Amphotericin B Encapsulation in Polymeric Nanoparticles: Toxicity Insights via Cells and Zebrafish Embryo Testing.

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a commonly utilized antifungal agent, which is also recommended for the treatment of certain neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniasis. However, its clinical application is constrained because of its poor oral bioavailability and adverse effects, prompting the investigation of alternative drug delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) have gained attention as a potential drug delivery vehicle, providing advantages such as sustained release and enhanced bioavailability, and could have potential as AmB carriers.

Prenatal stress induces sex- and tissue-specific alterations in insulin pathway of Wistar rats offspring.

Background And Aims: Prenatal stress may lead to tissue and sex-specific cardiometabolic disorders in the offspring through imbalances in the insulin signaling pathway. Therefore, we aimed to determine the sex-specific adaptations of prenatal stress on the insulin signaling pathway of cardiac and hepatic tissue of adult offspring Wistar rats.

Methods: Wistar pregnant rats were divided into control and stress groups.

Impact of maternal stress on metabolism and penile morphology in young offspring rats.

Exposure to prolonged stress in pregnancy and/or lactation can lead to the future development of diseases. We aimed to study the effects of maternal stress on the biometry, metabolism, and penile morphology of young Wistar rats. Animals were divided into two experimental groups: Control Group (C) - pups from control mothers, without any intervention (n=5); and Chronic Stress Group (S) - pups from mothers who suffered variable stress in the third week of pregnancy (14th to 21st day; n=5).

Irisin and Cardiometabolic Disorders in Obesity: A Systematic Review.

Background: Overweight and obesity are global health issues, impacting a significant portion of young adults. Obesity is a complex condition influenced by genetics and environmental factors, leading to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Irisin, a protein derived from the cleavage of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5, may have relationship with these cardiometabolic diseases.

A novel insight on SARS-CoV-2 S-derived fragments in the control of the host immunity.

Despite all efforts to combat the pandemic of COVID-19, we are still living with high numbers of infected persons, an overburdened health care system, and the lack of an effective and definitive treatment. Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease is crucial for the development of new technologies and therapies for the best clinical management of patients. Since the manipulation of the whole virus requires a structure with an adequate level of biosafety, the development of alternative technologies, such as the synthesis of peptides from viral proteins, is a possible solution to circumvent this problem.

Photobiomodulation Reduces the Cytokine Storm Syndrome Associated with COVID-19 in the Zebrafish Model.

Although the exact mechanism of the pathogenesis of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is not fully understood, oxidative stress and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been highlighted as playing a vital role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this sense, alternative treatments are needed to reduce the level of inflammation caused by COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential effect of red photobiomodulation (PBM) as an attractive therapy to downregulate the cytokine storm caused by COVID-19 in a zebrafish model.

Cinnamaldehyde supplementation acts as an insulin mimetic compound improving glucose metabolism during adolescence, but not during adulthood, in healthy male rats.

Purpose: Adolescence is a critical period of increased vulnerability to nutritional modifications, and adolescents may respond differently from adults to dietary intake and nutraceuticals. Cinnamaldehyde, a major bioactive compound of cinnamon, improves energy metabolism, as has been shown in studies conducted primarily in adult animals. We hypothesized that cinnamaldehyde treatment may have a higher impact on the glycemic homeostasis of healthy adolescent rats than on healthy adult rats.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to assess the effects of cocaine as a drug of abuse and its environmental implications.

Cocaine (COC) use concerns are on the increase for both authorities and civil society. Despite this, it is important to investigate COC effects or those of its main metabolite, belzoylecgonine (BE), in consolidated aquatic model organisms, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio). This (mini) review consists in an assessment regarding toxicological studies carried out employing zebrafish (embryos, larvae or adults) exposed to COC and/or BE indexed at the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases.

Radiomorphometric indices for sex estimation in edentulous individuals: A receiver operating characteristic curve and discriminant function analysis-based study.

This study aimed to evaluate sexual dimorphism in Brazilian edentulous individuals using a formula based on mandible-related linear radiomorphometric measurements. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 390 panoramic radiographs (PRs) distributed into three age groups (51-60, 61-70, and 71-80 years). PRs were used to obtain linear measurements of the mandible and derived indices (superior and inferior panoramic mandibular indices [s-PMI and i-PMI, respectively], alveolar bone resorption [ABR] index), and the mandibular cortical index (MCI).

Community health workers: working conditions and occupational health.

Introduction: Community health workers are qualified professionals who provide health services that are culturally appropriate for a region. In their work routine, these professionals experience the most diverse and risky situations, which may cause vulnerability to the process of illness and even compromise care to users of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Therefore, understanding the factors associated with the work process that imply the illness of community health workers helps increase the safety of the service provided by these workers.

Toxicity of spike fragments SARS-CoV-2 S protein for zebrafish: A tool to study its hazardous for human health?

Despite the significant increase in the generation of SARS-CoV-2 contaminated domestic and hospital wastewater, little is known about the ecotoxicological effects of the virus or its structural components in freshwater vertebrates. In this context, this study evaluated the deleterious effects caused by SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein on the health of Danio rerio, zebrafish. We demonstrated, for the first time, that zebrafish injected with fragment 16 to 165 (rSpike), which corresponds to the N-terminal portion of the protein, presented mortalities and adverse effects on liver, kidney, ovary and brain tissues.

Team-Based Learning methodology applied to the construction of a child delivery plan model.

