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Summary: ADAM29 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 29) is a member of the membrane-anchored ADAM family of proteins, which is highly expressed in testis and may mediate different physiological and pathological processes. Although the functions of many ADAM family members have been well characterized, the biological relevance of ADAM29 has remained largely unknown. Here, we report the generation of an Adam29-deficient mouse model to delve deeper into the in vivo functions of this ADAM family member. We show that ADAM29 depletion does not affect mice viability, development, or fertility, but somehow impinges on metabolism and energy expenditure. We also report herein that ADAM29 deficiency leads to an accelerated wound healing process, without affecting cell reprogramming in mouse-derived fibroblasts. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into ADAM29 biological functions, highlighting the importance of non-catalytic ADAM proteases.

IntroductionScarce real-life data exists for COVID-19 management in hematologic disease (HD) patients in the Omicron era.PurposeTo assess the current clinical management and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed, identify the risk factors for severe outcomes according to the HD characteristics and cell therapy procedures in a real-world setting.MethodsA retrospective observational registry led by the Spanish Transplant Group (GETH-TC) with 692 consecutive patients with HD from December 2021 to May 2023 was analyzed.ResultsNearly one-third of patients (31%) remained untreated and presented low COVID-19-related mortality (0.9%). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was used mainly in mild COVID-19 cases in the outpatient setting (32%) with a low mortality (1%), while treatment with remdesivir was preferentially administered in moderate-to-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection cases during hospitalization (35%) with a mortality rate of 8.6%. The hospital admission rate was 23%, while 18% developed pneumonia. COVID-19-related mortality in admitted patients was 14%. Older age, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, corticosteroids and incomplete vaccination were factors independently associated with COVID-19 severity and significantly related with higher rates of hospital admission and pneumonia. Incomplete vaccination status, treatment with prior anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, and comorbid cardiomyopathy were identified as independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality.ConclusionsThe results support that, albeit to a lower extent, COVID-19 in the Omicron era remains a significant problem in HD patients. Complete vaccination (3 doses) should be prioritized in these immunocompromised patients. The identified risk factors may help to improve COVID-19 management to decrease the rate of severe disease, ICU admissions and mortality.

Abstract The long-term clinical efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines according to antibody response in immunosuppressed patients such as hematological patients has been little explored. A prospective multicenter registry-based cohort study conducted from December 2020 to July 2022 by the Spanish Transplant and Cell Therapy group, was used to analyze the relationship of antibody response over time after full vaccination (at 3–6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months) (2 doses) and of booster doses with breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection in 1551 patients with hematological disorders. At a median follow-up of 388 days after complete immunization, 266 out of 1551 (17%) developed breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection at median of 86 days (range 7–391) after full vaccination. The cumulative incidence was 18% [95% confidence interval (C.I.), 16–20%]. Multivariate analysis identified higher incidence in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients (29%) and with the use of corticosteroids (24.5%), whereas female sex (15.5%) and more than 1 year after last therapy (14%) were associated with a lower incidence (p

Abstract The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is an essential mechanism that ensures the accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis, thus preventing genomic instability. Deubiquitinases have emerged as key regulators of the SAC, mainly by determining the fate of proteins during cell cycle progression. Here, we identify USP49 deubiquitinase as a novel regulator of the spindle checkpoint. We show that loss of USP49 in different cancer cell lines impairs proliferation and increases aneuploidy. In addition, USP49-depleted cells overcome the arrest induced by the SAC in the presence of nocodazole. Finally, we report new binding partners of USP49, including ribophorin 1, USP44, and different centrins.

