Investigating the Chemical Profile of Underexplored Parts of Dipteryx alata (Baru) Using the PS-MS Technique.

The baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.), a fruit native to the Cerrado biome, is well-known for its almonds, which are extensively exploited and exported. Unfortunately, the remaining parts of this fruit are often discarded. This study investigates the fixed chemical constituents of the baru, including the bark, pulp, endocarp, and almonds, using the PS-MS technique in positive and negative ionization modes. Notably, this research presents the first chemical profile of baru almonds in both their raw and roasted states. The analysis identified 57 compounds reported for the first time in a baru and 24 common compounds. The majority of these compounds are classified as flavonoids. In both ionization modes, the peel exhibited a higher proportion of phenolic compounds, although the chemical compounds varied among the peel, pulp, almond, and endocarp. These findings highlight the perspective of bioeconomy and biotechnology. By staggering baru fruit production alongside extractivists, we can optimize the utilization of all parts of the fruit. Furthermore, given the knowledge of the biological properties of flavonoids and the baru composition, we recommend additional studies to analyze their potential in preventing chronic non-communicable diseases.

Instrumento sobre conhecimento, atitudes e práticas da automedicação em estudantes universitários

Objetivo: construir e validar instrumento para investigar os conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de estudantes universitários brasileiros sobre a automedicação. Método: estudo metodológico realizado em universidade pública do centro oeste mineiro, Brasil. Um comitê de juízes avaliou clareza, pertinência e abrangência e o pré-teste realizado com público alvo para avaliar compreensão e aceitabilidade. O índice de validade de conteúdo (IVC) foi utilizado para avaliar a proporção de concordância e o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (a) para mensurar a confiabilidade. Resultados: o instrumento foi composto por 38 itens divididos em três seções: caracterização dos participantes (13 itens); conhecimentos e práticas da automedicação (3 itens); e crenças e atitudes (22 itens). A média do IVC de todas as seções do instrumento foi de 0,97 e o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach da seção crenças e atitudes >0,70. Conclusão: o instrumento foi considerado válido para avaliar conhecimento, prática, crenças e atitudes sobre automedicação em estudantes universitários.

SUMMARY Objective: To build and validate an instrument to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Brazilian university students about self-medication. Method: Methodological study carried out at a public university in the center of western Minas Gerais, Brazil. A committee of judges assessed clarity, relevance and comprehensiveness and the pre-test carried out with a target audience to assess understanding and acceptability. The content validity index (CVI) was used to assess the proportion of agreement and Cronbach's alpha coefficient (a) to measure reliability. Results: The instrument consisted of 38 items divided into three sections: characterization of participants (13 items); knowledge and practices of self-medication (3 items); and beliefs and attitudes (22 items). The mean CVI for all sections of the instrument was 0.97 and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the beliefs and attitudes section >0.70. Conclusion: The instrument was considered valid to assess knowledge, practice, beliefs and attitudes about self-medication in university students.

Objetivo: construir y validar un instrumento para investigar los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de estudiantes universitarios brasileños sobre la automedicación. Método: estudio metodológico realizado en una universidad pública del centro del occidente de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Un comité de jueces evaluó la claridad, la relevancia y la exhaustividad y la prueba previa se llevó a cabo con un público objetivo para evaluar la comprensión y la aceptabilidad. El índice de validez de contenido (IVC) se utilizó para evaluar la proporción de acuerdo y el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (a) para medir la confiabilidad. Resultados: el instrumento constaba de 38 ítems divididos en tres apartados: caracterización de los participantes (13 ítems); conocimientos y prácticas de automedicación (3 ítems); y creencias y actitudes (22 ítems). El CVI medio para todas las secciones del instrumento fue 0,97 y el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para la sección de creencias y actitudes> 0,70. Conclusión: el instrumento se consideró válido para evaluar conocimientos, prácticas, creencias y actitudes sobre la automedicación en estudiantes universitarios.

