Banana fruit (Musa sp.) DNA-magnetite nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and biocompatibility assays on normal and cancerous cells.

Magnet-mediated gene therapy has gained considerable interest from researchers as a novel alternative for treating genetic disorders, particularly through the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs)-such as magnetite NPs (Fe3O4NPs)-as non-viral genetic vectors. Despite their commercial availability for specific genetic transfection, such as in microglia cell lines, many potential uses remain unexplored. Still, ethical concerns surrounding the use of human DNA often impede genetic research. Hence, this study examined DNA-coated Fe3O4NPs (DNA-Fe3O4NPs) as potential transfection vectors for human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and A549 (lung cancer) cell lines, using banana (Musa sp.) as a low-cost, and bioethically unproblematic DNA source. Following coprecipitation synthesis, DNA-Fe3O4NP characterization revealed a ζ-potential of 40.65 ± 4.10 mV, indicating good colloidal stability in aqueous media, as well as a superparamagnetic regime, evidenced by the absence of hysteresis in their magnetization curves. Successful DNA coating on the NPs was confirmed through infrared spectra and surface analysis results, while magnetite content was verified via characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) determined the average size of the DNA-Fe3O4NPs to be 14.69 ± 5.22 nm. TEM micrographs also showed no morphological changes in the DNA-Fe3O4NPs over a 30-day period. Confocal microscopy of HFF and A549 lung cancer cell lines incubated with fluoresceinamine-labeled DNA-Fe3O4NPs demonstrated their internalization into both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Neither uncoated Fe3O4NPs nor DNA-Fe3O4NPs showed cytotoxicity to A549 lung cancer cells at 1-50 µg/mL and 25-100 µg/mL, respectively, after 24 h. HFFs also maintained viability at 1-10 µg/mL for both NP types. In conclusion, DNA-Fe3O4NPs were successfully internalized into cells and exhibited no cytotoxicity in both healthy and cancerous cells across a range of concentrations. These NPs, capable of binding to various types of DNA and RNA, hold promise for applications in gene therapy.

Habilidades de comunicação clínica: análise da autoavaliação dos residentes de medicina de família e comunidade / Clinical communication skills: analysis of the self-assessment of family medicine residents

Resumo Introdução: O conhecimento das habilidades de comunicação clínica é primordial para o adequado exercício da medicina de família e comunidade (MFC), visto que um dos princípios da especialidade advém da relação médico-pessoa. A comunicação assertiva é uma competência clínica básica que deve ser aprendida, sobretudo, durante a residência médica. Não se trata de uma característica inata, perpassa um processo de conhecer, aplicar e dominar, necessitando, portanto, de avaliações. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção dos médicos residentes de MFC em relação às suas habilidades de comunicação. Método: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal. O cenário de estudo foi o conjunto de programas de residência de MFC do município de João Pessoa, na Paraíba. A coleta de dados foi feita a partir de um questionário on-line, disponível para preenchimento de setembro a novembro de 2022. Utilizamos para a construção do questionário o instrumento A Consulta em 7 Passos. Desenvolvemos escores denominados índice de desempenho geral (IDg), índice de desempenho por passo da consulta (IDp) e índice de desempenho por item (IDitem). Na análise estatística, utilizamos o teste t para amostras independentes. Resultado: O IDg médio foi de 72,0%. Os residentes tiveram o maior índice de IDp no passo 5 da consulta (81,7%), seguido pelos passos 2 (77,6%), 3 (76,1%) e 6 (75,9%). Os menores desempenhos foram nos passos 4 (68,9%), 7 (63,7%) e 1 (63,3%). Não houve significância estatística quanto ao desempenho quando se compararam sexo, ano de residência e programa. Conclusão: Os residentes de MFC avaliam positivamente suas habilidades de comunicação. Entretanto, ainda há o que aprimorar, como fomentar momentos crítico-reflexivos sobre os fenômenos subjetivos que ocorrem na consulta. Destarte, a utilização do instrumento A Consulta em 7 Passos se revelou, no presente estudo, como uma ferramenta importante no processo de formação e avaliação da comunicação clínica durante a residência.

