentes ao processo de tornar-se médico. Os achados deste estudo mostram a necessidade de mudanças curriculares no processo de formação médica e de atualização da formação docente para boas práticas que reforcem a boa saúde mental.
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Humanos , Percepção Social , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Saúde Mental , Docentes de Medicina , Brasil , Estudos Longitudinais , Grupos Focais , Pesquisa QualitativaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: A recent Lancet commission called for more research on palliative care in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries such as Colombia. A research priority setting approach has been recommended by The Global Forum for Health Research to address the huge gap in research output between LMIC and high-income countries, with influential health service bodies recommending the active involvement of non-research expert stakeholders in establishing research priorities to address service user needs. METHOD: Priority setting partnership (PSP) following the four stages of the James Lind Alliance methodology; establishing the partnership, identifying evidence uncertainties, refining questions and uncertainties, and prioritization. Data from MS forms were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 33 stakeholders attended an online PSP workshop and completed the Mentimeter exercise in Microsoft Teams. A total of 48 attended the subsequent in person prioritisation exercise in urban Bogota (n = 22) and rural Popayan (n = 25). The stakeholders were a diverse group of health professionals (physicians, medical students, nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, nutritionist, occupational and speech therapists), financial and administrative staff and patients with life-limiting illness and caregivers. Top research priorities included patient and caregiver needs, service provider education and training, and better integration of palliative care with cancer and non-cancer services. The key challenges included a lack of interest in palliative care research, along with funding, time and resource constraints. Key solutions included collaboration across disciplines and settings, highlighting benefits of palliative research to help secure adequate resources, and multicentre, mixed method research, with patient involvement from the research development stage. CONCLUSION: The findings of this PSP should be disseminated among palliative care associations worldwide to inform international multicentre studies, and among governmental and nongovernmental organisations that promote research in Colombia. A focus on patient and family caregiver palliative care needs in Colombia should be prioritised.
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Cuidados Paliativos , Humanos , Cuidados Paliativos/métodos , Cuidados Paliativos/normas , Cuidados Paliativos/tendências , Colômbia , Pesquisa/tendências , Prioridades em Saúde/tendênciasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: By addressing physical and psychosocial needs, group care (GC) improves health-related behaviours, peer support, parent-provider interactions and may improve birth outcomes. Hence, global implementation of GC is encouraged. Context analyses prior to implementation are vital to elucidate which local factors may support or hinder implementation. METHODS: Contextual analyses conducted in the Netherlands and Suriname were compared to identify the factors relevant to the implementability of GC as perceived by healthcare professionals (HCPs). 32 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Dutch and Surinamese healthcare professionals. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and coded using the Framework approach. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided the development of the interview guide and of the coding tree. RESULTS: Outer setting: Concerns regarding funding surfaced in both countries. Due to limited health insurance coverage, additional fees would limit accessibility in Suriname. In the Netherlands, midwives dreaded lower revenue due to reimbursement policies that favour one-on-one care. Inner setting: Appropriate space for GC was absent in one Dutch and three Surinamese facilities. Role division regarding GC implementation was clearer in the Netherlands than in Suriname. INNOVATION: HCPs from both countries expected increased social support, health knowledge among women, and continuity of care(r). Individuals/innovation deliverers: Self-efficacy and motivation emerged as intertwined determinants to GC implementation in both countries. Individuals/innovation recipients: Competing demands can potentially lower acceptability of GC in both countries. While Dutch HCPs prioritised an open dialogue with mothers, Surinamese HCPs encouraged the inclusion of partners. PROCESS: Campaigns to raise awareness of GC were proposed. Language barriers were a concern for Dutch but not for Surinamese HCPs. CONCLUSIONS: While the most striking differences between both countries were found in the outer setting, they trickle down and affect all layers of context. Ultimately, at a later stage, the process evaluation will show if those outer setting barriers we identified prior to implementation actually hindered GC implementation. Changes to the health care systems would ensure sustained implementation in both countries, and this conclusion feeds into a more general discussion: how to proceed when contextual analyses reveal barriers that cannot be addressed with the time and resources available.
