Tentativas de suicídio atendidas em unidades públicas de saúde de Fortaleza-Ceará, Brasil

Objetivos Descrever as principais características de vítimas de tentativas de suicídio atendidas em instituições públicas de saúde de Fortaleza-Ceará, Brasil.Método Estudo quantitativo, utilizaram-se um questionário com perguntas estruturadas e Inventário de Depressão de Beck. Trabalhou-se com amostra por conveniência com 360 vítimas nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Geral, Atenção ao usuário de álcool/ drogas, Assistência à criança/adolescente, Hospital Doutor José Frota e Projeto de Apoio à Vida.Resultados Na análise estatística, usouse como variável dependente mais de uma tentativa de suicídio, associada às variáveis independentes. Na análise multivariada com mais de uma tentativa, e com significância (p0,05), mantiveram associação: sexo masculino, OR=2,1 (IC95 %:1,2-3,6), p=0,005; sentimento de rejeição, RC=2,4 (IC95 %:1,4-3,9), p=0,001; internamento em hospital psiquiátrico, RC=3,4 (IC95 % :2,0-5,7), p=0,000; acreditar decepcionar alguém, RC=2,4 (IC95 %:1,3-4,4), p=0,005; depressão, RC=1,0 (IC95 %:1,0-1,0), p=0,001.Conclusão Os dados apontam a necessidade de maior atenção a essa população, no sentido de promover diferenciados serviços de apoio, quer psicológico, quer psiquiátrico para melhoria de vida das pessoas

Biocomposite macrospheres based on strontium-bioactive glass for application as bone fillers

Traditional bioactive glass powders are typically composed of irregular particles that can be packed into dense configurations presenting low interconnectivity, which can limit bone ingrowth. The use of novel biocomposite sphere formulations comprising bioactive factors as bone fillers are most advantageous, as it simultaneously allows for packing the particles in a 3-dimensional manner to achieve an adequate interconnected porosity, enhanced biological performance, and ultimately a superior new bone formation. In this work, we develop and characterize novel biocomposite macrospheres of Sr-bioactive glass using sodium alginate, polylactic acid (PLA), and chitosan (CH) as encapsulating materials for finding applications as bone fillers. The biocomposite macrospheres that were obtained using PLA have a larger size distribution and higher porosity and an interconnectivity of 99.7%. Loose apatite particles were observed on the surface of macrospheres prepared with alginate and CH by means of soaking into a simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7 days. A dense apatite layer was formed on the biocomposite macrospheresâ surface produced with PLA, which served to protect PLA from degradation. In vitro investigations demonstrated that biocomposite macrospheres had minimal cytotoxic effects on a human osteosarcoma cell line (SaOS-2 cells). However, the accelerated degradation of PLA due to the degradation of bioactive glass may account for the observed decrease in SaOS-2 cells viability. Among the biocomposite macrospheres, those composed of PLA exhibited the most promising characteristics for their potential use as fillers in bone tissue repair applications.This work was funded by grant #2019/15960-6, São Paulo Research Foundation in Brazil (FAPESP) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Reference UID/CTM/50025/2019 and FCT/Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education in Portugal (MCTES) and by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) funds through the COMPETE 2020 Program in the framework of ORAiDEA project (ref n° 39985 - AAC 31/SI/2017). The authors would also like to acknowledge Materials Research Center (CENIMAT) of the Associated Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodeling and Nanofabrication (i3N), NOVA University of LisbonCENIMAT|i3N and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development in Brazil CNPq (303149/2018-3). Ibrahim Fatih Cengiz acknowledges the FCT distinction attributed to him under the “Estímulo ao Emprego Científico” program (2021.01969.CEECIND). The authors thank the financial support provided under the projects: “HEALTH-UNORTE: Setting-up biobanks and regenerative medicine strategies to boost research in cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, oncological, immunological, and infectious diseases”, reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000039, funded by the Norte Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N), under the NORTE2020 Program; Projects LA/P/0037/2020, UIDP/50025/2020, and UIDB/50025/ 2020 of the Associate Laboratory i3N financed by national funds from FCT

Effect of drying temperature on the yield and phytochemical quality of the essential oil of pepper rosemary (Lippia origanoides Kunth) and of clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.) / Efeito da temperatura de secagem no rendimento e na qualidade fitoquímica do óleo essencial de alecrim-pimenta (Lippia origanoides Kunth) e de alfavaca (Ocimum gratissimum L.)

