Search

This essay examines issues of displacement, exile, and non-belonging, and their impact on a subject’s sense of identity, in three novels by South American women writers: Ana Maria Machado (Brazil), Griselda Gambaro (Argentina), and Alejandra Costamagna (Chile). Furthermore, the essay discusses how memory and postmemory are fundamental elements in narratives in which the narrator and/or protagonist set out to write and rewrite self-identity, family and national histories.

Este breve ensaio explora a conexão entre fotografia e perceção urbana, usando a exposição múltipla para gerar uma visão alterada da paisagem, criando paisagens imaginárias. Segundo Calvino, cidades podem suceder-se sem se conhecerem, refletindo sobre a complexidade da cidade. Por seu lado, Jay e Gombrich destacam que a visão vai além dos olhos, influenciada pela memória e conhecimento, e Spirn descreve a paisagem como complexa e multifacetada. As imagens transparentes da “cidade transparente” questionam as barreiras percebidas, onde Proust e Bachelard destacam a capacidade da fotografia de revelar novas perspetivas, ampliando a interpretação da cidade.

Este trabalho discute a questão da internacionalização da literatura brasileira em relação ao mercado de livros e ao contexto social e político dos Estados Unidos na época contemporânea, a partir de observações e análise sobre a tradução, publicação, circulação e recepção de nossa literatura naquele país.

Orientando-se por estudos críticos sobre a literatura dos direitos humanos, a literatura testemunhal, e a narrativa (auto)biográfica, este ensaio apresenta uma análise de contos do volume Olhos d’água (2014) de Conceição Evaristo, visando interrogar o papel da narrativa de ficção como literatura de resistência e testemunho que empresta voz a indivíduos comumente silenciados em um contexto de opressão racial e econômica. A literatura de Evaristo se articula sobre o que ela conceitua como escrevivência, ou seja, uma escrita originada da experiência do sujeito. Este é maiormente a mulher negra e pobre com a qual a voz narrativa estabelece uma íntima identificação, o que confere à obra uma dimensão autográfica e testemunhal, de denúncia sobre a violação dos direitos humanos da população negra brasileira.

Background: Breast cancer therapy has been facing remarkable changes. Classic treatments are now combined with other therapies to improve efficacy and surpass resistance. Indeed, the emergence of resistance demands the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Due to key estrogen signaling, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer treatment has always been focused on aromatase inhibition and ER modulation. Lately, the effects of phytocannabinoids, mainly Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have been evaluated in different cancers, including breast. However, Cannabis sativa contains more than 120 phytocannabinoids less researched and understood. Methods: Here, we evaluated, both in silico and in vitro, the ability of 129 phytocannabinoids to modulate important molecular targets in ER+ breast cancer: aromatase, ER, and androgen receptor (AR). Results: In silico results suggested that some cannabinoids may inhibit aromatase and act as ERα antagonists. Nine selected cannabinoids showed, in vitro, potential to act either as ER antagonists with inverse agonist properties, or as ER agonists. Moreover, these cannabinoids were considered as weak aromatase inhibitors and AR antagonists with inverse agonist action. Conclusions: Overall, we present, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of the actions of the phytocannabinoids in targets of ER+ breast tumors, pointing out their therapeutic potential in cancer and in other diseases.

Global concerns about the preservation and restoration of aquatic environments are rising and pollution related to heavy metals is one of the main worries. Indeed, this issue has been a challenge for the metallurgical industry and other activities associated with metal contamination. Thus, over time, several physical and chemical methods have been developed and applied to remove metals from water. However, these methods can be associated with high costs, and bioremediation using plants, fungi, and bacteria is considered a viable alternative. This paper reports experiments on lead removal from an aqueous medium using active and inactive Serratia marcescens CCMA 1010 and a study on the effect of lead in this bacterial strain regarding the expression of the zntR gene, which produces the zntR protein known to have a role as a regulator of the ZntA efflux pump of metals (Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+). The amount of removed Pb2+ by active biomass remained below ∼25 mg/L for the initial concentrations tested up to 120 mg/L but increased to removals of ∼70 and ∼167 mg/L for the tested concentrations of 220 and 300 mg/L, respectively. On the other hand, the removal of Pb2+ by inactive biomass increased in direct relation to the initial tested concentration, with removed percentages around 25 %. Interestingly, in cultures with 15 and 60 mg/L Pb2+ the expression of zntR was 27 to 74 and 87 to 177 times lower (respectively) than in cultures without Pb2+, while in cultures with 120 mg/L Pb2+, the zntR expression was just 1.3 to 9.3 times lower than in the absence of Pb2+. The results confirm the potential of S. marcescens CCMA 1010 for Pb2+ biosorption, the presence of Pb2+ resistance mechanisms in this strain, and contribute to a better understanding of the ZntA transmembrane protein regulation.

Abstract Immunological memory is critical for immune protection, particularly at epithelial sites, which are under constant risk of pathogen invasions. To counter invading pathogens, CD8+ memory T cells develop at the location of infection: tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM). CD8+ T-cell responses are associated with type-1 infections and type-1 regulatory T cells (TREG) are important for CD8+ T-cell development, however, if CD8+ TRM cells develop under other infection types and require immune type-specific TREG cells is unknown. We used three distinct lung infection models, to show that type-2 helminth infection does not establish CD8+ TRM cells. Intracellular (type-1) and extracellular (type-3) infections do and rely on the recruitment of response type-matching TREG population contributing transforming growth factor-β. Nevertheless, type-1 TREG cells remain the most important population for TRM cell development. Once established, TRM cells maintain their immune type profile. These results may have implications in the development of vaccines inducing CD8+ TRM cells.

