Evaluation of biometry and blood concentration of heavy metals in free-living Chelonia mydas with and without fibropapillomatosis in southern Brazil.

The present study determined the presence of heavy metals in green sea turtles with and without fibropapillomatosis in Itapirubá and Cassino beaches, southern Brazil. The weight, curved length of the carapace and body index were determined and blood was collected to quantify the concentrations of cadmium, lead and mercury. A total of 51 blood samples were analyzed, being 46 positives for at least one of the metals. There was a greater number of juvenile turtles in Itapirubá, larger in size and weight than those in Cassino. No statistical differences were found between metal concentrations between regions or between turtles with and without fibropapillomatosis. There was no significant correlation between metal concentrations, biometric variables and the presence of fibropapilomatose. Metal concentrations were low in both regions, with the highest concentrations being Cd and the lowest Hg.

Hábitos alimentarios y de higiene asociados a la seroprevalencia de Helicobacter pylori en estudiantes universitarios peruanos / Dietary and hygiene habits associated with the Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in Peruvian university students / Hábitos alimentares e de higiene associados à soroprevalência do Helicobacter pylori em estudantes universitários peruanos

RESUMEN Introducción: La infección por Helicobacter pylori es cada vez más frecuente en los jóvenes peruanos e incrementa su riesgo de padecer neoplasias gástricas. Objetivo: Determinar los hábitos alimentarios y de higiene asociados a la seroprevalencia de infección por Helicobacter pylori en estudiantes universitarios del departamento de Cajamarca, Perú, durante los meses de septiembre a octubre de 2019. Método: Estudio observacional, transversal, prospectivo con un diseño no experimental. La población estuvo conformada por 367 estudiantes de la carrera profesional de Tecnología Médica. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 188 estudiantes de ambos géneros. Se detectaron anticuerpos IgG frente a Helicobacter pylori en suero, mediante el método de inmunocromatografía. Los hábitos alimentarios y de higiene se recopilaron utilizando una encuesta estructurada. Resultados: El 51,1 % de estudiantes presentó anticuerpos IgG frente a Helicobacter pylori. El 31,38 % de los estudiantes que consumía "a veces" alimentos elaborados en la calle resultaron seropositivos a Helicobacter pylori. Aquellos estudiantes que manifestaron lavarse las manos "a veces" (29,79 %) y "siempre" (21,28 %) antes de ingerir los alimentos presentaron anticuerpos IgG contra la bacteria. Además, los estudiantes seropositivos frente a Helicobacter pylori lavaban sus frutas y verduras con el agua del grifo (43,62 %) y consumían agua de grifo no tratada (29,79 %). Conclusión: El consumo de alimentos preparados en la calle, lavado de manos antes de consumir alimentos, tipo de agua para consumo y lavado de frutas y verduras antes de ingerirlas son hábitos alimentarios y de higiene asociados a la seroprevalencia de Helicobacter pylori.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection is becoming more frequent in the young population of Peru and at the same time increases the risk of gastric neoplasms. Objective: To identify the dietary and higiene habits associated with the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in university students at the Cajamarca Department. Assesed period from September throughout October 2019. Method: An observational, cross-sectional, prospective study with a non-experimental design was carried out. A population of 367 students on Medical technology career were involved and 188 of them, in both sex, were selected as trial. It was detected, using the immunochromatography method in serum assay, IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori. Dietary and hygiene habits were collected using a well-structed enquiry. Results: It was identified IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori infection in 51.1% of students. The 31.38% of those who, not frequently, had consumed food prepared outdoors were seropositive for Helicobacter pylori. Those students who revealed wash their hands, not frequently (29.79%) and frequently (21.28%) before eating, produced antibodies against this bacterial infection. In addition, Helicobacter pylori seropositive students washed their fruits and vegetables with obtained water from the tap (43.62%) and consumed untreated water fom the tap too (29.79%). Conclusions: Food intake outdoors, wash of hands, fruits and vegetables before eating, and the quality of water to be consumption are dietary and hygiene habits associated with the Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence.

