Vanilla from Brazilian Atlantic Forest: In vitro and in silico toxicity assessment and high-resolution metabolomic analysis of Vanilla spp. ethanolic extracts.

The natural vanilla market, which generates millions annually, is predominantly dependent on Vanilla planifolia, a species characterized by low genetic variability and susceptibility to pathogens. There is an increasing demand for natural vanilla, prized for its complex, authentic, and superior quality compared to artificial counterparts. Therefore, there is a necessity for innovative production alternatives to ensure a consistent and stable supply of vanilla flavors. In this context, vanilla crop wild relatives (WRs) emerge as promising natural sources of the spice. However, these novel species must undergo toxicity assessments to evaluate potential risks and ensure safety for consumption. This study aimed to assess the non-mutagenic and non-carcinogenic properties of ethanolic extracts from V. bahiana, V. chamissonis, V. cribbiana, and V. planifolia through integrated metabolomic profiling, in vitro toxicity assays, and in silico analyses. The integrated approach of metabolomics, in vitro assays, and in silico analyses has highlighted the need for further safety assessments of Vanilla cribbiana ethanolic extract. While the extracts of V. bahiana, V. chamissonis, and V. planifolia generally demonstrated non-mutagenic properties in the Ames assay, V. cribbiana exhibited mutagenicity at high concentrations (5000 µg/plate) in the TA98 strain without metabolic activation. This finding, coupled with the dose-dependent cytotoxicity observed in WST-1 (Water Soluble Tetrazolium) assays, a colorimetric method that assesses the viability of cells exposed to a test substance, underscores the importance of concentration in the safety evaluation of these extracts. Kaempferol and pyrogallol, identified with higher intensity in V. cribbiana, are potential candidates for in vitro mutagenicity. Although the results are not conclusive, they suggest the safety of these extracts at low concentrations. This study emphasizes the value of an integrated approach in providing a nuanced understanding of the safety profiles of natural products, advocating for cautious use and further research into V. cribbiana mutagenicity.

Effects of repetitive pinprick stimulation on preterm offspring: Alterations in nociceptive responses and inflammatory hypersensitivity in adulthood.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigates the effects of repetitive pinprick stimulation on preterm offspring and its impact on nociceptive responses and inflammatory hypersensitivity in adulthood. OBJECTIVES: The objective is to shed light on the potential long-term consequences of neonatal pain and prematurity on sensory processing. METHODS: Term and preterm rats were subjected to repetitive pinprick (PP) stimulation or control (CC) during the neonatal period. Adult rats received CFA injection to induce inflammatory hypersensitivity, and mechanical hypersensitivity was measured. Gender differences in inflammatory hypersensitivity were also examined. Maternal behavior, litter weight, and offspring growth were monitored to assess any potential influences of the stimulation on these parameters. RESULTS: In preterm rats, the PP stimulation did not affect baseline thresholds to mechanical stimuli, but increased mechanical hypersensitivity after CFA injection in adult rats. Females exhibited greater inflammatory hypersensitivity compared to males. Maternal behavior, litter weight, and offspring growth were not influenced by the stimulation. PP stimulation during the neonatal period led to changes in nociceptive responses in adulthood, potentially altering sensory processing. CONCLUSION: PP stimulation in preterm rats during the neonatal period resulted in changes in nociceptive responses in adulthood, leading to increased inflammatory hypersensitivity. The study emphasizes how early development can significantly impact sensory processing and further highlights the potential long-term consequences of prematurity and neonatal pain on this processing.

