Anxiety Levels in Brazilian Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer Undergoing Palliative Chemotherapy: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess anxiety levels among women with metastatic breast cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy. METHODS: A descriptive, prospective study was conducted at an oncology hospital in southern Brazil from September 2021 to October 2022. A total of 123 adult women receiving outpatient palliative chemotherapy were included in the study. Anxiety levels were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at baseline, the fifth week, and the eleventh week of treatment. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Multiple General Regression Models. RESULTS: Women with advanced breast cancer had an average trait-anxiety score of 48.24±5.92. A progressive improvement in anxiety scores was observed throughout the treatment evaluation stages (44.90±5.89; 43.37±5.34; 42.58±5.75), with a significant difference between the evaluations (p=0.008). Significant correlations were found between trait-anxiety and work situation (p=0.010) and ovarian metastasis (p=0.022). The adjusted general regression model also showed statistical significance for baseline evaluation with offspring (p=0.045) and education level (p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Women with breast cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy exhibited high trait-anxiety scores, which decreased significantly over the course of treatment.

Validação de Conteúdo e Aplicabilidade de Protocolo de Cuidados de Enfermagem a Vítimas de Queimaduras / Validación de Contenido y Aplicabilidad de Un Protocolo de Atención de Enfermería a Víctimas de Quemaduras / Content Validation and Applicability of a Nursing Care Protocol for Burn Victims

Objetivos:Construir e validar um protocolo de cuidados de enfermagem a pacientes adultos que sofreram queimaduras em um hospital público na Região Norte do Brasil e avaliar sua aplicabilidade. Método: Estudo metodológico que seguiu as etapas: construção do instrumento; validação do conteúdo utilizando a ferramenta de avaliação Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II); e análise de aplicabilidade com questionário semiestruturado com a equipe de enfermagem e por concordância e teste de Kappa. Resultados: Na etapa diagnóstico situacional, o protocolo foi elaborado com base na revisão de literatura e validado pelos especialistas por meio do instrumento AGREE II, com valor de índice de validade de conteúdo geral de 0,93, e da análise de aplicabilidade com análise de teste de Kappa, obtendo o valor de 0,81, com a concordância quase perfeita. Conclusão: O protocolo foi estruturado com qualidade para guiar a equipe de enfermagem na assistência ao paciente queimado, e indica-se, portanto, a sua utilização.

Objective:To build and validate a nursing care protocol to adult patients who suffered burns in a public hospital in the North region of Brazil and evaluate its applicability. Method: Methodological study that followed the steps: construction of the instrument; content validation using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) assessment tool; and applicability analysis with a semi-structured questionnaire with the nursing team and by agreement and Kappa test. Results: In the situational diagnosis stage, the protocol was elaborated based on the literature review and validated by the specialists through the AGREE II instrument with a general content validity index value of 0.93 and through the analysis of applicability with Kappa test analysis, obtaining a value of 0.81, with almost perfect agreement. Conclusion: The protocol was structured with quality to guide the nursing team in assisting burned patients. Therefore, its use is indicated

Objetivo:Construir, validar y evaluar la aplicabilidad de un protocolo de atención de enfermería a pacientes adultos que sufrieron quemaduras en un hospital público de la región Norte de Brasil. Método: Estudio metodológico que siguió los siguientes pasos: construcción del instrumento; validación de contenido utilizando la herramienta de evaluación AGREE II; y análisis de aplicabilidad con cuestionario semiestructurado con el equipo de enfermería y de acuerdo y test KAPPA. Resultados: Desde la etapa de diagnóstico situacional, el protocolo fue elaborado con base en la revisión bibliográfica y validado por los especialistas a través del instrumento AGREE II con un valor de Índice de Validez de Contenido General (IVC) de 0,93 y mediante el análisis de aplicabilidad con el análisis del Test Kappa, obteniendo un valor de 0.81, con concordancia casi perfecta. Conclusión: El protocolo fue estructurado con calidad para orientar al equipo de enfermería en el cuidado del paciente quemado y, por tanto, está indicado su uso.

