Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the effects of Goji Berry extract (GB, Lycium barbarum) gavage administration on liver tissue oxidative stress in Wistar rats as well as to identify and quantify the content of the major bioactive compounds of the fruit. Four diets were applied: SW - standard diet + water; SG - standard diet + Goji Berry extract (125 mg/kg of animal); PW - palatable diet + water; PG - palatable diet + Goji Berry extract (125 mg/kg of animal). Results showed a significant increase in catalase enzyme activity in the liver of rats treated with GB and also in those intaking the palatable diet without GB when compared to the SW group. An increased mRNA expression of this enzyme in the same tissue and groups was also verified. Regarding lipid peroxidation, the GB extract produced a significant decrease in the oxidation state in the SG and PG groups. The results also showed a significant amount of bioactive compounds in GB extract.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the care delivered to hospitalized cancer patients in end-of-life. Methods A retrospective analysis of data of hospitalized patients with advanced solid tumors, who died under exclusive palliative care during first wave (March 2020 to July 2020) compared with the period previous pandemic (January 2018 to February 2020). Results A total of 190 oncologic patients were included, 161 patients before the pandemic, and 29 in the period from March 2020 to July 2020. The average hospitalization was 497.2 patients per month, before the pandemic, and dropped to an average of 46.5 in the pandemic, whereas the death rate decreased from an average of 6.3 patients per month to 4.8. Considering the benchmarks for quality of care during end-of-life care, preferences on life assistance were discussed prior to hospitalization for 34.4%, before the pandemic, and 13.8% during the pandemic (p=0.0298); 9.3% received chemotherapy 15 days prior to the date of death, before the pandemic, and 20.7%, in the pandemic (p=0.1012). Conclusion Based on the present results, despite the decrease in oncology admissions, the advanced-stage cancer patients continued to seek hospital for end-of-life care. However, we could observe in our benchmarking analyses for palliative quality of care that talks about prognosis occurred less often during the pandemic.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: A ansiedade está quase sempre presente antes de intervenções médicas e pode desempenhar um papel importante na percepção da dor. Buscou-se avaliar os fatores associados à intensidade da dor relatados pelos pacientes submetidos a histeroscopia ambulatorial (HA). MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional transversal, com dados de abril a novembro de 2015. Foram incluídas pacientes atendidas na Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand (Meac/UFC) com indicação de HA. Antes do exame, as pacientes responderam a um questionário validado sobre ansiedade (IAM). Após o exame, as mulheres responderam à Escala Visual Analógica (EVA). Os dados foram analisados no Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0, com correlação de Spearman, teste U de Mann-Whitney e Anova. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídas 252 pacientes, com idade média de 45,7 anos, das quais 29% estavam na pós-menopausa (dor média 5,5) e 71% eram menacme (dor média 5,1) (p = 0,258). O traço e o estado de ansiedade mostraram influência significativa na escala de dor (p<0,001 e p=0,001). Vinte e sete por cento das pacientes eram nulíparas. Menor dor foi associada ao número (p=0,01) e tipo vaginal (p=0,005) de partos. A principal indicação para o procedimento foi sangramento uterino anormal (54,4%); 66,1% necessitaram de amostra endometrial. CONCLUSÕES: A HA pode estar associada a um desconforto moderado, mas tolerável. Houve correlação significativa entre escores mais altos na escala de dor e ansiedade, menor paridade, mas não com idade reprodutiva ou procedimento de biópsia endometrial.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Anxiety is almost always present before medical interventions and may play a role in pain perception. We aim to evaluate factors associated with pain intensity reported by patients submitted to Office Hysteroscopy (OH). METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study, with data from April to November 2015. It included patients attended at the Assis Chateaubriand Maternity School (MEAC/UFC) with an indication of office hysteroscopy. Before the examination, the patients answered a validated questionnaire about anxiety (STAI). After the examination, women answered the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0, with Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney U-test, and analyses of variance. RESULTS: 252 patients were included, with a mean age of 45.7 years, of whom 29% were postmenopausal (mean pain 5.5) and 71% were in menacme (mean pain 5.1) (p = 0.258). The anxiety trait and state showed a significant influence on the pain scale (p <0.001 and p=0.001), but age or endometrial sample did not. 27% of the patients were nulliparous. Less pain was associated with the number (p=0.01) and vaginal (p=0.005) of deliveries. The main indication for the procedure was abnormal uterine bleeding (54.4%). CONCLUSION: OH may be associated with moderate but tolerable discomfort. There was a significant correlation between higher scores on the pain scale and anxiety. There was evidence of reduced pain with parity and type of delivery, but not with reproductive age or endometrial biopsy.

