Modulation of Tomato Response to Rhizoctonia solani by Trichoderma harzianum and Its Secondary Metabolite Harzianic Acid

The present study investigated the transcriptomic and metabolomic changes elicited in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) following treatments with the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum strain M10 or its purified secondary metabolite harzianic acid (HA), in the presence or the absence of the soil-borne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Transcriptomic analysis allowed the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that play a pivotal role in resistance to biotic stress. Overall, the results support the ability of T. harzianum M10 to activate defense responses in infected tomato plants. An induction of hormone-mediated signaling was observed, as shown by the up-regulation of genes involved in the ethylene and jasmonate (ET/JA) and salicylic acid (SA)-mediated signaling pathways. Further, the protective action of T. harzianum on the host was revealed by the over-expression of genes able to detoxify cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other hand, HA treatment also stimulated tomato response to the pathogen by inducing the expression of several genes involved in defense response (including protease inhibitors, resistance proteins like CC-NBS-LRR) and hormone interplay. The accumulation of steroidal glycoalkaloids in the plant after treatments with either T. harzianum or HA, as determined by metabolomic analysis, confirmed the complexity of the plant response to beneficial microbes, demonstrating that these microorganisms are also capable of activating the chemical defenses

Father\'s pride - educational booklet to promote paternal involvement during pregnancy

A promoção do envolvimento paterno com a gravidez é uma recomendação mundial, considerando o limitado suporte oferecido aos pais no esclarecimento das suas dúvidas para a vivência da paternidade. As mudanças no papel paterno mostram que existe uma busca dos homens pela participação no processo da gestação, o que merece atenção como objeto de pesquisas científicas na área da assistência obstétrica. A exploração das dificuldades e possibilidades de suporte aos homens para a vivência da paternidade são aspectos essenciais a serem estudados. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram explorar as experiências vividas pelos pais relativas ao processo de gravidez, parto, pós-parto, aleitamento materno e cuidados com o recém-nascido; identificar as dúvidas e necessidades por orientação relativas a este processo e elaborar um material educativo, mediante inclusão de conteúdos que visam sanar as principais dúvidas e suprir as necessidades dos pais. A história oral temática foi utilizada para explorar as experiências e identificar as demandas por orientação de 17 pais que compartilharam com suas esposas do processo de gravidez, parto, pós-parto, aleitamento materno e primeiros cuidados com o recém-nascido. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista não estruturada, com base em um roteiro com temas relativos à experiência da paternidade. Foram realizadas transcrição, textualização e transcriação de todas as narrativas. O texto final foi submetido à análise de conteúdo e organizado em 11 categorias: Os sentimentos relativos à notícia da gravidez dependeram da existência ou não de seu planejamento; Alegrias e preocupações: ambivalência em relação à incorporação do papel paterno; Dificuldades para compreender e lidar com as mudanças do ciclo grávido e puerperal; Medo de praticar sexo durante a gravidez e incompreensão do desinteresse da esposa por este assunto; Ansiedade diante da possibilidade de ter filho com problemas de saúde; Preocupações diante da proximidade do parto; Desconhecimento dos direitos e dos papéis a desempenhar no momento do parto; Atitudes e experiências distintas em relação à abstinência sexual no pós-parto; Enfrentamento de dificuldades no aleitamento materno, apesar da importância atribuída a esta prática; Valorização das orientações sobre cuidado do filho; e Mudanças no relacionamento conjugal após o nascimento do filho. Os resultados encontrados serviram de base para o desenvolvimento da cartilha educativa, que seguiu as etapas: elaboração do conteúdo com base na literatura e na adequação da linguagem, criação das ilustrações, editoração e diagramação. A primeira versão da cartilha foi elaborada e avaliada por cinco pais. A incorporação das sugestões será realizada antes da publicação da versão final do material. Ela foi denominada Orgulho de pai - cartilha educativa para a promoção do envolvimento paterno na gravidez e contém informações sobre gestação, parto, pós-parto, amamentação e cuidados com o bebê. Espera-se que por meio da leitura desta cartilha, os pais sintam-se apoiados em suas demandas para a participação efetiva na gravidez, no parto e no pós-parto.The promotion of paternal involvement with pregnancy is a global recommendation, considering the limited support offered to parents in clarifying their doubts regarding the parenthood experience. The changes in the paternal role show that men have been seeking to participate in the process of pregnancy, which deserves attention as the object of scientific research in the area of obstetric care. The exploration of the difficulties and support possibilities offered to men for the experience of parenthood are crucial aspects to be studied. The objectives of the present study were to explore the experiences of parents concerning the process of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding and care of the newborn; identify doubts and needs for guidance related to this process and draw up an educational material, through the inclusion of content aimed to addressing the main questions and meet parents needs. The oral history was used to explore the experiences and identify the need for guidance of 17 fathers-to-be that shared with their wives the processes of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding and early care of the newborn. Data were collected through unstructured interviews, based on a script involving subjects related to the experience of parenthood. The transcriptions, textualization and transcription of all narratives were carried out. The final text was submitted to content analysis and were organized into 11 categories: the feelings related to the pregnancy news depended on whether or not it was planned; joys and concerns; ambivalence related to the assimilation of the paternal role; difficulties to understand and deal with the changes of pregnancy and puerperal cycles; fear of sex during the pregnancy and lack of understanding on the wifes indifference regarding this matter; anxiety on the possibility of having a child with health problems; concerns regarding the approach of labor; lack of knowledge on the rights and roles to perform during childbirth; different attitudes and experiences regarding sexual abstinence in the postpartum period; coping with difficulties in breastfeeding, despite the importance currently attributed to this practice; appreciation of child care support; changes in the marital relationship after the birth. The results obtained were the basis for the development of an educational booklet, which followed the steps: preparation of the content based on the literature and the adequacy of language, creating the illustrations, editing and layout. The first version of the booklet was developed and evaluated by five fathers. The incorporation of the suggestions will be made before publication of the final material. The booklet was called \"Father\'s Pride - educational booklet to promote paternal involvement during pregnancy\" and contains information on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding and child care. We expect that, when reading this booklet, fathers will feel supported in their demands for effective participation during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum

Sexuality and quality of life of women submitted to mastectomy

O câncer de mama é a segunda neoplasia maligna mais incidente entre a população feminina mundial e influencia as taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. Esta doença, muitas vezes associada à necessidade da mastectomia, provoca impacto sobre a vida da mulher, nos âmbitos pessoal, familiar, sobretudo nos aspectos relacionados à qualidade de vida e sexualidade. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, exploratório, analítico, de base hospitalar com o objetivo de avaliar as relações entre a mastectomia, a sexualidade e a qualidade de vida da mulher. Foi desenvolvido em um Hospital-Escola da Cidade de São Paulo. A população deste estudo foi composta por 100 mulheres (N) que tiveram câncer de mama e foram submetidas à mastectomia. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado um formulário estruturado, composto por dados sócio-demográficos das mulheres e seus parceiros, dados da doença e tratamento, itens do \"Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)\" e do \"Quociente Sexual - Versão Feminina (QS-F)\". Os dados foram introduzidos em um banco de dados do Epi Info e analisados no programa estatístico Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. A descrição da amostra foi feita por meio de freqüências absoluta e relativa, média, mediana, desvio-padrão e valores mínimos e máximos. Para a análise da correlação entre o QS-F e os escores de qualidade de vida foi utilizado o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, que também foi utilizado para analisar as variáveis quantitativas. A comparação das médias do QS-F segundo características da mulher, do parceiro e da doença/tratamento foi feita por meio do Teste de Mann-Whitney. Foram consideradas significativas todas as análises estatísticas com resultado p<0,05. As mulheres tinham em média 51 anos de idade, tinham estudado em média 7,8 anos, a maioria (65%) era católica, com filhos (88%) e parceiro fixo (68%) na época da cirurgia. Quanto à doença 63% das mulheres não teve tumor em fase avançada e quanto aos tratamentos, 75% não realizou a reconstrução mamária, 85% realizou a quimioterapia, 68% a radioterapia e 66% a hormonioterapia. Mais da metade das mulheres (58%) não tinha vida sexual ativa e entre as que tinham, grande parte (64,3%) sofria de alguma disfunção sexual. Em relação à qualidade de vida os melhores escores estavam relacionados aos aspectos sociais, saúde mental, estado geral de saúde, capacidade funcional e vitalidade. Houve relação estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05) entre o escore de sexualidade e a escolaridade da mulher, a idade do parceiro e os escores relacionados à capacidade funcional, vitalidade, limitação por aspectos emocionais e saúde mental. A mastectomia interfere sobre a função sexual e a qualidade de vida e as características desta interferência devem ser conhecidas e consideradas na assistência à mulher de modo a favorecer um cuidado integral e personalizadoBreast cancer is the second most malign neoplasm among the world\'s female population and influences the morbidity and mortality rates. This disease, many times associated to the necessity of mastectomy, provokes an impact on women\'s lives, regarding personal and family issues, related mainly to quality of life and sexuality. This is a transversal, hospital-based study aimed at evaluating the relationship between mastectomy, sexuality and women\'s quality of life. The research was carried out in a university hospital located in the City of São Paulo. The population of this study was composed of 100 women (N) who had breast cancer and underwent mastectomy. Data collection was carried out using a structured form, composed of sociodemographical data related to women and their partners, the items from \"Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)\" and the \"Sexual Quotient - Female Version (QS-F)\". The data were introduced into the Epi Info database and analyzed in the statistical program Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. The description of the population sample was carried out by the use of absolute and relative frequency, media, median, standard deviation and maximum and minimum values. For the analysis of correlation between the QS-F and quality of life scores, the Spearman Coefficient Correlation, was utilized for the analysis of quantitative variables. The comparison of the QS-F media according to the women and their partners´ characteristics, the disease/treatment was performed by using the Mann-Whitney Test. All the analyses with results p<0,05 were considered with statistical meaning. The women\'s average age was 51 years, the average years of study was 7,8 years, the major part (65%) was Catholic, with children (88%), a permanent spouse (68%) at the moment of the surgery. As for the disease, 63% have not had an advanced phase of the tumor and, in relation to the treatments, 75% have not undergone breast reconstruction, 85% have undergone chemotherapy, 68% radiotherapy and 66% hormontherapy. More than half of the women (58%) did not have sexual intercourse and among women who were having sexual intercourse, the major part (64,3%) was suffering with some kind of sexual dysfunction. In relation to the quality of life, the better scores were related to the social aspects, mental health, general heath conditions, functional capacity and vitality. There was a statistically significant association (p < 0,05) between the sexuality score and women\'s educational background, the partner\'s age and the scores related to the functional capacity, vitality, emotional related limitations and mental health. The mastectomy interferes in the sexual function and quality of life and the characteristics of this interference must be considered in the women\'s care planning in order to promote an integral and personalized car

