Based on the interdisciplinary concept of One Health, EcoHealth, and Planetary Health, this paper focuses on participatory knowledge-to-action approaches by relating one decade of environmental disasters in Brazil with the action of veterinary rescue teams, aiming to give support to future disaster preparedness. This paper will present the historic actions of teams rescuing animal that are victims of environmental disasters, in addition to addressing the need for contingency plans and response management in these types of events. The main events in Brazilian states where veterinary rescue teams participated were, chronologically, as follows: 2011 flood and landslide (Rio de Janeiro); 2012 flood ; 2015 dam break (Minas Gerais); 2017 flood (Minas Gerais) and forest fire (Minas Gerais and Goiás); 2019 dam break and evacuation (Minas Gerais) and flood (Bahia); 2020 flood (Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais) and forest fires (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul). The Brazilian disasters that had a large global repercussion were the ruptures of the ore dams in Marina (2015) and Brumadinho (2019), both in the State of Minas Gerais. The role of veterinarians in these events was recognized by the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine (CFMV) after their performance in Mariana, Minas Gerais (2015), and in 2020, the CFMV approved the National Mass Disaster Contingency Plan Involving Animals. The work of veterinarians in interaction with other professionals in environmental disasters proved to be effective and necessary for the rescue of animals and for planning and giving support to disaster preparedness in the future. The term “disaster” has different concepts, but the concepts invariably refer to at least one of these factors: threat, vulnerability, risk, exposure, and responsiveness . DisasteIn general, disasters devastate homes, establishments, and properties, destroying livelihoods and deteriorating essential services, damaging the individual and collective health of humans and animals, reflecting on injured individuals and a variable number of deaths, in addition to leading to damage to a greater and lesser extent and also to mental damage that may be transient or long-lasting .Depending on the type of disaster, different demands are faced by the communities and teams responsible for providing support in the post-tragedy. For this, the professionals of these teams must have multidisciplinary skills from previous training, as well as adequate resources for proper support , 5. In sAdverse events, mainly of climatic origin such as droughts and forest fires, of hydrological origin such as runoffs and floods, and of meteorological origin such as heat waves and tropical cyclones, currently affect populations worldwide and particularly in Brazil. According to data from the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNDRR), more than 200 million people are affected by disasters of different origins every year .This paper will present a brief overview of the historic actions of volunteer veterinarians in rescuing animal victims of environmental disasters, in addition to addressing the need for contingency plans and response management in these types of events.In Brazil, the occurrences of disasters, especially those of natural origin, coincide with the deterioration of living conditions in cities, with the occurrence of many damages and losses . It is eThe main events with participation of veterinary rescue teams in Brazilian states were, chronologically, as follows: 2011 in Rio de Janeiro (flood and landslide); 2012 in Acre and Pará (flood) and Minas Gerais (flood); 2015 in Minas Gerais (dam break); 2017 in Minas Gerais (flood and forest fire) and Goiás (forest fires); 2019 in Minas Gerais (dam break and evacuation) and Bahia (flood); 2020 in Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais (flood) and in Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul  .In January 2011, heavy rains triggered what would be considered the worst Brazilian natural disaster of recent times: the floods and landslides in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro, an event that caused 905 deaths in seven cities and affected more than 300,000 people, which corresponded to 42% of the population of the affected municipalities, that is, 4.46% of the population of the State of Rio de Janeiro at the time. Total losses were estimated at US$3 billion; however, these omit relevant impacts in sectors such as education and health, which could not be considered due to unavailability of detailed information  and Brumadinho (2019), both in the State of Minas Gerais, with is the state with highest number of disasters and consequentially rescue team actions . In the Laboratório de Aplicações de Satélites Ambientais da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro [LASA/UFRJ]). Burnt areas increased by more than 100%, compared to the same period at the year previous to the disaster. Fire affected almost all conservation units and indigenous lands in the Pantanal region  was officially created in 2019. Before the dam burst in Brumadinho, several professionals and volunteers that operate in disasters were included in the group. Important work fronts were developed and technologized, such as contingency plans, autopsies, vaccination and health of the team, and veterinary medicine from catastrophe animal shelters, in addition to the field rescue fronts. With the constant performance of veterinary professionals in catastrophes and with the insertion of a team in the Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine of Minas Gerais, a new line of professional activity originated, the veterinary medicine of disasters , receiving support from civil society and from the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine (CFMV), being nationally recognized for its experience in response to fauna affected by disasters . The maiIn view of this scenario of the last decade, there is a clear need to prepare veterinarians to work in this area, so that they can be recognized, respected, and inserted in an official way in disaster management operations, acting in parallel with the actions developed for the rescue of human lives. It is essential to recognize the role of animals in the family nucleus and human health and include them in disaster contingency plans, with a view to preventing and reducing the health risks arising from these disasters . BiosafeIn mass disasters, it is essential that there is articulation between several federal, state, and municipal institutions that can contribute to situations involving animals, such as environment, agriculture, public health, police, public ministry, civil defense, firefighter, education, and civil society organizations. It is essential that contacts and partnerships between institutions and support bodies begin even before the occurrence of a disaster, to harmonize contingency strategies and plans and to promptly implement them, correctly and at the right time . There iIn Brazil, the National Civil Protection and Defense Policy (PNPDEC), established through Law 12608/2012, provides that civil defense and protection actions are organized by prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery actions. Thus, for each of them, there are specific responsibilities, while they are part of a systemic and continuous management. However, this policy does not detail the actions related to animals as among the main actions to assist victims of disasters; it mentions only the management of domestic animals and the burial of animals in appropriate places, according to zoonosis rules  and Brumadinho (2019), in Minas Gerais; and the fires in the Pantanal (2020) .The National Contingency Plan for Mass Disasters Involving Animals brings together the experience of professionals from various segments of activity, considering the particularities of the species and the potential disasters expected for Brazil. The plan considered aspects of approaching the scenario and making decisions involving the care and rescue of the various species; their habits, food, accommodation, transportation, and health; and all the spheres that need to be understood so that prevention, response, and/or recovery are successful, ensuring the rescue of animals and guaranteeing their well-being and quality of life, with clear and concise guidelines. It is believed that the plan will be an important marker of activities related to the theme in future situations, which cannot be predicted, but for which one must be prepared .Technical preparation, hierarchy, and communication in the context of a disaster are essential for the safety of professionals, people, and animals, as well as for planning and decision making. However, to make effective and assertive conducts feasible in handling these situations, the accurate compilation of information and data by the situation diagnosis team is vital, helping to mobilize efforts and adequate resources for the operation . PreviouTechnical rescue of animals in disaster scenarios involves planning and, at the same time, requires speed. To facilitate the conduct of professionals, the National Mass Disaster Contingency Plan Involving Animals highlights eight steps to be observed, aiming at the health and well-being of animals and specifying plans to rescue and welcome oxen, horses, pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, fish, and domestic rodents. It involves everything from on-site assistance, with water, food, medication, and animal preparation (some even require sedation), to transportation and disembarkation at the destination, in temporary shelters. In the operational part, in addition to providing guidance on initial diagnosis, action plans, composition, and team meetings, the plan also defines priorities and strategies for assisting animals. The document addresses cases subject to euthanasia provided for in legislation and guides the conduct of crime scene investigations, which includes collecting corpses and biological and chemical remains, preserving the chain of custody, and maintaining the suitability of the remains from their recognition and collection until its use by the justice department as an evidence element .The plan also addresses aspects pertinent to legal veterinary medicine, forensic necropsy, biosafety measures and personal protective equipment, immunization of workers and volunteers, health service waste management plan, and work zones. It also deals with a hierarchical structure for organizing the responsibilities of official bodies and their actions during the response to a disaster. The plan also describes what the documentation system for veterinary medical care should be in the routine of temporary shelters for rescued animals and indicates how to deal with the destination of domestic animals for temporary home, adoption, or reintegration with the guardian .Like people, animals are also victims of disasters, and they need to receive due attention, following ethical, legal, sanitary, social, and environmental protocols. Over the course of one decade, rescue efforts were improved, and rescue techniques and procedures were developed for different animal species in different types of catastrophe situations, as well as standard operating protocols, first-aid protocols in the field, protocols for use of anesthetics in the field, and vaccine and medication protocols for each type of species affected, in addition to training teams to work on different fronts.The disaster veterinary medicine is an emerging area with a strong humanitarian bias and requires social motivation because there are several situations that professionals face in these occurrences that require preparation and continuous training. In addition, emotional intelligence is needed to face the realities encountered in disaster situations, such as environmental destruction, extreme contexts of crisis, dangerous situations, and vulnerability involving the homeless, missing, and dead. In times of disaster, the teams involved are faced with a chaotic and complex environment, which requires coordinated and integrated action by multiple agencies, aimed at mitigating suffering and damage.Another point to be highlighted is that after the occurrence of a series of disasters and the work of voluntary rescue teams, there has been a greater appreciation of the veterinary medicine class by society and companies, especially companies that provide services for the systemic monitoring of fauna in affected areas and are thus considering hiring veterinarians to be integrated into multidisciplinary teams.The environmental disasters that occurred in Brazil showed the importance of professionals that act in disasters. In contexts such as large fires, landslides, floods, ruptures of tailings dams, and natural disasters (such as tornadoes and storms), veterinarians work mainly in the rescue and clinical and surgical care of animals of different species of domestic and wild fauna. However, these professionals can also form activities in the field of food security for the affected population, in pest control, and, in action planning, in integrated work of several teams involved in the affected regions, which emphasizes the interdisciplinary profile of the veterinary medicine in the concept of One Health.The work of veterinarians in interaction with other professionals in environmental disasters proved to be effective and necessary for the rescue of animals, not only because they are part of the affected families and because animals are sentient beings but also because they are important characters in the epidemiological scenario before, during, and after a disaster has occurred. We consider that this information is essential to influence scientific priorities in this approach and give support nationally and internationally for public policies and decision-making at local and global levels for disaster preparedness in the future with a focus on the approach of EcoHealth and Planetary Health.With the content of the National Mass Disaster Contingency Plan Involving Animals, in Brazil, it is expected that the actions of rescuing animals in situations of mass disasters can be officially recognized and incorporated into the activities of the agencies and institutions responsible for responding to crisis scenarios.CS and GC contributed to the conception and design of the paper and organized the information of the presented data. GC organized the paper text. All authors revised and contributed with their professional and personal experience in the actions on the rescue of animals in the environmental disasters in Brazil, in different regions and years.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.


