Eating contexts at breakfast, lunch, and dinner: Associations with ultra-processed foods consumption and overweight in Brazilian adolescents (EVA-JF Study).

This cross-sectional study estimated associations of eating contexts (including regularity of meals, places where they occur, and if they take place with attention and in company) with food consumption by degree of industrial processing and overweight indicators in a sample of Brazilian adolescents (14-19 years old) enrolled in 29 public schools in Juiz de Fora, MG (n = 805). We used an exploratory questionnaire, which was submitted to cluster analysis. Three clusters were identified: cluster 1 (n = 572), "appropriate eating contexts at breakfast, lunch, and dinner"; cluster 2 (n = 139), "inappropriate eating context at breakfast"; and cluster 3 (n = 94) "inappropriate eating context at dinner". The evaluation of food consumption involved two 24-h dietary recalls, whose items were analyzed according to the NOVA classification system. Linear regression models were performed, using cluster 1 as reference. Clusters 2 and 3 were associated with an increase in the energy fraction from ultra-processed foods [respectively, ß = 2.55% (IC 95%: 0.50; 5.05) and ß = 4.18% (IC 95%: 1.21; 7.14)]; and cluster 2 was associated with a reduction in the energy fraction from unprocessed or minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients [ß = -3.61% (IC 95%: -6.40; -0.82)]. Additionally, clusters 2 and 3 were associated with an increase of body mass index for age [respectively, ß = 0.23 z-score (IC 95%: 0.01; 0.46) and ß = 0.27 z-score (IC 95%: 0.02; 0.54)]; and cluster 2 was associated with an increase of body fat [ß = 1.21% (IC 95%: 0.23; 2.64)]. In conclusion, inappropriate eating contexts at breakfast and dinner were associated with higher ultra-processed food intake, higher body mass index and higher body fat percentage.

Glucose and Lactate Reference Intervals for White Sturgeon and Evaluation of Two Point-of-Care Devices in Sturgeon Infected with Veronaea botryosa.

White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus are cultured for human consumption as well as for conservation purposes. In this study, two commercially available portable devices for measuring glucose and lactate were compared to a benchtop analyzer and blood reference intervals were generated using heparin plasma collected from 43 healthy White Sturgeon yearlings. The generated normal ranges were used to compare plasma values collected from Veronaea botryosa-infected White Sturgeon at 10, 20, and 30 d postchallenge (dpc). In the 43 healthy yearlings, significantly different glucose and lactate values were obtained when comparing the portable devices to the benchtop analyzer. In the portable devices, blood glucose showed a consistent bias of 12.3 mg/dL and blood lactate showed a proportional bias. The detected blood glucose values in infected sturgeon were significantly different from those in noninfected controls when using the benchtop analyzer at 20 and 30 dpc and when using the portable device at 20 dpc. However, blood glucose in infected individuals and controls was within the reference interval on either device. No significant difference was noted for lactate measurements in infected sturgeon. The results of this study indicate that portable devices for blood glucose and blood lactate evaluation in White Sturgeon may be useful in a setting where relative values are an acceptable approximation of absolute values.

CPBMF65, a synthetic human uridine phosphorylase-1 inhibitor, reduces HepG2 cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest and senescence.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent type of tumor among primary liver tumors and is the second highest cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Current therapies are controversial, and more research is needed to identify effective treatments. A new synthetic compound, potassium 5-cyano-4-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-olate (CPBMF65), is a potent inhibitor of the human uridine phosphorylase-1 (hUP1) enzyme, which controls the cell concentration of uridine (Urd). Urd is a natural pyrimidine nucleoside involved in cellular processes, such as RNA synthesis. In addition, it is considered a promising biochemical modulator, as it may reduce the toxicity caused by chemotherapeutics without impairing its anti-tumor activity. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of CPBMF65 on the proliferation of the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). Cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, senescence, autophagy, intracellular Urd levels, cell cycle arrest, and drug resistance were analyzed. Results demonstrate that, after incubation with CPBMF65, HepG2 cell proliferation decreased, mainly through cell cycle arrest and senescence, increasing the levels of intracellular Urd and maintaining cell proliferation reduced during chronic treatment. In conclusion, results show, for the first time, the ability of a hUP1 inhibitor (CPBMF65) to reduce HepG2 cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest and senescence.

