Racism and food insecurity: misfortunes of a Quilombola community in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. / Racismo e insegurança alimentar: mazelas de uma comunidade quilombola da Amazônia legal brasileira.

This study examined food insecurity in the Quilombola community of Imbiral Cabeça-Branca, in Maranhão, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the last quarter of 2021 with 25 household heads from the community. Most participants were women (52.0%) with low schooling and were unemployed (68.0%), and 76.0% received a Federal Emergency Aid. The mean household density was four people, and houses were predominantly made of rammed earth, lacking basic sanitation. The consumed water came from artesian wells, and most houses had electricity. Food insecurity was identified in all households, with 12.0% classified as mild, 24.0% as moderate, and 64.0% as severe. The severe form was more common in households headed by single men (75%), older adults, less-educated individuals (78.7%), and the unemployed (64.7%). Food insecurity in the Quilombola community and other similar communities in the country results from substandard living conditions, unemployment, food deprivation, and lack of land titling. These factors also contribute to the perpetuation of institutional and environmental racism faced by these communities.

Este estudo analisou a insegurança alimentar na comunidade quilombola Imbiral Cabeça-Branca, no Maranhão, durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Estudo transversal realizado no último trimestre de 2021, com 25 chefes de família da comunidade. A maioria dos participantes eram mulheres (52,0%), com baixa escolaridade, desempregados (68,0%), e 76,0% recebiam o Auxílio Emergencial federal. A densidade domiciliar média era de quatro pessoas, e as casas eram predominantemente de taipa, sem saneamento básico. A água consumida provinha de poços artesanais, e a maioria das casas tinha acesso à eletricidade. A insegurança alimentar foi identificada em todas as famílias, sendo 12,0% classificadas como Leve, 24,0% Moderada e 64,0% Grave. A forma Grave foi mais comum em lares chefiados por homens solteiros (75%), idosos, pessoas com baixa escolaridade (78,7%) e desempregados (64,7%). A insegurança alimentar na comunidade quilombola, assim como em outras comunidades similares no país, é resultado das condições precárias de vida, desemprego, privação de alimentos e falta de titulação de terras. Esses fatores também contribuem para a perpetuação do racismo institucional e ambiental enfrentado por essas comunidades.

Racismo e insegurança alimentar: mazelas de uma comunidade quilombola da Amazônia legal brasileira / Racism and food insecurity: misfortunes of a Quilombola community in the Brazilian Legal Amazon

Resumo Este estudo analisou a insegurança alimentar na comunidade quilombola Imbiral Cabeça-Branca, no Maranhão, durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Estudo transversal realizado no último trimestre de 2021, com 25 chefes de família da comunidade. A maioria dos participantes eram mulheres (52,0%), com baixa escolaridade, desempregados (68,0%), e 76,0% recebiam o Auxílio Emergencial federal. A densidade domiciliar média era de quatro pessoas, e as casas eram predominantemente de taipa, sem saneamento básico. A água consumida provinha de poços artesanais, e a maioria das casas tinha acesso à eletricidade. A insegurança alimentar foi identificada em todas as famílias, sendo 12,0% classificadas como Leve, 24,0% Moderada e 64,0% Grave. A forma Grave foi mais comum em lares chefiados por homens solteiros (75%), idosos, pessoas com baixa escolaridade (78,7%) e desempregados (64,7%). A insegurança alimentar na comunidade quilombola, assim como em outras comunidades similares no país, é resultado das condições precárias de vida, desemprego, privação de alimentos e falta de titulação de terras. Esses fatores também contribuem para a perpetuação do racismo institucional e ambiental enfrentado por essas comunidades.

