Publications by authors named "Angela M Alvarez"

Skeletal muscle regeneration after injury is a complex process involving inflammatory signaling and myoblast activation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are key mediators, but their effects on gene expression in proliferating myoblasts are unclear. We performed the RNA sequencing of TNF-α treated C2C12 myoblasts to elucidate the signaling pathways and gene networks regulated by TNF-α during myoblast proliferation.

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The microbiome -defined as the microbiota (bacteria, archaea, lower and higher eukaryotes), their genomes, and the surrounding environmental conditions- has a well-described range of physiological functions. Thus, an imbalance of the microbiota composition -dysbiosis- has been associated with pregnancy complications or adverse fetal outcomes. Although there is controversy about the existence or absence of a microbiome in the placenta and fetus during healthy pregnancy, it is known that gut microbiota can produce bioactive metabolites that can enter the maternal circulation and may be actively or passively transferred through the placenta.

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Problem: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by the clinical manifestation of vascular thrombosis (VT) or pregnancy morbidity (PM) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) that can modify the nitric oxide production. Low-dose aspirin is used in the prevention and treatment of diverse alterations of pregnancy. One of the mechanisms of action of aspirin is to induce the production of aspirin-triggered-lipoxins (ATL).

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Objective: To reflect on the role and initiatives of the Brazilian Nursing Association (ABEn) and the Federal Nursing Council (Cofen) in the development, recognition, and regulation necessary to implement advanced practice nursing (APN) in Brazil.

Method: This is a theoretical-reflective essay resulting from the roundtable discussion entitled "Regulation and recognition of advanced nursing practices in Brazil: how are we and what is missing" held in May 2021, at the III International Symposium on Adult Health.

Results: ABEn and Cofen are strategic partners to define the areas of activity of this specialization in Brazil.

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The pursuit of better therapies for disorders creating deficiencies in skeletal muscle regeneration is in progress, and several biotoxins are used in skeletal muscle research. Since recombinant proteins derived from Lonomia obliqua bristles, recombinant Lonomia obliqua Stuart-factor activator (rLosac) and recombinant Lonomia obliqua prothrombin activator protease (rLopap) act as cytoprotective agents and promote cell survival, we hypothesize that both rLosac and rLopap favour the skeletal muscle regeneration process. In the present work, we investigate the ability of these recombinant proteins rLosac and rLopap to modulate the production of key mediators of the myogenic process.

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Objective: to map and analyze the scientific literature on nursing care aimed at people with Parkinson's disease in Primary Health Care.

Method: this is a scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, carried out between July and October 2020, and updated in November 2021 in six databases from nursing care and Parkinson's disease descriptors, and their respective acronyms and synonyms in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Results: a total of 44 publications were included in this review, which identified as nursing care in Primary Care: assessment of motor and non-motor functions; management of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living; disease self-management education for people with Parkinson's and their care partners; supervised group approach; and personal factor management.

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Article Synopsis
  • The text honors the Butantan Institute on its 120th anniversary by highlighting its research on envenoming in Brazil, where over 42,000 caterpillar-related accidents occur annually.
  • It emphasizes the establishment of new toxinology research centers at Butantan and the production of an antilonomic serum (ALS) to address public health needs.
  • Additionally, the study of bristle extract revealed new molecules with unique properties, potentially paving the way for innovative drugs targeting cell regeneration and inflammatory conditions.
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Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity (PM) obstetric events together with persistent high titers of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Several mechanisms that explain the development of thrombosis and PM in APS include the association of aPL with alterations in the coagulation cascade and inflammatory events. Other mechanisms disturbing cellular homeostases, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and cell proliferation, have been described in other autoimmune diseases.

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Although crotoxin B (CB) is a well-established catalytically active secretory phospholipase A group IIA (sPLA-IIA) myotoxin, we investigated its potential stimulatory effect on myogenesis with the involvement of prostaglandins (PGs) produced by cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 pathways. Myoblast C2C12 were cultured in proliferation or commitment protocols and incubated with CB followed by lumiracoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor) or valeryl salicylate (selective COX-1 inhibitor) and subjected to analysis of PG release, cell proliferation and activation of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). Our data showed that CB in non-cytotoxic concentrations induces an increase of COX-2 protein expression and stimulates the activity of both COX isoforms to produce PGE, PGD and 15d-PGJ.

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Objective: to identify scientific productions on nursing care related to fall risk prevention among hospitalized elderly people.

Methods: an integrative literature review from 2015 to 2019 in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, BDENF, SciELO and CINAHL databases, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The keywords were elderly, hospitalization, accidents due to falls, nursing care.

