Effects of circuit training and Yoga on biochemical and psychological responses to stress and cardiovascular markers: A randomized clinical trial with nursing and medical students in Southern Brazil.

A Randomized Controlled Trial involving 158 Brazilian medical and nursing students assessed one of three conditions over an 8-week period: 1) a circuit training protocol (CTG); 2) a yoga protocol (YG); or 3) no intervention (CG). The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of circuit training and yoga protocols in reducing perceived mental stress and examining their effects on serum cortisol levels, as well as on traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs), during an academic semester. Mental stress was measured using self-reported stress questionnaires. For the CTG, comparisons of pre- vs. post-intervention data indicated a reduction in self-reported stress levels on a Brazilian scale (p < 0.001) and an international scale (p < 0.05). Regarding CRFs, there was a reduction in waist circumference (WC) (p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.05), and heart rate (HR) (p < 0.001). No changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.211) and serum cortisol (SC) (p = 0.423). In the YG, pre- vs. post-intervention data indicated a reduction in self-reported stress levels on the ISSL (p < 0.001), in both resistance and exhaustion stress levels on the PSS scale (p < 0.001), and in SC levels (p < 0.001), WC (p < 0.05), and SBP (p < 0.05); however, HR and DBP did not change (p = 0.168 and p = 0.07, respectively) in this group. No changes were noted in any measures in the CG. The intervention protocols demonstrated that both CTG and YG can positively impact mental or biochemical stress responses, as well as CRFs.

Genomic approachesidentifySTT4 as a new component in glucose-induced activation of yeast plasma membrane H+-ATPase.

Many studies have focused on identifying the signaling pathway by which addition of glucose triggers post-translational activation of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase in yeast. They have revealed that calcium signaling is involved in the regulatory pathway, supported for instance by the phenotype of mutants inARG82 that encodes an inositol kinase that phosphorylates inositol triphosphate (IP3). Strong glucose-induced calcium signaling, and high glucose-induced plasma membrane H+-ATPase activation have been observed in a specific yeast strain with the PJ genetic background. In this study, we have applied pooled-segregant whole genome sequencing, QTL analysis and a new bioinformatics methodology for determining SNP frequencies to identify the cause of this discrepancy and possibly new components of the signaling pathway. This has led to the identification of an STT4 allele with 6 missense mutations as a major causative allele, further supported by the observation that deletion of STT4 in the inferior parent caused a similar increase in glucose-induced plasma membrane H+-ATPase activation. However, the effect on calcium signaling was different indicating the presence of additional relevant genetic differences between the superior and reference strains. Our results suggest that phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate might play a role in the glucose-induced activation of plasma membrane H+-ATPase by controlling intracellular calcium release through the modulation of the activity of phospholipase C.

Air pollution and rhinitis.

Rhinitis arises from either allergic or non-allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa, characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the tissue and nasal secretions, along with structural alterations in the nasal mucosa. The pathways through which air pollution affects rhinitis may diverge from those affecting asthma. This article aims to review the effects of diverse air pollutants on the nose, the correlation of climate change and pollution, and how they aggravate the symptoms of patients with rhinitis.

Protium spruceanum Extract Enhances Mupirocin Activity When Combined with Nanoemulsion-Based Hydrogel: A Multi-Target Strategy for Treating Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

The treatment of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) can be challenging due to bacterial resistance, particularly from strains like MRSA and biofilm formation. However, combining conventional antibiotics with natural products shows promise in treating SSTIs. The objective of this study is to develop a nanoemulsion-based hydrogel containing Protium spruceanum extract and mupirocin and evaluate its potential for the treatment of SSTIs. The nanoemulsion was obtained by phase inversion and subsequently characterized. The antibacterial activity was evaluated in vitro against S. aureus MRSA, including the synergism of the combination, changes in membrane permeability using flow cytometry, and the anti-biofilm effect. In addition, the irritative potential was evaluated by the HET-CAM assay. The combination exhibited synergistic antibacterial activity against S. aureus and MRSA due to the extract enhancing membrane permeability. The hydrogel demonstrated suitable physicochemical properties, inhibited biofilm formation, and exhibited low irritation. The formulation was nanometric (176.0 ± 1.656 nm) and monodisperse (polydispersity index 0.286 ± 0.011). It exhibited a controlled release profile at 48 h and high encapsulation efficacy (94.29 ± 4.54% for quercitrin and 94.20 ± 5.44% for mupirocin). Therefore, these findings suggest that the hydrogel developed could be a safe and effective option for treating SSTIs.

