Effect of Acupressure on Dental Anxiety in Children: a Pilot Study for a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Anxiety is an important problem in children in dental clinics. Acupressure may be a useful tool to assist in dental procedures in anxious children. Objectives: This pilot study was performed to examine the effects of acupressure on dental anxiety in children undergoing restorative procedures. Methods: Fourteen children aged 7-10 years and with at least one primary molar with caries on the dentine were included in the study. The participants also needed to score at least one point on the modified Venham Picture Test (VPTm) for the determination of anxiety. The children were randomly allocated to two groups: group A - non-documented points for the reduction of anxiety and induction of relaxation; group B - documented points (EX-HN3, Shen Men of auricular acupuncture). The anxiety scale was administered on three occasions: prior to the application of acupressure; immediately after sitting in the dental chair to undergo restorative treatment; and after removal of acupressure at the end of the restorative procedure. Heart rate (HR) was measured when each child sat in the dental chair, after the removal of carious tissue, and after the removal of acupressure. Results: After the procedure, HR (as an indicator of anxiety) was statistically significantly lower in group B than group A (p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding anxiety before and during the restorative procedure (VPTm and HR: p > 0.05). Conclusion: The children who received acupressure on documented points for the reduction of anxiety had a significantly lower HR after the restorative procedure. No significant between-group difference was found regarding anxiety measured using a psychometric evaluation (VPTm).

Soil-sediment linkage and trace element contamination in forested/deforested areas of the Itacaiúnas River Watershed, Brazil: To what extent land-use change plays a role?

Trace elements (TE) contamination in forested areas of the Itacaiúnas River Watershed (IRW), Brazilian Amazon, arouses growing interest owing to the rapid deforestation and mining activities. In this study, soils (surface, SS; bottom, BS) and stream sediments (SD) from forested/deforested areas of IRW were analyzed with the aim of (1) evaluating the major sources of TE (mainly As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Hg, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn), and (2) examining the soil-sediment TE link related to land-use change and/or geologic factors. Compositional data analysis (CoDA) was used to eliminate data closure issues and the centred log-ratio (clr) transformation yielded better results in Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The TE distribution pattern was significantly different (p < 0.05) between forested and deforested areas, but in both areas the TE distribution pattern is significantly correlated between SS, BS, and SD, indicating a strong lithogenic control. PCA (clr-transformed) identified the major geochemical bedrock signature as Fe-Ti-V-Cu-Cr-Ni, which is nearly similar in soil and sediments. The more accentuated enrichment and the maximum number of anomalies of these elements were found in the Carajás Basin and are highly coincident with mineral deposits/local lithologies without clear indication of anthropogenic contamination from point sources. Besides geogenic factors, deforestation is also affecting TE distribution in the basin. In deforested areas, Mn was significantly enriched in the surface horizon. Furthermore, linear regression analysis shows stronger TE relationships between soils and sediments in deforested areas than in forested ones, reflecting higher erosion in the former. This could be the reason for the relatively higher enrichment of TE (e.g., Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni) in deforested sediments. The TE contamination using regional background values provides more accurate results than worldwide reference values. Thus, the former should be considered for a more realistic environmental risk assessment in IRW and other forest ecosystems in the Brazilian Amazon.

Ultrasound pretreatment application in dehydration: its influence on the microstructure, antioxidant activity and carotenoid retention of biofortified Beauregard sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam).

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of ultrasound pretreatment on the microstructure, antioxidant activity, and carotenoid retention of biofortified Beauregard sweet potato (BBSP). The pretreatment was carried out in an ultrasonic bath at 30 °C for 10 min, and it was evaluated in terms of water loss and solid gain. The drying process was performed at two different temperatures (50 and 70 °C). Six different semi-theoretical mathematical models were examined to characterize the drying curves, and quality analyses were executed. The two-terms exponential model provided the best simulation of the drying curves. Drying time was reduced by performing ultrasound pretreatment and by increasing drying temperature. The ultrasound treatment caused greater agglomeration, breakage, or strangulation of the BBSP structure, increasing porosity, and thus increasing drying rates. Drying caused a diminution of total carotenoids content and influenced antioxidant activity. However, the samples pretreated with ultrasound and dried produced lower total carotenoids loss.

IFN-γ mediates Paneth cell death via suppression of mTOR.

