Risks of soil chemical degradation from atmospheric gypsum plumes around selected extraction and processing enterprises, Northeast Brazil.

Gypsum plays a prominent role in agriculture, being considered an effective alternative to alleviate subsurface acidity due to its higher solubility and containing sulfur. However, another significant aspect is which pose long-term risks of groundwater contamination due to excessive applications of salts, pesticides, and other chemicals that will be leached, or even soil chemical depletion. So far, no study has focused on understanding the impacts of the atmospheric gypsum plume originating from gibbsite mining and processing on the leaching of soil bases and chemical degradation surrounding these sites. In this study, we evaluated the behavior of chemical characteristics in soil profiles distributed along the dispersion of the atmospheric plume and in areas without interference from the industrial sector in the state of Maranhão, Northeast Brazil. Fifty-three sampling points were collected at 7 locations based on the dispersion of the dust plume through wind drift. Each sampling point was represented by three composite soil samples at depths of 0.0-0.20, 0.40-0.60, and 1.00-1.20 m, where the chemical soil characteristics were evaluated. The average levels of Ca, Mg, and K in the studied layers are classified as low, with minimum values below the method's detection limit, and they also show imbalance due to higher concentrations of Ca in the surface layer in areas affected by atmospheric dispersion. The sum and saturation of bases at all depths are classified as low. Higher aluminum saturation values were observed in the deeper soil layers. The gypsum dust altered the soil's chemical characteristics at the evaluated depths; therefore, it is necessary to seek means to mitigate gypsum dust release during gibbsite extraction and processing and ensure that the soils in areas near these enterprises maintain their natural characteristics.

Sequential Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Enriched Environments under Varying Thermal Conditions Using the Generalized Sequential Pattern Algorithm: A Proof of Concept.

Behavior analysis is a widely used non-invasive tool in the practical production routine, as the animal acts as a biosensor capable of reflecting its degree of adaptation and discomfort to some environmental challenge. Conventional statistics use occurrence data for behavioral evaluation and well-being estimation, disregarding the temporal sequence of events. The Generalized Sequential Pattern (GSP) algorithm is a data mining method that identifies recurrent sequences that exceed a user-specified support threshold, the potential of which has not yet been investigated for broiler chickens in enriched environments. Enrichment aims to increase environmental complexity with promising effects on animal welfare, stimulating priority behaviors and potentially reducing the deleterious effects of heat stress. The objective here was to validate the application of the GSP algorithm to identify temporal correlations between heat stress and the behavior of broiler chickens in enriched environments through a proof of concept. Video image collection was carried out automatically for 48 continuous hours, analyzing a continuous period of seven hours, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, during two consecutive days of tests for chickens housed in enriched and non-enriched environments under comfort and stress temperatures. Chickens at the comfort temperature showed high motivation to perform the behaviors of preening (P), foraging (F), lying down (Ld), eating (E), and walking (W); the sequences <{Ld,P}>; <{Ld,F}>; <{P,F,P}>; <{Ld,P,F}>; and <{E,W,F}> were the only ones observed in both treatments. All other sequential patterns (comfort and stress) were distinct, suggesting that environmental enrichment alters the behavioral pattern of broiler chickens. Heat stress drastically reduced the sequential patterns found at the 20% threshold level in the tested environments. The behavior of lying laterally "Ll" is a strong indicator of heat stress in broilers and was only frequent in the non-enriched environment, which may suggest that environmental enrichment provides the animal with better opportunities to adapt to stress-inducing challenges, such as heat.

Targeted and Shallow Whole-Genome Sequencing Identifies Therapeutic Opportunities in p53abn Endometrial Cancers.

