Aptamer-Based Recognition of Breast Tumor Cells: A New Era for Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide and can be classified into four major distinct molecular subtypes based on the expression of specific receptors. Despite significant advances, the lack of biomarkers for detailed diagnosis and prognosis remains a major challenge in the field of oncology. This study aimed to identify short single-stranded oligonucleotides known as aptamers to improve breast cancer diagnosis. The Cell-SELEX technique was used to select aptamers specific to the MDA-MB-231 tumor cell line. After selection, five aptamers demonstrated specific recognition for tumor breast cell lines and no binding to non-tumor breast cells. Validation of aptamer specificity revealed recognition of primary and metastatic tumors of all subtypes. In particular, AptaB4 and AptaB5 showed greater recognition of primary tumors and metastatic tissue, respectively. Finally, a computational biology approach was used to identify potential aptamer targets, which indicated that CSKP could interact with AptaB4. These results suggest that aptamers are promising in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment due to their specificity and selectivity.

A multiparametric and orthogonal approach indicates low toxicity for zein nanoparticles in a repellent formulation.

The incidence of viruses such as Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya affects human health worldwide, and insect repellents are recommended for individual protection. Formulations incorporating nanotechnology should be carefully assessed for toxicity, particularly regarding the security levels established for human health and the environment. This study evaluates the cytotoxicity of a repellent formulation containing zein nanoparticles (NP) loading geraniol (Ger) and icaridin (Ica) in three cell lines: NIH/3T3, HaCaT, and SIRC. To address formulation hazards, IC50 values were determined by MTT and Calcein-AM assays. In both NIH/3T3 and HaCaT, the IC50 values for NP + Ger + Ica formulation were around 0.2%. For risk assessment, cell viability was also determined after a single exposure and repeated exposure to the formulation. No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed for NP + Ger + Ica formulation-treated cells. The risk assessment for eye damage revealed cytotoxicity in SIRC cells when exposed to a 5% concentration, which may be attributed to ocular geraniol toxicity, because zein nanoparticles alone did not exhibit any signs of toxicity. Cell internalization indicated low uptake in NIH/3T3 and HaCaT cells. Phenotypic profiling resulted in similar phenotypes for untreated cells and cells exposed to NP + Ger + Ica formulation. The toxicological profile outlined by the multiparametric and orthogonal approach suggests that the NP + Ger + Ica formulation poses no significant risk to the topical application under the tested conditions. Adopting an orthogonal approach brings robustness to our findings.

Quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities / Qualidade de vida e fatores associados entre servidores aposentados por invalidez de universidades públicas / Calidad de vida y factores asociados de empleados jubilados por invalidez de universidades públicas

Abstract Objective: to analyze quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities. Method: a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of public university employees retired due to disabilities. A characterization questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities instrument were applied via telephone or online contacts from November 2019 to September 2020. The associated factors were verified through multiple linear regression. Results: of the 80 retirees due to disability, 15% were professors and 85% had a technical-administrative career. As for the factors associated with Quality of Life, continuous medication use (βadj: -0.25; p=0.02) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05) were associated with the Overall domain; continuous medication use (βadj: -0.23; p=0.04), to the Physical domain; smoking (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05) and mental and behavioral disorders (βadj: -0.21; p<0.01), to the Psychological domain; smoking (βadj: -0.46; p<0.01) and respiratory (βadj: -0.21; p=0.03) and circulatory (βadj: -0.21; p=0.03) problems, to the Social domain; smoking (βadj: -0.33; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.22; p=0.04), to the Environmental domain; mental and behavioral disorders, to the Disabilities module (βadj: -0.29; p<0.01) and to the Discrimination domain (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05); and smoking (βadj: -0.32; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.20; p<0.05), to the Inclusion domain. The Autonomy domain did not present any association. Conclusion: the retirees under study presented impaired Quality of Life.

Resumo Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida e os fatores associados entre servidores de universidades públicas aposentados por invalidez. Método: estudo transversal, com amostra de servidores aposentados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Um questionário de caracterização e o World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities foram aplicados por contato telefônico ou online no período de novembro de 2019 a setembro de 2020. Verificaram-se os fatores associados por regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: dos 80 aposentados por invalidez, 15% eram docentes e 85% da carreira técnica-administrativa. Quanto aos fatores associados à qualidade de vida, o uso de medicação contínua (βaj: -0,25; p=0,02) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) associaram-se ao domínio Overall; o uso de medicação contínua (βaj: -0,23; p=0,04) ao domínio físico; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) e os transtornos mentais e comportamentais (βaj: -0,21; p<0,01) ao domínio psicológico; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,46; p<0,01), os problemas respiratórios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) e circulatórios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) ao domínio social; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,33; p<0,01) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,22; p=0,04) ao domínio ambiental; os transtornos mentais e comportamentais ao módulo incapacidades (βaj: -0,29; p<0,01) e ao domínio discriminação (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05); o tabagismo (βaj: -0,32; p<0,01) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,20; p<0,05) ao domínio inclusão. O domínio autonomia não apresentou associação. Conclusão: os aposentados estudados apresentaram uma qualidade de vida prejudicada.