Paneth cells constitutively produce antimicrobial peptides and growth factors that allow for intestinal homeostasis, host protection, and intestinal stem cell replication. Paneth cells rely heavily on the glycolytic metabolic program, which is in part controlled by the kinase complex Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1). Yet, little is known about mTOR importance in Paneth cell integrity under steady-state and inflammatory conditions. Our results demonstrate that IFN-γ, a crucial mediator of the intestinal inflammation, acts directly on murine Paneth cells to alter their mitochondrial integrity and membrane potential, resulting in an TORC1-dependent cell death mechanism distinct from canonical cell death pathways including apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. These results were established with the purified cytokine and a physiologically relevant common Th1-inducing human parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Given the crucial role for IFN-γ, which is a cytokine frequently associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease and compromised Paneth cell functions, the identified mechanisms underlying mTORC1-dependent Paneth cell death downstream of IFN-γ may provide promising novel approaches for treating intestinal inflammation.

[Analysis of production, impact, and collaboration networks in scientific research in Scopus for Peru from 2000 to 2019]. / Análisis de producción, impacto y redes de colaboración en investigaciones científicas en Scopus en Perú de 2000 a 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Peru is a developing country with increasing scientific production. However, it is necessary to understand the trends, impact, and collaborative networks of research to plan for policy improvements. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the production, impact, and collaboration networks in the Peruvian scientific production between 2000 and 2019. METHODS: We did an observational analytical study. We searched Scopus for all the publications with at least one author with a Peruvian affiliation declared in the author byline. A descriptive analysis of the different characteristics, trends, and scientific collaboration was carried out. Collaboration networks were plotted using VOSviewer. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2019, Peru had a total of 24 482 publications in scientific journals, with an average annual growth of 13.6%. Of the total, 70% of all the articles were cataloged as Clinical Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Only half of the articles had a Peruvian affiliation. The countries with the largest share of collaboration were the United States and Brazil, and the articles with international collaboration had the highest number of citations per publication. CONCLUSIONS: Scientific production in Peru has increased in recent years, with a significant percentage of publications based on international collaboration and led by authors with non-Peruvian affiliations. It is necessary to strengthen collaboration ties between Peruvian and foreign institutions. Furthermore, it is essential to propitiate further research that will help solve the country's problems.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Perú es un país en vías de desarrollo, con una producción científica en aumento. Sin embargo, es necesario entender las tendencias, el impacto y la colaboración de sus investigaciones para promover una mejora continua de las mismas. OBJETIVO: Buscamos analizar la producción, el impacto y las redes de colaboración en la producción científica peruana entre los años 2000 y 2019. MÉTODOS: Realizamos un estudio analítico observacional haciendo una búsqueda en Scopus de todas las publicaciones que hayan tenido al menos un autor peruano en su filiación. Sobre eso, realizamos un análisis descriptivo de las diferentes características, tendencias y tipo de colaboración científica. Graficamos las redes de colaboración mediante VOSviewer. RESULTADOS: Entre los años 2000 y 2019, Perú tuvo un total de 24 482 publicaciones en revistas científicas, con un crecimiento anual promedio de 13,6%. Del total de artículos científicos, 70% de todas las publicaciones pertenecieron a las áreas de medicina clínica y ciencias biomédicas. Solo la mitad de los artículos contaban con filiación peruana. Los países con mayor colaboración fueron Estados Unidos y Brasil, y los artículos con colaboración internacional tuvieron mayor cantidad de citas por publicación. CONCLUSIONES: En años recientes, ha habido un incremento de la producción científica en Perú, con un gran porcentaje de publicaciones basadas en la colaboración internacional y lideradas por autores con filiación no peruana. Es necesario fortalecer lazos de colaboración entre instituciones peruanas y extranjeras. Además, es fundamental el incitar un mayor liderazgo en investigaciones que solucionen problemas del país.

T-bet-dependent ILC1- and NK cell-derived IFN-γ mediates cDC1-dependent host resistance against Toxoplasma gondii.

Host resistance against intracellular pathogens requires a rapid IFN-γ mediated immune response. We reveal that T-bet-dependent production of IFN-γ is essential for the maintenance of inflammatory DCs at the site of infection with a common protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. A detailed analysis of the cellular sources for T-bet-dependent IFN-γ identified that ILC1s and to a lesser degree NK, but not TH1 cells, were involved in the regulation of inflammatory DCs via IFN-γ. Mechanistically, we established that T-bet dependent innate IFN-γ is critical for the induction of IRF8, an essential transcription factor for cDC1s. Failure to upregulate IRF8 in DCs resulted in acute susceptibility to T. gondii infection. Our data identifies that T-bet dependent production of IFN-γ by ILC1 and NK cells is indispensable for host resistance against intracellular infection via maintaining IRF8+ inflammatory DCs at the site of infection.

Integration of ozonation and an anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed reactor for micropollutant removal from sewage.