PURPOSE: Shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS) can detect copy-number (CN) aberrations. In high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) sWGS identified CN signatures such as homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) to direct therapy. We applied sWGS with targeted sequencing to p53abn endometrial cancers to identify additional prognostic stratification and therapeutic opportunities. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: sWGS and targeted panel sequencing was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded p53abn endometrial cancers. CN alterations, mutational data and CN signatures were derived, and associations to clinicopathologic and outcomes data were assessed. RESULTS: In 187 p53abn endometrial cancers, 5 distinct CN signatures were identified. Signature 5 was associated with BRCA1/2 CN loss with features similar to HGSOC HRD signature. Twenty-two percent of potential HRD cases were identified, 35 patients with signature 5, and 8 patients with BRCA1/2 somatic mutations. Signatures 3 and 4 were associated with a high ploidy state, and CCNE1, ERBB2, and MYC amplifications, with mutations in PIK3CA enriched in signature 3. We observed improved overall survival (OS) for patients with signature 2 and worse OS for signatures 1 and 3. Twenty-eight percent of patients had CCNE1 amplification and this subset was enriched with carcinosarcoma histotype. Thirty-four percent of patients, across all histotypes, had ERBB2 amplification and/or HER2 overexpression on IHC, which was associated with worse outcomes. Mutations in PPP2R1A (29%) and FBXW7 (16%) were among the top 5 most common mutations. CONCLUSIONS: sWGS and targeted sequencing identified therapeutic opportunities in 75% of patients with p53abn endometrial cancer. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of treatments targeting these identified pathways within p53abn endometrial cancers.

Predicting Risk of Ammonia Exposure in Broiler Housing: Correlation with Incidence of Health Issues.

The study aimed to forecast ammonia exposure risk in broiler chicken production, correlating it with health injuries using machine learning. Two chicken breeds, fast-growing (Ross®) and slow-growing (Hubbard®), were compared at different densities. Slow-growing birds had a constant density of 32 kg m-2, while fast-growing birds had low (16 kg m-2) and high (32 kg m-2) densities. Initial feeding was uniform, but nutritional demands led to varied diets later. Environmental data underwent selection, pre-processing, transformation, mining, analysis, and interpretation. Classification algorithms (decision tree, SMO, Naive Bayes, and Multilayer Perceptron) were employed for predicting ammonia risk (10-14 pmm, Moderate risk). Cross-validation was used for model parameterization. The Spearman correlation coefficient assessed the link between predicted ammonia risk and health injuries, such as pododermatitis, vision/affected, and mucosal injuries. These injuries encompassed trachea, bronchi, lungs, eyes, paws, and other issues. The Multilayer Perceptron model emerged as the best predictor, exceeding 98% accuracy in forecasting injuries caused by ammonia. The correlation coefficient demonstrated a strong association between elevated ammonia risks and chicken injuries. Birds exposed to higher ammonia concentrations exhibited a more robust correlation. In conclusion, the study effectively used machine learning to predict ammonia exposure risk and correlated it with health injuries in broiler chickens. The Multilayer Perceptron model demonstrated superior accuracy in forecasting injuries related to ammonia (10-14 pmm, Moderate risk). The findings underscored the significant association between increased ammonia exposure risks and the incidence of health injuries in broiler chicken production, shedding light on the importance of managing ammonia levels for bird welfare.

Use of Psychotropic Drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of dispensation of mental health drugs by analyzing trends in use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic within the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]). METHODS: Pharmacoepidemiological study based on the retrospective analysis of records regarding the dispensation of psychotropic medicines in the SUS database in the state of Minas Gerais between 2018 and 2021, considering the periods before (2018-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). A database with the records of dispensation of municipalities was created, and the consistency of releases was verified using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Medicine consumption was measured in a defined daily dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants/day for SUS, and the difference between periods was evaluated using Student's t-test. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the consumption of psychotropic drugs in SUS-MG. The most consumed medicines were fluoxetine hydrochloride, diazepam and phenobarbital sodium (DDD=5.89; 3.42; 2.49) in the Basic Pharmaceutical Services Component(CBAF), and olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine hemifumarate (DDD=0.80; 0.47; 0.38) in the Specialized Pharmaceutical Services Component (CEAF). The highest percentage increase in consumption was attributed to clonazepam (75.37%) and lithium carbonate (35.35%), in CBAF, and levetiracetam (3,000.00%) and memantine hydrochloride (340.0%) in CEAF. CONCLUSION: The change in the psychotropic drug dispensation profile during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to produce more studies to complete, confirm or rule out this profile and monitor the use of psychotropic drugs by the population in the post-pandemic context.