Natural and thermally modified Pine, Ash, and Acacia woods were exposed in two different environments: urban and maritime/industrial. The weathering effects were evaluated during 24 months regarding color, chemical, and structural changes. In all wood species, thermal modification induced color, chemical, and structural changes. All woods became darker (Pine ΔL*: −32.01; Ash ΔL*: −36.83; Acacia ΔL*: −27.50), total extractives content increased (Pine: 19 %; Ash: 32 % and Acacia: 18 %), and the samples presented deformation and damaged cells. Total lignin was not significantly changed, although there were detected changes in lignin, namely the reduction of G-units in Pine (≈2 %) and reduction of S/G ratio in Acacia (≈0.04 %). Ash remained almost the same. After weathering, modified woods suffered fewer color changes, indicating that the thermal modification could improve the resistance to color change. Acacia wood, when exposed to maritime/industrial conditions, revealed a higher color change (ΔE: 35.7 at 24 months) when compared with urban conditions (ΔE: 23.5 at 24 months). Delignification, possibly caused by photodegradation, occurred in all wood samples, and the loss of extractive happened, perhaps caused by rain. Modified woods were slightly less resistant to weathering in maritime/industrial environments. Some structural damage, namely cracked cells, the appearance of molds, blue staining, and particle deposition, was observed. The thermal modification enables color stabilization but does not seem to improve the weathering resistance in all studied wood species. Exposure to the different environments did not lead to significant differences in the morphology and chemical composition of the three natural and modified wood species.

Introdução: As infeções do trato urinário, depois das infeções respiratórias, são as mais comuns na comunidade. O conhecimento sobre a prevalência das estirpes microbianas e a sua suscetibilidade aos antibióticos é fundamental para instituir uma terapêutica empírica eficaz (Passadouro, R. et al.,2019; Ann E. Stapleton, et al.,2020). Objetivo: Determinar os padrões de suscetibilidade aos antibióticos das estirpes bacterianas isoladas em uroculturas positivas efetuadas em utentes atendidos num laboratório de análises clinicas de lisboa no ano de 2022. Material e Métodos: Os dados relativos às uroculturas e aos antibiogramas foram obtidos do banco de dados dum laboratório de análises clínicas de Lisboa, no ano de 2022, num total de 341 amostras. Os resultados foram classificados em suscetível (S) ou resistente (R). Resultados: A maioria (80%) das uroculturas positivas foi observada no sexo feminino. A E. coli foi a bactéria mais prevalente na amostra (75,7%), seguida pela Klebsiella spp (16,1%) e do Proteus spp (4,7%). Dos antibióticos estudados a Norfloxacina apresenta uma elevada eficácia (90%) para a estirpes estudadas assim como a Gentamicina (90%). A Amoxicilina / Ácido clavulânico (86,5%), a Nitrofurantoína (73,9%) e a Trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol (78%) são menos eficazes. Discussão e Conclusão: O presente estudo revelou que a E. coli foi o agente patogénico predominante nas infeções do trato urinário da comuni­dade apresentando percentagens de susceptibilidade elevadas à Norfloxacina e à Gentamicina. A monitorização do perfil sensibilidade dos microrganismos aos antibióticos é aconselhavel de modo a otimizar a terapêutica empírica das infeções urinárias.

Introdução: A dislipidemia abrange um largo espectro de anomalias lipídicas, algumas das quais são de grande importância na prevenção das Doenças Cardiovasculares (Alcantara-Alonso, E. et al.,2021). Dentro dos fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento das dislipidemias evidencia-se o sexo, a idade, tabagismo, o consumo alimentar, alterações nos níveis de glicemia e pressão arterial (Packard C, Boren J., Taskinen M.,2020). Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo,após aprovação da Comissão de Ética, foi comparar os valores do colesterol-lipoproteina de baixa densidade (C-LDL), colesterol lipoproteina de alta densidade (C-HDL) e triglicéridos antes (Outubro a Dezembro 2019) durante (Outubro a Dezembro 2020) e após (Outubro a Dezembro 2022) a pandemia do SARS-CoV-2. Os dados clinicos são de utentes atendidos num laboratório de análises clinicas de Lisboa. Material e Métodos: Os valores séricos do C–LDL, C–HDL e triglicéridos, obtidos através do equipamento COBAS 6000,foram retirados do banco de dados dum laboratório de análises clínicas de Lisboa, entre outubro e dezembro, nos anos de 2019, 2020 e 2022, num total de 20452 colheitas. Resultados: Os valores do C- LDL e dos triglicéridos, tiveram uma subida acentuada de 2019 para 2020 com uma posterior redução em 2022, enquanto no C-HDL verificou-se um aumento de 2019 para 2020 valor que se manteve em 2022. Discussão: Este perfil de variação de valores pode ser explicado pelas alterações de hábitos de vida provocadas pela pandemia, a observar-se num primeiro momento, com o aumento do sedentarismo e alteração de hábitos durante o confinamento.

