Systemic effects of settleable atmospheric particulate matter (SePM) on swamp ghost crab Ucides cordatus.

Metallurgical activities are a significant source of settleable atmospheric particulate matter (SePM). The material is exposed to wind action, leading to its deposition throughout terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, thus promoting contamination by metals and metalloids. However, knowledge of the impacts on biota is scarce. In aquatic coastal zones, evaluating hemolymph in invertebrates makes it possible to have insights into the pre-pathogenic effects and health status of organisms. Our study aimed to evaluate bioaccumulation and the sublethal effects of SePM on the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus by assessing biomarkers of cito-genotoxicity in the hemolymph. Organisms underwent a 30-day experiment with four treatments: control; 0.01 g.L-1, 0.1 g.L-1, 1 g.L-1 of SePM, with hemolymph sampled at 2, 7, 15, and 30 days of exposure to assess lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA damage (strand break), cholinesterase (ChE) and lysosomal membrane stability (LMS). The results revealed metals' bioaccumulation in soft tissues (Al, Fe+, Fe++, Cu, Zr, Nb) and dose-time-dependent responses for LPO, DNA strand break, ChE, and LMS. Significant correlation was found between LPO and Cu (tissue), reduced LMS and Al and Fe (tissue), and Cu, Zn, Ag, and Bi in water. Hemolymph was related to the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of metals and metalloids from SePM in Ucides cordatus. New toxicological evidence was obtained to shed light on the impacts of SePM on the ecological status of coastal zones.

Advances in Microfluidic-Based Core@Shell Nanoparticles Fabrication for Cancer Applications.

Current research in cancer therapy focuses on personalized therapies, through nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery systems. Particularly, controlled drug release with nanoparticles (NPs) can be designed to safely transport various active agents, optimizing delivery to specific organs and tumors, minimizing side effects. The use of microfluidics (MFs) in this field has stood out against conventional methods by allowing precise control over parameters like size, structure, composition, and mechanical/biological properties of nanoscale carriers. This review compiles applications of microfluidics in the production of core-shell NPs (CSNPs) for cancer therapy, discussing the versatility inherent in various microchannel and/or micromixer setups and showcasing how these setups can be utilized individually or in combination, as well as how this technology allows the development of new advances in more efficient and controlled fabrication of core-shell nanoformulations. Recent biological studies have achieved an effective, safe, and controlled delivery of otherwise unreliable encapsulants such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), plasmid DNA (pDNA), and cisplatin as a result of precisely tuned fabrication of nanocarriers, showing that this technology is paving the way for innovative strategies in cancer therapy nanofabrication, characterized by continuous production and high reproducibility. Finally, this review analyzes the technical, biological, and technological limitations that currently prevent this technology from becoming the standard.

Optimized Synthesis of Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanoparticles for the Encapsulation of Flutamide.

Biopolymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention in several areas as an alternative to synthetic polymeric NPs due to growing environmental and immunological concerns. Among the most promising biopolymers is poly(lactic acid) (PLA), with a reported high degree of biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work, PLA NPs were synthesized according to a controlled gelation process using a combination of single-emulsion and nanoprecipitation methods. This study evaluated the influence of several experimental parameters for accurate control of the PLA NPs' size distribution and aggregation. Tip sonication (as the stirring method), a PLA concentration of 10 mg/mL, a PVA concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, and low-molecular-weight PLA (Mw = 5000) were established as the best experimental conditions to obtain monodisperse PLA NPs. After gelification process optimization, flutamide (FLU) was used as a model drug to evaluate the encapsulation capability of the PLA NPs. The results showed an encapsulation efficiency of 44% for this cytostatic compound. Furthermore, preliminary cell viability tests showed that the FLU@PLA NPs allowed cell viabilities above 90% up to a concentration of 20 mg/L. The comprehensive findings showcase that the PLA NPs fabricated using this straightforward gelification method hold promise for encapsulating cytostatic compounds, offering a novel avenue for precise drug delivery in cancer therapy.

Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy Effectiveness and Safety in a Real-World Cohort.

Background: Coronary artery calcification is a predictor of adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a promising tool for the treatment of calcified lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of IVL. Methods: A single-center observational study of PCI procedure, with assessment of the outcomes of patients undergoing PCI using IVL, was performed. Angiographic procedural success was used as the primary effectiveness endpoint. The primary safety endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization within 30 days. Results: A total of 111 patients were included. Indications for PCI spanned the spectrum of chronic (53.2%) and acute coronary syndromes (43%). Lesion preparation before IVL was performed with non-compliant (42%), cutting or OPN (14.4%) balloons and with atherectomy techniques in 11% of procedures. Intravascular imaging was used in 21.6% of procedures. The primary effectiveness endpoint was achieved in 100% and the primary safety endpoint in 3.6% of procedures. Peri-procedural complications were minimal and successfully resolved. Conclusions: IVL was an effective and safe technique for the treatment of calcified coronary lesions. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of IVL in the management of these challenging scenarios.

