Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in radio and television workers.

We investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in individuals working in radio and television stations (TV) in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1 to December 20, 2020, a period which was considered as the beginning of the second wave of COVID-19 in the state. One hundred and thirteen professionals from the three largest media companies in the state were included in this study. Venous blood was collected using venipuncture and a fluorescence immunoassay for qualitative detection and differentiation of IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was performed. Twenty-eight media workers had detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (11 IgM+, 6 IgM+/ IgG+, and 11 IgG+) and the estimated seroprevalence was 24.8 % (95 % CI 17.7 - 33.5). Our findings showed a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in radio and TV workers during the second wave of COVID-19 in Brazil.

Oral lesions in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in an intensive care unit: a case-series study

Abstract This study evaluated the presence of oral lesions in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). Data included demographic, clinical, and laboratory information. Clinical assessment of the oral cavity was performed on the 2 nd and 5 th days of orotracheal intubation. Thirty-eight patients were evaluated and 16 (42.1%) presented oral lesions during their ICU stay. The median age and length of stay were 75 years and 15 days, respectively. Among the patients with oral lesions, ulcerative oral lesions were reported in 14 (87.5%) patients, of which 11 (78.6%) were found on the lips. This study highlights the importance of oral examination for patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19.

Analysis of post-traumatic stress disorder in nursing professionals during the covid-19 pandemic / Análisis del trastorno de estrés post-traumático en profesionales de enfermería durante la pandemia de covid-19 / Análise do transtorno do estresse pós-traumático em profissionais de enfermagem durante a pandemia da covid-19

ABSTRACT Objective to analyze the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and factors associated with its development in Nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study conducted with 309 Nursing professionals, using a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic data and work-related information, in addition to the Impact Event Scale - Revised, which aims at collecting diverse information related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Results the study participants were 176 nurses and 133 nursing technicians: 83.82% female and 56.96% male nurses. As for the hour load, 55.66% asserted working up to 40 weekly hours 47.90% had more than one employment contract, 89.32% were active in the front line against the pandemic, and 60.19% reported an increase in workload. However, 64.40% presented symptoms or were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 43.37% indicated emotional impairment. Using the classifications of the overall Impact Event Scale - Revised score, 29 (53.40%) obtained scores of at least 33, the cutoff point for likely diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Conclusion it was evidenced that more than half of the study sample presented a high risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Impact Event Scale - Revised scale. Factors associated with the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in Nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic include use of psychotropic drugs, age up to 35 years old, and occurrence of physical and emotional changes.

RESUMEN Objetivo analizar la prevalencia del Trastorno de Estrés Post-Traumático y los factores asociados al desarrollo de dicho trastorno en profesionales de Enfermería durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Método estudio observacional, analítico y transversal, realizado con 309 profesionales de Enfermería por medio de un cuestionario para evaluar datos sociodemográficos y diversa información sobre el trabajo, además de la Escala de Impacto del Evento - Revisada, que tiene como objetivo recolectar diversa información relacionada con la sintomatología del Trastorno de Estrés Post-Traumático. Resultados el estudio contó con la participación de 176 enfermeros y 133 técnicos de Enfermería: 83,82% del sexo femenino y 56,96% de enfermeros. En cuanto al trabajo, el 55,66% poseían una carga horaria de hasta 40 horas semanales, el 47,90% tenían más de un vínculo laboral, el 89,32% trabajaba en la primera línea de lucha contra la pandemia y el 60,19% señaló un aumento en la carga de trabajo. No obstante, el 64,40% presentó síntomas o fueron diagnosticados con COVID-19 y el 43,37% indicó perjuicios emocionales. Utilizando las clasificaciones de la puntuación general de la escala Escala de Impacto del Evento - Revisada, 29 (53,40%) obtuvieron un puntaje de al menos 33, punto de corte para el probable diagnóstico de Trastorno de Estrés Post-Traumático. Conclusión se hizo evidente que, en la escala Escala de Impacto del Evento - Revisada, más de la mitad de la muestra del estudio presentó alto riesgo de desarrollar el Trastorno de Estrés Post-Traumático. Como factores asociados al desarrollo del Trastorno de Estrés Post-Traumático en profesionales de Enfermería durante la pandemia de COVID-19 figuran los siguientes: uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos, edad de hasta 35 años, y cambios en estado financiero y emocional.