O artigo analisa as representações e discursos sobre artistas negras e brancas nas revistas O Cruzeiro e Manchete (1950-1959), por meio do conceito de Interseccionalidade, imbricado às categorias de cor, classe e gênero na análise histórica. As narrativas sobre as mulheres artistas nessas revistas apresentavam temas envolvendo a discriminação e as relações raciais e de gênero, evidenciadas em suas páginas a partir da construção de discursos de caráter ambíguo sobre as mulheres negras artistas, apresentadas sob princípios de hiper sexualização e/ou sob a manifestação pura do racismo estrutural e cultural, a partir da estereotipagem dos corpos negros femininos. As mulheres brancas artistas foram representadas de acordo com os padrões usualmente impostos às mulheres, como a vocação ao matrimônio e à maternidade, corroborando para consolidar o estereótipo de esposa/mulher ideal.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most deathly worldwide. It is a very heterogeneous disease that can develop via distinct pathways where metastasis is the primary cause of death. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis. RNA-sequencing is an essential tool used for studying the transcriptional landscape. However, the high-dimensionality of gene expression data makes selecting novel metastatic biomarkers problematic. To distinguish early-stage CRC patients at risk of developing metastasis from those that are not, three types of binary classification approaches were used: (1) classification methods (decision trees, linear and radial kernel support vector machines, logistic regression, and random forest) using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as input features; (2) regularized logistic regression based on the Elastic Net penalty and the proposed iTwiner—a network-based regularizer accounting for gene correlation information; and (3) classification methods based on the genes pre-selected using regularized logistic regression. Classifiers using the DEGs as features showed similar results, with random forest showing the highest accuracy. Using regularized logistic regression on the full dataset yielded no improvement in the methods’ accuracy. Further classification using the pre-selected genes found by different penalty factors, instead of the DEGs, significantly improved the accuracy of the binary classifiers. Moreover, the use of network-based correlation information (iTwiner) for gene selection produced the best classification results and the identification of more stable and robust gene sets. Some are known to be tumor suppressor genes (OPCML-IT2), to be related to resistance to cancer therapies (RAC1P3), or to be involved in several cancer processes such as genome stability (XRCC6P2), tumor growth and metastasis (MIR602) and regulation of gene transcription (NME2P2). We show that the classification of CRC patients based on pre-selected features by regularized logistic regression is a valuable alternative to using DEGs, significantly increasing the models’ predictive performance. Moreover, the use of correlation-based penalization for biomarker selection stands as a promising strategy for predicting patients’ groups based on RNA-seq data.

This paper presents the evolution and most relevant characteristics of binational (Portuguese/ Brazilian) same-sex marriages in Portugal, from 2010 to 2020, comparing them with the binational heterosexual ones. The analysis was based on marriage micro-data published by the National Statistics Office. Data reveals that the increase of binational marriages has been more significant among samesex couples than among heterosexual couples; binational same-sex couples are younger than heterosexual ones, although they also record lower levels of age-related homogamy, and are more qualified than hetero couples. Hetero binational couples engaged more frequently in cohabitation before marriage and tend to opt for shared estate ownership. This study enables a diagnosis of the present situation and constitutes a contribution to knowledge surrounding the marriage market within groups that are minorities not only as immigrants but also as homosexuals.

The genetic and microenvironmental heterogeneity of colorectal cancer is analyzed using a prospective biobank of primary and metastatic tumor tissues to highlight features of intra-tumoral heterogeneity that favor tumor progression and metastasis.

Introdução: Universidade Promotora de Saúde (UPS) incorpora a promoção da saúde na sua política de governação, a fim de promover o desenvolvimento humano e melhorar a qualidade de vida daqueles que estudam ou trabalham nesse contexto, gerando ambientes salutogénicos (Langue & Vio, 2006). Para transformar a Universidade de Cabo Verde (Uni-CV) numa UPS aplicamos o modelo Peer-education Engagement & Evaluation Research – Instituições de Ensino Superior Salutogénicas (PEER-IESS) concebido por Brito e Mendes (2009). É m modelo “bottom up” que aplica a pesquisa-ação participativa em saúde (PaPS), mobilizando a comunidade académica para inserir políticas e práticas de promoção da saúde na agenda. Objetivos: Relatar a experiência de transformação da Uni-CV numa UPS, mobilizando a comunidade académica para propor estratégias alinhadas com o PEER-IESS. Métodos: Para relatar o processo de PaPS aplicamos a metodologia de sistematização de experiências de Oscar Jara Holliday. Pretende-se exprimir a parceria de transformação criada entre pesquisadores, académicos, estudantes e funcionários da Uni-CV, profissionais das áreas de saúde, educação e bem-estar social, membros da sociedade civil, decisores políticos e outros. A sistematização decorre em 5 etapas: 1-ponto de partida; 2-perguntas iniciais; 3-recuperação do processo vivido; 4-reflexão de fundo; 5-pontos de chegada. Aplicamos métodos mistos e participativos para a recolha e análise de informação. Resultados e Conclusões: 1. A UniCV teve necessidade de retomar o processo de implementação do PEER-IESS, que foi aceite pela reitoria.2. Será possível transformar a Uni-CV numa UPS mobilizando a comunidade académica para propor estratégias que gerem saúde? 3. Após anuência dos mentores do modelo PEER-IESS, reiniciou-se o mapeamento de atividades de promoção da saúde no Polo I referente ao período 2020-2021, apresentada no fórum comunitário 1 promovendo a reflexão sobre como é que a UniCV integra a promoção da saúde nas suas políticas educativas. Houve consenso na implementação do modelo PEER-IESS e na reativação e capacitação do grupo semente. 4. Após a capacitação cocriaram-se 6 projetos de intervenção em promoção da saúde que estão alinhados com a visão de UPS. 5. A evidência demonstra que a UniCV está no processo para se transformar numa UPS, tornando-se necessário manter o grupo semente ativo.