Evaluation of Brazilian women's participation in the CNPQ in the field of medical research / Avaliação da participação das mulheres brasileiras no CNPQ na área de pesquisa médica

Abstract Introduction: Brazilian scientific production has shown substantial growth and achieved international visibility. However, in general, the participation of women in scientific activities remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the indicators of scientific productivity of women fellows of the Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) in the field of Medicine. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 541 (211 women, 39%) researchers registered as recipients of CNPq research productivity (PQ) scholarships in Medicine according to a list provided in December 2022. Results: There was a predominance of male researchers (n=330; 61%). In both the male and female groups, most researchers were at level 2, with 62.5% women and 47.2% men (p=0.018). All 211 female PQ scholars were distributed among 37 different institutions and published 34,969 papers in scientific journals, averaging 165.7 articles per researcher. In the last five years of the study period (from 2018 to 2022), 9,679 papers were published. Over their careers, the 211 researchers supervised 5,440 undergraduate research students, 4,144 master's degree students, and 2,923 PhD candidates. There was a significant difference between the scholarship levels for the development of human resources in undergraduate research (p=0.040), master's degree (p=0.027), and PhD. (p<0.001). Conclusion: There are still less women participating in CNPq medical research than men. However, we observed a substantial participation of women in all the assessed items, including technical and scientific production and the human resources training.

Resumo Introdução: A produção científica brasileira apresentou crescimento substancial e visibilidade internacional. Contudo, em geral, a participação das mulheres em atividades científicas ainda é limitada. Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou avaliar os indicadores de produtividade científica de mulheres bolsistas do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) na área de medicina. Método: Foi realizado estudo transversal com 541 (211 mulheres, 39%) pesquisadores cadastrados como bolsistas de produtividade em medicina do CNPq conforme lista disponibilizada em dezembro de 2022. Resultado: Houve predomínio de pesquisadores do sexo masculino (n = 330; 61%). Em ambos os grupos, masculino e feminino, a maioria dos investigadores encontra-se no nível 2, sendo 62,5% mulheres e 47,2% homens (p = 0,018). Todos os 211 pesquisadores foram distribuídos em 37 instituições diferentes e publicaram 34.969 artigos em revistas científicas, com média de 165,7 artigos por pesquisador. De 2018 a 2022, foram publicados 9.679 artigos. Ao longo de suas carreiras, os 211 pesquisadores orientaram 5.440 alunos de iniciação científica, 4.144 alunos de mestrado e 2.923 alunos de doutorado. Houve diferença significativa entre os níveis de bolsas quanto ao desenvolvimento de recursos humanos em iniciação científica (p = 0,040), mestrado (p = 0,027) e doutorado (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Ainda há menor participação de mulheres do que de homens entre os pesquisadores médicos do CNPq. Contudo, foi possível observar participação substancial das mulheres em todos os quesitos avaliados, incluindo a produção técnica e científica e a formação de recursos humanos.

Influence of blood phenylalanine level variations on the development of executive functions and social cognition in children with phenylketonuria.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the performance of 27 children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in tests of Executive Functions (EF) and Social Cognition (SC), and their associations with metabolic control inferred by phenylalanine (Phe) levels. METHODS: The PKU group was dichotomized according to baseline Phe-levels into; "classical PKU"(n = 14), with Phe-levels above 1200 µmol/L (> 20 mg/dL); and "mild PKU" (n = 13) with Phe-between 360 and 1200 µmol/L (6-20 mg/dL). The neuropsychological assessment focused on the EF and SC subtests of the NEPSY-II battery and intellectual performance. Children were compared to age-matched healthy participants. RESULTS: Participants with PKU presented significantly lower Intellectual Quotient (IQ) compared to controls (p = 0.001). Regarding EF analysis adjusted by age and IQ, significant differences between groups were observed only in the executive attention subtests (p = 0.029). The SC set of variables was significantly different between groups (p = 0.003), as in the affective recognition task (p < 0.001). In the PKU group, the relative variation of Phe-achieved 32.1 ± 21.0%. Relative Phe-variation was correlated only with measures of Working Memory (p < 0.001), Verbal Fluency (p = 0.004), Inhibitory Control (p = 0.035) and Theory of Mind (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Phonological Verbal Fluency, Working Memory, Inhibitory Control, and Theory of Mind were shown to be most vulnerable when there is non-ideal metabolic control. Variations in the level of Phe-may have a selective negative effect on Executive Functions and Social Cognition, but not on intellectual performance.

