Ethnobotanical knowledge of herbalists about medicinal plants from the semiarid region in northeastern Brazil / Conocimiento etnobotánico de herbolarios sobre plantas medicinales de la región semiárida del noreste de Brasil

Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times to treat illnesses. This study aimed to identify through questionnaire the medicinal plants most frequently sold on public and street markets in some municipalities of Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil, and the knowledge of herbalists about their therapeutic indications and forms of use. The sample consisted of 28 herbalists. Fifteen plants with a dental indication were identified, including barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva), gengibre (Zingiber officinale), romã (Punica granatum), cajueiro-roxo (Anacardium occidentale), mulungu (Erythrina velutina) and quixaba (Sideroxylon obtusfolium), as well as 21 plants used for the treatment of general diseases, including barbatimão (S. adstringens), aroeira (M. urundeuva), cajueiro-roxo (A. occidentale), quixaba (S. obtusfolium), boldo (Peumus boldus) and erva doce (Pimpinella anisum). Bottled preparations ("garrafadas")and teas were the most frequently indicated forms of use. The results suggest that herbalists have a vast traditional knowledge of the therapeutic potential of commercialized plants.

Las plantas medicinales se han utilizado desde la antigüedad para tratar enfermedades. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar a través de cuestionario las plantas medicinales más vendidas en mercados públicos y callejeros en algunos municipios del estado de Paraíba, noreste de Brasil, y el conocimiento de los herbolarios sobre sus indicaciones terapéuticas y formas de uso. La muestra estuvo formada por 28 herbolarios. Se identificaron quince plantas con indicación dental, entre las que se encuentran barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva), jenjibre (Zingiber officinale), romã (Punica granatum), cajueiro-roxo (Anacardium occidentale), mulungu (Erythrina velutina) y quixaba (Sideroxylon obtusfolium), así como 21 plantas utilizadas para el tratamiento de enfermedades generales, incluidas barbatimão (S. adstringens), aroeira (M. urundeuva), cajueiro-roxo (A. occidentale), quixaba (S. obtusfolium), boldo (Peumus boldus) y erva doce (Pimpinella anisum). Las preparaciones embotelladas ("garrafadas") y los tés fueron las formas de uso más frecuentemente indicadas. Los resultados sugieren que los herbolarios tienen un vasto conocimiento tradicional del potencial terapéutico de las plantas comercializadas.

Relationship between Pain, Fear of Falling and Physical Performance in Older People Residents in Long-Stay Institutions: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: To analyze the relationship between pain, the fear of falling and functional performance in older people living in a long-stay institution (LSI) in the interior of northeastern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 133 older residents in an LSI in the State of Paraíba. The instruments used for data collection were the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM), the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Results: Pain was reported by 57.5% of those evaluated, 48% being classified as chronic pain and presenting an average of 25.2 in the GPM. As for physical performance, assessed using the SPPB, the 133 older residents showed moderate to poor performance, with an average of 6.43 (±2.96) on the scale. By correlating the adjusted GPM values with the FES-I, a weak and statistically significant positive correlation was obtained (ρ = 0.31: p < 0.001). Conclusions: It can be concluded that those who reported pain had a worse performance in the applied tests, in addition to having higher scores on the scale referring to a fear of falling.

Uso de prótese total e síndrome da fragilidade em idosos institucionalizados / Total prosthesis use and frailty syndrome in institutionalized elderly

Introdução: Perda dentária constitui indicador prévio de envelhecimento acelerado, em particular nos idosos institucionalizados, sendo preferencialmente tratada com reabilitações protéticas. Uma das manifestações patológicas do envelhecer que compartilha características com perdas dentárias é a síndrome da fragilidade. Objetivo: Avaliar relação entre uso de prótese total e síndrome da fragilidade em idosos institucionalizados. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com 69 idosos institucionalizados, realizado em João Pessoa-PB, Brasil. Foram utilizados formulário para avaliar saúde bucal, condição protética e testes específicos para variáveis do fenótipo de fragilidade. Na análise estatística foram aplicados testes t-Student e Qui-Quadrado. Resultados: A amostra caracterizou-se pelo predomínio de frágeis (49,3%) e usuários de prótese total (50,7%). Os pré-frágeis e frágeis apresentaram maior prevalência de edentulismo e de uso de prótese total (56,3% e 39,4%, respectivamente). Contudo, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos (p = 0,05). Conclusão: É sugerido que o uso de prótese total não influencia a fragilidade em idosos institucionalizados. (AU)

