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Introduction: Ayahuasca is a psychoactive drink originally consumed by indigenous people of the Amazon. The lack of regulation of this drink leads to uncontrolled consumption, and it is often consumed in religious contexts. Objective: The aim of this work is to compare three miniaturised extraction techniques for extracting the main ayahuasca compounds from beverages. Methodology: Three sample pretreatment techniques were evaluated (dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction [DLLME], microextraction by packed sorbent [MEPS] and QuEChERS [Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe]) for the simultaneous extraction of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT), tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmine, harmaline, harmol and harmalol from ayahuasca beverage samples. Then, the most promising technique (QuEChERS) was chosen to pre‐concentrate the analytes, subsequently detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD). Results: The procedure was optimised, with the final conditions being 500 μL of extractor solvent, 85 mg of primary secondary amine (PSA) and 4 s of vortexing. The analytical method was validated, showing to be linear between 0.16 and 10 μg/mL for β‐carbolines and between 0.016 and 1 μg/mL for DMT, with coefficients of determination (R2) between 0.9968 and 0.9993. The limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were 0.16 μg/mL for all compounds, except for DMT (0.016 μg/mL) and extraction efficiencies varied between 60.2% and 88.0%. Conclusion: The analytical methodology proved to be accurate and precise, with good linearity, LODs and LLOQs. This method has been fully validated and successfully applied to ayahuasca beverage samples. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage from the Amazon, originally prepared from the leaves of Psychotria viridis and the stem of Banisteriopsis caapi. It contains the hallucinogenic N,N‐dimethyltryptamine. In this study, three extraction techniques (DLLME, MEPS, and QuEChERS) were studied. The QuEChERS technique proved to be the most effective in extracting the analytes (60%–88%). The proposed method was optimized and validated following international guidelines. This is the first QuEChERS method for the quantification of ayahuasca constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis-based products have gained attention in recent years for their perceived therapeutic benefits (with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD) and widespread availability. However, these products often lack accurate labelling regarding their cannabinoid content. Our study, conducted with products available in Portugal, revealed significant discrepancies between label claims and actual cannabinoid compositions. A fully validated method was developed for the characterisation of different products acquired from pharmacies and street shops (beverages, herbal samples, oils, and cosmetic products) using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. Linearity ranged from 0.4 to 100 µg/mL (0.04–10 µg/mg) (THC, 8-THC, CBD, CBG, CBDA, CBGA), 0.1–100 µg/mL (0.01–10 µg/mg) (CBN), 0.4–250 µg/mL (0.04–25 µg/mg) (THCA-A), and 0.8–100 µg/mL (0.08–10 µg/mg) (CBCA). Among sampled beverages, none contained detectable cannabinoids, despite suggestive packaging. Similarly, oils often differed from the declared cannabinoid compositions, with some containing significantly higher CBD concentrations than labelled. These inconsistencies raise serious concerns regarding consumer safety and informed decision-making. Moreover, our findings underscore the need for stringent regulation and standardised testing protocols to ensure the accuracy and safety of cannabis-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psychedelic beverage ayahuasca is originally obtained by Banisteriopsis caapi (B. caapi) (BC) and Psychotria viridis (P. viridis) (PV). However, sometimes these plant species are replaced by others that mimic the original effects, such as Mimosa hostilis (M. hostilis) (MH) and Peganum harmala (P. harmala) (PH). Its worldwide consumption and the number of studies on its potential therapeutic effects has increased. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer properties of ayahuasca in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Thus, the maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of decoctions of MH, PH, and a mixture of these (MHPH) was determined. The activities of caspases 3 and 9 were evaluated, and the cell proliferation index was determined through immunocytochemical analysis (Ki-67). Two fluorescent probes were used to evaluate the production of oxidative stress and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was also evaluated. It was demonstrated that exposure to the extracts significantly induced apoptosis in Caco-2 cells, while decreasing cell proliferation. MH and MHPH samples significantly reduced oxidative stress and significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity. No significant differences were found in SOD activity. Overall, it was demonstrated that the decoctions have a potential anticancer activity in Caco-2 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how thinning strategies impact wood quality and quantity for different purposes is of interest, given that plantation management is often based on parameters that require validation under varying growth conditions. Planted forests for solid purposes in the northern region of Urugay, western Argentina and South of Brazil are usually managed in initial stockings ranging from 800 to 1200 trees·ha−1 depending on the use of clones or seeds. Subsequent thinnings are applied (at plantation ages varying from 3 to 11 years) up to final stockings of around 200 trees·ha−1. This study evaluated contrasting thinning regimes applied early in the crop cycle, with an initial tree density of 840 trees·ha−1. Two thinning treatments were applied at 1.5 and 