Effect of guided imagery relaxation on anxiety in cervical cancer: randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the effect of guided imagery relaxation through virtual reality on anxiety in women with cervical cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy. METHODS: randomized, non-blinded, single-center clinical trial conducted at a cancer reference hospital. 52 women participated, with randomized allocation of 24 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group (12 sessions of guided imagery relaxation through virtual reality, applied three times a week). The outcome was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and statistical analysis was performed using the Generalized Linear Mixed Model. RESULTS: n the experimental group, women presented significant anxiety traits (p=0.010) before the intervention. Between the 4th and 12th week of follow-up, there was a reduction in anxiety levels, without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: guided imagery relaxation through virtual reality provided evidence of anxiety reduction in women with cervical cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy and may contribute to clinical practice. Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry: RBR-7ssvytb.

Non-pharmacological therapies for cancer patients in Portugal and Brazil: an experience report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of nurses from a center in Portugal and two in Brazil regarding the use of non-pharmacological therapies in cancer patients. METHOD: This is a professional experience report. RESULTS: In the Portuguese institution, a group of nurses has been performing massage therapy, reflexology, postural teaching, thermotherapy, relaxation, guided imagery, Reiki, music therapy, aromatherapy, among others, for 17 years, with significant results in pain and vital signs with satisfactory perceptions. In Brazil, the clinical application is incipient, clinical studies with auriculotherapy, relaxation with guided imagery and floral therapy are taking place, with significant results for physical symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life improvement. CONCLUSION: In both countries, nurses have made efforts to implement non-pharmacological therapies. While in the Portuguese reality they have been formally institutionalized in care, in Brazil the therapies take place with voluntary work and through intervention research. This report can encourage the translation of autonomous practice to clinical studies for proposing evidence of therapies in Integrative Oncology.

Management practice for small hive beetle as a source of microplastic contamination in honey and honeybee colonies.

Microplastics (MP) have emerged as a widespread environmental contaminant affecting bee health. In this study we report on the impact of one of the cultural practices used to control the small hive beetle (SBH, Aethina tumida). Management of the beetle often includes the use of in-hive traps of different kinds, such as non-woven microfiber wipes. When placed inside the hive, bees chew on these wipes, which then become fuzzy and fray to the point where beetles become entangled in their fibers. The current study aimed to examine the composition of these microfiber sheets and to evaluate whether their use resulted in unintended MP contamination of bees and honey. We treated hives with one blue microfiber sheet placed on top of the frames for at least three months. After that time, we collected adult bees and honey samples from treated hives, control hives in the same apiary (control near), and control hives in an apiary 7.5 km away (control far). Honey from treated hives had a significantly greater number of blue MF than honey from the control hives (mean ± SD, treatment 11.83 ± 3.76, control near 2.25 ± 0.92 and control far 0.25 ± 0.5 MF/20 gr honey). Also, hives treated with the microfiber sheets had a significantly greater number of blue microfibers in the gut and cuticle of bees, than the control hives located in a different apiary. However, the control and treated bees located in the same apiary had a similar number of blue microfibers (mean ± SD, treatment 4.7 ± 2.28, control near 3 ± 1.63 and control far 0.5 ± 0.58 MF in 20 bees). Thus, the current study raises concerns of the use of microfibers sheets to trap the SBH as it results in the incorporation of microfibers into the ecosystem and the food chain.

Effects of microplastic ingestion on feeding activity in a widespread fish on the southwestern Atlantic coast: Ramnogaster arcuata (Clupeidae).

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the fish gastrointestinal tract has been documented in several studies. However, it is unclear whether this ingestion is active or passive and whether it affects feeding activity in natural environments. In this study, three sites with different anthropogenic pressure were selected from the Bahia Blanca estuary, Argentina, and the small zooplanktivorous pelagic fish Ramnogaster arcuata was used to evaluate MP ingestion and its effect on specie's trophic activity. We analyzed the zooplanktonic composition, levels, and types of MPs in both the environment and the stomach contents of R. arcuata. Moreover, we assessed the trophic behavior of R. arcuata to determine electivity, stomach fullness, and vacuity indexes. The results showed that despite the availability of prey in the environment, 100 % of the specimens ingested MPs, and their levels and characteristics were different according to the site. Stomach contents at sites related to harbor activities presented the lowest MPs concentrations, most of them were paint fragments, with the smallest sizes and a low diversity of colors. The highest MP ingestions were found near the principal sewage discharge, being mostly microfibers, followed by microbeads, and with a greater variety of colors. Electivity indices showed that R. arcuata has a passive or active ingestion according to the size and shape of MPs. In addition, the lowest stomach fullness index and the highest vacuity index values were associated with the highest level of MP ingestion near the sewage discharge. Altogether, these results demonstrate a negative effect of MPs in the feeding activity of R. arcuata and help to elucidate some mechanisms by which these particles are ingested by a bioindicator fish used in South America.

