Neutrophils in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Target for Discovering New Therapies Based on Natural Products

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder with an important inflammatory component in joints. Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in inflamed joints, and play an essential role in the initiation and progression of RA. Neutrophil effector mechanisms include the release of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), and granules containing degradative enzymes, which can cause further damage to the tissue and amplify the neutrophil response. Therefore, the modulation of neutrophil migration and functions is a potential target for pharmacological intervention in arthritis. The pharmacologic treatment options for RA are diverse. The current treatments are mostly symptomatic and have side effects, high costs, and an increased risk of malignancies. Because of these limitations, there is a growing interest in the use of natural products as therapies or adjunct therapies. Herbal products have attracted considerable interest over the past decade because of their multiple beneficial effects such as their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. This chapter focuses on the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of arthritis and the action of substances from natural products as putative antirheumatic therapies

Anti-inflammatory effect of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi hydroalcoholic extract on neutrophil migration in zymosan-induced arthritis

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevanceSchinus terebinthifolius is a species of plant from the Anacardiaceae family, which can be found in different regions of Brazil. Schinus is popularly known as aroeirinha, aroeira-vermelha, or Brazilian pepper. In folk medicine, S. terebinthifolius is used for several disorders, including inflammatory conditions, skin wounds, mucosal membrane ulcers, respiratory problems, gout, tumors, diarrhea and arthritis. According to chemical analyses, gallic acid, methyl gallate and pentagalloylglucose are the main components of hydroalcoholic extracts from S. terebinthifolius leaves. In the present study, we demonstrated the ability of a hydroalcoholic extract to inhibit cell migration in arthritis and investigated the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.Materials and methodsThe anti-inflammatory effect of S. terebinthifolius hydroalcoholic leaf extract (ST-70) was investigated in a zymosan-induced experimental model of inflammation. Male Swiss and C57Bl/6 mice received zymosan (100µg/cavity) via intra-thoracic (i.t.) or intra-articular (i.a.) injection after oral pre-treatment with ST-70. The direct action of ST-70 on neutrophils was evaluated via chemotaxis.ResultsST-70 exhibited a dose-dependent effect in the pleurisy model. The median effective dose (ED50) was 100mg/kg, which inhibited 70% of neutrophil accumulation when compared with the control group. ST-70 reduced joint diameter and neutrophil influx for synovial tissues at 6h and 24h in zymosan-induced arthritis. Additionally, ST-70 inhibited synovial interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (CXCL1/KC) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α production at 6h and CXCL1/KC and IL-1β production at 24h. The direct activity of ST-70 on neutrophils was observed via the impairment of CXCL1/KC-induced chemotaxis in neutrophils. Oral administration of ST-70 did not induce gastric damage. Daily administration for twenty days did not kill any animals. In contrast, similar administrations of diclofenac induced gastric damage and killed all animals by the fifth day.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects of ST-70, suggesting a putative use of this herb for the development of phytomedicines to treat inflammatory diseases, such as joint inflammation

Centesimal and mineral composition and antioxidant activity of the bacaba fruit peel

Oenocarpus bacaba Mart. is a palm tree native from Amazon with highlighted antioxidant activities. Its fruit (bacaba) processing dismisses the peel, which has nutrients that can collaborate for its antioxidant activity and preventing diseases. Thus, this study assessed the centesimal and mineral composition, physicochemical characterization (acidity, total soluble solids, pH, and color), total phenolics (Folin-Ciocalteu method), anthocyanins and antioxidant activity by DPPH (2,2 difenil-1-picril hidrazil) method in bacaba peels. For the centesimal composition, it was found 4.87, 1.42, 29.13, 1.08 and 63.32 g 100 g-1 for water content, ashes, lipids, proteins, and total carbohydrates, respectively. For the mineral composition, it was found 582.97, 79.00, 51.79, 0.625, 37.02, 2.37 and 77.12 mg 100g-1 contents for potassium, sodium, magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese, and phosphorus, respectively. The physicochemical characterization showed pH 5.66, titratable acidity 0.306% of citric acid, total soluble solids 9,75, and coordinates L* a* e b* of 19.03, 8.07 and 9.25, respectively. Phenolic contents were 42.07 mg EAG g-1. The antioxidant potential IC50 was 1.07 mg mL-1 and anthocyanins 37.31 mg 100 g-1. Results show that bacaba peels are an alternate source of nutrients suggesting their use in food as well cosmetic industries, especially for their antioxidant activity and mineral composition

Atuação da equipe multidisciplinar no tratamento do TEA e a importância da intervenção nutricional / The role of the multidisciplinary team in the treatment of TEA and the importance of nutritional intervention

