Antifungal Susceptibility and Candida sp. Biofilm Production in Clinical Isolates of HIV-Positive Brazilian Patients under HAART Therapy.

The aim of the present study was to characterize biofilms formed by Candida spp. clinical isolates (n = 19), isolated from the oral mucosa of HIV-positive patients. For characterizing the biofilms formed by several Candida sp. strains, isolated from HIV-positive patients, in terms of formed biomass, matrix composition and antifungal susceptibility profile, clinical isolates (n = 19) were collected from oral mucosa and identified. The biofilm of the samples was cultured with fluconazole (1250 mg/L), voriconazole (800 mg/L), anidulafungin (2 mg/L) or amphotericin B (2 mg/L). Afterwards, the quantification of the total biomass was performed using crystal violet assay, while the proteins and carbohydrates levels were quantified in the matrix. The results showed a predominance of C. albicans, followed by C. krusei. Around 58% of the Candida spp. biofilm had susceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole (800 mg/L), 53% to anidulafungin and 74% to amphotericin B. C. krusei presented both the lowest and the highest biofilm matrix contents in polysaccharides and proteins. The low resistance to antifungal agents reported here was probably due to the fact that none of the participants had a prolonged exposure to these antifungals. A predominance of less virulent Candida spp. strains with low or no resistance to antifungals was observed. This can be attributed to a low fungal selective pressure. This most probably happened due to a low fungal selective pressure but also due to a good adherence to HAART therapy, which guarantees a stable and stronger immune patient response.

Individual, socioeconomic and healthcare access factors influencing the delays in leprosy presentation, diagnosis and treatment: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the factors influencing the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of leprosy in primary healthcare. METHODS: Qualitative research was conducted on patients undergoing treatment in a priority hyperendemic region for leprosy control in northeastern Brazil. Interviews were conducted between September and December 2020 at primary healthcare centers. Data were analysed based on the basic interpretive qualitative structure according to Andersen and Newman's model of healthcare utilisation. RESULTS: Knowledge of leprosy symptoms influenced patients' search for a diagnosis. Unfavorable socioeconomic conditions experienced by patients made diagnosis and treatment difficult. Incorrect evaluations by health professionals caused difficulties and delays in obtaining a diagnosis of leprosy. Perceptions about the disease, such as non-acceptance of the disease and the adverse effects of the medications, affected treatment seeking and treatment continuity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with leprosy faced delays and healthcare access barriers related to knowledge of the disease, socioeconomic conditions and the structure of healthcare services, which must be considered when creating care plans, surveillance and control actions against leprosy. Appropriate interventions are necessary to reduce delays and better control the disease.

Individual and mutual effects of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity on acute respiratory distress syndrome mortality rates in clinical patients: a multicentre study.

Patients with comorbidities are more vulnerable to severe clinical cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and COVID-19 require complex health care. To analyse the association between the individual and combined effects of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity on ARDS mortality rates among patients receiving clinical care. A multicentre study encompassing retrospective data analysis and conducted with 21,121 patients from 6,723 health services across Brazil, during the 2020-2022 time period. The sample group consisted of clinical patients of both sexes and different age groups who received clinical care and showed at least one comorbidity. The data collected were analysed using binary logistic regressions and the Chi-square test. The overall mortality rate was 38.7%, with a higher predominance among males (p < 0.001), mixed-race individuals (p < 0.001), and older adults (p < 0.001). The main comorbidity variables associated with and leading to death from ARDS were arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.001) and obesity (p < 0.001). Both the patients who progressed to recovery (48.4%) and to death (20.5%) presented only one comorbidity (χ2 (1,749) = 8, p < 0.001), respectively. The isolated comorbidities with the greatest impact on death outcomes were diabetes (95% CI 2.48-3.05, p < 0.001), followed by obesity (95% CI 1.85-2.41, p < 0.001) and hypertension (95% CI 1.05-1.22, p < 0.001), even after adjusting for sex and number of simultaneous comorbidities. Diabetes and obesity, as isolated conditions, had a greater influence on the number of deaths of clinical patients with ARDS compared to those with mutual diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Hansenapp: Development of a mobile application to assist primary healthcare providers to control leprosy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development and validation of a mobile application to assist health professionals in the management of patients with leprosy and surveillance of contacts in primary healthcare. METHOD: A methodological and developmental study was conducted in three phases: integrative literature review, mobile application development and application validation by health professionals. The construction of the application was supported by the literature review, Nielsen's heuristics and expert validation. Five experts individually analysed the prototype draft and performed two rounds of iterations to refine their recommendations. The validation step was performed by consulting health professionals working in primary healthcare, who evaluated the application for relevance, clarity and usability using a questionnaire based on task-technology fit theory. RESULTS: The mobile app's content, navigation methods and interaction were refined based on the discussions with experts. Their recommendations were applied, and the mobile app was revised until the final version was approved. Content validity indexes of 0.94 (p = 0.007), 0.99 (p > 0.0001) and 0.93 (p = 0.01) were obtained. CONCLUSION: The developed application is a technological tool that could assist primary healthcare providers in dealing with leprosy patients and their contacts in terms of management, planning, monitoring, evaluation, treatment and follow-up, in addition to leprosy control actions.