Tuberculosis in Brazil: one country, multiple realities.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the determinants of tuberculosis-related variables in the various regions of Brazil and evaluate trends in those variables over the ten-year period preceding the end of the timeframe defined for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). METHODS: This was an ecological analytical study in which we utilized eight national public databases to investigate the 716,971 new tuberculosis cases reported between 2006 and 2015. RESULTS: Over the study period, there were slight reductions in the prevalence, incidence, and mortality associated with tuberculosis. Brazil did not reach the MDG for tuberculosis-related mortality. Among the performance indicators of tuberculosis control, there were improvements only in those related to treatment and treatment abandonment. In terms of the magnitude of tuberculosis, substantial regional differences were observed. The tuberculosis incidence rate was highest in the northern region, as were the annual mean temperature and relative air humidity. That region also had the second lowest human development index, primary health care (PHC) coverage, and number of hospitalizations for tuberculosis. The northeastern region had the highest PHC coverage, number of hospitalizations for primary care-sensitive conditions, and tuberculosis-related mortality rate. The southern region showed the smallest reductions in epidemiological indicators, together with the greatest increases in the frequency of treatment abandonment and retreatment. The central-west region showed the lowest overall magnitude of tuberculosis and better monitoring indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The situation related to tuberculosis differs among the five regions of Brazil. Those differences can make it difficult to control the disease in the country and could explain the fact that Brazil failed to reach the MDG for tuberculosis-related mortality. Tuberculosis control measures should be adapted to account for regional differences.

Effect of allopurinol and uric acid normalization on serum lipids hyperuricemic subjects: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Although uric acid is not part of any definition of metabolic syndrome, a number of studies have shown strong associations between the concentration of uric acid and metabolic syndrome or its components. The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate, using prospective interventional studies, the effects of allopurinol therapy and uric acid normalization on serum concentrations of triacylglycerol, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in hyperuricemic subjects. A systematic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed following the guidelines described in the PRISMA statement. Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis, including six randomized controlled trials and one controlled before-and-after study. Despite differences in the follow-up periods (4, 12 and 24weeks) and allopurinol dose (100-300mg/day), all the studies showed decreases in the mean serum uric acid level (95% confidence interval: -2.61 to -1.55 (4weeks), -2.94 to -1.09 (12weeks) and -2.59 to -1.22 (24weeks); p<0.05). However, no effect was observed based on differences in mean serum triacylglycerol and total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, independent of the follow-up period. Allopurinol therapy during weeks 4 and 12 induced a decrease in the mean HDL-cholesterol level (95% confidence interval: -7.22 to -0.47 (4weeks) and -7.18 to -0.32 (12weeks); p<0.05). This review suggests that allopurinol and uric acid normalization does not improve serum lipid levels, although larger and longer trials of higher quality are needed to confirm this.

Control measures to trace ≤ 15-year-old contacts of index cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis.

This was descriptive study carried out in a medium-sized Brazilian city. In ≤ 15-year-old contacts of index cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis, we assessed compliance with the Brazilian national guidelines for tuberculosis control. We interviewed 43 contacts and their legal guardians. Approximately 80% of the contacts were not assessed by the municipal public health care system, and only 21% underwent tuberculin skin testing. The results obtained with the Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector method suggest that health care teams have a biased attitude toward assessing such contacts and underscore the need for training health professionals regarding tuberculosis control programs.

Homeopatia: percepção da população sobre significado, acesso, utilização e implantação no sus / Homeopathy: Population Perceptions on its Meanings, Access, Use and Implementation on SUS

Em 1980, a homeopatia foi reconhecida como especialidade médica pelo Conselho Federal de Medicina, e, em 1986, após a 8ª Conferência Nacional de Saúde (CSN), foi introduzida como prática alternativa de assistência à saúde no âmbito dos serviços de saúde. Em 2004, foi criada a Política Nacional de Medicina Natural e Práticas Complementares (PNMNPC), publicação do Ministério da Saúde, que estabelece pontos importantes para a inserção destas práticas no sistema público desaúde. Objetivos: verificar o conhecimento dos usuários do SUS sobre a homeopatia e o seu interesse pela implantação da prática em Divinópolis, MG. Método: Estudo qualitativo do tipo estudo de caso por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada. Resultados: Prevalece na população pouco ou nenhum conhecimento sobre a homeopatia. No imaginário dos entrevistados constatou-se a confusãode homeopatia e tratamentos fitoterápicos caseiros; identificação de homeopatia como doença; a crença de inocuidade ao organismo dos medicamentos homeopáticos ou fitoterápicos e a relação de fé ou misticismo com os homeopáticos ou fitoterápicos. Apesar do pouco conhecimento, a maioria dosentrevistados considera importante a implantação do tratamento homeopático no SUS Divinópolis como uma alternativa de assistência. Conclusões: existe interesse na implantação da homeopatia no SUS Divinópolis. Recomenda-se aqui a realização de novos estudos que busquem maior amplitude de resultados.

