Alert for the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents in a large Brazilian sample

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and severe deficiency in children and adolescents, in a large Brazilian sample. Methodology: Results of 413,988 25(OH)D measurements in children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years collected between 01/2014 and 10/2018 were obtained from the database of a Clinical Laboratory. In this population, 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below 20 ng/mL are considered deficient, and below 12 ng/mL as severe deficiency. All measurements were performed by immunoassay and the results were distributed by gender, age group, seasonality, and latitude. Results: The mean of 25(OH)D levels was 29.2 ng/mL with a standard deviation of 9.2 ng/mL. Of the total samples, 0.8% had a concentration < 12 ng/mL, and 12.5% of the samples had a concentration < 20 ng/mL, with a higher prevalence in females. Children under 2 years of age had the lowest prevalence. The effects of latitude and seasonality were quite evident. In samples of female adolescents from the southern region in winter, 36% of vitamin D deficiency and 5% of severe deficiency were found. Conclusion: In this large number of measurements of 25(OH)D in children and adolescents, 12.5% had a deficiency and 0.8% had severe deficiency. A greater deficiency was observed among adolescents, especially females, which raises questions about the need for supplementation during this period of life.

The effectiveness of parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the treatment of monosymptomatic enuresis in children and adolescents: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Parasacral Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PTENS) is a treatment used in enuresis refractory to first-line treatment. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PTENS in treating monosymptomatic enuresis (MNE) in children and adolescents. Methods: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was carried out in the following databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, SCOPUS, Central Cochrane Library and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The selected studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The "Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials" and the "Risk of Bias VISualization" were used to analyze the risk of bias. Results: Of the 624 studies selected, four RCTs were eligible. Three included 146 children and adolescents aged between six and 16.3 years and used similar PTENS protocols with a frequency of 10 Hz, pulse duration of 700 µs and 20 minutes three times/week. One study enrolled 52 patients aged seven to 14 years used PTENS at home, with a pulse duration of 200 µs and 20 to 60 minutes twice/day. Risk of bias was observed in three studies due to results' randomization and measurement. Two studies showed a partial response with a reduction in wet nights, one a complete response in 27% of patients, and one showed no improvement. Conclusion: PTENS reduces wet nights' frequency but does not cure them, except in 27% of patients in one study. Limited RCTs and data heterogeneity are limitations.

Antimicrobial Activity on Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis of Cyperus articulatus Ethanolic Extracts.

Oral diseases are one of the biggest public health problems worldwide, caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis. Cyperus articulatus (priprioca) is a plant conventionally used in traditional medicine in the Amazon region. However, little is known about the possible dentistry-related uses of extracts from the rhizomes and solid waste generated by the extraction of essential oils from this vegetable. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of volatile compounds and antimicrobial activity through the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration test (MIC and assessment of the toxicity by Hens Egg Test-Chorion Allantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) of the ethanolic extracts from Cyperus articulatus intact rhizomes and solid waste. We identified sesquiterpenes as the main constituents, strong antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract of intact rhizomes against S. mutans (MIC = 0.29 mg/mL), moderate antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis of the extract obtained from the solid waste (MIC = 1.17 mg/mL), and absence of toxicity for both tested extracts. The absence of irritation and the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract from C. articulatus rhizomes and solid waste reveal its potential for use in the alternative control of bacteria that cause oral infections and may present economic viability as a raw material for dental products.

A randomized clinical trial comparing internal and external pessaries in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Internal vaginal pessary is among the leading treatments for pelvic organ prolapse (POP); however, it has a high adverse event rate. An external pessary was recently developed as an alternative. The study's objective was to compare the efficacy of external and internal pessaries in treating POP in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This parallel randomized (1:1 ratio) open-blind study included 40 symptomatic women with stage 2 or 3 POP. They were randomized into two groups: group 1 (internal pessary) and group 2 (external pessary) (n = 20 in each); and evaluated at the start of and 3 months after the treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the results within and between the groups before and after the 3-month treatment. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous, except for the variables previous pregnancies (p = 0.030) and POP-Q score of apical prolapse (p = 0.023) whose values were higher in group 2. A significant improvement in quality of life was observed in both groups after 3 months of follow-up; however, internal pessaries were found to be more effective (p < 0.001). In group 1 there were differences between the initial and final POP-Q scores of anterior (0.004) and apical prolapse (p = 0.005). The complication rate associated with internal pessary use was high (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggested that external pessaries have a similar effect to internal ones for the treatment of POP and improvement of the quality of life of postmenopausal women.