THE EFFECT OF ANESTHETIC TIME AND CONCENTRATION ON BLOOD GASES, ACID-BASE STATUS, AND ELECTROLYTES IN KOI (CYPRINUS CARPIO) ANESTHETIZED WITH BUFFERED TRICAINE METHANESULFONATE (MS-222).

Anesthesia is commonly employed in aquatic medicine to facilitate physical exams, diagnostics, and surgical interventions. Tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) is the most commonly used anesthetic for fish and is currently the only anesthetic approved by the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine for food-producing fish. Despite the frequency of anesthetic procedures in fish, anesthetic monitoring remains rudimentary in many facilities. This study evaluated the impact on blood gases, acid-base balance, and electrolytes in koi (Cyprinus carpio) anesthetized at concentrations of 100 mg/L and 150 mg/L MS-222. Blood samples from 25 fish per treatment were collected at 5 and 20 min of anesthetic immersion. Forty-nine of 50 fish recovered uneventfully from anesthesia; one fish did not recover and was euthanatized. Results showed significant increases in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) (P = 0.006) and hyperglycemia (P = <0.0001) with increasing anesthetic concentration and time under anesthesia and a significant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) with increased anesthetic time (P = 0.021). There were several electrolyte changes observed with both increasing anesthetic time and concentration. All electrolytes except potassium remained within published reference ranges for koi, while potassium showed a significant decrease in concentration associated with anesthetic time and concentration. The results of this study indicate that MS-222 at 100 mg/L and 150 mg/L represent safe anesthetic concentrations for koi undergoing minimally invasive diagnostics; however, koi anesthetized with MS-222 at a concentration of 150 mg/L experienced more significant changes in blood gases, acid-base balance, and electrolyte concentrations.

Prospective study of serum and ionized magnesium pharmacokinetics in the treatment of children with severe acute asthma.

PURPOSE: Intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is clinically useful as adjunct therapy in treating acute asthma exacerbations. Despite its clinical utility, the disposition of magnesium in children is poorly described. The purpose of this study is to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ionized and total serum magnesium following IV MgSO4 administration in children with severe acute asthma. METHODS: Thirty-two children receiving 50 mg/kg IV MgSO4 for acute asthma exacerbations at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected before, as well as 30 min and 2 h after each child's IV MgSO4 dose, and used to determine total serum and ionized magnesium concentrations. The collected data were analyzed using population PK techniques using NONMEM® software. RESULTS: Total serum magnesium concentrations were used to externally validate our previously published model constructed with retrospective data (median prediction error 10.3%, median absolute prediction error 18.1%). The mean (%CV) observed endogenous ionized magnesium concentration was calculated to be 6.0 mg/L (12%), approximately one third of the same value for endogenous total serum magnesium (17.6 mg/L (22%)) in this dataset. Weight was a significant predictor of both clearance and volume in a population PK model describing ionized magnesium concentrations. No adverse events were observed in this pediatric cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study supports and extends our previous PK analysis of total serum magnesium concentrations. Ionized and total serum magnesium followed similar PK profiles following IV MgSO4 administration in children. A single bolus infusion of IV MgSO4 was safe in this small sample of children receiving it for acute asthma.

Correction to: Heredity and in vivo confocal microscopy of punctiform and polychromatic pre-Descemet dystrophy.

In the original publication, presentation of the following author names are incorrect in the HTML version.

Supersonic Shear Imaging Elastography in Skeletal Muscles: Relationship Between In Vivo and Synthetic Fiber Angles and Shear Modulus.

OBJECTIVES: To verify a relationship between the pennation angle of synthetic fibers and muscle fibers with the shear modulus (µ) generated by Supersonic shear imaging (SSI) elastography and to compare the anisotropy of synthetic and in vivo pennate muscle fibers in the x2 -x3 plane (probe perpendicular to water surface or skin). METHODS: First, the probe of Aixplorer ultrasound scanner (v.9, Supersonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France) was placed in 2 positions (parallel [aligned] and transverse to the fibers) to test the anisotropy in the x2 -x3 plane. Subsequently, it was inclined (x1 -x3 plane) in relation to the fibers, forming 3 angles (18.25 °, 21.55 °, 36.86 °) for synthetic fibers and one (approximately 0 °) for muscle fibers. RESULTS: On the x2 -x3 plane, µ values of the synthetic and vastus lateralis fibers were significantly lower (P < .0001) at the transverse probe position than the longitudinal one. In the x1 -x3 plane, the µ values were significantly reduced (P < .0001) with the probe angle increasing, only for the synthetic fibers (approximately 0.90 kPa for each degree of pennation angle). CONCLUSIONS: The pennation angle was not related to the µ values generated by SSI elastography for the in vivo lateral head of the gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis muscles. However, a µ reduction with an angle increase in the synthetic fibers was observed. These findings contribute to increasing the applicability of SSI in distinct muscle architecture at normal or pathologic conditions.