Scientific production of CNPq researchers in the areas of physical therapy and occupational therapy, Brazil / Produção científica dos pesquisadores do CNPq nas áreas de fisioterapia e terapia ocupacional, Brasil

Abstract Introduction : The scientific production of the areas of physical therapy and occupational therapy presented important growth and international visibility. Objective : To evaluate technical and scientific indicators, in addition to the training of human resources, of scholarship researchers of scientific productivity of CNPq (PQ), in the area of physical therapy and occupational therapy. Methods : A cross-sectional, census and quantitative study was conducted from the Lattes curricula of CNPq researchers with active scholarships in December 2021. The information was extracted through the Lattes Platform of CNPq, including three dimensions of variables for analysis: a) researcher profile; b) scientific production; c) training of human resources. Results : The evaluation included 73 PQ CNPq, in the areas of physical therapy and occupational therapy. The majority were female (n = 42; 57.5%), distributed in 26 different institutions in the country, with the Southeast region being the most prevalent. The largest portion of the PQ completed their doctorate between 11 and 20 years ago (n = 41; 56.2%) and did postdoctoral work (n = 55; 75.3%) abroad (n = 32; 58.2%). The group published 9,486 scientific articles throughout its career, averaging 129.94 scientific articles per PQ. The group of PQ supervised a total of 2,561 undergraduate students, 1,748 master's and 800 doctoral students. The mean H index of PQ was 19.74 (CI 95% = 18.40-21.11; SD = 5.71; median = 19). Conclusion : The PQ scholarship researchers presented significant scientific production and training of human resources, which confirms the important development of the areas in the last ten years. However, a strong nucleation of this production was observed.

Resumo Introducão : A produção científica das áreas de fisioterapia e terapia ocupacional apresentou importante crescimento e visibilidade internacional. Objetivo : Avaliar indicadores técni-cos e científicos, além da formação de recursos humanos, de pesquisadores bolsistas de produtividade científica do CNPq (PQ), nas área de fisioterapia e terapia ocupacional. Métodos : Realizou-se estudo transversal, censitário e quantitativo, a partir dos currículos Lattes dos pesquisadores do CNPq, nas áreas mencionadas, com bolsas ativas em dezembro de 2021. As informações foram extraídas da Plataforma Lattes do CNPq, incluindo três dimensões de variáveis para análise: a) perfil do pesquisador; b) produção científica; c) formação de recursos humanos. Resultados : Foram incluídos na avaliação 73 PQ do CNPq, nas áreas de fisioterapia e terapia ocupacional. A maioria foi do sexo feminino (n = 42; 57,5%), distribuída em 26 instituições distintas no país, sendo a região Sudeste a mais prevalente. A maior parcela dos PQ finalizou o doutorado entre 11 e 20 anos atrás (n = 41; 56,2%) e realizou pós-doutorado (n = 55; 75,3%) no exterior (n = 32; 58,2%). O grupo publicou 9.486 artigos científicos durante toda a carreira, com média de 129,94 artigos científicos por PQ. O conjunto dos PQ orientou um total de 2.561 estudantes de iniciação científica, 1.748 de mestrado e 800 de doutorado. O índice H médio dos PQ foi de 19,74 (IC 95% = 18,40-21,11; DP = 5,71; mediana = 19). Conclusão : Os bolsistas PQ apresentaram significativa produção científica e formação de recursos humanos, o que confirma o importante desenvolvimento das áreas nos últimos dez anos. Observou-se, entretanto, forte nucleação dessa produção.

Avaliação da qualidade da assistência à saúde oftalmológica na percepção dos usuários / Evaluation of the quality of ophthalmic health care according to the perception of users

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar e caracterizar a qualidade da assistência oftalmológica ofertada em uma unidade de serviços ambulatoriais da Atenção Secundária do Sistema Único de Saúde na percepção dos usuários e/ou dos responsáveis por esses usuários. Métodos Foi realizado estudo seccional de prevalência analítica entre usuários assistidos no período de setembro de 2019 a março de 2020 em um dos seis serviços de assistência oftalmológica ofertado pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, no município de Vitória da Conquista (BA). Foram avaliadas as condições demográficas e socioeconômicas e a autopercepção da saúde. Também foram avaliadas as características e os níveis de qualidade da assistência à saúde oftalmológica. A coleta das informações ocorreu por meio de entrevista telefônica. Resultados Participaram do estudo 389 usuários e/ou responsáveis. Observaram-se elevados níveis de satisfação, considerando as perguntas que compõem o constructo do instrumento. Identificaram-se níveis de qualidade comprometidos em relação à liberdade de escolher seu prestador de cuidado ocular (154; 39,7%). Menores níveis de satisfação associaram-se com as variáveis sexo masculino (razão de chance de 1,66; IC95% 1,04-2,65; p=0,033) e raça autodeclada branca (razão de chance de 6,89; IC95% 4,00-11,86; p=0,000). Conclusão Os usuários relataram bons níveis de satisfação da assistência à saúde oftalmológica. Observaram-se maiores chances de menores níveis de satisfação entre homens e aqueles com raça autodeclarada branca.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate and characterize the quality of ophthalmic care offered in an outpatient service unit of the SUS secondary care according to the perception of users and/or those responsible for these users. Methods A cross-sectional study of analytical prevalence was carried out among users assisted from September 2019 to March 2020, in one of the six ophthalmic care services offered by the SUS, in the municipality of Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil. Demographic and socioeconomic conditions, as well as self-perception of health, were evaluated. The characteristics and quality levels of ophthalmic health care were also evaluated. Data collection took place through a telephone interview. Results A total of 389 users and/or guardians participated in the study. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, considering the questions that make up the instrument's construct. Compromised quality levels were observed in relation to the freedom to choose their eye care provider (n=154; 39.7%). Lower levels of satisfaction were associated with the variables male gender (OR=1.66; 95%CI=1.04-2.65; p=0.033) and self-reported white race (OR=6.89; 95%CI=4, 00-11.86; p=0.000). Conclusion Users reported good levels of satisfaction with eye health care. There were greater chances of lower levels of satisfaction among men and among those with a self-reported white race.