Objetivou-se com esse estudo caracterizar e definir o perfil socioeconômico do consumidor de carne suína e derivados no município de Irecê, Bahia, Brasil. Para isso, foram entrevistados aleatoriamente 424 moradores de diferentes bairros e estrato social do referido município no período de março a maio de 2022. Gênero, faixa etária, faixa salarial e escolaridade serviram de base para caracterização da população entrevistada, assim como o consumo ou não de carne suína e seus derivados. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados no programa Microsoft Excel® e feita a análise percentual e descritiva dos mesmos. A carne suína se apresenta como sendo a 3ª na preferência de compra de proteína de origem animal pelos participantes da pesquisa (5,7%), depois da carne bovina (46,7%) e carne de aves (44,6%) em primeiro e segundo lugares, respectivamente. A maioria dos entrevistados consomem carne suína e seus derivados (79,3%). A costela o principal corte de preferência dos consumidores (59%). 56,8% dos entrevistados não sabem responder se existe algum benefício à saúde humana pelo consumo da carne suína; embora 71,9% dos entrevistados, considere a carne suína saudável. Dos entrevistados que não consideram a carne suína saudável (28,1%), 33,8% acreditam que a carne suína transmite doenças. 84,2% dos entrevistados afirmaram consumir derivados de carne suína. A linguiça calabresa o derivado de maior preferência (71%). A falta de informação e os mitos atrelados à carne suína ainda demonstram forte relação com o consumo dessa fonte de proteína animal. Assim, é necessário a implantação de campanhas informativas visando esclarecer ao consumidor à relação da sanidade dos animais abatidos e comercializados, a qualidade de produtos e os benefícios do consumo de carne suína para alavancar o setor suinícola da cidade de Irecê-BA e região.

Dentre as infecções que acometem os equinos, as do sistema respiratório ocupam o segundo lugar em prevalência sendo recomendada a antibioticoterapia como tratamento. Acerca das principais podemos citar a adenite infecciosa equina, pneumonias, rodococose e as sinusites, e para uma terapia antimicrobiana adequada no tratamento dessas enfermidades é necessário considerar alguns fatores, que envolvem desde a espécie animal, o microrganismo causador da infecção e o medicamento a ser utilizado. Visto isso, é de suma importância o conhecimento dos antibióticos, seus mecanismos de ação e quais patógenos são sensíveis aos mesmos, para que seja realizada uma terapia correta, evitando assim a evolução das afecções respiratórias para processos crônicos e mais complexos. Objetivou-se realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre antibioticoterapia utilizada para tratamento das principais infecções do sistema respiratório em equinos.

This essay examines issues of displacement, exile, and non-belonging, and their impact on a subject’s sense of identity, in three novels by South American women writers: Ana Maria Machado (Brazil), Griselda Gambaro (Argentina), and Alejandra Costamagna (Chile). Furthermore, the essay discusses how memory and postmemory are fundamental elements in narratives in which the narrator and/or protagonist set out to write and rewrite self-identity, family and national histories.

O artigo investiga os discursos e práticas cívico-patrióticas alusivas ao aniversário do golpe civil-militar – 31/março/1964. Para demarcar o culto ao civismo foi implantada no currículo escolar a disciplina de Educação Moral e Cívica (1969), alinhada com o investimento na ritualística simbólica do golpe civil-militar de 1964, que virou uma festa inscrita no Calendário Cívico Nacional. Tais práticas estavam eivadas de dispositivos de memória vinculados à legitimação da ação golpista, mediante discursos laudatórios em torno de questões cívico-patrióticas voltadas à juventude. A ótica cívico-normativa definida pelo Estado opressor silenciava o caráter ilegal do evento e investia no estímulo ao patriotismo, omitindo aspectos da violência e perseguição política praticadas no governo Médici.

O presente artigo origina-se de uma pesquisa recém-concluída que buscou investigar as representações dos negros em livros didáticos de história publicados no pós-abolição. Defendida no sul da Bahia, a dissertação teve como um de seus objetivos específicos investigar as influências do Atlântico sobre a escrita dos autores brasileiros em suas narrativas, demonstrando a influência de outros intelectuais, a partir de suas relações de poder, por meio dos impressos. Deste modo, o recorte do presente trabalho objetiva apresentar a circulação de saberes entre intelectuais, culminados na produção de João Ribeiro em suas representações sobre os negros. Para isso, o trabalho em questão analisa enquanto fontes algumas das publicações de João Ribeiro, sendo elas: História do Brasil, de 1914, Os africanos, em 1929, e O elemento negro de 1933. Situando a pesquisa no campo da história cultural, parte-se da premissa de que a circulação de saberes entre os autores influenciou nas escolhas, assim como na elaboração de um dos primeiros livros escolares publicados no Brasil nas primeiras décadas do século XX acerca de aspectos como as questões étnicas, a cultura, a religiosidade, e a língua nacional. Nesse sentido, foram encontrados nos impressos diálogos entre João Ribeiro e outros intelectuais, tais, como: Nina Rodrigues, Silvio Romero, Fernando Ortiz, Arthur Ramos, Xavier Marques, Manoel Querino, Braz do Amaral, Léo Wiener, dentre outros. Dentre alguns dos resultados encontrados há o reconhecimento da diversidade de línguas africanas, assim como a identificação de palavras no vocabulário dos brasileiros da mesma origem, embora também fosse possível identificar diferenças entre a escrita de João Ribeiro na imprensa e para fins didáticos.