RESUMO Introdução: A infecção por Helicobacter pylori é cada vez mais comum em jovens peruanos e aumenta o risco de neoplasias gástricas. Objetivo: Determinar os hábitos alimentares e de higiene associados à soroprevalência da infecção por Helicobacter pylori em universitários do departamento de Cajamarca, Peru, durante os meses de setembro a outubro de 2019. Método: Estudo observacional, transversal, prospectivo com um não experimental. A população foi composta por 367 alunos da carreira de Tecnologia Médica. O tamanho da amostra foi de 188 alunos de ambos os sexos. Os anticorpos IgG contra Helicobacter pylori foram detectados no soro pelo método de imunocromatografia. Os hábitos alimentares e de higiene foram coletados por meio de questionário estruturado. Resultados: 51,1% dos alunos apresentaram anticorpos IgG contra Helicobacter pylori. 31,38% dos alunos que comeram "às vezes" alimentos preparados na rua eram soropositivos para Helicobacter pylori. Os alunos que relataram lavar as mãos "às vezes" (29,79%) e "sempre" (21,28%) antes de comer apresentaram anticorpos IgG contra a bactéria. Além disso, os alunos soropositivos para Helicobacter pylori lavavam frutas e vegetais com água da torneira (43,62%) e consumiam água da torneira não tratada (29,79%). Conclusão: O consumo de alimentos preparados na rua, a lavagem das mãos antes de consumir os alimentos, o tipo de água para consumo e a lavagem de frutas e verduras antes de ingeri-los são hábitos alimentares e de higiene associados à soroprevalência do Helicobacter pylori.

La formación profesional, un espacio entre lo bello y lo sublime, desde una mirada estética / Vocational training: a space between the sublime and the beautiful, from the aesthetic perspective

RESUMEN Introducción: se abordan los principales resultados de investigaciones de las autoras, acerca del estudio de la formación estética y se argumenta el lugar que ocupa en la formación del profesional a partir de las potencialidades de este para el logro de este propósito. Objetivo: analizar epistemológicamente los principales elementos teóricos definidos que se abordan en la literatura nacional e internacional sobre la categoría formación estética por su importancia en la formación de profesionales en Cuba. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo a partir de una revisión bibliográfica y desde el punto de vista teórico se utilizaron los métodos histórico-lógico, análisis-síntesis e inductivo-deductivo que permitieron el análisis de conceptos sobre el tema desde diversos enfoques. Resultados: se sistematizaron conceptos y teorías relevantes tenidos en cuenta dentro del proceso de formación profesional desde una mirada estética, a partir de su importancia como ciencia que estudia la belleza en las múltiples relaciones del hombre las que se manifiestan mediante la actividad, para lo cual necesita de conocimientos, habilidades, valores y actitudes estéticas de manera que logre una apropiación emotiva y creadora de la realidad estético profesional que le circunda; por lo que es necesario establecer una correlación con los componentes didácticos en función de lograr formar un profesional integral que dé respuesta a su encargo social. Conclusión: se pretende redimensionar la formación de profesionales desde lo estético como eje transversal de este proceso, en función de elevar la calidad del egresado de la Educación Superior; lo que se hace indispensable para el éxito de la actividad de los sujetos en los diferentes contextos de actuación profesional, de manera que actúen y transformen la realidad desde sus propias leyes de la belleza.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the main results of a research of the authors are approached in relation to the study of the aesthetic formation and the place it occupies in the training of professionals, which is argued from the potentials of this, in order to achieve the purpose. Objective: to analyze epistemologically the main theoretical elements defined in the national and international literature regarding the category of aesthetic education due to its importance in the training of professionals in Cuba. Methods: a descriptive study was conducted from a bibliographic review and the theoretical point of view; the historic-logical, analysis-synthesis and inductive-deductive methods allowed the analysis of concepts concerning the theme from the different approaches. Results: the concepts and relevant theories taken into account within the process of professional training were systematized from an aesthetic perspective, its importance as a science that deals with beauty in the multiple relationships of man which are manifested throughout the activity, the need of knowledge, skills, values ​​and aesthetic attitudes in a way that achieves an emotive and creative appropriation of the professional aesthetic and the reality that surrounds; as a result it is necessary to establish a correlation with the didactic components in order to complete a comprehensive professional response to their social commitment. Conclusion: it is intended to resize the training of professionals from the aesthetic point of view as a cross-cutting issue in this process, in order to raise the quality of the graduate of Higher Education; what is essential for the success of the activity of the individuals into the different contexts of the professional performance, for them to act and transform the reality considering their own laws of beauty.