Abstract This study examined food insecurity in the Quilombola community of Imbiral Cabeça-Branca, in Maranhão, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the last quarter of 2021 with 25 household heads from the community. Most participants were women (52.0%) with low schooling and were unemployed (68.0%), and 76.0% received a Federal Emergency Aid. The mean household density was four people, and houses were predominantly made of rammed earth, lacking basic sanitation. The consumed water came from artesian wells, and most houses had electricity. Food insecurity was identified in all households, with 12.0% classified as mild, 24.0% as moderate, and 64.0% as severe. The severe form was more common in households headed by single men (75%), older adults, less-educated individuals (78.7%), and the unemployed (64.7%). Food insecurity in the Quilombola community and other similar communities in the country results from substandard living conditions, unemployment, food deprivation, and lack of land titling. These factors also contribute to the perpetuation of institutional and environmental racism faced by these communities.

Acetyl group for proper protection of ß-sugar-amino acids used in SPPS.

The synthesis of D-glucosamine-1-carboxylic acid based ß-sugar amino acids (ß-SAAs) is typically performed in nine consecutive steps via an inefficient OAc → Br → CN conversion protocol with low overall yield. Here, we present the improved and more efficient synthesis of both Fmoc-GlcAPC-OH and Fmoc-GlcAPC(Ac)-OH, ß-SAAs consisting of only 4-5 synthetic steps. Their active ester and amide bond formation with glycine methyl ester (H-Gly-OMe) was completed and monitored by 1H NMR. The stability of the pyranoid OHs protecting the acetyl groups was investigated under three different Fmoc cleavage conditions and was found to be satisfactory even at high piperidine concentration (e.g. 40%). We designed a SPPS protocol using Fmoc-GlcAPC(Ac)-OH to produce model peptides Gly-ß-SAA-Gly as well as Gly-ß-SAA-ß-SAA-Gly with high coupling efficiency. The products were deacetylated using the Zemplén method, which allows the hydrophilicity of a building block and/or chimera to be fine-tuned, even after the polypeptide chain has already been synthesized.

Asymptomatic and Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infections in a Hungarian Outpatient Cohort in the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to estimate the proportion of the population infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the first year of the pandemic. The study population consisted of outpatient adults with mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and was divided into subpopulations with different levels of exposure. Among the subpopulation without known previous COVID-19 contacts, 4143 patients were investigated. Of the subpopulation with known COVID-19 contacts, 594 patients were investigated. IgG- and IgA-seroprevalence and RT-PCR positivity were determined in context with COVID-19 symptoms. Our results suggested no significant age-related differences between participants for IgG positivity but indicated that COVID-19 symptoms occurred most frequently in people aged between 20 and 29 years. Depending on the study population, 23.4-74.0% PCR-positive people (who were symptomless SARS-CoV-2 carriers at the time of the investigation) were identified. It was also observed that 72.7% of the patients remained seronegative for 30 days or more after their first PCR-positive results. This study hoped to contribute to the scientific understanding of the significance of asymptomatic and mild infections in the long persistence of the pandemic.

Combined Release of Antiseptic and Antibiotic Drugs from Visible Light Polymerized Biodegradable Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Periodontitis Treatment.

The in situ application of the combination of different types of drugs revolutionized the area of periodontal therapy. The purpose of this study was to develop nanocomposite hydrogel (NCHG) as a pH-sensitive drug delivery system. To achieve local applicability of the NCHG in dental practice, routinely used blue-light photopolymerization was chosen for preparation. The setting time was 60 s, which resulted in stable hydrogel structures. Universal Britton-Robinson buffer solutions were used to investigate the effect of pH in the range 4-12 on the release of drugs that can be used in the periodontal pocket. Metronidazole was released from the NCHGs within 12 h, but chlorhexidine showed a much longer elution time with strong pH dependence, which lasted more than 7 days as it was corroborated by the bactericidal effect. The biocompatibility of the NCHGs was proven by Alamar-blue test and the effectiveness of drug release in the acidic medium was also demonstrated. This fast photo-polymerizable NCHG can help to establish a locally applicable combined drug delivery system which can be loaded with the required amount of medicines and can reduce the side effects of the systemic use of drugs that have to be used in high doses to reach an ideal concentration locally.

A new linear combination method of haplogroup distribution central vectors to model population admixtures.

