Abstract Introduction: Uruguay had the highest cumulative rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Americas and a mid-range position concerning mortality. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fatality rates across different socioeconomic sectors has been generally underexplored. Objective: To compare mortality, fatality, and SARS-CoV-2 infection cases in the two subsectors of the healthcare system during 2020, 2021, and 2022 in Uruguay. Materials and methods: Data on the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and deaths in Uruguay from 2020 to 2022, disaggregated by public and private healthcare subsectors, were requested from the Ministry of Public Health. Cumulative incidence, mortality, and fatality rates were calculated for each subsector by year. Results: During the analyzed years, annual cumulative incidence rates of COVID-19 in the public subsector were significantly lower compared to the private subsector. Regarding fatality, the proportion was significantly higher in the public subsector than in the private subsector across all years. Global analyses of the main risk factors for severe and fatal infections do not clearly show differences between the subsectors. Conclusions: From a rights-based perspective, unequal outcomes between the two subsectors represent a potential socio-health inequity. However, specific studies analyzing key healthcare variables in both subsectors are needed to confirm this inequity.

Resumo Introdução: O Uruguai foi o país com a maior taxa acumulada de infectados por SARS-CoV-2 nas Américas e, em relação à mortalidade, ocupa uma posição intermediária. O impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 na letalidade nos diferentes setores socioeconômicos tem sido pouco estudado de forma geral. Objetivo: Comparar a mortalidade, a letalidade e os casos de infecções por SARS-CoV-2 nos dois subsetores do sistema de saúde durante os anos de 2020, 2021 e 2022 no Uruguai. Materiais e métodos: Foram solicitados ao Ministério da Saúde Pública os dados sobre o número de pessoas infectadas e falecidas por SARS-CoV-2 no país no período de 2020 a 2022, separados por subsetor assistencial público e privado. Foram calculadas as taxas de incidência acumulada, mortalidade e letalidade em cada subsetor por ano. Resultados: Durante os anos analisados, as taxas anuais de incidência acumulada de COVID-19 no subsetor público foram significativamente menores em comparação ao subsetor privado. Ao comparar a letalidade, a proporção foi significativamente maior no subsetor público em relação ao privado em todos os anos. A partir da análise dos principais fatores de risco para desenvolver infecções mais graves e letais, definidos globalmente, não se constatam diferenças claras entre os subsetores. Conclusões: De uma perspectiva baseada nos direitos, os resultados desiguais entre os dois subsetores representam uma potencial inequidade socio-sanitária. No entanto, são necessários estudos específicos que analisem as principais variáveis de saúde nos dois subsetores para confirmar essa inequidade.

Resumen Introducción: Uruguay fue el país con mayor tasa acumulada de infectados por SARS-CoV-2 de todas las Américas y con respecto a la mortalidad, se ubica en una zona intermedia. El impacto en la letalidad que la pandemia por COVID-19 ha tenido en los diferentes sectores socioeconómicos ha sido poco estudiado en general. Objetivo: Comparar la mortalidad, letalidad y casos de infecciones por SARS-CoV-2 en los dos subsectores del sistema de salud durante los años 2020, 2021 y 2022 en Uruguay. Material y métodos: Se solicitaron al Ministerio de Salud Pública los datos del número de personas infectadas y fallecidas por SARS-CoV-2 en el país en el período 2020-2022 por subsector asistencial público y privado. Se calcularon las tasas de incidencia acumulada, mortalidad y letalidad en cada subsector por año. Resultados: Durante los años analizados, las tasas de incidencia acumulada anuales de COVID-19 en el subsector público fueron significativamente menores en comparación con el subsector privado. Al comparar la letalidad, la proporción en todos los años es significativamente mayor en el subsector público en relación con el subsector privado. A partir del análisis de los principales factores de riesgo para desarrollar una infección más grave y letal definidos a nivel mundial no se desprende con certeza diferencias entre los subsectores. Conclusiones: Desde una perspectiva de derechos, los resultados desiguales en los dos subsectores constituyen una potencial inequidad socio sanitaria. Sin embargo, hacen falta estudios específicos que analicen las principales variables sanitarias en los dos subsectores para poder afirmar esta inequidad.

