Sun exposure, skin lesions and vitamin D production: evaluation in a population of fishermen.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to UVR provides benefits related to vitamin D synthesis, but also causes harms, since UVB is considered a complete carcinogen. There is no definition of the level of sun exposure and the proportion of exposed body required for proper synthesis of vitamin D in the skin without causing it damage. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the sun exposure index, vitamin D levels and clinical changes in the skin caused by constant sun exposure in the fishermen population. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional, observational and analytical study. The sample consisted of fishermen and was calculated in 174 individuals. The questionnaire was applied, the dermatological examination was carried out and the examinations of calcidiol, parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphorus were requested. Data were expressed as percentages. The comparative analysis was done through the Chi-square test, and the correlations were established through the Pearson's linear coefficient. Results: We observed that there was vitamin D deficiency in a small part of the cases (11.46%), and the frequency of diagnosis of skin cancer was 2.7% of the cases surveyed. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The difficulty in categorizing the sun exposure index. CONCLUSION: The fact that fishermen expose themselves to the sun chronically and have been exposed to the sun for more than 15 years, between 21 and 28 hours a week, and without photoprotection, were indicative factors for protection against vitamin D deficiency. Chronic exposure to sun and high vitamin levels D may be indicative of protection of this population against skin cancer.

Sun exposure, skin lesions and vitamin D production: evaluation in a population of fishermen

Abstract: Background: Exposure to UVR provides benefits related to vitamin D synthesis, but also causes harms, since UVB is considered a complete carcinogen. There is no definition of the level of sun exposure and the proportion of exposed body required for proper synthesis of vitamin D in the skin without causing it damage. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the sun exposure index, vitamin D levels and clinical changes in the skin caused by constant sun exposure in the fishermen population. Methods: It is a cross-sectional, observational and analytical study. The sample consisted of fishermen and was calculated in 174 individuals. The questionnaire was applied, the dermatological examination was carried out and the examinations of calcidiol, parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphorus were requested. Data were expressed as percentages. The comparative analysis was done through the Chi-square test, and the correlations were established through the Pearson's linear coefficient. Results: We observed that there was vitamin D deficiency in a small part of the cases (11.46%), and the frequency of diagnosis of skin cancer was 2.7% of the cases surveyed. Study Limitations: The difficulty in categorizing the sun exposure index. Conclusion: The fact that fishermen expose themselves to the sun chronically and have been exposed to the sun for more than 15 years, between 21 and 28 hours a week, and without photoprotection, were indicative factors for protection against vitamin D deficiency. Chronic exposure to sun and high vitamin levels D may be indicative of protection of this population against skin cancer.

Gustatory Stimulations and Their Capacity Influence Buffering of the Saliva

Objective: To evaluate the influence of gustatory stimuli on the buffering capacity of saliva. Material and Methods: The buccal ph of 18 male volunteers aged 18-35 years was measured after a mouthwash with 20 ml of water as a control, and in individual disposable cups they collected the saliva for two minutes. Then, each of chewed bubble gum with sugar for two minutes, discarding the gum and made new collection of saliva, for two minutes in other disposable cups individualized. After collection, each volunteer was again subject to regular brushing with toothpaste and waited another ten minutes. The same procedure was repeated with all other substances. Salivary buffer capacity was determined by Ericsson technique. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Scott-Knott grouping test and Mann-Whitney test at 5% probability. Estimates of Pearson correlations were calculated in order to determine possible associations between the variables. Results: It was not found statistically significant differences between the initial pH variation and after eating food (p>0.05), or between gustatory stimulation and variation of salivary buffer capacity (p>0.05). Conclusion: There is no influence of gustatory stimulus aroma and flavor on the variation of salivary buffer capacity.

