Maternal exposure to tributyltin alters the breast milk, hormonal profile, and thyroid morphology of dams and induces sex-specific changes in neonate rat offspring.

Tributyltin (TBT) is the chemical substance commonly used worldwide to prevent biofouling of vessels. Due to its ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify, even after being banned, significant concentrations of TBT can be detected in sediment, affecting marine and human life. Although studies have shown that direct exposure to TBT alters physiological parameters in mammals, the relationship between exposure to TBT during pregnancy and lactation, considered critical windows for metabolic programming, has not been fully elucidated. Our hypothesis is that offspring whose mothers were exposed to TBT during critical stages of development may exhibit dysfunctions in endocrine-metabolic parameters. We used pregnant Wistar rats that were divided into groups and received the following treatments from gestational day 7 until the end of lactation by intragastric gavage: vehicle (ethanol 0.01%; Control), low TBT dose (100 ng/kg of body weight (bw)/day; TBT100ng) and high TBT dose (1000 ng/kg bw/day; TBT1000ng). Dams and offspring at birth and weaning (21 days old) were studied. Maternal exposure to TBT promoted dose-dependent changes in dams. The findings for adiposity, milk composition and lipid profile were more pronounced in TBT100 ng dam; however, thyroid morphology was altered in TBT1000 ng dam. Female offspring were differentially affected by the dose of exposure. At birth, females in the TBT100ng group had low body weight, lower naso-anal length (NAL), and higher plasma T4, and at weaning, females in the TBT100ng group had lower insulin and leptin levels. Females in the TBT1000ng group had lower NAL at birth and lower leptinemia and weight of white adipose tissue at weaning. Male offspring from TBT groups showed high T3 at birth, without biometric alterations at birth or weaning. Despite these findings, both sexes exhibited dose-dependent morphological changes in the thyroid gland. Thus, maternal exposure to TBT constitutes an important route of contamination for both dams and offspring.

Clinical phenotyping of children with nocturnal enuresis: A key classification to improve the approach.

INTRODUCTION: The literature shows that nocturnal enuresis is not an isolated phenomenon of urinary loss during sleep, but encompasses a set of systemic clinical manifestations that significantly influence children's quality of life and development. However, the understanding of the clinical and physiological relationship of these systemic manifestations remains a clinical challenge. The recognition of these manifestations and their subsequent categorisation, may provide better insights into integrated clinical manifestations, facilitating the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, and promote increased assertiveness in the assessment and the selection of appropriate therapies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a phenotyping model for children with nocturnal enuresis based on evidence. METHODS: This study presents a clinical phenotyping model for children with nocturnal enuresis based on an analytical and methodological review of the literature, about nocturnal enuresis and its associated clinical manifestations. There was a bibliometric analysis carried out to better analyse outcomes. After reading and analysing the literature, the clinical manifestations were categorised into domains and submitted to the validation of an expert committee with extensive experience in their specific area of expertise. A visual representation of the categorised model was developed to make the phenotyping concept easily understandable to all professionals. RESULTS: The clinical manifestations related to nocturnal enuresis have been categorised according to frequency and relation found in the literature and validation by an expert committee and the development of the phenotyping model for children with nocturnal enuresis was completed. CONCLUSION: The present study developed an evidence-based phenotyping model for children with nocturnal enuresis.

Synthesis and evaluation of hybrid sulfonamide-chalcones with potential antileishmanial activity.

Leishmaniasis is an emerging tropical infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. In this work, the molecular hybridization between a trimethoxy chalcone and a sulfonamide group was used to generate a series of sulfonamide-chalcones. A series of eight sulfonamide-chalcone hybrids were made with good yields (up to 95%). These sulfonamide-chalcones were tested against promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and cytotoxicity against mouse macrophages, which showed good antileishmanial activity with IC50 = 1.72-3.19 µM. Three of them (10c, 10g, and 10h) were also highly active against intracellular amastigotes and had a good selectivity index (SI > 9). Thus, those three compounds were docked in the cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase (cTXNPx) enzyme of the parasite, and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out. This enzyme was selected as a target protein for the sulfonamide-chalcones due to the fact of the anterior report, which identified a strong and stable interaction between the chalcone NAT22 (6) and the cTXNPx. In addition, a prediction of the drug-likeness, and the pharmacokinetic profile of all compounds were made, demonstrating a good profile of those chalcones.

