ABSTRACT Objectives: To validate the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance (IR) as a surrogate to the hyperglycemic clamp to measure IR in both pubertal and postpubertal adolescents, and determine the HOMA-IR cutoff values for detecting IR in both pubertal stages. Subjects and methods: The study sample comprised 80 adolescents of both sexes (aged 10-18 years; 37 pubertal), in which IR was assessed with the HOMA-IR and the hyperglycemic clamp. Results: In the multivariable linear regression analysis, adjusted for sex, age, and waist circumference, the HOMA-IR was independently and negatively associated with the clamp-derived insulin sensitivity index in both pubertal (unstandardized coefficient – B = −0.087, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.135 to −0.040) and postpubertal (B = −0.101, 95% CI, −0.145 to −0.058) adolescents. Bland-Altman plots showed agreement between the predicted insulin sensitivity index and measured clamp-derived insulin sensitivity index in both pubertal stages (mean = −0.00 for pubertal and postpubertal); all P > 0.05. The HOMA-IR showed a good discriminatory power for detecting IR with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.870 (95% CI, 0.718-0.957) in pubertal and 0.861 (95% CI, 0.721-0.947) in postpubertal adolescents; all P < 0.001. The optimal cutoff values of the HOMA-IR for detecting IR were > 3.22 (sensitivity, 85.7; 95% CI, 57.2-98.2; specificity, 82.6; 95% CI, 61.2-95.0) for pubertal and > 2.91 (sensitivity, 63.6; 95% CI, 30.8-89.1, specificity, 93.7; 95%CI, 79.2-99.2) for postpubertal adolescents. Conclusion: The threshold value of the HOMA-IR for identifying insulin resistance was > 3.22 for pubertal and > 2.91 for postpubertal adolescents.

BACKGROUND Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects nearly six million people worldwide. Various serological tests have been developed for its diagnosis. OBJECTIVE Examine the performance of a set of commercial immunological assays in relation to the geographical origin of the patient sample comparing four states of Brazil: Amazonas (AM), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Minas Gerais (MG) and Piauí (PI). METHODS Seven immunoassays were employed to detect anti-T. cruzi IgG antibodies in 379 patient samples that had been previously diagnosed using the two-step protocol required by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. FINDINGS A significant variation in the percent reactive was calculated for the samples from AM and MS, while the PI and MG showed a significant variation in the percent non-reactive. The average reactivity index was significantly higher for samples from the states of PI and MG states than AM and MS. MAIN CONCLUSIONS All tests presented a satisfactory performance overall. Yet, variations were observed that were associated to the region of origin of the samples. Our analyses suggest that future evaluations of immunoassays should include a sampling of sera from regions where the test will be applied in addition to the available International Biological Reference Standards.

BACKGROUND Chagas disease, resulting from Trypanosoma cruzi infections, continues to be a health concern mainly in Latin American countries where the parasite is endemic. The laboratory diagnosis of a chronic infection is determined through serological assays for antibodies against T. cruzi and several tests are available that differ in key components, formats and methodologies. To date, no single test meets the criteria of a gold standard. The situation is further complicated by the difficulties associated with performance comparisons between different immunoassays or methodologies executed at different times and geographical areas. OBJECTIVE To improve the diagnosis of Chagas disease, the WHO coordinated the development of two International Biological Reference Standards for antibodies against anti-T. cruzi: NIBSC 09/186 and NIBSC 09/188 that respectively represent geographical regions with the highest prevalence of TcII and TcI lineages of the parasite. METHODS The principle goal of this study was to verify the behavior of these standards when assayed by several commercially available serological tests that employ different methods to capture and detect human anti-T. cruzi antibodies. FINDINGS AND MAIN CONCLUSIONS The results reinforce the recommendation that these standards be considered for performance evaluations of commercialised immunoassays and should be an integral step in the development of new test components or assay paradigms.

