Changes in the diagnosis of depression among nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study.

AIMS: To identify changes in mental health status among nursing professionals in a Brazilian municipality during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: An observational and longitudinal study. METHODS: Using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the presence of depressive symptoms was evaluated among 690 nursing professionals in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, at two moments: June/July 2020 and June/July 2021. RESULTS: 13.0% incidence of depressive symptoms was identified; as well as 12.2% remission; 24.1% persistence and 50.7% absence. Among the factors associated with the worst prognoses we can mention female gender, greater workload, feeling of overload, illness of family members or friends due to COVID-19 and use of psychotropic drugs CONCLUSIONS: There was significant mobility in the diagnosis of depression among the professionals studied during the period analysed, with incidence of new cases of significant depression and greater than the number of remissions. In addition to sociodemographic aspects, traumatic experiences and exposure to continuous overload were associated with persistence and incidence of new cases. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have shown an increase in depressive symptoms among nursing professionals; however, understanding the long-term effects of this scenario is still a challenge. IMPACT: What problem did the study address? This study investigates changes in the mental health status of nursing professionals working at different care levels, taking the prevalence of screening for depression as a proxy, during a period of a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. What were the main findings? Between both data collection moments, 2020 e 2021, there was a significant percentage of professionals with persistent depression, in addition to a significant proportion of incident cases that slightly exceeded the number of remissions and the factors associated with the worst prognoses were sociodemographic aspects such as gender and emotional stressors like illness of family members or close friends due to COVID-19, in addition to those related to the organisation and support provided by the services, such as workload and feeling of overload. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This study will impact the nursing professionals and in role of the health services in order to establishing actions that contribute to minimising the deleterious effects of the pandemic on the mental health of their Nursing teams. REPORTING METHOD: The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were adopted in this study. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Remote sensing-based assessment of land degradation and drought impacts over terrestrial ecosystems in Northeastern Brazil.

The spatio-temporal assessment of water and carbon fluxes in Brazil's Northeast region (NEB) allows for a better understanding of these surface flux patterns in areas with different vegetation physiognomies. The NEB is divided into four biomes: Amazon, Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest. Land degradation is a growing problem, particularly in susceptible areas of the Caatinga biome, such as the seasonally dry tropical forest. Furthermore, this region has experienced climatic impacts, such as severe droughts. Due to increasing human pressure, the Caatinga's natural land cover undergoes drastic changes, making it a region particularly vulnerable to desertification. In this study, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) and gross primary production (GPP) were validated in two contrasting areas, dense Caatinga and sparse Caatinga, using eddy covariance (EC) data and then investigated their behavior over 21 years (2000-2021) for the NEB. MODIS products explained around 60% of the variations in ET and GPP, showing higher accuracy in dense Caatinga, while areas of sparse Caatinga presented the lowest GPP, indicating that land degradation has reduced the photosynthetic activity of the vegetation in this area. Based on the analysis of ET and GPP over 21 years, we observed a greater dependence of the sparse Caatinga on climate variability, demonstrating a stronger resilience of dense Caatinga to climate effects. In comparison with the other biomes of the NEB region, we found lower rates of ET and GPP in the Caatinga biome, with averages similar to the Sparse Caatinga. In comparison with the other biomes in the NEB region, we found the lowest averages of ET and GPP in the Caatinga biome, similar to values found in the sparse Caatinga. In forest areas, similar to the monitored DC, they allowed the Caatinga to behave closer to the other biomes present in the region.