COVID-19 IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: SHOULD WE BE MORE CAREFUL WITH THE USE OF SALICYLATES?

BACKGROUNDS: Fortunately, much has been studied about COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Evidence suggests that these patients do not appear to be at increased risk of severe COVID-19. However, there are still some uncertainties regarding the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in patients with immune-mediated diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the main symptoms of COVID-19 and their frequency in IBD patients and evaluate the impact of the IBD therapeutic drugs on clinical presentation of COVID-19 and to determine factors associated with COVID-19 in this population. METHODS: Adult patients with IBD from three tertiary-care public, teaching hospitals in Ceará, Northeastern Brazil, were evaluated during one scheduled appointment from March to December 2020. Patients with possible or confirmed COVID-19 were compared with patients without COVID-19. Furthermore, incidences of each symptom were evaluated based on the use of IBD therapeutic drugs. RESULTS: A total of 515 patients with IBD were included in the study: 234 with CD, and 281 with UC. Of these, 174 patients (34%) had possible/confirmed COVID-19 of whom 156 (90%) were symptomatic. Main symptoms were fever (65%) and headache (65%); gastrointestinal symptoms occurred in one third of patients and were higher than COVID-19 in general population. The factors associated with having COVID-19 were female gender (OR 1.71, 95%CI: 1.17-2.50); contact at home (OR 5.07, 95%CI: 3.31-7.78) and outside the home (OR 3.14, 95%CI: 2.10-4.71) with a case of COVID-19; work outside of the home (OR 1.87, 95%CI: 1.26-2.78); family history of COVID-19 (OR 2.29, 95%CI 1.58-3.33) use of salicylate (OR 1.71, 95%CI: 1.17-4.28); and asthma (OR 7.10, 95%CI: 1.46-34.57). CONCLUSION: IBD patients at high risk of COVID-19 infection may need to avoid salicylate therapy but further studies are necessary to confirm this association.

Profile of inorganic elements of seaweed from the Brazilian Northeast coast.

The contents of 24 elements were determined in seven species of macroalgae collected in Ceara-Brazil, in the rainy and dry seasons of 2022. The samples were digested, and the analytes were quantified by ICP-OES and Hg by direct analyzer. The CRM CD-200 was analyzed for accuracy and obtained recoveries were higher than 95 %. The seaweed species have different inorganic element profiles with predominant elements being: Ca, K, Na, Mg and P. The Sargassum vulgare species stood out for its Hg and As contents (1.479 ± 0.005 mg kg-1 and 172 ± 6 mg kg-1, both in the rainy seasons). Ulva lactuca attracted attention for its high concentration of V (46.4 ± 3.4 mg kg-1, rainy season). In general, the elemental content levels in the macroalgae samples were higher in the rainy season. Long-term studies to comprehend the effect of seasonality on the elemental composition of seaweed must be carried out.

Pathophysiology of chikungunya virus infection associated with fatal outcomes.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes acute, subacute, and chronic human arthritogenic diseases and, in rare instances, can lead to neurological complications and death. Here, we combined epidemiological, virological, histopathological, cytokine, molecular dynamics, metabolomic, proteomic, and genomic analyses to investigate viral and host factors that contribute to chikungunya-associated (CHIK) death. Our results indicate that CHIK deaths are associated with multi-organ infection, central nervous system damage, and elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines compared with survivors. The histopathologic, metabolite, and proteomic signatures of CHIK deaths reveal hemodynamic disorders and dysregulated immune responses. The CHIKV East-Central-South-African lineage infecting our study population causes both fatal and survival cases. Additionally, CHIKV infection impairs the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, as evidenced by an increase in permeability and altered tight junction protein expression. Overall, our findings improve the understanding of CHIK pathophysiology and the causes of fatal infections.