Microplastic levels on sandy beaches: Are the effects of tourism and coastal recreation really important?

This study assessed the effect of tourism and other recreational activities on microplastic (MP) levels and their characteristics in the sand and surf zone of the seawater. Six sites were chosen belonging to three sandy beaches with similar geomorphologic and morphodynamic characteristics but with different tourism activities. On average, a concentration of 1133.3 ± 811.3 items/kg dry weight (d.w.) and 12.7 ± 14.9 items/m3 were found in the sand and seawater samples, respectively. Fibers and films predominated and were less than 1 mm in length. In the sand, the films mainly matched the PE polymer spectra and the fibers matched PET polymer, cotton, and indigo blue dye; in the seawater samples, PP films and PET fibers prevailed. At the Pehuén-Co - Monte Hermoso Coastal Marine MPA where the flow of tourists is low, the MP levels were the lowest and the largest particles were found, mainly blue or black fibers, with less polymer diversity, cotton and PET being the most prevalent suggesting a recent input of textile fibers to this site. Moreover, the highest concentration of MPs was found on the southern site of a beach considered to be more pristine due to negligible human activity, including the smallest size pattern, mostly composed of white films or fibers with a greater diversity of polymers, predominantly PE > PET > PP. A great occurrence of PVC white films was also found in the surf zone at this site. Proximity to the mouth of a river, littoral drift, and other point sources were identified as the main sources, indicating that, apart from the local tourism and recreational activities, other sources might play a major role in the input of MPs to sandy beaches, such as extensive/intensive agricultural land use and irrigation areas.

Lakes with or without urbanization along their coasts had similar level of microplastic contamination, but significant differences were seen between sampling methods.

The influence of sampling method on microplastic (MP) quantification and the impact of population density on the levels of MP contamination in surface waters from Patagonian lakes were investigated. Six lakes located in Northern Patagonia (Argentina) were studied using two different sampling protocols widely reported in the literature: water collected in glass bottles vs. water collected using a 50 µm mesh size net. To assess the influence of population density on MP contamination, lakes with urbanization at shores (Nahuel Huapi, Gutierrez and Moreno) and lakes without urbanization on their shores (Espejo, Espejo Chico and Mascardi) were considered. We identified contamination with secondary MP at all the freshwater lakes studied, with predominance (>90 %) of textile-based microfibers (MF). Remarkably the levels of contamination were similar in all the lakes, independently of whether they were impacted by urbanization along their coasts or not, which supports the notion that there is atmospheric transport of MP. The greatest variability found was among sampling methods, with differences above of three orders magnitude. Samples collected directly in 1-l bottles had an average of 5257 MP/m3 in comparison to 1.57 MP/m3 in the samples that were collected with a 50 µm net. Interestingly, Nahuel Huapi lake samples collected with bottles where the WWTP discharges effluents were significantly more contaminated (SD 9400 ± 4351 MP/MF per m3) than samples collected 5 km west of the plant (2100 ± 1197 MP/MF per m3). Results highlight the significance of textile microfibers as microplastic contaminants of freshwater, and the need to address mesh size when looking for textile microfibers and to develop standardized sampling protocols to make studies on freshwater MF contamination comparable.