Microplastic pollution, global warming, and invasive species are known threats to marine biota, but the impact of their simultaneous exposure is still not well understood. This study investigated whether the toxic effects posed by the invasive red seaweed Asparagopsis armata exudate (2%) to the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis are amplified by a 96 h exposure to increased temperature (24 °C) and polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs, 1 mg/L). Biochemical (neurotoxicity, energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and damage) and physiological (byssal thread production) responses were evaluated. The number of produced byssus greatly decreased under concomitant exposure to all stressors. The antioxidant defences were depleted in the gills of mussels exposed to temperature rises and PE-MPs, regardless of exudate exposure, preventing oxidative damage. Moreover, the heat shock protein content tended to decrease in all treatments relative to the control. The increased total glutathione in the mussels’ digestive gland exposed to 24 °C, exudate, and PE-MPs avoided oxidative damage. Neurotoxicity was observed in the same treatment. In contrast, the energy metabolism remained unaltered. In conclusion, depending on the endpoint, simultaneous exposure to A. armata exudate, PE-MPs, and warming does not necessarily mean an amplification of their single effects. Studies focusing on the impact of multiple stressors are imperative to better understand the underlying mechanisms of this chronic exposure.

Aims and objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is a common finding and there is a suggested association with hypertension. Resistant hypertension is a clinical problem observed in 5–30% of hypertensive patients. Renal denervation (RDN) has been used for patients with resistant hypertension and has proven to lower blood pressure. Our primary goal was to assess the vitamin D serum concentration as a predictor of blood pressure response to RDN in highly selected patients. Methods: This prospective, nonrandomized, single-center study included 24 patients treated with RDN. Based on their one-year response after RDN, patients were classified as responders or non-responders at six months or at 12 months. Results: The median follow-up was 52 months (range, 14-91 months). After RDN, 17 patients (70.8%) had a reduction >5 mmHg in the mean systolic blood pressure, at the first six months of follow-up. At 12 months, 20 patients (83.3%) were responders. Vitamin D levels at baseline (15.1±4.8 vs. 24.2±8.8 ng/ml) and at six months (16.6±7.2 vs. 25±9.2 ng/ml) were lower in early non-responders compared to early responders (p=0.008), without significant variation during follow-up. Even though Vitamin D levels were lower in the total responder's group, no statistically significant differences were found (p=ns). Conclusion: In patients with resistant hypertension, low vitamin D concentrations were associated with an absence of early response to RDN. Resumo: Introdução: A deficiência de vitamina D é um achado comum e poderá estar associada a hipertensão. A hipertensão resistente é uma condição clínica observada em 5-30% dos doentes hipertensos. A desnervação renal tem sido aplicada em doentes com hipertensão resistente e tem revelado um decréscimo da tensão arterial. O nosso objetivo é avaliar a resposta preditora da vitamina D na desnervação renal. Métodos: Estudo prospetivo, não randomizado e unicêntrico que incluiu 24 pacientes, entre 38 a 77 anos, tratados com desnervação renal (RDN). A vitamina D foi medida antes do procedimento e durante o seguimento dos pacientes. De acordo com a resposta a um ano, os pacientes foram classificados como respondedores ou não respondedores aos 6 ou 12 meses. Resultados: O seguimento mediano foi de 52 meses (intervalo, 14-91 meses). Após a RDN, 17 pacientes (70,8%) tiveram uma redução >5 mmHg na tensão arterial sistólica média nos primeiros seis meses de seguimento. Aos 12 meses, 20 pacientes (83,3%) foram respondedores. Os níveis basais de vitamina D (15,1±4,8 versus 24,2±8,8 ng/ml) e aos seis meses (16,6±7,2 versus 25±9,2 ng/ml) foram inferiores nos não respondedores precoces (p=0,008), sem variação significativa durante o seguimento. Apesar de os níveis de Vitamina D serem inferiores no grupo respondedor tardio, não foi encontrado diferença estaticamente significativa (p=ns). Conclusão: Em doentes com hipertensão resistente, baixas concentrações de vitamina D estão associadas a uma ausência de resposta precoce à desnervação renal.

