Reducing motor evoked potential amplitude variability through normalization.

Background: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is used for in vivo assessment of human motor cortical excitability, with application of TMS pulses over the motor cortex resulting in muscle responses that can be recorded with electromyography (EMG) as Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs). These have been widely explored as potential biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders but methodological heterogeneity in acquisition, and inherent high variability, have led to constraints in reproducibility. Normalization, consisting in scaling the signal of interest to a known and repeatable measurement, reduces variability and is standard practice for between-subject comparisons of EMG. The effect of normalization on variability of MEP amplitude has not yet been explored and was assessed here using several methods. Methods: Three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and 40 MEPs were collected from the right hand in healthy volunteers, with a retest session conducted 4 to 8 weeks later. MEP amplitude was normalized using either external references (MVICs) or internal references (extreme MEPs). Iterative re-sampling of 30 normalized MEPs per subject was repeated 5,000 times to define, for each normalization method, distributions for between-subject coefficients of variation (CV) of the mean MEP amplitude. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess the impact of normalization on test­retest stability of MEP amplitude measurements. Results: In the absence of normalization, MEPs collected from the right hand of 47 healthy volunteers were within reported values regarding between-subject variability (95% confidence intervals for the CV: [1.0567,1.0577]) and showed good temporal stability (ICC = 0.77). Internal reference normalization substantially reduced between-subject variability, by values of up to 64%, while external reference normalization had no impact or increased between-subject variability. Normalization with the smallest references reduced test­retest stability, with use of the largest references resulting in slight reduction or improvement of ICCs. Internal reference normalization using the largest MEPs was found to be robust to several sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: Internal, but not external, reference normalization reduces between-subject variability of MEP amplitude, and has a minimal impact on within-subject variability when conducted with the largest references. Additional research is necessary to further validate these normalization methods toward potential use of MEPs as biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Replicability of motor cortex-excitability modulation by intermittent theta burst stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) allows for cortical-excitability (CE) assessment and its modulation has been associated with neuroplasticity-like phenomena, thought to be impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the stability of these measures has been challenged, defying their potential as biomarkers. This study aimed to test the temporal stability of cortical-excitability modulation and study the impact of individual and methodological factors in determining within- and between-subject variability. METHODS: We recruited healthy-subjects to assess motor cortex (MC) excitability modulation, collecting motor evoked potentials (MEP) from both hemispheres, before and after left-sided intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), to obtain a measure of MEPs change (delta-MEPs). To assess stability across-time, the protocol was repeated after 6 weeks. Socio-demographic and psychological variables were collected to test association with delta-MEPs. RESULTS: We found modulatory effects on left MC and not on right hemisphere following iTBS of left MC. Left delta-MEP was stable across-time when performed immediately after iTBS (ICC = 0.69), only when obtained first in left hemisphere. We discovered similar results in a replication cohort testing only left MC (ICC = 0.68). No meaningful associations were found between demographic and psychological factors and delta-MEPs. CONCLUSIONS: Delta-MEP is stable immediately after modulation and not impacted by different individual factors, including expectation about TMS-effect. SIGNIFICANCE: Motor cortex excitability modulation immediately after iTBS should be further explored as a potential biomarker for neuropsychiatric diseases.

Symptom provocation for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder using transcranial magnetic stimulation: A step-by-step guide for professional training.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in 2018. The approved protocol includes individualized symptom provocation before each stimulation session, to elicit a moderate level of obsessional distress. Although symptom provocation can be a delicate, demanding, and uncomfortable procedure, structured training methods for those who are going to apply it are not available. Here, we describe a model for training in symptom provocation for TMS technicians, developed at the Champalimaud Clinical Centre in Lisbon, Portugal. Our programme includes two-sessions dedicated to clinical communication and symptom provocation techniques from a theoretical and practical perspective. Additionally, supervision meetings are conducted during treatment of patients, allowing regular case discussion and redefinition of symptom provocation hierarchy, as needed. In addition to having a strong practical component, our training program is short and pragmatic, allowing for easy implementation and fluid transition to clinical practice. By sharing our experience, we hope to contribute to systematize training procedures required for symptom provocation in the context of TMS, and to qualitatively describe a methodology that can be used for implementation of TMS programmes for the treatment of OCD.

Lesion network mapping of mania using different normative connectomes.

Lesion network mapping is a neuroimaging technique that explores the network of regions functionally connected to lesions causing a common syndrome. The technique uses resting state functional connectivity from large databases of healthy individuals, i.e., connectomes, and has allowed for important insight into the potential network mechanisms underlying several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, concerns regarding reproducibility have arisen, that may be due to the use of different connectomes, with variable MRI acquisition parameters and preprocessing methods. Here, we tested the impact of using different connectomes on the results of lesion network mapping for mania. We found results were reliable and consistent independent of the connectome used.

Day-to-day variability in motor threshold during rTMS treatment for depression: Clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: When repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is used to treat medication refractory depression, the treatment pulse intensity is individualized according to motor threshold (MT). This measure is often acquired only on the first day of treatment, as per the protocol currently approved by Food and Drug Administration. OBJECTIVE: Here, we aimed to assess daily MT variability across an rTMS treatment course and simulate the effects of different schedules of MT assessment on treatment intensity. METHODS: We conducted a naturalistic retrospective study with 374 patients from a therapeutic rTMS program for depression that measures MT daily. RESULTS: For each patient, in almost half the TMS sessions, MT varied on average more than 5% as compared to the baseline MT acquired in the first treatment day. Such variability was only minimally impacted by having different TMS technicians acquiring MT in different days. In a smaller cohort of healthy individuals, we confirmed that the motor hotspot localization method, a critical step for accurate MT assessment, was stable in different days, arguing that daily MT variability reflects physiological variability, rather than an artifact of measurement error. Finally, in simulations of the effect of one-time MT measurement, we found that half of sessions would have been 5% or more above or below target intensity, with almost 5% of sessions 25% above target intensity. The simulated effects of weekly MT measurements were significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, MT varies significantly across days, not fully dependent on methods of MT acquisition. This finding may have important implications for therapeutic rTMS practice regarding safety and suggests that regular MT assessments, daily or at least weekly, would ameliorate the effect.

Análise da Capacidade Para o Trabalho de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde em João Pessoa-PB / Analysis of the Work Ability of Community Health Workers in João Pessoa-PB

Objetivo: Analisar a Capacidade para o Trabalho (CT) de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS) de um Distrito Sanitário em João Pessoa-PB. Metodologia: estudo descritivo e transversal de abordagem quantitativa, realizado em João Pessoa-PB, nas 40 Unidades de Saúde da Família pertencentes ao Distrito Sanitário II, com uma amostra de 163 ACS selecionados por conveniência. Os participantes responderam a um questionário semiestruturado, contemplando informações sociodemográficas e o Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho (ICT), instrumento utilizado para avaliar a CT por meio de sete dimensões. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio do programa estatístico SPSS 22.0. As variáveis categóricas foram analisadas por meio de frequências absolutas e relativas, utilizando-se o teste do qui-quadrado para estabelecer as relações. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: a população do estudo foi predominantemente do sexo feminino (76,7%), com idade entre 42 e 62 anos (38,7%), casada ou com companheiro (a) (58,3%), cor da pele parda (57,1%), ensino médio completo (72,4%), renda familiar de até 2 salários mínimos (51,0%), com capacidade boa (38,7%) e moderada (37,4%) para o trabalho. A CT apresentou associação estatisticamente significativa com cada uma das sete dimensões do ICT (p<0,05). As doenças mais frequentemente informadas foram: lesões musculoesqueléticas (55,2%), doenças musculoesqueléticas (44,8%), obesidade (34,4%), hipertensão arterial (27,0%) e distúrbio emocional leve (26,4%). Conclusão: os ACS desse estudo apresentaram boa capacidade de trabalho de acordo com o ICT. (AU)

Objective: analyze the Work Ability (CT) of Community Health Workers (ACS) of a Sanitary District in João Pessoa-PB. Methodology: Descriptive and transversal study of quantitative approach, conducted in João Pessoa-PB, in the 40 Family Health Units belonging to the Sanitary District II, with a sample of 163 ACS selected by convenience. Participants answered a semi-structured questionnaire, including socio-demographic information and the Work Ability Index (ICT), instrument used to evaluate CT through seven dimensions. Data analysis was performed using the statistical program SPSS Statistics, version 22.0. The categorical variables were analyzed through absolute and relative frequencies, using the chi-square test to establish relations. The significance level was 5%. Results: the study population was predominantly female (76,7%), aged 42-62 years (38,7%), married or with partner (58,3%), brown skin color (57,1%), complete high school (72,4%), family income of up to 2 minimum wages (51,0%), with good capacity (38,7%) and moderate capacity (37,4%) for work. The CT showed a statistically significant association with each of the seven dimensions of the ICT (p <0,05). The most frequently reported diseases were: musculoskeletal disorders (55,2%), musculoskeletal diseases (44,8%), obesity (34,4%), hypertension (27,0%) and mild emotional disturbance (26,4%). Conclusion: the ACS of this study had good working capacity according to the ICT. (AU)

Conhecimento sobre situação vacinal e perfil de imunoproteção para hepatite B de trabalhadores da assistência hospitalar / Vacinal situation knowledge and Hepatitis B improvement profile of hospital assistance workers / Conocimiento sobre situación vacunal y perfil de inmunoprotección para Hepatitis B de trabajadores de la asistencia hospitalaria

Justificativa e Objetivos: Hepatite B é infecção viral universalmente prevalente e considerada a doença ocupacional infecciosa mais importante entre os profissionais de saúde, e o trabalhador de Enfermagem, por desenvolver ações invasivas em quantidade e frequência intensas, constitui grupo de extrema vulnerabilidade. Imunidade obtida por vacinação constitui estratégia preventiva eficaz, entretanto, cerca de 10% dos vacinados não alcançam títulos protetores de anticorpos, sendo necessário teste sorológico para confirmar imunidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem sobre situação vacinale perfil deimunoproteção para hepatite B. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico, analítico, com 70 trabalhadores de um hospital público de referência regional no Estado da Paraíba. Após consentimento, foram submetidos à entrevista, coleta de sangue e testes sorológicos para detecção dos marcadores HBsAg e anti-HBs, em duplicata, por Eletroquimioluminescência. Os dados coletados foram processados no SPSS versão 22.0 e analisados por estatística descritiva. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes é do sexo feminino (85,7%), com média de idade de 33,4 anos e nível médio de escolaridade (75,7%). Sobre a situação vacinal, 65,7% declararam possuírem esquema completo e 12,9% não lembravam/não sabiam se já haviam recebido imunobiológico. Sobre o teste para verificação do status imunológico, 25,7% informaram desconhecerem a existência de teste específico para tal detecção. Houve associação significativa entre categoria profissional e conhecimento sobre o Anti-HBs. Conclusão: O desconhecimento dos trabalhadores de enfermagem sobre seu status vacinal e imunológico os colocam em vulnerabilidade constante para a hepatite B, sinalizando a urgência de atitudes institucionais protetivas para este público.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Hepatitis B is an universally prevalent viral infection, it is considered the most important infectious occupational disease. Immunity obtained through vaccination is an effective preventive strategy, however, about 10% of vaccinees do not achieve protective antibody titers, requiring serological test to confirm immunity. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge of the nursing staff about the vaccination situation and immunoprotein profile to hepatites B. Methods: It is an epidemiological, analytical, conducted with 70 workers of a public hospital of regional reference in the State of Paraíba. After consent, they were submitted to the interview, blood collection and serological tests for the detection of HBsAg and anti-HBs markers, in duplicate, by Electrochemiluminescence. The data collected were processed using the SPSS version 22.0 and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Most participants were women (85.7%), with a mean age of 33.4 years and a high school degree (75.7%). About vaccination status, 65.7% reported having complete scheme and 73.9% had blood test with 18.2% of non-seroconversion of them. Regarding the test for immunological status verification, 25.7% reported not knowing the existence of a specific test for such detection. There was a significant association between professional category and knowledge about Anti-HBs. Conclusion: There was a high percentage of non-seroconversion among nursing workers, which, concomitant with the lack of knowledge about their immunological status, made them vulnerable to the disease.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: La Hepatitis B es una infección viral universalmente prevalente y considerada la enfermedad ocupacional infecciosa más importante entre los profesionales de la salud, y el trabajador de Enfermería, por desarrollar acciones invasivas en cantidad y frecuencia intensas, constituye un grupo de extrema vulnerabilidad. La inmunidad obtenida por vacunación constituye una estrategia preventiva eficaz, mientras que aproximadamente el 10% de los vacunados no alcanzan títulos protectores de anticuerpos, siendo necesario un análisis serológico para confirmar la inmunidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el conocimiento de personal del equipo de enfermería sobre situación vacunal y perfil de inmunoproteción contra lahepatitis B. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico, analítico, con 70 trabajadores de un hospital público de referencia regional en el Estado de Paraíba. Después del consentimiento, fueron sometidos a la entrevista, recolección de sangre y pruebas serológicas para detección de los marcadores HBsAg y anti-HBs, en duplicado, por Electroquimioluminescencia. Los datos recopilados se procesaron en el SPSS versión 22.0 y se analizaron por estadística descriptiva. Resultados: La mayoría de los participantes es del sexo femenino (85,7%), con promedio de edad de 33,4 años y con nivel medio de escolaridad (75,7%). En cuanto a la situación vacunal, el 65,7% declaró poseer un esquema completo y el 73,9% hizo una prueba sanguínea, con un 18,2% de no seroconversión. Con respecto a la prueba para verificación del estado inmunológico, el 25,7% informó desconocer la existencia de una prueba específica para tal detección. Hubo asociación significativa entre categoría profesional y conocimiento sobre el anti-HBs. Conclusión: Se verificó alto porcentaje de no seroconversión entre los trabajadores de enfermería, situación que, concomitante al desconocimiento sobre su status inmunológico, los colocan vulnerables a la enfermedad.(AU)

Fatty acid composition from the marine red algae Pterocladiella capillacea (S. G. Gmelin) Santelices & Hommersand 1997 and Osmundaria obtusiloba (C. Agardh) R. E. Norris 1991 and its antioxidant activity

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of fatty acids from the marine red algae Pterocladiella capillacea (S. G. Gmelin) Santelices & Hommersand 1997 and Osmundaria obtusiloba (C. Agardh) R. E. Norris 1991. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified nine fatty acids in the two species. The major fatty acids of P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba were palmitic acid, oleic acid, arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. The DPPH radical scavenging capacity of fatty acids was moderate ranging from 25.90% to 29.97%. Fatty acids from P. capillacea (31.18%) had a moderate ferrous ions chelating activity (FIC), while in O. obtusiloba (17.17%), was weak. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of fatty acids from P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba was low. As for β-carotene bleaching (BCB), P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba showed a good activity. This is the first report of the antioxidant activities of fatty acids from the marine red algae P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba.

Fatty acid composition from the marine red algae Pterocladiella capillacea (S. G. Gmelin) Santelices & Hommersand 1997 and Osmundaria obtusiloba (C. Agardh) R. E. Norris 1991 and its antioxidant activity.

This study evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of fatty acids from the marine red algae Pterocladiella capillacea (S. G. Gmelin) Santelices & Hommersand 1997 and Osmundaria obtusiloba (C. Agardh) R. E. Norris 1991. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified nine fatty acids in the two species. The major fatty acids of P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba were palmitic acid, oleic acid, arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. The DPPH radical scavenging capacity of fatty acids was moderate ranging from 25.90% to 29.97%. Fatty acids from P. capillacea (31.18%) had a moderate ferrous ions chelating activity (FIC), while in O. obtusiloba (17.17%), was weak. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of fatty acids from P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba was low. As for ß-carotene bleaching (BCB), P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba showed a good activity. This is the first report of the antioxidant activities of fatty acids from the marine red algae P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba.

Bioactive extracts of red seaweeds Pterocladiella capillacea and Osmundaria obtusiloba (Floridophyceae: Rhodophyta) with antioxidant and bacterial agglutination potential.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial and bacterial cell agglutination activities of the hexane (Hex) and 70% ethanol (70% EtOH) extracts of two species of red seaweeds Pterocladiella capillacea (P. capillacea) and Osmundaria obtusiloba. METHODS: In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay, ferrous ion chelating assay, ß-carotene bleaching assay and total phenolic content quantification. Antimicrobial activity was tested using the method of disc diffusion on Mueller-Hinton medium. The ability of algal extracts to agglutinate bacterial cells was also tested. RESULTS: The 70% EtOH extract of the two algae showed the highest values of total phenolic content compared to the Hex extract. The results of DPPH for both extracts (Hex, 70% EtOH) of Osmundaria obtusiloba (43.46% and 99.47%) were higher than those of P. capillacea (33.04% and 40.81%) at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL. As for the ferrous ion chelating, there was an opposite behavior, extracts of P. capillacea had a higher activity. The extracts showed a low ferric-reducing antioxidant power, with optical density ranging from 0.054 to 0.180. Antioxidant activities of all extracts evaluated for ß-carotene bleaching were above 40%. There was no antibacterial activity against bacterial strains tested. However, the extracts of both species were able to agglutinate bacterial Gram positive cells of Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative cells of Escherichia coli, multidrug-resistant Salmonella and Vibrio harveyi. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the interaction between these algal extracts, rich in natural compounds with antioxidant potential, and Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial cells.

Antioxidant, hemolytic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of the tropical Atlantic marine zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum.

Marine invertebrates are capable of synthesizing bioactive compounds, which may be beneficial to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, hemolytic, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of crude extract (70% EtOH), and dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and aqueous (Aq) fractions of the marine zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum. The phenolic compound contents of the crude extract, DCM, EtOAc and Aq fractions were 12.33, 18.17, 10.53, and 3.18 mg GAE per gram, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed slight variation. IC50 of crude extract, DCM, EtOAc and Aq fractions were 11.13, 11.25, 11.74, and 11.28 µg mL(-1), respectively. Among the sample, ferrous ion chelating was the highest in crude extract (IC50 302.90 µg mL(-1)), followed by EtOAc, Aq, and DCM fractions with 457.77, 547.91, and 641.82 µg mL(-1), respectively. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power showed optical density at about 0.5. The samples tested exhibited low hemolytic activity under 10% up to a concentration of 50 µg mL(-1). No antimicrobial activity was observed against any of the tested bacterial strains. For the cytotoxic activity, LC50 of DCM, crude extract, EtOAc, and Aq were 52.10, 83.06, 86.34, and 117.45 µg mL(-1), showing high toxicity.

O Termo de Consentimento e as pendências identificadas na apreciação ética pelo CEP-FHEMIG / The Informed Consent and the disputes identified in ethics examination by CEP-FHEMIG

INTRODUÇÃO: O Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido (TCLE) é peça fundamental na elaboração de uma pesquisa envolvendo seres humanos e expressa todas as garantias éticas e humanas do pesquisador frente ao voluntário. Por sua importância o TCLE é fonte de atenção pormenorizada dos Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP) e fonte recorrente de pendências. OBJETIVO: Levantar todas as causas de pendências de projetos de pesquisa apreciados no CEP-FHEMIG, nos últimos 30 meses, ressaltando as falhas relacionadas ao TCLE. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, no qual foram analisados os projetos de pesquisa que tramitaram no CEP-FHEMIG no período de fevereiro de 2012 a julho de 2014. Foram coletados dados relacionados ao resultado do 1º parecer, causas de pendências e pendências relacionadas ao TCLE. RESULTADOS: Foram apreciados 280 projetos, com o seguinte Parecer: Aprovados 239 (85,4%), Pendentes 37 (13,2%), Não aprovados 03 (1,1%), Retirado 01 (0,4%). Dentre os 37 estudos com Parecer Pendente foram contabilizadas 126 pendências. Estas diferentes pendências foram agrupadas em 03 grandes categorias: Pendência Documental 08 (6,3%), Pendência sobre o Projeto 55 (43,7%) e Pendência sobre o TCLE 63 (50,0%). CONCLUSÃO: Erros na elaboração do TCLE ainda são as principais causas de pendências na apreciação ética de um projeto de pesquisa pelo CEP-FHEMIG.

The Informed Consent Form (ICF) is a fundamental piece on the elaborationof research with human beings and it contains all the ethics safeties and guaranties for the voluntaries chosen to participate in the project. Because of its importance, the informed consent is given a special attention by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) and is required for the approval of the project. Objectives: raise all causes search projects pending at FHEMIG's REC in recent 30 months, highlighting the flaws related to the ICF.Methods: This is a retrospective study in which the research projects in FHEMIG's REC were evaluated from February 2012 to July 2014. Results: 280 projects are assessed with the following opinion: Approved 239 (85.4%), Pending 37 (13.2%), and Not Approved 03 (1.1%), Withdrawn 01 (0.4 percent). Among the 37 Pending Studies were accounted 126pending. These pending were grouped into 03 categories: 08 (6.3%) of Document Pending, Pending on the Project 55 (43.7%) and Pending on the ICF 63 (50.0%). Conclusion: Errors in the preparation of ICF are still the main causes of pending in the ethical assessment of a research project by CEP-FHEMIG.