Background: Tooth loss is an early indicator of accelerated aging, in institutionalized elderly in particular, being preferentially treated with prosthetics rehabilitation. One of the pathological displays of to age, that share characteristics with tooth loss, is the frailty syndrome. Objective: Evaluate relationship between total prosthesis use, and frailty syndrome in institutionalized elderly. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 69 institutionalized elderly in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil. A form to assess oral, and dental health data, and specific tests for frailty phenotype variables were used t Student's and chi-square test was applied in statistical analysis. Results: The sample was characterized as predominantly denture complete use (50,7%), and frail (49,3%). Pre-frail, and frail exhibited highest prevalence of edentulous, and complete denture use (56,3% e 39,4%, respectively). However, no significant differences were found between groups (p = 0,05). Conclusion: It is suggested that complete denture use wasn't related to frailty in institutionalized elderly. (AU)

Sleep and frailty syndrome in elderly residents of long-stay institutions: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: Aging changes sleep patterns in most elderly people. Frailty shares a number of characteristics with sleep disorders and leads to similar results. However, their relationship in residents of long-stay institutions remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep and frailty syndrome in residents of long-stay institutions. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 69 institutionalized elderly in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, actimetry and specific tests for frailty phenotype variables were used. Pearson's χ(2)-test, one-way anova and multiple linear regression were applied in statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sample was characterized as predominantly frail (49.3%), mainly women (62.3%), with a mean age of 77.52 years (± 7.82). Frail elderly exhibited poor sleep quality, when compared with non-frail individuals (P = 0.02). In the multiple linear regression analysis, sleep latency (R(2) = 0.11, P = 0.003) and sleep quality (R(2) = 0.08, P = 0.013) had an influence on frailty, especially sleep quality. No differences were found between rest-activity pattern and frailty phenotype. CONCLUSION: Sleep alterations, including poor sleep quality and prolonged latency, were related to frailty in institutionalized elderly.

Salivary cortisol and frailty syndrome in elderly residents of long-stay institutions: a cross-sectional study.

Analyze the relationship between frailty and cortisol in elderly residents of long-stay institutions. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of João Pessoa-PB-Brazil, on a sample of residents of long-stay institutions. Data were collected on frailty phenotype (weight loss, fatigue, slowness, weakness and low physical activity) and salivary cortisol (first measurement between 6 and 7a.m.; second measurement between 11 and 12a.m.; third measurement between 4 and 5p.m.). Statistical analysis applied Pearson's correlation test, Chi-square test, ANOVA and linear regression. The sample was composed of 69 elderly subjects, 37.7% men and 62.3% women, with a mean age of 77.5 (±7.8) years. The percentage of frail elderly was 45.8%. Frail aged subjects achieved higher cortisol values on the third measurement (p=0.04) and frailty load was significantly associated to the first measurement (r=0.25, p=0.04). Simple linear regression analysis showed a rate of determination (R(2)=0.05) between frailty load and the first cortisol measurement. Greater cortisol values in the morning and before bed among frail aged individuals suggest a positive correlation may exist between cortisol levels and frailty in elderly residents of long-stay institutions.

Aplicabilidade clínica de antimicrobianos locais e sistêmicos no tratamento periodontal básico: uma abordagem conceitual / Clinical feasibility of local and systemic antimicrobial for initial periodontal treatment: a conceptual approach

Este artigo apresenta uma revisão de literatura que aborda a ação dos antimicrobianos locais e sistêmicos como coadjuvantes ao tratamento mecânico básico (raspagem e alisamento radicular) das doenças periodontais. Além disso, engloba o correto conhecimento das drogas no tratamento dessas patologias, principalmente, nos casos agudos com envolvimento sistêmico, em pacientes com comprometimento do sistema imune e em periodontites agressivas, com ênfase em seus mecanismos de ação e aplicabilidade clínica...

This literature review addressed the action of local and systemic antibiotics as adjuncts to the basic mechanical (scaling and root planing) treatment of periodontal diseases. The correct knowledge of drugs for the treatment of such disorders, especially in acute cases with systemic involvement in patients with impaired immune systems and highly aggressive periodontitis is described, focusing on their mechanisms of action and its clinical applicability...