Pharmaceutical cocrystals are composed of a drug and a coformer and are currently gaining attention due to their possibility of improving drug solubility. Quantitative determination of cocrystals is usually carried out by liquid chromatography method, but an alternative for the same is derivative UV spectrophotometry. Cocrystals of lamotrigine (LAM) were formed with nicotinamide (NIC) in order to improve the solubility of LAM. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simple, low-cost, environment friendly, first-order derivative spectrophotometric method for simultaneous determination of LAM and NIC in cocrystals. Determination of LAM and NIC was performed at 244.4 and 271.6 nm, respectively. The method was accurate with recovery values of 98.21-101.52%, and precise (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 1.88%). Robustness evaluated by Plackett-Burman design showed no significant influence of the factors (pH, scanning speed, and sonication time) on LAM and NIC assays. The developed method was compared with a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and applied to study the cocrystal stoichiometry and solubility. The results indicated a molar ratio of 1:1 and that the cocrystal is more soluble than the drug. This study demonstrated that the first-order derivative method is feasible for drug and coformer determination in cocrystals and is a suitable alternative to chromatographic methods.

RESUMO Introdução A Educação Baseada na Comunidade (EBC) no contexto da formação de profissionais da saúde não é um conceito novo, pois sua origem data da década de 1970. Porém, ao longo dos anos, o modo como a EBC é aplicada na educação médica vem sofrendo transformações. No Brasil, desde 2001, a EBC foi incorporada às diretrizes curriculares dos cursos de graduação da área da saúde e, mais recentemente, em 2014, na publicação das novas diretrizes dos cursos de graduação em Medicina. Objetivos Os objetivos do estudo foram levantar os sentidos e significados que os professores atribuem à Educação Baseada em Comunidade nas matrizes curriculares em vigência no ensino médico da Uniceplac no ano de 2016 e identificar possibilidades de aprimoramento do ensino na instituição em consonância com as diretrizes nacionais em vigência. Método Estudo de caráter qualitativo, realizado no Centro Universitário do Planalto Central Apparecido dos Santos (Uniceplac). Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista reflexiva com 13 docentes que estão ou estiveram diretamente ligados à EBC nessa instituição no ano de 2016. O método de análise de dados foi a Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin, com a utilização do software Atlas-ti 7 para o suporte na análise. Resultados Os resultados demonstram que a maioria dos docentes afirma conhecer o conceito de EBC, mas sua compreensão diverge da literatura. Além disso, os docentes indicaram falhas na carga horária, nas relações dos professores entre si e com a coordenação, no planejamento e na conquista de cenários adequados das disciplinas ligadas à EBC, além de desafios macropolíticos de aplicabilidade da EBC nos cenários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Estes resultados estavam relacionados à burocratização das parcerias e a uma falta de corresponsabilidade entre professor, instituição de ensino e Estado. Conclusão Como a EBC vem sendo incorporada gradativamente à educação médica, as instituições também têm uma necessidade crescente de transformação e adequação às diretrizes curriculares vigentes. Sugere-se uma capacitação permanente do corpo docente sobre a compreensão e aplicação da EBC, bem como a criação de um órgão, setor ou funcionário destinado apenas à institucionalização, formalização e manutenção dos cenários, destacando-se cenários da atenção básica no SUS. É também essencial instruir os alunos sobre o tema, para que possam compreender a aplicabilidade da EBC, sua importância na formação médica e sua contribuição para a melhoria da qualidade de vida da população.