Resumen Objetivo: analizar la calidad de vida y los factores asociados de empleados de universidades públicas jubilados por invalidez. Método: estudio transversal, con una muestra de trabajadores jubilados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Se aplicó un cuestionario de caracterización y el World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities mediante contacto telefónico u online desde noviembre de 2019 hasta septiembre de 2020. Los factores asociados se verificaron mediante regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: de los 80 jubilados por invalidez, el 15% era docente y el 85% era técnico-administrativo. En cuanto a los factores asociados a la calidad de vida, el uso continuo de medicamentos (βaj: -0,25; p=0,02) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) se asociaron al dominio overall; el uso continuo de medicamentos (βaj: -0,23; p=0,04) el dominio físico; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) y los trastornos mentales y conductuales (βaj: -0,21; p<0,01) al dominio psicológico; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,46; p<0,01), los problemas respiratorios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) y circulatorios (βaj:-0,21;p=0,03) al dominio social; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,33; p<0,01) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,22; p=0,04) al dominio ambiental; los trastornos mentales y conductuales al módulo discapacidad (βaj: -0,29; p<0,01) y al dominio discriminación (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05); el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,32; p<0,01) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,20; p<0,05) al dominio inclusión. El dominio autonomía no mostró asociación. Conclusión: la calidad de vida de los jubilados por invalidez que participaron del estudio estaba deteriorada.

Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study: a study on the safety and clinical efficacy of AZVUDINE in moderate COVID-19 patients.

Background: In 2019, a highly pathogenic coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surfaced and resulted in the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With the aim of finding effective drugs to fight against the disease, several trials have been conducted since COVID-19 can only be considered a treatable disease, from a clinical point of view, after the availability of specific and effective antivirals. AZVUDINE (FNC), initially developed for treating HIV, is a potential treatment for COVID-19 as it has the capability to lower the patient's viral load and promote recovery. Methods: Volunteers infected with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with good kidney and liver function, who were not using other antivirals or monoclonal antibodies were eligible. Samples from patients were assessed for viral load every 48 h during treatment using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). Results: The study's primary outcome measure was the percentage of participants showing an improvement in clinical scores, while the secondary outcome measure was the percentage of participants with a clinical outcome of cure. These measures were used to assess the safety and efficacy of FNC for treating COVID-19. In the analysis of sociodemographic variables, no significant differences were detected between patients in the FNC and the placebo group for race, age group, or sex. The results showed a potential benefit to participants who received FNC during the study, as observed in the shorter hospital stay, shorter negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2, and a significant reduction in viral load. Furthermore, the reduction in fever and chills were significant at D1, D2, and D3. In this study, a total of 112 adverse events cases were noted, with 105 cases being categorized as non-serious and only 7 cases as serious adverse events. Conclusion: The pandemic is not being effectively controlled and is causing multiple waves of infection that require extensive medical resources. However, FNC has demonstrated potential to reduce the treatment duration of moderate COVID-19 cases, thereby saving significant medical resources. This makes FNC a promising candidate for COVID-19 treatment.Clinical trial registration: [clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT04668235].

Factors associated with work activity of technical-administrative staff from state universities retired due to disability.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the factors associated with the type of work activity performed by university technical-administrative staff retired due to disability. METHOD: Cross-sectional research with 68 workers, conducted using an electronic questionnaire between November 2019 and September 2020. Data were collected on sociodemographic, occupational characterization and causes of disability. Data were analyzed descriptively and by multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: Health professionals were more likely to have mental and behavioral disorders, associated with females and regardless of age. The chances of the nervous system diseases were higher in workers who performed administrative work, being associated with higher education. Operational employees were more likely to have musculoskeletal diseases associated with primary and secondary education and were male, regardless of age. CONCLUSION: There was an association between work activity performed before retirement and the diseases responsible for disability, with differences between gender, age, and educational levels.

Next Generation of Ovarian Cancer Detection Using Aptamers.

