Perceived personal safety in relation to urban woodland vegetation – A review

Urban woodland vegetation provides people with many aesthetic, ecological and psychological benefits, but can also generate problems concerning people’s perception of safety. This paper reviews existing knowledge about perceived personal safety in relation to vegetation, particularly woodland vegetation, in urban green spaces such as parks and residential areas. Individual and social factors, but also vegetation character, maintenance and design, proved to be important for perceived personal safety. Vegetation-related aspects identified as being of particular importance include landscape design, possibilities for overview and control, vegetation density, and vegetation character and maintenance. Vegetation of an open character with low density undergrowth might have positive effects on perceived personal safety without reducing other benefits. Issues for future research include context-based studies to consider several aspects of vegetation and their interactions

Impact of the training of community health workers on food education: methodological aspects and potentialities / Impacto da capacitação de agentes comunitários de saúde em educação alimentar: aspectos metodológicos e potencialidades

Objetivo: analisar os aspectos metodológicos e as potencialidades do estudo “Impacto da capacitação de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS) em educação alimentar (EA) - Vitória/ES”. Métodos: os ACS de 25 Unidades de Saúde (US) foram convidados e avaliados em Centro de Investigação Cardiovascular. Foram realizadas quatro etapas: Avaliação da saúde e nutrição dos ACS; Estudo qualitativo; Capacitação em EA; Reavaliação. Resultados: foram coletados dados bioquímicos e antropométricos, de consumo alimentar, exames clínicos, eletrólitos urinários e testes físicos. Estudo qualitativo realizado para levantamento da percepção dos ACS sobre o estudo. As US foram randomizadas em dois grupos (intervenção e controle). O grupo intervenção participou de uma capacitação em EA, tendo como base o Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. Ao final da capacitação, os ACS foram reavaliados para identificar mudanças nas condições de saúde. Conclusão: este estudo pode contribuir para o planejamento, monitoramento e avaliação de ações específicas na atenção primária.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II study to assess the efficacy/safety of farletuzumab in combination with carboplatin plus paclitaxel or carboplatin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in women with low CA-125 platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

Objectives: The primary objective of this study (MORAb-003-011/ENGOT-ov27) was to determine if farletuzumab (FAR) had superior efficacy compared with placebo (PLB) in improving progression-free survival (PFS) when added to carboplatin (carbo)/paclitaxel (pacli) or carbo/PLD, in subjects with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer in first relapse (platinum-free interval: 6-36 months) with low cancer antigen 125 (CA-125). CA-125 inhibits target cell killing via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, thereby reducing the efficacy of immunotherapeutic antibodies. Subgroup analysis in a prior randomized Phase III study±FAR suggested that subjects with CA-125 levels ≤3 x upper limit of normal (ULN), showed superior PFS (hazard risk [HR] = 0.49) and overall survival (OS, HR = 0.44) compared with PLB. Methods: Eligibility included age ≥18 years old, CA-125 ≤3 x ULN (105 U/mL), high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer, and previous treatment with debulking surgery and first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Subjects received 6 cycles with either carbo/pacli every 3 weeks or carbo/PLD in combination with either FAR [5 mg/kg weekly] or PLB in a 2:1 ratio. Maintenance treatment with FAR (5 mg/kg weekly) or PLB was given until disease progression. Tumor assessments were every 6 weeks during the Combination Treatment Phase and every 9 weeks during the Maintenance Treatment Phase. The study was designed to detect a PFS HR of 0.667 (33.3% risk reduction) with FAR compared with PLB with approximately 85% power and a 1-sided type I error rate of 0.10. The comparison of PFS between treatment groups was based on the log-rank test. The HR was estimated based on Cox\u27s proportional-hazards model. Results: A total of 214 subjects were randomized and enrolled, 142 with FAR+chemotherapy (FAR-CT) and 72 with placebo+chemotherapy (PLB-CT). The median PFS in the Intent-to-Treat [ITT] Population was not significantly different between treatment groups; 11.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.2, 13.6) versus 10.8 months (95% CI: 9.5, 13.2) for FAR-CT and PLB-CT, respectively (HR = 0.89; 80% CI: 0.71, 1.11). An interim analysis of OS showed no significant difference between treatment groups. The overall response rate (ORR) was 69.6% in 96 subjects treated with FAR-CT versus 73.5% in 50 subjects treated with PLB-CT (p=0.53). No significant differences between treatment groups were observed for any other efficacy parameters. The safety profile of the 2 treatment groups was similar except for an increase in interstitial lung disease among the FAR cohort. Interstitial lung disease occurred in 7 of 141 (5.0%) subjects treated with FAR-CT (1 with Grade 1, 4 with Grade 2, and 2 with Grade 3) and none in subjects treated with PLB-CT. Conclusions: The combination of FAR-CT did not show signals of superior efficacy compared with PLB-CT in improving PFS or other efficacy parameters in subjects with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer in first relapse who had low CA-125 levels. No new safety concerns were identified with the combination of FAR-CT. Since FAR binds to the folate receptor alpha, a novel antibody-drug conjugate has been developed and clinical studies are ongoing to assess the safety/efficacy of this modification. Clinical Trial Registry: NCT02289950

