The amyloid-β (Aβ) monomer, an intrinsically disordered peptide, is produced by the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein, leading to Aβ40 and Aβ42 as major products. These two isoforms generate pathological aggregates, whose accumulation correlates with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Experiments have shown that even though the natural abundance of Aβ42 is smaller than that for Aβ40, the Aβ42 is more aggregation-prone compared to Aβ40. Moreover, several single-point mutations are associated with early-onset forms of AD. This work analyzes coarse-grained AWSEM simulations of normal Aβ40 and Aβ42 monomers, along with six single-point mutations associated with early on set disease. We analyzed the simulations using the Energy Landscape Visualization Method (ELViM), a reaction coordinate-free approach suited to explore the frustrated energy landscapes of intrinsically disordered proteins. ELViM is shown to distinguish the monomer ensembles of variants that rapidly form fibers from those that do not form fibers as readily. It also delineates the amino-acid contacts characterizing each ensemble. The results shed light on the potential of ELViM to probe intrinsically disordered proteins.

Objective: Most studies use clinical examination and evaluation of symptoms as subjective forms for the diagnosis of vaginal atrophy. Vaginal hormonal cytology and vaginal pH are objective forms commonly used, however, mainly for treatment control purposes. Despite the relevance of the early diagnosis of vaginal atrophy, we are not aware of studies that objectively or subjectively evaluate the evolution of the parameters with this intention. The aim of the study was to assess if the instruments most used in scientific studies for indication and follow-up of AVV therapy could be used for the early diagnosis of AVV. Methods: The sample consisted of 40 women, 21 in the menopausal/ premenopausal transition (Group 1) and 19 in the postmenopausal (Group 2), between 40 and 65 years old. Results: It was observed that the set of parameters evaluated, such as: symptoms, clinical examination, vaginal pH, cell maturation value and questionnaire, mainly when used in an associated way, suggest being efficient for the diagnosis of AVV. In general, the observed changes in pH measurement show a good association with cell cytology, which was very characteristic in the two experimental groups (pre and postmenopausal). In addition, pH also showed good association with clinical examination parameters and the main symptoms and signs of menopause. Conclusion: Finally, the results herein shown seems to be promising in relation to the use of vaginal pH measurement as a “tool” for the early diagnosis of AVV.

Sewing machine workers have high prevalence of WMSDs in neck-shoulder, wrists and lower back region. It is known that occupational physical exercises programs have positive benefits regarding complaints and absenteeism due to musculoskeletal symptoms. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate ergonomic, musculoskeletal and psychosocial conditions of workers from an upholstery and sewing sector, and investigate the effectiveness of a physical exercise program applied at the occupational environment. Fifteen workers (44.5 ± 8.8 years old) took part of the study. Musculoskeletal symptoms were evaluated through the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and a standardized physical examination. Psychosocial indicators were evaluated from the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), while the Ergonomic Workplace Analysis (EWA) protocol was applied to assess workplace conditions. The physical exercise program was applied twice a week for 30 minutes, during 12 weeks. It was composed by warm-up, strengthening and stretching exercises. A significant reduction on musculoskeletal symptoms were observed for wrists/hands and lumbar spine considering results from the NMQ, and for all body regions assessed through the physical examination, except for elbows. Moreover, psychosocial indicators have shown significant improvement. These benefits increase workability and promote better quality of life to the workers, and can be reproduced in other workplaces.

Objective: Obesity is a frequent disease in pregnancy; however, the pathophysiological mechanisms that associate maternal obesity with unfavorable obstetric events during prenatal care, delivery and postpartum are not known, and therefore, adequate studies are lacking. Methods: Documentary and exploratory study was carried out with data obtained during consultation from 370 medical charts of patients seen at the high-risk prenatal outpatient clinic in a primary care unit, a reference center for six other units, in the city of Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil. In prenatal care, the guidelines of the Stork Network Program (Programa Rede Cegonha) of the Ministry of Health were used and include a pregnancy risk and obesity stratification system for pregnant women. Results: It was observed that 65% of the pregnant women were between 20 and 34 years old, 48.9% were white; most were in their first pregnancy. The mean gestational age at birth was 37.9 weeks. At the beginning of gestation, the women weighed an average of 71.2 kilograms, with a height of 159 cm and Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27.9 kg/m2. BMI with overweight or obesity prepregnancy had a lower risk of having a low-birth-weight NB (62% and 69%, respectively) when compared to pregnant women of adequate weight. Cesarean delivery prevailed, and among women with morbid obesity, the cesarean section rate was 90%. Conclusion: Epidemiological knowledge of this population is important for proposing policies to control chronic diseases that may affect pregnancy and to adjust the risk stratification according to the local reality.