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Pesquisa Qualitativa , Humanos , Suriname/etnologia , Países Baixos , Feminino , Gravidez , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Adulto , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Tocologia , Pessoal de Saúde/psicologia , Apoio SocialRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Current protocols aim to prevent some infant GBS infection through screening and peripartum antibiotics, however such strategies cannot be widely implemented in resource-limited settings. On the other hand, maternal vaccines in development against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can provide a feasible universal approach. The success of any vaccine will depend on uptake in the population. Rates of maternal GBS colonization in the Dominican Republic (DR) and Caribbean region are among the highest in the world, but little is known about attitudes towards maternal vaccines in this region. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter, mixed-methodology survey evaluated facilitators and barriers to maternal immunization and acceptability of a hypothetical Group B Streptococcus vaccine among pregnant women in three hospitals in the DR. RESULTS: Six-hundred and fifty women completed the survey of whom 85 % had never heard of GBS. Following receipt of information about GBS and a vaccine, 94 % of women stated that they would be likely or very likely to receive a vaccine. Being 18 years or younger was associated with a lower likelihood of GBS vaccine receipt (AOR 0.32, 95 % CI 0.14-0.69). Being born in the DR was associated with a higher likelihood of GBS vaccine receipt (AOR 2.73, 95 % CI 1.25-5.97). Among women who were unlikely to receive the vaccine, uncertainty about potential harm from a novel vaccine was the prominent theme elicited from free text responses. CONCLUSION: There was a high level of acceptance of a future GBS vaccine among this sample of pregnant women in the DR. However, knowledge of vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases was low, and most women had concerns about the safety of new vaccines. Interventions that strengthen existing maternal immunisation infrastructures, including increasing education of pregnant women about vaccines, will aid the successful implementation of a future GBS vaccine.
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Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez , Gestantes , Infecções Estreptocócicas , Vacinas Estreptocócicas , Streptococcus agalactiae , Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , República Dominicana , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Infecções Estreptocócicas/prevenção & controle , Vacinas Estreptocócicas/imunologia , Vacinas Estreptocócicas/administração & dosagem , Streptococcus agalactiae/imunologia , Adulto Jovem , Gestantes/psicologia , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Inquéritos e Questionários , Vacinação/psicologia , Vacinação/estatística & dados numéricos , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
Os grupos em saúde nascem para fomentar práticas coletivas de saúde, tendo se expandido para a atenção básica, encontrando ressonância na promoção da saúde e da qualidade de vida. Baseados nas teorias de Pichon-Rivière e de Yalom e Leszcz, esses grupos são capazes de contribuir para mudanças significativas na qualidade de vida de seus usuários participantes. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as contribuições dos grupos operativos da atenção primária à saúde a partir da visão de seus usuários e compreender a operacionalização desses grupos. Trata-se de pesquisa descritiva e analítica de caráter qualitativo, realizada em quatro grupos operativos em saúde da atenção básica de um município do Rio Grande do Norte, no interior do semiárido nordeste brasileiro. Os dados foram coletados por questionário socioeconômico e grupos focais entre março e agosto de 2023, sendo utilizada estatística descritiva para os questionários e análise temática de conteúdo para os grupos focais. Os questionários revelaram um predomínio de participantes do sexo feminino, com faixa etária acima dos 60 anos e situação socioeconômica de baixa renda. A análise de conteúdo demonstrou a efetividade dos grupos em produzir vetores grupais e fatores terapêuticos, além de seu potencial, como campo para a educação popular em saúde, em fomentar as redes sociais, o apoio, o acolhimento e o bem-estar biopsicossocial. Os grupos em saúde são estratégias eficazes na promoção da saúde e na qualidade de vida. Entretanto, ressalta-se a necessidade de pesquisas que avaliem a eficácia global dos grupos nos processos de morbimortalidade.
Health care groups were created to promote collective health practices and were expanded into Primary Care, helping to promote health and quality of life. Based on the theories of Pichon-Rivière and Yalom and Lezscz, these groups can contribute to significant changes in the quality of life of their participating users. Thus, this article analyzes the contributions of Primary Health Care operating groups from users' perspective and understands their operationalization. A descriptive analytical qualitative research was conducted with four health operating groups in Primary Care from a municipality in Rio Grande do Norte, in the semi-arid northeastern Brazil. Data were collected by means of a socioeconomic questionnaire and focus groups between March and August 2023, and investigated using descriptive statistics (questionnaires) and thematic content analysis (focus groups). The questionnaires revealed a predominance of female participants over 60 years old and with low-income socioeconomic status. Content analysis showed the groups' effectiveness in producing group vectors and therapeutic factors, as well as their potential as a field for popular health education in fostering social networks, support, user embracement, and biopsychosocial well-being. Health groups are effective strategies for promoting health and quality of life, future research should evaluate their global effectiveness in morbidity and mortality.