Abstract Introduction: Knowledge of clinical communication skills is essential for the proper practice of Family Medicine, since one of the principles of the specialty treats the doctor-person relationship as fundamental. Good communication is a basic clinical competence and must be learned, above all, during medical residency. Communication is not an innate characteristic, but a process of self-knowledge, therefore requiring self-assessments. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of Family Medicine residents doctors in relation to their communication skills. Method: This is a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study setting was the set of Family Medicine Residency Programs in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba. Data collection was performed using an online questionnaire, available to be completed from September to November 2022. We used the instrument A consulta em 7 passos (7-step consultation) to construct the questionnaire. We developed scores called overall performance index (IDg), query step performance index (IDp) and item performance index (IDitem). In the statistical analysis, we used the t test for independent samples. Result: The average overall performance index (IDg) was 72.0%. Residents had the highest IDp rate in step 5 of the consultation (81.7%), followed by step 2 (77.6%), step 3 (76.1%) and step 6 (75.9% ). While residents had the lowest performances in descending order in steps 4 (68.9%), 7 (63.7%) and 1 (63.3%). There was no statistical significance between sexes, year of residency and residency program. Conclusion: MFC residents positively evaluate their communication skills. However, there is still room forto improvement in how to encourage critical-reflective moments about the subjective phenomena that occur in the consultation. Furthermore, the use of a consulta em 7 passos is an important tool in the training and evaluation process in residency.

Associations among Financial Well-Being, Daily Relationship Tension, and Daily Affect in Two Adult Cohorts Separated by the Great Recession.

Financial well-being may be an important context for daily emotional reactivity to relationship tension (e.g., arguments) whose salience varies across historical time or as a function of exposure to economic downturns. This study investigated how emotional reactivity, operationalized as daily fluctuations in negative and positive affect associated with the occurrence of daily relationship tension, varied by financial well-being among those who were and were not exposed to the Great Recession of 2008. Two matched, independent subsamples of partnered individuals from the National Study of Daily Experiences completed identical 8-day diary protocols, one before the Great Recession (n = 587) and one after (n = 351). Individuals reported higher negative affect and lower positive affect on days when relationship tension occurred. Further, results indicated that negative affect reactivity, but not positive affect reactivity, was moderated by both financial well-being and cohort status. For the pre-recession cohort, negative affect reactivity was stronger among those with lower financial well-being. However, among the post-recession cohort, financial well-being did not moderate negative affect reactivity to relationship tension. Findings highlight the utility of considering major societal events, such as economic downturns, to understand variability in emotional reactivity to day-to-day relationship tension in the context of financial well-being, as the salience of financial well-being in the ways relationship tension and negative affect are related on a daily basis appears to vary by historical context.

Household Food Insecurity, Hair Cortisol, and Adiposity Among Tsimane' Hunter-Forager-Horticulturalists in Bolivia.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined how household food insecurity (HFI) and chronic stress relate to adiposity among Tsimane' hunter-forager-horticulturalists in remote Bolivia with limited access to energy-dense processed foods that promote weight gain among industrialized populations. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional data on HFI (via the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale [HFIAS]), hair cortisol concentration (HCC), adiposity (BMI, body fat percentage [%BF]), and sociodemographics were collected from 171 men, 164 women, and 167 children. Linear mixed-effects models tested linear, quadratic, joint, and interactive relationships between adiposity measures and both the HFIAS score and HCC. RESULTS: Among children, each 3-point HFIAS score increase was associated with a 0.44-point higher %BF (SE = 0.22, P = 0.04). However, each 20% increase in HCC was associated with a -0.29-point difference in %BF (SE = 0.12, P = 0.01). Among men, a slight curvilinear relationship emerged between HFIAS and BMI. HFIAS and HCC were unrelated to adiposity measures among women. HCC did not modify relationships between HFIAS and adiposity in any subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: These findings from a remote, small-scale population suggest that positive associations between HFI and adiposity are not isolated to contexts of industrialized food environments and heavy reliance on processed foods. However, these dynamics and the role of stress appear to differ by sex and age group.