Evaluation of hydrochar from peach stones for caffeine removal from aqueous medium and treatment of a synthetic mixture.

The presence of micropollutants, such as caffeine (CAF), has been detected throughout the world, since conventional treatment plants are not able to properly degrade them. CAF is a widely consumed stimulant, and has been demanding the development of efficient methodologies for its removal. Aiming at the agriculture waste valorization, a new hydrochar was developed based on chemical and thermal modification of peach stones (mod-PS) for CAF removal from water and from a synthetic mixture. The morphology, functional groups and surface electrical charge of the adsorbent were characterized by SEM, FTIR and zeta potential, respectively. Regarding CAF adsorption performance, the equilibrium time was reached at 480 min and the pseudo-second-order model presented the best fit for the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity was 68.39 mg g-1 (298 K) and the Langmuir model exhibited a better fit for the isothermal data. The thermodynamic properties confirmed that the process was exothermic, spontaneous and reversible. The main adsorption mechanisms were hydrogen bonds and π-interactions. The global removal efficiency was satisfactory in the synthetic mixture simulating real wastewater (67%). Therefore, the proposed new hydrochar has potential application as a low-cost adsorbent for CAF removal.

Combined effects of polyethylene spiked with the antimicrobial triclosan on the swamp ghost crab (Ucides cordatus; Linnaeus, 1763).

Domestic sewage is an important source of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and includes both microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). This study sought to assess the biological effects of the interaction between plastic particles and the antibacterial agent triclosan (TCS). The study relied on the swamp ghost crab Ucides cordatus as a model. Herein polyethylene particles were contaminated with triclosan solution. Triclosan concentrations in the particles were then chemically analyzed. Swamp ghost crab specimens were exposed to experimental compounds (a control, microplastics, and microplastics with triclosan) for 7 days. Samplings were performed on days 3 (T3) and 7 (T7). Gill, hepatopancreas, muscle and hemolymph tissue samples were collected from the animals to evaluate the biomarkers ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), dibenzylfluorescein dealkylase (DBF), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA strands break (DNA damage), cholinesterase (ChE) through protein levels and neutral red retention time (NRRT). Water, organism, and microplastic samples were collected at the end of the assay for post-exposure chemical analyses. Triclosan was detected in the water and crab tissue samples, results which indicate that microplastics serve as triclosan carriers. Effects on the gills of organisms exposed to triclosan-spiked microplastics were observed as altered biomarker results (EROD, GST, GPx, GSH, LPO, DNA damage and NRRT). The effects were more closely associated with microplastic contaminated with triclosan exposure than with microplastic exposure, since animals exposed only to microplastics did not experience significant effects. Our results show that microplastics may be important carriers of substances of emerging interest in marine environments in that they contaminate environmental matrices and have adverse effects on organisms exposed to these stressors.

Seasonal effect on biomarker responses in sentinel species: innovation in mangrove conservation status assessment.

We evaluated the environmental quality in mangrove areas of the Western Atlantic with different levels and history of contamination, considering biomarkers for the crab Ucides cordatus. For this purpose, specimens were collected in two climatic seasons (rainy and dry seasons) and assays of genotoxicity (MN, micronucleus), cytotoxicity (NRRT, neutral red retention time) and biochemical (MT, metallothionein; and LPO, lipoperoxidation) were conducted. In the most impacted mangroves, there was an increase in the mean of micronucleus (frequency of MN/1000), which was associated with a shorter retention time (minutes of NRRT). In contrast, the most pristine areas showed MN < 3 and NRRT < 100 min, with no seasonal effect, indicating a lower effect of degenerative processes by xenobiotics. The rainy season was more harmful, especially regarding cytogenotoxicity. The use of bioindicator species for environmental monitoring should be guided by an analysis of biomarkers considering the season, because during the period of highest rainfall, biomarkers values can change.

Validation of a reduced instrument Diabetes-21 for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes. / Validação do instrumento reduzido Diabetes-21 para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em pessoas com diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the validity, reliability and interpretability of a short form instrument for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a validation study, comprised of the adaptation phases of the Diabetes-39 instrument (consisting of 5 domains and 39 items), pre-test, structural validity analyses (exploratory and confirmatory), reliability, concurrent validity and interpretability. RESULTS: The factorial structure of the short final version differed from the original instrument. The items were reduced from 39 to 21 and domains from 5 to 4. The factor loading, in exploratory and confirmatory analyses, ranged between 0.41 and 0.90 and between 0.51 and 0.89, respectively. Reliability was adequate (Cronbach's alpha=0.91; Kappa≥0.60 in all items; intraclass correlation coefficient =0.91). CONCLUSION: Diabetes-21, a short form instrument, was considered valid, reliable and interpretable for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes mellitus.