Quality and sensory milk traits of goats grazing Caatinga or confined receiving either corn or spineless cactus-based diets in the Brazilian semiarid environment.

This study aimed to evaluate the yield, physical-chemical properties, fatty acid (FA) profile, and sensory traits of goat milk under different nutritional strategies in a Brazilian semiarid environment. Eighteen lactating crossbred dairy goats were distributed in a completely randomized design with three nutritional strategies: Caatinga strategy (1.5% of body weight with a concentrate supplementation), Corn-based confined strategy, and Spineless Cactus confined strategy. Daily milk yield was recorded, and milk samples were collected from all animals. Goats fed the spineless cactus-based diet presented a higher milk yield than goats feed the other strategies. Moreover, milk from goats fed with a spineless Cactus confined strategy presented higher saturated FA (SFA), and a lower proportion of cis- monounsaturated FA, trans-monounsaturated FA, and c9,t11-18:2 than milk from goats feed the other strategies. Milk from goats in the pasture system presented the highest proportions of 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, and thus of polyunsaturated FA, when compared with milk from confined goats. We assume that milk from goats grazing in Caatinga pastures presents more benefits to human health due to the positive effects of this diet on the milk's fat content and FA profile, and this feeding strategy also results in a better sensory evaluation that may increase the acceptability of goat milk by consumers. All nutritional strategies evaluated herein and adopted in the semiarid region of Brazil are recommended for maintaining the yield, physical-chemical properties, and acceptability of milk goats.

Aurones: A Promising Scaffold to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Replication.

Aurones are a small subgroup of flavonoids in which the basic C6-C3-C6 skeleton is arranged as (Z)-2-benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-one. These compounds are structural isomers of flavones and flavonols, natural products reported as potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of a series of 25 aurones bearing different oxygenated groups (OH, OCH3, OCH2OCH3, OCH2O, OCF2H, and OCH2C6H4R) at the A- and/or B-rings using cell-based screening assays. We observed that 12 of the 25 compounds exhibit EC50 < 3 µM (8e, 8h, 8j, 8k, 8l, 8m, 8p, 8q, 8r, 8w, 8x, and 8y), of which five presented EC50 < 1 µM (8h, 8m, 8p, 8q, and 8w) without evident cytotoxic effect in Calu-3 cells. The substitution of the A- and/or B-ring with OCH3, OCH2OCH3, and OCF2H groups seems beneficial for the antiviral activity, while the corresponding phenolic derivatives showed a significant decrease in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The most potent compound of the series, aurone 8q (EC50 = 0.4 µM, SI = 2441.3), is 2 to 3 times more effective than the polyphenolic flavonoids myricetin (2) and baicalein (1), respectively. Investigation of the five more active compounds as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro based on molecular dynamic calculations suggested that these aurones should detach from the active site of 3CLpro, and, probably, they could bind to another SARS-CoV-2 protein target (either receptor or enzyme).

Predicting SARS-CoV-2 Variant Spread in a Completely Seropositive Population Using Semi-Quantitative Antibody Measurements in Blood Donors.