Los grupos de salud se crearon para promover prácticas de salud colectiva y se expandieron a la atención primaria, repercutiendo en la promoción de la salud y la calidad de vida. Basados en las teorías de Pichon-Rivière y Yalom y Lezscz, los grupos son capaces de contribuir a cambios significativos en la calidad de vida de sus usuarios participantes. Este artículo tuvo por objetivo analizar las contribuciones de los grupos operativos de atención primaria de la salud desde la perspectiva de sus usuarios, así como comprender la operacionalización de estos grupos. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, descriptiva y analítica, realizada en cuatro grupos operativos de salud en atención primaria de un municipio de Rio Grande do Norte (Brasil), en el interior de la región semiárida del Nordeste de Brasil. Los datos se recogieron de un cuestionario socioeconómico y de grupos focales en el período entre marzo y agosto de 2023, utilizando estadística descriptiva para los cuestionarios y análisis de contenido temático para los grupos focales. Los cuestionarios revelaron un predominio de los participantes del sexo femenino, mayores de 60 años y con nivel socioeconómico de bajos ingresos. El análisis de contenido demostró la eficacia de los grupos en la producción de vectores grupales y factores terapéuticos, además de su potencial como campo de educación popular en salud para fomentar redes sociales, apoyo, acogida y bienestar biopsicosocial. Los grupos de salud son estrategias efectivas para promover la salud y la calidad de vida. Sin embargo, se destaca la necesidad de investigaciones que evalúen la efectividad global de los grupos en los procesos de morbimortalidad.
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Although the presence of nitro groups in chemicals can be recognized as structural alerts for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, nitroaromatic compounds have attracted considerable interest as a class of agents that can serve as source of potential new anticancer agents. In the present study, the in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of three synthetic ortho-nitrobenzyl derivatives (named ON-1, ON-2 and ON-3) were evaluated by employing human breast and ovarian cancer cell lines. A series of biological assays was carried out with and without metabolic activation. Complementarily, computational predictions of the pharmacokinetic properties and druglikeness of the compounds were performed in the Swiss ADME platform. The MTT assay showed that the compounds selectively affected selectively the cell viability of cancer cells in comparison with a nontumoral cell line. Additionally, the metabolic activation enhanced cytotoxicity, and the compounds affected cell survival, as demonstrated by the clonogenic assay. The comet assay, the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and the immunofluorescence of the γ-H2AX foci formation assay have that the compounds caused chromosomal damage to the cancer cells, with and without metabolic activation. The results obtained in the present study showed that the compounds assessed were genotoxic and mutagenic, inducing double-strand breaks in the DNA structure. The high selectivity indices observed for the compounds ON-2 and ON-3, especially after metabolic activation with the S9 fraction, must be highlighted. These experimental biological results, as well as the theoretical properties predicted for the compounds have shown that they are promising anticancer candidates to be exploited in additional studies.