The WLS is a study of Wisconsin high school class of 1957 graduates, with follow-ups in 1964, 1975, 1993, 2004, 2011, and 2020. The data reflect the life course of the graduates (and their siblings), initially covering education, switching to family, career, and social participation in midlife, and physical and mental health, cognitive status, caregiving, and social support as respondents age. The WLS is linked to multiple administrative data sources including: parent earnings from state tax records (1957-60) and Social Security earnings and benefits for respondents; 1940 Census data; characteristics of high schools and colleges, employers, industries, and communities of residence; voting records from 2000-2018; Medicare claims; and the National Death Index. Efforts are underway to expand the racial/ethnic and educational composition of the WLS by supplementing the original sample with a new cohort of age-matched adults drawn from Wisconsin’s Black, Hispanic, Asian-American, and Native American communities.


The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing frequency and severity of environmental disasters reveal an urgent need for a robust health observing/surveillance system. With the possible exception of Brazil, we know of no such comprehensive health observing capacity. The US should create a national system of linked regionally-based health monitoring systems similar to those for weather, ocean conditions, and climate. Like those for weather, the health observing system should operate continuously, collecting mental, physical, and community health data before, during, and after events. The system should include existing cross-sectional health data surveys, along with significant new investment in regional longitudinal cohort studies. The recently described framework for a Gulf of Mexico Community Health Observing System is suggested as a potential model for development of a nation-wide system. Our objectives in this short communication are to illustrate the overarching need for a national human health observing system, provide an example of what such a system might encompass, and outline two steps, one near-term and one medium- to long-term, that could be taken toward its development.More than any previous disaster of the twenty or twenty first centuries, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasing likelihood of more emerging diseases in the future, have highlighted an urgent, overarching need for comprehensive health surveillance at local to national scales . The conhttps://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/all-us-research-program-launches-covid-19-research-initiatives). Unfortunately, the sampling being done by the All of Us study lacks a statistically-based approach, thus limiting the epidemiological utility , could provide a nation-wide health observing system of unparalleled capacity.The Gulf of Mexico Health Observing System (GoM CHOS) framework design is based, in part, on the atmospheric and oceanic observing systems that underlie modern weather, climate, and marine forecasting capabilities, upon which hundreds of millions to billions of people depend daily. These environmental observing systems enable society to mitigate effects of extreme weather events and resulting costly health and socio-economic impacts at local to global scales. Using the GoM CHOS as a model for pilot studies and building out to a regional framework, as employed by the US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) .1) Short-term: As a first step, the Federal Government or Congress should authorize a Federal agency (or group of agencies) to undertake a health observing system pilot program and it could be in the Gulf of Mexico region to take advantage of the Gulf of Mexico Community Health Observing System framework. Wherever and however conducted, the purpose of the pilot would be “to learn by doing,” to establish a strong base of information for designing and building a national network of regional health observatories. Although cost estimates were not a part of the original study, a rough “guestimate” of funding required for a Gulf region health observing system is ca. $10 M/year. Better estimates will depend on implementation decisions . Almost 2) Medium to long-term: The Federal Government, with leadership of the CDC, NIH, and NSF and participation of the NASEM, should establish a Commission or Committee to make recommendations to the President and the Congress for creation and long-term funding of a national system of regional health observing systems focused on pandemics and disasters. The Commission or Committee should comprise public health and biomedical experts with relevant expertise from Federal Government health agencies, State Health Departments, public health and medical experts from academic institutions, public and private health care providers, computational data specialists, and others as may be required.The COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing frequency and severity of environmental disasters make obvious the urgent need for a robustly operational health observing system for the U.S. A comprehensive health observing capacity does not exist and should be developed. A regionally based, nationally linked system, as outlined in this communication, can serve to gather the health information, including mental, physical and community health data, in a representative sampling of the nation's population, including the susceptible or vulnerable, with respect to effects of pandemics and other disasters. The database would be available to public health officials, medical practitioners, disaster preparedness planners, biomedical researchers, and others to improve health preparedness and response. Multiple health observing systems would create comparable, ongoing health data streams that could improve targeting of investments for disaster preparedness, response, and prevention, there by reducing future expenditures for long-term health care related to disasters. Also, such systems could provide earlier and stronger warnings of impending epidemics, as well as tracking of possible long-term effects and contacts, allowing more targeted and possibly less severe responses, which would reduce economic and other societal impacts. Although aspirational at present, a national health observing system is feasible. Considering the high annual costs of disasters and the massive cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, not taking action to improve health monitoring will be far more expensive.PS, BS, and RC were responsible for concept formulation. PS had primary funding and writing responsibilities. All authors contributed ideas, reviewed, and approved the manuscript.The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the College of Charleston the National Science Foundation, or the University of Maryland College Park.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.


Carbon nanostructures are important nanomaterial with interesting physical and chemical properties. These nanostructures have been assessed for application in different fields of medicine, such as cancer detection and treatment, Parkinson disease, reproductive medicine, etc. This nanomaterial can be used in reproductive medicine as a drug delivery system, antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial agent, condom-coating agent, enhancer of sperm fertilizing ability, ectopic pregnancy treatment, trophoblastic diseases, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) improvement. The other side of this coin involves various side effects of carbon nanostructures, especially negative effects on reproductive systems. All carbon nanostructures showed toxicity on the reproductive system by producing reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Less attention has been given to the unique properties of carbon nanostructures, except for their practical attractiveness, the other side of this coin, namely the risks and side effects of these compounds - especially in the case of a reproductive system that supports the survival and health of future generations. Therefore, we suggest paying particular attention to the negative aspects of the increasing use of carbon nanostructures. Application of different nanostructures  has been developed in different fields over the past years, especially in medicine ; 2020. COne side of the coin, e.g. the use of carbon nanostructures in reproductive medicine, has been the subject of many studies. Effective and positive mechanisms of these nanostructures in various fields of reproductive medicine, such as increasing sperm fertility, prevention of unplanned pregnancy, increasing sperm and egg retention in culture medium, preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, increasing the effectiveness of genital health drugs such as chemotherapy in the treatment of reproductive system cancers, and etc., has been well studied and proven, and the most detailed topics related to these positive effects have been discussed in many papers The use of carbon nanostructures in ART include delivery system for increase bioavailability and permeability of sexual hormones, gametes and embryos selection, and gene transfer. In the field of embryogenesis, these nanostructures can be used for labelling pre-implanted embryos, Nano nutrition, and gene therapy. Carbon nanostructures have been used in reproductive oncology for treatment and diagnostic purposes. Infection detection, targeted treatment, microbicides and vaccine design for prevention, are all applications of Carbon nanostructures in the field of reproductive infections. These nanostructures can be used as alternative for surgical intervention in ectopic pregnancy, trophoblastic diseases, endometriosis and uterine fibroids (However, attention to the other side of this coin, namely the risks for increasing the use and the range of carbon nanostructures, especially their toxicity on the reproductive system, has been neglected. Compared to the positive aspects of the use of carbon nanostructures in reproductive medicine, much less attention has been paid to its negative aspects  Figure . A compaDue to less attention to the negative aspects regarding the use of carbon nanostructures, we suggest that in future studies and research, more attention be paid to other aspects, namely the harmful effects related to carbon nanostructures. Due to the importance of reproductive system health for survivors and the health of born children, it is highly important to pay attention to the negative impact of carbon nanostructures on the reproductive system.


