ABSTRACT Background: Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring hospitalization continue to appear in vulnerable populations, highlighting the importance of novel treatments. The hyperinflammatory response underlies the severity of the disease, and targeting this pathway may be useful. Herein, we tested whether immunomodulation focusing on interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and IL-2, could improve the clinical outcomes of patients admitted with COVID-19. Methods: This multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in Brazil. Sixty hospitalized patients with moderate-to-critical COVID-19 received in addition to standard of care (SOC): IL-17 inhibitor (ixekizumab 80 mg SC/week) 1 dose every 4 weeks; low-dose IL-2 (1.5 million IU per day) for 7 days or until discharge; or indirect IL-6 inhibitor (colchicine) orally (0.5 mg) every 8 hours for 3 days, followed by 4 weeks at 0.5 mg 2x/day; or SOC alone. The primary outcome was accessed in the “per protocol” population as the proportion of patients with clinical improvement, defined as a decrease greater or equal to two points on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) seven-category ordinal scale by day 28. Results: All treatments were safe, and the efficacy outcomes did not differ significantly from those of SOC. Interestingly, in the colchicine group, all participants had an improvement of greater or equal to two points on the WHO seven-category ordinal scale and no deaths or patient deterioration were observed. Conclusions: Ixekizumab, colchicine, and IL-2 were demonstrated to be safe but ineffective for COVID-19 treatment. These results must be interpreted cautiously because of the limited sample size.

RESUMO No consórcio entre hortaliças pouco se conhece sobre as respostas fisiológicas. Conhecer o comportamento fisiológico é fundamental para avaliar a eficiência dessas espécies. Sendo assim, objetivou-se avaliar as respostas fisiológicas da rúcula consorciada com nirá sob diferentes arranjos espaciais e épocas de cultivo. O experimento foi conduzido no delineamento em blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcela subdividida, com os arranjos de cultivo {T1 = monocultivo de rúcula; T2 = duas linhas de rúcula com três de nirá (2R:3N); T3 = duas linhas de rúcula e duas de nirá (2R:2N); T4 = duas linhas de rúcula e uma de nirá (2R:1N)}, nas parcelas e as épocas de cultivo nas subparcelas (24 de julho e 03 de setembro). Avaliou-se a taxa de fotossíntese líquida, condutância estomática, transpiração, concentração interna de CO2, eficiência do uso da água, área foliar e produtividade. A maior taxa de fotossíntese líquida foi observada no arranjo 2R:3N para a primeira época de cultivo. A transpiração, condutância estomática e concentração de carbono interna foram menores na segunda época de cultivo. As eficiências intrínseca e instantânea do uso da água foram maiores na segunda época de cultivo. A rúcula em monocultivo e o cultivo consorciado 2R:1N alcançaram produtividade semelhante. As respostas fisiológicas da rúcula não foram influenciadas pelos arranjos de cultivo com nirá, indicando que a cultura pode ser arranjada sem prejuízo à eficiência do processo fotossintético. O consórcio 2R:1N possibilitaram o melhor desempenho produtivo na primeira época de cultivo.

ABSTRACT In intercropping between vegetable species, little is known about physiological responses. Thus, getting to know the physiological behavior of these crops is essential to define whether the species are efficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of arugula/nirá intercropping under different arrangements and growing seasons. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, in a split-plot scheme, using the following cultivation arrangements: T1 = arugula monocropping; T2 = two rows of arugula with three rows of nirá (2R:3N); T3 = two rows of arugula with two rows of nirá (2R:2N); T4 = two rows of arugula with one row of nirá (2R:1N), in plots and growing seasons in the subplots (July 24th and September 3rd). We evaluated net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal carbon concentration, water use efficiency, leaf area and productivity. The highest rates of net photosynthesis were obtained in 2R:3N arrangement in the first growing season. Transpiration, stomatal conductance and internal carbon concentration were lower in the second growing season. The intrinsic and instantaneous water-use efficiencies were higher in the second growing season. Arugula monocropping and the 2R:1N arrangement reached similar productivity. The physiological responses of arugula were not influenced by the nirá cultivation arrangements, indicating that the crop can be arranged without harming the efficiency of the photosynthetic process. The 2R:1N intercropping allowed the best productive performance in the first growing season.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Few studies on physical medicine and rehabilitation analyze the benefit of wheelchair basketball in people with motor disabilities. Given these, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the intervention of wheelchair basketball on urinary tract infection in people with motor disabilities. METHODS: A 12-month experimental follow-up was conducted in a single-center study. A total of 48 male individuals aged 18–55 years were allocated to the control group and experimental group. The experimental group practiced wheelchair basketball for 2 h, twice a week. Intra- and intergroup comparisons were made pre- and post-interventions over urinary tract infection. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in urinary tract infection and urine culture in pre- and post-intervention antibiograms, respectively. Moreover, the intergroup comparison presented a decrease in infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, as well as an increase in the time variability of partially activated thromboplastin, average corpuscular hemoglobin, and hemoglobin and platelets. In the experimental group, there was an increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit and a decrease in glycated hemoglobin (%HbA1C). On the intragroup comparison, there was a reduction of triiodothyronine (T3), %HbA1C, interleukin-6 pre-intervention, and C-reactive protein post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: There was a decrease in urinary tract infection and improvement in biochemical, immunological, and microbiological biomarkers evaluated with physical exercise practice by wheelchair basketball, as well as by multiprofessional follow-up and health guidance.