Consensus of the Brazilian association of hematology, hemotherapy and cellular therapy on patient blood management: Implementation of Patient Blood Management (PBM).

Patient Blood Management (PBM) is a holistic approach to managing blood as a resource of each patient; it is a multimodal strategy that is implemented using a set of techniques that can be applied in individual cases. In fact, the overall result of the implementation of PBM cannot be fully appreciated or explained by simply summing up the effects of the individual strategies and techniques used, since they can only produce the expected ideal result if combined. Implementing a PBM program in healthcare offers several benefits including improved patient safety, better outcomes, cost savings, conservation of resources, evidence-based practice, transfusion alternatives, improved quality of care, compliance with accreditation standards, patient-centered care, and professional education and training.

Use of cupping therapy in musculoskeletal disorders: A cross-sectional study on the profile, training, and practice of Brazilian physical therapists.

INTRODUCTION: Cupping therapy is a widely used technique in Brazilian physical therapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the profile, training, clinical practice, and scientific updates of Brazilian Physical Therapists who use cupping therapy as a therapeutic resource for musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire, including 646 Physical Therapists who use cupping therapy in their practice. All data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Cupping therapy is a technique that has been widely adopted in clinical practice by Physical Therapists, particularly among young, female professionals who have recently graduated from private universities. The primary reason for interest in this technique among these Physical Therapists is the high demand from patients. Additionally, it is often used in conjunction with other manual therapeutic techniques. They identified easy access, low cost, and ease of use as the key factors that make cupping therapy an attractive option. However, a lack of high-quality scientific evidence, as described in the literature, was identified as a major barrier to its use. CONCLUSION: The Physical Therapists included in this study use cupping therapy in their clinical practice, relying heavily on their own experience and the preferences of their patients, rather than utilizing the third pillar of evidence-based practice, which is to rely on the best available evidence. This study suggests that these Physical Therapists are currently implementing a technique without current scientific recommendations for its use in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

Alert for the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents in a large Brazilian sample.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and severe deficiency in children and adolescents, in a large Brazilian sample. METHODOLOGY: Results of 413,988 25(OH)D measurements in children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years collected between 01/2014 and 10/2018 were obtained from the database of a Clinical Laboratory. In this population, 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below 20 ng/mL are considered deficient, and below 12 ng/mL as severe deficiency. All measurements were performed by immunoassay and the results were distributed by gender, age group, seasonality, and latitude. RESULTS: The mean of 25(OH)D levels was 29.2 ng/mL with a standard deviation of 9.2 ng/mL. Of the total samples, 0.8% had a concentration < 12 ng/mL, and 12.5% of the samples had a concentration < 20 ng/mL, with a higher prevalence in females. Children under 2 years of age had the lowest prevalence. The effects of latitude and seasonality were quite evident. In samples of female adolescents from the southern region in winter, 36% of vitamin D deficiency and 5% of severe deficiency were found. CONCLUSION: In this large number of measurements of 25(OH)D in children and adolescents, 12.5% had a deficiency and 0.8% had severe deficiency. A greater deficiency was observed among adolescents, especially females, which raises questions about the need for supplementation during this period of life.

Validation of an analytical method by HPLC for the quantification of yangambin from the Ocotea duckei species / Validación de un método analítico por HPLC para la cuantificación de yangambin de la especie Ocotea duckei

Ocotea duckei , known as Louro - de - cheiro, belongs to the Lauraceae family and presents lignoid yangambine (YAN) as the main plant marker. This work aimed to develop and validate an analytical method by high performance liquid chromatography for the quantification of YAN. The sample used was the crude eth anolic extract (CEE) obtained from aerial parts. In the developed method, a C18 column was used. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and water (45:55), whereas the method parameters included mobile phase flow rate at 0.8 mL/min, oven temperature at 40°C, and monitoring at 205 nm. In the validation, the parameters of selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, limits of detection and quantification were evaluated. As a result, the developed method is in accordance with the guidelines f or validation of analytical methods and presented satisfactory chromatographic parameters for YAN determination. Thus, the present analytical methodology can be applied in the quality control of O. duckei raw materials.

