Mechanical isolation of caprine preantral follicles at different reproductive stages and ovarian situation

O presente trabalho descreve os efeitos do estágio reprodutivo (animais impúberes, adultos não-gestantes e gestantes), posição anatômica do ovário (direito e esquerdo) presença de corpo lúteo funcional, peso do ovário e número de folículos antrais superficiais (FAS) sobre o número de folículos pré-antrais (FPA) isolados mecanicamente. Os FPA isolados foram divididos em 3 classes a saber: primordiais, primários e secundários. O número médio (± EP) de FPA isolados por ovário foi de 1.324 ± 193; 866 + 170 e 779 ± 139, respectivamente para ovários oriundos de animais impúberes, não-gestantes e gestantes, sendo observada diferença significativa somente entre animais impúberes e gestantes. A posição anatômica do ovário (exceto para os animais não-gestantes) e a presença ou ausência de corpo lúteo não exerceram nenhum efeito sobre o número e distribuição dos FPA isolados. De um modo geral, o número de folículos primários e secundários foi negativamente correlacionado com o peso ovariano. Já o número de folículos primordiais e secundários foi, respectivamente, positiva e negativamente correlacionado com o número de FAS. Analisando as categorias de animais isoladamente, observou-se que, nos animais impúberes, o número de folículos primordiais foi positivamente correlacionado com o número de FAZ, enquanto que o número de folículos primários e secundários foi negativamente correlacionado com o número de FAS. No tocante à categoria de animais gestantes, o número de folículos primários foi negativamente correlacionado com o peso ovariano. Dependendo da categoria de ovários estudada, foram observadas associações significativas entre o número de folículos primordiais, primários e secundários. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe aïm of this study was to describe the effects of reproductive stages (pre-pubertal, non-pregnant and pregnant adult animals), ovarian anatomic position (left or right), presence of functional corpus luteum, ovarian weight and number of superficial antral follicles on the number of preantral follicles mechanically isolated. The mean number (mean ± SEM) of isolated preantral follicles per ovary was 1,324 ± 193, 866 ±170 and 779 ± 139, respectively for prepubertal, non-pregnant and pregnant adult animals. Anatomic position (except for nonpregnant animals) and the presence or absence of corpus luteum dia nof affect the number and distribution of isolated preantral follicles. In general, the number of primary and secondary follicles was negatively correlated with the ovarian weight. The numbers of primordial and secondary follicles were, respectively, positively and negatively correlated with the number of superficial antral follicles. Analyzing animal categories separately, it was observed that in prepurbetal animals, the number of primordial follicles was positively correlated with the number of superficial antral follicles. However the numbers of primary and secondary follicles were negatively correlated with the number of superficial antral follicles. In the category of pregnant animals, the number of primary follicles was negatively correlated with the ovarian weight. According to ovary category analyzed, were observed significant correlation between the number of primordial, primary and secondary isolated follicles

Evaluation of the neuroprotective and antidiabetic potential of phenol-rich extracts from virgin olive oils by in vitro assays

In this work, phenol-rich extracts from ‘Cornicabra’ and ‘Picual’ virgin-olive oils (EVOOs) were examined, for the first time, to establish their capacity to inhibit key enzymes involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and 5-lipoxygenase (LOX)), major depressive disorder (MDD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) (monoamine oxidases: hMAO-A and hMAO-B respectively), and diabetes mellitus (DM) (α-glucosidase and α-amylase). ‘Cornicabra’ displayed the best inhibitory activity against all enzymes, when compared to ‘Picual’: BuChE (IC50 = 156 ± 4 and 308 ± 33 mg mL−1), LOX (IC50 = 26 ± 0.5 and 37 ± 3 mg mL−1), hMAO-A (IC50 = 20 ± 2 and 37 ± 0.2 mg mL−1), hMAO-B (IC50 = 131 ± 7 and 215 ± 13 mg mL−1) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 154 ± 17 and 251 ± 31 mg mL−1), respectively. The behaviour observed can be associated with the higher content of secoiridoids, lignans and phenolic acids in ‘Cornicabra’ EVOO.POCTEP | Ref. 0377_IBERPHENOL_6_EFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UID/QUI/50006/2013Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme | Ref. NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000024Xunta de Galici

