ABSTRACT Obesity, a complex disease that involves energy imbalance and chronic low-grade inflammation, is implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic non-communicable diseases. As dietary components modulate the human body's inflammatory status, the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), a literature-derived dietary index, was developed in 2009 to characterize the inflammatory potential of a habitual diet. Abundant research has been conducted to investigate the associations between DII and obesity. In this narrative review, we examined the current state of the science regarding the relationships between DII and the inflammatory pathophysiological aspects related to obesity. DII is associated with inflammation in obesity. The most pro-inflammatory diet was directly related to higher levels of pro-inflammatory markers, which included C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Therefore, evidence suggests that the use of the DII may be useful for understanding the relationship between diet and the inflammatory process related to obesity.

Abstract This interview stems from the interest of four Brazilian scholars in contributing to the study of foreign policy through dialogue with practitioners. As the study about foreign policy becomes more reflexive and critical, we turned to a Brazilian diplomat, Rubens Ricupero, who based on his vast and often difficult experience, has written about his interactions with the international world and strived to establish a dialogue with the academic world. Between May and July 2021, Ambassador Ricupero shared with us his views on the difficulties and possibilities of dialogue regarding multilateral agreements and institutions, such as the GATT and the UNCTAD.

Abstract This article examines the OECD’s enlargement process as an important dimension for understanding global economic governance. It focuses on the Brazilian candidacy, stemming first from the OECD’s strategies towards the BRICS countries, but also towards Latin America, where the organization’s enlargement has expanded its members in a matching process with the incorporation of European countries. The OECD became a high priority for Brazil in the context of a significant change of orientations on economic reforms and foreign policy choices. By looking at the experience of Latin American countries regarding their accession processes to the OECD, the article concludes referring to the organization as an expanding Western-led institution aimed at promoting a liberal economic agenda through enhanced global governance mechanisms.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Obesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by the presence of the pro-inflammatory state associated with the development of many comorbidities, including bone turnover marker alterations. This study aimed to investigate the role of the inflammatory state on bone turnover markers in obese adolescents undergoing interdisciplinary weight loss treatment for one year. Subjects and methods: Thirty four post-pubescent obese adolescents with primary obesity, a body mass index (BMI) greater than > 95th percentile of the CDC reference growth charts, participated in the present investigation. Measurements of body composition, bone turnover markers, inflammatory biomarkers and visceral and subcutaneous fat were taken. Adolescents were submitted to one year of interdisciplinary treatment (clinical approach, physical exercise, physiotherapy intervention, nutritional and psychological counseling). Results: Reduction in body mass, body fat mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat, as well as, an increase in the body lean mass and bone mineral content was observed. An improvement in inflammatory markers was seen with an increase in adiponectin, adiponectin/leptin ratio and inteleukin-15. Moreover, a positive correlation between the adiponectin/leptin ratio and osteocalcin was demonstrated. Further, both lean and body fat mass were predictors of osteocalcin. Negative associations between leptin with osteocalcin, adiponectin with Beta CTX-collagen, and visceral fat with adiponectin were observed. Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that the inflammatory state can negatively influence the bone turnover markers in obese adolescents. In addition, the interdisciplinary weight loss treatment improved the inflammatory state and body composition in obese adolescents. Therefore, the present findings should be considered in clinical practice.

Resumo O câncer é a segunda causa de morte no mundo com grande impacto na saúde pública e as leucemias são cânceres hematológicos relacionados a diferentes exposições no trabalho. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil ocupacional de indivíduos diagnosticados com leucemia. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de casos cadastrados entre 2007 e 2011 no banco de dados do IntegradorRHC. Foram incluídos indivíduos de 26 estados brasileiros, com 20 anos ou mais. Do total de 7807 casos de leucemia, Minas Gerais registrou a maior ocorrência (1351). Em apenas 52% dos casos havia informações sobre a ocupação. As ocupações com maior número de casos de leucemias foram: trabalhadores agropecuários, florestais e da pesca; de serviços, vendedores do comércio em lojas e mercados e da produção de bens e serviços industriais. Tais ocupações apresentam exposição a substâncias consideradas pela literatura como agentes cancinogênicos para humanos. Observou-se elevado subregistro de dados referentes à ocupação comprometendo a qualidade da informação e, por conseguinte, a efetividade do sistema de vigilância em saúde no Brasil. O RHC também não fornece informações sobre o agente utilizado durante a jornada de trabalho, o tempo de exposição no decorrer de sua vida laboral, bem como dados de ocupações prévias.

