SARS-CoV-2 prevalence at eight urban health clinics in Nicaragua: possible implications for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in selected health clinics in the three largest urban areas in Nicaragua, where data regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing, morbidity and mortality is severely limited. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and were tested for antibodies using immunoassays. A questionnaire recorded subjects' COVID-19-associated symptoms and risk factors. Data were collected from 22 February to 19 March 2021, 1 year after the first confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Nicaragua. Study participants were enrolled while attending routine check-ups or seeking care unrelated to COVID-19. Study participation was random and voluntary. All patients were eligible to participate. Symptom history was not part of the eligibility criteria. Results: The prevalence of current SARS-CoV-2 infection was high (14%, LAMP-positive/seronegative). Antibody testing showed higher overall seroprevalence (38%). Cough was the symptom most strongly associated with being LAMP-positive (odds ratio 3.57, 95% confidence interval 2.65-4.81). Loss of smell had the highest positive predictive value, and was significantly associated with being LAMP-positive. Conclusion: The prevalence of current SARS-CoV-2 infection and seropositivity were fairly high. More than half of the sample population had evidence of current or past infection. Knowledge of this previously unknown elevated level of infection is crucial for healthcare providers and policy makers.

Women Physicians: Burnout during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil. / Mulheres Médicas: Burnout durante a Pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has placed a tremendous burden on physicians worldwide, especially women physicians, affected by increased workload and loss of quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life, burnout and spirituality of Brazilian women physicians directly or indirectly providing care to COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Prospective, observational study performed from July 28 to September 27, 2020, in Brazil, with women physicians from 47 specialities, the most frequent being cardiology (22.8%), with no age restriction. They voluntarily answered an online survey with questions on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, quality of life (WHOQOL-brief), spirituality (WHOQOL-SRPB), and statements from the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Statistical analysis used the R software, beta regression, classification trees, and polychoric correlation matrix, with a 5% of significance level. RESULTS: Of the 769 respondents, 61.6% reported signs of burnout. About 64% reported wage loss of up to 50% during the pandemic. Some reported lack of energy for daily tasks, frequent negative feelings, dissatisfaction with capability for work, and caring for others not adding meaning to their lives. Negative feelings correlated negatively with satisfaction with sexual life and personal relations, and energy for daily tasks. The inability to remain optimistic in times of uncertainty correlated positively with feeling unsafe daily and not acknowledging that caring for others brings meaning to life. CONCLUSION: This study showed a high frequency of burnout among Brazilian women physicians who answered the survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they presented with a relatively good quality of life and believed that spirituality comforted and reassured them in hard times.

FUNDAMENTO: A COVID-19 adicionou um fardo enorme sobre os médicos ao redor do mundo, especialmente as mulheres médicas, que são afetadas pelo aumento da carga de trabalho e pela perda da qualidade de vida. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 na qualidade de vida, burnout e espiritualidade de médicas brasileiras que atendem pacientes com COVID-19 direta ou indiretamente. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo, observacional realizado de 28 de julho a 27 de setembro de 2020, no Brasil, com mulheres médicas de 47 especialidades, a mais frequente sendo a cardiologia (22,8%), sem restrição de idade. Elas responderam voluntariamente um questionário online com questões sobre características demográficas e socioeconômicas, qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-brief) e espiritualidade (WHOQOL-SRPB) e enunciados do Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. A análise estatística utilizou o software R, regressão beta, árvores de classificação e matriz de correlação policórica, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Das 769 respondentes, 61,6% relataram sinais de burnout. Cerca de 64% relataram perda salarial de até 50% durante a pandemia. Algumas relataram falta de energia para as tarefas diárias, sentimentos negativos frequentes, insatisfação com a capacidade para o trabalho, e que cuidar de outras pessoas não agregava sentido às suas vidas. Os sentimentos negativos correlacionaram-se negativamente com a satisfação com a vida sexual, a satisfação com as relações pessoais e a energia para as tarefas diárias. A incapacidade de permanecer otimista em tempos de incerteza correlacionou-se positivamente com a sensação de insegurança no dia a dia e com o não reconhecimento de que cuidar de outras pessoas trouxesse sentido à vida. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo mostrou uma alta frequência de burnout entre as médicas brasileiras que responderam ao questionário durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Apesar disso, apresentavam uma qualidade de vida relativamente boa e acreditavam que a espiritualidade trazia-lhes conforto e segurança nos momentos difíceis.

