Commonalities and Differences in Carotid Body Dysfunction in Hypertension and Heart Failure

Carotid body pathophysiology is associated with many cardiovascular-respiratory-metabolic diseases. This pathophysiology reflects both hyper-sensitivity and hyper-tonicity. From both animal models and human patients, evidence indicates that amelioration of this pathophysiological signalling improves disease states such as a lowering of blood pressure in hypertension, a reduction of breathing disturbances with improved cardiac function in heart failure (HF) and a re-balancing of autonomic activity with lowered sympathetic discharge. Given this, we have reviewed the mechanisms of carotid body hyper-sensitivity and hyper-tonicity across disease models asking whether there is uniqueness related to specific disease states. Our analysis indicates some commonalities and some potential differences, although not all mechanisms have been fully explored across all disease models. One potential commonality is that of hypoperfusion of the carotid body across hypertension and HF, where the excessive sympathetic drive may reduce blood flow in both models and, in addition, lowered cardiac output in HF may potentiate the hypoperfusion state of the carotid body. Other mechanisms are explored that focus on neurotransmitter and signalling pathways intrinsic to the carotid body (e.g. ATP, carbon monoxide) as well as extrinsic molecules carried in the blood (e.g. leptin); there are also transcription factors found in the carotid body endothelium that modulate its activity (Krüppel-like factor 2). The evidence to date fully supports that a better understanding of the mechanisms of carotid body pathophysiology is a fruitful strategy for informing potential new treatment strategies for many cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic diseases, and this is highly relevant clinically

Uma Sistematização dos Estudos Nacionais em Psicologia Ambiental

Environmental Psychology (PA) is a discipline that studies the interrelation between person-environment, from the perspective that both are inserted in a system of mutual influence. With the objective of presenting a data systematization of studies in Environmental Psychology in the national context, this study carried out an analysis of the scientific production of articles related to the theme, available in SciELO, Pepsic, Indexpsi, VHL, LILACS databases. We used the descriptors person, environment and environmental psychology, selected according to the Descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS). From the national sample of 29 scientific articles, it was verified that the person-environment relationship in its origins adopted an individualistic perspective, focused on the psychological effects that the environment caused in the people. Subsequently, the person-environment was studied in an interactionist perspective, in which both are separate units and have a cause-and-effect relationship. From a more current view, the person and environment are seen inserted in an interrelated system, in which both define and modify each other. It was possible to identify that the current ontology is materialist, anthropology is transactionalist and agent and epistemology is interactionist and constructivist. It was verified that there are two main characteristics in the PA: construction of scientific knowledge from the multi-method and interdisciplinary approach. For future researches is suggested to incorporate cultural issues into human-environment investigations, owing to the way it influences worldviews and urban and private constructions.La Psicología Ambiental (PA) es una disciplina que se propone a estudiar la interrelación entre persona-ambiente, desde la perspectiva de que ambos están insertados en un sistema de mutua influencia. Con el objetivo de presentar una sistematización de datos de los estudios en Psicología Ambiental en el contexto nacional, este estudio realizó un análisis de la producción científica de artículos relacionados con el tema, disponibles en las bases de datos Scielo, Pepsic, Indexpsi, BVS, LILACS. Se utilizó los descriptores persona, ambiente y psicología ambiental, seleccionados según los Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DeCS). A partir de la muestra nacional de 29 artículos científicos, se verificó que la relación persona-ambiente en sus orígenes adoptaba una perspectiva individualista, enfocada en los efectos psicológicos que el ambiente causaba en las personas. Posteriormente, se estudió la persona-ambiente en una perspectiva interaccional, en la cual ambos son unidades separadas y poseen una relación de causa y efecto. A partir de una visión más actual, la persona y el ambiente se ven insertados en un sistema de interrelación, en el que ambos se definen y se modifican mutuamente. Fue posible identificar que la ontología actual es materialista, la antropología es transacionalista y agente y la epistemología es interaccionista y constructivista. Se verificó que hay dos características principales en la PA: construcción del conocimiento científico a partir del abordaje multiforme e interdisciplinario. Se sugiere a futuras investigaciones incorporar cuestiones culturales en las investigaciones persona-ambiente, debido al modo como influencia visiones de mundo y construcciones urbanas y privadas.A Psicologia Ambiental (PA) é uma disciplina que se propõe a estudar a inter-relação entre pessoa-ambiente, a partir da perspectiva de que ambos estão inseridos em um sistema de mútua influência. Ressalta-se que esta pesquisa sucedeu no Laboratório de Psicologia Ambiental (LAPAM/UFSC). Com o objetivo de refletir acerca dos fundamentos epistemológicos dos estudos pessoa-ambiente, este estudo realizou uma análise da produção científica de artigos relacionados com o tema, disponíveis nas bases de dados Scielo, Pepsic, Indexpsi, BVS, LILACS. Utilizou-se os descritores pessoa, ambiente e psicologia ambiental, selecionados segundo os Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS). A partir da amostra nacional de 29 artigos científicos, foi verificado que a relação pessoa-ambiente em suas origens adotava uma perspectiva individualista, focada nos efeitos psicológicos que o ambiente causava nas pessoas. Posteriormente, estudou-se a pessoa-ambiente em uma perspectiva interacionista, na qual ambos são unidades separadas e possuem uma relação de causa e efeito. Já a partir de uma visão mais atual, pessoa e ambiente são vistos inseridos em um sistema de inter-relação, em que ambos se definem e se modificam mutuamente. Foi possível identificar que a ontologia atual é materialista, a antropologia é transacionalista e agente e a epistemologia é interacionista e construtivista. Verificou-se que há duas características principais na PA: construção do conhecimento científico a partir da abordagem multimétodos e interdisciplinar. Sugere-se a futuras pesquisas incorporar questões culturais nas investigações pessoa-ambiente, devido ao modo como influencia visões de mundo e construções urbanas e privadas