Saúde e educação materno-infantil no Gungo: projeto investigação-ação

Introdução: De acordo com o Observatory Report a taxa de mortalidade infanto-juvenil em Angola continua a ser superior à média dos restantes países africanos e segundo a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), a cobertura médica média no país é de 2 médicos para 10.000 habitantes, longe do dos valores de referencia da OCDE de 3,1 médicos por 1.000 habitantes. Em 2016, a Saúde em Português realizou um diagnóstico de situação e inquiriu promotores de saúde e parteiros/as do Gungo (n=32; 25%): em 10 meses realizaram 261 partos, registaram 116 mortes infantis e 10% de mortes maternas relacionadas com o parto. Objetivo: O objetivo geral deste projeto é contribuir para o desenvolvimento humano, através da formação de técnicos de saúde para a prestação de cuidados de saúde seguros na área materno- infantil. Metodologia: Estudo de investigação ação envolvendo 30 formandos, que após avaliação diagnóstica com aplicação de um questionário construído para o efeito, frequentam um plano formativo de 2 anos com cerca de 360 horas teórico-práticas, organizadas em módulos de uma semana. A formação pretende responder às lacunas identificadas no âmbito da preconceção; planeamento familiar, gravidez, parto, cuidados puerperais; cuidados neonatais e pediátricos. Segue –se a avaliação da eficácia formativa com nova aplicação do mesmo questionário, tratamento e análise dos resultados obtidos. Resultados: Capacitar técnicos de saúde, tais como, enfermeiros/as, promotores de saúde e parteiros/as, para a vigilância na gravidez, assistência no trabalho de parto e vigilância em idade pediátrica até aos 5 anos de idade; aumentar conhecimentos técnico-científicos na área da saúde materno-infantil. Pretendemos ainda formar 5 enfermeiros para serem futuros formadores nesta área. Com este projeto, para além dos 30 técnicos de saúde beneficiados diretamente, beneficiarão cerca de 7 786 mulheres em idade fértil e 6 794 crianças, alcançando assim um total aproximado de 14 610 pessoas. Conclusão: É imprescindível capacitar os promotores de saúde para a prestação de cuidados de saúde materno-infantis de qualidade e realização de partos seguros com capacitação para a resolução rápida de intercorrências agudas

Serviços de saúde no controle da tuberculose: enfoque na família e orientação para a comunidade

This study aimed to assess, according to patients' perception, the performance of the Health Services responsible for tuberculosis (TB) control, concerning the dimensions family focus and community orientation. A cross-sectional evaluative research was carried out with 108 TB patients. A questionnaire developed by Starfield and Macinko was used, adapted for TB care by Villa and Ruffino-Netto. Results evidence, in the first dimension, that health professionals (HP) are concerned with patients' signs and symptoms; and, at a lower level, with other health problems of relatives, endangering the comprehensive healthcare. In the second dimension, HP show little concern with the active search of cases, deficiency in HP training, and low rates of examined contacts. Results show the need to broaden HP's epidemiological view, as their attention is focused on patients, with few preventive actions concerning family/community. This evidences the need for a closer relationship among HP/patients/family/community.Se evaluó, bajo la percepción de enfermos, el desempeño de Servicios de Salud responsables por controlar la tuberculosis (TB) en las dimensiones: enfoque en la familia y orientación para la comunidad. Como método, fue utilizada la investigación evaluativa transversal con 108 enfermos de TB. Se utilizó cuestionario de Starfield y Macinko, adaptado para atender la TB por Villa y Ruffino-Netto. Los resultados apuntan que, en la primera dimensión, los profesionales de la salud (PS) demuestran preocupación con señales/síntomas de pacientes y, en menor grado, con otros problemas de salud de familiares, comprometiendo el cuidado completo. En la segunda dimensión, los PS muestran poca preocupación con la búsqueda activa de casos, con la deficiencia de capacitación de PS, y con la baja tasa de contactos examinados. Se concluye que es necesario ampliar la visión epidemiológica de PS, cuya atención está focalizada en el enfermo, con pocas acciones preventivas sobre familia/comunidad, lo que muestra que es imprescindible una mayor aproximación entre PS/enfermos/familiares/comunidad.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, na percepção dos doentes, o desempenho dos Serviços de Saúde responsáveis pelo controle da tuberculose (TB) em relação às dimensões enfoque na família e orientação para a comunidade. Como método, foi usada a pesquisa avaliativa transversal com 108 doentes de TB. Utilizou-se questionário elaborado por Starfield e Macinko, adaptado para a atenção à TB por Villa e Ruffino-Netto. Os resultados apontam que, na primeira dimensão, os profissionais de saúde (PS) demonstram preocupação em relação aos sinais/sintomas dos pacientes e, em menor grau, sobre outros problemas de saúde dos familiares, comprometendo a integralidade do cuidado. Na segunda dimensão, os PS mostram pouca preocupação quanto à busca ativa dos casos, deficiência na capacitação de PS, baixa taxa de contatos examinados. Conclui-se pela necessidade de ampliar a visão epidemiológica dos PS, cuja atenção está focalizada no doente, com poucas ações preventivas sobre a família/comunidade, o que evidencia ser imprescindível maior aproximação entre PS/doentes/familiares/comunidade

Study of preantral follicle population in situ and after mechanical isolation from caprine ovaries at different reproductive stages

