Application of a microfluidic electronic tongue based on impedance spectroscopy for coconut water analysis.

The food industry has grown with the demands for new products and their authentication, which has not been accompanied by the area of analysis and quality control, thus requiring novel process analytical technologies for food processes. An electronic tongue (e-tongue) is a multisensor system that can characterize complex liquids in a fast and simple way. Here, we tested the efficacy of an impedimetric microfluidic e-tongue setup - comprised by four interdigitated electrodes (IDE) on a printed circuit board (PCB), with four pairs of digits each, being one bare sensor and three coated with different ultrathin nanostructured films with different electrical properties - in the analysis of fresh and industrialized coconut water. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to observe sample differences, and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) was used to predict sample physicochemical parameters. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Partial Least Square - Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) were compared to classify samples based on data from the e-tongue device. Results indicate the potential application of the microfluidic e-tongue in the identification of coconut water composition and determination of physicochemical attributes, allowing for classification of samples according to soluble solid content (SSC) and total titratable acidity (TTA) with over 90% accuracy. It was also demonstrated that the microfluidic setup has potential application in the food industry for quality assessment of complex liquid samples.

Using multilayer perceptron and similarity-weighted machine learning algorithms to reconstruct the past: A case study of the agricultural expansion on grasslands in the Uruguayan savannas.

Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) have significant implications for biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and deforestation. Modeling LULC changes is crucial to understanding anthropogenic impacts on environmental conservation and ecosystem services. Although previous studies have focused on predicting future changes, there is a growing need to determine past scenarios using new assessment tools. This study proposes a methodology for LULC past scenario generation based on transition analysis. Aiming to hindcast LULC scenario in 1970 based on the transition analysis of the past 35 years (from 1985 to 2020), two machine learning algorithms, multilayer perceptron (MLP) and similarity weighted (SimWeight), were employed to determine the driver variables most related to conversions in LULC and to simulate the past. The study focused on the Aristida spp. grasslands in the Uruguayan savannas, where native grasslands have been extensively converted to agricultural areas. Land use and land cover data from the MapBiomas project were integrated with spatial variables such as altimetry, slope, pedology, and linear distances from rivers, roads, urban areas, agriculture, forest, forestry, and native grasslands. The accuracy of the predicted maps was assessed through stratified random sampling of reference images from the Multispectral Scanner (MSS) sensor. The results demonstrate a reduction of approximately 659 934 ha of native grasslands in the study area between 1985 and 2020, directly proportional to the increase in cultivable areas. The MLP algorithm exhibited moderate performance, with notable errors in classifying agriculture and grassland areas. In contrast, the SimWeight algorithm displayed better accuracy, particularly in distinguishing grassland and agriculture classes. The modeled map using SimWeight accurately represented the transitions between grassland and agriculture with a high level of agreement. By modeling the 1970s scenario using the SimWeight model, it was estimated that the Aristida spp. grasslands experienced a substantial reduction in grassland coverage, ranging from 9982.31 to 10 022.32 km2 between 1970 and 2020. This represents a range of 60.8%-61.07% of the total grassland area in 1970. These findings provide valuable insights into the driving factors behind land use change in the Aristida spp. grasslands and offer useful information for land management, conservation, and sustainable development in the region. The study's main contribution lies in the hindcasting of past LULC scenarios, utilizing a tool used primarily for forecasting future scenarios. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;00:1-16. © 2023 SETAC.