Identification of Hypericin as a Candidate Repurposed Therapeutic Agent for COVID-19 and Its Potential Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the global economy and public health. Its etiologic agent, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly transmissible, pathogenic and has a rapid global spread. Currently, the increase in the number of new confirmed cases has been slowed down due to the increase of vaccination in some regions of the world. Still, the rise of new variants has influenced the detection of additional waves of rising cases that some countries have experienced. Since the virus replication cycle is composed of many distinct stages, some viral proteins related to them, as the main-protease (Mpro) and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), constitute individual potential antiviral targets. In this study, we challenged the mentioned enzymes against compounds pre-approved by health regulatory agencies in a virtual screening and later in Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Bolzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) analysis. Our results showed that, among the identified potential drugs with anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties, Hypericin, an important component of the Hypericum perforatum that presents antiviral and antitumoral properties, binds with high affinity to viral Mpro and RdRp. Furthermore, we evaluated the activity of Hypericin anti-SARS-CoV-2 replication in an in vitro model of Vero-E6 infected cells. Therefore, we show that Hypericin inhibited viral replication in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the compound, in cultured cells, was evaluated, but no significant activity was found. Thus, the results observed in this study indicate that Hypericin is an excellent candidate for repurposing for the treatment of COVID-19, with possible inhibition of two important phases of virus maturation.

Effects of human-induced land degradation on water and carbon fluxes in two different Brazilian dryland soil covers.

The Brazilian semiarid region presents a physical water scarcity and high seasonal and interannual irregularities of precipitation, known as a region with periodic droughts. This region is mainly covered by the Caatinga biome, recognized as a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF). Soil water availability directly impacts the ecosystem's functioning, characterized by low fertility and sparse vegetation cover during the dry season, making it a fragile ecosystem vulnerable to climatic variations. Additionally, this region has been suffering from several issues due to human activities over the centuries, which has resulted in extensive areas being severely degraded, which aggravates the impacts from climatic variations and the susceptibility to desertification. Thus, studying the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum in this region can help better understand the seasonal and annual behavior of the water and carbon fluxes. This study investigated the dynamics of water and carbon fluxes during four years (2013-2016) by using eddy covariance (EC) measurements within two areas of Caatinga (dense Caatinga (DC) and sparse Caatinga (SC)) that suffered anthropic pressures. The two study areas showed similar behavior in relation to physical parameters (air temperature, incoming radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and relative humidity), except for soil temperature. The SC area presented a surface temperature of 3 °C higher than the DC, related to their vegetation cover differences. The SC area had higher annual evapotranspiration, representing 74% of the precipitation for the DC area and 90% for the SC area. The two areas acted as a carbon sink during the study period, with the SC area showing a lower CO2 absorption capacity. On average, the DC area absorbs 2.5 times more carbon than the SC area, indicating that Caatinga deforestation affects evaporative fluxes, reducing atmospheric carbon fixation and influencing the ability to mitigate the effects of increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

[Costs attributable to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the Unified Health System, Brazil, 2018Costos atribuibles a la obesidad, la hipertensión y la diabetes en el Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil, 2018]. / Custos atribuíveis a obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost attributable to arterial hypertension, diabetes and obesity in the Unified Health System of Brazil in 2018. METHOD: The study estimated the cost attributable to non-communicable chronic diseases based on relative risk and population prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, considering the cost of hospitalizations, outpatient procedures, and medications distributed by the SUS to treat these diseases. Cost data were obtained from SUS information systems. The analysis explored the cost of disease according to sex and age in the adult population. RESULTS: The total cost of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in the SUS reached R$ 3.45 billion (95%CI: 3.15-3.75) in 2018, that is, more than US$ 890 million. Of this amount, 59% referred to the treatment of hypertension, 30% to diabetes, and 11% to obesity. The age group from 30 to 69 years accounted for 72% of the total costs, and women accounted for 56%. When obesity was considered separately as a risk factor for hypertension and diabetes, the cost attributable to this diseases reached R$ 1.42 billion (95%CI: 0.98-1.87), i.e., 41% of the total cost. CONCLUSIONS: The estimates of costs attributable to the main chronic diseases associated with inadequate diet revealed a heavy economic burden of these disorders for the SUS. The data show the need to prioritize integrated and intersectoral policies for the prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and may support the advocacy for interventions such as fiscal and regulatory measures to ensure that the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition are met.