We introduce a novel population genetic approach suitable to model the origin and relationships of populations, using new computation methods analyzing Hg frequency distributions. Hgs were selected into groups which show correlated frequencies in subsets of populations, based on the assumption that correlations were established in ancient separation, migration and admixture processes. Populations are defined with this universal Hg database, then using unsupervised artificial intelligence, central vectors (CVs) are determined from local condensations of the Hg-distribution vectors in the multidimensional point system. Populations are clustered according to their proximity to CVs. We show that CVs can be regarded as approximations of ancient populations and real populations can be modeled as weighted linear combinations of the CVs using a new linear combination algorithm based on a gradient search for the weights. The efficacy of the method is demonstrated by comparing Copper Age populations of the Carpathian Basin to Middle Age ones and modern Hungarians. Our analysis reveals significant population continuity since the Middle Ages, and the presence of a substrate component since the Copper Age.

Regression plane concept for analysing continuous cellular processes with machine learning.

Biological processes are inherently continuous, and the chance of phenotypic discovery is significantly restricted by discretising them. Using multi-parametric active regression we introduce the Regression Plane (RP), a user-friendly discovery tool enabling class-free phenotypic supervised machine learning, to describe and explore biological data in a continuous manner. First, we compare traditional classification with regression in a simulated experimental setup. Second, we use our framework to identify genes involved in regulating triglyceride levels in human cells. Subsequently, we analyse a time-lapse dataset on mitosis to demonstrate that the proposed methodology is capable of modelling complex processes at infinite resolution. Finally, we show that hemocyte differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster has continuous characteristics.

[Gardner's syndrome, a rare disease]. / Gardner-syndroma, avagy amikor a raritások "kopogtatnak az ajtón".

Introduction: Gardner's syndrome is a clinical subgroup of Familial Adenomatosus Polyposis, arare, autosomal disease. It is characterized by gastrointestinal polyps and extra-intestinal manifestations including multiple osteomas, skin and tissue tumours. The authors describe a case of a male patient, and discuss the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with Gardner's syndrome. We conclude that the knowledge of rare syndromes is very important for the correct treatment.

Investigation of silver nanoparticles on titanium surface created by ion implantation technology.

Objectives: Using dental Ti implants has become a well-accepted and used method for replacing missing dentition. It has become evident that in many cases peri-implant inflammation develops. The objective was to create and evaluate the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticle (Ag-NP) coated Ti surfaces that can help to prevent such processes if applied on the surface of dental implants. Methods: Annealing I, Ag ion implantation by the beam of an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source (ECRIS), Ag Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), Annealing II procedures were used, respectively, to create a safely anchored Ag-NP layer on 1x1 cm2 Grade 2 titanium samples. The antibacterial effect was evaluated by culturing Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) on the surfaces of the samples for 8 hours, and comparing the results to that of glass as control and of pure titanium samples. Alamar Blue assay was carried out to check cytotoxicity. Results: It was proved that silver nanoparticles were present on the treated surfaces. The average diameter of the particles was 58 nm, with a 25 nm deviation and Gaussian distribution, the the filling factor was 25%. Antibacterial evaluation revealed that the nanoparticle covered samples had an antibacterial effect of 64.6% that was statistically significant. Tests also proved that the nanoparticles are safely anchored to the titanium surface and are not cytotoxic. Conclusion: Creating a silver nanoparticle layer can be an option to add antibacterial features to the implant surface and to help in the prevention of peri-implant inflammatory processes. Recent studies demonstrated that silver nanoparticles can induce pathology in mammal cells, thus safe fixation of the particles is essential to prevent them from getting into the circulation.