Abstract Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world with great impact on public health and leukemia is a hematological cancer directly related to different exposures at work. This study aimed to describe the occupational profile of individuals diagnosed with leukemia. This is a cross-sectional study of cases registered between 2007 and 2011 in the Integrador RHC database. Individuals from 26 Brazilian states, aged 20 years or older, were included. Of the 7,807 cases of leukemia, Minas Gerais recorded the highest occurrence (1,351). Only 52% of the cases had information on occupation. Occupations with the greatest number of cases of leukemia were agricultural, forestry and fishing workers; services, stores and markets vendors; and workers in the production of industrial goods and services. These occupations are exposed to substances considered by literature as carcinogenic agents to humans. There was a high underreporting of occupational data, compromising the quality of information and, therefore, the effectiveness of the Brazilian health surveillance system. The RHC also does not provide information about the agent used during the working day, the exposure time during working life and data from previous occupations.

Resumo O câncer é a segunda causa de morte no mundo com grande impacto na saúde pública e as leucemias são cânceres hematológicos relacionados a diferentes exposições no trabalho. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil ocupacional de indivíduos diagnosticados com leucemia. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de casos cadastrados entre 2007 e 2011 no banco de dados do IntegradorRHC. Foram incluídos indivíduos de 26 estados brasileiros, com 20 anos ou mais. Do total de 7807 casos de leucemia, Minas Gerais registrou a maior ocorrência (1351). Em apenas 52% dos casos havia informações sobre a ocupação. As ocupações com maior número de casos de leucemias foram: trabalhadores agropecuários, florestais e da pesca; de serviços, vendedores do comércio em lojas e mercados e da produção de bens e serviços industriais. Tais ocupações apresentam exposição a substâncias consideradas pela literatura como agentes cancinogênicos para humanos. Observou-se elevado subregistro de dados referentes à ocupação comprometendo a qualidade da informação e, por conseguinte, a efetividade do sistema de vigilância em saúde no Brasil. O RHC também não fornece informações sobre o agente utilizado durante a jornada de trabalho, o tempo de exposição no decorrer de sua vida laboral, bem como dados de ocupações prévias.

Abstract Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world with great impact on public health and leukemia is a hematological cancer directly related to different exposures at work. This study aimed to describe the occupational profile of individuals diagnosed with leukemia. This is a cross-sectional study of cases registered between 2007 and 2011 in the Integrador RHC database. Individuals from 26 Brazilian states, aged 20 years or older, were included. Of the 7,807 cases of leukemia, Minas Gerais recorded the highest occurrence (1,351). Only 52% of the cases had information on occupation. Occupations with the greatest number of cases of leukemia were agricultural, forestry and fishing workers; services, stores and markets vendors; and workers in the production of industrial goods and services. These occupations are exposed to substances considered by literature as carcinogenic agents to humans. There was a high underreporting of occupational data, compromising the quality of information and, therefore, the effectiveness of the Brazilian health surveillance system. The RHC also does not provide information about the agent used during the working day, the exposure time during working life and data from previous occupations.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of metabolic alterations related to abdominal obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance, which increase cardiovascular disease and mortality. The aims of the present study were to identify the prevalence of comorbidities and altered parameters in obese adolescents with and without MetS, and determine cut-off points of waist circumference to predict MetS. Methods: 195 obese adolescents were recruited and divided according to MetS diagnosis based on IDF criteria. Blood analyses of glucose, lipids, liver enzymes, adiponectin and leptin were measured. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA-IR, QUICKI and HOMA-AD. Visceral, subcutaneous and hepatic fat were ultrasonography obtained. Body composition was estimated by BOD POD system. Results: We observed a prevalence of 25% of MetS (n=50). The MetS group presented significantly higher body mass, BMI, body fat (kg), free-fat mass (kg), waist circumference, visceral fat, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, total-cholesterol, LDL-c, VLDL-c, triglycerides, liver enzymes, blood pressure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Significant lower QUICKI and adiponectin were noted in MetS group. MetS girls presented significantly higher leptin/adiponectin ratio compared to Non-MetS girls. Cut-off points of 111.5 cm for boys and 104.6 cm for girls of waist circumference were suggested to predict metabolic syndrome. Moreover, waist circumference was positively correlated with visceral fat and the number of metabolic syndrome parameters. Conclusion: MetS group presented significantly higher metabolic alterations and inflammation compared to Non-MetS group. Waist circumference is considered an anthropometric measure predictor of metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents, being useful in clinical practice.