Inflammasome genetic variants are associated with tuberculosis, HIV-1 infection, and TB/HIV-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome outcomes.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS are the leading causes of infectious diseases death worldwide. Here, we investigated the relationship between from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NLRP3, CARD8, AIM2, CASP-1, IFI16, and IL-1ß inflammasome genes, as well as the profiles of secreted proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-33, and IL-6) with the TB clinical profiles, TB-HIV coinfection, and IRIS onset. Methods: The individuals were divided into four groups: TB-HIV group (n=88; 11 of them with IRIS), HIV-1 group (n=20), TB group (n=24) and healthy volunteers (HC) group (n=10), and were followed up at INI/FIOCRUZ and HGNI (Rio de Janeiro/Brazil) from 2006 to 2016. Real-time PCR was used to determine the genotypes of the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs), and ELISA was used to measure the plasma cytokine levels. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to perform risk estimations. Results: A higher risk for extrapulmonary TB was associated with the TT genotype (aOR=6.76; P=0.026) in the NLRP3 rs4612666 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and the C-C-T-G-C haplotype (aOR=4.99; P= 0.017) in the NLRP3 variants. This same Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) was associated with lower risk against extrapulmonary TB when the carrier allele C (aOR=0.15; P=0.021) was present. Among those with HIV-1 infections, a higher risk for TB onset was associated with the GA genotype (aOR=5.5; P=0.044) in the IL1-ß rs1143634 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). In contrast, lower risk against TB onset was associated with the A-G haplotype (aOR=0.17; P= 0.026) in the CARD8 variants. Higher IL-6 and IL-33 levels were observed in individuals with TB. A higher risk for IRIS onset was associated with CD8 counts ≤ 500 cells/mm3 (aOR=12.32; P=0.010), the presence of extrapulmonary TB (aOR=6.6; P=0.038), and the CT genotype (aOR=61.06; P=0.026) or carrier allele T (aOR=61.06; P=0.026) in the AIM2 rs2276405 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), whereas lower risk against IRIS onset was associated with the AT genotype (aOR=0.02; P=0.033) or carrier allele T (aOR=0.02; P=0.029) in the CARD8 rs2043211 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and the T-G haplotype (aOR=0.07; P= 0.033) in the CARD8 variants. No other significant associations were observed. Conclusions: Our results depict the involvement of genetic polymorphisms of crucial innate immunity genes and proinflammatory cytokines in the clinical outcomes related to TB-HIV coinfection.

COVID-19 cross-sectional study in Maricá, Brazil: The impact of vaccination coverage on viral incidence.

Population surveillance in COVID-19 Pandemic is crucial to follow up the pace of disease and its related immunological status. Here we present a cross-sectional study done in Maricá, a seaside town close to the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Three rounds of study sampling, enrolling a total of 1134 subjects, were performed during May to August 2021. Here we show that the number of individuals carrying detectable IgG antibodies and the neutralizing antibody (NAb) levels were greater in vaccinated groups compared to unvaccinated ones, highlighting the importance of vaccination to attain noticeable levels of populational immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we found a decreased incidence of COVID-19 throughout the study, clearly correlated with the level of vaccinated individuals as well as the proportion of individuals with detectable levels of IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 and NAb. The observed drop occurred even during the introduction of the Delta variant in Maricá, what suggests that the vaccination slowed down the widespread transmission of this variant. Overall, our data clearly support the use of vaccines to drop the incidence associated to SARS-CoV-2.

Arginase 1 is a marker of protection against illness in contacts of leprosy patients.

Leprosy household contacts are generally more prone to develop the disease compared to the general population. Previous studies have demonstrated that genes related to the alternative activation (M2) profile in macrophages are associated with the increased bacillary load in multibacillary leprosy patients (MB), and that contacts of MB patients have a higher risk of contracting the disease. In addition, positive serological responses to PGL-1 or LID-1 are associated with a higher risk of disease. We performed a 5-year follow-up of contacts of leprosy patients and evaluated the pattern of gene and protein expression in cells from contacts that developed leprosy during this period. Leprosy household contacts had decreased soluble CD163 and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) serum levels when compared with healthy donors and leprosy patients. In contrast, arginase 1 activities were higher in contacts when compared with both healthy donors and leprosy patients. Of the contacts, 33 developed leprosy during the follow-up. Gene expression analysis revealed reduced ARG1 expression in these contacts when compared with contacts that did not develop disease. Arginase activity was a good predictive marker of protection in contacts (sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 96.77%) and the association with serology for anti-PGL-1 and anti-LID-1 increased the sensitivity to 100%. Altogether, the data presented here demonstrate a positive role of arginase against leprosy and suggest that the evaluation of arginase activity should be incorporated into leprosy control programs in order to aid in the decision of which contacts should receive chemoprophylaxis.

