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This study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of starch films with nanocellulose, using the Scopus database and VOSviewer and Bibliometrix software. A total of 258 documents were identified between 2019 and 2023, reflecting a growing interest in research, particularly in journals such as the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Polymers, and Carbohydrate Polymers. The most common terms were "starch" (349 occurrences), "cellulose" (207), and "tensile strength" (175). China (58 articles), Brazil (38), and India (33) led scientific production, with authors like Ilyas (13 articles) and Sapuan (10) at the forefront. Approximately 41.7 % of the studies used corn starch. The analysis revealed that 66 % of the studies investigated films with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), 32 % with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and 2 % with bacterial nanocellulose (CB). The majority of studies (94.1 %) used the casting method for film production. Additionally, 35.44 % focused on reinforcing films with nanocellulose, while 7 % developed blends with other biopolymers. About 59.44 % examined the performance of starch films for food packaging, 11.25 % explored practical applications in various foods. Furthermore, 7.94 % incorporated active agents to improve antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, 1.30 % investigated active packaging. Moreover, 2.36 % explored the use of films in materials engineering, and 2.36 % explored biomedical potential. Only 0.40 % evaluated the impact of films on wastewater treatment. The analysis highlights the potential of starch films with nanocellulose, demonstrating their diverse applications and the growing interest in the field., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Bovine mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland in response to invasion by opportunistic agents. Due to the high economic importance of dairy production and the complexity related to animal health, the objective of this work was to identify and evaluate the antibacterial resistance profile of samples of mastitis milk, milking hand and milking equipment from small rural dairy farms belonging to the northwest region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Five small, non-technical dairy farms in the municipalities of Boa Esperança, Juranda and Tapejara, all belonging to the northwest region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, were selected. The properties had Holstein and/or crossbred herds, carried out a bucket-by-foot milking system and all had the presence of animals with subclinical mastitis confirmed by the California Mastitis Test. Samples of sterile swabs from the milking insufflators, the milking hand and milk samples were collected-and later, isolation tests and phenotypic characterization of the samples, sensitivity tests to antimicrobials and phenotypic tests for the detection of beta-producing strains were performed with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), molecular identification of Staphylococcus aureus isolates and mec A gene research. Of the 199 samples collected from the 15 selected properties in the municipalities of Boa Esperança, Tapejara and Juranda, 72 (36.20%) were classified as multiresistant. Isolated from milkers' hands and milking machines, which phenotypically produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), the presence of the mec A gene was also observed in 11 isolates of Staphylococcus spp. of milk samples, machines and milking hands. Mastitis can be spread to the herd through the milking process by the milkers' instruments and hands, and adequate management measures can prevent its transmission and the conscious use of antibiotics decreases the prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this work, different pathogenic bacteria were detected in mastitic milk, milking equipment and milking hand with a high percentage (36.20%) of isolates classified as multidrug resistant. In addition, the presence phenotypically (ESBL) and molecularly ( mec A gene) of isolates carrying resistance genes was also verified. These results directly reflect on the health of the animals, the health of the workers and the health of the respective environment, which can enable the continuity of the propagation of the etiological agents involved in the mastitis infection. The awareness of producers and workers on these properties about the disease, transmission, sanitary aspects and adequate management and treatment are essential for improving milk production and production efficiency.

