Comparative study of composition of methanolic extracts of the paratoid gland secretions (PGS) of Rhinella jimi (cururu toad) from northeastern Brazil: Gender, seasonality and geographic occurrence

Toads belonging to the Bufonidae family have a pair of paratoid glands that store highly toxic a biological secretion with varied chemical composition, that act as a chemical defense against microbial infections and predators. The paratoid gland secretion (PGS) of bufonids is rich in bioactive steroids, alkaloids, proteins, bufadienolides and bufotoxins. In the present investigation we performed a systematic analysis of the chemical profile of PGS obtained from the Bufonidae toad Rhinella jimi ("Cururu" toad) collected at three different regions of Piauí state, Northeastern Brazil. Our aim was to investigate the PGS variation related to the season of animals collection, geographic distribution and gender of the animals. The methanolic extracts of PGS were analyzed by UPLC-QToF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to the data set obtained by the UPLC-QToF-MS/MS analyses. Among 23 compounds identified, dehydrobufotenine, suberoyl arginine, 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) telocinobufagin, 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) marinobufagin, telocinobufagin, marinobufagin and 3-(N-suberoyl-argininyl) bufalin were detected in all PGS. Minimal variations in the composition of paratoid secretions of R. jimi were observed related to distinct geographical and seasonal parameters. R. jimi female animals presented the most diverse chemical composition in its PGS. With this comparative study, unprecedented for the species, it was possible to observe that the secretions of the paratoid glands produced by R. jimi from different regions of the state of Piauí, at different times of the year, presented consistent chemical composition, with discrete particularities in the number and nature chemistry of its constituents.

Learning to implement Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments

To develop trainings on the implementation of smart healthy age-friendly environments for people who aim to support, for example, their parents, their neighbours or local community, there are precautionary measures that have to be taken into account: the role of the facilitator (volunteer or self-employed), the level of skills, the needs of the end-users, training content and methodologies together with the sustainability of the learning. This article examines these aspects, based on desk research and expert interviews in the Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments (SHAFE) fields.

The Iterative Model of Ethical Analysis for Large-Scale Implementation Of ICT Solutions

This manuscript presents a model and the methodology to understand and define the ethical management of the large-scale implementation of ICT solutions for Active and Healthy Ageing. Based on project expertise, including experience from the Pharaon project Horizon 2020, this model includes an understanding of the main ethical challenges and the development of the necessary guidelines, measures, and tools for different stakeholder profiles. This model extends beyond conventional ethical guidelines, providing a methodology to actively discuss ethical and societal challenges within a project based on interactive and iterative dialogue between the entire value-chain of stakeholders. One of the cornerstones in the analysis of challenges is focused attention on policy and societal issues that emerge during a project. Accordingly, the model includes targeted reflections and tools delivered in the context of the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The tools developed in this process are organised in a guide that can be actively used throughout large-scale implementation projects related to ICT solutions.

An Interregional, Transdisciplinary and Good Practice-Based Approach for Frailty: the Mind&Gait Project

Social facilities such residential structures and day-centres increasingly seek integrated, structured, adapted, creative, dynamic and economic strategies to prevent frailty. The arising need of an aged and frail population requires innovative interventions and products to prevent cognitive and physical decline. The interregional MIND&GAIT project aims to promote independent living in frail older adults by improving cognition and gait ability by using assistive products. This transdisciplinary strategy within a 24-months period expects as project' deliverables: i) a structured and good practice-based combined intervention (CI) consisting of a cognitive stimulation programme and a physical exercise programme; ii) an auto-blocking mechanism for rolling walkers with biofeedback acquisition (ABMRW); iii) a randomized clinical trial to assess CI' effectiveness; and iv) a web-platform to be used as a repository that will support and disseminate the intervention materials, covering the action-line of translational research. Positive benefits are expected in prevention and maintenance of frail older adults' capacities. Preliminary results showed positive effects on the improvement of cognitive and physical functions, functionality and depressive symptomatology. The interregional geographical coverage induced by MIND&GAIT underlines the potential replicability of the project extension to the community in the Centro and Alentejo regions of Portugal. MIND&GAIT network supports actions and provides learning opportunities and emergence of locally-embedded support systems towards social innovation for older adults.

Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments - Policy Recommendations of the Thematic Network SHAFE

The European Commission (DG SANTE) launched a call for proposals in November 2017 on strategic initiatives for a Joint Statement in 2018. Ten proposals were voted until December 7th in the European Union Health Policy Platform[1]; the proposal under the theme Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments (SHAFE)[2] was the most voted and was confirmed by the European Commission in March 2018. In this context, since March 2018, Cáritas Coimbra and AFEdemy Ltd are thus coordinating one of the three Thematic Networks for 2018, SHAFE, in close cooperation with main partners, such as the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP-AHA), the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC), the Reference Sites Collaborative Network, the European Covenant on Demographic Change, Eurocities, the European Health Telematics Association (EHTEL), the European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance), the European Construction, Built Environment and Energy Efficient Building Technology Platform (ECTP) and the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research. SHAFE aims to facilitate the creation of healthy and friendly environments for all ages through the use of new technologies, towards the production of a comprehensive and participatory Joint Statement. This document was presented to the European Commission on 12 November 2018, with five main areas of recommendations to the EC, Member States and other local, regional and national organisations and is open for endorsement and implementation from this date onwards.

Health tourism: an opportunity for sustainable development

In February 2017, the "Programma Mattone Internazionale Salute" (ProMis), that is the Italian Program for Internationalization of Regional Health Systems of the Ministry of Health (MoH), presented the first version of its Position Paper on Health Tourism, which embeds a first shared approach to the recommendations expressed by the European Committee of Regions (CoR) on "Age-Friendly" tourism. The CoR stresses the importance of local and regional authorities in the coordination of multi-sectoral policies such as healthcare, social assistance, transport, urban planning and rural development in relation to the promotion of mobility, security, accessibility of services, including health care and social services. "Age-friendly" tourism is an example of an innovative tourist offer that strives to meet the health needs of the entire "traveling" population, with an integrated and cross-sector approach that involves various organizations operating in sectors such as healthcare, accessibility and transport. The aim of the workshop was to explore the interest of the stakeholders to participate in a systemic action in the field of "health" tourism, and to identify priority implementation areas that offer opportunities to take advantage of validated, innovative experiences that strengthen the accessibility to health and social services in regional, national and international contexts. This effort provides the opportunity to take advantage of aligning the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) to the development of tourism, coherently with the needs and resources of local and regional health authorities.

Ouabain-insensitive Na+-ATPase of proximal tubules is an effector for urodilatin and atrial natriuretic peptide

In the present paper we studied the effect of urodilatin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on the proximal tubule Na+-ATPase and (Na+K+)ATPase activities. Urodilatin and ANP inhibit the Na+-ATPase activity but not the (Na+K+)ATPase activity. Maximal effect was observed at a concentration of 10(-11) M for both peptides. In this condition, the enzyme activity decreases from 10.8 +/- 1.6 (control) to 5.7 +/- 0.9 or 6.1 +/- 0.7 nmol Pi mg(-1) min(-1) in the presence of urodilatin or ANP, respectively. This effect was completely reversed by 10(-6) M LY83583, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, and mimicked by 10 nM cGMP. Furthermore, both ANP and urodilatin increase cGMP production by 33% and 49%, respectively. This is the first demonstration that it was shown that urodilatin and ANP directly modulate primary active sodium transport in the proximal tubule. The data obtained indicate that this effect is mediated by the activation of the NPR-A/guanylate cyclase/cGMP pathway.

Use of a single implant of elcometrine (ST-1435), a nonorally active progestin, as a long acting contraceptive for postpartum nursing women

Because of its unique features, the contraceptive effectiveness and tolerance during breast-feeding of 16-methylene-17 alpha-acetoxy-19-nor-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (elcometrine), delivered within a single subdermal capsule of medical grade polydimethylsiloxane, was investigated. Unlike other progestational steroids, elcometrine has no affinity for androgen and estrogen receptors and is inactive by the oral route. A total of 66 breast-feeding women receiving elcometrine by the subdermal route were enrolled in the study, and 69 women who elected to use Copper-T380 intrauterine devices (IUD) served as control subjects. The women and their infants were observed until the end of the first postpartum year. There were no significant differences in growth and development measurements among the infants in the elcometrine and control groups. The percentage of infants continuing to breast-feed at 3 and 6 months was significantly higher in the elcometrine group. There were no significant differences between the concentration of elcometrine in the mother's blood and milk. At 75 days, blood levels of elcometrine in the infants were near the undetectable and were significantly lower than the levels in maternal blood or milk (p < 0.01). In 15 of 25 infants, blood levels of elcometrine were at the limit of assay sensitivity or undetectable. Two pregnancies occurred in women using IUD, whereas none occurred in those using implants. There were menstrual bleeding irregularities in both groups. A single elcometrine capsule placed subcutaneously at 6-monthly intervals appears to be an effective method of contraception for lactating women and results in blood concentrations of nursing infants at or near undetectable levels.