Health concept and zoonotic diseases are on the rise. The One Health concept, involving collaboration between veterinary and medical scientists, policy makers, and public health officials, is necessary to foster joint cooperation and control of emerging zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases, which are caused by a wide range of arthropods, helminths, protozoa, bacteria and viruses, can cause severe and even fatal clinical conditions in animals and seriously affect the infected humans. The main zoonoses are related to interactions between livestock and wildlife, as well as between dogs and cats and human populations. Humans are accidentally infected in endemic areas, where animals act as reservoirs and climatic conditions favor the proliferation of vectors. The influence of other variables, such as temperature, humidity, presence of irrigated areas, introduction of new vector species, climate change, increasing human activity, travel with pets to/from endemic countries and the presence of these diseases in areas previously not described as endemic, are important factors to consider in the establishment of new zoonotic diseases in areas where, until then, were considered free of the disease. Approximately 60% of human diseases are zoonotic and at least 75% of the emerging pathogens of human infections are of animal origin. Currently, most of these diseases are neglected despite causing a potentially global problem.When Frontiers in Veterinary Science asked us to produce a Research Topic, we were aware of the importance and dissemination it could have, so we tried to address an interesting, attractive, and practical topic that would be of help to the scientific community and the general public. Themes dealing with the One Zoonotic Diseases: Their Host and Vectors was proposed with the aim of providing state-of-the-art research focused on preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases, both through the control of the vectors and their animal reservoirs. It contains a total of 16 contributions from parasitologists, immunologists, entomologists, veterinarians, virologists, and microbiologists from all continents, who have addressed the study of different zoonotic diseases, dealing with topics such as the relationship between the human population, domestic animals and wildlife, the role of invasive alien species, the epidemiology of zoonotic infections, different strategies in the monitoring and control, programmes for treatment and prevention, vector dynamics, vector life cycles, and immune response in their hosts.Therefore, this Research Topic entitled RM, RB-M, LR, and EC wrote the editorial. All authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.


Alzheimer's disease (AD) and all other dementia represent a global challenge, with an estimated 50 million individuals in the world living with dementia today. In low and middle income countries (LMICs), the burden of disease often is greater, and some of these countries are projected to have some of the largest increases in dementia prevalence during the next few decades. As the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to AD and all other dementia, the Alzheimer's Association is committed to its vision of a world without dementia and recognizes the needs, challenges, and opportunities for dementia research in all parts of the world, and especially in LMICs. Currently, the Association is devoting more than $215 million in funding to nearly 600 best-of-field projects in 31 countries, including a significant number of projects that advance and support LMIC-specific research. The innovative work in LMICs is focused on addressing unmet needs or challenges associated with the many unique cultural, demographic, and economic characteristics of these countries. The Association also is expanding leading global forums such as the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). In an effort to create new learning and participation opportunities, the Association also has been partnering with other international organizations and collaborating with local leadership to provide AAIC Satellite Symposia (AAIC SS) in LMIC regions around the world. In 2021 and beyond, the Association is committed to continuing these LMIC-focused initiatives, identifying gaps in LMIC research and resources, and enhancing collaboration and communication among researchers in these regions. The need for global coordinated research that will reach and benefit all communities around the world has perhaps never been greater. For several decades, in response to the global challenge of dementia, the Alzheimer's Association has recognized that all countries are critical and integral components of international research efforts in the global mission to eradicate dementia. Accordingly, the Association is dedicated to ensuring complete representation of those countries with a World Bank designation of middle or lower middle income , many ofSince its founding in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association has had an increasingly global focus. This focus has included a growing awareness of the needs of low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as the importance of their inclusion in the global research enterprise—an awareness initially informed in large part by the work of the 10/66 Dementia Research Group (DRG). This research group, established in 1998 as a part of Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), brought together researchers with a special focus on LMICs and succeeded in challenging the belief, prevalent in the 1990s, that dementia was relatively rare in these countries , 5. The In subsequent years, the Alzheimer's Association has supported and joined in efforts by other international organizations, including ADI and the World Health Organization, to significantly advance our understanding of and approach to LMICs and to help inform strategies for addressing dementia by countries around the world –9. By 20https://iadrp.nia.nih.gov/)  . ThroughThis article contains a summary of existing Alzheimer's Association initiatives that support research in LMICs, spanning funding and partnering on research studies, as well as convening researchers both globally and regionally. While it is important to note that LMICs are not homogenous, and that funding and convening activities are unique in each country, we also provide examples in each section for illustrative purposes.Since 1982, the Alzheimer's Association has supported a wide range of projects involving basic science, social and behavioral research and clinical research through numerous investigator-initiated peer-reviewed grant programs. These programs became international in 2000, at that time reaching researchers in more than 50 countries through their applications, awarded funding and review process . Today tA significant number of these projects, some of which are funded in partnership with the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and Alzheimer's Society (UK), are conducted in LMICs by researchers who reside in these regions . Though Despite the current shift toward biological definitions of AD and other dementia , for exaIn the absence of curative interventions for dementia, caregiving and the well-being of caregivers is another important focus of dementia-related care and research supported by these investigator-initiated grants. In Guadalajara, Mexico, for example, Dr. Brenda Perez Cerpa, MD, is funding the evaluation of a decision aid for families of individuals with advanced dementia . The aimThe Alzheimer's Association is devoted not only to developing but also to expanding multinational studies and projects—from international clinical trials to prevention, biomarker validation, and health care utilization studies—to ensure that they include genetically, ethnically, and culturally diverse populations. For some well-established studies already underway, the Association is committed to providing additional funding to ensure greater inclusion of LMICs. One such multinational study is the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU), based at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis . The DIAA similarly large collaboration aimed at preventing dementia is the World Wide FINGERS network , 18, whiIn January 2020, the Alzheimer's Association also joined leaders in dementia research from Latin America, the GBHI, the Tau Consortium, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in forming a new multinational consortium that likewise aims to expand dementia research in Latin America. Research Dementia, Latin America, or ReDLat, is designed to identify unique genetic, social, and economic determinants of health that contribute to the development of AD and other dementia in Latin America. By collecting and analyzing neuroimaging, genetic, and behavioral data from more than 4,000 individuals in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the US, ReDLat investigators expect to broaden our understanding of the genetic and environmental determinants of dementia, particularly in diverse and underserved populations in Latin America. This large-scale 5-year project is bringing together experts in the fields of neurology, neuropsychology, geriatrics, psychiatry, neuroscience, and genetics from across Latin America.In July 2020, the Alzheimer's Association highlighted its work with researchers from all around the world, and led by the team at University of Texas, San Antonio, to support and advance critical research in response to the current pandemic crisis, with a special focus on research examining the neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 following acute infection. Although much remains to be known about the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, several research studies suggest that COVID-19 is associated with neurological complications .The Alzheimer's Association has long been dedicated to fostering international collaboration among dementia researchers in all countries, in part by providing a range of inspiring forums and professional opportunities. The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world whose work is focused on AD and other dementia . As a paIn July 2020, in response to the global pandemic, AAIC was held virtually for the first time. This free, on-line conference attracted the meeting's largest audience to date, with more than 33,000 registered attendees and featuring more than 3,000 scientific presentations. The online accessibility of the AAIC experience further enabled dementia scientists from every corner of the world to share and discuss the latest research findings, and network to build new international collaborations, with over 7,000 registered attendees from 93 LMICs. A growing focus on LMICs was also evident in the many presentations that examined or highlighted issues faced by regions comprising these countries, including a plenary session led by Dr. Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath, a scientific leader from the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, India. Such presentations included a systematic review of culturally tailored dementia interventions for minority ethnic groups in low- and middle-income countries, a description of a cognitive assessment test adapted and validated for use by older adults in a Brazilian indigenous community, an examination of multi-morbidity as a correlate of dementia among older people in Central Africa, an overview of socioeconomic determinants of dementia among Caribbean Hispanics, and an examination of cognitive dysfunction among middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes in South Africa.In December 2015, AAIC launched a series of satellite symposia to extend the reach of AAIC across the globe and provide more learning and participation opportunities to people from all countries, including LMICs. When the first satellite research symposium was held in Mexico City, the prevalence of dementia in Mexico, Brazil, the Andean Area, and Central America was expected to increase by more than 400% between 2010 and 2050 . MoreoveThis first AAIC satellite symposium (AAIC SS) underscored the value of ensuring the incorporation of previously neglected LMIC cohorts in international studies, in part by highlighting unique characteristics of studies across Latin American populations, including those assessing prevalence and incidence of both risk factors and dementia . The resDuring the development of all AAIC SS, one aim has been to select locations that permit greater involvement of regions comprising LMICs. The second AAIC SS meeting, for example, which took place in Bulgaria, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Varna and the University of Pittsburgh, brought this conversation closer to Eastern Europe, provided a forum for showcasing dementia research in neighboring countries, and engaged the expertise of leading researchers in that region of the world. In 2018, an AAIC SS meeting held in Bengaluru, India provided a forum for exploring emerging dementia research in South Asia and similarly engaged leading dementia researchers throughout that region, including in LMICs.All meetings sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association, including AAIC and all satellite symposia, aim to encourage collaboration among professionals from all countries, including LMICs. In 2008, the Alzheimer's Association established a new means to support the dementia research community by creating the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) . This esIn line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal number three to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, the global dementia research enterprise continues to strive for effective prevention and treatment throughout the world. A critical goal will be to sustain recent efforts to ensure inclusion of LMICs—where two-thirds of people with dementia reside—in large-scale, multinational research studies. Another important goal will be to identify modifiable risk factors in LMICs and determine practical, cost-effective ways of addressing them . OpportuThe original contributions generated in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.HS, LC, and CS provided outline and specific details for sections of the manuscript. SW supported initial draft. MC oversight of the full manuscript and strategy development. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.


