Incidence and management of the main serious adverse events reported after COVID-19 vaccination.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2n first appeared in Wuhan, China in 2019. Soon after, it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The health crisis imposed by a new virus and its rapid spread worldwide prompted the fast development of vaccines. For the first time in human history, two vaccines based on recombinant genetic material technology were approved for human use. These mRNA vaccines were applied in massive immunization programs around the world, followed by other vaccines based on more traditional approaches. Even though all vaccines were tested in clinical trials prior to their general administration, serious adverse events, usually of very low incidence, were mostly identified after application of millions of doses. Establishing a direct correlation (the cause-effect paradigm) between vaccination and the appearance of adverse effects has proven challenging. This review focuses on the main adverse effects observed after vaccination, including anaphylaxis, myocarditis, vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and transverse myelitis reported in the context of COVID-19 vaccination. We highlight the symptoms, laboratory tests required for an adequate diagnosis, and briefly outline the recommended treatments for these adverse effects. The aim of this work is to increase awareness among healthcare personnel about the serious adverse events that may arise post-vaccination. Regardless of the ongoing discussion about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination, these adverse effects must be identified promptly and treated effectively to reduce the risk of complications.

The conducting state of TRPA1 modulates channel lateral mobility.

We have studied Danio rerio (Zebrafish) TRPA1 channel using a method that combines single channel electrophysiological and optical recordings to evaluate lateral mobility and channel gating simultaneously in single channels. TRPA1 channel activation by two distinct chemical ligands: allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and TRPswitch B, results in substantial reduction of channel lateral mobility at the plasma membrane. Incubation with the cholesterol sequestering agent methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (MßCD), prevents the reduction on lateral mobility induced by the two chemical agonists. This results strongly suggest that the open conformation of TRPA1 modulates channel lateral mobility probably by facilitating the insertion of the channel into cholesterol-enriched domains at the plasma membrane.

Sphingolipid Long-Chain Base Signaling in Compatible and Non-Compatible Plant-Pathogen Interactions in Arabidopsis.

The chemical diversity of sphingolipids in plants allows the assignment of specific roles to special molecular species. These roles include NaCl receptors for glycosylinositolphosphoceramides or second messengers for long-chain bases (LCBs), free or in their acylated forms. Such signaling function has been associated with plant immunity, with an apparent connection to mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MPK6) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This work used in planta assays with mutants and fumonisin B1 (FB1) to generate varying levels of endogenous sphingolipids. This was complemented with in planta pathogenicity tests using virulent and avirulent Pseudomonas syringae strains. Our results indicate that the surge of specific free LCBs and ceramides induced by FB1 or an avirulent strain trigger a biphasic ROS production. The first transient phase is partially produced by NADPH oxidase, and the second is sustained and is related to programmed cell death. MPK6 acts downstream of LCB buildup and upstream of late ROS and is required to selectively inhibit the growth of the avirulent but not the virulent strain. Altogether, these results provide evidence that a LCB- MPK6- ROS signaling pathway contributes differentially to the two forms of immunity described in plants, upregulating the defense scheme of a non-compatible interaction.

Enamel Evaluation after Debonding of Fixed Retention and Polishing Treatment with Three Different Methods.

Lack of standardization of the retention phase has led to many studies of stability of movements and characteristic of retainers, disregarding the enamel repercussions of fixed retention on this phase. This study aimed to analyze different methods of enamel polishing after detachment of orthodontic retainers. Forty-five healthy premolars were divided into three groups according to the polishing bur after debonding, and four specimens without intervention were used as control. A 0.038 × 0.015 inches gold chain was bonded between the premolars and then removed. The adhesive remnant was removed with three types of burs according to the study groups (Group 1: white stone at high speed; Group 2: high-speed handpiece with a 30-blade tungsten carbide bur; Group 3: low-speed handpiece and a 30-blade tungsten bur). After debonding and polishing, all samples were analyzed with a confocal microscopy on surface roughness parameters: Sa: Arithmetic mean of the height of the surface. Rq: Square mean of the height of the surface and Sz: Maximum surface height. Mechanical tests were carried out to determine the bonding stress of the retention adhered to the teeth using an electromechanical testing machine. The adhesion stress was 8.23 MPa (±0.87). The quality of the refinement of the enamel after debonding is essential in order to preserve its integrity. The use of the 30-blade tungsten carbide bur provides a smooth enamel surface after polishing.