Introducción: El síndrome metabólico es una constelación de alteraciones metabólicas relacionadas con la obesidad abdominal, la inflamación y la resistencia a la insulina, lo que aumenta las enfermedades cardiovasculares y la mortalidad. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron determinar la prevalencia de comorbilidades y parámetros alterados en adolescentes obesos con y sin SM, y determinar los puntos de corte de la circunferencia de cintura para predecir SM. Métodos: 195 adolescentes obesos y se los dividió según síndrome metabólico diagnóstico basado en criterios de la IDF. Los análisis de sangre se midieron de glucosa, lípidos, enzimas hepáticas, la adiponectina y leptina. Resistencia a la insulina se evaluó mediante HOMA-IR, QUICKI y HOMA-AD. Se obtuvieron ecografía visceral, subcutánea y grasa hepática. La composición corporal se calcula por el sistema BOD POD. Resultados: Se observó una prevalencia del 25% de síndrome metabólico Mets (n = 50). El grupo grupo con síndrome metabólico presentó mayor masa corporal, índice de masa corporal, grasa corporal (kg), sin grasa masa significativa (kg), circunferencia de la cintura, la grasa visceral, la glucosa, la insulina, resistencia a la insulina, colesterol total, LDL-c, VLDL-c, triglicéridos, enzimas hepáticas, enfermedad no alcohólica del hígado graso (EHNA) y la presión arterial. Se observaron QUICKI significativamente menor y la adiponectina en el grupo con síndrome metabólico. El grupo con síndrome metabólico presentaron significativa proporción de leptina / adiponectina mayor en comparación con los que no tienen síndrome metabólico. Puntos de corte de 111,5 cm para los niños y 104,6 cm para las niñas de la circunferencia de cintura se sugirieron para predecir el síndrome metabólico. Además, la circunferencia de la cintura fue positivamente correlacionada con la grasa visceral y el número de parámetros del síndrome metabólico. Conclusión: El grupo con síndrome metabólico presentan alteraciones metabólicas significativas superiores e inflamación en comparación con el grupo sin síndrome metabólico. La circunferencia de cintura se considera un predictor medida antropométrica del síndrome metabólico en adolescentes obesos, siendo útil en la práctica clínica.

Objectives:A cross-sectional study on prevalence of HBV and HDV infection, risk factors and genotype distribution of HBV infection was conducted among 848 HIV-infected patients in Mato Grosso do Sul, Central Brazil.Methods:Serum samples of 848 participants were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and hepatitis surface antibody (anti-HBs). HBsAg positive samples were tested for anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HCV, and total anti-HDV. HBsAg and anti-HBc positive were subjected to DNA extraction. Viral DNA was amplified by semi-nested PCR for the regions pre-S/S and then purified and genotyped/subgenotyped by direct sequencing. Student's t-test, chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare variables and to evaluate association between HBV positivity (defined as anti-HBc and/or HBsAg positivity) and risk factors.Results:Among the 848 HIV infected patients investigated 222 had serological markers of HBV infection. The prevalence rate of HIV-HBV coinfection was 2.5% (21/848; 95% CI: 1.4–3.5%); 484 (57.1%) patients were susceptible for HBV infection. There were no cases of anti-HDV positive and only one (0.1%) anti-HCV-positive case among the HIV-HBV coinfected patients. Male gender, increasing age, family history of hepatitis, use of illicit drug, and homosexual activity were independent factors associated with HBV exposure. The phylogenetic analysis based on the S gene region revealed the presence of genotypes D (76.9%), F (15.4%) and A (7.7%) in the study sample.Conclusion:This study demonstrates the low prevalence of HIV-HBV infection and also highlights the need for early vaccination against HBV as well as testing for HBV, HCV and HDV in all HIV-infected individuals.

