BackgroundA study with the yellow passion fruit peel flour showed positive action in blood glucose control as therapies’ adjuvant in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we evaluated its effect on insulin sensitivity since there is a quest for studies that focus at better understanding of insulin resistance aspects in diabetic patients. Furthermore its relationship with chronic complications can also give good prospects for alternative treatments.MethodsA total of 43 type 2 diabetes volunteers (28 females and 15 males) ingested 30 g/day of the yellow passion fruit peel flour for two months. The levels of blood glucose and fasting insulin, HOMA index and glycated hemoglobin were measured for each patient before and after dietary supplementation.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the fasting blood glucose values (P = 0.000) and glycated hemoglobin (P = 0.032) after supplementation. It was also seen a reduction in HOMA IR (P = 0.005) in the supplemented group, however it was not observed changes in insulin values for females. HOMA beta (P = 0.000) showed significant increase in its values for the studied group.ConclusionsThe supplementation used decreased insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients, suggesting a positive action in blood glucose control as adjuvant therapy in conventional treatments.

RESUMO: A suplementação da dieta com fi bras solúveis pode ser considerada uma importante medida terapêutica no tratamento de pacientes diabéticos e obesos. Para avaliar o efeito da farinha da casca de maracujá amarelo rica em pectina, foi realizado um ensaio clínico fase II com 43 pacientes portadores de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2. Estes receberam diariamente 30 g do produto testado durante 60 dias. Observou-se diferença estatística signifi cante na glicemia de jejum (p = 0,000) acompanhada pela redução nos valores médios da hemoglobina glicada (p = 0,032). Em relação ao perfi l lipídico, não foi verifi cado redução dos níveis de colesterol total e colesterol LDL nos pacientes ao longo deste estudo; entretanto, houve redução nos níveis de Triglicerídeos e aumento do colesterol HDL nos mesmos. Os níveis glicêmicos apresentados pelos pacientes antes e após o uso da farinha da casca do maracujá são compatíveis com uma ação positiva no controle da glicemia como adjuvante das terapias convencionais. Unitermos:Passifl ora edulis, Passifl oracea, pectina, diabetes, atividade hipoglicemiante, produtos naturais.ABSTRACT: "Effect of the fl our of the yellow passion fruit peel (Passifl ora edulis f. fl avicarpa Deg.) in the glycemic and lipid levels of type 2 diabetes patients". The supplementation of diet with soluble dietary fi ber can be considered an important therapy measure in the treatment of diabetic and obese patients. In order to evaluate the effect of the fl our of the yellow passion fruit peel which is rich in pectin, a phase II clinical trial with 43 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus was performed. They received daily 30 g of the tested product for 60 days. Statistically signifi cant difference was observed in fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.000) accompanied by a reduction in the average values of glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.032). In relation to the lipid profi le, there were no reduced levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in patients during this study; however, there were reduction in the levels of Triglycerides and increase in HDL cholesterol in them. The glycemic levels presented by the patients before and after the use of the passion fruit peel fl our are compatible to a positive action to control blood glucose as an adjunct of conventional therapies. Keywords:Passifl ora edulis, Passifl oracea, pectin, diabetes, hypoglycemic activity, natural products. INTRODUÇÃOO Diabetes Mellitus (DM) constitui um grave problema de saúde pública por sua alta prevalência na população, suas complicações crônicas, mortalidade, altos custos fi nanceiros e sociais envolvidos no tratamento e deterioração signifi cativa da qualidade de vida.Em países, como o Brasil, está previsto aumento na prevalência de DM de 170% no período de 1995de a 2025de (King et al., 1998Narayan et al., 2000;Figueiredo & Modesto-Filho, 2008). Mesmo em países desenvolvidos, apesar dos avanços científi cos e o acesso fácil a cuidados contínuos de saúde, a prevalência do diabetes está aumentando e intervenções com a fi nalidade de prev...

There is a need for more detailed elucidation of T-cell immunity in chikungunya infection. CD8 T cells are one of main actors against viruses. Here, we analysed CD8 T lymphocytes from patients in the acute and chronic phases of chikungunya disease (CHIKD). Our results demonstrate that CD8 T cells expressed higher ex vivo granzyme B, perforin and CD107A expression in patients in the acute phase of CHIKD compared with healthy individuals and higher ex vivo expression of CD69, interleukin-17A, interleukin-10 and CD95 ligand, and co-expression of CD95/CD95 ligand. These results elucidate the importance of these lymphocytes, demonstrating immune mechanisms mediated in human chikungunya infection.