Quality of life of elderly quilombolas in the Brazilian northeast / Qualidade de vida em idosos quilombolas no nordeste brasileiro

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of elderly quilombolas (residents of quilombo settlements first established by escaped slaves) in mixed urban and rural residential developments (agrovilas) in Alcântara, Maranhão, Brazil. Method: An observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed. The sample consisted of 129 elderly people of both genders, aged 60 years or older and living in northeastern Brazil. The sample was allocated into three groups, distributed according to geographic space. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQoL-Bref instrument and a sociodemographic questionnaire was applied. The comparison between groups was carried out using the Anova test (one-way) and subsequently the Bonferroni Post-Hoc test. The correlation was obtained by the Pearson test, p<0.05. Results: Elderly quilombolas had a mean age of 69.7 years (±7.9) and were predominantly men with low income and schooling. Quality of life had higher scores in the social domain (values) and lower in the environmental domain (values). Quality of life as measured by the psychological domain was higher in group I than in groups II (p=0.012) and III (p=0.002). The facets of QoL correlated with facets of health for group I (r=0.357; p=0.032) and III (r=0.461; p<0.001). Conclusion: The situation of the quilombola population surveyed is considered vulnerable and psychological factors influence QoL.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) dos idosos quilombolas das agrovilas de Alcântara, Maranhão, Brasil. Método: Estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo. A amostra foi composta por 129 idosos, de ambos os sexos, com idade igual ou maior a 60 anos e residentes na região nordeste do Brasil. A amostra foi alocada em três grupos, distribuídos conforme o espaço geográfico. A QV foi avaliada por meio do instrumento WHOQOL-Bref e também foi aplicado um questionário sociodemográfico. A comparação entre grupos foi obtida pelo teste de Anova (one-way) e em seguida foi aplicado o teste de Post-Hoc de Bonferroni. A correlação foi obtida pelo teste de Pearson, p<0,05. Resultados: Os idosos quilombolas tiveram média de idade de 69,7 (±7,9) anos, sendo predominantemente homens com baixa renda e escolaridade. A QV teve maior pontuação para o domínio social (valores) e menor para o domínio meio ambiente (valores). A QV, quando verificado o domínio psicológico, houve destaque do Grupo I, o qual apresentou diferença com o Grupo II (p=0,012) e III (p=0,002). As facetas da QV tiveram correlação com as facetas de saúde para o Grupo I (r=0,357; p=0,032) e III (r=0,461; p<0,001). Conclusão: Considera-se que a situação da população quilombola pesquisada é vulnerável e fatores psicológicos influenciam a QV.

Poor in vivo efficacy of caspofungin, micafungin and amphotericin B against wild-type Candida krusei clinical isolates does not correlate with in vitro susceptibility results.

We determined micafungin, caspofungin and amphotericin B (AMB) minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) and killing rates in RPMI-1640 and in RPMI-1640 with 50% serum against three Candida krusei bloodstream isolates. MIC ranges in RPMI-1640 were 0.125-0.25, 0.25 and 0.125-0.5 mg/L, in RPMI-1640 with 50% serum, MICs were 64-128-, 8- and 4-16-fold higher, respectively. In RPMI-1640 micafungin and caspofungin at 1, 4, 16 and 32 mg/L as well as AMB at 2 mg/L were fungicidal against all isolates in ≤3.96, ≤4.42 and 14.96 h, respectively. In RPMI-1640 with 50% serum, caspofungin was fungicidal for all isolates only at 32 mg/L, micafungin and AMB were fungistatic. In neutropenic mice, 5 mg/kg caspofungin and 1 mg/kg AMB were ineffective against two of the three isolates. Thus, in vivo efficacy of echinocandins and AMB is weak or absent against C. krusei. Prescribers treating C. krusei infections with echinocandins should watch out for clinical resistance and therapeutic failure.