Baculovirus Display of Peptides and Proteins for Medical Applications.

Baculoviridae is a large family of arthropod-infective viruses. Recombinant baculoviruses have many applications, the best known is as a system for large scale protein production in combination with insect cell cultures. More recently recombinant baculoviruses have been utilized for the display of proteins of interest with applications in medicine. In the present review we analyze the different strategies for the display of proteins and peptides on the surface of recombinant baculoviruses and provide some examples of the different proteins displayed. We analyze briefly the commercially available systems for recombinant baculovirus production and display and discuss the future of this emerging and powerful technology.

Granos de polen anemófilos: sensibilización en pacientes alérgicos / Anemophilic pollen grains: sensitization in allergic patients

A nivel mundial, los aeroalérgenos más frecuentes causantes de enfermedades alérgicas son los granos de polen anemófilos. Estos han sido capaces de desencadenar crisis que han reflejado una elevada morbilidad. En Cuba los estudios de sensibilización a granos de polen han sido escasos. Con el objetivo de determinar la sensibilización a granos de polen en pacientes alérgicos y su relación con la presencia de enfermedades alérgicas, se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, no aleatorizado, de marzo a junio del 2019. La muestra se constituyó de 33 pacientes con asma, rinitis, rinoconjuntivitis alérgica, dermatitis atópica y conjuntivitis alérgica. A todos los pacientes se les realizó historia clínica alergológica y prueba cutánea por punción con extractos alergénicos de: Helianthus annus, Cosmos bipinnatus, Cynodon dactylon, Quercus sp, Eucaliptus sp. Se aplicaron las frecuencias absolutas, porcientos, desviación estándar, promedio, edad media y test de Spearman para su análisis. La edad media de la muestra fue de 36,9 años, con predominio de mujeres. Más del 50por ciento de los pacientes presentaron sensibilización a granos de polen; y de ellos, el 24,24por ciento resultaron polisensibilizados. El mayor porcentaje de sensibilización fue a Cynodon dactylon. La rinitis alérgica fue la enfermedad que prevaleció en la población estudiada(AU)

Nowadays, the most frequent aeroallergens causing allergy diseases have been anemophilous pollen grains. They have been able to triggers crises that have reflected a high morbidity. In Cuba, studies of sensitization to pollen grains have been scarce. The objective of our research was to determine the sensitization to pollen grains in allergic patients and its relationship with the presence of allergic diseases. A non-randomized, descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from March to June 2019. The sample consisted of 33 patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and allergic conjunctivitis. All patients underwent allergic history and skin prick test testing with allergenic extracts of: Helianthus annus, Cosmos bipinnatus, Cynodon dactylon, Quercus sp, Eucalyptus sp. Absolute frequencies, percentages, standard deviation, mean, average age, and Spearman´s test were applied for analysis. The average age of the sample was 36.9 years, with a predominance of women. More than 50percent of the patients presented sensitization to pollen grains; of them, 24.24percent polysensitized. The highest percentage of sensitization was to Cynodon dactylon. Allergic rhinitis was the disease that prevailed in the population studied(AU)

Dopamine D2 and Adenosine A2A Receptors Interaction on Ca2+ Current Modulation in a Rodent Model of Parkinsonism.

SUMMARY STATEMENT: A2A receptor required previous D2 receptor activation to modulate Ca2+ currents. Istradefylline decreases pramipexole modulation on Ca2+ currents. Istradefylline reduces A2A + neurons activity in striatial microcircuit, but pramipexole failed to further reduce neuronal activity.

Vasopressin acts as a synapse organizer in limbic regions by boosting PSD95 and GluA1 expression.