Abstract Aim: The present study aimed to screen for differences in isokinetic peak torque, hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio, and proprioception within the lower limbs of female handball athletes. Methods: Twelve college-level female handball athletes with no previous experience with resistance training performed five maximal isokinetic contractions of the knee extensors and knee flexors to determine isokinetic peak torque and hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios. Proprioception was determined by assessing passive position sense on an isokinetic dynamometer. Results: The athletes presented significantly greater (p < 0.01) knee extensors isometric peak torque for the jumping limb (144.9 ± 23.1) when compared to the non-jumping limb (132.9 ± 21.5). The Hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio was below 0.6 for both limbs, being significantly greater (p < 0.01) for the non-jumping limb (0.56 ± 0.08) when compared to the jumping limb (0.50 ± 0.08). Conclusion: Female handball athletes that do not engage in resistance training can experience functional bilateral asymmetries in the knee extensors and knee-joint instability, as assessed by the hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio due to the asymmetric characteristics of handball. Regular strength training might correct such asymmetries and instabilities.

Abstract The therapeutic drugs to treat Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections have toxic side effects and there has been an emergence of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, the search for new treatments for HSV infections is mounting. In the present study, semi-solid formulations containing a crude hydroethanolic extract (CHE) from Schinus terebinthifolia were developed. Skin irritation, cutaneous permeation, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy of the formulations were investigated. Treatment with the ointment formulations did not result in any signs of skin irritation while the emulsions increased the thickness of the epidermis in Swiss mice. The cutaneous permeation test indicated that the CHE incorporated in the formulations permeated through the skin layers and was present in the epidermis and dermis even 3 h after topical application. In vivo antiviral activity in BALB/c mice treated with the CHE ointments was better than those treated with the CHE emulsions and did not significantly differ from an acyclovir-treated group. Taken together, this suggests that the incorporation of CHE in the ointment may be a potential candidate for the alternative topical treatment of herpetic lesions.

Abstract Samanea tubulosa Benth. it has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory processes. The present study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effect and mechanism of action of the fractions obtained from the Samanea tubulosa pods in mice. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated in formalin, capsaicin and glutamate tests and the. The possible mechanisms of action involved in the antinociceptive effect of the hexane and ethyl acetate fraction in the opioid system, also the the K + ATP channels and the L-arigine pathways of nitric oxide were evaluated. The chemical characterization analysis revealed in the hexane fraction the presence of triterpenes such as lupenone and lupeol. In the glutamate test, the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions showed antinociceptive activity at the dose of 12.5 and 25 mg kg-1. The antinociception produced by the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions was significantly reversed by naloxone, indicating that the fractions act through the opioid pathway. Antinociceptive response of the ethyl acetate fraction was blocked by glibenclamide, indicating that this fraction acts via the K + ATP channels activation. It is concluded that the fractions under study exert antinociceptive activity possibly related to the opioid route and through K+ ATP channels activation.