Validation of a reduced instrument Diabetes-21 for assessing health related quality of life among people with diabetes / Validación de un instrumento reducido Diabetes-21 para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en personas con diabetes / Validação do instrumento reduzido Diabetes-21 para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em pessoas com diabetes

Objective: To analyze the validity, reliability and interpretability of a reduced instrument for assessing health-related quality of life in diabetes. Methods: Crosssectional study with people with diabetes, consisting of the phases: adaptation of the Diabetes-39 instrument (5 dimensions and 39 items), pre-test, analysis of structural validity, reliability, concurrent validity and interpretability. Results: The factor structure of the final version of the reduced instrument was different from the original. There was a reduction from 39 to 21 items and a reduction from 5 to 4 dimensions. The factor loadings in the exploratory and confirmatory analyzes ranged between 0.41-0.90 and 0.51-0.89, respectively. Reliability was adequate (Cronbach's alpha=0.91; Kappa≥0.60 in all items; intraclass correlation coefficient=0.91). Conclusion: The Diabetes-21 instrument was considered valid, reliable and interpretable for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes.

Objetivo: Analizar la validez, confiabilidad e interpretabilidad de instrumento reducido para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en diabetes. Métodos: Estudio transversal con personas con diabetes: adaptación del instrumento Diabetes-39 (5 dimensiones/39 elementos), pre-test, análisis de validez estructural, confiabilidad, validez concurrente e interpretabilidad. Resultados: La estructura factorial de la versión final del instrumento reducido presentado diferente a la original. Hubo una reducción de 39 a 21 ítems y de 5 a 4 dimensiones. Las cargas factoriales en los análisis exploratorios y confirmatorios variaron entre 0,41-0,90 y 0,51-0,89, respectivamente. La fiabilidad fue adecuada (alfa de Cronbach=0,91; Kappa≥0,60 en todos los ítems; coeficiente de correlación intraclase=0,91). Conclusión: El Diabetes-21 se consideró válido, confiable e interpretable para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en personas con diabetes.

Objetivo: Analisar a validade, confiabilidade e interpretabilidade de instrumento reduzido para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde entre pessoas com diabetes mellitus. Métodos: Estudo de validação, composto pelas fases de adaptação do instrumento Diabetes-39 (constituído por 5 dimensões e 39 itens), pré-teste, análises de validade estrutural (exploratória e confirmatória), confiabilidade, validade concorrente e interpretabilidade. Resultados: A estrutura fatorial da versão final reduzida diferiu do instrumento original. Reduziu-se os itens, de 39 para 21, e as dimensões, de 5 para 4. As cargas fatoriais, nas análises exploratória e confirmatória, variaram entre 0,41 e 0,90 e entre 0,51 e 0,89, respectivamente. A confiabilidade apresentou-se adequada (alfa de Cronbach=0,91; Kappa≥0,60 em todos os itens; coeficiente de correlação intraclasse=0,91). Conclusão: O instrumento reduzido Diabetes-21 foi considerado válido, confiável e interpretável para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde entre pessoas com diabetes mellitus.

Physico-chemical and electrostatic surface characterisation of mica mineral and its applicability on the adsorption of Safranin Orange and Reactive Black 5 dyes.

ABSTRACTThe combined approach of specific surface area (SSA), porosity, microprobe analysis (EMPA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with EDX and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided the mica mineral physico-chemical and morphological characterisation. The electrostatic surface properties were assessed through the determination of the Point of Zero Charge (pHPZC) by the drift method and the electrokinetic mica mineral features represented by the Isoelectric Point (pHIEP) which was carried out through zeta potential measurements. Adsorption tests were performed to correlate the surface charge behaviour of the mica mineral and its influence on the adsorption efficiency of two different dyes, namely: Safranin Orange (SO), as a cationic dye and Reactive Black 5 (RB5), as an anionic dye. The higher adsorption capacity SO dye was observed at pH 9 and achieved almost 83% of removal, while RB5 dye adsorption on mica surface had the highest result, about 45% of removal efficiency, on pH of 3. In both cases, the main mechanism identified that drove this results is the electrostatic force of attraction between the adsorbent edge surface charge (pH-dependent) and the ionic nature (anionic or cationic) of the pollutant dyes particles. The preliminary adsorption experiments demonstrated that the raw grounded mica mineral has a greater potential associated with its application on cationic dye removal in wastewater. The present study aimed to detail the main characteristics of the mica mineral in order to evaluate the potential use of such mineral residues in the removal efficiency of contaminated wastewater.

