A non-randomized comparative study using different doses of acyclovir to prevent herpes simplex reactivation in patients submitted to autologous stem cell transplantation

The reactivation of Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) occurs in 70% to 80% of patients submitted to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT); it increases the severity of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Therefore, the use of acyclovir in ASCT patients is considered standard practice. However, the minimum dose needed to prevent reactivation is a matter of debate. We compared two doses of acyclovir in a non-randomized fashion in 59 patients submitted to ASCT: 32 patients received a dose of 125 mg/m2 IV every six hours and the subsequent 27 patients received a dose of 60 mg/m2 IV every six hours. Viral excretion was evaluated through weekly viral culture of oral swabs. Grade 4 mucositis was more frequent in Group 1 (p= 0.03). The reactivation rates in Groups 1 and 2 were 9% and 4%, respectively (p= 0.62, 95% confidence interval -7 - 18). Prophylaxis with reduced doses of intravenous acyclovir seems to be as effective as a higher dose in inhibiting HSV reactivation, with a significant reduction in cost. Prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm our conclusions.

Communication in health: a new time

The interface between the fields of health and communication brings together a wide diversity of topics, perspectives and articulations between academic production (scientific content) and its dissemination to the public (health journalism). The development and convergence of communication technologies, the progressive mediatization of society and institutions, the new generation of readers and their ways of consuming health content are some of the examples of the various issues addressed in health communication. The aim of this article is to reflect on the relationship between media and health and its current importance in the production and dissemination of contents, in light of the new information and communication technologies, producing efficient and credible information, directed to different audiences.Fiocruz MS, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Inst Comunicacao Informacao Cient & Tecnol Saude, ICICT, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilESPM, CIC, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Estacio Sa, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilGNT, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilEuvejo Com Br, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Setor Med Adolescente, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Guarulhos, UNG, Guarulhos, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Molestias Infecciosas & Parasitarias, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilCRN3, Conselho Reg Nutr Regiao 3a, Comissao Et, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Psicol, Programa Posgrad Psicol Clin, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUNIFEB, Fundacao Educ Barretos, Barretos, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilCEPPAN, Clin Estudos & Pesquisas Psicanalise Anorexia & B, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Inst Coracao InCor, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilESPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilPUC, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Metodista Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, ECA, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilEPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Pantheon Sorbonne, Paris, FranceGen Assembly NYC, New York, NY USAUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Setor Med Adolescente, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Impact of a real-world lifestyle intervention in an entire Latin American city with more than 50,000 people

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a real-world, citywide intervention on physical activity and eating habits in a Latin American city with more than 50,000 inhabitants. Methods: This was a plausibility assessment of a real-life intervention. A probabilistic sample (n = 1,424) from Jaguariuna (Sao Paulo, Brazil) was assessed before and after a 7-month intervention aimed at increasing physical activity levels and improving eating habits at a city level. Primary outcomes were physical activity, sedentary behavior, and eating habits assessed by a valid telephone inquiry. The secondary outcome was body weight. Results: The proportion of individuals achieving the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables increased (18%; 95% CI: 2% to 36%; P = 0.031), whereas the number of individuals consuming soft drinks and exchanging main meals for snacks or junk food decreased (-35%; 95% CI: -45% to -22%; P < 0.001 and -16%; 95% CI: -29% to -1%; P = 0.037). The number of active individuals increased during leisure time (37%; 95% CI: 19% to 58%; P < 0.001), at work (17%; 95% CI: 4% to 32%; P = 0.009), and in the household (14%; 95% CI: 0% to 31%; P = 0.047). Body weight decreased among individuals with overweight or obesity. Conclusions: This intervention promoted pronounced lifestyle changes (i.e., increased physical activity and healthier food choices) in the entire city, providing scientific-based evidence on which to build effective public health policies in Latin America

Leveraging macro-social marketing to achieve sustainable development goals: a city-wide intervention addressing obesity in Brazil

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how macro-social marketing can contribute to the United Nations 2030 sustainable development’s goal of reducing non-communicable diseases and promoting and well-being by addressing the wicked problem of obesity. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive, population-based intervention developed as a call-to-action movement to address obesity city-wide in Brazil was conducted and analyzed according to a macro-social marketing perspective, combined with the total process planning model (TPP). Findings The intervention was successful in effecting systemic change by targeting multi-level audiences to trigger active participation and interaction of multiple sectors at the macro, meso and micro levels; fostering the related positive behaviors of physical activity and healthful eating; and using a complementary range of intervening tools including events, mass media and social digital media. Originality/value Using a holistic view that combines macro-social marketing with the TPP, this paper offers factual evidence on how to connect research and action meaningfully to address obesity by engaging, connecting and/or partnering with multiple stakeholders in an effort to promote a healthful lifestyle and well-being

Tackling youth inactivity and sedentary behavior in an entire Latin America city

Real-world interventions are fundamental to bridge the research-practice gap in healthy lifestyle promotion. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 7-month, intensive, city-wide intervention ("Life of Health") on tackling youth inactivity and sedentary behavior in an entire Latin-American city (Jaguariuna, Brazil). For youth, a program focused on tackling inactivity/sedentary behavior was delivered at every school ( = 18). Plausibility assessments (pre-to-post design) were performed with 3,592 youth (out of 8,300 individuals at school age in the city) to test the effectiveness of the intervention. Primary outcomes were physical activity and sedentary behavior. Secondary outcome was BMI -score. Physical activity did not change (0; 95%CI:-2.7-2.8 min/day; = 0.976), although physically inactive sub-group increased physical activity levels (11.2; 95%CI:8.8-13.6 min/day; < 0.001). Weekday television and videogame time decreased, whereas computer time increased. Participants with overweight and obesity decreased BMI -score (-0.08; 95%CI:-0.11-0.05; < 0.001; -0.15; 95%CI:-0.19-0.11; < 0.001). This intervention was not able to change the proportion of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior in youth at a city level. Nonetheless, physically inactive individuals increased PA levels and participants with overweight and obesity experienced a reduction in BMI -score, evidencing the relevance of the intervention. Education-based lifestyle programs should be supplemented with environmental changes to better tackle inactivity/sedentary behavior in the real-world