Conventional sewage treatment systems are generally not designed to remove micropollutants, requiring the development of new technologies, such as the combination of biological processes with advanced oxidative processes. The configuration of an anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor stands out for its use of granular biomass and high sludge bed expansion. Ozonation is an advanced oxidative process that stands out as one of the most promising technologies for the degradation of micropollutants. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate the removal of drugs through the application of ozonation as a polishing process for the effluent of an EGSB reactor that was fed with synthetic sewage. Ozonation was shown to be efficient in the degradation of these compounds, reaching removals above 90%. It was found that the degradation profile of each drug varied according to its chemical structure since some drugs are more susceptible to oxidation than others and since the concentrations of pharmaceuticals are also related to their removal. Moreover, the assessment of risks to the environment and human health confirmed the need to assess the best scenario for risk reduction considering all drugs, since even with almost complete removal of some compounds, the effluents still showed toxicity. Thus, the high removal efficiencies found for the evaluated micropollutants showed that this technique has the potential to be used to improve the quality of biological reactor effluents or even to be combined in effluent reuse systems.

Investigação dos culicídeos potencialmente associados à transmissão de febre amararela silvestre no Parque Estadual da Cantareira - Núcleo Engordador, São Paulo, Brasil / Investigation of Culicidae species potentially associated with wild yellow fever transmission in the Cantareira State Park Núcleo Engordador, São Paulo, Brazil

A febre amarela (FA) se mantém endêmica ou enzoótica na África e Américas do Sul e Central, causada por um arbovírus mantido em ciclos silvestres em que primatas não humanos (PNH) são os principais hospedeiros amplificadores e mosquitos das tribos Aedini e Sabethini são os transmissores. O homem participa deste ciclo como um hospedeiro acidental ao contatar áreas de mata com animais infectados e mosquitos transmissores. Durante o surto de FA ocorrido no estado de São Paulo entre os anos de 2016 e 2018 foram registradas mortes de PNH no Parque Estadual da Cantareira (PEC) e infecções humanas foram relatadas nas proximidades, sinalizando para o risco de transmissão do vírus amarílico neste remanescente de mata situado na região metropolitana de São Paulo. Foi objetivo de estudo investigar os culicídeos potencialmente associados à transmissão de febre amarela silvestre (CPAFAS) no PEC e elaborar um manual de coleta diurna de Culicidae em ambiente florestal urbano para auxiliar o trabalho de vigilância entomológica realizado no município de São Paulo (MSP). As coletas foram quinzenais no Núcleo Engordador, nas trilhas do Macuco e Mountain Bike, entre 10 e 14 horas, de março de 2019 a fevereiro de 2020. Para as coletas foram utilizados puçá entomológico para captura de indivíduos adultos e instalação de armadilhas larvitrampas (bambu e PET) no solo e na copa das árvores para coleta de imaturos. Para os adultos de CPAFAS foram estimadas a riqueza e abundância; comparou-se a diversidade da fauna coletada nas duas trilhas utilizando-se o teste de Mann-Whitney; correlacionou-se o total de indivíduos coletados com dados climáticos (temperatura, pluviosidade e umidade relativa do ar por meio do coeficiente de correlação de Sperman. Para os imaturos comparou-se a abundância do total de CPAFAS e Hg. leucocelaenus coletados nas larvitrampas nas duas alturas instaladas utilizando a análise de Wilcoxon. Foram coletados um total de 248 espécimes de adultos e 136 de imaturos de CPAFAS pertencentes a 13 espécies distribuídas nos gêneros Aedes, Haemagogus, Psorophora e Sabethes. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa de diversidade entre as trilhas, indicando terem as mesmas características relativas à fauna de CPAFAS. Ocorreu correlação positiva entre o total de CPAFAS e as variáveis climáticas de temperatura e pluviosidade dos 30 dias que antecederam à coleta. Ao se comparar a abundância dos CPAFAS nas larvitrampas, observou-se a preferência por armadilhas de bambu. Em relação à altura de colocação das armadilhas a maior frequência ocorreu no bambu copa, quando se considerou o total de CPAFAS. Para Hg. leucocelaenus, não foi constatada diferença estatisticamente significativa no bambu copa ou solo indicando que a espécie explora diferentes níveis de habitats florestais. Estes resultados sinalizam que o PEC é uma área que merece atenção para a vigilância de vetores da FA, recomendando a continuação do monitoramento diurno no parque e em outras áreas vulneráveis à transmissão da FA no MSP e propondo à coordenação do Laboratório de Identificação e Pesquisa em Fauna Sinantrópica do MSP um manual de coleta diurna de culicídeos.

Yellow fever (YF) remains endemic or enzootic in Africa and South and Central America, is caused by an arbovirus maintained in wild cycles in which non-human primates (NHP) are the main hosts and mosquitoes from the Aedini and Sabethini tribes are the vectors. Humans participate of this cycle as accidental hosts when contacting forest areas with infected animals and mosquito vectors. During the YF outbreak that occurred in the state of São Paulo between 2016 and 2018, were recorded deaths of NHP in the Cantareira State Park (CSP) and human infections nearby, signaling the risk of the YF virus transmission in this area remaining of forest located in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. The aims of this study were to investigate the specimens of Culicidae potentially associated with the wild yellow fever transmission dynamics (CPAFAS) in the CSP and to develop a manual for daytime collection of Culicidae in an urban forest environment to assist the entomological surveillance activities carried out in the municipality of São Paulo (MSP). Collections performed fortnightly at Núcleo Engordador, on the Macuco and Mountain Bike trails, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and from March 2019 to February 2020. To collections were used aerial insect nets to capture adult individuals and larvitraps traps (bamboo and PET) on soil and treetop for collecting immature. For CPAFAS adults, species richness and abundance were estimated; the diversity of fauna collected on the two trails was compared using the Mann-Whitney test; the total number of individuals collected was correlated with climatic data (temperature, rainfall and relative humidity) using Spearman's correlation coefficient. For immatures, the abundance of total CPAFAS and Hg. leucocelaenus collected from larvitraps in the two installed level were compared using Wilcoxon analysis. A total of 248 adults and 136 immature specimens of CPAFAS belonging to 13 species distributed between the genera Aedes, Haemagogus, Psorophora and Sabethes were collected. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in diversity between trails, indicating that they have the same characteristics regarding the CPAFAS fauna. There was a positive correlation between the total of CPAFAS and the climatic variables of temperature and rainfall in the 30 days prior to collection. When comparing the abundance of CPAFAS in larvitraps, the preference for bamboo traps was observed. Regarding the level of traps placement, the highest frequency occurred in bamboo traps placed at treetop level, when considering the total of CPAFAS. For Hg. leucocelaenus, no statistically significant difference was found between bamboo traps placed at treetop or soil level, indicating that the species explores different levels of forest habitats. These results indicate that the CSP is an area that deserves attention for YF vector surveillance. The continuation of daytime monitoring in the park and other areas vulnerable to YF transmission in the MSP is recommended and a manual for daytime collection of Culicidae is proposed to the coordination of the Identification and Research Laboratory in Synanthropic Fauna of the MSP.

Quality of life of nurses from the mobile emergency care service / Calidad de vida de los enfermeros del servicio de atención móvil de emergencias / Qualidade de vida de enfermeiros do serviço de atendimento móvel de urgências