The benefits of playing for children's health: a systematic review / Os benefícios do brincar para a saúde das crianças: uma revisão sistemática

Introduction: The definition of play is complex and there is no consensus in this regard. Play allows a healthy development of children and naturally prepares them to face the challenges of adulthood. Despite the perceived worth of this topic to the public health, systematic reviews summarizing the different findings about play are still rare. Objective: This study aims to review the recent literature on play and summarize its positive effects on children's health. Material and Methods: This systematic review was developed through search for articles published in Portuguese or English languages, between 2006 and 2016, in Elsevier Scopus, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases. Results: The search strategy identified 12 articles that met the eligibility criteria: six qualitative studies, three narrative reviews, one systematic review, one quantitative study and one quali-quantitative study. Conclusion: Presented data reinforce that play is extremely important for children's health. The benefits of play go beyond contributing to an adequate biological growth and development of children. Play positively influences mental and social development as well as it contributes to good psychosocial health. Nowadays, the reduced time to play deprives children of fundamental experiences for their social and affective development, creativity and welfare. Possibly, this deprivation in childhood will have effects in adulthood.

Introdução: A definição do brincar é complexa e não há consenso a este respeito. O brincar permite um desenvolvimento saudável das crianças e, naturalmente, prepara-as para enfrentar os desafios da idade adulta. Apesar da valorização em saúde pública, revisões sistemáticas que resumam os diferentes achados sobre o brincar ainda são raras. Objetivos: Este estudo tem como objetivo rever a literatura recente sobre o brincar e resumir seus efeitos positivos sobre saúde das crianças. Material e Métodos: Esta revisão sistemática foi desenvolvida através de busca por artigos publicados nos idiomas português ou inglês, entre 2006 e 2016, nas bases de dados Elsevier Scopus, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature e Scientific Electronic Library Online. Resultados:A estratégia de busca identificou 12 artigos que atendiam aos critérios de elegibilidade: seis estudos qualitativos, três revisões narrativas, uma revisão sistemática, um estudo quantitativo e um estudo quali-quantitativo. Conclusão: Os dados apresentados reforçam que o brincar é extremamente importante para a saúde das crianças. Os benefícios do brincar vão além de contribuir para um adequando crescimento biológico e desenvolvimento das crianças. Brincar influencia positivamente o desenvolvimento mental e social, bem como contribui para uma boa saúde psicossocial. Nos dias de hoje, o tempo reduzido para brincar priva as crianças de experiências fundamentais para seu desenvolvimento social, afetivo, criatividade e bem-estar. Possivelmente, essa privação na infância terá efeitos na idade adulta.

The in vitro and in vivo efficacy of fluconazole in combination with farnesol against Candida albicans isolates using a murine vulvovaginitis model.

Farnesol is a quorum-sensing molecule that inhibits biofilm formation in Candida albicans. Previous in vitro data suggest that, in combination with certain antifungals, farnesol may have an adjuvant anti-biofilm agent. However, the in vivo efficacy of farnesol is very questionable. Therefore, the in vitro and in vivo activity of fluconazole combined with farnesol was evaluated against C. albicans biofilms using fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) determination, time-kill experiments and a murine vulvovaginitis model. The median biofilm MICs of fluconazole-sensitive C. albicans isolates ranged between 4 -> 512 mg/L and 150-300 µM for fluconazole and farnesol, respectively. These values were 512 -> 512 mg/L and > 300 µM for fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates. Farnesol decreased the median MICs of fluconazole by 2-64-fold for biofilms. Based on FICI, synergistic interaction was observed only in the case of the sessile SC5314 reference strain (FICIs: 0.16-0.27). In time-kill studies, only the 512 mg/L fluconazole and 512 mg/L fluconazole + 75 µM farnesol reduced biofilm mass significantly at each time point in the case of all isolates. The combination reduced the metabolic activity of biofilms for all isolates in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Our findings revealed that farnesol alone was not protective in a murine vulvovaginitis model. Farnesol was not beneficial in combination with fluconazole for fluconazole-susceptible isolates, but partially increased fluconazole activity against one fluconazole-resistant isolate, but not the other one.

