RESUMO Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar três dimensões da continuidade dos cuidados – gerencial, informacional e relacional – na experiência de Pessoas Vivendo com HIV (PVHIV). Foi realizado estudo qualitativo baseado em 45 entrevistas com PVHIV acompanhadas em policlínicas de especialidades em um município do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Na dimensão gerencial, a análise temática sinalizou inflexibilidade nos dias e horários de realização e entrega de exames que podem comprometer a continuidade assistencial. Não houve evidência de sistema de referência e contrarreferência institucionalizado. Destacou-se a necessidade de adequar a infraestrutura do serviço de forma a garantir a privacidade dos usuários. A continuidade informacional foi afetada pela ausência de instrumentos de integração e comunicação entre provedores, de prontuários eletrônicos compartilhados e de canais de comunicação entre usuários e serviços de saúde. A continuidade relacional demonstrou a importância do vínculo com infectologistas para a manutenção de uma fonte regular de cuidado, adesão ao tratamento e baixo absenteísmo. O cuidado orientado à pessoa aliado às condições organizacionais adequadas – que envolve processo de trabalho, fluxos intra e entre serviços da rede, informatização e conectividade – são elementos-chave para tornar possível uma relação de confiança e reciprocidade terapêutica, sendo passíveis de intervenções para seu alcance.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of diamond-like carbon (DLC) surface treatment on the mechanical properties of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. One hundred and tennickel-titanium instruments with a size of 25/.06 and a length of 25 mm, both with (n = 55) and without (n = 55) a DLC coating were selected and compared regarding their design (stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy), metallurgy (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry), and mechanical performance (time to fracture, bending strength, buckling strength, cutting efficiency, and microhardness). Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney and independent Student's t-test (α = 5%). The design analysis confirmed that both instruments had identical geometric features, similar spiral and tip designs, with DLC-coated instruments showing fewer surface irregularities and a multi-coloured appearance. Metallurgical analysis revealed identical transformation temperatures for both groups, with the R-phase starting at ~32°C, finishing at ~25°C during cooling, and the austenitic finish occurring at ~35°C. DLC-coated instruments demonstrated significantly superior cyclic fatigue resistance (p = 0.0028), lower bending load (p = 0.0294), lower cutting efficiency (p < 0.0001), and higher microhardness (p = 0.0019), whilst no difference was observed in terms of buckling strength (p = 0.3569). Diamond-like carbon surface treatment significantly enhanced cyclic fatigue resistance, flexibility, and microhardness of NiTi rotary instruments without compromising their structural integrity.

Background: We have recently showed that severe COVID patients have neurovascular dysfunction, cardiac morpho-functional alterations, and attenuated exercise capacity. However, whether these alterations persist over time is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Long COVID patients, even 2 years after SARS-COV-2 infection, exhibit sympathetic overdrive, aortic stiffening, endothelium-dependent dysfunction, cardiac morpho-functional changes, and diminished exercise capacity. Methods: Eighteen Long COVID patients and 19 well-matched controls were studied. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography), brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD; ultrasound-Doppler), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CFPWV; tonometry), heart rate (HR; EKG), E/A ratio, left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain (LVEF, LVGLS; echocardiography), and peak oxygen uptake (Peak V̇O2, cardiopulmonary exercise testing) were assessed ⁓2 years after hospital discharge. Circulating angiotensin II (Ang II, mass spectrometry), endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (endothelial cell-derived EVs, flow cytometry), and oxidative stress were also evaluated. Results: Long COVID patients had higher MSNA, CFPWV, HR and lower E/A ratio, LVEF, LVGLS and Peak V̇O2 than controls. Endothelial cell-derived EVs and carbonyls were higher in Long COVID patients than controls, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) was lower. No difference was observed in Ang II. Peak V̇O2 was inversely associated with MSNA, LVGLS and carbonyls, and directly associated with BAFMD and SOD. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that Long COVID patients, 2 years after acute illness, exhibit persistent sympathetic overactivation, vascular and cardiac impairments, reduced exercise capacity, and increased endothelial cell-derived EVs and oxidative stress. As such, strategies that can resolve these persistent cardiovascular sequelae are urgently needed.

ABSTRACT The role of Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (UPA) in urban planning, food security, and sustainability is increasingly recognized. However, there is a critical gap in understanding how current public policies support UPA, particularly at the municipal level. Few studies address how legislative frameworks shape the implementation of UPA, especially in contexts of varying municipal capacities. This study bridges that gap by analyzing the legal frameworks of 92 municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, a region notable for the expansion of urban agriculture. Therefore, this research applied Bardin’s content analysis to categorize legislation, evaluating its direct or indirect support for UPA activities based on municipality size. Key indicators such as beneficiaries, marketing, technical assistance, funding, land use, inputs, and infrastructure were analyzed using IraMuTeq software. The findings reveal a lack of comprehensive legislative support, evidenced by limited focus on target audiences, viability instruments, and implementation guidelines. These results emphasize the need for more robust public policies to realize UPA’s full potential in generating income, employment, nutritious food, environmental recovery, and community resilience. This study underscores the importance of continuous dialogue, action, and effective policy implementation to fully integrate UPA into sustainable urban planning.