Quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil

Abstract Quilombola communities are present in many Brazilian states living in precarious health conditions. This is due to geographic isolation, limitations to the access of the area in which they live in, and the lack of quality in the service when it is needed to be provided. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil. It is an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study. 160 adult women were first interviewed through a form to collect a profile and then it was applied the WHOQOL Quality of Life questionnaire bref. It was observed that the women were on average 40.7 years old (±17.25), married, self-declared black, who did not finish elementary school, housewife, had no income, with their own masonry house, with up to 6 rooms, supplied by a box of community treated water. Quality of Life had median scores in the domains: physical (3.18), psychological (3.4), social relationships (3.45) and environment (2.59). With this research, it was possible to characterize the quilombola community of Santa Luzia do Norte-AL regarding the difficulties of access to health and income generation, issues that affect their health condition. The problems described in this study can contribute to health actions being planned and carried out in order to improve socioeconomic and health conditions in this community, considering the social, political and environmental context, valuing their traditional knowledge and practices.

Resumo As comunidades quilombolas, estão presentes em diversos estados brasileiros, vivendo em condições de saúde mais precárias. Isto ocorre por conta do isolamento geográfico, das limitações de acesso e da falta de qualidade no serviço quando este é prestado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar a qualidade de vida de mulheres de uma comunidade quilombola do nordeste brasileiro. Estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo. Foram entrevistadas 160 mulheres adultas, através de um formulário para a coleta de perfil e do questionário de Qualidade de Vida WHOQOL bref. Foi observado que as mulheres tinham em média 40,7 anos (±17,25), casadas, autodeclaradas negras, com fundamental incompleto, do lar, sem renda, com moradia de alvenaria, própria, com até 6 cômodos, abastecidas por caixa de água comunitária, tratada. A Qualidade de Vida, apresentou escores medianos nos domínios: físico (3,18), psicológico (3,4), relações sociais (3,45) e meio ambiente (2,59). Com a realização desta pesquisa foi possível caracterizar a comunidade quilombola de Santa Luzia do Norte-AL quanto as dificuldades de acesso a saúde e geração de renda, fatos que repercutem na sua condição de saúde. Os problemas descritos neste estudo podem contribuir para que ações de saúde sejam planejadas e efetivadas com o intuito de melhorar as condições socioeconômicas e de saúde nessa comunidade, considerando-se o contexto social, político e ambiental, valorizando seus saberes e práticas tradicionais.

Quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil / Qualidade de vida de mulheres de uma comunidade quilombola do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract Quilombola communities are present in many Brazilian states living in precarious health conditions. This is due to geographic isolation, limitations to the access of the area in which they live in, and the lack of quality in the service when it is needed to be provided. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life of women from a quilombola community in northeastern Brazil. It is an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study. 160 adult women were first interviewed through a form to collect a profile and then it was applied the WHOQOL Quality of Life questionnaire - bref. It was observed that the women were on average 40.7 years old (±17.25), married, self-declared black, who did not finish elementary school, housewife, had no income, with their own masonry house, with up to 6 rooms, supplied by a box of community treated water. Quality of Life had median scores in the domains: physical (3.18), psychological (3.4), social relationships (3.45) and environment (2.59). With this research, it was possible to characterize the quilombola community of Santa Luzia do Norte-AL regarding the difficulties of access to health and income generation, issues that affect their health condition. The problems described in this study can contribute to health actions being planned and carried out in order to improve socioeconomic and health conditions in this community, considering the social, political and environmental context, valuing their traditional knowledge and practices.

Resumo As comunidades quilombolas, estão presentes em diversos estados brasileiros, vivendo em condições de saúde mais precárias. Isto ocorre por conta do isolamento geográfico, das limitações de acesso e da falta de qualidade no serviço quando este é prestado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar a qualidade de vida de mulheres de uma comunidade quilombola do nordeste brasileiro. Estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo. Foram entrevistadas 160 mulheres adultas, através de um formulário para a coleta de perfil e do questionário de Qualidade de Vida WHOQOL - bref. Foi observado que as mulheres tinham em média 40,7 anos (±17,25), casadas, autodeclaradas negras, com fundamental incompleto, do lar, sem renda, com moradia de alvenaria, própria, com até 6 cômodos, abastecidas por caixa de água comunitária, tratada. A Qualidade de Vida, apresentou escores medianos nos domínios: físico (3,18), psicológico (3,4), relações sociais (3,45) e meio ambiente (2,59). Com a realização desta pesquisa foi possível caracterizar a comunidade quilombola de Santa Luzia do Norte-AL quanto as dificuldades de acesso a saúde e geração de renda, fatos que repercutem na sua condição de saúde. Os problemas descritos neste estudo podem contribuir para que ações de saúde sejam planejadas e efetivadas com o intuito de melhorar as condições socioeconômicas e de saúde nessa comunidade, considerando-se o contexto social, político e ambiental, valorizando seus saberes e práticas tradicionais.

Relationship of IL-1 and TNF-α polymorphisms with Helicobacter pylori in gastric diseases in a Brazilian population

It is well known that the risk of development of gastric cancer (GC) in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients depends on several factors. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of proinflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms for IL-1β, IL-1RN and TNF-α on the development of GC in a Brazilian population. A total of 202 biopsies obtained from Brazilian patients with chronic gastritis and GC were included in the study. Infection with H. pylori cagA+ was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as previously described. IL-1β, IL-1RN and TNF-α polymorphism genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR. Associations between gene polymorphisms, clinical diseases and virulence markers were evaluated using either the χ² test or the Fisher exact test. Our results demonstrated that the IL-1β -511 C/C and IL-1β -511 C/T alleles were associated with chronic gastritis in H. pylori-positive patients (P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively) and the IL-1β -511 C/C genotype was associated with GC (P = 0.03). The frequency of IL-1RN alleles from patients with chronic gastritis and GC indicated that there was no difference between the genotypes of the groups studied. Similar results were found for TNF-α -308 gene polymorphisms. Our results indicate that the IL-1β -511 C/C and C/T gene polymorphisms are associated with chronic gastritis and GC development in H. pylori-infected individuals.

Effect of water flow rate and feed training on "pacamã" (Siluriforme: Pseudopimelodidae) juvenile production / Efeito do fluxo de água e do condicionamento alimentar na produção de juvenis de pacamã (Siluriforme: Pseudopimelodidae)

The effects of different water flow rates and feed training on the production of "pacamã" Lophiosilurus alexandri juveniles were evaluated. In the first experiment, nine day post-hatch larvae (n= 2,400) were stocked at a density of 5 larvae/L. Different water flow (F) rates were tested: F1 = 180; F2 = 600; F3 = 1,300; and F4 = 2,600mL/min. Artemia nauplii were offered as food during the first 15 days of active feeding. In the second experiment for feed training, 720 juveniles (total length of 22.2mm) were stocked at a density of 1.5 juveniles/L. A water flow rate similar to F1 was used. The use of extruded dry diet was tested, and feed training was done with and without other enhanced flavors (Artemia nauplii or Scott emulsion). The water flow rates did not influence the survival or growth of L. alexandri. Cannibalism occurred during feed training. The worst survival, specific growth rate and high mortality were found with the use of extruded dry diet, while similar values were registered with the different feed training diets used. Reduced water flow rate can be used to lower water consumption during larviculture and feed training of L. alexandri.

Avaliaram-se os efeitos de diferentes fluxos de água e do condicionamento alimentar sobre a produção de juvenis de pacamã Lophiosilurus alexandri. Larvas com nove dias pós-eclosão (n=2.400) foram estocadas na densidade de 5 larvas/L. Diferentes fluxos (F) de água foram testados: F1 = 180; F2 = 600; F3 = 1.300; e F4 = 2.600mL/min. Náuplios de Artemia foram usados como alimento nos primeiros 15 dias de alimentação ativa. No segundo experimento, para o condicionamento alimentar, 720 juvenis (comprimento total de 22,2mm) foram estocados na densidade de 1,5 juvenis/L. Fluxo de água similar a F1 foi utilizado. Foram testados o uso de dieta extrusada e o condicionamento alimentar adicionado ou não de náuplios de Artemia ou emulsão Scott. Os diferentes fluxos de água não afetaram a sobrevivência e o crescimento de L. alexandri. Durante o condicionamento alimentar foi registrada a ocorrência de canibalismo. Pior sobrevivência, taxa de crescimento específica e maior mortalidade foram registradas para o uso da dieta comercial, enquanto valores similares foram verificados para as diferentes dietas usadas no condicionamento alimentar. Fluxo de água reduzido pode ser empregado durante a larvicultura e condicionamento alimentar de L. alexandri.

