Non-pharmacological interventions to manage fatigue and psychological stress in children and adolescents with cancer: an integrative review.

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most stressful and prevalent symptom in paediatric oncology patients. This integrative review aimed to identify, analyse and synthesise the evidence of non-pharmacological intervention studies to manage fatigue and psychological stress in a paediatric population with cancer. Eight electronic databases were used for the search: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. Initially, 273 articles were found; after the exclusion of repeated articles, reading of the titles, abstracts and the full articles, a final sample of nine articles was obtained. The articles were grouped into five categories: physical exercise, healing touch, music therapy, therapeutic massage, nursing interventions and health education. Among the nine studies, six showed statistical significance regarding the fatigue and/or stress levels, showing that the use of the interventions led to symptoms decrease. The most frequently tested intervention was programmed physical exercises. It is suggested that these interventions are complementary to conventional treatment and that their use can indicate an improvement in CRF and psychological stress.

Eficiência de óleos essenciais na qualidade sanitária e fisiológica em sementes de feijão-fava (Phaseolus lunatus L. ) / Efficiency of essential oils in the sanitary and physiological quality of lima bean seeds (Phaseolus lunatus L. )

RESUMO A espécie Phaseolus lunatus L., conhecida popularmente como feijão-fava constitui uma das alternativas de renda e alimentação para a população da região Nordeste do Brasil. Um dos problemas enfrentados são as doenças que provocam grandes perdas na produção de sementes. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a eficiência dos óleos essenciais de copaíba, cravo-da-índia e manjericão na redução da incidência de fungos associados às sementes de feijão-fava, e sua interferência na qualidade fisiológica. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por óleos essenciais de copaíba, cravo-da-índia e manjericão nas concentrações de 0; 1; 1,5 e 2 mL. L-1 e fungicida (Captan®). Foram utilizadas 200 sementes por tratamento. Para análise da qualidade sanitária das sementes foi adotado o método de incubação em placas de Petri contendo dupla camada de papel-filtro umedecida com ADE, sob temperatura de 20 ±2 ºC, por 7 dias. A qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi determinada com base nos testes de germinação, emergência e vigor das sementes. Para o teste germinação foi empregado método de rolo de papel germitest e na emergência osemeio foi realizado em bandejas plásticas contendo areia lavada esterilizada, em condição de casa de vegetação, e após 9 dias da instalação foi determinado o vigor com base nos resultados de índice de velocidade de germinação e emergência; comprimento da parte aérea, raiz primária e plântula; e teor de massa seca da partes aérea, raízes e plântulas de feijão-fava. O delineamento experimental foi interiamente casualizados, em esquama de fatorial simples (3x4)+1 (óleos essenciais x concentrações + fungicida), com quatro repetições de 50 sementes. Os óleos essenciais de copaíba e manjericão reduziram consideravelmente o percentual de incidência dos fungos associados as sementes de feijão-fava. O óleo essencial de cravo-da-índia na concetração de 2 mL. L-1, reduziu a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de feijão-fava.

ABSTRACT The Phaseolus lunatus L. species, popularly known as lima bean, is one of the alternative sources of income and food for the population of Northeast Brazil. One of the problems is the diseases that cause great losses in seed production. This study evaluated the effectiveness of essential oils of copaiba, clove, and basil in reducing the incidence of fungi associated with lima bean seeds, as well as the effect on their physiological quality. The treatments consisted of essential oils of copaiba, clove, and basil at concentrations of 0; 1; 1.5; and 2 mL. L-1 and fungicide (Captan®). A total of 200 seeds were used per treatment. To analyze the sanitary quality of the seeds, the method used was incubation in petri dishes containing a double layer of filter paper moistened with distilled sterilized water at a temperature of 20 ± 2°C, for seven days. The physiological quality of the seeds was determined by testing their germination, emergence, and vigor. For the germination test, the method used was a roll of Germitest paper. For the emergence, the seeds were sown in plastic trays containing washed sterilized sand in greenhouse conditions. After nine days, the vigor was determined based on the results of germination and emergence speed rates; length of the aerial part, primary root, and seedling; and dry matter content of the aerial part, roots, and seedlings of the lima beans. The experimental design was completely randomized in a simple factorial arrangement (3x4)+1 (essential oils x concentrations + fungicide) with four replications of 50 seeds. The essential oils of copaiba and basil considerably reduced the percentage of incidence of the fungi associated with lima bean seeds. The essential clove oil at 2 mL. L-1 reduced the physiological quality of the lima bean seeds.

