Cuidadoras de dependentes químicos: um estudo sobre a sobrecarga familiar

This study aimed to assess the level of burden placed on family caregivers of drug addicts in a sample of 115 female family members whose relatives were under a drug addiction treatment program in João Pessoa-PB. The study also examined the existence of differences in burden level and type of drug, place of treatment and sociodemographic variables. A sociodemographic questionnaire and a Caregiver Burden Inventory (Zarit Burden Interview) were administered. The results of both instruments were analyzed with SPSS 21. The level of burden was moderate to severe. Significant differences were found in relation to place of treatment and kinship, but not in relation to the type of drug (alcohol or crack). We hope that this study may assist the persons who take care in the treatment of a drug addiction.A presente pesquisa analisou o nível de sobrecarga de familiares cuidadores de dependentes químicos, com uma amostra de 115 familiares, do sexo feminino, cujos parentes estavam realizando tratamento de dependência química na cidade de João Pessoa-Pb e adjacências. Foram utilizados um questionário sociodemográfico e o Inventário de Sobrecarga do Cuidador (Zarit Burden Interview ”“ ZBI), analisado através do pacote estatístico SPSS ”“ PASW 21. Os resultados revelaram um índice significativo de sobrecarga nos familiares cuidadores, ressaltando a necessidade de profissionais envolvidos com a temática lidarem de forma mais assertiva no cuidado direcionado a familiares de dependentes químicos. No geral, a análise contribui para a construção de conhecimentos na área, porém sugere-se a realização de novas pesquisas

SAÚDE DOS ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS: PREVALÊNCIA DA ATIVIDADE FÍSICA ASSOCIADA AOS FATORES EM DIFERENTES ÁREAS ACADÊMICAS

The objective was to estimate the prevalence of physical activity in university students and to verify the association with sociodemographic and academic factors and among the different undergraduate courses at a university in Santa Catarina. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 650 students. A questionnaire to identify sociodemographic variables and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ- long version) were used. Students who practiced 150 minutes a week of moderate and / or intense physical activity were considered active. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to characterize the sample, and for the association variables, the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used, considering the significance level of 95% (p <0.05). The results indicated that there was a significant association between the level of general physical activity and the variable time of study (p = 0.004). In the association of the domains of physical activity, individually with undergraduate courses, there was an association in the dimensions of work (p <0.001), displacement (p = 0.036) and domestic physical activity (p <0.001).Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la prevalencia de actividad física en estudiantes universitarios y verificar la asociación con factores sociodemográficos y académicos y entre diferentes carreras de grado en una universidad de Santa Catarina. Se desarrolló un estudio transversal, con 650 estudiantes. Se utilizó un cuestionario para identificar variables sociodemográficas y el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ-versión larga). Se consideró activo a los estudiantes que practicaron 150 minutos semanales de actividad física moderada y / o intensa. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo para caracterizar la muestra, y para las variables de asociación se aplicó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado y regresión logística binaria, considerando un nivel de significancia del 95% (p <0.05). Los resultados indicaron que hubo una asociación significativa entre el nivel de actividad física general y la variable tiempo de estudio (p = 0,004). En la asociación de los dominios de actividad física, individualmente con cursos de pregrado, hubo asociación en las dimensiones de trabajo (p <0,001), desplazamiento (p = 0,036) y actividad física doméstica (p <0,001).Objetivou-se estimar a prevalência da atividade física em estudantes universitários e verificar a associação com os fatores sociodemográficos e acadêmicos e entre os distintos cursos de graduação de uma universidade catarinense. Desenvolveu-se um estudo transversal, com 650 estudantes. Foram utilizados um questionário de identificação das variáveis sociodemográficas e o International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ- versão longa). Foram considerados ativos os estudantes que praticavam 150 minutos por semana de atividade física moderada e/ou intensa. A análise estatística descritiva foi realizada para caracterização da amostra, e para as variáveis de associação foi empregado o teste Qui-quadrado e regressão logística binária, considerando o nível de significância de 95% (p<0,05). Os resultados indicaram que houve associação significativa entre o nível de atividade física geral com a variável tempo de estudo (p=0,004). Na associação dos domínios da atividade física, de modo individualizado com os cursos de graduação, houve associação nas dimensões do trabalho (p<0,001), deslocamento (p=0,036) e atividade física doméstica (p<0,001)

Evaluation of eleven immunochromatographic assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection: investigating the dengue cross-reaction

COVID-19 disease is spread worldwide and diagnostic techniques have been studied in order to contain the pandemic. Immunochromatographic (IC) assays are feasible and a low-cost alternative especially in low and middle-income countries, which lack structure to perform certain diagnostic techniques. Here we evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of eleven different IC tests in 145 serum samples from confirmed cases of COVID-19 using RT-PCR and 100 negative serum samples from blood donors collected in February 2019. We also evaluated the cross-reactivity with dengue using 20 serum samples from patients with confirmed diagnosis for dengue collected in early 2019 through four different tests. We found high sensitivity (92%), specificity (100%) and an almost perfect agreement (Kappa 0.92) of IC assay, especially when we evaluated IgG and IgM combined after 10 days from the onset of symptoms with RT-PCR. However, we detected cross-reactivity between dengue and COVID-19 mainly with IgM antibodies (5 to 20% of cross-reaction) and demonstrated the need for better studies about diagnostic techniques for these diseases

Arcuate AgRP, but not POMC neurons, modulate paraventricular CRF synthesis and release in response to fasting

Background: The activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is essential for metabolic adaptation in response to fasting. However, the neurocircuitry connecting changes in the peripheral energy stores to the activity of hypothalamic paraventricular corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRFPVN) neurons, the master controller of the HPA axis activity, is not completely understood. Our main goal was to determine if hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) POMC and AgRP neurons can communicate fasting-induced changes in peripheral energy stores, associated to a fall in plasma leptin levels, to CRFPVN neurons to modulate the HPA axis activity in mice. Results: We observed increased plasma corticosterone levels associate with increased CRFPVN mRNA expression and increased CRFPVN neuronal activity in 36 h fasted mice. These responses were associated with a fall in plasma leptin levels and changes in the mRNA expression of Agrp and Pomc in the ARC. Fasting-induced decrease in plasma leptin partially modulated these responses through a change in the activity of ARC neurons. The chemogenetic activation of POMCARC by DREADDs did not affect fasting-induced activation of the HPA axis. DREADDs inhibition of AgRPARC neurons reduced the content of CRFPVN and increased its accumulation in the median eminence but had no effect on corticosterone secretion induced by fasting. Conclusion: Our data indicate that AgRPARC neurons are part of the neurocircuitry involved in the coupling of PVNCRF activity to changes in peripheral energy stores induced by prolonged fasting.Fil: Alves Fernandes, Alan Carlos. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Pereira de Oliveira, Franciane. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.; BrasilFil: Fernandez, Gimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular; ArgentinaFil: da Guia Vieira, Luane. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Gugelmin Rosa, Cristiane. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: do Nascimento, Taís. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: de Castro França, Suzelei. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Donato Jr, Jose. Universidade de Sao Paulo. Departamento de Fisiología; BrasilFil: Vella, Kristen R.. Weill Cornell Medical College; Estados UnidosFil: Antunes Rodrigues, Jose. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Mecawi , André. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.; BrasilFil: Perello, Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular; ArgentinaFil: Leico Kagohara Elias, Lucila. University Of Ribeirao Preto; BrasilFil: Rorato, Rodrigo. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo.; Brasi

Nutritional status, metabolic changes and white blood cells in adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the peripheral blood white cells, metabolic changes, and nutritional status of adolescents with and without excess weight and body fat.METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated the body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF) in 362 adolescents from 15 to 19 years of age, of both sexes. White blood cell count, platelet count, uric acid, fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were measured. The inclusion criteria were agreement to participate in the study and signature of the informed consent. Exclusion criteria were: presence of chronic or infectious disease; use of medications that could cause changes in biochemical tests; pregnancy; participation in weight reduction and weight control programs; use of diuretics and laxatives; or the presence of a pacemaker. The following statistical tests were applied: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student's t or Mann-Whitney test, Pearson or Spearman correlation tests, and chi-squared test, considering p<0.05.RESULTS: Overweight was observed in 20.7% of adolescents. The total cholesterol (TC) had a higher percentage of inadequacy (52.2%), followed by high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (38.4%). There was a positive correlation between white cells and serum lipids, insulin, body fat, and BMI. Monocytes were negatively correlated with BMI, and rods with BMI, body fat, and insulin.CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional status is related to an inflammatory process, and adolescents with excess weight or body fat presented higher amounts of white blood cells

Cuidadoras de Dependentes Químicos: Um Estudo sobre a Sobrecarga Familiar

Resumo Este estudo objetivou avaliar o nível de sobrecarga do cuidador em uma amostra composta por 115 mulheres, familiares de dependentes químicos que estavam realizando tratamento. Buscou-se verificar diferenças quanto à sobrecarga e o tipo de droga, local de tratamento e variáveis sociodemográficas. Utilizou-se questionário sociodemográfico e Inventário de Sobrecarga do Cuidador de Zarit, analisados com auxílio do SPSS 21. O nível de sobrecarga foi moderado a severo, não diferindo significativamente quanto ao tipo de droga (álcool ou crack), mas sim quanto ao local de tratamento dos usuários (maior para ambulatório) e ao parentesco (mães com maior sobrecarga). Espera-se que os dados encontrados possam auxiliar na assistência aos familiares que assumem o cuidado no tratamento da dependência química

Adiponectin Is a Contributing Factor of Low Appendicular Lean Mass in Older Community-Dwelling Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Inflammation is a chronic, sterile, low-grade inflammation that develops with advanced age in the absence of overt infection and may contribute to the pathophysiology of sarcopenia, a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder. Furthermore, a series of biomarkers linked to sarcopenia occurrence have emerged. To aid diagnostic and treatment strategies for low muscle mass in sarcopenia and other related conditions, the objective of this work was to investigate potential biomarkers associated with appendicular lean mass in community-dwelling older women. This is a cross-sectional study with 71 older women (75 ± 7 years). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body composition. Plasmatic blood levels of adipokines (i.e., adiponectin, leptin, and resistin), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and soluble receptors (sTNFr1 and sTNFr2), interferon (INF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Older women with low muscle mass showed higher plasma levels of adiponectin, sTNFr1, and IL-8 compared to the regular muscle mass group. In addition, higher adiponectin plasma levels explained 14% of the lower appendicular lean mass. High adiponectin plasmatic blood levels can contribute to lower appendicular lean mass in older, community-dwelling women

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and CMV Dissemination in Transplant Recipients as a Treatment for Chagas Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 has infected over 90 million people worldwide, therefore it is considered a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, and/or organ failure. Individuals receiving a heart transplantation (HT) may be at higher risk of adverse outcomes attributable to COVID-19 due to immunosuppressives, as well as concomitant infections that may also influence the prognoses. Herein, we describe the first report of two cases of HT recipients with concomitant infections by SARS-CoV-2, Trypanosoma cruzi, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) dissemination, from the first day of hospitalization due to COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU) until the death of the patients