ABSTRACT Objective To determine the maternal and early childhood factors associated with asthma and obesity in children aged 6 to 7 years. Methods A case-control study conducted with children aged 6 to 7 years. Applications with questions about asthma symptoms in the last 12 months, maternal and childhood data in the first 2 years of life, and anthropometric data were collected. Children who presented asthma symptoms were considered as cases and those without asthma symptoms were considered as controls, later divided into two subgroups that were eutrophic or overweight/obesity. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the association between asthma symptoms (adequate weight and overweight/obesity) and gestational and personal factors, calculating odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. Results Two hundred and one children were evaluated, 25.4% had asthma symptoms, 37.2% of them were overweight/obesity. Waist circumference, triceps skinfold, and body mass index were higher in the group with overweight/obesity asthma symptoms compared to no asthma symptoms (p<0.05). Factors significantly associated with asthma and overweight/obesity symptoms included: the maternal history of asthma (odds ratio of 3.73; 95%CI: 1.10-12.6) and hypertension during pregnancy (odds ratio of 3.29; 95%CI: 1.08-9.94). Conclusion Maternal history of asthma and hypertension during pregnancy increased the chances of children, at 6 and 7 years of age, having symptoms of asthma and obesity.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor lombar é uma das doenças musculoesqueléticas de alta incidência em todo o mundo. Aproximadamente em 85% dos casos ela é classificada como inespecífica, significando que não tem causa evidente. Diante disso, a geoterapia é uma técnica não invasiva que possibilita controle da dor lombar. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os resultados da geoterapia no alívio da dor lombar inespecífica. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico, semi-experimental, do tipo antes e depois, de natureza quantitativa, que incluiu 26 participantes que receberam quatro sessões de cataplasma de argila verde na região lombar com intervalo de sete dias. A intensidade da dor antes e depois das intervenções foi avaliada pela escala analógica visual e o questionário Oswestry Disability Index. Para análise dos dados foram utilizados os testes Kolmogorov-Smirnov e t de Student, com nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Houve significância estatística com a geoterapia na modalidade cataplasma lombar com argila verde no alívio da dor lombar, obtendo-se p=0,0001 para a escala analógica visual. CONCLUSÃO: A geoterapia com argila verde aplicada na região lombar foi efetiva na redução da intensidade da dor lombar crônica inespecífica.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lower back pain is one of the musculoskeletal diseases with the highest incidence all over the world. In approximately 85% of the cases it is classified as unspecified, which means that it has no evident cause. With that in mind, geotherapy is a non-invasive technique that allows control over the lower back pain. The goal of this study was to evaluate the results of geotherapy on the relief of the unspecified lower back pain. METHODS: Semi-experimental quantitative clinical trial, comparing before and after states, including 26 participants who received four applications of green clay cataplasm on the lower back region with an interval of seven days. The pain intensities before and after the interventions were evaluated by a visual analogical scale and an Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. For the data analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and t Student methods were used, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS: There was significant statistics that showed lower back pain relief with the cataplasm mode geotherapy using green clay, reaching p = 0.0001 in the visual analog scale. CONCLUSION: The geotherapy with green clay applied on the lower back region of the body was effective on diminishing of the unspecified chronic lower back pain.

The aim of this study was to analyze the temporal trend of leptospirosis incidence according to rainfall levels in Santa Catarina State between 2005 and 2015. This is an ecological time-series study involving data on leptospirosis incidence and rainfall indexes in Santa Catarina State Health Regions. The distribution of leptospirosis, rainfall indexes, and cases/rainfall ratios, according to seasonality and stratified by Health Regions, were evaluated. There were 5,274 cases, with an average rate of 7.03 cases/100,000 inhabitants per year, varying from 24 to 1,458 cases (Serra Catarinense and Northeast regions, respectively) in Santa Catarina, revealing an increase in the rates of 0.70 cases/100,000 inhabitants in Serra Catarinense and 13.99 cases/100,000 inhabitants in the Northeast. Four regions (Foz do Rio Itajaí, Médio Vale do Itajaí, Grande Florianópolis