DNA-ICM as an adjuvant method applied on oral cytological specimens.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate cytology diagnosis accuracy using adjuvant methods in clinical routine for oral cancer. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study was conducted on 98 patients with clinically potentially malignant or malignant oral cavity lesions. One oral lesion smear was taken from each patient using a cytobrush before biopsy and stored at PreservCyt Thinprep. Samples were cytologically analyzed, and DNA ploidy measurement was performed on the same slide. The diagnostic methods' accuracy was then calculated. RESULTS: In clinical inspection, 61 patients had suspicious lesions for malignancy, whereas 37 had potentially malignant disorders. Cytology associated with DNA image cytometry presented a sensitivity of 81.2% and specificity of 90.9%. When analyzing lesions located in high-risk sites to oral malignancies individually, cytology associated with DNA image cytometry presented a sensitivity of 88.2%, specificity of 100.0%, accuracy of 90.0%, and Kappa value of 0.77 (CI 95%: 0.48-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Association between cytology and DNA image cytometry is an objective and non-invasive diagnostic method that demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing malignant epithelial squamous cell transformation in the oral cavity.

Does functionalised nanoplastics modulate the cellular and physiological responses of aquatic fungi to metals?

Co-contamination of freshwaters by nanoplastics (NPs; ≤ 1 µm) and metals is an emerging concern. Aquatic hyphomycetes play a crucial role as primary decomposers in these ecosystems. However, concurrent impacts of NPs and metals on the cellular and physiological activities of these fungi remain poorly understood. Here, the effects of environmentally realistic concentrations of two types of polystyrene (PS) NPs (bare and -COOH; up to 25 µg L-1) and copper (Cu; up to 50 µg L-1) individually and all possible combinations (NPs types and Cu) on Articulospora tetracladia, a prevalent aquatic hyphomycete, were investigated. Endpoints measured were intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, plasma membrane disruption and fungal growth. The results suggest that functionalised (-COOH) NPs enhance Cu adsorption, as revealed by spectroscopic analyses. Notably, NPs, Cu and their co-exposure to A. tetracladia can lead to ROS accumulation and plasma membrane disruption. In most cases, exposure to treatments containing -COOH NPs with Cu showed greater cellular response and suppressed fungal growth. By contrast, exposure to Cu individually showed stimulatory effects on fungal growth. Overall, this study provides novel insight that functionalisation of NPs facilitates metal adsorption, thus modulating the impacts of metals on aquatic fungi.

Body Mass Index but not Physical Activity Level Moderates Lowered Cardiac Baroreflex Sensitivity in People Living with HIV.

Reduced cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) is an autonomic marker associated with a worse cardiovascular prognosis. Whether cBRS is lowered in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is yet unclear, as well as potential moderator effects of body mass index (BMI) or physical activity (PA) level. The present study aims to compare the spontaneous cBRS in PLHIV vs. HIV-uninfected controls, and to determine among PLHIV the relationship between cBRS vs. body mass index (BMI) and PA level. Total, upward (cBRS+), and downward (cBRS-) cBRS gains were assessed using the sequential method from beat-to-beat blood pressure at rest in 16 PLHIV (46.5±8.4 years) under antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months, and 16 HIV-uninfected controls (CTL; 42.1±8.0 years). PA level was assessed by the Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short version) overall score. PLHIV showed lower total cBRS (8.7±3.1 vs. 15.3±7.7 ms.mmHg-1; p < 0.01), cBRS+ (9.2±4.9 vs. 16.0±6.8 ms.mmHg-1; p < 0.01) and cBRS- (9.5±4.9 vs. 15.3±9.3 ms.mmHg-1; p < 0.01) vs. CTL. No between-group difference was found for BMI (PLHIV: 25.2±2.6 vs. CTL: 26.8±3.2 kg.m-2; p > 0.05) or IPAQ score (PLHIV: 2.4±1.0 vs. CTL: 2.0±1.4; p > 0.05). In PLHIV, total cBRS was inversely correlated vs. BMI (r = -0.44; p = 0.04), but not vs. IPAQ score (r = 0.17; p = 0.26). HIV infection may reduce spontaneous cBRS, which seemed to be moderated by higher BMI, but not PA level of PLHIV.