Abstract The persistent increase in cesarean deliveries as a means of completing pregnancy represents a critical public health issue worldwide. This has been highlighted by academia, international health institutions, and feminist studies. In Uruguay, 63.81% of births in the private sector and 36.19% in the public sector in 2023 were by cesarean section. Cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) is one of the main causes of this increase, being considered a non-medically indicated intervention that may pose unnecessary risks to maternal-fetal health. From a principlist perspective, the ethical conflict between the principles of autonomy and non-maleficence is identified. This article explores the analysis of CDMR from a feminist bioethics perspective, proposing the notion of relational autonomy and shared decision-making as ethical frameworks to address this conflict and ensure the sexual and reproductive rights of pregnant individuals.

Resumo O aumento persistente das cesáreas como forma de concluir a gestação representa um problema crítico de saúde pública em nível global. Isso foi destacado pela academia, instituições internacionais de saúde e estudos feministas. No Uruguai, 63,81% dos nascimentos no setor privado e 36,19% no setor público em 2023 foram por cesariana. A cesárea por solicitação materna (CSM) é uma das principais causas desse aumento, sendo considerada uma intervenção sem indicação médica, que pode acarretar riscos desnecessários para a saúde materno-fetal. De uma perspectiva principialista, identifica-se o conflito ético entre os princípios de autonomia e não maleficência. Este artigo explora a análise das CSM a partir de uma perspectiva de bioética feminista, propondo a noção de autonomia relacional e a tomada de decisão compartilhada como estruturas éticas para abordar esse conflito e garantir os direitos sexuais e reprodutivos das gestantes.

Resumen El aumento persistente de las cesáreas como forma de culminar la gestación representa un problema crítico de salud pública a nivel global. Esto ha sido señalado por la academia, instituciones internacionales de salud y estudios feministas. En Uruguay, el 63,81% de los nacimientos en el sector privado y el 36,19% en el sector público en 2023 fueron por cesárea. La cesárea por petición materna (CPM) es una de las causas principales de este incremento, siendo considerada una intervención sin indicación médica, que puede acarrear riesgos innecesarios para la salud materno-fetal. Desde un enfoque principialista, se identifica el conflicto ético entre los principios de autonomía y no maleficencia. Este artículo explora el análisis de las CPM desde una perspectiva de bioética feminista, proponiendo la noción de autonomía relacional y la toma de decisiones compartidas como marcos éticos para abordar este conflicto y garantizar los derechos sexuales y reproductivos de las gestantes.

ABSTRACT The global tendency of higher production of fish has naturally led to more available derivatives of this industry such as hydrolysates, whose elevated percentage of proteins and mineral nutrients allows them to be used as a fertilization complement in agriculture. One of these products is salmon hydrolysate fertilizer, with unknown fertilizing value. This study determined the dynamics and delivery rate of N and P from a salmon hydrolysate fertilizer produced in Chile. Under controlled laboratory conditions using volcanic soil, a conventional fertilization treatment (urea and triple superphosphate) and control without fertilization were applied. The soil was incubated at 25 °C and 80% of usable humidity at times of 0, 7, 14, 21, 56 and 112 d. The results indicated that the salmon hydrolyzed fertilizer presented a rapid and high N delivery rate (104.2% availability), and its net N delivery value was higher than that obtained with urea. The P applied with salmon hydrolysate presented a high net delivery rate (68.4% availability) compared to triple superphosphate (6.6% availability) but showed erratic delivery dynamics. Soil pH and electrical conductivity were not affected. These results allow us to promote the idea that the use of salmon hydrolyzed fertilizer constitutes a good alternative to the use of conventional fertilizers.

BACKGROUND: Patient safety incidents (PSIs) cause harm to patients, including falls, accidental ingestion and physical assault. Despite their importance in healthcare, limited information exists on how South African speech-language therapists (SLTs) perceive them in the public and private sectors. This study applied the Donabedian model of patient safety and healthcare quality to SLTs' perspectives on PSIs. METHODS: Free attitude interviews with 10 South African SLTs explored the environment (where and who), processes (how and why) and outcomes (events and consequences) of PSIs. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically using a six-phase deductive and inductive approach within the Donabedian model. RESULTS: The Donabedian model's three components (structure, process, outcome) led to six sub-themes, highlighting its applicability to SLTs' perspectives on PSIs. It revealed how factors such as clinical environment, care delivery and patient outcomes influence SLTs' perceptions. CONCLUSION: Understanding SLTs' perspectives is essential for addressing environmental issues, developing training, institutional inductions and audits that prevent and manage PSIs, and improving service quality. CONTRIBUTION: This study emphasises engaging practitioners to understand factors affecting PSIs. It contributes to improving SLT training and practice in South Africa to enhance patient safety.