Digital planning and surveying for a rotational path removable partial denture: a case report.

Digital technology has been applied to the planning and manufacture of removable partial dentures (RPDs), reducing the complexity of RPD treatment as well as the number and duration of clinical and laboratory steps. However, there is a lack of information regarding digital planning and surveying for rotational path RPDs. This article presents a case report of a digital diagnostic wax-up and survey for a rotational path RPD performed with prosthetic design software. The virtual diagnostic closure tool made it possible during the case study stage to visualize the edentulous spaces and simulate the preparations necessary for the restoration of occlusal and esthetic harmony. The virtual survey determined the dual-axis path of insertion and removal for the rotational path RPD based on the 4 major influencing factors: guiding planes, retentive undercuts, interferences, and esthetics. In this case, digital planning and surveying for a rotational path RPD were an effective means of esthetic and biomechanical analysis and allowed for minimal preparation of the abutment teeth.

IL-10-induced STAT3/NF-κB crosstalk modulates pineal and extra-pineal melatonin synthesis.

Immune-pineal axis activation is part of the assembly of immune responses. Proinflammatory cytokines inhibit the pineal synthesis of melatonin while inducing it in macrophages by mechanisms dependent on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Cytokines activating the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), modulate melatonin synthesis in the pineal, bone marrow (BM), and spleen. The stimulatory effect of IFN-γ upon the pineal gland depends on STAT1/NF-κB interaction, but the mechanisms controlling IL-10 effects on melatonin synthesis remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the role of STAT3 and NF-κB activation by IL-10 upon the melatonin synthesis of rats' pineal gland, BM, spleen, and peritoneal cells. The results show that IL-10-induced interaction of (p)STAT3 with specific NF-κB dimmers leads to different cell effects. IL-10 increases the pineal's acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT), N-acetylserotonin, and melatonin content via nuclear translocation of NF-κB/STAT3. In BM, the nuclear translocation of STAT3/p65-NF-κB complexes increases ASMT expression and melatonin content. Increased pSTAT3/p65-NF-κB nuclear translocation in the spleen enhances phosphorylated serotonin N-acetyltransferase ((p)SNAT) expression and melatonin content. Conversely, in peritoneal cells, IL-10 leads to NF-κB p50/p50 inhibitory dimmer nuclear translocation, decreasing (p)SNAT expression and melatonin content. In conclusion, IL-10's effects on melatonin production depend on the NF-κB subunits interacting with (p)STAT3. Thus, variations of IL-10 levels and downstream pathways during immune responses might be critical regulatory factors adjusting pineal and extra-pineal synthesis of melatonin.

Ultra-processed food consumption during pregnancy and newborn weight / Consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados durante a gestação e peso ao nascer do recém-nascido