and Northeast) were responsible for 71.8% of the cases, particularly in the Northeast region (38.5%). The five regions with the highest rates presented greater risk of leptospirosis (RR &gt; 1), ranging from 10.9 to 19.9 more new cases of the disease. The average rainfall volume for Santa Catarina State was 158.69 mm, ranging from 136.44 mm in Laguna to 186.81 mm in the Northeast. The five regions contributed with 32.8% of the rainfall index accumulated in the period. In conclusion, leptospirosis occurred all around Santa Catarina State, differing its temporal trend according to the Health Regions. The aim of this study was to analyze the temporal trend of leptospirosis incidence according to rainfall levels in Santa Catarina State between 2005 and 2015. This is an ecological time-series study involving data on leptospirosis incidence and rainfall indexes in Santa Catarina State Health Regions. The distribution of leptospirosis, rainfall indexes, and cases/rainfall ratios, according to seasonality and stratified by Health Regions, were evaluated. There were 5,274 cases, with an average rate of 7.03 cases/100,000 inhabitants per year, varying from 24 to 1,458 cases (Serra Catarinense and Northeast regions, respectively) in Santa Catarina, revealing an increase in the rates of 0.70 cases/100,000 inhabitants in Serra Catarinense and 13.99 cases/100,000 inhabitants in the Northeast. Four regions (Foz do Rio Itajaí, Médio Vale do Itajaí, Grande Florianópolis and Northeast) were responsible for 71.8% of the cases, particularly in the Northeast region (38.5%). The five regions with the highest rates presented greater risk of leptospirosis (RR &gt; 1), ranging from 10.9 to 19.9 more new cases of the disease. The average rainfall volume for Santa Catarina State was 158.69 mm, ranging from 136.44 mm in Laguna to 186.81 mm in the Northeast. The five regions contributed with 32.8% of the rainfall index accumulated in the period. In conclusion, leptospirosis occurred all around Santa Catarina State, differing its temporal trend according to the Health Regions.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor na região cervical é uma das maiores causas de afastamento laboral e uma das profissões mais suscetível ao risco é a dos cirurgiões-dentistas. As dores geralmente começam durante o período de formação acadêmica e aos fatores ergonômicos e posturais associam-se também os emocionais. As pastilhas de óxido de silício Stiper® apresentam-se como terapêutica indolor, não invasiva e de rápida aplicação oferecendo estímulo prolongado. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os possíveis efeitos do uso do Stiper® em casos de cervicalgia inespecífica em acadêmicos em fases de práticas clínicas de um curso de Odontologia no Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico piloto de natureza quantitativa, do tipo antes e depois, quase experimental. A amostra foi constituída por nove acadêmicos do curso de Odontologia, os quais receberam a aplicação de Stiper® nos pontos de acupuntura Jianjing, Tianliao, Jianyu e Dazhui, durante três semanas consecutivas, com intervalo de sete dias entre as sessões. A coleta de dados foi realizada com a aplicação de questionário sociodemográfico, escala analógica visual de dor antes e depois das intervenções e preenchimento de formulário. Análise estatística pelo teste de normalidade de Shapiro Wilk e teste t de Student. RESULTADOS: A aplicação do Stiper® propiciou redução significativa (p<0,05) da dor na região cervical. CONCLUSÃO: O uso do Stiper® foi eficaz na redução da cervicalgia referida pelos acadêmicos de Odontologia.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain in the cervical region is a major cause of absenteeism, and one of the professions most susceptible to this risk is dental surgeons. The pain usually begins during the period of academic training, and ergonomic and postural factors add up to the emotional ones. The Stiper® silicon oxide tablets are painless, non-invasive and quickly applied, offering prolonged stimulation. This study aimed to verify the possible effects of using Stiper® in cases of nonspecific neck pain in students in their dental clinical practices training in a Dentistry course in Southern Brazil. METHODS: A pilot clinical trial of a quantitative nature, in a before-and-after setting, almost experimental. The sample consisted of nine dentistry students to whom Stiper® was applied at the acupuncture points Jianjing, Tianliao, Jianyu, and Dazhui, for three consecutive weeks, with a 7-day interval between sessions. The data was collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire, the visual analog scale of pain, before and after the interventions, and the completion of a form. The statistical analysis used the Shapiro Wilk normality test and the Student’s t-test. RESULTS: The Stiper® application provided a significant pain reduction (p<0.05) in the cervical region. CONCLUSION: The use of Stiper® was effective in reducing the neck pain reported by dentistry students.