Work-Family Conflict and Employee Sleep: Evidence from IT Workers in the Work, Family and Health Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Work-family conflict is a threat to healthy sleep behaviors among employees. This study aimed to examine how Work-to-Family Conflict (demands from work that interfere with one's family/personal life; WTFC) and Family-to-Work Conflict (demands from family/personal life that interfere with work; FTWC) are associated with several dimensions of sleep among information technology workers. METHODS: Employees at a U.S. IT firm (n = 799) provided self-reports of sleep sufficiency (feeling rested upon waking), sleep quality, and sleep maintenance insomnia symptoms (waking up in the middle of the night or early morning) in the last month. They also provided a week of actigraphy for nighttime sleep duration, napping, sleep timing, and a novel sleep inconsistency measure. Analyses adjusted for work conditions (job demands, decision authority, schedule control, and family-supportive supervisor behavior), and household and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Employees who experienced higher WTFC reported less sleep sufficiency, poorer sleep quality, and more insomnia symptoms. Higher WTFC also predicted shorter nighttime sleep duration, greater likelihood of napping, and longer nap duration. Furthermore, higher WTFC was linked to greater inconsistency of nighttime sleep duration and sleep clock times, whereas higher FTWC was associated with more rigidity of sleep timing mostly driven by wake time. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the unique associations of WTFC/FTWC with employee sleep independent of other work conditions and household and sociodemographic characteristics. Our novel methodological approach demonstrates differential associations of WTFC and FTWC with inconsistency of sleep timing. Given the strong associations between WTFC and poor sleep, future research should focus on reducing WTFC.

Risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis D in HIV/aids-infected adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis D in adult patients infected with HIV/aids, at a referral hospital in Maceió, Brazil. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 125 patients evaluated from April to September 2013 by means of interviews, review of medical records, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The data were analyzed using the SPSS® software, version 17.0; the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and mean levels of vitamin D were determined. The association between hypovitaminosis D and the independent variables was assessed using the Chi-square or the Fisher's exact tests; mean vitamin D concentrations were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The level of significance was set at 5% across tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 24%, with a significant association with higher household income (p < 0.05). Higher vitamin D levels were associated with female gender (p < 0.001), no use of sunscreen (p < 0.05), and previous opportunistic infections (p < 0.01). Lower values were associated with the use of antiretroviral medication (p < 0.05), overweight and obesity (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Lower vitamin D concentrations were significantly associated with well-known risk factors for hypovitaminosis D: use of sunscreen, antiretroviral medication, overweight, and obesity. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in this study, considering values > 20 ng/mL or > 30 ng/mL as vitamin D sufficiency, was lower to that of previous studies with HIV-infected patients, a fact that might be related to the low latitude and high intensity of solar radiation of the location of the present study.

Risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis D in HIV/aids-infected adults / Fatores de risco associados à hipovitaminose D em indivíduos adultos infectados pelo HIV/aids

Objective To investigate risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis D in adult patients infected with HIV/aids, at a referral hospital in Maceió, Brazil. Subjects and methods This cross-sectional study involved 125 patients evaluated from April to September 2013 by means of interviews, review of medical records, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The data were analyzed using the SPSS® software, version 17.0; the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and mean levels of vitamin D were determined. The association between hypovitaminosis D and the independent variables was assessed using the Chi-square or the Fisher’s exact tests; mean vitamin D concentrations were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The level of significance was set at 5% across tests. Results The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 24%, with a significant association with higher household income (p < 0.05). Higher vitamin D levels were associated with female gender (p < 0.001), no use of sunscreen (p < 0.05), and previous opportunistic infections (p < 0.01). Lower values were associated with the use of antiretroviral medication (p < 0.05), overweight and obesity (p < 0.01). Conclusion Lower vitamin D concentrations were significantly associated with well-known risk factors for hypovitaminosis D: use of sunscreen, antiretroviral medication, overweight, and obesity. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in this study, considering values > 20 ng/mL or > 30 ng/mL as vitamin D sufficiency, was lower to that of previous studies with HIV-infected patients, a fact that might be related to the low latitude and high intensity of solar radiation of the location of the present study. .