An Overview of the Methodologies and the Quality of Studies on Pharmacotherapy for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: It is often unclear whether systematic reviews and primary studies are de-signed to elucidate the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions. This may compromise the use of the information in clinical or policy decisions. OBJECTIVE: This overview aimed to evaluate the methodological profiles of studies on fibromyalgia pharmacotherapy in terms of the quality and nature of the interventions (efficacy versus effective-ness). METHODS: The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Re-views database. Seven databases were searched for relevant publications. Systematic reviews inves-tigating the effectiveness or efficacy of fibromyalgia pharmacotherapy were included. Methodolog-ical quality was investigated using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AM-STAR), and efficacy andeffectiveness were evaluated using Rating of Included Trials on the Effica-cy-effectiveness Spectrum (RITES). RESULTS: In this overview, 4,107 studies were initially identified. 8 systematic reviews and 34 prima-ry studies remained after overlaps were removed. Of the eight systematic reviews, 4.76% (n=3) and 7.93% (n=5) were of moderate and high quality, respectively. An analysis of systematic reviews clearly showed the criteria "participants characteristics" and "trial setting" with the most frequent answers as scales 1 and 2 (strong emphasis on efficacy or rather strong emphasis on efficacy), re-spectively. RITES analysis revealed that the most frequent response was "strong emphasis on effi-cacy" in 68% (92/136) of primary studies. CONCLUSION: This analysis showed, in both systematic reviews and primary studies, a predominantly strong emphasis on efficacy, suggesting the need for methodological quality improvement in future studies, especially those designed to provide evidence related to effectiveness. The protocol for this overview has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Sys-tematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42018095943).

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Properties of the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale in Brazilian Portuguese.

The Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (PDIS) assesses how people perceive infidelity through specific behaviors. Originally developed by Wilson et al. (2011), it contains 12 items distributed into three factors: (1) ambiguous, (2) deceptive, and (3) explicit behaviors. In the present research, translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the PDIS in Brazilian Portuguese were performed. First, qualitative analyses took place: translation, translation synthesis, content validation, pre-test, and reverse translation. Then, quantitative analyses were conducted: psychometric parameter tests with confirmatory factor analysis and reliability. A total of 252 participants were recruited, 160 of whom were female (63.5%). The results indicated consistent PDIS adequacy (conceptual and idiomatic equivalences); satisfactory content validity coefficients regarding language clarity, practical pertinence, and theoretical relevance; and an almost perfect level of consensus regarding the theoretical dimension. The application of the pre-test was proven to be a good parameter for estimating the comprehension of the instrument in the culture for which it was intended. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good indices of adjustment quality of the tested trifactorial model (three factors being identified with ambiguous, deceptive, and explicit behaviors). Therefore, the structure indicated in the original version was corroborated and the instrument's reliability confirmed. The Brazilian Portuguese PDIS is a useful tool for evaluating infidelity perceptions in the Brazilian culture.

Macrophage Polarization in Leprosy-HIV Co-infected Patients.

In HIV-infected individuals, a paradoxical clinical deterioration may occur in preexisting leprosy when highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-associated reversal reaction (RR) develops. Leprosy-HIV co-infected patients during HAART may present a more severe form of the disease (RR/HIV), but the immune mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of leprosy-HIV co-infection remain unknown. Although the adaptive immune responses have been extensively studied in leprosy-HIV co-infected individuals, recent studies have described that innate immune cells may drive the overall immune responses to mycobacterial antigens. Monocytes are critical to the innate immune system and play an important role in several inflammatory conditions associated with chronic infections. In leprosy, different tissue macrophage phenotypes have been associated with the different clinical forms of the disease, but it is not clear how HIV infection modulates the phenotype of innate immune cells (monocytes or macrophages) during leprosy. In the present study, we investigated the phenotype of monocytes and macrophages in leprosy-HIV co-infected individuals, with or without RR. We did not observe differences between the monocyte profiles in the studied groups; however, analysis of gene expression within the skin lesion cells revealed that the RR/HIV group presents a higher expression of macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (MRS1), CD209 molecule (CD209), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), arginase 2 (ARG2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) when compared with the RR group. Our data suggest that different phenotypes of tissue macrophages found in the skin from RR and RR/HIV patients could differentially contribute to the progression of leprosy.