Abstract Objectives: to assess the association between pregnant women's consumption of ultra-processed foods and newborn body weight. Methods: prospective study with pregnant women (n=214) selected from all Basic Health Units in the city of Pinhais, Paraná. Socioeconomic, demographic, and health data were collected. Food consumption data were assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall and tabulated with GloboDiet software. Daily relative energy intake of ultra-processed food was estimated and logistic regression analysis was utilized. The infuence of covariates on the association analysis was also explored (e.g., income and education). Results: ultra-processed foods contributed to 26.9% of pregnant women's total energy intake. About 5.7% of newborns were classifed as small-for-gestational-age and 10.7% as large-for-gestational-age. A borderline statistically signifcant association was observed between large-for-gestational-age newborn weight and maternal consumption of ultra-processed foods (OR= 1.027; p=0.048). Additionally, family income was associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods (OR= 0.144; p=0.008). With each additional 1% consumption of ultra-processed foods, mothers' likelihood of having large-for-gestational-age babies increased by about 2.7%. Conclusions: the study reveals a trend of positive association between the weight of large-for-gestational-age newborns and the consumption of ultra-processed foods by pregnant women, but not for small-for-gestational-age children.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a associação entre o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados por gestantes e o peso de recém-nascidos. Métodos: estudo prospectivo com gestantes (n=214) selecionadas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde em Pinhais, Paraná. Dados socioeconômicos, demográfcos e de saúde foram coletados. Dados de consumo alimentar foram coletados por recordatório de 24-horas físico e entrados no software GloboDiet. O consumo diário relativo de energia proveniente de alimentos ultraprocessados foi estimado e a análise de regressão logística foi utilizada, considerando covariáveis como renda familiar e escolaridade. Resultados: o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados pelas gestantes representou 26,9% da energia total. Cerca de 5,7% de recém-nascidos foram classifcados como pequenos para idade gestacional (PIG) e 10,7% como grandes para idade gestacional (GIG). Foi observada uma associação estatisticamente signifcativa limítrofe entre o peso dos recém-nascidos GIG e o consumo materno de alimentos ultraprocessados (OR= 1,027; p=0,048). Além disso, a renda familiar esteve associada com o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (OR=0,144; p=0,008). A cada 1% adicional de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, a probabilidade de as mães terem recém-nascidos GIG aumentou cerca de 2,7%. Conclusões: o estudo revela uma tendência de associação positiva entre o peso de recém-nascidos GIG e o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados por mulheres grávidas, mas não para crianças PIG.

Biomedical Approach of Nanotechnology and Biological Risks: A Mini-Review.

Nanotechnology has played a prominent role in biomedical engineering, offering innovative approaches to numerous treatments. Notable advances have been observed in the development of medical devices, contributing to the advancement of modern medicine. This article briefly discusses key applications of nanotechnology in tissue engineering, controlled drug release systems, biosensors and monitoring, and imaging and diagnosis. The particular emphasis on this theme will result in a better understanding, selection, and technical approach to nanomaterials for biomedical purposes, including biological risks, security, and biocompatibility criteria.

Fall accidents in older people: a time trend analysis of the period 2000-2020 and the estimated economic burden on the Brazilian health system in 2025. / Acidentes por quedas na população idosa: análise de tendência temporal de 2000 a 2020 e o impacto econômico estimado no sistema de saúde brasileiro em 2025.

Longitudinal monitoring of indicators of accidental falls can facilitate the planning of effective care and prevention actions. This article aims to analyze temporal trends in variables related to falls among older persons in Brazil and in the state of São Paulo during the period 2000-2020 and estimate the projected economic burden on the health system in 2025. We conducted a quantitative retrospective observational study using data from the Health Information System. The Joinpoint Regression Program version 4.7.0 and SPSS version 20.0 were used to perform linear regression and calculate the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), adopting a 95% confidence interval. There was an increase in mean and total admissions costs due to falls at national level in both intervals of the study period. There was an increase in total admissions costs and the total number of admissions due to falls in the state of São Paulo (AAPC of 8.5% and 4.3%, respectively). Projections for the year 2025 suggest that the total number of admissions due to falls in Brazil will be around 150,000, resulting in costs of approximately R$ 260 million. There was an increase in the variables analyzed by this study, revealing the importance of fall prevention programs associated with national public policies.

O acompanhamento longitudinal de indicadores, como os relacionados às quedas acidentais, pode facilitar o planejamento de ações mais eficazes de assistência e prevenção. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a tendência temporal das variáveis relacionadas aos acidentes de quedas na população idosa no Brasil e no estado de São Paulo entre 2000 e 2020 e estimar o impacto econômico para o SUS em 2025. Este é um estudo observacional retrospectivo com abordagem quantitativa, com dados do Sistema de Informação em Saúde. Foram utilizados os softwares Joinpoint Regression Program versão 4.7.0 e SPSS versão 20.0 para a realização de regressões lineares, além da análise Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), adotando um intervalo de confiança de 95%. No país, houve aumento das internações nos dois períodos analisados, assim como os gastos totais, em todos os segmentos analisados. Em concordância no estado de São Paulo, o valor total e as internações apresentaram aumento (AAPC, sendo 8,5% e 4,3% respectivamente). No ano de 2025, as internações por quedas no Brasil estarão próximas a 150 mil, gerando custos em torno de R$ 260 milhões. Houve o aumento das variáveis analisadas, mostrando a importância de programas de prevenção de quedas associados a políticas públicas nacionais.