Ocotea duckei , conocida como Louro - de - cheiro, pertenece a la familia Lauraceae y presenta la yangambina lignoide (YAN) como principal marcador vegetal. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo desarrollar y val idar un método analítico por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución para la cuantificación de YAN. La muestra utilizada fue el extracto etanólico crudo (EEC) obtenido de partes aéreas. En el método desarrollado se utilizó una columna C18. La fase móvil c onsistió en acetonitrilo y agua (45:55), mientras los parámetros del método incluyeron el caudal de la fase móvil a 0,8 m L /min, la temperatura del horno a 40°C y la monitorización a 205 nm. En la validación se evaluaron los parámetros de selectividad, line alidad, precisión, exactitud, robustez, límites de detección y cuantificación. Como resultado, el método desarrollado está de acuerdo con las pautas para la validación de métodos analíticos y presentó parámetros cromatográficos satisfactorios para la deter minación de YAN. Por lo tanto, la presente metodología analítica se puede aplicar en el control de calidad de las materias primas de O. duckei.

Nursing care for people with Chagas disease: a scoping review

Introduction: Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by the parasitism process of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Given its potential for chronicity, nursing care in the health care of patients with Chagas disease will provide an improvement in quality of life and the prognosis of the disease. Objective: Review scientific knowledge about nursing care for individuals with Chagas disease. Material and Methods: descriptive and exploratory research, carried out with two independent reviewers using high sensitivity criteria in databases and gray literature sources between June and July 2022. Results: The review identified 12 relevant publications that emphasized health care, education, relationships, disease prevention and health promotion. The most frequent and diverse nursing diagnoses were related to the Activity/Rest, Health Promotion and Coping/Stress domains. Discussion: To meet the care needs of Chagas disease, it is essential to ensure nursing care that recognizes individualities, highlighting the importance of creating tools that facilitate the nursing process. The main points highlighted were related to the health education process, longitudinal monitoring, healthy lifestyle habits, general nursing care during hospitalization and the use of nursing diagnoses. Conclusion: the need for comprehensive nursing care that meets the main needs of individuals with Chagas disease is emphasized, considering their unique circumstances. Developing tools to support the nursing process is essential to improve the results of care for this population.

Introducción: La enfermedad de Chagas es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por el proceso de parasitación del protozoo Trypanosoma cruzi. Dado el potencial de cronicidad de esta enfermedad, los cuidados de enfermería de pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas proporcionarán una mejora en la calidad de vida y en el pronóstico de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Revisar los conocimientos científicos sobre cuidados de enfermería dirigidos a personas con enfermedad de Chagas. Materiales y Métodos: Investigación exploratoria y descriptiva que incluyó dos revisores independientes que aplicaron criterios de alta sensibilidad en las bases de datos y fuentes de literatura gris entre junio y julio de 2022. Resultados: La revisión identificó 12 publicaciones relevantes que hacen énfasis en la atención, la educación, las relaciones, la prevención de la enfermedad y la promoción de la salud. Los diagnósticos de enfermería más frecuentes y diversos estaban relacionados con los ámbitos actividad/descanso, promoción de la salud y afrontamiento/estrés. Discusión: Para atender las necesidades de cuidado de la enfermedad de Chagas, es fundamental garantizar cuidados de enfermería que reconozcan las características individuales, destacando la importancia de crear herramientas que faciliten el proceso de enfermería. Los principales puntos destacados estuvieron relacionados con el proceso de educación en salud, el seguimiento longitudinal, los hábitos de vida saludables, los cuidados generales de enfermería durante la hospitalización y el uso de diagnósticos de enfermería. Conclusión: Se hace énfasis en la necesidad de cuidados integrales de enfermería que atiendan las principales necesidades de las personas con enfermedad de Chagas, considerando sus circunstancias únicas. Es esencial el desarrollo de herramientas de apoyo al proceso de enfermería para mejorar los resultados de la atención a esta población.

