Composition-Controlled Laser-Induced Alloying of Colloidal Au–Cu Hetero Nanoparticles

Due to their optical properties (localized surface plasmon resonance, LSPR), colloidally dispersed metal nanoparticles are well suited for selective heating by high-energy laser radiation above their melting point without being limited by the boiling point of the solvent, which represents an excellent complement to wet-chemical nanoparticle synthesis. By combining wet-chemical synthesis and postsynthesis laser treatment, the advantages of both methods can be used to specifically control the properties of nanoparticles. Especially in the colloidal synthesis of nanoalloys consisting of two or more metals with different redox potentials, wet-chemical synthesis quickly reaches its limits in terms of composition control and homogeneity. For this reason, the direct synthesis path is divided into two parts to take the strengths of both methods. After preparing Au–Cu hetero nanoparticles by wet-chemical synthesis, nanoalloys with previous adjusted composition can be formed by postsynthesis laser treatment. The formation of these nanoalloys can be followed by different characterization methods, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), where the fusion of both metal domains and the formation of spherical and homogeneous Au–Cu nanoparticles can be observed. Moreover, the alloy formation can be followed by different shifts of X-ray diffraction (XRD) reflections and LSPR maxima depending on the composition

PREVALÊNCIA DE INCONTINÊNCIA URINÁRIA EM IDOSOS NO BRASIL NOS ÚLTIMOS 10 ANOS: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

Introdução: a idade é um dos fatores que predispõe ao surgimento da incontinência urinária (IU), especialmente a IU de urgência e IU mista. Considerando o aumento da expectativa de vida, estima-se que a prevalência de IU também irá aumentar, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias de saúde adequadas para este tipo de condição. Objetivo: revisar estudos que verificaram a prevalência de incontinência urinária em idosos no Brasil nos últimos 10 anos. Materiais e métodos: foi realizada uma revisão sistemática que utilizou as bases de dados PubMed, Scielo, Google Acadêmico e buscas manuais nas referências dos estudos encontrados. Foram incluídos artigos publicados em português e inglês entre 2011 e 2016. Resultados: foram identificados 11 estudos e a prevalência de incontinência urinária variou dependendo do seu subtipo, da idade e do sexo dos idosos, tendo uma taxa entre 29,4% e 65%. O International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form (ICIQ-SF) e entrevistas elaboradas pelos pesquisadores foram os instrumentos mais utilizados. O índice de massa corpórea (IMC), diabetes, hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e o número de partos foram relatados como fatores que influenciaram a prevalência de idosos com incontinência urinária. Conclusão: os achados mostraram uma alta prevalência de incontinência urinária em idosos. Estudos futuros são necessários para identificar fatores relacionados a estes achados e a utilização de instrumentos padronizados para a evidenciação da incontinência urinária

Interpenetrating Self-Supporting Networks from Anisotropic Semiconductor Nanoparticles and Noble Metal Nanowires

In this work, a new type of multicomponent nanostructures is introduced by forming interpenetrating networks of two different nanomaterials. In detail, gel networks from semiconductor nanorods are interpenetrated by Au nanowires. Two different types of gelling agents, namely S2− and Yb3+, are employed to trigger the network formation. The structural and electrochemical properties of the resulting materials are discussed. (Photo)electrochemical measurements are performed on the structures to compare the materials in terms of their conductivity as well as their efficiency in converting photonic energy to electrical energy. The new type of CdSe/CdS:Au nanostructure gelled with S2− shows one order of magnitude higher photocurrent than the system gelled with Yb3+. Moreover, the introduction of Au nanowires exhibit a photocurrent which is two orders of magnitudes higher than in samples without Au nanowires

Human papillomavirus knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors : a questionnaire adaptation

Objective: This study aims to adapt a questionnaire about the knowledge, beliefs and behaviors regarding HPV and related subjects into Brazilian Portuguese. Study Design: National Survey. Methods: The instrument was translated into Portuguese and retranslated into English separately. Experts assessed the validity of the content and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument. The instrument was administered to 8580 male and female Brazilian adolescents and young adults (aged between 16 and 25 years) who participated in the National Survey of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence (POP-Brazil). This large-scale survey enrolled participants from 26 Brazilian capitals and the Federal District. Results: The full questionnaire is composed of 30 questions, with a good absolute agreement between its two halves (61.16 9.97). The preventive behavior section showed the lowest agreement. Men and women showed a difference concerning their knowledge about HPV (score for men 0.48 ( 8.93) vs. women 0.55 ( 4.51), p < 0.001). Conclusion: The proposed questionnaire is the first instrument able to describe the knowledge, beliefs and behaviors regarding HPV and related subjects in Brazilian women and men. This questionnaire appears to be adequate for use in future studies that may produce evidence and knowledge on these specific topics

Sexual behavior and its association with persistent oral lesions : analysis of the POP-Brazil study

Objectives To investigate whether the presence of persistent self-reported oral lesions (PSOLs) is associated with sexual behaviors and with the presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in individuals aged 16–25 years in the state capitals of Brazil. Materials and Methods Data from the POP-Brazil study were analyzed. An association analysis was performed by Poisson regression with the presence of PSOLs as the outcome. The exposure variables were the age at first sexual intercourse, the number of partners, oral sex practice, and aspects of condom use for model 1, and the presence of a self-reported STI or a positive rapid test for HIV/syphilis and the presence of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) for model 2. The results were adjusted for socioeconomic variables. Results The prevalence of PSOLs was 76% higher among individuals who had two or more sexual partners in the past year (p = 0.046) and 68% higher in those who reported not using condoms for contraception (p = 0.032). The group with HIV/syphilis or self-reported STI had a 140% higher PSOL prevalence (p = 0.003). Conclusions The self-report of oral lesions in adolescents and young adults may suggest risky sexual behavior and the presence of STI. Clinical relevance It is necessary to contextualize the reality of the young person to optimize oral health care

