Paracoccidioidomycosis in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul / Paracoccidioidomicose na região norte do Rio Grande do Sul / Paracoccidioidomycosis en la región norte del Rio Grande d o Sul

Background and Objectives: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic disease caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America. This study aimed to perform a retrospective analysis of PCM cases from the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: A total of 200 records of PCM cases diagnosed at the local reference pathology laboratory from 1995 to 2015 were analyzed Results: Of the patients, 185 were male and 15 female. Patients ranged in age from 31 to 80 years, the largest pro portion ( being aged between 51 and 60 years and living or working in the countryside. Clinical samples were mostly obtained from the oral cavity, followed by the oropharynx, lungs, brain, skin, and prostate. Conclusion: PCM is endemic in the south o f Brazil, as the local economy is largely based on agricultural activities, favoring the contact of the population with P. brasiliensis . Due to the great similarity between PCM symptoms and other respiratory diseases, the differential diagnosis is essentia l for the correct treatment of the disease and to avoid its progression.(AU)

Justificativa e Objetivos: A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é uma doença sistêmica causada pelo fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioides brasiliensis , o qual é encontrado nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais da América Latina. Este estudo objetivou realizar uma análise retrospectiva dos casos de PCM na região nor te do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil . Métodos: Foram anal isados 200 prontuários relativos aos casos de PCM de 1995 até 2015 diagnosticados pelo laboratório de patologia referência na região . Resultados: Destes pacientes, 185 eram homens e 15 mulheres. Os pacientes tinham idade variando de 31 a 80 anos, sendo que a maior proporção (35,5%) tinha entre 51 e 60 anos e viviam ou trabalhavam na zona rural Os materiais clínicos eram provenientes em sua maioria da cavidade oral, seguido da região orofaríngea, pulmão, cérebro, provenientes em sua maioria da cavidade oral, seguido da região orofaríngea, pulmão, cérebro, pele e próstata. pele e próstata. Conclusão: O sul do Brasil O sul do Brasil é região endêmica de PCM, devido a sua é região endêmica de PCM, devido a sua economia estar centrada na agricultura, o que propicia o contato do homem com o fungo. economia estar centrada na agricultura, o que propicia o contato do homem com o fungo. Devido à grande semelhança dos sintomas da PCM com outras doenças respiratórias, o Devido à grande semelhança dos sintomas da PCM com outras doenças respiratórias, o diagnóstico diferencial é relevante para que se diagnóstico diferencial é relevante para que seja realizado o tratamento correto da doença e ja realizado o tratamento correto da doença e para que seu avanço seja evitado. para que seu avanço seja evitado.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: L a paracoccidioidomicosis (PCM) es una enfermedad sistémica c ausada por el hongo dimorfo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis , que se encuentra en las regiones tropicales y subtropicales de América Latina. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar un análisis retrospectivo de casos de PCM en la región nor te de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil . Métodos: se analizaron 200 registros médicos relacionados con casos de PCM de 1995 a 2015 diagnosticado s por el laboratorio de patología de referencia en la región . Resultados: De estos pacientes, 185 eran hombres y 15 mujeres. Los pacientes tenían edades comprendidas entre 31 y 80 años, con la mayor proporción (35.5%) entre 51 y 60 años y viviendo o trabajando en el campo. Los materiales clínicos provenían principalmente de la cavidad oral, seguidos de la región orofaríngea, pulmón, cerebro, piel y próstata. Conclusión: El sur de Brasil es una región endémica de PCM, debido a que su economía se centra en la agricultura, que proporciona el contacto del hombre con el hongo. Debido a la gran similitud de los síntomas de PCM con otras enfermedade s respiratorias, el diagnóstico diferencial es relevante para el tratamiento correcto de la enferm edad y para evitar su progreso.(AU)

Academic performance and use of psychoactive drugs among healthcare students at a university in southern Brazil: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: People have been using psychoactive substances for a long time. Over the last few years, this practice has spread among university students, who use these substances to improve their academic performance, relieve stress and increase concentration and memory. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the use of psychoactive drugs among healthcare students at a higher education institution in the city of Passo Fundo (RS), Brazil, and to ascertain the associated demographic and lifestyle factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a higher education institution. METHODS: We included 287 undergraduate medicine and dentistry students in this study. They answered a self-administered questionnaire regarding sociodemographic, lifestyle and health variables. The statistical analysis used univariate and bivariate analyses with Pearson's chi-square test (P-value < 0.05). ­Multivariate analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals. The SPSS software, version 20.0, was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of use of psychoactive substances among the students was 24.7%. Among these students, high frequencies of psychoactive drugs had been prescribed by physicians (95.8%) and for the purpose of relaxation or stress relief (73.2%). Women, medical students (compared with dental students) and participants with lower academic performance were more likely to use psychoactive drugs. After the multivariate adjustment, the "course" and "academic performance" remained associated with use of psychoactive drugs. CONCLUSION: There was high prevalence of psychoactive drug use among the students at the higher education institution investigated. Some variables (female sex, medical students and low academic performance) were associated with the outcome.