A presente construção se tece a partir da necessidade de entendermos a importância do acompanhamento nutricional em crianças autistas, partindo da problemática: De que modo a nutrição se demonstra fundamental na qualidade vida de crianças autistas com seletividade alimentar? A partir disso, surgem inquietações que mobilizam a analítica por meio dos objetivos, que visam: Entender de que forma se dá o Transtorno do Espectro Autista; Compreender o desenvolvimento da seletividade alimentar em crianças dentro do espectro; Identificar as principais formas de intervenção do nutricionista na dieta alimentar de autistas; Entender a importância de uma equipe multidisciplinar na qualidade de vida desse sujeito infante. Como ferramenta teórico metodológica utilizamos a pesquisa de cunho qualitativo do tipo bibliográfica, imergindo na literatura de autores como: Kanner (1943), Mello et al (2013), Silva (2011), Lear (2004), Silva e Mulick (2009), Rocha et al (2019), Monteiro et al (2020), entre outros, bem como documentos orientadores como o APA (2014), SBFa (2019). Para tanto, foi possível observar que a seletividade alimentar sendo um fator recorrente em sujeitos autistas, se torna imprescindível o papel do nutricionista, entendendo-o como um orientador de ações que devem ser tomadas de forma articulada com os demais profissionais que atuam no tratamento do autista, enfatizando a necessidade de atendimento que perceba as suas especificidades quanto a textura, cor, aroma, e possa elaborar um plano nutricional que o beneficie com os nutrientes necessários para um bom funcionamento de seu organismo, o que impacta diretamente em sua qualidade de vida.

USE OF ATHEROGENIC INDICES AS ASSESSMENT METHODS FOR CLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROTIC DISEASES

Accurate assessment of clinical atherosclerotic diseases is essential to guide effective therapeutic interventions, and atherogenic indices have emerged as valuable methods in this setting. The complexity of these pathologies demands approaches that go beyond the simple measurement of total cholesterol, requiring tools that consider the interaction between different lipoproteins and other risk factors. In this context, the use of atherogenic indices appears as a promising approach, providing a more comprehensive and refined assessment of atherosclerotic conditions. Objective: To comprehensively analyze scientific studies published in the last 10 years that investigated the use of atherogenic indices as methods of evaluating clinical atherosclerotic diseases. The review seeks to consolidate the available evidence by examining the effectiveness of these indices in early identification, risk stratification and monitoring the progress of atherosclerotic diseases. Methodology: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were consulted to identify relevant studies published in the last 10 years. The descriptors used were "atherogenic indices", "atherosclerotic diseases", "clinical assessment", "lipoproteins" and "cardiovascular risk factors". Inclusion criteria considered original studies that investigated the use of atherogenic indices in clinical populations, while exclusion criteria involved studies with unrepresentative samples and inadequate atherosclerotic assessment methods. Results: The results of the review highlight the diversity of available atherogenic indices and their usefulness in evaluating different aspects of atherosclerotic diseases, including prediction of cardiovascular events, risk stratification and treatment monitoring. The analysis identified indices that proved to be particularly sensitive and specific in different clinical contexts. Conclusion: In summary, the systematic review highlights the relevance of atherogenic indices as valuable tools in the assessment of clinical atherosclerotic diseases. The diversity of these indices and their ability to provide comprehensive information highlights their importance in clinical practice, contributing to a more refined and personalized approach to the management of these conditions.Accurate assessment of clinical atherosclerotic diseases is essential to guide effective therapeutic interventions, and atherogenic indices have emerged as valuable methods in this setting. The complexity of these pathologies demands approaches that go beyond the simple measurement of total cholesterol, requiring tools that consider the interaction between different lipoproteins and other risk factors. In this context, the use of atherogenic indices appears as a promising approach, providing a more comprehensive and refined assessment of atherosclerotic conditions. Objective: To comprehensively analyze scientific studies published in the last 10 years that investigated the use of atherogenic indices as methods of evaluating clinical atherosclerotic diseases. The review seeks to consolidate the available evidence by examining the effectiveness of these indices in early identification, risk stratification and monitoring the progress of atherosclerotic diseases. Methodology: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were consulted to identify relevant studies published in the last 10 years. The descriptors used were "atherogenic indices", "atherosclerotic diseases", "clinical assessment", "lipoproteins" and "cardiovascular risk factors". Inclusion criteria considered original studies that investigated the use of atherogenic indices in clinical populations, while exclusion criteria involved studies with unrepresentative samples and inadequate atherosclerotic assessment methods. Results: The results of the review highlight the diversity of available atherogenic indices and their usefulness in evaluating different aspects of atherosclerotic diseases, including prediction of cardiovascular events, risk stratification and treatment monitoring. The analysis identified indices that proved to be particularly sensitive and specific in different clinical contexts. Conclusion: In summary, the systematic review highlights the relevance of atherogenic indices as valuable tools in the assessment of clinical atherosclerotic diseases. The diversity of these indices and their ability to provide comprehensive information highlights their importance in clinical practice, contributing to a more refined and personalized approach to the management of these conditions