Heredity and in vivo confocal microscopy of punctiform and polychromatic pre-Descemet dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To describe and analyze the biomicroscopic features and in vivo confocal microscopy of the crystalline form of pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy (PDCD). METHODS: We examined two non-related families using biomicroscopy, in vivo confocal microscopy, and a genetic study using a gene panel test, looking for mutations in the PIKFYVE gene. RESULTS: A slit-lamp examination of the first family revealed polychromatic crystalline punctiform opacities distributed all over the stroma in 8 of 11 family members in three generations with an autosomal dominant inheritance. The second family showed in three of four members in two generations the same opacities located in the pre-Descemet region. It was also a hint for autosomal dominant inheritance. The in vivo confocal microscopy identified numerous rounded and hyperreflective stromal particles measuring 10-15 µm in diameter, with the highest density in the posterior stroma and with normal keratocytes. No systemic disease was diagnosed. No variants or mutations were identified in PIKFYVE gene. CONCLUSIONS: Polychromatic deposits in patients with Punctiform and Polychromatic Pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy can be located not only in the deep stroma but also in the anterior and middle stroma. Our presentation reveals the possibility of considering this characteristic corneal disorder as a corneal dystrophy of its own and not as a subtype of pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate reverts iron-induced phenotype of hepatic stellate cells by chelating ferrous ions.

Hepatic fibrosis is an extracellular matrix deposition by hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Fibrosis can be caused by iron, which will lead to hydroxyl radical production and cell damage. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) has been shown to deliver therapeutic effects in many pathological situations. In this work, we aimed to test the effects of FBP in HSC cell line, GRX, exposed to an excess of iron (Fe). The Fe-treatment increased cell proliferation and FBP reversed this effect, which was not due to increased necrosis, apoptosis or changes in cell cycle. Oil Red-O staining showed that FBP successfully increased lipid content and lead GRX cells to present characteristics of quiescent HSC. Fe-treatment decreased PPAR-γ expression and increased Col-1 expression. Both effects were reversed by FBP which also decreased TGF-ß1 levels in comparison to both control and Fe groups. FBP, also, did not present scavenger activity in the DPPH assay. The treatment with FBP resulted in decreased proliferation rate, Col-1 expression and TGF-ß1 release by HSC cells. Furthermore, activated PPAR-γ and increased lipid droplets induce cells to become quiescent, which is a key event to reversion of hepatic fibrosis. FBP also chelates iron showing potential to improve Cell redox state.

Assessment of muscle architecture of the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis by ultrasound after a chronic stretching program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the chronic effects of a static stretching program on the muscle architecture of biceps femoris (BF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in ultrasound (US) images. DESIGN: Randomized controlled longitudinal trial. SETTING: Biomechanics Laboratory of Physical Education School of the Army, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 24 healthy and physically active male volunteers (19.05 ± 1.40 years, 1.73 ± 0.07 m, and 73.15 ± 8.33 kg), randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups: stretching group (SG, n = 12) and control group (n = 12). INTERVENTIONS: The SG was submitted to 3 sets of 30 seconds of static stretching 3 times a week during 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrasound equipment (7.5 MHz) was used for the evaluation of BF and VL muscle architecture variables (pennation angle, fiber length, muscle thickness, and fascicle displacement) before and after training. Knee range of motion (ROM) and isometric flexion and extension torque (TQ) were also measured. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in muscle architecture, TQ, and maximum knee flexion angle (P > 0.05). However, maximum knee extension angle (MEA) increased significantly in the SG (pretraining: 159.37 ± 7.27 degrees and posttraining: 168.9 ± 3.7 degrees; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Volume or intensity (or both) of the stretching protocol was insufficient to cause structural changes in the VL and BF muscles. The increase in MEA could not be explained by muscle architecture changes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To describe changes in the VL and BF muscle tendon unit using US after a long-term stretching program to identify which structures are responsible for ROM increase.