This study describes the quality of drinking water sampled over 2 years (2018 and 2019) from 20 ASADAS (Spanish acronym for Administrative Associations for Water and Sewer Systems) in Costa Rica. The analysis included Rotavirus (RV), somatic coliphages, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The ASADAS were categorized into three regions as temperate rainy (region 1), tropical rainy (region 2), and tropical rainy and dry (region 3) according to biogeographic classification. The concentrations of fecal coliforms and E. coli were higher in samples from surface water sources from the ASADAS in region 3 compared to regions 1 and 2. RV-positive samples (24/296) were detected in drinking-water samples from regions 2 and 3 during dry and transition seasons, with higher concentrations more frequently in the dry season. In addition, somatic coliphages were detected in samples from the three regions, with higher concentrations in region 2. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between somatic coliphages and diarrheal cases, classified as outbreaks or alerts in the region. Thus, the results confirmed that somatic coliphages are a good indicator of the presence of diarrhea cases in a specific region. HIGHLIGHTS Rotaviruses (RVs) are frequent waterborne pathogens.; Fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, somatic coliphages, and RV were analyzed from drinking-water samples in Costa Rica.; A significant relationship was found between somatic coliphages and diarrheal cases.; Somatic coliphages are considered a good indicator of diarrhea-causing pathogens in a specific region.;

Drug delivery using nanoparticles (NPs) represents a potential approach for therapy in cancer, such gastric cancer (GC) due to their targeting ability and controlled release properties. The use of advanced nanosystems that deliver anti-cancer drugs specifically to tumor cells may strongly rely on the expression of cancer-associated targets. Glycans aberrantly expressed by cancer cells are attractive targets for such delivery strategy. Sialylated glycans, such as Sialyl-Tn (STn) are aberrantly expressed in several epithelial tumors, including GC, being a potential target for a delivery nanosystem. The aim of this study was the development of NPs surface-functionalized with a specific antibody targeting the STn glycan and further evaluate this nanosystem effectiveness regarding its specificity and recognition capacity. Our results showed that the NPs surface-functionalized with anti-STn antibody efficiently are recognized by cells displaying the cancer-associated STn antigen under static and live cell monitoring flow conditions. This uncovers the potential use of such NPs for drug delivery in cancer. However, flow exposure was disclosed as an important biomechanical parameter to be taken into consideration. Here we presented an innovative and successful methodology to live track the NPs targeting STn antigen under shear stress, simulating the physiological flow. We demonstrate that unspecific binding of NPs agglomerates did not occur under flow conditions, in contrast with static assays. This robust approach can be applied for in vitro drug studies, giving valuable insights for in vivo studies.

Background: Scarce data exist that analyze the outcomes of hematological patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Omicron variant period who received treatment with remdesivir or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Methods: This study aims to address this issue by using a retrospective observational registry, created by the Spanish Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapy Group, spanning from 27 December 2021 to 30 April 2023. Results: This study included 466 patients, 243 (52%) who were treated with remdesivir and 223 (48%) with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was primarily used for mild cases, resulting in a lower COVID-19-related mortality rate (1.3%), while remdesivir was preferred for moderate to severe cases (40%), exhibiting a higher mortality rate (9%). A multivariate analysis in the remdesivir cohort showed that male gender (odds ratio (OR) 0.35, p = 0.042) correlated with a lower mortality risk, while corticosteroid use (OR 9.4, p < 0.001) and co-infection (OR 2.8, p = 0.047) were linked to a higher mortality risk. Prolonged virus shedding was common, with 52% of patients shedding the virus for more than 25 days. In patients treated with remdesivir, factors associated with prolonged shedding included B-cell malignancy as well as underlying disease, severe disease, a later onset of and shorter duration of remdesivir treatment and a higher baseline viral load. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir demonstrated a comparable safety profile to remdesivir, despite a higher risk of drug interactions. Conclusions: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir proved to be a safe and effective option for treating mild cases in the outpatient setting, while remdesivir was preferred for severe cases, where corticosteroids and co-infection significantly predicted worse outcomes. Despite antiviral therapy, prolonged shedding remains a matter of concern.