Introdução: A doença de Chagas é uma doença infecciosa causada pelo processo de parasitismo do protozoário Trypanosoma Cruzi. Dado o seu potencial de cronicidade, o cuidado de enfermagem na assistência à saúde dos pacientes com doença de Chagas proporcionará melhora na qualidade de vida e no prognóstico da doença. Objetivo: Revisar o conhecimento científico sobre os cuidados de enfermagem aos indivíduos com doença de Chagas. Material e Métodos: Pesquisa descritiva e exploratória, realizada com dois revisores independentes utilizando critérios de alta sensibilidade em bases de dados e fontes de literatura cinzenta entre junho e julho de 2022. Resultados: A revisão identificou 12 publicações relevantes que enfatizavam cuidados de saúde, educação, relacionamentos, prevenção de doenças e promoção da saúde. Os diagnósticos de enfermagem mais frequentes e diversos estavam relacionados aos domínios Atividade/Repouso, Promoção da Saúde e Enfrentamento/Estresse. Discussão: Para atender às necessidades de cuidado da doença de Chagas é fundamental garantir uma assistência de enfermagem que reconheça as individualidades, destacando a importância da criação de ferramentas que facilitem o processo de enfermagem. Os principais pontos destacados foram relacionados ao processo de educação em saúde, acompanhamento longitudinal, hábitos de vida saudáveis, cuidados gerais de enfermagem durante a internação e utilização de diagnósticos de enfermagem. Conclusão: Enfatiza-se a necessidade de uma assistência de enfermagem integral que atenda às principais necessidades dos indivíduos com doença de Chagas, considerando suas circunstâncias singulares. Desenvolver ferramentas de apoio ao processo de enfermagem é essencial para melhorar os resultados do cuidado a essa população

Lambs supplemented with Amazonian oilseed co-products: Meat quality and fatty acid profile.

The Amazon has a wide variety of oilseeds that generate a huge amount of co-products with potential for use in animal nutrition. The objective was to use alternative resources (oilseed cakes) in the feeding of lambs to assign a sustainable destination to this biomass, and evaluate its influence on the quality and fatty acid (FA) profile of the meat. Twenty-four lambs, male, castrated, crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês, weighing 30 ± 1.3 kg of initial body weight, were distributed in a completely randomized design in 4 treatments (diets) with six replications (animals). The control diet (Control) contained corn and soybean meal as main ingredients, which were partially replaced in the other diets by cupuassu cake diet (Cup), palm kernel cake diet (Palm) and tucuma cake diet (Tuc). The inclusion of Amazon cakes influences the lipid (P = 0.02) and protein (P < 0.01) composition of meat (longissimus lumborum); reduces cooking losses (P < 0.01); influences the colors (L, a, b), chroma, and Hue Angle (P < 0.01); promotes changes in total FA composition and FA profile (P < 0.05); reduces hypocholesterolemic FA (h) (P = 0.01), but does not influence hypercholesterolemic (H) and indices h:H, AI and TI (P > 0.05). The inclusion of oilseed cakes influences the chemical composition, physical parameters, composition and fatty acid profile of the meat, but does not influence the indicators of atherogenicity, thrombogenicity and cholesterolemia.

Antioxidant Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases in modulating oxidative stress biomarkers and cytokine levels. A systematic review of clinical trials was conducted, searching electronic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. After excluding articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 19 studies were included in the systematic review and 8 in the meta-analysis (6 for antioxidant capacity, 6 for superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 5 for lipid peroxidation analyzed through malondialdehyde (MDA) levels). SOD was significantly modulated (RR = 0.3764, 95% CI [0.0262 to 0.7267], p = 0.035) but not antioxidant capacity (RR = 0.3424, 95% CI [0.0334 to 0.7183], p = 0.0742) or MDA (RR = -0.8534, 95% CI [-1.9333 to 0.2265], p = 0.1214). Nonetheless, studies investigating oxidative stress biomarkers and cytokines in the context of alternative therapies for IBD treatment are still scarce. This review highlights the potential of antioxidant supplementation in IBD management and underscores the need for further investigations into its effects on oxidative stress biomarkers and cytokines to improve therapeutic approaches for IBD patients.