Prevalence and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with and without symptoms seeking care in Managua, Nicaragua: results of a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to capture key epidemiological data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in Nicaraguan children (≤18 years) seeking medical care, between 6 October and 16 November 2020. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 418 children were recruited: 319 with symptoms characteristic of COVID-19 and 99 with no symptoms of illness. Children were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using loop-mediated isothermal amplification. A questionnaire was employed to identify symptoms, risk factors, comorbidities and COVID-19 prevention measures. SETTING: Research was carried out in four hospitals and two clinics in Managua, Nicaragua, where schools and businesses remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. PARTICIPANTS: Children were enrolled into a possible COVID-19 group if presenting with clinical symptoms. A comparison group included children lacking any COVID-19 symptoms attending routine check-ups or seeking care for issues unrelated to COVID-19. RESULTS: A high prevalence (43%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found, which was relatively equivalent in symptomatic and non-symptomatic children. Age distribution was similar between symptomatic and non-symptomatic children testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Symptomatic children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were 2.7 times more likely to have diarrhoea (26.7% in positive vs 12.0% in negative; OR=2.7 (95% CI 1.5 to 4.8), p=0.001) and were 2.0 times more likely to have myalgia (17.8% in positive vs 9.8% in negative; OR=2.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 3.8), p=0.04). Children with COVID-19 symptoms, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, were more likely to be under age 5 years and to have a pre-existing comorbid condition than children who tested positive but did not have symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first paediatric study to provide laboratory-confirmed data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in Nicaragua, crucial for paediatric health services planning and a successful COVID-19 response. The high prevalence of the virus suggests widespread and sustained community transmission, underscoring the urgent need for robust data on the true extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection throughout Nicaragua.

Discovery of sulfonyl hydrazone derivative as a new selective PDE4A and PDE4D inhibitor by lead-optimization approach on the prototype LASSBio-448: In vitro and in vivo preclinical studies.

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors have emerged as a new strategy to treat asthma and other lung inflammatory diseases. Searching for new PDE4 inhibitors, we previously reported the discover of LASSBio-448, a sulfonamide with potential to prevent and reverse pivotal pathological features of asthma. In this paper, two novel series of sulfonamide (6a-6m) and sulfonyl hydrazone (7a-7j) analogues of LASSBio-448 have been synthetized and evaluated for selective inhibitory activity toward cAMP-specific PDE4 isoforms. From these studies, we have identified 7j (LASSBio-1632) as a new anti-asthmatic lead-candidate associated with selective inhibition of PDE4A and PDE4D isoenzymes and blockade of airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and TNF-α production in the lung tissue. In addition, it was able to relax guinea pig trachea on non-sensitized and sensitized animals and showed great TGI permeability.

Ultrasound measurement of gallbladder wall thickening as a diagnostic test and prognostic indicator for severe dengue in pediatric patients.

Gallbladder wall thickening measured by ultrasound was significantly associated with severe dengue, as well as with hallmark features of thrombocytopenia and elevated hematocrit/hemoconcentration, in children with suspected dengue in Nicaragua. We demonstrate that gallbladder wall thickening serves as a clinically relevant diagnostic test and prognostic indicator of severe dengue in pediatric populations.

Mulheres Médicas: Burnout durante a Pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil / Women Physicians: Burnout during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Resumo Fundamento A COVID-19 adicionou um fardo enorme sobre os médicos ao redor do mundo, especialmente as mulheres médicas, que são afetadas pelo aumento da carga de trabalho e pela perda da qualidade de vida. Objetivo Avaliar os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 na qualidade de vida, burnout e espiritualidade de médicas brasileiras que atendem pacientes com COVID-19 direta ou indiretamente. Método Estudo prospectivo, observacional realizado de 28 de julho a 27 de setembro de 2020, no Brasil, com mulheres médicas de 47 especialidades, a mais frequente sendo a cardiologia (22,8%), sem restrição de idade. Elas responderam voluntariamente um questionário online com questões sobre características demográficas e socioeconômicas, qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-brief) e espiritualidade (WHOQOL-SRPB) e enunciados do Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. A análise estatística utilizou o software R, regressão beta, árvores de classificação e matriz de correlação policórica, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Das 769 respondentes, 61,6% relataram sinais de burnout. Cerca de 64% relataram perda salarial de até 50% durante a pandemia. Algumas relataram falta de energia para as tarefas diárias, sentimentos negativos frequentes, insatisfação com a capacidade para o trabalho, e que cuidar de outras pessoas não agregava sentido às suas vidas. Os sentimentos negativos correlacionaram-se negativamente com a satisfação com a vida sexual, a satisfação com as relações pessoais e a energia para as tarefas diárias. A incapacidade de permanecer otimista em tempos de incerteza correlacionou-se positivamente com a sensação de insegurança no dia a dia e com o não reconhecimento de que cuidar de outras pessoas trouxesse sentido à vida. Conclusão O presente estudo mostrou uma alta frequência de burnout entre as médicas brasileiras que responderam ao questionário durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Apesar disso, apresentavam uma qualidade de vida relativamente boa e acreditavam que a espiritualidade trazia-lhes conforto e segurança nos momentos difíceis.