Abstract Freestanding birth centers (FBCs) in Brazil are regulated to provide care for women with a straightforward pregnancy. The systematization of the literature on FBCs can broaden our knowledge of these facilities. We conducted a scoping review to answer the following research question: “What are the characteristics of the model of care in freestanding birth centers in Brazil?”. Relevant studies covering any period and in any language were included. Searches were performed of platforms, databases, repositories, and institutional websites. The searches followed the stages set out in the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the review protocol was registered with the OSF. A total of 85 documents were selected, involving ten FBCs. The maternal and neonatal outcomes described by the studies were categorized as follows: respect for women’s autonomy and needs; humanized evidenced-based care; feeling safe with and confident in care providers; use of integrative and complementary health practices; positive maternal experience and neonatal outcomes; and welcoming and comfortable environment. The findings reinforce that care delivery in FBCs is grounded in the biopsychosocial model of health care and that the physical environment and organization of these facilities and approach to childbirth are structured around the needs of pregnant people and their babies.

Resumo Os centros de parto normal peri-hospitalares (CPNp) são regulamentados no Brasil para atenção às mulheres e bebês de risco habitual. Sistematizar a produção científica pode ampliar o conhecimento sobre esses estabelecimentos. Realizou-se uma revisão de escopo a partir da questão: “quais são as características do modelo de atenção dos CPNp brasileiros?” Foram incluídos estudos sem delimitação temporal e em qualquer idioma. As buscas foram feitas em portais, bases de dados, repositórios e sites institucionais. As etapas da revisão foram guiadas pelo JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, e seu protocolo registrado na plataforma OSF. Foram selecionados 85 documentos, que abordam dez CPNp. Os estudos descrevem desfechos maternos e neonatais categorizados, entre outros, em: respeito à autonomia e às necessidades maternas; cuidado humanizado e baseado em evidências; confiança e segurança nos profissionais; uso de práticas integrativas e complementares em saúde; experiência materna e desfecho neonatal positivos; cuidado em ambiente acolhedor e confortável. Os resultados reforçam que os CPNp produzem um cuidado pautado no modelo biopsicossocial de saúde, cujas necessidades dos usuários são a base das estruturas física, organizacional, filosófica e assistencial dessas instituições.

Resumen Los Centros de Parto Normal Perihospitalarios (CPNp) están regulados en Brasil para atender a mujeres y bebés en riesgo normal. Sistematizar la producción científica puede ampliar el conocimiento sobre estos establecimientos. Se realizó una revisión de alcance a partir de la pregunta: “¿Cuáles son las características del modelo de atención del CPNp brasileño?”. Se incluyeron estudios sin delimitación temporal y en cualquier idioma. Las búsquedas se realizaron en portales, bases de datos, repositorios y sitios web institucionales. Los pasos de revisión fueron guiados por el Manual de Síntesis de Evidencia del JBI y su protocolo registrado en la plataforma OSF. Fueron seleccionados 85 documentos, que abordan diez CPNp. Los estudios describen resultados maternos y neonatales categorizados, entre otros, en respeto por la autonomía y las necesidades maternas; atención humanizada y basada en evidencia; confianza y seguridad en los profesionales; uso de Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias de Salud; experiencia materna positiva y resultado neonatal; atención en un ambiente acogedor y confortable. Los resultados refuerzan que los CPNp producen atención basada en el modelo biopsicosocial de salud, cuyas necesidades de los usuarios son la base de las estructuras físicas, organizativas, filosóficas y de atención de estas instituciones.

This work describes the synthesis of two poly(lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers (PLA-b-PEG), one containing folic acid, a targeting ligand, and the other containing fluorescein, a marker, both important in drug delivery systems. The copolymerization was carried out using the Ugi multicomponent reaction, which is a one pot reaction that involves the condensation of four components, an aldehyde or ketone, an amine, a carboxylic acid and an isocyanide. For this, poly(lactic acid) was functionalized with an aldehyde group (PLA-CHO) and poly(ethylene glycol) with an amine (PEG-NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (PEG-COOH), to be used in the Ugi reactions. From Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analyses, it was possible to confirm the synthesis of the block copolymers, in addition to the presence of both folic acid and fluorescein in the chemical structure of the materials. The work demonstrates that the Ugi reaction is an effective method to obtaining copolymers with different functionalities, and these materials have the potential to prepare micro and nanoparticles to be used in the controlled release of drugs.

