Showing papers by "Rio de Janeiro State University published in 2022"

How the biodiesel from immobilized enzymes production is going on: An advanced bibliometric evaluation of global research

Abstract: The production of biodiesel through enzymatic routes has attracted significant attention, mainly because this can be regarded as a “green route” for the manufacture of fuels. In this way, an advanced bibliometric analysis comprising the global scientific production of biodiesel through immobilized enzymes was conducted. Thus, 923 papers were retrieved, analyzed, and classified according to the reported substrates, enzymes, supports, immobilization procedures, and reactors. Researchers from 748 institutions of 64 distinct countries authored the analyzed articles, showing the widespread interest in these technologies, although 10 countries concentrate more than 80% of the total number of documents published in this area, including China (23%), Brazil (17%), and India (11%). Particularly, most papers reported the use of vegetable oils (67%) as raw materials. In the last decade, approximately 80% of the published research focused on the use of supports to manufacture immobilized and insoluble biocatalysts. Enzymes have been obtained mostly from fungal sources (64%), especially lipases produced by Thermomyces lanuginosus (14.4%). Among the available commercial immobilized biocatalysts, Novozym 435 is certainly the one cited most frequently (55.9%) followed by Lipozyme RM IM (13.7%) and Lipozyme TL IM (16.7%). Additionally, the majority of the manuscripts reported the use of stirred tank reactors (83.0%) to perform the enzymatic reactions. Based on the surveyed literature, research trends indicate that new technologies are being developed to turn the enzymatic production of biodiesel more sustainable and economically viable, based mainly on the use of more active biocatalysts, more sustainable enzyme supports, and low-cost residues as raw materials.

Healthy aging promotion model referenced in Nola Pender's theory.

Abstract: Objectives: to model the process of promoting healthy aging from the conceptual analysis proposed by Walker and Avant and Nola Pender's Health Promotion Model. Methods: this is a descriptive and theoretical study, with a qualitative approach. Elements resulting from conceptual analysis were used to model a healthy aging promotion process based on Nola Pender's Health Promotion Model. Results: in conceptual analysis, seven antecedents, seven attributes and three consequences of the concept of healthy aging were identified. Final Considerations: the proposed Health Promotion Model represents a structure that in an instrumental way can guide the nursing process application in gerontological clinical practice. This can guide nurses in identifying diagnoses, establishing outcomes and implementing interventions aimed at promoting the elderly's health.

Reducing the viral load of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the saliva of patients with COVID‐19

Abstract: To evaluate the reduction in the salivary viral load using oral antiseptic mouthwashes in patients testing positive for COVID-19.Sixty-three individuals were recruited after testing positive for COVID-19 by real-time RT-PCR assay and divided into 5 groups. Group 1 received sterile water, group 2 received 1.5% hydrogen peroxide solution (HP), group 3 received 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX), group 4 received 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaClO), and group 5 received sequential rinses using CHX and HP. After collecting the initial saliva sample, individuals were asked to use the designated mouthwash for 1 min. Additional saliva samples were collected immediately after rinsing, 15, and 30 min after rinsing. Real-time RT-PCR assays for RNA detection of SARS-CoV-2 were performed on the saliva samples.There were no significant differences among the experimental groups and the control group in any period. Compared to the baseline values, there was a significant reduction in the number of copies of SARS-CoV-2 after 30 min in group 2 and immediately after the initial mouthwash in group 4.No experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in the viral load compared to the control group.

Lessons from the past in the present: news from the Spanish flu pandemic to COVID-19.

Abstract: Objective: to analyze the health conducts for combating the Spanish flu and its relationship with the COVID-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: study from the perspective of microhistory, with analysis of articles published in Revista da Semana on the Spanish flu, having as criteria publications with the term "epidemic" referring to the Spanish flu or influenza in the period of the epidemic outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Federal District. Results: 18 records, organized in three thematic axes: political, 4; social, 11; care, 3, were found. Final considerations: the lessons left by the Spanish flu epidemic in coronavirus times will be changes in the political, social and care field as marks of major epidemics.

Framework for enhancing the estimation of model parameters for data with a high level of uncertainty

Abstract: Reliable data are essential to obtain adequate simulations for forecasting the dynamics of epidemics. In this context, several political, economic, and social factors may cause inconsistencies in the reported data, which reflect the capacity for realistic simulations and predictions. In the case of COVID-19, for example, such uncertainties are mainly motivated by large-scale underreporting of cases due to reduced testing capacity in some locations. In order to mitigate the effects of noise in the data used to estimate parameters of models, we propose strategies capable of improving the ability to predict the spread of the diseases. Using a compartmental model in a COVID-19 study case, we show that the regularization of data by means of Gaussian process regression can reduce the variability of successive forecasts, improving predictive ability. We also present the advantages of adopting parameters of compartmental models that vary over time, in detriment to the usual approach with constant values.