Background: Changes in glycosylation are known to play critical roles during gastric carcinogenesis. Expression of truncated O-glycans, such as the Sialyl-Tn (STn) antigen, is a common feature shared by many cancers and is associated with cancer aggressiveness and poor-prognosis. Methods: Glycoengineered cell lines were used to evaluate the impact of truncated O-glycans in cancer cell biology using in vitro functional assays, transcriptomic analysis and in vivo models. Tumor patients ‘samples and datasets were used for clinical translational significance evaluation. Findings: In the present study, we demonstrated that gastric cancer cells expressing truncated O-glycans display major phenotypic alterations associated with higher cell motility and cell invasion. Noteworthy, the glycoengineered cancer cells overexpressing STn resulted in tumor xenografts with less cohesive features which had a critical impact on mice survival. Furthermore, truncation of O-glycans induced activation of EGFR and ErbB2 receptors and a transcriptomic signature switch of gastric cancer cells. The disclosed top activated genes were further validated in gastric tumors, revealing that SRPX2 and RUNX1 are concomitantly overexpressed in gastric carcinomas and its expression is associated with patients' poor-survival, highlighting their prognosis potential in clinical practice. Interpretation: This study discloses novel molecular links between O-glycans truncation frequently observed in cancer and key cellular regulators with major impact in tumor progression and patients' clinical outcome. Keywords: Gastric cancer, Sialyl-Tn, RUNX1, SRPX2, Poor-survival

The large production and widespread daily consumption of plastic materials—which began in the last century—together with the often-inadequate collection and recycling systems, have made plastics and, consequently, microplastics (MPs) ubiquitous pollutants [...]

Freshwater sediments are a repository of microplastics (MPs) resulting from inland anthropogenic activities. Benthic invertebrates, particularly endobenthic sediment–ingesting species such as the annelid Lumbriculus variegatus (blackworm), are commonly found in contaminated sediments where they likely find and ingest MPs. In the present study, L. variegatus was exposed to concentrations between 0.51 and 20 g kg−1 dry sediment of four size-classes of irregularly-shaped polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs; size-class A: 32–63, B: 63–125, C: 125–250 and D: 250–500 μm) for 48 h to assess their sub-cellular responses to particles ingested, and for 28 days to determine chronic effects on worm's reproduction and biomass.After the short-term exposure (48 h), number of PE-MPs in blackworms' gut were related to MPs concentration in the sediment. In general, PE-MPs ingestion by blackworms induced depletion of their energy reserves (e.g., sugars in all size classes and lipids in the size-classes of PE-MPs > 125 μm), concomitant with the activation of antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms (increased level of total glutathione in all size-classes, and increased glutathione-S-transferase activity in PE-MPs > 250 μm), preventing lipid peroxidation. In addition, it was observed a reduction of aerobic energy production (decreased activity of the electron transport system) and a slight increase in neurotransmission (cholinesterase activity). After a long-term exposure (28 d), the presence and ingestion of PE-MPs did not affect reproduction and biomass of L. variegatus.The activation and efficiency of the antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms allied with the anatomy and physiology of L. variegatus, its feeding strategy and potentially dynamic ingestion/egestion capacity seem to be key features preventing MP deleterious effects under short- and chronic-exposures. Considering the MPs levels reported for freshwater sediments, and despite evidence of MPs ingestion and some sub-organismal effects, our results suggest no adverse impacts of PE-MPs contamination on L. variegatus populations fitness.This study applies an integrative approach in which data concerning the ingestion of different sized MPs and subsequent sub-cellular and apical responses are delivered, raising knowledge on endobenthic invertebrates’ strategies to potentially overcome MP toxicity in field contaminated sites.