Acidentes por quedas na população idosa: análise de tendência temporal de 2000 a 2020 e o impacto econômico estimado no sistema de saúde brasileiro em 2025 / Fall accidents in older people: a time trend analysis of the period 2000-2020 and the estimated economic burden on the Brazilian health system in 2025

Resumo O acompanhamento longitudinal de indicadores, como os relacionados às quedas acidentais, pode facilitar o planejamento de ações mais eficazes de assistência e prevenção. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a tendência temporal das variáveis relacionadas aos acidentes de quedas na população idosa no Brasil e no estado de São Paulo entre 2000 e 2020 e estimar o impacto econômico para o SUS em 2025. Este é um estudo observacional retrospectivo com abordagem quantitativa, com dados do Sistema de Informação em Saúde. Foram utilizados os softwares Joinpoint Regression Program versão 4.7.0 e SPSS versão 20.0 para a realização de regressões lineares, além da análise Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), adotando um intervalo de confiança de 95%. No país, houve aumento das internações nos dois períodos analisados, assim como os gastos totais, em todos os segmentos analisados. Em concordância no estado de São Paulo, o valor total e as internações apresentaram aumento (AAPC, sendo 8,5% e 4,3% respectivamente). No ano de 2025, as internações por quedas no Brasil estarão próximas a 150 mil, gerando custos em torno de R$ 260 milhões. Houve o aumento das variáveis analisadas, mostrando a importância de programas de prevenção de quedas associados a políticas públicas nacionais.

Abstract Longitudinal monitoring of indicators of accidental falls can facilitate the planning of effective care and prevention actions. This article aims to analyze temporal trends in variables related to falls among older persons in Brazil and in the state of São Paulo during the period 2000-2020 and estimate the projected economic burden on the health system in 2025. We conducted a quantitative retrospective observational study using data from the Health Information System. The Joinpoint Regression Program version 4.7.0 and SPSS version 20.0 were used to perform linear regression and calculate the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), adopting a 95% confidence interval. There was an increase in mean and total admissions costs due to falls at national level in both intervals of the study period. There was an increase in total admissions costs and the total number of admissions due to falls in the state of São Paulo (AAPC of 8.5% and 4.3%, respectively). Projections for the year 2025 suggest that the total number of admissions due to falls in Brazil will be around 150,000, resulting in costs of approximately R$ 260 million. There was an increase in the variables analyzed by this study, revealing the importance of fall prevention programs associated with national public policies.

Iodine Intake and its Interindividual Variability in Brazilian Pregnant Women: EMDI Brazil Study.

Data on pregnant women's iodine intake are limited in Brazil. The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of foods, food groups, and food subgroups to the Brazilian pregnant women's iodine intake, and identify which food items explain the interindividual variability of their intake. A cross-sectional study with food consumption data of 2247 pregnant women from 24-h recalls was developed. Food items were classified according to the FAO/WHO GIFT classification, and their contribution to iodine intake and interindividual variability was assessed by the proportion of means method and linear regression, respectively. The mean usual iodine intake was 163.1 mcg (95% CI: 162.9-163.2). The food groups "spices and condiments," "cereals and their products," and "milk and milk products"; and the food subgroups "herbs and spices," "wheat and wheat-based products," "milk: fresh and processed," "dough-based sweets," and "eggs: fresh and processed" contributed to at least 80% of the iodine intake. Of these, only the food subgroups "milk," "dough-based sweets," and "eggs" did not explain the higher proportion (> 80%) of the interindividual variability. The contribution of "salt," "white French bread," "fluid whole milk," and "rice" to the iodine intake and its interindividual variability is highlighted. This study confirms the importance of "salt" as a dietary source of iodine and that few food groups and subgroups explained the difference in the iodine intake among pregnant women. Despite that, Brazilian staple foods, such as "rice," "beans," "eggs," "milk," and "bread" were identified as important for iodine intake and could be included in nutritional guidelines targeted to Brazilian pregnant women.