Efficacy of Cinnamon as an Adjuvant in Reducing the Glycemic Biomarkers of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Three-Month, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

The major aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of cinnamon as an adjuvant treatment in reducing glycemic levels in people with type 2 diabetes, compared to a placebo. The study was conducted between August and December 2019, with 160 people with type 2 diabetes, in five Primary Health Units, in Parnaíba, Brazil. Inclusion criteria were: persons of both genders using oral antidiabetic agents, with glycated hemoglobin ≥ 6.0%, and between 18 and 80 years of age. The primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin levels after 90 days of intervention. Other biomarkers evaluated were fasting blood glucose, insulin level, and HOMA-IR index. Participants were divided equally into two groups of 80 individuals each, and were given 3 g capsules of either cinnamon or placebo to be taken in combination with their usual oral antidiabetic agents. After 90 days, participants in the cinnamon group had statistically significant reductions of 0.2% of glycated hemoglobin and 0.55 mmol/L of fasting venous glucose, when compared with the placebo group. Cinnamon reduced the glycemic measures of persons with type 2 diabetes, albeit with modest reductions. TRIAL: RBR-2KKB6D.

Effectiveness of the fall prevention intervention in older adults with arterial hypertension: randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the nursing intervention Fall Prevention in reducing falls in older adults with arterial hypertension. METHODS: Pilot clinical trial, with 118 participants with arterial hypertension from a city in the Northeast of Brazil. Participants were allocated by simple randomization into two groups: intervention (n = 58) and control (n = 60). The intervention was carried out at the participants' homes and consisted of guidelines for modifying environmental and behavioral risk factors for falls. A protocol with nursing activities associated with the Fall Prevention intervention proposed in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) taxonomy was used. The outcome was the self-reported occurrence of falls. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in the frequency of self-reported falls (p=0.38) with fewer falls occurring in the intervention group. Sixteen participants fell, of which 5.1% attributed the fall to difficulty walking, 6.8% fell in the living room, 3.4% had a sprain, and 6.8% reported to be afraid to fall again. CONCLUSION: The nursing intervention Fall Prevention was effective in reducing the occurrence of falls in older adults with arterial hypertension. These findings contribute to the advancement of clinical protocols for the prevention of falls in older adults, as the educational intervention investigated is applicable to different sociodemographic and cultural scenarios.

Effects of Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) Seed Flour in Moderately Malnourished Children: Randomized Clinical Trial.

The monitoring and combined use of dietary supplements to restore adequate growth are paramount and highly recommended in child malnutrition, an important public health problem. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of cashew nut seed flour in children with moderate malnutrition, treated at primary healthcare services. This is a randomized clinical trial conducted from April to October 2017 in the city of Imperatriz, Brazil. The sample comprised 30 children born at term, aged between 2 and 5 years, and newly diagnosed with malnutrition (60 days or less), randomized into experimental and control groups. The intervention consisted of daily intake of cashew nut seed flour. There was intragroup statistically significant difference in the glucose levels of children who were assigned to the control group (p=0.02) and in the glycated hemoglobin in the experimental group (p < 0.01). Intergroup analysis of glycated hemoglobin levels showed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group (p=0.01). HDL and LDL had, respectively, increased and decreased in the experimental group. The use of cashew nut seed flour in a 24-week period had positive effects on glycated hemoglobin, HDL, and LDL parameters in moderately malnourished children.