ABSTRACT Introduction Community-Based Education (CBE) in the context of teaching health professionals is not a new concept, since its origin dates back to the 1970s, but over the years the way in which CBE is applied in medical education has undergone transformations. In Brazil, since 2001, CBE has been incorporated into the curricular guidelines of undergraduate courses in the health area, and more recently in 2014 in the publication of the new guidelines of undergraduate courses in medicine. Objective The purpose of the present research is to ascertain the senses and meanings that teachers attribute to Community-Based Education in the curricular matrices in force in the medical training offered at UNICEPLAC in 2016 and to identify rooms for improvement in the teaching at the institution in line with the national guidelines. Method A qualitative study conducted at the Centro Universitário do Planalto Central Apparecido dos Santos (UNICEPLAC). The data were collected through a reflective interview with 13 teachers who are or were directly connected to CBE promoted at this institution in the year 2016. The method of data analysis was the Bardin Content Analysis, using Atlas-ti 7 software for analysis support. Results The results show that most teachers state that they are familiar with the concept of CBE, but their understanding of the concept often diverges from the literature. They also indicated failures in the workload, teacher-teacher relationships and teachercoordination relationships, in planning and the provision of adequate scenarios for CBE-related subjects, as well as macro-political challenges concerning the applicability of CBE in practical settings of the Unified Health System (SUS). These results were related to the bureaucratization of partnerships and to a lack of accountability shared between teacher, educational institution and State. Conclusion As CBE has gradually been incorporated in medical education, institutions also have an increasing need to transform and adapt to current curricular guidelines. It is suggested that permanent faculty training on the understanding and application of the CBE be implemented, as well as the creation of a sector or appointment of a dedicated role for the institutionalization, formalization and maintenance of the scenarios, highlighting primary care scenarios in the SUS. It is also essential to instruct the students on the subject so they can understand the applicability of CBE, its importance in medical education and its contribution to improving the quality of life of the population.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is fatal if left untreated. Infected dogs are important reservoirs of the disease, and thus specific identification of infected animals is very important. Several diagnostic tests have been developed for canine VL (CVL); however, these tests show varied specificity and sensitivity. The present study describes the recombinant protein rLc36, expressed by Leishmania infantum, as potential antigen for more sensitive and specific diagnosis of CVL based on an immunoenzymatic assay. The concentration of 1.0 μg/mL of rLc36 enabled differentiation of positive and negative sera and showed a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 71% (with 95% confidence), with an accuracy of 76%.

Objetivo.Evaluar la calidad de vida de los cuidadores de octogenarios e identificar los dominios relacionados con la calidad de vida y la salud.Metodología. Investigación de tipo transversal, realizada en 2011 en las Unidades de Salud de la Familia de Campina Grande/PB, Brasil. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 52 personas que cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad: edad > 18 años, ser cuidador informal de octogenarios y no presentar problemas cognitivos aparentes. Se aplicó un formulario sobre datos sociodemográficos y el instrumento Whoqol-bref, el cual contiene dos preguntas sobre la percepción de la calidad de vida y de la salud y de 24 referentes a los dominios físico, psicológico, relaciones sociales y ambiental. Resultados. El alfa de Cronbach total fue 0.72, mostrando la alta confiabilidad del instrumento utilizado. Los dominios obtuvieron los siguientes puntajes: ambiental (59.4), psicológico (59.0), aspectos sociales (46.8) y físico (43.8), cuyos valores indican la insatisfacción de los cuidadores en los aspectos relacionados con la calidad de vida. Se encontraron correlaciones con significancia estadística entre el dominio ambiental y la calidad, y entre el dominio físico y la salud, teniendo los ítems de seguridad diaria y dolor las mayores correlaciones con la calidad de vida y salud. Conclusión. La percepción de los cuidadores de octogenarios sobre su calidad de vida no es satisfactoria. Enfermería debe preparar a estas personas para que puedan cumplir con su función de cuidar al octagenario y, a la vez, para que puedan disponer de tiempo para cuidar de sí mismos.

Objective.To evaluate the quality of life of octogenarians and to identify the domains related to quality of life and health.Methodology. A cross-sectional, quantitative study conducted in 2010 in the Family Health Units of Campina Grande/PB, Brazil. The study sample consisted of 52 subjects that met the eligibility criteria of: 18 years or older, being a lay caregiver of octogenarians, and having no apparent cognitive problem. A questionnaire containing a sociodemographic section and the WHOQOL-BREF that is composed of two questions about the perceptions of quality of life and health, and 24 on the physical, psychological, social relationships and environmental domains. The Cronbach's-alpha test and the logical regression analysis of the data were conducted using SPSS. The project was approved by the Research Committee of the Center for Development and Higher Education (CAAE nº0490.0.133.000-08). Results. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.72, attesting to the reliability of the instrument used. The domain scores were: environmental (59.43), psychological (59.01), social relationships (46.77) and physical (43.86), whose values indicate dissatisfaction of subjects with regard to aspects related to quality of life. The environmental domain was correlated with quality of life (p=0.014) and the physical domain with perceptions of health (p=0.019); the daily safety and pain aspects had the highest correlations with quality of life (p=0.001). Conclusion. The perception of the caregivers regarding quality of life was not good. The environmental and physical domains had the highest correlations with quality of life and health.