Prevalência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em mulheres privadas de liberdade

The Infections Sexually Transmissible (IST), historically old, presents stay and they were added in the decade of 80, to the appearance of the epidemic of the aids and the hepatitis B. The private women of freedom constitute a vulnerable population to these offences and they are big the challenges for his/her enfrentamento. Due to that reality, he/she took place a descriptive research, of field, with quantitative approach, with the objective of verifying the prevalence of IST in private women of freedom, in Santarém, Pará. The sample is constituted of 65 handbooks. In agreement with the obtained results, 40% of the women live in stable union; 45% have incomplete fundamental teaching; 35% are between 18 and 24 years. As for the accomplishment of exams for the diagnosis of IST, 55% never accomplished and 36% present.O objetivo de verificar a prevalência de IST em mulheres privadas de liberdade, em Santarém, Pará. A amostra constitui-se de 65 prontuários. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, 40% das mulheres vivem em união estável; 45% têm ensino fundamental incompleto; 35% estão entre 18 e 24 anos.  Quanto à realização de exames para o diagnóstico de IST, 55% nunca realizou e 36% apresenta registro de um ou mais exames realizados. Desses, em 04 dos prontuários analisados haviam registros do diagnóstico de IST: 2 por sífilis, 1 por gonorreia e 1 por HIV. Os dados revelam que a prevalência de IST entre mulheres privadas de liberdade em Santarém, Pará é relevante e deve ser tratada com atenção e cautela, ressaltando que desenvolver ações preventivas, para identificação do diagnóstico e tratamento de forma planejada e integrada é essencial no contexto do sistema penitenciário brasileiro

Entendendo a agitação psicomotora na sociedade brasileira: revisão de literatura

Introduction: Psychomotor agitation is a characteristic feature characterized by intense arousal, involving both psychological and motor aspects. This condition can manifest in various ways and is often associated with various mental and neurological disorders. Methodology: This literature review employed a systematic approach to identify relevant studies on psychomotor engineering in hospital settings in Brazil. The descriptors used were Psychomotor Agitation, Psychomotor Hyperactivity, Brazil, Hospitals, Psychiatric. The search was conducted in the PUBMED database, using the search filter for the last 10 years. Result: In the context of non-pharmacological management of the agitated patient, recommendations emphasize the importance of following a line of interventions, prioritizing less invasive measures before resorting to more coercive approaches. The process begins with directing the patient to a secure environment, providing a fundamental basis for improvement management. Conclusion: Psychomotor improvement is a symptom that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Understanding the underlying causes and implementing an appropriate therapeutic approach are essential for the effective management of this state. The support of mental health professionals is crucial to assist in both the assessment and treatment of this complex condition.Introdução: A agitação psicomotora é uma característica que se caracteriza por uma intensa intensa, envolvendo tanto aspectos psicológicos quanto motores. Esta condição pode se manifestar de várias maneiras e está frequentemente associada a diversos transtornos mentais e neurológicos. Metodologia: Esta revisão bibliográfica utilizou uma abordagem sistemática para identificar estudos relevantes sobre engenharia psicomotora em contextos hospitalares no Brasil. Os descritores utilizados foram Psychomotor Agitation, Psychomotor Hyperactivity, Brazil, Hospitals, Psychiatric. A busca foi conduzida na base de dados PUBMED, utilizando o filtro de pesquisa nos últimos 10 anos. Resultado: No contexto do manejo não farmacológico do paciente agitado, as recomendações ressaltam a importância de seguir uma linha de intervenções, priorizando medidas menos invasivas antes de recorrer a abordagens mais coercitivas. O processo inicia com o encaminhamento do paciente para um ambiente protegido, proporcionando uma base fundamental para a gestão da melhoria. Conclusão: A melhoria psicomotora é um sintoma que pode impactar significativamente a qualidade de vida de uma pessoa. A compreensão das causas subjacentes e a implementação de uma abordagem terapêutica adequada são essenciais para o manejo eficaz desse estado. O suporte de profissionais de saúde mental é fundamental para auxiliar tanto na avaliação quanto no tratamento dessa condição complexa

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio