The antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-inflammatory and virulence inhibition properties of Portuguese honeys

In Portugal, beekeeping activity has a significant weight among livestock production. The antimicrobial activities of Portuguese honeys have been reported, but the anti-biofilm formation and anti-virulence abilities have not been investigated. The main goal of this work was to study the impact of three monofloral honeys (citrus, lavender and strawberry tree) honeys on adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as the influence of the same honeys on virulence using Galleria mellonella as a model. In addition, the general physico-chemical characterization of these honeys and the microbial quality were also performed. The anti-inflammatory activity was also estimated by analyzing the activity of the enzymes hyaluronidase and lipoxygenase. The tested honeys complied with European legislation and no microbial contamination was observed. Of all the honeys at 12.5 and 25%, w/v the citrus honey caused the highest inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa. Strawberry tree honey at 25% w/v was able to significantly inhibit the MRSA strains. Anti-biofilm formation and anti-inflammatory activities were observed. The different honeys impaired the virulence of S. aureus and MRSA strains. The Portuguese honeys were capable of combating the tested bacterial pathogens not only by inhibiting their growth but also by affecting important pathogenicity properties, such as adherence and virulence

Excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages in Latin America and the Caribbean

Objective. To characterize the design of excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Latin America and the Caribbean and assess opportunities to increase their impact on SSB consumption and health. Methods. A comprehensive search and review of the legislation in effect as of March 2019, collected through existing Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization monitoring tools, secondary sources, and surveying ministries of finance. The analysis focused on the type of products taxed, and the structure and base of these excise taxes. Results. Out of the 33 countries analyzed, 21 apply excise taxes on SSBs. Seven countries also apply excise taxes on bottled water and at least four include sugar-sweetened milk drinks. Ten of these excise taxes are ad valorem with some tax bases set early in the value chain, seven are amount-specific, and four have either a combined or mixed structure. Three countries apply excise taxes based on sugar concentration. Conclusions. While the number of countries applying excise taxes on SSBs is promising, there is great heterogeneity in design in terms of structure, tax base, and products taxed. Existing excise taxes could be further leveraged to improve their impact on SSB consumption and health by including all categories of SSBs, excluding bottled water, and relying more on amount-specific taxes regularly adjusted for inflation and possibly based on sugar concentration. All countries would benefit from additional guidance. Future research should aim to address this gap

Would Plain Packaging and Health Warning Labels Reduce Smoking in the Presence of Informal Markets? A Choice Experiment in Colombia

Background Despite progress made by many countries on the adoption of plain tobacco packaging laws over the last years, low- and middle-income countries, with a large supply of loose cigarettes via informal vendors, remain far behind. Aim To study the potential effectiveness of plain tobacco packaging and dissuasive cigarette sticks, via willingness-to-pay estimates, when illicit cigarette options are available. Methods We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in which respondents chose licit and illicit products with three attributes: packaging (standard vs. plain packaging), stick design (branded stick vs. stick with warning), and price level. The sample, collected on 12/2021, consisted of 1,761 respondents from an internet panel involving smokers and nonsmokers. Conditional logit and latent class models were used to estimate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) to avoid restrictive packaging elements. Results Nonsmokers are willing to pay USD $5.63 for a pack of cigarettes to avoid plain packaging, which is higher than the actual commercial price of illicit cigarettes (USD$2.40). The WTP increases to USD $12.14 in the presence of illicit alternatives. Smokers are also willing to pay to avoid illicit options, which they also deem riskier, and the presence of such options increases the WTP to avoid plain packaging. However, nonsmokers do not perceive the illicit option as riskier. The dissuasive stick (stick with warning) does not affect perceptions of risk and plays a small role in terms of choice for both smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusions Even in the presence of illicit tobacco alternatives, plain packaging seems to be as effective in reducing the attractiveness of tobacco products in Colombia as in other countries that have already adopted it. Given conflicting results on the case for dissuasive sticks, there is a need for more research

Nursing research and bibliographic citation models La investigación en enfermería y los modelos de citación bibliográfica Pesquisa de enfermagem e modelos de citação bibliográfica

This research focuses on the analysis of how nursing journals publish their papers. Basically, two models are analyzed, Vancouver, by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, and APA by the American Psychological Association. Their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. In view of how research papers are currently published and how research is judged, the authors propose that nursing journals adopt their own model, irrespective of how medical professionals publish.<br>Esta investigación se centra en el análisis de la forma de publicar de las revistas de enfermería. Se analizan básicamente dos modelos, el modelo Vancouver, promovido por el Comité Internacional de Editores de Revistas Médicas, y el modelo APA, de la Asociación Norteamericana de Psicología. Se discuten sus ventajas e inconvenientes. A la vista de cómo se publica en la actualidad y de cómo se juzga la investigación, se propone que las revistas de enfermería adopten su propio modelo, independientemente de cómo publican los profesionales de la medicina.<br>Esta pesquisa concentra-se na análise de como os jornais de enfermagem publicam os seus artigos. Basicamente, dois modelos são analisados, o Vancouver, promovido pelo Comitê Internacional dos Editores de Revistas Médicas, e APA, pela Associação Psicológica Americana. As suas vantagens e desvantagens são aqui discutidas. Diante da maneira que os artigos de pesquisa estão sendo publicados, atualmente, e como a pesquisa está sendo julgada, os autores propõem um modelo próprio para a enfermagem, independentemente de como publicam os profissionais médicos

Oral Health in Brazil - Part I: public oral health policies

This paper reviews the historical development of public health policies in Brazil and the insertion of oral health in this context. Since 1988, Brazil established a Unified National Health System ("Sistema Único de Saúde" - SUS), which was conceived to assure access to health actions and services, including oral health. However, a history of lack of access to health services and the health problems faced by the Brazilian population make the process of building and consolidating the SUS extremely challenging. Since 2004, the Oral Health National Policy has proposed a reorientation of the health care model, supported by an adaptation of the working system of Oral Health teams so that they include actions of health promotion, protection and recovery. Human resources should be prepared to act in this system. The qualifying process must take in consideration knowledge evolution, changes in the work process and changes in demographical and epidemiological aspects, according to a perspective of maintaining a balance between technique and social relevance