Prática informacional no contexto do HIV: Análise espacial do conhecimento acerca de estratégicas de prevenção

It highlights the interdisciplinary perspective between Information Science and Health Sciences. It discusses the relevance of knowledge about the ways of HIV / AIDS transmission and prevention strategies in the Brazilian response to this epidemic. It aims to measure the level of knowledge about the virus transmission routes and Combined Prevention strategies, by spatial distribution in the Federal District - DF. It is a cross-sectional, descriptive, applied research, with a quantitative-qualitative approach, whose method uses the survey. The results indicate a higher proportion of moderate and high knowledge about the forms of transmission. There is little knowledge about biomedical interventions based on the use of antiretrovirals on pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. After assessing the sociodemographic characteristics and the categories of knowledge, it is found that the age group, education level and internet access have a statistically significant association. The spatial distribution among participants with a moderate level of knowledge is homogeneous, while for those with high and low knowledge, the distribution in the territory is heterogeneous. It is concluded that there are gaps in knowledge about the forms of transmission and strategies for Combined Prevention. Adequate level of knowledge is a structuring component for coping with HIV / AIDS.Evidencia la perspectiva interdisciplinaria entre las Ciencias de la Información y las Ciencias de la Salud. Discute la relevancia del conocimiento sobre las formas de transmisión del VIH / SIDA y las estrategias de prevención en la respuesta brasileña a esta epidemia. Su objetivo es medir el nivel de conocimiento sobre las rutas de transmisión del virus y las estrategias de prevención combinada, por distribución espacial en el Distrito Federal - DF. Es una investigación transversal, descriptiva, aplicada, con un enfoque cuantitativo-cualitativo, cuyo método utiliza la encuesta. Los resultados indican una mayor proporción de conocimiento moderado y alto sobre las formas de transmisión. Hay poco conocimiento sobre las intervenciones biomédicas basadas en el uso de antirretrovirales en la profilaxis previa y posterior a la exposición. Después de evaluar las características sociodemográficas y las categorías de conocimiento, se descubre que el grupo de edad, el nivel educativo y el acceso a Internet tienen una asociación estadísticamente significativa. La distribución espacial entre los participantes con un nivel moderado de conocimiento es homogénea, mientras que para aquellos con alto y bajo conocimiento, la distribución en el territorio es heterogénea. Se concluye que existen lagunas en el conocimiento sobre las formas de transmisión y las estrategias para la Prevención combinada. El nivel adecuado de conocimiento es un componente estructurante para hacer frente al VIH / SIDA.Evidencia a perspectiva interdisciplinar entre a Ciência da Informação e as Ciências da Saúde. Discute a relevância do conhecimento sobre as formas de transmissão do HIV/aids e as estratégias de prevenção na resposta brasileira a essa epidemia. Objetiva mensurar o nível de conhecimento a respeito das vias de transmissão do vírus e das estratégias da Prevenção Combinada, por distribuição espacial no Distrito Federal ”“ DF. Trata-se de pesquisa de corte transversal, descritiva, aplicada, de abordagem quantitativa-qualitativa, cujo método utiliza o survey. Os resultados indicam maior proporção de conhecimento moderado e alto acerca das formas de transmissão. Observa-se haver conhecimento baixo a respeito das intervenções biomédicas baseadas no uso de antirretrovirais sobre as Profilaxias Pré e Pós-Exposição. Avaliadas as características sociodemográficas e as categorias de conhecimento, tem-se que a faixa etária, o grau de escolaridade e o acesso à internet possuem associação estatisticamente significativa. A distribuição espacial entre os participantes com nível de conhecimento moderado é homogênea, enquanto para aqueles com conhecimento alto e baixo a distribuição no território se dá de maneira heterogênea. Conclui-se que há lacunas no conhecimento sobre as formas de transmissão e estratégias de Prevenção Combinada. Adequado nível de conhecimento é componente estruturante para o enfrentamento do HIV/aids

Common mental disorders and sociodemographic characteristics: baseline findings of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Objective: To assess the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) and the association of CMD with sociodemographic characteristics in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSABrasil) cohort. Methods: We analyzed data from the cross-sectional baseline assessment of the ELSA-Brasil, a cohort study of 15,105 civil servants from six Brazilian cities. The Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) was used to investigate the presence of CMD, with a score X 12 indicating a current CMD (last week). Specific diagnostic algorithms for each disorder were based on the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Prevalence ratios (PR) of the association between CMD and sociodemographic characteristics were estimated by Poisson regression. Results: CMD (CIS-R score X 12) was found in 26.8% (95% confidence intervals [95%CI] 26.1-27.5). The highest burden occurred among women (PR 1.9; 95%CI 1.8-2.0), the youngest (PR 1.7; 95%CI 1.5-1.9), non-white individuals, and those without a university degree. The most frequent diagnostic category was anxiety disorders (16.2%), followed by depressive episodes (4.2%). Conclusion: The burden of CMD was high, particularly among the more socially vulnerable groups. These findings highlight the need to strengthen public policies aimed to address health inequities related to mental disorders