Bioactive bioflavonoids from Platonia insignis (bacuri) residues as added value compounds

Platonia insignis fruit, popularly known as bacuri, is traditionally used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study determined the chemical composition and biological activities of the bacuri’s shell and seeds extracts, considered residues from its consumption and industrial uses. Four biflavonoids (GB-2a, GB-1a, morelloflavone, and volkensiflavone) were identified in the extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and liquid chromatography-solid phase extraction-nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-SPE-NMR) techniques. Morelloflavone was identified as the main compound in the shell ethyl acetate extract, being responsible for the high in vitro antioxidant (50% effective concentration (EC50) ranging from 8.0-10.5 µg mL−1 in different protocols), anti-glycant (80%), and moderate inhibition of nitric oxide (1.56 µg mL−1 for > 90% cell viability) activities. This extract showed promising in vivo anti-inflammatory activity evaluated through the paw edema protocol after its incorporation into a liquid-crystalline drug carrier system, reducing the edema by up to 31%. The results demonstrated the potential of the fruit for the development of drugs of natural origin and corroborated to add economic value to these discarded residues

Síndrome de Burnout em Agentes comunitários de saúde e estratégias de enfrentamento Burnout Syndrome in community health agents and coping strategiesstela

Esta investigação propõe-se a verificar a ocorrência da Síndrome de Burnout em Agentes Comunitários de Saúde, visto que esses profissionais trabalham diretamente no cuidado a outras pessoas - característica prevalente em tal Síndrome -, bem como as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas. Optou-se pelo método descritivo, transversal e quantitativo. Foram aplicados o questionário Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) e a Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas (EMEP). A amostra constituiu-se por 80 ACS, escolhidos aleatoriamente entre aqueles admitidos há pelo menos dois anos no serviço público municipal. Verificou-se que se trata de uma amostra predominantemente do sexo feminino (93,75%), com filhos (68,75%), na faixa etária de 20 a 30 anos (35%) e com companheiro fixo (60%). A renda per capita de 38,75% é de menos de um salário mínimo; 53,04% estão nesse trabalho há mais de seis anos e relatam ter vida sedentária. O MBI revela um sentimento de deterioração da percepção da própria competência dos profissionais e, também, falta de satisfação com o próprio trabalho. Eles demonstram estar emocionalmente esgotados e verifica-se o desenvolvimento incipiente de sentimentos e atitudes negativas, além de cinismo para com as pessoas por eles atendidas. O Modo de Enfrentamento mais utilizado são as estratégias focalizadas no problema, seguidas pela busca de práticas religiosas/pensamento fantasioso. Verificam-se indícios de sofrimento característicos da Síndrome de Burnout, com o esforço de buscar mecanismos que auxiliem no enfrentamento de problemas relacionados ao trabalho. Sugerem-se estratégias de acolhimento a esses profissionais, de forma a auxiliá-los a lidar com o sofrimento no trabalho.<br>This research aims to verify the occurrence of the Burnout Syndrome in Community Health Agents (CHA). These professionals work directly in care delivery to other people, and this is a prevalent characteristic in this Syndrome. Another aim is to verify the coping strategies such professionals use. A descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study was carried out. A questionnaire - the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) - and the Ways of Coping Scale (WOCS) were administered. The sample consisted of 80 CHA, randomly chosen among professionals who had been working for at least two years in the municipal public service. The results show that the sample was predominantly female (93.75%), with children (68.75%), belonging to the age group 20-30 years old (35%) and with a steady partner (60%). The per capita income of 38.75% is less than one minimum salary, 53.04% have been working in this job for more than six years and lead a sedentary life. The MBI reveals a feeling of deterioration in the perception of these professionals' own competence and lack of satisfaction with their own work. They present emotional exhaustion, and the incipient development of negative attitudes and cynicism towards the people they deliver care to were noticed. The most used coping strategies are problem-focused ones, followed by the search for religious practices/fantastic thinking. Symptoms of suffering which are typical of the Burnout Syndrome, as well as the effort to seek for mechanisms that help to cope with work-related problems, were observed. Strategies to welcome these professionals are suggested so as to help them deal with suffering at work

O trabalho e seus sentidos Work and it's meanings

Desde meados dos anos 1950, pesquisadores têm buscado, por diferentes metodologias, compreender o significado atribuído ao trabalho pelas pessoas em diferentes países. Os resultados obtidos por pesquisadores do grupo Meaning of Work International Research Team ([MOW], 1987) mostraram que o trabalho pode assumir desde uma condição de neutralidade até de centralidade na identidade pessoal e social. O objetivo desta pesquisa é apresentar dados qualitativos sobre os sentidos do trabalho para jovens executivos brasileiros, a partir da abordagem desenvolvida por Morin (2002). Os resultados preliminares desta pesquisa indicam, para a amostra pesquisada, que o trabalho é essencial na vida das pessoas. O principal sentido apontado por este grupo é que o trabalho permite a sobrevivência. Além disso, os dados desta pesquisa indicam que valores como variedade na natureza das tarefas, aprendizagem, autonomia, reconhecimento e segurança também são fundamentais para que o trabalho tenha sentido.<br>Many researches, since the 1950's, seek to comprehend the meaning of work using different methodological approaches. Results obtained by the Meaning of Work group International Research Team ([MOW]) in 1987, in different countries, showed that work could assume different conditions from neutrality to centrality in relation to the subject's personal and social identity. The objective of this research is to present some qualitative data on the meanings of work for young Brazilian managers, using the approach developed by Morin (2002). Preliminary results of this research show that work is essential at the lives of this group, because work is related to survival. Results also indicate that values such as variations on the nature of the tasks, autonomy, recognition and security are also fundamental for a meaningful work