Sarcopenia in the elderly versus microcirculation, inflammation status, and oxidative stress: A cross-sectional study

Abstract: Age-related mechanisms of sarcopenia associated with vascular function have been recently suggested. This study compared and tested associations between muscle mass and strength, microcirculation, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress in older adults classified as sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic.Thirty-three physically inactive individuals (72±7 yrs) were assigned to age-matched sarcopenic (SG) and non-sarcopenic (NSG) groups. Between-group comparisons were performed for appendicular skeletal mass (ASM), handgrip and isokinetic strength, microvascular function and morphology, C-reactive protein, insulin-like growth factor-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, endothelin-1, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein.ASM and knee isokinetic strength were lower in SG than NSG (P < 0.05). No difference between groups was found for outcomes of microvascular function and morphology, but log-transformed IL-6 concentration was twice greater in SG vs. NSG (P = 0.02). Correlations between ASM index, handgrip and knee isokinetic strength vs. markers of microcirculatory function, capillary diameters, vascular reactivity, and endothelial injury were found only in SG.Decreased ASM index and strength have been associated with microcirculatory profile, indicating that microcirculation impairment may be involved somehow in Sarcopenia development. The inflammation status, particularly elevated IL-6, seems to play an important role in this process.

Functional exercise capacity in rheumatoid arthritis unrelated to lung injury: A comparison of women with and without rheumatoid disease

Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mainly affects the joints of the upper and lower limbs, so evaluating functional exercise capacity in individuals with RA via dynamic tests of the locomotor system is essential.To compare functional exercise capacity using the Glittre-activities of daily living (ADL) test (G-AT) in women with and without RA in the absence of RA pulmonary disease (RA-PD) and to correlate the findings with hand functioning, physical functioning, handgrip strength (HGS), and quadriceps strength (QS).This cross-sectional pilot study evaluated 35 women with RA and 25 healthy controls by assessing hand functioning using the Cochin Hand Functional Scale (CHFS), physical functioning with the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), muscle functioning using HGS and QS, and G-AT results.Compared to the women in the control group, the women with RA presented higher scores for the CHFS (p< 0.0001) and HAQ-DI (p< 0.0001) and lower HGS (p< 0.0001) and QS (p= 0.013) values. The median G-AT time was higher in the RA patients than in the healthy controls [300 (295-420) vs. 180 (155-203) s], p< 0.0001), and the greatest difficulty reported by patients after the G-AT was squatting to perform the shelving tasks. G-AT time was positively correlated with the HAQ-DI (rs= 0.668, p< 0.0001) and CHFS (rs= 0.586, p= 0.0007) and negatively correlated with QS (rs=-0.429, p= 0.037). There was no significant correlation between the G-AT time and HGS.Women with RA take longer to perform G-AT tasks. Moreover, G-AT time was associated with hand functioning, physical functioning and QS, but not with HGS.

Wildlife Symbiotic Bacteria Are Indicators of the Health Status of the Host and Its Ecosystem

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are gut symbionts that can be used as a model to understand the host-microbiota cross talk under unpredictable environmental conditions, such as wildlife ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine whether viable LAB can be informative of the health status of wild boar populations. We monitored the genotype and phenotype of LAB based on markers that included safety and phylogenetic origin, antibacterial activity, and immunomodulatory properties. A LAB profile dominated by lactobacilli appears to stimulate protective immune responses and relates to strains widely used as probiotics, resulting in a potentially healthy wildlife population, whereas microbiota overpopulated by enterococci was observed in a hostile environment. These enterococci were closely related to pathogenic strains that have developed mechanisms to evade innate immune systems, posing a potential risk for host health. Furthermore, our LAB isolates displayed antibacterial properties in a species-dependent manner. Nearly all of them were able to inhibit bacterial pathogens, raising the possibility of using them as an a la carte antibiotic alternative in the unexplored field of wildlife disease mitigation. Our study highlights that microbiological characterization of LAB is a useful indicator of wildlife health status and the ecological origin from which they derive. IMPORTANCE The wildlife symbiotic microbiota is an important component for the greater diversity and functionality of their bacterial populations, influencing host health and adaptability to its ecosystem. Although many microbes are partly responsible for the development of multiple physiological processes, only certain bacterial groups, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), have the capacity to overpopulate the gut, promoting health (or disease) when specific genetic and environmental conditions are present. LAB have been exploited in many ways due to their probiotic properties, particularly lactobacilli; however, their relationship with wildlife gut-associated microbiota hosts remains to be elucidated. On the other hand, it is unclear whether LAB such as enterococci, which have been associated with detrimental health effects, could lead to disease. These important questions have not been properly considered in the field of wildlife and, therefore, should be clearly addressed.