Cinesioterapia aplicada após a cirurgia no tendão da mão: estudo de qualidade metodológica / Kinesiotherapy applied after hand tendon surgery: methodological quality study

Introdução: As lesões nos tendões flexores (FTI) atingem as mãos e apresentam um desafio para a equipe multidisciplinar. Objetivo: Buscou-se em ensaios clínicos a aplicação da cinesioterapia em recuperar a função das mãos após lesão tendinosa. Métodos: Para a construção deste estudo foi realizada uma revisão da literatura baseada em artigos, que abordavam a temática de cinesioterapia aplicada a cirurgia no tendão da mão. Resultados: Os estudos encontrados aplicaram a cinesioterapia com programas de exercícios e mobilização articular em jovens e adultos que passaram por cirurgia no tendão da mão, auxiliando na recuperação funcional de acordo com a zona acometida. Conclusão: A cinesioterapia deve ser aplicada para recuperação funcional da mão após lesões tendinosas, no entanto, há uma enorme escassez quanto às publicações de ensaios clínicos bem conduzidos que direcionem o trabalho do fisioterapeuta. (AU)

Introduction: Flexor tendon injuries of the hands is a challenge to the multidisciplinary team. Objective: The aim of the clinical trials was to apply kinesiotherapy to recover hand function after tendon injury. Methods: A literature review was performed based on articles that addressed the theme of kinesiotherapy applied to hand tendon surgery. Results: The studies found applied kinesiotherapy with exercise programs and joint mobilization in young and adults who underwent surgery on the tendons of the hand, assisting in functional recovery according to the affected area. Conclusion: Kinesiotherapy should be applied for functional recovery of the hand after tendon injuries, however, there is a huge shortage of publications on well-conducted clinical trials that guide the physiotherapist's work. (AU)

Emergence of Mycobacterium leprae Rifampin Resistance Evaluated by Whole-Genome Sequencing after 48 Years of Irregular Treatment.

A case of Mycobacterium leprae rifampin resistance after irregular antileprosy treatments since 1971 is reported. Whole-genome sequencing from four longitudinal samples indicated relapse due to acquired rifampin resistance and not to reinfection with another strain. A putative compensatory mutation in rpoC was also detected. Clinical improvement was achieved using an alternative therapy.

Fruits and vegetable-processing waste: a case study in two markets at Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Fruits and vegetables (FV) consumed in natura or processed produce a significant volume of waste, causing an economic deficit in the productive chain. FV markets feature a significant production of vegetable residues with potential of use, since they commercialize an increasing amount of minimally processed vegetables and fruit juices. To this end, it is important to identify, quantify, and characterize these wastes and to propose feasible and coherent alternatives for their use at regional and worldwide levels. In this paper, a case study of two FV markets in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was conducted to identify and quantify FV processing waste. Over a period of 20 days, the FV residues from 31 vegetables and 17 fruits were identified and weighed. It is estimated by extrapolation that 106,000 kg of FV were processed in 1 year in two units of FV markets and 48.6% of FV were discarded as by-products. This may be a consequence of factors that contribute to waste generation, such as the low preparation and/or training of the manipulators as well as the quality of the equipment and the maintenance thereof. Thus, studies that aim to understand the environmental impact by monitoring the of FV waste are fundamental, since this waste can be used as raw material and converted into value-added products.