Non-pharmacological therapies for cancer patients in Portugal and Brazil: an experience report / Terapias no farmacológicas para pacientes con cáncer en Portugal y Brasil: informe de experiencia / Terapias não farmacológicas para pacientes com câncer em Portugal e no Brasil: relato de experiência

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the experience of nurses from a center in Portugal and two in Brazil regarding the use of non-pharmacological therapies in cancer patients. Method: This is a professional experience report. Results: In the Portuguese institution, a group of nurses has been performing massage therapy, reflexology, postural teaching, thermotherapy, relaxation, guided imagery, Reiki, music therapy, aromatherapy, among others, for 17 years, with significant results in pain and vital signs with satisfactory perceptions. In Brazil, the clinical application is incipient, clinical studies with auriculotherapy, relaxation with guided imagery and floral therapy are taking place, with significant results for physical symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life improvement. Conclusion: In both countries, nurses have made efforts to implement non-pharmacological therapies. While in the Portuguese reality they have been formally institutionalized in care, in Brazil the therapies take place with voluntary work and through intervention research. This report can encourage the translation of autonomous practice to clinical studies for proposing evidence of therapies in Integrative Oncology.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir la experiencia de enfermeros de un centro de Portugal y dos de Brasil con respecto al uso de terapias no farmacológicas en pacientes oncológicos. Método: Informe de experiencia profesional. Resultados: En la institución portuguesa, desde hace 17 años, un grupo de enfermeros realiza masajes terapéuticos, reflexología, enseñanza postural, termoterapia, relajación, imaginería guiada, Reiki, musicoterapia, aromaterapia, entre otros, con resultados significativos en dolor, signos vitales y con percepciones satisfactorias. En Brasil, la aplicación clínica es incipiente, se están realizando estudios clínicos con auriculoterapia, relajación con imágenes guiadas y terapia floral, con resultados significativos para los síntomas físicos, la ansiedad y la calidad de vida. Conclusión: en ambos países, los enfermeros han hecho esfuerzos para implementar terapias no farmacológicas. Mientras que en la realidad portuguesa han sido formalmente institucionalizados en el cuidado, en Brasil las terapias ocurren de forma voluntaria y por medio de investigación de intervención. Este informe puede incentivar la translación de la práctica autónoma a estudios clínicos para proponer evidencias de las terapias en Oncología Integrativa.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a experiência dos enfermeiros de um centro em Portugal e dois no Brasil sobre o uso das terapias não farmacológicas em pacientes com câncer. Método: Trata-se de um relato de experiência profissional. Resultados: Na instituição portuguesa, há 17 anos um grupo de enfermeiros vem realizando massagem terapêutica, reflexologia, ensinos posturais, termoterapia, relaxamento, imaginação guiada, Reiki, musicoterapia, aromaterapia, entre outras, com resultados significativos na dor, nos sinais vitais e com percepções satisfatórias. Na brasileira, a aplicação clínica é incipiente, ocorrem estudos clínicos com auriculoterapia, relaxamento com imagem guiada e terapia floral, com resultados significativos para sintomas físicos, ansiedade e qualidade de vida. Conclusão: Em ambos os países, os enfermeiros têm empreendido esforços para implementar as terapias não farmacológicas. Enquanto na realidade portuguesa elas têm sido formalmente institucionalizadas no cuidado, na brasileira as terapias ocorrem de forma voluntária e por meio de pesquisas de intervenção. Esse relato pode fomentar a translação da prática autônoma aos estudos clínicos para a proposição de evidências das terapias na Oncologia Integrativa.

Effect of guided imagery relaxation on anxiety in cervical cancer: randomized clinical trial / Efecto de la relajación con imagen guiada en la ansiedad en el cáncer cervical: ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Efeito do relaxamento com imagem guiada na ansiedade no câncer cervical: ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the effect of guided imagery relaxation through virtual reality on anxiety in women with cervical cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy. Methods: randomized, non-blinded, single-center clinical trial conducted at a cancer reference hospital. 52 women participated, with randomized allocation of 24 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group (12 sessions of guided imagery relaxation through virtual reality, applied three times a week). The outcome was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and statistical analysis was performed using the Generalized Linear Mixed Model. Results: n the experimental group, women presented significant anxiety traits (p=0.010) before the intervention. Between the 4th and 12th week of follow-up, there was a reduction in anxiety levels, without statistical significance. Conclusions: guided imagery relaxation through virtual reality provided evidence of anxiety reduction in women with cervical cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy and may contribute to clinical practice. Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry: RBR-7ssvytb.