Qualidade do Pré-Natal no Brasil: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2013 / Quality of Prenatal Care in Brazil: National Health Research 2013

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adequação do cuidado pré-natal no Brasil associado a determinantes sociodemográficos. A pesquisa consistiu em uma análise dos dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde realizada no Brasil em 2013. Foram avaliados dois desfechos sobre a adequação do pré-natal, o índice de Kessner modificado por Takeda que, além de levar em consideração esse índice, avaliou se houve aferição da pressão arterial e do peso em todas as consultas, realização de algum exame de sangue e urina e ultrassom. Ambos indicadores de qualidade foram avaliados para o Brasil e também pelas macrorregiões do país. De acordo com o desfecho 1, 80,6% das mulheres realizaram o pré-natal adequado. Ao adicionarmos a realização de exames (Desfecho 2) o percentual foi 71,4%. O pré-natal adequado foi mais frequente entre as mulheres de cor branca e que realizaram o pré-natal na rede privada. A região norte apresentou as menores frequências de pré-natal adequado, enquanto a região sudeste as maiores. Apesar da ampla cobertura, o pré-natal no Brasil ainda apresenta iniquidades e baixa qualidade no atendimento, especialmente entre mulheres das regiões mais pobre do país.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the adequacy of prenatal care in Brazil associated with sociodemographic determinants. The study included a data analysis from the National Health Research performed in Brazil in 2013. Two outcomes on the adequacy of prenatal care were assessed: the Kessner index modified by Takeda index that, in addition to the former, assessed whether blood pressure and weight were measured in all appointments, as well as the performance of blood and urine tests and ultrasound. Both quality indicators were assessed for Brazil and for its macro-regions. According to Outcome 1, 80.6% of women received adequate prenatal care. When adding the performance of tests (Outcome 2), the rate dropped to 71.4%. Adequate prenatal care was more frequent among white women who performed prenatal care in the private health sector. The northern region had the lowest rate of adequate prenatal care, while the southeast region showed the highest rates. Despite the extensive coverage, prenatal care in Brazil still presents inequities and low service quality, especially for women from the poorest regions of the country.

Presence of Candida spp. and candidiasis in liver transplant patients

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Candidiasis is the most common opportunistic fungal infection of the oral cavity caused by fungi of the genus Candida and usually associated with immunosuppressed individuals. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presence of oral candidiasis and identify the presence of Candida spp. in liver transplant recipients and assess the association between the presence of the fungus and sociodemographic variables, dietary habits and environmental exposure. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 49 patients who had undergone liver transplants at Hospital São Vicente de Paulo in Passo Fundo - RS. Patient information was collected to obtain sociodemographic data, eating habits and environmental exposure. Fungal infections were screened by oral clinical examination and the presence of Candida spp by the collection of oral samples with a sterile swab, seeded in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, incubated at 25°C and observed at 48 hours. To identify Candida albicans, the germ tube test was performed. RESULTS: In 49 patient samples, 39% had the yeast of the genus Candida isolated and, of these patients, 12% had candidiasis, 66% of atrophic type and 34% pseudomembranous. Eleven yeast species were (58%) Candida non-albicans and eight (42%) Candida albicans. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The present study presents as a limitation the inclusion of patients in different stages of immunosuppression. CONCLUSION: The high incidence of Candida non-albicans in the oral cavity of transplant patients with a long period of transplantation is warning to a more effective control of the health of these individuals, especially those with older age.

Unhas das mãos como biomarcador para fluorose dentária / Fingernails as a biomarker for dental fluorosis