Informed by critical studies on human rights literature, testimonial literature, and (auto-) biographical narrative, this essay analyzes stories from Conceição Evaristo’s Olhos d’água (2014), with the purpose of examining the role narrative fiction may play as a form of testimony and resistance literature that gives voice to those normally silenced by racial and economic oppression. Evaristo characterizes her work as escrevivência, a type of writing originated from the subject’s personal experiences; this subject is mostly Black poor women with whom the narrative voice identifies. Thus, her work presents characteristics of autographic and testimonial literature that seeks to denounce the violation of Brazil’s Black population’s human rights.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal malignancies. The extreme heterogeneity in survival rate is driving the need for new prognostic biomarkers. Human endogenous retroviruses (hERVs) have been suggested to influence tumor progression, oncogenesis and elicit an immune response. We examined multiple next-generation sequencing (NGS)-derived biomarkers in 114 CRC patients with paired whole-exome and whole-transcriptome sequencing (WES and WTS, respectively). First, we demonstrate that the median expression of hERVs can serve as a potential biomarker for prognosis, relapse, and resistance to chemotherapy in stage II and III CRC. We show that hERV expression and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs) synergistically stratify overall and relapse-free survival (OS and RFS): the median OS of the CD8-/hERV+ subgroup was 29.8 months compared with 37.5 months for other subgroups (HR = 4.4, log-rank P

Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiency, is frequently associated with severe inflammatory complications that determine its morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that Helicobacter pylori (HP), a very common worldwide infection, may contribute to the clinical and immune phenotype of CVID. We stratified 41 CVID patients into HP+ (n=26) and HPneg (n=15) groups, according to previous urease breath test and/or gastric biopsies, and compared their clinical manifestations and immune profile evaluated by flow cytometry. No genetic variants with known potential impact in HP infection were found upon WES/WGS. Gastric complications were significantly more frequent in HP+ patients. Importantly, the six CVID patients with gastric cancer were infected with HP. In contrast, a significantly higher frequency of cytopenias was observed in the HPneg. Moreover, HP+ did not feature higher prevalence of organ auto-immunity, as well as of lung, liver or intestinal inflammatory manifestations. We observed the same B-cell profiles in HP+ and HPneg groups, accompanied by marked CD4 and CD8 T-cell activation, increased IFNγ production, and contraction of naïve compartments. Notably, HP+ patients featured low CD25 despite preserved Foxp3 levels in CD4 T cells. Overall, HP impact in CVID inflammatory complications was mainly restricted to the gastric mucosa, contributing to increased incidence of early onset gastric cancer. Thus, early HP screening and eradication should be performed in all CVID patients irrespective of symptoms.

Abstract Background Enterococci are rarely considered pulmonary pathogens; they are usually regarded as colonizers of the airway. The authors present the case of a previously healthy male adolescent, with complaints of fatigue and chest pain, who was diagnosed with Enterococcus faecalis-associated acute primary lung abscess. Case presentation A previously healthy 17-year old boy was admitted to the pediatric ward due to a one-week history of fatigue, inspiratory left side chest pain, dry cough and nasal obstruction. On admission at the emergency department, he was afebrile, with no signs of respiratory distress, but with diminished breath sounds on the left side. A chest x-ray showed a round opacity on the posterior basal segment of the left lower lobe; he was discharged with oral amoxicillin 1000 mg three times a day with the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. Due to the worsening of the productive cough with purulent stinking sputum he was re-evaluated after 4 days. Laboratory studies showed a leukocyte count of 15200/uL and a c-reactive protein of 172 mg/l. The chest computed tomography scan was suggestive of a consolidation of the left lower lobe base and a central abscess. An intravenous course of ceftriaxone and clindamycin was initiated, with a favourable clinical evolution. The bronchofibroscopy performed on day four after his admission revealed the presence of a tracheal bronchus and numerous purulent secretions. Culture examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples was positive (> 10^5) for Enterococcus faecalis. No complications were registered during his stay in the pediatric ward. He was discharged after a 14-day course of intravenous ceftriaxone and clindamycin, with the recommendation to complete a four-week course of oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. On his reevaluation 4 weeks after his discharge, he was asymptomatic. Conclusion This case report highlights the importance of considering Enterococcus faecalis as an etiologic agent in cases of non-resolving or complicated cases of pneumonia, such as lung abscesses, even in young patients with no comorbidities or risk factors.

