Aromaterapia: da gênese a atualidade / Aromatherapy: from genesis to today

Considerando que a Aromaterapia vem ao longo do tempo se consolidando como prática de grande relevância no tratamento de infecções e outras doenças do homem, decidiu-se produzir um levantamento exploratório bibliográfico desde sua origem até os dias atuais, com o intuito de acentuar cada vez mais a curiosidade e o conhecimento sobre essa arte e ciência milenar, que se apoia no uso racional dos óleos essenciais.

Over time, Aromatherapy has consolidated itself as a traditional and important practice for the treatment of infections and diseases of men. The purpose of the study is to conduct an exploratory literature review that encompasses its origin and its present-day scenario. Our intention is to call attention to the curiosity and knowledge that exists about this ancient art and science, which is based on the rational use of essential oils.

[Empirical bayesian model applied to the spatial analysis of leprosy occurrence]. / Aplicação de modelo bayesiano empírico na análise espacial da ocorrência de hanseníase.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatial distribution of leprosy, identify areas of potential case underreporting or high transmission risk, and to assess the ecological association of leprosy distribution with multibacillary cases. METHODS: This study was carried out in 94 neighborhoods of Recife, Brazil. Data was obtained from the Ministry of Health's Disease Reporting System. An ecological approach with the empirical Bayesian method was applied for local rate flattening, using data from a neighborhood matrix. RESULTS: The mean annual occurrence was 17.3% of new cases in individuals under the age of 15 (28.3% corresponded to multibacillary forms), revealing an intense disease transmission. The spatial distribution of leprosy indicated three areas where there was a concentration of high detection rates and low-income neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: The Bayesian method allowed to reassess epidemiological indicators based on data from neighboring spatial units. This enabled to identify areas that should be prioritized in municipal control programs, either because of underreporting of cases or the higher number of occurrences related to multibacillary forms in individuals under 15.

[AIDS and HIV infection in Brazil: a multifaceted epidemic]. / AIDS e infecção pelo HIV no Brasil: uma epidemia multifacetada.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a dynamic unstable global phenomenon, constituting a veritable mosaic of regional sub-epidemics. As a consequence of the deep inequalities that exist in Brazilian society, the spread of HIV infection has revealed an epidemic of multiple dimensions undergoing extensive epidemiological transformations. Initially restricted to large urban centers and markedly masculine, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is currently characterized by heterosexualization, feminization, interiorization and pauperization. The evolution of the profile of AIDS in Brazil is above all due to the geographical diffusion of the disease from large urban centers towards medium and small municipalities in the interior, to the increase in heterosexual transmission and the persistent growth of cases among injecting drug users. The increase in transmission through heterosexual contact has resulted in substantial growth of cases among women, which has been pointed out as the most important characteristic of the epidemic's current dynamic in Brazil.

AIDS e infecção pelo HIV no Brasil: uma epidemia multifacetada / AIDS and HIV infection in Brazil: a multifaceted epidemic

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a dynamic unstable global phenomenon, constituting a veritable mosaic of regional sub-epidemics. As a consequence of the deep inequalities that exist in Brazilian society, the spread of HIV infection has revealed an epidemic of multiple dimensions undergoing extensive epidemiological transformations. Initially restricted to large urban centers and markedly masculine, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is currently characterized by heterosexualization, feminization, interiorization and pauperization. The evolution of the profile of AIDS in Brazil is above all due to the geographical diffusion of the disease from large urban centers towards medium and small municipalities in the interior, to the increase in heterosexual transmission and the persistent growth of cases among injecting drug users. The increase in transmission through heterosexual contact has resulted in substantial growth of cases among women, which has been pointed out as the most important characteristic of the epidemic's current dynamic in Brazil.

A epidemia da infecção pelo HIV e da AIDS constitui fenômeno global, dinâmico e instável, traduzindo-se por verdadeiro mosaico de sub-epidemias regionais. Resultante das profundas desigualdades da sociedade brasileira, a propagação da infecção pelo HIV e da AIDS revela epidemia de múltiplas dimensões que vem sofrendo transformações epidemiológicas significativas. Inicialmente restrita aos grandes centros urbanos e marcadamente masculina, a atual epidemia do HIV e da AIDS caracteriza-se pelos processos de heterossexualização, feminização, interiorização e pauperização. As mudanças no perfil da AIDS no Brasil devem-se à difusão geográfica da doença a partir dos grandes centros urbanos em direção aos municípios de médio e pequeno porte, ao aumento da transmissão por via heterossexual e ao persistente crescimento dos casos entre usuários de drogas injetáveis. O aumento da transmissão por contato heterossexual implica no crescimento substancial de casos em mulheres, o qual tem sido apontado como uma das mais importantes características do atual quadro da epidemia no Brasil.

Validation of national algorithms for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases in Brazil: results from a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To validate STD flow charts for the management of genital discharge and genital ulcer currently recommended by the National STD Control Programme in Brazil. METHODS: A study was conducted in five Brazilian STD clinics from January to June 1995. After an interview, a clinical examination was performed by a physician, who recorded a presumptive diagnosis, based on his/her clinical experience. This diagnosis was compared with a gold standard laboratory diagnosis in order to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of the clinical diagnosis. The validity of the simulated national flow charts was assessed using the same method. RESULTS: A total of 607 men and 348 women participated in the study. Gonorrhoea was the aetiology most frequently detected in men with urethral discharge. The sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis was far lower than the sensitivity fo the national flow chart, using the syndromic approach, for both gonococcal and chlamydial urethritis. Adding a simple laboratory test (Gram stain) to the national flow chart increased the specificity and positive predictive value for gonorrhoea. Among the women with vaginal discharge, a cervical infection was detected in 17%, a vaginal infection in 74%, and mixed infection in 9%. The sensitivity of the diagnosis for cervical infection increased from 16% (clinical aetiological approach) to 54% (when adding a syndromic approach) and to 68% when adding a risk assessment, as in the national flow charts. The cure or improved rate of genital ulcers was 96% after 1 week. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study will help to convince policy makers and those involved in training healthcare workers in Brazil of the public health advantages of the syndromic approach, as an essential part of STD/HIV control activities.

Effect of compost on rhizosphere microflora of the tomato and on the incidence of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

Four commercial composts were added to soil to study their effect on plant growth, total rhizosphere microflora, and incidence of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the rhizosphere of tomato plants. Three of the compost treatments significantly improved plant growth, while one compost treatment significantly depressed it. Compost amendments caused only small variations in the total numbers of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in the rhizosphere of tomato plants. A total of 709 bacteria were isolated from the four compost treatments and the soil control to determine the percentage of PGPR in each treatment. The PGPR tests measured antagonism to soilborne root pathogens, production of indoleacetic acid, cyanide, and siderophores, phosphate solubilization, and intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. Our results show that the addition of some composts to soil increased the incidence in the tomato rhizosphere of bacteria exhibiting antagonism towards Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, Pythium ultimum, and Rhizoctonia solani. The antagonistic effects observed were associated with marked increases in the percentage of siderophore producers. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of cyanogens, whereas the percentages of phosphate solubilizers and indoleacetic acid producers were affected, respectively, by one and two compost treatments. Intrinsic resistance to antibiotics was only marginally different among the rhizobacterial populations. Our results suggest that compost may stimulate the proliferation of antagonists in the rhizosphere and confirm previous reports indicating that the use of composts in container media has the potential to protect plants from soilborne root pathogens.