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the quality of life of nurses from the Mobile Emergency Care Service of the Federal District (Brazil) and to identify the domains that influenced this assessment. Method: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study, with data obtained from 123 nurses who answered a questionnaire developed and structured in order to know sociodemographic and clinical variables and with the application of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref, to assess the quality of life. The data were submitted to descriptive statistics and inferential statics. Results: most of the nurses were women, aged between 20 and 40 years old, married, with a specialization degree and without any employment relation with another institution. Most (72.36%) considered their quality of life good or very good and were satisfied or very satisfied with their health (65.03%). The environment domain was the worst evaluated. A significant correlation was observed between the social relations (p=0.049) and environment (p=0.035) domains when correlated with the gender variable. The women rated their social relations and environment better than the men. Conclusion: the knowledge produced by this investigation may support the design of strategies that enable reducing the difficulties related to the life and work of nurses of the Mobile Emergency Care Service. Actions in this direction may contribute to the improvement of health, well-being and quality of life of the professionals and will have positive effects on the quality of health care provided to the population.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de vida de los enfermeros del Servicio de Atención Móvil de Emergencias del Distrito Federal (Brasil) e identificar los dominios que influenciaron en esa evaluación. Método: estudio de observación, descriptivo, transversal y cuantitativo, en el que se obtuvieron datos de 123 enfermeros que respondieron a un cuestionario desarrollado y estructurado para descubrir variables sociodemográficas y clínicas y en el que se aplicó el instrumento World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref para evaluar la calidad de vida. Los datos se sometieron a estadística descriptiva y inferencial. Resultados: en su mayoría, los enfermeros eran mujeres de 20 a 40 años de edad, casadas, con un nivel académico de especialización y sin ningún vínculo de empleo con otras instituciones. La mayor parte (72,36%) consideraron que su calidad de vida era buena o muy buena y se mostraron satisfechas o muy satisfechas con su salud (65,03%). El dominio del medio ambiente fue el peor evaluado. Se observó una correlación significativa entre los dominios de las relaciones sociales (p=0,049) y del medio ambiente (p=0,035) al correlacionarlos con la variable del sexo. Las mujeres evaluaron mejor que los hombres sus relaciones sociales y el medio ambiente. Conclusión: los conocimientos obtenidos gracias a esta investigación podrán ayudar a delinear estrategias que permitan reducir las dificultades relacionadas con la vida y el trabajo de los enfermeros del Servicio de Atención Móvil de Emergencias. Implementar acciones en este sentido podrá contribuir a mejorar la salud, el bienestar y la calidad de vida de los profesionales y tendrá efectos positivos sobre la calidad de la atención a la salud que se presta a la población.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a qualidade de vida de enfermeiros do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência do Distrito Federal (Brasil) e identificar os domínios que influenciaram nessa avaliação. Método: estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal e quantitativo, com dados obtidos de 123 enfermeiros que responderam a um questionário desenvolvido e estruturado para conhecer variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas e com aplicação do World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref, para avaliar a qualidade de vida. Os dados foram submetidos à estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: os enfermeiros eram em sua maioria mulheres, entre 20 a 40 anos, casadas, com nível acadêmico de especialização e sem vínculo empregatício com outra instituição. A maior parte (72,36%) considerou sua qualidade de vida boa ou muito boa e estava satisfeita ou muito satisfeita com a saúde (65,03%). O domínio meio ambiente foi o pior avaliado. Observou-se correlação significativa entre os domínios relações sociais (p=0,049) e meio ambiente (p=0,035) quando correlacionados à variável sexo. As mulheres avaliaram melhor suas relações sociais e o meio ambiente em relação aos homens. Conclusão: o conhecimento produzido por essa investigação poderá subsidiar o delineamento de estratégias que permitam diminuir as dificuldades relacionadas à vida e ao trabalho de enfermeiros do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência. Ações nesse sentido poderão contribuir para a melhoria da saúde, do bem-estar e da qualidade de vida dos profissionais e terão efeitos positivos sobre a qualidade da assistência à saúde prestada à população.

Occupational stress of nurses from the Mobile Emergency Care Service.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate stress, and to associate it with sociodemographic and clinical aspects of nurses from the Mobile Emergency Care Service. METHOD: This is an observational, cross-sectional and quantitative study conducted with 123 nurses, who answered a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic and clinical variables, and the Job Stress Scale, which evaluates stress in the workplace. RESULTS: The results indicated that most of them were women, 20 to 40 years old, married, without another employment bond and with specialization course. They had low control and low demand at work and performed a passive work. Women reported passive work and high stress levels, while men were equally divided in active and passive work with low stress levels. CONCLUSION: Passive work is harmful to health and it is related to lack of autonomy, decision-making, and social support. It may lead to reduced ability to solve problems faced in daily work routine.

A promoção à saúde na experiência de jovens promotores da saúde / Promoción de la salud en la experiencia de jóvenes promotores de la salud / Health promotion in the experience of young health promoters

RESUMO O presente artigo se baseia em uma pesquisa de mestrado profissional e tem por objetivo conhecer e analisar a experiência de jovens e adolescentes que participam de um projeto de promoção à saúde, voltado ao público jovem e adolescente. A experiência de promoção à saúde e de vivência da adolescência e da juventude pelos participantes do projeto é abordada pela técnica do grupo focal. Realiza-se análise das narrativas, indicando a maneira como os participantes enfrentam os impasses inerentes a esta etapa da vida e a função que o grupo ocupa para eles nesta empreitada. Os resultados apontam que a experiência no grupo atua como estímulo para o aumento da capacidade narrativa entre os participantes, que percebem melhora nas formas de comunicação e de relação, como fonte de construção de um laço afetivo entre os participantes, constituindo-se como importante fator de suporte social e como possibilidade de estreitamento de laço com a unidade de saúde e com os profissionais que nela atuam. Destaca-se ainda a importância de sustentação por parte dos profissionais de saúde da função da alteridade junto aos jovens e adolescentes, de modo a garantir a circulação da palavra e a manutenção de um diálogo aberto e franco com eles.