The variety of material classes engaged for constructions is very wide, ranging from naturally occurring substances, such as stone materials and wood, to manufactured products such as inorganic binders, ceramic bricks, adhesives, metals, composites like concrete, bituminous or fibre-reinforced materials. Often, construction materials and ceramics are considered traditional materials with well-established compositions and manufacturing processes. Supports of this belief are the use of clay minerals as main raw materials and the presence of high-temperature treatments in the industrial manufacturing processes of bricks, tiles, hydraulic binders, pipes and refractories.In the recent years, all the above types of materials have been requested for continuous enhancement of their functional properties and performances. Furthermore, the increasing environment concerns and demand for developing sustainable and circular economy have promoted significant changes in the selection of alternative raw materials and in the development of new or improved production processes. Primary goals of the innovation have been the preservation of natural resources, the reduction of pollutant emissions and, at the same time, tailoring of the products characteristics. Much has been done but the potential for much more to be studied and developed about all the above materials is still equally wide. At his launching, the aim of the Special Issue “Ceramics and Construction Materials” was to collect contributions from the research community illustrating the current direction and the recent advances of the search in the field of the above materials, with a special look to the new green and ecofriendly materials.The papers published in this Special Issue deal with different aspects of manufacturing, characterization and maintenance of ceramics and construction materials. They give a screenshot of the present status of the world research in the field. Contributions coming from several countries, like Australia, China, Czech Republic, Korea, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and UK, well illustrate how ceramics and construction materials are becoming more and more different from traditional ones and how their final properties largely depend on engineering optimization. 2O, as an alkali activator, to fly ash accelerates the formation of poorly crystallized hydrates in the hydrothermal synthesis of the cement. This, in turn, allows the formation of a good pozzolanic material even with the lower temperatures of the process. In addition, the application of a kinetic model based on the Jander’s equation reveals to be appropriate for predicting the evolution of the hydrothermal process. Very interesting results were obtained by Gonçalves et al. [Several published articles are focused on binders and concrete ,4,5,6,7,As far as the properties of cementitious mixes obtained by means of innovative technologies, in article  the effeA work related to metallic construction materials has been developed by Li et al. . In thisPapers ,10 are fIn conclusion, the published papers demonstrate the scientific and technological relevance of the topics dealt with. As evidence of the readers interest, most of them have registered at the time of this Special Issue publication more than 700 readings. Furthermore, the published articles have reached on the whole 36 literature citations.


Patient-centered care is essential in high-quality health care, as it leads to beneficial outcomes for patients. The objective of this review is to systematize indicators for the care of patients with cardiometabolic diseases based on patient-centered care, extending from the stages of diagnostic evaluation and care planning to intervention. An integrative literature review was conducted by searching seven scientific databases, and a narrative analysis was performed. A total of 15 articles were included, and indicators related to diagnosis and care planning/intervention were extracted. In the planning of care centered on the person with cardiometabolic diseases, the individuality, dynamics of the processes, flexibility and the participation of all stakeholders should be taken into account. The needs of the person must be addressed through the identification of problems; establishment of individual goals; shared decision making; information and education; systematic feedback; case management; meeting the patient’s preferences and satisfaction with care; engagement of the family; and therapeutic management. The indicators for intervention planning extracted were behavioral interventions, therapeutic management programs, lifestyle promotion, shared decision making, education patient and information, interventions with the use of technology, promotion of self-management, program using technology, therapeutic relationship, therapeutic adherence programs and specialized intervention. Patient-centered care (PCC) is defined as care that establishes a partnership among practitioners, patients, and their families to ensure that the care needs, values, and preferences of patients are satisfied . PCC is PCC is fundamental in high-quality health care and leads to beneficial outcomes for the patient, such as knowledge about their health, better skills to manage self-care behaviors, increased satisfaction, medication adherence, improved quality of life, and reduced admissions, readmissions and length of hospital stay. Regarding family members, PCC reduces the intensity of stress, anxiety, and depression, increases satisfaction, and improves relationships with health professionals. It also has beneficial effects on the health system, as services with a good cost–benefit ratio are provided ,3.For care to be centered on the patient, it is essential for decision making to be shared. In this care model, health communication is central to supporting patient engagement. Shared decision making has evolved greatly in recent years in Europe and North America. It reflects attitudes, beliefs and practices that should be explicit in PCC and that differ among different regions of the world and, on a smaller scale, among the different regions of a country .One of the greatest challenges of the century is to optimize the health and quality of life of the population. The unavoidable reality of the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the adult population and the aging of the population is a problem. Approximately 70% of elderly individuals have two or more chronic diseases, typically including a cardiovascular disease and a metabolic disease, which makes decision making difficult for health professionals and patients. A patient-centered approach and shared decision making can help ensure that the benefits of care decisions outweigh the harms of multiple comorbidities .Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are one of the main causes of comorbidities and death worldwide, both in developed countries and in emerging and underdeveloped economies. It is estimated that approximately 25% of the global adult population suffers from CMDs. Considered by the World Health Organization as the epidemic of the 21st century, CMDs encompass, among other conditions, obesity, diabetes and hypertension, which are considered risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction and stroke and peripheral arterial disease .The risk factors for the development of CMDs are diverse but interrelated, such as hypertension, elevated fasting glucose, obesity and elevated triglycerides; understanding these contributes significantly to the development of clinical and/or treatment strategies . HoweverTo reduce the chances of developing CMDs across the years, it is very important to implement lifestyle changes, such as prioritizing healthy eating and reducing the consumption of simple carbohydrates, sugars, and sodium; exercising at least 150 min per week; controlling alcohol intake; reducing or avoiding smoking; adopting measures that reduce stress ; and having nights of restful sleep .In this sense, it is essential that health professionals carry out a diagnostic assessment, develop an adequate care plan that is adapted to the lifestyle and environment in which they are inserted, and implement person-centered care. However, the scientific literature is sparse and has little consensus on diagnostic assessment strategies, care planning and interventions centered on people with patients with CMDs.This integrative literature review aims to identify and systematize indicators for the care of patients with CMDs based on PCC, extending from the stages of diagnostic evaluation and care planning to intervention.The protocol for this review was registered and published in PROSPERO (CRD42021240880), including the unique characteristics of the methodological procedures, namely, the eligibility criteria and data synthesis strategies.The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement ,9. Our mHow can the diagnostic evaluation of patients with cardiovascular and metabolic disease be performed, either through assessment instruments or other types of evaluation?What are the care planning strategies focused on patients with cardiovascular and metabolic disease developed with the objective of promoting health and preventing and/or reducing complications related to the aforementioned diagnoses?What intervention strategies aim to implement care processes focused on patients with cardiovascular and metabolic disease?The review was designed based on the following research questions:® Plus with Full Text; Nursing and Allied Health Collection; Cochrane Plus Collection, including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE); MedicLatina; MEDLINE®, including International Nursing Index; PubMed via MEDLINE; EMBASE; Scopus; CINAHL; Web of Science; The Cochrane Library ; and the Virtual Health Library (VHL).To conduct the review, a broad literature