Ovarian cancer is among the seven most common types of cancer in women, being the most fatal gynecological tumor, due to the difficulty of detection in early stages. Aptamers are important tools to improve tumor diagnosis through the recognition of specific molecules produced by tumors. Here, aptamers and their potential targets in ovarian cancer cells were analyzed by in silico approaches. Specific aptamers were selected by the Cell-SELEX method using Caov-3 and OvCar-3 cells. The five most frequent aptamers obtained from the last round of selection were computationally modeled. The potential targets for those aptamers in cells were proposed by analyzing proteomic data available for the Caov-3 and OvCar-3 cell lines. Overexpressed proteins for each cell were characterized as to their three-dimensional model, cell location, and electrostatic potential. As a result, four specific aptamers for ovarian tumors were selected: AptaC2, AptaC4, AptaO1, and AptaO2. Potential targets were identified for each aptamer through Molecular Docking, and the best complexes were AptaC2-FXYD3, AptaC4-ALPP, AptaO1-TSPAN15, and AptaO2-TSPAN15. In addition, AptaC2 and AptaO1 could detect different stages and subtypes of ovarian cancer tissue samples. The application of this technology makes it possible to propose new molecular biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities. METHOD: a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of public university employees retired due to disabilities. A characterization questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities instrument were applied via telephone or online contacts from November 2019 to September 2020. The associated factors were verified through multiple linear regression. RESULTS: of the 80 retirees due to disability, 15% were professors and 85% had a technical-administrative career. As for the factors associated with Quality of Life, continuous medication use (ßadj: -0.25; p=0.02) and problems in the nervous system (ßadj: -0.21; p<0.05) were associated with the Overall domain; continuous medication use (ßadj: -0.23; p=0.04), to the Physical domain; smoking (ßadj: -0.21; p<0.05) and mental and behavioral disorders (ßadj: -0.21; p<0.01), to the Psychological domain; smoking (ßadj: -0.46; p<0.01) and respiratory (ßadj: -0.21; p=0.03) and circulatory (ßadj: -0.21; p=0.03) problems, to the Social domain; smoking (ßadj: -0.33; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (ßadj: -0.22; p=0.04), to the Environmental domain; mental and behavioral disorders, to the Disabilities module (ßadj: -0.29; p<0.01) and to the Discrimination domain (ßadj: -0.21; p<0.05); and smoking (ßadj: -0.32; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (ßadj: -0.20; p<0.05), to the Inclusion domain. The Autonomy domain did not present any association. CONCLUSION: the retirees under study presented impaired Quality of Life.

Factors associated with work activity of technical-administrative staff from state universities retired due to disability / Factoresasociados a laactividad laboral de técnicos-administrativos de universidades estatales jubilados por invalidez / Fatores associados à atividade laboral de técnico-administrativos de universidades estaduais aposentados por invalidez

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the factors associated with the type of work activity performed by university technical-administrative staff retired due to disability. Method: Cross-sectional research with 68 workers, conducted using an electronic questionnaire between November 2019 and September 2020. Data were collected on sociodemographic, occupational characterization and causes of disability. Data were analyzed descriptively and by multiple logistic regressions. Results: Health professionals were more likely to have mental and behavioral disorders, associated with females and regardless of age. The chances of the nervous system diseases were higher in workers who performed administrative work, being associated with higher education. Operational employees were more likely to have musculoskeletal diseases associated with primary and secondary education and were male, regardless of age. Conclusion: There was an association between work activity performed before retirement and the diseases responsible for disability, with differences between gender, age, and educational levels.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Verificar los factores asociados al tipo de trabajo desempeñado por trabajadores universitarios técnico-administrativos jubilados por invalidez. Método: Studio transversal con 68 trabajadores, realizada mediante cuestionario electrónico entre noviembre de 2019 y septiembre de 2020. Se recolectaron datos sociodemográficos, ocupacionales y causas de discapacidad. Los datos se analizaron de forma descriptiva y mediante regresiones logísticas múltiples. Resultados: Los profesionales de la salud tenían mayor probabilidad de presentar trastornos mentales y del comportamiento, asociados al sexo femenino e independientemente de la edad. Las posibilidades de enfermedades del sistema nervioso fueron mayores en los trabajadores que realizaban labores administrativas. Los servidores operativos tenían más probabilidades de tener enfermedades musculoesqueléticas asociadas a la educación primaria y secundaria y eran del sexo masculino, independientemente de la edad. Conclusión: Hubo asociación entre el trabajo realizado antes de la jubilación y las enfermedades responsables de la invalidez, con diferencias entre sexo, edad y nivel educativo.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar os fatores associados ao tipo de atividade laboral exercida por trabalhadores técnico-administrativos universitários aposentados por invalidez. Método: Pesquisa transversal com 68 trabalhadores, realizada por meio de questionário eletrônico entre novembro de 2019 e setembro de 2020. Foram coletados dados sobre a caracterização sociodemográfica, ocupacional e causas da invalidez. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente e por regressões logísticas múltiplas. Resultados: Os profissionais da saúde tiveram mais chances de apresentarem os transtornos mentais e comportamentais, associados ao sexo feminino e independentemente da idade. As chances de doenças do sistema nervoso foram maiores em trabalhadores que exerceram trabalho administrativo, sendo associadas ao ensino superior. Servidores operacionais apresentaram maiores chances de doenças osteomusculares associadas ao ensino fundamental e médio e ao sexo masculino, independentemente da idade. Conclusão: Houve associação da atividade laboral exercida anteriormente à aposentadoria com as doenças responsáveis pela invalidez, com diferenças entre sexo, idade e níveis educacionais.