Assuntos
Ativação Metabólica , Antineoplásicos , Sobrevivência Celular , Dano ao DNA , Humanos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Antineoplásicos/toxicidade , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/química , Dano ao DNA/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Testes para Micronúcleos , Mutagênicos/toxicidade , Ensaio Cometa , Testes de Mutagenicidade , Feminino , Nitrobenzenos/toxicidade , Nitrobenzenos/química , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Neoplasias Ovarianas/tratamento farmacológico , Relação Dose-Resposta a DrogaRESUMO
Synaldis is a taxon within the Aspilota group with a contentious taxonomic history, currently classified as a subgenus of the genus Dinotrema. Species of Synaldis were only documented in the Neotropical region in 2017, and until then, the Neotropical fauna of this subgenus was represented by five species from Brazil. In this study, Synaldis is reported for the first time in Chile, with the description and illustration of ten new species, namely: Dinotrema (Synaldis) acarinareolatumsp. nov., D. (S.) brunneumsp. nov., D. (S.) chilensesp. nov., D. (S.) daltonisp. nov., D. (S.) flavumsp. nov., D. (S.) latusdentertiumsp. nov., D. (S.) perisfelipoisp. nov., D. (S.) pilosicaudatumsp. nov., D. (S.) puyehuesp. nov., and D. (S.) veraesp. nov. The studied specimens were collected during expeditions to southern Chile, in the Valdivian temperate rainforest at Parque Nacional de Puyehue. This study also includes a dichotomous identification key for Neotropical species of Synaldis, as well as a discussion of the primary morphological characters used to distinguish species within the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
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Deep eutectic electrolytes (DEEs) are regarded as one of the next-generation electrolytes to promote the development of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) due to their unparalleled advantages compared to both liquid electrolytes and solid electrolytes. However, its application in LMBs is limited by electrode interface compatibility. Here, we introduce a novel solid dimethylmalononitrile (DMMN)-based DEE induced by N coordination to dissociate LiTFSI. We confirmed that the DMMN molecule can promote the dissociation of LiTFSI by the interaction between the N atom and Li+, and form the hydrogen bond with TFSI- anion, which can promote the dissociation of LiTFSI to form DEE. More importantly, due to the absence of active α-hydrogen, DMMN exhibits greatly enhanced reduction stability with Li metal, resulting in favorable electrode/electrolyte interface compatibility. Polymer electrolytes based on this DEE exhibit high ionic conductivity (0.67â mS cm-1 at 25 °C), high oxidation voltage (5.0â V vs. Li+/Li), favorable interfacial stability, and nonflammability. LiâLFP and LiâNCM811 full batteries utilizing this DEE polymer electrolyte exhibit excellent long-term cycling stability and excellent rate performance at high rates. Therefore, the new DMMN-based DEE overcomes the limitations of traditional electrolytes in electrode interface compatibility and opens new possibilities for improving the performance of LMBs.
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Microplastic (MP, <5 mm) contamination in the ocean raises concern for zooplankton, as their prey and MPs fall within the same size range. This study aimed to evaluate the ingestion capacity of MPs among a diverse array of mesozooplankton taxonomic groups and species from the central Mexican Pacific, focusing on two functional traits: trophic group and feeding strategy. A total of 20 taxa belonging to eight taxonomic groups, 13 which were identified to species level, were exposed to microspheres (Ms) ranging in size from 38 to 53 µm, at a concentration of 100 Ms/mL. All experimental treatments were placed in 620 mL bottles and rotated on a plankton wheel for 2 h. The results demonstrate that the capacity to ingest MPs is closely related to the trophic group and the feeding strategy of each species, independent of taxonomic group. Omnivores and omnivore-herbivores which generate feeding currents were the most susceptible to MPs ingestion, while highly carnivorous species with active feeding strategies were the least prone. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating MP ingestion by zooplankton at the species level, due to the variability of feeding strategies within taxonomic groups, and the need for continued trait-based research at the species level. A more detailed understanding of zooplankton feeding behavior, especially in ecologically significant species, could enhance trait-based modeling at a biogeographic scale, predicting areas with the highest risk of MP ingestion by zooplankton communities and evaluating global impacts.
Assuntos
Comportamento Alimentar , Microplásticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Zooplâncton , Animais , Zooplâncton/fisiologia , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Microplásticos/toxicidade , Monitoramento Ambiental , Cadeia Alimentar , MéxicoRESUMO
CONTEXT: In the realm of quantum chemistry, the accurate prediction of electronic structure and properties of nanostructures remains a formidable challenge. Density functional theory (DFT) and density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) have emerged as two powerful computational methods for addressing electronic correlation effects in diverse molecular systems. We compare ground-state energies ( e 0 ), density profiles ( n ), and average entanglement entropies ( S ¯ ) in metals, insulators and at the transition from metal to insulator, in homogeneous, superlattices, and harmonically confined chains described by the fermionic one-dimensional Hubbard model. While for the homogeneous systems, there is a clear hierarchy between the deviations, D % ( S ¯ ) < D % ( e 0 ) < D ¯ % ( n ) , and all the deviations decrease with the chain size; for superlattices and harmonic confinement, the relation among the deviations is less trivial and strongly dependent on the superlattice structure and the confinement strength considered. For the superlattices, in general, increasing the number of impurities in the unit cell represents lower precision in the DFT calculations. For the confined chains, DFT performs better for metallic phases, while the highest deviations appear for the Mott and band-insulator phases. This work provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of these methodologies, shedding light on their respective strengths, limitations, and applications. METHODS: The DFT calculations were performed using the standard Kohn-Sham scheme within the BALDA approach. It integrated the numerical Bethe-Ansatz (BA) solution of the Hubbard model as the homogeneous density functional within a local-density approximation (LDA) for the exchange-correlation energy. The DMRG algorithms were implemented using the ITensor library, which is based on the matrix product states (MPS) ansatz. The calculations were performed until the energy reaches convergence of at least 10 - 8 .