OBJETIVO: Estimar los costos atribuibles a la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes y la obesidad en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) de Brasil en el 2018. MÉTODOS: Se estimaron los costos atribuibles a las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles a partir de los riesgos relativos y de las tasas de prevalencia poblacional de hipertensión, diabetes y obesidad, teniendo en cuenta los costos de hospitalización, los procedimientos ambulatorios y los medicamentos distribuidos por el SUS para el tratamiento de esas enfermedades. Los datos de costos se obtuvieron en los sistemas de información de salud disponibles en el SUS. En el análisis se exploraron los costos de las enfermedades según el sexo y la edad de la población adulta. RESULTADOS: Los costos totales atribuibles a la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad en el SUS alcanzaron R$ 3,450 milliones (IC 95%: de 3,15 a 3,75) en el 2018, o sea, más de US$ 890 millones. De esos costos, 59% correspondió al tratamiento de la hipertensión, 30% al de la diabetes y 11% al de la obesidad. En total, 72% de los costos correspondieron a personas de 30 a 69 años y 56%, a mujeres. Al considerarse por separado la obesidad como factor de riesgo de hipertensión y diabetes, los costos atribuibles a esa enfermedad alcanzaron R$ 1.420 millones (IC 95%: de 0,98 a 1,87), o sea, 41% del total. CONCLUSIONES: Las estimaciones de los costos atribuibles a las principales enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con la alimentación inadecuada ponen de manifiesto la pesada carga económica de esas enfermedades para el SUS. Los datos muestran la necesidad de priorizar políticas integradas e intersectoriales para la prevención y el control de la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad, y permiten apoyar la defensa de intervenciones como medidas fiscales y regulatorias para alcanzar los objetivos del Decenio de las Naciones Unidas de Acción sobre la Nutrición.

Using hydrodynamic and water quality variables to assess eutrophication in a tropical hydroelectric reservoir.

Few studies have examined the influence of reservoir hydrodynamics on the water quality of its limnological zones. In this study, the relationships between the operational phases and the water quality of the limnological zones were assessed for the Amazonian reservoir Tucuruí. Limnological zones were clustered by means of an artificial neural network technique, and inputs used were water quality variables, measured at twelve stations between 2006 and 2016. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were then used to identify the influence of the operational phases of the reservoir on the water quality of its limnological zones. The GLM with a gamma-distributed response variable indicated that Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the riverine and transitional zones differed notably from those observed in the lacustrine zone. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were significantly lower during the operational falling water phase than in the low water phase (p < 0.05). The GLM with an inverse Gaussian-distributed response variable indicated that Secchi depth was significantly lower in the riverine than in the lacustrine limnological zone (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that more eutrophic conditions occur during the operational rising water phase, and that the area most vulnerable to eutrophication is the transitional zone. We demonstrate that the use of GLMs is suitable for determining areas and operational phases most vulnerable to eutrophication. We envisage that this information will be useful to decision-makers when monitoring the water quality of hydroelectric reservoirs with dendritic patterns and dynamic operational phases.

[Intersectoral approach to obesity prevention and control: the Brazilian experience from 2014 to 2018Enfoque intersectorial para la prevención y el control de la obesidad: la experiencia de Brasil en el período 2014-2018]. / Abordagem intersetorial para prevenção e controle da obesidade: a experiência brasileira de 2014 a 2018.

The present article aims to describe and discuss the actions implemented from 2014 to 2018 at the federal level in the context of the Intersectoral Strategy to Prevent and Control Obesity issued by the Brazilian federal government. The goal of the Intersectoral Strategy is to prevent and control obesity based on six action plans: 1) availability and access to adequate and healthy foods; 2) education, communication, and information; 3) promotion of healthy lifestyles in specific environments/territories; 4) food and nutrition surveillance; 5) comprehensive care for individuals presenting obesity in the health care network; and 6) regulation and control of the quality and harmlessness of food. To gather information, semi-structured questionnaires were submitted to representatives from the ministries of Education, Health, Planning, Citizenship, and Agrarian Development. The actions implemented in the period were described in terms of the six action plans. Positive results were achieved through the shared management model adopted, even though many challenges still remain. The agenda for action proposed in the Intersectoral Strategy is attuned to the Brazilian context, and intersectoral management was still in place until the writing of the present article.