7.3 years, reducing tree densities to 700–400 and 400–100 trees·ha−1, respectively. Growth analyses were conducted from 1.5 to 20.8 years, considering total height, diameter at breast height, individual volume, total and commercial volume per hectare, mean annual increase, and current annual increase. At the final harvest, contrasting tree densities of 100, 250, and 400 trees·ha−1 were sampled to assess wood density and mechanical properties (bending and compression on small-scale clear samples). Individual growth and wood properties were related to a Stand Density Index to understand the effect of competition on these values. The results identified thinning regimes that resulted in the most significant individual and per-hectare growth (both in thinning and clear felling) and the optimal harvest time under specific growth conditions. We assessed the proportions of commercial logs for sawmill and pulp uses, providing valuable inputs for subsequent economic analyses of thinning regimes aiming for the most convenient combination of wood products. Wood's physical and mechanical properties were relatively little affected by contrasting levels of competition between trees; therefore, the choice of silvicultural system will depend on production and economic criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falls are not always considered direct adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, due to their mechanism of action, certain drugs increase the risk of falls. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the association between drugs and the risk of falls. An analysis of ADR reports submitted to a national pharmacovigilance database from 1992 to 2021 was performed using terms from the MedDRA dictionary. This included the word "fall" and terms related to conditions potentially predisposing patients to falls. The analysis involved examining the sex and age distribution of the population. Reports were assessed for seriousness, the class of the suspected drug, and the characterisation of fall events when they occurred. Over this period, 2217 cases were reported, with the majority occurring among females (60.71%) and the age group of 18–64 years old (38.43%). Most reports were classified as serious across all age groups, and immunomodulators (16.78%) were the most frequently reported pharmacotherapeutic class of suspected drugs. Falls were reported as ADRs in 343 cases, with fractures being the most commonly reported injuries (24.45%). In conclusion, falls can pose a significant health problem. Therefore, continuously monitoring drugs is crucial to minimise fall-associated risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arquivos de Ciências da Saúde da UNIPAR is the property of Associacao Paranaense de Ensino e Cultura and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors are a recent targeted therapy approved for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer. Abemaciclib, palbociclib and ribociclib demonstrated great efficacy and safety during clinical studies. However, differences in their adverse-event profiles have been observed. This work aims to describe the suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, reported for each CDK4/6 inhibitor in the EudraVigilance (EV) database. Data on individual case safety reports (ICSRs) were obtained by accessing the European spontaneous reporting system via the EV website. Information on concomitant drug therapy, including fulvestrant, letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane, was also analyzed. A total of 1611 ICSRs were collected from the EV database. Most reports of palbociclib and ribociclib were classified as serious cases for both suspected leukopenia and thrombocytopenia ADRs. However, most patients had their leukopenia and thrombocytopenia recovered/resolved. On the contrary, reports of abemaciclib were mostly characterized as non-serious cases. Abemaciclib and palbociclib were often combined with fulvestrant, while ribociclib was generally associated with letrozole. Pharmacovigilance studies are crucial for the early identification of potential ADRs and to better differentiate the toxicity profile of the different CDK4/6 inhibitors, particularly in a real-world setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes is metformin. This study aims to investigate the safety profile of metformin and metformin combination medications in older adults using pharmacovigilance data. A literature search was used to identify published clinical studies reporting safety of metformin in older patients (age ≥ 65 years old), which were then thoroughly evaluated. Additionally, a deep analysis was performed, taking into account suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports submitted to the Portuguese Pharmacovigilance System involving patients with 65 years old or older, with metformin or metformin combination as the suspected drug. The results suggest that metformin is safer when used in combination with other antidiabetics than when used in monotherapy. Metformin prolonged-release tablets have a lower incidence of adverse effects compared to treatment with immediate-release metformin tablets. The analysis of the reports showed that "gastrointestinal disorders" was one of the most common classes reported, and metformin alone was the drug most commonly associated with serious gastrointestinal reactions that resulted in hospitalization. In addition, it was the drug most commonly associated with the lactic acidosis ADR. Even though most ADRs in the reports were serious, the majority progressed to cure. According to the analysis performed, the results suggest that the patient's renal function should be considered in order to prevent ADRs associated with metformin, such as lactic acidosis. Therefore, monitoring the safety profile of metformin remains essential to prevent serious ADRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional therapies, resorting to the use of plants, have acquired a great demand over the