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Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, can infect both phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells. T. cruzi gp82 and gp90 are cell surface proteins belonging to Group II trans-sialidases known to be involved in host cell binding and invasion. Phosphatidylinositol kinases (PIK) are lipid kinases that phosphorylate phospholipids in their substrates or in themselves, regulating important cellular functions such as metabolism, cell cycle and survival. Vps34, a class III PIK, regulates autophagy, trimeric G-protein signaling, and the mTOR (mammalian Target of Rapamycin) nutrient-sensing pathway. The mammalian autophagy gene Beclin1 interacts to Vps34 forming Beclin 1-Vps34 complexes involved in autophagy and protein sorting. In T. cruzi epimastigotes, (a non-infective replicative form), TcVps34 has been related to morphological and functional changes associated to vesicular trafficking, osmoregulation and receptor-mediated endocytosis. We aimed to characterize the role of TcVps34 during invasion of HeLa cells by metacyclic (MT) forms. MTs overexpressing TcVps34 showed lower invasion rates compared to controls, whilst exhibiting a significant decrease in gp82 expression in the parasite surface. In addition, we showed that T. cruzi Beclin (TcBeclin1) colocalizes with TcVps34 in epimastigotes, thus suggesting the formation of complexes that may play conserved cellular roles already described for other eukaryotes.
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Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an essential crop for food security and is ranked as the third most important crop worldwide for human consumption. The Diacol Capiro cultivar holds the dominant position in Colombian cultivation, primarily catering to the food processing industry. This highly heterozygous, autotetraploid cultivar belongs to the Andigenum group and it stands out for its adaptation to a wide variety of environments spanning altitudes from 1,800 to 3,200 meters above sea level. Here, a chromosome-scale assembly, referred to as DC, is presented for this cultivar. The assembly was generated by combining circular consensus sequencing with proximity ligation Hi-C for the scaffolding and represents 2.369 Gb with 48 pseudochromosomes covering 2,091 Gb and an anchor rate of 88.26%. The reference genome metrics, including an N50 of 50.5 Mb, a BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologue) score of 99.38%, and an Long Terminal Repeat Assembly Index score of 13.53, collectively signal the achieved high assembly quality. A comprehensive annotation yielded a total of 154,114 genes, and the associated BUSCO score of 95.78% for the annotated sequences attests to their completeness. The number of predicted NLR (Nucleotide-Binding and Leucine-Rich-Repeat genes) was 2107 with a large representation of NBARC (for nucleotide binding domain shared by Apaf-1, certain R gene products, and CED-4) containing domains (99.85%). Further comparative analysis of the proposed annotation-based assembly with high-quality known potato genomes, showed a similar genome metrics with differences in total gene numbers related to the ploidy status. The genome assembly and annotation of DC presented in this study represent a valuable asset for comprehending potato genetics. This resource aids in targeted breeding initiatives and contributes to the creation of enhanced, resilient, and more productive potato varieties, particularly beneficial for countries in Latin America.