El objetivo del presente artículo es describir las actividades realizadas a nivel federal en el período 2014-2018 dentro del marco de la estrategia intersectorial de prevención y control de la Obesidad, publicada por el Gobierno Federal de Brasil, y hacer algunos comentarios pertinentes. La estrategia tiene por objetivo prevenir y controlar la obesidad y se ha organizado en seis grandes ejes de acción: 1) disponibilidad de alimentos adecuados y saludables y acceso a los mismos; 2) educación, comunicación e información; 3) promoción de estilos de vida saludables en entornos y territorios específicos; 4) vigilancia alimentaria y nutricional; 5) atención integral a la salud de las personas con sobrepeso y obesidad en la red asistencial, y 6) regulación y control de la calidad y la inocuidad de los alimentos. Para recopilar información se enviaron cuestionarios semiestructurados a representantes de los Ministerios de Educación, Salud, Planificación, Ciudadanía y Desarrollo Agrario. Las actividades realizadas se presentan según los ejes de acción de la estrategia. Se lograron resultados positivos a partir del modelo de coordinación adoptado, con gestión compartida, aunque fue preciso superar varios desafíos. El programa de trabajo sobre los ejes de acción propuestos en la estrategia está en consonancia con el contexto brasileño y el modelo intersectorial de gestión permaneció vigente hasta el momento de preparación de este artículo.

Audición de Voces: análisis de registros en prontuarios de un Centro de Atención Psicosocial / Voices Hearing: analysis of records in medical records of a Psychosocial Care Center / Audição de Vozes: análise de registros em prontuários de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial

Antes del surgimiento de la psiquiatría, oír voces que otras personas no oyen era considerado una experiencia común. Sin embargo, a partir del siglo XIX, la psiquiatría trajo un nuevo signifi cado para esa experiencia, clasifi cándola como un síntoma característico de diversos trastornos mentales. Sin embargo, en la década de 1980 surge en Holanda el Movimiento Internacional de Oyentes de Voces, que propone la elaboración de nueva interpretación para esa experiencia, permitiendo al (la) oyente nuevas estrategias para comprender y convivir con las voces sin, necesariamente, recurrir a psiquia-tría, pues entiende las voces como parte de la subjetividad humana. Este estudio analizó el registro al respecto de la audición de voces hecho por trabajadores de un servicio de atención psicosocial. La colecta de datos ocurrió entre setiembre de 2017 y mayo de 2018. Fueron analizados 389 prontuarios de usuarios activos en el servicio, de los cuales 181 presentaron registro de audición de voces. Para análisis e interpretación de los datos fue realizada la lectura exhaustiva del material, a partir de la cual emergieron de los temas: a) audición de voces descripta a partir del conocimiento psiquiátrico; b) audición de voces descripta mientras experiencia humana. Los registros de los trabajadores de CAPS evidenciaron que hay una predominancia del conocimiento biomédico, por medio de diferen-tes formas de control del discurso de los usuarios. En ese sentido, es fundamental que el trabajador (a) de la salud mental se movilice en el sentido de promover abordajes terapéuticos que permitan un diálogo emancipatorio, en el sentido de no cronifi car el relato de oír voces en las primeras ex-presiones traídas por los (as) oyentes (as). Cuando bien registrado, el prontuario puede ser utilizado como un instrumento de comunicación entre los integrantes del equipo de salud, y también valorar la experiencia de los usuarios.

Listening to voices that other people do not hear was considered a common experience before the onset of psychiatry. However, from the nineteenth century, psychiatry brought a new meaning to this experience, classifying it as a characteristic symptom of several mental disorders. In the 1980s, however, the International Movement of Voice-hearers was created in the Netherlands, which pro-poses the elaboration of a new interpretation for this experience, allowing the hearer new strategies to understand and coexist with voices without necessarily resorting psychiatry, since it understands voices as part of human subjectivity. ! is study analyzed the record regarding hearing of voices made by the workers of a psychosocial care service. Data collection occurred between September 2017 and May 2018. A total of 389 medical records of active users in the service were analyzed, of which 181 presented voiced hearing records. In order to analyze and interpret the data, a thorough reading of the material was carried out, from which two themes emerged: a) hearing of voices described from psychiatric knowledge; b) hearing of voices described as human experience. ! e records of psychosocial care service workers showed that there is a predominance of biomedical knowledge, through diff erent forms of user discourse control. In this sense, it is fundamental that the mental he-alth worker operate to promote therapeutic approaches that allow an emancipatory dialogue, in the sense of not chronifying the report of hearing voices in the fi rst expressions brought by the hearers. When well recorded, the medical record can be used as an instrument of communication among the members of the health team, and also value the experience of the service users.

