Using statistical parametric mapping to compare the propulsion of age-group swimmers in front crawl acquired with the Aquanex system

Understanding the difference in each upper limb between age groups can provide deeper insights into swimmers’ propulsion. This study aimed to: (1) compare swimming velocity and a set of kinematical variables between junior and juvenile swimmers and (2) compare the propulsion outputs through discrete and continuous analyses (Statistical Parametric Mapping—SPM) between junior and juvenile swimmers for each upper limb (i.e., dominant and non-dominant). The sample was composed of 22 male swimmers (12 juniors with 16.35 0.74 years; 10 juveniles with 15.40 0.32 years). A set of kinematic and propulsion variables was measured at maximum swimming velocity. Statistical Parametric Mapping was used as a continuous analysis approach to identify differences in the propulsion of both upper limbs between junior and juvenile swimmers. Junior swimmers were significantly faster than juveniles (p = 0.04, d = 0.86). Although juniors showed higher propulsion values, the SPM did not reveal significant differences (p < 0.05) for dominant and non-dominant upper limbs between the two age groups. This indicates that other factors (such as drag) may be responsible for the difference in swimming velocity. Coaches and swimmers should be aware that an increase in propulsion alone may not immediately lead to an increase in swimming velocity.This work is supported by national funds (FCT—Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) under the project UIDB/DTP/04045/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

KITE : high-performance accurate modelling of electronic structure and response functions of large molecules, disordered crystals and heterostructures

We present KITE, a general purpose open-source tight-binding software for accurate real-space simulations of electronic structure and quantum transport properties of large-scale molecular and condensed systems with tens of billions of atomic orbitals (N ∼ 10^10). KITE’s core is written in C++, with a versatile Python-based interface, and is fully optimized for shared memory multi-node CPU architectures, thus scalable, efficient and fast. At the core of KITE is a seamless spectral expansion of lattice Green’s functions, which enables large-scale calculations of generic target functions with uniform convergence and fine control over energy resolution. Several functionalities are demonstrated, ranging from simulations of local density of states and photo-emission spectroscopy of disordered materials to large-scale computations of optical conductivity tensors and real-space wave-packet propagation in the presence of magneto-static fields and spin–orbit coupling. On-the-fly calculations of real-space Green’s functions are carried out with an efficient domain decomposition technique, allowing KITE to achieve nearly ideal linear scaling in its multi-threading performance. Crystalline defects and disorder, including vacancies, adsorbates and charged impurity centres, can be easily set up with KITE’s intuitive interface, paving the way to user-friendly large-scale quantum simulations of equilibrium and non-equilibrium properties of molecules, disordered crystals and heterostructures subject to a variety of perturbations and external conditions

Multi-Omic profiling of macrophages treated with phospholipids containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids reveals complex immunomodulatory adaptations at protein, lipid and metabolic levels

In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids have strong immunomodulatory properties, altering several functions of macrophages. In the present work, we sought to provide a multi-omic approach combining the analysis of the lipidome, the proteome, and the metabolome of RAW 264.7 macrophages supplemented with phospholipids containing omega-3 (PC 18:0/22:6; omega 3-PC) or omega-6 (PC 18:0/20:4; omega 6-PC) fatty acids, alone and in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Supplementation of macrophages with omega 3 and omega 6 phospholipids plus LPS produced a significant reprogramming of the proteome of macrophages and amplified the immune response; it also promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins (e.g., pleckstrin). Supplementation with the omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC induced significant changes in the lipidome, with a marked increase in lipid species linked to the inflammatory response, attributed to several pro-inflammatory signalling pathways (e.g., LPCs) but also to the pro-resolving effect of inflammation (e.g., PIs). Finally, the metabolomic analysis demonstrated that supplementation with omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC induced the expression of several metabolites with a pronounced inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect (e.g., succinate). Overall, our data show that supplementation of macrophages with omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC effectively modulates the lipidome, proteome, and metabolome of these immune cells, affecting several metabolic pathways involved in the immune response that are triggered by inflammation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Uso do Doppler vascular para detectar o efeito agudo do estradiol em mulheres na pós-menopausa