Effects of feeding diets with zinc-l-selenomethionine on growth performance of broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress.

Limited information exists on the use of zinc-l-selenomethionine (Zn-L-SeMet) in broiler diets and its effects on the growth performance, body temperature, mortality rates, blood profile, and gene expression, especially when animals are reared under cyclic heat stress conditions. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Zn-L-SeMet in broiler diets from 1 to 42 days of age reared under cyclic heat stress and its effects on growth performance, cloacal temperatures, mortality rate, blood parameters, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene expression in the breast muscle. A total of 1000 male Cobb 500® broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments: 0, 0.15, 0.23, 0.47, and 1.30 mg/kg of Zn-L-SeMet. Each treatment consisted of 10 replicates with 20 birds each. No statistically significant differences in growth performance were observed from 1 to 21 days of age (P > 0.05). However, from 1 to 42 days, feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased linearly (P < 0.05). Cloacal temperatures showed no significant effects (P > 0.05), while overall mortality rate exhibited a quadratic response (P < 0.05), with the optimal inclusion level predicted to reduce broiler mortality at 0.71 mg/kg. Triglyceride (TRG) levels increased with 0.97 mg/kg (P < 0.05), and gama-glutamil transferase (GGT) levels decreased with the inclusion of 1.19 mg/kg (P < 0.05). No significant effects on IGF-1 and GHR gene expression were found (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of 1.30 mg/kg of Zn-L-SeMet in diets of heat-stressed broilers improved growth performance from 1 to 42 days of age. An inclusion of 0.71 mg/kg reduced mortality rate, while 0.97 mg and 1.19 mg increased and reduced TRG and GGT levels, respectively.

Energy levels and lysine, calcium and phosphorus adjustments on broiler nutrient digestibility and performance.

Chicken broilers digestibility and performance fed with different ME levels, with and without adjustments of digestible lysine, calcium, and available phosphorus, were evaluated. For digestibility, 210 male Cobb 500 chicken broilers were used and distributed into a 3x2+1 factorial arrangement, with three ME levels (3050; 3125 and 3200 kcal/kg) with and without nutrient adjustment, plus one control treatment (2975 kcal ME/kg), totaling seven treatments including six repetitions with five birds into each repetition. For initial performance, 1120 birds were distributed randomly with eight replications within treatments and 20 birds for each replication. For final performance, 1008 chickens were distributed with eight replications and 18 birds for each replication. The DCDM and DCCP were improved (P<0.05) according to the increase of ME and the adjustment in dietary nutrients, as well as GE digestibility. The final performance showed no interaction (P>0.05) between energy and nutrient adjustment, but the increase in energy levels improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR=1.370). Increasing energy density with nutrient adjustment improves both nutrient utilization and bird performance.

Effect of crude glycerin supplementation via drinking water on feed intake, water intake and productive performance of dairy ewes.

This study was performed to determine the effects of crude glycerin (CG) supplementation in drinking water on DM and nutrient intake, milk production, milk composition, and serum glucose. Twenty multiparous Lacaune × East Friesian ewes were randomly distributed into four dietary treatments throughout the lactation cycle. Treatments consisted of doses of CG supplementation via drinking water as follows: (1) no CG supplementation, (2) 15.0 g CG/kg DM, (3) 30.0 g CG/kg DM, and (4) 45.0 g CG/kg DM. DM and nutrient intake were reduced linearly with CG supplementation. CG linearly reduced water intake when expressed as kg d-1. However, no effect of CG was observed when it was expressed as a percentage of body weight or metabolic body weight. The water to DM intake ratio was increased linearly with CG supplementation. No effect of CG doses on serum glucose was observed. The production of standardized milk decreased linearly with the experimental doses of CG. Protein, fat, and lactose yield were linearly reduced with the experimental doses of CG. Milk urea concentration was quadratically increased with CG doses. Feed conversion was quadratically increased by treatments during the pre-weaning period (P < 0.05), in which the worst values were observed when the ewes were supplemented with 15 and 30 g CG/kg DM. The N-efficiency was linearly increased with CG supplementation in drinking water. Our results suggest that dairy sheep can be supplemented with CG up to 15 g/kg DM in drinking water. Greater doses are not beneficial for feed intake, milk production, and the yield of milk components.

Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract from Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) Pods.

Malaria is an infectious and parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, which affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical areas. Recently, there have been multiple reports of drug resistance in Plasmodium populations, leading to the search for potential new active compounds against the parasite. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) in serial concentrations. Jucá was used in the form of a freeze-dried hydroalcoholic extract. For the cytotoxicity assay, the(3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method with the WI-26VA4 human cell line was used. For the antiplasmodial activity, Plasmodium falciparum synchronized cultures were treated with serial concentrations (0.2 to 50 µg/mL) of the Jucá extract. In terms of the chemical composition of the Jucá extract, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry measurements revealed the main compounds as ellagic acid, valoneic acid dilactone, gallotannin, and gallic acid. The Jucá hydroalcoholic extract did not show cytotoxic activity per MTT, with an IC50 value greater than 100 µg/mL. Regarding the antiplasmodial activity, the Jucá extract presented an IC50 of 11.10 µg/mL with a selective index of nine. Because of its antiplasmodial activity at the tested concentrations and low toxicity, the Jucá extract is presented as a candidate for herbal medicine in the treatment of malaria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antiplasmodial activity in Jucá.

Evaluation of a combination of Citrus aurantium var. Dulcis essential oil and albendazole for the treatment of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes.

Citrus fruits are consumed all over the world and their by-products are used for animal feed and essential oils production. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo activity of Citrus aurantium var. Dulcis essential oil (CaEO) combined with ABZ against benzimidazole resistant Haemonchus contortus. In vitro egg hatching assays (EHA) were performed using CaEO and ABZ to estimate the effective concentration to achieve 50% egg death (EC50) values and calculate the test essential oil and drug combinations using a simplex-centroid mixture design. These concentrations were used for a second round of EHAs. Sixteen sheep were randomly allocated into two groups and treated with ABZ and the combination of CaEO and ABZ, and faecal egg count reduction tests were performed. In the first round of EHA, CaEO and ABZ showed EC50 values of 0.57 and 0.0048 mg mL-1, respectively. The H. contortus strain used in the study was shown to be highly benzimidazole resistant, with only 1.5% of parasites having susceptible ß-tubulin SNP genotypes. The ABZ reduced the shedding of nematode eggs by 78%, however, its combination with CaEO reduced faecal egg counts by only 9%. The present study is important to highlight the interferences of natural products in anthelmintic metabolism and consequently in drug efficacy.

Effect of Palm Kernel Cake Supplementation on Voluntary Feed Intake, In Situ Rumen Degradability and Performance in Buffaloes in the Eastern Amazon.

The objective was to evaluate the effects of palm kernel cake (PKC) supplementation on voluntary feed intake, in situ rumen degradability and performance in the wettest (WS-January to June) and less rainy seasons (LR-July to December) in the eastern Amazon. A total of 52 crossbred buffaloes that were neither lactating nor gestating were used, with 24 for the LR, aged 34 ± 04 months and an initial average weight of 503 ± 48 kg, and 24 for the WS aged 40 ± 04 months with an average weight of 605 ± 56 kg. The four treatments (levels of PKC in relation to body weight) were distributed in a completely randomized design, with 0% (PKC0), 0.25% (PKC0.2), 0.5% (PKC0.5) and 1% (PKC1) with six repetitions. The animals were housed in Marandu grass paddocks, intermittently, with access to water and mineral mixture ad libitum. Degradability was evaluated by the in situ bag technique in four other crossbred buffaloes with rumen cannulae, in a 4 × 4 Latin square (four periods and four treatments). The inclusion of PKC increased supplement consumption and production of ether extracts and reduced the intake of forage and non-fibrous carbohydrates. The dry matter degradability of Marandu grass was not affected; however, the fermentation kinetics in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) differed between the treatments. The co-product dry matter colonization time was greater in PKC1 and the highest effective degradability rates were from PKC0, but the productive performance of the animals was not influenced. Supplementation of buffaloes with PKC is recommended for up to 1% of body weight.