Abstract Background COVID-19 has placed a tremendous burden on physicians worldwide, especially women physicians, affected by increased workload and loss of quality of life. Objective To assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life, burnout and spirituality of Brazilian women physicians directly or indirectly providing care to COVID-19 patients. Methods Prospective, observational study performed from July 28 to September 27, 2020, in Brazil, with women physicians from 47 specialities, the most frequent being cardiology (22.8%), with no age restriction. They voluntarily answered an online survey with questions on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, quality of life (WHOQOL-brief), spirituality (WHOQOL-SRPB), and statements from the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Statistical analysis used the R software, beta regression, classification trees, and polychoric correlation matrix, with a 5% of significance level. Results Of the 769 respondents, 61.6% reported signs of burnout. About 64% reported wage loss of up to 50% during the pandemic. Some reported lack of energy for daily tasks, frequent negative feelings, dissatisfaction with capability for work, and caring for others not adding meaning to their lives. Negative feelings correlated negatively with satisfaction with sexual life and personal relations, and energy for daily tasks. The inability to remain optimistic in times of uncertainty correlated positively with feeling unsafe daily and not acknowledging that caring for others brings meaning to life. Conclusion This study showed a high frequency of burnout among Brazilian women physicians who answered the survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they presented with a relatively good quality of life and believed that spirituality comforted and reassured them in hard times.

Serotype-specific differences in clinical manifestations of dengue.

Dengue, the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease of humans, is caused by four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV 1-4). Although all four DENV serotypes cause a range of illness, defining precisely which clinical characteristics are associated with the distinct serotypes has been elusive. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 984 and 313 hospitalized children with confirmed DENV infections during two time periods, respectively, in the same hospitals in Nicaragua: a 3-year period (1999-2001) when DENV-2 accounted for 96% of the viruses identified, and the 2003 dengue season when DENV-1 predominated (87% of identified serotypes). When the two periods were compared, more shock (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.35-2.71) and internal hemorrhage (OR 2.05, CI 1.16-3.78) were observed in the period when DENV-2 predominated, whereas increased vascular permeability was associated to a greater degree with the DENV-1 period (OR 2.36, CI 1.80-3.09). Compared with the DENV-2 period, the DENV-1 season was associated with more hospitalized primary dengue cases (OR 3.86, CI 2.72-5.48) and more primary DENV infections with severe manifestations (OR 2.93, CI 2.00-4.28). These findings provide new data to characterize the pathogenic potential of distinct DENV serotypes in human populations.

Crystal structure and conformational analysis of 2-hy-droxy-3-(2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl)naphthalene-1,4-dione.

In the structure of the title compound, C14H12O3, the substituent side chain, in which the H atoms of both methyl groups are disordered over six equivalent sites, lies outside of the plane of the naphthalene-dione ring. The ring-to-chain C-C-C-C torsion angles are 50.7 (3), -176.6 (2) and 4.9 (4)°. An intra-molecular meth-yl-hy-droxy C-H⋯O hydrogen bond is present. In the crystal, mol-ecules are primarily connected by inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a centrosymmetric cyclic dimer motif [graph set R 2 (2)(10)]. Also present is a weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond linking the dimers and a weak π-π ring inter-action [ring centroid separation = 3.7862 (13) Å], giving layers parallel to (10-3).