Comparison of Cryotherapy Performed With Ice or Gel and Superficial Skin Cooling of Older Women: A Randomized, Crossover, Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cryotherapy is an affordable and popular treatment of soft tissue injuries, which can reduce inflammation and pain. Studies have specifically addressed young adults and athletes, and these findings have been extended to older adults in clinical practice. Aging is associated with changes in the skin, including collagen degradation, decreased fat layer thickness, and reduced blood flow, which can alter the skin response to stress. Because of age-related changes, there are concerns about the direct use of ice on the skin of older individuals. Skin injuries were also observed after cryotherapy. This study aimed to assess the most effective and safe cryotherapy for superficial skin cooling among older women. METHODS: Eighteen older women were enrolled in this blinded, randomized, crossover, clinical trial. The mean values (SD) of their age, height, and weight were 70.0 years (6.0), 156.0 cm (9.1), and 72.8 kg (19.5), respectively. The participants underwent cryotherapy using bagged ice, bagged ice plus a wet towel, or gel pack for 20 minutes. The surface temperature of the skin was measured at the end of a 20-minute cryotherapy session using an infrared thermometer. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to analyze the effect of cryotherapy modalities and time, as well as the interaction between these 2 factors. The secondary outcome was the presence of cryotherapy-induced lesions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Cryotherapy modalities had significant effects on superficial skin temperature (P = .001). Time points after application also had an effect (P = .0001), and no interaction was observed between cryotherapy modalities and time points (P = .051). Bonferroni post hoc evaluation showed that bagged ice (P = .008) and gel (P = .007) were more effective in decreasing the superficial skin temperature than bagged ice plus wet towel. No difference was observed between bagged ice and gel (P = .32). Three of the 18 patients experienced adverse effects with the gel pack. CONCLUSION: This study of older women found that ice and gel cooled the skin more effectively than ice wrapped in towels. However, the gel pack had some adverse effects. Therefore, bagged ice is recommended for cryotherapy in older women.

Nurses' workload during the COVID-19 pandemic: potential for experiences of moral distress.

OBJECTIVES: to understand nurses' experiences of moral distress related to work overload during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. METHODS: qualitative research, whose data collection occurred through individual interviews with 19 nurses who worked on the front line of COVID-19 in health services in southeastern Brazil. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: work overload proved to be a powerful source of experiences of moral distress due to excessive working hours during vaccination, double working hours, a troubled relationship due to pressure from managers and the population and physical and mental exhaustion, which prevented nurses from act according to their judgment. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: nurses' work overload reflects on quality patient care and prevents nurses from acting in accordance with their moral principles, generating moral distress in nurses.

Teaching strategies to develop skills to address social inequalities in nursing education: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: to identify teaching strategies for developing skills to address social inequalities in nursing education. DESIGN: Following the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a scoping review was performed to answer the following research question: "What are the teaching strategies employed to develop nurses' skills to address social inequalities?" DATA SOURCES: Bibliographical search was conducted seven electronic databases until December 29, 2020, and updated on March 25, 2022. Papers published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish on competence and professional practice, social inequality, education/training, and nursing were included. REVIEW METHODS: Seven reviewers screened the articles by reading titles and abstracts. Studies on teaching strategies used to develop nurses' skills to address social inequalities were included. Of the 1137 articles found, 61 were selected by the first screening, and 23 were included in the final sample. Data were analyzed and summarized as a narrative. RESULTS: The included papers were published between 2000 and 2020, predominantly in the United States. Curricular and learning strategies, including service, experience, and interactive, were the most common, followed by university programs and civil society initiatives. Courses, classes, debates, and practical activities predominated as teaching activities. Teaching techniques focus on resources such as posters, videos, workshops, and seminars. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified teaching strategies used to develop nurses' skills to address social inequalities. Curricular initiatives, learning strategies, university programs and civil society initiatives can expand students' understanding of social inequalities and be used to develop skills.