Objetivo.Avaliar a qualidade de vidados cuidadores de octogenários e identificar os domínios correlacionados com a qualidade de vida e saúde.Metodologia. Pesquisa transversal, quantitativa, realizada em 2011, nas Unidades de Saúde da Família de Campina Grande/PB. A amostra compôs-se de 52 sujeitos que atenderam aos critérios de elegibilidade: idade > 18 anos, ser cuidador informal de octogenários e não apresentar problema cognitivo aparente. Aplicaram-se um formulário sobre dados sócio-demográficos e o questionário Whoqol-bref, composto de duas questões referentes à percepção da qualidade de vida e da saúde e 24 referentes aos domínios: físico, psicológico, relações sociais e ambiental. Os dados foram analisados no SPSS, sendo efetuados os testes Alfa de Cronbach e regressão logística. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de ética do Centro de Ensino Superior e Desenvolvimento (CAAE nº0490.0.133.000-08). Resultados. O Alfa de Cronbach total foi 0.72, atestando a confiabilidade do instrumento utilizado. Os domínios obtiveram os seguintes escores: ambiental (59.43), psicológico (59.01), aspectos sociais (46.77) e físico (43.86), cujos valores indicam a insatisfação dos sujeitos no tocante às facetas relacionadas com a qualidade de vida. O domínio ambiental possui maior correlação com a qualidade de vida (p=0.014) e o domínio físico com a saúde (p=0.019), tendo as facetas segurança diária e dor as maiores correlações com a qualidade de vida e saúde (p=0.001). Conclusão. A percepção dos cuidadores de octogenários sobre sua qualidade de vida não é satisfatória. Os domínios mais relacionados com a qualidade de vida e a saúde são, respectivamente, Ambiental e Físico.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein 2 (E2) is involved in viral binding to host cells. The aim of this work was to produce recombinant E2B and E2Y HCV proteins in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris, respectively, and to study their interactions with low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and CD81 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the ECV304 bladder carcinoma cell line. To investigate the effects of human LDL and differences in protein structure (glycosylated or not) on binding efficiency, the recombinant proteins were either associated or not associated with lipoproteins before being assayed. The immunoreactivity of the recombinant proteins was analysed using pooled serum samples that were either positive or negative for hepatitis C. The cells were immunophenotyped by LDLr and CD81 using flow cytometry. Binding and binding inhibition assays were performed in the presence of LDL, foetal bovine serum (FCS) and specific antibodies. The results revealed that binding was reduced in the absence of FCS, but that the addition of human LDL rescued and increased binding capacity. In HUVEC cells, the use of antibodies to block LDLr led to a significant reduction in the binding of E2B and E2Y. CD81 antibodies did not affect E2B and E2Y binding. In ECV304 cells, blocking LDLr and CD81 produced similar effects, but they were not as marked as those that were observed in HUVEC cells. In conclusion, recombinant HCV E2 is dependent on LDL for its ability to bind to LDLr in HUVEC and ECV304 cells. These findings are relevant because E2 acts to anchor HCV to host cells; therefore, high blood levels of LDL could enhance viral infectivity in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Dando continuidade às pesquisas de bioprospecção dos programas SisBiota CNPq/FAPESP e Biota-FAPESP, o presente artigo descreve os resultados de atividade leishmanicida e determinação da composição química das frações ativas de Brosimum glaziovii (Moraceae), por meio da cromatografia gasosa. Os extratos e frações das folhas e galhos foram testados in vitro em cepas de Leishmania amazonensis. As frações hexânicas das folhas e galhos apresentaram atividades potente e moderada, respectivamente (IC50 = 3,6 e 39,1 µg mL-1). Por meio das análises de cromatografia gasosa foi possível identificar os esteróis: campesterol, β-sitosterol e estigmasterol e os triterpenos: α-amirina, β-amirina, acetato de β-amirina, e lupenona, além de outros constituintes apolares principalmente ácidos graxos e seus derivados. Este é o primeiro trabalho descrito sobre a atividade leishmanicida e composição química desta espécie.