O ECG NA MULHER HIPERTENSA, QUAL O MELHOR CRITÉRIO DE VOLTAGEM? / THE ECG IN HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN, WHAT IS THE BEST VOLTAGE CRITERIA?

Segundo a Diretriz Brasileira de Hipertensão Arterial 2020, hipertensão arterial (HA) é uma doença crônica não transmissível (DCNT) definida por níveis pressóricos, em que os benefícios do tratamento não medicamentoso e/ou medicamentoso superam os riscos; e a falta de tratamento evolui com lesão de órgão alvo, como a hipertrofia ventricular esquerda. Neste estudo avaliamos a literatura no tocante à acurácia dos critérios eletrocardiográficos para diagnóstico de hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) e por conta das diferenças entre homens e mulheres, isso constitui um grande desafio. Dentre os fatores que mais interferem no critério sensibilidade, destacam-se a massa cardíaca e o sexo, sendo a sensibilidade do ECG maior com o aumento da massa ventricular e no sexo masculino, segundo Colossimo e Povoa. No estudo de Gasperin, onde foram utilizados critérios de voltagem, observou-se que o critério de Cornell nas mulheres foi de maior sensibilidade, de 54,90%, com alta especificidade de 81,60%. Quando a sensibilidade do critério de Cornell foi comparada à de Sokolow-Lyon-Rappaport, o segundo em sensibilidade, foi de 41,18%; sem significância estatística entre os dois. A detecção precoce da HVE tem importância prognóstica, já discutida em vários trabalhos e seus critérios de validação, um constante desafio. Definir critérios específicos em mulheres torna-se necessário para maior acurácia diagnóstica e abordagem precoce para intervenções terapêuticas sejam medicamentosas ou não. Conclui-se que o critério eletrocardiográfico de Cornell foi o método com maior sensibilidade nas mulheres, nesta revisão. São necessários estudos com análises especificas para o sexo feminino, considerando suas diferenças anatômicas e antropométricas e possivelmente ajustadas à população brasileira. Torna-se uma limitação desta análise, a lacuna resultante do pequeno número de dados e poucos estudos publicados sobre o tema.

According to the Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension 2020, hypertension (AH) is a chronic non-communicabledisease (NCD) defined by blood pressure levels, in which the benefits of non pharmacologic and/or pharmacologic therapy out weigh The risks; and lack of treatment evolves with target-organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy. In this study, we evaluated the literature regarding the accuracy of the electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and, due to the differences between men and women, this represents a great challenge. Among the factors that most interfere with the sensitivity criterion, cardiac mass and gender stand out, with ECG sensitivity being greater with the increase in ventricular mass and in males, according to Colossimo and Povoa. In the study by Gasperin, where voltage criteria were used, it was observed that the Cornell criterion in women was more sensitive, 54.90%, with a high specificity of 81.60%. When the sensitivity of the Cornell criterion was compared to theSokolow-Lyon-Rappaport criterion, the latter in sensitivity was 41.18%; with no statistical significance between the two. The early detection of LVH hás prognostic importance, already discussed in several works and its validation criteria, a Constant challenge. Defining specific criteria in women becomes necessary for greater diagnostic accuracy and a nearly approach to therapeutic interventions, whether drug-related or not. It is concluded that the Cornell electrocardiographic criterion was the method with the greatest sensitivity in women in this review. However, studies with specific analyzes for females are still needed, considering their anatomical and anthropometric differences and possibly adjusted to the Brazilian population. The gap resulting from the small amount of data and few published studies on the subject becomes a limitation of this analysis

Sociedade brasileira de cardiologia a carta das mulheres / Brazilian society of cardiology the women's letter

O objetivo primordial desse documento é estimular a melhoria das condições de saúde das mulheres brasileiras, com foco na doença cardiovascular (DCV). A DCV é responsável por 17,5 milhões de mortes prematuras/ano no mundo, com previsão de aumento para 23 milhões em 2030. As DCV são responsáveis por um terço de todas as mortes no Brasil, com semelhança entre homens e mulheres após a menopausa. Esses dados revestem-se de maior importância quando consideramos que 80% das mortes prematura. (AU)

Miocardiopatia não compactada em gestante com linfoma não Hodgkin. Relato de caso / Non-compaction cardiomyopathy in pregnant women with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a case report