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Cromossomos de Plantas , Genoma de Planta , Anotação de Sequência Molecular , Solanum tuberosum , Tetraploidia , Solanum tuberosum/genética , Cromossomos de Plantas/genética , Genômica/métodos , Mapeamento CromossômicoRESUMO
Introduction. Streptococcus pyogenes [group A streptococci (GAS)] is the causative agent of pharyngitis and various other syndromes involving cellulitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), and necrotising fasciitis. Although the prevalence of GAS infections globally remains high, necessitating the widespread use of ß-lactam antibiotics, GAS have remained largely susceptible to these agents. However, there have been several reports of GAS with reduced susceptibility harbouring mutations in genes for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). The objectives of this study were to examine the in vitro ß-lactam susceptibility patterns of group A streptococci, determine the prevalence of drug resistance, and ascertain whether such resistance could be attributed to mutations in specific PBP genes. Methods. In this study, we sought to use Sanger sequencing to identify mutations in PBP genes of Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from patients that required inpatient and outpatient care that could confer reduced PBP affinity for penicillin and/or cephalosporin antibiotics. All isolates were screened for susceptibility to penicillin, amoxicillin, and cefazolin using E-test strips. Results. While there were no documented cases of reduced susceptibility to penicillin or amoxicillin, 13 isolates had reduced susceptibility to cefazolin. Examination of pbp1a by Sanger sequencing revealed several isolates with single amino acid substitutions, which could potentially reduce the affinity of PBP 1A for cefazolin and possibly other first-generation cephalosporins. Conclusion. Penicillin and penicillin-derived antibiotics remain effective treatment options for GAS infections, but active surveillance is needed to monitor for changes to susceptibility patterns against these and other antibiotics and understand the genetic mechanisms contributing to them.
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BACKGROUND: Patterns of cognitive change and modifiable factors for cognitive decline versus stable cognitive trajectories have rarely been described in lower-educated older adults. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify long-term trajectories of cognitive functioning and possible factors associated with cognitive decline. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We used data from 1,042 adults aged ≥ 60 participating in the Health, Welfare and Aging Study (SABE), São Paulo, Brazil, without cognitive impairment at baseline. Data were collected across four waves (2000-2015). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify cognitive trajectories. Associations with socioeconomic variables, childhood background, lifestyle, and cardiovascular risk factors were explored using weighted multinomial logistic regressions. MEASUREMENTS: The abbreviated Mini-Mental State Examination was used to measure cognition. RESULTS: Three cognitive trajectories were identified: stable (n= 754, 68.6%), mild-decline (n= 183, 20.8%), and strong-decline (n= 105, 10.7%). At baseline, respondents in the strong-decline group were more likely to be older than those with stable and mild-decline trajectories. Furthermore, participants in both the mild and strong-decline groups were more likely to have no schooling, be divorced/separated, receive less than 4 monthly wages, and be underweight (BMI < 18.5) compared to the stable group. Finally, the mild-decline group was more likely to have lived in rural areas during childhood than participants located in a stable trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that interventions to reduce cognitive decline for low-educated older adults might include strategies addressing inequalities and improving modifiable risk factor burden.
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Disfunção Cognitiva , Escolaridade , Fatores de Proteção , Humanos , Masculino , Disfunção Cognitiva/epidemiologia , Feminino , Brasil/epidemiologia , Idoso , Fatores de Risco , Seguimentos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Testes de Estado Mental e DemênciaRESUMO
Group B Streptococcus sequence type 103 is known primarily as a bovine mastitis pathogen. In Brazil, it has circulated in cattle and humans since the 1990s. It lacks scpB and, in humans, was found only among carriage isolates. Bovine-human interspecies transmission may have contributed to its evolution and spread.
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Infecções Estreptocócicas , Bovinos , Humanos , Brasil/epidemiologia , Animais , Infecções Estreptocócicas/microbiologia , Infecções Estreptocócicas/veterinária , Infecções Estreptocócicas/epidemiologia , Infecções Estreptocócicas/transmissão , Streptococcus agalactiae/genética , Streptococcus agalactiae/classificação , Streptococcus agalactiae/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Mastite Bovina/microbiologia , Doenças dos Bovinos/microbiologia , Doenças dos Bovinos/epidemiologia , FilogeniaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This research conducted multi-index comprehensive evaluations of the immunotherapeutic efficacy and response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Forty-five patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) wild-type advanced NSCLC who received immunotherapy were included. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the expression levels of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) with X-ray cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) and excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) proteins in tumor tissues. Flow cytometry was utilized to measure the levels of T-cell subsets in peripheral blood before and after treatment. PCR-RELP method was employed to evaluate XRCC1 and ERCC1 gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood. According to the treatment effect, patients evaluated as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were categorized into the immune response group, and patients evaluated as progressive disease (PD) were categorized into the immune unresponsive group. The correlation between PD-L1 protein expression, XRCC1 and ERCC1 protein expression, gene polymorphisms, T-cell subpopulation levels, and treatment efficacy was analyzed. RESULTS: The therapeutic efficacy of patients with positive PD-L1 expression was better than that of patients with negative PD-L1 expression (P < 0.05). After treatment, peripheral blood CD3+ and CD4+ cell levels and Thl/Th2 cell levels were higher and CD8+ T cells were lower in the immune response group than in the immune unresponsive group (P < 0.05). Among the patients in the immune response group, peripheral blood CD3+ and CD4+ cell levels were higher and CD8+ T cells were lower in patients with positive PD-L1 expression than in patients with negative PD-L1 expression (P < 0.05). In the XRCC1 gene, the proportion of patients in the immune response group carrying the Arg/Trp + Trp/Trp genotype was higher than that of patients in the immune unresponsive group (P < 0.05). In the ERCC1 gene, the proportion of patients in the immune response group carrying the C/T + T/T genotype was higher than that of patients in the immune unresponsive group (P < 0.05). The positive expression rates of XRCC1 and ERCC1 in patients in the immune unresponsive group were higher than those in the immune response group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PD-L1 protein expression, XRCC1 and ERCC1 protein expression, and gene polymorphisms are associated with immunotherapy outcome in EGFR/ALK wild-type advanced NSCLC patients, and may be biological indicators for predicting immunotherapy outcome in EGFR/ALK wild-type advanced NSCLC patients.