Antioxidant potential and cytotoxic activity of two red seaweed species, Amansia multifida and Meristiella echinocarpa, from the coast of Northeastern Brazil.

Natural antioxidants found in marine macroalgae are bioactive compounds known to play an important role in the prevention of diseases associated with aging cells protecting them against the oxidative damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of ethanolic extracts of two species of red seaweeds, Amansia multifida and Meristiella echinocarpa. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assay, ß-carotene bleaching (BCB) assay and total phenolic content (TPC) quantification. Cytotoxicity was evaluated with the brine shrimp Artemia sp. lethality test. The TPC values observed in the present study indicated that both species A. multifida and M. echinocarpa are rich in phenolic compounds, reaching values of 45.40 and 28.46 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g-1 of ethanolic extract, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging and ferrous ion chelating showed values of 60% and 17%, respectively. Both seaweed extracts inhibited ß-carotene oxidation by approximately 40%. None of the algal extracts were potentially cytotoxic. The results have showed that extracts of both species of marine red algae exhibit antioxidant potential and low toxicity. They are sources of natural antioxidant compounds.

Os desafios da implantação do Plano Diretor de Vigilância Sanitária em um contexto municipal / The challenges of implantating the forward Plan of Sanitary Surveillance in a municipal context

Este artigo, resultado da pesquisa - ação "A experiência de implantação do Plano Diretor de Vigilância Sanitária (PDVISA) em um contexto municipal", propõe-se a analisar e discutir os desafios à sua implantação no município de Sete Lagoas, MG, observados durante quatorze meses. O estudo concluído em novembro de 2008 foi realizado pela Escola de Saúde Pública de Minas Gerais (ESP/MG) em parceria com a Vigilância Sanitária do município citado e apoio do Núcleo de Assessoramento da Descentralização de ações em Vigilância Sanitária (NADAV/ANVISA). Constataram-se como desafios as novas estratégias de gestão utilizadas e o conhecimento como valor. A triangulação pesquisa-ação/ Planejamento/PDVISA e a inclusão de todos os atores privilegiaram processos de decisões compartilhadas no âmbito do coletivo, ações articuladas e sustentadas em estratégias de comunicação, respeito às diferentes técnicas de abordagens e autonomia específica a cada um dos integrantes da equipe. E com um compromisso comum na efetivação de uma prática integrativa voltada para um projeto de Vigilância Sanitária mais apropriado às suas necessidades e às melhores condições de vida e saúde. Comprovou-se que a maneira de se trabalhar em Vigilância Sanitária depende do modelo de gestão e da concepção que se tenha de Saúde Coletiva.(AU)

Os desafios da implantação do Plano Diretor de Vigilância Sanitária em um contexto municipal / The challenges of implantating the forward Plan of Sanitary Surveillance in a municipal context

Este artigo, resultado da pesquisa - ação "A experiência de implantação do Plano Diretor de Vigilância Sanitária (PDVISA) em um contexto municipal", propõe-se a analisar e discutir os desafios à sua implantação no município de Sete Lagoas, MG, observados durante quatorze meses. O estudo concluído em novembro de 2008 foi realizado pela Escola de Saúde Pública de Minas Gerais (ESP/MG) em parceria com a Vigilância Sanitária do município citado e apoio do Núcleo de Assessoramento da Descentralização de ações em Vigilância Sanitária (NADAV/ANVISA). Constataram-se como desafios as novas estratégias de gestão utilizadas e o conhecimento como valor. A triangulação pesquisa-ação/ Planejamento/PDVISA e a inclusão de todos os atores privilegiaram processos de decisões compartilhadas no âmbito do coletivo, ações articuladas e sustentadas em estratégias de comunicação, respeito às diferentes técnicas de abordagens e autonomia específica a cada um dos integrantes da equipe. E com um compromisso comum na efetivação de uma prática integrativa voltada para um projeto de Vigilância Sanitária mais apropriado às suas necessidades e às melhores condições de vida e saúde. Comprovou-se que a maneira de se trabalhar em Vigilância Sanitária depende do modelo de gestão e da concepção que se tenha de Saúde Coletiva.

