Ionizing radiation from radiopharmaceuticals and the human gut microbiota: An ex vivo approach

This study aimed to determine the effect of three widely used radiopharmaceuticals with intestinal excretion on selected relevant bacteria that are part of the human gut microbiota, using an ex vivo approach. Fecal samples obtained from healthy volunteers were analyzed. Each sample was divided into four smaller aliquots. One served as the non-irradiated control. The other three were homogenized with three radiopharmaceutical solutions ([131I]NaI, [99mTc]NaTcO4, and [223Ra]RaCl2). Relative quantification of each taxa was determined by the 2−ΔΔC method, using the ribosomal gene 16S as an internal control (primers 534/385). Twelve fecal samples were analysed: three controls and nine irradiated. Our experiment showed fold changes in all analyzed taxa with all radiopharmaceuticals, but results were more significant with I-131, ranging from 1.87–83.58; whereas no relevant differences were found with Tc-99m and Ra-223, ranging from 0.98–1.58 and 0.83–1.97, respectively. This study corroborates limited existing research on how ionizing radiation changes the gut microbiota composition, providing novel data regarding the ex vivo effect of radiopharmaceuticals. Our findings justify the need for future larger scale projects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Neuroinflammation and Parkinson’s disease - from neurodegeneration to therapeutic opportunities

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Clinically, it is characterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DAn), resulting in severe motor complications. Preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that neuroinflammation can play a role in PD pathophysiology, being associated with its onset and progression. Nevertheless, several key points concerning the neuroinflammatory process in PD remain to be answered. Bearing this in mind, in the present review, we cover the impact of neuroinflammation on PD by exploring the role of inflammatory cells (i.e., microglia and astrocytes) and the interconnections between the brain and the peripheral system. Furthermore, we discuss both the innate and adaptive immune responses regarding PD pathology and explore the gut–brain axis communication and its influence on the progression of the disease.The present work was supported by Prémios Santa Casa Neurociências— Prize Mantero Belard for Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (MB-28-2019), the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) to S.M. (CEECIND/01902/2017) and F.G.T. (2021.00643.CEECIND), the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), the Competitiveness Internationalization Operational Programme (POCI), national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of projects UIDB/50026/2020, UIDP/50026/2020, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029751, and EXPL/MED-PAT/0931/2021, project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), and under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)

Construction of an Ophthalmological Calendar for the Therapeutic Follow-Up of Glaucoma in the Elderly

Abstract: Health teams in primary care play a key role in the eye health of users as they understand that early identification of any visual change can result in satisfactory outcomes and better prognoses, preventing damage that is often irreversible to health. Building an ophthalmological calendar for the therapeutic follow-up of glaucoma in the elderly, this is a methodological study, as the process of constructing the calendar’s content followed the Raymundo theoretical framework. The calendar was built in the following steps: bibliographic survey, content development, transformation of the language of scientific information into easy-to-understand expressions, creation and production of illustrations of the first draft, evaluation of the first draft made by the examining board, diagramming and presentation of the product. The construction of the calendar covers a specific theme for the elderly with glaucoma, which emphasizes the need to invest more in the inclusion of new technologies that will provide greater effectiveness and adherence of the user and the health team for the management of comprehensive care. The implementation of the produced calendar will allow for a better understanding and bond between the team professionals and the user and, consequently, a better monitoring of the therapeutic process of the patient involved.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Family focus and community orientation in tuberculosis control

Este estudo objetivou descrever as ações de controle da tuberculose no contexto de Equipes de Saúde da Família, segundo as dimensões "enfoque familiar" e "orientação para comunidade". Pesquisa avaliativa seccional, realizada em 2008, que envolveu 84 profissionais de saúde. Utilizou-se o instrumento Primary Care Assessment Tool, validado e adaptado para atenção à tuberculose no Brasil. Os entrevistados responderam as questões segundo possibilidades produzidas por escala intervalar tipo Likert, à qual foi atribuído um valor entre zero e cinco. Os dados foram inseridos no programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences e analisados segundo freqüência e mediana. Na primeira dimensão avaliada, 67,9% dos profissionais de saúde investigam os contatos domiciliares dos casos de tuberculose; 63,1% realizam exame radiológico; 64,3% incluem a família no enfrentamento da doença; 77,4% identificam fatores de riscos; 41,7% envolvem outros setores na resolução dos problemas. Na segunda dimensão, 73,8% realizam busca de casos na comunidade; 40,5% dispõem de insumos para coleta de escarro; 50% desenvolvem trabalhos educativos e 14,3% reconhecem participação social no controle da tuberculose. A eficiência da utilização dos serviços exigirá a incorporação de ações que privilegiem a atenção à família e à comunidade, e o desenvolvimento de habilidades que ampliem os espaços de atuação dos profissionais e fortaleçam a articulação intersetorial.This study aimed to describe tuberculosis control actions in the context of Family Health Teams, regarding the dimensions family focus and community orientation. A cross-sectional evaluative research was carried out in 2008, with 84 healthcare workers. The Primary Care Assessment Tool was used, validated and adapted to assess tuberculosis care in Brazil. Respondents answered each question according to a pre-determined scale, (Likert's scale) ranging from zero to five. Data were tabulated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software and were analyzed according to frequency and median. In the first dimension, outcomes revealed that 67.9% of health workers evaluate contact cases with diagnostic tests; 63.1% use radiology tests; 64.3% include the household to face the disease; 77.4% identify risk factors; 41.7% interface with other sectors to find solutions for the identified problems. In the second dimension, 73.8% of them perform case search; 40.5% provide inputs for sputum collection; 50% take educational actions in the community; 14.3% recognize social participation in tuberculosis control. Therefore, the efficiency of such services requires taking actions that give special attention to family and community, and the development of skills to create new spaces for professionals to act and to strengthen the interface with other sectors of society