Analysis of the effectiveness of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) in the reduction of glycemic and lipidic levels of adults with type 2 diabetes: A study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that is increasing the number of cases worldwide. The treatments currently used have not worked as expected. Alternative and complementary medicines were inserted in health services, especially in primary care, as an attempt to minimize risks and help control diseases such as diabetes. Among the herbal medicines used stands out cinnamon, which can serve as an adjuvant in the control of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of 3 grams of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) per day for 90 days in reducing glycemic and lipid levels in adults with T2DM compared with placebo METHODS:: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial, which will be conducted at basic health units in the city of Parnaíba, state of Piauí, Brazil. In total, 130 people diagnosed with T2DM, followed at health units, with hemoglobin A1c > 6.5%, and using oral antidiabetic medicines, are expected to participate in the study. The intervention will last for 3 months, and each participant will receive a total of 3 bottles containing 120 capsules in each bottle of cinnamon or placebo. Each person should take 4 capsules daily, for 90 days. The patients will be distributed into the 2 groups by performing block randomization (n = 6) at a ratio of 1:1 according to a code generated by a software. Assessments of socioeconomic, clinical, lifestyle, anthropometric, and laboratory variables will be performed in 2 separate visits. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first to investigate cinnamon to reduce glycemic, lipid, and anthropometric levels in Brazil. In case of favorable results, this therapy may be used as an alternative or additional medicine in cases where only oral antidiabetic agents are used and can promote the use of the product to minimize future complications of patients with diabetes and people who do not have the disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-2KKB6D, registered on December 11th, 2018.

The use of conversation maps in the metabolic control of diabetes in Brazilians: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of an educative intervention over the self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) at home for metabolic control. METHOD: A total of 91 people with diabetes participated, recruited from the home capillary blood glycemia self-monitoring program. Two groups of participants were formed: one group participated in the SMBG program at home and with usual care (control group), while the other group participated in the SMBG at home and with educative intervention (intervention group). In total there were 12 meetings, three for each conversation map in the control of diabetes, during four months in 2011 and 2012. For all the analysis, a significance statistical level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05) was adopted. RESULTS: Most part of participants were females, married, with an average age of 62.1 years old and schooling from four to seven years of study. In the intervention group, an improvement was observed in the following measures: body mass index, abdominal circumference, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The control group showed improvement in measures of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Moreover, an increase on the values of glycated hemoglobin was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: It was observed that there was not statistical significant improvement of the metabolic control. However, it was possible to confirm that an educative intervention for SMBG at home presented a clinical significance, which in turn, resonates in a special way on the health of participants.

Factors Associated with Multibacillary Leprosy in a Priority Region for Disease Control in Northeastern Brazil: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is an infectious disease that can lead to physical disabilities and stigmatization. It remains an important public health problem, especially in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To analyse sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with multibacillary leprosy in a hyperendemic region of the disease in northeastern Brazil. METHOD: This is a retrospective observational study with secondary data acquired from 2012 to 2015, from a group of leprosy cases reported in a reference outpatient clinic for the treatment and followup of leprosy in the city of Imperatriz, Maranhao, in northeastern Brazil. RESULTS: From 905 new cases of leprosy studied, 656 (72.5%) were classified as multibacillary leprosy and 249 (27.5%) as paucibacillary leprosy. We observed that men were more likely to present 5 to 15 skin lesions (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.18-1.49; p <0.0001) and >15 skin lesions (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09 -1.45; p = 0.005) and a lower chance of having <5 skin lesions (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.59-0.76; p <0.0001). Women were more likely to have no affected nerves compared to men (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.20-1.77; p <0.0001). The age range of 16 to 60 years showed a greater chance of having <5 skin lesions (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.007-1.20; p = 0.03) and a lower chance of having 5 to 15 skin lesions (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03-1.23; p= 0.008) and a lower chance of being a grade I disability ( CI= 0.73-0.94; p=0.83) and II (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.77-0.98; p=000.1). CONCLUSION: Cases of multibacillary leprosy were associated with male gender, low educational level, and clinical variables such as number of skin lesions and grade I or II disability.

