Scaptona ramosa gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from nest of the stingless bee.

In this study, a novel genus is proposed, Scaptona, with a novel species, Scaptona ramosa, isolated from nests of stingless bees (Scaptotrigona sp.). The taxonomic novelty was determined by the phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer regions, small subunit rRNA (18S rRNA), large subunit rRNA (28S rRNA) and the RNA polymerase II second-largest subunit gene (RPB2) and paired with our morphological studies. Based on this single species, Scaptona is characterized by greyish green to dark grey colonies, densely and profusely branched conidiophores and single-celled, variously shaped hyaline conidia. Scaptona ramosa constitutes a distinct, well-supported lineage within Cephalothecaceae and can be clearly distinguished from other genera both by DNA sequence analysis and morphological traits. The holotype of S. ramosa is URM 95352. The ex-type strain has been deposited in the Micoteca URM culture collection as URM 8721T and URM 8722. The MycoBank accession number is MB 849456 for the genus and MB 849456 for the species.

Consumers' practices and safety perceptions regarding the use of materials for food preparation and storage: Analyses by age group.

Food Contact Materials (FCM) are those intended to be in contact with food, during its production, handling, and storage. FCM contain chemicals that could migrate to the foodstuff, posing potential health concerns, and usage practices influence the level of migration. This study assesses the preferences, safety perceptions, and usage practices of Portuguese consumers regarding FCM used for cooking and food storage (cookware). An observational, quantitative, and transversal study was performed through an online survey created for this purpose, which involved 1179 Portuguese adults. Results were analyzed according to age. Safety was the factor considered most important when choosing cookware materials, although the choice criteria varied with age. The majority of respondents recognize the risk of food contamination through cookware. Stainless steel and glass were considered the safest materials for cooking. The materials most used to reserve food are glass and plastic. Older individuals carry out more maintenance of cookware and have greater knowledge about how to wash and store it. Regarding the FCM symbology, there is a general lack of knowledge. Our study demonstrates the need to disseminate reliable information to the general public about cookware, contributing to greater literacy in health and to less exposure to food contact chemicals.

Alternative lung cell model systems for toxicology testing strategies: Current knowledge and future outlook.

Due to the current relevance of pulmonary toxicology (with focus upon air pollution and the inhalation of hazardous materials), it is important to further develop and implement physiologically relevant models of the entire respiratory tract. Lung model development has the aim to create human relevant systems that may replace animal use whilst balancing cost, laborious nature and regulatory ambition. There is an imperative need to move away from rodent models and implement models that mimic the holistic characteristics important in lung function. The purpose of this review is therefore, to describe and identify the various alternative models that are being applied towards assessing the pulmonary toxicology of inhaled substances, as well as the current and potential developments of various advanced models and how they may be applied towards toxicology testing strategies. These models aim to mimic various regions of the lung, as well as implementing different exposure methods with the addition of various physiologically relevent conditions (such as fluid-flow and dynamic movement). There is further progress in the type of models used with focus on the development of lung-on-a-chip technologies and bioprinting, as well as and the optimization of such models to fill current knowledge gaps within toxicology.

Sex workers' peer support during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from a study of a Portuguese community-led response.

To respond to the consequences felt by the COVID-19 pandemic, a community-led intervention was developed by the Portuguese national Movement of Sex Workers. With this exploratory study, we aimed to document their work and analyze their perceptions of this impact. To do so, we interviewed them individually, between May and August of 2020. Additionally, we analysed an Excel Sheet that contained the needs assessment and the support provided by the Movement. The content analysis of both suggests that the impact of the pandemic might have been exacerbated by the social inequalities caused by the prostitution stigma and characteristics such as gender, migration status, race, and socioeconomic status. This study calls for the inclusion of sex workers' voices in the design of policies and responses related to the commerce of sex. The consolidation of a Portuguese Movement of Sex Workers is also noted.

Dynamic Fluid Flow Exacerbates the (Pro-)Inflammatory Effects of Aerosolised Engineered Nanomaterials In Vitro.

