Identifying available resources and agricultural practices useful in soil fertility management to support orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivation on smallholder farms in Mozambique

Orange-fleshed sweet potato is an important source of macro-and micronutrients for humans, particularly in resource-poor rural communities. However, sweet potato cultivation removes large amounts of nutrients from the soil. Hence, soil fertility replenishment is vital to secure long-term food production. The lack of access to fertilizers hinders the ability of farmers to supply and replenish soil nutrients, intensifying food insecurity. This study aimed at identifying locally available organic residues and agricultural practices with potential application in soil fertility management to prevent soil degradation in southern Mozambique. We conducted a survey to gather information on the farmers’ demographics and farming systems of 107 orange-fleshed sweet potato farmers. Results show that more than 70% of farmers use agroecological practices such as intercropping and crop rotation, and more than 90% indicated having residual crop biomass after harvest. Most cultivated crops, such as lettuce, beans, etc., are harvested in July-August, before the start of orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivation. Thus, there is potential for the application of crop residues as an organic amendment for orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivation. Nevertheless, farmers need support to adopt soil fertility management based on locally accessible resources, therefore ensuring extension services focused on the long-term benefits of sustainable practices are vital

DESENVOLVIMENTO POLÍTICO E SOCIAL DA BIELORRÚSSIA E DO UZBEQUISTÃO PÓS- URSS

RESUMO Com o término da URSS, as quinze repúblicas que a integravam alcançaram maior soberania dentro de seus territórios e obtiveram autonomia para decisões de caráter estatal. Bielorrússia e Uzbequistão, países que compunham o regime soviético, passaram por um processo de transformação interna a partir da abertura do mercado para o capitalismo. A busca pelo desenvolvimento econômico e social proporcionou avanços, contudo, a alteração do sistema culminou no surgimento de governos ditatoriais, atividades ilegais que violam os direitos humanos, além de transições culturais e econômicas

Atendimento integral às múltiplas facetas de um paciente com transtorno de personalidade narcisista e depressão

This article aims to discuss some aspects related to Narcissistic Personality Disorder associated with depression and suicide, as well as the comprehensive care of the multiple facets of a patient who presents this condition, through the experience report of a service in a psychiatric nursing office in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in the year 2022. Thus, it is intended to emphasize the importance of comprehensive and technical care, in a specialized and humanized way, to psychiatric patients to provide reception, treatment and reduction of the high suicide rate between individuals. The advances and challenges of the Psychiatric Reform within the scope of the National Mental Health Policy are discussed.Este artigo tem como objetivo discutir alguns aspectos relacionados ao Transtorno de Personalidade Narcisista associado à depressão e ao suicídio, bem como o atendimento integral às múltiplas facetas de um paciente que apresenta esse quadro, por meio do relato de experiência de um atendimento em um consultório de enfermagem psiquiátrica no Município do Rio de Janeiro, no ano de 2022. Assim, pretende-se enfatizar a importância do atendimento integral e técnico, de maneira especializada e humanizada aos pacientes psiquiátricos para proporcionar acolhimento, tratamento e redução do alto índice de suicídio entre os indivíduos. Discute-se os avanços e desafios da Reforma Psiquiátrica no âmbito da Política Nacional de Saúde Mental

SYNTHESIS, IN SILICO CHARACTERIZATION AND EX VIVO EVALUATION OF THE NOVEL ORGANIC NITRATE NDIBP AS A POTENTIAL VASORELAXANT AGENT

Objective: This study aimed to describe the synthesis and biological/pharmacokinetic potential of the 1,3-diisobutoxypropan-2-yl nitrate (NDIBP) using in silico and ex vivo approaches. Methods: The compound was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H and 13C- nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. NDIBP biological activity spectrum was obtained by Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS). The pharmacological effect was validated in ex vivo studies using mesenteric artery. Drug-like properties and Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) studies were carried out by pkCSM (Predicting Small-Molecule Pharmacokinetic Properties Using Graph-Based Signatures) software. Results: PASS prediction indicated NDIBP as nitric oxide (NO) donor with vasodilator effect. Ex vivo studies validated PASS analysis and showed the NDIBP vasorelaxant activity in mesenteric arteries. Physicochemical parameters and ADMET prediction suggested that NDIBP is a drug-like molecule with a good theoretical oral bioavailability, good absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and a low distribution in the tissues. Conclusion: All the data indicated that NDIBP possesses biological activities and drug-like properties to be considered as a vasorelaxant agent and a good candidate for further investigation in the treatment of arterial hypertension and drug development studies

As mídias sociais no contexto das ações da liga de alergologia e imunologia da Universidade Federal de Alfenas durante a pandemia causada pelo novo coronavírus

