Food and Nutrition Surveillance System markers predict diet quality

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the performance of food consumption markers of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (Sisvan) in assessing the overall dietary quality. METHODS: The study was carried out based on the reproduction of responses to markers in 24-hour recall data from 46,164 individuals aged ≥ 10 years, from the 2017–2018 Household Budget Survey (POF). Seven Sisvan markers were evaluated, and two scores were calculated for each participant, based on the sum of the number of healthy food markers (beans, fruits, and vegetables, ranging from 0 to 3) and unhealthy (hamburgers/sausages, sweetened beverages, instant noodles/salt snacks/crackers, stuffed cookies/sweets/candies, ranging from 0 to 4) consumed. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between scores and diet quality indicators (ultra-processed foods, dietary diversity, and levels of saturated and trans fat, added sugar, sodium, potassium, and fiber in the diet). RESULTS: The score of healthy eating markers increased significantly with increasing dietary diversity and potassium and fiber contents in the diet, while the opposite trend was observed for the densities of added sugar, sodium, saturated and trans fat (p < 0.001). The score of unhealthy eating markers increased significantly with the increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods and densities of added sugar, saturated and trans fat levels in the diet, while an inverse trend was observed for potassium and fiber (p < 0.001). The joint analysis of the combination of the two marker scores showed that individuals with better performance (3 in the healthy food score, and 0 in the unhealthy food score) have a lower number of inadequacies in nutrient consumption. CONCLUSION: Sisvan food consumption markers, quickly and easily applied and already incorporated into the Brazilian public health system, have good potential to reflect the overall dietary quality.OBJETIVO: Investigar o desempenho dos marcadores do consumo alimentar do Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (Sisvan) na avaliação da qualidade global da alimentação. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado a partir da reprodução de respostas aos marcadores em dados de recordatórios de 24 horas, de 46.164 indivíduos com idade menor ou igual a 10 anos, da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares 2017–2018. Foram avaliados sete marcadores do Sisvan e calculados dois escores para cada participante, a partir do somatório do número de marcadores de alimentação saudável (feijão, frutas, verduras/legumes, variando de 0 a 3) e não saudável (hambúrguer/embutidos, bebidas adoçadas, macarrão instantâneo/salgadinhos/biscoitos salgados, biscoito recheado/doces/guloseimas, variando de 0 a 4) consumidos. Análises de regressão linear foram usadas para avaliar a associação entre os escores e indicadores de qualidade da alimentação (participação de alimentos ultraprocessados, diversidade e teores de gordura saturada, trans, açúcar de adição, sódio, potássio e fibra da dieta). RESULTADOS: o escore de marcadores de alimentação saudável aumentou de forma significativa com o aumento da diversidade e dos teores de potássio e fibra da dieta, enquanto tendência oposta foi observada para as densidades de açúcar de adição, sódio, gordura saturada e trans (p < 0,001). Observou-se que o escore de marcadores de alimentação não saudável aumentou de forma significativa com o aumento da participação de alimentos ultraprocessados e dos teores de açúcar de adição, gordura saturada e trans da dieta, enquanto tendência inversa é observada para potássio e fibra (p < 0,001). A análise conjunta da combinação dos dois escores de marcadores mostrou que indivíduos com melhor desempenho (3 no escore de alimentos saudáveis, e 0 no de alimentos não saudáveis) possuem menor número de inadequações no consumo de nutrientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os marcadores do consumo alimentar do Sisvan, aplicados de forma rápida e prática e já incorporados no sistema público de saúde brasileiro, possuem bom potencial para refletir a qualidade global da alimentação

Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ∼ 1.7 {{s}} with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of {40}-8+8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 {M}ȯ . An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ∼ 40 {{Mpc}}) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ∼10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ∼ 9 and ∼ 16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC 4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta.</p