Analysis of the Mutational Landscape of Osteosarcomas Identifies Genes Related to Metastasis and Prognosis and Disrupted Biological Pathways of Immune Response and Bone Development.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent type of bone tumor, but slow progress has been achieved in disentangling the full set of genomic events involved in its initiation and progression. We assessed by NGS the mutational spectrum of 28 primary OSs from Brazilian patients, and identified 445 potentially deleterious SNVs/indels and 1176 copy number alterations (CNAs). TP53 was the most recurrently mutated gene, with an overall rate of ~60%, considering SNVs/indels and CNAs. The most frequent CNAs (~60%) were gains at 1q21.2q21.3, 6p21.1, and 8q13.3q24.22, and losses at 10q26 and 13q14.3q21.1. Seven cases presented CNA patterns reminiscent of complex events (chromothripsis and chromoanasynthesis). Putative RB1 and TP53 germline variants were found in five samples associated with metastasis at diagnosis along with complex genomic patterns of CNAs. PTPRQ, KNL1, ZFHX4, and DMD alterations were prevalent in metastatic or deceased patients, being potentially indicative of poor prognosis. TNFRSF11B, involved in skeletal system development and maintenance, emerged as a candidate for osteosarcomagenesis due to its biological function and a high frequency of copy number gains. A protein-protein network enrichment highlighted biological pathways involved in immunity and bone development. Our findings reinforced the high genomic OS instability and heterogeneity, and led to the identification of novel disrupted genes deserving further evaluation as biomarkers due to their association with poor outcomes.

Novel Nonablative Radiofrequency Approach for the Treatment of Anal Incontinence: A Phase 1 Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the action, impact on quality of life, and side effects of perianal nonablative radiofrequency (RF) application in the treatment of anal incontinence (AI) in women. METHODS: This was a pilot, randomized clinical trial conducted between January and October 2016. We enrolled women who consecutively attended the Attention Center of the Pelvic Floor (CAAP) with complaints of AI for more than six months. Nonablative RF was applied to the perianal region of the participants using Spectra G2 (Tonederm®, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). The reduced or complete elimination of the need for protective undergarments (diapers and absorbents) was considered a partial therapeutic response. RESULTS: Nine participants reported treatment satisfaction, while one reported dissatisfaction with the nonablative RF treatment of AI based on the Likert scale. No patient interrupted treatment sessions because of adverse effects, although adverse effects occurred in six participants. However, the clinical and physical examination of the participants with burning sensations showed no hyperemia or mucosal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a promising reduction of fecal loss, participant satisfaction with treatment, and improved lifestyle, behavior, and depression symptoms with minimal adverse effects.

DNA methylation patterns suggest the involvement of DNMT3B and TET1 in osteosarcoma development.

DNA methylation may be involved in the development of osteosarcomas. Osteosarcomas commonly arise during the bone growth and remodeling in puberty, making it plausible to infer the involvement of epigenetic alterations in their development. As a highly studied epigenetic mechanism, we investigated DNA methylation and related genetic variants in 28 primary osteosarcomas aiming to identify deregulated driver alterations. Methylation and genomic data were obtained using the Illumina HM450K beadchips and the TruSight One sequencing panel, respectively. Aberrant DNA methylation was spread throughout the osteosarcomas genomes. We identified 3146 differentially methylated CpGs comparing osteosarcomas and bone tissue samples, with high methylation heterogeneity, global hypomethylation and focal hypermethylation at CpG islands. Differentially methylated regions (DMR) were detected in 585 loci (319 hypomethylated and 266 hypermethylated), mapped to the promoter regions of 350 genes. These DMR genes were enriched for biological processes related to skeletal system morphogenesis, proliferation, inflammatory response, and signal transduction. Both methylation and expression data were validated in independent groups of cases. Six tumor suppressor genes harbored deletions or promoter hypermethylation (DLEC1, GJB2, HIC1, MIR149, PAX6, and WNT5A), and four oncogenes presented gains or hypomethylation (ASPSCR1, NOTCH4, PRDM16, and RUNX3). Our analysis also revealed hypomethylation at 6p22, a region that contains several histone genes. Copy-number changes in DNMT3B (gain) and TET1 (loss), as well as overexpression of DNMT3B in osteosarcomas provide a possible explanation for the observed phenotype of CpG island hypermethylation. While the detected open-sea hypomethylation likely contributes to the well-known osteosarcoma genomic instability, enriched CpG island hypermethylation suggests an underlying mechanism possibly driven by overexpression of DNMT3B likely resulting in silencing of tumor suppressors and DNA repair genes.