Plastic pollution and invasive species are recognised as pervasive threats to marine biodiversity. However, despite the extensive on-going research on microplastics’ effects in the biota, knowledge on their combination with additional stressors is still limited. This study investigates the effects of polyamide microplastics (PA-MPs, 1 mg/L), alone and in combination with the toxic exudate from the invasive red seaweed Asparagopsis armata (2%), after a 96 h exposure, in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Biochemical responses associated with oxidative stress and damage, neurotoxicity, and energy metabolism were evaluated in different tissues (gills, digestive gland, and muscle). Byssus production and PA-MP accumulation were also assessed. Results demonstrated that PA-MPs accumulated the most in the digestive gland of mussels under PA-MP and exudate co-exposure. Furthermore, the combination of stressors also resulted in oxidative damage at the protein level in the gills as well as in a significant reduction in byssus production. Metabolic capacity increased in both PA-MP treatments, consequently affecting the energy balance in mussels under combined stress. Overall, results show a potential increase of PA-MPs toxicity in the presence of A. armata exudate, highlighting the importance of assessing the impact of microplastics in realistic scenarios, specifically in combination with co-occurring stressors, such as invasive species.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of small secreted particles involved in intercellular communication and mediating a broad spectrum of biological functions. EVs cargo is composed of a large repertoire of molecules, including glycoconjugates. Herein, we report the first study on the impact of the isolation strategy on the EV populations’ glycosylation profile. The use of different state-of-the-art protocols, namely differential ultracentrifugation (UC), total exosome isolation (TEI), OptiPrepTM density gradient (ODG) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) resulted in EV populations displaying different sets of glycoconjugates. The EV populations obtained by UC, ODG and SEC methods displayed similar protein and glycan profiles, whereas TEI methodology isolated the most distinct EV population. In addition, ODG and SEC isolation protocols provided an enhanced EV glycoproteins detection. Remarkably, proteins displaying the tumour-associated glycan sialyl-Tn (STn) were identified as packaged cargo into EVs independently of the isolation methodology. STn carrying EV samples isolated by UC, ODG and SEC presented a considerable set of cancer-related proteins that were not detected in EVs isolated by TEI. Our work demonstrates the impact of using different isolation methodologies in the populations of EVs that are obtained, with consequences in the glycosylation profile of the isolated population. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of selecting adequate EV isolation protocols and cell culture conditions to determine the structural and functional complexity of the EV glycoconjugates.

CD44 variant isoforms are often upregulated in cancer and associated with increased aggressive tumor phenotypes. The CD44v9 is one of the major protein splice variant isoforms expressed in human gastrointestinal cancer cells. Immunodetection of CD44 isoforms like CD44v9 in tumor tissue is almost exclusively performed by using specific monoclonal antibodies. However, the structural variability conferred by both the alternative splicing and CD44 protein glycosylation is disregarded. In the present work, we have evaluated the role of O-glycosylation using glycoengineered gastric cancer models in the detection of CD44v9 by monoclonal antibodies. We demonstrated, using different technical approaches, that the presence of immature O-glycan structures, such as Tn and STn, enhance CD44v9 protein detection. These findings can have significant implications in clinical applications mainly at the detection and targeting of this cancer-related CD44v9 isoform and highlight the utmost importance of considering glycan structures in cancer biomarker detection and in therapy targeting.

D-serine is the major D-amino acid in the mammalian central nervous system. As the dominant co-agonist of the endogenous synaptic NMDA receptor, D-serine plays a role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Alterations in D-serine are linked to neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Thus, it is of increasing interest to monitor the concentration of D-serine in vivo as a relevant player in dynamic neuron-glia network activity. Here we present a procedure for amperometric detection of D-serine with self-referencing ceramic-based microelectrode arrays (MEAs) coated with D-amino acid oxidase from the yeast Rhodotorula gracilis (RgDAAO). We demonstrate in vitro D-serine recordings with a mean sensitivity of 8.61 ± 0.83 pA/µM to D-serine, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.17 ± 0.01 µM, and a selectivity ratio of 80:1 or greater for D-serine over ascorbic acid (mean ± SEM; n = 12) that can be used for freely moving studies.

Sialyl-Lewis X (SLe(x)) is a sialylated glycan antigen expressed on the cell surface during malignant cell transformation and is associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis. The increased expression of sialylated glycans is associated with alterations in the expression of sialyltransferases (STs). In this study we determined the capacity of ST3GAL3 and ST3GAL4 sialyltransferases to synthesize the SLe(x) antigen in MKN45 gastric carcinoma cells and evaluated the effect of SLe(x) overexpression in cancer cell behavior both in vitro and in vivo using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. The activation of tyrosine kinase receptors and their downstream molecular targets was also addressed. Our results showed that the expression of ST3GAL4 in MKN45 gastric cancer cells leads to the synthesis of SLe(x) antigens and to an increased invasive phenotype both in vitro and in the in vivo CAM model. Analysis of phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase receptors showed a specific increase in c-Met activation. The characterization of downstream molecular targets of c-Met activation, involved in the invasive phenotype, revealed increased phosphorylation of FAK and Src proteins and activation of Cdc42, Rac1 and RhoA GTPases. Inhibition of c-Met and Src activation abolished the observed increased cell invasive phenotype. In conclusion, the expression of ST3GAL4 leads to SLe(x) antigen expression in gastric cancer cells which in turn induces an increased invasive phenotype through the activation of c-Met, in association with Src, FAK and Cdc42, Rac1 and RhoA GTPases activation.

