Social Inequalities, Poverty and Obesity

Nowadays, the growth of obesity, especially in socially vulnerable groups, reveals the complex nature of food patterns involving socioeconomic and cultural aspects. In this scenario, there has been slow progress in intervention actions for this issue. In general, initiatives to reduce obesity tend to focus on changes in diet behavior and individual sector strategies. They underestimate broader aspects social inequalities, symbolic dynamics and cultural local situations. Faced with this reality, the objective of this study was to investigate the phenomenon of obesity in a context marked by poverty incorporating the constructivist perspective. About 24 interviews and 3 focus groups were performed. The expectation was to analyze perceptions, interpretations and practices around food and body fat. The results revealed fundamental components to be observed in the design of public policies aimed at the reduction of obesity. Concentrating in this direction, actions directed to the promotion of social equity and gender equality, as well as greater access to food, education, technology and the quality of health care, especially in the postpartum period, seems more promising ways of dealing with the problem of obesity in this local context

Dietary practices of women beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program in the perspective of health promotion

No Brasil, o diálogo entre o campo da nutrição e outras áreas de conhecimento, como as ciências humanas e sociais, tem contribuído para uma abordagem mais integradora e transdisciplinar, permitindo ricas análises acerca dos fenômenos sociais contemporâneos. Nesse debate, a promoção da saúde emerge como uma perspectiva instigante para os estudos acerca das práticas alimentares, os quais propõem dimensões importantes em suas análises, tais como o fortalecimento da autonomia dos sujeitos, o autocuidado e também a valorização das experiências subjetivas e do contexto sociocultural em que os indivíduos estão inseridos. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as práticas alimentares de mulheres pobres e obesas, dentro da perspectiva de promoção da saúde, a partir da valorização do espaço social. Para tanto, foram realizadas 24 entrevistas em profundidade e trinta em grupos focais com titulares do Bolsa Família, programa governamental de transferência condicionada de renda. Na metodologia, utilizou-se o instrumental qualitativo, a fim de melhor compreender as percepções, interpretações e práticas em torno da alimentação do grupo. Os resultados revelaram componentes fundamentais ao desenho de intervenções públicas voltadas à promoção de práticas alimentares saudáveis para a população pobre do país.In Brazil, the dialogue between the nutrition field and other areas of knowledge, such as Human and Social Sciences, has contributed to a more integrative and transdisciplinary approach, allowing rich analyses of contemporary social phenomena. In this debate, health promotion emerges as an instigating perspective for studies about eating practices, which propose important dimensions in their analysis, such as strengthening the autonomy of the subjects, self-care, and the valuing of subjective experiences and the sociocultural context in which individuals are inserted. In this sense, the objective of this study was to investigate the dietary practices of poor and obese women, within the perspective of health promotion, based on the appreciation of the social space. To that end, 24 in-depth interviews and 30 focus groups were held with beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program. In the methodology, qualitative instruments were used to better understand the perceptions, interpretations and practices related to the feeding of this group. The results showed fundamental components to be observed in the design of public interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating practices among the poor in the country

Leishmania braziliensis prostaglandin F2α synthase impacts host infection

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandins (PG) are lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid metabolism. They are involved in cellular processes such as inflammation and tissue homeostasis. PG production is not restricted to multicellular organisms. Trypanosomatids also synthesize several metabolites of arachidonic acid. Nevertheless, their biological role in these early-branching parasites and their role in host-parasite interaction are not well elucidated. Prostaglandin F2α synthase (PGF2S) has been observed in the Leishmania braziliensis secreted proteome and in L. donovani extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, we previously reported a positive correlation between L. braziliensis PGF2S (LbrPGF2S) expression and pathogenicity in mice. METHODS: LbrPGF2S gene expression and PGF2α synthesis in promastigotes were detected and quantified by western blotting and EIA assay kit, respectively. To investigate LbrPGF2S localization in amastigotes during bone marrow-derived macrophage infection, parasites expressing mCherry-LbrPGF2S were generated and followed by time-lapse imaging for 48 h post-infection. PGF2S homolog sequences from Leishmania and humans were analyzed in silico using ClustalW on Geneious v6 and EMBOSS Needle. RESULTS: Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes synthesize prostaglandin F2α in the presence of arachidonic acid, with peak production in the stationary growth phase under heat stress. LbrPGF2S is a cytoplasmic protein enriched in the secretory site of the parasite cell body, the flagellar pocket. It is an enzyme constitutively expressed throughout promastigote development, but overexpression of LbrPGF2S leads to an increase of infectivity in vitro. The data suggest that LbrPGF2S may be released from intracellular amastigotes into the cytoplasm of bone marrow-derived macrophages over a 48-hour infection period, using time-lapse microscopy and mCherry-PGF2S (mChPGF2S)-expressing parasites. CONCLUSIONS: LbrPGF2S, a parasite-derived protein, is targeted to the host cell cytoplasm. The putative transfer of this enzyme, involved in pro-inflammatory lipid mediator synthesis, to the host cell suggests a potential role in host-parasite interaction and may partially explain the increased pathogenicity associated with overexpression of LbrPGF2S in L. braziliensis. Our data provide valuable insights to help understand the importance of parasite-derived lipid mediators in pathogenesis