RESUMO Objetivo analisar a prevalência de Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático e os fatores associados ao desenvolvimento do Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático em profissionais de enfermagem durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método estudo observacional, analítico e transversal, realizado com 309 profissionais de enfermagem, utilizando questionário para avaliar dados sociodemográficos e informações sobre o trabalho, além da Escala do Impacto do Evento - Revisada (IES-R), que visa coletar informações relacionadas à sintomatologia do Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático. Resultados o estudo contou com 176 enfermeiros e 133 técnicos de enfermagem, sendo 83,82% do sexo feminino e 56,96% de enfermeiros. Quanto ao trabalho, 55,66% possuíam carga horária de até 40 horas semanais, 47,90% tinham mais de um vínculo, 89,32% atuaram na linha de frente da pandemia e 60,19% apontaram aumento da carga de trabalho. Não obstante, 64,40% apresentaram sintomas ou foram diagnosticados com COVID-19 e 43,37% apontaram prejuízo emocional. Utilizando as classificações do escore geral da Escala do Impacto do Evento - Revisada, 29, 53,40% atingiram pontuação maior ou igual a 33, ponto de corte para o provável diagnóstico de Transtorno do Estresse Pós-Traumático. Conclusão foi evidenciado que mais da metade da amostra do estudo apresentou na escala Escala do Impacto do Evento - Revisada alto risco de desenvolver Transtorno do Estresse Pós-Traumático. Como fatores associados ao desenvolvimento do Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático em profissionais de enfermagem durante a pandemia da COVID-19, estão o uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos, idade até 35 anos, mudança financeira e emocional.

Would carvacrol be a supporting treatment option effective in minimizing the deleterious effects of COVID-19?

The pathophysiological process of the disease, Covid-19, is mediated by innate immunity, with the presence of macrophages responsible for secreting type 1 and 6 interleukins (IL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) leading to dilation of endothelial cells with a consequent increase in capillary permeability. The treatment of this disease has been much discussed, but the variability in the clinical picture, the difficulties for diagnosis and treatment, especially of those patients who have the most severe clinical condition of the disease. Immunization is an effective tool for controlling the spread and overload of health services, but its effectiveness involves high investments in the acquisition of inputs, development of vaccines, and logistics of storage and distribution. These factors can be obstacles for countries with lower economic, technological, and infrastructure indexes. Reflecting on these difficulties, we raised the possibility of adjuvant therapies with imminent research feasibility, as is the case with the use of carvacrol, a monoterpenic phenol whose has biological properties that serve as a barrier to processes mediated by free radicals, such as irritation and inflammation, due to its antioxidant action. Many authors highlighted the activity of carvacrol as a potent suppressor of COX-2 expression minimizing the acute inflammatory process, decreasing the release of some pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1ß, TNF-α, PGE2. Anyway, the benefits of carvacrol are numerous and the therapeutic possibilities too. With this description, the question arises: would carvacrol be a supporting treatment option, effective in minimizing the deleterious effects of Covid-19? There is still a lot to discover and research.