The purposes of this study were to estimate the population of caprine preantral follicles, and to evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively the efficiency of a specific mechanical method for the isolation of preantral follicles from mixed breed goats at different reproductive stages. On average, 37,646±4277 preantral follicles were present in goat ovaries, and 13,631±2399 preantral follicles were obtained after isolation. The number of preantral follicles isolated or in situ was not significantly affected by the reproductive stage. The mean recovery rate per ovary ([number of isolated follicles/number of in situ follicles]×100) of isolated follicles was 36.2%. The distribution of follicles in situ was 67.8% primordial, 25.8% primary and 6.4% secondary; the respective distribution after isolation was 93.8%, 5.2% and 1.0%. In this study, many polyovular follicles were also observed, mainly in prepubertal goat ovaries. Histological analysis showed that few preantral follicles were atretic in situ (4.83%±0.35) or after the isolation procedure (4.67%±0.65) in the three reproductive stages. The percentage of atretic follicles was not affected either by the mechanical method or by the reproductive stage. It is concluded that a large number of preantral follicles can be successfully isolated mechanically, with a high recovery rate and a low rate of follicular atresia, irrespective of the reproductive stage of the caprine female

Production of Formosa papaya seedlings irrigated with wastewater and application of biostimulant

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the leading fruit trees in Brazil, mainly in the Northeast region. However, some regions suffer from water scarcity, making wastewater reuse a viable alternative for crop production. Also, biostimulants may be used to maximize papaya growth and development. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the use of Acadian® biostimulant in the growth of Formosa papaya seedlings irrigated with different concentrations of fish-farming wastewater. The experiment was block randomized in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, use and non-use of biostimulant and five concentrations of wastewater (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) diluted in potable water, with four replicates. Qualitative data were compared by t-test at 5% probability, and quantitative data were submitted to regression analysis. Results showed that high concentrations of wastewater negatively affect the production of Formosa papaya seedlings. Acadian® negatively influences plant height, number of leaves, and the ratio between shoot and root. However, the seaweed biostimulant positively influenced the chlorophyll content index.Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the leading fruit trees in Brazil, mainly in the Northeast region. However, some regions suffer from water scarcity, making wastewater reuse a viable alternative for crop production. Also, biostimulants may be used to maximize papaya growth and development. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the use of Acadian® biostimulant in the growth of Formosa papaya seedlings irrigated with different concentrations of fish-farming wastewater. The experiment was block randomized in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, use and non-use of biostimulant and five concentrations of wastewater (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) diluted in potable water, with four replicates. Qualitative data were compared by t-test at 5% probability, and quantitative data were submitted to regression analysis. Results showed that high concentrations of wastewater negatively affect the production of Formosa papaya seedlings. Acadian® negatively influences plant height, number of leaves, and the ratio between shoot and root. However, the seaweed biostimulant positively influenced the chlorophyll content index

DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS ADOPTION IN CLOUD: A STUDY WITH END USERS

O sistema de armazenamento de dados é um serviço da computação em nuvem, que está modificando a maneira com que usuários finais e empresas utilizam a tecnologia da informação. Embora esse fenômeno chame a atenção de profissionais e da comunidade acadêmica, ainda são escassos os estudos nacionais sobre o tema. Este artigo objetiva identificar os fatores que influenciam a adoção de sistemas de armazenamento online de dados, empregando a Teoria da Difusão da Inovação (IDT). A amostra da pesquisa é composta por usuários do Facebook© no Brasil. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio de um questionário online, em que foram validadas 189 respostas. A técnica utilizada para a análise dos dados foi a análise fatorial confirmatória e a modelagem de equações estruturais, através do método de mínimos quadrados parciais via PLS-PM. Os resultados mostraram que fatores como Compatibilidade, Facilidade de Uso, Vantagem Relativa e Visibilidade determinam a adoção de sistemas de armazenamento na nuvem. A partir destes resultados, as empresas que fornecem esses serviços poderão criar estratégias para maior difusão e comercialização desta inovação. O estudo também avança no campo teórico da adoção da computação em nuvem.The system of data storage is a service of cloud computing, that modifying the way that end users and companies use information technology. Although this phenomenon gets attention of professionals and the academic community, there are still few studies on the theme. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of online data storage systems based in the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory. Users of a social network compose the sample of the research. Data collection was made through an online survey. They were validated 189 answers. The technique used for data analysis was confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, using the method of partial least squares PLS-PM. The results showed that factors such as Compatibility, Ease of Use, Relative Advantage and Visibility determine the adoption of storage systems in the cloud. From these results, the companies that provide these services can create strategies for wider dissemination and commercialization of this innovation. The study is also advancing in theoretical adoption of cloud computing