OBJECTIVES: To report on a simple practical test for assessing acute estradiol vascular effects on healthy and unhealthy postmenopausal women. INTRODUCTION: Estradiol acts in the endothelium to promote vasodilatation through genomic and non-genomic mechanisms, but its vascular action may be impaired in diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking and obesity. METHODS: Nineteen postmenopausal women (nine healthy and 10 with two or more of the above factors) of similar age and time since menopause were examined with vascular Doppler ultrasound. Resistance indexes and systolic and diastolic flow velocities were determined for the brachial and internal carotid arteries at baseline and 20 minutes after administration of a nasal estradiol formulation, available on the market, which reaches 1,200-1,500 pg/ml in the serum in 10-30 minutes. Estradiol blood levels were measured at 30 minutes. RESULTS: The carotid resistance index increased 14.2% (vasoconstriction) in the unhealthy group after estradiol, from a mean &plusmn; S.E. of 0.56 &plusmn; 0.016 at baseline to 0.64 &plusmn; 0.05 (p=0.033), and remained unchanged in healthy women. Brachial diastolic flow velocity increased 19.7% (vasodilatation) in healthy women, from 16.2 &plusmn; 1.93 to 19.4 &plusmn; 0.64 cm/s (p=0.046), and did not change in the unhealthy subjects. Estradiol levels were similar in both groups. DISCUSSION: Healthy postmenopausal women showed brachial vasodilatation while unhealthy postmenopausal women displayed vasoconstriction at the carotid artery. Vascular responses to estradiol were divergent between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The acute estradiol test, coupled with Doppler ultrasound, seemed to be able to differentiate women with normal and abnormal endothelial function in a simple, non-invasive manner.OBJETIVO: Descrever um teste simples e prático para avaliar o efeito vascular agudo do estradiol em mulheres saudáveis e não-saudáveis na menopausa. INTRODUÇÃO: O estradiol atua no endotélio promovendo vasodilatação através de mecanismos genômicos e não-genômicos e esta ação pode estar prejudicada em morbidades como diabetes mellitus, hipertensão, tabagismo e obesidade. MÉTODOS: Dezenove mulheres na pós-menopausa (9 saudáveis e 10 com dois ou mais dos fatores acima), com idade e tempo de menopausa semelhantes foram examinadas por Doppler vascular. O índice de resistência e as velocidades de fluxo sistólico e diastólico foram medidos nas artérias braquial e carótida, em condições basais e 20 min após a administração de uma preparação nasal de estradiol, disponível comercialmente, que atinge 1200 a 1500 pg/ml no soro, entre 10 e 30 min após a aplicação. Os níveis séricos de estradiol foram determinados 30 min após a aplicação nasal. RESULTADOS: O índice de resistência da artéria carótida aumentou em 14,2% (vasoconstricção) após o estradiol no grupo não-saudável, partindo da média &plusmn; SE de 0,56 &plusmn; 0,016 para 0,64 &plusmn; 0,05 (p=0,033) e não se modificou nas mulheres saudáveis. A velocidade de fluxo diastólico da artéria braquial aumentou 19,7% (vasodilatação) nas mulheres saudáveis, partindo de 16,2 &plusmn; 1,93 para 19,4 &plusmn; 0,64 cm/s (p=0,046) e não apresentou alteração nas não saudáveis. Os níveis de estradiol foram semelhantes nos dois grupos. DISCUSSÃO: Nas mulheres saudáveis na menopausa houve vasodilatação da artéria braquial e nas não-saudáveis vasoconstricção na artéria carótida. A resposta vascular ao estradiol foi divergente entre os grupos estudados. CONCLUSÃO: O teste com estradiol agudo, associado ao Doppler vascular, parecem diferenciar, de forma simples e não-invasiva, mulheres com função endotelial normal e anormal