Leptin resistance is a hallmark of obesity. Treatments aiming to improve leptin sensitivity are considered a promising therapeutical approach against obesity. However, leptin receptor (LepR) signaling also modulates several neurovegetative aspects, such as the cardiovascular system and hepatic gluconeogenesis. Thus, we investigated the long-term consequences of increased leptin sensitivity, considering the potential beneficial and deleterious effects. To generate a mouse model with increased leptin sensitivity, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was ablated in LepR-expressing cells (LepR ∆SOCS3 mice). LepR ∆SOCS3 mice displayed reduced food intake, body adiposity and weight gain, as well as improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and were protected against aging-induced leptin resistance. Surprisingly, a very high mortality rate was observed in aging LepR ∆SOCS3 mice. LepR ∆SOCS3 mice showed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, increased myocardial fibrosis and reduced cardiovascular capacity. LepR ∆SOCS3 mice exhibited impaired post-ischemic cardiac functional recovery and middle-aged LepR ∆SOCS3 mice showed substantial arhythmic events during the post-ischemic reperfusion period. Finally, LepR ∆SOCS3 mice exhibited fasting-induced hypoglycemia and impaired counterregulatory response to glucopenia associated with reduced gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, although increased sensitivity to leptin improved the energy and glucose homeostasis of aging LepR ∆SOCS3 mice, major autonomic/neurovegetative dysfunctions compromised the health and longevity of these animals. Consequently, these potentially negative aspects need to be considered in the therapies that increase leptin sensitivity chronically.

Suicidal behavior in termite workers is an extreme defensive strategy, probably a consequence of having a low number of soldiers available in the colony and there being high predation from enemies. We investigated the suicidal mechanism in workers of the Neotropical termite Neocapritermes opacus, which involves salivary gland autothysis followed by body cuticle rupture and the release of a defensive secretion. Autothysis was triggered by a physical stimulus such as a soldier bite that causes the protrusion of the salivary acini, burst reservoirs, and foregut. Histochemical and ultrastructural analyses showed salivary acini composed of peripheral parietal cells and two types of central cells, types I and II. Type I cells are filled with large electron-lucent secretory vesicles, which reacted positively to bromophenol blue and xylidine-Ponceau tests, indicating the occurrence of proteins. Type II cells are elongated and display smaller apical secretory vesicles. Parietal cells present an intracellular canaliculus with dense microvilli and cytoplasm rich in mitochondria and large electron-dense vesicles, which may participate in the self-destructive mechanism. Worker suicidal behavior was previously reported for N. taracua and N. braziliensis. N. opacus is a new species in which a salivary weapon has been developed and factors contributing to this altruistic response are discussed.

This narrative review examines the literature on complementary and integrative practices (CIPs) and their incorporation into Brazil's national health system (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) in an attempt to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of the National Policy on Complementary and Integrative Practices in the SUS (PNPIC, acronym in Portuguese). A search was conducted of the MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases, resulting in final sample of 25 articles. Our analysis identified five key themes in the literature related to the strengths and weaknesses of policy implementation: 1) Professional training in CIPs in the SUS; 2) structuring the provision of CIPs, access, and health promotion; 3) knowledge, access, and acceptance of service users in relation to CIPs; 4) knowledge of SUS professional staff and managers in relation to the PNPIC; and 5) scope and monitoring and evaluation of the PNPIC. In consonance with the conclusions of the PNPIC management reports, the findings provide a deeper insight into policy implementation problems and reinforce the need to empower the actors involved in this process to tackle these challenges.

This study aimed to analyze the aggregation of alcohol consumption, smoking, excess weight, and short sleep in Brazilian adolescents. This was a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted with teens participating in the Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents (ERICA in Portuguese). The sample consisted of adolescents that answered the complete questionnaires on sleep, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages, in addition to having their weight and height measured. Aggregation was analyzed by comparing the observed and expected prevalence of risk factors in all possible groupings, with the respective 95% confidence intervals. Analyses were performed in Stata 14 using the svy (survey) command for complex sample data. The sample included 73,624 adolescents, of whom 25.5% had excess weight and 24.2% consumed alcoholic beverages. Aggregation of the four risk factors was O/E = 5.6. Aggregation of three factors was more prevalent in those 15 to 17 years of age (P = 4.8). In the POR (prevalence odds ratio) analysis of the combination of two risk factors, those that smoked showed 11.80 higher odds of also consuming alcohol, compared to those that did not smoke, and vice versa, in private schools. In relation to age, adolescents 12 to 14 years of age that smoked showed 15.46 times higher odds of also drinking, and vice and versa. Adolescents in the sample presented the aggregate presence of four risk factors, and there was a significant relationship between tobacco and alcohol consumption.

