Health literacy (HL) is defined as a cognitive and social skill that determines the motivation and ability of individuals to understand and use information to promote and maintain proper health. Inadequate HL has been associated with worse outcomes in diabetes control, poor self-care, and higher hospitalization rates for some chronic diseases. We hypothesized that HL influences the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and that inadequate glycemic control would mediate this association. This was a cross-sectional study carried out with 288 participants of the “Brazilian Diabetes Study” cohort. Inclusion criteria were people diagnosed with T2DM aged between 40 and 70 years and ability to read and write. In the adequate HL group, DR was found in 16.5% of participants and in the inadequate HL group, it was found in 32.8% (P=0.0081). Individuals with inadequate HL had a higher risk of having DR, and this association was still statistically significant after adjusting for HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, HL is related to DR without the mediation of classical clinical variables.

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of the essential oils (EOs) of Aloysia triphylla, Lippia gracilis and Piper aduncum in juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), and evaluate the possible histopathological alterations in their gills. For the acute toxicity tests, juvenile tambaqui (n=24/treatment) were distributed in six treatments with three replicates, which comprised the control and five EO concentrations of A. triphylla (60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg L-1), L. gracilis (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 mg L-1) and P. aduncum (42.5, 45, 47.5, 50 and 52.5 mg L-1), with an exposure period of 4 h. The mortality rate and severity of damage to the tambaqui gills were proportional to the increase in the concentration of the EO, with LC50-4 h values estimated at 109.57 mg L -1 for A. triphylla, 41.63 mg L -1 for L. gracilis and 48.17 mg L -1 for P. aduncum. The main morphological damages observed in the gills of the tambaqui exposed to the three EOs, were Grade I: hypertrophy and hyperplasia of lamellar epithelial cells, lamellar fusion, epithelial detachment, capillary dilation and constriction, proliferation of chloride cells and mucosal cells and edema; in low frequency Grade II damage as epithelial rupture and lamellar aneurysm. Necrosis (Grade III damage) was observed only in gill lamellae exposed to P. aduncum EO (47.5, 50.0 and 52.5 mg L-1). Concentrations of EOs below LC50-4 h can be used sparingly, for short periods of exposure for the treatment of diseases in tambaqui breeding.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a toxicidade aguda dos óleos essenciais (OEs) de Aloysia triphylla, Lippia gracilis e Piper aduncum em juvenis de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), e avaliar as possíveis alterações histopatológicas em suas brânquias. Para os testes de toxicidade aguda, juvenis de tambaqui (n=24/tratamento) foram distribuídos em 6 tratamentos, com três repetições, sendo o controle e cinco concentração do OE de A. triphylla (60, 80, 100, 120 e 140 mg L-1), L. gracilis (35, 40, 45, 50 e 55 mg L-1) e P. aduncum (42,5, 45, 47,5, 50 e 52,5 mg L-1), com exposição de 4 h. A taxa de mortalidade e a severidade dos danos nas brânquias de tambaqui foram proporcionais ao aumento da concentração do OE, com os valores de CL50-4 h estimados em 109,57 mg L-1 para A. triphylla, em 41,63 mg L-1 para L. gracilis e em 48,17 mg L-1 para P. aduncum. Os principais danos morfológicos observados nas brânquias de tambaqui, expostos aos três OEs, foram os de grau I: hipertrofia e hiperplasia das células do epitélio lamelar, fusão lamelar, descolamento epitelial, dilatação e constrição capilar, proliferação de células de cloreto e de células mucosas e edema; em baixa frequência os de grau II como ruptura epitelial e aneurisma lamelar. Necrose (dano de grau III) foi observado somente nas lamelas branquiais expostas ao OE de P. aduncum (47,5, 50,0 e 52,5 mg L-1). Concentrações do OEs abaixo dos valores de CL50-4 h podem ser utilizados com parcimônia, em curtos períodos de exposição para o tratamento de doenças na criação de tambaqui.

RESUMO A espécie Arrabidaea chica pertencente à família Bignoniaceae é também conhecida popularmente como crajiru. É Utilizada tradicionalmente no tratamento de enfermidades da pele, inflamações, infecções, dentre outros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de biomassa aérea, teor e rendimento de extrato de crajiru em função de diferentes fontes de adubo orgânico em Manaus, AM. As mudas foram formadas através de estacas e mantidas por 60 dias em casa de vegetação. O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 5x3 com delineamento em blocos casualizados onde os níveis dos fatores foram as diferentes fontes de adubo orgânico: composto (5,0 kg/m2), esterco de aves (3,0 kg/m2), casca de guaraná (4,0 kg/m2), esterco de gado (4,0 kg/m2) e controle (ausência), e os três morfotipos de crajiru. Obedeceu-se o espaçamento de 1,0x1,0 m entre planta e 2,0 m entre blocos. Após 240 dias foram avaliadas a produção de folhas e caules, relação folha/caule, teor de extratos hexânico concentrado em evaporador rotativo obtido pela fórmula: (massa do extrato/massa da amostra total)x100; e o rendimento de extrato estimado pela equação: (%extrato x massa seca total das folhas)/100. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias ao Teste de Tukey (p<0,05). As fontes de adubo orgânico promoveram melhor desenvolvimento das plantas de, exceto para o morfotipo 1. O esterco de aves proporcionou maior produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extratos. Dessa forma, sugere-se que a adubação orgânica propicia maior produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extratos de A. chica.