We aimed to investigate the possible spasmolytic activity of ent-7α-acetoxytrachyloban-18-oic acid (1) and ent-7α-hydroxytrachyloban-18-oic acid (2) on smooth muscle models. In male rat aorta and rat uterus, both diterpenes were unable to trigger spasmolytic action. However, 2 relaxed guinea-pig trachea: Compounds 1 and 2 antagonised, significantly and concentration-dependently, carbachol- and histamine-induced phasic contractions in guinea-pig ileum. Moreover, they induced a significant and concentration-dependent relaxation in pre-contracted (KCl, carbachol or histamine) guinea-pig ileum, with 2 being 15 times more potent than 1 in histamine-contracted ileum. These dissimilar results may be due to chemical differences between them. Thus, we demonstrated that 1 and 2 seem to be promising spasmolytic agents, although further studies are required to elucidate the spasmolytic action mechanism.

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RESUMO:Este estudo teve como objetivo traçar e avaliar o perfil das pessoas da terceira idade e desenvolver práticas educativas multidisciplinares que contribuam para melhorar a qualidade de vida. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa realizada no município de Cabaceiras-PB e envolveu 41% da população com faixa etária de 60 anos. Participaram 176 idosos, a faixa etária predominante foi de 60 a 69 anos (n=93), o gênero feminino foi o mais freqüente, a maioria eram casados e moravam com a família e apenas 40 deles não tiveram oportunidade de estudar. Grande parte residia em casa própria e apenas 18 deles não estavam satisfeitos com o lugar onde moravam por falta de infra-estrutura da cidade; 98% da amostra era aposentada (n=172) e destes, 49 ainda exerciam alguma atividade, sendo a principal, do tipo laborativa. Dos participantes, 150 conseguiam desenvolver sozinhos suas atividades diárias, os que demonstraram insatisfação era devido a problemas de saúde. Com relação a perspectivas futuras, 130 revelaram ter ao menos algum projeto a ser realizado, no entanto, alguns deles estavam insatisfeitos com a velhice porque não conseguiam manter sua autonomia. Dos problemas de saúde, os mais frequentes foram hipertensão/cardiopatias, hipertensão/diabetes e doenças osteo-musculares. Mesmo apresentando certas limitações, 92% (n=162) revelaram ser felizes por manter relacionamento familiar e social afetivo. Em alguns casos, a falta de apoio pode resultar numa ruptura do seu projeto existencial, originando a perda do significado da vida. O importante é viver com qualidade conseguindo manter a autonomia e o bem estar.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Envelhecimento. Idoso. Terceira idade. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate and draw up the elderly people profile and develop multidisciplinary educational practices that improve their life quality. It was a quantitative research conducted in Cabaceiras-PB town which involved 41% of the population aged about 60 years old. 176 elderly took part in the research, the predominant age group was 60 to 69 years old (n=93), female ones were the most frequent, most of the interviewed were married and lived with their family and only 40 of them had no opportunity of studying. Many of the elderly live in their own home and only 18 of them were not satisfied with the place where they lived because of the town lack of infrastructure; 98% of the sample was retired (n=172) and 49 of them still were not carrying out any activity; the most common one was the laborious. 150 of the participants could develop their own daily activities by themselves; the ones, who showed discontentment, did so, due to health problems. Regarding future prospects, 130 have revealed at least one project to carry out, however, some of them were dissatisfied with their aging because they could not keep their own autonomy. The most common health problems were hypertension/heart disease, hypertension/diabetes and osteo-muscular diseases. Even having some limitations, 92% (n=162) of the elderly proved to be happy by maintaining affective family and social relations. In some cases a lack of support may result in the ending of the elderly existential project, causing the loss of the life meaning. The important thing is to have a good life quality, managing to keep independency and well-being. KEYWORDS: Aging. Elderly. Third age.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%;">Introduction: the hospital environment favors the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance, being important the aseptic environment and the control of carriers for reducing these infections. Species of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to antibiotics became a cosmopolitan problem due to its degree of virulence and the association with various diseases. These opportunistic microorganisms are usually found in the nasal cavities witch develop rapidly in the asymptomatic patients and, once reaching the hands, may spread rapidly among those patients who are in a state of immunosuppression. Objetive: therefore, this study aimed to identify the presence of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the nostrils of health professionals in Campina Grande-PB. Methodology: for this purpose, it was collected 50 samples of nasal health professionals who had clinically healthy, with no sign of staphylococcal infection. Results: it was found that 28 of the 50 samples, or 56% were positive for S. aureus, and 12/28 samples (42.86%) were resistant to oxacillin and is therefore considered MRSA. Conclusion: the high levels of S. aureus among health professionals may contribute to the spread of this pathogen among immunosuppressed patients and, therefore, are necessary and essential preventive measures such as hand hygiene and nasal decolonization of MRSA carriers from those with mupirocin. </p>