Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Background Late-life depression (LLD) arises from a complex interplay among biological, psychological, and social factors. Biologically, three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the distinct clinical features of LLD. The vascular hypothesis supports vascular-related white matter changes in the development of LLD, while the neurodegenerative hypothesis suggests that LLD might be a prodrome of neurodegenerative diseases. The inflammatory hypothesis, which is the main focus of this review, posits that heightened inflammation underlies LLD directly or indirectly through neurodegenerative and microvascular alterations. Methods This is a non-systematic review on the role played by inflammation in the pathophysiology of LLD and the related opportunities to define biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We searched PubMed from January 2010 through March 2025 for relevant English-language studies. Results Patients with LLD have elevated circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) as well as evidence of neuroinflammation. Although the exact origin of this inflammatory profile remains unclear, it is thought to be exacerbated by immune cell senescence and the presence of physical comorbidities, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Pharmacological (e.g., selective serotonin receptor inhibitors) and non-pharmacological (e.g., diet, physical interventions) approaches for LLD seem to exert their therapeutic effect, at least in part, through inflammation-related mechanisms. Conclusion Recognizing the unique features of LLD compared to depression in other periods of life is an important step toward its proper management. More specifically, understanding the role of inflammation in LLD holds both theoretical and practical implications, including anti-inflammatory or immune-based strategies as potential therapeutic interventions.

Aims To qualitatively evaluate the impact of the unprecedented floods that hit Brazil in 2024 on homes, personal life, daily routine, mental health, and diabetes care among elderly with diabetes. Methods and results This qualitative study included elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes. A structured interview was conducted to assess the impact of the floods on their lives. Inductive thematic content analysis with deductive coding was used to analyze the interview responses and present the overall findings. Fifty individuals (35 females and 15 males), with a mean age of 72.0 years, long diabetes duration, low socioeconomic level, and a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders were included. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) Emotional response; (2) Negative impact on health and self-care; (3) Material losses; (4) Feelings of community support and empathy. All participants reported negative impacts as a consequence of the disaster, affecting various aspects of their lives, including mental health, access to health care, medication shortages, barriers to diabetes management, and worsening of dietary and physical activity habits. Conclusion The unprecedented climate disaster that hits Brazil in 2024 had a profound impact on elderly individuals with diabetes, affecting not only material belongings but also their mental well-being and access to healthcare. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the vulnerabilities of elderly populations with chronic conditions during climate-related disasters. The long-term consequences of such crises must be further studied to better prepare for and mitigate their impact on vulnerable communities.

Research is the Titanic, bureaucracy is the iceberg, and we, researchers, are the musicians expected to keep playing as it sinks. Pansieri et al. argue that bureaucracy is suffocating research, as an ever increasing administrative burden consumes researchers’ time and diverts focus from discovery to compliance. They highlight ways in which red tape delays progress, wastes funding, and drives researchers out of academia, and call for systemic change.

As the world is hit by the sixth mass extinction, it becomes increasingly important to understand the factors relevant to the conservation of species, so that we may protect biodiversity to the best of our abilities. Although genetic diversity is known to reflect population demography and contribute to genetic health and adaptability, it is not explicitly used as a criterion in assessments by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Additionally, studies comparing diversity estimates between species often rely on summarizing results across studies, which use different methodologies and may not be suited for direct comparison. Here we performed a family-wide assessment of genomic diversity in Felidae, covering most extant species. We tested for correlations between autosomal heterozygosity and ecological traits across (sub)species, and whether a subspecies’ genetic diversity was associated with its IUCN threat category. We found evidence for genetic diversity to be strongly positively correlated with both geographic range size and population density, but not with census size. Furthermore, although genetic diversity showed significant correlation with IUCN status, with threatened species exhibiting lower levels of genetic diversity, it was not possible to clearly distinguish between categories on this basis alone. Our results confirm the association of population parameters and assessment of extinction risk with genetic diversity in one of the most iconic and threatened families of land carnivores. While mechanisms and causality behind these associations will need to be the subject of further investigation, our study adds further credence to the importance of incorporating genomic information in risk assessment and conservation efforts.