search was conducted in the following databases: EBSCOhost Research Platform; CINAHLThe search strategy was adjusted to each database and was limited to finding the most recent evidence from the last 10 years, dating from 2011 to 2021, including publications in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian.The search involved the combination of four basic concepts in line with the medical subject heading (MeSH) terms; the search phrase was as follows: ((metabolic disease) OR (cardiovascular disease)) AND ((patient-centered care) OR (patient care planning)).First, an exploratory study was conducted without limitations. However, given the large number of results, the search was limited to the title, abstract and/or keywords in the different databases.The studies were selected in different phases. Duplicates were removed from the different search engines. Two reviewers independently analyzed the eligibility of studies to reduce bias and did so by reading the title and abstract. Studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria of the review were excluded. A third reviewer was consulted when disagreements or questions emerged. Last, the full text of the articles was evaluated following the same methodology.The reviewers who selected the studies also extracted the data independently. The third reviewer helped in cases of questions or disagreements.A descriptive evaluation of each study was performed using an instrument designed for data extraction, taking into account the defined research questions.In the evaluation of quantitative, qualitative or mixed studies, it was decided to use the instruments of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), Adelaide, Australia (2020). These instruments rigorously evaluate the essential criteria of primary studies. The critical evaluation instruments were applied by two independent reviewers, with recourse to the third reviewer for consensus in case of disagreement. The result of the critical evaluation of the studies was not defined as an inclusion/exclusion criterion. All studies selected up to this stage were included.This review includes articles with different study designs. We chose to perform a structured narrative analysis of the findings to answer the research questions .The search generated 946 results accepted for reading of the title. After that, 17 were removed because they were duplicates, and 841 were removed because the title did not fit the topic. The abstracts of the 88 selected articles were read, and the full text of 25 articles was analyzed. After reading the full text and applying the inclusion criteria, 10 articles were eliminated .A content analysis was performed based on the extracted indicators and a patient-centered intervention model was built .The intervention indicators extracted from the studies were: Behavioral interventions ,21,24,25This review integrates studies that allow for performing a narrative analysis of process, outcome and improvement indicators resulting from diagnostic evaluations and care planning and/or interventions in patients with CMDs.Person-centered care models reinforce the satisfaction of the person’s needs. Regarding diagnostic evaluations, we found several instruments that are conducive to this care model. Most of the studies found based the diagnostic evaluation on person-centered data collection instruments, such as semi-structured interviews with different care stakeholders, including patients, practitioners and/or family members ,15,21. TBased on the analysis of the various studies, we highlight the importance of conducting an individualized cardiometabolic risk assessment in order to implement primary and secondary prevention strategies adapted to individual risk.The planning of care and the respective intervention found in the selected studies revealed a diversity of data that mostly converge on care centered on patients and their individual conditions. The study conducted by Iturralde et al. (2019)  designedReducing cardiovascular risk is a cross-cutting goal in Western society. Lenz and Monaghan (2011)  demonstrThe guidelines issued in 2013 by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association described in the study by Montori, Brito and Ting 2014)  showed i  showed PCC is associated with less uncertainty in illness than is usual care. Dudas et al. (2013)  report tThe interventions studied are highly heterogeneous and centered on recommendations for health promotion and prevention of cardiometabolic risk factors and using information and communication technologies .In general, the studies included in this integrative review show the following results: improvements in the care process, patient engagement , improveThe clinical results found in the studies were a decrease in cardiovascular risk factors, such as decreased blood pressure levels, decreased blood glucose levels, decreased weight ,14,20 anInterventions aimed at patients with cardiometabolic risk can be in-person or remote  and should be based on the principles of PCC to improve the safety and quality of care. In this sense, the approach to patients should be based on the therapeutic relationship, be holistic and individualized, in which there is empathy, respect, and patient involvement in decision-making, and communication should be clear and assertive. The studies found reported that PCC improved patient assessment, self-care, medication adherence, health and quality of life, and decreased cardiometabolic risk and mortality.These results are in line with the findings of studies in which educational interventions aimed at lifestyles were carried out with the objective of reducing cardiometabolic risk in a more cost-effective way ,30.The main limitation of this study was the decision to conduct the search in electronic databases and portals in Portuguese, English, Italian and Spanish, which may have led to the non-inclusion of publications on the subject in other languages. Another limitation is the heterogeneity of the studies that limits the comparison of findings. However, it allows us to verify the complexity of evaluating patients with CMDs and the variety of interventions in this context.We emphasize the importance of PCC models for patients with CMDs, highlighting the importance of performing a periodic evaluation of cardiometabolic risk with special emphasis on lifestyle assessment.In intervention models focused on patients with cardiometabolic risk, an approach that encompasses behavioral interventions, therapeutic management programs, lifestyle promotion, shared decision making, education patient and information, interventions with the use of technology, promotion of self-management, program using technology, therapeutic relationship, therapeutic adherence programs and specialized intervention.In care planning, some technological strategies can improve the care process and the outcomes, such as the use of e-health programs, telemedicine, follow-up through phone calls, the use of lifestyle diaries, and the use of information systems that support shared decision making.In addition, PCC are related to improvements in communication, patient–practitioner relationships, shared decision making, medication adherence, engagement and responsibility for health, and self-care and care continuity. With regard to clinical outcomes, the PCC approach allows for improving health and quality of life by reducing cardiometabolic risk factors, thus translating into reduced mortality and a decreased need for hospitalization, and hence the associated costs.We find that based on the extraction of results as part of the literature review process, there are different interventions/strategies focused on patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases that have a significant therapeutic impact on the quality of the care process, with reductions in health complications related to the aforementioned diagnoses and health gains, thus contributing to the effective monitoring of cardiovascular risk and positive outcomes of people-centered care through coordination, collaboration and partnership.


This is a conceptual paper proposing a new model of Strengths-Based Interprofessional Practice and Education (SB-IPE), incorporating appreciative inquiry and narrative, and its application to improve health and social care practice and policy for older adults. Within people, families, communities, and teams are people who understand their assets and culture, hold a collective wisdom derived from their individual biographies and shared history, and are deeply invested in their success. This wisdom and experience can be mined for strengths and best practices to improve health and social care for older adults and their families. The conceptual framework of the model and relationship between concepts are explained, reviewing and synthesizing relevant literature on the strengths perspective, interprofessional practice and education, evolution of the patient voice, appreciative inquiry, and narrative to leverage the voices and experiences of older adults, their families, and interprofessional teams. Providing person-, family-, and community-centered health and social care through SB-IPE involves eliciting, listening to, and processing stories and narratives, then coalescing and co-creating person/family/team narratives throughout the trajectory of care. Appreciate inquiry and narrative can be harnessed to imagine an improved experience of care for older adults and their families. Incorporating the potential disruption of the voices and perspectives of older adults and their families offers value for health and social care delivery and policy innovation. Application of the SB-IPE model holds promise for harnessing these voices and collective experiences leading from disruption to transformation of health and social care practice, health professions education, policy, and research.