A miocardiopatia não compactada é uma doença congênita rara, que pode ocorrer isoladamente ou associada a outros defeitos, por falha no processo de compactação das fibras miocárdicas, resultando na persistência de trabeculações e recessos profundos. A associação entre a miocardiopatia não compactada e gestação é incomum na literatura, assim como a relação com macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom, um tipo de linfoma não Hodgkin. Descrevemos aqui a rara associação destas três patologias. Trata-se de paciente do sexo feminino, sem antecedentes hematológicos, neoplasias ou cardiopatias, que procurou o serviço com queixa de astenia progressiva, dores no corpo, perda ponderal importante e anemia. Na investigação diagnóstica, a imunoeletroforese de proteína constatou pico monoclonal em IgM Kappa, com inventário medular por imunofenotipagem e biópsia de medula óssea com Kappa+, CD19+, CD20+, CD38 e CD79b, confirmando diagnóstico de neoplasia de linfócitos B maduros. Na terapêutica, optou-se pelo esquema de primeira linha com dexametasona, rituximabe e ciclofosfamida (DRC) − este último considerado agente alquilante cardiotóxico. Em triagem pré-quimioterápica, o eletrocardiograma mostrou alteração da repolarização ventricular anterosseptal. O ecocardiograma transtorácico evidenciou trabeculações excessivas no ápice do ventrículo esquerdo, sugerindo não compactação do miocárdio. A ressonância magnética confirmou o diagnóstico. Foi iniciada terapia com metoprolol e ácido acetilsalisílico. Todavia, após o último ciclo de terapia quimioterápica, paciente descobriu gravidez (G1P1A0). O período gestacional e o puerpério evoluíram sem manifestações clínicas de insuficiência cardíaca, em classe funcional I (New York Heart Association), mesmo com redução da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo ao ecocardiograma transtorácico. (AU)

Non-compaction cardiomyopathy is a rare congenital disease that can occur in isolation or associated with other defects, due to failure in compaction of myocardial fiber, resulting in persistence of myocardial trabeculations and deep recesses. The association between non-compaction cardiomyopathy and gestation, as well as the relationship with Waldenstrom's macrobulinemia, a type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), are not common in the literature. This study describes the rare association of these three pathologies. This is the case of a female patient with no history of hematological, neoplastic, or heart diseases, who sought the service with complaints of progressive weakness, body aches, important weight loss, and anemia. During the diagnostic investigation, protein immunoelectrophoresis showed a monoclonal peak in IgM Kappa monoclonal gammopathy, with a medullary inventory by immunophenotyping and bone marrow biopsy with Kappa+, CD19+, CD20+, CD38 and CD79b, confirming the diagnosis of mature B-cell lymphocyte neoplasm. The first line therapy chosen was dexamethasone, rituximab, and cyclophosphamide (CKD), with the latter being considered a cardiotoxic alkylating agent. At pre-chemotherapy screening, the electrocardiogram showed an alteration of the anteroseptal ventricular repolarization. Transthoracic echocardiography (ETT) showed excessive trabeculations at the apex of the left ventricle (LV), suggesting no compaction of the myocardium. The magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis.Therapy with metoprolol and acetylsalicylic acid was started. However, after the last cycle of chemotherapy, the patient found she was pregnant (G1P1A0). The gestational and puerperium period progressed with no clinical manifestations of heart failure, in functional class I (New York Heart Association), albeit the reduction of the ejection fraction of the left ventricular shown in the transthoracic echocardiography. (AU)

Acidentes de trabalho e suas interfaces no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde / Work accidents and their interfaces in the context of Primary Health Care

Objetivo: analisar as evidências, na literatura nacional e internacional, relacionadas aos acidentes detrabalho na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: revisão integrativa norteada pela questão >. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF, REPIDISCA eIBECS, durante os meses de dezembro de 2015 e janeiro de 2016. Adotou-se o nível de evidências, segundoStetler, para a análise dos estudos. Resultados: Da análise das publicações científicas, emergiram trêscategorias temáticas: principais fatores relacionados à ocorrência de acidente de trabalho na atençãoprimária à saúde; impacto dos acidentes de trabalho sobre a saúde do trabalhador e papel da atençãoprimária à saúde no campo da saúde do trabalhador. Conclusão: Faz-se premente a implementação depolíticas de saúde no trabalho, em conformidade com as diretrizes de segurança do trabalhador.