Violência laboral contra professores da rede pública de nível fundamental e médio / Workplace violence against teachers of public elementar and high schools

O presente estudo teve por objetivo identificar a prevalência da violência laboral perpetrada contra professores da rede pública de nível fundamental e médio. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados coletados entre julho de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019, com 200 professores de 18 escolas públicas urbanas, de um município do interior do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Análises descritivas e inferenciais foram realizadas e razões de prevalência (RP) calculadas. A prevalência de atos violentos físicos e verbais foi de 3% e 28%, respectivamente, sendo cometidos principalmente por alunos do sexo masculino. A violência verbal foi mais frequente contra professores do sexo masculino (p=0,021; RP=1,12) e com mais de 40 anos (p=0,034; RP=1,10), ocorreu mais de três vezes no último ano, dentro da instituição e configurou-se em experiências que geraram perda da satisfação com o trabalho, permeadas por sentimento de injustiça e impotência. Pode-se concluir que os professores sofreram violência laboral de natureza física e verbal nos ambientes educacionais. (AU)

The objective of the present study is to identify theprevalence of workplace violence against teachers in public elementary and high schools. This is a cross-sectional study with data collected from July 2018 to February 2019, with 200 teachers from 18 urban public schools, in a municipality located in the center-west of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed, and prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated. The prevalence of physical and verbal violent acts was 3% and 28%, respectively, and male students were the main agents. Verbal violence was more frequent against male teachers (p=0.021; PR=1.12) and those over 40 years old (p=0.034; PR=1.10), it occurred more than three times in the past year, within the educational environment and were events that resulted in loss of professional satisfaction associated with feelings of injustice and powerlessness. The study concluded that teachers suffered physical and verbal workplace violence in educational environments.(AU)

Oral Lisinopril Raises Tissue Levels of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor, in Healthy Male and Female Mice.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the established cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2. However, it is unclear whether ACE1 inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., losartan) alter tissue ACE2 expression. This study sought to determine whether lisinopril or losartan, as monotherapies or in combination, changes tissue levels of ACE2 in healthy male and female mice. Mice received lisinopril (10 mg/kg/day), losartan (10 mg/kg/day), or both for 21 days via drinking water. A control group received water without drug. The ACE2 protein index (ACE2 protein/total protein) was determined on the small intestine, lung, kidney, and brain. Oral lisinopril increased the ACE2 protein index across all tissues (p < 0.0001 vs. control). In contrast, the combination of lisinopril plus losartan did not increase ACE2 levels in any tissue (p = 0.89 vs. control) and even decreased tissue expression of the Ace2 gene (p < 0.001 vs. control). Tissue ACE2 remained elevated in the mice 21 days after cessation of lisinopril (p = 0.02). Plasma ACE2 did not correlate with the ACE2 protein index in any tissue. A sex difference was observed: kidney ACE2 levels were higher in male than in female mice (p < 0.0001). Oral lisinopril increases ACE2, the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2, in tissues that are relevant to the transmission and pathogenesis of COVID-19. Remarkably, the addition of losartan prevented lisinopril-induced increases in ACE2 across tissues. These results suggest that ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers interact to determine tissue levels of ACE2.

Genetic and methylation status of CDKN2A (p14ARF/p16INK4A) and TP53 genes in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare and chronic disease affecting the upper airway with papillomatous lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially HPV-6 and/or HPV-11 types. Little is known about the genetic and epigenetic drivers in RRP pathophysiology. For this purpose, we analyzed 27 papillomatous lesions from patients with RRP to evaluate somatic mutations and methylation status in CDKN2A (p14ARF/p16INK4A) and TP53, which are key tumor suppressor genes for the cell cycle control. Sanger sequencing analysis revealed one somatic mutation in TP53 (c.733_734insA) and four mutations in CDKN2A (c.-30G > T, c.29_30insA, c.69delT, and c.300C > A). These mutations were observed in 10 patients, 6 of which carried double mutation. Furthermore, 50% (5/10) of these patients carrying somatic mutations had RRP severity, representing 62.5% (5/8) of the severity cases in this study, albeit no significant association was found between somatic mutations and disease severity. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assays revealed p14ARF promoter hypermethylation in 100% of cases, followed by TP53 (96.3%) and p16INK4A (55.6%), suggesting the influence of HPV in the DNA methylation machinery. In conclusion, somatic mutations were not common events identified in patients with RRP. However, epigenetic modulation by high methylation rates, particularly for the p14ARF/TP53 pathway, seems to be in the course of RRP development.