Validação do instrumento reduzido Diabetes-21 para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em pessoas com diabetes / Validación de un instrumento reducido Diabetes-21 para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en personas con diabetes / Validation of a reduced instrument Diabetes-21 for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes

Objetivo: Analisar a validade, confiabilidade e interpretabilidade de instrumento reduzido para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde entre pessoas com diabetes mellitus. Métodos: Estudo de validação, composto pelas fases de adaptação do instrumento Diabetes-39 (constituído por 5 dimensões e 39 itens), pré-teste, análises de validade estrutural (exploratória e confirmatória), confiabilidade, validade concorrente e interpretabilidade. Resultados: A estrutura fatorial da versão final reduzida diferiu do instrumento original. Foram reduzidos os itens, de 39 para 21, e as dimensões, de 5 para 4. As cargas fatoriais, nas análises exploratória e confirmatória, variaram entre 0,41 e 0,90 e entre 0,51 e 0,89, respectivamente. A confiabilidade apresentou-se adequada (alfa de Cronbach=0,91; Kappa≥0,60 em todos os itens; coeficiente de correlação intraclasse=0,91). Conclusão: O instrumento reduzido Diabetes-21 foi considerado válido, confiável e interpretável para avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde entre pessoas com diabetes mellitus.

Objetivo: Analizar la validez, confiabilidad y la interpretación del instrumento reducido para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en personas con diabetes mellitus. Métodos: Estudio de validación compuesto por las fases de: adaptación del instrumento Diabetes-39 (5 dimensiones/39 elementos), pre test, análisis de validez estructural, confiabilidad, validez concurrente y calidad de la interpretación. Resultados: La estructura factorial de la versión final del instrumento reducido fue diferente a la original. Hubo una reducción de 39 a 21 ítems y de 5 a 4 dimensiones. Las cargas factoriales en los análisis exploratorios y confirmatorios variaron entre 0,41-0,90 y 0,51-0,89, respectivamente. La fiabilidad fue adecuada (alfa de Cronbach=0,91; Kappa≥0,60 en todos los ítems; coeficiente de correlación intraclase=0,91). Conclusión: El Diabetes-21 se consideró válido, confiable e interpretable para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en personas con diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To analyze the validity, reliability and interpretability of a short form instrument for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a validation study, comprised of the adaptation phases of the Diabetes-39 instrument (consisting of 5 domains and 39 items), pre-test, structural validity analyses (exploratory and confirmatory), reliability, concurrent validity and interpretability. Results: The factorial structure of the short final version differed from the original instrument. The items were reduced from 39 to 21 and domains from 5 to 4. The factor loading, in exploratory and confirmatory analyses, ranged between 0.41 and 0.90 and between 0.51 and 0.89, respectively. Reliability was adequate (Cronbach's alpha=0.91; Kappa≥0.60 in all items; intraclass correlation coefficient =0.91). Conclusion: Diabetes-21, a short form instrument, was considered valid, reliable and interpretable for assessing health-related quality of life among people with diabetes mellitus.

Development of a health literacy instrument related to diabetic foot / Desarrollo de un instrumento de evaluación de la literacía en salud relacionada al pie diabético / Desenvolvimento de um instrumento de avaliação da literacia em saúde relacionada ao pé diabético

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop and verify the validity, reliability and interpretability of an assessment instrument of the Health Literacy regarding Diabetic Foot (HLDF). Method: Methodological study among people with diabetes enrolled in Family Health Strategy (FHS) program, composed of eight phases: selection of participants; development of LSPD; verification of content validity by the committee of experts; pre-test (n=20); reliability estimation (n=62): Cronbach's alpha (CA), Kappa (K) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), satisfactory results (≥0.60); estimation of concurrent validity (n=62); interpretability of scores: range from 0-18, if ≤14 HLDF inadequate; hypothesis test (multiple logistic regression): OR/IC95% in a sample estimated for infinite population, using SPSS. Results: The HLDF has adequate and fast application, being relevant as to its content and to the construct that proposes to evaluate. About the reliability CA=0.73, two items presented Kappa<0.60, ICC=0.79. About the concurrent validity, there was correlation between the HLDF and schooling (rs=0.647; p=0.000). Interpretability: 50.2% (n=112) presented inadequate HLDF. The younger ones presented lower levels of inadequate HLDF (0.96/0.93-0.99); as to those with lower scholarship (1.15/1.06-1.25) and lower family income (1.01/1.00-1.01) presented higher levels of inadequate HLDF. Conclusion and implications for practice: The HLDF was considered as valid, reliable and interpretable. The HLDF can identify people with more effective educational strategies needs.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Desarrollar y verificar la validad, fiabilidad e interpretabilidad de un instrumento de evaluación que propone evaluar la Literacia en Salud en lo que concierne al Pie Diabético (LSPD). Método: Estudio metodológico entre personas con diabetes catastradas en Estrategias de Salud de la Familia, compuesto por ocho fases: selección de los participantes; desarrollo del LSPD; verificación de validad del contenido por el comité de expertos; pre-test (n=20); estimación de la confiabilidad (n=62); Alfa de Cronbach (AC), Kappa y Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase (CCI); resultados satisfactorios (≥0,60); estimación de la validez concurrente (n=62); interpretabilidad de los scores: varían de 0-18 se ≥14 LSPD adecuado; prueba de hipótesis (regresión logística múltiple): OR/IC95% en una muestra estimada para población infinita, utilizando el SPSS. Resultados: El LSPD tiene una aplicación adecuada y rápida, siendo relevante en relación con su contenido y al constructo que propone evaluar; en relación con su confiabilidad AC=0,73; dos de los elementos presentaron Kappa<0,60; CCI=0,79. En cuanto a la validez concurrente, hubo correlación del LSPD con la escolaridad (rs=0,647; p=0,000). Interpretabilidad: 50,2% (n=112) presentaron LSPD inadecuada. Los más jóvenes presentaron niveles más bajos de LSPD inadecuada (0,96/0,93-0,99); ya aquellos con menor nivel de educación (1,15/1,06-1,25) y menor renda familiar (1,01/1,00-1,01) presentaron niveles más altos de LSPD inadecuada. Conclusión e Implicaciones para la práctica: El LSPD fue considerado válido, confiable e interpretable. El LSPD podrá identificar personas con necesidades de estrategias educativas más efectivas.