The majority of in vitro studies focusing upon particle-lung cell interactions use static models at an air-liquid interface (ALI). Advancing the physiological characteristics of such systems allows for closer resemblance of the human lung, in turn promoting 3R strategies. PATROLS (EU Horizon 2020 No. 760813) aimed to use a well-characterised in vitro model of the human alveolar epithelial barrier to determine how fluid-flow dynamics would impact the outputs of the model following particle exposure. Using the QuasiVivoTM (Kirkstall Ltd., York, UK) system, fluid-flow conditions were applied to an A549 + dTHP-1 cell co-culture model cultured at the ALI. DQ12 and TiO2 (JRCNM01005a) were used as model particles to assess the in vitro systems' sensitivity. Using a quasi- and aerosol (VitroCell Cloud12, VitroCell Systems, Waldkirch, Germany) exposure approach, cell cultures were exposed over 24 h at IVIVE concentrations of 1 and 10 (DQ12) and 1.4 and 10.4 (TiO2) µg/cm2, respectively. We compared static and fluid flow conditions after both these exposure methods. The co-culture was subsequently assessed for its viability, membrane integrity and (pro-)inflammatory response (IL-8 and IL-6 production). The results suggested that the addition of fluid flow to this alveolar co-culture model can influence the viability, membrane integrity and inflammatory responses dependent on the particle type and exposure.

Tendência de mortalidade por lesões autoprovocadas em adolescentes, 2010 a 2018 / Trend of mortality for self-inflicted injuries in adolescents, 2010 to 2018 / Tendencia de mortalidad por autolesiones en adolescentes, 2010 a 2018

Resumo Contexto: O suicídio é um fenômeno que envolve diversos fatores e impacta tanto a família quanto a sociedade. Objetivo: Analisar a tendência de mortalidade por lesões autoprovocadas em adolescentes no Brasil, no período de 2010 a 2018. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de séries temporais sobre mortalidade por lesões autoprovocadas em adolescentes (10-19 anos de idade) brasileiros com dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Empregou-se o modelo de regressão linear de Prais-Winsten. Resultados: De 2010 a 2018 ocorreram 7.677 óbitos por lesões autoprovocadas em adolescentes no Brasil. A tendência de mortalidade por suicídio foi crescente (VPA: 6,8%; IC95%: 4,59;9,07). As médias das taxas de mortalidade foram de 2,43/100 mil habitantes (taxa bruta) e 2,40/100 mil habitantes (taxa ajustada). As maiores taxas médias de mortalidade foram observadas no sexo masculino (3,38/100 mil habitantes) e na faixa etária de 15 a 19 anos (4,07/100 mil habitantes). Conclusão: Frente à tendência de aumento da tendencia de mortalidade por suicídio entre adolescentes no Brasil, é necessário adotar medidas efetivas para a reversão desse preocupante cenário epidemiológico.

Abstract Context: Suicide is a phenomenon that involves several factors and impacts both the family and society. Objective: To analyze the trend of mortality from self-inflicted injuries in adolescents in Brazil, from 2010 to 2018. Methods: Ecological time series study on mortality from self-inflicted injuries in Brazilian adolescents (10-19 years of age) with data from the System of Mortality Information. The Prais-Winsten linear regression model was used. Results: From 2010 to 2018 there were 7,677 deaths from self-harm in adolescents in Brazil. The trend of mortality from suicide was increasing (VPA: 6.8%; 95%CI: 4.59;9.07). The average mortality rates were 2.43/100 thousand inhabitants (crude rate) and 2.40/100 thousand inhabitants (adjusted rate). The highest average mortality rates were observed in males (3.38/100 thousand inhabitants) and in the age group from 15 to 19 years old (4.07/100 thousand inhabitants). Conclusion: Given the increasing trend of suicide mortality among adolescents in Brazil, it is necessary to adopt effective measures to reverse this worrying epidemiological scenario.