ABSTRACT Santa Catarina is a Brazilian State that has reported the lowest prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV-1/2) in blood donors (0.04%). Although it presents ports, airports and roads that facilitate the entrance and dissemination of new infectious agents, no information exists concerning the HTLV-1/2 infections in HIV/AIDS patients. This study searched for HTLV-1/2 antibodies in plasma samples of 625 HIV/AIDS patients from the municipality of Tubarao (Southern Santa Catarina), and disclosed 1.1% of positivity (0.48% HTLV-1, 0.48% HTLV-2 and 0.16% untypeable HTLV), and a positive correlation with the male sex (OR 4.16) and intravenous drug use (OR 35.18). Although the percentage of 1.1% appears to be low, it is 27.5 times higher than the percentage detected in blood donors. Since HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 are circulating in HIV-infected individuals in Southern Santa Catarina, and these retroviruses could cause a differently impact on the HIV/AIDS outcomes, the surveillance of HTLV-1/2 is necessary, and it could support public health policies in preventing the transmission and dissemination of these viruses in this State.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O distúrbio osteomuscular é caracterizado por alterações nas funções neuromusculares, tendinosas e articulares, que provocam impacto na funcionalidade da área afetada e, principalmente, dor. A intervenção com a reflexoterapia é uma alternativa não invasiva que possibilita controle imediato da dor lombar aguda ocupacional. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os resultados da reflexoterapia podal no alívio da dor lombar aguda relacionada ao trabalho da equipe de enfermagem. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico controlado, duplamente encoberto. Trinta e seis participantes efetivos foram randomicamente alocados em grupo experimental e controle. Aplicou-se a reflexoterapia para dor lombar nos grupos amostrais em duas sessões, com intervalo de 72 horas. A coleta de dados foi realizada com a escala analógica visual de intensidade na avaliação da dor, antes e depois das intervenções e questionário para lombalgia, no início e fim da pesquisa. Os dados foram analisados com os testes Shapiro Wilk, para normalidade da amostra; Qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher, para associação das variáveis categóricas e teste t. RESULTADOS: Houve significância estatística com a reflexoterapia podal no alívio da dor lombar aguda, obtendo-se p=0,000, para a escala analógica visual, e nos dados do questionário para lombalgia p=0,0002. CONCLUSÃO: A reflexoterapia mostrou-se eficaz na redução da intensidade dador lombar aguda dos profissionais de enfermagem, neste estudo. O Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos é RBR-5ndq22.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal disorder is characterized by changes in neuromuscular, tendinous and joint functions that impact the functionality of the affected areas, especially with pain. The intervention with reflexotherapy is a non-invasive alternative and allows instant control of acute occupational low back pain. The objective of this study was to describe the results of foot reflexology in the relief of acute low back pain related to the nursing staff job. METHODS: Double-blind controlled clinical trial. Thirty-six effective participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control group. Reflexotherapy was applied for low back pain in the sample groups in two sessions with a 72-hour interval. Data collection was performed with the visual analog scale to assess pain before and after the interventions, and a questionnaire for low back pain at the beginning and end of the study. The data were analyzed with the following tests: Shapiro Wilk, for sample normality; Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact, for the association between categorical variables and t-test. RESULTS: There was statistical significance with the foot reflexology in the relief of acute low back pain, with p=0.000 for the visual analog scale and the data of the questionnaire for low back pain p=0.0002. CONCLUSION: Reflexotherapy showed to be effective in reducing the intensity of acute pain among nursing professionals in this study. The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials is RBR-5ndq22.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study is to analyze the temporal trend of leptospirosis incidence, according to rainfall levels in Santa Catarina, according to seasonality, from 2005 to 2015. This is an ecological study of time series, with date of leptospirosis, rainfall levels and population. The incidence rates of leptospirosis, relative excess of incidence, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and an angular coefficient (β) were analyzed from the linear regression adjustment, with a 5% significance level. Distribution of leptospirosis cases, rainfall levels and cases reason/rainfall levels, stratified by month of occurrence were presented. There were 5,274 cases of leptospirosis, with the monthly average being 439 cases, ranging from 211 in September to 770 in January. The mean rate of leptospirosis was 7.03 per 100,000 habitants. The average rainfall level was 158.68 mm, with the lowest levels occurring in August, average of 124.9 mm, and the highest in January average of 213.20 mm. The positive correlation between leptospirosis rates and rainfall levels, during the period from January to December (r = 0.68, p = 0.023), indicates a positive temporal association between the amount of rainfall and the cases of the disease. The disease occurred all year round and presented a distinct seasonality from October to March.

The identification of mycobacteria is essential because tuberculosis (TB) and mycobacteriosis are clinically indistinguishable and require different therapeutic regimens. The traditional phenotypic method is time consuming and may last up to 60 days. Indeed, rapid, affordable, specific and easy-to-perform identification methods are needed. We have previously described a polymerase chain reaction-based method called a mycobacteria mobility shift assay (MMSA) that was designed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species identification. The aim of this study was to assess the MMSA for the identification of MTC and NTM clinical isolates and to compare its performance with that of the PRA-hsp65 method. A total of 204 clinical isolates (102 NTM and 102 MTC) were identified by the MMSA and PRA-hsp65. For isolates for which these methods gave discordant results, definitive species identification was obtained by sequencing fragments of the 16S rRNA and hsp65 genes. Both methods correctly identified all MTC isolates. Among the NTM isolates, the MMSA alone assigned 94 (92.2%) to a complex or species, whereas the PRA-hsp65 method assigned 100% to a species. A 91.5% agreement was observed for the 94 NTM isolates identified by both methods. The MMSA provided correct identification for 96.8% of the NTM isolates compared with 94.7% for PRA-hsp65. The MMSA is a suitable auxiliary method for routine use for the rapid identification of mycobacteria.