Body weight and food consumption scores in adolescents from northeast Brazil

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of excess weight and analyze eating habits in relation to cardiovascular disease in adolescents from the city of Vitória de Santo Antão, state of Pernambuco, northeast Brazil.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out with male and female students (10–19 years old) enrolled at public and private schools in Vitória de Santo Antão. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables were collected. Food consumption was evaluated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and subsequently converted to monthly intake pattern scores, obtaining the intake distribution for a group of foods associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and for a group of protective foods. The significance level for the statistical tests was set at 5.0%.ResultsThe sample consisted of 2866 students. The female gender accounted for 54.2% of the sample, and median age was 14 years (interquartile range: 12–16 years). The food intake scores showed greater dispersion in the group of protective foods (51.1%). Higher median scores for consumption of risk foods were found among adolescents whose mothers had more than 9 years of schooling (p<0.001).ConclusionsExcess weight was prevalent among the students analyzed. The consumption of risk foods was only associated with maternal schooling, which shows the need for nutritional interventions directed at families, regardless of socioeconomic status

Characterization of the Antidiabetic Role of Parkinsonia aculeata (Caesalpineaceae)

This paper reports the characterization of the antidiabetic role of a hydroethanolic extract from Parkinsonia aerial parts (HEPA), in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats, treated with HEPA (125 and 250 mg/kg; p.o.). Oral glucose tolerance test, acute oral toxicity test and preliminary phytochemical analyses were performed. The diabetic rats treated with HEPA showed a significant reduction in serum and urinary glucose, urinary urea and triglyceride levels, as compared to the diabetic untreated group. However, in the normal treated groups, a significant reduction was found only in serum triglyceride levels. In all treated diabetic groups, an improvement in hepatic glycogen was observed, as well as a decrease in liquid intake and urinary volume, and an enhancement in the weight of skeletal muscles (soleus and extensor digitorum longus), kidneys and epididymal adipose tissue. Nevertheless, body and liver weights were ameliorated only in the diabetic group treated with HEPA (250 mg/kg). Moreover, oral glucose tolerance was higher in animals treated with HEPA, while results also showed that HEPA could be considered toxicologically safe. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tanins, flavonoids and steroids in HEPA. In conclusion, P. aculeata presents an antidiabetic activity and other beneficial effects that ameliorate diabetes and associated complications

Pathogenic activity of Isaria spp. for control of Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiideae) and the effects of selected insecticides

We analyzed the activity of the entomopathogenic fungi Isaria farinosa, I. fumosorosea and I. javanica against the cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae, as well as the effects of the insecticides clorpirifos, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam and lambda-cyhalothrin on the conidia germination, mycelium growth and a sporulation of the fungi. These fungi were not pathogenic to cochineal. This the first report of the efficiency of Isaria spp. against this the insect. The bioassays of the compatibility of the insecticides acetamiprid and thiametoxam with species of Isaria indicate the possibility of the joint use of these products in studies on the control of D. opuntiae.El trabajo analizó las acciones de los hongos entomopatógenos Isaria farinosa, I. fumosorosea y I. javanica contra la cochonilla Dactylopius opuntiae, así como el efecto de los insecticidas clorpirifos, acetamiprid, tiametoxam y lambda-cialotrina sobre la germinación, el crecimiento micelial y esporulación del mismo. Los hongos no fueron patógenos a D. opuntiae, siendo éste el primer reporte de la eficiencia de Isaria spp., sobre este insecto. Los bioensayos de la compatibilidad de los insecticidas acetamiprid y thiametoxam con especies de Isaria indican la posibilidad de uso conjunto de estos productos en estudios para el control de D. opuntiae

Antimicrobial Activity of Indigofera suffruticosa

Various organic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) obtained by infusion and maceration were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The extracts were tested against 5 different species of human pathogenic bacteria and 17 fungal strains by the agar-solid diffusion method. Most of the extracts were devoid of antifungal and antibacterial activities, except the aqueous extract of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion, which showed strong inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5000 µg ml(−1). The MIC values to dermatophyte strains were 2500 µg ml(−1) against Trichophyton rubrum (LM-09, LM-13) and Microsporum canis. This study suggests that aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion can be used in the treatment of skin diseases caused by dermatophytes

Venous thrombosis in children

The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in children (0-18 years old) is low. The aim of this study was to investigate the case of a 12 year-old child that had DVT after a trauma. Protein C and protein S activities, antithrombin and resistance to activated protein C were analyzed in coagulometer. Factor V Leiden (FVL) was studied. The patient and his father were heterozygotes for FVL. His mother was normal homozygote. We concluded that the presence of FVL associated with other medical conditions tends to multiply the occurrence of thrombosis, which is a multifactorial disease.A incidência de trombose venosa profunda (TVP) em crianças (0 a 18 anos) é baixa. O objetivo desse trabalho é estudar uma criança de 12 anos que, após um trauma, apresentou TVP. Atividades de proteína C, proteína S, antitrombina e resistência à proteína C ativada (RPCA) foram analisadas em coagulômetro. O fator V de Leiden (FVL) foi pesquisado. O paciente e seu pai (assintomático até o momento) foram heterozigotos para FVL e sua mãe foi homozigota normal. Concluímos que o FVL associado a outras condições clínicas tende a ser multiplicativo para a ocorrência de trombose, que é multifatorial.Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia de PernambucoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UFPEUFPE Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de CirurgiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de CirurgiaSciEL

Atividade Antitumoral de Extratos obtidos do Epicarpo de Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel sobre Tumor Sólido de Ehrlich/ Antitumoral Activity of Extracts Obtained from Epicarp of Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel on Solid Ehrlich Tumor

Estudou-se atividade antitumoral de um extrato acetônico do fruto de Plinia cauliflora no modelo do tumor de Ehrlich. Camundongos foram utilizados para este experimento, os quais foram divididos em: grupo I - animais sem tumor tratados com Nacl a 9% (controle normal); grupo II animais com tumor tratados com Nacl a 9% ( controle negativo); grupo III – 400 mg/kg/dia de extrato acetônico de P. cauliflora; e grupo IV - animais com tumor tratados com 5-fluoracil (20 mg/kg/dia). No oitavo dia de experimento, foram realizados exames hematológicos (contagem de leucócitos e hemácias) e bioquímicos (glicose, colesterol total, triglicerídios, HDL-colesterol, aspartato aminotrasnferase, alanina aminotransferase, uréia e creatinina) por métodos enzimáticos específicos. O tratamento com o extrato acetônico de P. cauliflora mostrou uma significante atividade antitumoral, onde foi observada uma redução de 54.5% da massa tumoral. O tratamento com o extrato acetônico promoveu uma significante melhora dos níveis de uréia, creatinina, colesterol total e glicose em comparação com o grupo controle negativo. Conclui-se que, a terapêutica com o extrato evidenciou seu êxito antitumoral e não retratou nenhuma modificação nos marcadores de função renal e hepática, comumente encontrada em drogas comercializadas

Rational Use of Medication in Pregnant Women

Introduction: the use of medication in pregnancy is a worldwide health challenge, since it can cause complications for both the pregnant woman and the fetus, and this risk is potentially increased in the first gestational trimester. Objectives: The objective of this article is to conduct a literature review on the rational use of medication in pregnant women. Materials and methods: The articles published from 2013 to 2019 in Portuguese - Brazil were used for the development of this literature review through an electronic search in the platforms: SCIELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online and Google Academic. Results and Discussion: 14 articles were analyzed, which showed a reflection on the effects of the use of drugs during pregnancy, where the perceptions of the authors were divergent, between the certainty that everything is harmful or everything is beneficial. Conclusion: Great variations were observed regarding the use of medication, in the same way, that the need for intervention promoting an increase in the rational use of medication is evident

Lectins, Interconnecting Proteins with Biotechnological/Pharmacological and Therapeutic Applications

Lectins are proteins extensively used in biomedical applications with property to recognize carbohydrates through carbohydrate-binding sites, which identify glycans attached to cell surfaces, glycoconjugates, or free sugars, detecting abnormal cells and biomarkers related to diseases. These lectin abilities promoted interesting results in experimental treatments of immunological diseases, wounds, and cancer. Lectins obtained from virus, microorganisms, algae, animals, and plants were reported as modulators and tool markers in vivo and in vitro; these molecules also play a role in the induction of mitosis and immune responses, contributing for resolution of infections and inflammations. Lectins revealed healing effect through induction of reepithelialization and cicatrization of wounds. Some lectins have been efficient agents against virus, fungi, bacteria, and helminths at low concentrations. Lectin-mediated bioadhesion has been an interesting characteristic for development of drug delivery systems. Lectin histochemistry and lectin-based biosensors are useful to detect transformed tissues and biomarkers related to disease occurrence; antitumor lectins reported are promising for cancer therapy. Here, we address lectins from distinct sources with some biological effect and biotechnological potential in the diagnosis and therapeutic of diseases, highlighting many advances in this growing field