Improvement in hospital indicators after changes in dengue case management in Nicaragua.

Dengue is a major problem worldwide, and improving case management is a significant priority. In consultation with colleagues in Thailand, changes in management of hospitalized dengue cases were introduced in Nicaragua, including oral rather than intravenous (IV) fluids upon admission, continuous monitoring of clinical and laboratory signs, and use of IV fluids principally during the critical phase and colloids in management of shock. Two periods were compared, before (2003) and after (2005) their implementation, to assess impact. In 2003, 182 hospitalized laboratory-confirmed dengue cases 0-14 years of age who presented < or = 5 days post-symptom onset were included in the study; 46 were enrolled in 2005. Outcomes included significant reductions in days of IV fluid administration ( P = 0.0001), number of patients receiving IV fluids ( P < 0.0001), and duration of hospitalization ( P < 0.0001), and a non-significant reduction in the number of admissions to the intensive care unit from 8 in 2003 to 0 in 2005 ( P = 0.36). This study demonstrates concrete gains in dengue patient care and case management.

Contradições da Assistência Social no governo "neodesenvolvimentista" e suas funcionalidades ao capital / Contradictions of Social Assistance in "neodevelopment" government and its functionalities to capital

É na particularidade da inserção da economia brasileira na totalidade do capital que se explicitam as funcionalidades da política de Assistência Social às estratégias "neodesenvolvimentistas" de crescimento econômico e justiça social. Convertendo seus usuários trabalhadores apenas em "pobres", a Assistência Social brasileira assume um novo papel, o qual permite, em última análise, salvaguardar a riqueza produzida no país do conflito pela sua repartição e transferi-la para a expansão do capital internacional.

The peculiarity of the insertion of the Brazilian economy in the entirety of the capital show the Social Assistance policy functionalities related to the "neodevelopmentalist" strategies of economic growth and social justice. Converting its user-workers into only "very poor people", the Brazilian Social Assistance takes on a new role which leads to the protection of the country-produced wealth from the conflict over its distribution and to its transfer to the expansion of the international capital.

Uso de medicamentos durante a gestação e a lactação em mulheres militares na região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte e sua associação com o tempo de aleitamento materno / Medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding amongmilitary policewomen in the Metropolitan Area of Belo Horizonte and correlation with duration of the breastfeeding period

Objetivo: investigar a associação do uso de medicamento com a duração do aleitamento materno em mães militares com crianças de até 24 meses na região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Métodos: trata-se de estudo transversal realizado nas unidades da Polícia Militar com 100 mães militares que tiveram filhos no período de maio de 2007 a setembro de 2011. O efeito do uso de medicamentos sobre o tempo de aleitamento materno foi avaliado pela análise univariada. O teste de Mann Whitney foi utilizado para verificar o tempo de aleitamento materno. As publicações da Food and Drug Administration (1990), Academia Americana de Pediatria (2001) e Hale (2006) foram adotadas para análise de segurança do uso de medicamentos durante a gestação e a amamentação. Resultados: a frequência de uso de medicamentos foi de 76% na gestação e 47% na lactação. Dos medicamentos utilizados na gravidez, 0,9% possuíam risco para o feto. Seu uso na gestação e lactação não esteve associado à duração do aleitamento materno. Concluão: o uso de medicamentos apresentou-se como prática frequente durante a gestação e a lactação. A utilização mais frequente de medicamentos seguros contribuiu para que essa prática não apresentasse associação com o tempo de amamentação.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of medication with breastfeeding duration among military policewomen mothers of children up to age of 24 months in the Metropolitan Area of Belo Horizonte. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out at Military Police units (preventative police force of the State of Minas Gerais) approaching 100 mothers that had children from May 2007 through September 2011. A univariate analysis was carried out to assess the effect of medication use on breastfeeding duration. Mann Whitney test was used to assess the duration of the breastfeeding period. The Food and Drug Administration (1990), American Academy of Pediatrics (2001) and Hale (2006) publications were used to analyze the safety of medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Results: The frequency of medication use was 76 % during pregnancy and 47 % during breastfeeding. Medication that could pose some risk for the fetus represented 0.9 % of the medication used during pregnancy. Medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding did not correlate with the duration of the breastfeeding period. Conclusion: Medication use is a frequent practice during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Given the frequent use of safe medication, this practice did not correlate with the duration of the breastfeeding period.