SARS-CoV-2 serologic surveys estimate the proportion of the population with antibodies against historical variants, which nears 100% in many settings. New approaches are required to fully exploit serosurvey data. Using a SARS-CoV-2 anti-Spike (S) protein chemiluminescent microparticle assay, we attained a semi-quantitative measurement of population IgG titers in serial cross-sectional monthly samples of blood donations across seven Brazilian state capitals (March 2021−November 2021). Using an ecological analysis, we assessed the contributions of prior attack rate and vaccination to antibody titer. We compared anti-S titer across the seven cities during the growth phase of the Delta variant and used this to predict the resulting age-standardized incidence of severe COVID-19 cases. We tested ~780 samples per month, per location. Seroprevalence rose to >95% across all seven capitals by November 2021. Driven by vaccination, mean antibody titer increased 16-fold over the study, with the greatest increases occurring in cities with the highest prior attack rates. Mean anti-S IgG was strongly correlated (adjusted R2 = 0.89) with the number of severe cases caused by Delta. Semi-quantitative anti-S antibody titers are informative about prior exposure and vaccination coverage and may also indicate the potential impact of future SARS-CoV-2 variants.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics in blood donors and COVID-19 epidemiology in eight Brazilian state capitals: A serial cross-sectional study.

Background: The COVID-19 situation in Brazil is complex due to large differences in the shape and size of regional epidemics. Understanding these patterns is crucial to understand future outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory pathogens in the country. Methods: We tested 97,950 blood donation samples for IgG antibodies from March 2020 to March 2021 in 8 of Brazil's most populous cities. Residential postal codes were used to obtain representative samples. Weekly age- and sex-specific seroprevalence were estimated by correcting the crude seroprevalence by test sensitivity, specificity, and antibody waning. Results: The inferred attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2020, before the Gamma variant of concern (VOC) was dominant, ranged from 19.3% (95% credible interval [CrI] 17.5-21.2%) in Curitiba to 75.0% (95% CrI 70.8-80.3%) in Manaus. Seroprevalence was consistently smaller in women and donors older than 55 years. The age-specific infection fatality rate (IFR) differed between cities and consistently increased with age. The infection hospitalisation rate increased significantly during the Gamma-dominated second wave in Manaus, suggesting increased morbidity of the Gamma VOC compared to previous variants circulating in Manaus. The higher disease penetrance associated with the health system's collapse increased the overall IFR by a minimum factor of 2.91 (95% CrI 2.43-3.53). Conclusions: These results highlight the utility of blood donor serosurveillance to track epidemic maturity and demonstrate demographic and spatial heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 spread. Funding: This work was supported by Itaú Unibanco 'Todos pela Saude' program; FAPESP (grants 18/14389-0, 2019/21585-0); Wellcome Trust and Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship 204311/Z/16/Z; the Gates Foundation (INV- 034540 and INV-034652); REDS-IV-P (grant HHSN268201100007I); the UK Medical Research Council (MR/S0195/1, MR/V038109/1); CAPES; CNPq (304714/2018-6); Fundação Faculdade de Medicina; Programa Inova Fiocruz-CE/Funcap - Edital 01/2020 Number: FIO-0167-00065.01.00/20 SPU N°06531047/2020; JBS - Fazer o bem faz bem.

Disruption of neuromedin B receptor improves mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity in gastrocnemius muscle of female mice.

Neuromedin B (NB), a bombesin-like peptide, exerts its specific actions by binding to the neuromedin B receptor (NBR), a G protein-coupled receptor. Female NBR-knockout (NBR-KO) mice exhibit resistance to diet-induced obesity, without hyperphagia, suggesting possible increase in energy expenditure. Skeletal muscle (SM) is crucial for whole body energy homeostasis, however, the presence of NB-NBR signaling and its effects in SM are unknown. Here, we show that male and female wild type express Nmbr and Nmb mRNA in SM, with higher levels in females. Female NBR-KO gastrocnemius showed increased Myh7 mRNA level, which characterizes type I fibers (oxidative profile). Their permeabilized gastrocnemius fibers, studied by high-resolution respirometry, exhibited higher consumption of O2 coupled to ATP synthesis and unaltered uncoupled respiration. NBR-KO gastrocnemius had higher protein levels of ATP-synthase and Nduf9 mRNA, corresponding to mitochondrial complex I subunit. NBR-KO gastrocnemius exhibited slight increase in mitochondria number, increased thickness of Z line at electron microscopy, and unaltered mitochondrial dynamics markers. Therefore, in the females' gastrocnemius, a predominantly glycolytic SM, the NBR absence promotes changes that favor mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity. In addition, in L6 myocytes, NB treatment (5 µg/mL/16 h) promoted lower O2 consumption coupled to ATP synthesis, suggesting direct action at SM cells. Altogether, the study reinforces the hypothesis that inhibition of NB-NBR signaling enhances the capacity for oxidative phosphorylation of white SM, encouraging future studies to elucidate their contribution on other types of SM and whole body energy expenditure, which may lead to a new target to drug development for obesity treatment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes neuromedin B (NB) and NB receptor as new regulators of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. The white skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity was increased by NB receptor genetic disruption in female mice. These findings may contribute to the resistance to diet-induced obesity, previously found in these mice, which requires future studies. Thus, investigations are necessary to clarify if blockade of NB receptor may be an approach to develop drugs to combat obesity.

Six-point DIXON and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Techniques in Quantifying Bone Marrow Fat in Sickle Cell Disease.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To compare bone marrow fat quantification using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and six-point DIXON (6PD) techniques in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study, with 43 SCD patients (24 homozygous [SS], 19 double heterozygous [SC), and 41 healthy subjects paired by age, weight and sex with SCD patients. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging with 6PD and single voxel MRS in the L3 vertebral body. Pearson's correlation, ROC curve, and bland-altman analysis were performed, p-values ​​≤0.05 were considered statistically significant for all tests. RESULTS: Significant linear correlation was found between fat fraction (FF) by 6PD and Total Lipids (TL) (r = 0.932; p < 0.001) and Saturated Lipids (SL) (r = 0.934; p < 0.001), in all subjects. Strong correlations were also identified considering subjects of the SS/SC subgroups. Despite high correlations, no significant difference was observed only between FF and SL in the SS subgroup (Bland-Altman analysis), indicating excellent agreement between the fat estimations in this specific situation. Significant differences were observed in all variables (FF, TL, SL) comparing the SCD and healthy subjects. The ROC curve between SCD and healthy subjects showed the following areas under the curve: FF(0.924) > TL(0.883) > SL(0.892). CONCLUSIONS: The comparison between fat quantification by the 6PD with MRS demonstrated an excellent correlation in SCD patients, especially in the SS subgroup, which usually has a higher degree of hemolysis. The diagnostic performance of 6PD and MRS is similar, with advantages of shorter imaging processing time and larger studied area with the 6PD.

Qualitative and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of bone tissue vaso-occlusive events in patients with sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between bone changes due to vaso-occlusive events in sickle cell disease (SCD) revealed by conventional MRI sequences and the fat fraction obtained using a 6-point DIXON technique (FFdix), in an attempt to use quantitative data as a biomarker for bone complications. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with 48 SCD patients, 26-homozygous (HbSS), and 22-compound heterozygous (HbSC). Forty-eight healthy individuals paired by age, weight, and sex with SCD patients. All participants underwent lumbar spine and pelvis MRI. Conventional sequences: bone complications related to vaso-occlusive events-femoral head avascular necrosis, bone infarctions, "H"-shaped vertebrae, bone marrow necrosis. Six-point DIXON technique: quantitative evaluation of the bone marrow at pre-established sites (lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, iliacs, femoral heads, greater femoral trochanters, femoral necks). Pearson's correlation, ROC curve, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The most frequent findings in the SCD group included femoral head avascular necrosis (75%), bone infarctions (58.3%), "H"-shaped vertebrae (58.3%), and typical imaging findings of bone marrow necrosis (8.3%). Cortical bone thickness in the proximal femoral diaphysis in patients with SCD was moderately negatively correlated with FFdix in lumbar vertebrae, iliacs, femoral necks, and first sacral vertebrae. The ROC curves and odds ratios demonstrated excellent performance of FFdix in all the evaluated anatomical sites and identified patients having bone complications. CONCLUSIONS: FFdix could serve as a potential biomarker in SCD because of its association with bone complications secondary to vaso-occlusive events in patients with SCD, especially in femoral heads, femoral necks, and iliacs.

Synthesis of new α-Aryl-α-tetralones and α-Fluoro-α-aryl-α-tetralones, preliminary antiproliferative evaluation on drug resistant cell lines and in silico prediction of ADMETox properties.

α-aryl-α-tetralones and α-fluoro-α-aryl-α-tetralones derivatives were synthesized by palladium catalyzed α-arylation reaction of α-tetralones and α-fluoro-α-tetralones, with bromoarenes in moderate to good yields. These compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti-proliferative effects against human breast cancer and leukemia cell lines with diverse profiles of drug resistance. The most promising compounds, 3b, 3c, 8a and 8c, were effective on both neoplastic models. 3b and 8a induced higher toxicity on multidrug resistant cells and were able to avoid efflux by ABCB1 and ABCC1 transporters. Theoretical calculations of the physicochemical descriptors to predict ADMETox properties were favorable concerning Lipinski's rule of five, results that reflected on the low effects on non-tumor cells. Therefore, these compounds showed great potential for development of pharmaceutical agents against therapy refractory cancers.

Comparison of photobiomodulation in the treatment of skin injury with an open wound in mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation at a wavelength of 660 and 830 nm at different numbers of application points in the healing of open wounds in mice. In total, 120 mice were divided into 10 groups. The animals were submitted to cutaneous lesion of the open wound type (1.5 × 1.5 cm). Photobiomodulation at a wavelength of 660 and 830 nm and total energy of 3.6 J were used, applied at 1, 4, 5, and 9 points, for 14 days. The animals were subjected to analysis of the lesion area, skin temperature, and histological analysis. Macroscopic analysis results showed a difference (p < 0.05) between the irradiated groups and the sham group at 14 days PO. There was no statistical difference in skin temperature. Histological analysis findings showed better results for the epidermis thickness. Regarding the number of blood vessels, a difference was found between the 1- and 5-point 830-nm photobiomodulation groups and between the 4-point 660-nm group and the naive group. A significant difference in the number of fibroblasts was observed between the 830- and 660-nm photobiomodulation groups and the naive and sham groups. When comparing photobiomodulation wavelength, the 830-nm groups were more effective, and we emphasize the groups irradiated at 5 points, which showed an improvement in macroscopic analysis and epidermis thickness, an increase in the number of vessels, and a lower number of fibroblasts on the 14th day after skin injury.

Violence Against Children in Afghanistan: Community Perspectives.

Violence against children (VAC) is a significant international problem and, in Afghanistan, is particularly complex given the country has suffered armed conflict and extreme poverty for more than 30 years. The aim of this study was to examine the level of knowledge and observation of VAC by community leaders, professional groups, and business owners in three Afghan districts. A survey of community and religious leaders; health, socio-legal, and education professionals; and business owners from Kabul, Jalalabad, and Torkham (n = 182) was conducted. Structured interviews included qualitative and quantitative components. Questions related to knowledge and experience of VAC, and to perceptions of consequences, causes, and strategies for preventing VAC. The statistical significance of differences between participant groups and measures of association were assessed by Pearson's chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney test, and the Kruskall-Wallis one-way ANOVA. Qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. VAC was reported to occur mostly in the home, community, and workplace. The scale of the problem varied, with religious and community leaders underreporting VAC by 30% to 40% compared with other participant groups (p < .001). Business owners also significantly underreported VAC in the workplace, despite admitting to acts of discipline that included physical contact. There were some regional differences, with lower reporting of violence in Jalalabad compared with the two other locations (p < .001). Causes of VAC were consistently attributed to poverty, lack of education, and the effects of war. The findings of this study indicate that VAC is a serious and complex problem in Afghanistan. Decades of armed conflict and entrenched poverty influence how violence is perceived and recognized. Consideration should be given to initiatives that build on the existing strengths within the community while raising awareness and recognition of the nature, extent, and burden of VAC in the community.