Myrcia hatschbachii D. Legrand (Myrtaceae) is a native and endemic species from Brazil. This study investigated the essential oil composition, phytotoxic potential, in vitro toxicity, antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of species. Chromatographic analysis of essential oil identified trans-calamanene, (E)-caryophyllene and spathulenol as major components. Antioxidant capacity was determined by the DPPH• scavenging method and phosphomolybdenum complex formation assay. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration test, demonstrating that the essential oil was active toward Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Phytotoxic activity of essential oil was analyzed by testing interference on germination and growth of Lactuca sativa, demonstrating significant inhibition of the hypocotyls and radicles of seeds. Preliminary toxicity studies were determined using Artemia salina, resulting in an LC50 of 409.92 µg/mL, and through hemolytic activity. The results of the phytotoxic activity point to a possible application for Myrcia hatschbachii in the development of natural herbicides and the in vitro toxicity assays suggests the performance of antitumoral activity tests, having in mind the prospection of antineoplastic drugs.

Oral transmission of Chagas disease has been increasing in Latin American countries. The present study aimed to investigate changes in hepatic function, coagulation factor levels and parasite load in human acute Chagas disease (ACD) secondary to oral Trypanosoma cruzi transmission. Clinical and epidemiological findings of 102 infected individuals attended in the State of Pará from October 2013 to February 2016 were included. The most common symptoms were fever (98%), asthenia (83.3%), face and limb edema (80.4%), headache (74.5%) and myalgia (72.5%). The hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 30 ACD patients were higher compared with controls, and this increase was independent of the treatment with benznidazole. Moreover, ACD individuals had higher plasma levels of activated protein C and lower levels of factor VII of the coagulation cascade. Patients with the highest parasite load had also the most increased transaminase levels. Also, ALT and AST were associated moderately (r = 0.429) and strongly (r = 0.595) with parasite load respectively. In conclusion, the present study raises the possibility that a disturbance in coagulation and hepatic function may be linked to human ACD.

BACKGROUND Chagas disease in the Brazilian Amazon Region was previously regarded as an enzootic disease of wild animals. More recently, in situations where humans have penetrated the wild ecotope or where triatomines and/or wild animals (marsupials) have invaded human homes resulting in disease transmission, Chagas disease has come to be regarded as an anthropozoonosis. We found that the highest incidence of infection due to Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas disease occurred among piassaba fibre gatherers and their families. OBJECTIVES Considering the results of previous surveys, we conducted a new survey of piassaba gatherers and their families in the creeks of the Aracá, Curuduri, Demini, Ererê and Padauiri rivers, which are tributaries on the left bank of the Negro River, in the municipality of Barcelos; Barcelos-Caurés highway; Negro River in Santa Isabel of the Negro River; and Marié River, on the right bank of the Negro River. METHODS A questionnaire was applied to 482 piassaba gatherers and their families who accompanied them. We collected 5-mL blood samples (with permission from each subject), separated the serum, and performed serological tests using indirect immunofluorescence and conventional and recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). We performed brief clinical examination and electrocardiograms. Only 273 subjects attended our field base for detailed clinical examination and electrocardiogram. FINDINGS AND MAIN CONCLUSIONS The questionnaire revealed that 100% of the 482 patients recognised the triatomine Rhodnius brethesi, which they had seen in the piassaba plantation and 81% in their field huts. A total of 79% of subjects had previously been bitten by this vector and 21% did not know. The 25 subjects seropositive for T. cruzi infection (5.2%) stated that they had been bitten more than 10 times by this insect. Of the 273 subjects who underwent electrocardiogram, 22% showed conditions that were possibly attributable to Chagas disease or other cardiovascular disease.

Acute Chagas disease (ACD) has a distinct epidemiological profile in the Amazon Region, with cases and outbreaks of Trypanosoma cruzi infection being possibly related to the ingestion of contaminated food. Data on ACD in the state of Pará retrieved from 2000 to 2016 from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) were evaluated. During this period, 2,030 of the 16,807 reported cases were confirmed, with a higher incidence between the months of August and December, thus characterising a seasonal pattern of acute infection, and coinciding with the higher production of “açaí”, one fruit likely involved in the oral transmission of the disease. Evaluation of the absolute numbers of confirmed ACD cases secondary to oral infection suggests that infection through this route increased during the 2010-2016 period, differing from what was recorded in terms of vectorial or other infection routes. These findings point to the need of intensifying strategies to prevent or substantially reduce oral transmission.