Treating Nerve Injury after Endodontic Microsurgery Using Laser Photobiomodulation: A Report of 2 Cases.

The purpose of this case report was to inform dentists and dental specialists about a noninvasive, viable treatment option that could aid in the recovery of patients who have experienced iatrogenic nerve injuries. Nerve injury is an inherent risk of many dental procedures and a complication that can negatively impact a patient's quality of life and activities of daily living. Managing neural injuries presents a challenge for clinicians because there are no standard protocols reported in the literature. Although spontaneous healing of these injuries can occur, the duration and degree of healing can vary greatly between individuals. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is used as an adjunct in medicine for functional nerve recovery. Once target tissues are illuminated with a low-level laser during PBM, the light energy is absorbed by the mitochondria causing adenosine triphosphate production, modulation of reactive oxygen species, and the release of nitric oxide. These cellular changes explain why PBM has been shown to aid in cell repair, vasodilation, a reduction in inflammation, accelerated healing, and an improvement in postoperative pain. This case report presents 2 patients with neurosensory alterations after endodontic microsurgery with a significant improvement in their condition after PBM treatment using a 940-nm diode laser.

Saúde do trabalhador e Atenção Básica à Saúde: interlocuções e perspectivas de cuidado integrado no processo saúde-trabalho-doença / Salud del trabajador y atención básica de la salud: interlocutores y perspectivas de cuidado integrado en el proceso salud-trabajo-enfermedad / Worker's health and primary health care: dialogues and perspectives of integrated care in the health-work-disease process

Objetivou-se apresentar e discutir o alcance das ações de Saúde do Trabalhador na Atenção Básica à Saúde (ABS)em São Paulo. Em 2019, no contexto de um projeto temático, realizaram-se uma entrevista e dois grupos focais com profissionais inseridos em uma Unidade Básica da região norte da cidade. O material produzido foi apreciado à luz da análise temática de conteúdo. A gestão privada de parte dos serviços públicos; o esvaziamento dos direitos trabalhistas e da pauta relacionada à saúde do trabalhador; a sobrecarga das equipes da ABS que passaram a desenvolver ações de diversas linhas de cuidado; e a questão quantitativa e de abrangência territorial dos Centros de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador (Cerest) são obstáculos para a conformação e a consolidação das práticas de Saúde do Trabalhador (ST) na ABS. Tem-se como desafio o redimensionamento dos serviços e a requalificação das ações, considerando a interface produção, trabalho e saúde.(AU)

El objetivo fue presentar y discutir el alcance de las acciones de Salud del Trabajador en la Atención Básica de la Salud en São Paulo. En 2019, en el contexto de un proyecto temático, se realizó la entrevista y dos grupos focales con profesionales inseridos en una Unidad Básica de la región norte de la ciudad. El material producido fue considerado a la luz del análisis temático de contenido. La gestión privada de parte de los servicios públicos, el vaciado de los derechos laborales y de la pauta relacionada a la salud del trabajador, la sobrecarga de los equipos de la ABS que pasaron a desarrollar acciones de diversas líneas de cuidado, además de la cuestión cuantitativa y del alcance territorial de los CERESTs son obstáculos para la conformación y la consolidación de las prácticas de ST en la ABS. Se presenta como desafío el redimensionamiento de los servicios y la recalificación de las acciones, considerando la interfaz producción, trabajo y salud.(AU)

The article presents and discusses the scope of Worker's Health (WH) actions in PHC in São Paulo. Within the context of a thematic project, an interview and two focus groups were carried out with professionals working in a Basic Unit in the northern region of the city in 2019. The resulting material was assessed using thematic content analysis. The private outcontracting of part of the public services management, the decay of labor rights and agendas related to worker's health, the overload of the PHC teams that started to develop actions of different lines of care, in addition to the quantitative issue and the territorial scope of the WH Reference Center (CEREST) are obstacles to the conformation and consolidation of WH practices in PHC. There is a challenge in resizing services and requalifying actions, considering the interfaces production-work-health.(AU)