Resumen Contexto: El suicidio es un fenómeno que involucra varios factores e impacta tanto a la familia como a la sociedad. Objetivo: Analizar la tendencia de la mortalidad por autolesiones en adolescentes en Brasil, de 2010 a 2018. Métodos: Estudio de series cronológicas ecológicas sobre la mortalidad por autolesiones en adolescentes brasileños (10-19 años) con datos del Sistema de información sobre mortalidad. Se utilizó el modelo de regresión lineal de Prais-Winsten. Resultados: De 2010 a 2018 hubo 7.677 muertes por autolesiones en adolescentes en Brasil. La tendencia de la mortalidad por suicidio estaba aumentando (VPA: 6,8%; IC del 95%: 4,59; 9,07). Las tasas de mortalidad promedio fueron 2,43 / 100 mil habitantes (tasa bruta) y 2,40 / 100 mil habitantes (tasa ajustada). Las tasas de mortalidad promedio más altas se observaron en hombres (3.38 / 100 mil habitantes) y en el grupo de edad de 15 a 19 años (4.07 / 100 mil habitantes). Conclusión: Dada la tendencia creciente de mortalidad por suicidio entre adolescentes en Brasil, es necesario adoptar medidas efectivas para revertir este preocupante escenario epidemiológico.

Contexto familiar e sofrimento mental em adolescentes: uma revisão integrativa / Family context and mental suffering in adolescents: an integrative review / Contexto familiar y sufrimiento mental en adolescentes: una revisión integradora

Resumo Contexto: A adolescência é um período de fragilidade que pode potencializar o surgimento de eventos estressores e crises. Diversos fatores têm sido associados a problemas de saúde mental no adolescente, sendo a família, um eixo fundamental a ser avaliado, pois pode apresentar fatores de proteção e risco para o adolescente. Objetivo: Identificar situações do contexto familiar que ocasionam sofrimento mental em adolescentes. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa norteada pelas recomendações do modelo PRISMA, realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS e SciELO, com publicações de 2014 a 2019, utilizando os descritores "adolescent", "mental health" e "family relations". Resultados: Foram incluídos 19 estudos, predominando publicações internacionais. As situações do contexto familiar que se associam ao sofrimento mental de adolescentes são o estilo parental, sofrimento mental dos pais, conflito e violência intrafamiliar, abuso de substâncias psicoativas por familiares, divórcio, migração e encarceramento parental. O sofrimento mental dos adolescentes foi evidenciado por uma série de sintomas internalizantes e externalizantes, risco aumentado de automutilação e tentativa de suicídio, além do uso nocivo de substâncias psicoativas. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos reforçam a vulnerabilidade dos adolescentes ao sofrimento mental e apontam a necessidade de desenvolver intervenções eficazes no enfrentamento desse importante problema de saúde pública além do fortalecimento das redes de apoio aos adolescentes e famílias.

Abstract Context: Adolescence is a period of fragility that can potentiate the emergence of stressful events and crises. Several factors have been associated with mental health problems in adolescents, being the family, a fundamental axis to be evaluated, as it may present protective and risk factors for the adolescent. Objective: To identify situations in the family context that cause mental suffering in adolescents. Method: This is an integrative review guided by the recommendations of the PRISMA model, carried out in the databases PubMed, LILACS and SciELO, with publications from 2014 to 2019, using the descriptors "adolescent", "mental health" and "family relations". Results: 19 studies were included, with predominance of international publications. The situations in the family context that are associated with the mental suffering of adolescents are the parenting style, the parents' mental suffering, conflict and intrafamily violence, abuse of psychoactive substances by family members, divorce, migration and parental incarceration. The adolescents' mental suffering was evidenced by a series of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, an increased risk of self-mutilation and attempted suicide in addition to the harmful use of psychoactive substances. Conclusion: The results obtained reinforce the vulnerability of adolescents to mental suffering and point to the need to develop effective interventions to deal with this important public health problem, in addition to strengthening support networks for adolescents and families.

Resumen Contexto: La adolescencia es un período de fragilidad que puede potenciar el surgimiento de crisis y eventos estresantes. Varios factores se han asociado a los problemas de salud mental en el adolescente, siendo la familia un eje fundamental a evaluar, ya que puede presentar factores protectores y de riesgo para el adolescente. Objetivo: Identificar situaciones en el contexto familiar que provocan sufrimiento mental en adolescentes. Método: Se trata de una revisión integradora guiada por las recomendaciones del modelo PRISMA, realizada en las bases de datos PubMed, LILACS y SciELO, con publicaciones de 2014 a 2019, utilizando los descriptores "adolescente", "salud mental" y "relaciones familiares". Resultados: Se incluyeron 19 estudios, con predominio de publicaciones internacionales. Las situaciones en el contexto familiar que se asocian al sufrimiento mental de los adolescentes son el estilo de crianza, el sufrimiento mental de los padres, el conflicto y la violencia intrafamiliar, el abuso de sustancias psicoactivas por parte de los familiares, el divorcio, la migración y el encarcelamiento de los padres. El sufrimiento mental de los adolescentes se evidenció por una serie de síntomas internalizantes y externalizantes, un mayor riesgo de automutilación e intento de suicidio, además del uso nocivo de sustancias psicoactivas. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos refuerzan la vulnerabilidad de los adolescentes al sufrimiento mental y señalan la necesidad de desarrollar intervenciones efectivas para enfrentar este importante problema de salud pública, además de fortalecer las redes de apoyo a adolescentes y familias.