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Objective: To assess the contribution of gerontotechnologies in nursing care to older adults with Parkinson's disease, aiming at the prevention of falls.

Method: Convergent Assistance Research, through the development and evaluation of gerontechnologies focused on the prevention of falls in older adults with Parkinson's Disease. Clinical evaluation, interviews and workshops with older adults were carried out, as well as analysis and judgment of the materials developed by ten judges certified in gerontology by the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology.

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This is a case report of women with pregnancy morbidity (PM), some of them associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), in which the glycan patterns of immunoglobulin G (IgG) were investigated based on the theory of alteration of glycosylation in autoimmunity. We used lectin blot to determine changes in terminal glycosylation of polyclonal IgG from women with antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies and PM plus vascular thrombosis (PM/VT) and seronegative-obstetric APS (SN-OAPS). In addition, we analyzed IgG from women with PM without aPL (PM/aPL-) and healthy women, as controls.

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Objective: to analyze in available scientific literature what problems are caused to the musculoskeletal system of caregivers of older adults in the home environment.

Methods: an integrative literature review indexed in the PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, BDENF, LILACS and SciELO databases.

Results: the sample totaled 17 studies that showed three thematic categories: Care overload for caregivers' health; Caregivers' physical illness; Caregiver self-neglect.

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In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α on the proliferation and commitment phases of myoblast differentiation. C2C12 mouse myoblast cells were cultured to reach a proliferated or committed status and were incubated with these cytokines for the evaluation of cell proliferation, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression, release of prostaglandins (PGs) and myokines, and activation of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). We found that inhibition of the IL-6 receptor reduced IL-1β- and TNF-α-induced cell proliferation, and that the IL-1β effect also involved COX-2-derived PGs.

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Objective: To ascertain the characteristics of the nursing care provided to institutionalized elderly people with dementia.

Methods: Integrative review of studies published between 2013 and 2017, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, from the databases BDENF, LILACS, CINAHL, PubMed, SciELO, TRIP, and National Guideline Clearing House. Thematic data analysis was used.

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Unlabelled: The placenta works as a selective barrier, protecting the fetus from potential infections that may affect the maternal organism during pregnancy. In this review, we will discuss several challenging infections that are common within Latin American countries and that may affect the maternal-fetal interface and pose risks to fetal development. Specifically, we will focus on emerging infectious diseases including the arboviruses, malaria, leishmaniasis, and the bacterial foodborne disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing .

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Introduction: The antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and clinical manifestations of thrombosis or gestational morbidity that are associated with oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Objective: To evaluate markers of oxidative stress in endothelial cells induced by the serum from women with different clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome, and to analyze the antioxidant capacity of the sera. Materials and methods: We included 48 women who were classified as follows: presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and clinical criteria of gestational morbidity alone, vascular thrombosis only, and gestational morbidity/vascular thrombosis.

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Objective: to develop the gerontological nursing care process among the elderly with Parkinson's disease, aiming at the promotion of health through the creation of gerontotechnologies for fall prevention.

Method: Convergent Care Research was used as a methodological route. Data were collected from February to October 2017, with the participation of nine elderly people with Parkinson's disease.

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Objective: To understand how nursing workers perceive care of hypertension (HBP) in older adult within the scope of the Family Health Strategy.

Method: A qualitative descriptive study carried out in the city of Natal/RN, with 20 nursing workers providing care to older adults with HBP. The data were obtained through a semi-structured interview and analysed by the Thematic Analysis, based on the theoretical support of the integrality, using Atlas.

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Problem: Oxidative stress and inflammation are key events leading to pre-eclampsia, involved in several maternal deaths. Low doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are used in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia. The synthesis of aspirin-triggered lipoxin (ATL) by cyclooxygenase-2 acetylation is an alternative mechanism of ASA, which could explain the effectiveness of ASA treatments.

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Objective: To analyze the trends in hospitalization and mortality rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) among older adults in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, from 2008 to 2015.

Method: Ecological time-series study based on data from the Hospital Information System (Sistema de Informações Hospitalares - SIH) of the public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS), using hospital admission authorization forms as data source, from 2008 to 2015, in Santa Catarina. Data were analyzed by gender and age, which was stratified into two age groups: 60 to 79 years and 80 years or older.

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Objective: To understand the daily lives of people with Parkinson's disease.

Method: Qualitative research, using as methodological and theoretical referential the Grounded Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, respectively. The in-depth interview was conducted with 30 people with Parkinson's disease.

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