Depth-related drivers of benthic community structure on shallow subtidal rocky reefs

Abstract: Knowing how benthic distribution responds to depth variation is necessary as future changes will alter species’ distributions. This study, carried out on tropical rocky reefs in the southeast Atlantic (Brazil), investigated how subtidal benthic communities vary over depth and which drivers were responsible. Communities were sampled at three sites over four depths as were a proxy for grazing intensity and several environmental drivers. Temperature, water movement and water clarity decreased with depth, while sediment cover and salinity on reefs increased. Communities differed across depth ranges, organized into a clear vertical zonation driven mostly by temperature and grazing intensities. Palythoa caribaeorum was the most important taxon/functional group in the shallows while Jania sp. were mostly associated with the mesohabitat at the base of the reefs. This study contributes to conservation planning by fixing a baseline to better predict changes in benthic communities. • Subtidal rocky benthic communities were sampled at different sites and depths. • The tropical biological and environmental drivers were also assessed. • Communities varied over depth ranges, organized into a clear vertical zonation. • Communities were driven mostly by water temperature and grazing intensities. • Depth plays a fundamental role in structuring subtidal rocky reefs communities.

Community violence and internalizing mental health symptoms in adolescents: A systematic review.

Abstract: Mental disorders are responsible for 16% of the global burden of disease in adolescents. This review focuses on one contextual factor called community violence that can contribute to the development of mental disorders OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of community violence on internalizing mental health symptoms in adolescents, to investigate whether different proximity to community violence (witness or victim) is associated with different risks and to identify whether gender, age, and race moderate this association.systematic review of observational studies. The population includes adolescents (10-24 years), exposition involves individuals exposed to community violence and outcomes consist of internalizing mental health symptoms. Selection, extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two researchers.A total of 2987 works were identified; after selection and extraction, 42 works remained. Higher exposure to community violence was positively associated with internalizing mental health symptoms. Being a witnessing is less harmful for mental health than being a victim. Age and race did not appear in the results as modifiers, but male gender and family support appear to be protective factors in some studies.This review confirms the positive relationship between community violence and internalizing mental health symptoms in adolescents and provides relevant information that can direct public efforts to build policies in the prevention of both problems.

Breastfeeding undernutrition changes iBAT-involved thermogenesis protein expression and leads to a lean phenotype in adult rat offspring.

Abstract: Nutritional insults early in life have been associated with metabolic diseases in adulthood. We aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal food restriction during the suckling period on metabolism and interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) thermogenically involved proteins in adult rat offspring. Wistar rats underwent food restriction by 50% during the first two-thirds of lactation (FR50 group). Control rats were fed ad libitum throughout lactation (CONT group). At birth, the litter size was adjusted to eight pups, and weaning was performed at 22 days old. Body weight and food and water intake were assessed every two days. High- (HCD, 4,589 cal) and normal-caloric diet (NCD, 3,860 cal) preferences, as well as food intake during the dark part of the cycle, were assessed. At 100 days old, the rats were euthanized, and blood and tissues were removed for further analyses. Adult FR50 rats, although hyperphagic and preferring to eat HCD (P

On the probe problem for (r,ℓ)-well-coveredness: Algorithms and complexity

Abstract: Let C be a class of graphs. A graph G=(V,E) is C-probe if V(G) can be partitioned into two sets: non-probes N and probes P, where N is an independent set and new edges may be added between some non-probe vertices such that the resulting graph is in the class C. In this case, we say that (N,P) is a C-probe partition of G. In the Unpartitioned Probe problem for a graph class C we are given a graph G and asked whether G has a C-probe partition, i.e., such a problem consist of recognizing the class of C-probe graphs. A graph G=(V,E) is an (r,ℓ)-graph when V can be partitioned into (S1,S2,…,Sr,K1,K2,…,Kℓ) such that S1,S2,…,Sr are independent sets, and K1,K2,…,Kℓ are cliques. A graph G is well-covered if every maximal independent set is also maximum, and it is (r,ℓ)-well-covered if it is well-covered as well as an (r,ℓ)-graph. In this paper, we study the complexity of the Unpartitioned Probe problem for the class of (r,ℓ)-well-covered graphs. We classify all but the (2,0) and (1,2) cases.

May value-based healthcare practices contribute to comprehensive care for cancer patients? A systematic literature review

Abstract: The cancer incidence and mortality have increased both due to aging and population growth. There is an imbalance between this increasing incidence, the costs and the available budget. It highlights the importance of a value-based healthcare (VBHC) agenda, where value is what matters to patients, represented by outcomes over costs.To identify how VBHC has been discussed in the context of cancer care and which practices could contribute to project value-based cancer care models.This article conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on SCOPUS (n = 168 results) and PubMed (n = 222), between 1995 and 2020, using PRISMA Protocol; and analyzed the results through VOSviewer and Bibliometrix in R, in addition to qualitative analysis for classification of practices.The main themes were 'Costs' (34%), 'Outcomes' (24%), 'VBHC agenda' (24%), 'models of care' (18%). 19 practices were identified and classified into 5 categories of operations: process technology and patient pathway, information and systems management, patient care scheduling and monitoring, performance measurement and quality management and network and integration.The SLR points to the absence of a value-based care model for cancer patients, but the adherence to elements of the value agenda is an issue and currently a challenge. Costs are the main concerns, although this research does not identify significant structural changes. This research contributes to highlighting the gaps between theory and practice and it can be used as an input for designing value-based care services for cancer patients, as it synthesizes current practices and the main premises for implementing value agenda.