Effect of balanced energy-protein supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on birth outcomes and infant growth in rural Burkina Faso: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is crucial to both mother and child. Maternal malnutrition can be the cause of stillbirth or lead to poor birth outcomes such as preterm delivery and small-for-gestational-age newborns. There is a probable positive effect of providing pregnant women a balanced energy-protein (BEP) food supplement, but more evidence is needed. The MIcronutriments pour la SAnte de la Mere et de l'Enfant (MISAME) III project aims to improve birth outcomes and infant growth by testing a BEP supplement during pregnancy and lactation in rural Burkina Faso. This paper describes the study protocol. Methods and analysis: MISAME-III is a four-arm individually randomised efficacy trial implemented in six rural health centre catchments areas in the district of Hounde. Eligible pregnant women, aged between 15 and 40 years old and living in the study areas, will be enrolled. Women will be randomly assigned to one of the four study groups: (1) prenatal intervention only, (2) postnatal intervention only, (3) prenatal and postnatal intervention or (4) no prenatal or postnatal intervention. The intervention group will receive the BEP supplement and iron/folic acid (IFA) tablets, while the control group will only receive the IFA tablets following the national health protocol. Consumption will be supervised by trained village women on a daily basis by means of home visits. The primary outcomes are small-for-gestational age at birth and length-for-age z-score at 6 months of age. Secondary outcomes will be measured at birth and during the first 6 months of the infants' life. Women will be enrolled from October 2019 until the total sample size is reached. Ethics and dissemination: MISAME-III has been reviewed and approved by the University Hospital of Ghent and the ethics committee of Centre Muraz, Burkina Faso. Informed consent will be obtained. Results will be published in relevant journals and shared with other researchers and public health institutions

Developmental changes in the critical information used for facial expression processing

Facial expression recognition skills are known to improve across childhood and adolescence, but the mechanisms driving the development of these important social abilities remain unclear. This study investigates directly whether there are qualitative differences in child and adult processing strategies for these emotional stimuli. With a novel adaptation of the Bubbles reverse-correlation paradigm (Gosselin & Schyns, 2001), we added noise to expressive face stimuli and presented sub-sets of randomly sampled information from each image at different locations and spatial frequency bands across experimental trials. Results from our large developmental sample: 71 young children (6 -9 years), 69 older children (10-13 years) and 54 adults, uniquely reveal flexible profiles of strategic information-use for categorisations of fear, sadness, happiness and anger at all ages. All three groups relied upon a distinct set of key facial features for each of these expressions, with fine-tuning of this diagnostic information (features and spatial frequency) observed across developmental time. Reported variability in the developmental trajectories for different emotional expressions is consistent with the notion of functional links between the refinement of information-use and processing ability

Observatory of Coastal Conservation of Paraná - OC2 : a tool to support regional development

En la actualidad la región costera paranaense (sur de Brasil) pasa por un momento crítico en lo que concierne a la conservación del patrimonio natural y cultural remanente. Creado en 2012 el Observatorio de Conservación Costera de Paraná (OC2) es una instancia que reúne profesionales de diversas áreas del conocimiento, promoviendo el intercambio y la generación de informaciones técnico-científicas para subsidiar la toma de decisiones en la gestión territorial del litoral. Al considerar la reciente creación del OC2, su actuación ya demostró un importante papel en la calificación de los proyectos de infraestructura, promoviendo el diálogo en los procesos de planificación y permisos ambientales corrigiendo inconsistencias técnicas y jurídicas y cobrando de los gestores públicos transparencia y mayor rigor técnico en esos procesos de éstos. Muchas perspectivas, sugerencias y soluciones presentadas a través del OC2 son componentes esenciales de una macro estrategia para el desarrollo sostenible del litoral de Paraná, considerando las relaciones costo-beneficio económico-social-ambiental. A partir de eso, pautado en informaciones que pueden ayudar a los tomadores de decisión, los planes de desarrollo y la protección de áreas naturales, es posible planificar el desarrollo regional contribuyendo como herramienta de gestión en las esferas municipal, estatal y federal.The coastal region of Paraná (southern Brazil) is currently going through a critical moment regarding the conservation of the remaining natural and cultural heritage. Created in 2012, the Observatory of Coastal Conservation of Paraná (OC2) is an entity that brings together professionals from different knowledge areas, promoting the exchange and generation of technical-scientific information to subsidize decision-making in the territorial management of the coast. When considering the recent creation of the OC2, its performance has already demonstrated an important role in the qualification of infrastructure projects, promoting dialogue in planning processes and environmental permits, correcting technical and legal inconsistencies, and charging transparency and greater technical rigor from public managers. Many perspectives, suggestions, and solutions presented through the OC2 are essential components of a macro strategy for the sustainable development of the Paraná coast, taking into account the economic-social-environmental cost-benefit relationships. Based on information that can help decision-makers, development plans, and the protection of natural areas, it is possible to plan regional development by contributing as a management tool in the municipal, state and federal spheres.Fil: Paula, Eduardo Vedor de. Universidad Federal de Paraná (Brasil)Fil: Silva, Ariel Scheffer da. Itaipu Binacional (empresa hidroeléctrica)Fil: Ficher, Dailey.Fil: Schrappe Borges, Clóvis Ricardo