Phytotherapy in pediatrics: the production of knowledge and practices in Primary Care.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the use of phytotherapy as a therapy adopted in the context of Primary Care to Childhood. METHOD: Observational and analytical field research, with quantitative-qualitative approach. A semi-structured survey was used on socio-demographic and ethnopharmacological variables, audio interview and daily observation. RESULTS: The production of knowledge about phytotherapy constitutes a family heritage, but incorporated data resulting from the daily experiences shared by the community. The main factors were: easy access to this resource, high costs of conventional treatment, difficulty in accessing medical services and belief in the power of plants. The attributed meanings were: prevention and treatment of injuries, rescue of memory and of experiences, factor integrative with nature and aggregative among members of the community. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Rescuing this tradition brings a new meaning to health care.

Phytotherapy in pediatrics: the production of knowledge and practices in Primary Care / Fitoterapia en pediatría: la producción de saberes y prácticas en la Atención Básica / Fitoterapia em pediatria: a produção de saberes e práticas na Atenção Básica

ABSTRACT Objective: To demonstrate the use of phytotherapy as a therapy adopted in the context of Primary Care to Childhood. Method: Observational and analytical field research, with quantitative-qualitative approach. A semi-structured survey was used on socio-demographic and ethnopharmacological variables, audio interview and daily observation. Results: The production of knowledge about phytotherapy constitutes a family heritage, but incorporated data resulting from the daily experiences shared by the community. The main factors were: easy access to this resource, high costs of conventional treatment, difficulty in accessing medical services and belief in the power of plants. The attributed meanings were: prevention and treatment of injuries, rescue of memory and of experiences, factor integrative with nature and aggregative among members of the community. Final considerations: Rescuing this tradition brings a new meaning to health care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evidenciar el uso de la fitoterapia como terapia adoptada en el contexto de la Atención Básica a la Infancia. Método: Investigación analítica y de campo observacional, con abordaje cuantitativo-cualitativo. Se utilizó un cuestionario semiestructurado relativo a las variables socio-demográficas y etnofarmacológicas, entrevista grabada en audio y observación en el cotidiano. Resultados: La producción de conocimiento sobre la fitoterapia se constituye en una herencia familiar, pero ha incorporado los datos resultantes de las experiencias cotidianas compartidas por la comunidad. Los factores mantenedores de estas prácticas fueron: fácil acceso a ese recurso, altos costos del tratamiento convencional, dificultad de acceso a los servicios médicos creencia en el poder de las plantas. Los sentidos atribuidos fueron: prevención y tratamiento de agravios, rescate de la memoria y de vivencias, factor integrativo con la naturaleza y agregativo entre los miembros de la comunidad. Consideraciones finales: Rescatar esta tradición trae un nuevo sentido a los cuidados de salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: Evidenciar o uso da fitoterapia como terapêutica adotada no contexto da Atenção Básica à Infância. Método: Pesquisa de campo observacional e analítica, com abordagem quantitativo-qualitativa. Utilizou-se questionário semiestruturado relativo às variáveis socio-demográficas e etnofarmacológicas, entrevista gravada em áudio e observação no cotidiano. Resultados: A produção de conhecimento sobre a fitoterapia constitui-se numa herança familiar, mas incorporou dados resultantes das experiências cotidianas compartilhadas pela comunidade. Os fatores mantenedores dessas práticas foram: fácil acesso a esse recurso, altos custos do tratamento convencional, dificuldade de acesso a serviços médicos e crença no poder das plantas. Os sentidos atribuídos foram: prevenção e tratamento de agravos, resgate da memória e de vivências, fator integrativo com a natureza e agregativo entre membros da comunidade. Considerações finais: Resgatar essa tradição traz um novo sentido aos cuidados de saúde.