Bezafibrate reduces the damage, activation and mechanical properties of lung fibroblast cells induced by hydrogen peroxide.

In pulmonary fibrosis, the proliferation of fibroblasts and their differentiation into myofibroblasts is often caused by tissue damage, such as oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, which leads to progressive rupture and thus destruction of the alveolar architecture, resulting in cell proliferation and tissue remodeling. Bezafibrate (BZF) is an important member of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs) family agonists, used in clinical practice as antihyperlipidemic. However, the antifibrotic effects of BZF are still poorly studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of BZF on pulmonary oxidative damage in lung fibroblast cells. MRC-5 cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidative stress activation and BZF treatment was administered at the same moment as H2O2 induction. The outcomes evaluated were cell proliferation and cell viability; oxidative stress markers such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), catalase (CAT) levels and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS); col-1 and α-SMA mRNA expression and cellular elasticity through Young's modulus analysis evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The H2O2-induced oxidative damage decreased the cell viability and increased ROS levels and decreased CAT activity in MRC-5 cells. The expression of α-SMA and the cell stiffness increased in response to H2O2 treatment. Treatment with BZF decreased the MRC-5 cell proliferation, ROS levels, reestablished CAT levels, decreased the mRNA expression of type I collagen protein (col-1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and cellular elasticity even with H2O2 induction. Our results suggest that BZF has a potential protective effect on H2O2-induced oxidative stress. These results are based on an in vitro experiment, derived from a fetal lung cell line and may emerge as a possible new therapy for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Does static stretching change uniformly the quadriceps elasticity in physically actives subjects?

PURPOSE: Verify the acute responses of static stretching (SS) on the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), and vastus lateralis (VL) elasticity and knee/hip range of motion (ROM). Additionally, to investigate if there are consistency among quadriceps muscle elasticity after SS. METHODS: Acute effect of SS on pre-post-intervention design. Thirtheen healthy participants (both genders) proposed for a pre-post experimental design. RF, VM, and VL elasticity (strain ratio, SR) was evaluated bilaterally by ultrasound with quasi-static elastography. Higher SR values refer to more rigid tissues. A SS protocol of 3 series of 30 s was applied at right lower limb. The left lower limb was considered as control group. Also, photogrammetry evaluated the knee/hip ROM. RESULTS: For SR muscle comparisons, VM was lower (less stiff) than VL and RF at pre- and post-SS. For time comparisons, no differences were observed for SR and ROM at pre- and post-SS. However, the effect size of the quadriceps SR at SS lower limb was higher than control. CONCLUSION: Acute effects of SS did not change the quadriceps SR or knee/hip ROM in healthy and active subjects. Non-uniform quadriceps SR are observed (VM < VL and RF) independently of SS. Future studies should consider different protocols, muscles, and populations.

Hold-relax PNF is more effective than unilateral lumbar mobilization on increasing hamstring flexibility: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Although lumbar mobilization (LM) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) are used to increase flexibility in clinical practice, remains unclear which technic is the most effective. This study aims to verify and compare the immediate effect of unilateral LM and hold-relax PNF on hamstring flexibility. METHOD: A randomized, blinded, crossover trial carried out in university research laboratory. Thirty healthy young adults were randomly allocated to three groups, each group receive unilateral, central posterior-anterior LM grade III to the L4 joint, hold-relax PNF and control intervention in a different order with 48 h of washout period. Hamstring flexibility was measured using photogrammetry before and immediately after intervention through range of motion (ROM) change in the Straight Leg Raise Test. T-tests were used to compare ROM within groups, and ANOVA repeated measure followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests was used for between groups comparison. RESULTS: Two participants were lost to follow-up, leaving 28 for analysis (21.6 ± 2.2 years-old). LM increased 4.5° (95% CI 2.3-6.5°, p = 0.001, d = 0.29) on the straight leg raise test and PNF increased 10.0° (95% CI 7.7-12.2°, p = 0.001, d = 0.7). No statistically significant increase was observed on the control group (p = 0.151, d = 0.08). Further, the technique used significantly influenced ROM (p = 0.001, η²p = 0.37). On the between group analysis, PNF was better than LM (p = 0.005) and control (p = 0.001), whereas LM was no better than the control for hamstring flexibility (p = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Although hold-relax PNF and unilateral LM techniques increased ROM, hold-relax PNF was more effective on increasing hamstring flexibility.