RESUMEN El presente artículo se basa en una investigación de maestría profesional y tiene como objetivo conocer y analizar la experiencia de los jóvenes y adolescentes que participan en un proyecto de promoción a la salud, dirigido al público joven y adolescente. La experiencia de promoción a la salud y de la vivencia de la adolescencia y de la juventud por los participantes del proyecto son tratadas por intermedio de la técnica del grupo focal. Se realiza análisis de las narrativas, indicando la manera como los participantes enfrentan los impasses inherentes a esta etapa de la vida y la función que el grupo ocupa para ellos. Los resultados apuntan que la experiencia en el grupo actúa como estímulo para el aumento de la capacidad narrativa entre los participantes, que perciben una mejora en las formas de comunicación y de relación, como fuente de construcción de un lazo afectivo entre los participantes, constituyéndose como importante factor de soporte social y como posibilidad de estrechamiento de lazo con la unidad de salud y con los profesionales que actúan en ella. Se destaca la importancia de sostén por parte de los profesionales de salud de la función de la alteridad junto a los jóvenes y adolescentes, a fin de garantizar la circulación de la palabra y el mantenimiento de un diálogo abierto y franco con ellos.

ABSTRACT This article is based on a professional master's research that aimed to know and analyze the experience of young people and adolescents who participate in a health promotion project for young people and adolescents. The experience of health promotion, as well as the reality of youth and adolescence are addressed by project participants through the focus group technique. An analysis of narratives is carried out, indicating the ways through which participants face the inherent dilemmas of this particular stage of life, as well as the role that the group plays for them in this task. The results indicate that the group experience stimulates an increase of narrative capacity among participants - who perceive improved communication and relatedness - and acts also as a source of construction of an affective bond between participants, constituting an important social support factor, by also creating closer ties with the health unit and the professionals who work there. Also important is the critical role of the health professionals in sustaining alterity for these youngsters, ensuring the free circulation of words, and maintaining an open and frank dialogue with them.

Occupational stress of nurses from the Mobile Emergency Care Service / Estrés laboral de enfermeros en la Atención Móvil de Urgencia / Estresse ocupacional de enfermeiros do Serviço De Atendimento Móvel de Urgência

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate stress, and to associate it with sociodemographic and clinical aspects of nurses from the Mobile Emergency Care Service. Method: This is an observational, cross-sectional and quantitative study conducted with 123 nurses, who answered a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic and clinical variables, and the Job Stress Scale, which evaluates stress in the workplace. Results: The results indicated that most of them were women, 20 to 40 years old, married, without another employment bond and with specialization course. They had low control and low demand at work and performed a passive work. Women reported passive work and high stress levels, while men were equally divided in active and passive work with low stress levels. Conclusion: Passive work is harmful to health and it is related to lack of autonomy, decision-making, and social support. It may lead to reduced ability to solve problems faced in daily work routine.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar el estrés y asociar los aspectos sociodemográficos y clínicos de los enfermeros que trabajan en el Atendimiento Móvil de Emergencias. Método: Este fue un estudio observacional, transversal y cuantitativo realizado con 123 enfermeros, que respondieron un cuestionario para conocer las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, y la Job Stress Scale. Resultados: Los resultados indicaron que la mayoría eran mujeres, de 20 a 40 años, sin ninguna otra relación laboral ni especialización. Tenían bajo control y baja demanda en el trabajo y realizaron un trabajo considerado pasivo. Las mujeres reportaron trabajo pasivo y desgaste elevado, mientras que los hombres se dividieron entre trabajo activo y pasivo con desgaste bajo. Conclusión: el trabajo pasivo es perjudicial para la salud y está relacionado con la falta de autonomía y el poder de decisión. Puede llevar a una capacidad reducida para producir soluciones a los problemas que se enfrentan en el trabajo diario.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o estresse, associando-o aos aspectos sociodemográficos e clínicos de enfermeiros do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgências. Método: Trata-se de estudo observacional, transversal e quantitativo, realizado com 123 enfermeiros, que responderam a um questionário, para conhecer variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas. Foi utilizada a Job Stress Scale, que avalia o estresse no trabalho. Resultados: Os resultados indicaram que a maioria eram mulheres, de 20 a 40 anos, casadas, sem outro vínculo empregatício e com especialização. Possuíam baixo controle, baixa demanda no trabalho e executavam trabalho considerado passivo. As mulheres referiram trabalho passivo e alto desgaste, enquanto os homens dividiram-se igualmente entre o perfil ativo e passivo com baixo desgaste. Conclusão: O trabalho passivo é nocivo à saúde e está relacionado à falta de autonomia, de poder de decisão e de suporte social. Pode conduzir à redução da capacidade de produzir soluções para os problemas enfrentados no cotidiano laboral.

TLR11-independent inflammasome activation is critical for CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ production and host resistance to Toxoplasma gondii.