Use of Psychotropic Drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Minas Gerais, Brazil / Perfil de utilização de psicofármacos durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em Minas Gerais, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the profile of dispensation of mental health drugs by analyzing trends in use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic within the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]). Methods: Pharmacoepidemiological study based on the retrospective analysis of records regarding the dispensation of psychotropic medicines in the SUS database in the state of Minas Gerais between 2018 and 2021, considering the periods before (2018-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). A database with the records of dispensation of municipalities was created, and the consistency of releases was verified using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Medicine consumption was measured in a defined daily dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants/day for SUS, and the difference between periods was evaluated using Student's t-test. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the consumption of psychotropic drugs in SUS-MG. The most consumed medicines were fluoxetine hydrochloride, diazepam and phenobarbital sodium (DDD=5.89; 3.42; 2.49) in the Basic Pharmaceutical Services Component(CBAF), and olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine hemifumarate (DDD=0.80; 0.47; 0.38) in the Specialized Pharmaceutical Services Component (CEAF). The highest percentage increase in consumption was attributed to clonazepam (75.37%) and lithium carbonate (35.35%), in CBAF, and levetiracetam (3,000.00%) and memantine hydrochloride (340.0%) in CEAF. Conclusion: The change in the psychotropic drug dispensation profile during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to produce more studies to complete, confirm or rule out this profile and monitor the use of psychotropic drugs by the population in the post-pandemic context.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o perfil de dispensação de medicamentos da saúde mental analisando o uso antes e durante a pandemia de COVID-19 no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Métodos: Estudo farmacoepidemiológico a partir da análise retrospectiva dos registros de dispensação de psicofármacos na base de dados do SUS no estado de Minas Gerais (MG) nos períodos antes (2018-2019) e durante a pandemia de COVID-19 (2020-2021). Um banco de dados com os registros de dispensação dos municípios foi elaborado, sendo verificada a consistência de lançamento pelo teste de Análise de Variância (ANOVA). O consumo dos medicamentos foi mensurado em dose diária definida (DDD) por 1.000 habitantes/dia para o SUS, sendo a diferença entre os períodos avaliada pelo teste estatístico t de Student. Resultados: Durante a pandemia de COVID-19 houve aumento no consumo de psicofármacos no SUS-MG. Os medicamentos mais consumidos foram cloridrato fluoxetina, diazepam e fenobarbital sódico (DDD=5,89; 3,42; 2,49) no componente básico (CBAF), e olanzapina, risperidona e hemifumarato de quetiapina (DDD=0,80; 0,47; 0,38) no componente especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica (CEAF). Os maiores aumentos percentuais no consumo foram atribuídos ao clonazepam (75,37%) e carbonato de lítio (35,35%) no CBAF e levetiracetam (3.000,00%) e cloridrato de memantina (340,00%) no CEAF. Conclusão: A alteração do perfil de dispensação de psicotrópicos durante a pandemia de COVID-19 alerta quanto à necessidade de produção de mais estudos a fim de completar, confirmar ou afastar este perfil e monitorar o uso de psicofármacos pela população no contexto pós-pandêmico.

O trabalhar nas intervenções em saúde e segurança no trabalho: reflexões sobre a construção de uma política integrada / Working in health and safety at work: reflections on the construction of an integrated policy

Resumo As intervenções em ambientes, processos e situações de trabalho contemplam a prevenção de doenças, acidentes e a manutenção da saúde dos trabalhadores. Iniciaram-se no Ministério do Trabalho; foram ampliadas para a Saúde e por fim assumidas pelo Ministério Público do Trabalho. Buscou-se conhecer e dar visibilidade ao trabalhar dos atores dos diferentes setores e instituições do município de São Paulo envolvidos nessas intervenções e compreender entraves e consequências dos limites da intersetorialidade. Entre 2017 e 2019 realizou-se grupos de reflexão sobre o trabalho com profissionais do MT, Saúde e MPT. Para a produção de dados e análise do material, utilizou-se o referencial da Psicodinâmica do Trabalho. Os três setores estão intimamente ligados nos seus objetivos, mas em São Paulo, seguem com dificuldades em consolidar a intersetorialidade prevista nas políticas de saúde e segurança no trabalho. Apesar de existirem parcerias pontuais, somar suas especificidades de ação, reconhecer e respeitar reciprocamente a expertise de cada um, evitar sobreposições, e construir práticas conjuntas, cooperativas e colaborativas é um desafio.