Antes do surgimento da psiquiatria, ouvir vozes que outras pessoas não ouvem era considerado uma experiência comum. Porém, a partir do século XIX, a psiquiatria trouxe um novo signifi cado para essa experiência, classifi cando-a como um sintoma característico de diversos transtornos men-tais. No entanto, na década de 1980 surge na Holanda o Movimento Internacional de Ouvidores de Vozes, que propõe a elaboração de uma nova interpretação para essa experiência, permitindo ao (a)ouvinte novas estratégias para compreender e conviver com as vozes sem, necessariamente, recorrer a psiquiatria, pois compreende as vozes como parte da subjetividade humana. Este estudo analisou o registro a respeito da audição de vozes feito pelos trabalhadores de um serviço de atenção psi-cossocial. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre setembro de 2017 e maio de 2018. Foram analisados 389 prontuários de usuários ativos no serviço, dos quais 181 apresentaram registro de audição de vozes. Para análise e interpretação dos dados foi realizada a leitura exaustiva do material, a partir da qual emergiram dois temas: a) audição de vozes descrita a partir do saber psiquiátrico; b) audição de vozes descrita enquanto experiência humana. Os registros dos trabalhadores do CAPS evidenciaram que há uma predominância do saber biomédico, por meio de diferentes formas de controle do discurso dos usuários. Nesse sentido, é fundamental que o trabalhador (a) da saúde mental movimente-se no sentido de promover abordagens terapêuticas que permitam um diálogo emancipatório, no sentido de não cronifi car o relato de ouvir vozes nas primeiras expressões trazidas pelos (as) ouvidores (as). Quando bem registrado, o prontuário pode ser utilizado como um instrumento de comunicação entre os integrantes da equipe de saúde, e também valorizar a experiência dos usuários.

[Food guides: a strategy to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods and prevent obesityGuías alimentarias: estrategia para reducir el consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados y prevenir la obesidad]. / Guias alimentares: estratégia para redução do consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e prevenção da obesidade.

Obesity is a serious public health problem whose increase has been associated with the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods in several world regions, including Latin America. Food guides are official guidelines used to promote healthy eating habits and may serve as a tool to prevent obesity. Brazil was the first country to adopt the level of processing to categorize food items and make recommendations based on these categories in its food guides. Thus, the objective of the present article is to share the Brazilian experience with incorporating processed food recommendations as official guidelines and with the development of food guides. In the development of Brazilian food guides, the Ministry of Health emphasized a collective construction, with participation and discussion of contents by strategic stakeholders. The process was refined in the Food Guide for Brazilian Children below 2 Years of Age, with establishment of a management committee and a political monitoring committee, public call for participation by researchers and health care professionals, and input workshops with key stakeholders to define scope. The validation process relied on additional input workshops with key stakeholders, in addition to workshops held in all Brazilian states for debate and mobilization for online public consultation. Highlights of this learning process included the involvement of key stakeholders and the importance of transparency across all steps of development and validation of food guides.