Violência laboral e qualidade de vida profissional entre enfermeiros da atenção primária / Violencia laboral y calidad de vida profesional entre enfermeros de la atención primaria / Workplace violence and professional quality of life among primary care nurses

Resumo Objetivo Verificar associação entre a violência no trabalho e qualidade de vida profissional em enfermeiros de Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Métodos Estudo descritivo, transversal e analítico desenvolvido com 101 enfermeiros da atenção primária, cujos dados foram coletados por instrumento de características sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e de hábitos de vida, o Survey Questionnaire Workplace Violence in the Health Sector e a Professional Quality of Life Scale, para avaliar a violência laboral e a qualidade de vida profissional, respectivamente. Os dados analisados descritiva e inferencialmente, por meio do teste qui-quadrado de Wald considerando-se p<0,05 como significância estatística. Resultados As prevalências dos tipos de violência foram de 65,3% para a verbal, 29,7% assédio moral, 17,8% física, 1% assédio sexual e 1% discriminação racial. A baixa satisfação por compaixão ocorreu com 54,5% dos pesquisados, de alto burnout com 58,4% e de alto estresse pós-traumático, 57,4%. A satisfação por compaixão foi associada com assédio moral no trabalho (p=0,047), estímulo para relatar a violência (p=0,040) e ter havido consequências para o agressor (p=0,018). Não houve associação entre os tipos de violência com o burnout. O estresse pós-traumático esteve associado à violência física no trabalho (p=0,047) e com a existência de procedimentos para relatar a violência (p=0,018). Conclusão Houve associação da violência laboral com a qualidade de vida profissional. É necessário a criação de medidas institucionais para a promoção da qualidade de vida profissional, prevenção da violência laboral e procedimentos padrões para orientar os profissionais diante dos atos violentos.

Resumen Objetivo Verificar la asociación entre violencia en el trabajo y la calidad de vida profesional en enfermeros de Unidades Básicas de Salud. Métodos Estudio descriptivo, transversal y analítico desarrollado con 101 enfermeros de la atención primaria, cuyos datos fueron recopilados a través de un instrumento de características sociodemográficas, ocupacionales y de hábitos de vida, el Survey Questionnaire Workplace Violence in the Health Sector y el Professional Quality of Life Scale, para que se evalúe la violencia laboral y la calidad de vida profesional, respectivamente. Análisis descriptivo e inferencial de los datos, por medio de la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Wald considerándose p<0,05 como significación estadística. Resultados Las prevalencias de los tipos de violencia fueron de 65,3 % para la verbal, 29,7 % acoso moral, 17,8 % física, 1 % acoso sexual y 1 % discriminación racial. La baja satisfacción por compasión ocurrió con el 54,5 % de los encuestados, de alto burnout con 58,4 % y de alto estrés postraumático, 57,4 %. La satisfacción por compasión estuvo asociada con acoso moral en el trabajo (p=0,047), estímulo para relatar la violencia (p=0,040) y que hayan existido consecuencias para el agresor (p=0,018). No hubo asociación entre los tipos de violencia con el burnout. El estrés postraumático estuvo asociado con la violencia física en el trabajo (p=0,047) y con la existencia de procedimientos para relatar la violencia (p=0,018). Conclusión Hubo asociación de la violencia laboral con la calidad de vida profesional. Se hace necesaria la creación de medidas institucionales para la promoción de la calidad de vida profesional, prevención de la violencia laboral y procedimientos estándar para orientar a los profesionales ante actos violentos.

Abstract Objective To verify the association between workplace violence and quality of professional life in nurses from Basic Health Units. Methods This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study developed with 101 primary care nurses, whose data were collected using an instrument of sociodemographic, occupational and lifestyle characteristics, the Survey Questionnaire Workplace Violence in the Health Sector and the Professional Quality of Life Scale, to assess workplace violence and the quality of professional life, respectively. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially, using Wald's chi-square test, considering p<0.05 as statistical significance. Results The prevalence of types of violence was 65.3% for verbal, 29.7% moral harassment, 17.8% physical, 1% sexual harassment and 1% racial discrimination. Low compassion satisfaction occurred with 54.5% of respondents, high burnout with 58.4% and high post-traumatic stress, 57.4%. Compassion satisfaction was associated with bullying at work (p=0.047), encouragement to report violence (p=0.040) and having consequences for offenders (p=0.018). There was no association between the types of violence and burnout. Posttraumatic stress was associated with physical workplace violence (p=0.047) and with the existence of procedures to report violence (p=0.018). Conclusion There was an association of workplace violence with the quality of professional life. It is necessary to create institutional measures to promote the quality of professional life, prevent workplace violence and standard procedures to guide professionals in the face of violent acts.