RESUMO Os espaços contextuais de eventos acadêmicos constituem um sistema de atividades organizado de forma hierárquica, em que os gêneros de resumo, objeto deste estudo, surgem numa variação especificada em resumo de comunicação e resumo de trabalho completo, constituindo relações de contexto e de agrupamentos. Neste trabalho, nosso objetivo é analisar como esses gêneros de resumo são organizados, produzidos e identificados, considerando o contexto e as consequentes variações textuais que incidem sobre a noção prototípica do gênero resumo. O estudo, baseado na teoria de gêneros de Swales (1990) e Bhatia (2004; 2009) e na concepção de contexto defendida por van Dijk (2012), compreende a análise contextual e textual de ambas as modalidades de resumo. Os resultados sugerem que o contexto indica as ações sociais necessárias para a realização dos objetivos comunicativos dos participantes, por meio de gêneros inter-relacionados e agrupados em colônias de gêneros. Além disso, essa ação do contexto se reflete na configuração retórica do texto nas diferentes modalidades de resumo.

ABSTRACT The contextual spaces of academic events constitute a system of activities organized in a hierarchical way, in which the abstract genres, object of this study, appear in a variation specified in conference abstracts and complete work abstracts, constituting context and group relations. In this work, our aim is to analyze how these abstract genres are organized, produced and identified, considering the context and the consequent textual variations that affect the prototypical notion of the abstract genre. The study, based on the genre theory of Swales (1990) and Bhatia (2004; 2009) and on the conception of context defended by van Dijk (2012), comprises the contextual and textual analysis of both modalities of abstracts. The results suggest that context indicates the social actions necessary for the achievement of the participants’ communicative objectives, through genres interrelated and grouped into genre colonies. In addition, this contextual action is reflected in the rhetorical configuration of the text in the different classes of abstracts.

RESUMEN La toxina iota (ITX) es una enterotoxina binaria producida como protoxina por Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) tipo E que es activada por enzimas proteolíticas en el intestino delgado de los animales infectados. Mediante la despolimerización de los filamentos de actina, la ITX provoca la desorganización del citoesqueleto de las células promoviendo el aumento de la permeabilidad celular. Aquí, realizamos esta revisión con el objetivo de avanzar en la comprensión de las enfermedades entéricas clostridiales causadas por las toxinas de C. perfringens y la especificidad de ITX en las lesiones de la mucosa intestinal. La ITX consta de un componente enzimático (Ia) y un componente de unión (Ib). Examinamos los hallazgos histológicos recientemente publicados sobre los efectos de la ITX y su relación con las enfermedades entéricas intestinales. Histológicamente, se ha observado necrosis hemorrágica y hemorragia multifocal en la mucosa del yeyuno-ileo, el intestino delgado y el abomaso. Aunque el diagnóstico sigue basándose en la presencia de toxinas en el contenido intestinal y en la historia clínica y/o histológica, es importante desarrollar nuevos indicadores enterotóxicos capaces de establecer métodos precisos para diferenciar las acciones de la ITX y de otras toxinas implicadas en el proceso infeccioso de C. perfringens tipo E.

ABSTRACT The iota toxin (ITX) is a binary enterotoxin produced as a protoxin by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type E that is activated by proteolytic enzymes in the small intestine of infected animals. By depolymerization of the actin filaments, ITX causes cytoskeleton disorganization of cells promoting the increase of the cell permeability. Here, we conducted this review aiming to advance the understanding of enteric clostridial diseases caused by C. perfringens toxins and the specificity of ITX in the intestinal mucosa lesions. ITX consists of an enzymatic component (Ia) and a binding component (Ib). We screened the recently published histological findings of the ITX effects and its relationship with intestinal enteric diseases. Histologically, hemorrhagic necrosis and multifocal hemorrhage have been observed in the jejunum-ileum mucosa, the small intestine, and the abomasum. Although the diagnosis is still based on the presence of toxins in the intestinal contents and the clinical and/or histological history, it is important to develop novel enterotoxemic indicators capable of establishing precise methods for differentiate the actions of ITX and other toxins involved in the infectious process of C. perfringens type E.

ABSTRACT Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) is an unconventional plant or vegetable grown for ornamental, food and medicinal purposes. However, information on cultivation of the species involving organic residue is incipient. Therefore, aimed to evaluate plant growth, flower yield, and nutrient contents of leaves and flowers of Nasturtium cultivated with addition of chicken manure. Five doses of chicken manure were studied, applied in the soil incorporated (I) (1, 6, 10, 14 and 19 t ha-1) and cover (C) (1, 6, 10, 14 and 19 t ha-1) forms, using the experimental array Plan Puebla III, leading to nine combinations of doses and forms of adding the chicken manure, in randomized blocks with four replicates. The greatest plant height (35.75 cm) was achieved at 168 days after transplanting (DAT) under 10 t ha-1 I and 10 t ha-1 C. The greatest yield terms of in number (15.4 million ha-1) and fresh (10.45 t ha-1) and dry weights (0.849 t ha-1) of flowers were found by using doses close to 10 t ha-1 I and 10 t ha-1 C. To obtain the best development and yield of Nasturtium flowers, 10 t ha-1 I and 10 t ha-1 C of chicken manure should be used.