Desafios e oportunidades de repensar o processo de trabalho em Vigilância Sanitária: um relato de experiência

Introduction: This is an experience report based on the learning process at work as a tool to overcome difficulties experienced by health surveillance workers. Objective: To list the challenges and possibilities for improving health surveillance actions, based  on a critical reflection of the work process itself. Method: The report was prepared  from records and observations of debates conducted at meetings held between workers. Results: The group meetings created a dialogical space within the daily workspace,  allowing enriching discussions about the health surveillance work processes. Conclusions: The dialogue spaces enabled a critical reflection of the work process and made health surveillance workers able to recognize the challenges and propose alternatives for their own professional performance.Introdução: Trata-se de um relato de experiência pautado no processo de aprendizagem no trabalho como ferramenta para superação de dificuldades vivenciadas por trabalhadores da área de vigilância sanitária. Objetivo: Elencar os desafios e as possibilidades para o aprimoramento das ações de vigilância sanitária, a partir da  reflexão crítica do próprio processo de trabalho. Método: O relato foi elaborado a  partir de registros e observações de debates realizados em reuniões realizadas entre os trabalhadores. Resultados: As reuniões em grupo criaram um espaço dialógico dentro do espaço cotidiano de trabalho permitindo discussões enriquecedoras sobre os processos de trabalho em vigilância sanitária. Conclusões: Os espaços de diálogos possibilitaram uma reflexão crítica do processo de trabalho e fizeram com que os trabalhadores de vigilância sanitária fossem capazes de reconhecer os desafios e propor alternativas para a sua própria atuação profissional

Avaliação do bem-estar no trabalho entre profissionais de enfermagem de um hospital universitário

Bem-estar no trabalho apoia-se na Psicologia Positiva, sendo definido como um estado psicológico composto por vínculos afetivos positivos com o trabalho e com a organização. Este estudo teve por objetivo conhecer o nível de bem-estar no trabalho de profissionais de Enfermagem que atuam em um hospital universitário e identificar diferenças entre categorias ocupacionais e tipos de contrato de trabalho. A amostra foi composta por 340 profissionais que responderam a escalas válidas dos construtos: Satisfação no Trabalho, Envolvimento com o Trabalho e Comprometimento Organizacional Afetivo. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se o programa SPSS, versão 12, a fim de efetuar estatísticas descritivas e testes de diferença entre médias. Os resultados indicaram nível médio de bem-estar no trabalho e diferenças entre as categorias profissionais e regime de contratação quanto à satisfação com salário e promoções, o que pode refletir na qualidade do atendimento prestado aos pacientes do hospital universitário.Bienestar en el trabajo se apoya en la Psicología Positiva, siendo definido como un estado psicológico compuesto por vínculos afectivos positivos con el trabajo y con la organización. Este estudio tuvo por objetivo conocer el nivel de bienestar en el trabajo de profesionales de enfermería que actúan en un hospital universitario e identificar diferencias entre categorías ocupacionales y tipos de contrato de trabajo. La muestra fue compuesta por 340 profesionales que contestaron escalas válidas de los constructos: Satisfacción en el Trabajo, Envolvimiento con el Trabajo y Comprometimiento Organizacional Afectivo. Para análisis de los datos se utilizó el programa SPSS, versión 12, para efectuar estadísticas descriptivas y testes de diferencia entre medias. Los resultados indicaron nivel medio de bienestar en el trabajo y diferencias entre las categorías profesionales y régimen de contratación en cuanto a la satisfacción con salario y promociones, lo que puede reflejar en la calidad del servicio prestado a los pacientes del hospital universitario.Well-being at work is based on Positive Psychology, and is defined as a psychological state with positive affective links towards work and also towards the organisation. The purpose of this study was to look at the degree of well-being at work among nursing professionals who work at a University hospital and also identify differences between occupational categories and types of work contracts. The sample was made up of 340 professionals who answered valid scales of the following constructs: Work Satisfaction, Involvement with Work and Affective Organisational Commitment. For the analysis of the data we used SPSS, version 12, for descriptive statistics, and also for testing differences between means. The results showed an average level of well-being in the workplace and also differences between professional categories and work regime, when it comes to satisfaction with salaries and promotions, which can have a reflection in the quality of service provided to the patients of this University hospital