Systemic toxicity of snake venom metalloproteinases: Multi-omics analyses of kidney and blood plasma disturbances in a mouse model.

Snakebite envenomation is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease. Bothrops jararaca venom induces kidney injury and coagulopathy. HF3, a hemorrhagic metalloproteinase of B. jararaca venom, participates in the envenomation pathogenesis. We evaluated the effects of HF3 in mouse kidney and blood plasma after injection in the thigh muscle, mimicking a snakebite. Transcriptomic analysis showed differential expression of 31 and 137 genes related to kidney pathology after 2 h and 6 h, respectively. However, only subtle changes were observed in kidney proteome, with differential abundance of 15 proteins after 6 h, including kidney injury markers. N-terminomic analysis of kidney proteins showed 420 proteinase-generated peptides compatible with meprin specificity, indicating activation of host proteinases. Plasma analysis revealed differential abundance of 90 and 219 proteins, respectively, after 2 h and 6 h, including coagulation-cascade and complement-system components, and creatine-kinase, whereas a semi-specific search of N-terminal peptides indicated activation of endogenous proteinases. HF3 promoted host reactions, altering the gene expression and the proteolytic profile of kidney tissue, and inducing plasma proteome imbalance driven by changes in abundance and proteolysis. The overall response of the mouse underscores the systemic action of a hemorrhagic toxin that transcends local tissue damage and is related to known venom-induced systemic effects.

Linking multivariate statistical methods and water quality indices to evaluate the natural and anthropogenic geochemical processes controlling the water quality of a tropical watershed.

The improvement of water management requires monitoring techniques that accurately evaluate water quality status and detect the effects of land use changes on water chemistry. This study aimed to evaluate how multivariate statistical methods and water quality indices can be applied together to evaluate the processes controlling water chemical composition and the overall water quality status of a tropical watershed. Thirty-four water samples were collected in the Formoso River basin, located on the border of the Amazon Forest. Water parameters were measured in situ using a multiparameter and in the lab using spectroscopic and volumetric techniques. The water quality dataset was interpreted through principal component analysis, multivariate linear regression, and water quality indices. Statistical methods allowed us to identify the sources and geochemical processes controlling water quality chemistry, which were carbonate dissolution, runoff/erosion, nutrient input due to anthropogenic activities, and redox reactions in flooded zones. They were also used to create linear functions to evaluate the effects of land use changes on the geochemical processes controlling water chemistry. Conversely, the water quality indices provide information about the overall condition of the water. The Weight-Arithmetic Quality Index correctly evaluates water suitability for its multiple uses, according to the Brazilian guidelines. Conversely, the Ontario Water Quality Index is not suitable to evaluate the water quality of tropical rivers, since the usual higher water temperature and the low oxygen contents associated with tropical environments result in biased water quality evaluations by this index.

Effects of iodine supplementation on thyroid function parameter: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Supplementation is an alternative with potential benefits for the prevention of iodine deficiency in pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of iodine supplementation on maternal thyroid hormone concentrations and iodine status during and/or before pregnancy. METHODS: The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). The search was conducted in the databases: Cochrane, Embase, Pubmed/MEDLINE and Scopus. Studies involving pregnant women of all trimesters who received oral iodine supplementation were included. Study selection was performed in the Rayyan program. Risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Meta-analysis was performed in R software version 4.0.4. RESULTS: Eleven articles with low and moderate risk of bias were included. According to the results of the meta-analysis, supplementation of 200 µg/day of iodine was able to change urinary iodine concentration during pregnancy, thus contributing to adequate intake. When evaluating the period when the intervention started, the best time to start supplementation was prior to pregnancy or in early pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Daily iodine supplementation had satisfactory effects on iodine status and maternal thyroid hormone concentrations. Although supplementation with 200 µg showed positive effects on iodine status in pregnancy, some studies showed no effect. Prospero Registration: CRD42021249307 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=249307).

The Impact of Physical Effort on the Gut Microbiota of Long-Distance Fliers.