In this review, recent advances in the methods of pre-treatment of plant material for the extraction of secondary metabolites with high biological activity are presented. The correct preparation of the material for extraction is as important as the selection of the extraction method. This step should prevent the degradation of bioactive compounds as well as the development of fungi and bacteria. Currently, the methods of preparation are expected to modify the particles of the plant material in such a way that will contribute to the release of bioactive compounds loosely bonded to cell wall polymers. This review presents a wide range of methods of preparing plant material, including drying, freeze-drying, convection drying, microwave vacuum drying, enzymatic processes, and fermentation. The influence of the particular methods on the structure of plant material particles, the level of preserved bioactive compounds, and the possibility of their release during the extraction were highlighted. The plant material pre-treatment techniques used were discussed with respect to the amount of compounds released during extraction as well their application in various industries interested in products with a high content of biologically active compounds, such as the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries. The step of sample preparation for extraction and chromatographic analysis has attracted the attention of researchers, analysts, and companies producing analytical equipment for almost two decades. This interest shows the awareness of the importance and impact of this stage of the analytical procedure on the quality of the results obtained. Moreover, it results from the general tendency to use faster and more effective methods which are ideally more environmentally friendly .Proper preparation of material for research and many branches of industry, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food, is fundamental in extracting and analyzing complex natural materials. Proper sample preparation can increase the extraction efficiency of biologically active compounds. These preparations include weighing, volume measurement, mixing, diluting, heating, cooling, fractionation, purification, and preservation. Weighing is the first stage responsible for the final result of the analysis. The basic task is to ensure the right number of samples are taken for analysis. The volume measurement is used for liquid and gaseous samples. Mixing is one of the steps in the initial sample preparation. It must ensure the homogeneity of the sample and is also used when diluting samples. The heating of the sample is necessary when dissolving or removing water from the material, and lowering the temperature is used for preserving the sample and, e.g., during freeze-drying. Sample purification and fractionation are based on sieving, filtration, sedimentation, centrifugation, foam flotation, membrane filtering, distillation, evaporation, and crystallization. The purification process is often connected with the extraction, i.e., the isolation of analytes from the sample. Therefore, we can also distinguish the technique of solvent extraction , solid-phase extraction, or preparative chromatography. Preservation is intended to protect the sample during processing against a change in analytes’ content as their loss during physical or chemical processing changes the nature of the matrix. All of these activities affect the final yield of extraction ,3.The distinguishing feature of plant material, apart from its variability and the characteristic structured cell architecture, is the abundance of compounds with different physicochemical properties which occur in a wide range of concentrations. Plant material is a very complex matrix composed of a wide variety of plant metabolites, substances with a wide range of polarity. These include waxes, terpenoids, lipids, phenolic compounds, low-polar alkaloids, polar glycosides, polar alkaloids, saccharides, peptides, and proteins. Bioactive compounds are primarily phenolic compounds (including flavonoids), saponins, cyclitols, etc. A good method of preparing a plant sample should be expected to, regardless of the location of a given compound in the matrix, its type, or the presence of other components , quickly and thoroughly isolate the volatile and non-volatile, the polar and non-polar compounds, and be sensitive and resistant, e.g., to high temperature. As a result of a well-chosen method of preliminary sample preparation, phytoactive ingredients become more available and, at the same time, easier to extract. Considering the area of use of raw or pre-processed plant material and the importance of the analysis being carried out, the lack of influence of the method used to change the qualitative and quantitative composition of the tested plant is a particularly desirable feature of the method of preparing a plant sample ,4,5.The preparation of a sample of plant material for analysis involves several important steps. The first step is pre-washing, drying or freeze-drying the plant material, and grinding for homogenization. The following steps are extraction and qualitative and quantitative determination ,2,6.When planning the pre-treatment processes of plant material, several aspects characteristic for a given type of raw material should be taken into account, which, depending on the needs, may be a disadvantage or advantage. In the course of raw material processing, its components usually undergo irreversible chemical changes such as oxidation, hydrolysis, or the condensation of components . Because the plant cell wall is a highly complex matrix, proper preparation is crucial for obtaining a high isolation efficiency of biologically active compounds. Additionally, regardless of whether the raw material was initially pre-treated, its quality will be influenced by many other factors including the way the plant was grown, the place where it was grown, weather conditions, the method of drying the biomass, temperature, the final water content of the raw material, and its storage temperature. All of these factors will influence the final chemical composition of the biomass ,8. ImporBioactive substances isolated from plant material can have antioxidant, antimutagenic, anticancer, antiemetic, antifungal, antibacterial, and many other properties. They are used to treat and relieve symptoms of many diseases. They can be used in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries as well as many other sectors of the economy ,10,11,12In this review, the pre-treatment techniques of plant material were described. However, method selection is very important for both analytical research at the laboratory level as well as for the industrial level where the main aim is to extract as much bioactive compounds as possible. We focused on conventional methods such as convection drying, microwave vacuum drying, and freeze-drying, as well as paying attention to the increasingly used modern methods: fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis. We also presented the influence of the discussed sample preparation methods on the content of bioactive compounds in plant material. So far, the techniques mentioned that are currently used in the extraction industry are limited to drying or convection drying. Most of the presented works refer to a laboratory scale but their effectiveness should lead to the transfer of the presented ideas to an industrial scale.Research on medicinal plants begins with pre-extraction, i.e., the initial preparation of the raw material, which is an important stage in processing plant materials. This stage should prepare samples in such a way as to limit the loss of the bioactive ingredients contained in the plants. Preliminary raw material preparation steps such as grinding and drying can also influence the phytochemical content of the final extracts. Many authors, especially those using plants used in ethnomedicine, prepare fresh tissue extracts. However, dried plants are used more often .The drying process is primarily aimed at inhibiting metabolic processes which result in stopping changes in the plant’s chemical composition. This occurs by removing water from the plant material, which is necessary for plant enzymes to function properly. The lack of water and a high drying temperature contribute to the inhibition of enzymes that can break down the active ingredients. Proper drying also reduces the number of microorganisms in the final product. It significantly reduces the weight and volume of plant material, reducing the costs of packaging, transport, and storage of plant substances ,15.The drying of the plant material may take place under natural or artificial conditions. The former includes drying in the open air or semi-open rooms, where free air circulation is used, but there is no direct sunlight. Drying carried out in natural conditions is the oldest method of preserving raw material. Nowadays, this method is abandoned because the process is long and does not allow for the adjustment of drying parameters, which means that the quality of the obtained dried material is low. Drying in artificial conditions includes ventilated rooms with various heating methods, where we can set the temperature range and air pressure ,16,17.The method of drying the plant material largely depends on the active ingredients it contains. If the plant material is a source of flavonoid compounds, drying at high temperatures can be used (even up to 100 °C and 180 °C) ,18. ApplDrying is of great importance primarily in the food industry. The quality of the products guarantees that their features will remain unchanged over a long period of time with a high level of consumer acceptance. Effective and thorough drying methods are required to guarantee the high quality of the products obtained. Drying on a laboratory scale can be carried out in laboratory dryers, and on an industrial scale in a vacuum chamber, tunnel, spray drum, tower, and shaft dryers ,17.The most common method for plant material preparation is convection drying. Convection drying is one in which a stream of drying agent  flows around the plant material bringing heat and removing moisture . The dryStevia rebaudiana) leaves decreased with increasing drying temperature, although it remained relatively high ,10095,10The mechanism that determines the efficiency of extraction is the mass transport of the extracted substance from the inside of the plant material and then from the contact surface of the phases to the solvent. The key role in the extraction process is played by the resistance to mass transfer related to the structure of the raw material and the specific location of the extracted compounds ,105. TheThe enzymatic pre-treatment techniques depend primarily on the ability of enzymes to hydrolyze components of the cell wall like cellulose, pectins, and hemicellulose. Degradation of these polymers disrupts the structural complexity of the cell wall and improves the extraction efficiency due to better mass transfer, particle size reduction, increased contact surface and enhanced solvent distribution. Moreover, enzymatic hydrolysis of the plant material results in the reduction of solvent consumption and extraction time ,108,109.Vitis labrusca L.) [The effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis depends on the type of enzymes and the selection of optimal conditions like pH, temperature, or ionic strength. For example, pre-treatment with cellulase was very effective in the extraction of phenolic compounds from grape marc. Cellulase and beta-glucosidase, used separately, significantly increase the efficiency of the isolation of polyphenolics from guava leaves. Enzymes can have a synergistic effect; combined pectinase and cellulase activity were very effective in extracting grape juice with high content of polyphenolic compounds from fox vine (usca L.) ,111,112.Angelica sinensis, factors influencing cellulase activity were investigated. It turned out that a pH below 5 and above 9 inhibited the enzymatic activity. The optimum pH was in the range of 7–8. The optimal temperature was 40 °C. The lower and higher temperatures were not appropriate for the enzyme activity [The factors that influence the reaction rate are temperature, substrate and enzyme concentration, inhibitors, and pH. As the temperature rises, the activity of enzymes increases, to a certain point, after which it decreases . As an eactivity . ExperimAn interesting example for the pre-treatment of plant material is the optimization of conditions of hydrolysis with the Box-Behnken design. In order to find the optimal conditions for hydrolysis, 27 experiments have been conducted with the use of four independent variables, i.e., pH, enzyme concentration, time, and temperature of the reaction. HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that in the extracts obtained from the material previously subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis under optimal conditions, the total content of phenolic compounds obtained was about 2-fold higher compared to the control and 3.4-fold higher compared to the maceration extracts. It has also been shown that the initial treatment of plant material with an enzyme preparation commonly used in the agricultural industry significantly increased the efficiency of the extraction of bioactive substances. The use of enzyme-assisted supercritical fluid extraction in various industries to isolate bioactive compounds from plant material is economically effective and represents an advance in modern technological processes ,114.The pre-treatment of plant material is crucial for the extraction of bioactive compounds. On the laboratory scale, a wide range of methods and protocols are described in the literature. They involve drying, freeze-drying, convection drying, microwave vacuum drying, enzymatic processes, and fermentation. The selection of an extraction method should be based on the type of plant material and isolated compounds as well as prevent their degradation and the development of unfavorable microorganisms. Each selected method will affect the structure of plant material particles differently and subsequently alter the level of released bioactive compounds. However, an important challenge is the introduction of the described new, non-conventional methods of pre-treatment of plant material, such as freeze-drying, microwave vacuum drying, enzymatic processes, and fermentation, into the extraction processes on an industrial scale, which can significantly improve the efficiency of extraction of biologically active compounds. Therefore, further studies on the transfer of the mentioned methods into the industry, taking into account economical aspects, are still required.