Dietary methionine as a strategy to improve innate immunity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles.

Methionine ability to enhance fish immune status and inflammatory response by the modulation of methionine-related pathways has been verified in several fish species. However, no attention has been given to the role of methionine as an immune-modulatory additive in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of short-term feeding a diet supplemented with dl-methionine on the rainbow trout immune status. For this purpose, two diets were formulated: a control (CTRL) diet including the AA profile required to meet the ideal pattern estimated for rainbow trout; and an experimental diet (MET) identical to the CTRL but supplemented with dl-methionine two fold above its requirement level. After 2 and 4 weeks, fish haematological profile, peripheral cell populations, plasma and skin mucus humoral immune parameters as well as head-kidney gene expression were analysed. Results showed that methionine was able to improve peripheral neutrophil numbers after 4 weeks of feeding while reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (i.e. IL1ß and IL8). Also, indications of fish physiological ability to regulate polyamine biosynthesis were found by the reduced expression of the spermine synthase enzyme (SMS). Together, these results point to some level of enhancement of the cellular-related innate immune status by dietary dl-methionine supplementation after a short-term feeding period, which could be used as a prophylactic strategy for rainbow trout health management.

Terapia de reposição hormonal e câncer de mama: uma revisão de literatura acerca da influência do tratamento hormonal no desenvolvimento neoplásico / Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer: a literature review about the influence of hormonal treatment on neoplastic development

A menopausa é decorrente da queda gradativa de secreção hormonal ovariana e, nesse período, muitas mulheres apresentam sintomas que comprometem a qualidade de vida. A terapia hormonal (TH) surgiu como importante ferramenta para amenizar a sintomatologia climatérica. No entanto, foram levantadas suspeitas sobre a correlação entre o tratamento e o aumento do risco do câncer de mama (CM). O presente trabalho objetiva avaliar a relação entre CM e TH, abrangendo as implicações da terapia nos sintomas da menopausa, na incidência da neoplasia e na mortalidade. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa de literatura, em que foram buscados artigos publicados entre julho de 2010 e julho de 2020, nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE e SciELO. Os principais tipos de TH são o estrogênio isolado e o combinado com progesterona. Nos estudos analisados, a terapia combinada foi relacionada à maior incidência de CM quando comparada ao regime estrogênico. De acordo com a literatura, modificações na densidade mamográfica, induzidas pela TH, podem elevar o risco para carcinoma mamário. Os artigos relataram que fatores além da terapia hormonal, como o estilo de vida, podem interferir na incidência de CM e devem ser analisados individualmente. A mortalidade por CM influenciada pela TH não demonstrou aumento significativo. No geral, a TH foi considerada o tratamento mais eficaz para aliviar sintomas climatéricos. Entretanto, estudos a longo prazo que analisem os riscos e a confiabilidade da terapia devem ser estimulados, a fim de indicar a terapêutica mais segura e evitar intervenções indevidas.