Estágio supervisionado de enfermagem em pediatria no contexto da COVID-19: impactos e limitações

The aim was to develop several professional skills that result in aptitude for development in the professional environment in health services: public, philanthropic, or private. The professional nurse, inserted in health work, must adopt an innovative posture, be critical-creative, and aware of their responsibilities. For this, the development of general skills, during the supervised internship, provides opportunities for the association of theory with practice. The student needs to develop all the skills, and for this it is essential that they have theoretical and practical classes linked to the Supervised Curriculum Internships (ECS) in different health services. Therefore, the present work is an experience report, built from the experience of a teacher and a group of students from the internship of the Nursing Course of a private college in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario in ​​Child Health and Adolescents, in the tenth period of graduation. Through the students' reports, the expressions insecurity, fear of personal and family contagion, limitations in approaching patients, were frequent.Objetivou-se desenvolver diversas capacidades profissionais que resultem em aptidão para o desenvolvimento no ambiente profissional em serviços de saúde: público, filantrópico ou privado. O profissional enfermeiro, inserido no trabalho em saúde, deve apropriar-se de uma postura inovadora, ser crítico-criativo, e consciente de suas responsabilidades. Para isso o desenvolvimento de competências gerais, durante o estágio supervisionado é que se oportuniza a associação da teoria com a prática. O discente carece desenvolver todas as competências, e para isso torna-se imprescindível que ele tenha aulas teóricas e práticas atreladas aos Estágios Curriculares Supervisionados (ECS) nos diferentes serviços de saúde. Diante disso o presente trabalho trata-se de um relato de experiência, construído a partir da vivência de uma docente e grupo de discentes do estágio do Curso de Enfermagem de uma faculdade particular no cenário da pandemia da COVID-19 na área de Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, no décimo período da graduação. Através dos relatos dos discentes as expressões insegurança, medo de contágio pessoal e familiar, limitações de abordagens aos pacientes, foram frequentes

Estágio supervisionado de enfermagem em pediatria no contexto da COVID-19: impactos e limitações