Photobiomodulation promotes neural regeneration when compared to simvastatin treatment in a sciatic nerve crush model.

To determine whether the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) were associated with the use of Simvastatin in the functional recovery from sciatic nerve in mice submitted to crush injury. Fifty Swiss mice (approximately 3 months old; average weight 40 g) were randomly divided into six groups: naive, sham, control, PBM (660 nm, 10 J/cm2; 30 mW; 0.6 J per day for 28 days; 0.06 cm2; 16.8 J total and 20 s), Simvastatin (20 mg/kg), and PBM/Simv (association of the two protocols). The sciatic functional index (SFI), thermal heat hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermographic evaluation were used as analyses. The evaluations were performed preoperatively and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the initial injury analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for mixed models followed by the Bonferroni post-test. All groups except sham and naive presented an SFI compatible with severe peripheral nerve injury on the 7th day of evaluation. The PBM group presented better results in the SFI analysis (p < 0.001) on the 21st postoperative day compared to the control group. This benefit was maintained when compared to the Simvastatin (p < 0.001) and PBM/Simv groups (p < 0.01). The results of the thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and thermography analyses were not significant (p > 0.05). The obtained results showed that PBM alone was more effective compared to Simvastatin alone or PBM combined with Simvastatin for sciatic nerve injury in mice.

Photobiomodulation in Sciatic Nerve Crush Injuries in Rodents: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Perspectives for Clinical Treatment.

Objective : The aim of the study was to perform a literature review to analyze the effect of photobiomodulation in experimental studies on peripheral nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents. Methods: A bibliographic search was performed in the electronic databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), SCOPUS, and SciELO, from 2008 to 2018. Results: A total of 1912 articles were identified in the search, and only 19 fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. Along with the parameters most found in the manuscripts, the most used wavelengths were 660 nm and 830 nm, power of 30 and 40 mW, and energy density of 4 and 10 J/cm2 . For total energy throughout the intervention period, the lowest energy found with positive effects was 0.70 J, and the highest 1.141 J. Seventeen studies reported positive effects on nerve regeneration. The variables selected to analyze the effect were: Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), Static Sciatic Index (SSI), morphometric, morphological, histological, zymographic, electrophysiological, resistance mechanics and range of motion (ROM). The variety of parameters used in the studies demonstrated that there is yet no pre-determined protocol for treating peripheral nerve regeneration. Only two studies by different authors used the same power, energy density, beam area, and power density. Conclusion: It was concluded that the therapeutic window of the photobiomodulation presents a high variability of parameters with the wavelength (632.8 to 940 nm), power (5 to 170 mW) and energy density (3 to 280 J /cm2 ), promoting nerve regeneration through the expression of cytokines and growth factors that aid in modulating the inflammatory process, improving morphological aspects, restoring the functionality to the animals in a brief period.

Theoretical studies and NMR assay of coumarins and neoflavanones derivatives as potential inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase.

Currently Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder that mainly affects the elderly. The treatment of AD has as main objective to increase the levels of ACh in the synaptic cleft by inhibiting the cholinesterase enzymes, which are responsible for the degradation of ACh. Twenty one synthesized coumarins and neoflavanones (4-arylcoumarins) and theoretical studies were used to select the most promising ligands for in vitro experimental studies by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The eight compounds selected for the experimental study only 12b (effectiveness 68.54 ±â€¯3.22%) was promising AChE inhibitor. This compound (12b) presents substituents at positions 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in a coumarin nucleus, being the most significant characteristic in comparison to the other studied compounds. These results can be used for the design and synthesis of other possible derivatives with inhibitory potential of AChE.

Selenium and thyroid cancer: a systematic review.

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between blood and tissue levels of selenium and thyroid cancer through a systematic review. We searched for observational studies written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese indexed in PubMed, LILACS, and Scielo without date restriction, that evaluated the association between selenium levels in whole-blood, serum, or plasma and/or thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer, both in individuals with cancer of thyroid as in healthy individuals. Then data were extracted and analyzed. Of the 570 articles identified, five cross-sectional studies were included in the review. In one study, lower concentrations of selenium were found in whole-blood (0.543 µg/ml) and in the thyroid (0.88 µg/g) of thyroid cancer patients compared to controls. Another study showed a decrease in serum selenium concentrations in patients with follicular carcinoma and papillary types (0.077 ± 0.021 µg/ml and 0.080 ± 0.020 µg/ml, respectively). On the other hand, other studies showed no difference in plasma selenium content or glutathione peroxidase activity among patients and healthy volunteers. The available evidence on this issue is inconclusive. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the association between serum and/or tissue levels of selenium and the development of thyroid cancer.

Black people are convicted more for being black than for being poor: The role of social norms and cultural prejudice on biased racial judgments.

Black and poor people are more frequently convicted of committing crimes. However, the specific role played by skin color and social class in convicting a person has yet to be clarified. This article aims to elucidate this issue by proposing that belonging to a lower social class facilitates the conviction of black targets and that this phenomenon is because information about social class dissimulates racial bias. Study 1 (N = 160) demonstrated that information about belonging to the lower classes increases agreement with a criminal suspect being sentenced to prison only when described as being black. Furthermore, Studies 2 (N = 170) and 3 (N = 174) show that the anti-prejudice norm inhibits discrimination against the black target when participants were asked to express individual racial prejudice, but not when they expressed cultural racial prejudice. Finally, Study 4 (N = 134) demonstrated that lower-class black targets were discriminated against to a greater degree when participants expressed either individual or cultural prejudice and showed that this occurs when racial and class anti-prejudice norms are salient. The results suggest that social class negatively affects judgments of black targets because judgment based on lower class mitigates the racist motivation of discrimination.

Neuromedin B receptor disruption impairs adipogenesis in mice and 3T3-L1 cells.

Neuromedin B, a bombesin-like peptide, and its receptor, are expressed in white adipose tissue with undefined roles. Female mice with disruption of neuromedin B receptor (NB-R) exhibited partial resistance to diet-induced obesity leading to our hypothesis that NB-R is involved in adipogenesis. Here, we showed that adipose stem/stromal cells (ASC) from perigonadal fat of female NB-R-knockout mice, exposed to a differentiation protocol in vitro, accumulated less lipid (45%) than wild type, suggesting reduced capacity to differentiate under adipogenic input. To further explore mechanisms, preadipocytes 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in the presence of NB-R antagonist (PD168368) during the first 3 days in culture. Cells were analyzed in the end of the treatment (Day 3) and later when fully differentiated (Day 21). NB-R antagonist induced lower number of cells at day 3 and 21 (33-39%), reduced cell proliferation at day 3 (-53%) and reduced lipid accumulation at day 21 (-86%). The mRNA expressions of several adipocyte differentiation markers were importantly reduced at both days: Cebpb and Pparg and Fabp4, Plin-1 and Adipoq, and additionally Lep mRNA at day 21. The antagonist had no effect when incubated with mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, genetically disruption of NB-R in mice ASC or pharmacological antagonism of NB-R in 3T3-L1 cells impairs adipogenesis. The mechanisms suggested by results in 3T3-L1 cells involve reduction of cell proliferation and of early gene expressions, leading to decreased number of mature adipocytes. We speculate that NB-R antagonism may be useful to limit the increase in adiposity due to pre-adipocyte differentiation.

A hierarchical (multicomponent) model of in-group identification: adaptation of a measure to the Brazilian context.

The aim of this study is to adapt the multidimensional in-group identification scale (MGIS) to the Brazilian context by gathering evidence of its psychometric properties. A total of 663 people from two samples participated in the study. In sample 1, we measured the identification of Brazilians with the region of the country where they live. In sample 2, we measured the identification of students with the university which they attend. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed on both samples to compare the models previously proposed by the original authors of the measure. The obtained results confirmed the validity of the hierarchical and multidimensional factor structure proposed by the original authors. The scale proposed here can be used to measure multiple dimensions of in-group identification in Brazil.