In recent decades, high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) has revolutionized themorphological and structural evaluation of peripheral nerves and muscles,revealing details of the internal structure of the neural fascicles and musclearchitecture. Applications range from diagnostics to interventional procedures.The anatomy of the forearm region is complex, with several muscles and anextensive network of vessels and nerves. To guarantee the success of theevaluation by HRUS, knowledge of the normal anatomy of the region is essential.The aim of these two companion articles is to present the normal anatomy of thenerves and compartments of the forearm, as revealed by HRUS, as well as therelationships between the main vessels and nerves of the region. Part 1 aims toreview the overall structure of nerves, muscles and tendons, as seen on HRUS,and that of the forearm compartments. We present a practical approach, withgeneral guidelines and tips on how best to perform the study. Part 2 is apictorial essay about compartment vascularization and cutaneous innervation. Therelationships between arteries, satellite veins and nerves, as well as therelationship between cutaneous nerves and superficial veins, are demonstrated.Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the forearm improves the technical quality ofthe examinations, contributing to better diagnoses, as well as improving theperformance and safety of interventional procedures. To guarantee the success of the HRUS evaluation, knowledgeof the normal anatomy of the region under study is essential. Familiarity with therelationships between the vessels and nerves in the forearm is important to ensuresafety in interventional procedures.In recent decades, high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) has revolutionized themorphological and structural evaluation of peripheral nerves andmusclesThe aim of these two companion articles is to present the normal anatomy of thenerves and compartments of the forearm, as revealed by HRUS, as well as therelationships between the main vessels and nerves of the region. Part 1 aims toreview the overall structure of nerves, muscles and tendons, as seen on HRUS, andthat of the forearm compartments. We present a practical approach, with generalguidelines and tips on how best to perform the study. Part 2 is a pictorial essayabout compartment vascularization and cutaneous innervation. In this second part, wefocus on the relationships among arteries, satellite veins, and nerves, as well ason those among cutaneous nerves and superficial veins. The article is illustratedwith images obtained with a high-resolution broadband 18-5 MHz linear transducer.All individuals depicted in the images were volunteers and gave written informedconsent.There are several neurovascular bundles in the forearm region, the vessels andnerves showing greater or lesser relative proximity along their course. Thearterial blood supply is provided by the ulnar and radial arteries and theirrespective branches . Whenpr. In its initial course, the ulnar arterypasses below the ulnar head of the pronator teres muscle, which separates itfrom the median nerve , as well as the supinator muscle,and, together with the venae comitantes, form the so-called leash ofHenry, which is in close proximity with the deep andsuperficial branches of the radial nerve and can compress those structures vein, the basilic vein, and the median vein. The superficial veins do not follow thecourse of the large arteries, presenting great interindividual variability intheir course, confluence, and number. The deep veins (venae comitantes)accompany the radial and ulnar arteries  and 4. TFor evaluating the peripheral nerves and muscles of the forearm, HRUS is an excellentmethod. The analysis of the relationships between vessels and nerves, which isrelevant in intervention procedures, can be facilitated by the ancillary use ofDoppler. Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the forearm improves the technicalquality of the examinations, contributing to better diagnoses, as well as improvingthe safety and performance of interventional procedures.


With the growing problem of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the search for alternative ways to combat bacterial infections is extremely urgent. While analyzing the effect of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on immunocompetent cells, their effect on all parts of the immune system, and on humoral and cellular immunity, is revealed. AMPs have direct effects on neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, T-lymphocytes, and mast cells, participating in innate immunity. They act on B-lymphocytes indirectly, enhancing the induction of antigen-specific immunity, which ultimately leads to the activation of adaptive immunity. The adjuvant activity of AMPs in relation to bacterial and viral antigens was the reason for their inclusion in vaccines and made it possible to formulate the concept of a “defensin vaccine” as an innovative basis for constructing vaccines. The immunomodulatory function of AMPs involves their influence on cells in the nearest microenvironment, recruitment and activation of other cells, supporting the response to pathogenic microorganisms and completing the inflammatory process, thus exhibiting a systemic effect. For the successful use of AMPs in medical practice, it is necessary to study their immunomodulatory activity in detail, taking into account their pleiotropy. The degree of maturity of the immune system and microenvironment can contribute to the prevention of complications and increase the effectiveness of therapy, since AMPs can suppress inflammation in some circumstances, but aggravate the response and damage of organism in others. It should also be taken into account that the real functions of one or another AMP depend on the types of total regulatory effects on the target cell, and not only on properties of an individual peptide. A wide spectrum of biological activity, including direct effects on pathogens, inactivation of bacterial toxins and influence on immunocompetent cells, has attracted the attention of researchers, however, the cytostatic activity of AMPs against normal cells, as well as their allergenic properties and low stability to host proteases, are serious limitations for the medical use of AMPs. In this connection, the tasks of searching for compounds that selectively affect the target and development of an appropriate method of application become critically important. The scope of this review is to summarize the current concepts and newest advances in research of the immunomodulatory activity of natural and synthetic AMPs, and to examine the prospects and limitations of their medical use. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an ancient and widespread class of compounds widely-spread from prokaryotes to eukaryotes and aimed at host defense from pathogen penetration ,2,3.AMPs contain from 5 to 100 amino acid residues, including basic  and hydrophobic (often more than 50%) residues. The classic cationic antimicrobial peptides are defensins and cathelicidins.The history of AMPs began in 1939 when a peptide in soil from Bacillus bacteria showing a protective effect against pneumococcal infection in mice was discovered and called gramicidin ,5. AMPs Hyalophora cecropia and named them cecropins A and B ..27].Systematization of AMPs can be based on sources and methods of production of amino acid sequences and secondary structures  . Most AMThe main function of AMPs is bactericidal or bacteriostatic action. Antimicrobial activity of AMPs is realized via direct interaction with bacterial cell walls based on electrostatic forces. Cationic AMPs interact with the negatively charged surface of the outer membrane of the bacterium and either neutralize its charge, create pores and penetrate the outer membrane, or bind to LPS and destroy the membrane. As soon as the peptides pass through the outer bacterial membrane, they bind to phospholipids of the negatively charged surface of the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterium and cause fatal changes in the membrane structure or create transmembrane channels. As the result, the integrity of the bacterial cell is disturbed and its death occurs .In most cases, the lytic activity of AMPs manifests itself in a destructive effect on bacterial membranes, but, in addition, a number of AMPs have the ability to affect the cytoplasmic targets of bacteria , inhibitEnterobacterales reduce the number of E. coli cells and increase the population of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the cecum .,85.MacacThe discovered ability of AMPs to prevent the appearance of biofilms ,80,86, aAMPs in humans are represented by three main families: defensins, cathelicidins, histatins. Defensins, depending on the type of disulfide bond arrangement, are divided into alpha- and beta-defensins. Alpha- and beta-defensins are constitutively produced by neutrophils, lymphocytes, and epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes .Human alpha defensins 1–4 are also called human neutrophil peptides 1–4 (HNPs), since they are most often expressed by neutrophils and account for up to 50% of the total protein content in these cells ,99. ThesBeta-defensins are expressed by epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes ,107,108.Defensin secretion is induced both by whole bacteria and by their components, for example, by LPS, lipoteichoic acid, lipid A, and muramyl peptides ,116,117.AvBD2, AvBD6, and AvBD7 related to beta-defensins and cathelicidin CATH2 both in vitro and in vivo ..265].Thus, the initially detected antimicrobial activity of AMPs in humans is not the only one, and, possibly, their immunomodulatory activity makes an equal contribution to the manifestation of effector functions. For the successful use of AMPs in medical practice, it is necessary to study in detail their immunomodulatory activity, taking into account their pleiotropy, the degree of maturity of the immune system and the microenvironment in order to prevent complications and increase the effectiveness of therapy. It should also be taken into account that the real functions of one or another AMP depend on the type of total regulatory effect on the target cell, and not only on the individual properties of the given peptide.