Consumption of minimally processed food is inversely associated with excess weight in adolescents living in an underdeveloped city.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of ultra-processed foods may be associated with the development of chronic diseases, both in adults and in children/adolescents. This consumption is growing worldwide, especially in low and middle-income countries. Nevertheless, its magnitude in small, poor cities from the countryside is not well characterized, especially in adolescents. This study aimed to assess the consumption of minimally processed, processed and ultra-processed foods by adolescents from a poor Brazilian city and to determine if it was associated with excess weight, high waist circumference and high blood pressure. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, conducted at a public federal school that offers technical education together with high school, located in the city of Murici. Adolescents of both sexes and aged between 14-19 years old were included. Anthropometric characteristics (weight, height, waist circumference), blood pressure, and dietary intake data were assessed. Associations were calculated using Poisson regression models, adjusted by sex and age. RESULTS: At total, 249 adolescents were included, being 55.8% girls, with a mean age of 16 years-old. The consumption of minimally processed foods was inversely associated with excess weight (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio: 0.61, 95% Confidence Interval: [0.39-0.96], P = 0.03). Although the consumption of ultra-processed foods was not associated with excess weight, high blood pressure and high waist circumference, 46.2% of the sample reported eating these products more than weekly. CONCLUSION: Consumption of minimally processed food is inversely associated with excess weight in adolescents. Investments in nutritional education aiming the prevention of chronic diseases associated with the consumption of these foods are necessary.

Impact of Tooth Loss on Quality of Life

Objective: To evaluate the impact of tooth loss on the quality of life of patients at the Cesmac University Center. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, whose sample was composed of 224 volunteers from various health units of the selected health service with at least 12 years of age and one missing tooth. Quality of Life (QOL) was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP -14) and tooth loss was assessed with the dental chart. A structured interview that assessed the socio-economic condition of the individual was also applied. For interpretation of the OHIP-14, values were assigned using the multiplicative method: 0-3 points = no impact; 3.01 to 6 points = low impact; 6.01 to 10 points = moderate impact; and> 10.01 points = high impact. All volunteers received guidance on oral health and, when necessary, a referral to the dental care provided by this institution was performed. Results: The mean OHIP ranged from no impact (30.9%) to high impact (27.8%). The correlation between the number of missing teeth and QOL scores was statistically significant (p <0.05), as well as the correlation between number of missing teeth and age of volunteers (p <0.0001). The dimensions of the OHIP-14 that showed the most influenced domains were pain, psychological discomfort, psychological disability. Conclusion: Increasing age has shown influence on tooth and tooth loss affected the QOL of volunteers. QOL may be influenced by other factors such as loss of anterior teeth and schooling.

Prevalence of Brucella spp in humans / Prevalência da Brucella spp em humanos / Prevalencia de la Brucella spp en humanos

Objective: to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella spp in humans.Method: this is an observational study, developed with 455 individuals between 18 and 64 years old, who use the Estratégia de Saúde da Família (Brazil's family health strategy). The serum samples of volunteers underwent buffered acid antigen tests, such as screening, agar gel immunodiffusion and slow seroagglutination test in tubes and 2-Mercaptoethanol.Results: among the samples, 1.98% has responded to buffered-acid antigen, 2.85% to agar gel immunodiffusion test and 1.54% to the slow seroagglutination tests on tubes/2-Mercaptoethanol. The prevalence of Brucella spp was 4.4%, represented by the last two tests.Conclusion: the results of this research suggest that the studied population is exposed to Brucella spp infection.

Objetivo: determinar a soroprevalência da Brucella spp em humanos.Método: trata-se de estudo observacional, desenvolvido com 455 indivíduos entre 18 e 64 anos, selecionados, que utilizavam a estratégia de saúde da família. As amostras de soro dos voluntários foram submetidas aos testes de antígeno acidificado tamponado, como triagem, imunodifusão em gel de ágar e aos testes de soroaglutinação lenta em tubos e 2-mercaptoetanol.Resultados: dentre as amostras, 1,98% reagiram ao antígeno acidificado tamponado, 2,85% à imunodifusão em gel ágar e 1,54% aos testes de soroaglutinação lenta em tubos/2-mercaptoetanol. Sendo a prevalência da Brucella spp de 4,4%, representada pelos dois últimos testes.Conclusão: os resultados desta pesquisa sugerem que a população estudada encontra-se exposta à infecção por Brucella spp.