Controle da hipertensão arterial sistêmica na população negra no Maranhão: problemas e desafios / Systemic hypertension control in black population in Maranhão, Brazil: problems and challenges

Resumo Apresentamos e discutimos as circunstâncias da construção e uma parte do impacto entre profissionais e gestores de serviços de saúde e entre movimentos sociais, no Maranhão, de um texto elaborado por integrantes do Núcleo de Extensão e Pesquisa com Populações e Comunidades Rurais, Negras Quilombolas e Indígenas (NuRuNI), do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Ambiente (PPGSA), da Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), sobre problemas identificados no controle da hipertensão arterial entre negros e sobre os desafios para a efetiva implementação e operacionalização da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral da População Negra no estado. A necessidade de nossa mobilização para elaboração deste texto (cujo objetivo foi o de alertar autoridades e operadores do Sistema Único de Saúde, bem como militantes de movimentos sociais, sobre a importância e a gravidade desses problemas, uma vez que se trata da nosologia de maior prevalência no estado e no país, e das que acarretam maior número de sequelas e nosologias secundárias graves) e para intervenção no contexto das políticas de saúde no estado nos foi evidenciada em decorrência de aulas ministradas, sobre o assunto, durante o Curso de Especialização em Saúde da Mulher Negra, promovido pelo NuRuNI/PPGSA/UFMA, com apoio da Coordenação-Geral de Saúde das Mulheres, do Departamento de Ações Programáticas Estratégicas, da Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde, do Ministério da Saúde, com financiamento do Fundo Nacional de Saúde.

Abstract We present and discuss the circumstances of the construction and a part of the impact among professionals and managers of health services and social movements, in Maranhão, Brazil, of a text drawn up by members of the Núcleo de Extensão e Pesquisa com Populações e Comunidades Rurais, Negras Quilombolas e Indígenas [Research and Extension Center of Rural, Black Quilombolas, and Indigenous Populations and Communities] (NuRuNI), of the Programa de Pós-Gradução em Saúde e Ambiente [Graduate Program in Health and Environment] of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), on problems identified in the control of hypertension among blacks, and the challenges for the effective implementation and operationalization of the National Policy of Integral Health of the Black Population in the state. The need for our mobilization for the elaboration of this text (which objective was to alert the authorities and operators of the Brazilian Unified Health System, as well as activists from social movements, on the importance and the seriousness of these problems, because it is the nosology of higher prevalence in the state and in the country, and that entail greater number of sequels and secondary serious nosologies) and for our intervention in the context of health policies in the state has been highlighted as a result of classes on the subject, during the Graduate Specialization in Black Women's Health, promoted by NuRuNi, with the support of the Coordenação-Geral de Saúde das Mulheres [General Coordination of Women's Health] of the Ministry of Health, with funding from the Fundo Nacional de Saúde [National Health Fund].

Promoção à saúde da mulher negra no povoado Castelo, Município de Alcântara, Maranhão, Brasil / Promotion of black women's health in Castelo village, municipality of Alcântara, Maranhão, Brazil

Resumo A Política Nacional de Saúde para a Mulher Negra dispõe de um aparato legal que dá suporte a sua implementação, conquistado pelo movimento negro. Tendo como parâmetro as legislações referentes à saúde da população negra e à saúde da mulher, além dos documentos disponibilizados pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Alcântara, este trabalho teve como objetivo geral analisar os serviços básicos de saúde prestados às mulheres negras do povoado Castelo e como objetivos específicos realizar levantamento empírico dos programas e projetos voltados para mulheres negras oferecidos pelo município de Alcântara; verificar se no povoado Castelo há algum atendimento específico para mulheres negras; identificar as principais demandas das mulheres da comunidade ao serviço de saúde local; averiguar como o quesito cor está sendo empregado pela equipe da Estratégia Saúde da Família que atende a comunidade. A metodologia consistiu em identificar, através de documentos disponibilizados pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SEMUS), as ações e serviços voltados para as mulheres na comunidade, e por meio de questionário aplicado aos profissionais, seus conhecimentos sobre a Política Nacional de Saúde Integral da População Negra. Concluímos que, apesar do aparato legal, reconhecido e citado pela SEMUS em seu Plano de Saúde atual, as legislações não têm sido suficientes para que esse segmento social tenha suas peculiaridades reconhecidas. Informações básicas para planejamento de ações específicas, como a coleta do quesito cor, por exemplo, não são realizadas pela SEMUS. Não identificamos nenhuma ação planejada que considere as características raciais e étnicas das mulheres da comunidade.