Hypothalamic arginine vasopressin (AVP)-containing magnocellular neurosecretory neurons (AVPMNN) emit collaterals to synaptically innervate limbic regions influencing learning, motivational behaviour, and fear responses. Here, we characterize the dynamics of expression changes of two key determinants for synaptic strength, the postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins AMPAR subunit GluA1 and PSD scaffolding protein 95 (PSD95), in response to in vivo manipulations of AVPMNN neuronal activation state, or exposure to exogenous AVP ex vivo. Both long-term water deprivation in vivo, which powerfully upregulates AVPMNN metabolic activity, and exogenous AVP application ex vivo, in brain slices, significantly increased GluA1 and PSD95 expression as measured by western blotting, in brain regions reportedly receiving direct ascending innervations from AVPMNN (i.e., ventral hippocampus, amygdala and lateral habenula). By contrast, the visual cortex, a region not observed to receive AVPMNN projections, showed no such changes. Ex vivo application of V1a and V1b antagonists to ventral hippocampal slices ablated the AVP stimulated increase in postsynaptic protein expression measured by western blotting. Using a modified expansion microscopy technique, we were able to quantitatively assess the significant augmentation of PSD95 and GLUA1 densities in subcellular compartments in locus coeruleus tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositive fibres, adjacent to AVP axon terminals. Our data strongly suggest that the AVPMNN ascending system plays a role in the regulation of the excitability of targeted neuronal circuits through upregulation of key postsynaptic density proteins corresponding to excitatory synapses.

Fungal populations in the bedroom dust of children in Havana, Cuba, and its relationship with environmental conditions.

The study of the fungal community composition in house dust is useful to assess the accumulative exposure to fungi in indoor environments. The objective of this research was to characterize the fungal diversity of house dust and its association with the environmental conditions of bedrooms. For this, the dust was collected from 41 bedrooms of children between the ages of 8 and 9 with a family history of asthma, residents of Havana, Cuba. The fungal content of each sample was determined by two methods: plate culture with malt extract agar and by direct microscopy. An ecological analysis was carried out from the fungal diversity detected. To describe the factors associated with the fungi detected, bivariate logistic regression was used. Through direct microscopy, between 10 and 2311 fragments of hyphae and spores corresponding mainly to Cladosporium, Coprinus, Curvularia, Aspergillus/Penicillium, Xylariaceae, and Periconia were identified. Through the culture, 0-208 CFU were quantified, where Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium predominated. The culturability evidenced the differences between the quantification determined by both methods. A positive relationship was found between the type of cleaning of the furniture, the presence of trees in front of the bedroom, indoor relative humidity, indoor temperature, the presence of air conditioning, and natural ventilation with specific spore types and genera. The use of two different identification methods allowed to detect a greater fungal diversity in the residences evaluated. Monitoring the exposure to these fungal allergens in childhood can help to prevent sensitization in the allergic child, the development of asthma, and other respiratory diseases.

Phylogenetic Identification, Diversity, and Richness of Aspergillus from Homes in Havana, Cuba.

Aspergillus is one of the most common fungal genera found indoors; it is important because it can cause a wide range of diseases in humans. Aspergillus species identification is based on a combination of morphological, physiological, and molecular methods. However, molecular methodologies have rarely been used for the identification of environmental isolates of Aspergillus in Cuba. Therefore, the objective of this work was to identify the species of the genus Aspergillus obtained from houses in Havana, Cuba, through the construction of phylogeny from a partial sequence of the benA gene region, and to analyze the diversity and richness of Aspergillus in the studied municipalities. Isolates of Aspergillus spp. included in this study presented the typical macro- and micromorphology described for the genus. According to this polyphasic characterization, A. niger, A. flavus, A. welwitschiae, A. heteromorphus, A. sydowii, A. tamarii, A. fumigatus, A. clavatus, and A. tubingensis were the most abundant species. Most of the identified species constitute new records for outdoor and indoor environments in Cuba and contribute to the knowledge of fungal biodiversity in the country. These results constitute an alert for the health authorities of the country, since prolonged exposure of the inhabitants to Aspergillus spores can cause severe persistent asthma, among other diseases.

Metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia differentially regulate cation HCN3 channel in the rat nephron.