INTRODUCTION: Biomarkers indicate levels of a particular chemical agent in the environment studied, which may be useful for monitoring health status, and nails may be major indicators of fluoride. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fluoride concentration in the fingernails of children as a biomarker for fluoride exposure. METHODS: Twenty students were selected, aged 4-5 years old. Their nails were cut at 15 and 45 days (two collections), and the fluoride concentration in the nails was analyzed with the ion-specific electrode (Orion 9409) after rapid diffusion with HDMS. RESULTS: The total fluoride mean of the samples was 3.68 μg F/g (sd 1.44), ranging from 1.39 μg F/g to 7.81 μg F/g. Eleven children (55%) brush their teeth three times a day, but only three children (15%) swallow toothpaste. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of fluoride exposure in the fingernails of the children studied, presenting risk of developing dental fluorosis in permanent teeth.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os biomarcadores indicam níveis de determinado agente químico no meio estudado, os quais podem ser úteis ao monitoramento do estado de saúde, podendo as unhas serem importantes indicadores de flúor. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a concentração de flúor nas unhas das mãos de crianças como biomarcador de exposição ao flúo.r MÉTODO: Foram selecionadas 20 escolares, com idade entre 4 e 5 anos. As unhas foram cortadas aos 15 e 45 dias (duas coletas) e a concentração de flúor nas unhas foi analisada com o eletrodo íon específica (Orion 9409), após difusão facilitada por HDMS RESULTADOS: A média total de flúor das amostras foi de 3,68 µg F/g (dp 1,44), variando de 1,39 µg F/g a 7,81 µg F/g. Onze crianças (55%) escovam os dentes três vezes por dia, porém, somente três crianças (15%), engolem dentifrício. CONCLUSÃO: Há uma alta prevalência de exposição ao flúor nas unhas das mãos das crianças investigada com risco de desenvolver fluorose dentária nos dentes permanentes.

Sporothrix brasiliensis produces the highest levels of oxidative stress in a murine model among the species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We compared indicators of oxidative stress in the tissue of mice infected with strains from Sporothrix schenckii complex. METHODS: Mice were inoculated with Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto, Sporothrix globosa, Sporothrix mexicana or Sporothrix albicans. The activity of catalase and glutathione were accessed in the liver and spleen. RESULTS: Animals infected with S. brasiliensis exhibited splenomegaly and significant decrease in catalase activity, and protein and non-protein thiol content compared to animals infected with the other species. CONCLUSIONS: Sporothrix brasiliensis exhibits higher pathogenicity compared to other species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex by increasing oxidative stress in animal tissue.

Maconha como a segunda substância psicoativa mais comumente usada entre estudantes / Emergence of cannabis as the second most commonly used psychoactive substance among students

INTRODUCTION: People use psychoactive substances (PAS) historically; however, from the 1960s on, this use has increased considerably, becoming known for compromising health and causing the death of millions of people every year. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the prevalence of psychoactive substances consumed by dentistry students, as well as to analyze the influence of sociodemographic variables and identify the level of life satisfaction among Dentistry students. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional observational study including 159 students of an educational institution in a city of southern Brazil enrolled in the eight course periods. They were anonymously asked to a self-administered questionnaire regarding sociodemographic variables and use of psychoactive substances (PAS), questions were adapted by the validated instrument called Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and the assessment of level of life satisfaction by the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: The use of PAS at some point in life had prevalence of 90.6%. Alcohol was the most used PAS by students, followed by cannabis. The use of drugs for depression showed association with alcohol and cannabis consumption, cannabis was predominately consumed by male . The majority of students reported dissatisfaction with life. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PAS use is high among the Dentistry students interviewed. The PAS most consumed by students was alcohol, followed by cannabis, psychoactive drugs, and tobacco.

INTRODUÇÃO: O uso de substâncias psicoativas (SPA) é uma prática utilizada pelo homem desde seus primórdios. Entretanto, a partir dos anos 60, teve seu consumo substancialmente aumentado, e se tornou conhecida por comprometer a saúde e ocasionar a morte de milhões de pessoas todos os anos. OBJETIVO: O uso de substâncias psicoativas é uma prática utilizada há muitos anos, porém, a partir dos anos 60, teve seu consumo substancialmente aumentado. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a prevalência do uso de substâncias psicoativas entre estudantes de Odontologia, bem como analisar a influência das variáveis sociodemográficas e identificar o nível de satisfação com a vida entre os estudantes. MÉTODO: O delineamento é do tipo transversal composto por 159 estudantes de Odontologia de uma instituição de ensino de um município do sul do Brasil matriculados nos oito períodos do curso. Os sujeitos forma submetidos anonimamente a um questionário autoaplicável com perguntas referentes a variáveis sociodemográficas, uso de substâncias psicoativas (SPA) adaptadas pelo instrumento validado Teste de Triagem para Álcool, Tabaco e Substâncias (ASSIST), e a avaliação do grau de satisfação com a vida, a partir da Escala de Satisfação com a Vida (ESVC). RESULTADOS: O uso de SPA em algum momento da vida teve prevalência de 90,6%, sendo, o álcool, a droga mais consumida, seguida pela maconha. O uso de medicamentos para depressão mostrou associação ao consumo de álcool. O consumo de maconha também esteve associado ao uso de antidepressivos, sendo a maconha mais consumida pelos homens. A maior parte da amostra relatou insatisfação com sua vida. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência do uso PAS é alta entre os estudantes de Odontologia entrevistados. O PAS mais utilizado pelos alunos foi o álcool, seguido de maconha, drogas psicoativas, e tabaco.