ABSTRACT The Arrabidaea chicaspecies belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and is also popularly known as crajiru. It is traditionally used to treat skin diseases, inflammations and infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production, the content and the yield of crajiru extract in face of different sources of organic fertilizer in Manaus, AM. The seedlings were formed by cuttings and kept for 60 days in a greenhouse. The trial was conducted in a 5x3 factorial design with randomized block organization where the factor levels were different sources of organic fertilizer: compound (5.0 kg / m 2), chicken manure (3.0 kg / m 2), bark guarana (4.0 kg / m2), cattle manure (4.0 kg / m 2) and control (absence), and the three morphotypes of crajiru. It was obeyed the spacing between the plants (1,0 x1,0m) and the blocks (2,0m) . After 240 days it were evaluated the production of leaves and stems, the leaf / stem ratio, and the content of hexane extracts concentrated by rotary evaporation obtained by the following formula: (mass of extract / mass of total sample) x100; and the yield estimated by the equation extract: (% extract x total dry mass of leaves) / 100. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and means to the Tukey"s test (p <0.05). The sources of organic fertilizer promoted better development of plants, except for the morphotype 1. The poultry manure provided higher biomass, content and yield of extracts. Thus, it is suggested that the organic fertilizer provides greater biomass production, content and yield of A. chica extracts.

Retention curves describe water dynamics in the soil and represent the relationship between the energy of water retention and moisture content. Several empirical models of water retention curve settings in the soil are analyzed (Van Genuchten-VG, Brooks & Corey BC, Bruce & Luxmore-BL and Driessen-D). Deformed soil samples were collected at 10 sites per plot; a compound sample was established with 36 plots between October and November 2007, at depths 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm in the Irrigation District of Gorutuba in Janaúba MG, Brazil. Tensions used for tests were 10, 30, 100, 500 and 1500 kPa. Soil Water Retention Curve software was employed to obtain the parameters of the empirical equations. The performance of empirical models was obtained by the index suggested by Camargo & Sentelhas, coupled to estimate standard error, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. The results showed that the VG model had the best performance compared to the other models tested for data on water retention in the soil. The BC model had the most unsatisfactory performance.

A curva de retenção é utilizada para descrever a dinâmica da água no solo, representando a relação entre a energia de retenção de água e o teor de umidade. O presente trabalho objetivou analisar vários modelos empíricos de ajuste das curvas de retenção de água no solo (Van Genuchten-VG, Brooks & Corey-BC, Bruce & Luxmore-BL e Driessen-D). Para tal, foram coletadas amostras deformadas de solo em 10 pontos por lote, compondo uma amostra composta, em 36 lotes de outubro a novembro de 2007, nas profundidades de 0 a 20 cm e 20 a 40 cm, no Distrito de Irrigação do Perímetro Gorutuba, em Janaúba-MG. As tensões utilizadas nos ensaios foram: 10, 30, 100, 500 e 1500 kPa. Para obtenção dos parâmetros empíricos das equações utilizou-se o software Soil Water Retention Curve. O desempenho dos modelos empíricos foi obtido por meio do índice proposto por Camargo & Sentelhas, erro padrão de estimativa, desvio padrão e coeficiente de variação. Os resultados indicaram que o modelo de VG apresentou o melhor desempenho em relação aos demais modelos testados para os dados de retenção de água no solo; e comparando os modelos estudados, o modelo BC apresentou desempenho não satisfatório.

ABSTRACT Skin cancer is the one that affects the skin tissue. There is an abrupt increase of its number; furthermore, its frequency is as much as 5 times higher than breast and prostate cancers. This disease incidence is dramatically increasing as a result of a longer life span and a better life standard, which encourage spare time activities that involve long-time exposure to sunlight. The main objective was to determine the skin cancer epidemiological traits in patients attended in the department of dermatology of the Medical School of the National University of Asuncion during the years 2008 to 2011. The type of study done was a non experimental, observational, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional. Data collection was done in the department of dermatology of the Medical School of the National University of Asuncion, and occurred in the period of July 1st of 2008 to December 31st of 2011. The study used a non-probability sampling, specifically a convenience one. The sampling included 280 patients. All patients with diagnoses of basal-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma and Kaposi sarcoma were included in the sampling, while in the other hand, patients with the less common types of skin cancer that were not a melanoma type were all excluded. Between 2008 and 2011, 40818 people got medical consultation services regarding a skin cancer suspicion, and 280 out of them were diagnosed skin cancer. The global frecuency was 0.69%. The highest number was that of 2009, although the lowest was that of 2011. Regarding the ages, the average age was 48.7 and the most affected group was the one from 50 to 59 years old. 54.6% were women, most of them from Asuncion, and the majority of them worked as housekeepers. Basal-cell carcinoma was registered the most (84.2%); in the other hand the less frequent was the Kaposi Sarcoma (2.8%). Keywords: Cancer. Skin. Dermatology. Asuncion. Great Asuncion.