RESUMEN Objetivos: evaluar el efecto de la relajación con imagen guiada por realidad virtual en la ansiedad en mujeres con cáncer cervical sometidas a radioterapia. Métodos: ensayo clínico aleatorizado, no enmascarado, unicéntrico, realizado en un hospital de referencia en cáncer. Participaron 52 mujeres con asignación aleatoria, 24 en el grupo control y 28 en el experimental (12 sesiones de relajación por imagen guiada por realidad virtual, aplicadas 3 veces por semana). El resultado fue evaluado por el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado y el análisis estadístico fue realizado con el Generalized Linear Mixed Model. Resultados: en el grupo experimental, las mujeres presentaban rasgos de ansiedad significativos (p=0,010) antes de la intervención. Entre la 4ª y 12ª semana de seguimiento, hubo reducción en el estado de ansiedad, sin significancia estadística. Conclusiones: la técnica de relajación por imagen guiada por realidad virtual proporcionó evidencias de reducción de la ansiedad en mujeres con cáncer cervical en tratamiento con radioterapia y puede contribuir en la práctica clínica. Registro Brasileño de Ensayo Clínico: RBR-7ssvytb.

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar o efeito do relaxamento com imagem guiada por realidade virtual na ansiedade em mulheres com câncer cervical submetidas à radioquimioterapia. Métodos: ensaio clínico randomizado, não mascarado, unicêntrico, realizado em um hospital de referência em câncer. Participaram 52 mulheres com alocação randomizada, 24 no grupo controle e 28 no experimental (12 sessões de relaxamento por imagem guiada por realidade virtual, aplicadas 3 vezes por semana). O desfecho foi avaliado pelo Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado e a análise estatística foi realizada com o Generalized Linear Mixed Model. Resultados: no grupo experimental, as mulheres apresentavam traços de ansiedade significativos (p=0,010) antes da intervenção. Entre a 4ª e 12ª semana de seguimento, houve redução no estado de ansiedade, sem significância estatística. Conclusões: a técnica de relaxamento por imagem guiada por realidade virtual forneceu evidências de redução da ansiedade em mulheres com câncer cervical em tratamento com radioquimioterapia e pode contribuir na prática clínica. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaio Clínico: RBR-7ssvytb.

The Chubut River estuary as a source of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles into the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

This is the first report of anthropogenic particles (APs), including microplastics and synthetic, semi-synthetic and anthropogenically-altered natural fibers, in water and sediment of the Chubut River estuary. This river is the main source of freshwater in Chubut Province (Patagonia, Argentina), where wastes and pollutants are poured and finally end in the Atlantic Ocean. The average concentration in surface and bottom water samples was 5.5 items/L, while in sediment was 175.4 items/kg dw. Raman's analysis identified particles dominated by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (35.5 %), dye signature only (18.5) and anthropogenic cellulose (10 %). Fibers were the prevalent shape (83 %), and the chemical identification evidenced a textile origin. The highest APs concentration was found in sediments from the site with the finest grain size and the greatest amount of organic matter. Present results will provide a baseline for future studies and raise public and governmental awareness.