Abstract Objectives: the objective this study was evaluating the prevalence of maternal colonization by Group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnant women who delivered preterm and its relationship with adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes. Methods: we carried out a retrospective cohort study with singleton pregnancies with or without a culture for GBS (vaginal-rectum) who delivered spontaneously <37 weeks of gestation. Results: the study included 190 pregnant women, 53.1% (101/190) did not undergo culture for GBS and 46.8% (89/101) have done. Among the patients who had a culture, 13.5% (12/89) had positive culture for GBS and 86.5% (77/89) had a negative culture. Pregnant women without GBS culture had higher prevalence of preterm birth (74.3 vs. 59.6%, p=0.031) and lower prevalence of antibiotic prophylaxis (27.7 vs. 56.2%, p<0.001) than pregnant women with GBS culture. Higher prevalence of crystalline penicillin G use was observed in pregnant women with positive culture compared to pregnant women with negative culture for GBS (100 vs. 39%, p<0.0001). There was no significant association between pregnant women with or without a culture for GBS or positive and negative GBS cultures and adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes. Conclusion: No significant association was found between GBS culture or not, GBS positive or negative culture, adequate or inadequate GBS prophylaxis, and the prevalence of adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes.

ABSTRACT Dementia is an emerging public health issue resulting from population aging and epidemiological transition. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the living networks woven by a user with dementia and her family in the path of seeking health care and support, through the existential connections established in their journey, from the perspective of a guiding team. To achieve this, a qualitative cartographic approach was applied using techniques such as focus groups, analyzer flowchart, and field diary. The analysis of the results allowed identifying home visits as a tool of soft technology in the movement of living networks and the need for ongoing education to ensure the comprehensive care of users with dementia syndromes. It is concluded that there is a need to better articulate care technologies in order to make actions more effective.

Resumo A demência é um problema de Saúde Pública emergente, consequente ao envelhecimento populacional e à transição epidemiológica. Assim sendo, a pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar as redes vivas tecidas por um usuário com demência e sua família no percurso em busca de Atenção à Saúde e cuidado, por meio das conexões existenciais que vão estabelecendo em sua trajetória sob a ótica de uma equipe-guia. Para tal, aplicou-se a metodologia qualitativa de abordagem cartográfica com base nas técnicas de grupo focal, no fluxograma analisador e no diário de campo. A análise dos resultados possibilitou identificar a visita domiciliar como instrumento de tecnologia leve no movimento de redes vivas, e a necessidade de Educação Permanente para garantir a integralidade do cuidado dos usuários com síndromes demenciais. Conclui-se que há necessidade de melhor articular tecnologias do cuidado para tornar as ações mais efetivas.

Resumen La demencia es un problema de salud pública emergente, consecuencia del envejecimiento poblacional y de la transición epidemiológica. Por esa razón, la investigación tuvo el objetivo de analizar las redes vivas tejidas por un usuario con demencia y su familia, en la jornada de la búsqueda de atención de la salud y el cuidado, desde el punto de vista de un equipo guía. Para ello, se aplicó la metodología cualitativa de abordaje cartográfico, a partir de las técnicas de grupo focal, diagrama de flujo analizador y diario de campo. El análisis de los resultados posibilitó la identificación de la visita a domicilio como instrumento de tecnología leve en el movimiento de redes vivas y la necesidad de educación permanente para asegurar la integralidad del cuidado de los usuarios con síndromes demenciales. Se concluyó que existe la necesidad de articular mejor las tecnologías del cuidado para que las acciones sean más efectivas.