Extracts of Caesalpinia ferrea and Trichoderma sp. on the control of Colletotrichum sp. transmission in Sideroxylon obtusifolium seeds / Extratos de Caesalpinia ferrea e Trichoderma spp. no controle da tramissibilidade de Colletotrichum sp. em sementes de Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Sapotaceae)

ABSTRACT Recent research reports the importance of preserving plants in Brazilian semiarid regions, in this context, the scientific literature has reported different pharmacological studies from plant extracts with an antifungal potential, coming from forest species that can contribute as a control and management strategy in the transmission of phytopathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biotech treatments in controlling the transmission of Colletotrichum sp. in seeds of S. obtusifolium. In this study, 100 seeds were subjected to the following preventive treatments: fungicide Captan®, extract of Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex. Tul., and biological control with Trichoderma spp. The biological control with Trichoderma spp. and the alternative control using C. ferrea extract provided a greater protection to seeds and seedlings of S. obtusifolium facing the transmissibility of Colletotrichum sp.The treatment based on plant extract is more efficient for this purpose only in large seeds and does not interfere on the germination percentage and speed. Therefore it is necessary to perform other studies with Trichoderma spp. and C. ferrea extract to test different doses of these products.

RESUMO Recentes pesquisas relatam a importância da preservação de plantas do semiárido brasileiro. Neste contexto, a literatura científica tem relatado diferentes estudos farmacológicos com extratos vegetais com potencial antifúngico proveniente de espécies florestais que podem contribuir como estratégia de controle e gerenciamento na transmissão de fitopatógenos. No presente estudo o objetivo foi avaliar o efeito de tratamentos biotecnológicos no controle da transmissibilidade de Colletotrichum sp. em sementes de S. obtusifolium. Neste estudo foram utilizadas 100 sementes submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos preventivos: fungicida Captan®, extrato de Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex. Tul. e controle biológico com Trichoderma spp. O controle biológico com Trichoderma spp. e o alternativo com extrato de C. ferrea proporcionam maior proteção às sementes e plântulas S. obtusifolium quanto a transmissibilidade do Colletotrichum sp. O tratamento à base de extrato vegetal foi o mais eficiente para este fim, apenas em sementes de maior tamanho, por não interferir na porcentagem e velocidade de germinação. Portanto, faz-se necessário à realização de outros trabalhos com Trichoderma spp. e extrato de C. ferrea para testar doses diferentes desses produtos.

Potencial fungitóxico de extratos vegetais sobre Curvularia eragrostidis (P. Henn. ) Meyer in vitro / Fungitoxic potential of plant extracts on in vitro Curvularia eragrostidis (P. Henn. ) Meyer

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade fungitóxica dos extratos vegetais de alho, citronela, gengibre e nim no controle in vitro de Curvularia eragrostidis. Os extratos foram testados nas concentrações de 5, 15, 25, 35, e 45%, através da deposição de disco de colônia fúngica em placas de Petri contendo meio BDA, acrescido dos extratos e da testemunha. As placas de Petri foram incubadas a 25 ± 2ºC. Avaliou-se o diâmetro das colônias, a cada 24 horas, em dois sentidos opostos, utilizando régua milimetrada. Determinou-se a contagem de esporos do fungo em hemacitômetro após a incubação. Para a germinação de esporos adicionou-se ao meio BDA 0,1 mL de suspensão de 1,3 x 105 conídios/mL- 1 do fungo, acrescido de 0,1 mL de solução dos extratos espalhadas sobre o meio BDA. As placas de Petri foram divididas em quatro quadrantes e incubadas no regime de luz "claro contínuo" e "escuro contínuo". A avaliação foi realizada após 48 horas de incubação através da percentagem de germinação dos conídios nos tratamentos e na testemunha. De acordo com os resultados, concentrações de 5% dos extratos de gengibre e de nim foram eficientes na percentagem de inibição do crescimento micelial e esporulação de C. eragrostidis. A utilização de todos os extratos a partir da concentração de 25% apresentaram os maiores efeitos fitotóxicos nas análises in vitro, reduzindo o crescimento micelial, a esporulação, e germinação do fungo.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the fungitoxic activity of plant extracts from garlic, citronella, ginger and neem on the in vitro control of Curvularia eragrostidis. We used the following treatments: extracts of garlic, citronella, ginger and neem (5, 15, 25, 35, 45%) through the deposition of a fungal colony disk obtained from Petri dishes containing PDA medium supplemented with treatments. For control, only water was added. The Petri dishes were incubated at 25 ± 2ºC for seven days. The colony diameter was evaluated in two opposite directions every 24 hours using a millimeter ruler. At the end of the incubation period, the number of spores was counted using a hemocytometer. Spore germination was evaluated by adding to the PDA medium 0.1 mL collected from a suspension of 1.3 x 105 conidia/mL-1 plus 0.1 mL of a solution of each extract spread on the PDA medium. The Petri dishes were divided into four and incubated in either continuous light or continuous dark. The evaluation was performed 48 hours after incubation by determining the germination rate of conidia in comparison to the control. Concentration of 5% of ginger and neen extracts were efficient on the percentage of inhibition of mycelial growth and sporulation of C. eragrostidis. All extracts from the concentration of 25% showed the highest phytotoxic effects in in vitro assays, reducing mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of the fungus.