Anthropogenic microfibers are highly abundant at the Burdwood Bank seamount, a protected sub-Antarctic environment in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Microplastics debris in the marine environment have been widely studied across the globe. Within these particles, the most abundant and prevalent type in the oceans are anthropogenic microfibers (MFs), although they have been historically overlooked mostly due to methodological constraints. MFs are currently considered omnipresent in natural environments, however, contrary to the Northern Hemisphere, data on their abundance and distribution in Southern Oceans ecosystems are still scarce, in particular for sub-Antarctic regions. Using Niskin bottles we've explored microfibers abundance and distribution in the water column (3-2450 m depth) at the Burdwood Bank (BB), a seamount located at the southern extreme of the Patagonian shelf, in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The MFs detected from filtered water samples were photographed and measured using ImageJ software, to estimate length, width, and the projected surface area of each particle. Our results indicate that small pieces of fibers are widespread in the water column at the BB (mean of 17.4 ± 12.6 MFs.L-1), from which, 10.6 ± 5.3 MFs.L-1 were at the surface (3-10 m depth), 20 ± 9 MFs.L-1 in intermediate waters (41-97 m), 24.6 ± 17.3 MFs.L-1 in deeper waters (102-164 m), and 9.2 ± 5.3 MFs.L-1 within the slope break of the seamount. Approximately 76.1% of the MFs were composed of Polyethylene terephthalate, and the abundance was dominated by the size fraction from 0.1 to 0.3 mm of length. Given the high relative abundance of small and aged MFs, and the oceanographic complexity of the study area, we postulate that MFs are most likely transported to the BB via the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Our findings imply that this sub-Antarctic protected ecosystem is highly exposed to microplastic pollution, and this threat could be spreading towards the highly productive waters, north of the study area.

Translation and psychometric validity of the Brazilian version of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-colorectal liver metastases module.

Patients with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) experience important lifestyle changes that impair the quality of life (QoL). The use of instruments is important to assess the cancer patients' QoL. To develop a Brazilian translation of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Colorectal Liver Metastases (QLQ-LMC21) questionnaire, and to investigate psychometric validity in patients with CRC with liver metastases, patients with liver metastasis from CRC answered the Brazilian versions of EORTC core Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the QLQ-LMC21 module, a demographic data questionnaire and a questionnaire to assess understanding against the translated QLQ-LMC21. Data collection was performed in three Southern hospitals in Brazil, from August 2017 to August 2019. Descriptive analyses and Spearman's correlation tests were performed for construct and criterion validity. The Cronbach's alpha test was performed to assess reliability. Significant values were p < 0.05. Ten patients participated in the study for the pilot test and 106 for validation, with a mean age of 58.2 + 12.4 years old. The translated questionnaire was easy to understand for the participants in the pilot test phase, with no need for modification. In the validation of the convergent construct, all the correlations were significant (p < 0.001) and with coefficients above 0.53. In the discriminant validity, among items of different scales, the values of the divergent correlations were pain scale (0.005 to 0.186) and fatigue (-0.01 to 0.186), all non-significant. In the criterion validation, the correlations were significant, p < 0.05, and higher among similar scales of the QLQ-LMC21 and QLQ-C30, p-value < 0.001. The total internal consistency of the questionnaire was adequate, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.790. The Brazilian version of the QLQ LMC21 proved to be a valid reliable questionnaire to be used in conjunction with the QLQ-C30.

Coping Religioso/Espiritual e Qualidade de Vida dos Sobreviventes de Câncer Cinco Anos após o Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoiéticas / Religious/Spiritual Coping and Quality of Life of 5-Years Cancer Survivors After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Afrontamiento / Religioso/Espiritual y Calidad de Vida de Sobrevivientes de Cáncer Cinco Años después del Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas

Introdução: O transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas é um tratamento complexo, com potencial de cura, no entanto, apresenta risco significativo de complicações graves e consequente comprometimento na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Diante desse cenário, é necessário que a equipe de saúde reconheça as demandas a que os pacientes estão expostos, e as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas, a fim de promover intervenções que objetivem a melhora da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde e a diminuição dos desconfortos decorrentes do diagnóstico e tratamento. Objetivo: Correlacionar o uso do coping religioso/espiritual com a qualidade de vida após cinco anos da realização do transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas. Método: Estudo analítico e longitudinal, com 55 pacientes em um hospital de referência para o procedimento na América Latina. Coleta de dados de 2013 até 2021, com os questionários Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy ­ Bone Marrow Transplantation e Religious/Spiritual Coping Scale. Correlações entre as variáveis pelo coeficiente de correlação de Spearman. Resultados: Trinta pacientes foram a óbito antes de completar cinco anos de tratamento. A qualidade de vida apresentou melhores índices no quinto ano (116,1/148). Houve maior uso do coping religioso/espiritual positivo (3,15/5,00). Observou-se correlação significativa negativa entre os escores de qualidade de vida (-0,624/p<0,00) e coping/religioso espiritual negativo. Conclusão: Reconhecer a multidimensionalidade do constructo qualidade de vida, incluindo o domínio espiritual, poderá auxiliar o paciente no enfrentamento da doença e do tratamento

Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a complex treatment, with healing potential, however, it presents a significant risk of serious complications and consequent impairment in health-related quality of life. Given this scenario, it is necessary for the health team to recognize the demands that patients are exposed to, and the coping strategies used, in order to promote interventions that aim to improve health-related quality of life, and decrease the discomforts resulting from the diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To correlate the use of religious/spiritual coping with quality of life after five years of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Method: Analytical and longitudinal study, with 55 patients in a referral hospital for the procedure in Latin America. Data were collected from 2013 to 2021, with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy ­ Bone Marrow Transplantation and Religious/Spiritual Coping Scale questionnaires. Correlations between variables by the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: 30 patients died before completing five years of treatment. Quality of life showed better rates in the fifth year (116.1/148). There was greater use of positive religious/spiritual coping (3.15/5.00). A significant negative correlation between quality-of-life scores (-0.624/p<0.00) and negative religious/spiritual coping was found. Conclusion: Recognizing the multidimensionality of the quality of life construct, including the spiritual domain, can help the patient to cope with the disease and treatment

Introducción: El trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos es un tratamiento complejo, con potencial curativo, sin embargo, presenta un riesgo importante de complicaciones graves y consecuente deterioro de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Ante este escenario, es necesario que el equipo de salud reconozca las demandas a las que se exponen los pacientes y las estrategias de enfrentamiento utilizadas, a fin de promover intervenciones que apunten a mejorar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y disminuir los malestares derivados del diagnóstico y tratamiento. Objetivo: Correlacionar el uso del afrontamiento religioso/espiritual con la calidad de vida después de cinco años del trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas. Método: Estudio analítico y longitudinal, con 55 pacientes en un hospital de referencia para el procedimiento en América Latina. Recopilación de datos de 2013 a 2021, con los cuestionarios Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy ­ Bone Marrow Transplantation y Religious/Spiritual Coping Scale. Correlaciones entre variables por el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: Treinta pacientes fallecieron antes de completar cinco años de tratamiento. La calidad de vida mostró mejores índices en el quinto año (116,1/148). Hubo un mayor uso del afrontamiento religioso/espiritual positivo (3,15/5,00). Hubo una correlación negativa significativa entre las puntuaciones de calidad de vida (-0,624/p<0,00) y el afrontamiento religioso/espiritual negativo. Conclusión: Reconocer la multidimensionalidad del constructo calidad de vida, incluyendo el dominio espiritual, puede ayudar al paciente a enfrentar la enfermedad y el tratamiento

Oral Adult Rhabdomyoma.

This report describes a case of an adult rhabdomyoma (ARM) occurring in the oral cavity. A 47-year-old man was referred for the diagnosis of a painless, well-circumscribed, submucous nodule located on the floor of the mouth, measuring approximately 6.0 cm in length. Computed tomography revealed a well-defined, solid, and hypodense mass. A benign salivary gland or mesenchymal tumor were the main diagnostic hypotheses. Under local anesthesia, the patient underwent surgical excision. Microscopically, the tumor comprised large polygonal well-defined cells with abundant, eosinophilic granular cytoplasm with cross striations. No atypia or mitosis was observed. The cells were positive for muscle-specific actin, desmin, and sarcomeric alpha-actin. Based on these features, a diagnosis of ARM was established. No recurrence was observed after 48 months. Although rare, ARM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral submucosal nodules, especially those located on the floor of the mouth.