Objetivo: determinar la seroprevalencia de la Brucella spp en humanos.Método: se trata de un estudio observacional, desarrollado con 455 individuos seleccionados con edades entre 18 y 64 años, que utilizaban la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia. Las muestras de suero de los voluntarios fueron sometidas a las pruebas de antígeno acidificado tamponado, como tamizaje, inmunodifusión en gel de agar y a las pruebas de seroaglutinación lenta en tubos y 2-mercaptoetanol.Resultados: entre las muestras; el 1,98% reaccionó al antígeno acidificado tamponado, el 2,85% reaccionó a la inmunodifusión en gel agar; y el 1,54%, a las pruebas de seroaglutinación lenta en tubos/2-mercaptoetanol. La prevalencia de laBrucella spp representada por las dos últimas pruebas fue del 4,4%.Conclusión: los resultados de esta investigación sugieren que la población que ha sido estudiada se encuentra expuesta a la infección por Brucellaspp.

Oncocalyxone A functions as an anti-glycation agent in vitro.

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) are the result of post-translational changes to proteins, which ultimately compromise their structure and/or function. The identification of methods to prevent the formation of these compounds holds great promise in the development of alternative therapies for diseases such as diabetes. Plants used in traditional medicine are often rich sources of anti-glycation agents. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the anti-glycation activity of one such compound, Oncocalyxone A (Onco A). Using spectrofluorimetric techniques, we determined that Onco A inhibits AGE formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Its IC50 value (87.88 ± 3.08 µM) was almost two times lower than the standard anti-glycation compound aminoguanidine (184.68 ± 4.85 µM). The excellent anti-glycation activity of Onco A makes it an exciting candidate for the treatment of diseases associated with excessive accumulation of AGE. However, additional studies are necessary to identify its mechanism of action, as well as the in vivo response in suitable model organisms.

Método de avaliação da defesa antioxidante: uma revisão de literatura / Methods of the antioxidant defense: a literature review

O termo radical livre refere-se a um átomo ou molécula altamente reativo, que contêm número ímpar de elétrons em sua última camada eletrônica. É este não emparelhamento de elétrons da última camada que confere alta reatividade a esses átomos ou moléculas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar uma abordagem sobre as principais contribuições descritas na literatura a respeito dos radicais livres, sua ação nas biomoléculas e suas consequências. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão de literatura utilizando artigos publicados nos periódicos indexados com base em banco de dados Lilacs, Medline e Scielo. Alguns radicais livres ocorrem naturalmente em nosso corpo através do nosso metabolismo, contudo, fatores exógenos tais como poluição, radiação, cigarro, herbicidas entre outros podem provocar a formação desses radicais. Nos últimos anos, os radicais livres vêm sendo discutidos devido a sua capacidade de desestabilizar biomoléculas como carboidratos, lipídios, proteínas, DNA entre outras, causando doenças degenerativas, artrite, inflamação, envelhecimento precoce, câncer e problemas cardiovasculares. Para inibir e reduzir a formação desses radicais, existem substâncias antioxidantes. Portanto, pode-se concluir, através de uma abordagem clara, a desmistificação dos possíveis questionamentos sobre a ação dos radicais livres no organismo humano.

The term free radical refers to a highly reactive atom or molecule, which contains an odd number of electrons in its outer electronic shell, which confers high reactivity for these atoms or molecules. This paper aims to present an approach to the main contributions described in the literature about free radicals, their action on biomolecules and the consequences of these actions through a literature review using articles published in indexed journals based on Lilacs, Medline and Scielo databases. Some free radicals occur naturally in our body, however, exogenous factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette, herbicides, among others, may lead to the the formation of free radicals. In recent years, free radicals have been discussed because of its ability to destabilize biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, DNA and others, causing degenerative diseases, arthritis, inflammation, aging, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. There are substances to inhibit and to reduce the formation of these radicals called antioxidants. Therefore, it can be concluded through a clear approach the demystifying of the possible questions about the action of free radicals in the human body.