Associação entre a síndrome de burnout e a violência ocupacional em professores / Relación entre el síndrome de burnout y la violencia laboral en profesores / Association between burnout syndrome and workplace violence in teachers

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a associação entre a violência laboral e a síndrome de burnout em professores. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com 200 professores do Ensino Fundamental e Médio de um município paranaense. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um instrumento contendo um questionário com dados sociodemográficos, ocupacionais e de caracterização da violência laboral sofrida ou testemunhada nos últimos 12 meses e o Maslach Burnout Inventory para avaliar a síndrome de burnout. Para verificar a relação entre as variáveis dependentes e independentes, utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, o teste de Fisher e a regressão linear múltipla. Adotou-se nível de significância de p-valor ≤ 0,05. Resultados A prevalência de violência verbal e física foi de 71,5% e 3% entre os professores, respectivamente. Verificou-se que 57,5% apresentaram alta exaustão emocional, 49% alta despersonalização e 36% baixa realização profissional, e 21% possuem indicativo para síndrome de burnout. O modelo múltiplo indicou que exaustão emocional e despersonalização estiveram direta e significativamente associadas a sofrer violência física e verbal, bem como presenciar esses tipos de violência, independentemente de sexo e idade. Conclusão Os maiores níveis de exaustão emocional e despersonalização estiveram associados à violência sofrida pelos professores. Medidas devem ser tomadas para promover um ambiente laboral mais seguro e, por sua vez, favorecer a saúde física e mental dos professores.

Resumen Objetivo Verificar la relación entre la violencia laboral y el síndrome de burnout en profesores. Métodos Estudio transversal realizado con 200 profesores de educación primaria y secundaria de un municipio del estado de Paraná. Los datos fueron recopilados mediante un instrumento con un cuestionario con datos sociodemográficos, laborales y de caracterización de la violencia laboral sufrida o presenciada en los últimos 12 meses y el Maslach Burnout Inventory para evaluar el síndrome de burnout. Para verificar la relación entre las variables dependientes e independientes, se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson, la prueba de Fischer y la regresión lineal múltiple. El nivel de significación adoptado fue de p-valor ≤ 0,05. Resultados La prevalencia de violencia verbal fue del 71,5 % y física del 3 % entre los profesores. Se verificó que el 57,5 % presentó agotamiento emocional alto, el 49 % alta despersonalización y el 36 % baja realización profesional. El 21 % tiene indicios de síndrome de burnout. El modelo múltiple indicó que el agotamiento emocional y la despersonalización estuvieron directa y significativamente asociados a sufrir violencia física y verbal, al igual que presenciar estos tipos de violencia, independientemente del sexo y edad. Conclusión Los mayores niveles de agotamiento emocional y despersonalización estuvieron relacionados con la violencia sufrida por los profesores. Deben tomarse medidas para promover un ambiente laboral más seguro y, a la vez, favorecer la salud física y mental de los profesores.

Abstract Objective To verify the association between workplace violence and Burnout Syndrome in teachers. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 200 elementary and high school teachers from a municipality in Paraná. Data were collected through an instrument containing a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, occupational and characterization data of workplace violence suffered or witnessed in the last 12 months and the Maslach Burnout Inventory to evaluate Burnout Syndrome. Pearson's correlation coefficient, Fisher's test and multiple linear regression were used to verify the relationship between dependent and independent variables. A significance level of p-value was adopted ≤ 0.05. Results The prevalence of verbal and physical violence was 71.5% and 3% among teachers, respectively. It was found that 57.5% presented high emotional exhaustion, 49% high depersonalization and 36% low professional achievement, and 21% have indicative of Burnout Syndrome. The multiple model indicated that emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were directly and significantly associated with physical and verbal violence, as well as witnessing these types of violence, regardless of gender and age. Conclusion The highest levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were associated with the violence suffered by teachers. Measures should be taken to promote a safer working environment and, in turn, promote the physical and mental health of teachers.