RESUMO Objetivo: Desenvolver e verificar a validade, confiabilidade e interpretabilidade de um instrumento de avaliação da Literacia em Saúde no que diz respeito ao Pé Diabético (LSPD). Método: Estudo metodológico entre pessoas com diabetes cadastradas na Estratégia de Saúde da Família, composto por oito fases: seleção dos participantes; desenvolvimento do LSPD; verificação da validade de conteúdo pelo comitê de especialistas; pré-teste (n=20); estimativa da confiabilidade (n=62): Alfa de Cronbach (AC), Kappa (K) e Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (CCI), resultados satisfatórios (≥0,60); estimativa da validade concorrente (n=62); interpretabilidade dos escores: variam de 0-18, se ≤14 LSPD inadequada; teste de hipótese (regressão logística múltipla): OR/IC95% em uma amostra estimada para população infinita, usando o SPSS. Resultados: O LSPD possui aplicação adequada e rápida, sendo relevante quanto ao seu conteúdo e ao construto que propõe avaliar; quanto à confiabilidade: AC=0,73, dois itens apresentaram K<0,60; CCI=0,79. Quanto à validade concorrente, houve correlação do LSPD com a escolaridade (rs=0,647;p=0,000). Interpretabilidade: 50,2% (n=112) apresentaram LSPD inadequada. Os mais jovens apresentaram menores níveis de LSPD inadequada (0,96/0,93-0,99); já aqueles com menor escolaridade (1,15/1,06-1,25) e menor renda familiar (1,01/1,00-1,01) apresentaram maiores níveis de LSPD inadequada. Conclusão e implicações práticas: O LSPD foi considerado válido, confiável e interpretável. O LSPD poderá identificar pessoas com necessidades de estratégias educacionais mais efetivas.

An Evaluation of the NightOwl Home Sleep Apnea Testing System.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a miniaturized home sleep apnea test, called NightOwl. The system consists of a sensor placed on the fingertip and a cloud-based analytics software. The sensor acquires accelerometer and photoplethysmographic data. The software derives actigraphy from the former, and blood oxygen saturation and peripheral arterial tone, among other features, from the latter. METHODS: Data of 101 participants who underwent an in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG), while wearing the NightOwl sensor, were collected. In order to establish an external benchmark, all PSG tests were edited by a somnologist of Younes Medical Technologies Ltd. (YMT) after analysis by the Michele Sleep Scoring System (MSSS). The respiratory event index (REI) derived by NightOwl (NightOwl-REI), the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) derived by Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL-AHI), and the AHI derived by YMT (MSSS-AHI) were compared. RESULTS: The NightOwl-REI had a high correlation with the MSSS-AHI (ρ = .87, P < .001), which was close to the correlation between the ZOL-AHI and MSSS-AHI (ρ = .84, P < .001). The NightOwl-REI and ZOL-AHI had a correlation of .77 (P < .001). After categorization of the AHI, the agreement between the NightOwl-REI and the MSSS-AHI was .812 and the agreement between the ZOL-AHI and MSSS-AHI was .743, after double-labeling near-boundary participants. CONCLUSIONS: The NightOwl-REI achieved a close correlation and REI-categorization with the MSSS-AHI, especially in light of the significant inter-scorer variability of the analysis of the PSG.

Qualidade de vida e incapacidade funcional entre idosos cadastrados na estratégia de saúde da família / Quality of life and functional disability among elderly enrolled in the family health strategy

INTRODUÇÃO: O comprometimento da funcionalidade do idoso traz consequências prejudiciais relacionadas à família, comunidade e ao próprio sistema de saúde. OBJETIVO: Estimar a ocorrência da qualidade de vida (QV) ruim entre idosos, além de verificar sua associação com incapacidade funcional, características pessoais, comportamentos de saúde e condições subjetivas de saúde bucal. MÉTODOS: Estudo epidemiológico avaliou 361 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, cadastrados nas três Estratégias de Saúde da Família no município de Ibiaí-MG. A QV foi medida pelo WHOQOL-bref e as variáveis independentes foram características pessoais, comportamentos de saúde, condições subjetivas de saúde bucal e incapacidade funcional. Foram feitas regressões logísticas para estimativa dos modelos múltiplos e o modelo final foi ajustado, mantendo-se as variáveis associadas com p<0,05. RESULTADOS: No domínio físico, constatou-se menor chance de QV ruim entre idosos que possuíam hábitos etilistas, e maior chance entre os idosos que faziam uso de medicamento, que relataram percepção ruim/péssima da aparência dos dentes e gengivas e entre aqueles com incapacidade funcional. No domínio psicológico, observou-se menor chance de QV ruim entre homens, e maior chance entre os idosos que relataram percepção da saúde bucal como ruim/péssima e aqueles com incapacidade funcional. No domínio social, obteve-se maior chance de QV ruim entre idosos que relataram percepção ruim/péssima da aparência dos dentes e gengivas e que apresentaram incapacidade funcional. CONCLUSÃO: Constatou-se alta ocorrência de QV ruim entre idosos e evidenciouse relação entre QV ruim e incapacidade funcional.