GOOD WATER, BUT FOR WHOM? A STUDY ON THE PERCEPTION OF WATER QUALITY BY AMAZONIAN POPULATIONS

In Brazil different regions have inadequate water and sewage treatment facilities, which can be made worse by the installation of large enterprises. The perception of these populations about the scenario in which they live is of great relevance in this context, the present study has the objective of analyzing the socioenvironmental profile and the perception of the water quality and its relation to health damage by populations resident from the area of Belo Monte hydropower plant. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 268 residents of two cities in the interior of Pará-Brazil and the data were obtained from the application of a semi-structured questionnaire. The results showed that the interviewees had minimal education and were low income. Most interviewees reported having running water in their home. However, 63.1% of the interviewees considered the water provided as organoleptically altered and of poor quality. Of the interviewees, 92.5% stated that their water is mainly from wells; 94.8% perceived a relationship between decreasing water quality and increasing health problems. Of these, 85.2% related to the decrease in water quality with renal problems, 75% with liver problems and 28% with hypertension. About 61.6% of respondents reported concerns about lack of basic sanitation. It is concluded that the populations studied understand the importance of quality water consumption and relate water quality to health problems. Therefore, these results serve as an alert to managers regarding the urgent need to improve the quality of life of this population. Keywords: Pará, sewage systems, drinking water, health, chronic disease. &nbsp; &nbsp;RESUMO :No Brasil, diferentes regiões têm instalações inadequadas de tratamento de água e esgoto, o que pode ser agravado pela instalação de grandes empresas. A percepção dessas populações sobre o cenário em que vivem é de grande relevância neste contexto, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o perfil socioambiental e a percepção da qualidade da água e sua relação com danos à saúde por populações residentes da área. da usina hidrelétrica de Belo Monte. Um estudo transversal foi realizado com 268 moradores de duas cidades do interior do Pará-Brasil e os dados foram obtidos a partir da aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado. Os resultados mostraram que os entrevistados tinham educação mínima e baixa renda. A maioria dos entrevistados relatou ter água encanada em casa. No entanto, 63,1% dos entrevistados consideraram a água fornecida como organoléptica- mente alterada e de má qualidade. Dos entrevistados, 92,5% afirmaram que a água é proveniente principalmente de poços; 94,8% perceberam uma relação entre diminuir a qualidade da água e aumentar os problemas de saúde. Destes, 85,2% relacionaram-se à diminuição da qualidade da água com problemas renais, 75% com problemas hepáticos e 28% com hipertensão. Cerca de 61,6% dos entrevistados relataram preocupações sobre a falta de saneamento básico. Conclui-se que as populações estudadas entendem a importância do consumo de água de qualidade e relacionam a qualidade da água a problemas de saúde. Portanto, esses resultados servem de alerta para os gestores quanto à necessidade urgente de melhorar a qualidade de vida dessa população. Palavras-chave: Pará, sistemas de esgoto, água potável, saúde, doença crônic

Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy findings in extra-genital hpv16-associated pigmented squamous cell carcinoma in situ

Cutaneous Oncology Department AC Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Professor Antonio Prudente, 211, São Paulo, BrazilPathology Department, AC Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Professor Antonio Prudente, 211, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelDermatology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilDermatology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Gamma Irradiation Processing on 3D PCL Devices—A Preliminary Biocompatibility Assessment

Funding Information: Mariana Vieira Branquinho (SFRH/BD/146172/2019), Ana Catarina Sousa (SFRH/BD/146689/2019), and Bruna Lopes (2021.05265.BD) acknowledge the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)’s financial support. Rui Damásio Alvites acknowledges the Animal Science Studies Centre (CECA), Agroenvironment, Technologies and Sciences Institute (ICETA), Porto University (UP), and FCT for the funding and availability of all technical, structural, and human resources necessary for the development of this work. The work was supported through the project UIDB/00211/2020 funded by FCT/MCTES, national funds. This research was funded by Projects PEst-OE/AGR/UI0211/2011 from FCT, and COMPETE 2020, from ANI–Projetos ID&T Empresas em Copromoção, by the project “Print-on-Organs–Engineering bioinks and processes for direct printing on organs” with the reference POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033877, by the project “Bone2Move-Development of “in vivo” experimental tech-niquesand modelling methodologies for the evaluation of 4D scaffolds for bone defect in sheepmodel: an integrative research approach” with the reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031146. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.Additive manufacturing or 3D printing applying polycaprolactone (PCL)-based medical devices represents an important branch of tissue engineering, where the sterilization method is a key process for further safe application in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the authors intend to access the most suitable gamma radiation conditions to sterilize PCL-based scaffolds in a preliminary biocompatibility assessment, envisioning future studies for airway obstruction conditions. Three radiation levels were considered, 25 kGy, 35 kGy and 45 kGy, and evaluated as regards their cyto- and biocompatibility. All three groups presented biocompatible properties, indicating an adequate sterility condition. As for the cytocompatibility analysis, devices sterilized with 35 kGy and 45 kGy showed better results, with the 45 kGy showing overall improved outcomes. This study allowed the selection of the most suitable sterilization condition for PCL-based scaffolds, aiming at immediate future assays, by applying 3D-customized printing techniques to specific airway obstruction lesions of the trachea.publishersversionpublishe

Process of recovery in the perspective of persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and of psychiatrists working at psychosocial health care services

