Reliability and Validity of the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale within a Clinical Sample.

Hypnotherapy is used in clinical settings to treat mental and physical health-related conditions. Hypnotic response can be measured through hypnotizability scales to help interventionists personalize treatment plans to suit the patients' individualized hypnotic abilities. Examples of these scales are the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale (EHS) and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C). According to the previous literature, these scales have good discriminating ability and internal consistency (α = 0.85) in collegiate samples, but the psychometric properties of the EHS for a targeted clinical population have not been determined yet. This study assessed said properties, and results showed adequate reliability of the EHS in a targeted clinical sample and strong convergent validity of the EHS to the SHSS:C. The authors conclude that the EHS is a strong and useful measure of hypnotizability that is pleasant, safe, brief, and sensible to individualities in hypnotic ability found in diverse clinical samples.

Feasibility of the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale-Spanish Translation.

The absence of a Spanish translation of the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale (EHS) suggests access to clinical research and hypnotic interventions may be limited for those in predominantly Spanish-speaking populations. The present study aims to mitigate this disparity by providing a translation of the EHS to facilitate participation in experimental research and clinical care in Spanish-speaking communities. The EHS was translated and administered to 9 participants. No major modifications were done to the characteristics or structure of the EHS after translation. To assess feasibility, mean hypnotizability levels and self-reported levels of pleasantness and comprehension were observed and compared to the English EHS. The results provide a Spanish translation of the EHS. This study demonstrates the Spanish translation of the EHS is feasible for further research.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous quantification of metformin and ferulic acid in solid dosage forms.

Metformin is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, while ferulic acid is a molecule that stands out for its antioxidant potential. Recent studies demonstrate hypoglycemic synergy between these molecules. The objective of this study is to develop and validate an analytical methodology by high-performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous quantification of these drugs in pharmaceutical formulations. The method used an octadecylsilane column and a mobile phase composed of 6 mM sodium lauryl sulfate in 15 mM phosphate buffer:ACN (65:35). Ferulic acid and metformin were monitored at 232 nm, with a mobile phase flow rate of 1 ml/min and oven temperature at 40°C. The method was linear in the range of 5-25 µg/ml for both molecules. In the presence of degradation products, satisfactory selectivity was achieved. Accuracy values were close to 100% and standard deviations in precision were less than 2%. In the robustness evaluation, the proposed variations did not interfere with the quantification. Therefore, it is concluded that the present method can be safely applied to the quality control of ferulic acid and metformin raw materials, as well as when they are combined in pharmaceutical formulations.

Antinociceptive activity of Sargassum polyceratium and the isolation of its chemical components

Abstract Marine algae have been the focus of important studies over the past fifty years, with a considerable number of components important to chemists and taxonomists having been isolated and characterized. The scientific data available on Sargassum polyceratium are extremely limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of an ethanol extract of S. polyceratium and to isolate its components. Intraperitoneal treatment with ethanol extract of S. polyceratium reduced the number of acetic acid-induced writhes and the amount of time spent in paw-licking in the second phase of the formalin test. Ethanol extract of S. polyceratium also reduced the amount of time spent in paw-licking in the glutamate test; however, there was no difference in the reaction time in the hot plate test at any of the doses tested. The chemical components isolated from ethanol extract of S. polyceratium were identified using one- and two-dimensional spectroscopic methods such as infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The analytical results were also compared with data obtained in the literature. The following porphyrin derivatives were isolated from S. polyceratium: 132-hydroxy-(132-R)-pheophytin-a, 132-hydroxy-(132-S)-pheophytin-a, pheophytin-a, and the steroid fucosterol. The present results indicate that the ethanol extract of S. polyceratium has antinociceptive activity. In addition, four new substances were isolated from the species evaluated.