Introduction The use of cosmetics, particularly lipstick, has historically enhanced facial appeal. This study evaluates laypeople's perceptions of the attractiveness and employability of two female models from different age groups, each with varying malocclusions, both with and without lipstick. Materials and Methods This cross‐sectional study involved 77 lay participants who assessed digitally edited photographs of young and older female models with varying malocclusions (IOTN 1, 3 and 5), each shown with and without red lipstick. Eye‐tracking technology and questionnaires were used to evaluate perceptions of attractiveness and employability. Data were analysed using one‐way ANOVA and post hoc tests, and Pearson's chi‐squared test. Results IOTN 1 with lipstick was rated 49.71 ± 25.74 and without lipstick 47.88 ± 25.44. These were significantly higher than IOTN 3 with lipstick (40.62 ± 24.16; p = 0.015), IOTN 3 without lipstick (39.23 ± 23.85; p = 0.002), IOTN 5 with lipstick (34.25 ± 24.77; p < 0.001) and IOTN 5 without lipstick (31.39 ± 23.30; p < 0.001). Employability ratings also varied significantly when comparing IOTN 1 and IOTN 5 images ( p < 0.001). Eye‐tracking heat maps revealed that the mouth was the primary area of visual focus across all conditions, regardless of lipstick use. Conclusion Malocclusion significantly impacts visual attention and attractiveness perception, with the mouth being the primary focus. While lipstick influences attention dispersion, it does not shift the main focus from the mouth. Heat map analysis confirmed that the mouth area remains the primary focus across all images, regardless of lipstick use.

The present study aims to analyze the impact of anti-intellectualism within fascist ideology on the government discourse of Jair Messias Bolsonaro and the echo of his supporters in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on Bakhtin Circle’s dialogic discourse interconnected with socio-philosophical biases of the Human and Social Sciences, the concepts of dialogic relation, ideological sign, and choral support were used to analyze Bolsonaro’s communicative purpose during his government. The discursive survey showed that the anti-intellectualism embedded in the statements and legitimized by the choral support brings to light other semantic-ideological components, which are characteristic of a fascist worldview. This establishes, in addition to the collapse of Public Health, a political and institutional crisis in the Brazilian social context.

Resumo As informações sobre a pandemia de Covid-19 passaram a ser foco de atenção na saúde da população. Nesse sentido, pessoas idosas, além de classificadas como grupo de risco, são vulneráveis aos impactos da quantidade e qualidade das informações recebidas, por necessitarem passar por um processo de letramento digital. Objetivo: compreender como pessoas idosas ativas utilizam as informações sobre a Covid-19. Metodologicamente, foi realizado um Estudo de Caso do tipo único de abordagem teórico-metodológica qualitativa, fundamentado na teoria do Comportamento Informacional de Thomas Wilson. Entrevistas semidirigidas foram realizadas, buscando atingir a saturação teórica dos dados. Assim, 31 pessoas idosas foram entrevistadas, obtendo-se média de idade de 69 anos, majoritariamente de alta escolaridade. Como resultados observou-se que as informações foram utilizadas para assimilar o fenômeno vivenciado, na busca por compreender como agir e tomar decisões sobre o cuidado em saúde. Considera-se que o caso apresentou pessoas idosas que passaram a sentir-se mais capacitadas a selecionar as notícias no decorrer do período de pandemia. Os achados podem contribuir na construção de materiais instrutivos em relação às informações sobre saúde, visando a tomadas de decisões adequadas.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate validity evidence of content, of internal structure, and associations with external variables for the measure Outcome Questionnaire Short Form adapting the form to a Brazilian-Portuguese language version. Method The study involved 235 adults, 45 males (19.1%) and 189 females (80.4%), aged between 18 and 63 years old (M = 28.82; SD = 9.25). A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Outcome Questionnaire Short Form, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale Short Form, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were applied. Results The scale showed good internal consistency with 0.88 Cronbach’s alpha; correlations with external variables were significant and exhibited the expected direction. Conclusion The investigated scale is adequate in its Brazilian-Portuguese language version and constitutes a valued tool to be used by health professionals aiming to evidence the progress and outcome of a psychotherapy.