Abstract The Black Women's Health National Policy has a legal apparatus to support its implementation, conquered by the black movement. Taking as reference the laws relating to the black population's health, women's health, and the documents provided by the Health Secretariat of the Municipality of Alcantara, this study's main objective is to analyze the basic health services provided to black women of Castelo village, and its specific objectives are: to identify municipality of Alcantara's programs and projects facing black women; to check for any specific care for black women in Castelo village; to identify the main demands of the community's women to the local health service; to check how the color data are being collected by the local Family Health Strategy team. The methodology adopted consisted in to identify, through documents provided by the city's Health Secretariat, its actions and services towards the community's black women, and through a questionnaire applied to its professionals, their knowledge about the National Policy for Integral Health of the Black Population. We concluded that, despite the legal apparatus cited by the Health Secretariat's in its current health care plan, these legislation's achievements were not enough to improve the recognition of this social group's peculiarities among its health services. The collection of basic informations, which are necessary to the planning of specific actions, as the color data, is not being performed by the Municipality's Health Secretariat. We have not identified any planned action which considers the racial and ethnic characteristics of this village's women.

Aspectos de gênero e vulnerabilidade ao HIV/aids entre usuários de dois dos Serviços de Atendimento Especializado em DST/aids de São Luís, Maranhão / Aspects of gender and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among users of two of specialized services assistance in DST/AIDS of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Resumo Foram pesquisados os fatores que contribuem para a vulnerabilidade de homens e mulheres que vivem com HIV/aids, usuários dos Serviços de Atendimento Especializado (SAE) em DST/aids, se examinando as diferenças sociodemográficas e epidemiológicas, além de seu acolhimento e acesso ao diagnóstico e tratamento. Realizou-se um estudo observacional, descritivo e de corte transversal, em que foram entrevistados 248 indivíduos, entre outubro e dezembro de 2007. Para análise, empregou-se o teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson e a análise multivariada através da técnica CHAID (nível de significância de 5%), observando-se as variações por sexo. Percebeu-se que alguns elementos de ordem individual, social e programática, incluindo questões de gênero, contribuíram de maneira significativa para a vulnerabilidade dos entrevistados. Observaram-se importantes diferenças entre homens e mulheres, considerando: emprego e renda, total de parcerias e uso de preservativo. A forma de acolhimento e acesso ao diagnóstico e tratamento nos SAE se apresentou como um elemento de incremento de vulnerabilidade, por não promover um atendimento integral aos usuários. Identificaram-se, ainda, aspectos de vulnerabilidade diferencial no grupo das mulheres em relação ao "uso do preservativo após o diagnóstico", associado ao tipo de parceria (fixa ou não) e ao "entendimento do que lhe diz o infectologista durante as consultas", o qual esteve relacionado diretamente ao tempo de atendimento no SAE. Nesse sentido, um caminho para a diminuição da vulnerabilidade perpassa pela busca da equidade de gênero e de etnia, com vista à melhoria da qualidade de vida das pessoas.

Abstract We examine factors that contribute to the vulnerability of men and women living with HIV/AIDS, users of the Serviço de Atendimento Especializado em DST/AIDS (SAE), examining demographic and epidemiological differences as well as their reception and access to diagnosis and treatment. We conducted an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study, in which 248 individuals were interviewed between October and December of 2007. We applied the chi-square test and multivariate analysis by CHAID technique (significance level of 5%). We established a classification by sex. We felt that some elements of an individual, programmatic and social level, including gender, contributed significantly to the vulnerability of the respondents. We observed substantial differences between men and women, considering: employment and income, total partners and condom use. The manner of shelter and access to diagnosis and treatment in the SAE is presented as an element of increased vulnerability, for not promoting a comprehensive service to the users. We identified aspects of differential vulnerability of women in the group over the "condom use after diagnosis", associated with the type of partnership (steady or not) and "understanding of what it is been saidduring the consultations", which was directly related to service time at SAE. In this sense, a way to reduce vulnerability pervades the pursuit of gender equity, ethnicity, to improve the quality of life.