Food consumption of sugarcane workers' families in the Brazilian Northeast / Consumo alimentar de famílias de trabalhadores de cana-de-açúcar do Nordeste do Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the food intake of sugarcane workers' family members. METHODS: The food intake of 159 family members of sugarcane workers from Gameleira, Pernambuco, Brazilian Northeast, was investigated by directly weighing the foods on three non-consecutive days. The percent risk of inadequate macro- and micronutrient intakes was analyzed according to the Reference Dietary Intakes. The macronutrients were analyzed in relation to acceptable distribution intervals. The energy consumed from the various food groups was expressed as a ratio of the total energy intake. RESULTS: The median intake of carbohydrates and proteins remained above the Estimated Average Requirement, and all age groups presented a low risk of inadequate carbohydrate and protein intakes. The median intakes of riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and iron remained above the Estimated Average Requirement for all age groups, but children aged 1-3 years presented a high percent risk of inadequate iron intake. All age groups presented high percent risk of inadequate zinc, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C intakes. Grains and derivatives had a greater participation in the total energy intake, especially in men aged 19-30 years. The group "milk and dairy products" had a greater participation in the diet of children aged 1-3 years. CONCLUSION: The low percent risk of inadequate carbohydrate and protein intakes in all age groups was opposed to the high risk of inadequate mineral and vitamin intakes, making the population vulnerable to nutritional disorders caused by excess macronutrient intake and inadequate micronutrient intake. .

OBJETIVO: Analisar o consumo alimentar dos indivíduos de famílias de trabalhadores de cana de açúcar. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um inquérito de consumo alimentar envolvendo 159 sujeitos, oriundos de famílias de trabalhadores de cana de açúcar do município de Gameleira, Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil. O instrumento foi aplicado pelo método de pesagem direta, por três dias não consecutivos. Os percentuais de risco de inadequação de macro e micronutrientes foram analisados segundo as Ingestões Dietéticas de Referência. Os macronutrientes foram analisados em relação aos intervalos de distribuição aceitável. O consumo energético dos grupos alimentares foi expresso pela sua participação relativa no total da dieta. RESULTADOS: O consumo mediano de carboidrato e proteína manteve-se acima da Necessidade Média Estimada e em todas as faixas etárias foi identificado baixo risco de inadequação desses nutrientes. A riboflavina, niacina, tiamina e ferro mantiveram-se acima daquela Necessidade em todas as faixas etárias, apresentando um percentual de risco de inadequação elevado para o ferro nas crianças de um a três anos. Por outro lado, zinco, cálcio, vitamina A e vitamina C apresentaram elevados percentuais de risco de inadequação em todas as faixas etárias. No consumo energético, houve maior participação dos cereais e derivados, especialmente na dieta dos homens de 19 a 30 anos. Já o grupo de leite e derivados teve a maior participação na dieta das crianças de um a três anos. CONCLUSÃO: Os baixos riscos de inadequação de carboidratos e proteínas, em todas as faixas etárias se contrapuseram aos riscos elevados de inadequação dos minerais e vitaminas, tornando a população vulnerável aos distúrbios nutricionais pelo excesso de macronutrientes e deficiência de micronutrientes. .

Iron intake and its association with iron-deficiency anemia in agricultural workers' families from the Zona da Mata of Pernambuco, Brazil / Consumo de ferro e sua associação com a anemia ferropriva nas famílias de trabalhadores rurais da Zona da Mata de Pernambuco, Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between dietary iron intake and the occurrence of iron-deficiency anemia in agricultural workers' families from the municipality of Gameleira in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: The study population consisted of 46 harvesters' families, consisting of 225 individuals. The food intake of each individual was recorded on three different days by directly weighing the foods consumed. Hemoglobin was determined by fingerstick (HemoCue). This research used the probability of adequacy method to assess iron intake and the paired t test for comparing groups. The Spearman Mann-Whitney test estimated associations between the dietary variables and anemia. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was high in all ages groups and highest (67.6%) in children aged <5 years with a mean hemoglobin of 10.37 g/dL (±1.30 g/dL). Children aged <5 years had low percentage of iron intake adequacy (53.1%). Most of them consumed diets with low iron bioavailability (47.5%). Associations between the occurrence of anemia and dietary variables were significant for total iron (heme and nonheme), its bioavailabilities, and general meat intake. CONCLUSION: Inadequate dietary iron intake and inadequate intake of factors that facilitate iron absorption can be considered decisive for the occurrence of iron-deficiency anemia. Food insecurity occurs between family members, with some members being favored over others with regard to the intake of good dietary iron sources. .

OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre o consumo de ferro dietético e a ocorrência da anemia ferropriva em famílias de trabalhadores rurais do município de Gameleira, Pernambuco. MÉTODOS: A população foi composta por 46 famílias de trabalhadores de cana-de-açúcar, totalizando 225 indivíduos. Para cada indivíduo, foram realizados três inquéritos alimentares pelo método de registro alimentar por pesagem direta dos alimentos e dosagem de hemoglobina por meio do equipamento Hemocue. Utilizou-se o método da adequação aparente para avaliar a ingestão de ferro, e o teste t pareado na comparação entre grupos de indivíduos. Para estimar associações entre variáveis dietéticas e anemia, foi utilizado o teste de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de anemia foi elevada em todas as faixas etárias, sendo maior (67,6%) no grupo de crianças com menos de 5 anos de idade, com média de hemoglobina de 10,37 g/dL (±1,30 g/dL). Na análise da adequação aparente, as crianças menores de 5 anos apresentaram baixo percentual de adequação (53,1%). A maioria delas apresentou um percentual elevado de dieta com baixa biodisponibilidade de ferro (47,5%). As associações entre a ocorrência de anemia e as variáveis dietéticas mostraram-se estatisticamente significantes para ferro total (heme e não heme), suas biodisponibilidades e consumo de carnes em geral. CONCLUSÃO: A inadequação do consumo de ferro dietético e dos fatores facilitadores da sua absorção pode ser considerada determinante para a ocorrência da anemia ferropriva. As famílias vivenciam insegurança alimentar intrafamiliar, com discriminação do consumo de alimentos fontes de ferro entre seus membros. .

Programa de alimentação escolar no município de João Pessoa – PB, Brasil: as merendeiras em foco / Programa de alimentación escolar en el municipio de la ciudad de João Pessoa – del estado de Paraíba, Brasil: las cocineras en foco / School meals program in the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil: school meal cooks in focus

A escola é local privilegiado para desenvolver ações educativas e o programa de alimentação escolar excelente ferramenta para promoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis. Objetivou-se avaliar a percepção das merendeiras acerca da produção e distribuição da alimentação escolar e seu papel neste contexto. Utilizou-se metodologia de grupo focal com merendeiras de 41 escolas públicas municipais de João Pessoa - Paraíba, Brasil. Desenvolveram-se as categorias: capacitação e treinamento; processo de decisão na elaboração dos cardápios; desgaste no processo de trabalho; alimentação escolar e incorporação de hábitos alimentares saudáveis. Evidenciou-se estreita relação de afeto entre merendeiras e escolares e valorização na oferta de alimentação de qualidade com boa aceitação. Foram observadas ausência de treinamentos sistemáticos e fragilidade no uso da alimentação escolar na incorporação de hábitos alimentares saudáveis. Reafirmou-se a importância das merendeiras na utilização da alimentação escolar como espaço permanente de aprendizado.

School is a privileged place for developing educational activities and a school meals program is an excellent means for promoting healthy eating habits. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of school meal cooks regarding the production and distribution of school meals and their role in this. Focus group methodology was adopted among school meal cooks from 41 public schools in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The categories developed were: training; decision-making for menu preparation; work-related strain; school meals and incorporation of healthy eating habits. The close affective relationship between the cooks and schoolchildren, and the value of offering quality, well-accepted food were shown. Lack of systematic training and fragility in using school meals to incorporate healthy eating habits were observed. The importance of the cooks with regard to using school meals as a permanent learning space was reaffirmed.

