Promove-Universitários: efeitos na promoção de interações sociais e saúde mental

Para satisfatório desempenho na universidade é relevante um repertório de habilidades sociais desenvolvido, o qual nem sempre está presente, o que pode trazer implicações para a saúde mental. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do Promove-Universitários, em estudantes de primeiro e segundo anos, valendo-se de um delineamento experimental de grupo, com medidas repetidas. Participaram catorze universitários, nove no grupo experimental e cinco no controle, distribuídos aleatoriamente, os quais eram equivalentes nas medidas iniciais. Foram aplicados instrumentos para avaliar habilidades sociais e saúde mental, cujos dados foram analisados estatisticamente nas comparações entre os grupos. Os resultados demonstraram aquisições comportamentais, estatisticamente significativas, no grupo experimental para habilidades sociais e saúde mental, que se mantiveram nas medidas de seguimento. A mesma análise entre as linhas de base 1 e 2 do grupo controle não indicou mudança estatisticamente significativa. Considerando os resultados, conclui-se que o Promove-Universitários se mostrou efetivo ao proposto

GESTÃO DE PESSOAS: FATORES QUE INTERFEREM NO CLIMA ORGANIZACIONAL DO SERVIÇO DE NUTRIÇÃO E DIETÉTICA DO (HU) HOSPITAL UNIVERSITÁRIO POLYDORO ERNANI DE SÃO THIAGO DA UFSC

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar fatores que interferem no clima organizacional do Serviço de Nutrição e Dietética (SND) do Hospital Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago (SND), bem como avaliar o ambiente de trabalho e o relacionamento dos colaboradores. O Setor está localizado dentro do Hospital Universitário. Como técnicas de pesquisa foram adotadas a pesquisa bibliográfica, a observação direta e a aplicação de um questionário para 112 colaboradores, que foi composto de dezessete questões objetivas, de múltiplas escolhas e sua elaboração foi construída através do processo de observação e compreensão da literatura sobre os fatores que interferem no clima organizacional como: estresse, conflitos, aprendizagem, valores, percepção, habilidades, atitudes, personalidade, emoções, motivação e resistência a mudanças. Através da análise dos dados obtidos, foi possível determinar a relação existente entre os colaboradores, gestores e ambiente de trabalho no qual estão inseridos. Tais resultados foram utilizados como sugestões visando apoiar os cursos de relações interpessoais que o setor venha a oferecer aos seus colaboradores, com a finalidade de elaborar ajustes comportamentais para um melhor desempenho nas atividades laborais

Identification of New Peptides from Fermented Milk Showing Antioxidant Properties: Mechanism of Action

Due to their beneficial properties, fermented foods are considered important constituents of the human diet. They also contain bioactive peptides, health-promoting compounds studied for a wide range of effects. In this work, several antioxidant peptides extracted from fermented milk proteins were investigated. First, enriched peptide fractions were purified and analysed for their antioxidant capacity in vitro and in a cellular model. Subsequently, from the most active fractions, 23 peptides were identified by mass spectrometry MS/MS), synthesized and tested. Peptides N-15-M, E-11-F, Q-14-R and A-17-E were selected for their antioxidant effects on Caco-2 cells both in the protection against oxidative stress and inhibition of ROS production. To define their action mechanism, the activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Keap1/Nrf2) pathway was studied evaluating the translocation of Nrf2 from cytosol to nucleus. In cells treated with N-15-M, Q-14-R and A-17-E, a higher amount of Nrf2 was found in the nucleus with respect to the control. In addition, the three active peptides, through the activation of Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, led to overexpression and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the potential ability of N-15-M, Q-14-R and A-17-E to bind Keap1, showing their destabilizing effect on Keap1/Nrf2 interaction

Anal cytological abnormalities and epidemiological correlates among men who have sex with men at risk for HIV-1 infection