Introduction: Care continuum models have supported recent strategies against sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV)., Methods: HIV, HCV, and congenital syphilis care continuum models were developed, including all stages of care, from promotion/prevention to clinical control/cure. The models supported the intervention QualiRede, developed by a University-Brazilian National Health System (SUS) partnership focused on managers and other professionals from six priority health regions in São Paulo and Santa Catarina. Indicators were selected for each stage of the care continuum from the SUS information systems and from the Qualiaids and QualiAB facility's process evaluation questionnaires. The indicators acted as the technical basis of two workshops with professionals and managers in each region: the first one to identify problems and to create a Regional Technical Group; and the second one to design action plans for improving regional performance., Results: The indicators are available at www.qualirede.org. The workshops took place in the regions of Alto Tietê, Baixada Santista, Grande ABC, and Registro (São Paulo) and of Foz do Rio Itajaí (Santa Catarina), which resulted in regional action plans in São Paulo, but not in Santa Catarina. A lack of awareness was observed regarding the new HIV and HCV protocols, as well as an incipient use of indicators in routine practices., Conclusion: Improving the performance of the care continuum requires appropriation of performance indicators and coordination of care flows at local, regional, and state levels of management.

Objective: To compare the neurobehavioral development of preterm infants with postconceptional age between 32 and 36 weeks and 6 days, according to the adequacy of the weight for the gestational age at birth., Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed comparing two independent groups. The 55 preterm infants who were included in the sample were hospitalized in a neonatal intermediate care unit and were evaluated using the Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant (NAPI) at the postconceptional age between 32 and 36 weeks and 6 days and compared according to the adequacy of the weight for the gestational age. In addition to the comparison between the groups, infants who were born small for gestational age (SGA) and those ones adequate for gestational age (AGA) were also compared, considering the type of intrauterine growth. The following instruments were used: NAPI, anamnesis script, Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria, and medical records., Results: Infants were born with mean gestational age of 32.0 weeks, with the postconceptional age and postnatal age of 34.8 weeks and 19.5 days, respectively. The sample consisted of 55% of female infants. The results did not show any differences in NAPI domains between SGA and AGA groups, neither in the subgroups of SGA babies with symmetric or asymmetric growth., Conclusions: There was no difference between SGA and AGA babies in relation to neurobehavioral development evaluated before reaching term.

The hypopharynx morphology in workers, pseudergates, and soldiers was described in six families of Isoptera using scanning electronic microscopy. This is the first comparative study to detail the hypopharynx among different species of termites, and included 4 one-piece type (OP) and 9 multiple-pieces type termites (MP). The results showed different arrangements of the hypopharynx trichomes, with fewer of these structures in the frontal region of the hypopharynx in pseudergates and soldiers of OP termites. These characteristics did not apply to Serritermes serrifer, since its pseudergates displayed a large quantity of trichomes on the frontal surface. This species may not resemble other OP termites because it does not live inside a piece of wood, but rather are inquilines inside Cornitermes spp. nests. Similar morphology of this mouthpart was observed in the different species of MP termites, with workers exhibiting many unidirectional trichomes on the frontal surface and soldiers presenting fewer of these trichomes. The morphology of the hypopharynx seems to reflect the lifestyle of these species, because MP termites are able to exploit external water sources. Since different arrangements of hypopharynx trichomes are used for water intake via capillary action, the present data reinforce the soldiers' dependence on workers to obtain water and food through the process of trophallaxis. Three different types of sensilla were observed on the lateral region of the hypopharynx: chaetica, basiconica and campaniformia. Chaetica act as chemoreceptors, while basiconica and campaniformia are mechanoreceptors, used in feeding and environmental perception. Better understanding of hypopharynx morphology permits the inference of ecological habits among OP and MP termites, and reflects the physiological differences between workers and soldiers., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)