Abstract Interventions in work environments, processes, and situations encompass the prevention of diseases and accidents and workers' health promotion. Historically, these actions were originally the responsibility of the Ministry of Labor, being extended to the Ministry of Health, and later to the Ministry of Labor. The aim of this study was to understand and give visibility to the work of the actors working in the different sectors and institutions involved in health and safety at work in the municipality of São Paulo and gain an insight into the barriers to intersectorality and the consequences of the lack of intersectoral collaboration for this area. Work reflection groups were created between 2017 and 2019 with professionals working in the abovementioned ministries and in the Labor Prosecution Office. The data were produced and analyzed drawing on the theoretical bases of the psychodynamics of work. Despite having intrinsically linked objectives, these three bodies in São Paulo continue to encounter difficulties in consolidating intersectorality as envisioned in occupational health and safety policies. Despite sporadic partnerships, merging specific actions, recognizing and mutually respecting each other's expertise, avoiding overlaps, and building joint, cooperative, and collaborative practices remain challenges.

Thermal damage and excision time of micro and super pulsed diode lasers: A comparative ex vivo analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this ex vivo study was to evaluate thermal damage and cutting efficiency of micro and super pulsed diode lasers. The secondary aim was to suggest a guideline to perform simple surgical excisions adequate for histopathological evaluation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten groups of 10 specimens of pig tongues were excised using a blade (G1), a micro pulsed (G2-G9), and a super pulsed diode (G10) lasers. Different output power, pulse duration, pulse interval, and duty cycle were tested. Quantitative measures of thermal damage and excision times were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The control group (G1) presented no thermal damage. Within the laser groups (G2-G10), no statistically significant differences in depth of thermal damage (µm) were noted. G3 showed significantly less area of thermal damage (mm2 ) when compared with G7 and G9 (p < .05). The median excision time of the control group and super pulsed diode laser group were significantly lower (p < .001) than the micro pulsed diode laser groups. CONCLUSIONS: The cutting efficiency of the super pulsed diode laser is comparable to traditional blade, and with appropriate parameters, these lasers can produce predictable surgical outcomes with less collateral damage.

Working in health and safety at work: reflections on the construction of an integrated policy. / O trabalhar nas intervenções em saúde e segurança no trabalho: reflexões sobre a construção de uma política integrada.

Interventions in work environments, processes, and situations encompass the prevention of diseases and accidents and workers' health promotion. Historically, these actions were originally the responsibility of the Ministry of Labor, being extended to the Ministry of Health, and later to the Ministry of Labor. The aim of this study was to understand and give visibility to the work of the actors working in the different sectors and institutions involved in health and safety at work in the municipality of São Paulo and gain an insight into the barriers to intersectorality and the consequences of the lack of intersectoral collaboration for this area. Work reflection groups were created between 2017 and 2019 with professionals working in the abovementioned ministries and in the Labor Prosecution Office. The data were produced and analyzed drawing on the theoretical bases of the psychodynamics of work. Despite having intrinsically linked objectives, these three bodies in São Paulo continue to encounter difficulties in consolidating intersectorality as envisioned in occupational health and safety policies. Despite sporadic partnerships, merging specific actions, recognizing and mutually respecting each other's expertise, avoiding overlaps, and building joint, cooperative, and collaborative practices remain challenges.

As intervenções em ambientes, processos e situações de trabalho contemplam a prevenção de doenças, acidentes e a manutenção da saúde dos trabalhadores. Iniciaram-se no Ministério do Trabalho; foram ampliadas para a Saúde e por fim assumidas pelo Ministério Público do Trabalho. Buscou-se conhecer e dar visibilidade ao trabalhar dos atores dos diferentes setores e instituições do município de São Paulo envolvidos nessas intervenções e compreender entraves e consequências dos limites da intersetorialidade. Entre 2017 e 2019 realizou-se grupos de reflexão sobre o trabalho com profissionais do MT, Saúde e MPT. Para a produção de dados e análise do material, utilizou-se o referencial da Psicodinâmica do Trabalho. Os três setores estão intimamente ligados nos seus objetivos, mas em São Paulo, seguem com dificuldades em consolidar a intersetorialidade prevista nas políticas de saúde e segurança no trabalho. Apesar de existirem parcerias pontuais, somar suas especificidades de ação, reconhecer e respeitar reciprocamente a expertise de cada um, evitar sobreposições, e construir práticas conjuntas, cooperativas e colaborativas é um desafio.