Food and Nutrition Surveillance System markers predict diet quality

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate the performance of food consumption markers of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (Sisvan) in assessing the overall dietary quality. METHODS The study was carried out based on the reproduction of responses to markers in 24-hour recall data from 46,164 individuals aged ≥ 10 years, from the 2017–2018 Household Budget Survey (POF). Seven Sisvan markers were evaluated, and two scores were calculated for each participant, based on the sum of the number of healthy food markers (beans, fruits, and vegetables, ranging from 0 to 3) and unhealthy (hamburgers/sausages, sweetened beverages, instant noodles/salt snacks/crackers, stuffed cookies/sweets/candies, ranging from 0 to 4) consumed. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between scores and diet quality indicators (ultra-processed foods, dietary diversity, and levels of saturated and trans fat, added sugar, sodium, potassium, and fiber in the diet). RESULTS The score of healthy eating markers increased significantly with increasing dietary diversity and potassium and fiber contents in the diet, while the opposite trend was observed for the densities of added sugar, sodium, saturated and trans fat (p < 0.001). The score of unhealthy eating markers increased significantly with the increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods and densities of added sugar, saturated and trans fat levels in the diet, while an inverse trend was observed for potassium and fiber (p < 0.001). The joint analysis of the combination of the two marker scores showed that individuals with better performance (3 in the healthy food score, and 0 in the unhealthy food score) have a lower number of inadequacies in nutrient consumption. CONCLUSION Sisvan food consumption markers, quickly and easily applied and already incorporated into the Brazilian public health system, have good potential to reflect the overall dietary quality

Plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos no cuidado da saúde mental em tempos de pandemia: uma revisão da literatura

Apesar do uso de plantas medicinais para tratamento de problemas de saúde ser tradicionalmente aceito, esta prática da medicina popular ainda encontra resistência por profissionais da saúde, sobretudo sob a alegação da falta de comprovação de seus efeitos. Durante o surto de Covid-19, houve aumento significativo do estresse, sintomas ansiosos e insônia e o uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos surge como uma alternativa terapêutica. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre a eficácia de plantas medicinais como terapia alternativa e/ou complementar para transtornos de ansiedade e insônia. As plantas investigadas foram selecionadas a partir do Formulário de Fitoterápicos e Memento Fitoterápico da Farmacopeia Brasileira, sendo utilizados como descritores o nome científico da planta e os termos “anxiety” e “insomnia” com recorte temporal de 2015 a 2020. 230 resultados foram encontrados, 42 selecionados (27 em humanos e 15 em animais). Foi possível demonstrar efeitos ansiolíticos para as plantas capim santo (Cymbopogon citratus), lavanda (Lavandula officinalis), melissa (Melissa officinalis), maracujá (Passiflora incarnata) e valeriana (Valeriana officinalis) e sedativos para melissa, maracujá e valeriana. A kava-kava (Piper methysticum) demonstrou apenas efeito sedativo e a camomila (Matricaria chamomilla) apresentou eficácia clínica ansiolítica. Portanto, a potencial aplicação clínica dessas plantas é indicada para tratamento dos sintomas de ansiedade e insônia, ajudando a reduzir os sintomas psicológicos decorrentes da pandemia de Covid-19. Contudo, vale ressaltar a necessidade da padronização dos procedimentos metodológicos e avanço da fitoterapia na prática médica.Although the use of medicinal plants to treat health problems is traditionally accepted, this practice of popular medicine still finds resistance from health professionals, especially under the allegation of lack of scientific proof of its effects. During the outbreak of COVID-19, there was a significant increase in stress, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms, and the use of plants and herbal medicines emerged as a possible therapeutic alternative. The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review about the effectiveness of medicinal plants as an alternative and/or complementary therapy for anxiety and insomnia disorders. The main medicinal plants were selected from the Phytotherapeutic Formulary and Phytotherapeutic Memento of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, using the ‘scientific name’ and terms ‘anxiety’ and ‘insomnia’ as descriptors between 2015-2020. 230 results were found and 42 studies were selected (27 in humans and 15 in animals). Anxiolytic effects have been demonstrated to Cymbopogon citratus, Lavandula officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, and Valeriana officinalis and sedatives effects to M. officinalis, P. incarnata, and V. officinalis. Piper methysticum revealed only a sedative effect and Matricaria chamomilla showed anxiolytic clinical efficacy. Then, the potential clinical application of these plants in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia symptoms is indicated, helping to reduce the psychological symptoms resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is worth emphasizing the need to standardize methodological procedures and advance phytotherapy in medical practice

Seminário de Dissertação (2024)

Página da disciplina de Seminário de Dissertação (MPPP, UFPE, 2022) Lista de participantes == https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mrULe1y04yPxHUBaF50jhaM1OY8QYJ3zva4N4yvm198/edit#gid=

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved