University of São Paulo

Hub Criativo do Beato is an infrastructure targeted at digital innovation in the city of Lisbon, Portugal, that has been constituted, since 2016, through a process that I call continuous and flexible repurposing of an old military-industrial complex. I also understand it as an anchor for urban rehabilitation and as a representation apparatus for a city that competes internationally to attract capital in the context of the global rise of the digital economy. A multiplicity of ideas, experiments, and openness to change and adaptations guide its projects. The article seeks to critically understand the connections between urban production and the digital economy. This case study derives from qualitative research of an explanatory--interpretive nature based on grounded theory.

Resumo Hub Criativo do Beato é uma infraestrutura voltada à inovação digital da cidade de Lisboa, Portugal, que vem sendo constituída, desde 2016, por um processo que chamo de refuncionalização contínua e flexível de um antigo complexo industrial militar. Também a compreendo como âncora de reabilitação urbana e como dispositivo de representação para uma Lisboa que compete internacionalmente por atração de capitais em contexto de ascensão global da economia digital. Multiplicidade de ideias, experimentações, aberturas a mudanças e adaptações dão o tom dos projetos lá realizados. O artigo busca compreender criticamente os enlaces possíveis entre produção do urbano e economia digital. Trata-se de um estudo de caso derivado de pesquisa qualitativa de caráter explicativo-interpretativo e baseada no modelo grounded theory.

This study reports the development and implementation of a straightforward, rapid, and cost-effective voltammetric technique for piroxicam (PIR) detection at nanomolar concentrations in biological and environmental samples. The method involved the use of a screen-printed electrode (SPE) enhanced with a combination of Printex L6 carbon (PL6C) and polyaniline-based activated carbon (PAC) on a chitosan film crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (CTS:EPH). The detection was carried out using square-wave adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry (SWAdASV) in a 0.10 mol L−1 phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.0. The approach employed yielded a low limit of detection of 4.5 × 10−9 mol L−1 and a linear range of 5.0 × 10−8 to 8.8 × 10−6 mol L−1 (r = 0.999). The PAC-PL6C-CTS:EPH/SPE sensor was effectively employed for PIR detection in synthetic urine and river water samples, where its reliability was proven through addition and recovery tests. The results obtained from the application of the proposed voltammetric method closely matched those recorded under high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which was used as a reference method. The findings show that the technique proposed in this study offers a simple, quick, and highly effective alternative mechanism for PIR detection in both biological and environmental matrices.

This study investigated the effects of chitosan/gelatin (CG) coatings containing pomegranate peel extract (PPE) on the physical-chemical, microbiological, volatile profile, and sensory characteristics of strawberries over 12 days of refrigerated storage. The coatings containing PPE minimized the weight loss of the fruits by 11 % and delayed their fungal contamination by 6–8 days. Uncoated fruits showed soluble solids content, pH, and titratable acidity values characteristics of highly deteriorated fruits. The coatings preserved the color, firmness, respiratory quotient, and bioactive compounds contents of the fruits. Uncoated strawberries showed a 39.4 % reduction in total volatile compounds, approximately 6 times greater than coated fruits. The severity of injuries caused by fungi was slowed down by the coatings. The sensory quality of the fruits was not affected, and the coatings cost was estimated at approximately $ 0.03/fruit, confirming that the materials developed can be used as natural coatings and a cheap alternative for strawberries preservation.

Pain is a multifactorial debilitating condition associated with some psychiatric comorbidities such as generalized anxiety and depression. Concerning pharmacological treatment, which is often inefficient or associated with intense side effects, the physical and social context may be fundamental for patient's health improvement. In this sense, we sought to assess the impact of an enriched environment (EE) on neuropathic pain (NP) and depression comorbid. For this purpose, mice exposed to EE or non-enriched conditions for three weeks were submitted to either a chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the ischiadicus nervus or a sham procedure. After three weeks of EE or non-enriched exposition, allodynia (recorded by von Frey and acetone tests), hyperalgesia (recorded by hot plate test), despair behavioral response (recorded by tail suspension test), and apathy (recorded by sucrose spray test) were evaluated. Mice submitted to CCI procedure showed increased rates of hyperalgesia and allodynia, as well as depression-like behaviors compared to the sham procedure-submitted mice. Exposure to EE significantly increased pain thresholds and significantly diminished depression-related behaviors. These findings suggest that the sensory, physical, and social context can be an extra tool for controlling not only sensory-discriminative pain but also emotional pain-related psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression.

Resumo O artigo tem como objetivo investigar um percurso singular de recepção e tradução das ideias de Antonio Gramsci no Brasil. Este trabalho visa reconstruir o pensamento político de Fernando Henrique Cardoso durante a ditadura militar e a transição democrática brasileira (1964-1988) tomando como fio condutor a interpretação e uso que esse autor faz das ideias de Antonio Gramsci ao longo do tempo para a análise da formação do Estado, das classes sociais e da política no Brasil. O texto desenvolve a hipótese da centralidade dos conceitos gramscianos no pensamento de Cardoso em três fases de refração gramsciana: i) entre 1964 e 1974, na tese da hegemonia dependente da burguesia no Brasil, ii) entre 1974 e 1983, na defesa do Estado brasileiro como “Príncipe Moderno” enquanto categoria para análise da coalizão agrário-industrial-militar no pós-1964, e iii) de 1983 a 1988, na formulação do transformismo autoritário-esclarecido como comportamento das elites econômicas e militares brasileiras diante da pressão pela democratização do regime. Os usos dos conceitos gramscianos em Cardoso são criativos em todos esses momentos. Isto é, o pensador brasileiro se inspira nos conceitos gramscianos para criar seu próprio léxico a ser utilizado na análise da política brasileira. O artigo explora, portanto, não apenas a recepção, mas também a tradução das ideias de Gramsci em Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Microcystins are cyanotoxins that can be produced by cyanobacteria species such as Microcystis aeruginosa. Due to the presence of microcystins in water bodies and aquatic organisms, it needs to be monitored. Furthermore, additional studies are required in the implementation of alternative and sustainable water treatment methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Myriophyllum aquaticum to prevent the harmful effects induced by M. aeruginosa aqueous extract in Rhamdia. quelen usingbiomarkers and to assess whether the plant can be suitable for phytoremediation in aquatic ecosystems. In the first experiment, R. quelen was exposed to 1 and 10 μg.L–1 of microcystins through an aqueous extract dissolved in the bioassay’s water. Second, tanks containing the same test concentrations of microcystins were treated by phytoremediation using M. aquaticum at 10 g.L–1, for 7 days. After that, treated water was used in a new bioassay with fish exposure. The results showed that phytoremediation decreased the microcystin concentration in water, and different biomarker analyses demonstrated that M. aquaticum treatment prevented DNA damage, hematological alterations, and tissue damage in R. quelen. The phytoremediation with M. aquaticum can be a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to water treatment, highlighting its role in enhancing water quality and supporting biodiversity conservation. These results support the importance of adopting more restrictive legal limits for cyanotoxins in water to protect native aquatic species and promote sustainable water resource management.

The expansion of urbanization has led to significant adverse environmental effects, including the disposal of domestic sewage without treatment in water bodies. This impact contributes to the deterioration of water quality and poses serious risks to human health and the environment. In this context, effective and sustainable methods to mitigate the impacts should be explored, such as the use of plants capable of removing or degrading contaminants from water. The present study aimed to assess the phytoremediation potential of two free-floating aquatic macrophytes (Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes) systems for enhancing the water quality collected from two polluted urban streams. The trials were performed in 25-L experimental units for seven days under ambient conditions. The water quality variables after the exposure period were compared to those at the beginning of the experiment to assess the potential improvements due to the presence of macrophytes. The systems with E. crassipes exhibited good performance in water samples from both streams, with reductions reaching 29.2% in dissolved solids, 36.8% in electrical conductivity, 44% in biochemical oxygen demand, 57% in nitrogen, and 45% in phosphorus. The systems with P. stratiotes also exhibited satisfactory outcomes, including 90 and 76.2% reductions in phosphorus levels of Santa Rita Stream and Galinha Stream, respectively, and 54% turbidity, and 38% biochemical oxygen demand in both streams. These findings highlight the potential of the two plant species for phytoremediation of polluted waters, considering their performance on short-term exposure. Therefore, this approach consists of a sustainable alternative by utilizing natural elements for environmental restoration, and the outcomes can contribute to future applications of phytoremediation techniques in developing countries.