The high glycemic index diet was an independent predictor to explain changes in agouti-related protein in obese adolescents. Background & Aims: The role of diet glycemic index (GI) in the control of orexigenic and anorexigenic factors of the energy balance is still not clear. The present study aimed to assess whether the habitual diet, according to different GI foods, exerts influence on regulation of energy balance markers and the effects of interdisciplinary intervention in obese adolescents. Methods: A total of 55 obese adolescents, aged from 14 to 19 years, were submited to one year of interdisciplinary therapy and were divided in two groups, according to the predominant dietary pattern of food intake: high-GI group (H-GI; n = 29) and moderate/low-GI group (M/L-GI; n = 26). Results: The concentration of orexigenic factor AgRP (p < 0.01), visceral fat (p=0.04) and visceral/subcutaneous ratio (p = 0.03) were higher in the group of H-GI when compared with M/L-GI group. Moreover, the habitual consumption of H-GI foods was an independent predictor to explain changes in AgRP concentrations. After one year of interdisciplinary therapy, the adolescents presented significant reductions in body weight, total body fat (%), visceral and subcutaneous fat and HOMA-IR, as well as a significant increase of fat free mass (%). Conclusions: Our results may suggest that habitual H-GI diet could upregulate orexigenic pathways, contributing to vicious cycle between undesirable diets, deregulates energy balance and predispose to obesity. One the other hand, one year of interdisciplinary therapy can significant improves metabolic profile and central obesity in adolescents.

La Dieta de alto índice glucémico es un predictor independiente para explicar los cambios en la proteína relacionada al agouti en adolescentes obesos. Introducción y objetivos: El papel de la dieta de índice glucémico (GI) en el control de los factores orexigénicos y anorexígenos del balance de energía todavía no está claro. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar si la dieta habitual, de acuerdo con diferentes alimentos con IG, ejerce influencia sobre la regulación de los marcadores del balance de energía y los efectos de la intervención interdisciplinaria en adolescentes obesos. Métodos: Un total de 55 adolescentes obesos, con edades de 14 a 19 años, han sido sometidos a un año de tratamiento interdisciplinario y se dividieron en dos grupos, de acuerdo al patrón de dieta predominante de la ingesta de alimentos: el grupo IG alto (H-GI; n = 29) y GI moderada/bajo grupo (M/L-GI, n = 26). Resultados: La concentración de orexigenic factor de AgRP (p < 0,01), la grasa visceral (p = 0,04) y la relación visceral/subcutánea (p = 0,03) fueron mayores en el grupo de H-GI en comparación con el grupo M/L-GI. Por otra parte, el consumo habitual de alimentos H-GI fue un predictor independiente para explicar los cambios en las concentraciones de AgRP. Después de un año de tratamiento interdisciplinario, los adolescentes presentan una reducción significativa en el peso corporal, la grasa corporal total (%), visceral y la grasa subcutánea y el HOMA-IR, así como un aumento significativo de la masa libre de grasa (%). Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados pueden sugerir que la dieta H-GI habitual podría upregulate vías orexigénicos, contribuyendo al círculo vicioso entre las dietas indeseables, desregula el equilibrio energético y predisponen a la obesidad. Uno por otro lado, un año de tratamiento interdisciplinario puede perfil metabólico mejora significativa y la obesidad central en los adolescentes.

A análise do quadro atual das relações exteriores do Brasil, com respeito ao Mercosul e às negociações da Alca, exige também uma avaliação histórica. Nesse sentido deve-se recuperar as origens e a evolução das estratégias regionalistas da política externa brasileira na década de 90.

An analysis of the current state of Brazil's foreign policy relations with regard to Mercosul and FTAA negotiations requires a historical perspective, including an examination of the regional strategies of Brazil's foreign policy during the 1990's.