Blindness (Ensaio sobre a cegueira in Portuguese), a novel that describes the effects of a mass epidemic of blindness. Unlike Saramago's book, in which the cause of such sudden condition remained unexplained, the agent causing the most devastating human pandemic in recent history, referred to as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been fully characterized shortly after its first identification in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are relatively novel threats to public health. However, veterinarians have a long-standing experience in fighting diseases caused by this family of RNA viruses. Furthermore, mass epidemics have recently affected animals more frequently than humans and for that reason, many veterinarians have had the chance to experience the complexities associated with dealing with emergencies that resemble the challenges associated with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.In 1995, Nobel Laureate Jose Saramago published https://www.worldvet.org/news.php?item=465). This Research Topic by Frontiers in Veterinary Science joins that celebration, bringing together a collection of 12 scientific papers representing stories, opinions, perspectives, and research results that illustrate the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused on veterinary sciences and veterinarians. Papers have been grouped into three major areas, illustrating how the pandemic has (a) impacted our perspectives for veterinary public health and one health, (b) affected animal welfare and the operation of veterinary services, and (c) promoted novel research initiatives and opportunities, respectively.In response to this health crisis, probably for the first time in history, the scientific community was in the spotlight. However, public attitudes and opinions toward science were heavily polarized and influenced by political, social, and philosophical views. While many looked at science as a source of answers and a resource for data and information that enable better understanding, and ultimately control and prevention of the disease, there was also miscommunication, skepticism, and even social revelry. In the middle of such complex social, economical, and political scenarios, and while the scientific community engaged in an unprecedented race for discovery, from the onset of the pandemic, veterinarians placed themselves at the forefront of that fight. Veterinary Clinics and hospitals were adapted to fulfill protocols and mitigate risks while still taking care of their mission, veterinary laboratories were adapted to aid with the diagnosis and molecular characterization of the SARS-CoV-2, human and financial resources were shifted to support research aimed at helping with the control and prevention of the disease. To honor the efforts of veterinarians around the globe, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) dedicated the 2021 World Veterinary Day (April 24) to celebrate the work of veterinarians to protect animal and human health during the COVID-19 pandemic . The extent and complexity of the human-animal interaction have also been affected, in some places, by an increase in the legal and illegal trade of wildlife for consumption, which, in addition to increasing the risk for disease transmission, has impaired access to resources for native communities around the world, which typically rely on wild meat to meet their nutritional requirements . However, silver bullets do not exist and solutions are difficult to design and implement; indeed, there is a risk that restrictive measures to trade, imposed in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of diseases spreading, would affect food security further, adding to the damage that the pandemic has caused to global food access .Although the benefits of the coexistence of animals and humans have traditionally exceeded the negative consequences of such interaction, in recent decades, human population growth and efforts to alleviate poverty and hunger have led to an increase in the magnitude and complexity of such interactions, affecting widespread and disparate geographies and a variety of animal species. Consequently, there was a dramatic increase in the risk for the emergence and transmission of diseases in the human-animal interface. There is an urgent need to search for, identify, and characterize potential sources of emerging pathogens at the animal-human interface and to develop strategies to prevent or mitigate the risk for future pandemics (Marchant-Forde and Boyle). In response to the crisis, in many countries, multisectoral groups were established in an attempt to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on animal welfare. For example, a group of organizations in Australia outlined recommendations aimed at protecting animal welfare in the country and promoting similar actions in other regions .COVID-19 outbreaks have had devastating consequences for some activities, particularly those conducted in confined spaces in which workers are located close to each other, such as meat processing plants. The capacity of pig processing plants in the U.S. was reported to have decreased by 45% at a given time during the epidemic, representing a daily reduction of ~250,000 animals in the country's capacity to slaughter pigs. The situation severely affected animal welfare, in the form of longer transportation times to process pigs in plants that were still active, culling of animals in farms, and the potential environmental impact associated with the disposal of those carcasses .Veterinary clinics, hospitals, and laboratories have also been affected by the pandemic, with regular function and activity disrupted in many complex ways. Challenges included, for example, partial or complete shutdowns, interrupted courier services, disruptions in workflow and diagnostic testing, and the need to adapt laboratories to new physical distancing practices, protocol development or enhancement for handling samples from high risk or susceptible species, and fulfilling requirements for pre-test permission approval from state and federal veterinary agencies (Mobasheri).On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic also inspired and promoted research initiatives emerging from veterinary sciences throughout the world, with the objective of aiding control of the emergency under a One Health umbrella. In the interface of animal and public health, there is an opportunity for the knowledge and experiences emerging from veterinary sciences to accelerate response and preparedness against COVID-19 and other potential emerging threats . Similarly, animal models of coronavirus infections can help understand the pathogenesis and implications of the disease in humans. For example, neurological signs have been reported in human cases of COVID-19, while, recently, there have been promising results in the use of antiviral drugs for the treatment of the neurological form of coronavirus infection in cats (Dickinson). In addition to animal models, epidemiological models originally developed for animal diseases were adapted to help explain and predict the spread of COVID-19 in human populations .One potential area of collaboration is rooted in the basic and applied research conducted for decades in the veterinary field to develop antivirals and immune modulators to help control the diseases caused by coronaviruses in animals. For example, recombinant bovine gamma interferon (rbIFN-λ) was found to be effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in VERO cells . In a broad context, many lessons learned from the management of animal health emergencies could have helped and should be adopted in the future, anticipating further global failure, which has already been experienced in addressing the COVID emergency, stressing an urgent to revisit a global strategy for implementation of the One Health agenda (Enticott and Maye).Successful initiatives to support this response through a collaborative One Health approach were launched, including, for example, the parameterization of mathematical models of COVID-19 spread in Ireland, leverage of public and veterinary epidemiology resources to support the response to the pandemic in Australia, and multinational collaboration to create a platform for knowledge exchange in sub-Saharan Africa (In conclusion, similar to the character that escaped blindness, who was able to see during the epidemic described in Saramago's fictional novel, we expect that the collection here illustrates the light that veterinary sciences may bring in the form of reflection, and the generation of the foundational knowledge required to develop tools and strategies for fighting one of the most impactful health challenges experienced in our recent history, while increasing preparedness and mitigating the risk for, and impact of, future global emergencies.AP was the sole author of this manuscript.The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.


In the Abstract, there are errors in the second and fifth sentences of the paragraph. The correct sentences are:The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) are preparing for the Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot, the largest Field Operational Test (FOT) in Australia to evaluate C-ITS safety benefits. As part of supporting TMR deliver this Pilot,In the planned FOT, the participating vehicles are only equipped with the vehicle C-ITS. However, we are investigating the usage of the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) as a second source of measurement (supporting device) based on the UAH-DriveSet dataset [26].The following information is missing from the Acknowledgements: The Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot is an initiative of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, and is supported by the iMOVE CRC, the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, the Queensland University of Technology, Ipswich City Council, Telstra and the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development.