Clinical and genetic markers associated with tuberculosis, HIV-1 infection, and TB/HIV-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS are the leading causes of infectious disease death worldwide. In some TB-HIV co-infected individuals treated for both diseases simultaneously, a pathological inflammatory reaction termed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) may occur. The risk factors for IRIS are not fully defined. We investigated the association of HLA-B, HLA-C, and KIR genotypes with TB, HIV-1 infection, and IRIS onset. METHODS: Patients were divided into four groups: Group 1- TB+/HIV+ (n = 88; 11 of them with IRIS), Group 2- HIV+ (n = 24), Group 3- TB+ (n = 24) and Group 4- healthy volunteers (n = 26). Patients were followed up at INI/FIOCRUZ and HGNI (Rio de Janeiro/Brazil) from 2006 to 2016. The HLA-B and HLA-C loci were typed using SBT, NGS, and KIR genes by PCR-SSP. Unconditional logistic regression models were performed for Protection/risk estimation. RESULTS: Among the individuals with TB as the outcome, KIR2DS2 was associated with increased risk for TB onset (aOR = 2.39, P = 0.04), whereas HLA-B*08 and female gender were associated with protection against TB onset (aOR = 0.23, P = 0.03, and aOR = 0.33, P = 0.01, respectively). Not carrying KIR2DL3 (aOR = 0.18, P = 0.03) and carrying HLA-C*07 (aOR = 0.32, P = 0.04) were associated with protection against TB onset among HIV-infected patients. An increased risk for IRIS onset was associated with having a CD8 count ≤500 cells/mm3 (aOR = 18.23, P = 0.016); carrying the KIR2DS2 gene (aOR = 27.22, P = 0.032), the HLA-B*41 allele (aOR = 68.84, P = 0.033), the KIR2DS1 + HLA-C2 pair (aOR = 28.58, P = 0.024); and not carrying the KIR2DL3 + HLA-C1/C2 pair (aOR = 43.04, P = 0.034), and the KIR2DL1 + HLA-C1/C2 pair (aOR = 43.04, P = 0.034), CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the participation of these genes in the immunopathogenic mechanisms related to the conditions studied. This is the first study demonstrating an association of HLA-B*41, KIR2DS2, and KIR + HLA-C pairs with IRIS onset among TB-HIV co-infected individuals.

Correction to: Contributions of Vitamin D in the management of depressive symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

An error occurred during the publication of the original article [1] which led to the text being incorrectly converted into Portuguese.

Contribuições da vitamina D no tratamento de sintomas depressivos e fatores de risco cardiovascular: protocolo de estudo para um ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo.

ABSTRATO: FUNDO: A depressão é uma das principais causas de incapacidade crônica em todo o mundo e um importante fator de risco cardiovascular, aumentando o risco relativo de doença arterial coronariana, bem como as taxas de morbimortalidade cardiovascular. Concomitantemente à alta prevalência de depressão, houve uma redução na exposição à luz solar com o aumento da urbanização e do uso de protetores solares, o que levou a uma redução nos níveis séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D. Portanto, este artigo descreve uma protocolo para um ensaio clínico com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da suplementação de vitamina D na depressão e fatores de risco cardiovascular para contribuir com evidências sobre a influência potencial da suplementação na regulação do humor. MéTODOS: Este estudo de protocolo foi orientado pelos itens de protocolo padrão: recomendações para ensaios intervencionistas. Um ensaio clínico randomizado, controlado por placebo, duplo-cego será realizado envolvendo 224 adultos (faixa etária de 18 a 60 anos) com depressão que estão tomando antidepressivos e não têm histórico de suplementação de vitamina D, comorbidades psiquiátricas, doença renal crônica, hipercalcemia, ou neoplasia. Os participantes serão recrutados nos ambulatórios psiquiátricos de duas universidades do nordeste do Brasil. Os participantes elegíveis que fornecerem consentimento por escrito serão designados aleatoriamente para o grupo de intervenção (n = 112; suplementação de vitamina D 50.000 UI por semana durante 6 meses) ou para o grupo controle (n = 112; placebo tomado semanalmente por 6 meses). Medidas para monitorar sintomas depressivos, exames clínicos e exames laboratoriais para avaliar fatores de risco cardiovascular e níveis séricos de vitamina D serão realizadas antes e após o período de intervenção. DISCUSSãO: Até onde sabemos, este será o primeiro ensaio clínico com o objetivo de testar a eficácia da suplementação de vitamina D na redução do risco cardiovascular e como um adjuvante à terapia da depressão por um período prolongado (6 meses). Os resultados contribuirão para a compreensão dos efeitos terapêuticos da suplementação de vitamina D no tratamento da depressão e podem ajudar a orientar políticas públicas direcionadas à suplementação de vitamina para a redução do risco cardiovascular. REGISTRO DE TESTE: Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos, RBR-6yj8sj/ Número Universal de Ensaios (UTN) U1111-1217-9237 . Registrado em 23 de julho de 2018.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Pain Medication Questionnaire for use in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ) assesses the risk of opioid abuse in people with non-oncological chronic pain. METHODS: This is a methodological study conducted at a hemotherapy centre in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. A Cross-cultural adaptation was carried out by a committee of nine specialists, and we applied the PMQ to a pre-final sample of 40 individuals with sickle cell anemia, in addition to a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean agreement indexes for PMQ equivalences were the following: semantic (0.996), idiomatic (0.970), experiential (0.991), conceptual (0.953), language clarity (0.991), practical relevance (0.906), and theoretical relevance (0.945). Assessment of the PMQ showed that 50% of participants obtained a score equivalent to medium risk of opioid abuse. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the adapted PMQ instrument was 0.705, ranging from 0.641 to 0.736 among its items. CONCLUSION: The cross-cultural adaptation of the Pain Medication Questionnaire was satisfactory and easy to apply in the Brazilian population. It is clinically relevant, contributing professional practice and enlightening patients with sickle cell anemia on their behavioral dynamics with respect to opioid consumption. It will also contribute to teaching and research, because it is a useful tool for investigating the risk of abusive behavior in people with chronic pain.