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Introduction: Currently studies indicate the need to incorporate the user`s perspective in the testing of new assistive technologies. The objective of this paper is to test a baropodometric insole prototype for monitoring and treatment weight-bearing asymmetry, according to the Participatory Design. Methods: We used a qualitative case study approach during the testing phase of the baropodometric insole prototype. The focus group approach addressed topics related to the experience and accessibility of the potential user in conjunction with professionals, researchers, and physiotherapy students. Facilitators, barriers, and requirements for the device were collected through audio recordings of the discussions during and after prototype testing. Results: Key steps in the prototype testing process were divided into (1) Test of the prototype according to the Participatory Design, divided into Who, When, How, and Why the potential user was involved in the study; and (2) Facilitators, barriers and requirements to improve the prototype. Conclusions: The baropodometric insole prototype can be seen as a promising device for monitoring and treating weight-bearing asymmetry.
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The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg., is the sole plant worldwide utilized for the commercial production of natural rubber. Following years of breeding, there exists a wide array of germplasm differentiation in rubber trees. The exploration of diversity and population structure within rubber tree germplasm resources, alongside the establishment of core germplasm resources, is instrumental in elucidating the genetic background and facilitating the effective utilization and management of these resources. By employing SNP molecular marker technology, 195 rubber tree resources were amplified, their genetic diversity analyzed, and a fingerprint map was subsequently constructed. Through this process, the cold-resistant core germplasm of rubber trees was identified. The results revealed that the PIC, He, and pi values ranged from 0.0905 to 0.3750, 0.095 to 0.5000, and 0.0953 to 0.5013, respectively. Both group structure analysis and cluster analysis delineated the accessions into two groups, signifying a simple group structure. A core germplasm bank was established with a sampling ratio of 10%, comprising 21 accessions divided into two populations. Population G1 consists of 20 accessions, while population G2 comprises 1 accession. The research findings have led to the creation of a molecular database that is anticipated to contribute to the management and subsequent breeding applications of rubber tree accessions.
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Variação Genética , Hevea , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Banco de Sementes , Hevea/genética , Temperatura Baixa , FilogeniaRESUMO
The component Allee effect (AE) is the positive correlation between an organism's fitness component and population density. Depending on the population spatial structure, which determines the interactions between organisms, a component AE might lead to positive density dependence in the population per-capita growth rate and establish a demographic AE. However, existing spatial models impose a fixed population spatial structure, which limits the understanding of how a component AE and spatial dynamics jointly determine the existence of demographic AEs. We introduce a spatially explicit theoretical framework where spatial structure and population dynamics are emergent properties of the individual-level demographic and movement rates. This framework predicts various spatial patterns depending on its specific parametrization, including evenly spaced aggregates of organisms, which determine the demographic-level by-products of the component AE. We find that aggregation increases population abundance and allows population survival in harsher environments and at lower global population densities when compared with uniformly distributed organisms. Moreover, aggregation can prevent the component AE from manifesting at the population level or restrict it to the level of each independent aggregate. These results provide a mechanistic understanding of how component AEs might operate for different spatial structures and manifest at larger scales.