The aim was to develop several professional skills that result in aptitude for development in the professional environment in health services: public, philanthropic, or private. The professional nurse, inserted in health work, must adopt an innovative posture, be critical-creative, and aware of their responsibilities. For this, the development of general skills, during the supervised internship, provides opportunities for the association of theory with practice. The student needs to develop all the skills, and for this it is essential that they have theoretical and practical classes linked to the Supervised Curriculum Internships (ECS) in different health services. Therefore, the present work is an experience report, built from the experience of a teacher and a group of students from the internship of the Nursing Course of a private college in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario in ​​Child Health and Adolescents, in the tenth period of graduation. Through the students' reports, the expressions insecurity, fear of personal and family contagion, limitations in approaching patients, were frequent.Objetivou-se desenvolver diversas capacidades profissionais que resultem em aptidão para o desenvolvimento no ambiente profissional em serviços de saúde: público, filantrópico ou privado. O profissional enfermeiro, inserido no trabalho em saúde, deve apropriar-se de uma postura inovadora, ser crítico-criativo, e consciente de suas responsabilidades. Para isso o desenvolvimento de competências gerais, durante o estágio supervisionado é que se oportuniza a associação da teoria com a prática. O discente carece desenvolver todas as competências, e para isso torna-se imprescindível que ele tenha aulas teóricas e práticas atreladas aos Estágios Curriculares Supervisionados (ECS) nos diferentes serviços de saúde. Diante disso o presente trabalho trata-se de um relato de experiência, construído a partir da vivência de uma docente e grupo de discentes do estágio do Curso de Enfermagem de uma faculdade particular no cenário da pandemia da COVID-19 na área de Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, no décimo período da graduação. Através dos relatos dos discentes as expressões insegurança, medo de contágio pessoal e familiar, limitações de abordagens aos pacientes, foram frequentes

Implications of Polystyrene Microplastics on the Gastric Digestion of Bovine Milk

The prevalence of microplastics (MP) pollution in different zones of the environment has been established by several studies [1]. Due to its widespread presence, MP have found its way into food items. Fish, shellfish, water, milk, salt, and sugar are just some examples of the food we commonly consume that are contaminated with MP [2]. Human ingestion of MP is already well-established but there is limited data regarding how MP affect human gastric digestion of food components, especially proteins. In this study, we investigated the effects of polystyrene (PS) MP on pepsin, the major protease in human gastric digestion. Pepsin activity was tested during exposure to two different sizes -10 μm (PS10) and 100 μm (PS100), and three different quantities- low count (142 particles), moderate count (1420 particles), and high count (14200 particles), of PS using haemoglobin as substrate. Results showed that exposure to PS100 has no effect on enzyme activity. However, exposure to high count PS10 considerably reduced pepsin activity from 2957 ± 310 U/mg to 1674 ± 270 U/mg. To test the effect on food digestion, high count PS10 was added to a sample of commercially available liquid bovine milk (defatted). In this case, the static in vitro simulation of gastric digestion was followed to mimic human digestion of food [3]. Milk digesta at different time points (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes) were obtained to monitor the progress of protein degradation. SDS-PAGE showed no difference in the peptide bands from 30-120 minutes. However, bands corresponding to caseins were not observed at 5 minutes when PS10 was present. Additionally, 14 kDa fragments were not observed at 10-20 minutes. Washing of the PS particles followed by SDSPAGE revealed a faint pepsin band from all time points. At 5 and 10 minutes, faint peptide bands >10kDa were also observed. These suggest that pepsin and some milk peptides were adsorbed on the surface of PS10. Zeta potential analysis of PS revealed a slightly negative surface charge which could explain the adsorption and disappearance of peptide bands. This adsorption of pepsin on PS did not seem to affect its overall protease activity. However, the interaction of milk peptides with PS may reduce the nutrients human could acquire from milk. Acknowledgements This study was supported by Ghent University Global Campus; Special Research Fund (BOF) of Ghent University (grant number 01N01718) and IMPTOX European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant number 965173). References [1] S. Sharma, S. Basu, N. P. Shetti, M. N. Nadagouda, T. M. Aminabhavi (2021) Chem. Eng. J., 408, 127317. [2] K. D. Cox, G. A. Covernton, H. L. Davies, J. F. Dower, F. Juanes, S. E. Dudas (2019) Environ. Sci. Technol., 53(12), 7068–7074. [3] A. Brodkorb et al. (2019) Nat. Protoc., 14(4), 991– 1014

PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE NA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL: PRÁTICAS DE EDUCADORES NA REDE PÚBLICA