Changes in the NK Cell Repertoire Related to Initiation of TB Treatment and Onset of Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in TB/HIV Co-infected Patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-ANRS 12274.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common comorbidity and the leading cause of death among HIV-infected individuals. Although the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) during TB treatment improves the survival of TB/HIV patients, the occurrence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in some patients poses clinical and scientific challenges. This work aimed to evaluate blood innate lymphocytes during therapeutic intervention for both diseases and their implications for the onset of IRIS. Natural killer (NK) cells, invariant NKT cells (iNKT), γδ T cell subsets, and in vitro NK functional activity were characterized by multiparametric flow cytometry in the following groups: 33 TB/HIV patients (four with paradoxical IRIS), 27 TB and 25 HIV mono-infected subjects (prior to initiation of TB treatment and/or cART and during clinical follow-up to 24 weeks), and 25 healthy controls (HC). Concerning the NK cell repertoire, several activation and inhibitory receptors were skewed in the TB/HIV patients compared to those in the other groups, especially the HCs. Significantly higher expression of CD158a (p = 0.025), NKp80 (p = 0.033), and NKG2C (p = 0.0076) receptors was detected in the TB/HIV IRIS patients than in the non-IRIS patients. Although more NK degranulation was observed in the TB/HIV patients than in the other groups, the therapeutic intervention did not alter the frequency during follow-up (weeks 2-24). A higher frequency of the γδ T cell population was observed in the TB/HIV patients with inversion of the Vδ2+/Vδ2- ratio, especially for those presenting pulmonary TB, suggesting an expansion of particular γδ T subsets during TB/HIV co-infection. In conclusion, HIV infection impacts the frequency of circulating NK cells and γδ T cell subsets in TB/HIV patients. Important modifications of the NK cell repertoire were observed after anti-TB treatment (week 2) but not during the cART/TB follow-up (weeks 6-24). An increase of CD161+ NK cells was related to an unfavorable outcome. Despite the low number of cases, a more preserved NK cell profile was detected in IRIS patients previous to treatment, suggesting a role for these cells in IRIS onset. Longitudinal evaluation of the NK repertoire showed the impact of TB treatment and implicated these cells in TB pathogenesis in TB/HIV co-infected patients.