Innate recognition of invading intracellular pathogens is essential for regulating robust and rapid CD4+ T cell effector function, which is critical for host-mediated immunity. The intracellular apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is capable of infecting almost any nucleated cell of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and establishing tissue cysts that persist throughout the lifetime of the host. Recognition of T. gondii by TLRs is essential for robust IL-12 and IFN-γ production, two major cytokines involved in host resistance to the parasite. In the murine model of infection, robust IL-12 and IFN-γ production have been largely attributed to T. gondii profilin recognition by the TLR11 and TLR12 heterodimer complex, resulting in Myd88-dependent IL-12 production. However, TLR11 or TLR12 deficiency failed to recapitulate the acute susceptibility to T. gondii infection seen in Myd88-/- mice. T. gondii triggers inflammasome activation in a caspase-1-dependent manner resulting in cytokine release; however, it remains undetermined if parasite-mediated inflammasome activation impacts IFN-γ production and host resistance to the parasite. Using mice which lack different inflammasome components, we observed that the inflammasome played a limited role in host resistance when TLR11 remained functional. Strikingly, in the absence of TLR11, caspase-1 and -11 played a significant role for robust CD4+ TH1-derived IFN-γ responses and host survival. Moreover, we demonstrated that in the absence of TLR11, production of the caspase-1-dependent cytokine IL-18 was sufficient and necessary for CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ responses. Mechanistically, we established that T. gondii-mediated activation of the inflammasome and IL-18 were critical to maintain robust CD4+ TH1 IFN-γ responses during parasite infection in the absence of TLR11.

Alarmin S100A11 initiates a chemokine response to the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite that infects up to one third of the world's population. Notably, very little is known about innate immune sensing mechanisms for this obligate intracellular parasite by human cells. Here, by applying an unbiased biochemical screening approach, we show that human monocytes recognized the presence of T. gondii infection by detecting the alarmin S100A11 protein, which is released from parasite-infected cells via caspase-1-dependent mechanisms. S100A11 induced a potent chemokine response to T. gondii by engaging its receptor RAGE, and regulated monocyte recruitment in vivo by inducing expression of the chemokine CCL2. Our experiments reveal a sensing system for T. gondii by human cells that is based on the detection of infection-mediated release of S100A11 and RAGE-dependent induction of CCL2, a crucial chemokine required for host resistance to the parasite.

Loss of Paneth Cell Autophagy Causes Acute Susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii-Mediated Inflammation.

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii triggers severe small intestinal immunopathology characterized by IFN-γ- and intestinal microbiota-mediated inflammation, Paneth cell loss, and bacterial dysbiosis. Paneth cells are a prominent secretory epithelial cell type that resides at the base of intestinal crypts and releases antimicrobial peptides. We demonstrate that the microbiota triggers basal Paneth cell-specific autophagy via induction of IFN-γ, a known trigger of autophagy, to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Deletion of the autophagy protein Atg5 specifically in Paneth cells results in exaggerated intestinal inflammation characterized by complete destruction of the intestinal crypts resembling that seen in pan-epithelial Atg5-deficient mice. Additionally, lack of functional autophagy in Paneth cells within intestinal organoids and T. gondii-infected mice causes increased sensitivity to the proinflammatory cytokine TNF along with increased intestinal permeability, leading to exaggerated microbiota- and IFN-γ-dependent intestinal immunopathology. Thus, Atg5 expression in Paneth cells is essential for tissue protection against cytokine-mediated immunopathology during acute gastrointestinal infection.

T-bet-independent Th1 response induces intestinal immunopathology during Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Coordinated production of IFN-γ by innate and adaptive immune cells is central for host defense, but can also trigger immunopathology. The investigation of the lymphoid cell-specific contribution to the IFN-γ-mediated intestinal pathology during Toxoplasma gondii infection identified CD4+ T cells as a key cell population responsible for IFN-γ-dependent intestinal inflammation and Paneth cell loss, where T-bet-dependent group 1 innate lymphoid cells have a minor role in driving the parasite-induced immunopathology. This was evident from the analysis of T-bet deficiency that did not prevent the intestinal inflammation and instead revealed that T-bet-deficient CD4+ Th1 cells are sufficient for T. gondii-triggered acute ileitis and Paneth cell loss. These results revealed that T-bet-independent Th1 effector cells are major functional mediators of the type I immunopathological response during acute gastrointestinal infection.