Menopause is due to the gradual drop in ovarian hormonal secretion, and, during this period, many women have symptoms that compromise quality of life. Hormone therapy (HT) has emerged as an important tool to alleviate climacteric symptoms. However, suspicions were raised about the correlation between treatment and the increased risk of breast cancer (BC). The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between BC and HT, covering the implications of therapy for menopausal symptoms, the incidence of neoplasia and mortality. This is a narrative review of the literature, in which articles published between July 2010 and July 2020 were searched for in the LILACS, MEDLINE and SciELO databases. The main types of HT are estrogen alone and combined formula with progesterone. In the studies analyzed, combined therapy was related to a higher incidence of BC when compared to the estrogenic regimen. According to the literature, changes in mammographic density, induced by HT, can increase the risk for breast carcinoma. The articles reported that factors other than hormone therapy, such as lifestyle, can interfere with the incidence of BC and should be analyzed individually. Mortality from BC influenced by HT did not show a significant increase. Overall, HT was considered to be the most effective treatment for relieving climacteric symptoms. Although, long-term studies that analyze the risks and reliability of therapy should be encouraged in order to indicate the safest therapeutics and to avoid unnecessary interventions.

Mortalidade por COVID-19 entre os profissionais de enfermagem no Brasil / Covid-19 mortality among nursing professionals in Brazil

Em dezembro de 2019, o governo da China anunciou a ocorrência de um surto de doença respiratória causada por um novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2). O vírus pertence à família Coronaviridae e provoca uma doença respiratória chamada COVID-19. A doença disseminou-se rapidamente em território chinês e, desde então, atingiu mais de 100 países dos cinco continentes, levando a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) a declarar a existência de uma pandemia de COVID19 em 11.03.2020. Até 11 de maio, foram confirmados, no mundo, 4.006.257 casos e 278.892 mortes. Até a mesma data o Brasil confirmou 155.939 casos e 10.627 óbitos (taxa de letalidade nacional equivalente a 6,8%)(1). Além dos grupos de maior vulnerabilidade como as pessoas idosas e/ou com comorbidades, os profissionais de saúde tem ganhado destaque no cenário da pandemia como população exposta ao risco de contaminação pelo SARS-CoV-2, devido à sua participação na linha de frente no combate à COVID-19. Destacam-se os profissionais de enfermagem, responsáveis por prestar assistência direta e permanente aos pacientes no ambiente hospitalar, incluindo a realização de procedimentos com maior risco de contaminação pelo vírus. Apesar do grande investimento na aquisição de equipamentos de proteção individual (EPIs), a disseminação do novo coronavírus segue elevada entre os profissionais de enfermagem, tendo como fonte de contaminação tanto pacientes como profissionais da equipe de saúde durante a rotina de trabalho.

Covid-19 mortality among nursing professionals in Brazil In December 2019, the Chinese government announced an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The virus belongs to the Coronaviridae family and causes a respiratory disease called COVID-19. The disease spread rapidly in Chinese territory and has since reached more than 100 countries on five continents, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the existence of a COVID-19 pandemic on 11.03.2020. As of May 11, 4,006,257 cases and 278,892 deaths have been confirmed worldwide. Until the same date, Brazil confirmed 155,939 cases and 10,627 deaths (national lethality rate equivalent to 6.8%)(1). In addition to the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly and / or those with comorbidities, health professionals have gained prominence in the pandemic scenario as a population exposed to the risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2, due to their participation in the front line in the combating COVID-19. Nursing professionals stand out, responsible for providing direct and permanent assistance to patients in the hospital environment, including the performance of procedures with a higher risk of contamination by the virus. Despite the large investment in the acquisition of personal protective equipment (PPE), the spread of the new coronavirus remains high among nursing professionals, having as a source of contamination both patients and health professionals during the work routine.

Dietary Tryptophan Induces Opposite Health-Related Responses in the Senegalese Sole (Solea senegalensis) Reared at Low or High Stocking Densities With Implications in Disease Resistance.