In 1980, homeopathy had been recognized as a medical speciality by the Federal Council of Medicine, and, in 1896, after the 8th National Conference on Health (CSN), it was introduced as an alternative practice of health assistance in the scope of health services. In 2004, it was created the National Policy of Natural Medicine and Complementary Practices (PNMNPC), a publication of the Health Ministry,which establishes important points for the insertion of these practices in the public health system. Objectives: to verify the information that SUS users have on homeopathy and their interest on the implementation of this practice in Divinópolis, MG. Method: Qualitative research of the type “case study” was developed through semi-structured interviews. Results: Prevails among the population, little or no information on homeopathy. In the imaginary of the interviewed participants, it was observed a confusion between homeopathy and homemade herbal treatments; the identification of homeopathy as a disease; the belief in the innocuously nature of homeopathic and phytotherapy to the organismand the relation of faith and mysticism with homeopathic and phytotherapy. In spite of the poor information, most part of the interviewed considers important to implement the homeopathic treatment on SUS Divinópolis as an alternative method of assistance. Conclusions: there is interest in theimplementation of homeopathy on SUS Divinópolis. It is recommended here for further studies that seek greater range of results.

Utilization of HIV/AIDS treatment services: comparing injecting drug users and other clients.

This study compared healthcare utilization by injection drug users (IDUs) and non-IDUs. Data were abstracted from patients' medical records, admitted on HIV/AIDS treatment centers, between 1986 and 2002, forming a non-concurrent cohort study. Variables included: sociodemographics, HIV/AIDS exposure group, healthcare utilization (consultations, procedures, and prescriptions). Descriptive analyses included age-period and cohort effects. Out of 170 patients, with an average age of 30 years, 39.4% were IDUs, 71.8% were males and had low levels of education. At the first consultation, 86.5% neither received an ARV prescription nor had a request for CD4 or viral load. Injection drug users, as compared to non-IDUs, were less likely to receive ARV prescriptions and requests for CD4 lymphocyte and viral load counts, even though the number of consultations did not differ between the two groups. Healthcare utilization increased in calendar-year in the non-IDUs group, parallel to the implementation of the Brazilian health policy of universal care. However, this favorable trend was not observed among IDUs. Differential outcomes for HIV/AIDS among IDUs, towards worse prognosis, suggest difficulties in terms of adherence and follow-up of ARV therapy in this population.

Utilization of HIV/AIDS treatment services: comparing injecting drug users and other clients

Objetivou-se descrever a utilizacão de servicos, comparando usuários de drogas injetáveis (UDIs) e não-UDIs. Informacões coletadas nos prontuários de pacientes em atendimento para HIV/AIDS, de 1986 a 2002, estabeleceram uma coorte não concorrente. As variáveis incluíam: dados sócio-demográficos, exposicão ao HIV/AIDS e utilizacão de servico (consultas, prescricões e solicitacões de exames). Análises descritivas e verificacão dos efeitos calendário e de coorte foram realizadas. Dos 170 pacientes, com trinta anos na mediana idade, 39,4 por cento eram UDIs, 71,8 por cento homens e com baixa escolaridade; 86,5 por cento não receberam, na primeira consulta, prescricão ARV, solicitacão de CD4 ou carga viral. Usuários de drogas injetáveis tiveram menor chance de receber prescricão de ARV, solicitacão de CD4/carga viral, seja na primeira consulta, seja nas demais, apesar de o número de consultas não diferir em virtude de ser ou não UDIs. Observou-se incremento na utilizacão dos servicos para pacientes não-UDIs ao longo do tempo, coincidindo com a implementacão de políticas públicas visando à ampliacão do acesso; porém, tal impacto não foi observado entre UDIs. Evolucão diferencial da infeccão pelo HIV, com piores prognósticos entre os UDIs, sugere deficiências na adesão e manutencão do tratamento ARV.