Objetivo Investigar fatores de risco associados à hipovitaminose D em pacientes adultos infectados por HIV/aids, num centro de referência em Maceió-AL. Sujeitos e métodos Por meio de desenho transversal, 125 pacientes foram avaliados por entrevista, revisão de prontuário, exame físico e laboratorial, no período de abril a setembro de 2013. Os dados foram analisados por meio do software SPSS®, versão 17.0, sendo determinados a prevalência de hipovitaminose D e os níveis médios de vitamina D. Para avaliação da associação entre hipovitaminose D e as variáveis pesquisadas, foram utilizados o teste Qui-quadrado ou o teste exato de Fisher, enquanto para os níveis médios de vitamina D foram utilizados os testes Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. O nível de significância foi de 5% para todos os testes. Resultados Foi observada prevalência de hipovitaminose D de 24% com associação significativa com maior renda familiar (p < 0,05); níveis de vitamina D mais altos nas mulheres (p < 0,001), em pacientes que não faziam uso de filtro solar (p < 0,05) e naqueles com infecções oportunistas pregressas (p < 0,01). Valores mais baixos foram associados ao uso de antirretrovirais (p < 0,05), sobrepeso e obesidade (p < 0,01). Conclusão Níveis mais baixos de vitamina D estiveram significativamente associados com tradicionais fatores de risco para hipovitaminose D como uso de filtro solar e antirretrovirais, sobrepeso e obesidade. A prevalência de hipovitaminose encontrada, considerando suficiência de vitamina D tanto para valores acima de 20 ng/mL quanto de 30 ng/mL, foi inferior a estudos anteriores em pacientes infectados pelo HIV, fato que pode estar relacionado às características da localidade do estudo, com baixa latitude e elevada incidência solar. .

Mycoplasma gallisepticum como fator de risco no peso de lotes de frangos de corte com condenação por aerossaculite na Inspeção Sanitária Federal / Mycoplasma gallisepticum as a risk factor on weight of broilers condemnated with airsacculitis by Federal Sanitary Inspection

A Indústria avícola brasileira cresce anualmente e se torna cada vez mais representativa na produção e exportação dos seus produtos. Os cuidados com a sanidade avícola têm acompanhado e favorecido essa evolução, entretanto, agentes respiratórios que afetam o peso e a qualidade da carcaça, continuam a provocar grandes prejuízos à produção avícola. A aerossaculite é considerada uma das principais causas da condenação total e/ou parcial de carcaças de frangos de corte, sendo de grande importância Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). O objetivo do presente estudo foi detectar MG pela PCR e correlacionar sua positividade a aerossaculite, queda de peso e condenação de carcaças de lotes de frangos de corte na Inspeção Sanitária Federal. Do total de 40 lotes de frangos de corte abatidos sob Inspeção Sanitária Federal, localizado no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foram selecionados ao acaso. Em cada lote, três frangos de corte, independente de sexo, foram randomicamente selecionados para necropsia, sendo as traquéias coletadas e agrupadas em pool para formação de uma amostra para análise. Pela PCR, o DNA foi extraído pelo método de fenol-clorofórmio e amplificado com pares de "primers" específicos para MG. Dos 40 lotes analisados pela PCR, 20% (8/40) foram positivos para MG. Houve relação entre a positividade para MG, aumento da taxa de aerossaculite e queda de peso por Regressão Logística Múltipla (p<0,05), LogitPi= 7,9409 + (0,5601 x X1) - (3,3080 x X2). O aumento da taxa de aerossaculite esteve relacionada à queda de peso por Regressão Linear Simples (p<0,05), Y= 2, 1050-0,6397X. Em conclusão, a positividade por MG está relacionada à aerossaculite que provoca queda de peso em frangos de corte. Em adição, a PCR foi uma técnica eficaz para a detecção de MG em lotes de frangos de corte, não sendo este diagnóstico influenciado pelo tipo de colheita do material biológico, por escarificado ou swab de traquéia.