High rearing densities are typical conditions of both inland and onshore intensive aquaculture units. Despite obvious drawbacks, this strategy is nonetheless used to increase production profits. Such conditions inflict stress on fish, reducing their ability to cope with disease, bringing producers to adopt therapeutic strategies. In an attempt to overcome deleterious effects of chronic stress, Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis, held at low (LD) or high density (HD) were fed tryptophan-supplemented diets with final tryptophan content at two (TRP2) or four times (TRP4) the requirement level, as well as a control and non-supplemented diet (CTRL) for 38 days. Fish were sampled at the end of the feeding trial for evaluation of their immune status, and mortalities were recorded following intra-peritoneal infection with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. Blood was collected for analysis of the hematological profile and innate immune parameters in plasma. Pituitary and hypothalamus were sampled for the assessment of neuro-endocrine-related gene expression. During the feeding trial, fish fed TRP4 and held at LD conditions presented higher mortalities, whereas fish kept at HD seemed to benefit from this dietary treatment, as disease resistance increased over that of CTRL-fed fish. In accordance, cortisol level tended to be higher in fish fed both supplemented diets at LD compared to fish fed CTRL, but was lower in fish fed TRP4 than in those fed TRP2 under HD condition. Together with lower mRNA levels of proopiomelanocortin observed with both supplementation levels, these results suggest that higher levels of tryptophan might counteract stress-induced cortisol production, thereby rendering fish better prepared to cope with disease. Data regarding sole immune status showed no clear effects of tryptophan on leucocyte numbers, but TRP4-fed fish displayed inhibited alternative complement activity (ACH50) when held at LD, as opposed to their HD counterparts whose ACH50 was higher than that of CTRL-fed fish. In conclusion, while dietary tryptophan supplementation might have harmful effects in control fish, it might prove to be a promising strategy to overcome chronic stress-induced disease susceptibility in farmed Senegalese sole.

Electrophoretically mediated microanalysis for the evaluation of interspecies variation in cholinesterase metabolism.

This study describes an electrophoretically mediated microanalysis method, suitable for the preclinical evaluation of the hydrolysis of ester drugs by the serum of different animals and for further characterization of human-animal correlation. Dog, cat, cow, horse, sheep, rat and human serum were diluted (25%) in the appropriate buffer and replaced the enzyme solution usually used in electrophoretically mediated microanalysis methods for the study of enzyme kinetics. They were then compared in terms of the ability to hydrolyze acetylthiocholine and butyrylthiocholine (0.25 mM) by in-capillary reaction. Human serum afforded the highest conversion rates (52% butyryltiocholine and 34% acetylthiocholine) followed by horse (31 and 35%), dog (26 and 24%), cat (22 and 14%), rat (11 and 15%) and sheep (8 and 8%). Hydrolysis by bovine serum was negligible. The method is fast (under 8 min including rinsing steps), sensitive (under 25 microM substrate could be quantified) and repeatable (RSD approximately 2%), only requiring minute amounts of sample.

Avaliação quantitativa do fluxo salivar estimulado em crianças e adolescentes / Quantitative assessment of stimulated saliva flow rate in children and adolescents

Objetivo: Esse estudo avaliou o fluxo salivar estimulado em crianças e adolescentes e testou sua associação com as variáveis clínicas idade e condição dentária. Metodologia: A amostra foi constituída de 100 crianças e adolescentes, que estavam em tratamento nas Clínicas do Curso de Odontologia da UFMA no período de agosto de 2006 até julho de 2007, os quais foram divididos em dois grupos: G1 (6-12 anos) e G2 (13-19 anos). Foram coletados dados referentes ao gênero, idade e condição dentária (índice de CPO-D). As amostras de saliva total foram obtidas através do método de coleta de saliva estimulada mecanicamente pela mastigação de um pedaço de látex por 5min e expectorada a cada 1min. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA e teste de correlação de Pearson, ao nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa no fluxo salivar de acordo com o gênero, idade ou grupos etários. No entanto, houve uma correlação negativa significativa entre a condição dentária e o fluxo salivar de crianças e adolescentes. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos sugerem que houve associação entre condição dentária satisfatória e maior fluxo salivar nesta amostra de crianças e adolescentes.

Purpose: This study evaluated stimulated whole saliva flow rates in children and adolescents, and tested the association of salivary flow rate with age and dental status. Methods: The sample consisted of 100 children and adolescents, who were undergoing dental treatment at the dental clinics of UFMA from August 2006 to July 2007. Subjects were divided into two groups: G1 (6 -12 years) and G2 (13-19 years). Data were collected on age, sex, and caries experience (DMFT). The samples of stimulated whole saliva were obtained by the method of chewing a piece of rubber band for 5min and spitting every 1min. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests at the 5% significance level. Results: There was no significant difference in salivary flow rates as a function of sex, age or age groups. However, there was a significant negative correlation between dental status and salivary flow rates in children and adolescents. Conclusion: The results suggest that there is an association of better dental conditions and higher salivary flow rates in this sample of children and adolescents.