RESUMEN El cáncer de piel "es aquel que se forma en los tejidos de la piel". Existe un incremento vertiginoso de los casos de cáncer de piel, con una frecuencia que llega a multiplicar por 5 el de cánceres de mama o de próstata. La incidencia sigue aumentado debido a la mayor longevidad de la población y a la mejora en la calidad de vida que facilita hábitos de ocio con exposición solar prolongada. El objetivo general fue determinar las características epidemiológicas del cáncer de piel en pacientes que consultaron en la Cátedra de Dermatología de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay durante los años 2008 al 2011. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, temporalmente retrospectivo en la Cátedra de Dermatología de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay entre julio de 2008 a diciembre de 2011. El muestreo fue no probabilístico a conveniencia. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 280 pacientes y fueron incluidos todos aquellos diagnosticados con cáncer de piel de tipo aarcinoma basocelular, carcinoma escamocelular, melanoma maligno y sarcoma de Kaposi. Fueron excluidos los tipos menos comunes de cáncer de piel no melanoma. Entre el 2008 al 2011, consultaron 40.818 personas, de las cuales 280 fueron diagnosticados con cáncer de piel. La frecuencia, en general fue de 0,69%. La mayor cantidad de casos se dió en el 2009, y la menor en el 2011. La edad promedio fue de 48,7 siendo el grupo etario más afectado entre 50 a 59 años. El 54,6% de los casos fueron del sexo femenino, la mayoría de los pacientes provenían de Asunción, y la profesión con el mayor número de casos fue quehaceres domésticos. El carcinoma basocelular fue el más frecuente (84,2%); mientras que el menos frecuente fue el sarcoma de Kaposi (2,8%). Palabras clave: Cáncer. Piel. Dermatología. Asunción. Gran Asunción.

In the present study, a quassinoid, neosergeolide, isolated from the roots and stems of Picrolemma sprucei (Simaroubaceae), the indole alkaloids ellipticine and aspidocarpine, isolated from the bark of Aspidosperma vargasii and A. desmanthum (Apocynaceae), respectively, and 4-nerolidylcatechol, isolated from the roots of Pothomorphe peltata (Piperaceae), all presented significant in vitro inhibition (more active than quinine and chloroquine) of the multi-drug resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Neosergeolide presented activity in the nanomolar range. This is the first report on the antimalarial activity of these known, natural compounds. This is also the first report on the isolation of aspidocarpine from A. desmanthum. These compounds are good candidates for pre-clinical tests as novel lead structures with the aim of finding new antimalarial prototypes and lend support to the traditional use of the plants from which these compounds are derived.

Aims: 1) to study lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) plasma values in subjects with familial ligand-defective apo B 100 (FDB) . Methods: We studied 19 heterozygous FDB subjects (8 males) from 12 families, carriers of R3500Q mutation on apo B gene and 90 controls (34 males). The genetic diagnosis was established with PCR-SSCP analysis and automatic sequencing. In all subjects plasma lipids, apolipoprotein B and Lp(a) levels were determined with standard procedures. Results: Subjects carriers of R3500Q mutation on apo B gene have significantly higher plasma Lp(a) and log transformed Lp(a) values and prevalence of Lp(a) > 30 cut point for coronary heart disease than controls. Conclusions: Subjects with FDB showed higher Lp(a) plasma values than controls, although the mechanism and the clinical consequences of these result are not known.

Objetivo: Estudiar los valores plasmáticos de Lp(a) en el defecto familiar de unión de apo B 100 (DFB) en poblaciones sur Europea donde no existen datos al respecto. Métodos: Hemos estudiado a 19 heterocigotos DFB (8 varones), portadores de la mutación R3500Q del gen de la apo B y a 90 controles (34 varones). El diagnóstico genético se realizó por técnica de PCR-SSCP y secuenciación automática. En todos los sujetos se determinó de forma estandarizada las concentraciones plasmáticas de lípidos, apolipoproteína B y Lp(a). Resultados: Los valores plasmáticos de Lp(a) y su transformación logarítmica fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo con DFB frente al grupo control. Además, la prevalencia de Lp(a) > de 30 mg/dl, como punto de corte de alto riesgo para cardiopatía isquemia fue significativamente mayor en el grupo portador de la mutación R3500Q. Conclusión: Los sujetos portadores de la mutación R3500Q del gen de apo B mostraron valores plasmáticos superiores de Lp(a) que los controles, sin que conozcamos por el momento el mecanismo y sus implicaciones clínicas.