Resumen en inglés incluidoO tema do restabelecimento (recovery) na perspectiva das pessoas portadoras de transtornos mentais graves, no contexto dos serviços comunitários de saúde mental e da transformação da assistência psiquiátrica, ainda carece de estudo, embora cada vez mais investigado. Objetivo: analisar como o processo de restabelecimento (recovery) é percebido por usuários com diagnóstico de transtornos do espectro esquizofrênico e psiquiatras inseridos na rede de atenção psicossocial. Método: pesquisa qualitativa multicêntrica, informada pelo quadro de referência da Análise Fenomenológica Interpretativa, na qual se utilizaram as técnicas de observação participante, entrevistas semiestruturadas e grupos focais para obtenção dos dados. Resultados: a partir do material analisado, identificaram-se as seguintes categorias temáticas: efeitos do adoecimento; contexto de tratamento no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial - CAPS; diagnóstico; possibilidades e expectativas em relação ao futuro/prognóstico; e abertura para a experiência do outro (posição dialógica). Conclusão: existem pontos de convergência e divergência entre as perspectivas de usuários e psiquiatras a respeito do processo de restabelecimento. Mesmo assim, é possível criar contextos em que a experiência dos usuários ilumine o conhecimento técnico/experiência do psiquiatra e vice-versa

Hypoaminoacidemia underpins glucagon-mediated energy expenditure and weight loss

Glucagon analogs show promise as components of next-generation, multi-target, anti-obesity therapeutics. The biology of chronic glucagon treatment, in particular, its ability to induce energy expenditure and weight loss, remains poorly understood. Using a long-acting glucagon analog, G108, we demonstrate that glucagon-mediated body weight loss is intrinsically linked to the hypoaminoacidemia associated with its known amino acid catabolic action. Mechanistic studies reveal an energy-consuming response to low plasma amino acids in G108-treated mice, prevented by dietary amino acid supplementation and mimicked by a rationally designed low amino acid diet. Therefore, low plasma amino acids are a pre-requisite for G108-mediated energy expenditure and weight loss. However, preventing hypoaminoacidemia with additional dietary protein does not affect the ability of G108 to improve glycemia or hepatic steatosis in obese mice. These studies provide a mechanism for glucagon-mediated weight loss and confirm the hepatic glucagon receptor as an attractive molecular target for metabolic disease therapeutics

O processo de restabelecimento na perspectiva de pessoas com diagnóstico de transtornos do espectro esquizofrênico e de psiquiatras na rede pública de atenção psicossocial

The theme of recovery in the perspective of person with severe mental illness, within the context of community mental health services and psychiatry care transformations, still lacks studies although it has been increasingly investigated. Objective: To analyze how the recovery process is perceived by users with diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and by psychiatrists of the public mental health system. Method: Qualitative multicentric study informed by the theoretical framework of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Participant observation, semistructured interviews and focal groups were used for data collection. Results: Through data analysis the following thematic categories were identified: effects of the illness experience; treatment context at the Psychosocial Care Center; diagnosis; possibilities and expectations related to the future/prognosis; and openness for the experience of others (dialogic position). Conclusion: There are convergence and divergence points between users' and psychiatrists' perspectives about the recovery process. Even so, it is possible to create contexts in which users' experiences illuminate the technical expertise/experience of psychiatrists and vice versa.O tema do restabelecimento (recovery) na perspectiva das pessoas portadoras de transtornos mentais graves, no contexto dos serviços comunitários de saúde mental e da transformação da assistência psiquiátrica, ainda carece de estudo, embora cada vez mais investigado. Objetivo: analisar como o processo de restabelecimento (recovery) é percebido por usuários com diagnóstico de transtornos do espectro esquizofrênico e psiquiatras inseridos na rede de atenção psicossocial. Método: pesquisa qualitativa multicêntrica, informada pelo quadro de referência da Análise Fenomenológica Interpretativa, na qual se utilizaram as técnicas de observação participante, entrevistas semiestruturadas e grupos focais para obtenção dos dados. Resultados: a partir do material analisado, identificaram-se as seguintes categorias temáticas: efeitos do adoecimento; contexto de tratamento no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial - CAPS; diagnóstico; possibilidades e expectativas em relação ao futuro/prognóstico; e abertura para a experiência do outro (posição dialógica). Conclusão: existem pontos de convergência e divergência entre as perspectivas de usuários e psiquiatras a respeito do processo de restabelecimento. Mesmo assim, é possível criar contextos em que a experiência dos usuários ilumine o conhecimento técnico/experiência do psiquiatra e vice-versa