Information about the Covid-19 pandemic has become the focus of attention in the population's health. In this sense, older people, in addition to being classified as a risk group, are vulnerable to the impacts of the quantity and quality of information received, as they need to go through a digital literacy process. Objective: to understand how active older people use information about Covid-19. Methodologically, a Case Study of a unique type of qualitative methodological theoretical approach was carried out, based on Thomas Wilson's theory of Information Behavior. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, seeking to reach theoretical saturation of the data. Thus, 31 elderly people were interviewed, obtaining an average age of 69 years, mostly with high education. As a result, it was observed that the information was used to assimilate the phenomenon experienced, in the search for understanding how to act and make decisions about health care. It is considered that the case presented elderly people who started to feel more able to select the news during the pandemic period. The findings can contribute to the construction of instructional materials in relation to health information, aiming to make appropriate decisions.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, also known as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, are extremely common. These symptoms represent one of the main causes of burden and distress among caregivers and can lead to decline in their physical and mental health. Objective: This study aimed to identify predominant characteristics in a sample of Brazilian outpatient dementia patients and explore which symptoms exert the greatest influence on caregiver burden. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 119 caregivers. Stepwise regression analysis was used, with caregiver burden as the dependent variable and depressive symptoms, caregiver distress due to neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of life as independent variables in the final model. Results: Regression analysis identified three different models as predictors of caregiver burden. The first model, composed of depressive symptoms, predicted 34% of caregiver burden (p≤0.000). The second model, composed of depressive symptoms and caregiver distress due to neuropsychiatric symptoms, predicted 49% (p≤0.000). The third model, composed of depressive symptoms, caregiver distress due to neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of life, predicted 52% (p≤0.008). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that problematic behaviors in dementia patients, depressive symptoms, and quality of life are associated with the level of caregiver burden and distress. Further research is needed to differentiate these findings among different types of dementia and to better understand how caregivers’ individual characteristics influence their own burden. Keywords Behavioral Symptoms; Affective Symptoms; Caregiver Burden; Dementia

Background Hemodialysis requires reliable vascular access, and arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are preferred for their superior patency and fewer complications. However, AVF failure remains high, with 50% becoming nonfunctional within 2 years. Inflammatory biomarkers can contribute to AVF failure, yet the specific biomarkers involved remain to be identified. Aim We aim to determine the prognostic significance of inflammatory biomarkers in predicting primary AVF failure in hemodialysis patients. Methods The electronic search was performed in different databases: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, from inception to June 2024. Statistical analysis was performed using R software 4.3.1. A random-effects model was employed to compute mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous and binary endpoints. The results were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement guideline. Results A total of 15 studies, encompassing 1809 patients with a mean age of 62 years, were included. Over follow-up ranging from 6 weeks to 26 months, we did not observe a significant difference in the levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1; 12.15 pg/mL; 95% CI −14.26 to 38.56; p = 0.37), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α; 0.90 pg/mL; 95% CI −38.77 to 40.57; p = 0.96) and white blood cells (WBC; 0.31 g/L; 95% CI −0.05 to 0.66; p = 0.09) between the group experiencing AVF maturation and those facing AVF failure. However, there was a significant elevation in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the AVF failure group (2.89 mg/L; 95% CI 0.31–5.47; p = 0.03). Conclusions Despite the increased CRP values within the AVF failure cohort and the significance noted in individual studies, our investigation did not find discernible effects attributable to other inflammatory and fibrotic biomarkers.

Bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) is an aggressive malignancy in both humans and dogs, with limited treatment options. Owing to their biological and environmental similarities with humans, dogs serve as a valuable model for UC research. Standard treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and anti-inflammatory agents, have shown limited efficacy. Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from turmeric, has demonstrated anticancer properties, but its potential in canine UC remains poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of curcumin, D6 turmeric, and mitoxantrone hydrochloride on canine and human UC cell lines. Cell viability was assessed via the MTT assay, apoptosis via flow cytometry, and gene expression (β-catenin, β1-integrin, CDH1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2) via quantitative PCR. Migration capacity was analyzed using a Transwell assay. Curcumin and D6 turmeric reduced cell viability and migration, while mitoxantrone hydrochloride exhibited strong cytotoxicity, especially in canine cells. Curcumin also induced apoptosis and modulated genes involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition and invasion. The interindividual differences in response suggest underlying genetic variability and highlight the need for personalized therapeutic approaches. These findings suggest that curcumin and D6 turmeric hold promise as complementary therapies for canine UC, justifying further in vivo investigations.