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar e analisar uma experiência de formação interprofissional que ocorre desde 2008, envolvendo estudantes do terceiro ano de graduação dos cursos de Educação Física, Nutrição, Psicologia, Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional de uma universidade pública. Ao longo do semestre, equipes mistas de estudantes, supervisionadas por duplas de docentes, também de diferentes áreas profissionais, realizam atendimentos semanais e elaboram projetos de cuidado para pessoas/grupos selecionados por equipes dos serviços. A metodologia utilizada envolveu a produção de narrativas de situações marcantes vivenciadas por docentes nas atividades de ensino, das quais foram discernidas questões que têm se colocado nesta proposta de formação. A discussão de tais questões indicou as potencialidades de intervenções em comum e os desafios da supervisão docente para sustentar a experiência dos estudantes e possibilitar a constituição de uma clínica que valorize a perspectiva dos usuários.

Abstract This article This article aims to present and analyze an interprofessional education experience that started in 2008 involving third-year students of the undergraduate courses of Physical Education, Nutrition, Psychology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy of a public university. During the semester, teams of different students supervised by two teachers each, also from different professional areas, provided weekly care service and developed care projects aimed at specific people/groups chosen by the service team. The methodology included the production of narratives of significant situations experienced by the teachers in their education activities. Based on these narratives, the issues presented in this education proposal were detected. The discussion of these issues showed potential common interventions and the challenges faced by teacher supervision in maintaining the students’ experience and enabling the creation of a clinic that values the users’ perspective.

Resumen El objetivo de este artículo es presentar y analizar una experiencia de formación interprofesional que se realiza desde 2008, con estudiantes del tercer año de graduación de los cursos de Educación Física, Nutrición, Psicología, Fisioterapia y Terapia Ocupacional de una universidad pública brasileña. A lo largo del semestre, equipos mixtos de estudiantes, supervisados por dúos de docentes, también de diferentes áreas profesionales, realizan atenciones semanales y elaboran proyectos de cuidado para personas/grupos seleccionados por equipos de los servicios. La metodología utilizada envolvió la producción de narrativas de situaciones señaladas vividas por docentes en las actividades de enseñanza, a partir de las cuales surgieron cuestiones que se plantean en esta propuesta de formación. La discusión de estas cuestiones mostró las potencialidades de intervenciones en común y los desafíos de la supervisión docente para mantener la experiencia de los estudiantes y posibilitar la constitución de una clínica que valore la perspectiva de los usuarios.

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar e analisar uma experiência de formação interprofissional que ocorre desde 2008, envolvendo estudantes do terceiro ano de graduação dos cursos de Educação Física, Nutrição, Psicologia, Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional de uma universidade pública. Ao longo do semestre, equipes mistas de estudantes, supervisionadas por duplas de docentes, também de diferentes áreas profissionais, realizam atendimentos semanais e elaboram projetos de cuidado para pessoas/grupos selecionados por equipes dos serviços. A metodologia utilizada envolveu a produção de narrativas de situações marcantes vivenciadas por docentes nas atividades de ensino, das quais foram discernidas questões que têm se colocado nesta proposta de formação. A discussão de tais questões indicou as potencialidades de intervenções em comum e os desafios da supervisão docente para sustentar a experiência dos estudantes e possibilitar a constituição de uma clínica que valorize a perspectiva dos usuários.

Abstract This article This article aims to present and analyze an interprofessional education experience that started in 2008 involving third-year students of the undergraduate courses of Physical Education, Nutrition, Psychology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy of a public university. During the semester, teams of different students supervised by two teachers each, also from different professional areas, provided weekly care service and developed care projects aimed at specific people/groups chosen by the service team. The methodology included the production of narratives of significant situations experienced by the teachers in their education activities. Based on these narratives, the issues presented in this education proposal were detected. The discussion of these issues showed potential common interventions and the challenges faced by teacher supervision in maintaining the students’ experience and enabling the creation of a clinic that values the users’ perspective.

Resumen El objetivo de este artículo es presentar y analizar una experiencia de formación interprofesional que se realiza desde 2008, con estudiantes del tercer año de graduación de los cursos de Educación Física, Nutrición, Psicología, Fisioterapia y Terapia Ocupacional de una universidad pública brasileña. A lo largo del semestre, equipos mixtos de estudiantes, supervisados por dúos de docentes, también de diferentes áreas profesionales, realizan atenciones semanales y elaboran proyectos de cuidado para personas/grupos seleccionados por equipos de los servicios. La metodología utilizada envolvió la producción de narrativas de situaciones señaladas vividas por docentes en las actividades de enseñanza, a partir de las cuales surgieron cuestiones que se plantean en esta propuesta de formación. La discusión de estas cuestiones mostró las potencialidades de intervenciones en común y los desafíos de la supervisión docente para mantener la experiencia de los estudiantes y posibilitar la constitución de una clínica que valore la perspectiva de los usuarios.