Around 70–85% of all breast cancer (BC) cases are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+). The third generation of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is the first-line treatment option for these tumors. Despite their therapeutic success, they induce several side effects and resistance, which limits their efficacy. Thus, it is crucial to search for novel, safe and more effective anti-cancer molecules. Currently, multi-target drugs are emerging, as they present higher efficacy and lower toxicity in comparison to standard options. Considering this, this work aimed to investigate the anti-cancer properties and the multi-target potential of the compound 1α,2α-epoxy-6-methylenandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (Oxy), also designated by Oxymestane-D1, a derivative of Exemestane, which we previously synthesized and demonstrated to be a potent AI. For this purpose, it was studied for its effects on the ER+ BC cell line that overexpresses aromatase, MCF-7aro cells, as well as on the AIs-resistant BC cell line, LTEDaro cells. Oxy reduces cell viability, impairs DNA synthesis and induces apoptosis in MCF-7aro cells. Moreover, its growth-inhibitory properties are inhibited in the presence of ERα, ERβ and AR antagonists, suggesting a mechanism of action dependent on these receptors. In fact, Oxy decreased ERα expression and activation and induced AR overexpression with a pro-death effect. Complementary transactivation assays demonstrated that Oxy presents ER antagonist and AR agonist activities. In addition, Oxy also decreased the viability and caused apoptosis of LTEDaro cells. Therefore, this work highlights the discovery of a new and promising multi-target drug that, besides acting as an AI, appears to also act as an ERα antagonist and AR agonist. Thus, the multi-target action of Oxy may be a therapeutic advantage over the three AIs applied in clinic. Furthermore, this new multi-target compound has the ability to sensitize the AI-resistant BC cells, which represents another advantage over the endocrine therapy used in the clinic, since resistance is a major drawback in the clinic.

In Switzerland, up until 1981, certain individuals whose behaviour, though not criminal, was considered detrimental to society were targeted for administrative – and sometimes permanent detention - if their behaviour was deemed incorrigible. The perceived improvement to the collective moral character was believed to grant the practice legitimacy. Since the turn of the twenty-first century, a politics of memory has sought to make reparation for what is now acknowledged as an injustice driven by arbitrary processes. By comparing and contrasting these two periods of history, we identify what has to remain forgotten if a status of victim is be publicly affirmed.

RESUMO História e literatura exprimem sentidos ao mundo social por meio de narrativas que subsidiam a investigação histórica, com pistas fragmentárias de suas redes de interlocução social e intertextual. Em consonância com esses pressupostos teórico-metodológicos, este artigo analisa o indianismo preconizado pelo Romantismo brasileiro, por meio do estudo da polêmica entre Domingos José Gonçalves de Magalhães e José de Alencar. A Confederação dos Tamoios (1856), poema épico escrito por Magalhães e narrado em forma de versos, descrevia o conflito empreendido pelos índios Tamoios, no período de 1554 a 1567, contra os portugueses e sua prática de escravização indígena. O poema não teve aceitação totalmente elogiosa, com destaque para as críticas de José de Alencar que, sob o pseudônimo de Ig, alegou que o formato de epopeia não captava o heroísmo idealizado às personagens indígenas e às especificidades do Brasil mediante o pouco destaque atribuído às características da natureza. O ponto de convergência na abordagem de ambos era a ênfase na figura do indígena, gestada a partir de uma aproximação com os relatos de cronistas, mas por intermédio de maneiras distintas de usufruto: Magalhães adotava a fidelidade ao “testemunho”, sem a idealização, enquanto Alencar seguiu o caminho inverso e poetizou os nativos. Tais embates literários confirmaram a formulação de uma literatura romântica pautada no estudo de cronistas para a composição de textos ficcionais, demarcando a evidência da fluidez entre história e literatura no universo letrado oitocentista.

Arrested and remanded in custody during the 1970s and 1980s, young drug addicts have left behind poignant writings. Preserved in the archives of the Institute of Legal Medicine in Geneva, these documents were produced at a time when drugs were becoming a major public problem. In prison, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and chaplains were providing various forms of assistance, which have not been well documented to date. The practice of introspective writing, which they encouraged among drug-addicted prisoners, was one of the means of understanding, knowing and acting. Over the years, a body of knowledge has been built up, paving the way for a public policy of prevention.

This article discusses the internationalization of Brazilian literature within the present-day editorial market and the contemporary social-political context of the United States. This critical discussion is based on observations and analysis of Brazilian literature’s translation, publication, circulation, and reception in that country.

Objetivo: identificar as manifestações clínicas da necrólise epidérmica tóxica (NET) e síndrome de Stevens Johnson (SSJ). Método: trata-se de uma revisão narrativa. A busca dos artigos utilizou a ferramenta Publish or Perish, que ranqueia os trabalhos com base no número de citações recebidas. Foram realizadas duas buscas, pois apesar das doenças se relacionarem, possuem diagnósticos diferentes. Na primeira, os descritores utilizados foram: “necrólise epidérmica tóxica” e “manifestações clínicas”, e na segunda os descritores foram: “Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson” e “manifestações clínicas”. Resultados: após a leitura dos 12 artigos selecionados, entendeu-se que a patogênese da necrólise epidérmica tóxica e Síndrome de Stevens Johnson se dá pela hipersensibilidade tardia a fármacos. As manifestações clínicas se dão pelo aparecimento do eritema cutâneo com formação de máculas, pápulas, vesículas e bolhas associadas ou isoladas, como placas de urticária ou eritema extenso. Na NET é possível notar desprendimento extenso da epiderme maior que 30% da superfície corpórea, conhecido como sinal de Nikolsky, com acometimento de mucosas. Conclusão: A NET e SSJ são farmacodermias graves, com baixas incidências, mas elevada mortalidade. O reconhecimento precoce das doenças e a retirada do fármaco causador são essenciais para conduzir o tratamento, diminuindo por sua vez a taxa de mortalidade.