Nutrição Esportiva como Componente Curricular nos Cursos de Nutrição e Educação Física do Centro-Oeste do Brasil / Sports Nutrition as Curricular Component in the Nutrition and Physical Education Courses of the Center-West of Brazil

Esse estudo objetivou caracterizar a disciplina de Nutrição Esportiva nos cursos de Graduação em Nutrição e Educação Física das Instituições de Ensino Superior do Centro-Oeste do Brasil e Distrito Federal. Material e Métodos: Adotou-se como critério de inclusão os cursos presenciais ou de educação à distância de Graduação em Nutrição (Bacharelado) e Educação Física (Bacharelado e Licenciatura) das Instituições de Ensino Superior reconhecidas pelo Ministério da Educação. Foram analisados os três estados que compõem a Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil e o Distrito Federal. As Instituições foram selecionadas por meio da Base de Dados do Sistema de Regulação do Ensino Superior ­ Sistema e-MEC e para a avaliação considerou-se a presença da disciplina Nutrição Esportiva e sua caracterização de oferta como sua denominação; natureza (obrigatória ou optativa); carga horária e período ministrado. Resultados: Observou-se que para 100% dos cursos de Nutrição a disciplina é de natureza obrigatória, ao passo para que para a Educação Física esse percentual foi de 95,23%. Ambos os cursos apresentaram ampla variabilidade da carga horária total e maior carga horária teórica, quando comparada à carga horária prática. Também, alguns estados não destinam nenhuma carga horária prática para sua realização. Conclusão: Apesar de os cursos apresentarem similaridade em seu perfil de oferta para a maioria dos aspectos avaliados, faz-se necessário entender se as diferenças encontradas impactam no processo de ensino-aprendizagem da disciplina estudada. (AU)

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the discipline of Sports Nutrition in the Nutrition and Physical Education Undergraduate courses of the Institutions of Higher Education of the Center-West of Brazil and the Federal District. Material and Methods: The adopted inclusion criteria were the presential or distance education courses of Undergraduate Nutrition (Bachelor) and Physical Education (Bachelor and Graduation) of Higher Education Institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education. The three states that compose the Central-West Region of Brazil and the Federal District were analyzed. The Institutions were selected through the Database of the System of Regulation of Higher Education - e-MEC System and for the evaluation, it was considered the presence of the discipline of Sports Nutrition and its offer characterization as its denomination; nature (required or optional); workload and time period. Results: It was observed that for 100% of the Nutrition courses the discipline is required, whereas for Physical Education this percentage was 95.23%. Both courses presented wide variability of the total workload and higher theoretical workload compared to the practical workload. Also, some states do not allocate any practical workload for their realization. Conclusion: Although the courses present similarity in their offer profile for most aspects evaluated, it is necessary to understand if the differences found, impact on the teaching-learning process of the studied discipline. (AU)

Saúde mental e qualidade de vida de pessoas idosas / Mental health and quality of life of elderly people

Resumo Objetivo: avaliar o estado de saúde mental, índice de depressão, humor e qualidade de vida (QV) de idosos. Metodologia: estudo transversal quantitativo com 122 pessoas com mais de 60 anos atendidas pela atenção primária. Os dados foram cole-tados com inventários de avaliação da OV (WHOQOL-OLD/WHOQOL-BREE), Escala de Depressão Geriátrica, questionário sociodemográfico e clínico e analisados com estatística descritiva. Resultados: a maioria se considera saudável, embora 40,2 % apresentem agravos à saúde; 55,6 % usam ansiolíticos e antidepressivos; 61,5 % apresentaram depressão associada estatisticamente ao estado civil viúvo/ solteiro/divorciado, sexo feminino, viver sozinho, não praticar atividades de lazer e comunitárias. A depressão foi inversamente associada ao estado civil casado, residir com outras pessoas e prática de atividade física/ lazer. Houve forte associação entre aumento da intensidade dos sintomas depressivos e diminuição da ov em todos os domínios. A satisfação com a ov foi moderada, com maior pontuação em 'relações sociais' e menor no domínio 'físico' . No WHOQOL-OLD, escores médios mais elevados nos domínios 'intimidade' e 'participação social' e menor escore no domínio 'morte e morrer'. Conclusões: percepção de melhor ov associa-se à idade, estado civil, autopercepção de 'estar saudável' e ausência de depressão. Consumo de tabaco relaciona-se à pior ov em todos os domínios. A relação entre consumo de álcool e melhor avaliação no domínio 'morte e morrer' precisa ser elucidada.