BACKGROUND Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected human disease. It is endemic to the Americas and is estimated to have an economic impact, including lost productivity and disability, of 7 billion dollars per year on average. OBJECTIVES To assess vulnerability to vector-borne transmission of T. cruzi in domiciliary environments within an area undergoing domiciliary vector interruption of T. cruzi in Colombia. METHODS Multi-criteria decision analysis [preference ranking method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE) and geometrical analysis for interactive assistance (GAIA) methods] and spatial statistics were performed on data from a socio-environmental questionnaire and an entomological survey. In the construction of multi-criteria descriptors, decision-making processes and indicators of five determinants of the CD vector pathway were summarily defined, including: (1) house indicator (HI); (2) triatominae indicator (TI); (3) host/reservoir indicator (Ho/RoI); (4) ecotope indicator (EI); and (5) socio-cultural indicator (S-CI). FINDINGS Determination of vulnerability to CD is mostly influenced by TI, with 44.96% of the total weight in the model, while the lowest contribution was from S-CI, with 7.15%. The five indicators comprise 17 indices, and include 78 of the original 104 priority criteria and variables. The PROMETHEE and GAIA methods proved very efficient for prioritisation and quantitative categorisation of socio-environmental determinants and for better determining which criteria should be considered for interrupting the man-T. cruzi-vector relationship in endemic areas of the Americas. Through the analysis of spatial autocorrelation it is clear that there is a spatial dependence in establishing categories of vulnerability, therefore, the effect of neighbors’ setting (border areas) on local values should be incorporated into disease management for establishing programs of surveillance and control of CD via vector. CONCLUSIONS The study model proposed here is flexible and can be adapted to various eco-epidemiological profiles and is suitable for focusing anti-T. cruzi serological surveillance programs in vulnerable human populations.

RESUMO Para discutir a experiência de formação em comum do eixo Trabalho em Saúde, da Universidade Federal de São Paulo, delineou-se estudo qualitativo conduzido por meio de grupo focal, com concluintes do curso de nutrição. Evidenciaram-se tensões não somente entre o específico e o comum nas práticas profissionais, mas na concepção de cuidado e clínica. Efeitos importantes na formação foram relatados, na medida em que as atividades do eixo fizeram um convite à criação e invenção de outros modos de cuidar em nutrição, a partir da contaminação/combinação de áreas profissionais, afastando-se de práticas normativas, insuficientes para dar conta da complexidade da alimentação e nutrição, na atualidade.

ABSTRACT To discuss the training experience in common of the Health Work axis, of the Federal University of São Paulo, a qualitative study was outlined conducted through a focus group, with graduates of the nutrition course. Tensions were evident not only between the specific and the common in professional practices, but in the conception of clinical and care. Important effects on training were reported, as the activities of the axis invited the creation and invention of other modes of care practices in nutrition, from contamination/combination of professional areas, moving away from normative practices, insufficient to handle the complexity of food and nutrition, nowadays.

RESUMO Para discutir a experiência de formação em comum do eixo Trabalho em Saúde, da Universidade Federal de São Paulo, delineou-se estudo qualitativo conduzido por meio de grupo focal, com concluintes do curso de nutrição. Evidenciaram-se tensões não somente entre o específico e o comum nas práticas profissionais, mas na concepção de cuidado e clínica. Efeitos importantes na formação foram relatados, na medida em que as atividades do eixo fizeram um convite à criação e invenção de outros modos de cuidar em nutrição, a partir da contaminação/combinação de áreas profissionais, afastando-se de práticas normativas, insuficientes para dar conta da complexidade da alimentação e nutrição, na atualidade.

ABSTRACT To discuss the training experience in common of the Health Work axis, of the Federal University of São Paulo, a qualitative study was outlined conducted through a focus group, with graduates of the nutrition course. Tensions were evident not only between the specific and the common in professional practices, but in the conception of clinical and care. Important effects on training were reported, as the activities of the axis invited the creation and invention of other modes of care practices in nutrition, from contamination/combination of professional areas, moving away from normative practices, insufficient to handle the complexity of food and nutrition, nowadays.