Among medicinal species, Lippia origanoides Kunth and Ocimum gratissimum L. stand out for its recognized therapeutic value associated with the medicinal properties of their essential oils. Drying is a critical point in post-harvest processing of medicinal plants for the conservation of bioactive compounds. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of drying temperature on the essential oil’s yield and phytochemical quality extracted from leaves of O. gratissimum and L. origanoides. The medicinal species were grown in an organic system and their leaves were harvest and immediately dried at 40, 50 and 60 °C. The essential oils were extracted from the leaves by hydrodistillation in Clevenger apparatus. There was detected a difference (P <0.01) in the essential oil yield of O. gratissimum with the increase in the drying temperature, being 1.35% (40 °C), 0.83% (50 °C) and 0.45% (60 °C) ). In L. origanoides there was detected a difference (P <0.01) in the essential oil yield only between 40 °C (3.4%) and 60 °C (2.84%). The increase of drying temperature reduced the levels of the major constituents of O. gratissimum (eugenol, germacrene D and caryophyllene oxide), but did not change the levels of the major constituents of L. origanoides (thymol, trans-caryophyllene and para-cymene). Considering that the increase of the drying temperature promote a reduction in the essential oil yield of both medicinal species and also in the major constituents concentration in O. gratisssimum, it is essential to select the correct drying temperature to guarantee the best yield and the phytochemical quality of the essential oil to ensure therapeutic efficacy. Here, we conclude that the best drying temperature to the essential oil’s yield and phytochemical quality is 40 °C for O. gratissimum and 40 or 50 °C for L. origanoides

Effect of drying temperature on yield and phytochemical quality of essential oil extracted from Mikania laevigata (Guaco) leaves / Efeito da temperatura de secagem sobre o rendimento e qualidade fitoquímica de óleo essencial extraído de folhas de Mikania laevigata (Guaco)

Mikania laevigata Sch. Bip. ex Baker, Asteraceae, commonly known as the guaco, is medicinal species native to Brazil. Among the critical points of post-harvest processing of medicinal species, the drying temperature must be considered, because its can interfere in the yield and phytochemical quality of plant material, and, consequently, in the therapeutic action. The effect of the drying temperature was evaluated on the yield and phytochemical quality of the essential oil extracted from M. laevigata leaves. The cultivation was carried out in an organic system and using the select genotype (Cenargen) for this region. The leaves were harvested and immediately submitted to drying process at 40, 50 and 60 °C. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation in Clevenger apparatus and the chemical constituents was evaluated using gas chromatography coupled to the mass spectrophotometer (CG-MS). There was a reduction in the essential oil yield (p <0.05) with increasing drying temperature. However, at 60 ºC there was a higher concentration of coumarin to which the bronchodilator and expectorant action is attributed. Therefore, we recommended dry the M. laevigata leaves at 60 ºC to obtain the highest coumarin content and guarantee the bronchodilator and expectorant therapeutic effect

Effects of EDTA and Sodium Citrate on hormone measurements by fluorometric (FIA) and immunofluorometric (IFMA) methods

BACKGROUND: Measurements of hormonal concentrations by immunoassays using fluorescent tracer substance (Eu3+) are susceptible to the action of chemical agents that may cause alterations in its original structure. Our goal was to verify the effect of two types of anticoagulants in the hormone assays performed by fluorometric (FIA) or immunofluorometric (IFMA) methods. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 30 outpatients and were drawn in EDTA, sodium citrate, and serum separation Vacutainer(®)Blood Collection Tubes. Samples were analyzed in automatized equipment AutoDelfia™ (Perkin Elmer Brazil, Wallac, Finland) for the following hormones: Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating homone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), insulin, C peptide, total T3, total T4, free T4, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol. Statistical analysis was carried out by Kruskal-Wallis method and Dunn's test. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen between samples for LH, FSH, PRL and free T4. Results from GH, TSH, insulin, C peptide, SHBG, total T3, total T4, estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, and progesterone were significant different between serum and EDTA-treated samples groups. Differences were also identified between serum and sodium citrate-treated samples in the analysis for TSH, insulin, total T3, estradiol, testosterone and progesterone. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the hormonal analysis carried through by FIA or IFMA are susceptible to the effects of anticoagulants in the biological material collected that vary depending on the type of assay

Variability of HIV-1 Genomes among Children and Adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil

Background: Genetic variability is a major feature of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and considered the key factor to frustrating efforts to halt the virus epidemic. in this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic variability of HIV-1 strains among children and adolescents born from 1992 to 2009 in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.Methodology: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 51 HIV-1-positive children and adolescents on ART followed between September 1992 and July 2009. After extraction, the genetic materials were used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the viral near full length genomes (NFLGs) from 5 overlapped fragments. NFLGs and partial amplicons were directly sequenced and data were phylogenetically inferred.Results: of the 51 samples studied, the NFLGs and partial fragments of HIV-1 from 42 PBMCs and 25 plasma were successfully subtyped. Results based on proviral DNA revealed that 22 (52.4%) patients were infected with subtype B, 16 (38.1%) were infected with BF1 mosaic variants and 4 (9.5%) were infected with sub-subtype F1. All the BF1 recombinants were unique and distinct from any previously identified unique or circulating recombinant forms in South America. Evidence of dual infections was detected in 3 patients coinfected with the same or distinct HIV-1 subtypes. Ten of the 31 (32.2%) and 12 of the 21 (57.1%) subjects with recovered proviral and plasma, respectively, protease sequences were infected with major mutants resistant to protease inhibitors. the V3 sequences of 14 patients with available sequences from PBMC/or plasma were predicted to be R5-tropic virus except for two patients who harbored an X4 strain.Conclusions: the high proportion of HIV-1 BF1 recombinant, coinfection rate and vertical transmission in Brazil merits urgent attention and effective measures to reduce the transmission of HIV among spouses and sex partners.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)National Institutes of HealthUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Clin & Res Lab LIM 03, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Trop Med, Virol Lab LIM HCFMUSP 52, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Florida, Miller Sch Med, Story Lab 2, Miami, FL USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Div Clin Immunol & Allergy, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Calif San Francisco, Dept Med, Div Expt Med, San Francisco, CA USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/09983-1FAPESP: 2009/540055-5FAPESP: 2009/52381-2FAPESP: 2010/05845-0 2004/15856-9FAPESP: 2006/50096-0CAPES: 2571/2009National Institutes of Health: R01 AI060379Web of Scienc

In vivo and in vitro effects of RAD001 on bladder cancer

Objective: To evaluate the influence of Everolimus (RAD001) on chemically induced urothelial lesions in mice and its influence on in vitro human bladder cancer cell lines. Methods: ICR male mice were given N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine in drinking water for a period of 12 weeks. Subsequently, RAD001 was administered via oral gavage, for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all the animals were sacrificed and tumor development was determined by means of histopathologic evaluation; mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expressivity was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Three human bladder cancer cell lines (T24, HT1376, and 5637) were treated using a range of RAD001 concentrations. MTT assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis index, and cell cycle analysis, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis of 3 cell line extracts using mTOR and Akt antibodies was performed in order to study the expression of Akt and mTOR proteins and their phosphorylated forms. Results: The incidence of urothelial lesions in animals treated with RAD001 was similar to those animals not treated. RAD001 did not block T24 and HT1376 cell proliferation or induce apoptosis. A reduction in cell proliferation rate and therefore G0/G1 phase arrest, as well as a statistically significant induction of apoptosis (P 0.001), was only observed in the 5637 cell line. Conclusion: RAD001 seems not to have a significant effect on chemically induced murine bladder tumors. The effect of RAD001 on tumor proliferation and apoptosis was achieved only in superficial derived bladder cancer cell line, no effect was observed in invasive cell lines

Co-infecção pelo vírus dengue 3 e 4 em pacientes da Amazônia brasileira

The natural co-infection with dengue virus can occur in highly endemic areas where different serotypes have been observed for many years. We report here four cases of DENV-3/DENV-4 co-infection detected by serological and molecular tests among 674 patients with acute undifferentiated fever from the tropical medicine reference center of Manaus City, Brazil, between 2005 and 2010. Analysis of the sequences obtained indicated the presence of genotype 3 and 1 for DENV-3 and DENV-4 respectively.A co-infecção natural com os vírus dengue pode ocorre em áreas altamente endêmicas onde diferentes sorotipos têm sido transmitidos por muitos anos. Relatamos aqui quatro casos de co-infecção com DENV-3/DENV-4 detectados por testes sorológicos e moleculares entre 674 pacientes com febre indiferenciada aguda, atendidos em um centro de medicina tropical de referência da cidade de Manaus, Brasil, entre 2005 e 2010. As análises das sequências obtidas indicaram a presença dos genotipos 3 e 1 para DENV-3 e DENV-4 respectivamente

CYTOTOXICITY, ANTI-POLIOVIRUS ACTIVITY AND IN SILICO BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF CONSTITUENTS FROM MAYTENUS GONOCLADA (CELASTRACEAE)

Objective: The in silico free access web tools PASS online and ChemMapper were used to predict potential biological activities of compounds 1 to 8 isolated from Maytenus gonoclada (Celastraceae). The constituents 4'-O-methylepigalocatequin (6), tingenone (7) and proanthocyanidin A (8), and ethanolic extracts were subjected to in vitro cytotoxicity using VERO cells and anti-Poliovirus assays. Methods: QSAR and molecular superposition, correlating the average number of pharmacophores were used in the prediction studies. Cellular line VERO ATCC CCL-81 was used to determine anti-Poliovirus effect, observed by colorimetric (MTT) method. The annexing V/propidium iodide assay was used to determine the occurrence of apoptosis in the cytotoxicity assays. Results: The experimental results found for constituents 6-8 were in accordance with observed data obtained through PASS online and ChemMapper simulation. Conclusion: Compound 7 showed higher cytotoxic and apoptosis induction properties, and 6 and 8 presented anti-Poliovirus activity