Impacto da pandemia do vírus COVID-19 nas internações para tratamento de câncer de pele no Brasil / Impact of the COVID-19 virus pandemic on hospitalizations for skin cancer treatment in Brazil

RESUMO Introdução: A infecção pelo vírus COVID-19 é um impacto severo à saúde no ano de 2020. A repercussão direta é facilmente mensurada através de suas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. Sua repercussão indireta na saúde ainda é pouco mensurada e este é o objetivo deste estudo. Métodos: Determinar os números de internações para tratamentos gerais, para tratamento de neoplasias e para câncer de pele malignos no SUS, de 2008 a 2020, no departamento de informática do SUS. Resultados: O paralelismo dos dados referentes aos três grupos acima selecionados permitiu observar uma redução drástica no número de internações no SUS entre os mesmos meses de 2019 e 2020: queda de 10,60% nas internações gerais, 58,65% nas internações por neoplasia e 156% nas internações por câncer de pele maligno. A redução agravou-se gradativamente no ano de 2020 a partir do mês de janeiro. No mês de junho de 2020, os números de internações para tratamento de câncer de pele refletem valores de 12 anos atrás. Conclusão: O acompanhamento da série histórica de internações no SUS fornece um valor palpável que serve como base para se compreender o direcionamento das medidas de saúde. As implicações indiretas da COVID-19 podem ter um desfecho tão trágico quanto a sua mortalidade, pois repercutem na disponibilidade de serviços de saúde especializados. Serviços de grande especialização como o tratamento de câncer em caráter hospitalar atendem casos complexos e sua indisponibilidade pode refletir em aumento de mortalidade por estas causas - um impacto indireto da COVID-19.

ABSTRACT Introduction: COVID-19 virus infection was a severe health impact in 2020. The direct repercussion is easily measured through its morbidity and mortality rates. Its indirect repercussion on health is still little measured, and this is the objective of this study. Methods: To determine the number of hospitalizations for general treatments, for the treatment of neoplasms and malignant skin cancer in the SUS, from 2008 to 2020, in the department of informatics of the SUS. Results: The parallelism of the data referring to the three groups selected above allowed to observe a drastic reduction in the number of hospitalizations in the SUS between the same months of 2019 and 2020: a decrease of 10.60% in general hospitalizations, 58.65% in hospitalizations for neoplasia and 156% in hospitalizations for malignant skin cancer. The reduction gradually worsened in 2020 from January. In June 2020, the number of hospitalizations for skin cancer treatment reflected values from 12 years ago. Conclusion: The follow-up of the historical series of hospitalizations in the SUS provides a tangible value that serves as a basis for understanding the direction of health measures. The indirect implications of COVID-19 may have an outcome as tragic as its mortality, as they impact specialized health services availability. Services of great specialization such as hospital cancer treatment attend complex cases, and their unavailability may reflect an increase in mortality from these causes - an indirect impact of COVID-19.

Tobacco Use, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Perception About Smoking Cessation Counseling Among Brazilian Dental Students: a Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, and knowledge and perception about smoking cessation counseling among dental students in Brazil. A cross-sectional study was performed at the School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. The Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) research instrument was used. In the second half of 2017, students from the 5th to the 10th semester were recruited to answer the anonymous and self-administered survey in classrooms. The data were tabulated and analyzed, and information about the variables was presented using descriptive statistics. The association between the variables was determined through the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Two hundred and twenty-four students answered the survey. More than 40% of the students had tried cigarettes at least once and 8.9% were current smokers. About 28% of the participants reported having been exposed to secondhand smoke in their home and 57.1% in other environments. Most students recognized that they are role models for society and believed they should receive training in smoking cessation counseling. However, only 12.5% of the students reported having received some formal training in this subject. In conclusion, although dental students are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco, there is still a lack of training in smoking prevention and control among these future professionals.

First evidence of microplastics in nine lakes across Patagonia (South America).

Microplastics (MPs) on lakes have been reported mainly from Europe, Asia, and North America. Then, this study aimed to address the quantification and identification of MPs in nine lakes from the Argentine Patagonian Region. Blue colored fibers were dominant, with a size range between 0.2 and <0.4 mm. The mean MPs concentration was 0.9 ± 0.6 MPs m-3, suggesting a low pollution state when compared to other worldwide lakes. Raman microscopy analysis showed a predominance of Indigo Blue Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles. The upper-gradient runoff from urban settlements, textiles, and fisheries were identified as the main MPs sources and levels positively correlated with the higher area, shallower depth, and with an end-position in the watershed. These findings fill a gap in the geographical distribution knowledge, setting a baseline that emphasizes the need for better treatment of urban and fisheries wastes in continental lakes.