ABSTRACT Objectives Present a strategy to determine the baseline in endemic areas in the process of vector interruption for Chagas disease (CHD). Methods A social and environmental questionnaire and an entomological survey evaluated the physical conditions of dwellings, the inhabitants’ knowledge of CHD, the entomological triatomine indicators and the statistical relationship among these variables. Results Colonization and natural infection with Trypanosoma cruzi exist in Rhodnius prolixus, the principal vector of CHD in Colombia. Colonization was related to palm-thatched houses constructed with adobe or wattle and daub. The Panstrongylus geniculatus vector was found to be colonizing. Almost 50% of the surveyed population associated the term CHD with human disease and 37%, with triatomines. Conclusions R. prolixus can be considered to be the principal vector of T. cruzi in domestic environments and the process of interruption is feasible within the prioritized municipality. New studies are needed to verify the existence of wild populations of R. prolixus that could affect future stages of the process and demonstrate whether P. geniculatus is a factor in the transmission of T. cruzi. These scenarios can be made viable by including the inhabitants throughout the process, since they have been highly sensitive in vector detection inside their houses. The study design presented here can be adapted to other endemic areas of the Region of the Americas.

RESUMEN Objetivos Presentar una estrategia para determinar la línea de base en áreas endémicas en el proceso de interrupción vectorial de la enfermedad de Chagas (ECh). Métodos Con un cuestionario socioambiental y una encuesta entomológica, se evaluaron las condiciones físicas de los domicilios, el conocimiento de los habitantes sobre la ECh, los indicadores entomológicos de triatominos y la relación estadística entre estas variables. Resultados Existe colonización e infección natural con Trypanosoma cruzi en Rhodnius prolixus, el principal vector de la ECh en Colombia. La colonización estuvo relacionada con casas de techos de hojas de palma y paredes de adobe o bahareque. Se encontró el vector Panstrongylus geniculatus con hábitos de colonización. Casi 50% de la población encuestada asociaba el término ECh con una enfermedad humana y 37%, con los triatominos. Conclusiones R. prolixus puede considerarse el principal vector de T. cruzi en ambientes domésticos y el proceso de interrupción vectorial es factible dentro del municipio priorizado. Se necesitan nuevos estudios que comprueben la existencia de poblaciones silvestres de R. prolixus que puedan afectar las etapas futuras del proceso y demostrar si hay una participación de P. geniculatus en la dinámica de transmisión de T. cruzi. Los anteriores escenarios pueden ser viabilizados con la inclusión de los habitantes en todo el proceso, ya que han sido altamente sensibles en la detección de vectores dentro de sus casas. El diseño del estudio aquí presentado puede ser adaptado en otras áreas endémicas de la Región de las Américas.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Few studies have described the risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in the Amazon. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed in a City of the State of Amazonas (Brazil) to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and determine the risk factors for helminth infections. RESULTS: Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent parasite. The main risk factors determined were: not having a latrine for A. lumbricoides infection; being male and having earth or wood floors for hookworm infection; and being male for multiple helminth infections. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a high prevalence of intestinal parasites and determined some poverty-related risk factors.

We refer to Oswaldo Cruz’s reports dating from 1913 about the necessities of a healthcare system for the Brazilian Amazon Region and about the journey of Carlos Chagas to 27 locations in this region and the measures that would need to be adopted. We discuss the risks of endemicity of Chagas disease in the Amazon Region. We recommend that epidemiological surveillance of Chagas disease in the Brazilian Amazon Region and Pan-Amazon region should be implemented through continuous monitoring of the human population that lives in the area, their housing, the environment and the presence of triatomines. The monitoring should be performed with periodic seroepidemiological surveys, semi-annual visits to homes by health agents and the training of malaria microscopists and healthcare technicians to identify Trypanosoma cruzi from patients’ samples and T. cruzi infection rates among the triatomines caught. We recommend health promotion and control of Chagas disease through public health policies, especially through sanitary education regarding the risk factors for Chagas disease. Finally, we propose a healthcare system through base hospitals, intermediate-level units in the areas of the Brazilian Amazon Region and air transportation, considering the distances to be covered for medical care.