RESUMO A concepção dos sistemas de drenagem de águas pluviais como separador absoluto é uma característica marcante na gestão das águas urbanas, no entanto não é o reflexo da realidade de tal sistema na maioria das cidades brasileiras, onde frequentemente esgotos e águas pluviais escoam pelos mesmos condutos. Diante disso, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar as contribuições de contaminação fecal dos canais de drenagem afluentes ao Canal do Prado, pertencentes ao sistema de macrodrenagem de águas pluviais da cidade de Campina Grande, na Paraíba. Para a realização da pesquisa de campo, foram definidos sete pontos de monitoramento ao longo do canal e, como indicadores de contaminação fecal, coliformes termotolerantes, Escherichia coli e os ovos dos helmintos Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia sp, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Enterobius vermicularis, Ancilostomideo sp e Trichuris sp. Os resultados apontaram que ovos de Ascaris lumbricoides foram os que apresentaram maior frequência nos pontos de monitoramento, relacionados à maior descarga de esgotos sanitários. Tais descargas também foram verificadas por elevados valores médios de coliformes termotolerantes que atingiram até 1,6 x 107 UFC.100 mL-1, valor típico de esgoto sanitário. Escherichia coli ocorreu em mais de 90% das amostras coletadas em todos os pontos de monitoramento.

ABSTRACT The design of rainwater drainage systems as an absolute separator is a significant feature in urban water management, however, this is not a reflection of the reality of such a system in most Brazilian cities, where sewage and rainwater often run along the same path. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate contributions of fecal contamination from tributary drainage channels to Canal do Prado, belonging to the urban macro-drainage system of rainwater in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba State. For the fieldwork, seven monitoring points were set along the channel object of this study, determining thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli, and helminth eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia sp, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Enterobius vermicularis, and Trichuris sp, as fecal contamination indicators. The results pointed out that eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides were those with the highest frequency in monitoring points, being this related to the increased discharge of sewage. Such discharges were also verified by high mean values of thermotolerant coliforms that reached up to 1.6 x 107 CFU.100 mL-1, typical value of domestic sewage. Escherichia coli was present in over 90% of all samples collected from monitoring points.

Resumo O presente estudo reflete sobre a autonomia do enfermeiro no cuidado à pessoa com lesão crônica. O trabalho em enfermagem é influenciado por dimensões tecnológicas e definido pela responsabilidade profissional e o compartilhamento de atividades com outras categorias, fatores que impactam diretamente a autonomia do enfermeiro no tratamento de lesões crônicas. Por isso, é importante reconhecer as competências e limitações do trabalho desse profissional, de modo a reorientar condicionamentos. A autonomia do enfermeiro não deve se sobrepor à autonomia do paciente. Mediante ações educativas, deve-se considerar a heterogeneidade de papéis para assegurar a integridade do paciente e garantir a adesão terapêutica, enfatizando a importância da corresponsabilidade no processo de cura.

Abstract This study reflects on nurses’ autonomy in caring for people with chronic injuries. Nursing work is influenced by technological dimensions and defined by professional responsibility and the sharing of activities with other categories, factors that directly impact nurses’ autonomy in the treatment of chronic injuries. Therefore, it is important to recognize the skills and limitations of this professional’s work, in order to reorient conditionings. The nurse’s autonomy should not take precedence over the patient’s. Through educational actions, the heterogeneity of roles must be taken into account to ensure patient integrity and ensure therapeutic adherence, emphasizing the importance of co-responsibility in the healing process.