Delay in head and neck cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health outcomes.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created unprecedent challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Oncology services have been reorganized to decrease the risk of nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2, but changes in treatment pathways and follow-up cancer care can result in patients receiving suboptimal or delayed care. Herein, we describe a cross-sectional nested cohort study conducted to evaluate delays in care for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in post-treatment follow-up or palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeast Brazil and its impact on health outcomes. Information was extracted from medical records and supplemented by telephone interviews. We compared the following health outcomes: self-perception of anxiety or sadness, fear of COVID-19 infection, cancer-related complications during social isolation, self-medication, diagnosis of COVID-19, and death between patients with and without delayed cancer care. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare distributions of continuous variables and the Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. Thirty-one HNC patients were included in the study, and no case of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was found. Delayed cancer care due to restriction in health services was reported in 58.1% of cases, and there was no report of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cancer-related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic were described for most patients (67.7%) and included pain or discomfort, swelling, and dyspnea. Eight (25.8%) patients reported use of prescribed morphine or codeine to manage pain and six (19.4%) patients reported self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We found an association between delayed HNC care and the use of self-medication (p = 0.028). This study indicated that patients with delayed HNC care during the COVID-19 outbreak are more likely to use self-medication with NSAIDs for pain management. Better strategies to follow HNC patients in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities need to be discussed and implemented.

Characterization of ß-cyclodextrin/myrtenol complex and its protective effect against nociceptive behavior and cognitive impairment in a chronic musculoskeletal pain model.

Myrtenol has gained wide interest because of its pharmacological profiles, mainly for treatment of chronic diseases. To improve the solubility of myrtenol, the formation of inclusion complexes with ß-cyclodextrin was performed by physical mixture, kneading process or slurry complexation (SC) methods and characterized using thermal analysis, XRD, SEM and NMR. From these results, myrtenol complexed by SC was successfully complexed into ß-cyclodextrin cavity. The interaction between myrtenol and ß-cyclodextrin was confirmed by molecular docking. Hence, the SC ß-cyclodextrin-myrtenol complex was evaluate for its anti-hyperalgesic, anxiolytic and antioxidant activity in a fibromyalgia model. Results show that myrtenol and ß-cyclodextrin form a stable complex and have anti-hyperalgesic effect, improve the cognitive impairment caused and have an anxiolytic-like effect. Furthermore, the ß-cyclodextrin/myrtenol complex decrease lipoperoxidation, increased catalase activity and a reduce SOD/CAT ratio. Therefore, ß-cyclodextrin/myrtenol complex reduce painful behavior, improves motor skills and emotional behavior and decreases oxidative stress in a fibromyalgia model.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of carvacrol in the respiratory system: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Carvacrol is a monoterpene present in the essential oil of a number of plants and has been widely used in traditional medicine because it is considered to have a range of therapeutic effects including in relation to respiratory disease. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of carvacrol when used in the treatment of respiratory disorders. A comprehensive literature search using Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science was undertaken. Papers related to the anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties of carvacrol in the treatment of an injury in the respiratory system in in vivo studies and published in the period up to and including August 2019. A total of 152 studies were initially identified, with only 17 meeting the inclusion criteria. Five of the studies were performed in humans, and 12 were performed in rodents. Among the 17 studies included in the systematic review, we performed the meta-analysis with nine of the studies with animals. Carvacrol had a positive effect on the reduction of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-4, IL-8 and malondialdehyde (MDA); however, the analysis indicated that carvacrol had no effect on IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), probably due to the methodological quality of the studies and their heterogeneity. Current evidence supports the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of carvacrol, but its relationship with the reduction of some inflammatory mediators in animals with lung injury needs further elucidation.

Delay in head and neck cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health outcomes

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created unprecedent challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Oncology services have been reorganized to decrease the risk of nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2, but changes in treatment pathways and follow-up cancer care can result in patients receiving suboptimal or delayed care. Herein, we describe a cross-sectional nested cohort study conducted to evaluate delays in care for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in post-treatment follow-up or palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeast Brazil and its impact on health outcomes. Information was extracted from medical records and supplemented by telephone interviews. We compared the following health outcomes: self-perception of anxiety or sadness, fear of COVID-19 infection, cancer-related complications during social isolation, self-medication, diagnosis of COVID-19, and death between patients with and without delayed cancer care. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare distributions of continuous variables and the Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. Thirty-one HNC patients were included in the study, and no case of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was found. Delayed cancer care due to restriction in health services was reported in 58.1% of cases, and there was no report of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cancer-related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic were described for most patients (67.7%) and included pain or discomfort, swelling, and dyspnea. Eight (25.8%) patients reported use of prescribed morphine or codeine to manage pain and six (19.4%) patients reported self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We found an association between delayed HNC care and the use of self-medication (p = 0.028). This study indicated that patients with delayed HNC care during the COVID-19 outbreak are more likely to use self-medication with NSAIDs for pain management. Better strategies to follow HNC patients in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities need to be discussed and implemented.