The kidney controls body fluids, electrolyte and acid-base balance. Previously, we demonstrated that hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) cation channels participate in ammonium excretion in the rat kidney. Since acid-base balance is closely linked to potassium metabolism, in the present work we aim to determine the effect of chronic metabolic acidosis (CMA) and hyperkalemia (HK) on protein abundance and localization of HCN3 in the rat kidney. CMA increased HCN3 protein level only in the outer medulla (2.74 ± 0.31) according to immunoblot analysis. However, immunofluorescence assays showed that HCN3 augmented in cortical proximal tubules (1.45 ± 0.11) and medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (4.48 ± 0.45) from the inner stripe of outer medulla. HCN3 was detected in brush border membranes (BBM) and mitochondria of the proximal tubule by immunogold electron and confocal microscopy in control conditions. Acidosis did not alter HCN3 levels in BBM and mitochondria but augmented them in lysosomes. HCN3 was also immuno-detected in mitoautophagosomes. In the distal nephron, HCN3 was expressed in principal and intercalated cells from cortical to medullary collecting ducts. CMA did not change HCN3 abundance in these nephron segments. In contrast, HK doubled HCN3 level in cortical collecting ducts and favored its basolateral localization in principal cells from the inner medullary collecting ducts. These findings further support HCN channels contribution to renal acid-base and potassium balance.

In Vitro Study of Shear Bond Strength in Direct and Indirect Bonding with Three Types of Adhesive Systems.

This study aimed to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remaining index (ARI) using one conventional and two novel adhesive systems with clinical step reduction and direct and indirect bonding. A sample of 72 human premolars were divided into six groups of 12 samples. The first three groups (G1, G2, G3) were bonded with a direct technique, while the remaining groups (G4, G5, G6) were bonded by the indirect technique. Groups G1 and G4 used conventional acid-etching primer composite (XT); groups G2 and G5 used self-etching bonding (BO), and groups G3 and G6 had an acid-etching treatment followed by a self-adhesive composite (OC). All groups were exposed to thermocycling. Shear bond strength was analyzed with a universal test machine, and the ARI was examined with 4× magnification. The results showed statistically significant differences between the three adhesive systems. The highest strength values were observed in the XT group G1 (13.54 ± 4 MPa), while the lowest were shown in the BO G2 samples (5.05 ± 2 MPa). There was no significant difference between the direct or indirect bonding techniques on the three compared groups. The type of primer and bonding material significantly influenced the SBS. Values with self-etching bonding were below the minimum recommended for clinical use (5.9-7.8 MPa). There was no difference between indirect and direct bonding techniques. The lowest ARI scores (0-1) were observed in both self-etching and BO groups. Further clinical studies are needed to compare in vivo results.

"Funny" channels in cardiac mitochondria modulate membrane potential and oxygen consumption.

The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are encoded by a family of four genes (HCN1-4). All isoforms are expressed in the heart, HCN4 being the most abundant in the sinoatrial node (SAN). HCN channels are responsible for the "funny" current (If) associated with the generation and autonomic control of the diastolic depolarization phase of cardiac action potential. In this work we performed a proteomic analysis of HCN4 transfected in HEK293 cells. Most of the identified proteins in the HCN4 network belonged to mitochondria. The subcellular localization of HCN channels was predicted in plasma membrane, mitochondria and nucleus. Experimentally, HCN2 (full-length, truncated), HCN3 (full-length, truncated) and HCN4 (truncated) were detected in rat heart mitochondria by immunoblotting. If sensitive to ZD7288, was recorded by patch-clamp in mitoplasts from cardiomyocytes. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) assessment in H9c2 cells revealed that ZD7288 induced almost 50% higher hyperpolarization respect to control at 30 min. Furthermore, ZD7288 reduced oxygen consumption attributed to ATP synthesis in H9c2 cells. In conclusion, we identify for the first time functional HCN channels in mammalian cardiac mitochondria and demonstrate their impact on ΔΨm and respiration.

"In Vitro" Study About Variables that Influence in Arch Friction with Conventional and Self-Ligating Brackets.