BACKGROUND: The incidence of anal cancer, a Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related neoplasia, has been increasing in recent decades, mainly in men who have sex with men (MSM). Cytological changes of the anal epithelium induced by HPV can be detected through an anal pap smear. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiological correlates of anal cytological abnormalities among relatively young MSM at risk for HIV-1 infection, to help clarify whether or not this population deserves further investigation to assess the presence of anal cancer precursor lesions. METHODS: MSM were recruited among attendees of a large STI clinic for a HIV-1 screening program. Anal samples, collected with a Dracon swab in PreservCyt, were used both for liquid-based cytology and HPV testing by the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test. Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behavior were collected in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: A total of 346 MSM were recruited (median age 32 years). Overall, 72.5% of the individuals had an anal HPV infection, with 56.1% of them being infected by oncogenic HPV genotypes. Anal cytological abnormalities were found in 29.8% of the cases (16.7% ASC-US and 13.1% L-SIL). Presence of ASC-US+ was strongly associated with infection by any HPV type (OR=4.21, 95% CI: 1.97-9.23), and particularly by HPV 16 and/or 18 (OR=5.62, 95% CI: 2.33-13.81). A higher proportion of ASC-US+ was found in older MSM, in those with a higher number of lifetime partners and in those with a history of ano-genital warts. However, none of these variables or the others analyzed showed any significant association with abnormal cytological findings. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anal cytological abnormalities in about one third of the recruited MSM and their strong association with HPV infection, in particular that caused by HPV 16 and/or 18, might provide a further complement to the data that now support the introduction of HPV vaccination among MSM to protect them from the development of HPV-associated diseases. Additional studies are needed to determine whether and how screening for anal cancer precursor lesions should be performed in younger MSM

TRIPLETE: A randomised phase III study of modified FOLFOXIRI plus panitumumab versus mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab as initial therapy for patients with unresectable RAS and BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer

FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab is considered a standard option in the upfront treatment of clinically selected patients with metastatic colorectal cancer irrespective of RAS and BRAF molecular status. The randomised MACBETH and VOLFI studies showed that a modified FOLFOXIRI regimen in combination with cetuximab or panitumumab, respectively, achieved high therapeutic activity in RAS and BRAF wild-type patients with an acceptable toxicity profile. Drawing from these considerations, we designed TRIPLETE study aiming at comparing two different chemotherapy backbones (mFOLFOXIRI or mFOLFOX6) in combination with panitumumab in the first-line treatment of patients with RAS and BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods This is a prospective, open-label, multicentre phase III trial in which initially unresectable and previously untreated RAS and BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer patients are randomised to receive a standard treatment with mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab or an experimental regimen with modified FOLFOXIRI (irinotecan 150 mg/m 2, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m 2, L-leucovorin 200 mg/m 2, 5-fluoruracil 2400 mg/m 2 48-hour continuous infusion) plus panitumumab up to 12 cycles, followed by panitumumab plus 5-fluorouracil and L-leucovorin until disease progression. The primary endpoint is overall response rate according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Discussion The relative benefit of chemotherapy intensification when using an anti-EGFR-based regimen in molecularly selected patients is unknown; TRIPLETE study aims at filling this gap of knowledge. The study is sponsored by the Gruppo Oncologico Nord Ovest Cooperative Group and is currently ongoing at 42 Italian centres. Clinical trial information NCT03231722

Discrepancies in breast cancer’s oncological outcomes between public and private institutions in the southeast region of Brazil: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundBrazil is a middle-income country with inequalities in its healthcare system. The disparities between public and private services affect the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study is to assess whether disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) are different in public and private specialized centers.Patient and methodsA retrospective cohort study with 1,545 breast cancer patients diagnosed from 2003 to 2011 at Barretos Cancer Hospital—BCH (public group, N = 1,408) and InORP Oncoclinicas (private group, N = 137) was conducted. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to adjust the differences between the groups’ characteristics (n = 137 in each group).ResultsThe median age at diagnosis was 54.4 years. Estimated DFS rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 96.0%, 71.8%, and 59.6%, respectively, at BCH and 97.8%, 86.9%, and 78%, respectively, at InORP (HR: 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41–3.10; p < 0.0001). Estimated OS rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 98.1%, 78.5%, and 65.4%, respectively, at BCH and 99.3%, 94.5%, and 91.9%, respectively, at InORP (HR: 3.84; 95% CI, 2.16–6.82; p < 0.0001). After adjustment by PSM, DFS and OS results in 1, 3, and 5 years remained worse in the public service compared to the private service.ConclusionPatients treated in a public center have worse DFS and OS after a follow-up period of more than 5 years. These results were corroborated after carrying out the PSM

Impure Public Goods and Technological Interdependencies

Impure public goods represent an important group of goods. Almost every public good exerts not only effects which are public to all but also effects which are private to the producer of this good. What is often omitted in the analysis of impure public goods is the fact that – regularly – these private effects can also be generated independently of the public good. In our analysis we focus on the effects alternative technologies – independently generating the private effects of the public good – may have on the provision of impure public goods. After the investigation in an analytical impure public good model, we numerically simulate the effects of alternative technologies in a parameterized model for climate policy in Germany