Protective Effect of Dietary Polysaccharides from Yellow Passion Fruit Peel on DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic and spontaneously relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD includes two idiopathic disorders: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). In particular, UC causes inflammation and ulceration of the colon and rectum. There is no cure for UC. The pharmacological treatment is aimed at controlling and/or reducing the inflammatory process and promoting disease remission. The present study investigated the possible protective effects of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) isolated from yellow passion fruit peel in the dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced colitis model in mice, induced by 5% of DSS. The animals were treated with SDF (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg (po)), and the disease activity index was monitored. Colon tissues were collected, measured, and prepared for oxidative stress, inflammation, and histology analysis. SDF improved body weight loss, colon length, and disease activity index and prevented colonic oxidative stress by regulating GSH levels and SOD activity. Furthermore, SDF reduced colonic MPO activity, TNF-α, and IL-1ß levels and increased IL-10 and IL-6 levels. As observed by histological analysis, SDF treatment preserved the colonic tissue, the mucus barrier, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Although this is a preliminary study, taken together, our data indicate that SDF may improve the course of DSS-UC. More studies are needed to explore and understand how SDF promotes this protection.

Unraveling the Genetic Architecture of Hepatoblastoma Risk: Birth Defects and Increased Burden of Germline Damaging Variants in Gastrointestinal/Renal Cancer Predisposition and DNA Repair Genes.

The ultrarare hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver cancer. HB risk is related to a few rare syndromes, and the molecular bases remain elusive for most cases. We investigated the burden of rare damaging germline variants in 30 Brazilian patients with HB and the presence of additional clinical signs. A high frequency of prematurity (20%) and birth defects (37%), especially craniofacial (17%, including craniosynostosis) and kidney (7%) anomalies, was observed. Putative pathogenic or likely pathogenic monoallelic germline variants mapped to 10 cancer predisposition genes (CPGs: APC, CHEK2, DROSHA, ERCC5, FAH, MSH2, MUTYH, RPS19, TGFBR2 and VHL) were detected in 33% of the patients, only 40% of them with a family history of cancer. These findings showed a predominance of CPGs with a known link to gastrointestinal/colorectal and renal cancer risk. A remarkable feature was an enrichment of rare damaging variants affecting different classes of DNA repair genes, particularly those known as Fanconi anemia genes. Moreover, several potentially deleterious variants mapped to genes impacting liver functions were disclosed. To our knowledge, this is the largest assessment of rare germline variants in HB patients to date, contributing to elucidate the genetic architecture of HB risk.

Aflagellar Epimastigote of Trypanosoma caninum: Biological and Ultrastructural Study of this Atypical Evolutionary Form.

PURPOSE: Trypanosoma caninum exhibits atypical epimastigote forms under axenic conditions. This study aimed to analyze this evolutionary form under different cultivation conditions and provide more information about this evolutionary form. METHODS: We selected a T. caninum isolate with a high percentage of aflagellar epimastigote forms in axenic cultures. Two separate growth curves were generated for T. caninum cultured in Schneider axenic medium and co-cultured with the DH82 cell line, followed by analysis and quantification of evolutionary forms using bright field microscopy. In addition, ultrastructural analysis of T. caninum was performed under both cultivation conditions. RESULTS: The growth curves of T. caninum under axenic and co-cultivation conditions exhibited similar profiles. However, in the axenic culture, the number of parasites was three times higher at the peak of the exponential phase than in the co-culture. In contrast to that in the axenic culture, in which only the epimastigote forms were observed along the entire curve, during co-cultivation with the DH82 cell line, differentiation was observed for the trypomastigote and spheromastigote forms in low proportions. These results demonstrated that when cultured alone, the T. caninum isolate preserved the aflagellar epimastigote form, but in the presence of DH82 canine macrophages, they differentiated into evolutionary forms, particularly trypomastigote forms. Moreover, this study is the first to describe the presence of lipid bodies, structure described as the parasite's nutritional reserve, throughout the body of T. caninum. CONCLUSIONS: These findings describe biological and ultrastructural aspects of epimastigote aflagellar and suggest that this evolutionary form may be involved in the biological cycle of T. caninum, still unknown.