Pharmacological Effects of Carvacrol in In vitro Studies: A Review.

Carvacrol has a high therapeutic potential, with in vitro studies showing promising results in different cellular models using a variety of methodological designs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to analyze the pharmacological effects of carvacrol in in vitro studies. A comprehensive search of the literature was made using four databases: Science Direct, Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, and Web of Science using different combinations of the following keywords: carvacrol, drug therapy, therapeutic uses, in vitro study. The search of the databases was for studies conducted in the period up to and including September 2016. A total of 3,269 studies were initially identified, with only 31 meeting the inclusion criteria. The included studies contained a variety of in vitro models able to determine the properties of Carvacrol. The following properties of Carvacrol were identified: antimicrobial (7 studies), bactericidal (4), bactericidal and antifungal (1), antiinflammatory (4), anticancer (4), mutagenic (4), antioxidant (3), antifungal (3), antidepressant (1), as a modulator of nerve impulses (1) and an immunological modulator (1). The In vitro studies with Carvacrol included in this review showed a diversity of models and confirmed the therapeutic potential of this product in relation to several diseases.

Physico-chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of inclusion complexes of Hyptis martiusii Benth essential oil in ß-cyclodextrin.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been used as important pharmaceutical excipients for improve the physicochemical properties of the drugs of low solubility as the essential oil of Hyptis martiusii. This oil is important therapeutically, but the low solubility and bioavailability compromises your use. Therein, the aim of this study was to obtain and to characterize physico-chemically the samples obtained by physical mixture (PM), paste complexation (PC) and slurry complexation (SC) of the essential oil Hyptis martiusii (EOHM) in ß-CD, and to compare the antibacterial and modulatory-antibiotic activity of products obtained and oil free. The physicochemical characterization was performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Karl Fischer titration. Additionally, the antibacterial tests were performed by microdilution technique. Thus, it was observed that the PM method showed low complexing capacity, unlike PC and SC in which it was observed the formation of inclusion complexes. In addition, the second stage of the TG/DTG curves showed that SC was the best method inclusion with mass loss of 6.9% over the PC that was 6.0%. The XRD results corroborate with the results above suggesting the formation of new solid phase and the SEM photomicrographs showed the porous surface of the samples PC and SC. The essential oil alone demonstrated an antibacterial and modulatory effect against the S. aureus and the Gram negative strain, respectively. However, the ß-CD and the inclusion complex did not demonstrate any biological activity in the performed antibacterial assays.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil obtained from Ocimum basilicum complexed with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) in mice.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides can enhance the bioavailability of drugs. Ocimum basilicum is an aromatic plant found in Brazil used in culinary. The essential oil of this plant presents anti-edematogenic and anti-inflammatory activities in acute and chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oil obtained from O. basilicum complexed with ß - cyclodextrin (OBEO/ß-CD) in mice. The complexation with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) was performed by different methods and analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using mice models of paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, histamine and arachidonic acid (AA); vascular permeability and peritonitis induced by carrageenan and granuloma induced by cotton block introduction. The DSC, TG and SEM analysis indicated that the OBEO was successfully complexed with ß-CD. The oral administration of OEOB/ß-CD prevented paw edema formation by decreasing vascular permeability in vivo, inhibited leukocyte recruitment to the peritoneal cavity, and inhibited granuloma formation in mice. Our results indicate that conjugation with ß-CD improves the anti-inflammatory effects of OBEO in mice models of acute and chronic inflammation, indicating that this complex can be used in anti-inflammatory drug development.