Evaluation of sarcopenia in long-lived elderly patients: comparison between the Muscle Mass Index and the Calf Circumference

The increase in life expectancy, observed in several countries, including Brazil, is due to improvements in living and health conditions and the epidemiological transition from the causes of morbidity and mortality, from infectious and parasitic diseases to chronic diseases. Furthermore, an increase in longevity, in addition to advances in science, with the improvement of diagnoses and the search for new treatments contributed to the increase in years lived1,2. However, the aging process is associated with a decrease in organic functions over the years. Sarcopenia is considered a complex geriatric syndrome and is defined as an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function2. It is a major public health concern because it can result in functional decline, disability, falls, increased hospitalization costs, poor quality of life, and even deaths3. Although Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is the most used method to estimate the loss of muscle mass4 the high cost and low viability hinder its use in Primary Health Care (PHC). Methods such as Muscle Mass Index (MMI) and Calf Circumference (CC) can be used replacing DXA due to ease of access and application as well as low cost5. The Academic League of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Três Lagoas Campus, Federal Univeristy of Mato Grosso do Sul designed and executed a research intending to evaluate several aspects in elderly people with extreme longevity. One of the variables analyzed was sarcopenia, which was evaluated and compared using MMI and CC. For this purpose, a cross-sectional and quantitative study was performed in 2019/2020, with n = 69 individuals aged ≥ 90 years, of both genders, users of the Unified Health System in the town of Três Lagoas – MS. A sociodemographic questionnaire containing gender, age, and years of schooling was applied. Anthropometric data (CC and MMI) were collected in triplicate. The skeletal muscle mass was determined using the formula of Lee and collaborators which considers age, body mass, gender, ethnicity and height5. The values of MMI ​​of Janssen and collaborators were used as a reference to classify whether the nonagenarian or centenarians were sarcopenic or not6. For CC, a cutoff score ≤ 31 centimeters was adopted as a sign of sarcopenia7. The interviewed elderly had an average age of 93.5 years old, 1.3 years of schooling and 52.2% of the participants were women. The average CC was 31.2 centimeters, with 46.1% being considered sarcopenic patients according to this parameter. The average MMI was 5.1 kg/m2, with 100% of the elderly patients being considered sarcopenic through this method. There was no relationship between CC and MMI (p = 0.213). The high rates of sarcopenia found, especially using MMI and the absence of a relationship between the CC and MMI highlights the need to use more reliable methods to evaluate sarcopenia in long-lived elderly people, since the identification from CC, despite being easy and fast, may not be sensitive in this age group. These findings also lead to considering the use of more specific methods or those associated with other variables, such as Timed up and Go (TUG), for the evaluation of sarcopenia in the elderly aged 90 years or over. Future investigations should  consider the importance of validating specific instruments for elderly people in extreme longevity, as they constitute a group that has unique characteristics. The screening, monitoring, and health promotion carried out by PHC teams can promote the improvement in the quality of life of elderly people in extreme longevity

DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS ADOPTION IN CLOUD: A STUDY WITH END USERS

O sistema de armazenamento de dados é um serviço da computação em nuvem, que está modificando a maneira com que usuários finais e empresas utilizam a tecnologia da informação. Embora esse fenômeno chame a atenção de profissionais e da comunidade acadêmica, ainda são escassos os estudos nacionais sobre o tema. Este artigo objetiva identificar os fatores que influenciam a adoção de sistemas de armazenamento online de dados, empregando a Teoria da Difusão da Inovação (IDT). A amostra da pesquisa é composta por usuários do Facebook© no Brasil. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio de um questionário online, em que foram validadas 189 respostas. A técnica utilizada para a análise dos dados foi a análise fatorial confirmatória e a modelagem de equações estruturais, através do método de mínimos quadrados parciais via PLS-PM. Os resultados mostraram que fatores como Compatibilidade, Facilidade de Uso, Vantagem Relativa e Visibilidade determinam a adoção de sistemas de armazenamento na nuvem. A partir destes resultados, as empresas que fornecem esses serviços poderão criar estratégias para maior difusão e comercialização desta inovação. O estudo também avança no campo teórico da adoção da computação em nuvem.The system of data storage is a service of cloud computing, that modifying the way that end users and companies use information technology. Although this phenomenon gets attention of professionals and the academic community, there are still few studies on the theme. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of online data storage systems based in the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory. Users of a social network compose the sample of the research. Data collection was made through an online survey. They were validated 189 answers. The technique used for data analysis was confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, using the method of partial least squares PLS-PM. The results showed that factors such as Compatibility, Ease of Use, Relative Advantage and Visibility determine the adoption of storage systems in the cloud. From these results, the companies that provide these services can create strategies for wider dissemination and commercialization of this innovation. The study is also advancing in theoretical adoption of cloud computing