El curso MQ-203 Bioquímica para Microbiología, fue impartido del 2006 al 2010 mediante clases magistrales en donde la evaluación del aprendizaje de los estudiantes se llevó a cabo exclusivamente mediante exámenes de selección única. En el primer semestre del 2011, además de las clases magistrales, en este cuso se implementaron varias actividades de aprendizaje cooperativo incluyendo trabajos en grupo, el estudio y la discusión de casos clínicos y el desarrollo de un trabajo de investigación en grupo. Estas actividades tuvieron un valor de 25% en la nota final del curso. En este artículo se analizan las opiniones de los estudiantes sobre estos cambios y el efecto de estos en su desempeño. Los estudiantes expresaron sentir un mayor compromiso con el proceso de aprendizaje, tanto individual como el de sus compañeros y mostraron una gran satisfacción con respecto al desarrollo del curso. Además, los estudiantes obtuvieron mejores notas que en años anteriores y aumentó significativamente el porcentaje de aprobación del curso. De esta manera, la implementación de actividades cooperativas contribuyó a una mejora en la disposición de los estudiantes hacia el curso y a su desempeño en el mismo. The course MQ-203 Biochemistry for microbiology students was taught between 2006 and 2010 through lectures in which the learning process of the students was assessed exclusively by single-selection tests. During the first term of the year 2011, besides lectures, several cooperative learning activities were implemented in this course, such as assignments in groups, the study and discussion of clinical cases, and the development of a research project in groups. These activities had a weight of 25% in the final grade of the course. In this paper student´s opinion about these changes are analyzed as well as their effect on their performance. Students reported a greater commitment to, both, personal and classmate’s learning process, and exhibit high satisfaction with the development of the course. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the mean score of the students’ compared to previous years, as well as in the rate of students who approved the course. Thus, the implementation of cooperative activities contributed to a better attitude toward the curse and significantly improved their performance.

Nesta pesquisa procuramos compreender o ponto de vista de alunos do ensino médio da rede pública estadual de Porto Velho (RO) sobre a escola e o processo de aprendizagem tendo como referencial teórico a Psicologia Escolar Crítica. A pesquisa teve por base a aplicação de um questionário em 323 alunos de 04 escolas da Zona Leste da cidade, este era composto de 16 questões com 04 opções de respostas para cada uma das questões. Os resultados apontam para uma escola organizada de forma conteudista, que enfoca as atividades de ensino em aulas expositivas e descontextualizadas das necessidades dos alunos - sejam estas de formação profissional ou exercício da cidadania, aspecto considerado mais importante nas relações dentro da escola pelos alunos. Estes parecem introjetar o estigma de serem os únicos responsáveis pelo processo de aprendizagem, atribuindo ao comportamento e às dificuldades pessoais os problemas escolares.

RESUMO Introdução Apesar dos progressos obtidos com a reforma na assistência psiquiátrica brasileira, percebe-se ainda despreparo dos profissionais da área da saúde quanto à competência em relação aos pacientes portadores de transtornos mentais. Objetivos Avaliar o conhecimento e atitudes de estudantes iniciantes e concluintes da área da saúde em relação a pacientes esquizofrênicos. Método Estudo transversal em que se aplicou uma vinheta e um questionário sobre um paciente portador de esquizofrenia a alunos dos cursos de Enfermagem, Medicina e Psicologia de faculdades de Barbacena (MG). Estabeleceu-se um escore para as respostas esperadas, comparando-se as médias dos grupos de estudantes. Resultados Amostra composta por 209 estudantes, sendo 81 (38,8%) do curso de Medicina, 61 (29,2%) de Enfermagem e 67 (32,1%) de Psicologia. Desses, 135 (64,6%) eram iniciantes e 74 (35,4%) eram concluintes. Alunos concluintes apresentaram maior escore médio quando comparados aos ingressantes, porém não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes na comparação do escore médio entre iniciantes e concluintes, e nem diferença entre os cursos avaliados. Conclusão Embora não se tenham observado diferenças significantes entre estudantes iniciantes e concluintes, em todos os cursos predominaram atitudes negativas e pouco conhecimento sobre o tema abordado. A instrução acadêmica deve ser aprimorada. Profissionais de saúde precisam se conscientizar de que suas atitudes geram maior impacto na sociedade que as atitudes da população geral.