Multimorbidade e cuidado com a saúde de agentes comunitários de saúde em Vitória, Espírito Santo, 2019: um estudo transversal

Objective: To evaluate health conditions, health care and life habits of community health workers (CHW) in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study of baseline data from an intervention study. Biochemical, anthropometric, hemodynamic examinations were carried out and an interview was conducted between October/2018 and March/2019 in Vitória. Appropriate statistical tests, according to the sample design, were performed using SPSS software version 21.0, adopting p<0.05. Results: Evaluated 262 CHW with a mean age of 46.1±9.3 years. High prevalence of pre-diabetes(22.9%), diabetes mellitus (17.2%), hypertension (37,0%), obesity (39.8%), hypercholesterolemia (57.3%), hypertriglyceridemia (27.1%), multimorbidity (40.8%), physical inactivity (60.9%) and use of anxiolytics/ antidepressants (22.5%). About 40% of CHW had three or more morbidities. Conclusion: High percentages of chronic diseases, multimorbidity, sedentary lifestyle and use of anxiolytics/antidepressants were observed in CHW in Vitória.Objetivo: Evaluar condiciones de salud, cuidados de la salud y hábitos de vida de los Agentes Comunitarios de Salud (ACS) en Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Métodos: Estudio transversal de la línea de base de un estudio de intervención. Se realizaron clínicos y entrevistas entre octubre/2018 y marzo/2019 en Vitória. Se realizaron las pruebas estadísticas adecuadas utilizando el software SPSS versión 21.0, adoptando p<0.05. Resultados: Se evaluaron 262 ACS, con una edad promedio de 46,1±9,3 años. Hubo altas prevalencias de prediabetes (22,9%), diabetes mellitus (17,2%), hipertensión arterial (37,0%), obesidad (39,8%), hipercolesterolemia (57,3%), hipertrigliceridemia (27,1%), multimorbilidad (40,8%), inactividad física (60,9%) y uso de ansiolíticos/antidepresivos (22,5%). Aproximadamente el 40% tenía tres o más enfermedades. Conclusión: Se observaron altos porcentajes de enfermedades crónicas, multimorbilidad, sedentarismo y uso de ansiolíticos/antidepresivos en los ACS de Vitória.Objetivo: Avaliar condições de saúde, cuidados com a saúde e hábitos de vida de agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) de Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal da linha de base de um estudo de intervenção. Foram realizados exames bioquímicos, antropométricos, hemodinâmicos e entrevistas, entre outubro/2018 e março/2019, em Vitória. Testes estatísticos apropriados, conforme o delineamento da amostra, foram realizados utilizando-se o software SPSS versão 21.0, e adotando-se p<0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados 262 ACS com idade média de 46,1±9,3 anos. Observaram-se elevados percentuais de pré-diabetes (22,9%), diabetes mellitus (17,2%), hipertensão arterial (37,0%), obesidade (39,8%), hipercolesterolemia (57,3%), hipertrigliceridemia (27,1%), multimorbidade (40,8%), sedentarismo (60,9%) e uso de ansiolíticos/antidepressivos (22,5%). Cerca de 40% dos ACS apresentaram três ou mais morbidades. Conclusão: Foram observados elevados percentuais de doenças crônicas, multimorbidade, sedentarismo e uso de ansiolíticos/antidepressivos em ACS de Vitóri

Alanyl-Glutamine Restores Tight Junction Organization after Disruption by a Conventional Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid

Understanding and targeting the molecular basis of peritoneal solute and protein transport is essential to improve peritoneal dialysis (PD) efficacy and patient outcome. Supplementation of PD fluids (PDF) with alanyl-glutamine (AlaGln) increased small solute transport and reduced peritoneal protein loss in a recent clinical trial. Transepithelial resistance and 10 kDa and 70 kDa dextran transport were measured in primary human endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to conventional acidic, glucose degradation products (GDP) containing PDF (CPDF) and to low GDP containing PDF (LPDF) with and without AlaGln. Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-5 were quantified by Western blot and immunofluorescence and in mice exposed to saline and CPDF for 7 weeks by digital imaging analyses. Spatial clustering of ZO-1 molecules was assessed by single molecule localization microscopy. AlaGln increased transepithelial resistance, and in CPDF exposed HUVEC decreased dextran transport rates and preserved claudin-5 and ZO-1 abundance. Endothelial clustering of membrane bound ZO-1 was higher in CPDF supplemented with AlaGln. In mice, arteriolar endothelial claudin-5 was reduced in CPDF, but restored with AlaGln, while mesothelial claudin-5 abundance was unchanged. AlaGln supplementation seals the peritoneal endothelial barrier, and when supplemented to conventional PD fluid increases claudin-5 and ZO-1 abundance and clustering of ZO-1 in the endothelial cell membrane.This work is part of the IMPROVE-PD project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement number 812699. M.B. is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)—Projektnummer 419826430. R.H. was supported by a research fellowship of the European Renal Association and European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA). E.L. was supported by the ÚNKP-18-2 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary. E.L. and H.J. were supported by Jellinek-Harry scholarship. S.G.Z. acknowledges the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung/Foundation for an Experienced Researcher Fellowship (2019–2021) and the International Peritoneal Dialysis Society (ISPD) for an International Cooperation Research Grant (2019–2021). C.P.S. has obtained funding from European Nephrology and Dialysis Institute (ENDI).Peer reviewe

Genetic inactivation of the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) in the mouse: What have we learnt about functional glutamatergic neurotransmission?

During the past decade, three proteins that possess the capability of packaging glutamate into presynaptic vesicles have been identified and characterized. These three vesicular glutamate transporters, VGLUT1–3, are encoded by solute carrier genes Slc17a6–8. VGLUT1 (Slc17a7) and VGLUT2 (Slc17a6) are expressed in glutamatergic neurons, while VGLUT3 (Slc17a8) is expressed in neurons classically defined by their use of another transmitter, such as acetylcholine and serotonin. As glutamate is both a ubiquitous amino acid and the most abundant neurotransmitter in the adult central nervous system, the discovery of the VGLUTs made it possible for the first time to identify and specifically target glutamatergic neurons. By molecular cloning techniques, different VGLUT isoforms have been genetically targeted in mice, creating models with alterations in their glutamatergic signalling. Glutamate signalling is essential for life, and its excitatory function is involved in almost every neuronal circuit. The importance of glutamatergic signalling was very obvious when studying full knockout models of both VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, none of which were compatible with normal life. While VGLUT1 full knockout mice die after weaning, VGLUT2 full knockout mice die immediately after birth. Many neurological diseases have been associated with altered glutamatergic signalling in different brain regions, which is why conditional knockout mice with abolished VGLUT-mediated signalling only in specific circuits may prove helpful in understanding molecular mechanisms behind such pathologies. We review the recent studies in which mouse genetics have been used to characterize the functional role of VGLUT2 in the central nervous system

The diversity of myeloid immune cells shaping wound repair and fibrosis in the lung

In healthy circumstances the immune system coordinates tissue repair responses in a tight balance that entails efficient inflammation for removal of potential threats, proper wound closure, and regeneration to regain tissue function. Pathological conditions, continuous exposure to noxious agents, and even ageing can dysregulate immune responses after injury. This dysregulation can lead to a chronic repair mechanism known as fibrosis. Alterations in wound healing can occur in many organs, but our focus lies with the lung as it requires highly regulated immune and repair responses with its continuous exposure to airborne threats. Dysregulated repair responses can lead to pulmonary fibrosis but the exact reason for its development is often not known. Here, we review the diversity of innate immune cells of myeloid origin that are involved in tissue repair and we illustrate how these cell types can contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, we briefly discuss the effect of age on innate immune responses and therefore on wound healing and we conclude with the implications of current knowledge on the avenues for future research