Many advantages have been described surrounding self-ligating (SL) brackets compared to metallic conventional ligating (CL) brackets, such as: Less total treatment time, alignment efficiency, patient comfort, plaque retention, and low friction. The objective of this in vitro simulation was to know the variables that affect arch displacement in CL and SL brackets-active (ASL) and passive (PSL)-and analyze if static friction values are affected by bracket design, arch wire section, kind of ligature, and use of a friction reducer agent (FRA) in a wet state. Larger values of static friction were found in CL with metallic ligature (ML) (8.01 ± 1.08 N/mm) and elastic ligature (EL) (6.96 ± 0.48 N/mm). Lower values were found in PSL brackets combined with FRA (0.58 ± 0.21 N/mm). The study was carried out using different stereographical models of a maxillary upper right quadrant with canine, first and second premolar, and first molar bonded brackets. A section of 25 mm of 0.019 × 0.025" stainless steel arch with a rectangular section (SS) and hybrid section (HY) was inserted into the different bracket models. Static friction values were collected using a universal test machine in wet conditions and testing the effect of a friction reducer agent (FRA). To assure the reliability of the study, different wire combinations were repeated after two weeks by the same operator and a linear analysis of regression was done. Each bracket model analysis-with the different wires, use of the FRA, and comparison among brackets in similar conditions-was done using an ANOVA test with a confidence interval of 95% and comparative Post-Hoc tests (LSD). In this in vitro simulation we found higher static friction values in CL compared to ASL and PSL. In PSL, lower values were achieved. CL brackets using ML showed the highest static friction values with a great variability. In this setting, the use of HY wires did not reduce static friction values in ASL and PSL, while in CL brackets with EL friction the values were reduced significantly. An FRA combined with ASL reduced significantly static friction values but not with PSL. In the case of CL, the FRA effect was higher with SS and better than with HY wires. ML values were similar to ASL static friction. The direct extrapolation of the results might be inaccurate, since all these findings should be tested clinically to be validated.

Novel Potassium Channels in Kidney Mitochondria: The Hyperpolarization-Activated and Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated HCN Channels.

Hyperpolarization-activated cationic HCN channels comprise four members (HCN1-4) that control dendritic integration, synaptic transmission and action potential firing. In the kidney, HCN1, HCN2 and HCN3 are differentially expressed and contribute to the transport of sodium, potassium (K+) and ammonium into the nephrons. HCN3 is regulated by K+ diets in the kidney. In this work we performed a proteomic analysis of HCN3 expressed in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293 cells). More than 50% of the interacting proteins belonged to mitochondria. Therefore, we explored the presence of HCN channels in kidney mitochondria. By immunoblotting and immunogold electron microscopy HCN3 protein expression was found in rat kidney mitochondria; it was also confirmed in human kidney. Patch-clamp recordings of renal mitochondria and mitochondria from HEK293 cells overexpressing HCN1, HCN2 and HCN3 channels, stained with MitoTracker Green FM, indicated that only HCN3 could produce inwardly K+ currents that were inhibited by ZD7288, a specific blocker of HCN channels. Furthermore, ZD7288 caused inhibition of the oxygen consumption coupled to ATP synthesis and hyperpolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane. In conclusion, we show for the first time that pacemaker HCN channels contribute to K+ transport in mitochondria facilitating the activity of the respiratory chain and ATP synthesis by controlling the inner mitochondrial membrane potential.

Cholinergic modulation of striatal microcircuits.

The purpose of this review is to bridge the gap between earlier literature on striatal cholinergic interneurons and mechanisms of microcircuit interaction demonstrated with the use of newly available tools. It is well known that the main source of the high level of acetylcholine in the striatum, compared to other brain regions, is the cholinergic interneurons. These interneurons provide an extensive local innervation that suggests they may be a key modulator of striatal microcircuits. Supporting this idea requires the consideration of functional properties of these interneurons, their influence on medium spiny neurons, other interneurons, and interactions with other synaptic regulators. Here, we underline the effects of intrastriatal and extrastriatal afferents onto cholinergic interneurons and discuss the activation of pre- and postsynaptic muscarinic and nicotinic receptors that participate in the modulation of intrastriatal neuronal interactions. We further address recent findings about corelease of other transmitters in cholinergic interneurons and actions of these interneurons in striosome and matrix compartments. In addition, we summarize recent evidence on acetylcholine-mediated striatal synaptic plasticity and propose roles for cholinergic interneurons in normal striatal physiology. A short examination of their role in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Tourette's pathologies and dystonia is also included.