Percepção da arteterapia como recurso à promoção da saúde mental da equipe de enfermagem hospitalar / Perception of art therapy as a resource for the promotion of mental health in the hospital nursing team / Percepción de la arteterapia como recurso para promover la salud mental en el equipo de enfermería del hospital

Objetivo: Compreender a percepção da arteterapia para a equipe de enfermagem da área hospitalar. Métodos: Pesquisa descritiva de natureza qualitativa, realizada com seis profissionais de enfermagem de um hospital de pequeno porte. O estudo foi desenvolvido por meio de duas etapas, na primeira implementou-se 10 oficinas de arteterapia realizadas semanalmente, no período de janeiro a março de 2020. A etapa dois, ocorreu cinco meses após o término da primeira e se deu por meio de entrevistas individuais audiogravadas. As falas transcritas foram avaliadas segundo os preceitos da Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: Desvelaram-se cinco categorias: compartilhando as experiências; despertando para o trabalho em equipe; propiciando momento de relaxar; aprendendo a escutar e a falar e solicitando a continuidade das oficinas. Conclusão: Pela concepção dos participantes a arteterapia se configurou como uma ferramenta capaz de promover a saúde mental. Assim, é uma estratégia intervencionista que pode ser colocada em prática no ambiente laboral dos profissionais de enfermagem. (AU)

Objective: To understand the perception of art therapy for the nursing team in the hospital area. Methods: Qualitative descriptive research, carried out with six nursing professionals from a small hospital. The study was developed through two stages, in the first, 10 art therapy workshops were carried out weekly, from January to March 2020. Stage two took place five months after the end of the first and took place through individual interviews audio recorded. The transcribed statements were evaluated according to the precepts of Content Analysis. Results: Five categories were unveiled: sharing experiences; awakening to team work; providing a moment to relax; learning to listen and speak and requesting the continuity of the workshops. Conclusion: According to the participants' conception, art therapy was configured as a tool capable of promoting mental health. Thus, it is an interventionist strategy that can be put into practice in the work environment of nursing professionals. (AU)

Objetivo: Comprender la percepción de la arteterapia por parte del equipo de enfermería en el área hospitalaria. Métodos: Investigación descriptiva cualitativa, realizada con seis profesionales de enfermería de un pequeño hospital. El estudio se desarrolló en dos etapas, la primera vez que se implantaron 10 consultorios de arteterapia por semana, sin período de enero a marzo de 2020. En la etapa dos o cinco meses después del primer período, se realizó mediante entrevistas individuales. grabado. Según las declaraciones transcritas para un segundo aval, tienes los preceptos del Análisis de Contenido. Resultados: Se revelaron cinco categorías: compartir experiencias; despertarse para trabajar en equipo; proporcionar un tiempo para relajarse; aprender a escuchar y fallar y pedir continuidad en la oficina. Conclusión: Desde la concepción de los dos participantes hasta la arteterapia, se configuró como una herramienta capaz de promover la salud mental. Además, es una estrategia intervencionista que se puede poner en práctica en el entorno laboral de dos profesionales de enfermería. (AU)

Satisfacción, fatiga por compasión y factores asociados en las enfermeras de la atención primaria / Satisfaction, compassion fatigue and associated factors in primary care nurses

Objetivo: Verificar la satisfacción y la fatiga debido a la compasión y sus factores asociados en las enfermeras de la Unidad Básica de Salud. Método: Se trata de una investigación descriptiva y transversal desarrollada con 101 enfermeras de 40 Unidades Básicas de Salud en un municipio de Paraná. Los datos se recopilaron entre noviembre de 2019 y febrero de 2020 a través de un cuestionario de caracterización sociodemográfica, hábitos profesionales y de vida y la Professional Quality of Life Scale que evalúa la Satisfacción y fatiga por compasión. Los factores asociados fueron obtenidos por modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: Tener una buena relación interpersonal disminuyó las posibilidades de baja satisfacción por compasión (p=0,025) y burnout (p=0,049). Ser reconocido en el trabajo tenía una probabilidad significativamente menor de baja satisfacción por compasión (p=0,040). Conclusión: Buenas relaciones interpersonales se asociaron con la satisfacción de la compasión y el burnout. Sentirse reconocido por el trabajo realizado también se asoció con la satisfacción por la compasión. La mayoría de las enfermeras, incluso con altos niveles de satisfacción debido a la compasión, se siente cansada, lo que lleva a reforzar la necesidad de una mayor atención al trabajo desarrollado por las enfermeras en la Unidad Básica de Salud por los gerentes. (AU)

Whole blood transfusion improves vascular integrity and increases survival in artemether-treated experimental cerebral malaria.

Pathological features observed in both human and experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) are endothelial dysfunction and changes in blood components. Blood transfusion has been routinely used in patients with severe malarial anemia and can also benefit comatose and acidotic malaria patients. In the present study Plasmodium berghei-infected mice were transfused intraperitoneally with 200 µL of whole blood along with 20 mg/kg of artemether. ECM mice showed severe thrombocytopenia and decreases in hematocrit. Artemether treatment markedly aggravated anemia within 24 h. Whole blood administration significantly prevented further drop in hematocrit and partially restored the platelet count. Increased levels of plasma angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) remained high 24 h after artemether treatment but returned to normal levels 24 h after blood transfusion, indicating reversal to quiescence. Ang-1 was depleted in ECM mice and levels were not restored by any treatment. Blood transfusion prevented the aggravation of the breakdown of blood brain barrier after artemether treatment and decreased spleen congestion without affecting splenic lymphocyte populations. Critically, blood transfusion resulted in markedly improved survival of mice with ECM (75.9% compared to 50.9% receiving artemether only). These findings indicate that whole blood transfusion can be an effective adjuvant therapy for cerebral malaria.