Flying pigeons (Columbia livia) are extensively studied for their physical endurance and superior sense of orientation. The extreme physical endurance of which these birds are capable creates a unique opportunity to investigate the possible impact of long-distance flying on the taxonomy and metabolic function of the gut microbiota. This project was enabled by access to two groups of pigeons raised by the same breeder in the same conditions, except that one group was trained in long-distance flying and participated in multiple races covering a total distance of over 2600 km over a 9-week period. In contrast, the second group did not fly. The fecal microbiota was analyzed using 16S amplicon sequencing, and the taxonomy and metabolic function were inferred from this sequence data. Based on phylogenetic distance and metabolic function, flying and non-flying pigeons were found to harbor distinct bacterial microbiota. The microbiota taxonomy varied extensively between the birds, whereas the inferred metabolic potential was relatively stable. Age was not a significant determinant of the fecal microbiota profile. In flying birds, the metabolic pathways annotated with biosynthesis were enriched, representing 60% of the 20 metabolic pathways that were most closely associated with flying.

Biochar as a carbonaceous material to enhance soil quality in drylands ecosystems: A review.

Drylands are fragile environments that should be carefully managed to improve their quality and functions to achieve sustainable development. Their major problems involve low availability of nutrients and soil organic carbon content. Biochar effect on soil is a joint response of micro to nano sized biochar and soil characteristics. In this review, we attempt to carry out a critical analysis of biochar application to enhance dryland soil quality. Correlating the effects identified from its soil application, we explored the subjects that remains open in the literature. The relation of composition-structure-properties of biochar vary among pyrolysis parameters and biomass sources. Limitations in soil physical quality in drylands, such as low water-holding capacity, can be alleviated by applying biochar at a rate of 10 Mg ha-1 also resulting in beneficial effects on soil aggregation, improved soil porosity, and reduced bulk density. Biochar addition can contribute to the rehabilitation of saline soils, by releasing cations able to displaces sodium in the exchange complex. However, the recovery process of salt-affected soils might be accelerated by the association of biochar with another soil conditioners. This is a promising strategy especially considering the biochar alkalinity and variability in nutrients bioavailability to improve soil fertilization. Further, while higher biochar application rate (>20 Mg ha-1) might change soil C dynamics, a combination of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer can increase microbial biomass carbon in dryland systems. Other aspect of biochar soil application is the economic viability of scale-up production, which is mainly associate to pyrolysis process being biochar production the costliest stage. Nevertheless, the supplying of feedstock might also represent a great input on biochar final costs. Therefore, biochar-based technology is a big opportunity to improve fragile environments such as drylands, integrating sustainable technologies with regional development. Considering the specificity of application area, it might be a model of sustainable agricultural practices protecting the environment in a bioeconomic perspective.

Are pediatricians familiar with hereditary angioedema?

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent episodes of subcutaneous or mucosal edema caused by excess bradykinin. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge of pediatricians about hereditary angioedema. Methods: An online survey with 12 HAE-related and 14 demographics-related questions was e-mailed to all pediatricians who were members of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (n = 17 145) once a week during the months of June and July 2021. The electronic questionnaire assessed clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of hereditary angioedema in children and adolescents. Results: Four hundred and fifty-five pediatricians responded to the questionnaire (2.6%), of whom 55 (12.1%) were board certified in Allergy and Immunology (A/I), while 400 (87.9%) were not (N-A/I). Three hundred and sixty-eight (80.9%) were female, 289 (55.7%) were under 50 years of age, 286 (62.9%) graduated from Medical School more than 10 years previously, 83 (18.2%) held an MSc/PhD degree, and 253 (55.6%) were living in the Southeast Region of Brazil. The median number of correct answers to the questions related to HAE among A/I was 7 out of 12 (58.3%), with median ranging from 4.5 to 8 correct answers, while for N-A/I it was 3 (25%), with median ranging from 2.5 to 4 correct answers (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Knowledge about HAE among Brazilian pediatricians, whether board certified in Allergy and Immunology or not, was unsatisfactory. HAE is a rare disease, largely unknown among physicians; therefore, increasing awareness may lead to improvement in diagnosis and treatment.