years, both for economic reasons and the preference for natural treatments. Some studies suggest that ayahuasca may have beneficial properties in treating some physical and psychological imbalances. Thus, we carried out a systematic review of studies published up to December 2022, where these themes were addressed. The search was carried out in the PubMed database, and only studies written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Thus, 228 publications were identified, of which 66 were included in the present study. The reviewed studies suggest that ayahuasca may have beneficial effects on various physical and psychological conditions, namely in the treatment of depression, anxiety and various diseases of the neurobiological system, as well as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, demonstrating its therapeutic potential. The number of studies that address this issue has also been growing, demonstrating interest in the search for alternative treatments. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review where all the findings of therapeutic effects associated with the consumption of ayahuasca are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have emerged as a targeted therapy in cancer treatment with promising results in various types of cancer. This work aims to investigate the profile of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with PARPi through the reports provided by the Eudravigilance (EV) database. We also intend to analyze the potential association of peripheral neuropathy to PARPi. Data on individual case safety reports (ICSRs) were obtained by accessing the European spontaneous reporting system via the EV website. A total of 12,762 ICSRs were collected from the EV database. Serious cases of nervous system disorders were analyzed providing strong evidence that peripheral neuropathy was reported in a higher frequency in patients treated with niraparib. Most cases reported a not recovered/not resolved outcome and involved drug withdrawal. However, several studies suggest that PARPi attenuate chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy. Unexpected ADRs such as peripheral neuropathy may also occur, mostly in patients taking niraparib. Further pharmacovigilance studies should be conducted in this area to clarify with more precision the toxicity profile of these drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of the genus Tripleurospermum. Tripleurospermum, a prominent genus within the family Asteraceae, is recognized for its therapeutic potential in treating various ailments, including skin, digestive, and respiratory diseases; cancer; muscular pain; and stress and as a sedative. Through extensive phytochemical studies regarding the Tripleurospermum species, numerous chemical compounds have been identified and classified into distinct classes, predominantly encompassing terpenes, hydrocarbons, steroids, hydrocarbons, oxygenated compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alcohols, acids, melatonin, and fragrant compounds. The findings from this review highlight the presence of bioactive compounds within the Tripleurospermum species that possess significant medicinal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are responsible for almost 5% of hospital admissions, making it necessary to implement different pharmacovigilance strategies. The additional monitoring (AM) concept has been highlighted and intended to increase the number of suspected ADRs reported, namely in medicines with limited safety data. A prospective, descriptive study of active pharmacovigilance (AP) was conducted between 2019 and 2021 in the Local Health Unit of Matosinhos (LHUM) (Porto, Portugal). A model of AP for medicines under AM, namely oral antineoplastic agents, was designed. Follow-up consultations were performed, and adverse events (AEs) data were collected. The overall response to the treatment was evaluated through the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria. A total of 52 patients were included in the study, and 14 antineoplastic drugs under AM were analyzed. Of the total number of patients included, only 29 developed at least one type of toxicity. Hematological disorders were the most reported suspected ADR. However, only four patients interrupted their treatment due to toxicity. After 12 months of treatment, most patients had disease progression, which was the main reason for therapy discontinuation. This AP model played an important role in the early detection of AEs and, consequently, contributed to better management of them. Increasing the number of suspected ADR reports is crucial for drugs with limited safety data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that heat treatment can lead to physical and chemical changes that can decrease or alter the properties of food. This work evaluated the influence on the antioxidant activity of boiling, pressure, and microwave cooking processes on three selected sweet potato varieties (purple, orange, and yellow). The samples were analyzed for total phenols and anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity. The cooking water of the boiling and pressure processing were also analyzed. The results demonstrated that the purple sweet potato had better phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity profiles than the other varieties studied. On the other hand, the yellow sweet potato was the variety that showed the lowest antioxidant activity after applying the different culinary processes. Microwave processing, particularly when applied to purple sweet potato samples, seemed to be the most suitable cooking process to extract the bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. Related to the cooking water, there were discrepancies between the behavior of different sweet potato varieties, since not all the samples followed similar profiles. In conclusion, it is necessary to study sweet potatoes processed through various cooking methods for antioxidant properties and other