This study had as general objectives comprehenda how educators promote health in a Municipal Center for Early Childhood Education (MCECE) of the municipal network in the interior of Bahia. Data collection was performed using a semi-structured interview. For data analysis, content analysis was chosen, where 3 (three) categories emerged: Health and health promotion: meanings attributed by teachers; Health promotion practices at school; The pandemic and the new health care in school contexts. In this way, it is concluded that the pedagogical practices are aimed at promoting health directly linked to child care, emphasizing the need for family participation, describing the techniques for producing this care. Health and care must be part of the routine of schools, talking about health is necessary in different contexts, it is necessary to change the idea that education is associated only with school, and health only with health services, overcoming the isolated practices through integrated work.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender cómo los educadores promueven la salud en un Centro Municipal de Educación Infantil (CMEI) de la red municipal del interior de Bahía. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante una entrevista semiestructurada. Para el análisis de los datos se optó por el análisis de contenido, donde surgieron 3 (tres) categorías: Salud y promoción de la salud: significados atribuidos por los docentes; Prácticas de promoción de la salud en la escuela; La pandemia y la nueva atención a la salud en contextos escolares. Así, se concluye que las prácticas pedagógicas están dirigidas a la promoción de la salud directamente vinculada al cuidado del niño, enfatizando la necesidad de la participación de la familia, describiendo las técnicas para producir ese cuidado. La salud y el cuidado deben ser parte del cotidiano de las escuelas, hablar de salud es necesario en diferentes contextos, es necesario cambiar la idea de que la educación se asocia solo a la escuela, y la salud solo a los servicios de salud, superando las prácticas aisladas a través del trabajo integrado.Esse estudo teve como objetivo geral compreender como os educadores promovem a saúde em um Centro Municipal de Educação Infantil (CMEI) da rede municipal no interior da Bahia. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir da entrevista semi-estruturada. Para análise de dados, optou-se pela análise de conteúdo, onde emergiram 3 (três) categorias: Saúde e promoção da saúde: significados atribuídos pelos professores; Práticas de promoção à saúde na escola; A pandemia e os novos cuidados de saúde nos contextos escolares. Desta forma, conclui-se que as práticas pedagógicas estão voltadas para promoção da saúde ligadas diretamente ao cuidado com à criança, enfatizando a necessidade de participação da família, descrevendo as técnicas para produção desse cuidado. A saúde e o cuidado devem fazer parte da rotina das escolas, falar de saúde se faz necessário em diversos contextos, precisa-se modificar a ideia de que a educação está associada apenas à escola, e a saúde somente aos serviços de saúde, superando as práticas isoladas por meio de um trabalho integrado

The alternative coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (CgoN) catalyzes the oxygen-independent conversion of coproporphyrinogen III into coproporphyrin III

Nature utilizes three distinct pathways to synthesize the essential enzyme cofactor heme. The coproporphyrin III-dependent pathway, predominantly present in Bacillaceae, employs an oxygen-dependent coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (CgoX) that converts coproporphyrinogen III into coproporphyrin III. In this study, we report the bioinformatic-based identification of a gene called ytpQ, encoding a putative oxygen-independent counterpart, which we propose to term CgoN, from Priestia (Bacillus) megaterium. The recombinantly produced, purified, and monomeric YtpQ (CgoN) protein is shown to catalyze the oxygen-independent conversion of coproporphyrinogen III into coproporphyrin III. Minimal non-enzymatic conversion of coproporphyrinogen III was observed under the anaerobic test conditions employed in this study. FAD was identified as a cofactor, and menadione served as an artificial acceptor for the six abstracted electrons, with a KM value of 3.95 μmol/L and a kcat of 0.63 per min for the substrate. The resulting coproporphyrin III, in turn, acts as an effective substrate for the subsequent enzyme of the pathway, the coproporphyrin III ferrochelatase (CpfC). Under aerobic conditions, oxygen directly serves as an electron acceptor, but is replaced by the more efficient action of menadione. An AlphaFold2 model of the enzyme suggests that YtpQ adopts a compact triangular shape consisting of three domains. The N-terminal domain appears to be flexible with respect to the rest of the structure, potentially creating a ligand binding site that opens and closes during the catalytic cycle. A catalytic mechanism similar to the oxygen-independent protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase PgoH1 (HemG), based on the flavin-dependent abstraction of six electrons from coproporphyrinogen III and their potential quinone-dependent transfer to a membrane-localized electron transport chain, is proposed