Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) dietary intake affects plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, cholesteryl ester transfer to high-density lipoprotein and redox metabolism: A prospective study in women.

The açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea Martius), which is native to the Brazilian Amazon region, was shown to have high polyphenols and MUFA contents. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of açai consumption on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, the transfer of lipids to HDL (which is a relevant HDL function), and some biomarkers of redox metabolism. Forty healthy volunteer women aged 24 ± 3 years consumed 200 g of açai pulp/day for 4 weeks; their clinical variables and blood sample were obtained before and after this period. Açai pulp consumption did not alter anthropometric parameters, systemic arterial pressure, glucose, insulin and total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein (apo) B, but it did increase the concentration of apo A-I. Açai consumption decreased the ROS, ox-LDL and malondialdehyde while increasing the activity of antioxidative paraoxonase 1. Overall, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was increased. Regarding the transfer of plasma lipids to HDL, açai consumption increased the transfer of cholesteryl esters (p = 0.0043) to HDL. Unesterified cholesterol, phospholipids and triglyceride transfers were unaffected. The increase in apo A-I and the cholesteryl ester transfer to HDL after the açai intake period suggests that an improvement in the metabolism of this lipoprotein occurred, and it is well known that HDL is protective against atherosclerosis. Another important finding was the general improvement of the anti-oxidant defences elicited by açai consumption. Our data indicate that açai has favourable actions on plasma HDL metabolism and anti-oxidant defence; therefore açai could have a beneficial overall role against atherosclerosis, and it is a consistently good candidate to consider as a functional food.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp dietary intake improves cellular antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of serum in healthy women.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of açai pulp (Euterpe oleracea Martius) intake on the prevention of oxidative damage by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of protein oxidation in women. METHODS: A nutritional intervention study was conducted with thirty-five healthy women who were asked to consume 200 g/d of açai pulp for 4 wk. Blood samples were collected, and blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured before and after the experimental period. Antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, production of reactive oxygen species, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in polymorphonuclear cells. Serum concentration of protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups were also determined. RESULTS: The açai intake increased catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, it reduced serum concentration of protein carbonyl and increased total serum sulfhydryl groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the antioxidant benefit of dietary açai for the healthy women included in the present study, and may increase understanding of the beneficial health properties of this fruit.

Um olhar sobre as ações do enfermeiro no processo de acreditação hospitalar / A study of the actions of nurses in hospital accreditation processes / Una mirada a las acciones de la enfermera en el proceso de acreditación hospitalaria

Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica em que se propõe descrever ações do enfermeiro no processo de acreditação hospitalar. O estudo foi desenvolvido durante os meses de abril e maio de 2006 através de revisão de literatura sobre o tema escolhido, disponível nos bancos de dados BIREME, LILACS, SCIELO e BDENF. Os dados foram obtidos nas seguintes categorias: o processo de acreditação hospitalar e o enfermeiro no processo de acreditação hospitalar. Concluiu-se que a liderança, a comunicação, a habilidade técnico-científica, a organização do trabalho e os programas de educação continuada são estratégias que possibilitam ao enfermeiro implementar as mudanças requeridas às novas situações e ao trabalho interdisciplinar. Dessa forma esse profissional vem proporcionando melhoria na qualidade da assistência e contribuindo efetivamente para o alcance dos objetivos institucionais , ou seja,o êxito do processo de acreditação.

This paper is a bibliographic review aiming to describe the actions of nurses in the hospital accreditation process. A review of literature on this theme was undertaken between April and May 2006 using the BIREME, LILACS, SCIELO and BDENF databases. Data was collected on the hospital accreditation process, and nurses in the hospital accreditation process. We concluded that leadership, communication, technical and scientific knowledge, organization of work, and continuing education programs are strategies that enable nurses to implement changes required for the new situation and for interdisciplinary work. Nurses, therefore, can facilitate improvements in the quality of care and effectively support the institution as it seeks success in the accreditation process.

Se trata de una investigación bibliográfica que se propone describir acciones del enfermero en el proceso de acreditación hospitalaria. Este estudio se llevó a cabo durante abril y mayo de 2006 con revisión de literatura sobre el tema en pauta, disponible en las bases de datos BIREME, LILAS, SCIELO y BDENF. Los datos se obtuvieron en las siguientes categorías: el proceso de acreditación hospitalaria y el enfermero en el proceso de acreditación hospitalaria. Se concluyó que líderes, comunicación, habilidad técnico científica, organización del trabajo y programas de educación continua son estrategias que le permiten al enfermero implementar los cambios que requieren tanto las nuevas situaciones como el trabajo interdisciplinario. De tal manera, dichos profesionales vienen proporcionando mejoras en la calidad de la asistencia y contribuyendo efectivamente al alcance de los objetivos institucionales, es decir, al éxito del proceso de acreditación.