Workplace violence among nursing professionals.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency of workplace violence has increased significantly across several countries, with short- and long-term effects on workers' health. Within the health care sector, nursing professionals are the most exposed to workplace violence, since they provide direct assistance to patients on a 24-hour basis. OBJECTIVES: To identify the types of occupational violence experienced by nursing professionals. METHODS: This was a descriptive, quantitative study of 55 nursing professionals in the emergency unit of a public hospital. Data were collected between April and June 2018 through the Questionnaire for Workplace Violence Experienced or Witnessed by Nursing Professionals. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were described using measures of central tendency and dispersion. RESULTS: A total of 49 (88.9%) participants had experienced workplace violence, with 21 (38%) suffering verbal abuse; 14 (25.4%) experiencing mobbing; 6 (11%) reporting physical violence; 5 (9.1%) suffering sexual harassment; and 3 (5.4%) reporting racial discrimination. Furthermore, 44 (90%) of these individuals reported that the incidents of violence could have been prevented. CONCLUSIONS: The types of violence observed included physical aggression, verbal abuse, sexual harassment and racial discrimination, with verbal abuse being the most commonly reported. These acts were perpetrated by patients and their families, as well as colleagues and supervisors. Violence prevention strategies should be implemented in institutions in order to provide a safe working environment.

Effectiveness of interventions for the prevention of occupational violence against professionals in health services: a protocol for a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Occupational violence affects several categories of workers; however, the health sector category has been considered at a high risk, exposing workers to physical and psychological abuse. Thus, occupational violence has decreased the quality of care in health service. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for the prevention and reduction of occupational violence against health professionals. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol is consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. Searches will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL and LIVIVO along with a comprehensive review of grey literature. The search will be conducted on August 1 st 2020, without language and time restrictions. Following the eligibility criteria, two independent reviewers will select the titles and abstracts and subsequently screen the full articles. If necessary, a third reviewer will assess any disagreements. All references will be imported into EndNote, and any duplicates will be removed. The data will be extracted using an extraction-based form from Cochrane. Statistical analyses will be performed using the software Cochrane Review Manager, and a meta-analysis will be performed if possible for the statistical combination of at least two studies. The risk of bias of the randomised clinical trials will be evaluated by the Risk of Bias tool from Cochrane, and the risk of bias of the non-randomised intervention studies will be evaluated using the Downs and Black scale. The quality of the evidence and strength of the classification recommendations will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This review will not evaluate individual patient information and therefore does not require ethical approval. The results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at conferences and the doctoral thesis of the leading author. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018111383.

Nurses' perceptions about the influence of the labor environment in the use of psychoactive substances.

BACKGROUND: The work environment of nurses is characterized by physical and mental hazards liable to cause exhaustion and lead them to take psychoactive substances as coping strategy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate nurses' perception of the work environment influence on psychoactive substance intake. METHODS: Exploratory, descriptive and qualitative study with 14 nurses in two public hospitals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subjected to content analysis. RESULTS: Staff and material shortages, submission, lack of autonomy, conflict in interpersonal relationships and power struggles were the main reasons for nurses to take psychoactive substances. CONCLUSION: Nurses are exposed to stressors in the workplace, including understaffing, power struggles, interpersonal conflict and lack of autonomy, which may lead them to take legal or illegal drugs.

INTRODUÇÃO: O ambiente laboral da enfermagem é permeado por riscos físicos e psíquicos, o que contribui para o desgaste do profissional da área da saúde que acaba recorrendo às substâncias psicoativas como estratégia de defesa. OBJETIVO: Conhecer as percepções de enfermeiros sobre a influência do ambiente laboral para o uso de substâncias psicoativas. MÉTODOS: Estudo exploratório-descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 14 enfermeiros de dois hospitais públicos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e submetidos a análise de conteúdo. RESULTADOS: A falta de recursos humanos e materiais, a submissão, a falta de autonomia, relações interpessoais conflituosas e a disputa pelo poder foram apontados como fatores que podem propiciar o uso de substâncias psicoativas. CONCLUSÃO: Os enfermeiros estão expostos a fatores estressores em seu ambiente laboral que podem ser contributivos para o uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas, que vão desde a falta de recursos humanos até a disputa pelo poder, perpassando pelos conflitos interpessoais e a falta de autonomia profissional.