Abstract The transdermal pathway serves as a significant route for achieving localized or systemic effects. Within this context, the stratum corneum is a crucial barrier limiting the permeation of many drugs. To surmount this barrier, carriers, and nanocarriers have been utilised, notably ‘invasome’ being one such example. In our study, we formulated invasomes loaded with simvastatin using the conventional thin-layer evaporation technique. This formulation involved the use of soy phosphatidylcholine, terpene (Limonene), chloroform, and ethanol. Simvastatin-loadedinvasomes were incorporated into a carbopol 934 solution to create a gel. We prepared and assessed different formulationsfor various parameters, including zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, entrapment efficiency, viscosity, and drug content, and conducted in vitro studies. The entrapment efficiency was as high as 83.17±0.61%. The maximum in vitro drug permeation (45.44±0.4%) was found in the gel with 0.5% soy phosphatidylcholine and 0.25% terpene. Upon evaluating these parameters, our findings suggest that the simvastatin invasomal gel effectively enhances drug permeability across membranes and successfully achieves prolonged drug release.

Abstract Rifampicin (RFP) is used for the treatment of chronic bone tuberculosis owing to its powerful and wide spectrum antibacterial activities. However, effective concentrations of RFP required to treat bone tuberculosis are maintained for a short time in vivo, and adverse reactions and bone defects may occur after surgery. Therefore, the construction of a new drug delivery system to overcome these problems is required. In this study, we designed, constructed, and demonstrated the applicability of a calcium phosphate cement scaffold loaded with RFP liposomes for the treatment of bone tuberculosis. RFP liposomes were prepared using a film dispersion method. The preparation method was optimized using the encapsulation rate as an indicator and the morphology, mean particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation rate, and drug loading of RFP liposomes were characterized. Calcium phosphate cement scaffolds were constructed using 3D printing technology and used as RFP liposome carriers for sustained-release drug delivery. Finally, some of the properties were verified in vivo through experiments in rabbits. The results indicated that composite scaffolds can provide sustained drug release and are a promising treatment option for bone tuberculosis.

Abstract Pharmaceutical controlled-release formulations are systems developed by a set of unit operations to achieve a satisfactory combination between a drug and excipients to allow its gradual release. These devices must simultaneously meet criteria for stability, biocompatibility, safety, efficacy, scalability at industrial volumes, and technological efficiency for drug release. Controlled-release systems (CRSs) must release drugs in a way that maintains an adequate concentration in the organism, a requirement that is challenging to meet in practice. Even though novel CRSs may be designed with new materials as excipients, new drugs, or emerging manufacturing technologies, the mechanisms for drug release continue to be governed by a set of similar physicochemical phenomena such as diffusion, swelling, or erosion. These phenomena are too complex to be analyzed by numerical methods; however, they are relatively accessible by probabilistic models especially the Monte Carlo simulation. In this review, we discuss key findings related to the use of this probabilistic method for analyzing the drug-controlled release process in different pharmaceutical devices. Based on this evidence, we propose their potential application in the characterization of new drug-controlled release systems, synergy with other computational methods, and their capability to be adapted for in vivo or in vitro kinetic analysis.

This study analyzes the social representations of healthcare for deaf individuals by healthcare professionals. To this end, a qualitative study was conducted, applying the Theory of Social Representations in its procedural approach. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with nurses, nursing technicians, physical therapists, and physicians from a health facility in Porto Velho, Rondônia State, Brazil. The data produced were subjected to lexical analysis using the Alceste software. The results indicate that the representations of care for deaf individuals in healthcare take place through three dimensions: the symbolic dimension, associated with the interdiction of communication; the affective dimension, manifested via suffering, anguish, and fear in assisting deaf patients; and the attitudinal dimension, in which professionals employed strategies aimed at establishing communication to provide care.

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar as representações sociais do cuidado à saúde de pessoas surdas por profissionais de saúde. Para tal, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa de caráter qualitativo, com aplicação da Teoria das Representações Sociais em sua abordagem processual. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas em profundidade com profissionais enfermeiros, técnicos de enfermagem, fisioterapeutas e médicos de uma unidade de saúde hospitalar no Município de Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brasil. Os dados produzidos foram submetidos à análise lexical por meio do software Alceste. Os resultados indicam que as representações da assistência a pessoas surdas na saúde possuem três dimensões: simbólica, associada à interdição da comunicação; afetiva, demonstrada por meio de sofrimento, angústia e receio em atender usuários surdos; e atitudinal, em que os profissionais se utilizavam de estratégias com vistas ao estabelecimento de comunicação para realização da assistência.