Futsal improve body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese children. A pilot study

The aim of this study was to verify body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and biochemical markers of prepubertal overweight and obese boys to a 16-week futsal training program. Methods: Sixteen boys (age: 7-10 y, body mass index>thanat 95th percentileaccording to Center for Disease Control and Prevention; 35.5±7.4 percent fat) participated to futsal training program. The assessment of body composition was estimated using skinfold thickness, and the following variables were evaluated: total body mass, body mass index, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. Aerobic fitness measurementwas performed by gas exchange analysis in treadmill. In addition, an evaluation of the biochemical profile was conducted: triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma concentrations of glucose, and insulin. The futsal intervention included 60-min sessions performed two times/week. The mean intensity during training was between 57 to 88% of maximal heart rate of the age-predicted. Individual portable heart rate monitor controlled training intensity. Results: Significant increases in total body mass (4%), height (3%), lean body mass (8%), and significant 6%-decrease in body fat percentage was observed. Body mass index remained unchanged. Maximal oxygen uptake was elevated (p<0.018) by 11%. Biochemical markers were not modified after intervention. No association was found between body composition and metabolic variables. The effect size of futsal training on most variables was small (<0.5). Conclusion: Controlled intensity and adherence to this 16-week futsal training program were determinant to enhance body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness in this group of prepubertal boys.(AU)

COELOMIC TERATOMA IN A BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (ARA ARARAUNA).

A 2-mo-old, female blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) presented with severe abdominal distension, pain, and respiratory distress. Ultrasonographic examination detected a heterogeneous mass with multiple anechoic areas, compatible with a multilocular cyst, occupying most of the coelomic cavity. Postmortem examination revealed a mass of 12.0 × 8.5 × 5.0 cm, which had an irregular surface and was connected by a pedicle to the ileum. This mass compressed and displaced the liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and intestines cranially to the left. The cut surface was lobulated, gray-white, mildly firm or soft, and was interspersed with multiple cysts filled with viscous and opaque liquid. Microscopically, it was composed of well- differentiated embryonic tissues from the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm; therefore, it was diagnosed as a mature teratoma, which was theorized to have originated from Meckel's diverticulum. This study is the first, to the authors' knowledge to report a case of a teratoma in a blue-and-yellow macaw.

Efeito do treinamento com videogame ativo sobre o nível de equilíbrio de idosas ativas: estudo de caso / Effect of active video game training on the level of active elderly balance: case study

Introdução: O processo de envelhecimento está associado a modificações no controle postural, com grande impacto sobre o equilíbrio, favorecendo a ocorrência de quedas. O exercício físico, por meio dos videogames ativos (VGAs), proporciona maior entretenimento e aumenta a movimentação física durante o jogo. Objetivo: Analisar o efeito de cinco semanas de intervenção com VGA sobre o equilíbrio de idosas. Métodos: Trata-se de relato de três casos de idosas com histórico de instabilidade e quedas. As voluntárias foram avaliadas pré e pós intervenção por meio do teste da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB). A intervenção foi realizada em dias alternados durante cinco semanas, totalizando dez sessões com o VGA Kinect Adventures. Resultados: Após cinco semanas de intervenção as idosas apresentaram diminuição no risco de quedas e desempenho satisfatório no equilíbrio, alcançando a pontuação máxima na escala EEB. Conclusão: O videogame ativo mostrou ser um instrumento viável para melhora do equilíbrio e diminui o risco de quedas. (AU)

Introduction: The aging process is associated with changes in postural control with grater impact about balance, favoring falls. The physical exercises with active videogame (AVG) provide entertainment and increase the physical movement during the game. Objective: To analyze the effect of five weeks of intervention with AVG in elderly balance. Methods: The article is about three elderly cases report with instability history and falls. The volunteers were evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) before and after the intervention, that was realized in five weeks with alternate days, totaling ten sessions with AVG Kinect Adventures. Results: After five weeks with AVG intervention the elderly showed decrease about falls risk and balance satisfactory performance, reached the maximum score in BBS. Conclusion: The AVG was a viable tool improves the elderly balance and prevent falls. (AU)

Behavioural phenotypes predict disease susceptibility and infectiousness.

Behavioural phenotypes may provide a means for identifying individuals that disproportionally contribute to disease spread and epizootic outbreaks. For example, bolder phenotypes may experience greater exposure and susceptibility to pathogenic infection because of distinct interactions with conspecifics and their environment. We tested the value of behavioural phenotypes in larval amphibians for predicting ranavirus transmission in experimental trials. We found that behavioural phenotypes characterized by latency-to-food and swimming profiles were predictive of disease susceptibility and infectiousness defined as the capacity of an infected host to transmit an infection by contacts. While viral shedding rates were positively associated with transmission, we also found an inverse relationship between contacts and infections. Together these results suggest intrinsic traits that influence behaviour and the quantity of pathogens shed during conspecific interactions may be an important contributor to ranavirus transmission. These results suggest that behavioural phenotypes provide a means to identify individuals more likely to spread disease and thus give insights into disease outbreaks that threaten wildlife and humans.