Espiritualidad en adultos mayores hospitalizados, oportunidad de cuidado para enfermería: aproximación cuantitativa / A quantitative approximation on spirituality in hospitalized older adults, a nursing care opportunity / Espiritualidade em adultos maiores hospitalizados, oportunidade de cuidado para enfermagem: aproximação quantitativa

Resumen Introducción La espiritualidad y religiosidad tienen influencia sobre la longevidad, el enfrentamiento a la muerte, la satisfacción vital y proporcionan soporte en la enfermedad; el objetivo de esta investigación fue describir la perspectiva espiritual de los adultos mayores hospitalizados en una institución de salud de segundo nivel de atención. Materiales y Métodos Estudio cuantitativo, observacional y transversal, desarrollado en el Hospital General de Rincón de Romos, Aguascalientes; en medicina interna y cirugía, muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, criterios de inclusión: adultos mayores con al menos 24 horas de hospitalización, hombres y mujeres con 60 años o más. Se usó la Escala de Perspectiva Espiritual de Reed, a mayor puntaje mayor espiritualidad, con un apartado de características sociodemográficas. Análisis descriptivo a través de frecuencias y porcentajes. Resultados Media de edad de participantes fue de 69.7 años (Min 62, Max 94, DE 7.31), El 80.4% considera que no recibe apoyo espiritual o religioso por parte de la enfermera durante la estancia hospitalaria, 29.4% habla de asuntos espirituales al menos una vez a la semana y el 70.6% está de acuerdo con que el perdón es una parte importante de la espiritualidad. Discusión El cuidado espiritual debe ser parte de la cotidianidad de la enfermera, los adultos mayores se enfocan en la oración y en la lectura espiritual, considerando la espiritualidad es importante en su vida. Conclusiones En la vejez se tiene alto sentido espiritual, durante la hospitalización puede apoyar el estado emocional, por lo que es importante para enfermería en la intervención con adultos mayores institucionalizados.

Abstract Introduction Spirituality and religiosity influence longevity, coping with death, and life satisfaction, apart from providing illness support. This study aims to describe the spiritual perspective of older adults hospitalized in a secondary level healthcare institution. Materials and Methods A quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted in internal medicine and surgery departments at the Rincón de Romos Hospital, Aguascalientes, using a non-probability sampling for convenience. The inclusion criteria were: older adults with at least 24 hours of hospitalization, men and women over 60 years of age. The Reed's Spiritual Perspective Scale was used, the higher the score the higher the spirituality, including a section on sociodemographic characteristics. Additionally, a descriptive analysis through frequencies and percentages was made. Results The average age of participants was 69.7 years (Min 62, Max 94, DE 7.31). 80.4% of the participants considered that they did not receive any spiritual or religious support from nurses during their hospital stay, 29.4% talked about spiritual matters at least once a week and 70.6% agreed that forgiveness is an important part of spirituality. Discussion Spiritual care should be part of nurses' daily life since older adults focus on prayer and spiritual reading, considering spirituality as an important element in their life. Conclusions There is a high spiritual sense in older adults, which can support their emotional state during hospitalization, becoming an important factor to consider when caring hospitalized older adults.

Resumo Introdução A espiritualidade e religiosidade têm influência sobre a longevidade, o enfrentamento da morte, a satisfação vital e oferecem suporte durante a doença; esta pesquisa objetiva descrever a perspectiva espiritual dos adultos maiores hospitalizados em um estabelecimento de saúde de segundo nível de atenção. Materiais e Métodos Estudo quantitativo, observacional e transversal, desenvolvido no Hospital General de Rincón de Romos, Aguascalientes; em medicina interna e cirurgia, amostragem não probabilística por conveniência, critérios de inclusão: adultos maiores com, no mínimo, 24 horas de hospitalização, homens e mulheres com 60 anos ou mais. A Escala de Perspectiva Espiritual de Reed foi utilizada no estudo, sendo que maior escore representa uma maior espiritualidade, incluindo uma análise das características sociodemográficas. Análise descritiva através de frequências e porcentagens. Resultados A média de idade dos participantes foi de 69.7 anos (Min 62, Max 94, DE 7.31), 80,4 considera que não recebe apoio espiritual ou religioso por parte dos serviços de enfermagem durante a internação hospitalar, 29,4% fala de assuntos espirituais pelo menos uma vez por semana e 70,6% está de acordo com que o perdão faz parte importante da espiritualidade. Discussão O cuidado espiritual deve fazer parte da cotidianidade da enfermeira, os adultos maiores estão focados na oração e na leitura espiritual, considerando a espiritualidade como parte importante da vida. Conclusões A velhice vai atrelada a um alto senso espiritual, a espiritualidade pode influenciar em um melhor estado emocional durante a hospitalização, por tanto, para a enfermagem a espiritualidade é importante na intervenção fornecida a adultos maiores hospitalizados.