Uso de plantas medicinais por idosos: Conhecimento dos riscos e benefícios / Medical plants use for elderly: Knowledge of risks and benefits

Objetivo: Avaliar a produção científica acerca da utilização de plantas medicinais por idosos e seus conhecimentos sobre riscos e benefícios. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório com abordagem qualitativa do tipo revisão integrativa da literatura. Os dados foram coletados em julho de 2015, através das bases de dados eletrônicas Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO) e Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS). Totalizando 36 artigos que após leitura exaustiva restaram apenas 8 para demonstrar o estudo. Resultados: As principais plantas citadas foram: Matricaria sp.,Lippia Alba, Cymbopogon citratus, Punica , Pimpinella anisum, Menta sp., Plantago sp., Aroeira, Amburana Cearensis, Anacardium occidentale. Observou-se também que esse mesmo grupo vulnerável fez a suspensão do alopático pelo fitoterápico, com riscos de não sucesso terapêutico. Conclusão: é muito importante uma atenção especializada quanto o uso de plantas medicinais por idosos, tendo em vista sua grande vulnerabilidade e os possíveis riscosadvindos desta prática(AU)

Objective:. To evaluate the scientific production about the use of medicinal plants by the elderly and their knowledge about risks and benefits. Method: descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach of the integrative literature review type. Collected in July 2015 through the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) electronic databases. Totaling 36 articles that after exhaustive reading, only 8 remained to demonstrate the study. Results: The main plants mentioned were: Matricaria sp., Lippia Alba, Cymbopogon citratus, Punica granatum, Pimpinella anisum, Menta sp., Plantago sp., Aroeira, Amburana Cearensis, Anacardium occidentale. It was also observed that this same vulnerable group discontinued allopathic treatment with herbal medicine, with risks of therapeutic failure. Conclusion: Specialized attention is very important regarding the use of medicinal plants by the elderly, in view of their great vulnerability and the possible risks arising from this practice(AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar la producción científica en la literatura sobre el uso de plantas medicinales por parte de los ancianos y su conocimiento sobre riesgos y beneficios. Método: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio con abordaje cualitativo del tipo revisión integrativa de la literatura. Los datos fueron recolectados en julio de 2015 a través de las bases de datos electrónicas Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) y Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS). Totalizando 36 artículos que luego de una lectura exhaustiva, solo quedaron 8 para demostrar el estudio. Resultados: Las principales plantas mencionadas fueron: Matricaria sp., Lippia Alba, Cymbopogon citratus, Punica granatum, Pimpinella anisum, Menta sp., Plantago sp., Aroeira, Amburana Cearensis, Anacardium occidentale. También se observó que este mismo grupo vulnerable suspendió el tratamiento alopático con fitoterapia, con riesgos de fracaso terapéutico. Conclusión: la atención especializada en cuanto al uso de plantas medicinales por parte de los ancianos es muy importante, dada su gran vulnerabilidad y los posibles riesgos derivados de esta práctica.(AU)

Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Containing Calendula Extract as a Wound Healing Bandage: In Vivo Test.

Hydrogel is a biomaterial widely used in several areas of industry due to its great biocompatibility and adaptability to biological tissues. In Brazil, the Calendula plant is approved by the Ministry of Health as a medicinal herb. It was chosen to be incorporated in the hydrogel formulation because of its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and healing effects. This study synthesized polyacrylamide hydrogel containing calendula extract and evaluated its efficiency as a bandage for wound healing. The hydrogels were prepared using free radical polymerization and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, swelling analysis and mechanical properties by texturometer. The morphology of the matrices showed large pores and foliaceous structure. In vivo testing, as well as the evaluation of acute dermal toxicity, was conducted using male Wistar rats. The tests indicated efficient collagen fiber production, improved skin repair and no signs of dermal toxicity. Thus, the hydrogel presents compatible properties for the controlled release of calendula extract used as a bandage to promote cicatrization.