Resumo Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a resposta morfogênica da micropropagação de Aechmea miniata e Aechmea blanchetiana após diferentes tratamentos com citocinina e auxinas. O estabelecimento in vitro se deu a partir de sementes de plantas adultas, com aproximadamente 2 anos de idade. Após descontaminação as sementes foram inoculadas em meio MS. Após 30 dias da germinação, foram isolados segmentos caulinares com aproximadamente 5 mm, e em seguida, foram transferidos para meio MS suplementado com BAP nas concentrações 4,44; 8,88 ou 13,32 µM. Ao final de 225 dias de cultivo, foi avaliado o número de brotos / explante, altura de brotações, porcentagem de enraizamento, número de raízes e comprimento de raízes. Verificou-se que, para as duas espécies, a concentração 4,44 µM de BAP mostrou maior eficiência para a multiplicação. Para a etapa de enraizamento, os brotos obtidos in vitro foram inoculados em meio MS com metade da concentração salina de macronutrientes, acrescido com 1, 2 e 3 µM de AIB ou ANA. Aos 60 dias, verificou-se que as duas espécies apresentaram 100% de enraizamento em meio de cultura sem a adição de reguladores de crescimento. Após enraizamento as plantas foram transferidas para substrato, e aos 180 dias de cultivo foi verificado sobrevivência superior a 80%, independente da espécie.

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecologic malignancy. The incidence of ovarian cancer among female-to-male transsexuals receiving treatment with testosterone is unknown, and few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a recent case in our institution, a 23-year-old female-to-male transsexual patient who received testosterone supplementation. The patient underwent a pelvic magnetic resonance imaging to study an ovarian complex cyst that revealed the presence of a bilateral ovarian tumor with imaging features of borderline serous tumor. These masses were surgically removed and the pathology report confirmed the diagnosis associated with noninvasive peritoneal implants and the presence of numerous androgen receptors in the tumor cells. Although there is still insufficient data to validate a direct correlation between hormonotherapy and ovarian cancer in these patients, this case may reinforce previous reports on this association and highlights the relevance of radiological follow-up and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as part of gender reassignment surgery.

Adopting a socio-historical approach, this article aims to draw attention to the continuities and discontinuities that can be observed in the penal treatment of people categorized as “psychopathic delinquents”. The problem posed by their internment in appropriate areas remained a subject of debate throughout the 20th century in Switzerland and was never really resolved. In the Canton of Vaud, one penal farm colony was used for about 50 years to punish and re-educate these individuals through labor. An in-depth examination of the archives allows us to immerse ourselves in the socio-economic life of this institution, to which the inmates contributed fully. After many years of use as a place of correction and assistance, Prés-Neufs became a remand prison in 1983. Thirty years later, plans to create a medico-social establishment on the site were abandoned in favour of Curabilis, a Geneva prison-hospital more in line with the renewed emphasis on security prevailing at the time.

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as experiências dos trabalhadores têxteis de Blumenau (1960-68) em relação ao cotidiano, em suas dimensões do trabalho e dos ritos celebrativos da festa junina, com ênfase na constituição de suas culturas de classe, articuladas com sua expressão de ideias e ações no labor, em interconexão com o âmbito festivo. A convivência entre menores de idade, mulheres e homens que trabalhavam na indústria têxtil de Blumenau indicou a diversidade de ações concretas na formulação de suas culturas de classe, tanto nos espaços formais de trabalho quanto no âmbito da festa junina, demonstrando a força da agência humana na elaboração de suas redes de solidariedade e na circularidade cultural intrínseca ao mundo do trabalho. Palavras-chave: Trabalhadores têxteis – Blumenau (SC). Identidade Social. Festas – História.

Alcantarea nahoumii (Leme) J. R. Grant is a species native to the Atlantic Forest that stands out for ornamental purposes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro germination of A. nahoumii seeds and establish a micropropagation protocol for production of seedlings so as to minimize the effects of predatory extractivism and develop an in vitro conservation system. Mature seeds were disinfested, established in three culture media (MS, MS½ and MS⅓) and incubated at four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35ºC) in a germination chamber. In the micropropagation experiment, stem segments were introduced in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.0, 2.2, 4.4 and 6.6 μM of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). For the in vitro conservation, plantlets were established in MS or MS½ medium supplemented with 15 g L-1 or 30 g L-1 of sucrose. The plants were acclimated with commercial substrate. The highest seed germination percentages were promoted by temperature conditions of 20 and 25ºC, with MS culture medium. The highest multiplication rate of shoots was obtained from the treatment without addition of the growth regulator or when combined with 2.2 μM of BAP + 0.5 μM of NAA. The acclimation of the plants occurred with high survival rate. The species can be conserved in vitro under slow growth condition for 24 months when incubated in MS medium supplemented with 30 g L-1 of sucrose.