La obesidad es un grave problema de salud pública cuyo aumento se ha relacionado con el incremento del consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados en diversas regiones del mundo, incluida América Latina. Las guías alimentarias son directrices oficiales usadas para promover la alimentación saludable y pueden servir de herramienta para prevenir la obesidad. Brasil fue el primer país en adoptar el grado de procesamiento como criterio para clasificar los alimentos y formular recomendaciones en sus guías alimentarias usando como base esa clasificación. El objetivo de este artículo es compartir la experiencia brasileña al incorporar esas recomendaciones como directrices oficiales y elaborar las guías alimentarias. En la elaboración de las guías alimentarias brasileñas, el Ministerio de Salud valoró la construcción colectiva, a saber, la participación de actores estratégicos y el debate que estos actores entablaron sobre sus contenidos. En la Guía alimentaria para los niños brasileños menores de dos años, el proceso se perfeccionó gracias al establecimiento de un comité gestor y un comité de monitoreo político, un llamamiento público a la participación de investigadores y profesionales de salud, y la realización de talleres participativos con actores clave para definir el objetivo de la directriz. Para el proceso de validación se realizaron otros talleres, con la presencia de actores estratégicos, así como talleres realizados en todos los estados del país a fin de fomentar un debate y promover la participación en una consulta pública en línea. Como resultado de este aprendizaje, se destaca la importancia de que participen los actores estratégicos y la necesidad de que el proceso de elaboración y validación de las guías alimentarias sea transparente.

Polymerization kinetics and polymerization stress in resin composites after accelerated aging as a function of the expiration date.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of material condition (new, aged, and expired) on the polymerization kinetics and polymerization stress of different classifications of dental composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens were obtained according to the following factors: Composites: (3M ESPE) Filtek P60, Filtek Z250, Filtek Z350XT, and Filtek Silorane; and Material conditions: new, aged, and expired. The syringe composites underwent an accelerated aging protocol (Arrhenius model) representing approximately 9 months of aging. Infrared (IR) spectra were obtained kinetically and were analyzed for: maximum conversion rate (%/s), time into exposure when maximum rate occurred (s), conversion at maximum rate (%), and total conversion (%) at 90 s by comparison of absorption IR peak ratios before and after polymerization. Polymerization was evaluated at the bottom surface of 2.0 mm-thick specimens. Polymerization stress was determined in a tensilometer, inserting the composite between acrylic rods fixed to clamps in a universal test machine and dividing the maximum load recorded by the rods cross-sectional area. Polymerization stress (MPa) was calculated at 300 s. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (α=0.05). RESULTS: The majority of the polymerization kinetic parameters were not influenced by the material condition. Silorane composite presented significantly lower conversion rate and lower conversion at the maximum rate when expired (p<0.05). The nanofilled composite (Filtek Z350XT) presented a significantly higher total conversion when aged and expired compared to the new one (p>0.05). In all conditions, Filtek Z350XT and Filtek Silorane presented significantly lower conversion rates (p < 0.05). Filtek Silorane also exhibited the lowest stress, irrespective of the material condition (p<0.05). The polymerization stress was not influenced by the material condition (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the kinetic parameters are not influenced by the material condition. Filtek P60 and Filtek Z250 are more stable as both composites present similar polymerization kinetic results, irrespective of the material condition. Silorane composite presents lower stress values among the tested materials in all conditions. Aging does not affect stress development in restorative composites.

[Limitations of social behavior among users of the psychosocial care network in the south of Brazil]. / Limitações de comportamento social entre usuários da Rede de Atenção Psicossocial no sul do Brasil.

This cross-sectional study aims to assess through analysis of data suggested by the Social Behavior Schedule (SBS) quantitatively and qualitatively distinguishing between the limitations of social interaction presented by users of substitute services. Analyses were performed of 385 instruments applied to users of Therapeutic Residential Services (SRT) and the Centers for Psychosocial Care (CAPS). Twenty-one items from the Social Behaviour Schedule (SBS, BR). The data indicate that the individuals studied had from zero to 15 social behavior problems, with an average of 2.5 problems per service user with a standard deviation of 2.84. The majority of the sample appeared to have 1-2 problems among those identified by the scale, and the nonspecific behaviors are present in greater proportion in both services, followed by panic attacks among CAPS users and problems with personal appearance and hygiene in SRT users. In this way, the use of tools that make it possible to assess the data on the social aspects of the psychological distress deserves to be encouraged as a way to further research in this area, and rethink ways of effecting social reintegration of these individuals.