25 years of Requirements Engineering in Brazil: a systematic mapping

Abstract. The celebration of 25th anniversary of the Brazilian Symposium of Software Engineering (SBES) as well as the forthcoming Requirements Engineering Conference to be held in Brazil for the first time, has led us to have a closer look at the local Requirements Engineering (RE) Community. A systematic mapping was performed in order to find out the main Brazilian research groups, authors as well as their topics of interest and publications with greatest impact. This information may be useful for those that do not know well the local requirements engineering community, such as local newcomers or foreign researchers. It may also help to identify potential groups for collaboration. Similarly, it may provide valuable information to assist local agencies when granting research funds

Glaucoma e envelhecimento: dificuldades terapêuticas vivenciadas por idosos

Introduction: Glaucoma is a public health problem among chronic-degenerative visual diseases due to its high incidence and for causing disability. Thus, the Glaucoma Patient Assistance Program was created to improve follow-up and avoid bleak prognoses. Objectives: to analyze the difficulties of the elderly in the use of eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma.Methods: an exploratory research was carried out where the population was composed of elderly patients with glaucoma treated at the Integrated Unit of Ipiranga linked to Basic Care in District III of João Pessoa-PB, a questionnaire was the instrument for data collection for the 61 participants. Results: it was found that 38 (62.3%) %) of the participants , 53 (87%) received 1-2 minimum wages, and 23 (37.7%) studied only until primary school. As for administration, 37 (60.7%) had no problems remembering if they had already used the eye drops, 39 (63.9%) had no difficulty using it, and 34 (55.7%) were unable to follow its use in the basic assistance. Conclusion: respondents have their obstacles to medication adherence regardless of the disease, the lack of follow-up in basic care only adds another one, so that’s why educating them would enable lower dropout rates and better prognoses.Introdução: dentre as doenças crônico-degenerativas visuais, o glaucoma constitui um problema de saúde pública por sua alta incidência e incapacidade. Assim, o Programa de Assistência ao Portador de Glaucoma foi criado para melhorar o acompanhamento e evitar prognósticos sombrios. Objetivos: objetivo é analisar as dificuldades dos idosos no uso do colírio para tratamento do glaucoma. Método: pesquisa exploratória em população composta por pacientes de terceira idade com glaucoma, atendidos na Unidade Integrada do Ipiranga vinculada à Atenção Primária do Distrito III (João Pessoa-PB). O tamanho da amostra foi de 61 participantes, um questionário foi o instrumento para a coleta de dados. Resultados: na caracterização da amostra 38 (62,3%) eram do sexo feminino, 53 (87%) recebem de 1 a 2 salários mínimos e 23 (37,7%) estudaram só até o primário. Quanto à administração, 37(60,7%) não têm problemas para lembrar se já usaram o colírio, 39 (63,9%) não sentem dificuldade ao usá-lo e 34 (55,7%) não conseguem acompanhar seu uso na assistência básica. Discussão: A maioria revelou-se feminina, de baixa renda e desacompanhada da assistência básica neste quesito. Uma parcela significativa também se mostrou de baixa escolaridade. Contudo, apesar das limitações, a predominância revelou cumprir a terapêutica. Conclusão: Após aplicação do questionário foram detectados empecilhos próprios à adesão medicamentosa nos idosos. A falta de acompanhamento na atenção básica só acrescenta mais um desafio, por isso a educação do público possibilitaria menores taxas de abandono e melhores prognósticos

Epidemiological, clinical and hematological aspects of bovine anaplasmosis: a retrospective hospital-based study (2012-2021)