The Brazilian poultry industry improves annually and is more representative on production and exportation of their products. Care on poultry health cooperates to these developments, however, respiratory agents that affect weight and carcass quality, continue to threaten poultry production. Airsacculitis is considered the main cause of total and/or partial condemnation of broilers carcasses, being Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) the most important agent of it. This study aimed to detect MG by "Polymerase Chain Reaction" (PCR) and to correlate its positivity with airsacculitis, weight losses and condemnated broilers by Federal Sanitary Inspection. A total of 40 flocks of slaughter broilers under Federal Inspection in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were randomly selected. In each flock three broilers, regardless of sex, were randomly chosen for necropsy where tracheas were collected and polled in one sample for analysis. For PCR, DNA was extracted by the method of phenol-chloroform and amplified with pairs of specific primers for MG. From the 40 flocks PCR analyzed, 20% (8/40) were positive for MG. MG detection was found to be correlected with airsacculitis increase and weight decrease by multiple logistic regression equation (p<0,05), LogitPi= 7.9409 + (0,5601 x X1) - (3.3080 x X2). Airsacculitis rate increase also correleted with decrease in body weight by simple linear regression equation (p<0.05), Y= 2.1050 - 0.6397X. In conclusion, MG positivity is related to airsacculitis which causes weight loss in broilers. In addition, the PCR was an effective technique for the detection of MG in flocks of broilers, but was not affected by the kind of biological specimens collected, as tracheal scraping or swab.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum como fator de risco no peso de lotes de frangos de corte com condenação por aerossaculite na Inspeção Sanitária Federal / Mycoplasma gallisepticum as a risk factor on weight of broilers condemnated with airsacculitis by Federal Sanitary Inspection

A Indústria avícola brasileira cresce anualmente e se torna cada vez mais representativa na produção e exportação dos seus produtos. Os cuidados com a sanidade avícola têm acompanhado e favorecido essa evolução, entretanto, agentes respiratórios que afetam o peso e a qualidade da carcaça, continuam a provocar grandes prejuízos à produção avícola. A aerossaculite é considerada uma das principais causas da condenação total e/ou parcial de carcaças de frangos de corte, sendo de grande importância Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). O objetivo do presente estudo foi detectar MG pela PCR e correlacionar sua positividade a aerossaculite, queda de peso e condenação de carcaças de lotes de frangos de corte na Inspeção Sanitária Federal. Do total de 40 lotes de frangos de corte abatidos sob Inspeção Sanitária Federal, localizado no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foram selecionados ao acaso. Em cada lote, três frangos de corte, independente de sexo, foram randomicamente selecionados para necropsia, sendo as traquéias coletadas e agrupadas em pool para formação de uma amostra para análise. Pela PCR, o DNA foi extraído pelo método de fenol-clorofórmio e amplificado com pares de "primers" específicos para MG. Dos 40 lotes analisados pela PCR, 20% (8/40) foram positivos para MG. Houve relação entre a positividade para MG, aumento da taxa de aerossaculite e queda de peso por Regressão Logística Múltipla (p<0,05), LogitPi= 7,9409 + (0,5601 x X1) - (3,3080 x X2). O aumento da taxa de aerossaculite esteve relacionada à queda de peso por Regressão Linear Simples (p<0,05), Y= 2, 1050-0,6397X. Em conclusão, a positividade por MG está relacionada à aerossaculite que provoca queda de peso em frangos de corte. Em adição, a PCR foi uma técnica eficaz para a detecção de MG em lotes de frangos de corte, não sendo este diagnóstico influenciado pelo tipo de colheita do material biológico, por escarificado ou swab de traquéia.(AU)

The Brazilian poultry industry improves annually and is more representative on production and exportation of their products. Care on poultry health cooperates to these developments, however, respiratory agents that affect weight and carcass quality, continue to threaten poultry production. Airsacculitis is considered the main cause of total and/or partial condemnation of broilers carcasses, being Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) the most important agent of it. This study aimed to detect MG by "Polymerase Chain Reaction" (PCR) and to correlate its positivity with airsacculitis, weight losses and condemnated broilers by Federal Sanitary Inspection. A total of 40 flocks of slaughter broilers under Federal Inspection in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were randomly selected. In each flock three broilers, regardless of sex, were randomly chosen for necropsy where tracheas were collected and polled in one sample for analysis. For PCR, DNA was extracted by the method of phenol-chloroform and amplified with pairs of specific primers for MG. From the 40 flocks PCR analyzed, 20% (8/40) were positive for MG. MG detection was found to be correlected with airsacculitis increase and weight decrease by multiple logistic regression equation (p<0,05), LogitPi= 7.9409 + (0,5601 x X1) - (3.3080 x X2). Airsacculitis rate increase also correleted with decrease in body weight by simple linear regression equation (p<0.05), Y= 2.1050 - 0.6397X. In conclusion, MG positivity is related to airsacculitis which causes weight loss in broilers. In addition, the PCR was an effective technique for the detection of MG in flocks of broilers, but was not affected by the kind of biological specimens collected, as tracheal scraping or swab.(AU)