characteristics, such as texture, flavor, and nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, climate change and wildfires are disrupting natural ecosystems, thus setting several endemic species at risk. The genus Lavandula is widely present in the Mediterranean region and its species, namely, those included in the section Stoechas, are valuable resources of active compounds with several biological assets. Since ancient times lavenders have been used in traditional medicine and for domestic purposes. These species are melliferous, decorative, and essential oil-producing plants with a high economic interest in the pharmaceutical, flavor, fragrance, and food industries. The essential oils of Lavandula section Stoechas are characterized by high amounts of 1,8-cineole, camphor, fenchone, and specifically for L. stoechas subsp. luisieri one of the major compounds is trans-α-necrodyl acetate. On the other hand, the diversity of non-volatile components like phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, make these species an important source of phytochemicals with pharmacological interest. Rosmarinic, caffeic, and salvianolic B acids are the major phenolic acids, and luteolin and eriodictyol-O-glucuronide are the main reported flavonoids. However, the concentration of these secondary metabolites is strongly affected by the plant's phenological phase and varies in Lavandula sp. from different areas of origin. Indeed, lavender extracts have shown promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties as well as several other beneficial actions with potential for commercial applications. Despite several studies on the bioactive potential of lavenders from the section Stoechas, a systematized and updated review of their chemical profile is lacking. Therefore, we carried out the present review that gathers relevant information on the different types of secondary metabolites found in these species as well as their bioactive potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scire Salutis is the property of CBPC - Companhia Brasileira de Producao Cientifica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Essential oils (EOs) and their components extracted from medicinal and aromatic plants are used in several areas, such as perfumery and chemical, cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Considering the different applications of EOs, this work aimed to screen the composition and the bioactivities properties of the EOs of Foeniculum vulgare, Helichrysum stoechas, Mentha pulegium, Pinus pinaster, Ruta graveolens , and Thymus mastichina. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed the presence of different compounds in EOs F. vulgare (12), H. stoechas (27), M. pulegium (8), P. pinaster (24), R. graveolens (8), and T. mastichina (16). All the EOs showed antioxidant activity acting through inhibition of lipid peroxidation, while only two EOs (H. stoechas and M. pulegium) scavenged the free radicals of DPPH. Mentha pulegium and T. mastichina EOs showed the strongest antimicrobial activity. Also, the effect on the fibroblast's viability was directly proportional to the EOs concentration, and the highest cytotoxic effect was registered with R. graveolens EO. The present study revealed significant bioactive properties of different EOs, highlighting M. pulegium and T. mastichina EOs to be considered in further studies for potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 is an acute respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. As the virus spreads rapidly, it has become a major public health emergency, which has led to rapid vaccines development. However, vaccines can present harmful and unintended responses, which must be notified to the National Pharmacovigilance System. The aim of this study is to characterize the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of these vaccines notified in the region covered by the Regional Pharmacovigilance Unit (RPU) of Beira Interior, in Portugal, between 1 and 31 December 2020. During this period, 4 vaccines were administered: Comirnaty®, Spikevax®, Vaxzevria® and Jcovden®. The RPU of Beira Interior received 2134 notifications corresponding to 5685 ADRs, of which 20.34% (n = 434) of the notifications were considered serious reactions. Of these, 9.52% (n = 42) resulted in hospitalization and 0.45% (n = 2) resulted in death. Among the ADRs notified, reactions at or around the injection site, myalgia, headaches and pyrexia were the most commonly notified. Most ADRs were resolved within a few hours or days without sequelae. These ADRs are in accordance with clinical trials, the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) of each vaccine and ADR notifications from other countries. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ayahuasca is an Amazonian drink, which contains β-carboline alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltryptamine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing potential of decoctions of a commercial mixture, four individual plants and four mixtures of two plants used in the ayahuasca preparation. Thus, the cytotoxic potential of the samples was evaluated and a wound-healing assay was performed with a NHDF cell line. Subsequently, a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay was also performed, to verify if any psychoactive compound could be absorbed by skin fibroblasts. The integrity and permeability of the cell layer were also evaluated, using the transepithelial electrical resistance assay and Lucifer yellow permeability assay, respectively. The compounds absorbed by the cell layer were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector. The results showed that only one sample showed cytotoxicity and all the others promoted the migration of skin fibroblasts. Additionally, it was also verified that β-carbolynic alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltriptamine were not absorbed by the cell layer, and in general, did not interfere with its permeability and integrity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where ayahuasca's wound-healing potential was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, interest in medicinal plants and phytochemicals for the treatment of skin disorders, including acne vulgaris, has progressively increased. Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit, which mainly occurs in adolescents and young adults. The treatment focuses on the four main factors involved in its pathogenesis: increased sebum production, hyperkeratinization, overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammation. The treatment includes topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and oral isotretinoin. In this regard, the use of herbal medicine as a complementary and alternative medicine is a promising strategy. The main objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of medicinal plants and phytochemicals in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Three scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched from inception to January 2021. Clinical trials comparing herbal therapies with placebo or other medicines for the treatment of acne vulgaris were included and analyzed. Outcome measures of interest comprised acne lesions (inflammatory and noninflammatory), sebum production, acne severity, and quality of life. The risk of bias in the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. A total of 34 clinical trials involving 1753 participants met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Most trials showed that herbal medicine significantly reduces inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions and has a relevant effect on acne severity. Some medicinal plants revealed equal or higher efficacy to standard treatments. No significant difference between groups in sebum production and quality of life was observed and no severe adverse events were reported. This systematic review provides evidence that medicinal plants and phytochemicals are promising treatments for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. However, more quality of evidence and standardized methodologies are needed to support their effectiveness and safety claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers continue to be a major medical concern, and there exists an urgent need to improve the current therapeutic approaches by combining strategies or proposing new compounds to offer more specific and less invasive treatments. The aim of this work was to discover potential inhibitors of the E6/E6AP/p53 complex formation. We started this work with an initial in silico approach including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, and these tools allowed us to select potential inhibitors, using E6 protein as a target. In addition, we found that lucidin and taxifolin were able to selectively decrease the viability of HPV-positive cells to re-establish p53 protein levels and to induce apoptosis. These findings represent a promising starting point for the development of anti-HPV drugs. Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in women worldwide, with 99% of cases associated with a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Given that HPV prophylactic vaccines do not exert a therapeutic effect in individuals previously infected, have low coverage of all HPV types, and have poor accessibility in developing countries, it is unlikely that HPV-associated cancers will be eradicated in the coming years. Therefore, there is an emerging need for the development of anti-HPV drugs. Considering HPV E6's oncogenic role, this protein has been proposed as a relevant target for cancer treatment. In the present work, we employed in silico tools to discover potential E6 inhibitors, as well as biochemical and cellular assays to understand the action of selected compounds in HPV-positive cells (Caski and HeLa) vs. HPV-negative (C33A) and non-carcinogenic (NHEK) cell lines. In fact, by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, we found three phenolic compounds able to dock in the E6AP binding pocket of the E6 protein. In particular, lucidin and taxifolin were able to inhibit E6-mediated p53 degradation, selectively reduce the viability, and induce apoptosis in HPV-positive cells. Altogether, our data can be relevant for discovering promising leads for the development of specific anti-HPV drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the knowledge, routine, and perception of older adults from four countries about dealing with COVID-19 in the social isolation period. Qualitative study with semistructured interviews. Older persons (≥60 years old), who lived in the urban centers of four different countries (Brazil, United States, Italy, and Portugal), were asked about the changes experienced during the pandemic, new habits or restrictions during isolation, sources of social and emotional support, and their knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic. Data was transcribed, codified, and submitted to content analysis. Twenty-five older persons (10 from Brazil, 5 from Italy, 5 from Portugal, and 5 from the United States) were interviewed. Participants reported feeling restricted in their daily life activities and emotional instability. Described adaptations in habits, coping strategies, and greater understanding of the diseased based on information available in the media. There was homogeneity in the statements of the elderly, showing that the pandemic affected them in a similar way, even though they lived in different cultures and contexts. The social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed the structure for the performance of many occupations, having an impact in the perception social participation and wellbeing of elders. This data can aid health professionals to outline strategies to deal with the impact of the social isolation in older persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Arqueologia Pública is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)