Direct healthcare cost of obesity in brazil: an application of the cost-of-illness method from the perspective of the public health system in 2011.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global public health problem and a risk factor for several diseases that financially impact healthcare systems. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct costs attributable to obesity (body mass index {BMI} ≥ 30 kg/m2) and morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) in adults aged ≥ 20 incurred by the Brazilian public health system in 2011. SETTINGS: Public hospitals and outpatient care. METHODS: A cost-of-illness method was adopted using a top-down approach based on prevalence. The proportion of the cost of each obesity-associated comorbidity was calculated and obesity prevalence was used to calculate attributable risk. Direct healthcare cost data (inpatient care, bariatric surgery, outpatient care, medications and diagnostic procedures) were extracted from the Ministry of Health information systems, available on the web. RESULTS: Direct costs attributable to obesity totaled US$ 269.6 million (1.86% of all expenditures on medium- and high-complexity health care). The cost of morbid obesity accounted for 23.8% (US$ 64.2 million) of all obesity-related costs despite being 18 times less prevalent than obesity. Bariatric surgery costs in Brazil totaled US$ 17.4 million in 2011. The cost of morbid obesity in women was five times higher than it was in men. CONCLUSION: The cost of morbid obesity was found to be proportionally higher than the cost of obesity. If the current epidemic were not reversed, the prevalence of obesity in Brazil will increase gradually in the coming years, as well as its costs, having serious implications for the financial sustainability of the Brazilian public health system.

The effect of photopolymerization on the degree of conversion, polymerization kinetic, biaxial flexure strength, and modulus of self-adhesive resin cements.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Understanding the effect of the degree of conversion on the mechanical properties of auto- and dual-polymerizing self-adhesive resin cements leads to a better estimation of their performance in different clinical scenarios. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of photopolymerization on the degree of conversion (DC) and polymerization kinetic of 4 dual-polymerized resin cements, 20 minutes after mixing, and its effects on the mechanical properties (biaxial flexural strength [FS] and modulus [FM]) after short-term aging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Conventional (RelyX ARC and Clearfil Esthetic Cement) and self-adhesive resin cements (RelyX Unicem and Clearfil SA Cement) were applied to a Fourier infrared spectrometer to assess the DC (n=5) under the following 3 polymerization conditions: direct light exposure (dual-polymerizing mode), exposure through the prepolymerized disk, or autopolymerizing. The polymerization kinetic was recorded for 20 minutes. Then, disk-shaped specimens (n=11) were prepared to evaluate the effect of polymerization on the FS and FM in both extreme polymerization conditions (dual-polymerizing or autopolymerizing). Data were statistically analyzed by 2-way repeated measure ANOVA (DC) and by 2-way ANOVA (FS and FM), followed by the Tukey-Kramer post hoc test (α=.05). RESULTS: Autopolymerizing groups exhibited reduced DC means, whereas intermediate values were observed when resin cements were polymerized through the disk. All groups exhibited higher DC at the end of 20 minutes. The polymerization kinetic revealed a rising curve, and materials, when directly photopolymerized, reached a plateau immediately after light exposure. Regarding the flexural biaxial testing, most of the resin cements were affected by polymerization mode and differences among groups were product dependent. CONCLUSIONS: The resin cements achieved immediate higher DC and mechanical properties when photopolymerized. The total absence of photoactivation may still impair their mechanical properties even after short-term aging.

[Evaluation of users' satisfaction regarding mental health care in the Family Health Strategy]. / Avaliação da satisfação dos usuários com o cuidado da saúde mental na Estratégia Saúde da Família.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the satisfaction of patients with mental suffering regarding the comprehensiveness of the treatment they received from the Family Health Strategy. This case study was developed based on an evaluation study with a qualitative approach at a family health care unit in Chapecó, Santa Catarina. Subjects were 13 users with some kind of mental disorder. The following seven domains were used to evaluate satisfaction: autonomy, confidentiality, communication, respectful treatment, immediate treatment, basic facility conditions, and accessibility to social support networks. It was found that users perceived the strengths and weaknesses of service organization and of the care that was provided: the attachment, the relationship between the team and the community, care with the family, home visits, and the health professionals comprehensive view in the physical exam were reported to be reasons for the users' satisfaction.