Rapid identification of Huanlongbing-infected citrus plants using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of phloem samples.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide. The disease is caused by the proto-bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus and transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri. HLB symptoms are slow to appear while the tree continues to be a source of inoculum. Monitoring tree health and rapid detection of HLB is critical for sustainable citrus production. Currently, scientists are working on developing new techniques for pre-symptomatic detection of HLB, as there is no available method for real-time assessment of tree health. In this study, we demonstrate the rapid and efficient discrimination between healthy and HLB-affected citrus by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis. Healthy and HLB-affected trees were differentiated with a high degree of precision. The novelty of this method lies in the fingerprinting of healthy and diseased plants based on their organic and inorganic constituents, and the use of a multi-pulse laser coupled with a microscope to take spectra of the plant phloem.

Calcium currents in striatal fast-spiking interneurons: dopaminergic modulation of CaV1 channels.

BACKGROUND: Striatal fast-spiking interneurons (FSI) are a subset of GABAergic cells that express calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV). They provide feed-forward inhibition to striatal projection neurons (SPNs), receive cortical, thalamic and dopaminergic inputs and are coupled together by electrical and chemical synapses, being important components of the striatal circuitry. It is known that dopamine (DA) depolarizes FSI via D1-class DA receptors, but no studies about the ionic mechanism of this action have been reported. Here we ask about the ion channels that are the effectors of DA actions. This work studies their Ca2+ currents. RESULTS: Whole-cell recordings in acutely dissociated and identified FSI from PV-Cre transgenic mice were used to show that FSI express an array of voltage gated Ca2+ channel classes: CaV1, CaV2.1, CaV2.2, CaV2.3 and CaV3. However, CaV1 Ca2+ channel carries most of the whole-cell Ca2+ current in FSI. Activation of D1-like class of DA receptors by the D1-receptor selective agonist SKF-81297 (SKF) enhances whole-cell Ca2+ currents through CaV1 channels modulation. A previous block of CaV1 channels with nicardipine occludes the action of the DA-agonist, suggesting that no other Ca2+ channel is modulated by D1-receptor activation. Bath application of SKF in brain slices increases the firing rate and activity of FSI as measured with both whole-cell and Ca2+ imaging recordings. These actions are reduced by nicardipine. CONCLUSIONS: The present work discloses one final effector of DA modulation in FSI. We conclude that the facilitatory action of DA in FSI is in part due to CaV1 Ca2+ channels positive modulation.

Quantification of Anti-Addictive Alkaloids Ibogaine and Voacangine in In Vivo- and In Vitro-Grown Plants of Two Mexican Tabernaemontana Species.

Tabernaemontana alba and Tabernaemontana arborea are Apocynaceae species used in Mexican traditional medicine for which little phytochemical information exists. In this study, preliminary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses of different organs obtained from wild plants of both species identified a total of 10 monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) and one simple indole alkaloid, nine of which were reported for the first time in these species. Furthermore, callus cultures were established from T. alba leaf explants and regeneration of whole plants was accomplished via somatic embryogenesis. The anti-addictive MIAs ibogaine and voacangine were then quantified by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection in wild plants of both species, as well as greenhouse-grown plants, in vitro-grown plantlets and embryogenic callus of T. alba. Ibogaine and voacangine were present in most samples taken from the whole plants of both species, with stem and root barks showing the highest concentrations. No alkaloids were detected in callus samples. It was concluded that T. alba and T. arborea are potentially viable sources of ibogaine and voacangine, and that these MIAs can be produced through somatic embryogenesis and whole plant regeneration of T. alba. Approaches to increase MIA yields in whole plants and to achieve alkaloid production directly in cell cultures are discussed.