The aim was to carry out a retrospective study of bovine anaplasmosis diagnosed at the Bovine Clinic of Garanhuns, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (CBG/UFRPE) from 2012 to 2021. A descriptive analysis was performed of the epidemiological, clinical, and hematological data of 230 clinical records of cattle of different age groups. The disease represented 79.9% of the hemoparasites diagnosed at the Institution. Females aged ? 24 months of taurine lineage and their crosses, reared under intensive and semi-intensive systems, were the most affected. A higher occurrence of the disease was observed in the months of August to December.   The most frequently observed clinical findings were apathy, decreased appetite, icteric mucous membranes, and tachycardia. Spontaneous abortion occurred in 12.8% of pregnant cows. Hematological findings revealed regenerative anemia, and the severity of the anemia was associated with a greater intensity of bone marrow response. Antimicrobials (oxytetracycline LA and enrofloxacin) were effective in reducing parasitemia, which, together with blood transfusion, were essential for the patient's clinical improvement. Clinical resolution with hospital discharge occurred in 82.6% of patients, with a mean hospital stay of eight days. Anaplasmosis was the most frequent hemoparasitosis in CBG/UFRPE. It is important to provide guidance measures for producers in the region, especially at the end of the rainy season before the dry season, so that the diagnosis and disease treatment are carried out as early as possible, allowing a faster recovery and return of the animals to production, and thus minimizing the economic impact to the dairy basin of the state of Pernambuco

Anti-viral effects of medicinal plants in the management of dengue: a systematic review

Background: Dengue is considered as an important arboviral disease. Safe, low-cost, and effective drugs that possess inhibitory activity against dengue virus (DENV) are mostly needed to try to combat the dengue infection worldwide. Medicinal plants have been considered as an important alternative to manage several diseases, such as dengue. As authors have demonstrated the antiviral effect of medicinal plants against DENV, the aim of this study was to review systematically the published research concerning the use of medicinal plants in the management of dengue using the PubMed database.Materials and Methods: Search and selection of publications were made using the PubMed database following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA statement).Results: Six publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final selection after thorough analysis.Conclusion: It is suggested that medicinal plants’ products could be used as potential anti-DENV agents.Keywords: Dengue, arbovirus, medicinal plants, PubMe

Highlights of the Brazilian Thoracic Association guidelines for interstitial lung diseases

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are heterogeneous disorders, involving a large number of conditions, the approach to which continues to pose an enormous challenge for pulmonologists. The 2012 Brazilian Thoracic Association ILD Guidelines were established in order to provide Brazilian pulmonologists with an instrument that can facilitate the management of patients with ILDs, standardizing the criteria used for the diagnosis of different conditions and offering guidance on the best treatment in various situations. The objective of this article was to briefly describe the highlights of those guidelines.As doenças pulmonares intersticiais (DPIs) são afecções heterogêneas, envolvendo um elevado número de condições, cuja abordagem ainda é um grande desafio para o pneumologista. As Diretrizes de DPIs da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, publicadas em 2012, foram estabelecidas com o intuito de fornecer aos pneumologistas brasileiros um instrumento que possa facilitar a abordagem dos pacientes com DPIs, padronizando-se os critérios utilizados para a definição diagnóstica das diferentes condições, além de orientar sobre o melhor tratamento nas diferentes situações. Esse artigo teve como objetivo descrever resumidamente os principais destaques dessas diretrizes.Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Hospital das ClínicasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Curso de Pós-Graduação de Doenças Pulmonares IntersticiaisUniversidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto AlegreSanta Casa de Porto Alegre Ambulatório de Doenças IntersticiaisSES Hospital Regional da Asa Norte Serviço de Doenças TorácicasFundação Jorge Duprat Figueiredo de Segurança e Medicina do Trabalho Serviço de MedicinaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Departamento de Clínica MédicaUniversidade Federal do Estado do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PatologiaHospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo Serviço de Anatomia PatológicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto Divisão de PneumologiaUniversidade Federal de Santa Catarina Departamento de Clínica MédicaUniversidade Federal de Santa Catarina Hospital UniversitárioHospital de Messejana Ambulatório de Doenças IntersticiaisHospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo Ambulatório de Doenças IntersticiaisUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Instituto do CoraçãoUniversidade Federal FluminenseUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de MedicinaHospital Sírio Libanês Núcleo Avançado de TóraxUniversidade Federal da BahiaHospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São PauloHospital do Câncer Antônio Cândido CamargoUNIFESP, EPM, Curso de Pós-Graduação de Doenças Pulmonares IntersticiaisUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PatologiaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Highlights of the Brazilian Thoracic Association guidelines for interstitial lung diseases

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are heterogeneous disorders, involving a large number of conditions, the approach to which continues to pose an enormous challenge for pulmonologists. The 2012 Brazilian Thoracic Association ILD Guidelines were established in order to provide Brazilian pulmonologists with an instrument that can facilitate the management of patients with ILDs, standardizing the criteria used for the diagnosis of different conditions and offering guidance on the best treatment in various situations. The objective of this article was to briefly describe the highlights of those guidelines.As doenças pulmonares intersticiais (DPIs) são afecções heterogêneas, envolvendo um elevado número de condições, cuja abordagem ainda é um grande desafio para o pneumologista. As Diretrizes de DPIs da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, publicadas em 2012, foram estabelecidas com o intuito de fornecer aos pneumologistas brasileiros um instrumento que possa facilitar a abordagem dos pacientes com DPIs, padronizando-se os critérios utilizados para a definição diagnóstica das diferentes condições, além de orientar sobre o melhor tratamento nas diferentes situações. Esse artigo teve como objetivo descrever resumidamente os principais destaques dessas diretrizes.28229