Juízo Moral Ecológico de Professores do Ensino Fundamental de Porto Velho

Entre os temas de grande preocupação da sociedade contemporânea estão as questões ecológicas. O Brasil tem importante papel na crescente discussão sobre o tema e na construção de uma legislação na área, haja vista a atual discussão do Código Florestal Brasileiro e a realização em 2012, da Rio + 20. Sendo a ecologia um Tema Transversal recomendado pelos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais – PCN’s., é preciso que seja desenvolvido através de projetos pedagógicos que levem os alunos a refletirem sobre o tema de forma global, considerando não apenas os aspectos da natureza, mas essenci-almente a harmonia: homem/natureza, na construção de uma sociedade sustentável. Neste trabalho, baseados na Teoria da Psicologia Moral, postulamos que para que tal se realize, é necessário que estes professores possuam um Juízo Moral Ecológico. Para tanto pesquisamos o juízo moral ecológico de 09 professores de uma escola pública do município de Porto Velho – RO, suas ações cotidianas nesta área, as atividades peda-gógicas sobre a ecologia propostas aos alunos e a ética que as permeia. Tivemos como base as teorias da Psicologia Moral de Piaget (1932/1994), Puig (1998) e La Taille (2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1998) e no campo do juízo moral ecológico as pesquisas de Lima (2010, 2009, 2005), Minin e Lima (2010) e Milani, Minin e Lima (2009). Os resultados apontam que os professores pesquisados, embora se interessem pelo tema da ecologia e o tenham adotado como componente curricular e prática pedagógica, não apresen-tam um juízo moral ecológico acerca do mesmo e não constroem justificativa pertinen-te a uma prática pedagógica transversal no tema meio ambiente, como postula os Pa-râmetros Curriculares Nacionais

Phenolic profile, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Juglans regia L. (walnut) leaves from the Northeast of Portugal

Juglans regia L. (walnut tree) is a recognized source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. In this work, hydroethanolic extracts of J. regia leaves were obtained by heat assisted extraction from different Portuguese samples in two phenological stages (green and yellow leaves) aiming to assess the impact of seasonal variations. The samples were compared regarding their phenolic composition and bioactivity. Seventeen phenolic compounds were identified by liquid chromatography combined with a diode array detector and electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (LC-DAD-ESI/MS n ): six phenolic acids, ten flavonoids and one tetralone derivative. The green leaves extracts presented a higher amount of total phenolic compounds (29.70 ± 0.03 mg/g extract) compared with the yellow leaves (23.26 ± 0.06 mg/g extract). In particular, yellow samples were richer in flavonoids (17.4 ± 0.2 mg/g extract; mainly quercetin-3-O-glucoside: 3.64 ± 0.01 mg/g extract), while the green ones presented higher phenolic acids content (16.7 ± 0.2 mg/g extract; mainly trans 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid: 6.9 ± 0.5 mg/g extract). Green leaves extract also presented higher antioxidant potential, achieving IC 50 values around 32 ± 2 μg/mL and 26.8 ± 0.2 μg/mL for the oxidative haemolysis inhibition and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assays, respectively. Furthermore, only green leaves samples showed anti-inflammatory potential. The cytotoxic evaluations revealed similar anti-proliferative action of both extracts against the tumor cell lines tested. Also, an analogous anti-bacterial potential of the extracts was observed, with preferential action against Gram-positive clinical isolated bacteria, with lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes (MIC = 2.5 mg/mL). Therefore, the present study suggests the use of walnut leaves as a source of active ingredients without hepatotoxic effects to be used in different applications in the food or pharmaceutical areasThe authors thank the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), L. Barros, R. Calhelha and Carla Pereira contracts and V. Vieira (SFRH/BD/108487/2015) and T. Pires (SFRH/BD/129551/2017) grants. To UID/CTM/50011/2019 (CICECO), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES . To POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM), funded by ERDF , through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT . To project AllNat - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030463, financed by national funds through the FCT, and by COMPETE and Portugal2020, and to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E .info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of temperature on the phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity of Botryosphaeriaceae fungi