A Liga Acadêmica de Alergologia e Imunologia (LAAI), fundada em 2018, tem objetivo de se aprofundar em imunologia e alergologia multidisciplinarmente, atuando junto à comunidade, a fim de promover saúde e prevenir e tratar doenças. A instalação do cenário pandêmico, em março de 2020, exigiu adaptações da LAAI, que buscou apresentar temas variados relacionados à alergologia e imunologia via plataformas online para manter o pilar da extensão de maneira produtiva, através de conteúdos informativos semanais no Instagram e Facebook da LAAI. O presente estudo busca elucidar o sucesso das redes sociais da liga através da determinação de nosso público-alvo, bem como da mensuração do alcance dos posts realizados pela LAAI durante a pandemia. Os dados foram obtidos em abril de 2021, através do Facebook e do Instagram da liga, abrangendo informações acerca do número de curtidas, comentários, compartilhamentos e alcance atingidos, além do número de visualizações obtidas nos vídeos postados. Verificou-se que os seguidores são predominantemente mulheres jovens residentes em Alfenas e que os temas de maior interesse da comunidade foram temas envolvendo alergologia. As publicações efetuadas em ambas as redes sociais da liga alcançaram, em média, 174.32 pessoas por postagem, com uma média de curtidas de 18.94, além de 3.96 compartilhamentos e 1 comentário por postagem. Já a média de visualizações por vídeo no Instagram foi de 123.78. O uso das mídias digitais, principalmente o Instagram, foi fundamental nesse contexto de pandemia para que a LAAI continuasse ativa transmitindo informações para um maior número de pessoas de maneira promissora

Epidemiological aspects and oral implications of Paracoccidioidomycosis infection: an integrative review

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It represents a significant infection in South America, occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical countries such as Brazil. Oral mucosal lesions, which are the most important symptom in dentistry, may be the first visible physical manifestation of the disease, often preceding even pulmonary lesions. This study aims to carry out an integrative literature review to identify the main epidemiological aspects and oral implications of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PMC) infection. A search was carried out in the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases and, after applying the inclusion, exclusion, eligibility and thematic relevance criteria, 18 articles were selected for analysis in this study. Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is endemic in Brazil and mainly affects middle-aged and elderly men and occurs in rural areas. It is a systemic disease where clinical manifestations are often added to oral lesions. Dentists play a key role in identifying these lesions, in the correct diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Making PCM notification compulsory in Brazil is essential.Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It represents a significant infection in South America, occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical countries such as Brazil. Oral mucosal lesions, which are the most important symptom in dentistry, may be the first visible physical manifestation of the disease, often preceding even pulmonary lesions. This study aims to carry out an integrative literature review to identify the main epidemiological aspects and oral implications of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PMC) infection. A search was carried out in the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases and, after applying the inclusion, exclusion, eligibility and thematic relevance criteria, 18 articles were selected for analysis in this study. Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is endemic in Brazil and mainly affects middle-aged and elderly men and occurs in rural areas. It is a systemic disease where clinical manifestations are often added to oral lesions. Dentists play a key role in identifying these lesions, in the correct diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Making PCM notification compulsory in Brazil is essential

INFLUÊNCIA DA OBESIDADE SARCOPÊNICA NO RISCO DE QUEDAS EM IDOSOS: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

Aim. To assess the influence of Sarcopenic Obesity (SO) on the risk of falls among the elderly, showing the impact of this association on the quality of life, health and autonomy of this population. Methods. This is a systematic review in which ​​studies indexed in the Pubmed, Scopus and BVS databases were searched using the descriptors (Sarcopenia AND Obesity OR Sarcopenic Obesity) AND (Elderly OR Elderly OR Elderly) AND (Accidental falls).Were read from the articles: title and abstract. Duplicates, articles that do not fit the proposed objective, literary reviews, books, conference abstracts and editorials, as well as publications prior to 2014 were eliminated. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies eligibility. The full text version was read if at least one of the reviewers considered the study eligible. Data was independently extracted from each study by the authors. Results. A total of ten studies met the criteria to be included in this review, comprehending a total of 22,418 participants and their respective data. The prevalence of falls in patients with SO varied between 29.47% and 60.53%, the Odds Rattio between the risk of falls and the defining components of SO varied between 1.05 and 2.64. Conclusions. A relationship between SO cases and the increase in the number of falls was noted from the selected studies, showing a change in the quality of life of the elderly and a possible increase in morbidity and mortality.Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da obesidade sarcopênica (OS) no risco de quedas em pessoas idosas, evidenciando o impacto dessa associação na qualidade de vida, saúde e autonomia dessa população. Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática, na qual foram pesquisados estudos indexados nas bases PubMed, Scopus e BVS a partir dos descritores (Sarcopenia AND Obesity OR Sarcopenic obesity) AND (Aged OR Elderly OR Older people) AND (Accidental falls). Foram lidos o título e o resumo dos artigos. Duplicidades, artigos que não se adequaram ao objetivo proposto, revisões literárias, livros, resumos de conferências e editoriais, bem como publicações anteriores a 2014, foram eliminados. Dois revisores avaliaram independentemente a elegibilidade dos estudos. A versão completa do texto foi lida se pelo menos um dos revisores considerasse o estudo elegível. Os dados foram extraídos de cada estudo de forma independente pelos autores. Resultados: Dez estudos contemplaram os critérios para serem incluídos nesta revisão, compreendendo um total de 22.418 participantes e seus respectivos dados. A prevalência de quedas em pacientes com OS variou entre 29,47% e 60,53%, e o Odds Ratio entre o risco de quedas e os componentes definidores de OS variou entre 1,05 e 2,64. Conclusão: Notou-se uma relação significativa entre os casos de OS e o aumento do número de quedas a partir dos estudos selecionados, evidenciando uma alteração na qualidade de vida dos idosos e possível aumento de morbimortalidade

High seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum is linked to immune activation in people with HIV: a two-stage cross-sectional study in Bahia, Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis is an opportunistic disease in HIV-1 infected individuals, unrecognized as a determining factor for AIDS diagnosis. The growing geographical overlap of HIV-1 and Leishmania infections is an emerging challenge worldwide, as co-infection increases morbidity and mortality for both infections. Here, we determined the prevalence of people living with HIV (PWH) with a previous or ongoing infection by Leishmania infantum and investigated the virological and immunological factors associated with co-infection. We adopted a two-stage cross-sectional cohort (CSC) design (CSC-I, n = 5,346 and CSC-II, n = 317) of treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals in Bahia, Brazil. In CSC-I, samples collected between 1998 and 2013 were used for serological screening for leishmaniasis by an in-house Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) with SLA (Soluble Leishmania infantum Antigen), resulting in a prevalence of previous or ongoing infection of 16.27%. Next, 317 PWH were prospectively recruited from July 2014 to December 2015 with the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data. Serological validation by two different immunoassays confirmed a prevalence of 15.46 and 8.20% by anti-SLA, and anti-HSP70 serology, respectively, whereas 4.73% were double-positive (DP). Stratification of these 317 individuals in DP and double-negative (DN) revealed a significant reduction of CD4+ counts and CD4+/CD8+ ratios and a tendency of increased viral load in the DP group, as compared to DN. No statistical differences in HIV-1 subtype distribution were observed between the two groups. However, we found a significant increase of CXCL10 (p = 0.0076) and a tendency of increased CXCL9 (p = 0.061) in individuals with DP serology, demonstrating intensified immune activation in this group. These findings were corroborated at the transcriptome level in independent Leishmania- and HIV-1-infected cohorts (Swiss HIV Cohort and Piaui Northeast Brazil Cohort), indicating that CXCL10 transcripts are shared by the IFN-dominated immune activation gene signatures of both pathogens and positively correlated to viral load in untreated PWH. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of PWH with L. infantum seropositivity in Bahia, Brazil, linked to IFN-mediated immune activation and a significant decrease in CD4+ levels. Our results highlight the urgent need to increase awareness and define public health strategies for the management and prevention of HIV-1 and L. infantum co-infection

Gestión del conocimiento: perspectiva multidisciplinaria. Volumen 11

El libro “Gestión del Conocimiento. Perspectiva Multidisciplinaria”, Volumen 11, de la Colección Unión Global, es resultado de investigaciones. Los capítulos del libro, son resultados de investigaciones desarrolladas por sus autores. El libro cuenta con el apoyo de los grupos de investigación: Universidad Sur del Lago “Jesús María Semprúm” (UNESUR), Zulia – Venezuela; Universidad Politécnica Territorial de Falcón Alonso Gamero (UPTAG), Falcón – Venezuela; Universidad Politécnica Territorial de Mérida Kleber Ramírez (UPTM), Mérida – Venezuela; Universidad Guanajuato (UG) - Campus Celaya - Salvatierra - Cuerpo Académico de Biodesarrollo y Bioeconomía en las Organizaciones y Políticas Públicas (C.A.B.B.O.P.P), Guanajuato – México; Centro de Altos Estudios de Venezuela (CEALEVE), Zulia – Venezuela, Centro Integral de Formación Educativa Especializada del Sur (CIFE - SUR) - Zulia - Venezuela, Centro de Investigaciones Internacionales SAS (CIN), Antioquia - Colombia.y diferentes grupos de investigación del ámbito nacional e internacional que hoy se unen para estrechar vínculos investigativos, para que sus aportes científicos formen parte de los libros que se publiquen en formatos digital e impreso