[Intestinal bleeding and obstruction in the small intestine caused by metastatic thyroid angiosarcoma. Case report]. / Pajzsmirigy-angiosarcoma gastrointestinalis vérzést, obstrukciót okozó áttéte a vékonybélben.

The authors present a case of a primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid gland with an intestinal metastasis. The 59-year-old female patient with tarry stool and anemia was referred to the outpatient hospital. Her past history included a thyroid "cold" nodule. Gastroscopy and colonoscopy failed to identify the origin of gastrointestinal bleeding, however, capsule endoscopy verified synchronous tumors in the small intestine. The distal tumor showed signs of bleeding and caused bowel obstruction. An urgent operation was performed and the tumorous part of the ileum was resected. Histology of the removed specimen indicated cleft-like spaces in the mucosa with CD31+ epithelial cells. Pathological report described metastatic epithelial angiosarcoma with an unknown origin. Before chemotherapy the patient underwent total thyroidectomy and histology confirmed malignancy similar to that found in the intestinal surgical specimens. This case seems particularly interesting, because bleeding from intestinal metastasis leaded to the diagnosis of the primary tumor located in the thyroid gland.

[Gastrointestinal locations of primary melanoma]. / A primer melanoma malignum ritka gastrointestinalis lokalizációi.

Primary gastrointestinal melanomas, part of the mucosal melanoma group, are uncommon. They constitute about five percent of all melanomas and most of them are located in the rectum (3 percent of all melanomas). The prognosis is poor, overall 5-year survival in rectal melanoma is 10-20 percent. We present three of our cases. The first case - a 68-year-old male patient - was operated on for histologically proved rectal melanoma. Three years after radical excision and oncological treatment a metastasis of the primary tumor was diagnosed in the stomach. Total gastrectomy was performed, followed by oncological treatment. In the second case of a 59-year-old male patient an appendectomy was performed for symptoms of appendicitis. The histopathological examination revealed melanoma of the appendix. Further investigations revealed the primary tumor in the stomach and metastases in the lungs as well. The third case - an 82-year-old female patient - was investigated for frequent defecations, mucus in stool and fecal incontinence. Primary melanoma was proved in the lower third of the rectum with multiple hepatic metastases. These three cases in our practice are remarkable for the rarity of the disease, and in two cases the presence of both the primary tumor and the metastasis were located in the gastrointestinal tract.

Elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in periapical lesions infected by Epstein-Barr virus.

INTRODUCTION: In apical periodontitis, there is an intense inflammatory response to endodontopathogenic bacteria, an essential component of the pathogenic microbiota. The inflammation can be aggravated by herpesviruses acting as nonessential pathogens in periapical lesions. This study aimed to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) in periapical lesions in relation to local occurrence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). METHODS: Fifty-eight samples with apical periodontitis and 20 clinically healthy gingival control tissues were collected. Viral DNA was determined with nested polymerase chain reaction, and cytokine mRNA expression was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. RESULTS: Periapical lesions harbored EBV (75.9%) and HHV-6 (22.4%) at significantly higher frequencies compared with controls (P < .000001 and P < .05, respectively), whereas HCMV (12%) and HHV-8 (0%) occurred rarely. The median TNF-α expression was 13 times higher (P < .001) and TGF-ß expression was 5 times higher in periapical lesions than in controls (P < .001). TNF-α expression was significantly higher in EBV-positive lesions than in EBV-negative lesions (P = .032). Presence of symptoms, lesion size, and infection by HCMV or HHV-6 had no significant association with either TNF-α or TGF-ß expression. CONCLUSIONS: The herpesviral component of the endodontic microbiota did not correlate with TGF-ß expression, whereas EBV infection was associated with a median 1.5 times further elevation of the high TNF-α expression characteristic for periapical lesions.