Influence of subcutaneous adipose thickness and dominance on reliability of quadriceps muscle quality in healthy young individuals.

BACKGROUND: Echo intensity (EI) can be useful to check muscle quality and has been widely used to identify tissue damage. In the clinical and sports context, it has been used to identify metabolic disorders and training muscle performance. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether subcutaneous adipose thickness (SAT) influences the inter-session EI reliability of the quadriceps femoris and whether EI is influenced by dominance in young healthy subjects. DESIGN: All procedures were approved by the local Institutional Research Ethics Committee (project number 2.620.204). This is a cross-sectional study where 19 healthy young individuals volunteered. METHOD: The individuals were assessed at two time points by an experienced examiner. Imaging of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles were performed bilaterally by ultrasonography. EI and SAT analysis was performed using ImageJ®software. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Inter-session intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for EImeasured showed moderate reliability for RF (R = 0.578; P = 0.038) and VL (R = 0.735; P = 0.004) and low for VM (R = 0.402; P = 0.142). When corrected by SAT, inter-session (EIcorrected), ICC values showed good reliability for RF (R = 0.826; P < 0.001) and VM (R = 0.765; P = 0.002) and excellent for VL (R = 0.909; P < 0.001). Considering inter-side reliability, Student's paired t-test demonstrated no difference for EImeasured (P > 0.283), EIcorrected (P > 0.127), and SAT (P > 0.356). CONCLUSIONS: SAT influenced the inter-session reliability values of EI in all muscles evaluated. Although they showed similarity, EI values were not influenced by dominance in young healthy subjects.

[Racial disparities: an analysis of obstetrical violence among Afro-Brazilian women]. / Disparidades raciais: uma análise da violência obstétrica em mulheres negras.

The objective was to understand and analyze the experiences of Afro-Brazilian women regarding pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care. It involves empirical research, with a qualitative approach. Women were interviewed who declared themselves black or colored and were attended in the public health services in the municipalities of the State of Pernambuco. The narratives were collected through semi-structured interviews. The Content Analysis technique was used. The narratives addressed the issues of obstetric violence and institutional racism. The intersection of levels of oppression such as race, class and gender are determinant in interventions and abusive practices in the helathcare that involves childbirth. The conclusion drawn is that structural racism hinders and denies access to black women to their reproductive rights.

Objetivou-se compreender e analisar as vivências de mulheres negras acerca dos cuidados na gestação, no parto e no pós-parto. Trata-se de uma pesquisa empírica, de abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistadas mulheres que se autodeclaram negras ou pretas e que passaram pelos serviços públicos de saúde nos municípios de Pernambuco. As narrativas foram coletadas por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. As narrativas discorrem sobre os temas da violência obstétrica e do racismo institucional. A interseção de eixos de opressão, como raça, classe e gênero, são determinantes nas intervenções e práticas abusivas na atenção que envolve o parto. Conclui-se que o racismo estrutural dificulta e nega o acesso das mulheres negras aos seus direitos reprodutivos.

Longitudinal profiling of the burn patient cutaneous and gastrointestinal microbiota: a pilot study.

Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients that have sustained a severe burn injury. Early detection and treatment of infections improves outcomes and understanding changes in the host microbiome following injury and during treatment may aid in burn care. The loss of functional barriers, systemic inflammation, and commensal community perturbations all contribute to a burn patient's increased risk of infection. We sampled 10 burn patients to evaluate cutaneous microbial populations on the burn wound and corresponding spared skin on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post-intensive care unit admission. In addition, skin samples were paired with perianal and rectal locations to evaluate changes in the burn patient gut microbiome following injury and treatment. We found significant (P = 0.011) reduction in alpha diversity on the burn wound compared to spared skin throughout the sampling period as well as reduction in common skin commensal bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermitis. Compared to healthy volunteers (n = 18), the burn patient spared skin also exhibited a significant reduction in alpha diversity (P = 0.001). Treatments such as systemic or topical antibiotic administration, skin grafting, and nutritional formulations also impact diversity and community composition at the sampling locations. When evaluating each subject individually, an increase in relative abundance of taxa isolated clinically by bacterial culture could be seen in 5/9 infections detected among the burn patient cohort.