Survey of acarine fauna in dust samplings of curtains in the city of Campinas, Brazil

O intuito deste estudo foi avaliar as espécies acarinas encontradas em amostras de poeira de cortinas presentes em 33 salas e 22 quartos de um total de 41 domicílios na cidade de Campinas, SP. Foram encontrados 148 ácaros. Desse total, 83 foram encontrados na sala de TV (56,1% do total) e 65 nos quartos (43,9%). As principais subordens encontradas foram: Acaridida (n = 79; 53.4%), Actinedida (n = 53; 35.8%), Oribatida (n = 14; 9.5%) e Gamasida (n = 2; 1.3%). As principais famílias observadas foram: Pyroglyphidae (n = 61; 41,2% do total), Eriophyidae (n = 25; 16,9%), Tarsonemidae (n = 15; 10,1%) e Glycyphagidae (n = 13; 8,8%). Não houve diferença significativa no número de ácaros observados nas amostras da sala e do quarto.

Angiotensin-(1-7) increases osmotic water permeability in isolated toad skin

Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) increased osmotic water permeability in the isolated toad skin, a tissue with functional properties similar to those of the distal mammalian nephron. Concentrations of 0.1 to 10 ÁM were effective, with a peak at 20 min. This effect was similar in magnitude to that of frog skin angiotensin II (Ang II) and oxytocin but lower than that of human Ang II and arginine-vasotocin. The AT2 angiotensin receptor antagonist PD 123319 (1.0 ÁM) fully inhibited the response to 0.1 ÁM Ang-(1-7) but had no effect on the response to Ang II at the same concentration. The specific receptor antagonist of Ang-(1-7), A-779, was ineffective in blocking the response to Ang-(1-7) and to frog skin Ang II. The AT1 receptor subtype antagonist losartan, which blocked the response to frog skin Ang II, was ineffective in blocking the response to Ang-(1-7). The present results support the view of an antidiuretic action of Ang-(1-7) in the mammalian nephron

Effect of cyclophosphamide on the binding of 99mTcO4 and 99mTc-MDP to blood cells and plasma proteins

Since the introduction of technetium-99m (99mTc) and its rapid acceptance as a tool in nuclear medicine, very little information is available about is biological action as 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals. We have determined if cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent, used in oncology as a chemotherapeutic drug, modifies the binding of 99mTCO-4 and 99mTc-MDP (99mTc-metylenediphosphonic acid) to blood cells and to plasma proteins. The radiopharmaceuticals were injected intravenously (iv) into SW-55 mice (male and female, weight 25 g) and samples of plasma and blood cells were separated. Cyclophosphamide (50 µg) was injected iv 1 h before the radipharmaceuticals. Samples of plasma and blood cells were also precipitated with 5 per cent trichloroacetic acid and soluble and insoluble fractions were isolated. The following results were obtained: 1) cyclophosphamide did not alter (0.25 to 8h) percent radioactivity of 99m TcO04 in plasma or blood cells but increased the binding of 99m Tc-MDP to blood cells; 2) cyclophosphamide did not alter (o.25 to 8h) 6the binding of 99m TcO-4 in insoluble fraction of plasma and decreasde (1 to 4h) percent radioactivity of 99mTc-MDP in the insoluble fraction of plasma; 3) cyclophosphamide increased (0.25 to 4h) percent radioactivity of 99mTcO-4 in the insoluble fraction of blood cells but did not alter the binding of 99m Tc-MDP. Cyclophosphamide and/ or its methabolities modified the effective half-life of these radiopharmaceuticals (to 99TcO-4 was increased 2.3 to 3.4h and to 99mTc-MDP was decreased 3.3 to 2.1 h) and possibly increased the permeability of blood cells to 99m TcO-4

Vesícula biliar hidrópica na síndrome linfonodomucocutânea (Sindrome de Kawasaki): relato de caso / Hydropic blister gallbladder in mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki sindrome): a case report