This study describes the quality of drinking water sampled over 2 years (2018 and 2019) from 20 ASADAS (Spanish acronym for Administrative Associations for Water and Sewer Systems) in Costa Rica. The analysis included Rotavirus (RV), somatic coliphages, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The ASADAS were categorized into three regions as temperate rainy (region 1), tropical rainy (region 2), and tropical rainy and dry (region 3) according to biogeographic classification. The concentrations of fecal coliforms and E. coli were higher in samples from surface water sources from the ASADAS in region 3 compared to regions 1 and 2. RV-positive samples (24/296) were detected in drinking-water samples from regions 2 and 3 during dry and transition seasons, with higher concentrations more frequently in the dry season. In addition, somatic coliphages were detected in samples from the three regions, with higher concentrations in region 2. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between somatic coliphages and diarrheal cases, classified as outbreaks or alerts in the region. Thus, the results confirmed that somatic coliphages are a good indicator of the presence of diarrhea cases in a specific region.

The breakpoint of fresh commercial meats and in vivo mice has been assessed using tissue temperature enhancement pattern. A 1 cm length and 0.1 cm diameter gold rod was implanted in fresh chicken breast, beef, fish, and in vivo Mus musculus white mice and was insonated with ultrasound. The temperature enhancement of gold rods was measured with a needle type thermistor over a temperature range from 35 to 50 °C. From these results the breakpoints were determined by plotting the gold rod temperature versus ultrasound exposure duration using the interception point of two curves fitted by a linear regression equations of thermal response above and below 43 °C. The linear correlation coefficients for all fitted curves lie within 0.985 and 0.997. The breakpoints were found to be 42.1 ± 1.1, 42.3 ± 0.9, 42.6 ± 0.8 and 43.5 ± 0.6 for fish, chicken breast, beef and in vivo Mus musculus white mice, respectively. The interception of the thermal response curves above and below 43 °C. Soft tissue temperature enhancement pattern has demonstrated to be a fast method to determine breakpoint. It denotes the temperature where cells may start to be destroyed and may be used to spot the startup point in dosimetry of hyperthermia cancer therapy.

Hyperthermia, the procedure of raising the temperature of a part of or the whole body above normal for a defined period of time, is applied alone or as an adjunctive with various established cancer treatment modalities such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In this study used a method for inducing hyperthermia in solid tumors with a combination of gold macro rod (GR) and ultrasound, the feasibility of this technique was described only with computational models and in vitro. The Ehrlich tumor, derived from a mouse adenocarcinoma, has been used to investigate the bio-heat transfer and the effect of gold rods irradiated with ultrasound. The in vivo measurements demonstrated that the technique inhibited more 80% of the tumor growth in both experimental models tested. These results not only confirm the bio heat transfer to tissue as predicted by analytical calculation and in vitro measurements, but are also proved to be a potential alternative to kill cancer cells.