Resumen Objetivo: evaluar estado de salud mental, índice de depresión, humor y calidad de vida (CV) de ancianos. Metodología: estudio transversal cuantitativo realizado con 122 personas con más de 60 años, atendidas por la atención primaria. Los datos se recolectaron con inventarios de evaluación de CV (WHOQOL-OLD/WHOQOL-BREE), Escala de Depresión Geriátrica y cuestionario sociodemográfico y clínico. El análisis de los datos se ejecutó mediante estadística descriptiva. Resultados: la mayoría se considera saludable, aunque el 40,2 % presenta agravios a la salud, 55,6 % utiliza ansiolíticos y antidepresivos y 61,5 % presenta depresión, asociada estadísticamente a pertenecer al sexo femenino, estado civil viudo/soltero/ divorciado, vivir solo y no practicar actividades de ocio y comunitarias. La depresión fue inversamente asociada al estado civil casado, residir con otras personas y a la práctica de actividad física y de ocio. Hubo fuerte asociación entre aumento de la intensidad de los síntomas depresivos y disminución de la cv en todos los ámbitos. La satisfacción con su CV fue moderada, con mayor puntuación en 'relaciones sociales' y menor en el dominio 'físico'. En WHOQOL-OLD hubo puntuaciones medias más altas en los dominios 'intimidad' y 'participación social' y menor puntuación en el dominio 'muerte y morir'. Conclusión: la percepción de mejor cv se asocia a la edad, estado civil, auto-percepción de 'estar saludable' y ausencia de depresión. Tabaquismo se relaciona con peor cv en todos los ámbitos. La relación entre consumo de alcohol y mejor evaluación en el dominio 'muerte y morir' necesita ser elucidada.

Abstract Objective: to evaluate the state of mental health, depression mood index and the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Methodology: a quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out with 122 people over 60 years old attended by primary care. Data were collected with QOL (WHOQOL-OLD/ WHOQOL-BREE), and Geriatric Depression Scale inventories with socio-demographic and clinical questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis. Results: most are considered healthy, although 40,2 % present health problems; 55,6 % use anxiolytics and antidepressants; 61,5 % presented depression, statistically associated with belonging to the female sex, widowhood/single/divorced status, living alone and not practicing leisure and community activities. Depression was inversely associated with marital status, living with other people and practicing physical activity and leisure. There was a strong association between increased intensity of depressive symptoms and decreased QOL in all domains. Satisfaction with their QOL was moderate, with a higher score in 'social relations' and lower in the 'physical' domain. In the WHOQOL-OLD, higher mean scores were identified in the 'intimacy' and 'social participation' domains and lower score in the 'death and dying' domain. Conclusion: the perception of better QOL is associated with age, marital status, self-perception of 'being healthy' and absence of depression. Tobacco use is associated with poorer QOL in all domains. The relation between alcohol consumption and better evaluation in the 'death and dying' domain needs to be clarified.

3D Printed e-Tongue.

Nowadays, one of the biggest issues addressed to electronic sensor fabrication is the build-up of efficient electrodes as an alternative way to the expensive, complex and multistage processes required by traditional techniques. Printed electronics arises as an interesting alternative to fulfill this task due to the simplicity and speed to stamp electrodes on various surfaces. Within this context, the Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing is an emerging, cost-effective and alternative technology to fabricate complex structures that potentiates several fields with more creative ideas and new materials for a rapid prototyping of devices. We show here the fabrication of interdigitated electrodes using a standard home-made CoreXY 3D printer using transparent and graphene-based PLA filaments. Macro 3D printed electrodes were easily assembled within 6 min with outstanding reproducibility. The electrodes were also functionalized with different nanostructured thin films via dip-coating Layer-by-Layer technique to develop a 3D printed e-tongue setup. As a proof of concept, the printed e-tongue was applied to soil analysis. A control soil sample was enriched with several macro-nutrients to the plants (N, P, K, S, Mg, and Ca) and the discrimination was done by electrical impedance spectroscopy of water solution of the soil samples. The data was analyzed by Principal Component Analysis and the 3D printed sensor distinguished clearly all enriched samples despite the complexity of the soil chemical composition. The 3D printed e-tongue successfully used in soil analysis encourages further investments in developing new sensory tools for precision agriculture and other fields exploiting the simplicity and flexibility offered by the 3D printing techniques.