Telecoaching programme for type 2 diabetes control: a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND:: People with diabetes have a high risk of developing micro and macrovascular complications that increase treatment costs and shorten life expectancy. Telecoaching programmes can improve short-term control of diabetes and reduce disease burden. AIMS:: To analyse the effect of a health telecoaching programme in the control of type 2 diabetes. METHODS:: A pragmatic clinical trial was carried out. Thirty-one patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into control and intervention groups. The control group received usual nursing care, and those in the intervention group received usual care and telecoaching for 24 weeks. FINDINGS:: The intervention group improved: measurements of abdominal circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index; variables related to glycaemic control (fasting venous glucose and glycated haemoglobin/HbA1c); and high-density lipoprotein levels. CONCLUSION:: The data indicate that telecoaching is an effective tool for diabetes management. It is recommended that the study should be developed to include more people and run over the long term.

The effect of flour from the rind of the yellow passion fruit on glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus type 2: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The single or combined use of herbal and dietary products with medications has shown benefits in the metabolic modulation of carbohydrates, in the restoring of the function of pancreatic beta cells, and in insulin resistance. To analyze the effect of the use of flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit on the glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus type 2. METHODS: An open, prospective, randomized clinical trial was undertaken with 54 participants over an eight-week period. The participants from the case group were advised to ingest 12 g of the flour, three times daily; before breakfast, lunch and dinner. RESULTS: After eight weeks of use of the flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit, we did not identify significant statistical differences in the values for capillary blood glucose (p = 0.562), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.268) or glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.229) between the study groups. In the case group, we identified an increase (29.6%-37%) of the people with normal HbA1c; however, this did not have statistical relevance (p = 0.274). DISCUSSION: Based in our findings, we believe it is important to extend the time of exposure to the intervention and increase the rigor in the monitoring of adherence in future studies on this topic. Only in this way will we be able to make confident inferences in relation to the use of flour made from the rind of theyellow passion fruit as a therapeutic tool for glycemic and/or metabolic control in persons with DM 2. CONCLUSIONS: In the sample in question, the use of the flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit, over an eight-week period, did not improve the glycemic control of people with type 2 diabetes. Trial registration: U1111.1187.3616. Registered 6 September, retrospectively registered, in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry.

Comparison between Two Decades of Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Diseases and Risk Factors in a Brazilian Urban Centre.

Objectives. This study's objective was to compare the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors in children in urban communities, in the Brazilian Northeast, between two decades. Methods. This quantitative transversal study consisted of a comparative analysis of two different samples: the first viewing the years 1992-1996 and the other through a coproepidemiological data survey undertaken in 2010-2011. Results. It was evidenced that there was a reduction of intestinal parasites and that there were improvements in the socioenvironmental conditions between the two decades evaluated. It was observed that, in the period 1992-1996, playing out in the streets was associated with a higher risk for acquiring intestinal parasites. Over the 2010-2011 period, the characteristics of more than five residents per household, houses with dirt floors, children who live in homes without piped water, and children who play out in the streets were associated with a higher risk of intestinal parasitic infection. Conclusion. The study showed a reduction of intestinal parasitic diseases to 23.8% in 2010-2011 from 81.3% in 1992-1996 and improvement of the social-sanitary conditions of the population between the decades analyzed.

Neck circumference as a potential marker of metabolic syndrome among college students.

OBJECTIVE: to relate neck circumference with metabolic syndrome and its criteria among college students. METHOD: cross-sectional study conducted with 702 college students in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil from September 2010 to June 2011. Socio-demographic data, waist circumference and neck circumference were collected together with blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride levels, and HDL-C. RESULTS: 1.7% of the studied sample presented metabolic syndrome. Of these, 58.3% presented altered neck circumference (p<0.006). As neck circumference decreases, pressure levels improve (p<0.001). Additionally, college students with high fasting blood sugar (p=0.003) and high triglyceride levels (p<0.001) presented higher values of neck circumference. CONCLUSION: neck circumference is a potential predictive marker in the detection of metabolic syndrome and its components among college students.

[Vulnerability of adolescent students to STD / HIV in Imperatriz - Maranhao]. / Vulnerabilidade de adolescentes escolares as DST/HIV, em Imperatriz-Maranhão.