Protective effects of D-002 on experimentally induced gastroesophageal reflux in rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of beeswax alcohols (D-002) on the esophageal damage induced by gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in rats. METHODS: Sixty male rats were randomized into six groups (10 rats/group): a negative control and five groups with experimentally induced GER: a positive vehicle control, three treated with D-002 (25, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively), and one with omeprazole 10 mg/kg. All treatments were given by gastric gavage. One hour after dosing, GER was produced by simultaneous ligation of the pyloric end and the forestomach. Esophageal lesions index (ELI), gastric secretion volume and acidity, and esophageal malondialdehyde (MDA) and sulfhydryl (SH) group concentrations were measured. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: As compared to the negative control, the positive control group exhibited increased ELI (5.2 ± 0.33 vs 0 ± 0, P = 0.0003), gastric secretion volume (2.69 ± 0.09 vs 0.1 ± 0.0, P = 0.0003) and acidity (238 ± 19.37 vs 120.0 ± 5.77, P = 0.001), and esophageal concentrations of MDA (2.56 ± 0.1 vs 1.76 ± 0.28, P = 0.001) and SH groups (1.02 ± 0.05 vs 0.56 ± 0.08, P = 0.0003). D-002 (25, 100 and 200 mg/kg) reduced ELI (3.36 ± 0.31, 2.90 ± 0.46 and 2.8 ± 0.23, respectively) vs the positive control (5.2 ± 0.33) (P = 0.004; P = 0.002; P = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant changes in acidity with D-002 treatment, and only the highest dose reduced the volume of the gastric secretion (1.92 ± 0.25) vs the positive control (2.69 ± 0.09, P = 0.013). D-002 (25, 100 and 200 mg/kg) lowered the esophageal MDA (2.05 ± 0.16, 1.98 ± 0.22 and 1.93 ± 0.22, respectively) (P = 0.01; P = 0.03; P = 0.03, respectively) and SH group concentration (0.87 ± 0.06, 0.79 ± 0.08 and 0.77 ± 0.06, respectively) (P = 0.04; P = 0.04; P = 0.02) vs the positive control (2.56 ± 0.10 and 1.02 ± 0.05, respectively). Omeprazole decreased ELI (2.54 ± 0.47), gastric secretion volume (1.97 ± 0.14) and acidity (158.5 ± 22.79), esophageal MDA (1.87 ± 0.13) and SH group (0.72 ± 0.05) concentrations vs the positive control (P = 0.002; P = 0.001; P = 0.02; P = 0.003; P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Acute oral administration of D-002 decreased macroscopic esophageal lesions and oxidative stress in rats with experimentally induced GER, without modifying gastric secretion acidity.

Oral subchronic toxicity of a lipid extract from Roystonea regia fruits in mice.

D-004 is a lipid extract of royal palm (Rosytonea regia) fruits that prevents prostate hyperplasia induced with testosterone in rodents. Previous studies have shown no D-004-related toxicity in rats, but no study in mice had been reported. D-004 (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) was evaluated in a subchronic (eight weeks) study in NMRI mice. No evidences of treatment-related toxicity were detected. Thus, body-weight gain, clinical observations, food consumption, blood biochemical, hematology, organ-weight ratios, and histopathological findings were similar in control and treated groups. This study supports that D-004 orally administered up to 2000 mg/kg did not induce treatment-related toxicity.

Six-month toxicity study of oral administration of D-003 in Sprague Dawley rats.

BACKGROUND: D-003 is a mixture of high molecular weight aliphatic primary acids purified from sugarcane wax (Saccharum officinarum) having cholesterol-lowering and antiplatelet effects. AIM: This study was undertaken to investigate the toxicity induced by long-term oral administration of D-003 for 6 months to Sprague Dawley rats of both sexes. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (20 rats of each sex/group): a control group. which received the vehicle, and three treatment groups, which received oral D-003 at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively. Daily clinical observations and control of bodyweight and food consumption were conducted throughout the study period. On completion of active treatment, animals were sacrificed. Pharmacological effects associated with D-003 such as inhibition of platelet aggregation and increase in bleeding time were assessed in two satellite groups (14 animals of each sex/group): a control group and a group treated with the highest dose of D-003. Assessments of platelet aggregation to collagen were performed at baseline and at 6 months, and assessments of bleeding time were done at baseline, after 3 and 6 months of treatment, and after 30 days' washout. RESULTS: As expected, D-003 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation. Bleeding time was increased after 3 months of treatment with D-003; this increase was maintained at 6 months, and was reversible after washout. Coagulation factors such as prothrombin time and kaolin-activated thromboplastin-time, which were determined in eight male animals from each group, were unaffected by D-003. Data analyses of bodyweight gain, food consumption, clinical observations, blood biochemistry, haematology, organ weight ratios and histopathological findings did not show trends related to D-003 dose or significant differences between control and treated groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the highest studied dose of D-003 (1,000 mg/kg/day) represented a non-toxic dose level in the present chronic toxicity study in rats.