A palm oil-rich diet may reduce serum lipids in healthy young individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The literature on palm oil as a cholesterol-raising oil is conflicting, requiring further studies. This study tested the influence of a palm oil-rich diet on plasma lipids of healthy young individuals. METHODS: Thirty-four medical students, 18-26 y old, with a total cholesterol level <200 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level >40 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level <130 mg/dL, triacylglycerol level <150 mg/dL, glycemic level <100 mg/dL, blood pressure <140/90 mmHg, and a body mass index of 18 to <25 kg/m(2) were studied. Once a day for 2 wk, the students ingested 10 mL of previously boiled crude palm oil after lunch or dinner, as preferred. Palm oil was consumed in the same way and quantity that it is consumed in one serving of a very popular typical Brazilian seafood dish. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, very LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and triacylglycerol were measured at baseline, after the palm oil-enriched diet, and after the washout period. RESULTS: A decrease in all lipid fractions was observed, with a mild, statistically significant decrease in concentrations of very LDL-C (19.41 +/- 4.21 versus 17.18 +/- 4.0 mg/dL, P = 0.002) and triacylglycerol (97.07 +/- 21.08 versus 85.91 +/- 20.02 mg/dL, P = 0.002). Males (61.9%) also showed a mildly significant increase in LDL-C, whereas females showed a mildly significant decrease in all lipid fractions, except for HDL-C. CONCLUSION: This study shows that boiled crude palm oil may have a mild, triacylglycerol-reducing effect in young, healthy individuals and may also show a mild LDL-C-increasing effect in males.

Common mental disorders among medical students

OBJECTIVE: Common mental disorders (CMD) have a high impact on interpersonal relationships and quality of life and are potential underlying causes for the development of more serious disorders. Medical students have been indicated as a risk population for the development of CMD. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of CMD in undergraduate medical students and to identify related factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample population of medical students. CMD was identified according to the 20-item Self-Report Questionnaire. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-three students completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of CMD was 29.6 percent and its presence was independently associated with sleep disorders, not owning a car, not working and sedentary lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a high prevalence of CMD in the sample studied and are important for supporting actions to prevent mental disorders in future doctors and for reflecting on the curricula currently in use in medical schools.

OBJETIVO: Transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) possuem alto impacto nos relacionamentos interpessoais e na qualidade de vida, sendo potenciais substratos para o desenvolvimento de transtornos mais graves. Estudantes de medicina vêm sendo apresentados como população de risco para o desenvolvimento de TMC. O objetivo deste estudo é estimar a freqüência de TMC em acadêmicos de medicina da Universidade Federal da Bahia e identificar fatores relacionados. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo transversal entre uma amostra de estudantes de medicina. A identificação dos TMC foi feita por meio do 20-item Self-Report Questionnaire. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 223 estudantes. A prevalência de TMC foi de 29,6 por cento, sendo independentemente associada a alterações do padrão do sono, não possuir transporte próprio, não trabalhar e não realizar exercício físico. CONCLUSÕES: Estes dados demonstram uma elevada prevalência de TMC na amostra pesquisada e são importantes para subsidiar ações de prevenção de transtornos mentais entre futuros médicos e reflexões sobre o modelo curricular vigente nas escolas médicas.

Avaliacão do sinal de dor à compressão do globo ocular nas síndromes meníngeas infecciosas / Evaluation of the ocular globe compression sign in infectious meningeal syndromes

As síndromes meníngeas infecciosas se constituem em emergência médica, cujo diagnóstico clínico-epidemiológico deve ser prontamente estabelecido para início precoce da terapêutica adequada. Entretanto, em muitos casos os dados clínicos não são suficientes para se confirmar ou afastar esse diagnóstico. Por isso, o objetivo de avaliar o sinal de dor à compressão do globo ocular em 57 pacientes com suspeita de síndrome meníngea infecciosa, de ambos os sexos e com idade igual ou superior a quatro anos. A sensibilidade (34,5 por cento), especificidade (78,6 por cento) e valores preditivos positivo (62,5 por cento) e negativo (53,7 por cento) da dor à compressão do globo ocular foram semelhantes à rigidez de nuca, sendo boa (Kappa=0,65) a concordância entre os dois observadores independentes. A dor à compressão do globo ocular, em conjunto com outros achados clínicos, pode ser de grande valia no processo diagnóstico de pacientes com síndromes meníngeas infeciosas.

[Evaluation of the ocular globe compression sign in infectious meningeal syndromes]. / Avaliação do sinal de dor à compressão do globo ocular nas síndromes meníngeas infecciosas.

Infectious meningeal syndromes represent a serious medical emergency whose clinical-epidemiologic diagnosis must be immediately established for early initiation of appropriate treatment. However, in many cases data from the clinical exam are insufficient to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. Therefore, the aim of this work was to assess the value of the ocular globe compression sign in 57 patients with suspicion of infectious meningeal syndrome, both male and female and aged four years or older. The sensitivity (34.5%), specificity (78.6%) and positive (62.5%) and negative (53.7%) predictive values of ocular globe compression sign were similar to nuchal rigidity, and the agreement between two independent observers was fair (Kappa=0.65). Ocular globe compression sign in conjunction with other findings of the clinical examination could be of great value in the diagnostic process of patients with infectious meningeal syndromes.