The aim of this study was to investigate the vulnerability of adolescent students related to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), identifying the main risk behaviors and prevention. This quantitative, cross-sectional study was performed in three public schools in Imperatriz--Maranhão, with 295 adolescents, using a structured questionnaire. The results show that: most young people (86.3%) who used a condom the last time they had intercourse, usually keep this practice, 82.8% of adolescents who understand the concept of HIV protect themselves against these infections and believe the main form of contamination is through sex, infected blood or through the placental barrier. We conclude that most teenager participants showed coherent knowledge about sexual practices and risk behaviors that make them vulnerable to STD/HIK presenting a positive aspect for the prevention of these diseases.

[Correlation between anthropometric indicators and sleep quality among Brazilian university students]. / Correlação entre indicadores antropométricos e a qualidade do sono de universitários brasileiros.

The current study investigated the correlation between anthropometric indicators and sleep quality among Brazilian university students using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A cross-sectional assessment with 702 university students was conducted between March 2010 and June 2011. Results showed that cases of obesity were more frequent among students who were good sleepers. On the other hand, overweight and high cervical and abdominal circumference was most prominent among poor sleepers. Thus, apart from the damage caused by sleep disorders alone, additional risks due to the association between poor sleep quality and being overweight, central obesity, and increased cervical perimeter are highlighted.

Study of lipid profile in a population of university students.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the lipid profile in a population of university students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 702 students, of both genders enrolled in various courses at a public university in Fortaleza-CE. The demographic data and data on lifestyle habits were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The blood collection was performed in a clinical laboratory. RESULTS: Showed a predominantly young population, with a mean age of 21.5 years with more females (62.7%). High levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and cholesterol associated with low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) were found in 23.0%, 9.7% and 5.9% of students, respectively. The cholesterol associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) was at reduced values in 12.0% of subjects and was significantly associated with smoking (p=0.0231) and physical inactivity (p=0.0357). CONCLUSION: Changes in lipid profile are present in the young population and intervention studies should be encouraged in order to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Drug interactions in Brazilian type 2 diabetes patients.

The aim of this paper is to identify the prevalence of the most frequent drug interactions in patients using oral antidiabéticos and their association with capillary glucose and medication adherence. In total, 579 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients from 12 health institutions in Fortaleza, Brazil were interviewed in 2009. A form was applied, including questions on medication use, comorbidities, lifestyle, body mass index and random capillary glucose. Results revealed that 26.7% used five or more different drugs simultaneously and daily. Statistically significant drug interactions occurred between antidiabéticos and diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, anti-lipidaemics and corticoids. No significant association was found between polypharmacy, medication adherence and glucose. It is important for nurses, in consensus with other health professionals, to consider the possibility of other drugs that mean less risk for diabetes patients' glucose control or of increased antidiabetics doses.

[Maternal risk factors for premature births in a public maternity hospital in Imperatriz-MA]. / Fatores de risco maternos para prematuridade em uma maternidade pública de Imperatriz-MA.

Despite advances in obstetrics, prematurity is still a major public health problem because of the neonatal morbidity and mortality it causes. The objective of this study was to investigate maternal risk factorsfor premature births in a public maternity in the city of Imperatriz-MA. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with 116 mothers, through structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Epi-Info version 3.5.1. The variables that showed statistically significant association with preterm delivery were monthly income below two minimum wages (p = 0.046), stress during pregnancy (p = 0.027), primiparity (p = 0.044), absent or inadequate prenatal care (p <0.001) and clinical complications in pregnancy (p<0.001). The results show that the maternal risk factors implicated in prematurity are related mainly with lifestyle, socioeconomic and clinical variables, and prenatal care.

[Using the braden scale and photographs to assess pressure ulcer risk]. / O uso da escala de Braden e fotografias na avaliação do risco para úlceras por pressão.

The objective of this paper was to identify critically ill patients at risk for pressure ulcer (PU) using the Braden scale and digital photographs. A sample of 42 subjects was evaluated for 15 days, between March and June 2009, in Fortaleza, Brazil. A total of 47 lesions were identified, 23 (48.9%) as stage I and 24 (51.1%) as stage II. It is necessary for nurses to become familiar with and adopt the technologies used to assess and treat PU in order to lessen the negative effects of this public health problem.