A Paris system-based implant approach has been used to improve the bio-heat distribution from implanted gold rods in insonated tissues. Experiments with single-plane implants using parallel equidistant 1.018 ± 0.015 cm height and 0.136 ± 0.001 cm diameter 24-K gold rods) arranged in triangular and square shapes were performed in Mus musculus white mice (medial dorsal region). The mice were anesthetized and gold rods were implanted by means of a trocar needle and the implanted region was insonated with a 4-cm diameter transducer oscillating with a nominal frequency of 1 MHz and power of about 75 W. Intramuscular tissue temperature measurements were recorded using implantable needle type thermocouples affixed to a portable Fluke thermometer. Superficial tissue temperature profile was also measured with a FLIR infrared camera and thermographic analysis was performed using the ImageJ computer software. In both cases, the central implant planes have been assigned to that approximately bisects all the implanted rods. Measured with the needle type thermistor, for the triangular implant, the percentage deviation between the maximum and minimum temperature within the triangular plane was 5%. For a square shape, this percentage deviation was 6%. The thermographic analysis have shown a deviation of 3 and 5% for the triangular and square shapes, respectively. The Paris system-based implant approach for gold rods implanted in tissue and exposed to ultrasound may greatly improve the bio-heat propagation and sustain a constant temperature profile inside triangular and square patterns formed by gold rods implants. Additionally, the Paris system may minimize ablations areas and treatment length in hyperthermia if used in cancer tumor treatment with gold seeds and ultrasound.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze feasibility (in vitro and in vivo) the use of hyperthermia produced by gold rods irradiated with ultrasound and their combination with chemotherapy with doxorubicin., Materials and Methods: initially was determined the cell viability and Hsp70 levels after treatment by gold rods irradiated with ultrasound (GR+U) in cell culture. The pretreatment with GR+U combined with doxorubicin (DOX) was evaluated from IC 50 , caspase-3 expression and mechanisms of cell death by electron microscopy. For evaluate the in vivo effects was used solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) Tumor. The animals received three treatments with the combination of GR+U+DOX over 16 days., Results: The cell viability was completely inhibited after 40 min of treatment with GR+U and significant increases the expression of HSP70 was only observed after 10 min of treatment. GR+U+DOX presented significant reduction of IC 50 representing 50.7%, 76.5% 45.2% and 46.6% for cell lines K562, NCI-H292, Hep-2 and MCF-7 respectively. GR+U+DOX presented significant reduction of IC 50 representing 50.7%, 76.5% 45.2% and 46.6% for cell lines K562, NCI-H292, Hep-2 and MCF-7 respectively. The caspase-3 level and ultraestructural analysis showed that treatment with GR+U+DOX enhances induction of apoptosis. Pretreatment with GR+U combined with doxorubicin (1 mg) showed 87% inhibition against SEC. and no showed cardiotoxic effect., Conclusions: The combined treatment of GR+U and DOX exhibit synergistic characteristics observed by increasing the efficiency of doxorubicin.

Purpose: To develop a calibration phantom for (192)Ir high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy units that renders possible the direct measurement of absorbed dose to water and verification of treatment planning system., Methods: A phantom, herein designated BrachyPhantom, consists of a Solid Water™ 8-cm high cylinder with a diameter of 14 cm cavity in its axis that allows the positioning of an A1SL ionization chamber with its reference measuring point at the midheight of the cylinder's axis. Inside the BrachyPhantom, at a 3-cm radial distance from the chamber's reference measuring point, there is a circular channel connected to a cylindrical-guide cavity that allows the insertion of a 6-French flexible plastic catheter from the BrachyPhantom surface. The PENELOPE Monte Carlo code was used to calculate a factor, P(sw)(lw), to correct the reading of the ionization chamber to a full scatter condition in liquid water. The verification of dose calculation of a HDR brachytherapy treatment planning system was performed by inserting a catheter with a dummy source in the phantom channel and scanning it with a CT. The CT scan was then transferred to the HDR computer program in which a multiple treatment plan was programmed to deliver a total dose of 150 cGy to the ionization chamber. The instrument reading was then converted to absorbed dose to water using the N(gas) formalism and the P(sw)(lw) factor. Likewise, the absorbed dose to water was calculated using the source strength, Sk, values provided by 15 institutions visited in this work., Results: A value of 1.020 (0.09%, k = 2) was found for P(sw)(lw). The expanded uncertainty in the absorbed dose assessed with the BrachyPhantom was found to be 2.12% (k = 1). To an associated Sk of 27.8 cGy m(2) h(-1), the total irradiation time to deliver 150 cGy to the ionization chamber point of reference was 161.0 s. The deviation between the absorbed doses to water assessed with the BrachyPhantom and those calculated by the treatment plans and using the Sk values did not exceed ± 3% and ± 1.6%, respectively., Conclusions: The BrachyPhantom may be conveniently used for quality assurance and/or verification of HDR planning system with a priori threshold level to spot problems of 2% and ± 3%, respectively, and in the long run save time for the medical physicist.