Vinasses from the tequila industry are wastewaters with highly elevated organic loads. Therefore, to obtain value-added products by yeast fermentations, such as 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) and 2-phenylethylacetate (2-PEA), could be interesting for industrial applications from tequila vinasses. In this study, four yeasts species (Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Candida glabrata, Candida utilis, and Candida parapsilosis) were evaluated with two different chemically defined media and tequila vinasses. Differences in the aroma compounds production were observed depending on the medium and yeast species used. In tequila vinasses, the highest concentration (65 mg/L) of 2-PEA was reached by C. glabrata, the inhibitory compounds decreased biomass production and synthesis of 2-PEA, and biochemical and chemical oxygen demands were reduced by more than 50 %. Tequila vinasses were suitable for the production of 2-phenylethylacetate by the shikimate pathway. A metabolic network was developed to obtain a guideline to improve 2-PE and 2-PEA production using flux balance analysis (FBA). Keywords: 2 phenylethanol, 2 phenylethylacetate, Nonconventional yeasts, Tequila vinasses, Metabolic modeling

A partir do diagnóstico de necessidades neste grupo de doentes, com o trabalho de um grupo alargado de especialistas na área, criou-se um modelo de intervenção, chamado U-Care. Este modelo define um programa que pretende satisfazer necessidades individuais, numa perspetiva multidimensional (física, psicossocial e espiritual), no decurso da doença, mesmo quando se esgotam as alternativas de tratamento e o foco passa a ser exclusivamente o controlo sintomático. Este modelo poderá ainda contribuir para colmatar a lacuna que existe na prática de enfermagem relativamente a adoção de novas metodologias e ferramentas de apoio à doença avançada da mama, reduzindo o sofrimento da doente e a carga sintomática física e psicossocial.

ABSTRACT Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz, is an arboreal species endemic to Brazil’s Caatinga biome and an important source of lumber and also of medicinal substances. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the osmotic agents sucrose, sorbitol and mannitol and the growth retardant paclobutrazol (PBZ) on the induction of slow growth in vitro of P. pyramidalis, seeking to establish alternative techniques for ex situ conservation of the species. In the first experiment, plantlets with seven days of age were inoculated on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with four concentrations of sucrose (87.64, 131.46, 175.28 or 219.10 mM) combined with 0.0 or 87.64 mM sorbitol or mannitol. In the second experiment, these plantlets were inoculated on WPM medium with 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 or 6.0 µM PBZ and supplemented with 87.64 mM sucrose. For both experiments, the survival percentage of the plants was evaluated every 60 days, and at the end of 240 days, the following parameters were recorded: number of green leaves and senescent leaves; length of the aerial part and longest root; and dry mass of the aerial part and roots. The best results to maintain the quality of the P. pyramidalis plants conserved in vitro were obtained on medium supplemented with 219.10 mM sucrose for up to 240 days without subculture. With respect to PBZ, the concentration of 6.0 μM can be recommended for in vitro conservation of P. pyramidalis for 240 days without the need of subculturing.

Although cannabinoids have been used for centuries for diverse pathological conditions, recently, their clinical interest and application have emerged due to their diverse pharmacological properties. Indeed, it is well established that cannabinoids exert important actions on multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and pain relief. Regarding cancer, cannabinoids were first introduced to manage chemotherapy-related side effects, though several studies demonstrated that they could modulate the proliferation and death of different cancer cells, as well as angiogenesis, making them attractive agents for cancer treatment. In relation to breast cancer, it has been suggested that estrogen receptor-negative (ER−) cells are more sensitive to cannabinoids than estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cells. In fact, most of the studies regarding their effects on breast tumors have been conducted on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Nonetheless, the number of studies on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) and ER+ breast tumors has been rising in recent years. However, besides the optimistic results obtained thus far, there is still a long way to go to fully understand the role of these molecules. This review intends to help clarify the clinical potential of cannabinoids for each breast cancer subtype.

T helper-17 (Th17) cells are associated with inflammatory disorders and cancer. We report that environmental conditions resulting in cellular stress, such as low oxygen, glucose, and isotonic stress, particularly enhance the generation of Th17 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of cell stress reduces Th17 cell differentiation while stress inducers enhance the development of Th17 cells. The cellular stress response results in Th17 cell development via sustained cytoplasmic calcium levels and, in part, XBP1 activity. Furthermore, in an inflammatory environment, conditions resulting in cell stress can bring about de novo Th17 cell differentiation, even in the absence of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling. In vivo, cell stress inhibition enhances resistance to Th17-mediated autoimmunity while stress-exposed T cells enhance disease severity. Adverse metabolic environments during inflammation provide a link between adaptive immunity and inflammation and may represent a risk factor for the development of chronic inflammatory conditions by facilitating Th17 cell differentiation.

Eimeria vermiformis is a tissue specific, intracellular protozoan that infects the murine small intestinal epithelia, which has been widely used as a coccidian model to study mucosal immunology. This mouse infection model is valuable to investigate the mechanisms of host protection against primary and secondary infection in the small intestine. Here, we describe the generation of an E. vermiformis stock solution, preparation of sporulated E. vermiformis to infect mice and determination of oocysts burden. This protocol should help to establish a highly reproducible natural infection challenge model to study immunity in the small intestine. The information obtained from using this mouse model can reveal fundamental mechanisms of interaction between the pathogen and the immune response, e.g., provided by intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) at the basolateral site of epithelial cells but also a variety of other immune cell populations present in the gut.