This article is the result of the action research "The Sanitary Surveillance Forward Plan (PDVISA) implementation experience in a municipal scope". It analyzes and discusses the challenges to its implantation in the city of Sete Lagoas – MG, which were observed during fourteen months. The study, concluded in November 2008, was carried out by the Public Health School of Minas Gerais in partnership with the Sanitary Surveillance of the referred town and with the support of the Sanitary Surveillance Decentralization Advising Center – NADAV/ANVISA. The challenges observed were related to the new strategies of management used and the knowledge as a value. The triangulation of the action research, the planning and the PDVISA, as well as and the inclusion of all actors, have privileged processes of shared decisions in the collective scope, articulated actions supported by strategies of communication, respect to the different approach techniques and specific autonomy of each one of the team members. Besides, there was commitment to educational practices geared towards an integrative sanitary project more appropriate to their needs and to better living and health conditions. It was confirmed that the modus operandi in Health Surveillance depends on the management model and the conception of Public Health.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of hydroalcoholic extract from Pseudobombax marginatum inner bark from caatinga potiguar.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Pseudobombax marginatum (St Hil) Rob., Malvaceae, is mentioned in ethnobotanical studies. It is used as anti-inflammatory, for ulcers and gastritis, and back pain. To evaluate anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities a hydroalcoholic extract (HE) from inner bark was prepared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced paw edema and peritonitis models, and also myeloperoxidase assay were used. For the antinociceptiva activity acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and formalin tests were employed. RESULTS: The HE extract exhibited an intense inhibition in carrageenan-induced edema model and also in myeloperoxidase activity at the doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg. The leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity was also inhibited at the doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. A similar profile was observed against acid-induced abdominal contortions and in formalin second phase test at the doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg, but this treatment did not affect the behavior of animals in the hot plate test. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental data of the HE from Pseudobombax marginatum show anti-inflammatory and antinociceptiva activities, confirming the indication from traditional medicine; however further studies are required to define and isolate the active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptiva components from this active specie.

Isolation, identification, and activity in vitro of killer yeasts against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from tropical fruits.

A total of 580 yeasts strains, isolated from Ceara State of Brasil, were evaluated for their ability to produce killer toxin. Of these strains, 29 tested positive for the killer phenotype and were further evaluated for their ability to control Colletotrichum gloeosporioides germination in vitro. All yeast strains that expressed the killer phenotype were characterized by sequencing the D1/D2 regions of the large subunit of the rRNA gene. Five yeast strains provided a significant reduction in mycelial growth and conidial germination of C. gloeosporioides in vitro, especially Meyerozyma guilliermondii, which was able to reduce the fungal mycelial growth on solid medium (potato dextrose agar (PDA)) by 60% and block 100% of conidia germination in liquid media (potato dextrose broth (PDB)). Filtering and autoclaving the liquid cultures had no effect on the growth of the pathogen. These results indicate the potential use of antagonist yeasts isolated from tropical fruits in the control of anthracnose caused by C. gloeosporioides in papaya. Further elucidation of main mechanisms involved on anthracnose control by these yeasts could be helpful for the development of biocontrol techniques related to the management of this disease in tropical fruits.

OFLOXACIN multicentre trial in MB leprosy FUAM-Manaus and ILSL-Bauru, Brazil.

UNLABELLED: Recently antimicrobials of the fluoroquinolone class (pefloxacin and ofloxacin) were found far more effective against Mycobacterium leprae in studies with both mice and patients than dapsone and clofazimine. As multicentre trial participants, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy, in terms of rate of relapse, of two new multidrug regimens containing ofloxacin, comparing them to 1 year and 2 years of standard WHO-MDT regimen in multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients. A total of 198MB patients were recruited to participate in a randomized, double-blind trial. Among those, 53 patients were treated with 1 year of WHO-MDT (a regimen including dapsone, clofazimine, and rifampin), 55 patients received 1 year of WHO-MDT plus an initial 1 month of daily ofloxacin, 63 patients were treated with 1 month of daily rifampin and daily ofloxacin, whereas 27 were treated with 2 years of WHO-MDT. Patients were regularly monitored for signs of relapse, in at least 7 years follow-up after being released from treatment. RESULTS: Relapse occurred in those treated with 1-month regimen alone at a significant higher rate (P < 0.001): 388%, whereas in the other three regimens that included WHO-MDT it ranged from 0 to 5%. This study found that a short-course treatment for MB patients with rifampicin-ofloxacin combination had a higher failure rate. The addition of one month of daily ofloxacin to 12 months MB WHO-MDT did not increase its efficacy.