[In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity of ozonized water against Staphylococcus aureus]. / Avaliação in vitro da atividade antibacteriana da água ozonizada frente ao Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus belongs to the normal flora of the skin, mucosa and nasopharynx of several animal species, including man, but it is also associated to illnesses such as abscesses, bacteremia, endocarditis and osteomyelitis, besides showing resistance to multiple drugs. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the disinfecting ability of ozone when dissolved in water. Suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus with concentrations varying from 10(6) to 10(16) microorganisms/ml were prepared. One milliliter of each recently prepared suspension was added to 99 ml of distilled water (with or without previous ozonization) contained in a crystal reactor. Aliquots of 0.1 ml of this new suspension were taken at various time intervals and, then, serially diluted and inoculated on plaques. The data indicated that there was difference in the disinfecting effect when distilled water was used with and without previous ozonization.

Morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization of Herpetomonas samuelpessoai camargoi n. subsp., a trypanosomatid isolated from the flower of the squash Cucurbita moschata.

We report the morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics of a trypanosomatid isolated from the flower of Cucurbita moschata. Although the trypanosomatid was isolated from a plant, the lack of recognition of Phytomonas-specific molecular markers based on spliced-leader and ribosomal genes as well as by monoclonal antibodies specific for Phytomonas argues against assigning it to this genus. Because the isolate displayed typical opisthomastigote forms in culture, it is assigned to the genus Herpetomonas. Analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns and characterization of ribosomal SSU and ITS markers suggest that it is more closely related to H. samuelpessoai than to any other species. However, the presence of spined flagellates in culture (displaying lateral expansions of the plasma membrane originating near the flagellar pocket) and isolate-specific RAPD fingerprints argue strongly that the trypanosomatid belongs to a new subspecies, for which the name Herpetomonas samuelpessoai camargoi n. subsp. is proposed.

[Sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases in high school students in Rio Branco-Acre, Brazil]. / Atividade sexual e doenças sexualmente transmissíveis em escolares do 2 degrees grau de Rio Branco-Acre, Brasil.

This study was realized with 2.684 students of the high school in Rio Branco-Acre, Brazil, to verify aspects of the sexual activity and the occurrence of DST/AIDS. From the researched students, 48.9% had sexual intercourse, and the largest frequency was 34.3% for male sex, with the beginning at 13 years old, and for female sex 31.6%, with the beginning at 16 years old. The occurrence of mentioned DST/AIDS was: 58.4% for Hepatitis B, 39.4% for Monilíase and 2.2% for Gonorrhea. Among those ones who had their first sexual intercourse, 47.6% were with the boyfriend, 25.8% with the neighbor and 10.5% with the domestic maid. Concluding, the students who had sexual intercourse were 52.3% of private schools, 50.0% of federal ones, 45.7% of state ones and 41.8% of municipal ones.

Evaluation of the allergenicity of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius.

The antigenic and allergenic chemical analysis of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius was carried out. The spores were collected from basidiocarps in plantations of Eucalyptus spp and the mycelia from culture in MNM medium. With basis on the fungus growth curve, the mycelia masses were obtained after 10, 20, 30, and 40 days of incubation, which correspond, respectively, to the beginning, middle and end of the log phase, and beginning of the decline phase. The mycelia masses, together with the spores, were submitted to the action of three extractors (Coca, Tris-HCl, and ammonium bicarbonate). The contents of carbohydrates and proteins were determined. The SDS-PAGE electrophoretical analysis revealed separate fractions in these extracts, besides common fractions, in function of cultivation time and extraction methods. The selected extracts for the allergic tests were the ones with the highest number of fractions. The prick-tests were conducted in 374 patients--rural workers, eucalyptus plantation workers, and college students. The positivity to the "prick test" with the antigenic extract of P. tinctorius was, respectively, 3.78%, 28.20% and 6.40%. Most prick-test positive patients (82.75%) also presented symptoms of respiratory allergy (asthma and rhinitis). There was no reactivity difference when the spore and mycelia extracts were employed. The analysis of the positive patients' sera revealed the presence of IgE specific to the P. tinctorius antigens. Since Pisolithus tinctorius is found as mycorrhiza of Eucalyptus spp, and this plant is used in reforestation in most countries, the importance of that fungus should be regarded as a possible cause of respiratory allergies, especially in occupationally exposed workers.

[Noise-induced hearing loss and its association with cumulative working time among urban bus workers]. / Associação da perda auditiva induzida pelo ruído com o tempo acumulado de trabalho entre motoristas e cobradores.

Through regression analysis the relationship between noise-induced hearing loss and variables "total cumulative working time", "arterial blood pressure" and "age" was examined. The study was carried out among 278 bus drivers and ticket takers, users of an occupational health center in Campinas, São Paulo State (Brazil). The main results were a positive association between hearing loss and cumulative working time, as well as an interaction between this variable and the bus workers' age.