Objective: to report an experience using the Team-Based Learning methodology for the development of a standard model for Birth Plans by health professionals.

Methods: experience report on the use of Team-Based Learning to develop care technology, with the participation of 120 professionals from two municipalities located in the Midwest Region.

Results: the use of Team-Based Learning in this experience enabled the construction of a Child Delivery Plan model based on the theoretical approach to the theme, a critical reflection exercise, an in-depth discussion, decision-making, after what a consensus was reached.

Impact of Brazil Nut (, H.B.K.) Supplementation on Body Composition, Blood Pressure, and the Vascular Reactivity of Wistar Rats When Submitted to a Hypersodium Diet.

Endothelium integrity is a key that maintains vascular homeostasis but it can suffer irreversible damage by blood pressure changes, reflecting an imbalance in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, H.B.

How animals distribute themselves in space: energy landscapes of Antarctic avian predators.

Background: Energy landscapes provide an approach to the mechanistic basis of spatial ecology and decision-making in animals. This is based on the quantification of the variation in the energy costs of movements through a given environment, as well as how these costs vary in time and for different animal populations. Organisms as diverse as fish, mammals, and birds will move in areas of the energy landscape that result in minimised costs and maximised energy gain.

Molecular mechanisms underlying fructose-induced cardiovascular disease: exercise, metabolic pathways and microRNAs.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? What are the mechanisms underlying the cardiac protective effect of aerobic training in the progression of a high fructose-induced cardiometabolic disease in Wistar rats? What is the main finding and its importance? At the onset of cardiovascular disease, aerobic training activates the p-p70S6K, ERK and IRβ-PI3K-AKT pathways, without changing the miR-126 and miR-195 levels, thereby providing evidence that aerobic training modulates the insulin signalling pathway. These data contribute to the understanding of the molecular cardiac changes that are associated with physiological left ventricular hypertrophy during the development of a cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: During the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), disturbances in myocardial vascularization, cell proliferation and protein expression are observed.

Neural Regenerative Potential of Stem Cells Derived from the Tooth Apical Papilla.

The regenerative effects of stem cells derived from dental tissues have been previously investigated. This study assessed the potential of human tooth stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) on nerve regeneration. The SCAP collected from nine individuals were characterized and polarized by exposure to interferon-γ (IFN-γ).

Hospital obstetric practices and their repercussions on maternal welfare.

Objective: To analyze the association of care practices performed by obstetric professionals with maternal welfare/malaise levels.

Method: A quantitative study conducted in a Prepartum/Childbirth/Postpartum Unit of a Teaching Hospital with puerperal women who underwent vaginal births. An association was performed between obstetric practices and maternal welfare/malaise levels.

Aerobic exercise modulates cardiac NAD(P)H oxidase and the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in a mouse model of chronic fructose consumption.

The present study investigated the effects of exercise on the cardiac nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) factor 2 (NRF2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) pathway in an experimental model of chronic fructose consumption. Male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to Control, Fructose (20% fructose in drinking water), Exercise (treadmill exercise at moderate intensity), and Fructose + Exercise groups ( = 10). After 12 wk, the energy intake and body weight in the groups were similar.

Repercussions of using the birth plan in the parturition process.

Objective: To analyze the repercussions of using the Birth Plan in the parturition process from the national and international scientific production.

Methods: Integrative literature review performed in the LILACS, PUBMED, CINAHL and SciELO, comprising 13 articles published in English, Spanish and Portuguese, in the period from 2008 through 2018.

Results: The construction of the Birth Plan during prenatal influences positively the process of parturition and maternal-fetal outcomes.

Aerobic Training Associated with Arginine Supplementation Reduces Collagen-Induced Platelet Hyperaggregability in Rats under High Risk to Develop Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Increased platelet response is seen in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Previous reports have shown that arginine supplementation and aerobic exercise training enhance vascular nitric oxide (NO) activity and inhibit platelet hyperaggregability; however, the effects of their association remain unknown.

Aim: To investigate whether arginine supplementation and aerobic exercise association may exert beneficial effects, reducing platelet hyperaggregability in rats under high risk to develop metabolic syndrome.

Humanized practices of obstetric nurses: contributions in maternal welfare.

Objective: To analyze the practice of obstetric nurses operating in a prenatal/delivery/postpartum unit of a university hospital in Mato Grosso and the maternal welfare resulted from the care provided in this scenario.

Method: Study with a quantitative approach, carried out in a prenatal/delivery/postpartum unit of a university hospital in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. The data were collected through the Scale of Maternal Welfare in Delivery Situation 2, and the study included 104 recent mothers in the period from June to September 2016.

Treatment with Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir (with or without Ribavirin) Improves Patient Reported Outcomes in Hepatitis C.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of 3 treatment regimens upon health-related quality of life and work productivity using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in chronic hepatitis C infected patients: sofosbuvir (SOF) + daclatasvir (DCV); SOF + DCV + ribavirin (RBV); SOF + simeprevir (SMV).

Methods: 4 questionnaires were used to evaluate PROs before, during and after treatment: Short Form-36 (SF-36), Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) - hepatitis C virus (HCV), Work Productivity and Activity Index, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F).

Results: Of the global sample of 55 patients included in this study; SOF + DCV ( = 10); SOF + DCV + RBV ( = 29); SOF + SMV ( = 16) all had a statistically significant improvement in SF-36, CLDQ and FACIT-F scores during and post-treatment.