La escuela es local privilegiado para desarrollar acciones educativas y el programa de alimentación escolar excelente recurso para la promoción de hábitos alimenticios saludables. Se objetivó evaluar la percepción de las cocineras encargadas de la merienda respecto a la producción y distribución de la alimentación escolar. La metodología de grupo focal se realizó con cocineras de 41 escuelas públicas municipales de João Pessoa, Paraíba (Brasil). Categorías desarrolladas: capacitación y entrenamiento; proceso de decisión al elaborar menúes; desgaste en el proceso de trabajo; alimentación escolar e incorporación de hábitos alimenticios saludables. Se evidenció estrecha relación afectiva entre cocineras y escolares y valorización en la oferta alimenticia de calidad con buena aceptación. Se observó ausencia de entrenamientos sistemáticos y fragilidad en el uso de la alimentación escolar para incorporar hábitos saludables. Se reafirmó la importancia de las cocineras al usar la alimentación escolar como espacio permanente de aprendizaje.

O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar em município do estado da Paraíba: um estudo sob o olhar dos beneficiários do Programa / National School Feeding Program in a municipality of Paraíba state: a study under the viewpoint of those who benefit from the Program

OBJETIVO: Analisar a adesão e a aceitação da alimentação escolar e seus determinantes sob o ponto de vista dos beneficiários do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi aleatoriamente composta por 240 alunos da quarta série de 10 escolas municipais de João Pessoa, Paraíba. A análise das perguntas fechadas do questionário foi realizada utilizando-se freqüência simples e teste qui-quadrado. As questões abertas foram categorizadas a partir do conceito central contido nas respostas. RESULTADOS: A maioria (87,0 por cento) dos escolares considerou a alimentação escolar importante e mais de 90 por cento referiram aderir ao Programa. Desses, 137 (57,3 por cento) consomem a merenda, às vezes, devido, principalmente, à inadequação de algumas preparações ao hábito alimentar. Quanto à aceitação, 196 escolares afirmaram gostar da alimentação, principalmente por ser saborosa. Também foram positivamente referidas as características de: quantidade (79,8 por cento), variedade (92,9 por cento), temperatura (85,8 por cento), tempo disponível para se alimentar (63,0 por cento) e a forma de distribuição (66,5 por cento) da alimentação. Os baixos percentuais de escolares que referiram só freqüentar a escola pela oferta da merenda (0,9 por cento) e deixar de freqüentá-la, caso o Programa de Alimentação Escolar fosse extinto, (4,4 por cento) merecem destaque. CONCLUSÃO: A inadequação ao hábito alimentar e o sabor foram os principais motivos referidos pelas crianças para não aderir e aceitar a alimentação, respectivamente. A adequação do cardápio aos hábitos alimentares e a essencialidade do Programa para reduzir a evasão escolar são fatores que requerem maior investigação.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the adherence and acceptance of school food and its determinants under the viewpoint of those who benefit from the program. METHODS: The sample consisted of 240 fourth-grade students, randomly selected from 10 public schools in the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba. Analysis of the closed questions of the questionnaire was done using simple frequency and the chi-square test. The open questions were categorized based on the central concept of the answers. RESULTS: Most (87.0 percent) of the school children considered the Program important and more than 90.0 percent adhered to it. One hundred and thirty seven (57.3 percent) of them adhere sometimes, since the food is not always what they are used to eating. Regarding acceptance, 196 school children reported liking the food, mainly because it is tasty. Other characteristics with positive feedback were: quantity (79.8 percent), variety (92.9 percent), temperature (85.8 percent), time available to eat (63.0 percent) and the way the food was distributed (66.5 percent). The low percentages of school children who reported only going to school for the food (0.9 percent) and would drop out of school if the School Feeding Program were canceled (4.4 percent) are worth mentioning. CONCLUSION: The main reasons reported by the children for not adhering to the program were lack of familiarity with the food and taste. Adjusting the menu to the children's eating habits and the importance of the program to diminish school evasion are factors that require further investigation.