As part of our ongoing SisBiota CNPq/FAPESP and Biota-FAPESP bioprospecting programs, this paper deals with the leishmanicidal properties of Brosimum glaziovii (Moraceae), and used gas chromatography analysis to determine the chemical composition of these fractions. The extracts and fractions from the leaves and branches of B. glaziovii were screened against Leishmania amazonensis. The hexane fractions from the leaves and branches displayed the highest leishmanicidal activities, with IC50 = 3.6 and 39.1 µg mL-1. Using gas chromatography analysis it was possible to identify the sterols campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol, as well as the triterpenes α-amyrin, β-amyrin, β-amyrin acetate, and lupenone, and other nonpolar components, mainly fatty acids and their derivatives. This is the first report on the leishmanicidal activity and the chemical composition of B. glaziovii.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) encodes approximately 10 different structural and non-structural proteins, including the envelope glycoprotein 2 (E2). HCV proteins, especially the envelope proteins, bind to cell receptors and can damage tissues. Endothelial inflammation is the most important determinant of fibrosis progression and, consequently, cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the inflammatory response of endothelial cells to two recombinant forms of the HCV E2 protein produced in different expression systems (Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris). We observed the induction of cell death and the production of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, interleukin-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor A in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by the two recombinant E2 proteins. The E2-induced apoptosis of HUVECs was confirmed using the molecular marker PARP. The apoptosis rescue observed when the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine was used suggests that reactive oxygen species are involved in E2-induced apoptosis. We propose that these proteins are involved in the chronic inflammation caused by HCV.

The objective of the study was to investigate the perception that caregivers of octogenarians have regarding the quality of life and aspects of life that are more harmful to this quality. A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study conducted in 2010 with 52 subjects of the Family Health Units in Campina Grande-PB, Brazil that responded a socio-demographic questionnaire and the WHOQOL-Bref. Data were analyzed with the SPSS. The total WHOQOL-bref score was 52.26 points. The aspects that were more jeopardized were: sex life (94.3%), feelings (67.4%), pain (65.5%) and leisure (53.8%); the least affected were: living quarters (82.8%), energy (78.9%), physical appearance (78.9%) and personal relationships (76.9%). The caregivers' perceptions regarding the quality of life are marked by dissatisfaction, thereby leading to the belief that the care activities can have a negative effect on their lives.

El objetivo fue investigar la percepción de cuidadores de octogenarios acerca de la calidad de vida y aspectos de la vida que más afectan esa calidad. Estudio transversal, descriptivo y cuantitativo, llevado a cabo en 2010 con 52 sujetos, en las unidades de salud de la familia de Campina Grande-PB, Brasil, que respondieron un cuestionario socio-demográfico y el WHOQOL-bref, siendo el análisis efectuado a través del SPSS. El escore total del WHOQOL-bref fue 52,26 pontos. Los aspectos mas comprometidos fueron: vida sexual (94,3%), sentimientos (67,4%), dolor (65,5%) y diversión (53,8%); los menos comprometidos fueron: vivienda (82,8%), energía (78,9%), apariencia física (78,9%) y relaciones personales (76,9%). La percepción de los cuidadores de octogenarios, acerca de la calidad de vida es marcada por la insatisfacción, lo que lleva a creer que las actividades del atención pueden repercutir negativamente en la vida de los cuidadores.

Objetivou-se investigar a percepção de cuidadores de octogenários em relação à qualidade de vida e aspectos de vida que mais prejudicam tal qualidade. Estudo transversal, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado em 2010, nas Unidades de Saúde da Família de Campina Grande-PB, Brasil. Participaram 52 sujeitos, que responderam um questionário sociodemográfico e o WHOQOL-bref, sendo a análise efetuada pelo SPSS. O escore global do WHOQOL-bref foi de 52,26 pontos. Os aspectos mais comprometidos foram: vida sexual (94,3%), sentimentos (67,4%), dor (65,5%) e lazer (53,8%); e os menos comprometidos: moradia (82,8%), energia (78,9%), aparência física (78,9%) e relações pessoais (76,9%). A percepção dos cuidadores de octogenários com relação à qualidade de vida é marcada pela insatisfação, fornecendo subsídios para se acreditar que as atividades de cuidado podem repercutir negativamente na vida dos cuidadores.