INTRODUCTION: The compromise of elderly functionality has harmful consequences to family, community and the health system. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the occurrence of low quality of life (QOL) among elderly, as well as to verify its association with functional disability, personal characteristics, health behaviors and subjective oral health conditions. METHODS: Epidemiological study with 361 elderly individuals aged equal or higher 60 years registered in the three Family Health Units from the city of Ibiaí-MG. QOL was measured by the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire and the independent variables were personal characteristics, health behaviors, subjective oral health conditions and functional disability. Logistic regressions were made to estimate the multiple models and the final model was adjusted, maintaining the variables associated with p <0.05. RESULTS: In the physical domain, there was a lower chance of low QOL among elderly consuming alcohol, and a higher chance among those using medication, who reported bad/terrible perception of teeth and gums appearance and among those with functional disability. In the psychological domain, there was a lower chance of low QOL among men, and a higher chance among elderly who reported bad/terrible perception of oral health and those with functional disability. In the social domain, there was a higher chance of low QOL among the elderly who reported bad/terrible perception of the teeth and gums appearance and who presented functional disability. CONCLUSION: There was a high occurrence of low QOL among elderly and the relation between low QOL and functional disability was evidenced.

Avaliação da viabilidade de utilização de resíduos da construção civil na sorção de Pb2+, Cd2+, Cr3+ e As5+ / Feasibility studies to use construction waste in the sorption of Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Cr 3+ and As 5+

RESUMO Esta pesquisa buscou avaliar a capacidade de retenção de Pb2+, Cd2+, Cr3+ e As5+ por dois tipos de solo, um Latossolo argiloso e um arenoso, por resíduos da construção civil (RCC) e por misturas contendo 70% dos referidos solos e 30% de partículas finas de RCC. Para isso, foram realizados ensaios de equilíbrio em lote em amostras dos cinco sorventes (RCC, solo argiloso, solo arenoso, misturas solo argiloso-RCC e solo arenoso-RCC) às quais foram adicionadas soluções monoespécie de chumbo, cádmio e cromo na forma de nitrato, e arsênio na forma de arsenato de sódio, o que permitiu avaliar como cada elemento interagiu com cada amostra. Foram ensaiados 5 lotes de amostras, em triplicatas, com a mesma razão sorvente solução de 1:20, em que se variaram as concentrações das soluções. Curvas teóricas de sorção de Freundlich e de Langmuir foram utilizadas para ajustar os pares de pontos obtidos experimentalmente, concentração de equilíbrio do soluto na solução (Ce) versus massa de soluto sorvida por massa de solo (S). Os resultados obtidos permitem afirmar que os RCC apresentaram maior capacidade em sorver Pb2+, Cd2+ e Cr3+, enquanto o As5+ é mais fortemente sorvido pelo solo argiloso e pela mistura solo argiloso-RCC; os processos sortivos do Pb2+, Cd2+ e Cr3+ diferem daquele do As5+, uma vez que os primeiros comportam-se como cátions no solo e o último comporta-se como oxiânion. O solo argiloso, por possuir maior teor de matéria orgânica, exibe maior sorção dos metais estudados do que o solo arenoso.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the retention capacity of Pb2+, Cd2+, Cr3+ and As5+ per two types of soil, a clayey Latosoil and a sandy soil, by construction waste and mixtures containing 70% of soil and 30% of construction waste's particles. For this, batch equilibrium tests were performed with samples of the five sorbents (construction waste, clayey soil, sandy soil, mixtures of clayey soil-construction waste and sandy soil-construction waste) added to monospecie solutions of lead, cadmium and chromium in the form of nitrate; and arsenic in the form of sodium arsenate, allowing the evaluation of how each element interacted with each sample. Five batches of samples were tested, in triplicate, with the same sorbent solution ratio, 1:20, and the concentrations of the solutions varied. Freundlich and Langmuir's theoretical sorption curves were used to adjust the pairs of data points, the equilibrium concentration of solute in the solution (Ce) versus the solute mass sorbed per soil mass (S). The results allow concluding that the construction waste had greater ability to absorb Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cr3+. As5+, however, is more strongly sorbed by the clayey soil and by the mixture clayey soil-construction waste. The sorptive processes of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cr3+ differ from the sorptive processes of As5+, because the first ones behave as cations in the soil, while the latter behaves as oxyanion. Finally, the clayey soil showed greater sorption capacity than the sandy soil for all the metals studied, as clayey soil has a higher organic material content.