[Activity of motorcycle taxi driver: risks and weaknesses self referred]. / Atividade do mototaxista: riscos e fragilidades autorreferidos.

Descriptive research, with qualitative approach, that aimed to identify occupational hazards and weaknesses self-reported by motorcycle drivers. Data were collected in the first half of 2010 through interviews with twelve motorcycle drivers, invited to participate and work on two central points of a municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, from which emerged five categories. According to subjects' perception, accidents and assaults represent the greatest risks of the profession. It can be inferred that the actions of health education and disease prevention should be governmental and no governmental strategies that would assign value to the health and safety of these workers.

[The supply and use of psychotropic drugs in Psychosocial Care Centers in Southern Brazil]. / Descrição de oferta e consumo dos psicofármacos em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial na Região Sul brasileira.

The description of the supply and use of psychotropic drugs at the Centers for Psychosocial Care (CAPS) is relevant for the effectiveness of assistance from mental health services. The objective was to describe the use and supply of these drugs in CAPS types I and II, in Southern Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study, in which surveys were conducted, in May and June 2006, on the structural aspects of the referred service using charts of 1162 users, and self-applied questionnaires answered by 30 engineers working at CAPS where these users were being monitored. Users were identified as mostly female, adult, middle-aged, low economic status, mainly with a diagnosis of major depression and using antidepressants. It was also found that there might be a lack of distribution and supply of psychotropic drugs in the public health system (SUS) network, which affects the drug therapy of this specialized mental health service, given the socioeconomic conditions of the users.

[The integrality in daily work in family health strategy]. / A integralidade no cotidiano de trabalho na estratégia saúde da família.

This work is part of a research for evaluation of the Expansion and Consolidation of Family Health Program (PROESF). This is a study with a qualitative approach, developed in a unit of family health seen as successful experience in relation to the organization to integral care, located in a city of medium size. This article tried to approach the integrality of care with an emphasis on the team work, to identify in the daily practices, the potential and limits to enable the integration. The instruments used were semi-structured interviews with eight members of staff and observations diary recorded in a field. It was verified the existence of alternative practices that escape from the traditional model, considered as completeness potentiators. However obstacles were also highlighted to the integrality such as difficulty of access for users to certain specialties and lack of reception in the service.

Potentialities in integral care: uterine cervical cancer prevention according to the users of the family health strategy.

This study aimed to analyze the integral care in the uterine cervical cancer prevention practices in the conception of users of the Family Health Strategy through an exploratory and descriptive research with a qualitative approach. A total of 14 users who performed the Pap smear in December 2002 in four Family Health Units affiliated to Higher Education institutions were selected for the study. Data were collected between April and June 2003. We found that the users analyze and assess the praxis by issuing a value judgment about the care they receive, mainly in terms of light (relational) technologies. Concluding, humanized practices provided by professional/team favor integral care, strengthening the bond between users and health services, as well as health promotion.

[Cervix uteri cancer: a critical approach to its prevention]. / Câncer cérvico uterino: um olhar crítico sobre a prevenção.

This article is a pilot study of one of the authors master dissertation about problems related to the preventive measures of cervix cancer. Four women with cancer that were hospitalized at the gynecological ward or under chemotherapy treatment at a hospital in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil, were interviewed. Data were collected from April to June 2001, and of the women interviewed only one was examined preventively according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, health professionals should be urged to promote care as well as health education.

[Emergency care: the perception of the nursing team regarding their work at the reception sector]. / Pronto atendimento: a percepção da equipe de enfermagem quanto ao seu trabalho no setor de recepção.

This study aimed to characterize the nursing team, to find out and analyze its perception about the process of work developed at the reception area of the School Health Center of the Universidade de São Paulo Medicine School at Ribeirão Preto. The theoretical framework was based on directive and organizational principles of the Unified Health System. It is a qualitative research. The authors analyzed the data in two groups, the perception about the reception and the perception about the reception in the process of work. The Nursing work within the emergency care presented potentials, using the reception to change the assistance model.