Susceptibilidade das células beta-pancreáticas ao SARS-CoV-2: uma revisão integrativa

Introduction: The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has brought numerous challenges to society, generating a huge global health burden in search of understandig this fenomenon. It is known that SARS-CoV-2 has manifestations that goes beyond respiratory involvement. Over time, knowledge about the mechanisms and tropisms of the virus has changed, allowing a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Regarding the potential endocrine involvement caused by SARS-CoV-2, it is possible to observe that beta-pancreatic cells are susceptible to infection by the virus, and it is valid to investigate this correlation. For this reason, we sought to establish this relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and its effects on pancreatic beta cells. Methodology: The searches were carried out using defined keywords, finding studies indexed in the PubMed electronic database. Results: After a complete reading of the 63 articles selected using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, it was possible to observe that 42 portrayed some degree of susceptibility of pancreatic beta cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study sought to demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 infection is closely related to deleterious effects on pancreatic beta cells. Conclusion: By reviewing the selected articles, we came to the conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that affects the human body in several different ways and can lead to Diabetes Mellitus (DM) if it affects the functioning of β-cells. We emphasize the importance of more studies in this area, since the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic will follow humanity for a long time, and are extremely relevant to medical practice in the coming years.Introdução: A pandemia causada pela SARS-CoV-2 trouxe inúmeros desafios à sociedade, gerando uma enorme carga global de saúde em busca de sua compreensão. Sabe-se que a SARS-CoV-2 possui manifestações que vão além do acometimento respiratório. Ao longo do tempo, o conhecimento acerca dos mecanismos e tropismos do vírus se modificou, permitindo uma maior compreensão da fisiopatologia da COVID-19. Acerca do potencial acometimento endócrino causado pelo SARS-CoV-2, é possível observar que as células beta-pancreáticas são suscetíveis à infecção pelo vírus, sendo válida a investigação acerca de tal correlação. Por tal motivo, procuramos estabelecer essa relação entre a infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 e seus efeitos sobre as células beta pancreáticas. Metodologia: As buscas foram realizadas com palavras-chave definidas, encontrando estudos indexados no banco de dados eletrônicos PubMed. Resultado: Após a leitura completa dos 63 artigos selecionados por meio dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foi possível observar que 42 retratam algum grau de susceptibilidade das células beta-pancreáticas à infecção por SARS-Cov-2. O presente trabalho procurou demonstrar que a infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 está intimamente relacionada com efeitos deletérios às células beta pancreáticas. Conclusão: Através da revisão dos artigos selecionados, chegamos à conclusão de que o SARS-CoV-2 é um vírus que acomete o corpo humano de diversas maneiras diferentes, podendo gerar Diabetes Mellitus (DM) caso afete o funcionamento das células β. Ressaltamos a importância de mais estudos na área, visto que as consequências da pandemia do COVID-19 acompanharão a humanidade por um longo tempo, sendo de extrema relevância para a prática médica dos próximos anos

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Colon cancer surgery in patients operated on an emergency basis

ABSTRACT Objective: to study the epidemiological profile of patients with colorectal cancer operated on an emergency basis at the Bonsucesso Federal Hospital. Methods: this is a retrospective study of patients operated between January 1999 and December 2012. We analyzed the following variables: age, gender, clinical data, TMN staging, tumor location, survival and types of surgery. Results: we evaluated 130 patients in the study period. The most frequent clinical picture was intestinal obstruction, in 78% of cases. Intestinal perforation was the surgical indication in 15%. The majority (39%) of the patients had advanced TNM staging, compared with 27% in the initial stage. There were 39 deaths (30%) documented in the period. The most common tumor site was the sigmoid colon (51%), followed by the ascending colon (16%). The curative intent was performed in most cases, with adjuvant treatment being performed in 40% of the patients. Distant metastases were found in 42% of the patients and 10% had documented disease recurrence. Disease-free survival at two and five years was 69% and 41%, respectively. Conclusion: there was a high mortality rate and a low survival rate in colorectal cancer patients operated on urgently

SÍNTESE E DETERMINAÇÃO DA ESTEREOQUÍMICA RELATIVA DE UM NOVO EPÓXIDO ALDEÍDO CICLOPENTANO MONOTERPENÓIDE

In this study, we report the preparation of a new tetra-substituted epoxide aldehyde cyclopentane, which acts as a starting material for the synthesis of plinol, from (R)-(+)-epoxy-limonene. The synthesis was performed in three steps and resulted in a good yield. The structural determination was performed by 1H and 13C NMR, and the relative stereochemistry was defined by nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) experiments with computer calculations of molecular modeling, particularly with respect to indirect coupling constant calculations