Sexuality and quality of life of breast cancer patients post mastectomy

Aim: To evaluate the sexual functioning of breast cancer patients post mastectomy and its association with their quality of life, the personal characteristics of women and their partners, breast reconstruction, cancer staging and adjuvant therapies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a University hospital located in the SouthEast of Brazil. A total of 100 women were included in the study. The parameters evaluated were sexual functioning, which was assessed based on the Sexual Quotient Female Version (SQ-F), quality of life (QoL), evaluated by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36), cancer staging, breast reconstruction, adjuvant therapies and the personal characteristics of patients (age, years of study and years of marriage) and their partners (age, years of study). Results: The majority (40.48%) of women had an unfavorable to regular SQ-F score. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was found between the SQ-F score and years of education (p = 0.03), and the following SF-36 domains: functional capacity (p = 0.03), vitality (p = 0.06), emotional limitations (p = 0.00) and mental health (p = 0.03). A significant negative correlation was found between SQ-F score and the age of the partners (p = 0.03). SQ-F mean value was significantly higher (p = 0.04) among women who underwent breast reconstruction. Conclusions: Women with low educational level, who have older partners, and who did not have a breast reconstruction should receive special attention with respect to their sexuality, and the effects of mastectomy on the sexuality of patients should be assessed. Oncology nurses are best qualified to recognize issues related to sexuality and quality of life, and can offer specific and meaningful support for breast cancer patients. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.CNPq Brazilian Council of Technologic and Scientific Developmen

Psychosexual Perspectives of the Husbands of Women Treated With an Elective Hysterectomy

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosexual perspectives of a group of Brazilian men whose wives underwent an elective hysterectomy. A qualitative design based on the narrative analysis method was used to interview 22 husbands. Results showed similarities and differences among husbands regarding the support provided to their wives, the notion of sexual absence in the postsurgical period, the notion of sexual pleasure after the hysterectomy, and feelings regarding the impossibility of having children. The authors conclude that personal care requirements should be identified and satisfied to provide comprehensive and meaningful care

Modulation of tomato response to rhizoctonia solani by Trichoderma harzianum and its secondary metabolite harzianic acid

The present study investigated the transcriptomic and metabolomic changes elicited in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) following treatments with the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum strain M10 or its purified secondary metabolite harzianic acid (HA), in the presence or the absence of the soil-borne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Transcriptomic analysis allowed the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that play a pivotal role in resistance to biotic stress. Overall, the results support the ability of T. harzianum M10 to activate defense responses in infected tomato plants. An induction of hormone-mediated signaling was observed, as shown by the up-regulation of genes involved in the ethylene and jasmonate (ET/JA) and salicylic acid (SA)-mediated signaling pathways. Further, the protective action of T. harzianum on the host was revealed by the over-expression of genes able to detoxify cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other hand, HA treatment also stimulated tomato response to the pathogen by inducing the expression of several genes involved in defense response (including protease inhibitors, resistance proteins like CC-NBS-LRR) and hormone interplay. The accumulation of steroidal glycoalkaloids in the plant after treatments with either T. harzianum or HA, as determined by metabolomic analysis, confirmed the complexity of the plant response to beneficial microbes, demonstrating that these microorganisms are also capable of activating the chemical defenses