Uma possível manifestaçao da síndrome linfonodomucocutânea (SLMC), ou síndrome de Kawasaki, é a hidropsia da vesícula biliar. Pode apresentar-se com sintomas abdominais previamente ao estabelecimento clínico da síndrome ou aparecer já no curso dela. Existem poucos relatos desta associaçao, com variaçao de incidência estimada entre 3 por cento e 13,7 por cento. Neste relato descrevemos um caso de SLMC numa criança de cinco anos de idade, que na evoluçao apresentou sintomas e sinais de envolvimento abdominal, com ultra-sonografia e tomografia computadorizada de abdome demonstrando a presença de vesícula biliar hidrópica. Tal patologia deve ser lembrada principalmente no diagnóstico diferencial de colangite acalculosa em crianças, devido ao crescente número de casos de SLMC identificados em nosso meio.

Microdiscectomia lombar. Técnica e resultados em 80 casos / Lumbar microdiscectomy. Technique and results in 80 cases

The results of treatment for 80 patients with lumbar disc disease who undergone microdiscectomy were reviewed. Low rate of post-operative complications, short hospital stay and early return of the patients to their normal activities were observed

Chronic indomethacin administration and its relation with the renal kallikrein kinin system during rat pregnancy

Resultados obtenidos en humanos y animales de experimentación muestran un aumento de la excreción de prostaglandinas vasodilatadoras y de Kallikreinas urinarias (KU) durante la preñez dando lugar a una hipótesis dando asignan a estas sustancias participación en la generación de los cambios hemodinámicos relacionados con la gestación. Para dilucidar el posible rol de estos sistemas hormonales se estudiaron ratas preñadas no tratadas y tratadas con indometacina 3mg/Kg/día en dos dosis diarias administradas por vía sc, durante 96 hs entre los días 14 a 18 de preñez. Se coleccionaron muestras de sangre y orina seriadas a lo largo de la preñez midiéndose creatinina en sangre y orina, diuresis de 24 hs, concentración de Kallikreinas urinarias, sodio y potasio. Ratas no preñadas con y sin tratamiento con indometacina, estudiadas en forma similar, se utilizaron como controles (Fig. 1). Las ratas preñadas mostraron un incremento del filtrado glomerular que fue máximo entre los días 14 a 18 de preñez, y descendío luego hacia el final de la gestación (Fig. 2, derecha). Los cambios en las diuresis fueron semejantes a los del clearance de creatinina (Fig. 2, izquierda) encontrándose un incremento de la reabsorción de sodio hacia el fianl de la preñez. La excreción de KU, por su parte, aumentó en la segunda semana de preñez precediendo al pico de hiperfiltración glomerular para luego descender progresivamente (Fig. 3), correlacionándose significativamente con la excreción de sodio (Fig. 4). El tratamiento con indometacina previno el aumento máximo del filtrado glomerular y de la excreción de agua entre los días 14 a 18 de preñez, induciendo un incremento de la excreción de KU y de sodio (Fig.2 y 3) . La falta de incremento del clearance de creatinina y el aumento de la excreción de KU inducidos por el tratamiento con indometacina sugieren que las prostaglandinas vasodilatadoras y el sistema kallikreina kinina renal podrían participar en la regulación de la hiperfiltración gestacional en la rata

Comparacao entre resultados de provas tuberculinicas feitas com tuberculinas PPD-Rt 23 diluidas no Brasil e na Dinamarca. / Results of tuberculin tests with PPD-Rt tuberculins dissolved in Brazil and Denmark

Os autores comparam os resultados obtidos em provas tuberculinicas com tuberculinas (PPD-Rt 23) diluida no Brasil (diluicao A) e diluida na Dinamarca (diluicao B). Aplicaram as provas em 80 pacientes portadores de tuberculose (comprovados bacteriologicamente), aplicando diluicao A num branco e diluicao B no outro (alternando-se os bracos progressivamente, para evitar tendenciosidade na aplicacao e/ou na leitura dos resultados. Concluiram que nao ha diferenca, estatisticamente falando, entre os resultados obtidos com as tuberculinas diluidas no Brasil ou na Dinamarca. De 76 pacientes onde se obtiveram resultados, em apenas 1 caso houve uma diferenca de 3mm entre as induracoes dos braco direito e esquerdo; nos demais casos as diferencas nao ultrapassaram a 2 mm