Inflammatory Mediators and Oxidative Stress in Animals Subjected to Smoke Inhalation: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The inhalation injury is usually initiated by uninhibited absorption of smoke, favoring the release of cytokines and other lipid mediators from inflammatory cells in lung airways and parenchyma. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review, examine, and synthesize the main inflammatory mediators analyzed in published studies in animals subjected to smoke inhalation, as well as oxidative stress. SEARCH STRATEGY: A comprehensive literature search was conducted through MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies with animals subjected to lung damage from smoke inhalation that evaluated the presence and the action of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress. RESULTS: A total of 1332 studies were initially identified, with only 31 meeting the inclusion criteria. The inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress markers studied and presented in the articles described herein were varied; however, the most cited ones were tumor necrosis factor-alpha (6), IL-8 and IL-6 (both studied in five articles), IL-1ß and nuclear factor kappa ß (both studied in 4 articles), malondialdehyde (11 studies), and myeloperoxidase (7). It is worth noting that most studies evaluated more than one inflammatory mediator and oxidative stress marker. CONCLUSION: Based on this review, we could observe that the main inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress markers analyzed were TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, IL-1ß, nuclear factor kappa ß, MDA, and MPO. However, it is necessary to increase the rigor of study design and data, in order to have studies that are more homogeneous and with appropriate methodological quality.

Avaliação da presença da Síndrome de Burnout em Agentes Comunitários de Saúde no município de Aracaju, Sergipe, Brasil / Assessment of the prevalence of burnout syndrome in community health agents of the city of Aracaju in the state of Sergipe, Brazil

O Programa de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde nasceu em 1991 com o objetivo de contribuir para melhoria da qualidade de vida da população, tendo como protagonistas os agentes comunitários de saúde. Diante disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a presença da Síndrome de Burnout em agentes comunitários de saúde de Aracaju (SE). A coleta de dados foi realizada com 222 agentes comunitários de saúde das 43 unidades de saúde da família de Aracaju. Os instrumentos da pesquisa foram: ficha de identificação produzida pelos autores para verificar a situação socioeconômica e ocupacional dos profissionais; questionários Job Stress Scale e Maslach Burnout Inventory. Os resultados mostraram que em relação à exposição ao estresse, 57,2% apresentam alta demanda psicológica e alto controle sobre o trabalho; 10,8% dos agentes comunitários de saúde demonstram moderada tendência à Síndrome de Burnout e 29,3% apresentam características equivalentes à doença. Essas características podem estar relacionadas à frustação relacionada à ineficácia da resolutividade dos problemas e ao grande envolvimento dos agentes comunitários de saúde com a sua comunidade. Diante disso, é necessário criar estratégias de intervenção que busquem a prevenção de problemas psicossociais presentes nesses profissionais da saúde.

The Community Health Worker Program was established in 1991 with the aim of contributing to improving the quality of life of the population, with the community health workers being the program's protagonists. In line with this, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome in the community health workers in Aracaju. Data collection was conducted among 222 community health workers in 43 family health units in Aracaju. The research instruments were: identification sheets produced by the authors of the research to verify the occupational and socioeconomic situation of the professionals; Job Stress Scale Questionnaires and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The results showed that in relation to exposure to stress, 57.2% experienced psychological pressure and marked job control; 10.8% of community health workers showed a moderate tendency to Burnout Syndrome and 29.3% manifested characteristics equivalent to the syndrome. These characteristics of burnout syndrome may be related to frustration with respect to inefficacy in resolving the problems and the close involvement of community health workers with their community. Given these facts, it is necessary to create intervention strategies that seek to prevent the psychosocial problems encountered in these health professionals.