Percepções sobre homeopatia na perspectiva de discentes dos cursos de saúde de um centro universitário de Recife-PE / Healthcare students perceptions about homeopathy at a university of Recife-PE

A homeopatia é um método terapêutico que tem como princípio "semelhante cura semelhante", tendo como base a experimentação das preparações altamente diluídas e sucussionadas, com objetivo de produzir em pessoas sadias sintomas semelhantes aos da doença que devem combater. O interesse da população por ela vem aumentando e há necessidade de formar profissionais qualificados no ensino de práticas integrativas e complementares para que avancem no SUS. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as percepções sobre homeopatia na perspectiva de discentes dos cursos de saúde de um centro universitário privado em Recife-PE. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e quantitativo a partir da aplicação de questionário a 500 estudantes de cursos de saúde, entre outubro e novembro de 2018. Apesar de 65,2% dos discentes relatarem ter ouvido falar sobre homeopatia, 73% declararam ter pouco ou nenhum conhecimento sobre as formas de tratamento. Além disso, 82,8% dos discentes afirmaram não conhecer as PNPIC (Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares no SUS), e nem saber que medicamentos homeopáticos são distribuídos gratuitamente pelo SUS (86%). Existe interesse dos estudantes de saúde em incluir homeopatia como disciplina na grade de seus cursos, afim de estarem aptos para oferecer um atendimento integral aos pacientes. Portanto, há necessidade de instituições de ensino superior investirem e promoverem disciplinas que abordem a homeopatia, para formarem profissionais com maior conhecimento sobre as PIC, o que irá acarretar maior informação para a população, contribuindo na melhoria da saúde individual e coletiva através da saúde pública.

Homeopathy is a type of therapy method that follows the principle of "like cures like", based on the experimentation of high diluted preparations, with the aim of of producing in a healthy person, symptoms most 'like' the symptoms the person is suffering from. There has been increasing interest in these therapies and, therefore, is important to train qualified professionals focused on homeopathy and complementary and alternative medicine for work in the SUS. The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions about homeopathy from the perspective of healthcare students at a private university in Recife-PE. A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study was conducted, between the months of October and November 2018. To assess opinions about homeopathy, 500 students were asked questions in a questionnaire. Although 65.2% of the students report having heard/read about homeopathy, 73% have little or no knowledge about this alternative therapie. In addition, 82.8% did not know the PNPIC (National Policy for Integrative and Complementary Practices in the SUS), nor that homeopathic medicines are distributed free of charge by the SUS (86%). Healthcare students are interested in including homeopathy as a discipline in their graduations, in order to be able to offer comprehensive care to patients. Therefore, there is a need for universities to invest and promote disciplines that address homeopathy, to train professionals with greater knowledge about alternative and complementary medicine, which will lead to more information for the population, contributing to the improvement of individual and collective health through public health.

Hospitalizations for HIV/AIDS: differences between sexes.

BACKGROUND: Women are especially vulnerable to HIV infection because of biological, social, cultural, and economic factors. In Brazil, AIDS was initially seen predominantly in homosexual men, but the epidemic gradually reached a gender balance as increasing numbers of women became infected with HIV. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to identify the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS of both sexes and compare the differences between them. METHODS: This epidemiologic cross-sectional study evaluated gender differences in demographic, social, clinical, and epidemiologic characteristics of patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS who were admitted for any reason to the Public Hospital of the Medical School of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 363 patients were included in the analysis, with a male/female ratio of 1.1:1.0. Forty-one percent of women were pregnant. Mean age at hospitalization and duration of hospitalization were significantly greater among men (P<0.05). Men and nonpregnant women were admitted because of infection significantly more often than were pregnant women (P<0.05). Significantly more single men who reported homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual behavior associated with drug use were admitted compared with women (P<0.05). Women admitted for treatment were significantly more likely than men to be employed (P<0.05). Adherence to antiretroviral treatment and T CD4+ lymphocyte count indicated important differences between the sexes, with better parameters observed among nonpregnant and pregnant women compared with men. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, women with HIV/AIDS who were admitted to the hospital for any reason were in better clinical condition compared with men. This observation may be partially explained by the proportion of pregnant women in the study population. These findings suggest that future studies should examine pregnant women with HIV/AIDS as a separate population group to avoid bias in analysis.