Resumen El presente estudio reflexiona sobre la autonomía del enfermero en el cuidado de la persona con lesión crónica. El trabajo de enfermería está influenciado por las dimensiones tecnológicas y definido por la responsabilidad profesional y el compartir de actividades con otras categorías, factores que impactan directamente la autonomía de los enfermeros en el tratamiento de las lesiones crónicas. Por lo tanto, es importante reconocer las habilidades y limitaciones del trabajo de este profesional, con el fin de reorientar el condicionamiento. La autonomía del enfermero no debe superponerse con la autonomía del paciente. A través de acciones educativas, se debe tener en cuenta la heterogeneidad de roles para asegurar la integridad del paciente y asegurar la adherencia terapéutica, enfatizando la importancia de la corresponsabilidad en el proceso de curación.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association between the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and plasma zinc in women with fibroadenoma. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 37 premenopausal women with fibroadenoma. Waist circumference and body mass index of the participants were measured. Plasma zinc concentrations were determined using atomic flame absorption spectrophotometry. Fragments of breast tissue were fixed and incubated with primary mouse monoclonal antibodies (monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -2 -507 and monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -9-439). Semi-quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunoreactivity was performed. Spearman’s test and Friedman’s test were used for statistical analyses. The p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 32.81±9.51 years. The body mass index and waist circumference values were within the normal range. The mean plasma zinc concentration was 42.73±13.84 µg/dL, with 94.6% inadequacy. A statistically significant difference was found between the positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (p=0.0184). There was no significant correlation between the matrix metalloproteinase expression and the plasma zinc levels. CONCLUSIONS: Women with fibroadenoma had hypozincemia and positive expression of metalloproteinases.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar na literatura situações e condutas bioéticas na atuação profissional em saúde. Trata-se de revisão integrativa de artigos científicos indexados nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde e publicados entre 2014 e 2019. Utilizaram-se os descritores “pessoal de saúde”, “prática profissional”, “ética profissional”, “discurso” e “bioética”. Foram selecionados 21 estudos para a discussão, destacando-se cinco categorias de análise: bioética durante a formação profissional; bioética como forma de humanizar a saúde; relações interprofissionais, direitos e deveres de trabalhadores e pacientes; bioética nas decisões que permeiam o início e o fim da vida; e tomada de decisões na saúde. A autonomia do paciente foi o princípio bioético mais abordado em diversas circunstâncias clínicas, especialmente nos dilemas relativos ao fim da vida.

Abstract This study aimed to identify bioethical situations and behaviors in health professions reported in the literature. This integrative review of scientific articles indexed in the Virtual Health Library databases, published between 2014 and 2019, used the following keywords: “health personnel,” “professional practice,” “ethics, professional,” “discourse,” and “bioethics.” Twenty-one studies were selected for discussion, with five categories identified in the analysis: bioethics during professional training; bioethics as a form of humanizing healthcare; interprofessional relationships, rights and duties of patients and professionals; bioethics in decisions in the beginning and end of life; and decision making in healthcare. Patient autonomy was the bioethical principle most often addressed in various clinical circumstances, especially in end-of-life dilemmas.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar en la literatura situaciones y conductas bioéticas de la práctica profesional en salud. Se trata de una revisión integradora de artículos científicos indexados en las bases de datos de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, publicados entre 2014 y 2019. Se utilizaron los descriptores “personal de salud”, “práctica profesional”, “ética profesional”, “discurso” y “bioética”. Se seleccionaron 21 estudios para discusión y, del análisis, surgieron cinco categorías: bioética durante la formación profesional; bioética como forma de humanizar la salud; relaciones interprofesionales, derechos y deberes de los trabajadores y pacientes; bioética en las decisiones que permean el inicio y el final de la vida; y toma de decisiones en salud. La autonomía del paciente fue el principio bioético más abordado en diversas circunstancias clínicas, especialmente en los dilemas al final de la vida.

Phosphorus (P) is an important chemical marker of the past human presence, because, besides indicates the localization of possible archaeological sites, also, contributes to clarify doubts regarding to origin, duration and to specific functions that were developed in them. The present study aimed to obtain a simple, accurate, fast and non-destructible analytical method to determine phosphorus in sediment samples of the Toca da Baixa dos Caboclos archaeological site, an enclave of the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí, Brazil. For the proposed method, a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (p-ED-XRF) equipment and cross calibration to sample direct analysis were used. The results show that the concentrations obtained by the proposed method, cross calibration with use of p-ED-XRF, and by the spectrophotometric method were considered statistically equal, when compared by the paired t test (p=0.05). By its turn, the intermediate accuracy and recovery tests showed values in the range of 2.41−3.56% and 85.10-102.66%, respectively.