Botryosphaeriaceae fungi are phytopathogens and human opportunists. The influence of temperature on the phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity of culture filtrates of five Botryosphaeriaceae species was investigated. All culture filtrates of fungi grown at 25 °C were phytotoxic: symptoms were evaluated based on visual inspection of necrosis areas and on the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, Fv/Fm. Diplodiacorticola and Neofusicoccum kwambonambiense were the most phytotoxic, followed by Neofusicoccum parvum CAA704 and Botryosphaeria dothidea. Phytotoxicity dramatically decreased when strains were grown at 37 °C, except for B. dothidea. All strains, except N. parvum CAA366 and Neofusicoccum eucalyptorum, grown either at 25 °C or 37 °C, were toxic to mammalian cells; at 25 °C and at 37°C, D. corticola and B. dothidea were the most cytotoxic, respectively. Although the toxicity of B. dothidea to both cell lines and of N. kwambonambiense to Vero cells increased with temperature, the opposite was found for the other species tested. Our results suggest that temperature modulates the expression of toxic compounds that, in a scenario of a global increase of temperature, may contribute to new plant infections but also human infections, especially in the case of B. dothidea.publishe

Quantification of dexchlorpheniramine and betamethasone in human plasma by the uplc-ms/ms method and its application in a bioequivalence study containing the two drugs in combination, administered as a single dose in healthy volunteers/ Quantificação de dexclorfeniramina e betametasona em plasma humano pelo método clue-em/em e sua aplicação em um estudo de bioequivalência contendo os dois fármacos em associação, administrados em dose única em voluntários sadios

This study was carried out in order to compare the relative bioavailability of two different formulations containing 2.00 mg of dexchlorpheniramine maleate + 0.25 mg of bethametasona, test formulation (Dexmine®) and reference formulation (Celestamine®) in healthy volunteers of both sexes under fasting conditions. The study was conducted in a single dose, randomized, open-label, crossover 2 x 2. The tolerability was evaluated by the monitoring of adverse events and vital signs, results of clinical and laboratory tests. Plasma concentrations were quantified by validated bioanalytical method employed the ultra-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, using as the internal standard brompheniramine. Non-compartmental model was applied to determine different pharmacokinetic parameters and these were calculated from the plasma concentrations obtained from the volunteer samples. Bioequivalence between test and reference formulation were demonstrated as the calculated 90 % confidence interval for the corresponding ratios of log transformed pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-?) fell within the 80–125 % range, the predetermined criterion for therapeutic equivalence. It can be concluded that the two formulations were bioequivalent in terms of rate and absorption extent and thus interchangeable

Study of bioequivalence between two formulations containing dipyrone 300 mg + isometheptene mucate 30 mg + caffeine 30 mg: a randomized, open-lable, two period crossover study in healthy adult Brazilian volunteers/ Bioequivalência entre duas formulações contendo 300 mg de dipirona + 30 mg de mucato de isometepteno + cafeína 30 mg: um estudo cruzado randomizado, aberto e de dois períodos, em voluntários brasileiros adultos saudáveis

The combination of dipyrone 300 mg, isometheptene mucate 30 mg and caffeine 30 mg in a single tablet is widely used in Brazil for the acute treatment of various forms of primary headaches. This study aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence between two formulations containing the combination of these active ingredients. An open-label, randomized, single-dose, two-period, two-sequence, two-treatment crossover study was conducted in 80 healthy subjects of both genders. Subjects received a single dose of test coated tablet (Sedamed®, Cimed Indústria de Medicamentos Ltda.) and reference product (Neosaldina®, Nycomed Pharma Ltda.) under fasting conditions according to a randomly assigned order with a 7-day washout period. Serial blood samples were collected up to 24h post-dose. Plasma concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients were obtained by a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non-compartmental methods. There were no serious adverse events during the study and both formulations were safe and well tolerated during the study. Geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) for Cmax and AUC0-t were 97.04% (94.94 – 99.19) and 98.77% (95.58 – 102.06) for 4-MAA and 100.12% (93.33 – 107.41) and 96.19% (91.24 – 101.42) for isometheptene, respectively. The test formulation of was considered bioequivalent to reference product according to regulatory requirements, and therefore interchangeable