Introduction Recent evidence indicates that mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) improve overall well-being and the ability to cope with kidney failure and hemodialysis stressors. However, intradialytic MBPs are poorly investigated. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the study protocol, evaluate the feasibility and perceived effects of the Hemomindful Program. Methods The results presented are from a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial. Thirty-two adults with kidney failure were randomized into the Hemomindful Program, which consisting of 8 weekly individual sessions of 1 hour delivered at chairside during hemodialysis combined with the treatment as usual (TAU), or TAU alone. Feasibility was assessed based on retention of the study protocol, adherence to the Hemomindful Program, its safety, and participant satisfaction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in the intervention arm immediately following treatment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and discursive textual analysis. Results The overall rate of adherence to the study protocol was 84.38%. Among the participants in the Hemomindful Program (n = 16), 15 had four or more sessions (93.7%) and 12 completed the protocol (75%). Degree of importance attributed to the intervention was 8.58 (SD = 2.06) and intention to maintain the formal and informal mindfulness practices after the intervention was 6.67 (SD = 2.93) and 8.5 (SD = 2.31). The qualitative analysis indicated satisfaction with the perceived changes (greater awareness in daily activities, less reactivity, management of pain and discomfort) and the structure of the program. Conclusion The Hemomindful Program showed positive indicators of feasibility, with good retention, acceptability and safety.

Resumo Introdução: egundo evidências recentes, os programas baseados em mindfulness (PBM) melhoram o bem-estar geral e a capacidade de lidar com a insuficiência renal e os fatores de estresse na hemodiálise. Entretanto, PBM intradialíticos são pouco investigados. Objetivo: Descrever o protocolo do estudo, avaliar a viabilidade e efeitos percebidos do Programa Hemomindful. Métodos: Os resultados apresentados são de um ensaio clínico randomizado de métodos mistos. Trinta e dois adultos com insuficiência renal foram randomizados para o Programa Hemomindful, que consiste em 8 sessões individuais semanais de 1 hora realizadas na cadeira durante a hemodiálise, combinadas com o tratamento usual (TAU), ou TAU isolado. A viabilidade foi avaliada conforme retenção do protocolo, adesão ao Programa Hemomindful, sua segurança e satisfação do participante. Realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas com participantes do braço de intervenção imediatamente após o tratamento. Dados foram analisados utilizando estatísticas descritivas e análise textual discursiva. Resultados: A taxa geral de adesão ao protocolo foi de 84,38%. Entre os participantes do Programa (n = 16), 15 realizaram quatro ou mais sessões (93,7%) e 12 completaram o protocolo (75%). O grau de importância atribuído à intervenção foi 8,58 (DP = 2,06) e a intenção de manter as práticas formais e informais de mindfulness após a intervenção foi 6,67 (DP = 2,93) e 8,5 (DP = 2,31). A análise qualitativa indicou satisfação com as mudanças percebidas (maior consciência nas atividades diárias, menor reatividade, manejo da dor e desconforto) e com a estrutura do programa. Conclusão: O Programa Hemomindful apresentou indicadores positivos de viabilidade, com boa retenção, aceitabilidade e segurança.

Resumo Introdução: Nova estratégia de terapia de indução com dose única de 3 mg/kg de globulina antitimócitos de coelho (r-ATG) mostrou menor incidência de rejeição aguda. Métodos: O objetivo foi utilizar dados do mundo real para determinar a razão de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) da indução com r-ATG para prevenção da rejeição aguda (RA) no primeiro ano pós-transplante renal e para sobrevida do enxerto renal em 1, 4 e 10 anos pós-transplante, sob a perspectiva do sistema nacional de saúde pública. Desenvolveu-se um modelo de transição de estado de Markov utilizando dados do mundo real extraídos de faturas médicas de um único centro. A população do estudo consistiu em adultos com baixo risco imunológico submetidos ao primeiro transplante, recebendo rins de doadores vivos ou falecidos. A intervenção de indução com r-ATG foi comparada à não-indução. Os desfechos clínicos considerados para essa análise foram rejeição aguda, infecção/doença por citomegalovírus, óbito, perda do enxerto e retransplante. Resultados: Análise de custo-efetividade no primeiro ano revelou que o grupo r-ATG foi mais custo-efetivo, com RCEI de US$399,96 por episódio de RA evitado, ganho de efetividade de 0,01 ano na sobrevida do enxerto e custo incremental total de US$ 147,50. As análises de 4 e 10 anos revelaram ganho de efetividade de 0,06 e 0,16 anos na sobrevida do enxerto no grupo de indução com r-ATG e custo incremental total de US$−321,68 e US$ −2.440,62, respectivamente. Conclusão: A dose única de 3 mg/kg de r-ATG é custo-efetiva na prevenção de episódios de RA e dominante no longo prazo do transplante, conferindo ganho de sobrevida.

Resumo Introdução: Pacientes pediátricos com doença renal crônica (DRC) evoluem com distúrbios minerais e ósseos (DMO). Não dispomos de dados brasileiros que avaliem esses desfechos; que podem ser obtidos por meio de registros epidemiológicos. Objetivo: Apresentar o projeto DOMINÓ, cuja proposta é descrever as características da DMO-DRC em pacientes pediátricos brasileiros. Métodos: Coorte retrospectiva e prospectiva, multicêntrica, observacional. O estudo retrospectivo analisará os dados dos pacientes prevalentes em 2024 e o prospectivo, os dados a partir de 2025. Serão coletados dados demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriais, de imagem e da biópsia óssea de pacientes pediátricos com DMO-DRC < 18 anos com DRC estágios 3-5D e dos transplantados renais. Os Comitês de Ética dos centros participantes aprovaram o estudo. Discussão/conclusão: O estudo DOMINÓ permitirá conhecer a incidência, prevalência, morbidade, resultados dos tratamentos e mortalidade dessa doença pediátrica no Brasil. Análises futuras permitirão identificar preditores de resposta ao tratamento e melhorar os cuidados com esses pacientes.

Introduction: Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop mineral and bone disorders (MBD). We do not have Brazilian data that evaluate these outcomes, which can be obtained through epidemiological records. Objective: To present the DOMINÓ study, which aims to describe CKD-MBD characteristics in Brazilian pediatric patients. Methods: Retrospective and prospective, multicenter, observational cohort. The retrospective study will analyze data from prevalent patients in 2024, and the prospective study will analyze data from 2025 onwards. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and bone biopsy data will be collected from pediatric patients with CKD-MBD < 18 years old with CKD stage 3-5D and kidney transplant recipients. The Ethics Committees of the participating centers approved the study. Discussion/conclusion: The DOMINÓ study will provide information on the incidence, prevalence, morbidity, treatment results, and mortality of this pediatric disease in Brazil. Future analyses will allow us to identify predictors of response to treatment and improve the care for these patients.

Background: A new induction therapy strategy of a single 3 mg/kg dose of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG) showed a lower incidence of acute rejection. Methods: The objective of this study was to use real-world data to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of r-ATG induction for the prevention of acute rejection (AR) in the first year following kidney transplantation and for kidney graft survival over 1, 4, and 10 years of post-transplantation from the perspective of the national public healthcare system. A Markov state transition model was developed utilizing real-world data extracted from medical invoices from a single center. The study population consisted of adults at low immunological risk undergoing their initial transplantation and received kidneys from either living or deceased donors. The intervention of r-ATG induction was compared to no induction. The clinical outcomes considered for this analysis were acute rejection, cytomegalovirus infection/disease, death, graft loss, and retransplantation. Results: The cost-effectiveness analysis in the first year revealed that the r-ATG group was more cost-effective, with an ICER of US$399.96 per avoided AR episode, an effectiveness gain of 0.01 year in graft survival and a total incremental cost of US$ 147.50. The 4- and 10-year analyses revealed an effectiveness gain of 0.06 and 0.16 years in graft survival in the r-ATG induction group, and a total incremental cost of US$−321.68 and US$ −2,440.62, respectively. Conclusion: The single 3 mg/kg dose of r-ATG is cost-effective in preventing acute rejection episodes and dominant in the long term of transplantation, conferring survival gain.

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus show a high risk of developing Gestational Diabetes Induced Myopathy (GDiM). GDiM is characterized by significant pelvic floor skeletal muscle atrophy and urinary incontinence. This study aimed to develop a natural rubber latex (NRL) based biodevice with mesenchymal/stromal stem cells (MSCs) for skeletal muscle regeneration for women with GDiM. NRL showed porosity, roughness, biocompatibility, and bioactivity. MSCs adhesion on the NRL scaffold surface was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy, and zymography. The scaffold's physicochemical and biological properties were carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), swelling and degradation studies, hemolytic activity, and antioxidant activity (AA), using Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). MSCs in culture expressed CD90, adhered to plastic, differentiated, and produced fibroblast colonies. A high rate of cell proliferation was seen in MSCs on the NRL scaffold. FTIR analysis confirmed protein structures and polyisoprene in the scaffold. Swelling and degradation showed low water uptake and weight loss. Furthermore, NRL presented a hemolytic rate of 2.90 ± 0.26 % for 24 h, and EPR revealed the scaffold's strong AA. The generated biodevice has potential for muscle regeneration and may be useful as a therapeutic option for skeletal muscle disorders in GDiM or urinary incontinence.

The Gulf of Guinea has been a hotspot for global security due to the recurring action of pirates in a region with increasing relevance for oil and gas supply, particularly to the manufacturing-intensive regions of China and Europe. After the disruption of energy markets triggered by the war of Russia against Ukraine, the strategic importance of the Gulf for Beijing and Brussels only became more crucial. How to avoid a Sino-European clash in that part of the world? By scrutinizing the Chinese and European strategies to counter security and energy challenges related to the Gulf of Guinea, this chapter aims to identify a common ground for the development of a triangular cooperative agenda comprising African States, China, and the European Union (EU). We first explore the sources of mistrust between Chinese and European diplomacy in the Guinea Gulf, including the EU Maritime Security Strategy Action Plan, the continuous presence of British forces in the South Atlantic, and the ongoing construction of a maritime base by China in Equatorial Guinea. In doing so, we also identify that Beijing and Brussels compete for influence in the region through financial statecraft, which comprises aid and investment. Strategic competition, however, can be replaced by strategic cooperation through triangular partnerships between China and Europe, on the one hand, and regional intergovernmental organizations (RIGOs), on the other, including the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the South Atlantic Zone of Peace and Cooperation (ZOPACAS). Other relevant non-Gulf actors include Brazil, South Africa, UK, and the US.

Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) involves the administration of medication and in-person monitoring by a healthcare team alongside the patient to improve adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Implementing DOT requires healthcare professionals, transportation, time dedication, and presence at the patient’s residence. Meeting all these conditions is not always possible to address the high demand of TB patients who would benefit from this supervision. Video Directly Observed Therapy (VDOT) is a telecare platform created to remotely oversee the treatment of TB patients, allowing them to daily record medication intake, as prescribed, using their cell phones, clarify doubts, and facilitate communication with the healthcare team providing support. The medication intake data is recorded and accessible to healthcare professionals who monitor adherence remotely. The investigation reported in this work was conducted in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, from May 5, 2020, to May 4, 2023, across five healthcare units. During the study period, 26,253 medication intake videos were collected and sent from 259 patients. Regarding the outcome reported by supervisors, only 9.7% of patients had their VDOT follow-up terminated due to abandonment, while the Cure/Treatment completion rate was 57.5%. Regarding adherence to the established treatment period for TB and for each patient in their specific situation, 67% of patients completed more than 66% of the treatment. The data suggested good acceptance of the system by both patients and healthcare professionals. VDOT may be a promising tool that complements TB DOT, extending its reach to improve adherence and reduce abandonment rates.

Culture-dependent and -independent studies have provided access to symbiont genes and the functions they play for host sponges. Thus, this work investigates the diversity, presence of genes of pharmacological interest, biological activities and metabolome of the bacteria isolated from the sponges Aplysina caissara and Aplysina fulva collected on the southwestern Atlantic Coast. The genes for Polyketide Synthases types I and II and Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases were screened in more than 200 bacterial strains obtained, from which around 40% were putatively novel. Twenty-two were positive for at least one of the genes screened. Among them, 12 exhibited antimicrobial activities and one inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells. The metabolic profiles of the 22 strains were analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and molecular network. The Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking MolNetEnhancer workflow provided a more comprehensive understanding of the metabolic profiles. The results revealed the existence of a wide range of metabolites, however more than half of the compounds could not be identified. It was further observed that the metabolic diversity among the strains varied primarily due to the cultivation medium used. Together the results obtained here revealed the pharmacological potential of the bacteria isolated from Aplysina species.