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las representaciones sociales del cuidado a la salud de las personas sordas por parte de los profesionales de la salud. Para ello, se desarrolló una investigación de carácter cualitativo, aplicando la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales en su enfoque procedimental. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas en profundidad con profesionales de enfermería, técnicos de enfermería, fisioterapeutas y médicos de una unidad de salud hospitalaria de la ciudad de Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brasil. Los datos producidos se sometieron a un análisis léxico utilizando el software Alceste. Los resultados indican que las representaciones de la asistencia a las personas sordas en la salud tienen tres dimensiones: simbólica, asociada a la prohibición de la comunicación; afectiva, manifestada mediante el sufrimiento, la angustia y el miedo a atender a usuarios sordos; y actitudinal, en la que los profesionales utilizaban estrategias para establecer comunicación para brindar asistencia.

Abstract Metformin hydrochloride (MTF) has pharmacological properties for managing inflammatory skin conditions. MTF is a hydrophilic medication. Accordingly, embedding MTF into lipid carriers for enhancing skin penetration presents a challenge. The study aims to optimize the loading of MTF into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) using a 22 full factorial design, employing the solvent injection technique. The NLCs were evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, and polydispersity index. Alkalinization of the aqueous phase (pH = 12.5) resulted in maximizing the entrapment of MTF within NLCs. Furthermore, the tested solid lipids impacted the encapsulation of MTF based on their hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. The optimized formulation is composed of a lipid phase incorporating beeswax (75 mg), oleic acid (25 mg), and Span 60 (1% w/w), and an aqueous phase comprised of 1% w/w Tween 80, pH 12.5. The selected formula attained an entrapment efficiency of 53.68 ± 0.27%, a particle size of 333.0 ± 6.4 nm, and a negative surface charge, indicating adequate particles` stability. DSC and Molecular docking analyses confirmed the MTF incorporation within the lipid phase. The outcomes emphasize the importance of optimizing investigations in developing a viable delivery system for MTF to boost its permeation across the skin layers.

ABSTRACT TheBrazilian Dietary Guidelines provide crucial recommendations for a healthy diet, aiming at promoting health and preventing non-communicable chronic diseases. The core principle is the preference for natural or minimally processed foods and freshly prepared dishes over ultra-processed foods. Despite their growing recognition, healthcare professionals struggle to integrate these guidelines into clinical practice. This article aims to present two innovative strategies for incorporating the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines into healthcare. The Protocols based on the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines for Individual Dietary Advice are standardized clinical tools to support healthcare professionals (nutritionists or not) in giving nutritional advice during individual appointments to various life stages. The Protocols operationalize the assessment of individuals’ dietary patterns using the Food Consumption Markers Questionnaire and support the delivery of personalized and priority recommendations through a stepwise flowchart. Conversely, Brazilian Dietary Guidelines-based Meal Plans consist of personalized dietary prescriptions comprising structured daily menus that, unlike conventional plans primarily focusing on nutrient goals, prioritize overall eating patterns guided by the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines. The proposal encourages, in the first place, the selection of a variety of culinary preparations based on natural or minimally processed foods, emphasizing tasteful, accessible, and culturally appropriate choices as the initial step. In a second step, these plans can be customized to individual energy requirements, and adjustments made based on strategic nutrient needs. This article aims to support the enhancement of healthcare professionals’ skills in promoting healthy eating practices, thereby contributing to improved health and a reduced disease burden among the Brazilian population.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to modify scleral contact lenses to achieve a desired compression standard and to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of the adjustments. Methods: In this nonrandomized, noncomparative, and partially masked study Scleral contact lens fittings were analyzed in 20 eyes of 12 patients (50% women, 50% men) diagnosed with keratoconus. Participants were selected based on their need for scleral contact lenses (SCLs), which was determined in complete ophthalmological examinations. Patients were tested with Zenlens scleral contact lenses (Bausch & Lomb, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada). We evaluated compression in the lens support area after one hour of use, excluding cases of peripheral lifting. Photos of the adaptations were sent to five experts for analysis of the quadrants (nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior). We used Fisher’s exact test for statistical analysis. Results: The proposed adjustment was highly effective (93.5% correct) in lens delivery (BL=0), with the interrater agreement between doctors ranging from 68.8% to 80.9%. Conclusion: The clinical parameters proposed for scleral contact lenses adjustment proved useful and reproducible, enabling their practical application to scleral lens adaptation.